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Inching Closer
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.175000
175042 175084 175098
The next big quest with everypony in it is coming soon (TM)
1727 replies and 51 files omitted.
Amber Sunset
33e5497
?
No.176423
176427
>>176416
"I did, Mama," she says with a frown.

"I saw it, Papa. While we were outside there was a very strange sound we couldn't get away from. At the clearing it was the loudest, and over a crest I looked and saw a Stallos. It was huge and dark, Papa, but it didn't see me." The filly is shivering and fidgeting nervously, but she puts on a brave face. "I hid our tracks like you showed me, Papa. There's no way it could have followed. But it's still so close to here…."
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
3952934
?
No.176424
176427
>>176421
"Awwww. Well, I want to promise you this, you will never have to worry about factory work as long as you're living with me!" She smiles at the deer, before continuing on. "So what did you do for money after leaving the factory?"
Anonymous
5d8da11
?
No.176425
176427 176439 176505
>>176411
>She seems to have genuinely no interest
I will make up a reason to be interested.
Posey is a blackweave warmagus who specializes in arcane securities, and she's trying to raise funds for her army. She'd be willing to do any sort of mercenary/adventure work if the job payed well.
More importantly, Posey is a Sorceress who has finally been freed of the oppressive confines of Magehold, and she's just itching to find living targets to practice her spells on and expand her powers; in fact, she's desperate to, because exceeding her master's powers (lvl ~6-8) is the only way she can end her apprenticeship and be free of their bindings. So she'd gladly do any sort of mercenary work if the job entailed fighting things.
Also, Posey is bloodthirsty. She wants to fight.
>You can make a new character
I'll consider it, but I already came this far with Posey.
>That's actually kind of relevant to the next big quest
Oh, that's good then.
For the record, Posey's forged passport is one from Farbrook. If ponies ask where she is from, she says she is from Farbrook.
Farbrook has a culture similar to Equestria, so she blends in well. It's also constantly threatened by the Dread League, which is a convenient excuse for knowing many facts about the Dread League should anyone ever grow suspicious.
>>176412
Oh yeah, I passed by Amber's hometown.
>>176419
It looks like the fruit is not what I believed it to be. False alarm.
Anonymous
5d8da11
?
No.176426
176427
>>176411
>I'm not sure what it's going to take to get her onto the next quest...
Is there any way Posey could hear about the mercenary job? Is there an [adventures wanted] bulletin anywhere? I'd it advertised in any newspaper tabloids that a shady necromancer might read, or put on posters in a dark alleyway?
I have been waiting to meet the party for more than a year. I don't care if the way to get there is shoehorned.
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176427
176428 176429 176430 176432 176505
>>176422
Silver feels something like an electric tingle from his throat and mouth.

Pear comes closer to the fruit, extending her muzzle and sniffing it.

"That can't be a normal fruit...:"

>>176423
Father extends a hoof, and ruffles little Amber's mane, letting her golden mane fall and cover over her eyes.

"You did well, but I don't think that was a Stallos. That was most likely a moose. Perhaps it had rolled in ash or mud somewhere in the blast, making it look dark. But you did good to run away from it. Moose can be very scary."

>>176424
Neela smiles widely, wags her little tuft of a tail, and jumps up on her forelegs. Then she stops, narrowing her eyes and turning her head away

"Waaait... What's the catch? Do you want me to steal for you? Distract ponies while I steal from them? I mean, I could do that but uh... oh, what did I do for money? Uh, various things. Little jobs."

>>176425
>>176426
To join, Posey has to do one very simple, but very counter-intuitive thing. Go down to Customs one morning, and ask to join in for mercenary work.
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
3952934
?
No.176428
176448
>>176427
"No catch! Well, I guess being a friend is a catch. Can you call it a catch? I mean, you're doing pretty well on that already. But anyways, besides that there's no catch, I just like having a friend."
Anonymous
5d8da11
?
No.176429
176442
>>176427
>counter-intuitive
>Go down to Customs one morning, and ask to join in for mercenary work
Well, Posey had plans to infiltrate and investigate customs herself, since they had killed off several of her potential allies, and knowing what they do could lead her to other Necromancers, even if only to raid their lairs.
She's also trying to buy some property in the city, and fact of the matter is that Posey doesn't really have very many skills outside of killing (idk how much the university jobs actually pay, but I assume it's just proportional to Posey's profession or craft check), so work is work.

So yeah, Posey could do that.
>one morning
Posey prefers to do so in the evening if it's during business hours.
Amber Sunset
33e5497
?
No.176430
176434
>>176427
pony is ruffled

"It looked shaped like a wolf, just much larger. But it didn't seem interested in anything but moving along. Why do you call it a blast?"
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176431
176433
>>176404
The Loney Dove, a smaller ocean liner of the Whinny Line, is very possibly the first passenger ship from Nova Griffonia to arrive in Baltimare since the ocean lanes opened up a week or so ago. Bound from Weter, it arrives at 3 PM.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3952934
?
No.176432
176435
>>176427
Hmmm...good tingle or bad tingle? Either way, Silver pauses, looking confused. He mumbles out a "Hold on".
Mysterious Ranger
33e5497
?
No.176433
176435
>>176431
A wiry griffon walks onto the deck of the Lonely Dove. He is wearing a very fine tan suit with a matching wide-brimmed hat, over a silk shirt and bowtie. He carries two heavy-looking leather-bound suitcases and descends down the gangway to the dock toward the customs area.
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176434
176438
>>176430
Mother:
"Oh, that's a place of terrible magic. Spirits came in where the other world converged with ours."

Father shakes his head
"It's called the blast because that's near where a meteor exploded in the air. Near enough to knock the trees down, anyways. That's what the Inspector said."

Mother shakes her head
"Happened over near Metsän Vaeltaja's cabin. Over the Pohjoinen Noaidi. That's a big rock in the ground under the trees which has old runes in it that the spirits often use as a gateway between our world and theirs. If you ask me, I think too many of them came in at once. Or left at once. Or something came in that shouldn't have. That's what caused the blast. I don't know what you saw, but you best be careful out there. It may not have been anything living..."

Father: "Don't tell her such stories. It was a rock from outer space. It exploded in the air because the heat and the friction of the air was too much. The stallion from the Central Council told us so. And what they say is law."
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176435
176436 176441
>>176433
"This way please" A grey stallion directs him to a line into a building

"Welcome to Baltimare"

>>176432
It tends towards good. It feels oddly rejuvenating. Silver feels a little more energetic.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3952934
?
No.176436
176437
>>176435
"Mmmmmm!"

Silver's eyes light up in response. If Pear is sure she doesn't want any, Silver swallows his bite and munches on the rest of fruit.
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176437
176440
>>176436
Pear moves over and licks the fruit. But Silver can certainly eat more. Be advised, it's a large fruit.
Amber Sunset
33e5497
?
No.176438
176442
>>176434
"Who are the Central Council?" she asks her father. She also turns to her mother. "Where is the rock with the runes? And why would a Stallos be near there?"
Mysterious Breakfast Patron
5d8da11
?
No.176439
176442
>>176411
>>176425
makes new character anyway

Later that morning, at the die-ner

A cloaked, shadowy figure enters the diner. It moves furtively and silently, although perhaps not so gracefully as Posey does, seemingly trying to draw little attention to itself. It takes a seat at one of the chairs and gestures for service, a thin black bandage-wrapped hoof waving out from beneath its black cloak.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3952934
?
No.176440
176442
>>176437
munch

Silver takes another bite of the fruit, but it's gonna be gone soon if Pear doesn't ask for any. He definitely has to remember to look for more of these in the market.
Mysterious Ranger
33e5497
?
No.176441
176442
>>176435
"Thank you. Nice weather for this time of year, isn't it?" the griffon remarks as he gets in line.
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176442
176443 176444 176445 176446 176455
>>176439
Uh

>>176438
"The new government over in Everfrost. They have say over our village. It's up north. And there are no Stallos."

Mother: "There are Stallos, but they wouldn't go near a Noaidi. It's too sacred of a place. Unless that Noaidi has been destroyed...

>>176429
>Evening
No. It is peculiar to the morning hours.

>>176441
It's cloudy. Which is kind of like Weter at this time, actually. It's warmer here though.

>>176440
Pearf does take a slice of the fruit, maybe taking a knife to do so.

"Woah" Her eyes go wide. Silver himself is surely feeling an ecstatic effect.
Amber Sunset
33e5497
?
No.176443
176447
>>176442
"Why do they say we can't wear our colored coats? And I want to see the Noaidi." Amber sits up and looks consumed with curiosity.
Anonymous
8a86a5f
?
No.176444
176447
>>176442
>t is peculiar to the morning hours
Okay, she goes one morning, after long night of writing a boring dissertation on undead combat that painfully only reveals as many weaknesses as her masters permit her to share with the public.
"Buck this. I didn't come all the way to equestria just to do paperwork..!"
And so she finds her way to customs in pursuit of a job where she can make use of her powers.
>Uh
The breakfast goer gestures for service, evidently hungry.
Mysterious Ranger
33e5497
?
No.176445
176447
>>176442
It beats the snow and cold, at least. The griffon casually observes the crowd around him.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3952934
?
No.176446
176447 176455
>>176442
"Mmhmm!" Silver swallows his second bite. "It's good, right? We've got to find more of these." It's definitely an ecstatic feeling, to say the least. He feels tingly all over, like he's been charged up with static. He swears he can feel his fur almost stand on end from it.

munch
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176447
176449 176452 176455 176456
>>176443
Father: "It's an old traditional practice that is not in keeping with the modern world. They wish to bring us into the modern era, and they say factory made clothing is the most obvious way to do so. And that Noaidi is probably destroyed, though I can't say."
He extends a hoof and pets Amber

>>176445
The crowd that comes out of the ship is disproportionately pony. Actually, it's majority pony. Must be ponies who went north and got trapped, or who fled Equestria for Nova Griffonia just to find they'd rather go home. Or maybe they are Nova Griffonians who figured that land is no place for a pony... Well, it's hardly a place for a griffin, either.

The creatures are divided into lines, and the Mysterious Ranger will have to go into the "Alien" line

>>176446
Silver has a nice euphoric feeling, Pear gets another small slice, but clearly, the majority is going to Silver. His fur is literally standing on end

>>176444
Sure. A waitress walks over.

"What would you like?" She asks
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176448
176453
>>176428
She lowers her ears, then back up

"Did you have many friends in... wherever it was you were from?" She asks
Anonymous
8a86a5f
?
No.176449
176450
>>176447
>"What would you like?" She asks
A raspy it effeminate voice replies, she speaks in a hushed tone, as if worried of drawing attention to her transaction, her head still hidden beneath her hood.
"F-fourty pancakes." she says
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176450
176451
>>176449
"Fruity pancakes? Sure, we have that. Anything to drink?"
Anonymous
8a86a5f
?
No.176451
176457
s-l1200.jpg
>>176450
"No..." The cloaked figure shimmies beneath it's cloak and places a solid gold doubloon on the table, seemingly a foreign coin but worth the same in gold nonetheless
"Fourty pancakes." she repeats, more clearly this time
"And a pitcher of apple juice."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3952934
?
No.176452
176457
>>176447
Silver offers Pear one more slice before he finishes it off with a final munch. He feels absolutely amazing! He might end up swearing off of all other types of fruit after this, if he can find some more. If only he had this when he was eating his waffles earlier, he can't even imagine how good it would have been. He smiles at Pear.

"I can see why Curwhinny had notes about this, I would want to eat these every day if I could! We need to find more of these after we finish looking for that sarcophagus."
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
3952934
?
No.176453
176457
>>176448
"Dhamaji?" Kira blushes, looks away, and messes with the end of her tail. "Not...not many?"
Amber Sunset
33e5497
?
No.176455
176457
>>176442
>>176446
This is basically the eating of the Forbidden Fruit except Silver is tempting a mare.

>>176447
pony is pet
"But our clothes aren't hurting anypony. I like wearing them. Can't we be 'modern' and have our colorful coats, too?"
Mysterious Ranger
33e5497
?
No.176456
176457
>>176447
This ends up working toward the griffon's benefit, as this line is much shorter. Whether the staff for this section are as hospitable remains to be seen.
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176457
176458 176459 176460 176462 176468
>>176452
"Eh heh..." Pear smiles with a little blush. "I think that may have been the only one."

>>176451
"Oh, uh... I don't think we have that many. But I'll get as many as I can." She walks away

>>176453
"You were a loner, weren't you? And none of the other lamias were as" She waves a hoof "Soft, as you. Were they?"

>>176455
>Forbidden fruit
oh my...

He scritches her head as well
"You can wear it inside. But you can't wear it out where the inspector can see you. They don't like any signs of luxury or tradition, or differentiation."

>>176456
It's kind of slow though. Eventually, he comes up to a cream colored stallion in green.

"Good afternoon. What is your

Name
Nationality
Purpose here
Occupation
Length of stay
And Race
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
3952934
?
No.176458
176461
>>176457
Kira first shyly nods, then slowly transitions to shaking her head at the second question.

"Yes. And not...not quite. I mean, they're not mean or anything, they would get along great with deer like you or with ponies and such, but I'm, uh...I'm definitely soft. It's why my mom wanted me here, and not fighting back at home."
Anonymous
8a86a5f
?
No.176459
176461
>>176457
>I don't think we have that many
The cloaked figure fishes more gold doubloons out from beneath it's cloak
"Anything- no, everything you have is fine..."
There's a shudder to her voice, almost desperate sounding

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HrIeP798hiQ
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3952934
?
No.176460
176461
>>176457
"You called them 'Lumia' earlier, so I assumed they have to exist somewhere. It must have come from tree like other fruit do, it is why all of these notes are here."

Hmm...this gets Silver to thinking if the floor plans and shipping manifest are actually related to this tasty fruit.
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176461
176463 176464
>>176458
Slowly,

"So you were sent here because your mother thought you wouldn't survive in a warzone? While most of them stayed."

>>176459
"Right..." The mare rushes off

She comes back with a dozen or so pancakes, oats, oatmeal, grits, hay, oranges, and a few other items.

>>176460
"I said it looks like a Lumia... Lumia don't keep for centuries. They don't... feel like that. That's not a Lumia. That's a magic fruit. I've never seen anything like that before. I don't know what it is... what it was... I think you just ate the only one..."
Amber Sunset
33e5497
?
No.176462
176465
>>176457
Amber pouts. "He's not of our tribe and doesn't live here. Why does he care so much about our luxuries and traditions?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3952934
?
No.176463
176465
>>176461
Silver frowns. "Surely not. It did not even have seeds to plant. Now, granted it is odd that it lasted this long, and there is probably something magic about it, but there must be source. Fruit does not just spontaneously come into existence, especially when he has notes about trying to grow whatever tree this came from."
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
3952934
?
No.176464
176465
>>176461
"Well, that's part of the reason, but...yes. I really was tasked with trying to get aid from Equestria, I know mom didn't lie. But I also know it's true that I wouldn't survive in a war."
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176465
176466 176467 176469
>>176462
"They want what is best for us. They want to turn us into a modern country. That is why. They want to make sure we are in compliance with the law."

>>176463
Pear looks at the notes
"So many crossed out lines... So many failed attempts... These are notes of what doesn't work."

She looks at the manifest
"Left Baltimare Harbor New Year's day 770... that's just a few days before he was killed... Curwhinny was dead before this ship got to it's destination."

She looks at the floor plan
"I don't know what this is. I think it's a church, but... I don't recognize it."

>>176464
"Uh huh." She tilts her head "Do you really think the others would get along with the ponies? Are you sure they aren't just a little less cute, a little more hot headed, maybe even just a little hungrier than you?"
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
3952934
?
No.176466
176470
>>176465
"No, it's nothing like that, it's just...they don't really have the same hang-ups I do about eating sometimes, or at least most of them don't, and I'm probably just, you know, exceptionally soft. They really would get along with the ponies, I know that's the case."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3952934
?
No.176467
176470
>>176465
Silver slowly puts two and two together, seeing the puzzle pieces match together in his mind.

"...Pear? Do you think all of this came from Abyssinia? This book paper, this fruit, that floor plan...all of it? And if there are more of these fruits, growing on actual trees, they would be there?"
Mysterious Ranger
33e5497
?
No.176468
176470
>>176457
The griffon nods his head and puts down his suitcases.

"Afternoon. Name is Garv Cavaliere, from Nova Griffonia, griffon, length of stay indeterminate, and as for the rest…" he pulls out a card holder from an inside suit pocket, picks out a card, and slides it across to the stallion.

GUN FOR HIRE

GARV CAVALIERE
WETER
Amber Sunset
33e5497
?
No.176469
176470
>>176465
"If our coats are holding us back, then why do you let us wear them indoors? That means you don't actually believe the Central Council," Amber points out. She turns to her mother. "Aren't I right? We're not being 'compliant,' just in secret."
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176470
176471 176472 176473 176475
>>176466
"Right..." She turns around, and walks closer towards Kira.

"I'm betting they aren't so soft and cuddly as you say they are. Or maybe even as you think they are. The Ponies certainly aren't as soft and friendly as they tell everything they are. I know that. I don't think you are as soft as you think you are... weak, yes. But not as non-threatening."

>>176467
"I don't... maybe? I suppose that would make sense." She says

>>176468
The stallion smiles, and looks back up to him
"Are you here to volunteer with the Military? Or perhaps one of the companies?"

>>176469
He frowns
"Hush, Kultanien."

Her mother does not actually answer

"Kultanien, want to come with me to the village shop? We are low on salt."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3952934
?
No.176471
176474
>>176470
Silver shakes his head clear. "I am sorry if I seem focused on this, but...I can smell adventure coming from this, and it smells like citrus. And, remember when you asked where I would take you on our next escapade?" He smiles at the mare. "I would like you to come with me, when it is time."
Amber Sunset
33e5497
?
No.176472
176474
>>176470
She cheers up and hops off the bed. "Sure!" She pauses. "Wait, do you think she'll be okay? The mare, I mean. I don't know why she was on the tundra or where she was going."
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
3952934
?
No.176473
176474
>>176470
Kira scrunches, though the scrunch feels entirely non-threatening.

"But this is different. They're my people, I know them. They just need a chance."
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176474
176477 176479 176480
>>176471
She has a smile that shows off her teeth
"Heh, Abyssinia... Let me check my schedule. Curwhinny's last mystery. Literally, it seems."

>>176472
He blinks
"Who?"

>>176473
"It's easy for you to say they should be given a chance. For someone like me, that's a chance I could end up there" She points to Hopper

"And in any case, you have too much faith in the ponies."
Garv Cavaliere
33e5497
?
No.176475
176476
>>176470
The griffon shrugs. "That depends. Military life is behind me and I am what you could say freelance. What I do know is that there is no shortage of work in Baltimare, even compared to Nova Griffonia. There is very important work needed by some very important ponies."
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176476
176488
>>176475
"Well, be mindful of the restrictions on firearm and explosive use and possession in the Baltimare Governate. It's for licensed agents and deputies of the government only. In any case. let me arrange for a work visa. There are no immigrant visas available for Nova Griffonians, but... There are war-time work visas available. Come to the next room, we can get you set up."
Amber Sunset
33e5497
?
No.176477
176478
>>176474
Just realized that Jakala was with Amber up to where she encountered her parents

"The poor pony we–Jakala and I–saw on the tundra. One of the neighbors said she may be Makea Aamu. She did not look good, she had frostbite all over…and he said she was delirious.
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176478
176487
>>176477
Oh that's right. She didn't stay in the hut, did she?

"Oh... I see... Is she okay now?"

Mother shakes her head
"Bad spirits have been released..."
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
3952934
?
No.176479
176481
>>176474
"Why would you end up eaten? You're not food, you're Neela." Kira tilts her head at the deer.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3952934
?
No.176480
176481
>>176474
"Heh, it will be once we find where that dang sarcophagus is." Silver looks around at the room. "Where is that thing?"
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176481
176482 176483
>>176479
"I saw how you looked at me. I've heard the stories..." She replies

>>176480
"I don't think it's in this room." Pear says, turning the flashlight around to the walls.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3952934
?
No.176482
176484
>>176481
"Probably not. I know we have not explored every room yet. Do we keep looking in other rooms or do we head outside and start questioning others?"
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
3952934
?
No.176483
176484
>>176481
Kira tilts her head some more at Neela. "What stories?"
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176484
176485 176486
>>176482
She shrugs, and makes a small smile
"It's worked out so far. For me it's a question of whether I'd rather more of my coworkers see me with you, or if I'd rather they see me go off in private with you... Hard choice there... How about we check out another room or two?"

>>176483
Her ears go up
"I mean... Old stories. Just... Nevermind. I just mean that the ponies may not see it your way."
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
3952934
?
No.176485
176489
>>176484
"Then I'll half to work extra hard to change that! It's like you said, the ponies do seem to like me. I know that's not the context you used it in, but still. I'll change their minds about me and lamias."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3952934
?
No.176486
176489
>>176484
Silver smiles as well.

"That is true, who knows what other treasures are hidden away that even time has forgotten, that we may find along way."

Silver heads for another room to search.
Amber Sunset
33e5497
?
No.176487
176508
>>176478
Nope, but we can just say she went home.

"Spirits? What do you mean?"
Garv Cavaliere
33e5497
?
No.176488
176512
>>176476
Cavaliere looks directly at the stallion.

"I assure you, creatures in my line of business don't last long without paying attention to local law."

He follows him to the next room.
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176489
176490 176491
>>176485
"And how will you do that?" She asks

>>176486
"I would say the most interesting details have been found already, but clearly not."

Pear adds,
"Have any books been removed from the library?"

And where does Silver go?
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3952934
?
No.176490
176492
>>176489
"Since last time I was here?"

Probably start with the opposite library. But first, Silver looks to see if any books have been removed (that he hadn't removed already).
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
3952934
?
No.176491
176492
>>176489
"By being my best self, you know, being an example for my tribe! I suppose it's a good thing I was chosen for this task, huh? Maybe my softness can come in handy."
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176492
176493 176494
>>176490
"No, I mean when you were here."

The shelves have since been almost emptied

>>176491
"Well, the ponies like you..." She says "So... does that mean I can just live here, or...?" She looks up toward Kira with her softest doe eyes
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
3952934
?
No.176493
176495
>>176492
Kira nods. Even if she wanted to, there's no way she could say no to those eyes.

"You can live here."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3952934
?
No.176494
176495
>>176492
Sense Motive: Silver tries to read Pear's face to see how she would react to the truth. On the one hoof, Silver has a suspicion that she might not appreciate the books being in the hooves of the Black Hooves. On the other...maybe it would be considered a bad boy move?

[1d20+2 = (9+2) = 11]
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176495
176496 176497
>>176494
Silver can't really see her well in the darkness, especially with him not having a flashlight of his own. Silver can, however, tell that she wants those books and cares what happens to them. Silver does seem to have impressed her so far.

>>176493
Still keeping the doe eyes
"And?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3952934
?
No.176496
176498
>>176495
Dammit, they say honesty is the best policy. Maybe it will work here.

"Black Hooves have them."
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
3952934
?
No.176497
176498
>>176495
"What do you want, Neela?" Kira tilts her head at the deer.
Anonymous
e87acbb
?
No.176498
176502 176503
>>176496
She blinks.

“What.”

>>176497
Drawing out each word,
“And also other expenses?”
She continues her doe eyes
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
3952934
?
No.176502
176508
>>176498
Kira giggles.

"And also other expenses, yes."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3952934
?
No.176503
176508
>>176498
"They are, or were, in possession of one Blue Skies of Black Hooves here in Baltimare."
Anonymous
c719546
?
No.176505
176508
>>176425
>>176427
On whatever day Posey gets to the merc office, is there a test or demonstration they require for proof of skill?

Posey normally passively opposes any Assess Opponent Sense Motive checks (taking 10 for a total of 24) to read her power level because she prefers to keep her powers discreet, but when presenting her resume (I'll dialogue-post that later) and particularly when negotiating adventuring fees, she does the opposite, preferring to boast her powers. Opponents Assessing her would see her would see that she is an adventurer of heroic level (around ~5th level). It challenged for her powers, Posey may be willing to demonstrate that she is able to cast third level hexes (something that only an adventurer who qualifies as a "hero of the realm" could do).
>She comes back with a dozen or so pancakes, oats, oatmeal, grits, hay, oranges, and a few other items.
The cloaked figure stares at the incoming plates with eyes that glow like hot coals beneath its hood.
It waits until the waitress gets puts some puts some distance between them, before putting its hooded face over the plates and eating with a series of somewhat disturbing sounds...
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176508
176509 176510 176511 176517
>>176487
Mother shakes her head and sighs

"tssk tssk. If this is how little Kultanien is learning here with us, how much less is Tähtien learning at 'school'? Little Kultanien, the spirits are those who live in the spirit world. These are gods, to whom we give our obedience and sacrifice, in return for our blessings. And they are those who have come before us, who once lived in the world but now live amongst the spirit realm. Our ancestors. Like my mother. The spirits may commune with us at special points where the two meet, the Sieidi and the Noaidi."

>>176505
It's probably best to try to roleplay it, though again, it's a matter of timing

>>176503
She opens her mouth, turns her head to the side, and then looks back to Silver

"Wha-what. 'Blue Skies'? The Blackhooves? Who?!"

>>176502
Neela giggles, then jumps up in the air in a springing motion, forelegs followed by her hindlegs. She wiggles her tail.

"I knew I chose right!"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3952934
?
No.176509
176513
>>176508
Silver blinks.

"Uh...you just summarized it pretty well. Blue Skies, Black Hooves."
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
3952934
?
No.176510
176512
>>176508
D'awwwwwwwwwww.

"D'awwwww. You chose me?" Kira smiles brightly at her deer friend.
Anonymous
d2c2180
?
No.176511
176512
>>176508
>it's a matter of timing
I'm not quite sure what you mean.
I'm unaware of what the date is on the calendar of this universe, or if Posey's timeline is necessarily synch simultaneously with all of the others (I notice that there have been quest lengths that vary wildly at the same time, so I sort of assumed individual party members were on loosely different timescopes).
Couldn't they just... Conveniently all meet up at some point?
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176512
176514 176518 176551
>>176488
Garv is sat down, and the next step involves a series of questions that must be answered, questions like,

"Are you a Communist? A Harmonist Agitor? A Griffonian Nationalist Agitator? An Anarchist? Are you able to work? Do you know where you will be living in Equestria? Will you agree to abide by all stated laws and regulations of the Baltimare Governate? Are you travelling alone, in a group, or with family? Have you ever participated in Hellquillian Crimes against Equinity? Are you a follower of Maar? Are you a practitioner of Dark Magic?

There's quite a bit of waiting, and Garv has time to creature-watch. The easiest time to be had amongst the immigrants are the Nova Griffonian ponies. They answer a few questions, go through a few medical checks, and are ultimately stamped as residents on a quick path to citizenship. They are told of offers of subsidized or even free housing, free health and education, and guaranteed jobs if they repatriate to the Griffonian Territories or New Mareland Proper, though requirements of Military service are hinted at. Even those who insist they wish to stay are directed towards available jobs, mostly in what seem to be defense related fields. Garv sees a few ponies, what seems like two large families, that he can guess by their stocky bodies and fluffy coats are Skynavian or perhaps Cubrian ponies, who are given the same fast-track to citizenship, guaranteed jobs and housing as the Nova Griffonians, evidently as favored asylum seekers.

Another category, slightly larger, are those Nova Griffonian griffins who seek entry, like Garv. None of the griffins are offered residency (save two, who evidently have some kind of special status or connections), free-housing is not offered, and the griffins in general are asked far more questions concerning membership in political insurgent groups or even occultism.

Those with the absolute easiest time getting in are those who are believed when they say they are simply visiting. Save for a single pony couple, these are all griffins, and all comparatively well off, judging by their suits, dresses, and jewelry.

And then there are three groups who face the most scrutiny. The most skepticism is levied against who is perhaps the single largest group - returning Equestrian nationals. A decent number of these quickly satisfy the Custom's officer's questions and are let through, but many more are subjected to deeper scrutiny. When did you leave Equestria? Why did you leave Equestria? Who did you meet with there? Do you have any connections with the Equestrian Liberation Front? Do you have any connections with the Popular Front? Who are you relatives here? Where are your properties here? Did you take any wealth with you when you left? Did you leave any behind? Do your family members here have ELF or PF connections? Why are you returning now? Do you want to tell us again why you left Equestria? Customs officers try to split this group into those who can be let in, and those who need to be investigated further.

But two tiny groups are the unluckiest of all. There are a few Vedinan and one Skyanian Griffins who are seeking admission but outright turned back because they are told there are no available visas, save for very particular paths. And finally, there is a family of Nova Griffonian yaks who are turned back for similar reasons.

They make a bit of a scene, yelling and stomping.

>>176511
>Couldn't they just... Conveniently all meet up at some point?
This is basically what I intended, it just seems the other characters are not ready

>date on the calender
It's supposed to be something like January 28th, 1013, but you're trying to put Posey on a much faster timeline than the other characters, so I think the number of days that pass should not be taken very seriously as they will not line up between characters.

>>176510
"Well, yes, between being deported to be a literal slave for the fascists or worse sold to the zebras, and running away and having to support myself by" she shudders as she hints to a deeper, scarcely imaginable horror "working a job... this was the better option. Even though I am pretty sure you did want to eat me. It's all good now though."
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176513
176552
>>176509
"The Black Hooves have several books of Dark Magic and ancient history and religion?" She says blankly.
Anonymous
d2c2180
?
No.176514
176515
>>176512
>but you're trying to put Posey on a much faster timeline than the other characters, so I think the number of days that pass should not be taken very seriously as they will not line up between characters
I didn't intend to. I figured Posey would need to spend some downtime to get situated at the university anyway.
>it just seems the other characters are not ready
Well, I guess that's that...

I wouldn't object to being randomly thrown into the quest surrounding the Lich's Lair, if that's plausible.
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176515
176516
>>176514
So the thing about the Lich's lair is that it was the site of a quest that concluded about... five or so calendar years ago.

The idea is that after Silver's character went back to the scene When I straight up just told his player that he left a massive piece of loot behind, it was populated by a set of characters who themselves were from a flash-forward dream sequence from a different player. The group is a University team who are doing an archeological survey of the quest location for construction on the site.

Silver went there this time to hide an automobile he stole from the mob, and is staying probably because he wants to screw one of the characters involved in the archeological survey.
Anonymous
d2c2180
?
No.176516
176519
>>176515
>The group is a University team who are doing an archeological survey of the quest location for construction on the site
Well, that is something Posey might catch wind of.
>Silver went there this time to hide an automobile he stole from the mob, and is staying probably because he wants to screw one of the characters involved in the archeological survey
Hmmmmmm, well then. Idk what I could do there then. I just like exploring dungeons.
I'm going to want an independent lair of operations at later level, and an abandoned lich's lair sounds like a good place to move in...
Amber Sunset
33e5497
?
No.176517
176519
>>176508
"So those are good spirits…and you said there are evil spirits too. How did they get here and what do they want?" Amber leans forward as do her ears. She stares in interest.
Garv Cavaliere
33e5497
?
No.176518
176519
>>176512
"I am not affiliated with any political group. I am here for temporary work, and I do think one of the local hotels here will be sufficient to stay at. I do agree to follow your laws. Alone. I have never been near Hellquill and do not intend to visit. I personally am not too tolerant of Maar, the Dark Arts, or their practitioners either." He talks rather deliberately, almost as if bored, and does not have the sort of distinct accent one might expect from a griffon foreigner. With the last answer, though, he gives the customs officer a small smile, the mouth behind his beak and below a thin black mustache curling up slightly.

While he waits the griffon remarks to himself on the curious customs practices. "It's like a rat maze where all are pushed to different, distinct exits. Yet their own are not given the same advantages and rewards as the Nova Griffonian ponies, or even the griffons for that matter. I think I know what to expect from this place."
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176519
176520 176521 176523
>>176516
Even though the archeological survey is being done by a team from a completely different university, yes, Posey is very likely to hear about it.

>Independent lair of operations.
The convenient thing is that it is right, smack in the middle of developing subdivision. It's on a property with a (now drained) lake that can be restored, an old farm homestead, and of course the subterranean lair. There's a pretty good school system to send gloomy to, and it wouldn't be hard at all to hook up to water, sewer, electricity, and gas. The owner of it may be willing to sell it as is once the required Archeological survey is complete, for the right price.

It's now being ransacked a second time, but as demonstrated, not everything has been found.

>>176517
She is silent for a minute
"Yes, from the same space and by the same means. Some old pony spirits can be malevolent for various reasons. But they go to Rotaimo, along with all those who are wicked, in the underworld, locked away there. Gods can be displeased if they are not honored... They are honored less and less, nowadays... But the spirits are by and large benign, though you must always respect them.

Though there are... gods of evil things. There is a god over every domain, after all. the god of death, the god of plague and sickness, Ruohatta, for example. They tend to lord in the underworld, mostly." She answers

>>176518
The customs pony, a big black earth pony, asks the questions coolly and more or less professionally, but he does turn around to look at the commotion. Elsewhere, a yak and an Equestrian national, are not happy.

Garv's biggest surprise is when he is moved to another area, has a submachine gun pointed at him by a golden pegasus, and is told by another pony to keep his eyes open and stare straight ahead as he shines a light above his eyes.
Anonymous
6072a91
?
No.176520
176527
>>176519
>The convenient thing is that it is right, smack in the middle of developing subdivision. It's on a property with a (now drained) lake that can be restored, an old farm homestead, and of course the subterranean lair. There's a pretty good school system to send gloomy to, and it wouldn't be hard at all to hook up to water, sewer, electricity, and gas. The owner of it may be willing to sell it as is once the required Archeological survey is complete, for the right price.
That sounds like good real estate. I think I'll conjure my massive enchanted castle-tower made of black crystals on top of it (which is gonna require me to be at least lvl 8, but I can wait for that part).
Hopefully the land should be cheaper than usual because the place was haunted.
>It's now being ransacked a second time, but as demonstrated, not everything has been found.
Cool. Any chance I could join? I have no idea how long the other quests are going to take.
Amber Sunset
33e5497
?
No.176521
176522
>>176519
"Can the good gods protect us, mother? And how do we honor them?" she asks.
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176522
176524
>>176521
"Of Course." She answers. "Akko, Leibolmai, Beaivi, and many others. Give them your reverence, your faith, abide by customs, follow the rituals, and venerate those who came before us. Rember though that while the spirits have a realm all of their own, they are here in this world as well inhabiting every pony, every animal, every rock and tree. Have respect for them, and they may respect you."
Garv Cavaliere
33e5497
?
No.176523
176528
>>176519
Cavaliere glances at the submachine gun and breathes out, but otherwise keeps his cool as he raises his claws and stares ahead. "You had some changelings come in?" he casually asks.
Amber Sunset
33e5497
?
No.176524
176528
>>176522
"I will, Mama. I'd like to find the Noaidi too. It must still be somewhere."
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176527
176529
>>176520
Eh, good enough

Posey is called to an office on the third floor - the top floor - of the administrative building of the Jim Haykins Medical School. Openning the wooden door, Posey enters into a high roofed roof with ornate wooden friezes along the walls, rows of book shelves with a ladder, a big, decorated globe, a clock, a statue - statue of Princess Celestia, and a number of other ornaments. Behind a massive mohanghany desk is a black unicorn stallion with a long, pure-white mane. He's of a bit of a smaller frame, but he has a very serious expression. He wears a purple cloak and golden bracelets on each pastern. Posey knows who this stallion is. This is Ersatz Orgone, Dean over the Necrology Divisions in both the Medical School and the School of Arcane Sciences. He speaks

"Miss Ring, I've heard you have interest in local Necromantic lore. Well then, I don't know how much you know, but I'll give you the quick summary. There was a stallion who lived in Baltimare in the 700's called 'Joseph Curwhinny'. And as you've guessed, he was very far from an ordinary stallion. He was a business stallion, and one of extraordinary talent. He took his father in law's company, the 'Celestial Shipping Company,' and made it into an international juggernaut. The rich and powerful have never been liked, and have always been resented by those of lesser talent in every civilization. Naturally, he became the target of criticism. It didn't help that he was involved in practices considered unsavory today, like dealing with Zebrican slave traders and importing a number of them, and the nasty conditions sailors faced in those times. He was targeted and killed in a revolt against local authorities in 771.

Of course, that isn't why you're here, is it? Curwhinny was always known to have immense interests in the occult. 'Dark' magic, esoteric religions, the customs and practices of foreigners and long dead civilizations... Things considered untasteful or strange at the time. In his later years, he spent more time doing that than at his business. When he didn't seem to age it was considered another bad sign. There were rumors he was conducting horrible experiments on dead and living subjects, and was a full blown necromancer. Those were just rumors until a couple weeks ago.

Several weeks ago, a land developer found zombies in a previously unknown set of ruins under his property - a property known to be the location of a farm owned by Joseph Curwhinny, and a location in the aforementioned revolt. He hired mercenaries to clear them out. What was found seemed to confirm the worst of the rumors. Remains of many, many bodies from dug up graves and imported zebras. Militia who perished in the fight... It seems he was a full blown necromancer, and not of any good kind, either. There is an archeological dig being conducted now. We put in the a bid, but it looks like the University of Stableside got in first. Hmph! They have no respect for history, nor magic, and certainly not for our side of the arcane arts. They will try to twist and contort whatever they find to fit their thinly-veiled communist interpretation, and in the process will doubtless bring more infamy to our practice.

Is there something you wish to know, Miss Ring? Outside of providing evidence to the contrary, our best move is to condemn this Curwhinny, and to try to seperate ourselves from his image. All of this is on a property called 'Silver Lake,' really just an abandoned quarry filled with rainwater, in the 'Silver Lake Development Project' in the northwestern part of town."
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176528
176535 176536
>>176524
She nods
"It certainly was, though I am not so sure it survived the blast. Metsän Vaeltaja lived near there. He saw the blast. He tells us that it was the convergence of the spirit realm and our realm. That he himself has become a medium between the worlds, able to speak to both. He says he saw what he calls the Seraph, and that this Seraph will bring the Sun on its wings, ahead of Beaivi-"

"ENOUGH!"
Father is angry
"We do not talk about that stallion and his nonsense in here! Not in front of Kultanien, and there will be absolutely no talk of it when the inspector gets here. Do you understand?"

Mother is taken aback.
"Well, I-I - he says the spirits will live among us."

"It is nonsense and we will not have that here!"

Meakly
"I... didn't say it wasn't, just... he says the spirits will walk among the living. I can understand why that would have an appeal to the others. I would like to see my mother-"

"Iwould like many things. All he says is manure! He cannot speak to the dead and he can do nothing but lead us astray. I have respect for the old ways. I respect the old gods. But Kultanien is impressionable. She could be led astray. And in this household we respect science and the Pathway Forward. The stallions from the city said it was a meteor. A rock from space. And that is all it was. The both of you will not speak of this when the Inspector comes. You will not even speak of the Old Gods when he is around. We are in compliance with the Pathway Forward here. Do you understand?"

"Yes..." Mother says meekly. She is cowed.

>>176523
He says
"Some? They are lousing the city, probably. Not many from the sea though. We at least have that much covered"

The next step is a medical examination, with many questions about the throat, symptoms and whathaveyou. Evidently they are looking for disease. At least one griffin from Nova Griffonia fails this test.
Anonymous
6072a91
?
No.176529
176530
>>176527
>a statue - statue of Princess Celestia,
Posey momentarily recoils at this, as if she's been stuck by an unseen hoof, her vampiric heritage making the holy iconography painful.
>Posey knows who this stallion is. This is Ersatz Orgone, Dean over the Necrology Divisions in both the Medical School and the School of Arcane Sciences.
Oh buck.
I would assume that the Dean of the Necrology division would be able to recognize a shambling corpse when he sees one, regardless of how well she does her mane and makeup. I'm going to say that Posey casts Disguise Undead before meeting any high ranking member of the Necrology division, using the extra level of Glammer to disguise her true nature.
>They have no respect for history, nor magic, and certainly not for our side of the arcane arts. They will try to twist and contort whatever they find to fit their thinly-veiled communist interpretation, and in the process will doubtless bring more infamy to our practice.
This actually seems to motivate Posey. Those who disrespect the arts should be punished.
"Oh no..." Posey interjects softly, letting the stallion continue
>Is there something you wish to know, Miss Ring?
"Curwhinny's body... Where is it now?" Is her first question
"Has this Silver Lake site of his lair been properly exorcised before excavation? I do specialize in haunts."
>There is an archeological dig being conducted now. We put in the a bid, but it looks like the University of Stableside got in first.
>thinly-veiled communist
Posey puts on a bit of a smug, mischievous smirk
"Well, if they are commies, they shouldn't be complaining too hard if someone were to visit their site first, now would they? Property is theft, as they say..."
Take 10 for a 24 bluff (innuendo) check, for Posey to passively propose visiting the site her self, bidding results be damned
Anonymous
058ba7b
?
No.176530
176531
>>176529
>Posey momentarily recoils at this
Orgone raises an eyebrow
"Not in keeping with your political tastes, Miss Ring?"

>"Curwhinny's body... Where is it now?"
"I have no idea. The rumors say he became a lich. I doubt that very seriously. If it's true, he was either bound and defeated in the revolt, or he made a very quiet escape to the Dread Lands. He's not in Rosemont Cemetary, I can say that with confidence."

>"Has this Silver Lake site of his lair been properly exorcised before excavation? I do specialize in haunts."
"Not to my knowledge, but I cannot say I've consulted with the church, whom I presume would be contacted first for such a procedure. They didn't contact us, I know that."

>"Well, if they are commies, they shouldn't be complaining too hard if someone were to visit their site first, now would they? Property is theft, as they say..."
He mirrors Posey with a smug, mischievous smirk of his own
"How do such rights fit in with a socialist theory of property rights? Seems to me it would be open to all who are able. Especially to those who are more able."
Anonymous
6072a91
?
No.176531
176532
>>176530
>"Not in keeping with your political tastes, Miss Ring?"
"W-what? No. We're not all that different in Farbrook. I was just.. taken back by the quality of this lovely statue."
Bluff
[1d20+14 = (8+14) = 22]
>The rumors say he became a lich
"If he were powerful enough to become a lich, I have my doubts he would have been defeated so easily. I can't say for certain though."
>or he made a very quiet escape to the Dread Lands
I'm going to roll knowledge (Religion) too see if Posey knows of such a lich
[1d20+11 = (17+11) = 28]
>I cannot say I've consulted with the church, whom I presume would be contacted first for such a procedure.
"Yes, those with divine energy channeling powers are scarce these days. Luckily, secular energy channeling is one of my skills."
>Seems to me it would be open to all who are able.
"I believe a phrase that ponies go by is 'sharing is caring'?"