Continuing, and hopefully introducing new characters.
And on the wrong damn post number
/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal
File (): 4F028E3E0ADEA7FA0DEE268585F7C060-47971.jpg (46.8 KB, 1051x906, IMG_0058.jpeg)
1713 replies and 83 files omitted.
>>178561
"There are millions of griffons in the world, Miss Kira. Some good, some bad. I can only try to be one of the better ones."
Cavaliere returns to chat with Adamance. "I couldn't help but overhear. We are called for a reason." He lowers his voice and leans forward such that the Major cannot overhear. "I am a new arrival myself, but the ponies in charge are rather suspicious of Equestrians, and Harmonists in particular. I am not sure how you have managed to not just avoid this, but be hired by them on a confidential mission. You probably have your ways and contacts. I appreciate that, but do exercise caution."
He gets the opportunity to listen in on Posey's message.
Listen: [1d20+3 = (8+3) = 11]
Sense motive (8 ranks + 3 wisdom modifier): [1d20+11 = (15+11) = 26]
"There are millions of griffons in the world, Miss Kira. Some good, some bad. I can only try to be one of the better ones."
Cavaliere returns to chat with Adamance. "I couldn't help but overhear. We are called for a reason." He lowers his voice and leans forward such that the Major cannot overhear. "I am a new arrival myself, but the ponies in charge are rather suspicious of Equestrians, and Harmonists in particular. I am not sure how you have managed to not just avoid this, but be hired by them on a confidential mission. You probably have your ways and contacts. I appreciate that, but do exercise caution."
He gets the opportunity to listen in on Posey's message.
Listen: [1d20+3 = (8+3) = 11]
Sense motive (8 ranks + 3 wisdom modifier): [1d20+11 = (15+11) = 26]
>>178585
>Please stop constantly antagonizing
You got me wrong. I'm not trying to antagonize at all. I acknowledged that our characters should have natural disagreements, but I was roleplaying to cooperate in spite of that.
Rosey Ring doesn't want any paladins to get arrested for loyalty to the princesses by the Blackhooves, for the sake reason that she didn't report seeing August Wreath.Telling Tenebrous to keep his oath secret was genuine advice, both in and out of character.
Now that she's hidden her alignment with magic, she can confidently be friendly with him without risking exposure to herself. Perhaps later she might even tell him about August Wreath, who she secretly supports because she wants to squish all of the Changelings before they destroy everything that she herself wants to destroy, and knights of the old guard may be pivotal to that cause because of their motivation to save the princesses.
I like Tenebrous and I am rationalizing ways to be friendly with him, in spite of confliction alignment and background.
>Please stop constantly antagonizing
You got me wrong. I'm not trying to antagonize at all. I acknowledged that our characters should have natural disagreements, but I was roleplaying to cooperate in spite of that.
Rosey Ring doesn't want any paladins to get arrested for loyalty to the princesses by the Blackhooves, for the sake reason that she didn't report seeing August Wreath.Telling Tenebrous to keep his oath secret was genuine advice, both in and out of character.
Now that she's hidden her alignment with magic, she can confidently be friendly with him without risking exposure to herself. Perhaps later she might even tell him about August Wreath, who she secretly supports because she wants to squish all of the Changelings before they destroy everything that she herself wants to destroy, and knights of the old guard may be pivotal to that cause because of their motivation to save the princesses.
I like Tenebrous and I am rationalizing ways to be friendly with him, in spite of confliction alignment and background.
>>178586
If you were right next to Adamance talking to him, the DC for Listen is much lower, so you hear the chainshirt clad unicorn whisper her secret entire message to Tenebrous.
I did not expect you to be able to make that check. Darn. Oh well.
What do you do with this information?
If you were right next to Adamance talking to him, the DC for Listen is much lower, so you hear the chainshirt clad unicorn whisper her secret entire message to Tenebrous.
I did not expect you to be able to make that check. Darn. Oh well.
What do you do with this information?
>>178591
And you are? I roled a 26 on a spot check for whatever posey was trying to hide
And you are? I roled a 26 on a spot check for whatever posey was trying to hide
>>178593
Rosey Ring keeps her callously-beautiful poker face, but with a check like that you can see by the twitch in her eye that she's ever slow slightly ticked-off and alarmed that the griffon saw through her bluff, ever so confident in her skills.
"Studying Equestrian history and politics is quite common in Farbrook: we try to stay in touch with our roots. It's part of my profession too: there's always work for a Necrologist where there's war..."
Rosey Ring keeps her callously-beautiful poker face, but with a check like that you can see by the twitch in her eye that she's ever slow slightly ticked-off and alarmed that the griffon saw through her bluff, ever so confident in her skills.
"Studying Equestrian history and politics is quite common in Farbrook: we try to stay in touch with our roots. It's part of my profession too: there's always work for a Necrologist where there's war..."
>>178595
I suppose I should roll for knowledge on Farbrook and its relation to Equestria.
Knowledge: Geography (+5 ranks, +2 intelligence)
[1d20+7 = (7+7) = 14]
I suppose I should roll for knowledge on Farbrook and its relation to Equestria.
Knowledge: Geography (+5 ranks, +2 intelligence)
[1d20+7 = (7+7) = 14]
>>178596
I think that's enough to know that it's a pony colony in northern griffonia.
They are a harmonist pony culture, surrounded by hostile countries on most sides:
https://equestria-at-war.fandom.com/wiki/Farbrook
I think that's enough to know that it's a pony colony in northern griffonia.
They are a harmonist pony culture, surrounded by hostile countries on most sides:
https://equestria-at-war.fandom.com/wiki/Farbrook
>>178599
Rosey Ring nods
"I've only been in Baltimare for about a week. I'm still getting used to this city. I had been planning to move to Equestria for years, but then the war happened..."
Rosey Ring nods
"I've only been in Baltimare for about a week. I'm still getting used to this city. I had been planning to move to Equestria for years, but then the war happened..."
>>178601
"Yes, I was interested in studying magic in Equestria and seeing its culture for myself. Every apprentice in Farbrook is. It's a bit of a rite of passage for gifted students. I thought I might even raise my son in Canterlot, but it wasn't to be..."
"Yes, I was interested in studying magic in Equestria and seeing its culture for myself. Every apprentice in Farbrook is. It's a bit of a rite of passage for gifted students. I thought I might even raise my son in Canterlot, but it wasn't to be..."
>>178602
"I was aware that Farbrook is poor by pony standards and still abides by a feudal model. Given how remote it is, it must be expensive to visit Equestria, let alone stay here."
"I was aware that Farbrook is poor by pony standards and still abides by a feudal model. Given how remote it is, it must be expensive to visit Equestria, let alone stay here."
>>178603
"Yes, yes, I worked my entire life to get where I am now. I thought it was my 'destiny'... I'm not sure if I'll ever get to see Canterlot though."
She gives a wistful sigh
"Yes, yes, I worked my entire life to get where I am now. I thought it was my 'destiny'... I'm not sure if I'll ever get to see Canterlot though."
She gives a wistful sigh
>>178582
>>178587
Metsän Vaeltaja: ”I understand quite enough. You must have labor to keep the fire going or else you’ll freeze. You must work the long day in summer to gather the lichen and ferns for the winter or else you’ll starve. Place the blossom at the shrine and light a fire to remember the dead. Cede our ancestral lands to the griffins. We can do better. The seraph can bring light and warmth. He can speak to the dead. He can conjure things unlike what we’ve seen. I know he can. You must not try to stop this.”
Kakainen Ukkonen: ”You spoke to the Seraph?! Marionettes?”
>>178587
Metsän Vaeltaja: ”I understand quite enough. You must have labor to keep the fire going or else you’ll freeze. You must work the long day in summer to gather the lichen and ferns for the winter or else you’ll starve. Place the blossom at the shrine and light a fire to remember the dead. Cede our ancestral lands to the griffins. We can do better. The seraph can bring light and warmth. He can speak to the dead. He can conjure things unlike what we’ve seen. I know he can. You must not try to stop this.”
Kakainen Ukkonen: ”You spoke to the Seraph?! Marionettes?”
>>178604
Silver: "I do believe Canterlot ended up on New Mareland side of border when peace treaty was ratified. Perhaps it is too close to Changeling border for your taste, but it is still under pony control."
Silver: "I do believe Canterlot ended up on New Mareland side of border when peace treaty was ratified. Perhaps it is too close to Changeling border for your taste, but it is still under pony control."
>>178604
"It shouldn't be difficult. Canterlot is on this side of the Changeling border and internal migration controls are not too strict and they should let you through. It must have been difficult studying on top of raising a son. How old is he, if I may ask? Are you married?"
"It shouldn't be difficult. Canterlot is on this side of the Changeling border and internal migration controls are not too strict and they should let you through. It must have been difficult studying on top of raising a son. How old is he, if I may ask? Are you married?"
>>178608
I don't think that's necessary. It's not as if Posey would have perfect knowledge about every single city and settlement that ended up on one side of the border or the other. It's entirely reasonable for her to believe it's under Changeling control.
I don't think that's necessary. It's not as if Posey would have perfect knowledge about every single city and settlement that ended up on one side of the border or the other. It's entirely reasonable for her to believe it's under Changeling control.
I need to find a map of the occupation so I can make up a new (fake) character motivation that involves travelling Equestria...
>>178605
Amber has a manic look to her, not unlike Vaeltaja himself. She stares indistinctly ahead and talks loudly, shrilly, and fast, at a pace a normal pony couldn't think his words through. There's definitely something with that air.
"I did speak to him, and he told me he doesn't understand our concepts of life or death, or winter and summer! How can he do better if he doesn't understand them? You try forging a tool out of a lump of iron without understanding it! Our elders teach us that life, death, cold, warmth, darkness, light, all have value, and we worship the spirits of each of these, so that we may carry on fruitfully through them. The Seraph wants to dominate the spirits, not live alongside them, and it'll throw everything into chaos! He's lying to you and what he'll do will destroy us, either with his own actions or through the 'Inspector' who is on his way now. There will be nothing left of us without the natural order!"
Amber has a manic look to her, not unlike Vaeltaja himself. She stares indistinctly ahead and talks loudly, shrilly, and fast, at a pace a normal pony couldn't think his words through. There's definitely something with that air.
"I did speak to him, and he told me he doesn't understand our concepts of life or death, or winter and summer! How can he do better if he doesn't understand them? You try forging a tool out of a lump of iron without understanding it! Our elders teach us that life, death, cold, warmth, darkness, light, all have value, and we worship the spirits of each of these, so that we may carry on fruitfully through them. The Seraph wants to dominate the spirits, not live alongside them, and it'll throw everything into chaos! He's lying to you and what he'll do will destroy us, either with his own actions or through the 'Inspector' who is on his way now. There will be nothing left of us without the natural order!"
>>178611
Concern
"How is he being taken care of while his mother is at university, let alone embarking on missions that have the possibility of leaving him an orphan?"
Concern
"How is he being taken care of while his mother is at university, let alone embarking on missions that have the possibility of leaving him an orphan?"
>>178613
This is the part where Rosey Ring would normally just charm you and make an opposed Cha check to get you to stop prying into her personal matters, but the DM says I can't do that, so...
"I nearly brought him with me . We've been through a lot worse together. I can leave him for one day though. I'm doing this for his sake, afterall...." She turns her head, hiding her expression
This is the part where Rosey Ring would normally just charm you and make an opposed Cha check to get you to stop prying into her personal matters, but the DM says I can't do that, so...
"I nearly brought him with me . We've been through a lot worse together. I can leave him for one day though. I'm doing this for his sake, afterall...." She turns her head, hiding her expression
>>178614
"I wouldn't want to bring him along, but I understand your need to earn money honorably. You will be in good talons, and your skills will come in useful."
"I wouldn't want to bring him along, but I understand your need to earn money honorably. You will be in good talons, and your skills will come in useful."
"If we're going to be going on a rescue mission, maybe we should bring wands or scrolls to help endure the elements. If possible, we'd want the weather to be working _for_ us, and not against us. They would also help us extract the subjects if they're in a weakened state."
(They're on some sort of island with bad weather, right? For some reason, I have an image in mind of very severe snowstorms that inhibit visibility. There is no recollection of where this image comes from, save for a trace memory of this being imagined briefly when speaking about the setting / adventure. I have little to no memory of the actual audio of the exchange.)
>>178568
"Hello, Mala Mata. You seem like you're going to be on the front lines. That's where I intend to be, too. I look forward to working with you."
>>178569
"Noted. Thank you, Silver."
>>178571
>I'm VERY MUCH not a nice pony
Tenebrous looks at Brie and activates Detect Evil.
It's a cone-shaped emanation, so depending on how we're all standing, Rosey-Undead may or may not be caught in the scan.
Honestly, I don't know how to roleplay finding evil within the party. I'm literally restricted by class features from knowingly associating with evil-aligned characters. In order to keep things flowing, the best I can think of is that the implication from my dream-granted quest is that this is the cohort I'm destined to be with while doing this quest which is very important for reasons I don't know yet.
Given Rosey's interaction with me later on in this comment, I guess we can say that she's literally on the opposite side of me to Brie.
>Associates
>While he may adventure with characters of any good or neutral alignment, a paladin will never knowingly associate with evil characters, nor will he continue an association with someone who consistently offends his moral code. A paladin may accept only henchmen, followers, or cohorts who are lawful good.
On that note, needing to act without lying or dishonourable conduct while respecting legitimate authority figures sounds pretty complicated if we're doing something tangled in this many layers of scrambled loyalties, plans within plans, layers of misdirection and secrets going every which way, and who knows what else.
>Code of Conduct
>A paladin must be of lawful good alignment and loses all class abilities if she ever willingly commits an evil act.
>Additionally, a paladin’s code requires that she respect legitimate authority, act with honor (not lying, not cheating, not using poison, and so forth), help those in need (provided they do not use the help for evil or chaotic ends), and punish those who harm or threaten innocents.
>>178572
Ten glances at Rosey's face. Then down at her extended hoof. Then back to her face. He smiles mildly and shakes her hoof in return.
(Military occupation? I thought we were in the border of a Twilight managed Equestria getting ready to do something in an unoccupied area of the world so that the exploring Griffon kingdom wouldn't get the secret stuff that might have been researched there, along with the high tech stuff in the research craft. Now that I'm typing this, I think I vaguely recall something about there being multiple griffon countries and more than one pony country. Also, what does "Your oath" mean? Where am I? Who is occupying it? Where do I go to learn this? How many hours of exploring and wandering without direction inside of the EaW Hearts of Iron 4 mod do I have to do to learn this? Is there a faster way to learn this? What do you mean by my oath? I thought the Night Guard / Lunar Harmonist Paladins semi-disbanding or becoming less active was because they were exhausted after the war ended, and that things were otherwise mostly normal. I can roleplay a head injury for partial amnesia, but I really feel like there are many complex and important things that should be present in some kind of document somewhere.)
Not understanding anything about the politics, local politics, history, or geopolitics while being in a complicated clandestine geopolitical power struggle with divided loyalties, motivations, and all this is... I dunno. I feel like I'm way outside my depth.
>>178589
>Blackhooves
...What is a blackhoof? Some kind of secret police intelligence organization, sure, but what is their alignment? Some kind of anti-princess pony faction? Are they acting within this area, or is that the name of the army that is occupying this country, which may or may not be Equestria?
As far as the changelings go, Ten dislikes them. A lot.
TTRPGs have always been a "Let's start in a generic medieval fantasy world and build the society around us as we interact with it" sort of thing.
>>178597
>https://equestria-at-war.fandom.com/wiki/Farbrook
I just saw this wiki link with that post. Are there specific pages I should prioritize? I'll start scanning the Timeline of World History, then the World Map, but the cities will take a long while to read. It'll take a bunch of my thread time
(They're on some sort of island with bad weather, right? For some reason, I have an image in mind of very severe snowstorms that inhibit visibility. There is no recollection of where this image comes from, save for a trace memory of this being imagined briefly when speaking about the setting / adventure. I have little to no memory of the actual audio of the exchange.)
>>178568
"Hello, Mala Mata. You seem like you're going to be on the front lines. That's where I intend to be, too. I look forward to working with you."
>>178569
"Noted. Thank you, Silver."
>>178571
>I'm VERY MUCH not a nice pony
Tenebrous looks at Brie and activates Detect Evil.
It's a cone-shaped emanation, so depending on how we're all standing, Rosey-Undead may or may not be caught in the scan.
Honestly, I don't know how to roleplay finding evil within the party. I'm literally restricted by class features from knowingly associating with evil-aligned characters. In order to keep things flowing, the best I can think of is that the implication from my dream-granted quest is that this is the cohort I'm destined to be with while doing this quest which is very important for reasons I don't know yet.
Given Rosey's interaction with me later on in this comment, I guess we can say that she's literally on the opposite side of me to Brie.
>Associates
>While he may adventure with characters of any good or neutral alignment, a paladin will never knowingly associate with evil characters, nor will he continue an association with someone who consistently offends his moral code. A paladin may accept only henchmen, followers, or cohorts who are lawful good.
On that note, needing to act without lying or dishonourable conduct while respecting legitimate authority figures sounds pretty complicated if we're doing something tangled in this many layers of scrambled loyalties, plans within plans, layers of misdirection and secrets going every which way, and who knows what else.
>Code of Conduct
>A paladin must be of lawful good alignment and loses all class abilities if she ever willingly commits an evil act.
>Additionally, a paladin’s code requires that she respect legitimate authority, act with honor (not lying, not cheating, not using poison, and so forth), help those in need (provided they do not use the help for evil or chaotic ends), and punish those who harm or threaten innocents.
>>178572
Ten glances at Rosey's face. Then down at her extended hoof. Then back to her face. He smiles mildly and shakes her hoof in return.
(Military occupation? I thought we were in the border of a Twilight managed Equestria getting ready to do something in an unoccupied area of the world so that the exploring Griffon kingdom wouldn't get the secret stuff that might have been researched there, along with the high tech stuff in the research craft. Now that I'm typing this, I think I vaguely recall something about there being multiple griffon countries and more than one pony country. Also, what does "Your oath" mean? Where am I? Who is occupying it? Where do I go to learn this? How many hours of exploring and wandering without direction inside of the EaW Hearts of Iron 4 mod do I have to do to learn this? Is there a faster way to learn this? What do you mean by my oath? I thought the Night Guard / Lunar Harmonist Paladins semi-disbanding or becoming less active was because they were exhausted after the war ended, and that things were otherwise mostly normal. I can roleplay a head injury for partial amnesia, but I really feel like there are many complex and important things that should be present in some kind of document somewhere.)
Not understanding anything about the politics, local politics, history, or geopolitics while being in a complicated clandestine geopolitical power struggle with divided loyalties, motivations, and all this is... I dunno. I feel like I'm way outside my depth.
>>178589
>Blackhooves
...What is a blackhoof? Some kind of secret police intelligence organization, sure, but what is their alignment? Some kind of anti-princess pony faction? Are they acting within this area, or is that the name of the army that is occupying this country, which may or may not be Equestria?
As far as the changelings go, Ten dislikes them. A lot.
TTRPGs have always been a "Let's start in a generic medieval fantasy world and build the society around us as we interact with it" sort of thing.
>>178597
>https://equestria-at-war.fandom.com/wiki/Farbrook
I just saw this wiki link with that post. Are there specific pages I should prioritize? I'll start scanning the Timeline of World History, then the World Map, but the cities will take a long while to read. It'll take a bunch of my thread time
>>178616
>"If we're going to be going on a rescue mission, maybe we should bring wands or scrolls to help endure the elements. If possible, we'd want the weather to be working _for_ us, and not against us. They would also help us extract the subjects if they're in a weakened state."
"I completely agree."
Rosey Ring proposes crowd-funding the following items:
>Wand of Lesser Vigor (750 gp, half that if half-charged)
>Swan Boat Feather Token
>Divine Scroll of Animal Messenger (150 gp)
She presses the Feather Token the most
>Honestly, I don't know how to roleplay finding evil within the party. I'm literally restricted by class features from knowingly associating with evil-aligned characters. In order to keep things flowing, the best I can think of is that the implication from my dream-granted quest is that this is the cohort I'm destined to be with while doing this quest which is very important for reasons I don't know yet.
Yeah, I knew that, so I took the initiative to conceal my alignment so that you wouldn't have to deal with that.
>(Military occupation? I thought we were in the border of a Twilight managed Equestria getting ready to do something in an unoccupied area of the world so that the exploring Griffon kingdom wouldn't get the secret stuff that might have been researched there, along with the high tech stuff in the research craft. Now that I'm typing this, I think I vaguely recall something about there being multiple griffon countries and more than one pony country. Also, what does "Your oath" mean? Where am I? Who is occupying it? Where do I go to learn this? How many hours of exploring and wandering without direction inside of the EaW Hearts of Iron 4 mod do I have to do to learn this? Is there a faster way to learn this? What do you mean by my oath? I thought the Night Guard / Lunar Harmonist Paladins semi-disbanding or becoming less active was because they were exhausted after the war ended, and that things were otherwise mostly normal. I can roleplay a head injury for partial amnesia, but I really feel like there are many complex and important things that should be present in some kind of document somewhere.)
I think the GM would do us all well to make a long post clarifying the exposition, for new players and for current players (like me). We can adapt your backstory based on that.
>"If we're going to be going on a rescue mission, maybe we should bring wands or scrolls to help endure the elements. If possible, we'd want the weather to be working _for_ us, and not against us. They would also help us extract the subjects if they're in a weakened state."
"I completely agree."
Rosey Ring proposes crowd-funding the following items:
>Wand of Lesser Vigor (750 gp, half that if half-charged)
>Swan Boat Feather Token
>Divine Scroll of Animal Messenger (150 gp)
She presses the Feather Token the most
>Honestly, I don't know how to roleplay finding evil within the party. I'm literally restricted by class features from knowingly associating with evil-aligned characters. In order to keep things flowing, the best I can think of is that the implication from my dream-granted quest is that this is the cohort I'm destined to be with while doing this quest which is very important for reasons I don't know yet.
Yeah, I knew that, so I took the initiative to conceal my alignment so that you wouldn't have to deal with that.
>(Military occupation? I thought we were in the border of a Twilight managed Equestria getting ready to do something in an unoccupied area of the world so that the exploring Griffon kingdom wouldn't get the secret stuff that might have been researched there, along with the high tech stuff in the research craft. Now that I'm typing this, I think I vaguely recall something about there being multiple griffon countries and more than one pony country. Also, what does "Your oath" mean? Where am I? Who is occupying it? Where do I go to learn this? How many hours of exploring and wandering without direction inside of the EaW Hearts of Iron 4 mod do I have to do to learn this? Is there a faster way to learn this? What do you mean by my oath? I thought the Night Guard / Lunar Harmonist Paladins semi-disbanding or becoming less active was because they were exhausted after the war ended, and that things were otherwise mostly normal. I can roleplay a head injury for partial amnesia, but I really feel like there are many complex and important things that should be present in some kind of document somewhere.)
I think the GM would do us all well to make a long post clarifying the exposition, for new players and for current players (like me). We can adapt your backstory based on that.
>>178616
>Not understanding anything about the politics, local politics, history, or geopolitics while being in a complicated clandestine geopolitical power struggle with divided loyalties, motivations, and all this is... I dunno. I feel like I'm way outside my depth.
I felt the same way when I joined. You'll figure it out eventually.
>Not understanding anything about the politics, local politics, history, or geopolitics while being in a complicated clandestine geopolitical power struggle with divided loyalties, motivations, and all this is... I dunno. I feel like I'm way outside my depth.
I felt the same way when I joined. You'll figure it out eventually.
>>178612
Metsän Vaeltaja: “Because he’s above the natural order. He will take us to something higher than, and better than the frozen world around us. The elders are wrong! Their ‘natural order’ was just their own way of having power over us while we are content in misery.”
Father is wearing his scarf over his mouth to give him a thicker covering than normal. He interrupts:
“Little pony, you did not speak to any spirits or any ‘Seraph’. There’s something in the air here. It’s making you hallucinate, and you are hallucinating what Vaeltaja suggests. I could hear them chanting behind us. But you are right about something." Father looks over towards Vaeltaja.
"At best, you are 'high on your own supply' and have forgotten your own fires you lit. But whether you know that what you are saying is false or not, you are spreading mistruths that will result in the ruin of all of us. Paradise is not coming, save for the future we collectively build for ourselves. But the Inspector is coming from the Central Council and he will have you arrested. As a part of the village council, I demand you cease."
Metsän Vaeltaja: “Keskiyon, how do you close your mind to so much? Listen to it. Feel it. Convergence between the spirit world and ours is coming, and soon your Central Council, and your village council will have no meaning. The sunrise is upon us, and your "Path Forward' cannot stop it. No. You shall not go to any inspector, and the Seraph will protect his own."
Kakainen Ukkonen: "I am on the village council..."
Father: "Aha! So you do admit that your 'sunrise' can be stopped. Otherwise, it wouldn't matter if I went to the Inspector, would it? End your charade."
Metsän Vaeltaja: “Because he’s above the natural order. He will take us to something higher than, and better than the frozen world around us. The elders are wrong! Their ‘natural order’ was just their own way of having power over us while we are content in misery.”
Father is wearing his scarf over his mouth to give him a thicker covering than normal. He interrupts:
“Little pony, you did not speak to any spirits or any ‘Seraph’. There’s something in the air here. It’s making you hallucinate, and you are hallucinating what Vaeltaja suggests. I could hear them chanting behind us. But you are right about something." Father looks over towards Vaeltaja.
"At best, you are 'high on your own supply' and have forgotten your own fires you lit. But whether you know that what you are saying is false or not, you are spreading mistruths that will result in the ruin of all of us. Paradise is not coming, save for the future we collectively build for ourselves. But the Inspector is coming from the Central Council and he will have you arrested. As a part of the village council, I demand you cease."
Metsän Vaeltaja: “Keskiyon, how do you close your mind to so much? Listen to it. Feel it. Convergence between the spirit world and ours is coming, and soon your Central Council, and your village council will have no meaning. The sunrise is upon us, and your "Path Forward' cannot stop it. No. You shall not go to any inspector, and the Seraph will protect his own."
Kakainen Ukkonen: "I am on the village council..."
Father: "Aha! So you do admit that your 'sunrise' can be stopped. Otherwise, it wouldn't matter if I went to the Inspector, would it? End your charade."
>>178619
"Is this what this is about? You hate the elders and our way of life! That's why you want to destroy it! You don't even know what he's planning, just as he doesn't understand our way of life! But you want to let us all perish just because you're unhappy about everything else. Your 'Seraph' wants to dominate both the spirit world and our world and you're letting it happen!"
"Is this what this is about? You hate the elders and our way of life! That's why you want to destroy it! You don't even know what he's planning, just as he doesn't understand our way of life! But you want to let us all perish just because you're unhappy about everything else. Your 'Seraph' wants to dominate both the spirit world and our world and you're letting it happen!"
>>178617
Do we have anybody here who can use Message or other communication related magic? That could be very useful if we split up.
(Side note: One idea for a small magic item that isn't as powerful as a numeric bonus could be something that lets us use a cantrip or message spell once a day.)
Do we have anybody here who can use Message or other communication related magic? That could be very useful if we split up.
(Side note: One idea for a small magic item that isn't as powerful as a numeric bonus could be something that lets us use a cantrip or message spell once a day.)
>>178616
>They're on some sort of island with bad weather, right?
Not yet. They are currently in an immigration office in Baltimare.
>For some reason, I have an image in mind of very severe snowstorms that inhibit visibility
That reason is either because I mentioned severe fog on the island when we talked about it in Bulgaria, or because you live in Canada
>"Hello, Mala Mata. You seem like you're going to be on the front lines. That's where I intend to be, too. I look forward to working with you."
The creature comes out and walks closer to Tenebrous, albeit cautiously.
"What uh, what do you do, exactly? I mean, how do you fight? Where do you fight? I'm uh, not super used to it. I mean it's not my first time, but uh, it's my first time in a big group. Like this..."
>Honestly, I don't know how to roleplay finding evil within the party. I'm literally restricted by class features from knowingly associating with evil-aligned characters.
Just consider it a work relationship. What the rules say about "henchmen, followers, and cohorts" doesn't apply here, because those words refer to NPC characters that are below and under the control of player characters. Not player characters.
A blue pegasus pony in a blue uniform speaks to Tenebrous.
"Ah, Hello Tenebrous Adamance. I am Captain Shoal Water of the New Mareland Republican Naval Air Service. I can see that you're not very into the loop, so let me give you the quick rundown.
Equestria was ruled by a Princess. Maybe there was another one, I don't really recall, but she was getting old and going senile and she knew it, so she stepped down and let this purple one be in charge. But the Purple one had more love for griffins and yaks and hippogriffs and minotaurs and what have you than her own ponies, and was too trusting of the rich ponies who had been long kissing up to the throne. So the old colony of New Mareland went its own way and acted to secure the resources necessary for its own survival against the greedy claws of its neighbors. The Purple one's foreign advisor didn't like this, so she tried to stop us. But then the Changelings invaded Equestria, and the Equestrians were too weak to stop them. Thankfully, we were able to save about half of Equestria from itself, and now that half of Equestria is administered in Autonomous Districts under our hooves.
I understand that our government is kind of complex, and you wouldn't know it as an outsider. But basically it's this. On the one hoof, here in Balatimare, you have the local government. The Baltimare City Council. They do things like criminal law enforcement, Healthcare, and what have you. Above that, you have the New Mareland State. The New Mareland State is divided into three branches. There is the old civilian government, whose power segment is the Revenue and Migration Service. They are responsible for enforcing immigration and customs duties. And some taxes. Then there is the New Mareland Military, who are responsible for prosecuting the War that continues in Griffonia and Northern Zebrica and defending New Mareland and her Sister Republics. That's what I am a part of, the New Mareland Navy. And then the last segment is the Blackhooves Political Party and their enforcer agency, The State Security Administration. They are a Republican and Fascist political organization and technically in charge of everything. They have their own political police force to try to keep things in order.
Further west, in Western Equestria, you have the Changeling Hegemony in charge. And up north, there is Stalliongrad. But more on them later."
>They're on some sort of island with bad weather, right?
Not yet. They are currently in an immigration office in Baltimare.
>For some reason, I have an image in mind of very severe snowstorms that inhibit visibility
That reason is either because I mentioned severe fog on the island when we talked about it in Bulgaria, or because you live in Canada
>"Hello, Mala Mata. You seem like you're going to be on the front lines. That's where I intend to be, too. I look forward to working with you."
The creature comes out and walks closer to Tenebrous, albeit cautiously.
"What uh, what do you do, exactly? I mean, how do you fight? Where do you fight? I'm uh, not super used to it. I mean it's not my first time, but uh, it's my first time in a big group. Like this..."
>Honestly, I don't know how to roleplay finding evil within the party. I'm literally restricted by class features from knowingly associating with evil-aligned characters.
Just consider it a work relationship. What the rules say about "henchmen, followers, and cohorts" doesn't apply here, because those words refer to NPC characters that are below and under the control of player characters. Not player characters.
A blue pegasus pony in a blue uniform speaks to Tenebrous.
"Ah, Hello Tenebrous Adamance. I am Captain Shoal Water of the New Mareland Republican Naval Air Service. I can see that you're not very into the loop, so let me give you the quick rundown.
Equestria was ruled by a Princess. Maybe there was another one, I don't really recall, but she was getting old and going senile and she knew it, so she stepped down and let this purple one be in charge. But the Purple one had more love for griffins and yaks and hippogriffs and minotaurs and what have you than her own ponies, and was too trusting of the rich ponies who had been long kissing up to the throne. So the old colony of New Mareland went its own way and acted to secure the resources necessary for its own survival against the greedy claws of its neighbors. The Purple one's foreign advisor didn't like this, so she tried to stop us. But then the Changelings invaded Equestria, and the Equestrians were too weak to stop them. Thankfully, we were able to save about half of Equestria from itself, and now that half of Equestria is administered in Autonomous Districts under our hooves.
I understand that our government is kind of complex, and you wouldn't know it as an outsider. But basically it's this. On the one hoof, here in Balatimare, you have the local government. The Baltimare City Council. They do things like criminal law enforcement, Healthcare, and what have you. Above that, you have the New Mareland State. The New Mareland State is divided into three branches. There is the old civilian government, whose power segment is the Revenue and Migration Service. They are responsible for enforcing immigration and customs duties. And some taxes. Then there is the New Mareland Military, who are responsible for prosecuting the War that continues in Griffonia and Northern Zebrica and defending New Mareland and her Sister Republics. That's what I am a part of, the New Mareland Navy. And then the last segment is the Blackhooves Political Party and their enforcer agency, The State Security Administration. They are a Republican and Fascist political organization and technically in charge of everything. They have their own political police force to try to keep things in order.
Further west, in Western Equestria, you have the Changeling Hegemony in charge. And up north, there is Stalliongrad. But more on them later."
>>178621
>Do we have anybody here who can use Message or other communication related magic? That could be very useful if we split up.
Kita can cast Animal Messenger. Dusty can cast Helping Hand. They would need time to prepare spells again though.
>Do we have anybody here who can use Message or other communication related magic? That could be very useful if we split up.
Kita can cast Animal Messenger. Dusty can cast Helping Hand. They would need time to prepare spells again though.
>>178620
Metsän Vaeltaja shakes his head "Then we will stop you."
From behind,
"I'm stopping your Blasphemy!"
The other stallion runs and jumps, slamming down an axe that he has been holding in his mouth into Vaeltaja's back. Vaeltaja makes a "Gack!" sound, and starts to move towards the ground.
Kakainen Ukkonen "PAKKASEN! What are you doing?"
Stallion, with the axe still stuck in Vaeltaja's back,
"What I should have done a month ago. Even the Atheists are not this insolent."
Metsän Vaeltaja shakes his head "Then we will stop you."
From behind,
"I'm stopping your Blasphemy!"
The other stallion runs and jumps, slamming down an axe that he has been holding in his mouth into Vaeltaja's back. Vaeltaja makes a "Gack!" sound, and starts to move towards the ground.
Kakainen Ukkonen "PAKKASEN! What are you doing?"
Stallion, with the axe still stuck in Vaeltaja's back,
"What I should have done a month ago. Even the Atheists are not this insolent."
>>178625
Amber screams and attempts to gallop away. She cannot bear to look at the sight, and at the last moment tries to find Jakala to bring her along, away from this place.
Amber screams and attempts to gallop away. She cannot bear to look at the sight, and at the last moment tries to find Jakala to bring her along, away from this place.
>>178626
Vaeltaja does not seem to be out, and tries to rise up. From further behind, a third pony jumps on Pakkasen, who takes the axe out of Vaeltaja's back, and attempts to sling it back.
From beyond the rim of the depression, from the leveled forest, Amber can hear a roar, a loud "Ahreeee" howl or roar. Father hears it too, and looks over towards the source of the sound
"RUN KULTAINEN! Pakkasen! Get out of here!"
Father lets Amber go, and quickly rushes over towards the other stallion.
Vaeltaja does not seem to be out, and tries to rise up. From further behind, a third pony jumps on Pakkasen, who takes the axe out of Vaeltaja's back, and attempts to sling it back.
From beyond the rim of the depression, from the leveled forest, Amber can hear a roar, a loud "Ahreeee" howl or roar. Father hears it too, and looks over towards the source of the sound
"RUN KULTAINEN! Pakkasen! Get out of here!"
Father lets Amber go, and quickly rushes over towards the other stallion.
>>178629
Father speaks,
"To Tuonela with the sled, get the filly and go!" Father shouts. He seems to have started to get the other stallion free, but is kicked in the face, knocked down, and then starts to run as he flees.
Again, from the dead forest, a very loud "Ahreeee" howl that seems closer than before.
Father:
"Akka, Beaivi, forgive me!"
Father speaks,
"To Tuonela with the sled, get the filly and go!" Father shouts. He seems to have started to get the other stallion free, but is kicked in the face, knocked down, and then starts to run as he flees.
Again, from the dead forest, a very loud "Ahreeee" howl that seems closer than before.
Father:
"Akka, Beaivi, forgive me!"
>>178630
That howl does not sound like a pony, or really anything she's heard about. She books it in the opposite direction from that sound, trying to make it out of the forest.
That howl does not sound like a pony, or really anything she's heard about. She books it in the opposite direction from that sound, trying to make it out of the forest.
>>178631
No. No it does not. It sounds big. And coming closer.
Amber is able to move over the frozen surface of the of the depression more quickly that she likely though, pulling the sled.
Jakala mumbles,
"mmmemben membe"
They reach the end of the depression, and Amber pulls it up the mud and out of the depression. Father runs past her and stops at the sled.
"Come on Kultainen, get the filly and forget the sled!" He grabs onto Jakala.
As Father grabs onto the filly, he starts to levitate into the air, as if something unseen is grabbing him. "Ah! Ah!" His hindquarters go up first. Amber can see his eyes go wide and then turn to her with a look of fear and desperation. His forelegs move apart, dropping Jakala who herself screams with an "Ah!" as she falls a few inches to the ground. Then Father flails his legs and screams as he is dragged upwards until he disappears into an unseeable black night, still screaming, which starts to fade.
No. No it does not. It sounds big. And coming closer.
Amber is able to move over the frozen surface of the of the depression more quickly that she likely though, pulling the sled.
Jakala mumbles,
"mmmemben membe"
They reach the end of the depression, and Amber pulls it up the mud and out of the depression. Father runs past her and stops at the sled.
"Come on Kultainen, get the filly and forget the sled!" He grabs onto Jakala.
As Father grabs onto the filly, he starts to levitate into the air, as if something unseen is grabbing him. "Ah! Ah!" His hindquarters go up first. Amber can see his eyes go wide and then turn to her with a look of fear and desperation. His forelegs move apart, dropping Jakala who herself screams with an "Ah!" as she falls a few inches to the ground. Then Father flails his legs and screams as he is dragged upwards until he disappears into an unseeable black night, still screaming, which starts to fade.
>>178632
"Papa!" she screams up at the sky, tears springing to her eyes.
She doesn't pause for long though, as her survival instincts kick into gear. She puts Jakala onto her back and bounds away, trying to get away from the area.
"Papa!" she screams up at the sky, tears springing to her eyes.
She doesn't pause for long though, as her survival instincts kick into gear. She puts Jakala onto her back and bounds away, trying to get away from the area.
>>178633
"AAHHHH" She hears the scream before it is cut off. Looking up she believes she sees shadows moving, perhaps her father, and likely she could see more in if she had her night time vision. But nothing reflects the dim light of the glow and there is no moon. Amber gets the filly, and goes.
Her headache continues, and the world around her becomes oddly disconnected as she feels more and more tired. She can hear the sound of the music again, with its high-pitched glass harmonica sound. Gradually the ground beneath her lightens, until she can see the burnt-out trees and the snow.
"AAHHHH" She hears the scream before it is cut off. Looking up she believes she sees shadows moving, perhaps her father, and likely she could see more in if she had her night time vision. But nothing reflects the dim light of the glow and there is no moon. Amber gets the filly, and goes.
Her headache continues, and the world around her becomes oddly disconnected as she feels more and more tired. She can hear the sound of the music again, with its high-pitched glass harmonica sound. Gradually the ground beneath her lightens, until she can see the burnt-out trees and the snow.
>>178635
Perhaps insulting the interdimensional conquerer of the spirit world was not the right move. But she cannot reflect on it now, as she races across the treacherous, snowy ground. Her exhaustion threatens to collapse her, and she mentally vows to get Jakala to flee if that happens. But she will use every ounce of energy she has to get away from this accursed place.
Perhaps insulting the interdimensional conquerer of the spirit world was not the right move. But she cannot reflect on it now, as she races across the treacherous, snowy ground. Her exhaustion threatens to collapse her, and she mentally vows to get Jakala to flee if that happens. But she will use every ounce of energy she has to get away from this accursed place.
>>178636
Amber trots along through the burnt out remains of the forest, through so many charred hulls of trees. As she does so, she hears the music slowly increase in volume and distort and shift in tone. The ground around her becomes slowly lighter and lighter. She feels herself become oddly disconnected with herself, and what she sees is more and more fuzzy. It's a sensation almost like falling asleep, though Amber can see what is happening ahead of her. Her body moves forward more and more as if on pure rote muscle memory.
Eventually Amber comes to the end of the forest, and to a permafrost covered marshy field. She can see the small plumes of smoke emanating from the cone huts, and other buildings covered in snow. She can see the snow along the ground oddly reflective or luminescent. And she can see droves of ponies come from all directions. Jakala jumps off of Amber's back. She can see, walking from the village, her mother, Makea, and the salespony. From the forest she sees Ukkonen and other ponies. She sees everypony converge until every pony in the town is walking along in a straight line, including herself.
They walk past graves that are oddly disturbed, dug up and with snow and soil removed. Past storage houses, past huts with the stoves left on and smoke rising. Everypony in the town walking in a straight line. In front of them, they can see the reflection in the snow of a rising light as the world around them becomes more reflective. It could be compared to a rising sun, but the angle and the yellow tint of the light almost seems suggestive of a flare launched from a gun, or a flood light. Amber feels much warmer, certainly much too warm for what she is wearing. She would take it off if she could, though she can see many of the ponies around her are not wearing as much clothing as her. Jakala is behind her, and mother is somewhere in front of her. She can hear the music, which has changed from a representation of the sky above to something more frantic
They walk around the village, and slightly past it, over a small bridge and then inside of a ravine that has been dug out and excavated into a canal, useable by canoes in the summertime. Now, it is covered in ice, though Amber can feel with her hooves as she steps into it, water that is not so cold as to drain the life out of her. The music has a scratchy quality.
By this point, though she feels separated from herself, she feels definitely constrained. Like she's being physically held or forced as her hooves move along, as the entire village moves along and into the canal. Then every pony sits down. Then Amber feels her own legs bend as she, and Jakala, and her mother, and every other pony, goes prone into the canal. She faces down, as the light rises above her. The music comes to a crescendo, angry and screeching.
Amber awakens in her bed. The sun is out.
Amber trots along through the burnt out remains of the forest, through so many charred hulls of trees. As she does so, she hears the music slowly increase in volume and distort and shift in tone. The ground around her becomes slowly lighter and lighter. She feels herself become oddly disconnected with herself, and what she sees is more and more fuzzy. It's a sensation almost like falling asleep, though Amber can see what is happening ahead of her. Her body moves forward more and more as if on pure rote muscle memory.
Eventually Amber comes to the end of the forest, and to a permafrost covered marshy field. She can see the small plumes of smoke emanating from the cone huts, and other buildings covered in snow. She can see the snow along the ground oddly reflective or luminescent. And she can see droves of ponies come from all directions. Jakala jumps off of Amber's back. She can see, walking from the village, her mother, Makea, and the salespony. From the forest she sees Ukkonen and other ponies. She sees everypony converge until every pony in the town is walking along in a straight line, including herself.
They walk past graves that are oddly disturbed, dug up and with snow and soil removed. Past storage houses, past huts with the stoves left on and smoke rising. Everypony in the town walking in a straight line. In front of them, they can see the reflection in the snow of a rising light as the world around them becomes more reflective. It could be compared to a rising sun, but the angle and the yellow tint of the light almost seems suggestive of a flare launched from a gun, or a flood light. Amber feels much warmer, certainly much too warm for what she is wearing. She would take it off if she could, though she can see many of the ponies around her are not wearing as much clothing as her. Jakala is behind her, and mother is somewhere in front of her. She can hear the music, which has changed from a representation of the sky above to something more frantic
They walk around the village, and slightly past it, over a small bridge and then inside of a ravine that has been dug out and excavated into a canal, useable by canoes in the summertime. Now, it is covered in ice, though Amber can feel with her hooves as she steps into it, water that is not so cold as to drain the life out of her. The music has a scratchy quality.
By this point, though she feels separated from herself, she feels definitely constrained. Like she's being physically held or forced as her hooves move along, as the entire village moves along and into the canal. Then every pony sits down. Then Amber feels her own legs bend as she, and Jakala, and her mother, and every other pony, goes prone into the canal. She faces down, as the light rises above her. The music comes to a crescendo, angry and screeching.
Amber awakens in her bed. The sun is out.
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