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1428 replies |  70 files |  365 UUIDs |  Page 2
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Occupied Equestria: K-19
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.191000
191002
Continuing
1228 replies and 62 files omitted.
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
27e28d0
?
No.192772
192773
>>192771
Is Posey inside of a building or is she on the street?
Posey
b62bd85
?
No.192773
>>192772
She's inside of the building with the ponies, by an opening peering outward.
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192774
192775
Choc choc. Chic Choc

Surely it must have seen them. Both of them must have seen them. It turned as they ran inside the old houses. Looking outside through a doorway that cannot open, the long thin blades of three... toes? stand in the roadway. chic chic

But there is a sound of a "tat tat tat" and a "dulupe, dulupe." And the toes hesitate. Through the window behind them, from the hill, a flash of light, and the abomination clearly hesitates
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192775
192776
>>192774
Cavaliere glances out the window, careful not to reveal himself to what may well be an enemy force. He draws his revolver.
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192776
192777
>>192775
Coming down the side of the hill, flashes of light from multiple sources. Muzzle flashes.
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192777
192778 192779
>>192776
Cavaliere pats the snake-pony on the withers and points to the hillside. "That's GRU," he states. "We need to search what's left of this village, and get out of here!"
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192778
192779
>>192777
Kira goes wall eyed for a moment as her mouth opens up and she lets out a nearly silent, strained hiss sound, her tongue wiggling out in the air. She's still definitely freaked out about this particular Abomination.
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192779
192780
>>192778
>>192777
Now...

What shall they do?
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192780
192781 192783
>>192779
What do they do indeed. The thought keeps running through Kira's panicking mind, causing her to freak out even more. She closes her poor eyes, and starts thinking to herself, "Come on, Kira, you can't panic now, people are counting on you! Come on, what would Mom do? Think!" Her thoughts pause. "Uhhhhhhh...she would...take note of the situation! Let's see, there's a super freaky beaked Abomination outside, there's 'gee are you' coming down the hill...where's that last airpony? Where are any ponies? Come on, Kira you noodle, use that tongue of yours, this is what you're here for!"

Survival: Calming down just enough to focus, she flicks her tongue out into the air to try to catch the scent particles of ponies and friendship.

[1d20+11 = (1+11) = 12]
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192781
192782
>>192780
Ponies. Outside. In imminent danger. They need her help.
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192782
192783
>>192781
Oh no! The thought of those adorable creatures of friendship being in immediate danger stirs Kira out of her panic, letting her pick up her bow again and make to rush outside. "I'm coming, ponies!"
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192783
192784
>>192780
>>192782
Cavaliere grabs Kira by the tail, trying to keep her inside. "Remember the last time you tried doing that?" he exclaims.
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192784
192785
>>192783
She slithers in place, held by her tail. "But but..."
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192785
192786
>>192784
"Those other ponies have guns; they'll get by. That airpony is in need of our help and we need to find him."
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192786
>>192785
Kira pouts, but relents with a sigh. "...you're right."
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192787
192788 192789
I'm assuming Kira, Posey, and Cavaliere are in a different building than Silver, Mala, and Blackheel? If Posey is even in the same building
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192788
>>192787
I think so, yeah
Posey
ac45f16
?
No.192789
192790 192791
>>192787
Idk where Blackheel is. I assumed he was commanding his troops with the rest of the herd.
Posey is wherever the airponies are, whome I assume are in the same place as Blackheel and the other commies. Posey's goal is to defend the airponies, while Kira and Cavalier search remaining buildings for the airponies, even if it comes at the cost of exposing herself to attack.

I would assume that Mala, Silver, Dust, and all other characters are with the main herd unless otherwise specified.

Idk where the airponies are, or what the layout of this town is, but Posey is there.
Posey
ac45f16
?
No.192790
192793
>>192789
>search remaining buildings for the airponies,
*for the one remaining airpony
Can Kira detect his scent? It would be nice if we could at least confirm or deny that he is in this town before the monsters close in.
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192791
192792
>>192789
>or what the layout of this town is
It's a line. It's just a line. There is a road. One and only one. To either side are houses. Near the center are the four public buildings
Posey
527d08c
?
No.192792
>>192791
Okay, so, last I checked, the herd is in one of the public buildings near the middle of the line? Posey is there with the airponies, with her horn ready to draw to her sword and her ears perked as she watches out for predators. (I could not find the corresponding video for this).
We searched the buildings systemically, so then Kira and Cavalier would be on the opposite side of the line where we just searched, sneaking across to scout the remaining buildings for the airpony with their expert stealth and perception.
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192793
192794 192795
>>192790
>Can Kira detect his scent? It would be nice if we could at least confirm or deny that he is in this town before the monsters close in.
She tried and suffered a critical failure, unfortunately.
Cavaliere uses his survival skills to deduce where the remaining pony would want to hide: [1d20+3 = (2+3) = 5]
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192794
192797
>>192793
nods

Outside of the building Cavaliere is in. It's definitely not in the building Cavaliere is currently in.
Posey
0145bd0
?
No.192795
192796 192797
>>192793
I roll Survival to see if I can sniff it out (it should be feasible without the feat if the DC is 15 or lower).

I can't take 10 because my wisdom isn't high enough.
[1d20+1 = (9+1) = 10]
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192796
192797 192798
>>192795
Posey does not detect anything nearby of significance.
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192797
192798
>>192794
>>192795
>>192796
rigged
We might have to manually search every building, starting with the one Cavaliere is in (not that there is much to search).
Posey
a08fc32
?
No.192798
192799 192802
>>192796
>>192797
How many buildings are there left to search?
Could the Rangers just run past the doors and take 10 on perception? Kira should auto-detect creatures within 30 ft. Idk.
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192799
192800 192801
>>192798
Either do something, or something is going to happen. Act or be acted upon.
Posey
a08fc32
?
No.192800
>>192799
I have a readied action to attack whatever comes close to the herd. I'm waiting for the Rangers to find the airpony.
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192801
192807
>>192799
Okay, Silver is with the rest of the group of refugees and survivors. How's the group doing?
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192802
192803 192810
>>192798
Cavaliere does just this. He calls into every doorway, "We are your only hope, Lieutenant. Hostiles are coming and we need to go."
Posey
baa449e
?
No.192803
>>192802
"I thought you were searching for that airpony?"
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192806
192810 192820
fuck the airpony

While the party is pussyfooting about over whether they will or will not go outside to look for an airpony that is not in the village, the enemy is not doing nothing.

Outside of the house that Kira, Cavaliere, and maybe or maybe not Posey are located in, they can see several of the "legs" of one of the things. Well, presumably one of them. The odd number of legs does not give much certainly.

choc choc choc
It is either waiting for them to come out to it, or determining how to get to them. It may be unaware of their presence, but that seems unlikely
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192807
192809 192810
>>192801
Uneasy, unsettled, but sufficiently quiet such that they could *probably* avoid being killed
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192808
192809
Or is Cavaliere already outside?
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192809
>>192807
>>192808
Uh, no. He is good at hiding.
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192810
192813 192815
>>192802
>>192806
Kira looks out towards the advancing enemies, then back to Garv. "Should we run and try to link back up with the others? I'm not sure about our odds of fighting them off...or distracting them. And hiding seems like it would just delay them finding us..."

>>192807
So the rest of the group can see the approaching enemies?
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192811
192813
I want you to acknowledge the existence of the enemies. Fight them. Hide from them. Sneak past them. Sneak around them. Distract them. Just so long as you acknowledge them.

Shut up about the fucking airpony. The airpony is the next encounter after this one. There is, however, a present encounter that must be addressed before moving on to the airpony. I haven't had it attack yet or a role for initiative - which is what I intended to do and really should have done - because maybe you wanted to hide, or sneak past, or something besides fighting.

Even in a game where you can skip something, you have to press a button, and make an effort to skip it. Jesus Christ
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192812
192813
You're not going to find the airpony, who - spoiler alert, is not in the village - until you do something with the present encounter. It's not going to fucking happen. Stop. Shut up about it. Stop talking about it. Deal with the horrifically obvious present problem at hand first.
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192813
192814
>>192810
"Let's make a break for it and get out of here. If we fight, the GRU will know we're here and target this area with force."

>>192811
>>192812
So much for the psychosomatic strategy.
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192814
>>192813
Kira nods, and makes ready at the door. On the count of three, she swings it open and bolts outside, slithering for all of her life towards where they left the rest of the group.
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192815
>>192810
If they looked outside, maybe, though the view from the east side (where I assume Silver is) is not going to be as good as the west side
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192816
192817
So are Cavaliere and Kira going to try to run past to get to the main group?
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192817
192818
>>192816
That's the plan.
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192818
192819 192822
>>192817
A roll (luck, if nothing else) if you're looking to avoid the creature getting an attack of opportunity
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192819
>>192818
[1d20 = 4]
Posey
baa449e
?
No.192820
192821
>>192806
>not in the village
Oh....
Well then.

Okay, I will take the initiative.

Am I within charging distance of the monster?
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192821
192823 192824 192825
>>192820
It's a bit close for that, and she could only reach the legs

>>192820
The thing stabs at Kira as she attempts to slither past it
[1d20+6 = (14+6) = 20]
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192822
192823
>>192818
I would assume a reflex save, and Cavaliere has a +6 on that.
[1d20 = 15]
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192823
>>192822
Cavaliere is able to dart past the entity. Kira, however...

>>192821
[1d20+6 = (14+6) = 20]
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192824
192826
>>192821
Kira lets out a hiss of pain as the Abomination pierces her snake tail with its...actually she doesn't quite know what part of the thing it used to stab her, only that it hurt.
Posey
baa449e
?
No.192825
192829 192830
>>192821
Close enough for me.
Posey charges into the creature, drawing her sword and charging it with Ki as part of her movement. This invokes her Dreadful wrath, so the creature will have to save vs her Frightful Presence (Will 22). She slashes with her longsword into the creatures limb.
"Your opponent is me!" she snarls as she slashes with her blade flaring with destructive energies.
[1d20+9 = (6+9) = 15] (hopefully vs flat footed AC)
Iajutsu Focus (ignore if not flat footed)
[1d20+6 = (19+6) = 25]
The bones on her armor rattle, and she makes a check to Demoralize (note that she's likely taking a penalty due to size disparity.
[1d20+15 = (10+15) = 25]
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192826
192829
>>192824
It must have been the end of the leg, or perhaps a protrusion off of it.
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192828
192829 192830 192832
"Hold it off! I will get the other creatures to safety," Cavaliere commands. He would like to help with fighting, but shooting would draw attention and in melee he would be at a disadvantage. He seeks to reach the entourage to help direct them.
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192829
192831 192833
>>192825
>>192826
>>192828
Should Kira continue running away, or should she turn and help Posey?
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192830
192834 192835
>>192825
The entity, however, seems to be aware of the presence of hostile forces, and moves to attempt to block. Posey's sword makes a "clank" sound against the round leg.

"chic chic!"

It picks up its leg, and swipes it at Posey
[1d20+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]

>>192828
Cavaliere makes it to the old Tavern, where Silver, Mala, Blackheel, and other creatures are holed up.
Posey
baa449e
?
No.192831
192832
>>192829
You're an archer. If it turns out I need help later, you can do that from 100-300 ft away.
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192832
>>192831
Kira keeps slithering on right behind Garv's heel.

>>192828
Silver looks over at Garv's hurried entrance and frowns in worry. "What is wrong?"
Posey
baa449e
?
No.192833
>>192829
You're an archer. If it turns out I need help later, you can do that from 100-300 ft away.
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192834
192837 192838
>>192830
He barges in and points in the direction of the enounter. "Kirafiki and Rosy Ring are fighting a new type of monster roughly one hundred fifty meters away. Silver Sword, I take it you are skilled with melee? I ask because those two might need help, and we should avoid gunfire or the GRU will be on us in no time. Mala, Blackheel, we will need to get every creature out of this town before we're surrounded."
Posey
baa449e
?
No.192835
192836 192837
>>192830
Miss

"IS THIS ALL YOU CAN CONJURE, INTRUDER?!" Posey shrieks (clearly still angry from before)

Posey strikes back with her sword, and follows up with a channel touch as a secondary natural attack.
And a slam and bite while we're at it.
Sword
[1d20+7 = (10+7) = 17]
[1d8+5 = (3+5) = 8]
Touch
[1d20 = 1]
[1d8+2 = (4+2) = 6]
Slam
[1d20 = 11]
[1d6+1 = (2+1) = 3]
Bite
[1d20 = 7]
[1d4+1 = (2+1) = 3]
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192836
192837 192839
>>192835
Posey does indeed make contact with the leg with her sword, cutting into it.

She cannot, however, successfully touch it. Or headbutt it. Or even bite it. In fairness, it's dark outside, and it's the same color as the background.

chic chic

Posey can hear and see that the second creature has taken interest, and is coming forward.

Meanwhile, the creature raises two of its legs and starts to slam at Posey with them

[1d20+4 = (8+4) = 12]
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]
[1d20+4 = (19+4) = 23]
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192837
192838
>>192834
>>192835
>>192836
Silver nods, and turns to Mala and Black Heel. "Get them to safety. We will find and rejoin you once we have dealt with this threat. Stay hidden, stay silent." Silver unsheathes his greatsword, and heads out into the night. Along the way, he passes by the screaming Kira as she's retreating, telling her a quick "Fight's this way, soldier!" She stops, and turns to look at the unicorn running towards the Abominations she's running away from, and in that moment feels ashamed that this pony is braver than she is. She turns her body around, and heads back towards Posey and the Abominations despite the fear that's got a hold of her.
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192838
192848 192852
>>192834
Blackheel:
"To where?"

Mala raises his shotgun to the "ready" position

>>192837
Silver and Kira see the wings of a "seraph" glimmer in the night somewhere in front of them. Green tracers fly past it
Posey
baa449e
?
No.192839
192840 192841 192843
>>192836
23 hits, Posey takes a blow with a sickening crack, before she reorients herself and spits up a was of black icor with a cocky smile before she throws her head back and cackles.
Is that slam attack considered to be a magic weapon?

The second creatures should roll against her Frightful presence, btw.

Sadomasochism triggers

Posey makes another full attack
Sword
[1d20+9 = (14+9) = 23]
[1d8+7 = (3+7) = 10]
Touch
[1d20+2 = (11+2) = 13]
[1d8+8 = (1+8) = 9]
Spam
[1d20+2 = (9+2) = 11]
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8]
Bite
[1d20+2 = (6+2) = 8]
[1d4+3 = (2+3) = 5]

Forgot my demoralize check
[1d20+17 = (3+17) = 20]
Posey
baa449e
?
No.192840
>>192839
Messed up the charnel you h damage roll. It should be +3, not +8.
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192841
192842
>>192839
chic chic

Posey has definitely pissed it off. Her sword doesn't severe the leg, but it may as well have, with how it barely hangs.

It reaches its beak down to stab into Posey
[1d20+4 = (12+4) = 16]
[2d6+2 = (7+2) = 9]

Then it swipes at her with a leg
[1d20+4 = (8+4) = 12]
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]

And stabs at her with the ankle of another
[1d20+4 = (18+4) = 22]
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]

A second creature now sweeps in, and with a leg, swipes at Posey
[1d20+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
Posey
baa449e
?
No.192842
192843
>>192841
22 hits Posey and she is impaled. She moans before whinnying and returning to her full attack routine at the same creature she's been attacking so far, although she takes a 5 foot step to avoid being flanked if possible.

Sword
[1d20+9 = (11+9) = 20]
[1d8+7 = (2+7) = 9]
Touch
[1d20+2 = (19+2) = 21]
[1d8+3 = (1+3) = 4]
Slam
[1d20+2 = (14+2) = 16]
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6]
Bite
[1d20+2 = (1+2) = 3]
[1d4+3 = (3+3) = 6]

Demoralize
[1d20+17 = (16+17) = 33]
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192843
192844 192847 192849
>>192839
>Magic
No and she does not have special resistance for non magical weapons and I'm not arguing with you about that for a third time

>>192842
The creature shrieks, and Posey has successfully severed several legs

Roll Will Save

The second creature, however, makes a full attack against Posey

Attempting to impale her with its beak
[1d20+4 = (8+4) = 12]
[2d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]

Then it stabs at her with its sharpened "ankles"
[1d20+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]
[1d20+4 = (16+4) = 20]
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192844
192845
>>192843
Kira finally comes back into view of the battle, drawing an arrow and firing at the creature that's still standing.

[1d20+10 = (1+10) = 11]
[1d8+3 = (2+3) = 5]
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192845
192846
>>192844
Kira's arrow goes... A bit wide, missing by a considerable margin
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192846
>>192845
Kira: "DARN IT!"
Posey
baa449e
?
No.192847
192850
>>192843
>No and she does not have special resistance for non magical weapons and I'm not arguing with you about that for a third time
I thought you were referring to my racial feature, not my class feature.

Will (+2 vs far realm entities)
[1d20+9 = (11+9) = 20]

20 hits
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192848
192850
>>192838
Which direction is the hill that the rifleponies are descending? East? We won't go that direction.
Posey
baa449e
?
No.192849
192850
>>192843
Posey turns to the next creature with foam at the edge of her mouth and hacks into it furiously like a rabid wolf

"DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE!!!"

Sword
[1d20+9 = (10+9) = 19]
[1d8+7 = (7+7) = 14]
Touch
[1d20+2 = (3+2) = 5]
[1d8+3 = (4+3) = 7]
Slam
[1d20+2 = (17+2) = 19]
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9]
Bite
[1d20+2 = (13+2) = 15]
[1d4+3 = (3+3) = 6]
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192850
192851 192852 192856 192857
>>192847
Are you trying to change things from a year ago again?
See >>181602 →

>>192847
Posey can tell the thing was definitely trying to fuck with her mind, feeling momentarily dizzy

>>192848
West, the opposite direction of the water and the Kostroma. The party's direction of travel has been north, and the party came from the south

>>192849
chic chich

The original creature, though running low on legs and clearly not far from destruction, has a couple more to spare.

It swipes at Posey
[1d20+4 = (17+4) = 21]
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]
[1d20+4 = (16+4) = 20]

And it pecks at Posey
[1d20+4 = (14+4) = 18]
[2d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]

Posey stabs into the creature's lower barrel. No blood comes out, probably only because it has none to bleed.

It stabs at Posey
[1d20+4 = (5+4) = 9]
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]
[1d20+4 = (11+4) = 15]
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]

And pecks at her as well
[1d20+4 = (16+4) = 20]
[2d6+2 = (8+2) = 10]
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192851
>>192850
Damage on the second hit
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192852
192853
>>192838
>>192850
Cavaliere responds, "To the northeast, closer to the Kostroma. We need to go there anyway, but we must be prepared to set up a decent position and fight."
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192853
192854
>>192852
Blackheel
"Will you be coming with us? And should we go... on the street?"
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192854
192855
>>192853
"Of course, Mala and I will escort the best we can. We need to stay in concealment as much as possible. Those…things are lurking among the buildings. We have to make a break for it while they are distracted. Keep the wounded in the middle of the group."
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192855
192860
>>192854
Between Posey and the GRU, the monsters at least seem to be occupied. But the possibility of another appearing is higher than zero.

Mala:
"Should I... stay in the rearguard, or scout ahead?"
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192856
192858
>>192850
Drawing two more arrows, Kira nocks and looses them at the second creature's bird-like face.

[1d20+10 = (1+10) = 11]
[1d8+3 = (3+3) = 6]
[1d20+5 = (7+5) = 12]
[1d8+3 = (1+3) = 4]

Silver's now in range as well, and he charges the creature that's been brought to the ground with his greatsword.

[1d20+14 = (12+14) = 26]
[2d6+8 = (10+8) = 18]
Posey
baa449e
?
No.192857
192858
>>192850
I was referring to the 2, not the 5. We're on the same page.

This is all piercing damage, right?

Posey is starting to look fucked up. She looks like a cube of Swiss cheese. Were it not for the defensive magic infused into her bones, she would be long destroyed. Her legs rattle beneath her, sinews hanging by a thread. Her emergency fast healing activates, bringing her up to 10 HP as her wounds slowly close, but she's still looking like Swiss cheese.
"...B-B-BUCK...!" she gags, as she finally sees the limit to her strength.
Posey takes a withdraw action, now fighting defensively.

She skitters 60 ft away from the monster, provoking no attacks of opportunity.
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192858
192859 192864
>>192856
One arrow simply slides off and fails to launch. The second seems to barely miss, with how now sound is heard, but it may have glanced against the side of its barrel

>>192856
Silver charges at the first creature, and slices its barrel right in two. In some ways, it's like cutting into bread. The entity disintegrates in front of Silver, turning into a black ash that evaporates in the span of only a few seconds. The creature's long beak opens slightly, though it's too dark to look inside. It seems like it will make a dying gasp, but it makes no sound at all as it fades away.

The second creature, however, pecks at Silver
[1d20+4 = (8+4) = 12]
[2d6+2 = (7+2) = 9]

And stabs at him
[1d20+4 = (18+4) = 22]
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3]
[1d20+4 = (10+4) = 14]
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]

>>192857
Swipes are blunt, any kind of stab or peck is piercing

Withdrawing is rather easy, with Silver coming in to finish off the one and draw the attention of the other.

Behind Posey, Cavaliere is organizing a withdraw of the caravan of creatures
Posey
baa449e
?
No.192859
192861
>>192858
In the round that the creature isn't focused on her, Posey puts a hoof to her chest and attempts to heal herself with her Charnel Touch.
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192860
192861
>>192855
"Stay in the rear. I will scout ahead. Now let's get a move on!"
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192861
192863
>>192860
Cavaliere is able to essentially backtrack, going through the portions of the village that have already been searched. Though he walks away from the source of the light, it is still illuminated by that dim, green light.

Rounding the edge of the village, Cavaliere may want to head in the direction of the black sand beach

>>192859
For what it's worth, nopony is looking at Posey, and she has relative quiet as she does so. "Relative," because she can still hear the high pitched "tinging" of a submachine gun in the background
Posey
baa449e
?
No.192862
"...After all these decades, still pincushion for the frontline cavalry..." Posey says to herself
She draws her sewing needle and begins stitching as she tries to accelerate her wound closure to an acceptable level.
Disguise check (secret roll; modifier is +10)
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192863
192865
>>192861
Cavaliere heads closer to the beach but avoids walking on it, trying to maintain stealth. While he looks for any enemies nearby, can he see any signs of a lone pony?
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192864
192865
>>192858
Power Attack: One of the stabs hits home, dealing only glancing damage to an unarmored part of him but still hurting. Gritting his teeth, he prepares a powerful swing to try to take this Abomination down, his sword carving a thick path through the air.

[1d20+6 = (9+6) = 15]
[2d6+20 = (7+20) = 27]

Kira curses to herself, and picks up the arrow from the ground as well as drawing another one. "Come on, Kira, hit this thing!"

She looses them right at where the creature's eyes would be.

[1d20+10 = (16+10) = 26]
[1d8+3 = (6+3) = 9]
[1d20+5 = (2+5) = 7]
[1d8+3 = (2+3) = 5]
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192865
192866 192868 192873
>>192863
He doesn't think he sees one, though he can't say for sure. Waves crash against the shore, and cavaliere can feel the smaller stones move under his claws.

There is more than one smaller rowboat on the shore, or in one case, on the surf, each a number of feet from the other. They are visible against the black sand and pebbles because of their faded, white paint over planks of wood.

>>192864
Silver's attack has quite a bit of power. Maybe a bit too much power. Silver's sword goes upwards, and while it makes contact with the creature's hide, it does so at an angle, until it glances and deflects off of the thick hide.

It, however, attacks back:

With a peck
[1d20+4 = (10+4) = 14]
[2d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]

A swipe
[1d20+4 = (19+4) = 23]
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]

And a stab
[1d20+4 = (19+4) = 23]
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]

>>192864
Kira shoots her arrow, and it lands squarely in the barrel of the aberration. It hisses. The hide around the wound becomes darker. Maybe it can bleed. Between the arrow and Posey's earlier hits, it's clearly not far from oblivion.
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192866
192867
>>192865
Cavaliere gestures to the entourage to stay back, while he investigates the rowboats. Is there anything inside?
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192867
192869
>>192866
Three of them, the second one in the water. Maybe a fourth further north? Nothing in the first.
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192868
192870 192873
I've been forgetting to add the +2 bonus to Kira's damage rolls from Weapon Specialization...

>>192865
The peck is ineffective at piercing through his flak jacket, but the swipe and stab find purchase against his exposed body. He's definitely regretting putting so much power into that attack with the hurt the Abomination just put into him. Bringing his sword back around, he tries a couple of normal swings to just finish this thing off and remove it from this plane of existence.

[1d20+12 = (19+12) = 31]
[2d6+8 = (7+8) = 15]
[1d20+7 = (15+7) = 22]
[2d6+8 = (7+8) = 15]

Kira draws two more arrows, just in case the wounded Silver can't find purchase against this thing's hide. She loosens them with lethal intent against the Abomination.

[1d20+10 = (5+10) = 15]
[1d8+5 = (1+5) = 6]
[1d20+5 = (8+5) = 13]
[1d8+5 = (2+5) = 7]
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192869
192870
>>192867
Cavaliere takes 10 to tie a lasso and throw it at the the second rowboat in order to pull it to shore.
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192870
192871 192880
>>192869
whacha
Cavaliere is able to pull it onto shore

>>192868
Silver gets a firm hit against its barrel, then a second against its neck. He didn't need that much. The creature makes a silent "skree" as he slices into it, exposing a dark inside, and watching as it slowly evaporates before him.

Kira sees it evaporate before her arrows can land, though they would have hit at awkward angles judging from where they are seen to fly.

No monsters remain in the village, though judging from the sound of gunfire, some must be nearby
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192871
192872
>>192870
And he looks inside….
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192872
192877
>>192871
There is no creature inside, though some water has gotten in it. It has a survival kit that presumably has medical supplies, flares, and perhaps a blanket or two. Maybe food.
Posey
f1fd845
?
No.192873
192874 192875 192876 192877
>>192868
Isn't weapon Specialization a Fighter-only feat? Knowledge Devotion is better anyway.
>>192865
Posey takes a move action backwards, heals fires an arrow with her longbow, and touches herself to heal 2 HP.

Longbow
[1d20+6 = (20+6) = 26]
[1d8+3 = (3+3) = 6]
Posey
f1fd845
?
No.192874
192875 192876
>>192873
Hey, my luck is beginning to turn.
Rolling to confirm threat
[1d20+7 = (17+7) = 24]
Posey
f1fd845
?
No.192875
192876
>>192874
>>192873
18 damage
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192876
192878
>>192873
>>192874
>>192875
Very good attacks. But all immediate dangers are already vanquished
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192877
192883
>>192872
He takes the survival kit, but doesn't waste time looking through it now. On to the third boat.
>>192873
>touches herself
Now is not the time!
Posey
f1fd845
?
No.192878
192879
>>192876
Oh.. Okay then.
Posey slinks off to heal herself.
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192879
>>192878
Don't worry. There's more in the area
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192880
192881
>>192870
Kira rushes over to collect what arrows she can, though she's lost a few more permanently. Silver takes an assessment of his wounds and does his best to patch them up.

[1d20+5 = (18+5) = 23]

Can Kira tell that the rest of the party has gone to the shore?
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192881
192882
>>192880
She knows that they have moved, and moved the opposite direction of the threat

Silver is definitely wounded, stabbed in the shoulder and barrel repeatedly.

Kira gets a few of her arrows, and several more would be beyond the village, to the north
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192882
>>192881
Silver does what he can to ensure that he at least doesn't bleed out, and he does the same for Kira. Kira gets what she can from the local area, since it's too dangerous to try to go for the others. She looks out to where the soldiers are coming from, and points in the opposite direction for both Silver and Posey. "I think the others would have gone that way, towards the water."

Silver nods in reply. "That does make sense. Come on, we need to get moving."
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192883
192891
>>192877
He sees it. Darting through the night by the surf, in green clothing, the shape of a pony.
Posey
1c033a5
?
No.192886
Posey returns to the herd after closing her wounds.
"This has been a waste of time. We should leave immediately."
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192891
192892
>>192883
"Hooked In! We're here to rescue you!" Cavaliere calls out after him. He picks up his hat and waves at the pony, hoping to grab his attention.
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192892
192893 192895
>>192891
Cavaliere sees the figure dart along the surf ahead of him. He's in the water, with waves passing by. He doesn't hear much splashing, but the waves drown out most sounds. The pony does not respond to Cavaliere. It's certainly an earth pony. A lighter coat color, but clothing that's a greenish color, likely taken off and tied around the waist. He looks rather small. Could almost be that Barley Corn, really. He's heading away from Cavaliere, and towards the third rowboat, which has been dislodged from the shore with the rising tide.
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192893
192894
>>192892
Cavaliere gets a running start, leaps, and flies just overhead to the rowboat. "Stop and listen to me, airpony!" he calls out, practically into his ear.
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192894
192900
>>192893
The pony hops ahead, moving into the water. He heads for the boat. Though he has a head start, Cavaliere starts to catch up. The pony jumps and Cavaliere loses sight of him just at the rowboat. But the open top boat... seems to be empty?
Posey
6ab417c
?
No.192895
192896
>>192892
Can Posey see this?
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
15f864e
?
No.192896
192897
>>192895
Can she?

I think that Posey remained closer to the village, rather than going down to the shore. Cavaliere would also be a bit further north at the point
Posey
14568ce
?
No.192897
192898
>>192896
Then I guess I will just stay put.
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
15f864e
?
No.192898
192899
>>192897
Anything in particular for her to do at the moment?
Posey
14568ce
?
No.192899
>>192898
She needs about a minute to restore herself to beauty, but otherwise no plans.
She returns to the group and asks what passed in the past few minutes.
>Anything in particular
If chasing ghosts is an option, she would gladly participate in that.

"What is going on? Where did Cavalier fly off to? Are we ready to gallop towards the shore?"
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192900
192901
>>192894
Cavaliere lands in the boat and investigates its interior. If indeed it is empty, he dives into the water beneath to look for the desperate pony.
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192901
192902 192905
>>192900
Cavaliere looks inside to see... nothing. Several inches of seawater sloshing about in the bottom of the boat as it moves in the waves. Under a plank that constitutes a seat, a... Wait. That large protrusion, a more yellow color than the green seawater, white painted planks, and dark brown of exposed wood - that could just be a pony.

Cavaliere sees it, hiding underneath the plank, but too large to be completely covered by it, his lays on his side, is curled up in a ball, wears a green unform and khaki pants (Cavaliere could have sworn he saw a pony wearing clothing the other way around, but nevermind that). His eyes are closed, and his mouth is partly in the water. He can't drown in two inches of water, but four inches? He likely would. He is non-responsive.
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192902
192904
>>192901
Cavaliere heaves him over his shoulders and rushes through the surf to the shore as quickly as he can. His movement is much less graceful than his flight, not that he cares. Just beyond the waves, he shoves the pony onto the ground, mouth to the side, and presses on his chest to get water out, maybe stimulating breath as well. Then he checks for signs of life.
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192904
192906 192907
>>192902
The pony is most definitely heavy, being a fully grown adult earth pony stallion, and Cavaliere can neither fly nor run with him. The raft wasn't exactly far from shore, though every touch of the water, every splash and every wave, is biting, with the northern waters being not far above freezing. The pony himself must surely be cold. He does not seem to have breathed in any water. He stirs slightly, but seems to be unconscious. He breezes, though his breathing is slow.
Posey
10b05ce
?
No.192905
1764444377.mp4 (1.2 MB, Resolution:720x720 Length:00:00:11, TQROWC-ZMQShsTwm.mp4) [play once] [loop]
TQROWC-ZMQShsTwm.mp4
>>192901
>wears a green unform and khaki pants (Cavaliere could have sworn he saw a pony wearing clothing the other way around, but nevermind that)
Posey
10b05ce
?
No.192906
>>192904
What does his dogtag say?
Green uniform suggests that this is our pony.
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192907
192908
>>192904
Cavaliere is shivering by the time he leaves the water, but he feels a great deal of satisfaction for having found the missing crew member.
He checks the pony's dogtags, then his pulse, before putting his jacket around him. Is there any sign of Kira around?
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192908
192909 192910
>>192907
He is alive. Slowed heartrate. He's shivering. Dog Tag states, "Hooked In, Seaman First Class, Republican Naval Air Service, Republic of New Mareland." Note that he had a pistol with him when he was found next to him. An Equestrian design.

Kira is....
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192909
192910 192912
>>192908
"Kirafiki, over here!" he calls out, but not loudly enough to be a proper shout. "I need your help carrying this pony!"

If nopony is around, he will lift and carry the pony himself and head southwest to where the larger group should be coming from.
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192910
192911
>>192908
>>192909
Kira and Silver have by this point made their way back to the rest of the group. Kira nods and rushes over to help the adorable distressed pony, wrapping the end of her tail around him to help drag him to safety.
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192911
192915
>>192910
>adorable
He is a sodden mess and we haven't even looked at him closely. Anyway, Cavaliere helps get the entire group together before the wounded get treated. They might not get another chance.
Posey
62df600
?
No.192912
Posey eventually makes her way over to the action, a bit shaky.
>>192909
"What have you found?" she implores
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192913
192914 192917 192923
Further away, between and on the hillside and the village, the ground explodes - as often as not, literally - into a cacophony of sounds. A "tat tat tat," is almost constant, sometimes from two different sources, and rarely for longer than a few seconds is there any kind of pause. Often it is supplemented by a rapid, higher pitched "cha cha cha," and constant "pops." Then there are the loud and sudden BOOMs that are loud enough to shake the ground, startle griffins and ponies alike, and probably even catch the party members off guard, even when they are expecting them. Likewise, playing in the symphany, are the screams, cries, and howls of animals unknown. The last is closest in sound to the cry of a hawk, but any party member could just as well believe it was made by a violin, stringed in some exotic manner of Griffonia. There are more "chics," and sounds that could be from a dying phonograph, intermittent with sounds of electrical discharge or of a magical aura. And will all of this, the sound of beating drums. Actual drums, beaten in a martial harmony, and joined on occasion by violin and the pony voice, playing together with determination.

It is just as well that the hillside is so loud, because on the beach, the herd that has for so long followed the party is... spooked, for some reason. The purple earth pony rescued at the first village is talking to himself, shaking, on his belly with his hooves over his head. The griffins, and not exclusively Sorvik, are talking loudly among themselves, periodically flapping their wings. The white pegasus airpony, for so long very steady, is now flapping his wings, and running around frantically. The engineer pony, for so long silent, is now having some kind of serious discussion with Black Heel. And the Captain stares at the Kostroma, and silently walks into the water towards it.

And yet all of this noise does not entirely drown out the ringing. It's now less like tinnitus - that is to say, a single, high pitched sound, but is so many lower pitched noises together. Like radio static, really. And it's much, much louder than before.
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192914
192915
>>192913
Kira hears the sloshing of water as the captain wades into the icy ocean and her eyes widen to the size of dinner plates. She bolts up using her snake body to slither into the water and wrap the Captain up. "WOAH WOAH, DON'T GO IN THERE! YOU'LL FREEZE TO DEATH!"

Silver looks around at the chaos enveloping the group, and belts out in as loud a voice as he can muster into the frigid air: "ENOUGH!"
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192915
192916
image.png
>>192914
This quiets all the ponies (and griffins), who turn and stare at Silver, wide eyed. And usually sit down.

Black Heel,
"I... Had it under control..."

squeaky
Ponies are kind of squishy, just a bit. This one made it to waste deep water and was fairly wet when Kira got to him. He needs to be dragged back, back to shore.

>>192911
He is a pony, and therefore, may be presumed to be adorable
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192916
>>192915
Kira pulls the Captain back to the shore, to the safety of dry land. She's thankful for the blessing from Ouroboros that's letting her survive comfortably even in this chill. She hopes as she wraps around the Captain that he might feel at least a bit of His warmth, and that it might combat the madness of the Traveler.

Silver turns to look at all of the gathered creatures. He maintains an authoritative tone of voice, one he's very familiar with through his days as a soldier. "Look at you, quivering in your shoes over some overgrown whale. Are you going to let this outsider make you quake with fear when your nation, our species, has survived far worse?" Turning to the Kostroma survivors, he continues in Severyanan. "И вы собираетесь отпустить это чудовище на свободу, чтобы оно пробралось на материк и снова сделало то же самое с вашими друзьями, вашей семьей, вашей страной?"
Posey
7215364
?
No.192917
192919
>>192913
I would like to make a Rally check (Heroes Of Battle, page 73) to improve troop readiness and dispel this evidently supernatural morale effect before we head towards the Kostroma. May I do so?
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192919
>>192917
Yes
Posey
9343853
?
No.192920
192922 192924
Posey trots towards the herd, gnashing her teeth with her eyes glowing faintly. She whirls her capes and tossed her mane, drawing attention towards herself and away from the other supernatural horror on the island.
Her voice drips with all the venom you would expect from a Dread Pirate, but there is an undertone of bold determination.
"Listen here, you worms." she glowers
"We have already successfully retrieved our hostages. All that remains is for us to leave this island. We have the means to leave this rock ourselves, but if the rest of you want to leave then you had best stop ponying around and listen here." she says
She points towards the Kostroma
"That ship, your ship, is one of two vessels large enough to carry all of us, the other being the GRU, whom I intend to sink. The Kostroma is currently occupied by the Intruder and a herd or mentally pliable sailors. We intend to take that ship, and part of its crew if we can manage. Those of you who want to learn a spot aboard the ship cam follow us. Those who would rather freeze alone on this rock can be our guests. I believe your volk have a saying that goes something like 'those who do not work, neither shall they eat'; we pirates operate the same way. Everypony pulls their weight."
She rearw, kicking her front hooves in the air
"So you can either cower in place like panicked herd animals and die for certain, or you can stampede your way through this storm and perhaps make it out alive!" she draws her sword and points it into the air. Her golden eyes shine in the dim light, her scarlet mane flows in the sea wind like a flag, and a blazing halo of crimson energy wreathes her head in a corona of dying stars.
she whirls her cape and turns to gallop towards the Kostroma
"I have already made my choice. Do not wait up."
[1d20+13 = (6+13) = 19] (possibly, +1-4; I haven't established my commander rating)

Also opposed Charisma check to influence any creatures already charmed by Posey into following her into battle.
[1d20+6 = (7+6) = 13]
Posey
9343853
?
No.192922
>>192920
It looks like I failed. Oh well.
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192923
>>192913
Any ponies still looking scared? Maybe a diplomacy roll from Cavaliere can help. Anyway we need to make sure all wounded are stabilized before we do anything else.
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192924
192925 192926 192938
>>192920
Between Silver's rousing speech and Posey's display of bravado, the creatures are subdued and listening to the words of the two. The Kostroma survivors particularly nod along to Silver's words, though the griffins still seem disgruntled. Black Heel moves forward to speak,

"Yes, we're agreed on the principle of the thing, but the fact remains.... How do you kill a god? This 'Black god' has powers of magic that we haven't exactly seen before. And then the Kostroma, well, much of the crew has had its minds melted, we're not sure if they will ever recover, and if they do, it will likely not be, you know, in less than an hour. This GRU company is the first to be here, to be sure, but you have to know that more will come, and I don't just mean from Stalliongrad. Many of the Petrushkas are surely dead or soon will be. And then the Kostroma itself... it probably ran aground. It may be damaged, and it's a magnet of... Attention. And this is all besides the question of where we will go after then. Some of us have families we need to get back to, and some would just as soon move to Weter, but it's... not so simple."
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192925
192927
>>192924
Cavaliere answers Black Heel, "None of this is simple. Let me give you the facts that lie before us. First, though none of us expected or came prepared for a battle like this, we are still alive. This enemy is neither all-powerful nor all-knowing considering how often it has tried to kill us. Second, even if it's not all-powerful now, it is too dangerous to be left alive.
We must destroy it however we can to ensure it doesn't arrive at the mainland. Finally, ours is a mission of rescue and once we destroy this creature, we will get you off this rock however we can."


"So let's go over how we destroy this creature. If its 'spawn' can be killed by conventional means, it stands to reason that if it is of the same nature, enough conventional munitions can be enough against it. We took as much precious time as we could spare to secure that means, and it will be up to us–" he gestures among the party members "–to strike at it. We will not force any of you to confront it directly, since it is too dangerous."

"As for escape, your best chance is to stick together and leave all at once. This last airpony," and he points to the unconscious one just rescued, "tried to escape in a small rowboat. None of you could make it in these seas on one of those, even if you knew where to go. Whether it is by the Kostroma or another vessel, we will get you off this island, if you just trust us."
Posey
f031b5f
?
No.192926
192927 192928
>>192924
>How do you kill a god?
"I happen to be an erudite in that particular field. I am an esteemed alienist, and I once wrote a thesis on arcane studies related to mythological deicide. It is a tricky thing,but certainly feasible, especially in this context." Posey says, tossing her mane
"Destiny brought us together, and in the grand cosmos there are no coincidences. Even the greatest challenge is but an opportunity. If destroying its corporeal vessel is not enough, then I have some ideas for how to deal with its spiritual essence as it emerges." she continues
"And then I will take its ruinous powers and add them to my own. Then we can be certain that it will never comes back. I did not believe I would get to complete the oldest project of my masters so soon, but fate it seems would have it this way." she says, with a subtle but wicked grin
"I want that hippogriff alive. Let him watch as I destroy everything he dreamed of, before he withers away to nothingness with his precious intruder."
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
15f864e
?
No.192927
192928 192929 192933
>>192925
Black Heel pauses, pulls his lips back to show his teeth, then returns his lips to the more neutral expression. He looks quickly to the right, then back to Cavaliere. He swallows, then says:

“The Commandant in Ravenskoye… he might, as I have, seen what has become of this expedition and come to the conclusion that it is a fire that must be stamped out. I fear it is more likely that he will want to capture the thing, probably ‘kill’ it first, and dissect it to attempt to understand its powers. But what I know this: it cannot be allowed on the Homeland, nor near any major city. I still fear what might have happened had I allowed the crew to disembark at Sirius. It must be stopped. By whatever means, at whatever costs. But if we fail, the word must get out.”

>>192926
“There will be no ‘taking of ruinous powers.’ If that were my intent, I’d just let the GRU handle it. And that hippogriff must be shot before he can do any more harm.”
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192928
192930
>>192926
Cavaliere cocks an eyebrow. Clearly they are not on the same page.
>>192927
Doesn't the party have a radio? I'm sure we have it somewhere.
Posey
71a035a
?
No.192929
192930
>>192927
"Cut off his wings, his tongue, his claws, his eyes, his ears, I just want his heart faintly beating in the moment we destroy the Intruder. He will die with it."
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192930
192931 192933
>>192928
The party has more than one (maybe even three, at this point) short range radios. Enough range to cover anywhere on the island, the bays, and a bit beyond it, but they won't be able to call Trottingham with it.

>>192929
"'Our Fellow Traveller' has none of those things, only his lucid dreams, and that is enough. Do not underestimate the Hippogriff either."
Posey
71a035a
?
No.192931
192932
>>192930
"I underestimate neither, which is why I intend to obliterate them entirely. By the time this night is over, it may be like they never even existed."
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192932
>>192931
"It's too late for them to have never existed...." pressing his lips together. "But that, I can agree with." He nods once, sharply.
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192933
192934
>>192927
>>192930
"We have radios we can use. As for the hippogriff, if anything should be captured from this mission we should get him. However, we won't let him jeopardize our objectives."
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192934
192935
>>192933
Blackheel:
"Of what use is he to you?"
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192935
192936
>>192934
"Insane or not, he knows more about this creature than any other being alive. With this knowledge it might be possible to prevent this situation from happening ever again."
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192936
192937
>>192935
Blackheel pauses for a moment.

"I shudder at the possibility of there being... another one of those things on our planet at some point in the future... I have to question how much will be learned and how much forgotten. How much should be forgotten... I would be just as well that any esoteric knowledge gained die with him."
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192937
192939
>>192936
"We also need to bring him to justice, even if there is no penalty that may be sufficient for what he has done."
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192938
192939
>>192924
Silver: "This thing made mistake of coming to our reality. I do not know nature of its home, but I know one thing about ours: death is inevitable, it is part of life. And if this thing seeks to continue to exist in our reality, then it must bend to its rules or it will break." He picks back up into his authoritative voice. "And with Goddesses as my witness we will break it. We will teach it about death, and we are very good teachers."

Kira flicks her tongue into the cold air, and decides to try something. She puts a hoof to the talisman around her neck, which begins to glow faintly with a golden light. She may have run out of spells, but she hopes she can still reach out to Him. Placing her other hoof on the Captain's head, she offers up a prayer. "Ouroboros, please guide this wayward creature back into Your light. His mind remains ensnared by otherworldly powers which seek to corrupt Your world and end Your cycle. Cleanse the madness which has taken hold to him, and bring Your child back."
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192939
192940 192941
>>192937
"'Justice'? To whose court? Under what law?" He shakes his head. "There is no revenge nor justice against a metastatic cancer. Only cutting it out or destroying it before it can spread and kill its host."

>>192938
Black Heel nods.

Kira feels, or at least thinks she can feel, the spirit run through her, and to the pony. If anyone can help fight against... this... it must surely be Ouroboros.
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192940
192942
>>192939
Kira: "Please let this work..."
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192941
192942
>>192939
Cavaliere remains determined. "The hippogriff made his choices. As destructive as he has been, he will face the consequences of his crimes in a court of law. It won't matter which one."
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192942
192943 192944 192945
>>192940
The pony opens his eyes and darts his head about." He says something that seems close to a ponish word, but slurred.

>>192941
"If you like, I can try him myself and execute him for treason." Black Heel smiles and raises his pistol.
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192943
192946
>>192942
Kira lets out a sigh, and gives the poor pony some pets on the head. This progress will have to do for now, she thinks to herself. Looking around at the large group they now have with them, Kira holds her talisman tighter and speaks aloud one more prayer. "And, Ouroboros...if You could watch over them, too, and keep them safe...we're about to head into the heart of the beast, and the Traveler...he might not be even near as strong as You, but he's still a powerful and dangerous foe. They're still Your children, just as much as we are. They need Your guiding light, too."

Silver nods at Black Heel, and looks to see how close the party is to making their way towards the ship. He has one more rousing speech to give, before they depart.
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192944
192946
>>192942
"First we have to get to him. At least you're motivated in that regard."
Posey
6a26e80
?
No.192945
192946
>>192942
"I would prefer to perform the execution myself. He will be the subject in my ceremony to prevent the Intruder from remanifesting. I believe it is essential that he is executed in the same moment that vessel of the Intruder is destroyed."
"Besides, he insulted my friends, my masters, and my sisters. I have a bone to pick with him."

"But enough about that, we should be discussing how to board the ship. I would like you to describe the layout of the ship in detail, with a sketch if possible, particularly where the Intruder is stowed."
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192946
192947 192948 192949
>>192945
"He's done far worse than petty words to me. No theatrics, no antiquated system of honor. Just a simple elimination of an obvious threat. That is how it must be done.

I don't know the layout in detail. I am a political officer. But surely one of the sailors can help."

>>192944
Black Heel nods sharply

>>192943
The pony is pat, and closes his eyes. Then he scrunches, and tries to wiggle out of whatever grasp Kira still has him in.

Kira looks up towards the heavens, surely. She can't see the stars, only the bottom of the evermoving clouds where they are lit by the dim green light, and blackness everywhere else. It's cold, and the rain has not ceased.

The herd is now concentrated on the beach. A few ponies of the Kostroma have started to pull on a rowboat to bring it further into shore.

Two ponies approach Silver: Pinup Locker and Primed Well, although a third pony, the White Pegasus, is not far behind.

Primed Well speaks
"I don't think we can carry them much further. The wounded, I mean. We are tired, and we need to rest."
Posey
97a5a45
?
No.192947
>>192946
"Then have one of your sailors sketch a map for my crew. I do not speak the tongue of your sailors. Knowing where to board and the path to where the Intruder is stowed is essential to capturing the vessel." Posey replies
"I believe that capturing the hippogriff as soon as possible will be imperative. So it is important to identify where he would be waiting on the ship. Did he have a preferred quarters? Or perhaps the ship has a more comfortable room for officers that he would have helped himself to?"
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192948
192949 192950 192951
>>192946
Cavaliere nods to Primed Well. "Let's at least get off this beach. We'll set up a bivouac, then our unit and whatever volunteers who want to brave the risk will proceed to the Kostroma. It's not far now."
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192949
192951
>>192946
>>192948
Silver looks out to the town where the GRU was advancing from, and then out towards the water where the Kostroma awaits. "I do not think universe will give us much time for rest. I am not even so sure that we will be able to get through to anyone to evacuate wounded, and that if we do that they will not crash into darkened island or be shot down by Spetsnaz ship, but...we will try."

Kira blinks, and flicks her tongue at the captain. Before she lets him go just yet, she asks him, "Is that you in there? Like, the 'you' you, not the Traveler? Are you going to try to run into the water again?"
Posey
c3c8c5d
?
No.192950
192951
>>192948
"Agreed. Onwards!" Posey replies, tossing her mane, twirling her sword, and galloping towards the ship
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192951
192952 192953
>>192948
"To where?" Primed Well asks

>>192949
"We have to get off this island" Primed Well says

The Captain starts wrigling and trying to escape Kira's grasp. Actually rather like antelope Kira has had in her grasp before.

"Release me, beast!"

>>192950
Posey apparently jumps into the water
>>192950
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192952
192957
>>192951
Cavaliere stares at the Captain with disapproval. "Captain!" he barks. "Are you going to abandon your stallions like this? You know there isn't enough space on those boats for your crew, and you have no provisions. Even a seasoned sailor would consider it suicide, and your experience is in aeronautics. If you run off now, you will be marked as MIA."
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192953
192957 192963
>>192951
Kira blinks again. Her tongue flicks out again. "So...is that a yes?"

Silver nods, and looks out to the Kostroma. "There is only one way we can do that. We need to defeat Traveler."
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192957
192961 192965
>>192952
The captain is confused and occupied
"Abandon? I'm abandoning nothing. Get this beast to get off of me!"

>>192953
The captain scrunches at Kira

Primed Well:
"O... kay..."
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192961
192965 192986
>>192957
"This 'beast' is helping to save your life. Ms. Kirafiki, let him loose. Thank you for restraining him."
Posey
977c74a
?
No.192963
192965
>>192953
"Silver, get the Talisman ready. Once we identify the strike points we can immediately board the vessel."
The Floof and The Noodle
1221e7f
?
No.192965
192966 192986
>>192957
>>192961
Kira nods, and releases the captain. After doing so, she looks into his eyes. "Did...did you see Him? Ouroboros? I called out to him to ask him to help kick the Traveler from your mind, but..."

>>192963
Silver tilts his head at the very strange mare. "Talisman? What talisman?"
Posey
10697ee
?
No.192966
192967
>>192965
"The swan feather talisman. Do not tell me you lost it..!" Posey groans
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192967
192968 192990
>>192966
Silver: "Oh, that thing. Hang on it is..." Taking a couple seconds to search through his bags, Silver pulls out the requested item. "...here. I am still unclear on what this does and how this is meant to help us."
Posey
2b3578d
?
No.192968
>>192967
"It is a portable boat. That is why I made sure we had it..." Posey says
"The Swan boat is a self propelled magical vessel with exceptional speed, easily capable of overtaking most ships. It is capable of carrying thirty two ponies, and is similar in structure to a large keelboat or small barge. Although only barely seaworthy, its speed and portable nature make it an exceptional item for emergencies at sea. Being rather cheap to produce and easily stowed, it is a coveted item among pirates, and naval combatants in general, be it as a ship or as any other reason one might like to conjure a collosal object out of thin air." Posey explains
"The swan boat will last for twenty four hours once activated. We could use it now to board the Kostroma with ease, as its speed means that we should be able to avoid being fired upon as we approach, while also leaving all of us free to return fire if we do so. The neckband wings of the swan may even serve as a platform we may climb to board the ship."
"Combatants should board the swan boat, while Monstrosity tows the injured an unconscious in rowboats behind it. Once combatants board the Kostroma, the noncombatants may board the swan boat themselves and move it to a safe distance as the battle carries on aboard the Kostroma." Posey continues
"Flyers, including Monstro, may fly behind crew, using the Swan boat as cover should a firefight commence."
Posey
5eba1de
?
No.192980
192986
"Did anypony see a key somewhere?"
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.192986
192988 192989 192990 192991 192995
>>192961
The captain scrunches and crosses his hooves

>>192965
The captain is still displeased with Kira, standing up, taking one, two steps further away from her, facing her, scrunching, and also lowering his tail to tuck between his legs. Some aspect of his eyes still makes him look dazed and confused, like he can't focus on anything in particular.

Yet he takes Kira's question seriously
"I..." His eyes go up towards the right, his mouth opens slightly, his ears tend slightly back, and he tilts his head ever so slightly upwards. "Don't know." Drawing out that last word, and eventually settling his eyes on that shape looming over the dark, green waters in the distance, the SSRS Kostroma.

"But I did hear from him. He craves friendship, as surely as we do. For so long he was alone... Now, it's like a drug. He can't help it, you know. As he dreams, his dreams intermingle with our thoughts. Not much more than we can help being overheard talking to ourselves walking through the garden. Not that much more, anyways. It was a mistake, he thinks, trying to reach out on the ship. This next time he will play dead longer. Feign a defeat by those who do not understand. You know he sleeps, right? Though his dreams are powerful, maybe too powerful for the good of his friends, he wishes to awake. When he awakes, he will bring Elysium. He will bring Father to me."

He stares at the Kostroma
"It's just..." His ears twitch and move forward "I don't know, you know? When I was small my father took me to the Zoo in Sunset, and they had a Manticore. It was a big, ferocious beast. I could see it beyond the steel fence, and I knew I didn't want to meet it without those steel bars between me and him. And yet... somehow... I could imagine meeting that Manticore in the forest and... coming to an understanding. You know? Like what we want, deep down, isn't all that different. Like maybe he's not so scary afterall....."

He stares at the silhouette of the Kostroma

>>192980
Mala moves forward from his position on the edge of the beach, closer towards Posey. He reaches into his saddlebag, and produces a ring of keys that he hangs from his paw

"These?"
Posey
fa4b5f8
?
No.192988
193009
>>192986
>"These?"
"Splendid! You are such a good boy!" Posey replies, patting Mala
Anonymous
6bae2c1
?
No.192989
193009
>>192986
Cavaliere looks toward the captain as he speaks. Finally he replies, "That is good information to have. It's as good as we're going to get. What we're facing is far more dangerous than a Manticore, and we need to be prepared. If we hadn't moved from place to place so fast, I would have found guns for those trustworthy enough to be wielding one. Nevertheless, spending one minute too long could have been the death of any of us.
Posey
fa4b5f8
?
No.192990
192991
>>192986
>He stares at the silhouette of the Kostroma
Posey notices this.

"We should board the ship immediately. Dilly dallying only gives the Intruder more opportunities to drive ponies mad."
>>192967
"Silver, give me the swan feather."
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192991
192992 193009
>>192986
Kira blinks, taking in the absolutely valuable information about the Traveler that the captain willingly gives. She has a feeling she wouldn't want to see the Traveler when he awakes. Placing a hoof on the captain's shoulder, she speaks to him, "You'd...you'd know if you met Him. We're all children of Ouroboros, we all came from Him when he made this iteration of the World-Cycle. He loves and cares for all of us. He's nothing like the Traveler. His friendship doesn't control the minds of innocent creatures, His dreams don't create horrors beyond mortal comprehension. He is light, He is life, He is creation, and when He awakes it won't be to create some twisted form of 'Elysium' representing some dark pit from whence He came, it will be to save all of us from a doomed existence and bring about the dawning of a new age." She lets out a sigh before she continues, "We all want to be understood. Ouroboros knows I want to be understood by ponies, to be known that I'm not some monster but another creature, another child of Ouroboros just like all of you are. But what's the point when we're all one? You wouldn't understand me because I wouldn't understand me anymore. I wouldn't be me, you wouldn't be you, we would be something else entirely...it would be horror. Complete and absolute horror that is truly beyond all mortal comprehension, to lose one's sense of self."

>>192990
Silver gives Posey the feather. "I do not see how this small feather can turn into something so large it can carry 32 ponies, but here. Do your magic, magic mare."
Posey
70b6533
?
No.192992
192994 192995 193009
original.png
4a6ed4ef261e509e30_Swan 1.jpg
1960237__safe_pinkie+pie_princess+celestia_solo_pony_clothes_simple+background_transparent+background_vector_-dot-svg+available_pointing_best+gift+ev.png
>>192991
"Very well. Ready the lifeboats for towing." she says
She claps her hooves together, and orders Monstro forward, so ropes can be attached to it.

Posey steps towards the shore, brandishing the feather token.
"The first feather tokens were created by a mighty unicorn conjurer eons ago, in service of a brave an noble pegasus ranger known as "Quail" who wore dozens of them as a cloak. Each talisman contains powerful creation magic, and becomes a useful item once activated, albeit only temporary. Although they are tricky to make, their material cost is fairly limited, requiring only basic infusion reagents and feathers sometimes sourced from magical birds or even ponies, which makes each talisman special." Posey muses
She turns to show off the elegant and noble pale pearlescent off-white feather, which glistens off-pink in the last gasp of the fading light on the horizon
"Who knows, perhaps this one could even be from somepony famous?"

Posey then mutters an indiscernible arcane word and tosses the talisman into the sea. There it floats before growing at an exponential rate until in the span of less than six seconds it transforms into a grand and beautiful swan-like boat, with a long craning nech and comfy feathered interior. The vessel stretches 50 feet long and twenty feet wide, and floats gracefully on the water.

"I present to you, Her Majesty's Ship." she says, with a bow
"All aboard!"
Posey
4744ada
?
No.192993
Posey boards the swan boat.
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.192994
192995 193009
>>192992
Nice description!
Cavaliere stands back as the magical feather transforms into a seaworthy craft. He wastes no time to hook up the rowboats in a chain behind its stern, taking 10 in his rope tying abilities.
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.192995
193009
>>192992
>>192986
>>192994
Kira is startled at the rapid transformation and appearance of the unusual watercraft. She slowly slithers up to it and flicks her tongue, trying to catch any unusual scents coming off of it. Even Silver takes a step back, clearly not expecting such a thing to happen. He quickly recomposes himself, however. Standing in front of the boat, he draws his greatsword and holds in aloft in the air above him, the silver-clad blade reflecting what little light is left from the sky or the dark sea as well as the light blue glow from Silver's magic grip.

"COMRADES! We may have once been adversaries, but on this fateful night and this forsaken isle, we now fight together as brothers and sisters, joined together in defense of this world and all who inhabit it! Though dark may be this night, filled with horrors from other realms of existence, our souls shall burn brightly through it!"

As if reacting to his words, his sword seems to shine brighter, a light blue glow forming around it like a beacon. His voice seems to carry an even greater conviction as it does so.

"The Traveler may attempt to control our minds, wield our bodies, but our hearts may never be tamed! Our fiery spirits like swords shall cut through this darkness, banish this Aberration back into depths from whence it came, and free this land and its inhabitants of this madness! And when we behold dawn once again, we will behold it victoriously leg-in-leg as brothers- and sisters-in-arms, and it will be brighter than any we have witnessed before!"

He thrusts his sword into the air, the glow intensifying to light up the faces of the creatures gathered before him. His voice swells to a crescendo as he rallies the creatures he now calls his comrades.

"WITH ME NOW, MY FRIENDS, MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS, MY COMRADES! URA! URA! URA! URA! UUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
Posey
a9cca2a
?
No.193002
Do the Stalliongraders ever reveal the location of where the Traveller is laired? I want to know where we are going before we storm the ship.
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.193009
193010 193011 193014
>>192988
Mala smiles and moves his head side to side

>>192989
"Then let's move" The captain says

>>192991
The Captain has a sort of flinch, as if surprised when Kira touches him, and his eyes go wide.

"Uh... I'm a bit confused by what is going on but... yes, I'd rather not be assimilated by... whatever it is..."

>>192992
For some reason Blackheel, Starfire and Weary Weeks don't seem to like "Her Majesty's," but the ponies, at first startled by the boat, take interest in it. Starfire is the first pony to step onto the boat, and a few more follow.

>>192995
Kira sees and now smells the massive, somewhat bird-shaped boat-thing in front of her. Birds are scary... But not all of them. Some of them are edible. Like swans. And this is like a swan, right? But it's too big to be edible. Kira couldn't swallow that. Probably no lamia could. At least Kira hopes that there's no lamia that could. But since it's so big, doesn't that make it scary? Come on Kira... It's an inanimate object, not a bird. It's nothing to be afraid of. But then again, an inanimate object can harm you. Like rocks when they fall. But wait. Isn't it able to move under its own propulsion? Doesn't that make it dangerous? Okay, it's back to being scary again, maybe a little.

>>192995
At first the ponies look on in hesistation, but a few ponies step forward soon enough. These are Pinup Locker, Primed Well, the white pegasus airpony, and the green unicorn. Steppe Eagle and Rustling Pine join thereafter. Patient Pipette in particular comes close to Silver, almost uncomfortably so. A number of ponies join in the final "URA!" whinnying and rearing on their hindlegs.

>>192994
Cavaliere works dilligently, with three rowboats in total.
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.193010
193011 193012
>>193009
Kira shrinks down into the ground, looking like she'd bury herself then and there if she could. Raising a hoof, she asks out loud. "Um...do you think I could...maybe..." Her voice growing tiny, she finishes, "...float...behind...please?"

Silver levels his sword in the direction of the Kostroma, repeating what Cavaliere said just a few moments ago. "All aboard, to victory!"
Cavaliere
6bae2c1
?
No.193011
193012 193019
>>193009
Cavaliere turns to Blackheel, Starfire, and Partial View. "You have valuable skills and are familiar with the layout of the Kostroma. Would you also like to come aboard and help us fight?"

>>193010
In response to Kira, Cavaliere replies, [color #111]"If you want. We cannot and should not bring all these ponies aboard. Do you want to watch over them at their camp?"
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.193012
193014 193019
>>193010
Well... There's water. Also smaller boats

A few ponies go to get on the swan boat, though not everyone is as enthusiastic

Day Chaser
"This is silly"

>>193011
Partial View either doesn't understand, doesn't hear, or just doesn't noticably react. Blackheel says, "And shoot that Hippogriff? Of course." He nods

Starfire on the other hoof, looks away, then raises his right hoof to rub his left leg
"Well... I'm not much of a fighter..."
Posey
474514b
?
No.193014
193015 193016
>>193009
I like how you describe things from Kira's sensory perspective.

Posey turns to Blackheel
"Blackheel, with your permission, I would like to give you my mark so that I may attempt to contact you should we be separated later." Posey offers in a completely non-sinister way.
Bluff
[1d20+16 = (9+16) = 25]
>>193012
"You know what is also silly? Freezing to death on a desert island. Get on the boat."
Posey
474514b
?
No.193015
>>193014
That should be 14 instead of 16.
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.193016
193017
>>193014
Blackheel:
"Like a receiver? Sure." he says

Day Chaser grumbles
Posey
60adf60
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No.193017
193018
>>193016
"Like a spell." Posey replies
"Just a little boop, for good luck...." she continues, reaching out her hoof out towards him, waiting for permission to touch.
GM Pony
!PonerGM.4A
6f97275
?
No.193018
193020
>>193017
Blackheel looks at Posey suspiciously, but raises a hoof to meet hers
The Floof and The Noodle
d62b663
?
No.193019
>>193012
Silver looks over at Day Chaser, his sword continuing to glow. He narrows his eyes at the pony. "Silly? There is nothing silly about this situation. What is it about this that is silly?"

>>193011
Kira taps her hooves together in front of her, and looks from Cavaliere to off to the side and back again. "But...won't the 'gee are you' and the monsters attack whoever is left behind?"
Posey
df6119b
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No.193020
Screenshot_20251206-141233.png
gr2_lrg.jpg
>>193018
"Very well. Boop."
Posey versatile casts two lvl 1 slots to cast Necrotic Cyst (saving my lvl 2 slots for later), giving Blackheel a gentle boop on the nose.
>The internal cyst is noticeable as a slight bulge on the subject's arm, abdomen, or face (wherever you chose to touch the target) or it is buried deeply enough in the flesh of your target that it is not immediately obvious—the subject may not realize what was implanted within her.
In this case, Posey does the latter, burying the cyst deep inside Blackheel's snoot, so far that it is not visible, although he might feel a slight scrunchy sensation as the spell manifests, although it should go away after a few seconds.

"Splendid. Now, on to the ship we go."

Once everypony is aboard the ship and/or lifeboats, Posey commands the swan boat to move towards the Kostroma.
Anonymous
6f97275
?
No.193021
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