/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal

>>178038
A mention of healing seems to break Dust out of his trance as he turns towards the grey stallion
"If care and healing is your need
Then to this call I shall take heed
Whether sickness or wounds, diseases or scars
Of health I can make you the exemplar."

>>178034
"Wawanohabanou and the great bear and the little bear."

"Nahou aruno nihip"

(mumbling)

"The spirits are here already. The dawn is upon us. The seraph will lead a flight of spirits and bring the sun."

"I see the spirits. He creates as well as frees them. They surround us. He will rise with the dawn. The convergence is here already. The seraph need only awake. I can hear him in his dreams and he can hear us. He can see us and touch us. He shall awaken soon."

"Nyah halip I can see them. I can hear them."

>>178036
I wonder if he knows a healer...

>>178038
"Medical supplies will be provided. The island has grassy hills. It is certain to be cold, though maybe above freezing during daylight. The shores can have rocky cliffs."

>>178040
Amber's fears of having found the wrong cultists have been assuaged. Though, she is still very anxious from all of this and doesn't know what to do.

>>178042
"To where shall we go? To the little bear?"

"To here. The spirits come from the underworld. The Stallo shall cleanse the unbelieving. But do not worry for the seraph only means to create."

Of in the distance, the blackness of night itself seems to move where the night meets the horizon.

>>178043
"Perhaps"

>>178040
Cavaliere looks with interest at the zebra. "Do you have experience treating equines with different injuries, including those inflicted by falling or crushing? You might have to take care of multiple ponies with those injuries or more, outdoors and with the need to transport them quickly. They will be depending on you with their lives," he asks softly.

>>178042
>>178044
The stallion whispers to Father:
"Do you see them eating any kind of mushroom or mold? Does anything look like that?"

Father:
"Maybe we should just admit to the Inspector that we can't handle this."

Stallion:
"He won't be mad that we failed. He'll be mad that we never tried. So we better try, or we are dead ponies. I think I see Vaeltaja."

>>178044
Amber's skin crawls with mention of the Stallo. "What are the Stallo? They are talking about them." she whispers to her father.

>>178045
"I have worked with ailments both magic and mundane,
And have yet to have a patient say I did not alleviate the pain.
Working outdoors is fine, and I am used to no tools
As long as you all do not go acting like fools"
Despite how his words may seem, the zebra stallion seems extremely serious in this. Almost as if he's dealt with worse before.

>>178047
Father moves back and pets the little pony. He smiles as he does so.

"The Stallo are a creature of myth that walk in the woods and eat ponies. To be honest with you, little Kultainen, they are a story told to scare little fillies like you. I wish parents would instead tell their colts and fillies stories of poverty, disease, famine, or of oppression to scare them. I think the fear would be more productive. You have plenty to fear, little pony, like there being no heat tonight. But giant pony eating monsters in the woods is not one of those things."

>>178048
concern

>>178051
Who is expressing concern, sense motive if discernable
(I assume thats a spot check and a motive check)
[1d20+9 = (13+9) = 22] [1d20+9 = (6+9) = 15] (spot first)

>>178051
This is a quote from earlier, right? If not, Amber would be seriously concerned at how her father would be casually dismissing her fears at length just in front of a doomsday cult.

She scoots over to the other stallion. "There are a lot of them, and they don't look frostbitten or confused like Makea or Kuhlo. Please don't get yourselves hurt," she quietly pleads. She doesn't look at him though, instead at the edge of the sky to see if her eyes are deceiving her.

>>178053
No, father really did go on a tangent about childrearing as he watches these ponies off in the distance.

Amber definitely thinks she sees shadows, or something in the shadows, on the treeless horizon. But they don't move. Or rather, they don't move much, and it's impossible to be sure if she isn't seeing the trunks of trees, or piles of snow, or hilltops. But the milky blackness is unsettling any time she moves her eyes away from it, as it seems to flow almost like a liquid, or lumber like a large animal in the night.

Father continues petting her. His breathing is heavy, and his eyes dart. And... is he beginning to speak to himself?

The other stallion says,
"Oh, I'm not. It's they who need to be worried. The Central Council will get them if the bears and the cold don't get them first. But Vaeltaja... I will get him first. Before the Central Council gets me."

Amber can't be so sure that the ponies are not frostbitten. Several of them are completely covered, but a couple are not.

>>178052
The blue stallion. At evident intimidation.

>>178054
What a strange dream

>>178054
"We really ought to stay together…" she very quietly answers. Her eyes go wide as she remembers somepony left behind. "Let's go back into the trees, this is too open."

>>178055
>>178057
Classic Brie moment

>>178058
/)

>>178057
"If you don't think I am" He points a hoof "The door is right behind you."

>>178058
The stallion answers:
"We are together here. And this is not open. We have this rock as cover. We need to listen in on these wackos."

It is of course, completely open from at least two sides

>>178060
Amber merely answers, "Wait." as she creeps back to where she knows Jakala to be, unwilling to leave her little friend there.

>>178061
Amber may want to be cautious, so that she may not be seen or heard. Then again, these ponies might not even notice her if she stood right in front of their open eyes.

Jakala is still sitting there on the sled, staring at the sky. Silently.

>>178063
Probably the loudest sound from Amber is her little heart beating. How in the world did Vaeltaja get all these ponies out here? She looks up to what Jakala is staring at.

>>178041
Kira, quiet from going through scenarios in her mind, speaks up again with a fairly long and large list of questions: how well explored is the island, are there any inhabitants, how big is the island, are there any maps of the island, are there any dangerous animals or poisonous plants on the island, how much plant life is on the island, is it densely wooded or rather barren, how well populated is the island with animal life, are the missing soldiers likely to have set up traps. The Navy pony may feel a bit overwhelmed with just how much the lamia is asking to know.

>>178062
>>178065
Brie relaxes his attitude a bit, allowing others to speak freely without his incessant quips,... for now. This petulent officer may need to be disciplined. Perhaps his superiors set him on this task with precisely the goal of Brie disposing of him, but best not to set himself up as the prime suspect TOO soon. Plenty of time for that later.
NOW what he wants to know is,....

>>178067
Also, to anyone with a decent enough perception, he has a small pot with a cup of tea that he's also grateful for

>>178048
Okay, here's a response you might like better,

"I don't trust you with a hoof grenade, and you don't need a hoof grenade to destroy a 'toaster oven', or a 'popcorn broiler'. Yes. I need somepony I trust to do the job. Somepony I can actually trust to torch the systems and bring my stallions back alive. What you have completely and utterly failed to impress upon me is why I need you. Because right now, I can't find a satisfactory reason."

>>178062
"The last fellow isn't from the Navy. He isn't offering to pay you what comes out to 3000 bits each plus the opportunity for loot, and I assume, to sate your blood lust. I am. But if you would rather he be your personalized tard wrangler than I, please, by all means, go join him downstairs. I think it would improve the quality of the group if you did."

>>178069
Silver: "No, hoof grenades would not work, unless they were high explosive instead of fragmentation but even then there are better options. If torching important systems is part of goal, we do need something to achieve this goal. Solution could be as simple as homemade fire bombs, for those all we would need is some bottles of booze or gasoline with rags tied to their necks. Otherwise we could make use of some Infantry Demolition Kits. They were issued to infantry units during War to destroy walls or to damage tanks when friendly armor and AT was not available. Good middle ground between those would be some dynamite."

>>178069
Brie's eyebrow twitches, and his head tilts lightly, before returning with an expression that says he wont interrupt the others, but when others have had their say, he will have his

Out of Character: I will be away at Ponyville Ciderfest this weekend

>>178065
>>178045
>>178029
>>178036
>>178067
The dark blue pegasus pony in uniform introduces himself

"My name is Shoal Water, Captain of the New Mareland Replican Navy and in charge of ground-based naval aviation in the Rocky Seas and Griffish Isles region. I am in Baltimare now for reasons I will explain later. I've gathered you all here for an important mission. I will begin the detailed briefing on that mission in a few minutes after I've received a call, and after I've, well, gotten a map out, but right now, I think it is best for us to introduce ourselves. I know of a couple of you by reputation, but I don't know any of you personally, and I'm not sure how well you know each other. So if you could, explain who you are and what you could contribute. And if each of you could provide your IDs, we'd like to hold on to them as a security measure for the time of the mission. The bat pony can go last, because I'd like to see if he's capable of not making an ass of himself for a couple minutes, and because quite frankly he seems like he may be best suited for... well I'm not sure what he's good for, but something else."

>>178070
He nods
"Yes, we intend to give you explosives to help in the torching, as well as a camera to verify that you have in fact, torched the system. Infantry Demolition kits are a good idea, I can ask the Army if they will lend a trio."

>>178065
"These are all very good questions, but you'll get a fuller answer when I explain the location where this will all take place"

I fell asleep. What did I miss?

>>178072
The zebra in the corner clears his throat
"My name is Defiant Dust
I come as a tribal shaman
Hopefully my story you trust
And understand my situation.
I come to Equestria for rumors of increased undead
Which have brought my people great dread
I was sent to investigate these tales
And let the fates determine my trails."
With these last words, he noses through his pack until he pulls out a folded peice of paper. He carries it over, and deposits it on fhe stallions desk. The stallion will find it is a Visa from Zebrica to Equestria.

>>178072
>conshit
Plz enjoy
>a proper officer
Encouraging

>Can he not make an ass of himself?
>O_O
"We're going LAST?? REE--"
Shush

>>178072
The floofy light grey unicorn stallion known as Silver steps up, wearing a flak jacket and (if weapons were allowed inside this room) wearing a sheathed greatsword at his side.

Silver: "I am Silver Sword. I was born in St. Petershoof back when it was part of Equestria, and as such am still natural born Equestrian citizen. My father was Royal Guard quartermaster and taught me how to wield swords from young age. I am also well versed in marksponyship with rifles. I served in Equestrian Army during Great War as Sergeant, originally training other stallions into soldiers before being sent off to Western Front as part of 'E Platoon', before New Mareland landed on East Coast. We were meant to reinforce various divisions on front line against Changelings when we stopped in Vale and discovered that local garrison had been replaced by platoon of Changeling Infiltrators. Over course of half day we managed to wipe out Infiltrators, saving both inhabitants of Vale as well as garrison ponies who had been captured and replaced. It would later be known as First Battle of Vale. Most recently I was part of group that raided Hoebuck, and I successfully helped lead us towards clearing out not only local traffickers led by griffon Stormfeather Maakie but also Maarist Cult led by pony Sweet Boek."

Silver then hands Shoal his ID, verifying that he is indeed an Equestrian citizen. The golden-yellow lamia, wearing studded leather armor and carrying a bow, arrows, and spear (again, if weapons were allowed inside), looks impressed at the surprisingly young unicorn's achievements. She slithers up to Shoal next as Silver returns to his spot.

Kira: "Um, hi, I'm Kubana Kirafiki, but others call me Kira. I'm a huntress for the Kuwinda Kwu Maua tribe in Southeastern Zebrica. My home city is Dhamaji. I'm an expert scout and tracker, able to decent even the faintest of tracks and follow them for miles. I'm especially stealthy, being able to hide almost in plain sight and being as quiet while moving as a stalking leopard. I'm also very good with a bow. I made my own with my mother's help when I was little, and I've taken down my fair share of beasts both mundane and magical with it. Like other hunters in my tribe, I'm also an apprentice alchemist, and know a select few spells that are quite helpful in the wilderness."

She hands Shoal her papers, which despite their oddity do appear to be fully legitimate and given straight from Customs. They appear to have been granted just yesterday, in fact.

>>178061
Character goals
>>178073
It's a bit difficult to tell which posts are intended for who, but I think I got the gist of it.
>>178072
>So if you could, explain who you are and what you could contribute
Rosey Ring gives her long-winded monologue of her credentials, similar to what she posted earlier in the thread:
"I am a blackweave warmagus with decades of experience in northeastern griffonia. I know over forty spells, most of which combat hexes, and can cast hexes of up to third level. I am proficient in light armor and martial weapons, as well as with unarmed combat; it's not my specialty, but more than your average soldier. I have moderate stealth capabilities, and if necessary I can make it appear as though my targets have died from dessication or disease. Through my experience, I have mastered the first Meditation of War: my morale is unshakable. I have experience being deployed alongside poisonous gas. I have fortified my body to make myself impervious to minor attacks and I am highly resistant to magic. I have experience in retrieving cadavers from active warzones and toxic mana wastes. I have trained to ignore caltrop wounds and survive stepping on landmines. I am capable of summoning several types of monsters. I specialize in neutralizing griffons and undead, from my experience in Farbrook. Interrogation is another of my specialities, and I pride myself in being able to extract information from deceased subjects. I've trained to work in conditions of total darkness, and despite the need to mediate for spells I am able to work with very little rest. As for poisons..." (continues)
She adds that she prefers close quarters combat, but can operate at a range if necessary. She says that she can operate in bogs and swamps beneath stagnant water for extended periods, but she is not qualified to operate a ship and that her naval experience is limited.
>And if each of you could provide your IDs, we'd like to hold on to them as a security measure for the time of the mission
Posey seems uncertain.
"I was under the impression that the point of this mission was to remain inconspicuous. I would prefer to operate on the grounds that my privacy and anonymity be maintained, as leaked information could compromise my career and reputation: the blackweave magic that I use for battle can be unsightly, and I don't need the optics clouding my career as a Necrologist in this political environment."

>>178074
"Why hello? What are you a shaman of, and what can you do?"

>>178076
For reference, characters are allowed their weapons here"

He nods and smiles
"Ah yes, you were a part of the group that eliminated those cultists. I'm glad to have you here especially. Thank you for your service. A bit of a shame it was to the princess, but valiant and commendable all the same."

He looks over to the lamia
"Ah! A snake? O... kay.

He takes the papers

>>178078
He nods,
"Having a combat mage is always desirable. And making targets look like they died of disease... may just be useful. I expect ponies to be the main threat, though I can hardly rule out griffins, but I seriously doubt you'll encounter undead.

The point of this mission is to remain inconspicuous. I assure you that maintaining your privacy and anonymity is in my best interests. You've surely noticed that I did not just send a platoon of my own marines, as I could have. And I did contact the auxiliaries of my local area, as I could have. That's precisely because I need you to be unknown. Nevertheless, we ask for IDs, in part so we can screen you and make sure you are not an enemy spy, partly as insurance to give you some incentive to come back to us, and in no small part because it would be seriously inconvenient to us if it were found on your dead body. I mean no offense, but what stands to be compromised is far more important than your career and reputation should the truth come out."

>>178079
Silver: "We serve country we were born to. I imagine if I had been born in New Mareland and you had been born in Equestria, it would be me in your position and you in mine. What matters is that we serve to best of our ability."

Kira: "Um...lamia, actually." The lamia takes the end of her tail in her hooves and rubs it between them. "So, why do we need to be so inconspicuous and secretive."

Silver responds before Shoal gets a chance to.

Silver: "Because he does not want to start war between New Mareland and Stalliongrad. If New Mareland troops were to land on this island and are discovered by Stalliongrader patrol, or worse if there was firefight between them, then it could spark international incident leading to war New Mareland really can not afford to fight right now. As we are not officially members of New Mareland's military, if we are found or end up fighting any Stalliongraders then New Mareland has plausible deniability that we are just opportunistic third party looking for pay day."

Brie observes silently, thoughtfully

>>178079
>so we can screen you and make sure you are not an enemy spy
"...Sure...."
Posey begrudgingly forks over her ID and business card

>>178078
The zeeb's eyes narrow at the mention of a "necrologist," whatever that is. But he manages to hold his tongue for now.
>>178079
His attention turns back to introductions
"Earth and fighting
Battle and healing
My primary focus is extinguishing thr undead
But the tribe's needs dictate all, and I follow where I am lead
If a demonstration you want
If I might have a stone
In an effort not to haunt
One for which I will not have to attone"

Brie ends with a bit of a dramatic fluorish, for some reason

>>178072
By this point the griffon had put on a black leather gunbelt around his hip loaded with ammunition and a single revolver by his side, and he had handed over his ID. He raises his voice to be heard by the rest of the room, and looks around at the various other mercenaries as he talks.

"My name is Garv Cavaliere. I hail from Nova Griffonia where my job is to solve problems of different types. Some of them require violence, some can be solved by words alone. If it does come down to violence, I prefer to limit lethality until the situation warrants it, either for myself or for others. This looks to be one such situation. Nova Griffonia has a long and sparsely guarded border with Stalliongrad, and the communists there have oft started border disputes over that territory. Their soldiers are fanatics, and in a fight can scarcely be considered as ponies with how they think and behave. With luck we should arrive before them, and we should avoid detection for as long as possible. I don't doubt any of your fighting prowess, but we will be outnumbered in an unfamiliar territory, which is a fight best avoided."

"While I can handle a gun, gunshots tend to carry a long distance. In that area, our approach should be quiet and enemy soldiers handled with stealthy attacks before they can communicate our position. We absolutely must get to that airship and find the survivors as quickly as possible."

(I know, hes a right cunt, and I love that about him)

>>178093
This is why we just enslave all the bats in Magehold.