/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal

Posey approaches Dust with a bit of a desperate look (in a totally non-aggressive manner this time)

"Dusty, we are in a pinch. We have multiple pressing issues at hand and we cannot be sure what to do next or what order to do it in. We cannot be sure if we should go looking for the airponies first before they perish or take on that eldritch monster that might destroy the world. We are lost. Can you use that priestly magic of yours to call for some guidance that could help us find the path? Your powers as a shaman far exceed my own as a sorceress, in both breadth and magnitude: I believe in you."
She cups her hoofs together pleadingly and bats her eyelashes

(See >>188998 → , >>189001 →)

>>189015
Oh hey, there was a new thread I missed. I mean, why not. What's the worst that can happen.
Dust stares at the mare for a few moments. And a few more. He looks among the rest of the party, and back at the mare. He sighs.
"I will ask of the path we might take.
Of it a plan we can make.
But if this action I pursue,
Nopony with me better argue."

Dust then steps back to find a rather barren piece of earth, and begins to draw a circle in the ground. Once done, he splits the circle down the middle with two even halves. At the center, he clears a little hole. He then takes his flail and places an end in this hole, letting the head of the flail dangle directly over the line.
"Choose your sides, for our path.
Stand around, and do not laugh.
Our plea to above, I shall exalt,
And hold no ideals to any fault.
Choose your sides, which do not tell.
We shall side with where my weapon fells."
He looks at everypony expectantly, waiting for them to line up on differing sides based on how they wish to move forward. Do not publicly declare what you want, just follow the others you know you agree with.

>>189050
Nice rhyming

Posey takes a step back.
"I heard that Zebrew rhymes were a key to great spiritual power, but I never took that class in magic school."
Posey looks unsure where to go, but her body instinctively orients herself towards the whale bones.

>>189050
Pipette walks around in front of Dust and on the other side of the flail and moves her forelegs slightly apart as she extends her neck over the circle, looking down at the flail. She smiles in a toothy smile, squints her eyes through her glasses looking at Dust, and wags her tail one, two, three times back and forth.

>>189050
>>189054
Silver lines up on the side of the circle oriented towards the whale bones. "We go to whale bones and stick with plan."

Kira, meanwhile, giggles at Pipette's actions. "I think she likes you, Dust."

>>189060
Dust shoots a glare at the bat
"Line up on the side with whom you agree,
And please make no other pleas."
>>189054
>>189057
Dust then glares at Pipette, trying to stop the slight red flush to his cheeks at Kira's comments

>>189061
Dust's reaction gets Kira to giggle a little bit more. "You two should get to know each other better after we win."

>>189077
"Kira, have you found the scent of the missing airponies yet?"

>>189078
Kira: "Oh, uh...well, I can try."

>>189054
Survival: Kira raises her head up and flicks out her tongue, picking up the scents carried in the air to see if she can recognize any scents of ponies beyond the current group.

[1d20+11 = (16+11) = 27]

>>189079
With the rest of us rolling to assist her (about half of us would succeed), she easily beats DCs above 30. The airponies are in a group, so their numbers should offset terrain debuffs. She's also tracking by scent, which is much more potent.

Kira should be able to be able to track them, wherever they are on this island (hopefully).

"Everypony follow the snake." Posey says, as she trots after Kira

>>189080
Brie sits down

Silver: "I will say this one more time, and it should be last time I will say this: right now, GRU is traveling in large single group as to avoid being killed off one by one by neverending hordes of monsters Traveler is no doubt summoning to oppose them. They will be slower than if they had split up, but they will still be moving around and sweeping across island methodically. If we do not go after your whale bones and get that explosive and guns from plane now, there is zero guarantee we will be able to return to this part of island."

If you can agree on something we can advance this weekend, and the next, up until BABScon on Easter Weekend. I was at Festival of Friendship last weekend

>>189084
Silver described a plan in >>189085 →

Let's do that.

Dust looks around, wondering if the ponies are gonna want him to finish what he was asked to do.

>>189098
Silver blinks at the zebra from his side of the circle

>>189098
Do it. Cast the spell so we can stop debating.

>>189088
Yes, it was as retarded then as it is now. Why you want to split the party later is something you will have to work to justify, cuz at the moment it comes across as batshit insanity

"Oh joy, he is finally gone."

>>189104
>>189105
Silver frowns at Brie, calling out after him, "Do not be foolish. On your own, your best options are between getting torn apart by monsters or being captured and tortured to death by GRU."

>>189108
"He seems intent going up to the nest of the monster alone. Perhaps he will accomplish something there, or perhaps he will simply perish. I say let him. If he dies, he dies. Fewer ways to split the reward." Posey says with a shrug

>>189084
GM, please see >>189050 and >>188998 →
Dust doing this little ritual appears to be his way of casting this very powerful divination spell that effectively makes our decisions for us and tastefully railroads us into the most optimal course of action. Can you please tell us the results of that spell? The duration is indefinite until the decision is complete, which means it could last all day if we ask it what do do and in which order.

>>189061
>>189061
>>189098
Pipette smiles widely in her toothy smile as Dust makes eye contact. Her bespectacled purple eyes are out of focus, the skin below lax and the lids half closed. She leans forward until she begins to lose balance, and as if in slow motion, her head leans down to look at the flail below, her eyes go wide, and her lips close and pull back. She moves back, falling onto her rear with a squeak-like “mmph!” Her forelegs go between her hind legs, and her disheveled blue tail bounces into the air.

She looks back towards Dust with a very wide smile that shows all of her well-maintained teeth, and she tries to pull herself forward. With a sort of hop to her left, she gets back up and moves around the circle, coming closer to Dust. And opens her mouth and gets out the beginning of a word, but stops when Dust makes it clear he is busy with other matters

>>189119
Silver, deciding it's needed, gives Mala some pets.

Dust watched Brie fly off and shrugs
"His claim to stake,
Is now forfeit.
A decision I need not make.
For now we take the opposite."
He turns to nod at Silver and Posey, before turning to look at Pipette and cocking an eyebrow. He's almost considering looking her over again and making sure she hasn't hit her head too hard.

>>189121
Please cast Path Of The Exalted
Please
I'll pay you market price for spellcasting services

>>189121
>>189122
Posey dangles 1.5 pounds of gold in front of Dust's snoot
"Dusty, cast the spell. Cast it. I know you have it. I will pay you for your service."

>>189121
Pipette wags her tail back and forth again. No, she does not appear entirely lucid.

>>189124
>No, she does not appear entirely lucid.
"Uh, oh. Stay with us, mare. We cannot have you prancing off to the realm of Luna with the Traveller about."
Posey makes a hand with her magic and snaps its fingers before her
"Focus. Look at me. Listen to my voice."

Rolling a Hypnosis check, using her eyes as a focus (+2 if she's already charmed)
[1d20+8 = (18+8) = 26]

"Stay awake."

>>189125
Of course I roll 18 on the shitpost skill check.
Oh well, I finally got an opportunity to use this skill (now that I think about it, I probably should have tried it on Blackheel).

>>189125
Pipette's head, previously moving about, turns towards Posey as the latter speaks. Her ears perk up and she positions herself in front of Posey, moving her head closer to her, her purple eyes widening and focusing on Posey's. As she moves ever so slightly closer, her pupils widen and then refocus, and at the end, she shakes her head away.

>>189125
>>189126
You call that a shitpost, but that was actually really useful.

Kira ooos and ahhs at the display. "That's amazing! It's like the stories my cousin told me about the desert lamias! Except you're a pony!"

>>189128
"It is a trick I acquired in my training. The circle told me I had a natural talent for it, but my master had other plans for my studies (only 1 skill rank)... I do, however, use it therapeutically on my colt whenever he has one of his episodes..."
She looks off towards the horizon
"..I wonder how he is doing right now..." she trails off, lost in contemplation

This is the Hypnosis skill from the Ravenloft Gazetteer, btw. It's an opposed skill check that creates an effect similar to the Hypnotism spell. It may require a Bluff check first, if the target is suspicious of you. Perhaps it could be useful later, if GM determines.

>>189131
Kira looks at Posey in her contemplation, tilting her head. After a couple seconds, she reaches out a hoof, and starts petting the top of Posey's head, deciding she could use it.

>>189132
Posey is too distracted atm to smite the snek for touching her superfluous mane. Also let's assume her chill touch doesn't discharge.

is pet

>>189133
Hmmmmm...perhaps a nice friendly snek hug, instead?

>>189133
We've found her weakness! It's headpats, as to be expected. Spread the word
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9TtKP2urws&pp=ygUgaW5kZXBlbmRlbmNlIGRheSBzcHJlYWQgdGhlIHdvcmQ%3D

heheheh.

>>189135
GM, can you tell us the results of Kira's survival check to find the airponies?

>>189079
>>189146
>>189135
Kira should be able up lead us up the airponies.

>>189146
>>189147
As Kira wraps around Posey to give her a nice, friendly snek hug to help her feel better, it occurs to her: is the wind even blowing from the direction of the crashed airship? Because she gets a sneaking suspicious as she feels it blow through her mane that it isn't.

>>189148
Posey pretends not to notice.

The first thing Kira might notice is that her body is quite cold. Also her heartbeat is strange... More like some kind of erotic throbbing...

>>189149
*Erratic
Fuck

>>189149
>>189150
Hmm...it'd be pretty hard not to notice a snek wrapping around you to give you a friendly hug. Make a Bluff check.

[1d20+2 = (9+2) = 11]

>>189151
[1d20+16 = (17+16) = 33]

Posey is lost stone face and unreactive.
... Wait.. Is she dead?

>>189152
Damn, that's pretty convincing. So much so that Kira, concerned, start poking Posey's cheeks in an annoying fashion to see if she can provoke a response from her, just to make sure she's not actually dead.

>>189153
"One task at a time, Kira." Posey finally speaks up
"You still need to find those airponies."

>>189079
Peeping her head up, and flicking her tongue, Kira searches for that distinct scent of friendship.

flick flick

Wait. There it is! Friendship! We found them!

Wait. No. That's just the ponies nearby.

flick flick

What is that? Salt... Fish... No friendship... Why is no friendship? Where have they gone? Oh. The wind is blowing from the sea, and it's impossible to smell anything far upwind with wind this strong. So where is friends?

Wait! Kira has an epiphany. She can't smell the friends. So they must be... upwind! That's it! Yes, there we go.

Unless they are perpendicular to the wind but... we don't speak about that possibility.

Kira believes the airponies are across the island.

>>189081
Mala walks up to the bat, and with his right paw, pats him on the back.

>>189120
But now, Mala is pet. He closes his eyes, and leans his head up in the direction of Silver's hoof.

>>189152
Oh noes

Blackheel approaches the mare, who is hopefully not about to be crushed and or eaten by Kira.

"Are you alright?"

>>189154
>>189155
Kira looks relieved at Posey's reaction. "Whew! I got worried for a second there. Anyways, I think they're across the island. But what about your whale bones? It sounds like they're important to Silver's plan, too."

>>189156
"The airponies come first. Lead the way."

>>189159
Now Silver speaks up. "Backtracking to this part of island will be difficult, lengthy, and very, very dangerous. It is best we do it now, get it out of way so we do not need to come this way again."

>>189160
Okay, fine, let's do the other thing first.

GM, can you take us to the whale bones now? Do we get there in one piece?

>>189161
Consider phrasing your appeals in a manner not akin to a petulant child

>>189161
Kira can make a Survival check if needed. It should only be a five minute journey to the whaling village. About the same distance as it takes someone to walk to the store.

Okay, I’m about to do final call

Everypony err, creature declare an action

>>189165
Kira and Silver are going to lead the party back to the whaling station.

>>189165
>>189166
Posey follows

>>189165
>>189166
"If time is as of-the-essence as everypony seems to think - self included - then I'm wasting my time baby-sitting the lot of you. SOMEpony should get a head-start on assessing the situation at the Kostromo," before Silver can pipe up, Brie raises a hoof in his direction, "Shut up, this is the point where I do what I was specifically tasked for. I will need a radio; perhaps 'need' is a strong word, but if you wish for me to relate what I find in advance of your arrival, that will be a necessary concession," He states, before looking to Rosey. "Oh dear, I still haven't had the time to finish appraising those trinkets of yours. Or have I? It's so hard to tell. In any case, I trust that you will do the righteous thing and save those poor and waylaid marines, and hopefully avoid damaging the airship."
In character, Brie still wants the airship. He looks back to Silver before reiterating, "Yes, this is comparable to the time you decided to tell me to be cautious around explosives."
OOC, I just want this mission fucking over. IDGAF about loot, IDGAF about story (other than Brie survives with one of the eggs), experience; Brie could arrive back in baltimare naked with 1 hp and a permanent handicap and I'll be happy. Especially if I don't have to wait on all you idiots. This isn't a rage-post so I'll leave it at that.
But Jesus christ, its been over 6 months already. I've had campaigns last less time. Consider brie 'no longer present'.
But don't think for a moment I won't talk shit.

>>189169
I thought he was already gone? Why is he speaking?

>>189170
Because GM doesn't think my posts are serious, and haven't been ratified or even acknowledged, other than to acknowledge they aren't being acknowledged.

Tell me GM, is Brie fucking off and gone, or is he still here?

>>189170
While we wait for confirmation, whatever gives you the impression that you are in a position to critique when/where anyone posts? Why don't you mind your OWN business?
I mean, I'm trying to move on to bigger and better things, but if you wanna pick a fight on my way out, we can do that too.

>>189174
I apologize for not orange-texting the first post, but it was VERY in character, sop fuck off.
Also, while you're trying to criticize OOC posts, do I need to go back and cite all yours? Seriously, mind your business.

>Is Brie there or not
I’m asking now for players to declare actions. I am asking you.

>>189169
Silver looks at Brie seriously. "If you are forced to choose between death and capture, choose death. It is not just GRU I am worried about. If you get ambushed by Traveler's minions, and they knock you unconscious, then Traveler will attempt to puppeteer you. If he succeeds, then he will learn everything. Our forces, our targets, our armaments...our plan."

>>189176
I am certain I didn't stutter, because then you would have heard it twice and would need no clarification.
This is what I definitively said. >>189169
Will that be all?

>>189180
Silver's only response to what Brie said is to furrow his eyebrows at him and scowl. "When you die, do not haunt me. It will have been your own damn fault, not mine."

>>189182
Silver snorts, but offers no further reply.

>>189182
"Give us the camera before you fly off to die."

>>189184
Silver still has the camera, actually. He used it to take a picture of the Abomination that attacked Black Heel. Silver also has the demolition kits, so Brie shouldn't have any mission critical gear left on his person.

>>189185
Oh, nvm

"Let him go. It is not our business if he wants to die. That is just one less pony to split the reward with. We can try to recover his personal equipment later if need be."

Okay, so we all know what we are doing now.

Do we make it to the bones?

>>189188
>Garv's response
>Dust's response
Good of you to be so patient and accommodating

>>189189
Garv already said he would follow Posey to the whale bones, and Dust has just been following the group for the entire adventure. I think it's safe to say our decision is clear.

>>189191
I stand corrected. Carry on, peach.

>>189169
>>189178
k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5k8ZQsZJpk

Across the restless waves of the sea, on the grey horizon, a new bank of fog is on its way. The grey skies increasingly darken. The ponies in the group stand up, Blackheel says

"For now... I acknowledge that travel is safer in a group... Certainly with that thing spawning monsters of out air..."

The whole little herd slowly picks up to start to follow Kira, Posey and friends. The way to the whaling station is around the hill - the plane crash site can be avoided - and down it to the little valley where the first fight with the Petrushkas was fought, then down to the small sealing station by the water.

>>189198
Posey cocks an eyebrow at Blackheel's approach, and then gives a quiet, subtle chuckle

"So you decided to follow us after all. Very well. Come along."

As Posey approaches the whaling site, she turns to Mala
"Mala, help me out with that nose of yours and look for where the griffons discarded their spare seal bones, while I inspect the leviathan skeleton."

>>189198
Silver, for once, smiles. "It is good to have you with us."

Kira, meanwhile, looks at the whale skeleton when the group arrives. "Hmm...it looks like it's missing its head. Did the griffons mount it up somewhere as a trophy?" She looks to the griffons in the party, to see if any can answer in Ponish.

>>189203
"I would strongly prefer it if the head were to be found... But it is not necessary."

The ponies come to the sealing station, with its tins roofs and weathered wooden walls, dim windows and still open doors. There is no sound but that pervasive tinnitus ringing. The buildings cast long shadows onto the hill behind as they contrast against the near-setting sun.

>>189201
Blackheel has a muted expression.

Mala wags his tail once, then moves off, through the set of buildings towards the north, cautiously looking through each door before moving past.

>>189205
>near-setting sun
"We cannot afford to delay any longer."
Posey trots up to the whale bones
"Mala, gather whatever seal bones you can find. They do not need to be in good condition or of any particular type, they just need to be many of them."
Posey brandishes her scroll

>>189205
>tinnitus

Oh no...

Kira looks around with a worried expression. She pulls her bow out, just in case. "Anyone feel static in the air?"

>>189203
Johan, the white griffin, answers

"I am... not sure... Maybe it was placed in the water, or the bone pile... I would assume it was cut off."

>>189207
Mala moves his head up in the air, then looks back to Posey.

"Over this way."
Taking his right forepaw, and moving all but the inner most toe, he points straight ahead to the north.

"There is a pile this way."

>>189208
The radio is on, but fortunately, not picking up excessive static. for now.

>>189209
Kira lets out a sigh, but does seem too relieved. "Maybe this island is just getting to me...maybe..."

Silver gives Mala some pets, offering him a "good job, Mala" for his efforts.

Survival: Kira, meanwhile, has an idea; perhaps the bones still carry a scent, and if so, she could use it to track down the skull that shares the same scent. She flicks her tongue in the air to test.

[1d20+11 = (5+11) = 16]

>>189209
Posey prances after Mala, her bone-obsession getting the better of her.
"I really should not waste time looking for the head... It would look so amazing!"

>>189210
flick flick

Kira can't quite get the smell of it

>>189211
The two wright whale skeletons, as well as a pile of seal bones are to the north. The giant rib cage is to the south.

>>189212
Posey loads as many whale and seal bones as she can onto her floating disk, especially the skulls, and then she proceeds towards the leviathan skeleton.
She requests that Mala do the same.

Is the leviathan's ribcage intact?

>>189213
Kira and Silver, following Posey's lead, also take as many bones as they can carry to the leviathan skeleton.

>>189176
Cavaliere will accompany Posey to the skeletal remains and assist with gathering bones for whatever this plan might be. May I roll a search to find that "leviathan" skull?
[1d20+2 = (15+2) = 17]

>>189189
Don't use me as a cope for your arguments
>>189176
Dust does NOT follow to the bones, as I am hoping to keep the poor zeeb's sanity intact a little longer.
I'm assuming Silver and Kira aren't going that way (I think) so he sticks with them.

>>189219
Then play, or have the good sense to not leave other players waiting on you.

>>189219
No seriously, I will bend over backwards if you actually engaged the thread/site

>>189219
Silver and Kira are in fact, going towards the bones

>>189216
Cavaliere thinks that there is... something... In the water north of the pier, and near the main set of bones

>>189223
I don't want you to bend over backwards, I want you to leave me alone. 2025 has sucked and I'd just like to pretend I don't exist.
>>189224
Of course they are. I guess Dust has no other choice at this point... He follows. This should end poorly

>>189246
*deep breath*
Anon, I don't want to make things harder for you. I'm an asshole, but I think the world of you and what you have accomplished. I know a bit (I wont say) but I'm one of your biggest fans, even if that doesn't come across.

>>189249
>anon
You know who I am Xp

>still waiting on GM
Lads, this mission started in October. The dialogue to just actually get to the island lasted weeks. For fucks sake. Look back at the logs, and then pretend to care about efficiency.

>>189255
>>189256
>>189258
Your character is not even present: you have nothing to roleplay. Stop shitting up the thread.

>>189259
That has yet to be affirmed by GM. Are you GM? Maybe stfu

>>189259
>stop shitting up the thread
NO U
btw

>>189215
>>189213
>>189191
>>189188
A cursory glance at Posey's OOC posts

As they say, what's good for the goose is good for the gander, innit?
>>189259

Do I have to resort to handles? Are you seriously begrudging me for trying to at least apologize to "anon with the snek"? No, not you Silver, I mean anon who made the snek. Its complicated.

But yes, I'm not gonna apologize for taking the opportunity to make peace with him, even if it's only tenative. I would do the same with/for you if I thought there was receptivity. I have been trying for half a year to try and mend all the bridges, but if you want them sundered, good to know

Go on, quote my posts and bitch about >ooc

>>189225
Cavaliere whistles. "Look over there, in the water."

Let's be nice to each other.

Everyone:
Tries to do quest
Brie:
“I’m leaving!”
Everyone:
“Okay” continues quest
Brie:
Storms back into room “Hey everyone I’m leaving! Why won’t you see me leaving?”

>>189258
>>189260
See >>189197

>>189266
Posey prances after Cavalier
"Did you find it?"

>>189267
You couild LET him leave. You know, acknowledge what I posted. You've had months

>>189268
Cavaliere points to the gloomy waves. "Not sure, but I would wager there is something of interest in the water over there."

>>189225
>>189266
>>189270
Kira comes over to investigate the whale skull after depositing the bones she collected over near the ribcage. "I feel kinda bad for the poor thing. I know it's long dead, and carnivores both on land and in water still need to eat, but whales are very intelligent and peaceful animals. It's sad to see one that perished like this. It never asked for this..."

>>189264
For what it's worth, I do think it's commendable that you're making sure everything between you and Dust's player is good. I'm a little confused though, he actually didn't have anything to do with Kira's creation. I came up with the idea for Kira, and GM pone and I worked together to come up with the lore about how lamias work and what their civilization and society is like.

>>189271
I betrayed Dust's player's confidence once. He drew a line, and I crossed it. And fwiw, it was retarded, cuz I didnt know what I was talking about at the time. Kind of like now, except at the time I wastrying to blow shit up, whereas now I'm trying to mend the damage. I dont expect reception or acceptance, I just want it not left unsaid, especially if I'm to leave y'all to play without interference

>>189272
Bro, shut the fuck up. We have a separate thread for this.
>>189270
"Oh... Seawater..." Posey says, stopping just at the edge of the waves, prancing hesitantly
>>189271
Kira still has Endure Elements up, right? Can she swim to it?
"Kira, can you go see if the skull is there?"

>>189252
Oi, one of those posts does declare an action for Dust, but yes yes I've gotten to wishy washy, whatever. Come put me in the ground yourself.

Also is everyone really going to the bones? I'm trying to postpone Dust seeing necromancy for as long as possible since we didn't come to another satisfactory truce.

>>189274
I thought we were going to go pick up the airponies first, but Silver wanted to do this instead and I am not going to spend another month arguing about it.
Sorry.

>>189274
Yes apparently.

I can see absolutely no justification for it besides “We’re doing necromancy now.”

If Dust wants to take a few NPCs and run off though, he can.

>>189276
>We’re doing necromancy now
The Dread Agenda spreads

>>189273
>bro shut the fuck up
110% no you
If theres a problem with the tone you have painstakingly cultivated, check the mirror. Meanwhile, I appreciate that my character is a cause of friction, and rather than insisting on being the main character like SOME people, Im trying to relegate him so you can do your 'thing'

>>189273
>>189274
Kira looks at Posey surprised, offering her an "Oh, okay" before wading into the water to get to the skull.

Silver meanwhile, takes Posey on the shoulder. "You should really talk with Dust about what we are about to do, see if you can soothe some of his fears and work something out with him."

>>189278
Darling. Bro. Brie’s already left the group. This is a settled issue. You’ve said this already. I said “everyone declare an action.” You said “Brie leaves.” I said “K” and moved on with everyone else. It’s done. What do you want?

poof
Brie has left apparently.

Okay. There. It’s a done a second time. Everyone, look and see how not there Brie is.

Now we’re moving on.

>>189279
>>189266
No, you can’t really see it. It’s just water.

But then the trough of a wave moves over the shallow water near the pier, and a massive yet of yellow-tinged bone can be seen.

>>189280
"Ooh! That will do..."
Posey grips the bone with her magic and begins to drag it towards the beat

>>189280
>I said K
Did you now? Lets look.
>>189267
If this was your "k" then it domes across as contempt. Small wonder I want out of this game.
Is there another post that I'm missing, or are you as inconsistent as I have come to recognize you as?

>>189281
It’s not exactly the size of a basket of apples.

>>189283
Posey can drag up to 1950 pounds, or half as much under poor circumstances.

"Hrrrrhk..! A little help here." she groans as she exerts herself

We'll say Dust is still a decent ways off to the side, checking on Pipette, making sure she doesn't have a fever and her pupils are dialating normally. Typical medical stuff.

>>189284
Kira continues to wade out into the water, wrapping her tail around the skull and pulling with all of her might towards the shore. Silver helps using his magic to try to lighten the load, as he again speaks to Posey. "I am serious though, you should talk with Dust about what you are about to do. I am not sure he will be most pleased with this plan."

>>189280
>>189282
Cavaliere ties some rope into a lasso and tries to hook onto part of the whale skull.
[1d20+9 = (15+9) = 24]

>>189284
>Can lift a car with telekinesis magic
No.

And that’s not what the word “drag” means.

>>189285
She’s… She’s right there. Actually she’d probably scare Dust a little, standing only a few feet away and looking at Dust. Her tail wags twice when he makes eye contact.

She’s obviously tired, and her eyes are… well they could be worse, but her pupils are more narrow than normal.

>>189286
A Blue whale skull is 18 feet in length. I don’t think you understand how big it is.

>>189287
Now we’re getting somewhere

>>189288
Hmmm...perhaps a Strength roll then from Kira and Silver?

Kira: [1d20+3 = (20+3) = 23]

Silver: [1d20+3 = (9+3) = 12]

>>189289
And the griffon helps with pulling the old bone.
[1d20 = 5]

>>189288
He feels her forehead with the back of his hoof. Is she hot? Cold? Normal?

>>189288
What if I used a rope? Could I drag it then?

>>189292
As a single little pony, no.

But though a single stick may snap in two, sticks in a bundle hold strong. Together as one mighty faggot, you all may overcome.

>>189291
Dust quickly notices a major problem. There’s a decent sized, cone-shaped, velvet-covered protrusion growing directly out of her forehead. Is that caused by the Traveller mutating ponies?

Wait. That’s just a thing that ponies have. Or some of them. Why don’t all of them have it? Anyways it doesn’t matter. But touching that part of the forehead is a no-go. So… above that is covered in tin foil. Can’t move that, she’ll freak out. Maybe place the hoof on her cheek? No, she might get the wrong idea. So… touch immediately above the eyes? Maybe the top of the muzzle? Uh… sure.

She feels… normal? Maybe a little warm? She isn’t dead, anyways.

>>189289
Kira is able to move the thing out of the sand.

>>189292
That would work better

>>189295
>>189292
While Kira is able to move the heavy skull, she would definitely appreciate some help.

Also, Posey, please give me any indication at all that you actually saw Silver telling her she should go speak to Dust, preferably before she actually raises the Bone Lurker?

Pardon, I fell asleep
>>189296
Posey helps Kira

I am willing to speak to Dust. Is Dust present at the moment?
>>189274
"Dust, a moment, if you will." Posey says

>>189301
It's fine poner, only one player gets punished for falling asleep, and it isnt you

>>189296
>>189274
Posey approaches Dust and pulls him aside to speak to him privately
"Dust... I have a feeling that you know what I am about to do with this scroll." She says, brandishing the black, bone-decorated scroll, the onyx gems inside it rattling inside the bone centerpiece.
"I can fool around with the other ponies by dressing it up with fancy Arcane buzzwords like 'conjuring a spiritual ally' or 'waking the beast to combat the forces of Dagon, but I know that a Zegro of faith like you would not be fooled by such language. While Silver has grown quite enthusiastic by the way I delivered it, I suspect you might be less than comfortable with your suspicions, so I will be frank with you. This scroll, that my old master bestowed upon me, is a scroll to animate the dead, and I intend to use it on the bones of that leviathan over there." she says, pointing in the directions of the bones
"Perhaps you might be familiar with the concept of a Bone Lurker: a mindless, flying amalgam of shambling bones; that will be the product of this spell. I intend to use it as a minion to counter the monsters that the Traveller conjures, to carry that explosive, and potentially use it as a mount to flee this island should things turn sour." she continues
"It is likely that what I am about to may conflict your spiritual beliefs. Silver seems convinced with this maneuver is essential, but we could be persuaded to reconsider... Knowing this information, what do you intend to do?"

>>189315
I will proceed as soon as I hear back from Dust. Casting Animate Dead will only take one action.

"Well, Dust, do you have anything to say."

>>189315
>>189327
Dust freezes for a minute. He stares at the mare. He almost reaches for his flail a few times. He starts a few prayers under his breath before stopping. He finally lowers his head for a minute, and finally looks up.
"Our discussion is not done
We will resume when the day is won."
Dust plods off, obvious he will not partake, nor witness this.
>>189328
My nuts are sufficiently kicked

>>189334
"A level-headed and wise response, as expected of an accomplished priest. We will speak again, and exact our conflicts then. In the meantime, use those rhyming skills of your to keep Pipette out of the dream realm."
.
.
.

Posey then returns to the leviathan bones.
She circles the bones, having gathered them in two piles: one Huge sized pile, consisting of the Leviathan's bones, and a second large sized one consisting of the smaller seal bones and whale bones, humming a subtle, indistinct mantra that may or may not be part of her spell. She unscrews the cap on the core of her scroll and shakes out a few black jewels, silently lamenting at having to expend them all so early in her career.

She turns to the onlookers
"The practices of my mentor's arcane thesis were a closely guarded secret. They shared them with nopony, not even me. It was through trust and privilege that they bestowed me with this scroll to use tonight. Keeping their secrets was a an oath that I made in exchange for their teachings, and my eventual emancipation. I would appreciate if the rest of you, especially the unicorns, would look away and cover your ears for this next part, but I cannot force you: like that honorable zegro before, I too must make compromises with my code of conduct."

Whether or not the onlookers honor her request, Posey proceeds to unfurl the scroll, scribbled with deranged inscrutable writing, levitates the gems into the eye sockets of the whales, and throws her head back and begins her chant:

"By the blackened sky and the starless sea,
I call upon the bones, from death set free.
From ocean depths where light dares not tread,
Rise, Leviathan, from the realm of the dead.

Whale of shadows, ancient and vast,
Awaken now from your timeless past.
Let the marrow of your bones ignite,
As ghostly flesh returns to night.

By the cursed winds and the deep sea’s roar,
I summon thee, to walk once more.
Ghost-whale of the abyss, rise high,
Tear through the heavens, darken the sky.

Dagon’s servants, tremble with fear,
For the spirit of the deep draws near.
Devour their souls, their flesh, their breath,
Sift through their hearts and bring their death.

From the deep, from the void, from the edge of time,
Come forth, my leviathan, so cold, so prime.
Through oceans of sorrow and seas of hate,
You are my weapon, you are my fate.

Rise, oh rise, ghost whale of dread,
Bound by the tides, in death’s dark thread.
Devour the spawn of Dagon’s reach,
And claim the earth, the sea, the beach.

Let the waves churn, let the waters boil,
As your spirit stirs in the ancient coil.
Leviathan, arise to feast and roam,
Take back the seas—this world is your home!"

Posey then makes two boops, completing the Animate Dead Spell, with intent to reanimate one Huge sized advanced bone lurker and one large typical bone lurker, in the form of spectral whales made of shambling unconnected bones.

Yay! I got to cast animate dead for the second time in this game :D

At GM's discretion, the residual magic in the leviathan bones may act as an additional material component to cause something unexpected to happen. Or perhaps the loathing resentment within the spirit of this CR 25 monster causes the spell to go awry. Or perhaps the resulting beast gains intelligence and turns on its master. Or perhaps Posey's master hexes her for revealing their secrets. Anything can happen.

>>189336
>>189341
Fine, Silver takes Black Heel away from the scene of necromancy that's about to take place.

>>189336
Cavaliere looks suspiciously at Posey and the jewels, making an arcane knowledge check as to their nature:
[1d20+7 = (13+7) = 20]
However, he reluctantly turns around and, sitting on the ground, covers his ears. Or, at least, it's where his ears probably are. With griffons it's hard to say.

>>189345
Arcana would tell you that it's a material component of some sort.
Spellcraft would tell you what kind of spell it is.

The gems are black in color, and don't appear to be particularly precious (they're carved onyx)

>>189336
But first! Silver takes Black Heel aside, away from the scene currently unfolding, to discuss with him their plan moving forward, and especially to make sure that he and the commies won't fly off the handle around the airponies.

>>189336
I just remembered that my Spellgifted trait only applies to spells that I personally cast, so it turns out I do in fact still need to make a caster level check to activate this scroll, since I am one point short of the proper caster level.
The DC is 8, so I succeed if I roll a 2 or higher. If I fail I suffer a scroll mishap.
>inb4 nat 1
[1d20+7 = (8+7) = 15]

I apologize in advance if this fucks up everything.

Posey closes her eyes as she completes the spell and the writing vanishes from the scroll.
She stands awkwardly, trembling somewhat
"D-did it work?"

Cavaliere turns to Sørvik and asks, "Heb je ergens netten liggen? Die hebben we misschien nodig om de bezeten pony's tegen te houden zonder ze pijn te doen."

Two *clicks* come over the radio, the result of someone pressing the transmit key twice, but saying nothing; ostensibly by a Bat who wishes to remind the party that we have radios, but without saying anything to betray their presence further.

Brie took a radio with him?
How many do we have on us now?

>>189113
It was this one

>>189155
Frenly reminder, Kira caught the airponies' scent almost 2 weeks ago

Brie makes his way cautiously. The absence of wildlife lending toward overgrowth, the longer grass gives him some degree of concealment as he carefully pads his way in the direction of the Kostromo. Discretion being his foremost goal, he turns the volume of the radio down to where any transmission that is received will only cause an almost inaudible "click"; it wouldn't do to be in a tight spot when somepony decided to ask an ill-timed question. Setting aside his pack of cigarettes, his portable tea set, and a few other unnecessary items, he evaporates into the surroundings, becoming like Domingo Chavez in Clear and Present Danger (although this case, not sporting a McDonald's hamburger).
If, when, and whatever requisite skill checks will be forthcoming as requested, to avoid "having done them" and them getting lost in the mix.
Wondering if perhaps Dust Defiant is capable of casting that funny "magical sneak spell",... Sneak without leaving tracks, or something like that, he really hopes that the party doesn't decide to make a grand entrance, or at least if they DO, he can use it to strategic advantage.

>>189351
Taking Black Heel aside (conveniently away from the scene of necromancy taking place, Silver begins speaking to the commissar about their next moves.

"Now, I know what you are. You are political representative of Supreme Soviet, meant to ensure loyalty and discipline within troops. That also means you hold same ideological enemies as they do. But this, what we are going up against...it is threat to everyone, communist or not. There are ponies on this island, survivors from crashed airship we hope who can help us in this coming battle against Traveler. I need to know that you will not shoot them on sight, and that you will keep your soldiers from shooting them as well, so long as we keep them from getting itchy triggers too."

>>189389
Sorvik looks back towards Cavaliere, lowering his beak then raising it up as he responds with his first "Ja."

"Ja, dat doen we. We hebben ze op de boot, en er zouden extra's moeten zijn in de opslaghut aan de binnenzijde aan de noordkant."

>>189475
Blackheel whips his tail, though he does this as he is being moved away and before Silver speaks. He looks back to the settlement, and scrunches. After Silver speaks, he answers:

"How many more foreigners are on the island? Was losing my ship to the hippogriff and the griffin not enough? Very well. Sure, they can leave. Kill that - that thing, and let us all leave." A pause,

"So you really are here for the blimp. I should have known."

The grass on the hills behind and above the cluster of buildings by the water continues the trend of being tinged yellow, half-dead but not altogether bereft of green. Surely in the spring and summer it must be a vibrant green, that colors lovely rolling hills dotted with ruined stone, padlock fences. Now in the Winter, what it certainly is not a white and snow-covered wonderland seen in the mainland Equestrian flyover country, which, though it speaks to a state of death, has a charm all of its own, and foretells the rejuvenation of new life in the spring. The hills, rather, cling on in a half-dead state, committing neither to death and prophesized renewal, nor to life, but rather something non-defined and in between.

The wind, likewise is non-committal, at one second blowing intensely from the southwest, and the next, calm, only to return in the third. Thus it pulls at manes and clothing like a bored foal seeking attention. But now it blows steadily from the water. And unlike before, it brings with it a chill, telling of a freeze waiting in the night beyond the last rays of the sun. In its stronger moments, nothing but the salt of the sea can be smelled, but when the wind relents for a moment, or when its path is broken and redirected by the hills or by the wooden cabins, or even when the source is strong enough, other smells intrude: mollusks, fish, diesel fuel, and the pervasive rendered fat spilled upon the ground.

The sun on the west horizon is blotted out by the distant clouds that hug the ocean. The sunlight diffuses through the haze giving the horizon a dulled, yellow glow. The dim light illuminates the small, rectangular buildings that in a cluster form the sealing station. The muted grey-brown hues of the slightly moldy, vertical wooden planks of the buildings scarcely show in the veiled light of the sun. But when the ever-moving clouds provide a moment, just a moment, of those last direct rays of sunlight, the cabins cast long shadows that reach as far as a the hills behind, and oddly look dimmer by the contrast with the light. Most of the doors to these vacant buildings are open. One door, belonging to the office on the far north, opens and slams shut with the with the wind. But the other doors are on the leeward side, blocked by the cabins themselves, and they remain half opened. 

Though in almost every moment the crashing of waves or the rush of wind fill the air with sound, there are lulls in the wind, or between the waves, when the silence of the island intrudes. In those moments, a sound not unlike the muffled noise of moving underwater makes its way in. It were as if your own ears could not be trusted to deliver noise. 

Dare anypony wade into the water? Surely someone must, as that is where the giant skull resides. Wading into the water, whomever dares finds a threat deadlier than any kraken, eel, or leviathan. The water itself pierces through fur and hide and soon feels like thousands of small needles, prodding straight through to the nerves and sapping out the life force of any living creature who dares touch the water, save for Kira, who is protected by a gambeson of magic. This water belongs to the icy winter ocean of the far north, and though sea ice is not present on this shore, neither is it much warmer. Surely anypony who falls in will soon die of hypothermia. Remember that the Titanic sank in mid-April, not the end of January as here. But to those who do wade in, they find that the beach has a sudden drop to the water covered in basalt stones. Under the water are many smaller stones, and beneath that, a black sand that threatens to swallow hooves where the rocks are thin.

The head of what must surely be the leviathan whale is nothing less than gigantic, being probably 15 or so feet in length and weighing perhaps a metric ton. To those who are familiar with the skulls of cetaceans, it can be said to most closely resemble the skull of an orca, if only an orca skull were several times the size, with a higher, raised frontal and a more defined orbital, producing a shape that overall that more closely resembles the skulls of pinnipeds or terrestrial mammals than that of other toothed cetaceans. It could be compared to the skull of a dolphin, likewise, except that it is much wider than the long and narrow skulls of the smaller creatures, and with ticker bones. The teeth are absolutely massive and built for strength more so than sharpness; the mouth of the giant would allow it to swallow almost anything that finds itself in the sea, with only other whales needing to be ripped apart into smaller pieces. 

To those who have never seen a whale skull before, or even those who have, but have only seen the thin bones of the baleen whales or the smaller, thinner cachalot, the skull looks as if it belongs to some antediluvian monster, with its thick bone, many teeth, and vaguely triangular shape. If someone were told it belonged to an ancient dragon, or to some reptilian beast before time, or to a gargantuan crocodile of never-before-seen size, they would believe it. Only with the leveraging of Kira's long and muscular body to pull it out of the black sand, and Cavaliere, Silver, and Posey's combined strength to pull it by several ropes, is it brought onto the shore. The skull is not the bleached, white color of bone long exposed to the sun, but a yellow color, with scattered spots that are slight black or orange where remains of sinew cling to the bone. Tiny scrapes from the actions of crabs may be seen upon a close inspection, and a few cracks and cuts obtained by the creature in its life - or perhaps its death - can be seen as well, in particular a large crack running diagonally along the frontal plate on the top of the skull, that same frontal plate that is so unlike a whale, but so much like near any other mammal. 

Posey surely knows where she wants to drag this skull to, as the whaling griffins have already made the choice clear. In the south side of the tiny settlement is a set of leviathan whale bones organized as the creature was in life, near complete. The ribs are pressed into the ground. The giant animal's backbone, if loose, is still there. A pony can walk right through it, as if journeying through the inside of the creature. The backbone is two or perhaps three times higher off the ground than the top of a pony's head, and the creature is similar in width. Each of the massive rib bones is a dozen or so feet in length, and as large as a foot in width, though the bones nearer the center are larger, and the backbone of the animal curves downwards with the smaller fore and rear rib bones. Some of the bones, especially towards the center, are cracked and the marrow extracted. Some have cuts on them from evident knife cuts. All are tinted yellow-white. Posey would surely place the skull at the fore of this display. The neck of the creature is longer than normal for a cetacean, being relatively well defined. With a little effort, the fin and tail bones could be fished out of the pile and put in their respective places. All together it looks like a mosasaur with gigantism, or the remains of a dragon lord, missing the wings.

The well defined orbitals - eye sockets - of the leviathan, relative to other whales, is likely welcome to Posey when she places a black gem in each. Posey recites her poem, and reads from the scroll. The text on the scroll fades. For Posey, it is surely as if the world turns. A wave crashes against the beach. Off in the distance, a set of cracks that may be automatic gunfire. But then, In the left orbital of the leviathan skull, the black gem shakes and rattles against the bone, Then it levitates in the air, and starts to spin like a top suspended in air. The gem in the right orbital does the same. Both begin to exude a kind of black smoke as if the gem itself were slowly boiling. The green pony of the survivors, Steppe Eagle, stands up and is unsettled,

"Это работа Чернобога? Проник ли он через чары этой кобылы?"
No one has an answer

The black smoke travels away from the orbital, isinde of the skull of the creature, in its mouth. A luminescent aura can be seen, moving around the bone. It begins to move around the other bones two, travelling through the neck, then through the backbone, and down each rib. It isn't bright to be sure, but there is a definite ghostly glow. All the ponies and the griffins look over towards the sight, with gasps and awe. The spinning gems disappear - or more likely evaporate - leaving only spinning masses of black smoke in the centers of each eye socket.

After another few seconds, the ribs begin to shake. Indeed the whole set of bones seems to shake, as the ribs loosen themselves from the thin topsoil and gravel. Slowly, the set of bones begin to rise upwards, into the air. The bones in the center rise first, but the backbone keeps its integrity, such that the mass culls inwards with the center of the back rising first. But once the ribs are free, the whole mass moves upwards. The skull rises and the black smoke condenses into something more akin to glowing green specks. Bones fly through the air until they form bone fins and the tail, It rises into the air. Only ten feet, perhaps fifteen feet, but levitating all the same.

The black griffin cries out:
"Hvilken trolldom er dette? Er dette det samme som den jævla kronen? Ikke igjen!"

All the ponies and griffins stand back and talk amongst themselves, startled at best, if not outright terrified by what floats before - or above them. The leviathan lowers its skull as if looking down towards Posey, though the skull rises soon enough. Indeed, the whole structure of bones moves at least once in a rhythm doubtless akin to the movement of the great whale in the water. As it moves its fore and tail up and down slowly its marine motion, it seems as if it will call out its whale song, crying out for an unknown purpose, but in a somewhat familiar form, transmitting its music through air rather than water. But it doesn't. In this form, it may not be able to sing at all. After some seconds of slow movement, as if with the waves, it stops moving much at all, but hovers there above the ground.

In the distance, a crack and a loud thud.

>>189517
Silver nods to Black Heel's final statement. "It was reason we came to this island in first place. When my colleague mentioned us 'looting ship', it was airship she was referring to, not yours. But then we encountered one of your possessed sailors on beach, and then we heard your distress call, and our plan changed. We could not just stand idly by and leave you all to your fate." His ears twitch and turn towards the cracks, pops, and thuds in the distance, clearly being signs of the advancing Spetsnaz forces encountering the summoned monsters of the Traveler. "We should be ready to move out momentarily, and not moment too soon. We will be heading to airship while Posey, Garv, and griffons all head back to crashed airplane to collect our MGs and our explosive. They will rejoin our group along our path towards airship. I am glad to have your cooperation, it will be sorely needed if we are all to have chance at survival."

>>189336
>>189518
>>189519
>>189521
Kira is very glad to have Ouroboros' protection as she wades into the water. Rather than the life-sapping coldness that surely would send the warm-blooded but still not acclimated lamia into shock, the water to her feels as if it's exactly the perfect temperature. Not too hot, not too cold, almost perfectly in line with her body temperature. It's the type of water temperature that gives her the urge to pee, though whether she does or not and what it looks like will be left to the viewer's imagination. What is known is that thanks to the strength of her tail giving leverage, the skull is pulled out of the black sand and back onto land, where the next scene takes place.

Kira looks on in awe as the leviathan whale is slowly reanimated, no doubt aware that the clerics of her tribe would condemn the actual action taking place but still amazed at the wonder before her. She lets out a "Wooooooooow..." that sounds like it's coming from the same place of wonderment a foal has seeing the first snows of winter. Looking back at the others in the group, she smiles. "Well, it's not attacking us or anything, so it must have worked! That was amazing, Posey! Are you going to name it?"

>>189518
>The water itself pierces through fur and hide and soon feels like thousands of small needles, prodding straight through to the nerves and sapping out the life force of any living creature who dares touch the water
Posey, despite not being not among the living, recoils anyway. Not from the cold, but from her innate phobia of running seawater.
>>189519
What a glorious beast it must have been in life. Even in death its glory still shines.
Retrieving the head was certainly worth it, as style is no small factor in raising an undead beast.
>After another few seconds, the ribs begin to shake. Indeed the whole set of bones seems to shake, as the ribs loosen themselves from the thin topsoil and gravel. Slowly, the set of bones begin to rise upwards, into the air. The bones in the center rise first, but the backbone keeps its integrity, such that the mass culls inwards with the center of the back rising first. But once the ribs are free, the whole mass moves upwards. The skull rises and the black smoke condenses into something more akin to glowing green specks. Bones fly through the air until they form bone fins and the tail, It rises into the air. Only ten feet, perhaps fifteen feet, but levitating all the same.
>All the ponies and griffins stand back and talk amongst themselves, startled at best, if not outright terrified by what floats before - or above them. The leviathan lowers its skull as if looking down towards Posey, though the skull rises soon enough. Indeed, the whole structure of bones moves at least once in a rhythm doubtless akin to the movement of the great whale in the water. As it moves its fore and tail up and down slowly its marine motion, it seems as if it will call out its whale song, crying out for an unknown purpose, but in a somewhat familiar form, transmitting its music through air rather than water. But it doesn't. In this form, it may not be able to sing at all. After some seconds of slow movement, as if with the waves, it stops moving much at all, but hovers there above the ground.
Pic related
"... Magnificent...!"
Posey is fascinated by the glory of her beautiful crime against nature. She looks up at it in awe and affection.
She reaches a hoof up towards the nose of the beast to see if the creature yet obeys her commands.
"Boop." she beckons

>In the distance, a crack and a loud thud.
What direction is it from?

>>189518
>>189519
>>189521
After Cavaliere gives a final, successful yank on the rope to bring the skull ashore, he anxiously watches the repugnant ritual. The watchful among the party might have seen how he kept a talon near his gun as the titanic skeleton hovered, though he would be all-too-cognizant of how useless one firearm would be against it.

>>189524
Cavaliere glances aside to Posey as he hears Silver speak. "Very well. We don't have any time to lose. I'll keep the griffons together since they are as uncomfortable as any of us."

>>189524
>Are you going to name it?
"I think I'll call it... Monstro."
She refers to the bone lurker
"Your name is Monstro."
>>189562
"Very well." Posey says
she claps her hooves
"Monstro, dearie, please pick me up and carry me after that griffon."

>>189563
Posey would like to climb on the back of the bone lurker and ride it towards the airship we were at last.

>>189530
I guess I need to roll a religion check to identify Monstrous, to see if my spell succeeded as I intended.
[1d20+11 = (15+11) = 26]

>>189524
To Silver's right, he can see in the periphery Star Fire approaching. He does not move so close as to imply that he is attempting to insert himself into the conversation, but to lurk and listen, twice as far away as Blackheel. He turns his body around and faces almost the opposite direction of Silver, evidently looking at something beyond Silver's field of vision, his tail tucking in.

Blackheel likewise pulls his tail in and moves his head back with widened eyes. He does not say anything for several seconds, but stands in silence. Until he speaks:

"I see... I believe that unicorn is engaging in dark magic. I want none of that. I want nothing to do with fascists patrols either, but I will take the demon I know."

>>189530
Around Posey, there is talk
"Hvilken svart magi er dette?"
"Это дело рук чернобога?"
"Du sier at kronen er ond, men hva er dette?"
"Gjorde hun dette med kronen?"
"Призвать работу демона, чтобы сразиться с другим демоном? Что это?"
"Если демоны будут бороться с демоном, то хорошо. Пусть воюют"

Two of the ponies level their rifles at it, and nearly every griffin and pony moves back away from it, facing it in a defensive stance.

Whales are almost unique among mammals in the degree to which their heads are made of soft materials that are eaten by the crabs and rendering pots upon death. What Posey boops does not correlate with the nose, but simply the upper jaw. The thing's lower jaw slowly moves down and opens, showing off its rows of massive teeth with the jaws slightly open. Maybe it could rip a baleen whale apart. Certainly, it could swallow near anything else.

Posey can see the cracks along the skull. The long, diagonal one is more severe, but there is a second, smaller crack that must surely have healed in its life.

>>189562
Cavaliere is most certainly going to need a bigger gun if he wishes to fight that. After moving in its rhythmic motion, it remains still in the air. The lack of motion is actually more concerning, as surely the wind ought to move it.

Johan speaks:
"What the fuck is this?"

>>189563
If it was a home to Geppeto, perhaps it can carry Posey. It closes its jaw, lowers its head and attempts to push Posey onto its long, crocodile-like "muzzle." Posey would have to move on top of it, or else it would simply push Posey along the ground. But it's jaws move open by three inches, if an alternative means of picking up Posey is necessary.

>>189583
Or, Posey can climb up to its back. The best means is to climb over the head.

>>189837
It is indeed an animate mass of bones.

>>189897
Silver looks back at the floating whale skeleton, eyebrows raised in minor surprise. His body language doesn't give much else to suggest shock or fear. "Huh, so that is what she summoned. Well, it most certainly looks strong enough to carry explosive, at least. And it is not attacking us, so I think it is safe to assume it is friendly." Silver then returns to looking at Black Heel. "I suppose that means we are ready to head out then."

>>189897
>"What the fuck is this?"
"My new friend." Posey says
"Is it not adorable? Is it not beautiful? Monstro, the spectacular soaring cetacean!" she says, puffing her chest out in pride
>It closes its jaw, lowers its head and attempts to push Posey onto its long, crocodile-like "muzzle." Posey would have to move on top of it
And so she does, strutting up on top of the creature
>>189900
"I am ready when you are." Posey replies

>>189897
Nice trip code, btw.

>>189900
"Friendly?!?! And what is the cost in the long term? What is the end?" Blackheel shakes his head and neighs, scratching at the ground with his hoof. Then he points at it:

"You think you are the first to make pacts with monsters in hopes it will eat you last?" He holds in that position for a second, then slowly lets open his mouth, and lowers his head. He sighs.

"Sure. To the airship. They can only do so much harm."

>>189901
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8mAeUkjVko

Johan, the white griffin, stares at Posey with his beak hanging open. He eeks out an "eh" as if he is going to say something. But he says nothing. He is speechless.

Where precisely on the creature does Posey chose to sit?

>>189902
D'aww, thanks

>>189901
Kira looks up at Posey getting onto Monstro's back. "Are we really married to that name? I know you made him and all and it's your decision, but he looks more like a 'Reginald' to me. Don'tcha, buddy? Oooo! Or, if you wanted a punny name, how about something like 'Bay Lean'? You know, because he's a whale, and he doesn't have any fat on him anymore?"

>>189903
Silver tilts his head at Black Heel. "I do not think it can eat. It has no stomach." Realizing that it's probably not the time or place to be witty or funny, Silver holds up his hoof. "Sorry, just...it has been long day. We have far bigger fish to fry."

>>189903
>Where precisely on the creature does Posey chose to sit?
Posey stands around the back of the head and neck, or wherever is most stable to stand. If necessary, she grips onto the back of the skull tightly with her vampony hooves, trying to use the lurker as a mobile platform.
She rides the creature a bit awkwardly, but confidently, with a villainous grin: it is clearly not the first time she's piloted an undead siege weapon.

>>189905
>>189906
The thing again starts to move slowly in a wave-like fashion, like it would have when it moved in water, moving its tail bone down as the head raises slightly and vice versa.

>>189906
The ponies and griffins seem thoroughly unpersuaded of the normalcy of this situation, with Pegasi and griffins unfolding their wings, and several continuing to point weapons at it.

>>189905
"I mean the thing that created it." Blackheel tries to respond.

But that pun. That last pun. That earns Silver a death glare from Blackheel.

>>189907
Silver: "Okay, that one I did not intend to make, it just slipped out of me. And it does not even make sense: whales are mammals, not fish."

Kira: "D'awwww, I think he likes the name! Or...which name? Okay, nod once for 'Reginald', twice for 'Bay Lean', okay buddy?"

>>189907
>The thing again starts to move slowly in a wave-like fashion, like it would have when it moved in water, moving its tail bone down as the head raises slightly and vice versa
Posey is too enamored with her art to remember that she has severe sea sickness (it only applies over running water anyway).
>The ponies and griffins seem thoroughly unpersuaded of the normalcy of this situation, with Pegasi and griffins unfolding their wings, and several continuing to point weapons at it.
Good. Let them be afraid. Let them shudder.
Posey eyes them with a bit of a cocky smile, before she orients the beast towards the airship.
She draws her sword and points it
"Onwards!"
>"I mean the thing that created it."
[Cackling Necromancer in the background]
>>189908
"Whales were 'fish' until taxonomists arbitrarily decided that they were something else based on the current nomenclature fad!" Posey obnoxious shouts from the distance
(t. Victorian era scholarly mare)

>>189908
I created the monster, I get to pick the name.
Mindless undead don't normally get names, but when they do it has to sound cool and spooky.

>>189909
Posey continues to contradict Silver's claim that Silver and the caravan of followers would go towards the Airship while Posey would go to the crash site to pick up items, but instead would go directly to the airship with the caravan even as the griffins and ponies are not merely about to bail but potentially become hostile... nevermind that. Posey does her thing, clearly not on the same page as... anyone else

God sent a great fish to swallow up Jonah. But God did not send this.

To move it towards the airship, Posey would have to turn it 90 degrees to the left. If she is too close to the buildings, it may hit one. Though it may fly above the griffins and ponies, they are not secure in this belief, and flee as it turns to stay out of range of its bones.

>>189908
It's floating still. Wait no. The head is going up. Slowly... slowly... like it takes 15 seconds but it goes up. And down... and down... Is that a nod? Wait. Is it going up again?

>>189911
I was confused about the crash site and the airship.
Posey does as she was told, carrying out the plan as we agreed earlier.

I need to sleep now.

>>189897
Cavaliere moves his talon away from his gun but still looks leerily towards the undead whale mount. He turns to the griffons and the communists.

"We all have questions, but they will have to wait until we have ensured our own safety as well as that of our friends. That is the important thing we all have to focus on now. Don't worry about…that…since it's not hostile and, regardless, too slow to be a serious threat." He isn't quite sure on that last statement, but these followers need all the encouragement they can get.

>>189909
>>189911
Cavaliere shouts from below. "Not that way! Steer it back to the plane!"

He starts on that path, gesturing to the griffons to follow and staying close to them, as if his presence might have a calming effect.

>>189914
Cavaliere's closeness does seem to have a calming effect, though perhaps not enough. The green pegasus aims his rifle at the whale, or maybe towards Posey. But though his rifle is aimed at Posey, he turns his head to Cavaliere, and with fear in his eyes yells in his pony gobbletygoop,

"Это от Черного Бога? Он вызвал его сюда? Работает ли она на Черного Бога? Она испорчена?"
But who could understand?

Johan, however, speaks in the shared Ponish:
"Are we going to ignore the floating whale?" he points at it with both a wing and a claw. He continues:
"That thing was dead. How is it floating? How can we be so sure it is not a threat?"

>>189912
>>189911
I would like to clarify that I misunderstood the previous instructions (mixed up the airship with the plane), and I intend to follow the plan as we agreed to.
Posey orients the lurker in the appropriate direction.

>>189915
>But who could understand?
Lacey Row

>>189918
>>189912
Once Posey gets to the plane, she will get to work on mounting the bomb onto monstro, preferably within the ribcage, because that looks cool in my head.
She will then extract the guns from the plane and integrate them into her bony siege weapon, ordering her Dreads to operate the guns.

>>189915
Silver steps in authoritatively, hoping his apparent calmness in the face of this event will spread to the other creatures. He first speaks in Severyanan. "Это не дело рук Путешественника. Путешественник может призывать только испорченных, деформированных зверей. Это всего лишь скелет кита, но плавающий. Она призвала союзника, чтобы он нам помог, вот и все."

Turning to Johan, Silver answers in Ponish. "Magic, I would assume. It is not attacking us, and seems to be fully under Posey's control. If it was threat, we would have found that out by now."

If Posey is off at the plane, then the group should be heading towards the airship now.

>>184672 →
Amber stays thoughtful for a time. However, when a quiet moment presents itself she turns to High Sewn. "Miss Sewn, I didn't mean to cause any offense. I'm sorry if I did…. Just…well, I don't know how to talk about Mustard when he's not here. It just feels awkward, almost inappropriate."

>elsewhere
Brie creeps carefully toward the Kostromo, cursing himself for having not taken that telescope that he pawned off on Garv. It shouldn't matter, he doesn't plan on getting any closer than the observable flank of enemy movements. His advances, timed to coincide with the shifting of the wind, he plods along silently and - from a distance - unnoticeably. He is in covert obesrvation mode and if he had hands, they'd be doing the shikamaru cup gesture.
<back to you

>>189922
>>189929
The Bone Lurker can take the Run action while flying, and being undead it can run indefinitely and hustle without tiring itself, and being a flying creature it doesn't have to deal with any difficult terrain, so it could cover ground at at least four times the rate of the rest of the party, and would therefore be able to pick up the bomb and rejoin with the party on their path to the airship in little time (Kira doesn't have Swift Tracker yet, so the party would be moving at half speed).
If no problems arise on the way to the plane, Posey immediately rejoins with the party after picking up the equipment.

Alright. Who is going where?

>>189929
The green pegasus, Steppe Eagle, looks aback to Silver and says "Скелеты не должны плавать!" Neither he nor much of the small herd appears completely placated. But he can be seen to (partially) lower his rifle, and that is a discernable difference as the herd is somewhat at ease.

>>189933
"O...kay... But on a skeleton? Why a skeleton? Why not, like a rock or something? Surely she could animate rocks. And they would be tougher than bone. Especially one that has been cut apart already. Why must it be so... creepy?"

>>189935
As she moves towards the door, she moves her head back and looks towards Amber with a pouting expression. She stops. Then her lips curl back into a sly smile, combined with a partial lidding of the eyes.

"Very well. Keep your secrets."

She turns her head, and heads out the door.

>>189970
While Posey and her skeleton friends get the explosive and the guns from the plane, Kira will lead the rest of the party on hoof towards the airship, staying on the side of the central hill facing away from the GRU.

Survival: Speaking of Kira leading...
[1d20+11 = (11+11) = 22]

Silver: "I do not think you can reanimate something which was never animated in first place."

>>189970
Sneaky sneaky sneak

>>189970
I'm lurking.

>>189972
I want to point out that Kira previously rolled a 32 to do this.

Okay, so Silver is going with the NPC flock/herd across the island towards where he believes the airship ponies are. Kira is leading this group. Dust, I assume, would be with this group. Cavaliere, I do not know.

Brie is going.... to the Kostroma? I guess

Posey is taking the whale bone thing and is flying up towards the Sea Rover crash, I believe to pick up the torpedo and the machine gun, evidently all by herself. That sounds like something Posey would consider beneath her and refuse to do.

>>189976
>Posey is taking the whale bone thing and is flying up towards the Sea Rover crash, I believe to pick up the torpedo and the machine gun, evidently all by herself.
Iirc, Cavalier was with me.
>That sounds like something Posey would consider beneath her and refuse to do.
She has her Dreads, her Unseen Servant, and the Bone Lurker to do the manual labor forward. She only has to watch and give them orders.
Maybe it's breaking character a bit, but idk if it's right to refuse to commit to agreed-upon plans at this point.

>>189976
>I guess
Do you have questions? I thought this was pretty self-explanatory >>189947

>>189976
Is Posey able to pick up the bomb without issue?

>>189987
GM described the explosive portion of the bomb as weighing in the neighborhood of 500lbs, so Posey may want a team-lift

>>189970
>>189976
Cavaliere is going with Posey, as was said before. Don't we have the griffons with us?

>>189970
Cavaliere, who has seen Posey's morbid armor, looks toward the whale with a perusing glance. He replies, "She isn't a rock magician. Unicorn magic is typically specialized according to what the pony is good at and otherwise incapable of complex feats. She is a student of thanatology, or the mechanism of death, and knows enough to perform magic like this."

>>189971
Amber looks confused at her boss leaving. Why do ponies have to be so inquisitive yet enigmatic? Can't they just be forthright? Anyway, she keeps at her work and waits patiently for High Sewn to return.

>>190042
You have the Griffins, yes, but who are the griffins going with? Are the Griffins flying with Cavaliere and Posey while the ponies are going with Silver and Kira?

>>190043
That was what was implied. I wanted to take the communists too but Silver seems to want to escort them. That might be necessary for him to do regardless. They would have to fly under their own power, since none want to ride the bone lurker.

>>190042
Amber would do well to remember that mares, for all of their allure and mystique, are, at the end of day, females.

The minutes that follow are among those lulls in the day, when no customers enter the store and there are no tasks that need be done immediately. The store is oddly still and silent, with only the most subtle hum of a steam line, and the buzz of some backroom electric light, to break up the silence between the automobiles that pass outside. High Sewn has elected not to have music playing, though music often plays in the store when Guy is around, and Amber has heard the radio play in High Sewn's office. Perhaps this moment is peaceful. Perhaps it's unnerving. Perhaps it's a matter of perspective. When High Sewn returns into the store, she simply walks past Amber and towards her office.

Of those heading to the crash of the Sea Rover, Posey is of necessity the first to move, with a command directing the skeletal leviathan to the right, and up the adjacent hill. Though the fog has not returned in full, a lower cloud moves in the kiss the hill's peak. Posey, Cavaliere, and all who fly may immediate get the sense that it is not wise to fly in these parts in the dense fog, and especially not in a foggy night, for these clouds have rocks in them.

The bone whale, or "Monstro" or even "Bay lean," as it has been so lovingly named, moves some feet above the ground in a rythmic motion that mimics the movement of a whale in water, traversing through the air in death as it did the ocean in life.

It may take some prodding by Cavaliere, but the griffins follow shortly thereafter and on the same course, spreading their wings and taking to the air. None wish to come to close to the bone monstrosity, but the threat of a loss of visibility when the fog comes in force keeps the griffins near, lest they be separated and loss. Cavaliere, presumably, stays close to this group.

For all of the glory and majesty of what remains of the devil whale, the aluminum corpse of the Sea Rover deserves a few words of its own. Coming into view as the summit of the hill is rounded, it's great, 30-foot-tall vertical stabilizer comes into view perhaps before the cockpit windshield, the broken glass observatory of the nose, or the high-mounted wings with four engines and broken propellers. Though glass and the propellers are broken, and the wings bent, it remains almost entirely intact.

The light blue painted color scheme is on its own invocative of a large whale, as is its size. But this one could fly fast, high, and far. And whereas the devil whale ate whatever was smaller than it, the Sea Rover hunted prey bigger than itself.

One, perhaps two torpedoes are nearby. It'll be just a little effort to get a warhead, and a machine gun off of a mount.

For those bound to the ground, who seek to traverse the island to get to the presumed crash site on the other side, the route is familair. Or at least, half of it is. Between the two hills that form the southeast edge of the island, then up the line of the hill that splits the island in two, and towards a hill on the other side. There's the battle site where the first encounter with the Petrushkas and the creations took place, with the corpse of the dead Petruska remaining. Blackheel and more than one other stop to investigate the body, remarking in their native language. Remains of the ruined wall line the ridge of the hill, towards the medieval village.

What is different, however, is the sound of gun fire and explosions. They may not be so alone. The veil of fog is not so near as may be desired.

>>190048
What do Black Heel and the commies remark about as they pass the body, that Silver can hear?

Can Kira use her keen sense of hearing to lead the group safely around the battle going on?

>>190049
Translating,

The mulberry pony rescued from the village: "May you walk the fields of Elysium." He places his hoof to his chest and bows, a gesture Silver is familiar with in Celestialism

Starfire: "Be at peace now, comrade." He makes a gentler bow.

Blackheel winces and shakes his head. "What a waste. All of this over a whale carcass in a forest. I should have shot that damn griffin and the hippogriff when they started acting strange."

The grey pegasus, Rustling Pine, says, "What tore him up?" And looks away quickly.

That sounds like a dice roll

>>190046
Amber doesn't mind the quiet, though she would prefer to enrapture herself in music. When High Sewn returns, the younger mare decides to speak up. "Miss Sewn, what is the best part of living in a city?" she asks.

>>190047
Cavaliere prowls next to the clowder of griffons, keeping an ear out in the fog. When they arrive at the now-deserted plane, he wastes no more time. "Sørvik, Nils, pak het machinegeweer en draag het naar buiten. Laat het niet vallen!" And, quickly switching languages, "Bøkli, Ingerstadt, let's finish dissecting that torpedo. We will need to grab a canvas cloth for the warhead. There should be one in here."

>>190052
Amber doesn't need a radio. She can call to mind great symphonies played on instruments she can correlate with no known form, recalled from some memory, or from some depths of her psyche she cannot quite place. The tracts are not necessarily full, instead taking the form of fleeting fragments as if from a half-remembered dream. But they are glorious.

High Sewn stops, turns her head, and looks towards Amber. She opens her mouth to say something but stays there frozen for some time more than a second. She closes her mouth, then opens it again to say,
"It's where everything is." As if straining to say what is really meant.

>>190053
Amber peers at the mare. She's nothing if not interesting, if hard to interpret at times. "And what's 'everything?'" Amber asks, a small smile curling across her lips.

>>190054
Speaking as she stands in place,
"Culture. Power. Entertainment. Everything. It's all in the city. If you wish to go dancing, you may do that in the city. If you wish to make connections with important business ponies - at a dance - you may do so in the city. Probably only in the city. If you wish to buy a dress for said dance - either one - you may do so in the city. If you need to go to the hospital, if you have a lawsuit, if you need to buy certain materials en bulk... It's much easier in the city. Everything happens here. Anything can happen here. My dear filly, I scarcely know where to begin."

>>190055
Amber glances off to the side, then back to High Sewn, a bemused expression on her face. "Those all sound very grand, but I don't know how I can possibly get involved in those things. I don't suppose waiting for them to happen would work? Life so far has been…dull," she remarks with a frown.

>>190051
The small herd traverses the top of the hill, through that old medieval village where they encountered resistance before.

Starfire moves near Silver, staring at him, but looking away when Silver acknowledges the stare, and glances back. He keeps a guarded distance, but has some sort of fascination, clearly, He moves forward and shows interest in Kira. Oddly, he's less motivated to keep a distance from Kira, attempting to come near her long body, staring at her scales, and looking as if he may pounce. It's Kira, actually, who keeps her distance from the group, travelling ahead in advance. Starfire's dual yellow and red mane is frizzled, long, and wavy under his hat. His light green eyes look tired under his spectacles. His body must be kind of slim, though it's not easy to tell with how lose fitting his white coat is. His tail is longer than normal for a stallion, and shares the yellow and red scheme.

Blackheel likewise tends to be distant from Silver, but unlike Starfire this does not seem to be a deliberate choice. He talks with the mulberry pony and the royal purple stallion, who comments as they enter the village. He stops to look inside of the hut where the mulberry pony was rescued. Steppe Eagle and Rustling Pine, as well as the engineer of unknown name, help move along the wounded ponies. Mala keeps guard of the rear, looking over the train of blindfolded and gagged petrushkas who are pulled in a rope by the engineer pony. Patient Pippette walks near Dust, though after a while she moves to the front, closer towards Kira.

>>190047
Posey gets to work, ordering the minions to load the items in a timely fashion.
When all is done, she readies the loaded lurker to proceed after Kira'a group.

Posey and Cavailiare may be able to see some of what follows

>>190051
>>190074
Kira is likely the first creature to look over the side of the hill towards the bay. Or maybe she isn't. The view is open from many parts of the hill as the weather has cleared and the herd is along the ridge, and sounds of explosions and danger emanate from the lower position.

The northeastern bay is not quite symmetrical with that of the south and west, but it's very nearly a mirror. The hill descends towards the water, where there is a black, basalt beach that is thin in some areas but noticeable and thick in others, especially near the center. The bay has a sort of half circular shape with a hill, low cliffs and a thinner portion of the island on the left, culminating in a small light house, and then on the right, a taller and thicker hill bathed in green, and this one almost alone is crowned with fog. There are some cliffs to the right, though as a whole there is a decline towards the water that is covered in grass and traversable on hoof. The island is thicker and not as long on the right as the left, breaking up the symmetry. Off in the far distance, another island can be seen that is a smaller companion to this one. But the party isn't interested in the scenery.

In the center of the bay can be seen a grey coated warship, presumably a destroyer, or perhaps a frigate. But more importantly, on the beach in the center are several beached row boats, with ponies outside and on the main beach. Near the center they have set up boxes, and there is an attempt - on pause at the moment - to set up tents. Two mortars are set up, with several ponies manning them.

But there is ongoing action. On the right, near where the ponies are going, are two, very long legged... things. You could say they are vaguely equine in shape, being quadrupedal... except they aren't quadrupedal. A superfluous fifth leg exists on each... thing, although for one it is on the front and on the other it is on the back. It's also greatly larger than a pony, being something like twelve feet tall, although this is more so caused by unnatural long legs than an unnaturally large body, though both have this latter feature. In one, the number of heads is correct, while the other has a vestigial head that mostly stays out of view on the thing's right side. Or maybe the other one has a vestigial head too, you just can't see it. It is hard to tell if it has elephant grey skin, or if its creator has understood the concept of fur. There are black lines along one of them, presumably some kind of dirt or oil or other contaminent, though at this distance little can be said with certain. The things advance forward, down towards the beach. One of them picks up a large rock with two of its three forelegs.

It throws the rock at a group of ponies who stand near each other, moving back in a fighting withdrawal. There must be a dozen of them, or at least ten. Ponies in dull green uniforms that don't stand out significantly against the green and yellow grass, and contrast most significantly with the black sand and gravel of the beach. They wear black gas masks and carry brown saddle bags. Most carry the vlazhny rifle, though many don't. One carrying a light machine gun with a great pan magazine and an assistant run further back, before going prone and laying down a machine gun. The group of ponies shoot at the two things, which roar back, opening a black mouth that opens all the way to the back of the head as if the jaw were not attached. Through the sky, a little black line can be seen as a mortar round goes far and lands behind one of the things. Then another hits the second one on the head. There's a delay of many seconds, to be sure, where the mortar can be seen dropped in the tube, launching high in the air, and falling on its target.

But the things don't make effective use of the time. Some distortion of light, some kind of will of the wisp floats near the things, momentarily taking their attention. The crack of rifles follows quickly, hitting the things and making them recoil. Then a mortar round hits the second in the head, causing its head to explode into smoke. It's body follows a second later, but the left more of the two charges forward, scattering rocks forward that hit a couple soldiers and seems to daze them. The thing charges towards the beach, and at this point, the center of the dozen ponies break and they move back. But even this breaking is a retreat backwards with rifles and bayonets facing this alien enemy. On the far left, a couple ponies keep up fire with automatic weapons. On the far right, the pan on the machine gun is put into place, and there is a "tat tat tat tat" until the thing screams and turns into smoke, just feet before coming into contact with the line of ponies.

Yet this isn't the only set of twelve ponies. Another, to the left of the center, stands in a line. A pony wearing a gas mask and the great black cassock of the northern rite of Equestrian Harmonism walks past the soldiers letting a thurible swing. The soldiers stand at the ready, and each offers his rifle to the priest, who lets each weapon bathe in the smoke from the thurible, then touches it with his hoof.

More boats move in, to both the left and right shores of the bay, including towards where the ponies wish to go.

Kira quickly gets the impression that it's best to hug the southern slope of the hill, out of the line of sight of these ponies.

>>190056
"Well..." she takes a moment to respond. "It isn't like living in a village, or a small town. There, you are kind of just thrust into life. You know everypony. You know what your life is. What your place within the world is. In the city... You really have to insert yourself into things. Like when I entered Canterlot. I was into the trade of prepared fibers. Yarn, for example. So I began to learn ponies in the trade. Of course I didn't go to Canterlot alone but... You have to go out there and take advantage of things yourself. If you don't, well, you won't really take advantage of very much at all."

>>190076
>Posey and Cavailiare may be able to see some of what follows
"Giddy up, Monstro!" Posey shouts, as she hears the sounds of combat in the distance
Monstro takes the Run Action, proceeding at 120 ft per round.
>the priest
Hmmmmm... Is he handsome?

>>190076
>Kira quickly gets the impression that it's best to hug the southern slope of the hill, out of the line of sight of these ponies.
If Posey is in any position to do the same, she follows this maneuver, ordering her bone lurker to fly as low to the ground as it can.

>>190077
Amber nods. "I've been wantin' to do that! Well, it's tough to do if you don't know anybody…I guess going around town helps. There are lots of nice ponies everywhere. Maybe learning music will be the 'inserting myself' that I need.
Everypony likes music, after all."

>>190074
>>190076
Okay, am back from doing a thing.

Silver takes a moment to give Starfire's slender, tired body a look over. Certain thoughts are brought to the forefront of his mind, though he puts them aside for later when the danger has passed. Kira for one, should she notice, would be ecstatic to see the ponies growing more comfortable with being around her.

Looking over the battlefield, Kira grows uneasy watching the weapons and tactics being used by the GRU, drawing similarities between them and the foes who are currently attacking her people back home. Silver whispers quietly to the group upon seeing the priest. "He is blessing their weapons. They will be more effective against these abominations. Traveler will have to send far, far more if it wants to keep them from overwhelming island."

Kira gladly leads the group along the southern slope of the hill, having zero interest in being on the receiving end of those weapons.

>>190081
Wait, this is the GRU? I thought we were looking for the airponies?
Or are we just spotting them as we pass by? Anyway, let's keep a low profile and head towards the airponies.

I did not expect the communists to have a priest with them. They're full of surprises.

The final resting spot of the Sea Rover is on the leeward of the hill, just beneath the summit. The sound of the wind is subdued and the air has a sort of stillness to it. In this lonely patch of still air the fog remains, though much thinner than before, and most of the sky presents grey. Down the slope, however, a part of the south bay is visible, including a small hamlet of semi-modern buildings, a lonely stone keep on the far side, and a derelict freight ship holding steady at an odd angle. Though pops and cracks often penetrate the silence, even the ringing of tinnitus is sometimes overcome by a sound best understood as the sound of moving water past the ears; a pervasive, muffled rumbling never quite loud enough to truly overpower the wind, or even the most distant of cracks and pops.

The torpedo has at least been separated into a warhead and propulsion section, with the warhead the lighter if the two by far. With rope and especially the help of the sealing griffins, this may be lifted into the ribcage and held into place. There is a second torpedo if truly desired, but this is much heavier and may only be moved by rope.

The machine gun presents a kind of challenge. It may be taken off of its turret, but Cavaliere would be wise to remember that this is not an infantry M2 designed for heavy fire support. It is not intended to be carried on pony back. It is not intended to be used against infantry at all. This is an anti-vehicle weapon designed to kill smaller frame aircraft, or even small ocean vessels. https://youtu.be/sS2AsSWv_yE?si=XY_NglE6CsYajxU3
It has a covered feed that links to an unattached feed box, and a separate feed to collect ejected casings. It is not at all easy to replace the band - or carry it, for that matter, given it is not attached - but at least jans may be cleared. The sights are for anti-aircraft use, and there’s no obvious way to absorb recoil as it has no proper mount; it is intended to be fixed onto a vehicle.

>>190085
We have a kind of aircraft to mount the guns on, don't we?

>>190086
Technically, yes. Should the effort be taken to mount it, at least.

>>190087
We can travel much faster in the air than the other party does on hoof, so let's take the time to mount them before we leave.

>>190087
>>190088
Are we able to catch up with the rest of the group after loading the weapons?

>>190081
Blackheel moves closer to Silver, followed by Starfire and Pipette, who keep slightly back. Blackheel says,

“If they brought a priest, they must consider the situation to be fairly dire. I hardly need to explain to you that that is not standard procedure. He must have been brought on for the morale of the troops.”

Blackheek is almost cut off by a voice from the back.

One of the tied up Petrushkas speak. It’s the third one back, second to the last. A burgundy stallion in a navy uniform. He’s bandaged up, and has a makeshift blindfold covering his eyes. He is half a step out of line, and pointing his muzzle towards Blackheel.

He then speaks, or perhaps yells, in a strained voice almost like a whisper; a voice that bypasses the vocal cords and uses only the mouth to form words. Perhaps the pony’s vocal cords are damaged. Certainly he was wounded. Maybe Kira crushed a rib, or crushed a bit more than that. Or maybe he who forms the words does not understand quite how words are made…

“What is he doing here?” The Petrushka demands. Mala moves forward and points his shotgun at the Petrushka, but in no way dies the Petrushka react. He certainly can’t see it. The entire line of Petrushkas turn their heads in the direction of Blackheel. The red Petrushka speaks again:

“That Traitor. He who would reject harmony. What is he doing here?”

>>190089
Eventually, sure

>>190090
Are we present for this conversation?

>>190091
It seems unlikely to me that if Posey were around for this scene that she’d be paying attention to what the ponies are talking about, and able to hear it from the back of the whale. But if you want to make an argument for it…

>>190090
Silver looks over, and quickly rushes to the burgundy stallion. He shoves a hoof in the stallion's mouth to stop him from talking as he half whispers, half hisses out to the stallion (or, more accurately, the Traveler), "Do you want to get off this island to new lands, where you can spread your gift of True Harmony to all?"

>>190092
Posey would definitely be interested in anything concerning priesthood within military ranks, or the ramblings of creatures possessed by the Traveller. The bone lurker is flying low to the ground.
I will just roll a listen check to see if I can overhear.
[1d20+3 = (13+3) = 16]

>>190085
>The torpedo has at least been separated into a warhead and propulsion section, with the warhead the lighter if the two by far. With rope and especially the help of the sealing griffins, this may be lifted into the ribcage and held into place.
Frenly reminder, Brie made plenty enough side-commets that the party would know that A. an integrated explosive (grenade, or satchel charge) would be more than sufficient to detonate, alongside - according to (you) - too vigorous of an impact.

>>190093
It answers,

“Yes. I think so. We wish to spread Harmony.”

>>190094
Sure

>>190095
Also sure

>>190096
Silver: "Then trust in my plan. Also send more summons to slow down invaders on Northern shore, they have machine guns and priest blessing their weapons."

Kira peaks over the hill to make sure the GRU isn't advancing on their position.

>>190096
Posey's cute little ears swivel in on the conversation as her flying beast lurks in the ear over the rear of the herd. It has peaked her interest.
>>190097
Bluffing the Traveller. Interesting idea.
We could at least get it to expend its resources.

>>190097
It replies,
“How could that, that ‘arch reactionary’ be a part of any plan?”

>>190099
Silver: "If you can convert him, it will prove power of True Harmony beyond any doubt, but you can not convert him from afar. True Harmony's power must be displayed in person, to convert someone with such reactionary ideas in their mind."

>"Could it be naive enough to fall for something like that? This mission might be easier than we expected."
Posey thinks to herself

>>190101
That’s a very good point. I’m kind of feeling like there should at minimum be a roll here. Or a challenge.

>>190102
Let's see here, then. The dice gods gave Kira a nat 20 earlier, they may have run out of generosity. Or, perhaps not.

[1d20 = 9]

>>190103
I'm gonna assist with my smooth-talking superspy bluff mod
"She raises good points. You should listen to her." Posey chimes in
Bluff
[1d20+16 = (5+16) = 21]

>>190096
>also sure
Just reminding that it can be detonated easily OR accidentally, without the assistance of an explosives expert

>>190100
>>190103
It takes a moment to respond.

“Yes…” then it turns to Silver.

“If you can make him unconscious, I can persuade him more easily.”

A second of pause, then it turns to Silver,
“Why don’t you join in our unity?”

Then to Posey, though it misses her exact position,
“Or you, you who backed out just before achieving Harmony?”

>>190106
"Add another blindfold. And put a helmet on him. Or anything made of metal around his head." Posey demands, with a flat tone
If she was disturbed by this behavior, she does not show it on her face, but she narrows her eyes with professional caution

"No more word about our position. Do not even THINK about where we are headed. Everypony just follow Kira as she tracks the scent."