The next big quest with everypony in it is coming soon (TM)
/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal
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1727 replies and 43 files omitted.
>>176102
Kira nods excitedly.
"Oh yeah, let me go get them!"
Kira rushes upstairs, letting Bright Dye get a brief but still very interesting view of how Kira slithers upstairs, moving along anchor points on the steps to maintain upwards motion without sliding back down. She quickly grabs her spear and bow, and slithers back downstairs to ecstatically show off her possessions to the visitor.
Kira nods excitedly.
"Oh yeah, let me go get them!"
Kira rushes upstairs, letting Bright Dye get a brief but still very interesting view of how Kira slithers upstairs, moving along anchor points on the steps to maintain upwards motion without sliding back down. She quickly grabs her spear and bow, and slithers back downstairs to ecstatically show off her possessions to the visitor.
>>176103
Kira slithers back into the room to catch the following exchange. Bright Dye, leaning over to his right towards Neela,
“Do you have any fawns?”
“N-no, I don’t. I haven’t had any.”
“Really? Your teats are enlarged.”
Neela giggles, adjusts herself to sit more firmly upright, and places her right hoof against her neck. Smiling, she looks over to him and asks, “why are you looking at my teats?” Leaning over towards him to tap his right foreleg with her left hoof. She continues giggling, and a few seconds later both creatures turn their attention towards Kira, staring at the spear and bow before she addresses them. Both of them seem somehow surprised to see weapons in the home, even though Neela has surely seen Kira’s bow and spear before.
Kira slithers back into the room to catch the following exchange. Bright Dye, leaning over to his right towards Neela,
“Do you have any fawns?”
“N-no, I don’t. I haven’t had any.”
“Really? Your teats are enlarged.”
Neela giggles, adjusts herself to sit more firmly upright, and places her right hoof against her neck. Smiling, she looks over to him and asks, “why are you looking at my teats?” Leaning over towards him to tap his right foreleg with her left hoof. She continues giggling, and a few seconds later both creatures turn their attention towards Kira, staring at the spear and bow before she addresses them. Both of them seem somehow surprised to see weapons in the home, even though Neela has surely seen Kira’s bow and spear before.
>>176104
"Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt, I was just excited to show off my things, it's not very often I get to show these off to someone who doesn't already know about them."
She holds out the bow for display. If Bright Side or Neela knew anything about archery or bowmaking they could probably tell what material it is or what it's unique shape is meant for, but otherwise all they can tell is that it looks like a bow bent backwards on itself, made with a wooden core and separate materials on the back and belly. "We make our own bows for hunting. My mom showed me how to when I was younger, and I made this! It was pretty tough to learn to use at first, you need to be really strong to pull the string, but that's the idea behind it; you build the archer to fit the bow, rather than building the bow to fit the archer. Basically you wanted to build a really strong bow first, then you trained yourself to use it. That way you can get every ounce of strength out of every draw!"
Next she shows off the spear. If either Neela or Bright Dye continue to harbor thoughts in their imagination about Kira's culture being like some primitive neolithic tribespeople, they would be quite surprised by the quality and craftsponyship (or perhaps craftsnakeship) of the weapon in front of them. The broad leaf-shaped steel spear head looks honed to a fine edge, and is fastened to a studded shaft that has been balanced near perfectly. It's bigger and heavier than a javelin, but could still be thrown in a pinch if no other option was available. "There's not really any kind of special story about this spear, it's just the average kind of spear you'd see all sorts of hunters using. I haven't actually used it yet. I definitely favor the bow over spears, but it's important that us hunters have a way to defend ourselves in close quarters."
"Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt, I was just excited to show off my things, it's not very often I get to show these off to someone who doesn't already know about them."
She holds out the bow for display. If Bright Side or Neela knew anything about archery or bowmaking they could probably tell what material it is or what it's unique shape is meant for, but otherwise all they can tell is that it looks like a bow bent backwards on itself, made with a wooden core and separate materials on the back and belly. "We make our own bows for hunting. My mom showed me how to when I was younger, and I made this! It was pretty tough to learn to use at first, you need to be really strong to pull the string, but that's the idea behind it; you build the archer to fit the bow, rather than building the bow to fit the archer. Basically you wanted to build a really strong bow first, then you trained yourself to use it. That way you can get every ounce of strength out of every draw!"
Next she shows off the spear. If either Neela or Bright Dye continue to harbor thoughts in their imagination about Kira's culture being like some primitive neolithic tribespeople, they would be quite surprised by the quality and craftsponyship (or perhaps craftsnakeship) of the weapon in front of them. The broad leaf-shaped steel spear head looks honed to a fine edge, and is fastened to a studded shaft that has been balanced near perfectly. It's bigger and heavier than a javelin, but could still be thrown in a pinch if no other option was available. "There's not really any kind of special story about this spear, it's just the average kind of spear you'd see all sorts of hunters using. I haven't actually used it yet. I definitely favor the bow over spears, but it's important that us hunters have a way to defend ourselves in close quarters."
>>176098
“Okay…” she says, looking downwards in resignation. But she looks back up, turns around, and moves through the strand of trees that are just beyond the slope. Amber moves forward past this tiny strand of trees, one or two rows, and she sees that they are more or less, already there. Past the tiny number of trees that ringed the edge of what was presumably, an arboreal forest dominated by tall, narrow fir threes, Amber sees numerous acres of fallen trees all in neat rows, approximately facing Amber. Many of trees have roots visible, some are singed, and in many areas beaches and needles are severed from the trunks. There’s an island of standing trees in the distance, besides the one Amber is standing next to, and the pattern of why these exist while trees are felled elsewhere isn’t clear. A few saplings do, however, stand up, including a couple birch trees. The trees that stand are narrow and have few branches extending far from the trunk, although whether that’s how they grew and not the product of some event cannot be said. Under the trees the ground is mostly dead with dead grass, dirt, and snow, sometimes disturbed. In several areas, trees have been cut up and branches removed, with tracks all along the ground. There is a big rectangular pile of cut up wood some hundreds of feet from Amber.
Jakala is uncomfortable with the area.
“Okay…” she says, looking downwards in resignation. But she looks back up, turns around, and moves through the strand of trees that are just beyond the slope. Amber moves forward past this tiny strand of trees, one or two rows, and she sees that they are more or less, already there. Past the tiny number of trees that ringed the edge of what was presumably, an arboreal forest dominated by tall, narrow fir threes, Amber sees numerous acres of fallen trees all in neat rows, approximately facing Amber. Many of trees have roots visible, some are singed, and in many areas beaches and needles are severed from the trunks. There’s an island of standing trees in the distance, besides the one Amber is standing next to, and the pattern of why these exist while trees are felled elsewhere isn’t clear. A few saplings do, however, stand up, including a couple birch trees. The trees that stand are narrow and have few branches extending far from the trunk, although whether that’s how they grew and not the product of some event cannot be said. Under the trees the ground is mostly dead with dead grass, dirt, and snow, sometimes disturbed. In several areas, trees have been cut up and branches removed, with tracks all along the ground. There is a big rectangular pile of cut up wood some hundreds of feet from Amber.
Jakala is uncomfortable with the area.
>>176105
“Oh!”
Bright Dye stands up, and comes closer towards the weapons to look at them. He extends his hooves.
“So you’ve shot this bow many times?”
“Oh!”
Bright Dye stands up, and comes closer towards the weapons to look at them. He extends his hooves.
“So you’ve shot this bow many times?”
>>176107
If he's asking to be handed the weapons so he can take closer looks at them, Kira gladly complies. "Yes sir! I'd like to say I'm quite the shot, all thanks to Mom!"
Bluff: While he does so, a minor aside: Kira tries to see if she can sneak a peak at Neela's teats to see if she can see what Bright Dye was talking about, without Neela either noticing or believing that's what Kira is doing.
[1d20+3 = (2+3) = 5]
If he's asking to be handed the weapons so he can take closer looks at them, Kira gladly complies. "Yes sir! I'd like to say I'm quite the shot, all thanks to Mom!"
Bluff: While he does so, a minor aside: Kira tries to see if she can sneak a peak at Neela's teats to see if she can see what Bright Dye was talking about, without Neela either noticing or believing that's what Kira is doing.
[1d20+3 = (2+3) = 5]
>>176108
Bright Dye gladly takes it.
“Neat!”
He tries to pull back the string on the bow, but has difficulty.
“Wow, this uh, strong pull.”
Secret modifier:
[1d20 = 18]
Bright Dye gladly takes it.
“Neat!”
He tries to pull back the string on the bow, but has difficulty.
“Wow, this uh, strong pull.”
Secret modifier:
[1d20 = 18]
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>>176112
Kira takes the bow in her hooves, and using the end of her tail draws back the bowstring. The bow bends as she draws, the material on the belly contracting while the material on the outside stretches. The act is not without effort as both Bright Dye and Neela can see the muscles in her tail flexing and tightening, but even then she makes it look easy compared to the trouble the stallion was having. She holds the draw for a couple seconds before carefully, slowly returning the bow to its normal state and offering it back to Bright Dye if he wishes to continue observing it.
"It's all a matter of practice, building yourself up to be able to handle the strength the bow demands."
Kira takes the bow in her hooves, and using the end of her tail draws back the bowstring. The bow bends as she draws, the material on the belly contracting while the material on the outside stretches. The act is not without effort as both Bright Dye and Neela can see the muscles in her tail flexing and tightening, but even then she makes it look easy compared to the trouble the stallion was having. She holds the draw for a couple seconds before carefully, slowly returning the bow to its normal state and offering it back to Bright Dye if he wishes to continue observing it.
"It's all a matter of practice, building yourself up to be able to handle the strength the bow demands."
>>176113
“Woah” he watches Kira pull the string back, and when offered, takes the bow back.
“What’s the furthest you’ve shot an animal from? What’s the biggest one you’ve killed? Do they like, run off wounded, or…”
“Woah” he watches Kira pull the string back, and when offered, takes the bow back.
“What’s the furthest you’ve shot an animal from? What’s the biggest one you’ve killed? Do they like, run off wounded, or…”
>>176114
"Hmm, maybe a bit over...seven tail lengths, which is probably the maximum extent of my bow's range. It loses speed pretty quickly once it gets past a certain range. As for largest there's really no contest, it would be that giant eagle. They're as big as we are, maybe even bigger if you count their full wingspan, and heavy too. They really don't like us lamias, and they tend to attack us on sight. It's unfortunate because they're actually pretty intelligent creatures. I was out hunting about a year ago when this big old eagle came swooping out of nowhere, diving at me from above, then slashing at me with its claws and pecking at me with its beak. It was honestly a pretty close call, but I managed to bring it down and carry it back to town. Most normal animals though don't tend to give you too much trouble, and a well placed shot is usually enough to bring them down in one. If not, though, then that's when you need to track."
"Hmm, maybe a bit over...seven tail lengths, which is probably the maximum extent of my bow's range. It loses speed pretty quickly once it gets past a certain range. As for largest there's really no contest, it would be that giant eagle. They're as big as we are, maybe even bigger if you count their full wingspan, and heavy too. They really don't like us lamias, and they tend to attack us on sight. It's unfortunate because they're actually pretty intelligent creatures. I was out hunting about a year ago when this big old eagle came swooping out of nowhere, diving at me from above, then slashing at me with its claws and pecking at me with its beak. It was honestly a pretty close call, but I managed to bring it down and carry it back to town. Most normal animals though don't tend to give you too much trouble, and a well placed shot is usually enough to bring them down in one. If not, though, then that's when you need to track."
>>176115
“You get attacked by eagles?!” He is genuinely surprised. “And tracking. What does that involve? Do you just follow a blood trail?”
“You get attacked by eagles?!” He is genuinely surprised. “And tracking. What does that involve? Do you just follow a blood trail?”
>>176116
Kira nods to the first question before continuing on with the second. "Well following a blood trail is part of it, but there are actually all sorts of clues that animals leave behind. It could be as simple a hoof or paw prints in the dirt, broken sticks and trampled grass, sometimes you find a tree that a certain animal has been scratching themselves on or has been marking or even sharpening their claws on in the case of predators. And then you have things like urine or dung which can also be good indicators of an animal's presence even if it can be pretty gross, and predators sometimes leave carcasses behind when they're hunting. You've also gotta make use of all of your different sense, if you're only bothered with looking for signs of animals and you're not keeping your ears open to the sounds around you or smelling the air for clues, then you're putting yourself at a disadvantage."
Kira nods to the first question before continuing on with the second. "Well following a blood trail is part of it, but there are actually all sorts of clues that animals leave behind. It could be as simple a hoof or paw prints in the dirt, broken sticks and trampled grass, sometimes you find a tree that a certain animal has been scratching themselves on or has been marking or even sharpening their claws on in the case of predators. And then you have things like urine or dung which can also be good indicators of an animal's presence even if it can be pretty gross, and predators sometimes leave carcasses behind when they're hunting. You've also gotta make use of all of your different sense, if you're only bothered with looking for signs of animals and you're not keeping your ears open to the sounds around you or smelling the air for clues, then you're putting yourself at a disadvantage."
>>176117
He nods,
“So if tracking down and killing animals is… well kind of your job, why did you not want to eat the goat earlier?” After a pause, “was it too small?”
He nods,
“So if tracking down and killing animals is… well kind of your job, why did you not want to eat the goat earlier?” After a pause, “was it too small?”
>>176118
Kira blushes, and rubs the back of her pony head with a hoof. "...small creatures like that have their own defense mechanism: being too cute. I mean, he was just this tiny little nugget of a goat, and with a name like Nippy I just...I honestly couldn't. And then Hopper...I'll be honest, even with how big he was if I hadn't blocked it out in my mind before he had the chance to bombard me with cuteness, I don't think I could have done so with him either. You're way too good at raising cute animals."
Kira blushes, and rubs the back of her pony head with a hoof. "...small creatures like that have their own defense mechanism: being too cute. I mean, he was just this tiny little nugget of a goat, and with a name like Nippy I just...I honestly couldn't. And then Hopper...I'll be honest, even with how big he was if I hadn't blocked it out in my mind before he had the chance to bombard me with cuteness, I don't think I could have done so with him either. You're way too good at raising cute animals."
>>176119
“Heh heh, thank you.” He smiles. Then the smile fades. “Though I suppose you swallowed him all the same…”
Neela shakes her head
“She has the body of a Nagini. Even the instincts of a Nagini. But her spirit is something else. Something weaker.”
“Heh heh, thank you.” He smiles. Then the smile fades. “Though I suppose you swallowed him all the same…”
Neela shakes her head
“She has the body of a Nagini. Even the instincts of a Nagini. But her spirit is something else. Something weaker.”
>>176120
Kira continues to blush as she looks away, ears folding down. "Yeah..."
She turns then to Neela, tilting her head. "I mean...probably true, but also ouch."
Kira continues to blush as she looks away, ears folding down. "Yeah..."
She turns then to Neela, tilting her head. "I mean...probably true, but also ouch."
>>176106
https://youtu.be/KZZKzJTGI9E
Amber stares at the sight for a minute. Trees fall in a forest all the time, but never this many. It's impossible for her to know how this possibly could have happened. It looks like some sort of giant had stomped over so many trees, and for some reason cut and stacked some of it up. But why were some burnt? Jakala is not the only uncomfortable pony as this looks highly disturbing.
She considers leaving Jakala behind, but doesn't completely trust her to not move and thinks better of it. In the dim light she carefully steps over the fallen logs and makes her way to the island of standing trees, making sure the smaller filly is right behind her.
https://youtu.be/KZZKzJTGI9E
Amber stares at the sight for a minute. Trees fall in a forest all the time, but never this many. It's impossible for her to know how this possibly could have happened. It looks like some sort of giant had stomped over so many trees, and for some reason cut and stacked some of it up. But why were some burnt? Jakala is not the only uncomfortable pony as this looks highly disturbing.
She considers leaving Jakala behind, but doesn't completely trust her to not move and thinks better of it. In the dim light she carefully steps over the fallen logs and makes her way to the island of standing trees, making sure the smaller filly is right behind her.
>>176121
Neela nods.
Bright Dye turns to her and asks, “Nagini?”
“Yes, the children of the Naga. They are monsters with the chimerical bodies of ponies fused with those of giant snakes. This is the only one I’ve seen. She has the killer instincts, and the strength of a python, but also that false, benign facade of a pony.”
“But why do you say ‘children of the Naga’? I haven’t heard every Griffonian legend before but, I don’t think I’ve heard that one.”
“I mean…” she looks over at Kira. “She’s quite a specimen isn’t she? I didn’t think I’d be… well, sold to one, or even see one myself. But here we are.”
Neela nods.
Bright Dye turns to her and asks, “Nagini?”
“Yes, the children of the Naga. They are monsters with the chimerical bodies of ponies fused with those of giant snakes. This is the only one I’ve seen. She has the killer instincts, and the strength of a python, but also that false, benign facade of a pony.”
“But why do you say ‘children of the Naga’? I haven’t heard every Griffonian legend before but, I don’t think I’ve heard that one.”
“I mean…” she looks over at Kira. “She’s quite a specimen isn’t she? I didn’t think I’d be… well, sold to one, or even see one myself. But here we are.”
>>176123
"So that's why you keep calling me a Nagini." Kira raises an eyebrow. "But then, what's the Naga? Is the Naga the same as a Nagini? Is there a difference?"
"So that's why you keep calling me a Nagini." Kira raises an eyebrow. "But then, what's the Naga? Is the Naga the same as a Nagini? Is there a difference?"
>>176124
“It’s just a term from a children’s story. Don’t put too much stock in it. It just means that you’re… well… how do I say this? A bit child-like. Uh, ‘young’ is the charitable way to say it.”
“It’s just a term from a children’s story. Don’t put too much stock in it. It just means that you’re… well… how do I say this? A bit child-like. Uh, ‘young’ is the charitable way to say it.”
>>176126
"I guess so. I mean, I'm 23 years old, that's definitely far from being an elder. I'd never heard of Nagas or Naginis before meeting you, though."
"I guess so. I mean, I'm 23 years old, that's definitely far from being an elder. I'd never heard of Nagas or Naginis before meeting you, though."
>>176127
“You probably wouldn’t have. It’s just a word that’s used taken from a children’s fable. Just know that not everyone is completely unfamiliar with lamias and what they are.”
“You probably wouldn’t have. It’s just a word that’s used taken from a children’s fable. Just know that not everyone is completely unfamiliar with lamias and what they are.”
>>176129
Neela is silent for several seconds, clearly unsure of what to say
“Sure, let’s go with that.”
thring
Bright Dye lets the string go on the bow and it snaps back.
Neela is silent for several seconds, clearly unsure of what to say
“Sure, let’s go with that.”
thring
Bright Dye lets the string go on the bow and it snaps back.
>>176130
Kira cringes as soon as she hears the sound.
"Please don't do that, you can damage the bow by loosing it without an arrow."
Kira cringes as soon as she hears the sound.
"Please don't do that, you can damage the bow by loosing it without an arrow."
>>176132
"When an arrow is loosed, the energy of the bow string is transferred to the arrow, but without it all of that energy goes back into the bow itself. It puts a lot of strain on the bow and can cause it to crack if done too much."
"When an arrow is loosed, the energy of the bow string is transferred to the arrow, but without it all of that energy goes back into the bow itself. It puts a lot of strain on the bow and can cause it to crack if done too much."
>>176135
"Awww..." Kira's ears fold down. "I didn't mean to be rude, it's just...that bow is really precious to me." She also says, more quietly, "...plus it takes all sorts of different materials to make one and then days to build it and then months more for it to actually dry..."
"Awww..." Kira's ears fold down. "I didn't mean to be rude, it's just...that bow is really precious to me." She also says, more quietly, "...plus it takes all sorts of different materials to make one and then days to build it and then months more for it to actually dry..."
>>176122
Jakala proceeds, still pulling the sled. She is not so fast as before, and Amber may pull ahead if Desiree. Much if that is because navigating around the downed trees is difficul, but clearly she lacks enthusiasm to be there. It’s a little journey down a kind of valley through the downed trees, past the chopped and cut up trees in the center, and towards the strand of still standing trees.
Jakala
“My mom says it was the Stallos. Coming in and ripping up trees. You know they will grab you and eat you? I think it’s just as well that they tore up the trees. It means they can’t hide in them. I think I’ve seen them before. Moving in the night.” She looks around cautiously.
Jakala proceeds, still pulling the sled. She is not so fast as before, and Amber may pull ahead if Desiree. Much if that is because navigating around the downed trees is difficul, but clearly she lacks enthusiasm to be there. It’s a little journey down a kind of valley through the downed trees, past the chopped and cut up trees in the center, and towards the strand of still standing trees.
Jakala
“My mom says it was the Stallos. Coming in and ripping up trees. You know they will grab you and eat you? I think it’s just as well that they tore up the trees. It means they can’t hide in them. I think I’ve seen them before. Moving in the night.” She looks around cautiously.
>>176136
“Ah, yeah, I see… that makes sense. I wasn’t trying to damage it. I didn’t know.” He answers
“Ah, yeah, I see… that makes sense. I wasn’t trying to damage it. I didn’t know.” He answers
>>176137
Amber doesn't pull ahead, lest she lose sight of her companion. She does wish she told Jakala to leave the sled behind before they moved forward.
"What are the Stallos? Why are they tearing up the trees? Why are we living so close to them if they're dangerous?" Amber asks. Though this is spoken aloud, it's more of thinking out loud since she doubts the little filly knows the answers. She hopes there are none of them in that stand of trees.
Amber doesn't pull ahead, lest she lose sight of her companion. She does wish she told Jakala to leave the sled behind before they moved forward.
"What are the Stallos? Why are they tearing up the trees? Why are we living so close to them if they're dangerous?" Amber asks. Though this is spoken aloud, it's more of thinking out loud since she doubts the little filly knows the answers. She hopes there are none of them in that stand of trees.
"Gloomy, did I ever tell you the story of how Gnolls first came to be? It's..." whispers
Gloomy 's eyes widen in incredulity.
"Really?"
"So the story goes. It might even be why the Society cared about courting the Kaftars."
Gloomy 's eyes widen in incredulity.
"Really?"
"So the story goes. It might even be why the Society cared about courting the Kaftars."
>>176138
Kira smiles at the stallion. "It's okay, I know. Maybe if you wanted I could try making you your own bow someday. I don't know if you'd ever use it, but I imagine it would make for something nice to hang on the wall."
Kira smiles at the stallion. "It's okay, I know. Maybe if you wanted I could try making you your own bow someday. I don't know if you'd ever use it, but I imagine it would make for something nice to hang on the wall."
>>176139
“Giants. They look sort of like ponies kind of but big. And strong. And white. They’ll eat you…” she looks up and around, and lowers herself closer to the ground, almost crawling.
“Giants. They look sort of like ponies kind of but big. And strong. And white. They’ll eat you…” she looks up and around, and lowers herself closer to the ground, almost crawling.
>>176141
“Oh no, I don’t think I could be making bows. Or should be. I’m sure it’s a whole art form to make bows in itself. And I don’t really have much of a use for them. I don’t have to hunt. There are occasional predators, to be sure that harm and harass the animals. But the biggest monsters won’t go this close to the city, or at least I haven’t seen them. And if I did, I wouldn’t try to fight them myself.
“Oh no, I don’t think I could be making bows. Or should be. I’m sure it’s a whole art form to make bows in itself. And I don’t really have much of a use for them. I don’t have to hunt. There are occasional predators, to be sure that harm and harass the animals. But the biggest monsters won’t go this close to the city, or at least I haven’t seen them. And if I did, I wouldn’t try to fight them myself.
>>176143
"It does take a lot of time to learn, but that's why I suggested that I make you one as a gift, someday." At hearing about predators and monsters, however, Kira's ears perk up. "What kinds of predators and monsters?"
"It does take a lot of time to learn, but that's why I suggested that I make you one as a gift, someday." At hearing about predators and monsters, however, Kira's ears perk up. "What kinds of predators and monsters?"
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>>176144
Bright Dye is, and has been staring at Kira’s body since he put down the bow. Or more accurately, at her snake body. Before, when Kira was sitting down he was too, with a coffee table between them. This is possibly the first time he’s had a chance to really take a look at her under good light, as every time before she’s been facing him, or in dim light, or partly obscured. Now he stares at her long tail, partly coiled and for a 4 foot long section, visibly very distended. When Kira says her last words, he breaks out of the trance and looks back up to her eyes.
“Oh. Uh. Oh.” He smiles widely with that toothy smile. “Oh you don’t need to do that for me, heh… yeah, we have coyotes. Sometimes dire wolves will come this far north. And alligators, though if you stay away from the waterways those are not an issue. Same with the river serpents. They won’t attack ponies, at least supposedly they won’t attack ponies, but if a sheep swims in the river it might go under. No, really coyotes are the r worst if they break in. Also there are panthers, though you don’t see that many around here. But even worse are massive rocs, chimera, and hydras, though they are almost never that close to the city.”
Bright Dye is, and has been staring at Kira’s body since he put down the bow. Or more accurately, at her snake body. Before, when Kira was sitting down he was too, with a coffee table between them. This is possibly the first time he’s had a chance to really take a look at her under good light, as every time before she’s been facing him, or in dim light, or partly obscured. Now he stares at her long tail, partly coiled and for a 4 foot long section, visibly very distended. When Kira says her last words, he breaks out of the trance and looks back up to her eyes.
“Oh. Uh. Oh.” He smiles widely with that toothy smile. “Oh you don’t need to do that for me, heh… yeah, we have coyotes. Sometimes dire wolves will come this far north. And alligators, though if you stay away from the waterways those are not an issue. Same with the river serpents. They won’t attack ponies, at least supposedly they won’t attack ponies, but if a sheep swims in the river it might go under. No, really coyotes are the r worst if they break in. Also there are panthers, though you don’t see that many around here. But even worse are massive rocs, chimera, and hydras, though they are almost never that close to the city.”
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I'm going to go ahead and dump my shitty speech that was meant to accompany my diplomacy roll, because I'm bored and want to spur some dialogue.
Surely, the vaguely Muslim-coded starving hyena will not be offended by this baseless (based on d&d lore) mockery of his people's religion and history:
"Do you know the story ponies tell how Gnolls came to be? I'm sure you Kaftars have your own story, but ponies have our own, although I can't vouch for how truthful this one is... Long, long ago, before the three tribes were united, mighty and fearsome... Angel.. descended upon this plane from the void beyond the circle of creation, it's eyes filled fire as it passed judgement on this world for its sins. The Angel and wrought havoc on this world and its ponies for their decadent lives. The Angel, so mighty, carved a path of total destruction, and a lot of ponies and other creatures died, but in its wake, hyenas fed on the remains of the countless dead. As the Angel finished its tour of the world, finally content with punishing the ponies for their hubris, it only then looked behind itself and noticed the hyenas it had fed kneeling in its glory, the first Gnolls, who no longer scavenging animals, but brilliant and cunning creatures reborn by the grace of their lord. The Gnolls were fanatics, howling prayers for the glory of their lord, even though the Angel had offered them nothing in return. They were fearsome warriors, arming themselves with flails and battle-axes as they went on to conquer all surrounding territories and slaughter all in their path, devouring their victims, and killing off fauna faster than they could eat them. To the ponies, it was just wasteful violence, but to the Gnolls, it was the gospel of their lord, for they rid the world of weakness and punished the creatures of this world for their peaceful and decadent lives, and from the mountains of corpses a new world could be born. So devoted were the Gnolls, that the Angel gave them many blessings. Gnolls priests acquired magic and cast fourth spells in its name. Monsters from beyond the void would descend on their enemies, and even deceased Gnolls would rise from the grave to fight again. The priesthood of the Gnolls was so mighty that with their potent magic they could make the skeletons of their victims rise after stripping away their flesh, and ponies fled in terror as their reanimated siblings and parents faced them in Gnoll raids..."
"Agire, the Society sought your friendship, not just for your skills as a Necromancer, but for the strength of your people, for our kind recognize the role of the Gnolls as warriors of Armageddon, creatures of faith. These are dark times, the world locked in precarious stalemates and ceasefires that will last only as long as is convenient for the powers that be; the world of violence that we dream of might not be so far away... Agire, I heard it from your brother Sevberk that in your grave you were waiting for the rebirth of the world; and so I awoke you to tell you that that time draws near. I came to this neighborhood because I believe in you, and I believe in your people and the role you'll play in the reshaping of this world; and so I pled to your lord to bring you back to lead your temple..."
"So, tell me, Agire, will you join with the Society Of Bones again? You died once for your choices, but in the Society we believe that the bonds of friendship need not end in death. You may fight with us once more, or you may shun us and be left in peace. I'll even put you back in that coffin of yours if you wish. The choice is yours."
Surely, the vaguely Muslim-coded starving hyena will not be offended by this baseless (based on d&d lore) mockery of his people's religion and history:
"Do you know the story ponies tell how Gnolls came to be? I'm sure you Kaftars have your own story, but ponies have our own, although I can't vouch for how truthful this one is... Long, long ago, before the three tribes were united, mighty and fearsome... Angel.. descended upon this plane from the void beyond the circle of creation, it's eyes filled fire as it passed judgement on this world for its sins. The Angel and wrought havoc on this world and its ponies for their decadent lives. The Angel, so mighty, carved a path of total destruction, and a lot of ponies and other creatures died, but in its wake, hyenas fed on the remains of the countless dead. As the Angel finished its tour of the world, finally content with punishing the ponies for their hubris, it only then looked behind itself and noticed the hyenas it had fed kneeling in its glory, the first Gnolls, who no longer scavenging animals, but brilliant and cunning creatures reborn by the grace of their lord. The Gnolls were fanatics, howling prayers for the glory of their lord, even though the Angel had offered them nothing in return. They were fearsome warriors, arming themselves with flails and battle-axes as they went on to conquer all surrounding territories and slaughter all in their path, devouring their victims, and killing off fauna faster than they could eat them. To the ponies, it was just wasteful violence, but to the Gnolls, it was the gospel of their lord, for they rid the world of weakness and punished the creatures of this world for their peaceful and decadent lives, and from the mountains of corpses a new world could be born. So devoted were the Gnolls, that the Angel gave them many blessings. Gnolls priests acquired magic and cast fourth spells in its name. Monsters from beyond the void would descend on their enemies, and even deceased Gnolls would rise from the grave to fight again. The priesthood of the Gnolls was so mighty that with their potent magic they could make the skeletons of their victims rise after stripping away their flesh, and ponies fled in terror as their reanimated siblings and parents faced them in Gnoll raids..."
"Agire, the Society sought your friendship, not just for your skills as a Necromancer, but for the strength of your people, for our kind recognize the role of the Gnolls as warriors of Armageddon, creatures of faith. These are dark times, the world locked in precarious stalemates and ceasefires that will last only as long as is convenient for the powers that be; the world of violence that we dream of might not be so far away... Agire, I heard it from your brother Sevberk that in your grave you were waiting for the rebirth of the world; and so I awoke you to tell you that that time draws near. I came to this neighborhood because I believe in you, and I believe in your people and the role you'll play in the reshaping of this world; and so I pled to your lord to bring you back to lead your temple..."
"So, tell me, Agire, will you join with the Society Of Bones again? You died once for your choices, but in the Society we believe that the bonds of friendship need not end in death. You may fight with us once more, or you may shun us and be left in peace. I'll even put you back in that coffin of yours if you wish. The choice is yours."
>>176146
It's likely that, as a farmer/rancher, Bright Dye has seen a fair number of snakes while dealing with his livestock, and it's likely he's seen corn snakes with scale patterns similar to Kira's, but even still her scales simply look exotic, with how smooth and metallic her golden yellow scales they look reflecting the light, contrasted with the black and red diamond patterns going all the way down the back of her tail. Her whiter underbelly looks smooth as well, but it's actually quite rough to provide traction while slithering on various surfaces.
Kira looks quite interested hearing about the various creatures that have harassed his herds and flocks, some of which like alligators and serpents she's familiar with and others like coyotes she's not. She looks particular interested when she hears panthers. But, when he mentions one monster in particular, Bright Dye sees the lamia freeze up, her face looking pale and mortified. She's scared, for the first time that either him or Neela has seen.
"R...rocs? There are rocs here?"
It's likely that, as a farmer/rancher, Bright Dye has seen a fair number of snakes while dealing with his livestock, and it's likely he's seen corn snakes with scale patterns similar to Kira's, but even still her scales simply look exotic, with how smooth and metallic her golden yellow scales they look reflecting the light, contrasted with the black and red diamond patterns going all the way down the back of her tail. Her whiter underbelly looks smooth as well, but it's actually quite rough to provide traction while slithering on various surfaces.
Kira looks quite interested hearing about the various creatures that have harassed his herds and flocks, some of which like alligators and serpents she's familiar with and others like coyotes she's not. She looks particular interested when she hears panthers. But, when he mentions one monster in particular, Bright Dye sees the lamia freeze up, her face looking pale and mortified. She's scared, for the first time that either him or Neela has seen.
"R...rocs? There are rocs here?"
>>176142
Jakala's description stirs no memories in Amber's mind, and she is just as perplexed about what she's talking about. Does she mean bears? Amber had never seen a bear in person before and wasn't sure where her conceptions of them came from. Why would they clear an entire section of forest which is what they live in?
"Then let us stay quiet," she advises. "I want to know a little more about this place, and then head back." Despite trying to sound calm, she is uneasy about the Stallos. They had been here not long ago, and if they were willing to work in this darkness then the dim light would not do much to protect the fillies.
Jakala's description stirs no memories in Amber's mind, and she is just as perplexed about what she's talking about. Does she mean bears? Amber had never seen a bear in person before and wasn't sure where her conceptions of them came from. Why would they clear an entire section of forest which is what they live in?
"Then let us stay quiet," she advises. "I want to know a little more about this place, and then head back." Despite trying to sound calm, she is uneasy about the Stallos. They had been here not long ago, and if they were willing to work in this darkness then the dim light would not do much to protect the fillies.
>>176148
Soon
>>176149
He answers
"Oh yeah. Well, not here. They don't come close to the city. But I mean in the region more generally, yes. Really the mountains, more so. They will carry off sheep and will even attack dragons. They can be a nuisance in many places, yes."
>>176150
Jakala whispers "Okay..." and looks up above the nearby low hills for any shapes. The sky is brighter, and it is clearly twilight now, rather than true night. Many of the stars are no longer visible, and the bands of green light have faded against the blue and purple background of the sky.
Soon
>>176149
He answers
"Oh yeah. Well, not here. They don't come close to the city. But I mean in the region more generally, yes. Really the mountains, more so. They will carry off sheep and will even attack dragons. They can be a nuisance in many places, yes."
>>176150
Jakala whispers "Okay..." and looks up above the nearby low hills for any shapes. The sky is brighter, and it is clearly twilight now, rather than true night. Many of the stars are no longer visible, and the bands of green light have faded against the blue and purple background of the sky.
>>176151
Amber should be getting close to the stand of trees, but she doesn't rush, both for the sake of stealth and not to tire poor Jakala out. Can she make out anything among them?
Amber should be getting close to the stand of trees, but she doesn't rush, both for the sake of stealth and not to tire poor Jakala out. Can she make out anything among them?
>>176152
Amber can indeed see that there is damage to the limbs, with many needles missing, branches missing, and in general with much of the tree besides the bare trunk sheered off. The strand is not thick.
Amber can indeed see that there is damage to the limbs, with many needles missing, branches missing, and in general with much of the tree besides the bare trunk sheered off. The strand is not thick.
>>176153
Amber gets closer to examine more closely what sheered the trees. Are there any clawmarks on the trees? Are there any creatures hiding in the stand? Perhaps an object of any variety?
Amber gets closer to examine more closely what sheered the trees. Are there any clawmarks on the trees? Are there any creatures hiding in the stand? Perhaps an object of any variety?
>>176154
There are some cuts, though likely not claws. Hard to say. No clear signs of wildlife. Some evidence of burning. Branches are broken or sheered off.
There are some cuts, though likely not claws. Hard to say. No clear signs of wildlife. Some evidence of burning. Branches are broken or sheered off.
>>176155
Doesn't seem like bears. Amber wonders what could simultaneously burn and physically take down a tree. As tempting as it is to gather the ready-made firewood here, she decides against staying in the open any longer.
"Let's go back now," Amber says, retracing the path they took from the edge. She eyes the pile of hewn lumber in the distance.
Doesn't seem like bears. Amber wonders what could simultaneously burn and physically take down a tree. As tempting as it is to gather the ready-made firewood here, she decides against staying in the open any longer.
"Let's go back now," Amber says, retracing the path they took from the edge. She eyes the pile of hewn lumber in the distance.
>>176156
Bright Dye looks over at this odd display.
"What is it?"
>>176157
"Okay." Jakala says with greater enthusiasm. She turns around in place, at one time directly turning back and getting caught by the sled, then moving away from the sled, and slowly inching it around until she's going down the hill into the little valley where the pile of chopped wood is, about halfway between the two strands of standing trees.
Bright Dye looks over at this odd display.
"What is it?"
>>176157
"Okay." Jakala says with greater enthusiasm. She turns around in place, at one time directly turning back and getting caught by the sled, then moving away from the sled, and slowly inching it around until she's going down the hill into the little valley where the pile of chopped wood is, about halfway between the two strands of standing trees.
>>176158
Amber follows close to Jakala as they approach the pile of chopped wood. Although not a woodworker she looks to see how cleanly they have been cut compared to the felled lumber everywhere else.
What sort of creatures would leave this here? she wonders.
Amber follows close to Jakala as they approach the pile of chopped wood. Although not a woodworker she looks to see how cleanly they have been cut compared to the felled lumber everywhere else.
What sort of creatures would leave this here? she wonders.
>>176159
The wood is chopped, cut, and split along natural lines. The cuts that exist are clean and straight. The pieces are all of a similar size, or rather, two sizes, one being small and for branches, the other made from tree trunks.
The wood is chopped, cut, and split along natural lines. The cuts that exist are clean and straight. The pieces are all of a similar size, or rather, two sizes, one being small and for branches, the other made from tree trunks.
>>176160
That is certainly not firewood, but intended to be used for building! Amber leads Jakala to cover in the forest at the edge of the clearing.
"We need to collect firewood and go back to tell the others," she directs.
That is certainly not firewood, but intended to be used for building! Amber leads Jakala to cover in the forest at the edge of the clearing.
"We need to collect firewood and go back to tell the others," she directs.
>>176161
“Okay.” Jakala says simply, turning her thickly-covered head towards Amber. She goes with Amber as directed.
“Okay.” Jakala says simply, turning her thickly-covered head towards Amber. She goes with Amber as directed.
>>176162
Amber starts picking up whatever dry branches have fallen onto the ground and loading them onto Jakala's sled. It's harder work than she expected, but she keeps underestimating how small she is.
Amber starts picking up whatever dry branches have fallen onto the ground and loading them onto Jakala's sled. It's harder work than she expected, but she keeps underestimating how small she is.
>>176158
"Well...normal giant eagles I can handle...but rocs...they're massive" She shrinks down a bit further. "I heard a story that they're why there's no lamias in Western Zebrica. They ate them all, carried them all off one by one to their nests."
"Well...normal giant eagles I can handle...but rocs...they're massive" She shrinks down a bit further. "I heard a story that they're why there's no lamias in Western Zebrica. They ate them all, carried them all off one by one to their nests."
>>176166
"...meep..."
A small part of Kira is reconsidering if it's actually safe to bright lamias over to Equestria.
"...meep..."
A small part of Kira is reconsidering if it's actually safe to bright lamias over to Equestria.
>>176167
Neela starts laughing in an oddly malign manner:
“Aha! Aha, ahahahaha!”
Bright Dye says
“Oh, don’t be too worried. They stay in the mountains and the dragons and the Cavalum keep them in check. I’ve only seen one around here once, maybe. Don’t worry about them. They aren’t known to carry away ponies around here.”
Neela, sarcastically:
“Why the fear, Kirafiki? How do you know they aren’t friendly here in Equestria? Who knows, maybe the fascists will let Rocs own lamias in the future.”
Neela starts laughing in an oddly malign manner:
“Aha! Aha, ahahahaha!”
Bright Dye says
“Oh, don’t be too worried. They stay in the mountains and the dragons and the Cavalum keep them in check. I’ve only seen one around here once, maybe. Don’t worry about them. They aren’t known to carry away ponies around here.”
Neela, sarcastically:
“Why the fear, Kirafiki? How do you know they aren’t friendly here in Equestria? Who knows, maybe the fascists will let Rocs own lamias in the future.”
>>176163
Jakala picks up twigs and branches with her mouth. Sone are tiny and Amber has to wonder why picking up a twig and carrying it back to the shed was worth the effort. At least one is a large branch that gets caught between two downed tree trunks.
Jakala picks up twigs and branches with her mouth. Sone are tiny and Amber has to wonder why picking up a twig and carrying it back to the shed was worth the effort. At least one is a large branch that gets caught between two downed tree trunks.
>>176168
"But you're ponies, I'm a lamia. They literally eat us for breakfast!"
Kira scrunches at Neela hard. She had better be careful, while Kira has been nothing but nice to her so far, she doesn't know when she'll cross the line where Kira decides she has a bit more room left for dessert.
"But you're ponies, I'm a lamia. They literally eat us for breakfast!"
Kira scrunches at Neela hard. She had better be careful, while Kira has been nothing but nice to her so far, she doesn't know when she'll cross the line where Kira decides she has a bit more room left for dessert.
rot intensifies
"I want chocolate sprinkles on my pancakes, momma."
"You can have all sprinkles you want, my little sweet pea."
"I want chocolate sprinkles on my pancakes, momma."
"You can have all sprinkles you want, my little sweet pea."
>>176171
Soon. I just need to figure out some dialogue. Tomorrow most likely
>>176170
“Oh, they’ll eat dragons. And ponies and sheep and cows. But the most aggressive of them have been pruned over the years, especially by the dragons and Cavalum. I wouldn’t worry too much. They won’t want to get too close to the city. It’s dangerous for them.”
Neela just stares at Kira with an expression that’s hard to interpret.
Soon. I just need to figure out some dialogue. Tomorrow most likely
>>176170
“Oh, they’ll eat dragons. And ponies and sheep and cows. But the most aggressive of them have been pruned over the years, especially by the dragons and Cavalum. I wouldn’t worry too much. They won’t want to get too close to the city. It’s dangerous for them.”
Neela just stares at Kira with an expression that’s hard to interpret.
>>176172
"I hope so...I don't think I could be able to bring one down if it tried to snatch me..."
Sense Motive: Kira may not have much experience reading deer expressions, but interpret it she shall.
"I hope so...I don't think I could be able to bring one down if it tried to snatch me..."
Sense Motive: Kira may not have much experience reading deer expressions, but interpret it she shall.
File (): 1D65EFEB8939A81D942670BD951E9C1A-216470.jpg (211.4 KB, 1024x681, IMG_1566.jpeg)
>>176175
Oh noes. Angery deer.
"I think hiding might be my only option. Good thing it's something I'm good at."
Oh noes. Angery deer.
"I think hiding might be my only option. Good thing it's something I'm good at."
>>176169
Kindling is needed too, and Jakala has got the spirit. Amber tries pulling larger downed branches onto the sled, to provide a good balance of firewood that the adults might appreciate. The constant work also serves to warm the ponies in this frigid weather.
Kindling is needed too, and Jakala has got the spirit. Amber tries pulling larger downed branches onto the sled, to provide a good balance of firewood that the adults might appreciate. The constant work also serves to warm the ponies in this frigid weather.
>>176176
“Heh heh, how could you hide? You’re so big. And… bright.”
>>176177
Jakala’s little hooves tap along the ground. Amber soon enough has to travel further and further from the sled in order to pick up branches. It seems that branches, too, have been cleared away in some areas, leaving only trunks. But Amber finds branches, and after a passage of time, has enough.
“Heh heh, how could you hide? You’re so big. And… bright.”
>>176177
Jakala’s little hooves tap along the ground. Amber soon enough has to travel further and further from the sled in order to pick up branches. It seems that branches, too, have been cleared away in some areas, leaving only trunks. But Amber finds branches, and after a passage of time, has enough.
>>176179
"Okay, let's hurry back now…so we can ride the sled again," Amber tells Jakala. She adds the second part as motivation, for as much as she wants to ride the sled again, she wants to also tell the grown-ups about the odd clearing.
"Okay, let's hurry back now…so we can ride the sled again," Amber tells Jakala. She adds the second part as motivation, for as much as she wants to ride the sled again, she wants to also tell the grown-ups about the odd clearing.
>>176179
Kira smiles proudly at the stallion. "It's sort of a special talent of mine: I'm as stealthy as a cat stalking its prey. I've already surprised at least a couple of ponies today with my ability to hide in plain sight. Like that one pony at the radio store or the mare at the restaurant, when I managed to not startle either of them while buying our stuff by hiding my tail."
Kira smiles proudly at the stallion. "It's sort of a special talent of mine: I'm as stealthy as a cat stalking its prey. I've already surprised at least a couple of ponies today with my ability to hide in plain sight. Like that one pony at the radio store or the mare at the restaurant, when I managed to not startle either of them while buying our stuff by hiding my tail."
Replies for Posey and Silver Soon
>>176181
"What..." He tilts his head. "How do you do that? You're massive and, well, yellow. You're very yellow."
>>176181
"What..." He tilts his head. "How do you do that? You're massive and, well, yellow. You're very yellow."
>>176182
Hide: Kira attempts to demonstrate her ability to their visitor by almost seemingly, magically, making her tail...disappear!
[1d20+13 = (12+13) = 25]
Hide: Kira attempts to demonstrate her ability to their visitor by almost seemingly, magically, making her tail...disappear!
[1d20+13 = (12+13) = 25]
File (): D96B216BA09F02285C878C43931A5AD7-36463.jpg (35.6 KB, 474x474, OIP (1).jpg)
>>175989
"What's a katane?" Milyaketan asks absent mindedly. But it's clear that his focus is not on Posey or anything she says, but rather with Agire. He moves towards him, slowly, cautiously, inspecting every feature of his damaged body. He moves like a family member, or a lover, carefully inspecting their long estranged loved one. Agire likewise has lost focus on the cow, and instead has his focus on Posey and her words, which have clearly rattled him. As Milyaketan comes nearer, Agire turns his attention to him.
"Agire? Agire? Do you hear me? Do you know me? I am your brother. Your bonded brother. Di Bin Malyaketan. I taught you about the Sultan and the Seven Angels; about the creation of the world from the Pearl, and how the Angels were entrusted as its custodians, and how we serve and give our faith to the Angels. How we bonded together. How you were to - how you are to - succeed me. Are you here, brother?" Di Bin Milyaketan walks closer and closer to the ghoul.
Agire stares at him, and then moves his jaw back and forth, and opens it wide before moving it back. And he speaks.
"Bin Milyaketan... Agire... Angels..." He does not blink. "Who are... these..."
Di Bin Milyaketan places a black paw on Agire's cheek, and comes closer to him. Being so close to a ghoul is self-evidently inadvisable, but Milkyaketan is beyond advice.
"Is it you?"
The ghoul, Agire, can only respond "No? I don't know?"
Milyaketan can only take his forelegs and wrap them over the cold, damaged body of the ghoul in a hug. In the light of the candles Posey can see the reflections of streams of tears.
"I did not think the Peacock would bring you back from the beyond... I don't think he has." His eyes go over towards Posey. "But I do appreciate that you have brought this much to me. He has forgotten much. It may not be... him... But I can try to teach him. You've given... at least this much for me to remember him by... after so much was taken, it is nice to... have something back..."
Milyaketan closes his eyes and holds hard onto the back of the ghoul, who in turn, reacts benignly. The ghoul speaks
"I can serve."
Milyaketan says
"Serve you shall."
>>176099
As if on cue, after Posey makes her statement, a noise can be heard in the church. It's a metallic "pinging" sound. Presumably, a wrench or some other metallic object fell some dozens of feet, and landed on a pipe, or more likely, metal scaffolding at an oil refinery not even 500 yards away from the decript church, and the secret enclave of the Kaftar. Baltimare still lives - in whatever this horrid golemn of a city could be said to be alive. Even late at night, even in your secret meetings, it's heart beat can be heard. Powered by materials wretched from the bowels of the earth, fed and grown on foreign labor imported from every far corner of the earth, it pumps its bile to other, similar machines across the planet to keep them moving in the same automaton manner. Just as it does not live with dignity, it shall not die with dignity either. And it is very far from dead and gone.
>>176148
Di Bin Milyaketan smiles and shakes his head at Posey's story.
"Of course the ponies think they were created first, and that we Kaftar took their place. No, we have been around at least as long as the pony. And why reanimate pony bones, or worse, pile corpses, when you could simply eat them? A well-fed kaftar warrior is better in battle than the corpse of even several ponies, and more in keeping with the teachings of the Angel. But I appreciate the compliments coming from a pony mouth. Even as your pony stories twist history to place ponies first, and thus closer to the divine intention, you still have to acknowledge our strength, our faith, and our spirit."
Agire tilts his head, and looks intrigued
"Society of... Bones?"
"What's a katane?" Milyaketan asks absent mindedly. But it's clear that his focus is not on Posey or anything she says, but rather with Agire. He moves towards him, slowly, cautiously, inspecting every feature of his damaged body. He moves like a family member, or a lover, carefully inspecting their long estranged loved one. Agire likewise has lost focus on the cow, and instead has his focus on Posey and her words, which have clearly rattled him. As Milyaketan comes nearer, Agire turns his attention to him.
"Agire? Agire? Do you hear me? Do you know me? I am your brother. Your bonded brother. Di Bin Malyaketan. I taught you about the Sultan and the Seven Angels; about the creation of the world from the Pearl, and how the Angels were entrusted as its custodians, and how we serve and give our faith to the Angels. How we bonded together. How you were to - how you are to - succeed me. Are you here, brother?" Di Bin Milyaketan walks closer and closer to the ghoul.
Agire stares at him, and then moves his jaw back and forth, and opens it wide before moving it back. And he speaks.
"Bin Milyaketan... Agire... Angels..." He does not blink. "Who are... these..."
Di Bin Milyaketan places a black paw on Agire's cheek, and comes closer to him. Being so close to a ghoul is self-evidently inadvisable, but Milkyaketan is beyond advice.
"Is it you?"
The ghoul, Agire, can only respond "No? I don't know?"
Milyaketan can only take his forelegs and wrap them over the cold, damaged body of the ghoul in a hug. In the light of the candles Posey can see the reflections of streams of tears.
"I did not think the Peacock would bring you back from the beyond... I don't think he has." His eyes go over towards Posey. "But I do appreciate that you have brought this much to me. He has forgotten much. It may not be... him... But I can try to teach him. You've given... at least this much for me to remember him by... after so much was taken, it is nice to... have something back..."
Milyaketan closes his eyes and holds hard onto the back of the ghoul, who in turn, reacts benignly. The ghoul speaks
"I can serve."
Milyaketan says
"Serve you shall."
>>176099
As if on cue, after Posey makes her statement, a noise can be heard in the church. It's a metallic "pinging" sound. Presumably, a wrench or some other metallic object fell some dozens of feet, and landed on a pipe, or more likely, metal scaffolding at an oil refinery not even 500 yards away from the decript church, and the secret enclave of the Kaftar. Baltimare still lives - in whatever this horrid golemn of a city could be said to be alive. Even late at night, even in your secret meetings, it's heart beat can be heard. Powered by materials wretched from the bowels of the earth, fed and grown on foreign labor imported from every far corner of the earth, it pumps its bile to other, similar machines across the planet to keep them moving in the same automaton manner. Just as it does not live with dignity, it shall not die with dignity either. And it is very far from dead and gone.
>>176148
Di Bin Milyaketan smiles and shakes his head at Posey's story.
"Of course the ponies think they were created first, and that we Kaftar took their place. No, we have been around at least as long as the pony. And why reanimate pony bones, or worse, pile corpses, when you could simply eat them? A well-fed kaftar warrior is better in battle than the corpse of even several ponies, and more in keeping with the teachings of the Angel. But I appreciate the compliments coming from a pony mouth. Even as your pony stories twist history to place ponies first, and thus closer to the divine intention, you still have to acknowledge our strength, our faith, and our spirit."
Agire tilts his head, and looks intrigued
"Society of... Bones?"
>>176183
Kira's colors, even her diamonds, have the benefit of appearing like the colors and designs of a couch, or of a carpet, and soon enough, Kira's body blends against the rug and the loveseat
gasp
"How did you do that?!"
Kira's colors, even her diamonds, have the benefit of appearing like the colors and designs of a couch, or of a carpet, and soon enough, Kira's body blends against the rug and the loveseat
gasp
"How did you do that?!"
File (): 361852F94BB0372D205DA6C60993A253-71236.jpg (69.6 KB, 1280x720, maxresdefault (3).jpg)
>>176180
Amber can hear the sounds of the wind sweep over the hill, and move past the edges of the hood of her coat. The wind is mercifully mild, as anything much greater would rend from Amber what little warmth she can maintain from her body. It makes oddly little sound passing through what remains of the few trees. Yet it is just as well that the wind keep up, given what Amber can hear when the wind dies down. From within her own hoody, Amber can hear a pair of sounds running in concert, or rather, a single sound that blends two influences that are not at all alike. One is a sound of a thousand cracks at very low volume, sounding closest to radio static, or perhaps raindrops on a roof. The other is a garbled sound like being underwater. Like tinitus, the sound is drowned out by any greater outside source of sound, but never seems to cease. The other sound comes from much further away, from beyond the rim of the small valley. Amber can hear the crackling of leaves, and the breaking of twigs. It sounds like something moving, or walking through the downed forest.
"Okay" Jakala says, trying to lurch forward, getting caught by the static intertia of the sled, then pushing against the snow to start moving the sled, and slowly pulling it up the hill and back towards home.
Amber can hear the sounds of the wind sweep over the hill, and move past the edges of the hood of her coat. The wind is mercifully mild, as anything much greater would rend from Amber what little warmth she can maintain from her body. It makes oddly little sound passing through what remains of the few trees. Yet it is just as well that the wind keep up, given what Amber can hear when the wind dies down. From within her own hoody, Amber can hear a pair of sounds running in concert, or rather, a single sound that blends two influences that are not at all alike. One is a sound of a thousand cracks at very low volume, sounding closest to radio static, or perhaps raindrops on a roof. The other is a garbled sound like being underwater. Like tinitus, the sound is drowned out by any greater outside source of sound, but never seems to cease. The other sound comes from much further away, from beyond the rim of the small valley. Amber can hear the crackling of leaves, and the breaking of twigs. It sounds like something moving, or walking through the downed forest.
"Okay" Jakala says, trying to lurch forward, getting caught by the static intertia of the sled, then pushing against the snow to start moving the sled, and slowly pulling it up the hill and back towards home.
>>175783
Pear's ears go down
"And if you find the right casket, open it, and it contains a live lich... then what?"
Pear's ears go down
"And if you find the right casket, open it, and it contains a live lich... then what?"
>>176184
>"What's a katane?" Milyaketan asks absent mindedly
"A dhampire. A pony bred from vampire stuff. I was a daughter of the Coven Of Blood, and I thought that I would be one of them one day, but... my mother had other plans..." her expression sours
>He has forgotten much. It may not be... him...
Posey's tone takes on a knowledgeable, encouraging tone
"Ghouls are one of the types of undead who retain their memories from life, albeit with their mannerisms recentered around their new unending hunger. They make up the majority of laborers in Magehold. It's likely that he still needs to recover though; makes sure he has a steady intake of flesh, especially brains. With time and luck, he may regain any of the skills he had in life."
>description of Baltimare
>And it is very far from dead and gone.
We'll see about that.
>Society of... Bones
"The Dread League, Necromancers from across the sea. My sources indicated that you were one of our friends. I was told you paid with your life for our friendship, so I figured I would... return the favor. I believed that if the Society made contact with you, your skills as a priest must be heroic, so I wished to see them for myself."
>"What's a katane?" Milyaketan asks absent mindedly
"A dhampire. A pony bred from vampire stuff. I was a daughter of the Coven Of Blood, and I thought that I would be one of them one day, but... my mother had other plans..." her expression sours
>He has forgotten much. It may not be... him...
Posey's tone takes on a knowledgeable, encouraging tone
"Ghouls are one of the types of undead who retain their memories from life, albeit with their mannerisms recentered around their new unending hunger. They make up the majority of laborers in Magehold. It's likely that he still needs to recover though; makes sure he has a steady intake of flesh, especially brains. With time and luck, he may regain any of the skills he had in life."
>description of Baltimare
>And it is very far from dead and gone.
We'll see about that.
>Society of... Bones
"The Dread League, Necromancers from across the sea. My sources indicated that you were one of our friends. I was told you paid with your life for our friendship, so I figured I would... return the favor. I believed that if the Society made contact with you, your skills as a priest must be heroic, so I wished to see them for myself."
>>176186
Amber shivers from the terrible cold, but what really chills her to the bone is the odd combination of sounds. Something is not right, indeed there is something very wrong about all of this. Are the two being stalked, or is the mysterious source of the sound approaching their home? Amber's ears are sensitive but she cannot quite tell now. While Jakala is moving she carefully, as silently as possible–despite the crunch crunch of snow under her hooves–moves towards where the cracks and garbled sound originate.
Amber shivers from the terrible cold, but what really chills her to the bone is the odd combination of sounds. Something is not right, indeed there is something very wrong about all of this. Are the two being stalked, or is the mysterious source of the sound approaching their home? Amber's ears are sensitive but she cannot quite tell now. While Jakala is moving she carefully, as silently as possible–despite the crunch crunch of snow under her hooves–moves towards where the cracks and garbled sound originate.
>>176188
Milyaketan continues to caress Agire's fur, specifically a line of fluff that rises off of Agire's backbone, like an extended mane down his back
"Societies of Bone, Covens of Blood... These are things to be consumed, not to be worshipped. Agire was a part of a society, but... I don't think it was that one... what is the benefit?"
Agire, however, is more attentive
"What... what can you do..? What do you wish?"
Milyaketan rubs Agire's fur more,
"I hope he regains his memories... that he is still him..."
>>176190
Does Amber wish to crest the ridge?
Milyaketan continues to caress Agire's fur, specifically a line of fluff that rises off of Agire's backbone, like an extended mane down his back
"Societies of Bone, Covens of Blood... These are things to be consumed, not to be worshipped. Agire was a part of a society, but... I don't think it was that one... what is the benefit?"
Agire, however, is more attentive
"What... what can you do..? What do you wish?"
Milyaketan rubs Agire's fur more,
"I hope he regains his memories... that he is still him..."
>>176190
Does Amber wish to crest the ridge?
>>176191
She pokes her little head above, yes, preferably while next to a tree to not be easily seen.
She pokes her little head above, yes, preferably while next to a tree to not be easily seen.
>>176185
Kira giggles. "It's a special talent of mine. I'm probably one of the sneakiest lamias in the tribe, and that's saying something. Hiding and sneaking is less about not being seen and is more about blending into the environment around you."
Kira giggles. "It's a special talent of mine. I'm probably one of the sneakiest lamias in the tribe, and that's saying something. Hiding and sneaking is less about not being seen and is more about blending into the environment around you."
>>176187
Silver taps his chin as he ponders. "Well, if he is hostile, then we just search around here top to bottom for his phylactery and smash it, but I am almost certain it is already found and destroyed. But hey, if it turns out he is around and he is not hostile, then you get chance to talk with pony who has been around for hundreds of years and has plenty of knowledge of esoteric and occult topics."
Silver taps his chin as he ponders. "Well, if he is hostile, then we just search around here top to bottom for his phylactery and smash it, but I am almost certain it is already found and destroyed. But hey, if it turns out he is around and he is not hostile, then you get chance to talk with pony who has been around for hundreds of years and has plenty of knowledge of esoteric and occult topics."
>>176192
Amber must necessarily be aware of three salient facts
One, Amber is small and weak. If anything were to attack her, she could not defend herself.
Second, her legs are small. If something chases her, it will likely catch her
Third, Amber is far from home. If she is in danger, help is not coming.
Are you certain whatever you're doing is worth it?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnDH30m2YrM
But for only a peak, Amber can gain this much:
Against the slightly illuminated forms of an endless sea of downed trees, Amber can see a form that is closest in shape to a black wolf or other quadruped. This is only a guess, as all Amber can see is a dark silhoutte. It's significantly darker than the tree trunks, the snow, or indeed, anything else on the forest floor. unlike a fox it has no interest in sniffing or looking underneath the tree trunks, but simply moves along as if they weren't even there. But it's much, much bigger than a fox. Bigger than a pony.
Amber must necessarily be aware of three salient facts
One, Amber is small and weak. If anything were to attack her, she could not defend herself.
Second, her legs are small. If something chases her, it will likely catch her
Third, Amber is far from home. If she is in danger, help is not coming.
Are you certain whatever you're doing is worth it?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnDH30m2YrM
But for only a peak, Amber can gain this much:
Against the slightly illuminated forms of an endless sea of downed trees, Amber can see a form that is closest in shape to a black wolf or other quadruped. This is only a guess, as all Amber can see is a dark silhoutte. It's significantly darker than the tree trunks, the snow, or indeed, anything else on the forest floor. unlike a fox it has no interest in sniffing or looking underneath the tree trunks, but simply moves along as if they weren't even there. But it's much, much bigger than a fox. Bigger than a pony.
>>176196
Assuming Pear is still sitting down on the ground, Silver offers her a hoof to get up with.
"Either way, with your brains and my braun, there is nothing we cannot handle."
Assuming Pear is still sitting down on the ground, Silver offers her a hoof to get up with.
"Either way, with your brains and my braun, there is nothing we cannot handle."
>>176195
Amber has to fight the urge to freeze in place and stare, as her fear is that merely looking at the monster would alert it to her presence. She lowers herself back down the hill and creeps back to Jakala. Despite herself, her eyes are as wide as saucer plates, and her ears are pointed back and twitching.
Amber has to fight the urge to freeze in place and stare, as her fear is that merely looking at the monster would alert it to her presence. She lowers herself back down the hill and creeps back to Jakala. Despite herself, her eyes are as wide as saucer plates, and her ears are pointed back and twitching.
>>176196
Kira smiles proudly at her abilities, before looking at the other two.
"What kind of talents do you guys have? You know, things you do better than most anyone else."
Kira smiles proudly at her abilities, before looking at the other two.
"What kind of talents do you guys have? You know, things you do better than most anyone else."
>>176191
>Agire was a part of a society, but... I don't think it was that one...
Oh
Well then...
>what is the benefit
"Well, I was born into it, so I can't really speak for outsiders." Posey says with a shrug.
>what can you do..?
"I can do many things!" Posey says, buffing out her chest
"... Except animate the dead through my own power..." she admits, her ears dropping
>What do you wish?
"From you? Just to be friends... That is, to continue, or renew cooperation between my masters in the League and this temple, and perhaps request spellcasting services every few weeks or so. Magic of the priestly variety is rare among ponies, especially outside of Equestria. I heard stories that priests are among the mightiest Necromancers, and so I hoped to learn a thing out two from our relationship."
>"I hope he regains his memories... that he is still him..."
"He should, or, I believe he should. The ghouls who serve in the Dread League are for the most part created through direct magic by powerful necromancers, the typical way: they retain their memories, but we have had trouble retaining all of their previous skills and powers. I have heard stories that ghouls created through divine intervention, those "Touched By The King" as we call them, have powers that equalled or exceeded those that they had in life. I'm quite curious if he will confirm those stories, and I have great hopes for his recovery, and I would like to observe his progress over the next few weeks, if possible. It would certainly be a good note on my report to my masters." Posey says, eyeing Agire with a gaze that betrays her fascination
"Anyway, the fact that he's able to speak shows that he hasn't risen with any degenerative abnormalities. He should remember most of what he knew in life in a few nights."
She addresses Agire.
"I wish you well on your recovery."
A thought pops into her head
"Actually, you could use a demonstration."
she orders the ghast forward
"This stallion may not look it, but he is in fact a ghast. The fact that he's risen as a ghast instead of if a typical ghoul proves that he was a pony of formidable power in life, before he met his watery grave." Posey says, the ghast's appearance momentarily shimmering to reveal the rotting monster underneath
She addresses the ghast
"Darling, how about you tell us your name, and a brief description of who you were in life? Show us how well your mind works, to be a good role model. Do well and I'll buy you a big chunk of something bloody from one of those kebab stands. Do exceptionally well and I might even be persuaded to promote you to a free roaming officer one day... After all, ghouls do apply for Dread League citizenship, albeit for the lower classes."
>Agire was a part of a society, but... I don't think it was that one...
Oh
Well then...
>what is the benefit
"Well, I was born into it, so I can't really speak for outsiders." Posey says with a shrug.
>what can you do..?
"I can do many things!" Posey says, buffing out her chest
"... Except animate the dead through my own power..." she admits, her ears dropping
>What do you wish?
"From you? Just to be friends... That is, to continue, or renew cooperation between my masters in the League and this temple, and perhaps request spellcasting services every few weeks or so. Magic of the priestly variety is rare among ponies, especially outside of Equestria. I heard stories that priests are among the mightiest Necromancers, and so I hoped to learn a thing out two from our relationship."
>"I hope he regains his memories... that he is still him..."
"He should, or, I believe he should. The ghouls who serve in the Dread League are for the most part created through direct magic by powerful necromancers, the typical way: they retain their memories, but we have had trouble retaining all of their previous skills and powers. I have heard stories that ghouls created through divine intervention, those "Touched By The King" as we call them, have powers that equalled or exceeded those that they had in life. I'm quite curious if he will confirm those stories, and I have great hopes for his recovery, and I would like to observe his progress over the next few weeks, if possible. It would certainly be a good note on my report to my masters." Posey says, eyeing Agire with a gaze that betrays her fascination
"Anyway, the fact that he's able to speak shows that he hasn't risen with any degenerative abnormalities. He should remember most of what he knew in life in a few nights."
She addresses Agire.
"I wish you well on your recovery."
A thought pops into her head
"Actually, you could use a demonstration."
she orders the ghast forward
"This stallion may not look it, but he is in fact a ghast. The fact that he's risen as a ghast instead of if a typical ghoul proves that he was a pony of formidable power in life, before he met his watery grave." Posey says, the ghast's appearance momentarily shimmering to reveal the rotting monster underneath
She addresses the ghast
"Darling, how about you tell us your name, and a brief description of who you were in life? Show us how well your mind works, to be a good role model. Do well and I'll buy you a big chunk of something bloody from one of those kebab stands. Do exceptionally well and I might even be persuaded to promote you to a free roaming officer one day... After all, ghouls do apply for Dread League citizenship, albeit for the lower classes."
>>176197
Pear's ears move back up, then down as she looks at Silver's hoof. She makes a small smile, moves her ears back up, and grabs Silver's hoof with her own and lets him pull her up. She looks into his eyes as he does so.
"Let's go solve an antique mystery" she says
>>176198
The creature lets Amber go, or seems to. She can hear the sounds of breathing twigs behind her, but she does not see it crest the ridge. Jakal looks back towards Amber and waits.
>>176199
Bright Dye answers
"I can handle animals. Or I do, anyways."
Neela smiles
"Was this yours?" She says, holding up the wooden leopard necklace of Kira
>>176200
Here we run into the same issue...
The manual says that a ghast created by a virus does not retain memories... as for anything else, it seems like a cheap way to obtain resurrection
Pear's ears move back up, then down as she looks at Silver's hoof. She makes a small smile, moves her ears back up, and grabs Silver's hoof with her own and lets him pull her up. She looks into his eyes as he does so.
"Let's go solve an antique mystery" she says
>>176198
The creature lets Amber go, or seems to. She can hear the sounds of breathing twigs behind her, but she does not see it crest the ridge. Jakal looks back towards Amber and waits.
>>176199
Bright Dye answers
"I can handle animals. Or I do, anyways."
Neela smiles
"Was this yours?" She says, holding up the wooden leopard necklace of Kira
>>176200
Here we run into the same issue...
The manual says that a ghast created by a virus does not retain memories... as for anything else, it seems like a cheap way to obtain resurrection
>>176201
"What the..." Kira checks her person for the necklace, finding that it is indeed missing. She looks at Neela in awe. "How did you do that? That's amazing!"
"What the..." Kira checks her person for the necklace, finding that it is indeed missing. She looks at Neela in awe. "How did you do that? That's amazing!"
>>176201
Hopefully either Pear has a light or they thought to install some when they came to catalogue the catacombs, as Silver realizes he forgot to bring one with him while he brings Pear into the previously ghoul-infested tunnels.
Hopefully either Pear has a light or they thought to install some when they came to catalogue the catacombs, as Silver realizes he forgot to bring one with him while he brings Pear into the previously ghoul-infested tunnels.
>>176202
Neela smiles
"Hehe, the true magician never reveals her secrets."
>>176203
Pear grabs a flashlight that is laying against the rock, next to the entrance. Pear turns it on and takes the lead, walking through the blasted rock into the hall, walking along the hallway of the lower floor, then up the old, stone stairs, then along the catacombs until they get to the big chamber, and then to the bedroom chamber. Silver may have to be careful not to walk into Pear as they have only the one flashlight. Pear feels no special compulsion to need to hold Silver's hoof, being more or less comfortable in the catacombs. More than once, the ponies come across a little area sectioned off, like a fallen skeleton that has been marked off for further investigation. Pear walks around these and continues.
They come to the bedroom and the coffin
Neela smiles
"Hehe, the true magician never reveals her secrets."
>>176203
Pear grabs a flashlight that is laying against the rock, next to the entrance. Pear turns it on and takes the lead, walking through the blasted rock into the hall, walking along the hallway of the lower floor, then up the old, stone stairs, then along the catacombs until they get to the big chamber, and then to the bedroom chamber. Silver may have to be careful not to walk into Pear as they have only the one flashlight. Pear feels no special compulsion to need to hold Silver's hoof, being more or less comfortable in the catacombs. More than once, the ponies come across a little area sectioned off, like a fallen skeleton that has been marked off for further investigation. Pear walks around these and continues.
They come to the bedroom and the coffin
>>176201
Amber whispers to Jakala. "Be as quiet as you can and follow me."
She leads her in the direction opposite the monster, trying to find a path that breaks a sight line from the ridge.
Amber whispers to Jakala. "Be as quiet as you can and follow me."
She leads her in the direction opposite the monster, trying to find a path that breaks a sight line from the ridge.
>>176204
Silver's not exactly thrilled to see these halls again, though getting the chance to have an adventure with Pear makes it worthwhile.
"Could you shine light on casket, please?"
With the flashlight pointed towards the coffin, Silver examines it in detail, recalling everything he remembered of the original to see if the two match, or if there are any discrepancies that point to this not being the same one.
Silver's not exactly thrilled to see these halls again, though getting the chance to have an adventure with Pear makes it worthwhile.
"Could you shine light on casket, please?"
With the flashlight pointed towards the coffin, Silver examines it in detail, recalling everything he remembered of the original to see if the two match, or if there are any discrepancies that point to this not being the same one.
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