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6346521.png
Occupied Equestria - Winter Winds
Anonymous
f2e4233
?
No.171000
Continuing
1621 replies and 212 files omitted.
Anonymous
24aec86
?
No.171411
171412
>>171408
The creature does not respond back. Perhaps it can't talk. Perhaps it doesn't want to. And it isn't impossible that it has gone deaf between the shot that grazed its head and the automatic rifle next to it.

Silver hears,
"Sergeant Sword. Sergeant Sword!"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
a037c71
?
No.171412
171413
>>171411
Before he reacts, can he tell who/where from his name is being called?
Anonymous
24aec86
?
No.171413
171414
>>171412
Down the (short) hall from whence he came. It's the white pegasus corporal.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
a037c71
?
No.171414
171758
>>171413
Silver stands up, and goes to the corporal.
Anonymous
4d89062
?
No.171415
171416 171417 171422 171424
>>171410
>But not for free
I have just enough gold on my sheet to afford one. It would afford Posey an element of surprise that her griffon bone and leather armor wouldn't. It costs me the last of my gold, but it's worth it. If he mistakes Posey for a knight, she might be able to get some information out of him.
>not glow
Good. That'll make it easier to conceal.
>new babysitter, if necessary
Posey has to spend 8 hours a day not-adventuring to recover arcane spells, and prefers to spend that time with Gloomy. Also, she's very, very, very, very, very possessive of him.
>Is she trying to look sexy, or just like she has a pulse?
Both.
>it's probably worth making a few checks
I guess these are common knowledge checks. I'll roll
Architecture and Engineering:
[1d20+3 = (8+3) = 11]
Dungeoneering
[1d20+3 = (16+3) = 19]
History
[1d20+3 = (2+3) = 5]
Local
[1d20+3 = (2+3) = 5]
Also Search
[1d20+3 = (1+3) = 4]
And a raw Wisdom check, just to get a sense of things:
[1d20+2 = (2+2) = 4]

Ignore the spamrolls if they're not relevant.

>These things can only ever be decided by secret rolls
I guess I'll know if he shows up on the rendezvous night.
Anonymous
4d89062
?
No.171416
>>171415
>Inb4 she gets her hood caught in the tracks and gets hit by a train
Anonymous
65d2595
?
No.171417
>>171415
I guess I'll add a survival roll too.
[1d20+2 = (15+2) = 17]
Anonymous
d4dc36a
?
No.171418
171419
2001__dead+source_safe_artist-colon-hawtkoffee_apple+bloom_scootaloo_sweetie+belle_earth+pony_pegasus_pony_unicorn_g4_armor_christianity_costume_crusader_cut.png
>>171403
>charging smite
Just out of curiosity, how do paladins typically work in this world? Do you use any variants? I take it that ponies in Equestria's Royal Guard (of which I would expect there to be several paladins) and Griffons in the Arcturian Order wouldn't typically have special mounts; would they use Charging Smite or Divine Spirit. The Centaur Paladin from Dragonlance had a similar mechanic to charging smite as well.
Posey would only have experience with the Arcturian paladins. Griffons wouldn't use mounts, but they'd be particularly formidable combatants with charging smite on diving charges, because of the damage doubling, a sort of peregrine falcon build. The Arcturian Paladins seem like cunning military tacticians too, so maybe they'd use the Red Falcon variant.

Ponies haven't had very much need to fight undead, but since they're followers of Celestia I would imagine they'd have access to all of the sun-themed anti-necro stuff that Paladins normally get, such as Pelor's Blessing. Perhaps Paladin Of Light suits ponies of Equestria too, or Solstice Knight.

If course, every paladin is unique, so their builds would vary by individual and order. I'm mostly just curious to hear how mounts are replaced. Divine Spirit and Charging Smite are typical contenders for that.
Anonymous
d4dc36a
?
No.171419
171420
>>171418
I forgot the Religion check to see what Posey knows:
[1d20+9 = (2+9) = 11]
Anonymous
d4dc36a
?
No.171420
171421
>>171419
Why do I keep rolling for things that I could take 10 on?
Anonymous
24aec86
?
No.171421
>>171420
I'll get to Posey Soon(tm), I just have an extraordinary requirement out of work
Amber Sunset
e5d580b
?
No.171422
171440
>>171368
Amber raises an eye"brow" quizzically. "I can't really say. But, here is one possibility. At a pawn shop I like to frequent, I came across a viol of exquisite make. The owner knew it was somewhat valuable–I paid a hefty price for it–but he really had no idea of its true worth. I like to play music on my off hours–it helps to keep me sane with what I have to go through–and it's now my most prized possession. Could they have learned about the presence of such valuables on the train? Perhaps, they have their ways after all."

Amber seems to be cheerfully eager. "Would you like to see my viol? You look to have an eye for fine craftgriffship."

>>171415
Oof, those rolls
Anonymous
f76386b
?
No.171423
crossover-moment-brought-to-you-by-vkontakte-gang-v0-r4uoizrhnlc81.png

Anonymous
24aec86
?
No.171424
171425
>>171415
The tunnel system actually varies significantly. In some areas, it's a nearly circular tunnel bored through the earth. In other areas, it's an almost rectangular shape likely buried in the earth, usually with an arch to support the roof or support beams between the tracks. The tunnel is concrete, presumably steel reinforced.

The tunnels were built under the western part of the town so that trains, especially passenger trains, going along the relatively new rail-line that stretches south towards Blackwater and Saltlickingham - and soon, as far south as Tenochtitlan - will have a rail line that is not crowded with the freight trains that move above and below ground moving freight for the port and industry of the east - and of course to avoid needing to stop for vehicle traffic.

The tunnel starts shortly past union station in a section where the rail line is already somewhat below street level, and turns in a single-line tunnel until it widens into a rectangular section, going a little less than a mile with large opennings for the circulation of air, before briefly opening up to the outside air, turning slightly, and going into a circular segment, that again transforms into a rectangular section that lasts for about a mile before the tunnel ends, and the rail raises to go over a bridge across the Delemare, ultimately to a never completed passenger station, and to Saltlickingham. The oddities of the layout, and especially a few subterranean platforms and "stations," speak to much of the tunnel system being the remnants of a never completed subway system.

For more specific details, pick a specific portion of the tunnel system. As you can tell, it has 4 entrances.
Anonymous
eb211f3
?
No.171425
171427
>>171424
If I pick the innermost subterranean station, could I have specified that in the letter?
Anonymous
24aec86
?
No.171427
171428 171430
>>171425
The "stations" are not listed on any map. There is little reason for the recipient to know of their existence.

Posey would also have to specify the southern or the northern section of the tunnel.
Anonymous
442560b
?
No.171428
171430 171434
>>171427
I should have thought of this before I came up with this plan.
Tbh, the details of the rendezvous point aren't particularly important, so long as it's in an area out of the way with sparse traffic at midnight, and the location obvious enough for Luminous to find his way there. An overhead canopy and dark lighting conditions are just a bonus.
Posey is from up north, so she chooses the northern section.
>There is little reason for the recipient to know of their existence.
Then she specifies the mouth of the tunnel, which should be easy enough for a flying creature to find.
Anonymous
579404a
?
No.171430
171431
>>171427
>>171428
All this said and done, is there anything else I need to specify before it's revealed if Posey's plan works?
Luring him out is the simple part. After this Posey is going to need to fight a flying paladin of indeterminate level.
Anonymous
24aec86
?
No.171431
171432 171433
>>171430
>luring him out is the easy part
Are you so sure? The military, after all, has spent years looking for harmonic stragglers. If all of their vigilance, deceit, and treachery cannot locate them, how can Posey be so certain it's easy to find a griffin in a griffin-stack?
Anonymous
4990c4f
?
No.171432
>>171431
Maybe it's not so simple then... I guess it depends if he takes the bait or not.
I could just go to his place of residence and kill him there, but I would prefer to minimize witnesses, and maybe get some information out of him.
Anonymous
4990c4f
?
No.171433
>>171431
>how can Posey be so certain it's easy to find a griffin in a griffin-stack?
Posey is betting on the idea that Luminous is searching for allies in Equestria, which necessitates that he take risks and present himself to potential allies. If he doesn't take the bait, that'll at least give Posey something to write home about how desperate for personnel the Arcturian Order is right now.
Anonymous
24aec86
?
No.171434
171435
>>171428
While there's technically a couple openings, we know what she means.

Some few hundred yards before a train arrives in Union Station - or rather, a few hundred yards after a train leaves Union Station, going east - there is a switch, wherein a track turns south. A most of the turn occurs outside in a low area. A part of it, however, occurs in a tunnel. This whole line of tracks is lower than the surrounding street level. There is a concrete wall maybe 4 feet high, then above that, vegetation, while slopes up towards what would be street level. Whether there are streets or fields depends the specific point of the rail line. The rail line is mostly a double track, but in this area, it becomes a quadruple line, with the northern most track being a bypass for freight, and the southern most track being the one that curves off to go into the tunnel. The tunnel entrance itself takes in only a single track. The entrance faces Northeast at about a 45 degree angle.
This opening is maybe 80 yards from the far side of the barrier. The tunnel here has grass above it, and slopes gently down, continuing to curve, until the tunnel has curved another 45 degrees. At this point, the track merges with another going southwest, and soon becomes the rectangular kind after maybe 150 yards. Past this another 100 yards is a false station. This area near the entrance curves enough that it's possible to place yourself out of view of the entrance. It's very narrow, not much wider than a train passing through, so you'd rather not be in it when a train comes. Trains must necessarily take the turn slowly, although it's so close to Union Station that you can't go fast anyways. The tracks are a foot above the surrounding dirt on top of massive piles of rocks. Drainage is always an issue, and the tunnel is not well drained. lights exist in the "subway" portion but not in the curve, and one can almost speculate as to whether it was built to cull the homeless population. The sides of the rail lines have bushes, rocks, and juniper trees. The rails are illuminated by what are essentially streetlights on the side.

There may be more that needs to be said, but this is the gist of it.
Anonymous
4990c4f
?
No.171435
171437
>>171434
That's quite a bit of detail. I'll do my best to envision the encounter map (if the encounter ever actually happens; which is a big if).
Anonymous
4990c4f
?
No.171436
171437
(I can't do the encounter tonight though. I gotta sleep)
Anonymous
24aec86
?
No.171437
171438 171446
depry-hooves.jpg
>>171435
>>171436
I swear I'm finally available
Anonymous
4990c4f
?
No.171438
171439
>>171437
Maybe we can get to it tomorrow then. I have the day off.
Anonymous
24aec86
?
No.171439
171441 171444
>>171438
Let's try

Anything else to set up?

The scene would obviously be dark with obnoxious yellow lights from the streetlights that line the railway. Trains are not so active at midnight.
Anonymous
24aec86
?
No.171440
171563
>>171422
The officer places the phone to his head, and seems to be frustrated by the lack of an answer. He looks to Amber skeptically, as if to say "I'm on to you." He places down the phone, and takes a hold of her viol, peering especially into the center, as if looking for anything hidden within.

"And you mean to tell me rebels would attack over a viol?" he says, in clear disbelief.
Anonymous
d1f276b
?
No.171441
171442
>>171439
Posey casts Undetectable Alignment before entering the scene.
Anonymous
d918251
?
No.171442
>>171441
I believe Posey can chose how she looks, he how she approaches the scene
Anonymous
371f31c
?
No.171444
171447
Double-steel-ball-bola.jpg
>>171439
>Anything else to set up?
With the very last of my gold, I would like to buy a bolas, since it's listed as an archaic weapon and I think it'll help against an enemy who can fly.
Also I really want to lean into the low-tech style of the Dread League, so I might end up doing this whole game without guns.

On the previous day before the rendezvous, Posey casts Detect Magic on the sword she found in the woods again, and tries to determine its caster level and school (I assume CL 5 Evocation, but you never know).
Spellcraft check
[1d20+11 = (20+11) = 31]

>but why use all of these mundane weapons?
Posey intends to open with a melee attack routine, for a number of reasons. First of all, most of Posey's blackweave attacks don't work on paladins (fear), and her remaining spells with saving throws are unlikely to affect them because of high fortitude and will saves. Second of all, if for some reason Luminous decides to make a "tactical retreat" at the beginning of the fight, and he's already seen Posey's dark magic, he might expose Posey's operations to the public, so Posey intends to wound him to soften him up before finishing him off with her most potent spell at this level: Summon Amoebic Crawler, which would summon one or two grapplers to disable him. The longer she can avoid being wounded or casting evil magic, the longer she can keep her disguise. Of course, Luminous would be taking risks reporting her to the military, but being an LG knight he has a lot less to risk than Posey does when it comes to exposure.
Posey expects Luminous to immediately use Detect Evil upon meeting her, because why wouldn't he? Using the Undetectable alignment, she could pose as a neutral agent of the military, which would temporarily deter Luminous from opening with burst-damage smites; this of course only works until Posey is wounded (exposing her necrotic innards) or casts an evil spell, at which Luminous would immediately realize that he's been tricked and will use his smite routine, hopefully not 20 ft in the air, from which he could dematerialize Posey with a charging smite aerial claw attack (especially if he's a charger build with leap attack and battle jump, and has Rhino's Rush prepared). Paladins are a daily-resource gish class, so they can be especially dangerous as single-encounter enemies burning through all of their resources in one fight.

Idk why I'm tactics-dumping. I guess I just had a long time to prepare for this, and I wanted to share.
Anonymous
6d4d098
?
No.171446
171447
>>171437
Are you available today, GM?
Anonymous
24aec86
?
No.171447
171448
>>171446
I will have to leave for some hours eventually, but I'll be back... eventually

>>171444
Bolas obtained

Posey can tell that it is a +2 magic sword, simple enchantment made to a layer of silver that coats the steel blade.

But the real questions are:
What time does she arrive?
Where does she stand in relation to the entrance and the rails?
What does she look like?

Does she look like a medical student? Does she look like a necromancer? Does she dress up to look like August Wreath did? Or like the ELF fighters did? Or like an Arcturian knight looks? Or like what she imagines a paladin would look like? You know she has to get by still more military checkpoints... she'd likely want a coat or overshirt.
Anonymous
6d4d098
?
No.171448
171449 171450
>>171447
>+2 magic sword
Wow, that is more than I expected.
>layer of silver
Posey would have figured this out at some point while she was polishing it as the reflection started hurting... And then stopped polishing it.
I wonder if the PC named Silver Sword would want it.
>What time does she arrive?
With nothing better to do, Posey arrives some hours before the rendezvous point, after putting Gloomy to bed. Maybe around 9 to 11 PM, depending on how long it takes to get there.
>Where does she stand in relation to the entrance and the rails?
Posey stands in shadow, but near enough that she could see any flying creature arrive, and make herself seen if she wishes.
>What does she look like?
Posey looks like a youthful unicorn mare dressed for war, albeit from a bygone age. Her mane is tied back in her war bun (which looks something like Nurse Redheart's bun) instead of her casual braid. She's wearing simple chainmail and a steel cap helmet. This is all beneath her regular black hooded cloak, which gives her a "Mysterious cloaked stranger" look at a distance. Attached her her pack saddle she has a greatsword which probably looks rather large on her, her usual compound bow and quiver, a spell components pouch, as well as a bundle where her net and bolas are tied. She's done her makeup well.
>Or like what she imagines a paladin would look like?
She's trying to look somewhat knightly, as much as a lowly creature of the night can pull off. Her light armor proficiency is putting in the extra miles here.

What's important to mention though is that in spite of everything Posey does to maintain her vanity, she's still undead, with cosmetic mutations to boot. As a half-vampire with a high charisma score, she looks more like a mortal, even after death, but a trained eye might know that something is amiss with her. In the night, having had a good blood intake, she looks vivacious, but perhaps uncannily so. Her skin and snowy coat are flawless, almost glowing in night, her mane looks like a shower of crimson, and her eyes, most strikingly, appear as pools of gold and shine like a predator's (which might reveal that she has Darkvision, depending on how well he rolls); at a glance, she seems more like some sort of spiritual apparition than a corporeal creature.
>she'd likely want a coat or overshirt.
Posey doesn't go anywhere without her cloak.
Anonymous
6d4d098
?
No.171449
>>171448
Posey's disguise mod is +6, although I'm hoping to get the "minor details only" bonus. It's a secret roll, so I guess I'll just have to see how well I do.

Undetectable Alignment lasts 24 hours, so if possible I would have liked to cast it at the end of the previous day (leaving me 6 spell slots to use), but otherwise she'll just cast it before she leaves.
Anonymous
24aec86
?
No.171450
171451
>>171448
The city itself is rather small and could be traversed in an hour or less. This is assuming Posey did not have Mason drive her there, which she surely could. As Posey has surely become all too familiar with by this point, she has to pass through an internal checkpoint. She may as well have some story for what she is doing out, especially as her antique weapons may require explanation. This area of the city is not well known to Posey. Some blocks have apartment buildings, some blocks have wider commerical blocks like cart or car dealerships, and some are parking lots or undeveloped fields. The rail lines are traversed by bridges in areas, and leading towards Union Station, goes into another tunnel.

This section of the city is less active at night than the easternside; whereas in the east, refineries, factories, and freight docks continue through the night, in the norwest of the city, things slow down. Nevertheless, Posey will find she is not alone. Ponies walk by across the opposite side above the tracks. Some walk with purpose, some stumble around, and more than one glances down at the tracks below. Posey sees at least one military patrol move along above and look down to the tracks. Flying creatures do fly above, though not many, and its unclear if the griffin she sees is scouting.

The rail lines themselves are not without activity. A train moves by going into Union Station. At least one train goes through the tunnel itself - a full sized passenger train with green livery, presumably the night train to Tenochtitlan. Have they completed that line already? Freight trains are more common, taking the right most track. One comes by with empty cars. A fully loaded, massive train comes by with cars laden with coal. For all of the mineral wealth of the Southeast, it appears that coal must be imported from further west and north.

If Posey was expecting perfect punctuality at midnight, she is disappointed
Anonymous
6d4d098
?
No.171451
171452 171453
>>171450
>She may as well have some story for what she is doing out, especially as her antique weapons may require explanation
Posey takes 10 on her bluff check (modified 22) to convince them that she's going out to have this set of implements appraised for historical value.
>If Posey was expecting perfect punctuality at midnight, she is disappointed
With nothing better to do, Posey waits for a while. She flickers her lamp every now and then, to draw some attention.
If her mark doesn't show up by ~3:00 AM, she gives a shrug of disappointment, and leaves to lurk the alleys outside the nearest bar to find a drunkard to exsanguinate.
Anonymous
1764d28
?
No.171452
171453
Screenshot_20240324-154719.png
>>171451
I guess I should roll.
I'm going to roll bluff to deliver a secret message, with the message being vaguely "I'm waiting to meet somepony at midnight!", to get the attention of my mark.
[1d20+12 = (8+12) = 20]
Anonymous
24aec86
?
No.171453
171455
>>171452
>>171451
>find a drunkard to exsanguinate.
concern

The rain from earlier has cleared up, and the half-moon only periodically is covered by clouds. Though not much rain fell, the ground is damp, and most ground that is not covered by rocks is covered by mud. Above the tracks, Posey knows there is movement as a group passes by.

In any event, she does not need to wait until 3:00 AM. If she had a watch on her, she'd see the time was 12:11 AM, although the first signs would appear a minute before that. She can hear the crunching of rocks. A lone figure walks near, though its hard to see from the angle as the figure approaches close to the edge. She knows the figure is not miliatry, because the soldiers never travel, or even stand, alone. She may think that its a homeless stallion, a drifter seeking to ride a freight train out of town, or even a railway worker inspecting the lines, but all doubt is removed when the figure perks up at Posey's words

He must have gone to the other tunnel entrance a few hundred yards away. That is why he walks so close to the edge, and is so hard to see. At least, hard to see from within the tunnel. In the obnoxious yellow light of the street lamps, Posey gets a decent enough look at him. He is a griffin, and his coat is some shade of yellow, almost looking like a chicken. He wears a hat, presumably a fedora, and a large, thick coat, bordering on a trench coat, that is buttoned closed and thick. Now, Posey has seen Arcturian Paladins before. She knows that they have no humility in their dress, and will proudly display their allegiance on their clothing. Either this ain't her guy, he lost his armor, or evading the military required more subtly. Posey does not see any armor, though it's hard to say what is under his coat. He moves his head back and forth, looking, and his leonine tail remains close to his body, flittering about every 15 seconds or so as if in an anxious tick. He looks towards Posey with hazel eyes that don't quite have the angle to reflect the light of the half moon.

"Yes?" The figure says, in a voice at once betraying an accent and anxiety.
Anonymous
1764d28
?
No.171455
171456
>>171453
Posey flicks her lantern in dimly, illuminating her face. She removes her hood, which would reveal her chain shirt barding. She puts on a stoic, noble expression, hiding her own anxiety.
She gives a bow, her mail rattling.
"Is it you who sought aid of the Knights Of Celestia?" she asks, breaking the ice.
Anonymous
24aec86
?
No.171456
171458
>>171455
He stops abrubtly, then moves closer towards Posey, standing just outside of the entrance. Unless, that is, Posey is outside of the entrance. He's clearly passed his disguise check, as he does not look like a paladin. He's the right age to be a veteran (35ish), but isn't especially well kept, nor does he look very strong.

He replies
"Are you ELF?"
Anonymous
1764d28
?
No.171458
171460
>>171456
"I've heard of them, and even know a few, but no." Posey replies
"My loyalties lie... elsewhere. I'm not one to divide my devotion, but I am one to help a friend in need."
She looks past the griffon
"Did anypony follow you? I take it you got the letter."
Anonymous
1764d28
?
No.171459
171460
Gonna roll spot, to check for onlookers
[1d20+4 = (4+4) = 8]
Anonymous
d918251
?
No.171460
171461 171462
>>171459
Seems fine

>>171458
“No. I… to whom then? To whom do your loyalties lie?”
Anonymous
1764d28
?
No.171461
171463
>>171460
"The Princess of course." Posey says
"Was that not who you were looking for?"
Anonymous
1764d28
?
No.171462
171463
>>171460
"You are Luminous Grandeur, aren't you?"
Anonymous
d918251
?
No.171463
171464
>>171461
>>171462
“I… uh…” he closes his mouth, and then opens again, and turns his head slightly to look at Posey “Are you August Wreath?”
Anonymous
1764d28
?
No.171464
171465
>>171463
>Are you August Wreath?
"I am not; sorry to disappoint you. He's a very busy stallion, and he has a lot of ponies who want him, so meetings like this would be quite the risk for him, and his endeavors. I do know him though, rather... intimately."
Anonymous
d918251
?
No.171465
171466
>>171464
I like how Posey is assuming he has a reputation as a whore mongerer
It took me a moment to realize that isn’t even a lie
“I see…” he nods slowly
“No, I am Alluring Grandeur. His nephew. Nephew on another family line. But I know him here in Baltimare. He sent me in his stead as the government will lay traps.”
Anonymous
1764d28
?
No.171466
171467
>>171465
You might have noticed that Posey has a practice of minimizing overt lies while she's misleading people.

>He sent me in his stead as the government will lay traps.
Posey gives a slow nod
"Your uncle is a wise bird. The government's eyes are everywhere. It's almost as if they're more concerned with good-hearted patriots than they are with the wretched changelings hiding under their noses." she says, through gritted teeth
"Did your uncle have a message to deliver?"