In the far-off, northern island of Mended Horn, the party there has learned that they face an enemy they have dubbed "The Traveller." They have decided to go to an old, abandoned village there in hopes of rescuing some communist sailors.
In Baltimare, Dark Star tries to get things in order, while Virgin Flame looks for her old friend.
1177 replies and 63 files omitted.
Two radios turn on and broadcast the same message. This is the radio in Paltry Presses’ hoof, but also the radio in Silver Sword’s possession. They broadcast the same, simultaneous message in a firm, masculine voice:
“Внимание — всем коротковолновым каналам: этот остров теперь находится под командованием Агентства военной разведки.”
Всему личному составу Костромы приказано немедленно явиться в Северную бухту для допроса.”
“Attention - All Shortwave Channels: This island is now under the command of the Defense Intelligence Agency.
All Kostroma personnel are ordered to immediately report to the North Bay for questioning.“
>>186061Can Brie roll a sense motive check on the recording? Like, did it SOUND normal and legit. Or was it "off"?
>>186064In the most severe cases, mind controlled ponies have been mustering or incoherent, and even in the better cases, like these two surviving sailors, there is trembling in their voices, as if they are suffering from the early stages of exposure. The voice on the radio does not sound like that. It sounds like a normal pony speaking in a commanding tone, or even making a threat.
>>186061Posey groans at the message
"Oh, company in contested territory. Just what we needed... Let us be swift."
>>186061What is the Defense Intelligence Agency of Stalliongrad?
>>186061Silver: "Я не уверен, что он осознает угрозу." -
"I'm not sure he realizes the threat." >>186069Role Intelligence or any applicable knowledge.
>>186070To whom is this directed?
>>186071I will assume it's a Local Knowledge check.
[1d20+5 = (3+5) = 8] >>186071>>186072I have decent Int, so I'll roll too.
[1d20+3 = (12+3) = 15](Technically you could also roll History, Warcraft, Law, Nobility, etc, but let's just do one roll).
In this case, if Garv were to verbally reference that he was trying to recall or grasp something, he could describe it and Rosey could assist his skill check
>>186074This theme obscures text colors too much. Let's assume that Silver translates the messages.
"Defense Intelligence Agency? Something like that would be involved in this. What is it they do?"
>>186075>This theme obscures text colors too muchHad also noticed, no bully, its all wholesome
>>186061"It may be beneficial to wait and see if any of the sailors ready to the broadcast. We may be able to use any movements as cover to approach."
>>186072>>186073This seems like the kind of thing that Cavaliere should know and Posey shouldn’t, but Garv rolled low and Posey didn’t… I don’t know. Anyways.
The Military Intelligence Agency of Stalliongrad is separate from their internal security division and does not run internal security. What they
do operate is special forces units within the military.
>>186080Posey is a spy tasked with infiltration: she should ideally be equipped with this sort of information... but maybe her masters weren't very helpful of thoughtful in equipping her for her mission (she entered the game with almost no equipment, afterall), since she's just another expendable thrall.
>The Military Intelligence Agency of Stalliongrad is separate from their internal security division and does not run internal security. What they do operate is special forces units within the military."Those are special forces of Stalliongrad, likely coming in response to what they suspect is a mutiny involving a powerful magical object potentially falling into the hands of the enemy. You can expect the members to be formidable and well equipped, and they will not be easy to negotiate with if we meet them face to face."
She pauses
"On one hand, if we ignore everything, they might resolve the issue with the Traveller for us... But that will not contribute to my practice. On the other hand, if they are spooked enough, they may call for backup to considered the entire island, backup that may just as well fall under the dominion of the Traveller, not to mention make it difficult for us to escape."
[Read more] >>186081>>186082"If they become aware of our presence then we can expect them to attempt to blockade the island. If we avoid them, there's a greater danger of them either being successful and bringing their Fellow Traveler to the mainland, or being unsuccessful and giving him a company's strength of slaves."
>>186082This phrasing was intended to imply that killing "shock troops" and "commandos" is what Brie has a reputation for, and what he specifically expected this mission to involve
>>186083Yes, but they also dont have "The Traveler" yet. We need to get there and end that shit, imo
>>186085All we need to do is figure out what the Kostroma survivors and the griffons should do, and we should be good to proceed. Depending on how long it takes to clear the Kostroma, the commie glowies might reach the village before we can return. This makes me not want to leave the griffons here, but it also wouldn't be safe for them on the Kostroma.
>>186086>All we need to do is clear the survivorsI have several points of contention, in character and out, but Im VERY okay with making survivors the priority
>>186087Sorry. Follow up, Brie thinks killing the Traveler is the best method to ensure the greatest survivor count. Assassination-style, cut the head off and release the thralls.
Fuck! I typed out five paragraphs and accidentally refreshed the page
>>186071That would be directed towards Paltry.
>>186071Also, I know people have already rolled for this, but I'll have Silver roll as well.
[1d20 = 3]>>186081>>186082>>186083Kira pokes her upper half into the room, a brown field mouse riding on her shoulder. "Did I hear right that there are more ponies coming to the island?"
>>186092"Yes, and bad, tough ones. If we aren't quick they will reach the Kostroma before us."
>>186093Kira gulps, and her ears fold down. "Won't that also make our, uh...other task more difficult as well?"
>>186094Cavaliere nods. "Much more difficult. We cannot allow them to find what we're looking for, which is why we need to be fast."
>>186095In that Garv has seen the ship, the party could maybe venture closer to? That seemed to be the safest/most useful course of action
>>186059Kek.
The bat pony looks up at Vir with her icey blue eyes, pulls her wings together, stands up, and walks to the left side of her desk (her right) opposite of Vir, walks to the door, and pokes her head out to her right. She says
"Hey! Daisy! I said stop sending these religious cooks to me. This is the second time you've done this in less than two months. Yeah, I know, that griffin who was on and on about cults and stuff was invited by Sea Breaze, but still, there was that 'non-affiliated' harmonist you sent in just before Hearthswarming. Don't think I don't remember that. He was weird. This one is some kind of Nightmare Moon worshiper or something." She sighs exasperatedly. "No I'm not a 'Nightmare Moon Worshiper' and I'm not here for chit chat.
No, I don't need to socialize more at the group parties. I skipped the Hearthswarming party because that's not my kind of thing! Look, you try making friends in a new city at 7 AM when everyone else is working."
Anyways, enough of her yapping. Vir is here for wings. When she pokes her head out of the door she turns her back to Vir leaving her wings vulnerable. They are thin, soft, and covered in velvet. They may even be transluscent. I mean, Vir thinks she can see a few blood veins. She can certainly see every bony finger in the wings. Look, I'm not saying that she should rub the bat wings, I'm just saying that if this pony did
not want to have her wings rubbed, or even be surprise cuddled, she did a very poor job at protecting herself.
>>186089Awwww
[Read more] >>186097>I'm just saying that if this pony did not want to have her wings rubbed, or even be surprise cuddled, she did a very poor job at protecting herself.Agreed. She is practically bending over and presenting. Ask any lawyer and they would say that she's given consent.
Judge Judy would rule in my favor. "So you
did leave you wing unguarded as a cute bap?" "Yes, ma'am."
Vir sees that the bap is agitated and remembers how much Pew Seat loved having her wings preened. She tilts her head. It doesn't look all that different. She bends down and take a bite on the wing. Hoping, her touch can ease any suffering. ^^
>>186083"For any other military, I would believe that special forces would be capable enough to not be so easily dominated by such entities... but this day and age you really cannot be sure at all. Militaries have begun to value capital over individual competence."
She looks towards the ship
"That would mean that we have no choice but to solve the problem ourselves before they try to... For free..."
She puts her chin up
"Very well then. My masters always told me that the heat of battle and extreme danger are the keys to expanding one's powers. I wonder how much my own powers will grow after this."
She grits her teeth and gives a bit of a manic grin
>>186099Posey begins striding towards the ship.
Is everypony ready?
>>186100Meant to say that last part in character.
"Is everypony ready?"
>>186097If it isnt into combat, Brie is ready to advance ON the ship, closer, from which to strategize. If necessary to specify, maintaining a 5' equal distance from Kubana and the formost of the following members at another 5', so the lead members would be within a 5' step full attack from anyone who attacked another.
>>186022Can we see any creatures aboard the ship?
>>186099>For freeKira: "Maybe these new ponies will be so grateful for us dealing with the Traveler and saving their ponies that they offer a reward?"
>>186101Silver and Kira are ready.
>>186104"Communists do not have any money. It is worth considering thought." Posey says, as she trots closer to the ship
>>186105Kira has a thought: "Hey...so, I know this is probably a bad idea, but...I feel like I should split off from the group to find those missing ponies. I can track them and keep them from being found by the others, and I can even make sure that all of our mission objectives are completed while you guys fight the Traveler. I'm not a very good warrior...but I am pretty good at tracking."
>>186106"I do not agree with splitting up. If you insist on finding the marines first, the rest of us should join you."
>>186107Kira: "Well, I know how important dealing with the Traveler is, but...what if the commies find them while they're searching the island, or the crashed airship? Wouldn't we fail our primary mission objectives? Even if we do manage to deal with the Traveler, I don't think Clear Water and the ponies who sent us here would be very happy."
>>186108"That is a good point. We might be better off locating the Marines first."
She pauses
"That being said, we still do not know where they are..."
>>186109Kira suddenly smiles, and straightens up proudly with her pony half's chest puffed out. "Well, isn't that why you brought me along? I'm a great tracker, and I could find those missing marines as easy as one-two-three!"
>>186110"Yes, that is correct..."
>>186106I have 3 comments, the first 2 ooc:
1. I agree with Posey, splitting the party is generally a bad idea, for a variety of reasons I'll be happy to elaborate on
2. Why not? I would assume you have somrthing in mind with GM, and having Kira separate from the group would enable the accomplishment of mission objectives in a more timely manner. I can envision a number of scenarios WITHOUT knowing what GM has planned, so if he's okay with it, I am.
3.
"I'm inclined to agree with Miss Ring. It is one thing when you have a group supporting you, but in isolation you could get overwhelmed very quickly. Or worse, yiu could end up coming back to fight us under control of something worse. We've only just met, but if you want my advice, it's to stick together."
>>186082Mala speaks
"But they are the enemy, right? Do we care if this uh, the Traveller is good at fighting them? Wouldn't it be a good thing if they fought each other instead of us?"
>>186099"Why should we do anything at all for free?I thought we here because we told someone we'd retrieve a few ponies in particular from a blimp? Power doesn't mean much if you're both dead and broke.