/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal

>>184485
I'm done.

Any chance we could see those journals tonight?

>>184488
I hope so, but it will be a while if it is tonight

>>184489
Oh, are you still typing it?
That's fine. Take all the time you need.

>>183257
High Sewn:
"Yeah yeah yeah, you've got Mr. 'he's cute to me'. It's not so easy at this age. There's different expectations, stallions are looking for younger mares... Things are different."

>>184530
"Well... It means I've been able to live without a stallion, which is better than I can say for when I was starting up in Canterlot. And you... It still took you what, less than a week to find a stallion? She holds her head up, slightly looking down onto Amber

>>184531
Amber grins abashedly as she looks off to the side, then up at High Sewn. "But do you want to live without a stallion?" Worried about causing offense, she quickly adds, "Well of course there ain't nothin' wrong with not wanting that either, but, um, I would like to?" The last part is spoken in a small, shrill voice. She swallows and adds, "It was pure happenstance with how I got with Mustard. I think we were just fated. He'd never dated a filly and I'd never dated a colt…."

>>184532
High Sewn:
"Oh, I've lived with stallions, well, a stallion before. I'd rather live without." She bends her head down and comes closer to Amber. High Sewn is a rather tall, and over all large mare. She must lean down to be even to Amber's level.

"Of course the two of you haven't. Sweet Naivety, and mistakes made. That's what all young love is comprised of, isn't it?"

>>184533
Amber frowns, leaning back a little as if intimidated. "I don't think we've made a mistake. In fact, I've never been happier than I've been with him, and he really is sweet and good-hearted. Maybe you were just unlucky that one time?"

>>184534
scrunchy
"I don't mean the whole romance is a mistake, though that is probably true. I mean the mistakes you will make within the romance. Of course he seems sweet and good natured. You're intoxicated on the feeling. When the sobriety finally kicks in, you'll start to see all of his faults, and probably a few of your own."

>>184535
The squat mare's ears fold down. "I've noticed a few faults of his, and shown some of mine, too. Ain't helping each other overcome them part of the appeal? We can be better ponies for each other."

>>184536
She smiles, and is silent for a moment

"Goodluck. May you fare better than the rest of us."

>>184356
>Uh... What do we not know?
I meant myself. I didn't know belly rubbing was a thing. ^^

>>184539
I know right?

Vir has asserted her dominance over the smaller, and presumably less fluffy filly, and has forced her to do the belly rubs.

But may continue the petting/rubs, proceed to dinner or new accommodations, or perhaps start out on a mini adventure

>>184537
Amber crouches and looks up at High Sewn pleadingly. "You can't have resigned to being alone your whole life. You have to try. How can you know if you don't try your hardest?"

>>184485
"For sure, i do need to get going for now though, I'll swing back by a little later and let you know how it goes."

>>184542
Virgin catches Flowercup's hoof/hooves between hers but does so with the softness of a velvet pillow. She gives her smile.

"Thank you. You're really sweet," she says and stands up.

She walks to the door and gives them a wave.

"Then I'll be going now."

>>184543
Somewhat scrunchy
“I’ve tried.” A two second pause,

“Anyways… you want to tell me about yours, then?” Leaning down and placing her knees on the table, and resting her muzzle on both hooves. “What is Mr. ‘Cute to me’ like, in more detail?”

>>184550
Flowercup:
squeaky

Heather:
“Where are you going?”

>>184548
Tricky
“Very well. We’ll see you.”

>>184570
Amber looks off and back to Ms. Sewn. "Well, he's tall…'bout as tall as you, actually, but he really ought to eat more…er, don't let that fool you, he's stronger than he looks! He, uh, tries to be the best stallion he can be–maybe a little too hard, his ma has these funny expectations he's absorbed. If anything, he's too selfless, since he works to support his ma and sister and he is always askin' to do things for me. I've noticed he can be a little shy at times, but he's real bookish and could easily be an engineer in a few years." She giggles and blushes. "All that shyness goes away when you know him better. He loves touchin' and bein' touched."

>>184571
High Sewn moves her head in closer, and a wide smile comes across her face

"Oh.... Touching?"

>>184572
"Um, yes…." she replies in a small voice.

>>184570
>Flowercup:
>squeaky
^^

>“Where are you going?”
"Well, hmm, I think..." Vir says, looks up, and puts a hoof to her chin. "That I'll... Go to the Blackhooves first cuz' their place probably have day opening hours, that I don't wanna miss. Can start there, have to go there anyway to ask about Hope's."

If you wish that I change this line, I can because to be honest, I'm not certain this is a line of thought that my character would come up with.
>int 8

>>184573
Moving closer, and with an ever-widening grin, she turns her head, but keeps her eyes on Amber

“Do telll.”

>>184578
“Oh, of course the traitors will have regular business hours.” She pauses a moment. “But… yes, you should look for your sister.”

Nah, it’s fine

>>184579
Amber sits back and runs her hooves through her mane, her face notably redder. "Oh, hehehe, I'm sure you know more 'bout touchin' other ponies than I do. I only know a little bit."

>>184570
He trots over to the corner of the room and grabs what he came there for, his other jackets, and his saddlebag, he then says "See you mares around." Then walks back down the stairs

>>184580
[1d3 = 2]

>>184582
They watch Dark Star as he walks up, takes his jacket, refuses to elaborate, and then leaves. Sorrel raises a hoof to wave to Dark Star as he goes.

>>184580
High Sewn frowns, and moves back, turning her head away from Amber

“Which is?”

>>184584
She still giggles and is too embarrassed to notice High Sewn taking umbrage. "Stallions love being touched…and love touching mares, but they don't get that experience all too often."

>>184585
“Oh, more than you know.” She tilts her head. “What do you mean?”

>>184587
"That's a bit... Imprecise. The mare is supposed to control the situation from beginning to end. It's the mare who starts the encounter by signaling that she is receptive. Aggression implies a lack of discernment, or perhaps, desperation."

>>184583
he waves then goes down the stairs to the bar

We'll call this an anonymous Bluff check
[1d20+7 = (13+7) = 20]

>>184593
"Who is leaving behind? I only have the one! I admit to being flippant and less disciplined about describing myself putting them away as I do describing myself bringing them out, but I ASSURE you I have no interest in leaving evidence," he thinks for a moment about the face-stabbing. "Mostly no evidence, and can be assumed to police not only my affects, but my brass as well."

I suppose if there's a lull in the action, Silver would like to look through the diary pages and notes gotten off of the possessed ponies.

The bat is on standby, ostensibly with an active spot check but available for any skill checks that our current activity may allow for, though I would prefer to wait for a general prompt from GM before even beginning to 'move'.

>>184579
Virgin scratches the back of her neck.

"Yeah, I'm not sure if I want them to know something or not," she says.

>>184629
She looks back towards Vir with sincerity

"What uh, what do you not want them to know?" She sits down. "Your connection with Hope's Anchor? They are the types of ponies to use your love against you. But I think it may be worth it, for a sister. I wish had your position. I mean, to be in a position to maybe help your sister."

>>184590
Dark Star has escaped their clutches. For now.

Glistening Glass looks back up towards Dark Star, says "Hey" an looks back down.

>>184592
"I see... well if you don't want to share, I won't pry."

>>184661
>Tika Masala
I am so tempted, but not about to complain about deleted posts, in retrospect

>>184667
Amber blinks. "It's not that I want to keep anythin' from you, but I've never told anypony about it before. How can I know what's appropriate to say, and what would you like to know?"

>>184667
"Hey"
He walks over to the bar
"They were up there, i told them they could stay in the room,. you'll probably be seeing them around, keep an eye out for them alright? , make sure they don't get in any trouble"

>>184669
"Oh" She shakes her head, with something like a frown. "Don't worry about it." She raises a hoof to wave off Amber, then she paws it ear her mouth, and then moves over to her jacket and pulls out a set of cigarettes.

"I'm going to go out for a smoke" she says

>>184670
He looks up towards Dark Star again
"Sure." He raises his hoof and points it at Dark Star, then gives a wink. "I'll keep them out of trouble."

>>184671
"I'll keep an eye on the shop while you're outside," Amber replies.

And so she tries to sell more clothes to the ponies of Baltimare.

>>184591
He laughs
"'I've got to go, See you later."
He shakes his hoof then heads back to the grand baltimare hotel

"So, Father Defiant, what is it that first interested you in the art of exorcisms? Were you cursed? Was your family attacked by shamblers? Is it just your religious calling?" Rosey Ring says
"I think we got off on the wrong hoof. You see, in my home town, that is just how we greet ponies that we are interested in." (technically not a lie)

>>184681
>>184288
Kira: "D'awwwwwww, he's a father? What're your foals like, Dust?"

Silver: "That is...not quite what father means in this context. Anyways, would he not be shaman? He does not look like Celestialist."

>>184681
I don't think I could express how hard Dust scrunches at "father" if I tried. But rest assured the zeeb is very much scrunching at this."
"Yes our meeting was... Unorthodox
With you playing a sly little fox.

You ask of my past?
For you it I can tell
Your question a wide net casts
So I shall give it in a nutshell

In Zebrica my family abided
A small tribe on the edge of the fields
A wise shaman the entire tribed guided
And we all lived off what the earth yeilds

However one night by the light of Zanit's moon
Against voodoo we faced, and confusion was sewn
Although in night we could not tell, it was quite soon
That we realized our attacker was undead and bone

Although most escaped with their life
There are those who did not leave their fight
Although with distrust their tribe was rife
We quickly realized we could not stand on our might

A larger tribe to join we seeked
However this tribe would bring my fate
Although at the time we seemed quite meek
To my future this opened the gate

Shaman training I began
In the quiet aftermath
Although a peacekeeper was the plan
The gods expressed a unique path

Although revenge was not my goal
The fates aligned to give it so
And so the voodoo's final toll
Was my first striking blow

A shamans purpose stretches far and wide
Healers, leaders, soldier, all these things we trg
To say I am not a soldier means I have lied
But a soldier against the undead am I."
>>184682
Dust smiles at the silly Snej, and looks towards Silver
"A shaman is what my title be
How I am father I cannot see
Shamans are typically title free"

>>184683
I commend you for the excessive effort you take to only speak in rhymes, when I'm too lazy to properly express Posey's European accent.

Posey slowly nods
"Tragedy. It is what leads most down the path of exorcism."
"I have studied Zebrican voodoo sorcery in detail, but I have never witnessed it myself. Some say the practice of reanimation first emerged in the haunted jungles of Zebrica. It must be dreadful."

>>184683
Kira: "Awwwwwwwwwwww...I'm sorry about your village and tribe, Dust." She opens up her arms in an offering of a hug for Dust, if he so decides he needs/wants it.

Silver: "If it is any consolation, it sounds as if because of that event, you are now able to create much more good in this world."

Silver opens the notebook to find multiple documents typewritten and evidently copied. Some are missing, but several are readable. The first document is titled:

Report of the Inspector Viimeinen kappale

“I, Inspector Viimeinen kappale, Affiant, was assigned to compliance inspections of rural villages on the Lifftauf District. On December 25, 1012, I approached the hamlet of Suon Reunalla, a remote indigenous farming settlement located a few kilometers west of the Kuninkaan Kyyneleet river. It lies between the edge of the Lifftauf forest and marshes that join the river, 50 kilometers to the southwest of Sleetfall, and 150 kilometers to the East of Frostbell. The last population census was 86.

Relevantly, the village was the closest settlement to an event on October 10, wherein a massive explosion occurred on the edge of the Lifftauf forest and the costal plains, resulting in a blast wave that could be heard as far away as Skynavia, and an unknown number of kilometers of leveled forest. Residents of Suon Ruenalla reported persistent tinnitus, presumably from hearing damage. The distance from the epicenter is eight kilometers.

The initial approach to the settlement revealed abnormality, as the village council was not there to great me as is custom. The village seemed normal, with chimney smoke and piles of firewood. Further examination revealed the entire settlement to be completely abandoned. Food was left on the table in one instance and in a boiled over pot in another. Beds were unmade and clothing occasionally strewn on the floor or even in the streets. Some doors were open, most were closed. One hut has burned down and was mistaken at a distance for a still burning stove. However, no sign of ransacking was noticed. What few valuables existed showed no signs of being removed, hidden, or searched for. There was no sign of packing for migration.

Eighty-one of the residents of the settlement were eventually found in a canal to the east of the village This paragraph has been redacted at the request of the Free Northern Communes Ambassador. I immediately went to Sleetfall to make contact with the authorities there.

Coming back to Suon Ruenalla, a greater investigation was performed. Symbols recognized and unknown were found on walls, food trays, trees, notebooks, bedframes, and other locations. Words and phrases in several known languages were found, all either nonsense or cryptic and of a pseudo religious nature.

A number of tracks were found leading into, and out of, the forest north of the settlement. Many tracks found did not correspond to known animal patterns, including three-pronged avian-suggesting tracks, dragging tracks implying insect or reptile, and tracks suggestive of massive hoof prints. A number of odd marks and tears were found on trees and logs, although how much of this was caused by or during the prior explosion is unknown. Layers of carbon black soot appeared to be disturbed. Further research is advised on this subject. In multiple areas, water that should have been consistently frozen was found to have melted and refrozen.

Of special interest was an emptied lake previously identified as beneath the point of atmospheric explosion. This area showed signs of fire and especially activity. The bodies of two ponies were found here, evidently dead from violence. At the exact ground zero was a large black object suggestive of a bee, or insect larvae. It appears to have previously given off enough heat to melt the surrounding frost, which has since refrozen. Coming into close physical proximity with the object for extended periods of time was noticed to cause migraines, and looking into any of the several black orbs presumed to be eyes resulted in The following paragraph has been redacted at the request of the Ambassador of the Free Northern Communes. It is unknown why this object was not recognized in the earlier examination of the site. It appears to be mentioned in the first report as a black object presumed to be a meteorite. Why an object so obviously interesting as a meteorite was not then sampled or examined closely is unknow. Perhaps it was then mostly buried under mud and water.”

This report appears to continue, but it is cut off here.

The second document is entitled "The Statement of Tapfere Vorhut to our Stalliongradian comrades."


"We here at the Skynavian Republic are in the interest of advancing the interests of communism worldwide to free all creatures. To this end, we have requested from you four thousand tons of fuel oil, two industrial lathes, two excavators, and three bulldozers. And to you, we have to give a magical creature of surely great power. Our own scientists have found that it has the power to influence others and to conjure things from nothing. See The Report of Science Officer Verenstein attached, and Interview with two survivors, also attached. We cannot extract the greatest possible value from it. For that, we need the scientists and the resources of the Stalliongrad Soviet, the wealthiest, most advanced, and strongest state among the Global Revolution. And when this knowledge is returned to us, we may possibly gain an advantage against our old enemies, The Republicans, reeducate the uneasy Snow Ponies, and prepare for a grand struggle with the ancient nemesis of the Archon in the Imperial City. Then, Griffinkind shall be free, and all the world, soon to follow."


The third document is titled "Notes of Commissar Black Heel. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE copy 3 of 10"


Relief ship Kostroma sent for important scientific mission in the Skynavia region leaving Ravensyoke harbor January 16 with a caretaker-science team to prevent the object from spoiling on the trip, and to gather what information from the object in transit. Of note among the science team are officers Star Fire and Lightwater, the former from the Petershoof Institute, the later a representative of the Arisian Communist Party.

Kostroma is sent out with relief cargo unloaded in Bluffhead, Icebreaker Verlassener Geist meeting us outside of the harbor. Left Bluffhead January 17 with Geist leading the way to Frostbell. Unloaded the remainder of the cargo in Frostbell, and continued to Sleetfall.

We were stuck in the town for two nights as we waited for the Skynavian team to join us. Sleetfall. Sleetfall is a horrid town, with only the cramped home of the mayor to keep us, and no restaurants or bars worth note. They brought the object on improvised log rollers, pulled by a team of snowponies and covered in tarps. Is this how things were done in Stalliongrad 50 years ago? The world wonders.

I’ve seen it. The object. I am not impressed. With its black hide, the unwillingness of the Skynavians to let us see its entire body, its giant teeth, it’s long, crocodile mouth, it’s evidence deceased status, and especially, its size and shape, I would say that we are looking at the carcass of a dead whale, certainly not some beast we have captive. I know it is not good manners to accuse ponies, and particularly our Skynavian allies, of conning us, but if this were an outright purchase and I had say, I would have refused. We would provide aid to our Skynavian allies anyways, however."

Ponies report feeling uncomfortable near it, or having bad dreams in its presence. I can understand why. It's creepy, especially if you've never seen a dead whale before. But I doubt it was worth the trouble."


The third document is titled, "Report of Science Officer Star Fire"


"Entity stored in cargo hold three, temperature kept at a constant 3 degrees Celsius. Entity resembles an animal, albeit one adapted for some unknown, alien world. Comparisons to the carcass of a dead whale, or to a giant bee are apt. By all accounts it seems to be dead, and has no detectable heart rate. A static electricity-like effect causes approaching it to feel uncomfortable. Its hide feels plastic, and gives way to the touch. Junior officer Patient Pipette attempted to cut into the hide with a scalpel, which was ineffective, and then approached later with a cutting tool. Office Pipette produced a melted cutting tool, and swore that the entity had done it. This is consistent with what has been reported of the entity. See attached document AUTOPSY REPORT. She refused to collect a further sample. Magic detectors as well as radar detectors confirm the emanation of multiple varieties of magic and electromagnetic energy from the entity. Light Water was fascinated with the magical energy, and tested amplification."


Document five is short, titled "Star Fire Report Addendum"


"I awoke this morning to great revelation. The griffin Philosophers are correct.

Subjects do not conform to objects, but objects conform to subjects. “The thing in itself” is an illusion. Representation is but the product of the will, and subjects are themselves simply points within this greater will. But a few, tiny few subjects have wills of their own. And with these wills, they can control the representation, and thus, objects.

Do you understand what this means? With a sufficient will, you can bend reality itself."

Document six is titled:

The Dream Journal of Professor Light Water

“It showed itself to me in my dreams last night. It came to me in the form of a sea goddess of my homeland. A giant, kraken like creature I recognize from the stories and prints from my chickhood. It could have taken any form. It chose that form because it wanted to impress me. It was surprised when I was not impressed. I was lucid. I told it that gods do not exist. It expressed shock and protested that somehow it knew gods existed, a behavior not unlike that of rustics when you meet them. I explained to it that there was no such thing. Whatever alicorns, draconequuses, or the like may exist, I need not call them “gods,” and I care not what beings my ancestors made deals with. To my surprise, it took to this concept quickly, understanding atheism, and why all faith in gods must be eliminated.

I recognized in its speech that belief that inequality is inherent in nature which is so often repeated by those who do not know better. I explained to it that different creatures have different qualities, but these qualities do not equate to moral worth. One can never derive ought from is, in any event, and morality must be socially constructed, as it is not inherent in nature. It expressed skepticism, but consumed my ideas ravenously, and was quick to comprehend. Modern philosophy is alien to it, but not unwelcomed.

I explained to it the problem of education, and how creatures are molded by their environment, and cannot easily modify their behavior, nor way of thinking, to a more enlightened state. I compared this old way of thinking to its own preconceptions, which are so similar to those of rustics, yet which the visitor to my dream so open mindedly reconsidered. I explained how I wish there were more like it – him, her, it, they. As we conversed, it felt like hours, it changed form, from a kraken, to an alicorn, to a fluffy mare. And it sat their and listened. The questions it asked were like those of a child. But a curious child is much wiser than the close minded military general, priest, or businessgriff, in any case. I will admit I was disappointed that it did not profess to come from a more enlightened culture, as hoped, and in fact found my own views to be the refreshing change.

I explained to it the promise of science and technology, and of the advances in the sciences, arcane, physical, and biological. It professed ignorance of science generally but claimed a special power to manipulate matter. I explained to it the troubles that beset us – famine, disease, war, and in general, want. It had heard of these ideas before, even if it could not articulate their nature to me. It said it could help. It could help all of creaturekind.

It could manipulate the scenery of my dream at will, to be sure, and I took pleasure in explaining the scenes it took from my memories to it. Who else could I show Mount Aris, or the bottom of Tenneris Atoll, or the fruit trees behind my grandmother’s house, or the Palace of the Soviets, all in one day, and they respond in befuddlement to all of it?

When I awoke, I felt sadness, as the most refreshing conversation I had in my life to that point had come to an end. But there was comfort too, as it was still with us, and waiting to come to me again the next time I closed my eyes. What I saw was real. And I know that I can make if not a full, converted communist of this visitor to our world, at least a fellow traveler.

>>184687
>>184688
>>184689
Silver: "Чертовы идиоты. All of these warning signs, and yet they still sought to acquire it in this trade deal between Stalliongrad and Skynavia. They wanted to use it to spread communism, forcefully convert those nonbelievers to their ideology. They wanted to harness its ability to control minds. Seems as though it was not nearly as dead as they thought, and it managed to turn its powers against Kostroma crew with this Light Water's help. That is what they were talking about over radio, mentioning Light Water and his puppets." Silver reads through it again, hoping to gain more insight. "This is good information to have. Looking at it, or being in its presence, seems to induce feeling of unease and migraines. We will have to fight that feeling if we are to be successful in our aim to vanquish this being. I wish they had not redacted some of this report, though maybe when we find survivors we may ask them what looking into its eyes results in. I am most worried about this report from Star Fire. Hopefully our weapons will be more effective than scalpels or cutting tools. Perhaps use of magic will be needed to pierce its hide. It also seems to lack much in way of understanding of our world. Assuming it has not pulled information from minds of those it is controlling, we might use this to its advantage. It might not be able to know what sorts of tactics we might plan or use."

>>184667
>But I think it may be worth it, for a sister. I wish had your position. I mean, to be in a position to maybe help your sister.
Vir nods along to this.

>Your connection with Hope's Anchor?
"No," she says and looks to the side. "More that she change her mind on the way. Wouldn't it be funny if she actually settled down in some nearby church. Hehe."

She pauses and then looks up.

>hey are the types of ponies to use your love against you.
"Ah, I didn't consider that they would use our connection against me but as you say, I kinda have to go. I don't really know... How would you approach if you were me?"

>>184685
>I commend you for the excessive effort you take to only speak in rhymes
Are you kidding me? That's the best part of playing a zebra
Dust nods solemnly at Posey
"According to rumors
Voodoo methods are crude
We have heard of ponies
Whose methods must cease
At the risk of sounding rude
Their existence is like a tumor.

Voodoo summons are like a foal's creation
Mishapen and falling to peices while few can stop them
It seems pony summons are of more education
Their work is much neater than even a dressmakers hem."
>>184686
Dust decides to take Kira up on her offer. Her hugs are kind of addicting at this point.
He seems to seriously think about what Silver has said

>>184690
Okay, reee, I have a totally different meta take when this gets told to Brie, but it hasnt yet, so Ill just wait.

>>184700
Brie does not, but we can assume someone clarified such that it isnt meta for him to assert wrt the seduction/con artistry

Even beneath his bodysuit, Brie somehow appears to pale as a thought dawns on him.
"We have to find the airship, NOW! This thing controls minds, like a radio right? With an airship it could... Night Mother be with us...."

>>184704
Yes, he/I am monologuing for a moment.
"All this foriegn alien/demonic shit was distracting me, this is a hostile takeover! I'm fuzzy on alot of the details, but if I were this Traveler thats been described - quite possibly this bug/alligator thing - I would want to get to as large a population center as quickly as possible. Instant army of thralls! Whats the largest population center in all of Equestria?" He finishes rhetorically.

An important detail that I did not mention is that the third post, "Light Water's Dream Journal" is written in the ponish language.

Just assume that Silver read out verbatim the other documents, rather than wait six hours for his player to confirm it.

>>184690
(In sequence,...)
"Radio Captain Water immediately!"

>>184710
This can be said to be an in-transit discussion

>>184707
I would assume Silver would share the contents of the letters he just read for the benefit of the non-Severyanan speakers in the party, yeah.

>>184692
happy snek noises

>>184697
Kira: "Oh, krakens are like giant squids! I've heard they're responsible for sinking ships in the deepest parts of the ocean. I sure am glad none tried to sink the ship I was on when I came to Equestria."

Silver: "This thing - which Light Water is now confirmed to be the originator of its 'Our Fellow Traveler' name - seems to be primarily interested in knowledge, both receiving and giving it. From Posey's experiment earlier with Sea Stone, however, it only knows how to pass on this knowledge by assimilating minds of others into itself. It mentioned not knowing death, but perhaps our, uh...actions, might have given it that little kernel of information to ruminate on." Silver motions to the body of the pony Brie finished off. "It transforming within Light Water's dream was likely way to appear more pleasing or comforting to this hippogriff rather than coming to him in its base form, and it changed form as it learned how Light Water thought. Learning he did not believe in gods, it changed away from 'godly' forms to more normal one in form of mare."

>>184700
Silver: "Clearly, it is something not from this realm. It likely is not supposed to be in this realm, with how much discomfort just being near it causes. We do have some frag grenades. Perhaps we can shove some down its mouth if it has one, or perhaps some other orifice. I doubt its insides are as durable as its outside."

>>184708
>>184709
Silver: "May I ask why we should radio mad scientist? And what is it you are planning to do with airship?"

>>184691
She blinks

"I don't really know." She says. Then she nods

"Do what you have to."

>>184678
It's not a terribly shorty walk, and the weather is chilly, but it isn't a very long walk either. He makes his way there, once again finding himself at the entrance

>>184710
So reading a few pages of the first presumably honest first hand account of the antagonist you're dealing with is too much time, but getting into PvP over feral livestock isn't?

>>184688
Rosey Ring gives a slight chuckle at the story, pointing a hoof
"A classic tale. You can even see the point where the writer lost his autonomy and surrendered to the will of his new master. The communists really believe in equality over all else, to the point where they refuse to acknowledge cataclysmic differences in willpower, and that was their undoing this time." she says, smiling calmly
"These communists came across the cadaver of a creature of unknowable power, and they were so quick to exploit it for their own ambitions that they did not even consider if they had the personal power to contain it, let alone control it. It is a rooky mistake, one that has spelled the downfall of many great mages, including the master of my master...." she says, reminiscing, before her eyes start back and fourth and she changed the subject away from her master
"Since these communists were not able to control the Traveller, it controlled them. Perhaps the Traveller was sincere about its belief of equality and the magic of friendship, or perhaps it was lying to deceive them so that they would surrender their minds. Nevertheless, their contact was doomed from the start: being of such strong will who lurk beyond the void will always dominate those beneath them. In their nightmarish home, reality is an opinion: it is only through force of will and altering their surroundings that they are able to have any degree of autonomy, or even survive at all. When brought to divinely morphic worlds like ours, aberrant entities of sufficient power will act same as they did in their homeworld. The concept of friendship based on equality may have perhaps been appealing to it, as it is something so alien to its horrible world, but even if it has genuine intentions, the result is the same, as their difference in power was to great between them, even if the communists captured its alien heart. Scorpions never change their nature." She concludes
"I believe that The Traveller would not bluff the scale of its powers. If my speculation is correct, it may be something as powerful as a quasi deity, or an entity of similar power, but it has most likely regressed into dormancy for its journey and the subsequent trauma of the arrival. It may become a threat to this entire realm of it is allowed to grow to its full power and reshape reality to its will."
She puts her chin up
"I, for one, will not stand for an unwelcome immigrant to dominate and bend this world to its will. I intend to stop it, exhausting the full extend of my powers if I must do so, even if it has nothing to do with the mission."
She looks to the party
"Will any join?"

>>184712
>mad scientist
No, Im talking about Captain Shoal Waters, who contracted us for this mission, and gave the radio to Silver (we had a moment about it). "This is beyond national powers and economic rivalries. Tell our Captain that our opposition force is an entity of unknown origin, likely to be targeting a major population center using the airship," Brie's brain is going a mile a minute now.

>>184712
"I would prefer something with more potency. There might be something on that ship. It had a laboratory…." He turns to Defiant Dust. "Your knowledge of chemistry and alchemy is very useful. Could you fabricate some explosives if you had access to equipment?"

Also rolling knowledge (arcana) in case Cavaliere knows of magic that allows such total domination of other living beings: [1d20+7 = (10+7) = 17]

>>184714
It is but I didn't participate in that.

>>184715
"So it seems you are confirming that the controversial philosophers, often lumped together as the 'anti-rationalists', were correct that reality is malleable to the whims of the few who can control it?" He pauses, and continues, "I agree with you that if this is true, then we can't let our reality be controlled by the vicious and mad." nevermind that Posey is both vicious and mad

>>184716
"Any radio transmission we make could be overheard, and if a Stalliongrad vessel intercepts it then they'll know we'll have uncovered their secret and will rush to stop us. New Mareland is hours away from any help, and if they tried it could trigger a conflict. No, we should avoid any calls until we are close to leaving, not just for our sake but for that of the griffons and the airponies. The responsibility rests on us today."

And finally,
"We should make our final plans once we've spoken to the Commissar. It's best not to rush into anything now."

>>184715
Silver: "You will hear no objections from me."

Kira: "Yeah! Let's stop this thing!"

Silver: "Let us first meet with surviving communists, see if we can form joint plan of attack to get aboard that vessel."

>>184716
>>184717
Oh, right right. Sorry, it can be confusing at times with names in this setting.

Silver: "That is likely good idea to wait to contact them. Let us save for emergency, such as if it becomes imperative that Kostroma must be destroyed, political consequences be damned. We should keep our camera ready, however. We should take any pictures we can of our adversary and its summons for proof."

>>184717
Cavaliere knows that there is at least one, and probably several, forms of magic that would allow someone to dominate another.

>>184719
Posey knows much more about magic, and is especially familiar with the magic of domination that vampires love to spam at anything that moves. Rolling to see if she can recall anything specific.
Arcana
[1d20+11 = (2+11) = 13]
Spellcraft
[1d20+16 = (19+16) = 35]

>>184721
Such magic doesn't exist but if it did exist she would know how to do it.

(also Posey experienced an attempt by the traveller to dominate her first-hand)

>>184722
It does exist though.
It even exists in the show. Both Sombra and Glimmer used such magic.

>>184717
>>184718
Currently outvoted, but not in agreement, Brie bites his tongue.
To Garv:
"It may not matter if our communication is intercepted. It may be that all of Stalliongrad is compromised, trending toward greater Equestria!"
To Silver: "Remember, our mission parameters are the airship and the marines. If I'm RIGHT, the airship is the key to saving/dooming Equestria. While contracted for 10 marines and some sensitive equipment, we're beyond the pale here. Its not about what we were tasked with anymore, but IMo our first responsibility is containment, which means disabling the airship."

>>184721
Posey has seen Vampire magic used, has seen the Traveller's domination, and can quickly discern this much:

The enchantment magic that Posey is familiar with has a kind of quality of refinement to it. It's honed and purpose made to control minds in various kinds of ways. What Posey has seen here lacks that kind of refinement, subtlety, or efficiency. This is something more akin to brute force. Something more powerful. It uses a diverse array of forms of magic, almost like using multiple weapons at once to see what sticks. The subjects under it are left in an odd state, where they have knowledge they would not otherwise have, are physically shaking, eyes tremble and have other physical problems, though that might just be from their master neglecting the need of the controlled subjects for warmth and water, and they speak in gibberish as if they were insane. Posey can tell that the dominant energy is physic. It's as if the Traveller is extending a portion of its own consciousness into the controlled subjects.

>>184730
So it's not a specific spell then.
Can it be countered? Does it have a specific range? AoE? Duration? Other limitations.

Also.
Most domination supernatural abilities abilities, including Posey's own gaze, have a 24 hour cooldown after an opponent has successfully resisted once. Posey has already resisted the Traveller's domination today, and did so with a Nat 20. With that check, can Posey discern that she cannot be dominated by the Traveller for the next day?
If she knows this, she can act strategically.

>>184725
Silver: "Perhaps, but it could also simply decide to try to unbeach Kostroma. It could attempt to summon enough of these monstrosities to push ship off back into water, and from there sail to Stalliongrad."

Diplomacy [1d20+3 = (20+3) = 23]

>>184736
Oh now nat 20 ...

>>184735
>>184736
Damn, a nat 20 goes a long way towards convincing Silver. He has just two concerns left, and if there's a satisfactory answer for them then you can count him as being convinced:

1.) "Who is to say he has limited range to be able to control or convert others? As he grows in power he might be able to extend his influence further and further beyond."

2.) "Airships are not especially sturdy creations. Put few rounds into its hull and it will go up in flames."

>>184738
>1
"Idfk! The mind control I know of deals with broken mares and questionable substances!" Brie is no help on item 1
>2 "I WANT to share your confidence. Perhaps some tea,"
Shall I do the tea ceremony again?
"Silver, dont be naïve. I came on this mission cuz, Iwant the airship; I can't be the only one.
But it also seems that one of the vying partoes is an ELDRITCH FUCKING HORROR....

>>184734
"It is more likely that it has more nefarious means. The creature is supposedly immobile and dormant, for now. If it is from the Far Realm, is was likely used to warping reality around itself than moving with its own strength, and it still needs to adapt its body to this realm to move freely, not to mention the trauma it would have experienced upon impact. It may be need fuel to complete itself or return to its full power, and the psychic energy of ponies may be that source of fuel. My hypothesis is that it is feeding off of its thralls, and its current priority is drawing more thralls towards itself, until it collects enough energy to pupate and complete its metapmorphosis. Once it does that, it should be free to fly or teleport wherever it wishes, and reshape this entire realm to its will."
She pauses
"New thralls may also include us. It may be drawing us into a trap, to feed off of us and thus complete . I have already resisted its influence once. Shielding my mind from aberrant madness was part of my training, but the rest of you may not be so lucky if you draw too close.... At close range, its mental domination will be its most potent weapon."
>>184690
>Hopefully our weapons will be more effective than scalpels or cutting tools. Perhaps use of magic will be needed to pierce its hide.
"The object was able to withstand impact after falling from atmospheric height, and it has demonstrates resilience against extreme heat and cold, as well as resistance to mundane physical damage. From this, we know that it possesses at least some form of supernatural damage reduction in addition to energy resistance, if not total immunity." She says
"However... So long as it is a living thing, it can be killed. With no ability to move on its own, it cannot evade my touch. If I only hold my open hoof to its snoot, I can use my blackweave powers to rot from the inside out. No damage reduction, energy resistance, or spell resistance would save it from my touch."

She produces a flower from her bag and holds it between her hooves. The flower begins to warp and grow pestilent black spots and fade in color, before it withers and rots away entirely

"However..." She says
"It should still able to retaliate with supernatural means, even if it is immobile. I will need help defending myself against its summons or other attacks, if I am to get close enough it."
>>184738
Diplomacy does not work on PCs any more than charm would.

>>184714
Virgin nods, gives them both a look, and says, "Yes, see you both later," before exiting the door she came from.

>>184724
It was a joke regarding your rolls.

>>184735
"It's already part of our mission to ensure no part of the airship is operational."

>>184740
"That is an odd skill to have, but it should prove useful."

>>184742
"If the creature is still immobile when we face it, I may be able to solve this problem with only one touch. Hopefully we can find it before it completes its metamorphosis."

>>184740
>>184742
"Our mission was to remove the airship and tech from the Stalliongradii. I wont lie, stealing the airship has been on my.mind from the beginning. No better way of denying Stalliongrsd than taking for ourselves (he means Myself). But this.gpes beyond"

>>184740
Kira: "Aww. Poor flower..."

Silver: "Protect you while you kill it? I think we can do that."

>>184739
Silver: "I am not so certain we would be able to fix it just like that, otherwise it is something Navy ponies would have already done. But, if that is your aim, there is no better way to ensure it than to kill Traveler. It removes eldritch threat and communist threat at same time. Something tells me after this event, these communists will want nothing to do with this island and will only want to get back home."