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Occupied Equestria - We’re Starting It This Thread I Swear
Anonymous
989814f
?
No.177003
177010
Continuing, and hopefully introducing new characters.

And on the wrong damn post number
1563 replies and 78 files omitted.
Anonymous
5e29339
?
No.177457
177459
>>177456
Twisting around, Kira feels Neela move onto her side. Her mouth twists, and her hoof extends. "No..." She speaks to herself. "I don't want to go to work.. Not today..." She twists around
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177458
177460
>>177432
Moving across and past the rows of downed trees is not easy. Their singed trunks, the mud, and assorted splinters and debris make moving the sled sometimes impossible, and requires detours, or dragging the sled over tree trunks. What is worse is that the now leveled forest provides no cover, and the ponies are now exposed under the black abyss of the sky. Off in the distance, it is hard to tell if the seeming movement is real, simply imagined, or perhaps some object near the ground further away moving more slowly within the field of view than some object closer. Even the twinkling stars are periodically obscured by some undefined blackness. What is certain is that the ponies have nothing hiding them from what may be lurking in the dark. Amber does not know how big this Blast is, nor how far it extends, but certainly it extends much further than her eyes can see - not to imply that she can see far in the black night.

The adults find a creek bed that is almost parallel to the downed trees how far below the level of the ground the creek runs varies, but in general, it can cover the ponies, or almost cover the ponies, from outside. It's wide enough for at least one pony to walk abreast on each bank next to the frozen stream in the middle. Amber can drag the sled over the ice, although sometimes the ice seems too thin for this to feel wise. Periodically, the adults move to look up and outside of the creek to what is beyond. Amber and Jakala, however, remain inside. Amber can see that the creek is normally lined with dead grass or lichen, often covered in a thin layer of packed snow or ice. In many places, however, lines of mud extend over the ice and grass in ugly lines that have themselves frozen over, and this extends even to the frozen stream.
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177459
177462
>>177457
D'awwwwww. She's having a nightmare about working. Kira reaches up, and gives her deer friend a reassuring pat.
Amber Sunset
22573a8
?
No.177460
177462
>>177458
Amber feels terrified about making the slightest sound out here in the wastes. This place isn't natural, they shouldn't be here…weren't the grown-ups worried about some sort of "virus" as they put it? The creek bed's depression is only a small comfort.
"Papa, why are we out here?" she whispers. Her voice is small, tremulous, and comes across as if she's shivering.
Garv Cavaliere
22573a8
?
No.177461
177462 177494
>>177431
Cavaliere seems to smile as well, or at least his eyes suggest it. Those beaks are always in the way.
"Major, as soon as I have my licenses I'll be out of here. I imagine your subordinates will be able to find me easily."

>>177434
How am I supposed to take a business card seriously when it has the name "Rosey Ring" on it?
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177462
177463 177464 177465
>>177460
It is worth mentioning that the ice-entombed plants Amber sometimes drags the sled over are dead. The trees, were they not slain by the Blast, would certainly be in torpor. The layers of snow and ice are thin, thinner than the snow that would sometimes fall on Amber's farm back home. This place is not only dark but dry, and Amber has not seen a single snowflake fall from the clear, black skies above. The grass and bark of the plants, however, are often singed, charred, or outright destroyed by fire, and the ponies (except Amber) have to lower their heads as the pass under a burnt log that has fallen over the creek bed.

Father turns back to Amber and pats her head in a way that is likely more to reassure himself than her.
"Well uh, to see what that Vaeltaja is up to. You wanted to see the holy site, right? That spiritual site? Well all the same, we are just investigating." He says and smiles weakly.

Jakala behaves herself, more or less. She got off and walked when Amber had to drag the sled over trunks. When Amber reached the ice, she hops onto it again. She stays silent, though she does start talking,
"Do you hear that? It's a crackling. Like a fire. crack crack crack crack."

"Shhhh" Father says, looking back to Jakala, who stops speaking, and then over the side of the creak. And the ponies do hear sounds. Once, some kind of mammalian sound. Amber can't say if it is a wolf, or something else. The ponies stop moving, look over the side, and their ears go back. They don't seem too concerned otherwise. Later, there is a sound closer to an insect, like a cicada. This disturbs the ponies, and they move to the other side of the stream.

The ponies continue along the stream. Father again turns to Amber and whispers,
"Did you want to see the stone?"

>>177461
He nods
"Do you have your arrangements for where you will be staying?"

>>177459
Deer is pat
Her fur is short, and just a little coarse. Her ears move back, then up.
Amber Sunset
22573a8
?
No.177463
177466
>>177462
Amber has a gut instinct that none of them belong out here and that they should turn back. However, she knows she can't convince the grown-ups to do that, and they seem to think of the "Inspector" as scarier. Plus, she really does have a curiosity that must be satiated.

"Yes," she replies meekly.
Garv Cavaliere
22573a8
?
No.177464
177467
>>177462
"I am aware of several higher-end hotels in Baltimare," he replies. "One of those will do."
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177465
177467
>>177462
D'awwwwww. Does Neela realize how cute she is, even while sleeping?

pat pat pat
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177466
177468
>>177463
He rubs behind her ear, sometimes pressing it down and flapping it.

"But, little pony, you should know. It's just a stone. Nothing more and nothing less. There's nothing to really be afraid of, little Kultainen, except that we may be less, as ponies, than we could be."

He scratches some more.

The creek becomes shallow, and also has noticeable twists. The stallion says "If we are going to get closer, we will need to get leave the creek."

Peaking out, it's nothing but an endless stretch of felled trees, extending towards blackness in every direction.
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177467
177469 177473
>>177464
"The Sonata is provided for military contractors. It has the advantage of being defended, even if it is most likely watched. Should that not be to your liking, you can stay elsewhere, and maybe get a voucher in lieu. Just so long as we can find you."

>>177465
Neela does know how cute she is. Cute enough to be spared. Like Nipper, but unlike Hopper. The ears move up on the deer as she is pat, and rotate.
Amber Sunset
22573a8
?
No.177468
177470
>>177466
"I'm not afraid. It's just a stone," she insists. "But…this place is so odd. This whole forest is gone, but our village is okay. Are we just lucky?"
Garv Cavaliere
22573a8
?
No.177469
177470
>>177467
He takes another puff of his cigar. "I appreciate the gesture. However, my profession relies on clients believing that they can come to me unobserved. I will let you know, don't worry."
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177470
177471 177472
>>177468
scritch scritch scritch

"Oh little pony, I wouldn't call it lucky that a meteor came so close to us. They are so rare, we're unlucky it hit nearby at all. We lost every single glass window, most of our trees, and quite a few smaller sheds. Our homes at least were spared but uh, yes, if it had exploded just a kaffekok to the southeast, it would have- it would have been much worse, yes."

The other stallion looks back and comments
"Should we be so quick to dismiss the convergence? That explosion happened right by the sieidis in the forest. I mean, maybe not like Vaeltaja says, but remember our ancestors believed it to hold a portal to the underworld and beyond."

Father:
"Well yes, I think we should. The ponies from Everfrost say it was a meteor."

Stallion:
"They are too quick to dismiss the wisdom of our ancestors."

Father:
sigh
"The explosion came from high above the ground, didn't it?"

Stallion:
"I... think so? I'm just saying..."

When the ponies go back above ground, they are surely exposed.

>>177469
He nods, with a small smile.

"Very well. Your documents are in the other room. You'll have more details on your first assignment shortly."
Amber Sunset
22573a8
?
No.177471
177474
>>177470
Amber has to wonder why these stallions act so dismissive of the spirits and their actions, yet are quick to second-guess themselves whenever something unusual happens. It's not long before she's more caught up in worry about what lurks in the dark.
Garv Cavaliere
22573a8
?
No.177472
177474
>>177470
Cavaliere thanks the major and collects the documents. He moves on to the next stage of customs, if there is one, but not before asking the name of the detained stallion and where he used to live.
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177473
177474
>>177467
I think Hopper showed how cute he was in Kira's dream last night. Regardless, Neela is doing a good job of showing how cute she is now. "D'awwwww."
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177474
177476 177483
>>177471
The ponies start to walk through the destroyed forest, over the burned husks of trees and under the star and aurora studded abyssal black sky. The twilight in the south starts to wane, and the black retakes its place.

But off in the distance, to the south and west, the moving shadows become undeniable. Multiple moving shadows, black at first, then grey, move along in a group.

>>177473
So Neela isn't too cute to eat. Makes sense, I suppose.

At this point, it's pretty clear that she's trying to sleep in, or avoid doing something. There's no way this is her natural sleep schedule. Unless she got up last night for several hours... which is certainly possible, but Kira found her in the same place she left her.

>>177472
Garv goes back into the room and meets up with the same black stallion, who hooves him a license and some papers. Off in the next room he is lined up to take a photograph. Soon enough, a laminated visa is produced. Garv's face is, well, Garv... Watermarks and what must presumably be anti-forgery features give the visa an oddly aesthetic quality.

"His name is Folded Holly. I don't think he's been released yet."
Amber Sunset
22573a8
?
No.177475
177477
Amber bites her father's coat to grab his attention, and points a hoof at the movement.
Garv Cavaliere
22573a8
?
No.177476
177477
>>177474
"Evidently not. Did he give the names of any relatives living in the area?"
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177477
177478 177479
>>177475
He looks over towards the movement, and crouches down. The other stallion, ahead of the two, has already noticed.

They move slowly, and seem to be mostly brown in color, though with accents of other colors. There are four of them.

>>177476
"Yes. He seems to have an aunt in the area, and also a sister. His parents may or may not be in Canterlot. We haven't figured that out yet."
Amber Sunset
22573a8
?
No.177478
177480
>>177477
It's really hard to pick out color in low-light conditions

She scoots over to the sled next to Jakala, in order to comfort her and make sure she doesn't make any noise. Her ears are trained on the figures ahead.
Garv Cavaliere
22573a8
?
No.177479
177480
>>177477
"If you have the names of his aunt and sister I could verify this information for you," he suggests.
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177480
177481 177482
>>177478
scrunch
"Where are they going?" The stallion whispers, evidently to Father.

The stallion and father move closer as the figures move foward. They seem to be going approximately the direction the ponies were going.

>>177479
Uh...

He gives Garv regular sounding pony names.
Amber Sunset
22573a8
?
No.177481
177484
>>177480
At an agonizingly slow pace Amber pulls the sled forward to follow, afraid to make a sound.
Garv Cavaliere
22573a8
?
No.177482
177484
>>177480
Unfortunately we've run out of pony names for the day. Cavaliere says, "Thank you" and finishes the customs process with all his luggage. He asks for a high-end hotel with excellent customer service.
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177483
177484
>>177474
Hmmmm...can Kira try to move without disturbing Neela?
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177484
177485 177486 177487
>>177483
She can try

>>177481
A slow pace it must be, as every movement forward threatens to crack a twig, or piles of dead needles.

Amber does, however, see what the figures are, although she surely already suspects the answer. They are ponies. Four of them, and wearing jackets. The adults move slowly forward, or try to.

>>177482
scrunchy

"The Lord Baltimare is in the city center. Not far from Union Station, the military headquarters, R&M, and even the Blackhooves. A car can take you there if you desire."
Amber Sunset
22573a8
?
No.177485
177498
>>177484
Ponies? she must wonder. Why would ponies, let alone four all together, be out in this dismal place? Surely it's not for the same reason her group is?
Garv Cavaliere
22573a8
?
No.177486
177498
>>177484
"That should be sufficient. Thank you, and I would appreciate a ride."
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177487
177489
>>177484
And try she does, make slow, steady, subtle movements to try to uncoil without making Neela fall.
Definitely neither cream-based nor fermented
6611fb3
?
No.177488
[4d6 = 11]
[4d6 = 18]
[4d6 = 15]
[4d6 = 12]
[4d6 = 12]
[4d6 = 13]
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177489
177490
>>177487
Roll Dexterity
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177490
177498
>>177489
[1d20+3 = (3+3) = 6]
Rosey "Posey" Ring
987b07e
?
No.177491
Gonna roll craft (writing) to see how many shekels Posey makes off of her Necrology report this week
[1d20+9 = (8+9) = 17]
Definitely neither cream-based nor fermented
6611fb3
?
No.177492
177493 177494
*sighs*
[1d6 = 3] , [1d6 = 3] , [1d6 = 5] , [1d6 = 6]
[1d6 = 3] , [1d6 = 5] , [1d6 = 3] , [1d6 = 2]
[1d6 = 3] , [1d6 = 1] , [1d6 = 1] , [1d6 = 2]
[1d6 = 2] , [1d6 = 6] , [1d6 = 1] , [1d6 = 4]
[1d6 = 4] , [1d6 = 1] , [1d6 = 4] , [1d6 = 1]
[1d6 = 5] , [1d6 = 5] , [1d6 = 1] , [1d6 = 5]
Definitely neither cream-based nor fermented
6611fb3
?
No.177493
177495
>>177492
So 14, 11, 6*, 12, 9, and 15
* = bring it
Rosey "Posey" Ring.
987b07e
?
No.177494
>>177492
I'm just going to use the elite array for my cohorts and followers. There's going to be quite a few of them, and they all need to be inferior to Posey.
>>177461
>How am I supposed to take a business card seriously when it has the name "Rosey Ring" on it?
Because you live in a country where a pony named "Pinkie Pie" is considered to be a national hero.
Rosey "Posey" Ring.
987b07e
?
No.177495
177497
>>177493
>6
Put it on Constitution and become undead.
A dusty coated zeeb
2a022d8
?
No.177496
177498
Somewhere among the streets of Baltimare, a very out of place looking zebra is wandering in the morning light. Most would say aimlessly, but he knows he's looking for something. What or where this thing is nopony knows, including him.
Iykyk
6611fb3
?
No.177497
>>177495
Oh my, this one is simply adorable! How long have YOU been dead, not that it has affected your delightful figure!
(This is in character but meta, dont twist it)
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177498
177499 177500 177501
>>177496
Is it purpose? If that is the case, he may have to try harder. Some find purpose in family. In their children, in their wives and spouses, and in their friends. Some find purpose in their work. Some find purpose in a higher power.

But if he's looking for coffee or a place to get breakfast, there are plenty of options along the road

>>177486
A black cab awaits, and soon, Garv is transported through the city at twilight. The road follows an avenue next to the river, which is raised above the level of the bed by ten or so feet. To the right are many brick buildings, at first not so nice and including things like a brick factory, but soon replaced by row after row of townhomes, with bright red as well as greyish white. After a while and past a tall, neoclassical styled building that takes up the entire block, it turns north. The buildings become taller as he goes along, until by the center, several of the buildings could be called skyscrapers, with the most prominent of these having a shape almost like a sail on a mast.

Then they pull up to a stone-facade building with brass ringing around its revolving front door. The cab pulls up, and a tan unicorn colt is ready to take Garv's bag. Neon lights show that this is indeed the Lord Baltimare.

>>177490
And...

thump
The deer slips off and falls to the rug as the coils let up. Her eyes go big, and she stands up.

"What? Huh?"

>>177485
They move along, until they see several more ponies simply standing. Several trees in this area still stand, albeit perfectly cleaned of all branches or needles. They may as well be telephone poles, erected after the blast. And beyond this, they can see that they are on the crest of some kind of lake or other geological feature.
Garv Cavaliere
22573a8
?
No.177499
177502
>>177498
Cavaliere pays close attention to the surroundings he passes by. He pays the cab fare, plus tip, and lets the uniformed bellhop take his bags as he heads to the reception area.
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177500
177502
>>177498
Kira cringes, and looks back to Neela.

"...sorry! I was trying to move without disturbing you. I think I failed..."
Amber Sunset
22573a8
?
No.177501
177502 177575
>>177498
This must be some sort of special place for them. Amber watches at a distance. Perhaps Vaeltaja is among them.
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177502
177503 177504 177506
>>177500
Neela is draped in the blanket. She stands up, trembling, and looks to either side.

>>177499
Inside, he enters into an atrium with a second level and brass or gilded rails, a piano and a stair case with red carpet, and marble decor everywhere. A green unicorn mare sits behind the marble reception counter.

>>177501
They move together and... They kind of just stand there. Not talking to each other, not looking in some direction expectantly, but just standing there. Still.
Amber Sunset
22573a8
?
No.177503
>>177502
Amber is confused by this behavior. Are they waiting for somepony to show up? It's not natural. She stops approaching and waits to see what happens.
Garv Cavaliere
22573a8
?
No.177504
177507
>>177502
The griffon keenly observes what other creatures may be inside. He approaches the counter and removes his hat. "Good evening, mademoiselle. I'd like to see about renting a room."
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177506
177507
>>177502
"Sorry!" Kira smiles sheepishly at her deer friend. "Were you having a nightmare? You were mumbling in your sleep about not wanting to work."
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177507
177509 177523
>>177504
She looks up at him.

"Hello, are you from Aquelia? Nova Griffonia?"

And,
"Can I see some ID? It's requirement now."

And she adds
"What kind of room are you looking for? A standard? For how many guests? And for how many nights?"

>>177506
"Huh?"
She looks down

"No..."
Rosey "Posey" Ring
86cf0d9
?
No.177508
177509 177510 177517
Gonna roll the urban encounter table against myself and roleplay it for giggles.
https://www.realmshelps.net/adventuring/urban.shtml
Baltimare is metropolis-sized, but Posey is laying low so the mod is only +1
[1d20+1 = (2+1) = 3]
Garv Cavaliere
22573a8
?
No.177509
177547
>>177507
"Name is Cavaliere, and yes I am from Nova Griffonia. You can find my papers here." This time he pulls out a wallet from a breast pocket and provides an ID.
"Just myself, and I would like to put down a deposit for a week's stay. Do you happen to have a suite available?"

>>177508
DEATH
Rosey "Posey" Ring
86cf0d9
?
No.177510
177511 177530
>>177508
>Pickpockets
Well darn. Let's generate some stats for a thief of Posey's level and see if they steal something off of Posey.
I'm going to say it's a bat pony, because Bat ponies are gypsy-tier. I'm making him the same level as Posey because I like a challenge, although a Rogue has no chance of killing Posey.

>Here's a stat block for a level 4 Rogue in D&D 3.5e, specializing in Sleight of Hand and pickpocketing, with no racial traits except a 60-foot fly speed and darkvision.

---

**Name:** Shadow Thief
**Race:** Custom (60 ft. fly speed, darkvision)
**Class:** Rogue 4
**Alignment:** Chaotic Neutral

**Abilities:**
- **Strength:** 10 (+0)
- **Dexterity:** 18 (+4)
- **Constitution:** 12 (+1)
- **Intelligence:** 14 (+2)
- **Wisdom:** 10 (+0)
- **Charisma:** 8 (-1)

**Hit Points:** 25 (4d6 + 4)
**Armor Class:** 16 (Leather Armor + Dex)
**Initiative:** +4
**Speed:** 30 ft., fly 60 ft. (perfect)

**Base Attack Bonus:** +3
**Melee Attack:** +3 (shortsword, 1d6 damage, 19-20/x2)
**Ranged Attack:** +7 (dagger, 1d4 damage, 19-20/x2)

**Saving Throws:**
- **Fortitude:** +2
- **Reflex:** +7
- **Will:** +1

**Skills:** (total skill points = 32)
- **Sleight of Hand:** +12 (8 ranks + 4 Dex)
- **Hide:** +12 (8 ranks + 4 Dex)
- **Move Silently:** +12 (8 ranks + 4 Dex)
- **Search:** +10 (8 ranks + 2 Int)
- **Open Lock:** +12 (8 ranks + 4 Dex)
- **Pick Pocket:** +12 (8 ranks + 4 Dex)
- **Disguise:** +6 (5 ranks - 1 Cha)
- **Bluff:** +6 (7 ranks - 1 Cha)

**Feats:**
- **Weapon Finesse** (for dagger)
- **Stealthy** (bonus to Hide and Move Silently)
- **Improved Initiative** (increase initiative modifier)

**Rogue Special Abilities:**
- **Sneak Attack:** +2d6 extra damage on a successful attack if the target is flat-footed or if the Rogue has an ally within 5 ft.
- **Trapfinding:** Can find and disable traps.

**Equipment:**
- Leather Armor
- Shortsword
- 5 Daggers
- Thieves' Tools
- Cloak of Elvenkind (bonus to stealth)
- Various coins and small trinkets for pickpocketing.

---

>This Rogue is built for agility and finesse, excelling in stealth and pickpocketing while having decent mobility with a fly speed. Adjust the equipment and abilities as needed to fit your campaign!
Ask about gender
>Let's make the character female. She can have a mysterious and agile persona, perfectly suited for her role as a cunning thief.

Shadow Thief has no chance against Posey in combat (although she doesn't know that), but can she manage to snatch Posey's Purse? Let's see.
Sneaking check to approach Posey.
[1d20+12 = (16+12) = 28]
And then Sleight Of Hand
[1d20+12 = (18+12) = 30]
If it fails the sneak check, she'll make a bluff check brush past her before gyping her.
Rosey "Posey" Ring
86cf0d9
?
No.177511
177512
>>177510
Fuck! That's beyond my skill ceiling.

Opposed checks anyway
Listen (should be DC 15 at this range)
[1d20+3 = (17+3) = 20]
And spot
[1d20+3 = (18+3) = 21]
Rosey "Posey" Ring
86cf0d9
?
No.177512
177513
>>177511
Posey fails to notice Shadow Thief's approach, but manages to hear her moving past her. She pays the bat pony no mind.
"Hmm? I thought she looked familiar for a moment..."
Now I will roll pickpocketing tables to see what was stolen from her (luckily, she doesn't keep all of her gold on her at once).
Rosey "Posey" Ring
86cf0d9
?
No.177513
177515
>>177512
She went for the coin purse, duh.
>A level 4 necromancer might typically have around 100 to 200 gold pieces in her coin purse, reflecting her status and resources. For your rogue's successful pickpocketing, let’s say she managed to snag 150 gold pieces. This amount is reasonable for a character of that level while still providing a nice reward for the rogue's skill.
This is more than one tenth of Posey's total wealth (she would keep this much walking around money on her, because she would anticipate having to make quick bribes. She did not even get to fight her... Oh well.
Rosey "Posey" Ring
86cf0d9
?
No.177514
177515
I guess the encounter is over. Posey just lost, and will only find out when she wants to buy something.
GM
88e1892
?
No.177515
177516
>>177514
>>177513
This is 100% canon.
Rosey "Posey" Ring
86cf0d9
?
No.177516
177519
5e600d6e8e6d1b9c82407182b97a7c17.jpg
>>177515
That's alright with me. Maybe some day Posey will meet Shadow Thief again. She's already outed herself as an oblivious target with deep pockets...
At least she didn't steal her forged ID. That would have been a pain to replace.
Rosey "Posey" Ring
86cf0d9
?
No.177517
177518 177519
>>177508
>Pickpockets: One or more rogues tries to steal from the PCs. A pickpocket has rogue levels equal to 2 less than the party level and a Sleight of Hand modifier equal to 4 more than the party level.
I overshot this encounter by far (of course they didn't expect you to just make a rogue character on the spot), but whatever: It's already canon. I did say I wanted a challenge.
Let's just assume that Shadow Thief is considered to be a big fish around these parts. At lvl 4, she is at maximum "local hero" level (lvl 5 being where characters enter "hero of the realm").
I humbly request that if the DM rolls additional urban encounter table (which is more than welcome; I love random encounters), that subsequent pickpockets not have such unbeatable pickpocket mods.
Garv Cavaliere
22573a8
?
No.177518
177520
>>177517
IMO in a setting with modern population levels, after millions of said population were conscripted to fight in a massive war, level 5 probably wouldn't be that unusual. Highly trained soldier, maybe, but common enough that "hero of the realm" is a little excessive.
GM
88e1892
?
No.177519
177520
IMG_4464.jpeg
>>177516
> At least she didn't steal her forged ID.
Posey’s ID is real!

>>177517
no
Rosey "Posey" Ring
86cf0d9
?
No.177520
177521
>>177518
>IMO in a setting with modern population levels, after millions of said population were conscripted to fight in a massive war
Describes several d&d settings, including Eberron, especially Eberron.
>level 5 probably wouldn't be that unusual
It is in Eberron. Lvl 5 is remarkable, any anyone who makes it to that level is heroic.
99% if characters never make it past lvl 1, and PC classes are a minority.
>Highly trained soldier, maybe, but common enough that "hero of the realm" is a little excessive.
Lvl 5 would be considered a hero in a d20 modern game too. Once you reach lvl 5 you enter the "action movie protagonist" tier. John Wick would be between levels ~6-10ish.
d&d/d20 characters at any level would be considered to be heroes at any level. The question is what kind of challenges they face, and what the stakes of their adventures are.
That being said, "Tiers Of Play" is a 5e meme. 3.5e doesn't scale nearly as predictably.
>>177519
Reeeeeee
GM
88e1892
?
No.177521
177522
>>177520
I use level 3 fighters (mostly without flair) to make generic enemies, and most companions and quest givers are level 4 or 5.
Rosey "Posey" Ring
86cf0d9
?
No.177522
>>177521
That's fine. It does bloat their CR a bit, but it seems as though that's not a major concern.
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177523
177525
>>177507
"Well, uh...good morning! I hope I made for a pleasant sleeping companion!"
Anonymous
bdf8728
?
No.177525
177526
>>177523
“Uh…”
Neela looks around, uncomfortable that she’s surrounded by a giant snake. She looks over to one side, lowers her legs and then…

Jumps over Kira’s body to outside, moving out if the blanket in the process.

“Uh, sure?”
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177526
177527
>>177525
Kira smiles at her friend. "I'm glad to hear! You were pretty adorable to watch, I must say."
Anonymous
bdf8728
?
No.177527
177528
IMG_4056.jpeg
>>177526
Neela scrunches

“Why were you watching me?”
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177528
177529
>>177527
"There wasn't a whole lot else to do..."
Anonymous
bdf8728
?
No.177529
177534
>>177528
“I suppose…” she looks down, but then back up. “I should make sure the water heater is on.”
Anonymous
6611fb3
?
No.177530
177532
>>177510
Oh my! Are you contemplating a character?
Rosey "Posey" Ring
86cf0d9
?
No.177532
177533 177535
>>177530
That was just an AI-generated NPC who lifted three pounds of gold off of Posey and disappeared.
Anonymous
6611fb3
?
No.177533
>>177532
Oh memories, how sweet they can be. I tell you, theres a pastry shop just around the corner,... immaculate quality. I digress, suffice it to say that the mere memory of something sweet can be quite enticing.
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177534
177535
>>177529
"Okay! I'm going to make myself presentable, and see if the nice old mare next door is away so I can return her tea set."
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177535
177536 177555
Hold the fuck up.jpg
>>177532
>an AI-generated NPC who lifted three pounds of gold off of Posey and disappeared
>lifted three pounds of gold off of Posey
>three pounds of gold
Three pounds of gold is 43.75 Troy Ounces. In modern prices, that's a bit over $120,000.00. Even in 1942 prices, that's over $1,550. The average annual income was $1,885, a house was on average $3,775, a new car was $920, and a year's tuition at Harvard was $420. Even if we are just weighing out three pounds, that is the same weight as 240 modern quarters. Or for a more comparable coin, that's 40 double eagles. Or 40 silver dollars.

No way anyone would carry that much on them, And no way any adventurer has enough money to buy eight houses. They'd retire.

>>177534
"Uh, sure. You do that." She says
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177536
177537 177555
>>177535
Kira slithers her way down to the bathroom, taking a look at herself in the mirror. She doesn't actually have any styling or mane-care items, so she basically just has to "wing it" and do her best with what she has. Once she's gussied up, she takes the tea set, and makes her way outside.

Hide: It's more difficult perhaps to try to hide her tail section in the daylight, but she still attempts to do so, so she doesn't give the old mare a heart attack.

[1d20+13 = (15+13) = 28]

Silver would use that money to buy eight different creatures houses, probably. Or spend it on his wives and children. Or whores.
Anonymous
bdf8728
?
No.177537
177538
>>177536
Kira probably wishes she had a brush, as there are some tangles in her mane.

Exactly how a 20 foot long, 800 pound snake, golden colored snake is supposed to hide in broad daylight escapes me, but sure. Kira presumably stands a bit off to the side for the door, such that only the pony part of her is visible from the open door and the rest of her body is not.

With just a couple knocks, the old mare opens the door.
“Oh hello there young filly. I see you’ve brought my tea set back.” She smiles at Kira.

nods
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177538
177540
>>177537
"Hello! I'm sorry I wasn't able to catch you last night before you must have gone to sleep, we lost track of time in the middle of our chat." She offers the tea set back to her with a smile. "It truly is an amazing and beautiful tea set, thank you so much for letting us use it! I also made sure to wash it after our company left."
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177540
177542
>>177538
"hehehe, my husband tells how he bought this set in a little shop off the side of the road at Mareway when we stopped there. It was many years ago, before the first revolt. I was there. At Mareway, not in the shop. You see we were stopped because we had gotten on the wrong train and - oh, yes, well, I think this is the right story - I was talking to this lovely mare and my husband realized that we didn't have a gift for a baby shower. That's where we were going, you see. To Ponderosa to see an old friend... I wonder how she's doing. Oh, I'm getting off topic, aren't I? You see, he went into this little shop to buy a gift for her and there he saw it. You know the shop keeper wanted nine bits for it? Nine bits! Ha! He offered seven, and he got it. Must be worth a lot more. It was a resell antique. I'm glad you got a nice use out of it. You must have if you had it all night. Must have been great company. I miss having company. You know, you should come in some time. Come in for coffee."
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177542
177543
>>177540
Kira smiles and listens politely to the mare's story, nodding at points. At her final statement, Kira looks kindly but disappointedly at her. "Oh, I wish I could, but we've got so much to do today. We need to finish getting things for the apartment - a new tea set, for instance - and I've got a lead for work at Customs and I really need to get this job. Oh! But can I come and visit some other time? It sounds like you have so many little pearls of wisdom to share, and you seem like a wonderfully nice mare."
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177543
177544
>>177542
"Oh yes, do come over some time. What a sweet little filly you are. She grabs Kira's cheeks. But she holds onto Kira and her smile fades as she looks at her skeptically

"Are you sure you're not one of them leather wings?"
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177544
177545
>>177543
Kira giggles, even with her cheek grabbed. "Hehe, I'm pretty I'd know if I was born with a pair of bat wings."
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177545
177546
>>177544
"Hehe," she shakes Kira's cheek. She does seem to notice that the cheek stretches far more and far more easily than any she has ever grasped before. She looks a bit unsettled by this as she moves her hoof away.

"Oh you. Well I'm glad you got to have tea time with my set. Feel free to come over if you want to talk, or even if you need something again. Like for another tea time." She smiles again
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177546
177548
>>177545
Perhaps Kira's just unusually stretchy for a pony. Surely it's not unheard of for some ponies to be stretchy, bouncy, and otherwise find ways to defy the laws of physics. One of them was an Equestrian hero until recently, after all. Kira smiles back, regardless.

"Absolutely! Thank you again so much, I'll definitely be back over here to talk and listen some more!"
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177547
>>177509
"Yes." She nods, slowly, at first as if in disbelief. But she recovers quickly enough. "We do. A couple suite types in fact. Do you only need one bedroom?"
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177548
177550
>>177546
We do not speak of the unspeakable """contained""" at 327 Cherry Hill

"Take care! See us soon!" She closes her eyes and waves at Kira
Garv Cavaliere
22573a8
?
No.177549
177575
Cavaliere gives a polite nod. "Yes, I'll be staying alone for the foreseeable future. This does look like a very well-kept hotel. I am a visitor at Baltimare and an acquaintance of mine recommended this establishment to me."
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177550
177556
>>177548
Kira waves back, and uses her hooves to back up like if she were a pony with four hooves, instead of a lamia with only two. Hopefully with Kira out of view, the nice old mare will close the door and Kira can stealthily slither back to her apartment.
Anonymous
6611fb3
?
No.177553
[4d6 = 13] [5d6 = 10] [1d8 = 8]
Anonymous
6611fb3
?
No.177554
[4d6 = 16]
Rosey "Posey" Ring
da2fdd1
?
No.177555
177600
>>177535
50 gp = 1 pound of gold
150 gp = 3 pounds of gold
Iirc, that translates roughly to ~$3000 (in the 90s) in d20 modern conversions.
I know it's retarded, but that just how it works. Ponies appear to trade in gold bits anyway, so many gold isn't worth the same in this fantasy land where various goods can be conjured out of thin air.
Posey got screwed bigly.
>No way anyone would carry that much on them
Posey would only carry so much if she needs to bribe someone in a pinch.
>And no way any adventurer has enough money to buy eight houses. They'd retire.
Unless they're "heroic" level, in which they might be trying to save the world or creating their own kingdoms, or buying magic items.
You need a bigger motivation than "making money" to be an adventurer. Otherwise you should just be a lvl 1 common with skill focus Profession (Farming) and roll in the gold you make every week.

Not here to defend 3.5e/d20 modern's pricing systems. I was just saying how much money I was erasing from my character sheet for that encounter.
>>177536
I had intended to use my money to equip an army and buy some land I could conjure a castle on.
Anonymous
c3172f0
?
No.177556
177557
>>177550
The mare looks at her. Then looks at her a little longer. Then it gets just a little awkward. But she shuts the door before Kira has to figure out how else to extricate herself from the situation.
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki.
7aa5c3a
?
No.177557
177558
>>177556
Whew! Don't worry, Kira will figure out a way to break it to the old mare gently what she really is. Right now, Kira is happy enough to slither away and back inside.
Anonymous
c3172f0
?
No.177558
177559
>>177557
As Kira slithers back home, she does have to have some concern about being seen by neighbors, or those on the street, given that she can’t hide herself so effectively on the sidewalk. It is at least, a short distance home.

Kira arrives at her apartment, which fortunately Neela has not burned down yet.
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki.
7aa5c3a
?
No.177559
177560
>>177558
Burned down? Why would Kira be worried about that? Is Neela doing something involving fire?
Anonymous
c3172f0
?
No.177560
177561
>>177559
Of course not! Neela wouldn’t burn down the apartment. She’s a good little doe.

Kira does not see Neela, however, after arriving back
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki.
7aa5c3a
?
No.177561
177562
>>177560
"Okay, tea set is returned. Now, what all does the apartment need, do you think? I know we need cooking and eating utensils."
Anonymous
c3172f0
?
No.177562
177563
>>177561
And… there is no Neela to reply.
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki.
7aa5c3a
?
No.177563
177564
>>177562
"...Neela?"

Kira looks around the apartment for her deer friend.
Anonymous
c3172f0
?
No.177564
177565
>>177563
Well, she’s not on the first level. Better check upstairs. Nope, she’s not there either. In the bathroom? No. Maybe outside? No. Downstairs in the basement? No. Wait. The door is open to the utility room.

Kira hears movement behind the water heater. Then she sees little hooves underneath it. And then finally, the sound of words, probably curse words, spoken in a foreign language.
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki.
7aa5c3a
?
No.177565
177566
>>177564
Oh right, she was going to check the water heater! Kira peaks around the water heater.

"Hey Neela, do you need any help?"
Anonymous
c3172f0
?
No.177566
177568
>>177565
“Huh?” Neela is surprised, perhaps even startled, to hear Kira there. She peers out from behind the water heater, and Kira can see her little doe head.

“Uh, yeah. Could you light the heater?”
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki.
7aa5c3a
?
No.177568
177569
>>177566
"Sure can! Uh...can you show me where it needs to be lit?"
Anonymous
c3172f0
?
No.177569
177570
>>177568
“Uh…” she twists her ears. “Light… in there, and… twist the knobs until gas comes out. Or oil?” She points vaguely at an opening, as well as a set of valves on pipes.
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki.
7aa5c3a
?
No.177570
177571
>>177569
"Hmmmmm..."

Intelligence: Come on, Kira, use that brain of yours.
You can figure out how this works...right?


[1d20+1 = (8+1) = 9]
Anonymous
c3172f0
?
No.177571
177572
>>177570
Uh… light fire, turn knob? Or maybe it’s the other way around?
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki.
7aa5c3a
?
No.177572
177575
>>177571
gulp

Is it all knobs? Are there any buttons or switches visible?
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177575
177576 177577 177578
>>177572
There is one switch and two knobs

>>177549
Alternating between looking down and looking at Garv,
"Thank you, we try to keep up our reputation as the go-to for high end travel in Baltimare. You said seven nights, a junior suite?"

>>177501
They do not stare in one specific direction, neither towards the lake, nor back from whence they came, but stand still, looking in every which direction. "Still" is a relative term, as even at this distance, a bit of swaying and restlessness can be observed. This goes on for a long period of time. Not that long, surely - maybe five or so minutes - but an unnervingly long period of time for what it is.

Then another pony walks up from another direction. And every single pony raises their heads and looks at the new figure.
Amber Sunset
22573a8
?
No.177576
177579
>>177575
Amber keeps watching. The way they are all acting is very un-pony-like….
Garv Cavaliere
22573a8
?
No.177577
177579
>>177575
"That's quite right. I imagine you get guests from all over."
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki.
7aa5c3a
?
No.177578
177579
>>177575
Are there any labels or such on the switch or knobs?
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177579
177580 177582 177609
>>177576
The little patches of fur or tufts of mane that extend from under the clothing stand out against much of the background, save of course from the glowing white snow that covers the ground where it is not covered. Their heads are all turned towards the new pony, though their bodies are not. They do not turn their bodies. They sway almost like trees in the wind.

In some moments, the sound of a pony speaking or potentially singing or chanting, can be heard above that constant static-like crackling sound, which alongside a kind of subjective tinnitus has pervaded the night and made true silence impossible.

>>177577
"Well..." She looks back up to him. Her eyes are a deep, ocean blue

"Not so much anymore... But there are occassionally some from nova Griffonia. Well, there were. I think you're the first in, heh, months."

>>177578
One of the knobs is red. Another is blue. The switch has the word "GAS" on the small pipe above it.
Amber Sunset
22573a8
?
No.177580
177581
>>177579
That sound is so odd…she simply must find the source. With the night not being quite so silent anymore, she creeps forward a little closer, each step seeming like an eternity.
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177581
177583
>>177580
creep creep creep

How close dare she go?

roll move silently
Garv Cavaliere
22573a8
?
No.177582
177584
>>177579
The griffon's head bends forward a little as he widens his eyes. "Is that so? That would be because of the war, I presume."
Amber Sunset
22573a8
?
No.177583
177584
>>177581
[1d20+3 = (11+3) = 14]
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177584
177585 177586
>>177583
A little closer, a little closer... She can see more details now, though how much is meaningful is hard to say. She sees that it's the new pony speaking, though other ponies seem to mutter at a lower volume

She doesn't know what the pony says. She can't even tell if it's her language or any language at all.

>>177582
"Yes" she nods

"We'd get travelers from some distant locales during the war but... not as many as before. And not even as many now."
Amber Sunset
22573a8
?
No.177585
177587
>>177584
Does it sound at all like what Makea or Kuhlo were muttering?
Garv Cavaliere
22573a8
?
No.177586
177587
>>177584
A sad look crosses his features. "You have my condolences. What amenities are available here?"
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177587
177588 177589
>>177585
Amber thinks the melody of the mutterings is similar to what she heard before, specifically, the portions that were not understood as belonging to a language known to Amber. But then again, she isn't that close, and she cannot say for sure

>>177586
"A pool, a bar, and breakfast in the morning." She says
Amber Sunset
22573a8
?
No.177588
177590
>>177587
How close are her father and the other stallion, and what are they doing?
Garv Cavaliere
22573a8
?
No.177589
177590
>>177587
"Do you allow gambling on the premises?"
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177590
177591 177592
>>177589
The smile fades from her face and is replaced by a look of concern

"Gambling and games of chance for money are not legal in Baltimare" She replies

>>177588
Both are behind. Both move somewhat to the right, evidently attempting to move around the group of ponies to the right.
Garv Cavaliere
22573a8
?
No.177591
177593
>>177590
Cavaliere shakes his head slowly. "My dear, you have a beautiful city, but that is a sad disappointment to bear. I suppose I'll have to entertain myself in other ways. Do you know which theaters and concert halls are having events?"
Amber Sunset
22573a8
?
No.177592
177595
>>177590
Amber carefully follows them, hoping to see what lies on the other side of that ridge.
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177593
177594
>>177591
"The Hippodrome is the name of the performance theater. Well, the biggest one. The Lyric Opera House will host concerts. While both are hosting events this week, I can't really say what, if anything they have tonight."
Garv Cavaliere
22573a8
?
No.177594
177596
>>177593
"I will be busy tonight, but thank you for your recommendation. Now, about the room…."
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177595
177598
>>177592
Moving to the right, to the right, to the right... Amber does not see into the lake. But what she does see is something previously obscured by a mound of dirt, a few telephone-pole like tree trunks, and the darkness. She sees a massive grey rock that sits in the ground, probably at least 15 feet tall and maybe 30 feet in length on the longest side, and at least 15 feet at its thinnest. It does have a visible crack running down it, and a large number of cuts that are presumably engraved symbols or letters, though many are likely damage. All around the rock is mud, disturbed and free of any kind of grass or snow, and clearly piled up along a couple sides. Where the rock is glowing blue, or simply reflecting the twilight with its grey surfaces is hard to say.
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177596
177597
>>177594
"856 bits" She says
Garv Cavaliere
22573a8
?
No.177597
177599
>>177596
He collects 900 bits with his talons and places it on the counter.

"If possible, I would also like newspapers from Baltimare, Weter, Marehattan and Canterlot delivered every morning."
Amber Sunset
22573a8
?
No.177598
177599
>>177595
The rock! Finally she gets to see it! She was expecting a small boulder, but this is far larger…

She has to resist the urge to gallop down and touch it. Maybe when the others move away….
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177599
177600 177601
>>177598
Judging from discoloration, the rock probably had lichen on it recently, but not anymore. All around the rock, whatever organic matter there was is (mostly) burned away.

The ponies are gathered near the rock, but they are not gathered directly by the rock. From the other side, for instance, no ponies are known to be gathered at all.

>>177597
"Baltimare, certainly. Weter, probably not. Manehattan and Canterlot... Maybe. If you don't mind the papers being a day old, we can have them mailed in."
Amber Sunset
22573a8
?
No.177600
177605 177744
>>177555
Wait, so Posey was carrying around 3000 bits in gold? I don't know if money in Modern lines up with bits in Occupied Equestria, but they've been heavily inflated as a result of moving to fiat and because of the war. So it's definitely not 150 bits. Earlier the stated conversion was 1100 bits for a kilogram for gold, but there's no way of knowing if it's accurate.

>>177599
Amber decides to leave the sled here. She motions for Jakala to stay where she is, while Amber circles around to the other side of the rock.
Garv Cavaliere
22573a8
?
No.177601
177623
>>177599
"I am much obliged, Miss…?"
Rosey "Posey" Ring
2644627
?
No.177605
>>177600
>Wait, so Posey was carrying around 3000 bits in gold?
I've been measuring my wealth in gold pieces. I have no idea how that translates to bits, but considering a bit looks like a gold coin I assume they were the same.
I had ChatGPT decide that 150 gp was an appropriate amount of loss for losing her coin purse. In total she has a lot more stashed back at the manor.
But Posey is a spy from an archaic society of mages, who would carry gold on her for bribes and whatnot, so I consider that a reasonable amount of money to be stolen from her.
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177609
177613
>>177579
Really? The switch is labelled as being for gas? This is hurting the poor lamia's brain...
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177613
177614
>>177609
Well, Kira can either mess with it, or not.

If she doesn't get the boiler working, they will be forced to cuddle together for another night.
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177614
177615
>>177613
Well, Kira supposes she should at least try the switch to see what it does.
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177615
177618
>>177614
And
low hiss

It really isn't clear what it just did
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177618
177619
>>177615
Kira flips it off. "Okay, so that definitely controls gas flow. Weird. I would have thought these valves would control the gas flow, you know? And this switch, I thought it would ignite the gas or something. Unless...maybe this switch turns the gas flow on or off, and the valves control how much gas is actually flowing through the system? Hmmmmm..." The lamia turns to Neela. "I'd like to think I'm at least a fairly intelligent lamia and that I can figure this sort of stuff out, but I really have no idea what I'm doing to be honest. Maybe we can ask for a maintenance pony? He can show us how it works, and as a bonus maybe you can flirt with him and see if he's interested in you at all."
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177619
177620
>>177618
>Kira is tricking unsuspected ponies to come over so that Neela may prey upon them
I thought Kira was Chaotic Good or something?

Neela wags her small tail
"Sure. This apartment was so expensive, it ought to have Maintenace for free, right? Someone who actually comes down and doesn't just tell us to go fuck ourselves when the water won't come on for two weeks."
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177620
177621
>>177619
Hey, she's just being a good roommate, looking out for Neela's interests.

"Heh, definitely. I'm sorry that that's your previous experience with these sorts of things, that's extremely rude of that creature. Let's go check in with the office, maybe whoever is in there knows how to contact maintenance."
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177621
177626
>>177620
"Yes, let's go."

The creatures slither down to the office, and the mare behind the desk
"Ah!" She ducks down below the counter, and then peaks up
"Oh. Uh. It's you." She looks back up. It's a mare Kira saw yesterday

"What can I do for you?" She asks, her lips pulled back and showing teeth
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177623
177624
>>177601
"Sweet Design" She smiles

"Welcome to Baltimare." With magic, she gives over the key. A light green Kirin stallion walks up

"Let me take your bags."
Garv Cavaliere
22573a8
?
No.177624
177625
>>177623
"Thank you, Miss Design." He gives a polite bow and, putting his hat back on, follows the kirin.
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177625
177627
>>177624
He walk over to the left, to a marble-walled elevator bank. A colt in the elevator in a red uniform operates the elevator with a lever and takes Garv up to floor fourteen. "Follow me." He says, walking to the right and then forward. He arrives at room 1457, and opens it with a key

He opens the door and turns on the light
"Your room."

This area has a couple couches, lamps, and paintings on the walls in what is clearly a living room area. The kirin places the bags down
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177626
177628
>>177621
Kira waves at the silly mare. Once again, if Kira really was a monster there to eat her, why would she let the desk stop her? Thankfully, she is not there to eat the silly mare, and hopefully the silly mare will get used to them.

"Hello! Do you have maintenance ponies here? We'd appreciate if somepony could turn on our water heater, and could show us how to operate it for future occurances."
Garv Cavaliere
22573a8
?
No.177627
177628
>>177625
"Thank you. Hey, Colt, what's your name?" Cavaliere asks.
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177628
177629 177630
>>177626
Ponies can be adorable with how they think they are safe from Kira

"Yes... The unit you have had its heater turned off. Looks like we forgot to light it again. We'll have a Maintenace pony over shortly."

>>177627
"I am... You could say,,, 'Spring Water'" He answers, with a heavy accent
Garv Cavaliere
22573a8
?
No.177629
177648
>>177628
Cavaliere slips him a twenty-bit note.

"I will be out for a few hours. Tomorrow morning, I would like a wake-up call at eight. And do give me advance warning if any creature is here to see me."
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177630
177631
>>177628
Kira smiles brightly at the mare. "Thank you so much! You're so kind!"

Unless the mare has anything else to add or has anything else she would like to mention to them, with their business concluded Kira returns to their humble abode with Neela.

"So we just need to wait for maintenance, now. Would you like us both to wait here together for the pony to come over, then we go out to get the last few things we need for the home? Or would you like some, ahem...alone time with the maintenance pony, while I go and do the shopping on my own?"
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177631
177632
>>177630
"I can watch the apartment" Neela answers as the two creatures return home. "Don't worry. I can be polite" She smiles
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177632
177633
>>177631
"Hehe, I know you can. Alright, I'll be back with kitchenware and utensils, and if I'm lucky I'll find some nice alcohol for you. Have fun!"

Alright, with a wave, Kira slithers out the door. Now, on her travels yesterday with Neela, did they pass by any stores that would sell kitchenware and eating utensils?
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177633
177634
[1d20+2 = (13+2) = 15]

>>177632
Yes. Near that furniture store from before is one with kitchen supplies
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177634
177635
>>177633
Oooo, great! This is the one Kira goes to. She desires to purchase all of the things which a kitchen needs: pots, pans, cooking utensils, eating utensils, bowls and plates, all of those things to have a fully stocked kitchen.
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177635
177636 177637
6247426.png
>>177634
Just pick one of these, one of these, one of these... Whatr do ponies normally stock their kitchens with? Shouldn't she have more than one? How would she know?

A grey stallion who has been cautiously observing Kira asks

"H-how can I help... you?"
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177636
>>177635
[1d20+2 = (14+2) = 16]
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177637
177638
>>177635
Kira looks over at the grey stallion, and smiles warmly. "Oh, hello! My friend and I just moved into a new place, and I'm wanting to buy new stuff for our kitchen. The build quality of these pots and pans is fantastic! Could you help with recommendations for what to get?"
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177638
177639
>>177637
"Uh, sure... For cooking..." He blinks twice. "Do you have any special needs?"
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177639
177640
>>177638
"Well, nothing special as far as I can tell. Unless there's something special you would recommend. But besides that, just whatever you would normally have in a kitchen. You know, cookware, eating utensils, plates and bowls. All of that good stuff!"

tongue flicks
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177640
177641
[1d20+2 = (9+2) = 11]

>>177639
"Oh, well uh, you'll want this deeper pot for boiling, this one for sautéing, and... Do you need a tea pot? Then we have bowls... A kitchen utensil set. A knife set..."
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177641
177642
>>177640
"Oh, and a tea set! Yes, we also absolutely need one of those!"

Kira follows along, grabbing what the kind stallion points out off of the shelves to purchase for the apartment/townhouse/place.
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177642
177643
>>177641
It turns into more. And then more. And then more... Until she has what is likely multiple kitchenware sets and certainly a massive amount to carry in several boxes.

"Seventy six bits" is the total
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177643
177644
>>177642
Kira nods, seemingly satisfied with her acquisition. Perhaps the kind stallion managed to fleece the lamia without her even knowing, as she doesn't know if she really does need all of this...but at the same time, she also probably doesn't care all that much. The benefits of being raised in a high trust society, no doubt.

"I've got that!" She gets into her bags, counting out the needed Bits and putting them on the checkout counter. "Oh, do you know of a good place to purchase alcohol as well? Like, maybe a place with some nice wines for sale?
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177644
177645
>>177643
Kira doesn't know why she'd ever need to boil a whole rabbit. But if she did, she has the right pot for it now.

"Uh... There's a wine and cheese, down the road."
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177645
177647
>>177644
Rabbit can make for a lovely snack for a lamia, especially if the right spices are used.

"Thank you so much, you've been such an amazing help!
Have a wonderful day!" Kira smiles and waves to the helpful stallion, and using her size and strength takes the kitchenware in her possession. Next, she follows the stallion's directions towards the wine and cheese store.
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177647
177649
>>177645
If Kira wants to cook one, she could cook like two now. And have tea with several guests!

The pots and such are physically bulky, and probably need to be placed in a box and tied to Kira's back(s). The stallion smiles back with that trademark tooth showing smile

Kira sees the store, goes in, and

"Hello!"
Three, two, one,
"Celestia!" He runs away. Kira has difficulty not getting stuck in the door, between her carrying around the goat and also a couple boxes. Once she's inside, however, she does see a decent selection of wines and cheeses. Well, decent enough. They are lacking imports for the most part. It's overwhelmingly domestics.
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177648
177650 177749
>>177629
The Kirin nods, takes the money, and says,
"It will be so." He moves out to leave.

>>177409
"Yeah, heh" She looks down

"You uh, you really want to do it? Do this? Go out looking for something like this lost tree? Are you serious?"
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177649
177651
>>177647
"Hello!...wait, I'm a paying customer! Grr...gyah...come on..."

Kira scrunches and struggles to maneuver through the doorway, but she manages to slip through with all of the stuff she's carrying. She looks around at the store, wide eyed with amazement.

"Wow...there's so much wine and cheese! Oh, glass bottles too!"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
7aa5c3a
?
No.177650
177651
>>177648
Silver nods affirmatively. "Absolutely. And I am serious as well about wanting you to come with me on that adventure."
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177651
177652 177653 177654
>>177650
The little pony sits there, mouth partly open, eyes sparkling. Unsure of what to say.

>>177649
The stallion peaks over a shelf. He has some kind of item with a wooden handle, probably a broom, maybe a mop.

There are rows of wines and rows of cheese. And yes. There are glass bottles.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
7aa5c3a
?
No.177652
177655
>>177651
"How about yourself? Does it still sound like something you would want to do? Go on grand adventure with me to distant lands, looking for mythical life-giving tree?"
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177653
177655
>>177651
Ponies continue to be pretty silly, with how they think a shelving unit, counter, or a broom would be enough to deter a large determined predator. Thankfully for ponies like this stallion, Kira is very friendly, and she smiles at the peaking pony.

"Oh, there you are! Hello! I'm here to buy some wine. Maybe also some cheese, the air in here tastes simply divine!" tongue flicks "I'm curious what all you have in this selection."
Fashionable and Early
6611fb3
?
No.177654
177655
[1d20+12 = (7+12) = 19]
>>177651
From inside the customs office, a 'ding' sound breaks the silence
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177655
177656 177664 177665
>>177652
"Well, yes, but uh... I can't really just do that..."

>>177653
For unknown reasons, he choses to duck down after describing the taste of the air

Now Kira does not know what the cheeses or the wines are...

>>177654
ding
"Hello?" A small, blue, pegasus mare asks as she turns around
Anonymous
6611fb3
?
No.177656
177657 177760
>>177655
The pegasus mare turns to find a dark-pelted bat pony with piercing yellow eyes. His short-chopped mane curles up and forward giving an almost zebra-like aesthetic.
He is awfully close, she hadn't heard him enter.
"Good day to you miss. I hope I'm in the correct building, they can be so very easy to confuse. Maybe you can help me?" he asks pleasantly and disarmingly
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177657
177658
>>177656
"Ah!" She's slightly startled, and does not seem entire comfortable with him.

"Yes? This is the headquarters of the Revenue and Migration Service in Baltimare" she answers. She tilts her head. "Is this about a tax issue?"
Anonymous
6611fb3
?
No.177658
177660
>>177657
He chuckles and tilts his head slightly at the notion. "Heavens no, why would I concern myself with taxes?" his expression illustrates he finds he notion ridiculous.
"No, I am responding to an inquiry with my agency about a cleanig job."
Anonymous
6611fb3
?
No.177659
177660
As she looks at him, she noices he is wearing a sleek leather trenchcoat, buttoned across the chest, draping over his hind legs and sleeving his forelegs, but oherwise obscuring his clothing.
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177660
177661 177662
>>177658
>>177659
"Uh huh..." She says, still tilted.

"I can... go find a supervisor and ask him" She says. It's pretty clear from her demeanor that she thinks it is more likely he's here to spy or rob than to work an honest job. Honestly, this is how many birdwings respond. But she seems to be sincere about getting a supervisor.
Anonymous
6611fb3
?
No.177661
>>177660
He sits down to the side of the counter and begins pulls a box from his coat, from which he produces a few small objects, and begins using them in some capacity
Anonymous
6611fb3
?
No.177662
177666
>>177660
He pokes his head back over the counter. "Splendid, don't mind me".
If she looks, he has a small portable tea set and has just lit a steno can.
Anonymous
6611fb3
?
No.177663
il_fullxfull.2990561529_buwo-234099850.jpg

Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177664
177666
>>177655
"...hello? Are you still there?" Kira looms over the shelves to peak at the stallion.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
7aa5c3a
?
No.177665
177666
>>177655
"Well, why not? Again, something tells me that your expedition leader might give you approval for going on this adventure if you asked."
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177666
177667 177668 177675
>>177662
"H-what?! You can't light a fire in here. How did you get that past security?" She nags

>>177664
Kira can hear rustling. He is hiding. But he alone holds the secret of the cheeses.

>>177665
"Heh heh, why is that?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
7aa5c3a
?
No.177667
177669
>>177666
"Well, it sounds as if you do not see eye to eye or get along very well together. He might agree to it in order to get you out of his mane."
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177668
177669
>>177666
Well, she's already able to taste the smell of the cheese on the air. Perhaps she's also able to use scent to track where the stallion has gone off to, as she flicks her tongue in the air.

"Hello? I have Bits, and I'd like to make a purchase..."
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177669
177670 177671
>>177667
"Oh, he doesn't mind" An ear flops down. "One of them I think even tried flirting with me... Well, that, or it was a tease. I mean... I'm supposed to be on sabbatical to study something to write about for my position at the university. And I do like that area of study..."

>>177668
Kira sees a snout slowly peak out from low on a shelf behind her, and then a pair of frightened green eyes follow. Kira can smell him. He smells like... friendship
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177670
177672
>>177669
Friendship smells nice! Kira pretends she doesn't know the pony is there in an attempt to hopefully not freak him out more.

"I'm friendly...I promise..."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
7aa5c3a
?
No.177671
177672
>>177669
"It is not as if you will never again have opportunity to come back here and study this later. Tree of Life is also very interesting, it is basically mythical. Professionally, it would look very, very good for your academic career. And we do not know if that fruit we ate is only temporary effect, if it will wear off in few days or so. It was separated from Tree for very long time, after all."
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177672
177673 177674
>>177670
The colt - the pony appears to be a red young adult earth pony stallion - slowly moves out, and looks at Kira's tail, which is still moving past him. He does not speak back, however

>>177671
Pear looks down, and sees that her tail is under her right forehoof. She picks it up, and starts to stare at it, and play with it.

"Maybe... maybe I can talk to them? Do some research on what this fruit is? See if anypony else looked for it or uh... found anything? If there's like a curse or something."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
7aa5c3a
?
No.177673
177677
>>177672
D'awwwwwww. What a cute mare.

"That is good idea, we might be able to find some more breadcrumbs leading us to Tree's location. I seriously doubt it is cursed, I really just think Rosey was trying to scare you."
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177674
177677
>>177672
Her tail looks very pretty, with how its golden yellow scales shimmer in the light and with the red black diamonds running down the back of it. Kira's ears fold down, and she frowns and starts to sound rather saddened.

"...please..."
Anonymous
6611fb3
?
No.177675
177676 177677
>>177666
"Oh nonsense, this is just to warm some water. Nothing more than your average catering supply tool. By the time you've returned with your supervisor, I'll have everything pt away. i have extra cups if you'd like some, miss?"
Bluff check
[1d20+7 = (2+7) = 9]
Anonymous
6611fb3
?
No.177676
177677
>>177675
that should read "miss..." trailin off as though to prompt her to offer her name.
Anonymous
a806d2d
?
No.177677
177678 177679 177680
>>177674
The stallion walks out into the open. He does not, however, speak back

>>177673
"Well..." She looks up and smiles at him "I can look things up. "Tilting her head, still smiling. "You mean like, you and me?"

>>177675
>>177676
"Uh huh... It's Cloudy." She says, and watches him as she moves away.
Anonymous
6611fb3
?
No.177678
177681
>>177677
"Cloudy Skies, perhaps?" he calls after before shrugging and finishes making his impromptu pot of tea.
Kubana "Nope Noodle" Kirafiki
7aa5c3a
?
No.177679
177681
>>177677
Kira looks around, "spotting" the stallion and giving him a friendly smile.

"Hi. Please don't run away and hide, I really am friendly. I'd just like to buy some wine and maybe cheese."