Welcome back to Occupied Equestria, an RP set in a conquered Equestria, using D&D 3.5e mechanics, and based in large part on the My Little Pony mod for Hearts of iron 4, Equestria at War
The party has successfully stopped the Communists of Baltimare from importing guns and foreign advisers in preparation for a revolt. They have also raided a Griffin freighter involved in arms trafficking, and are prepared to leave and end their long night.
1642 replies and 83 files omitted.
>>73734She whispers
"Are the police going to be coming after you?"
[1d20+7 = 26]>>73723"Sorry, boy. This is going to sting."
>>73733"I am in the same boat. I may know a group... but it may not be ideal for you."
>>73736And though it may sting, Ash is able to clean the wounds, as the pony had attempted earlier, then treat them with cream, and then patch them as necessary
>>73737He raises an eyebrow and leans in towards him, interested in what he has to say.
>>73735Iron shrugs and whispers. "I do not know. Maybe." Iron then notices her uncomfortable expression. "Like I said, you do not need to worry." Iron strokes her mane. "I will not be detained even if they send all of the city on me."
>>73740"It's sad that these big fellas keep running into ponies so often.. They're endangered you know."
>>73741Hey GM, what's the racial bonus of a zebra for this game?
>>73743Probably +2 to alchemy, like gnomes.
>>73739I lower my voice as to not have anypony else hear in. "I know this new recruit to the Blackhooves Party around here. He loves to hire help and is very generous with bits. I'm not fond of the occupation, don't get me wrong, but their targets so far are worse then they are."
>>73745Hearing that it's work from the Black Hooves gives him pause for a few seconds, but he eventually nods, keeping his voice low like Spark's. "I may not like these Black Hooves all that much, but as long as my contract is fulfilled, I will remain loyal to it."
>>73746"Glad to hear it. I'll make sure it is worth your while. I gave up my pay to get this lazy bartender his demanded share. I'll do it again if they don't get you a fair share."
>>73748"Hmm. Well, if you can put word in with this recruit, I will certainly consider this offer."
>>73741"You think you could fight them all off?"
She looks concerned
>>73743Because no player has asked to play a zebra, I never made a racial template. Same with Changelings. I think they would have something similar to Earth Ponies, probably with benefits to alchemy.
>>73740The wolf is still a little concerned by Ash
>>73748lolno, you gave it to me.
>>73751He gave the exact same piece of gold away twice to two separate ponies. He's like a Native American selling things
>>73749"I was hoping he would be here by now."
>>73751Both of you took it.
>>73752Kek
>>73750"If not that, I can always just leave the city, let the heat blow off with time, and come back." Iron is still smiling. "But I am sure that I can handle these puny ponies after some upgrades on my person. If you want, I wil tell you when I leave if you are so worried about me."
>>73753"Who is this recruit you speak of, anyhow?"
>>73757"Well, it's best if you meet him. And he has quite the marefriend too. Lucky devil. They will fill you in better than I can."
>>73758He nods, wondering if this recruit and his marefriend are the ponies he met in the bar late last night.
>>73754He just doesn't like Ash, and will take some time to be more friendly
>>73756"It's not that..."
She looks away for a moment
"I joined the gang because I wanted the camaraderie, and because my brother's business wasn't making enough money to support us. I've broken many legs. I've hit beaten many ponies. I've seen a storekeeper shot, but..." She looks at him
"Twenty... twenty four dead. That's a whole elementary school class."
>>73760"Woof?" says the doggo (still unnamed)
>>73763"Ruff ruff!" Rover ducks down in kind
>>73760Iron cocks an eyebrow. "That is a quite specific image. I understand how you feel. No mare should ever witness such a battlefield." Iron watches forward. "You joined your group because of... camaraderie? What do you mean by that?"
>>73759"So, how has life been treating you lately?"
>>73764Doggo starts chasing his tail.
>>73765"I mean it's a sense of belonging. Of friendship. You get to know many of the ponies you work with in the gang, and it's a good feeling to know that many would go to jail for you, and you'd do the same for them"
>>73767Rover tries to chase his own tail.... but is caught by his chain
>>73768"Awww.. a bug boi like you shouldn't be chained up like that.." Sister Ash says, sympathetically
>>73766"I am here. New city, new beginning. It is something."
>>73768Iron smiles. "I see. It seems your gang is honorable... at least many of them are. Are you sure you can trust every single one? I basically got the job with you because I intimidated the capo into submission."
>>73771"New beginning huh? Was your old life something to escape, or was it taken from you?"
>>73769>bug boy
I am so tempted to have the dog say "how the fuck did you know I was a Changeling*whimpering sounds*
>>73772"Well... many of them do more, shall we say.... "dirty" work than just gambling or high interest loans. But I don't think they would they would sell us out to the DA, if that is what you are asking"
>>73773"Little of both. Had no home after Great War. Had no path. I have been out there since, surviving day by day, looking for new path." He sighs sadly. "I hope I can find one."
>>73775"Did you have anything before the war?"
>>73774Iron shakes his head. "I do not know if camaraderie is that. Nevertheless, I have not come to judge the gang you are in. How far until we reach the meeting spot?"
>>73774*Pets doggo*
Okay, i'm going to have to go to bed now. I worked all day, and I'm exhausted. I'll continue the dialogue some other time.
>>73777Trips
>>73777"But you are in it too now."
And now she grows suspicious, and stops
"Are
you working for the police?"
>>73780"No." Iron says flatly. "Why should I tie myself up with the law of this place?"
>>73779"Well, I'm not sure about setting up a home here if you are looking to do that, but maybe you can find that new path here. I hope it will lead you somewhere you would like to go."
>>73781She must be satisfied with this answer, because she continues walking
"In answer to your earlier question, there are several places to sell gold for money. Technically you could even exchange it for paper at a bank. But under the circumstances.... There is only one place I trust not to report it to the police. Down here"
She walks now to a location somewhat near the docks
a part of the seaport decently south of the events of the night before. There is a griffin outside
"We have something to sell" Cauldron says
>>73783Iron just stands next to her, looking at the door.
>>73784The griffin responds in a very heavy accent. "And what have you to sell."
"Gold ingots"
Alight, this way. They go inside the building, which must be a shop of some sort, and a white griffin sits at a table
Cauldron says to Iron: "Alright, show him what you want to sell"
>>73782He smiles, thankful for some pleasant company to chat with. "As do I."
>>73785Iron takes out the two gold bricks from his hide armor.
>>73787The griffin takes it right out of his hand, and looks at it under a magnifying glass. Then he takes the ingot and weights it, and then places it in a water displacement. The griffin says something in some foreign language to the first griffin.
"He says it is real gold, and the measurements on the bricks are accurate. We will give you 4000 for each ingot"
>>73788Iron prods Cauldron on her side and whispers. "Hey, think you can increase the price? Your skills with loansharking should increase the profit of these bars."
>>73786Well, Dark Star was supposed to be here by now... I was kind of relying on him to give us something to do...
>>73789She whispers super damned softly into Iron's ear. "Gold is one of those items where every brick is more or less the same as any other. Gold is gold.. The price is basically set by the government, because they base their money off of it. I suspect this brick is worth 4200 bits at a bank. The price difference is because these griffins know it is stolen and they know we can't just waltz into a bank with this. What they haven't guessed is where it was stolen from. If they knew that, the price would drop real quick"
>>73791Iron nods, understanding the situation. "Very well, I accept the payment." He says to the griffon.
>>73792The griffin counts out money, and hands it to Iron
"8000 bits in Paper Gold certificates for both ingots, here you go"
>>73793Does he give me the normal bit payment or am I being given some check or something?
>>73794"Gold certificate" is what paper money is called in a system that uses a gold standard. "Silver Certificate" is the name if the paper money is backed by silver, "bank note" if the bank itself is backing it, and "federal reserve note" is the technical term for United States paper money. It's just paper money
>>73795>>73793Iron takes the Paper Gold certificates and motions Cauldron to follow. He then exits the building.
>>73796And thus she follows. Where to now?
>>73797Iron turns to Cauldron. "Where do I even go with these things and turn them into actual bits?"
>>73798"That's money. You can pay it anywhere. If you prefer coins, you can exchange them at a bank"
>>73799Iron stares intently at the money. "I guess." Iron then separates some of the money and passes the equivalent fo 1500 bits to Cauldron. "Here. You earned it." The rest he stores it in his bit pouch.
>>73800She takes the money, with great surprise on her face
"Why... Thank you"
>>73802"I told you I would compensate for your troubles." Iron plants one of his forelegs around Cauldron's back. "You are a good mare, Cauldron. I will be going to Jungle Rush to buy that armor. If you want, you can follow. Maybe end things at one of the rooms of the bar if you so please."
>>73803"I guess I can help yo with your... sporting goods shopping" she laughs
>>73804"Alright." Iron starts going to the Jungle Rush.
>>73805"What are you buying equipment for?"
>>73806"I plan on being a little more threatening to ponies. Maybe I can actually get away with pushing around rival gangs and stealing their goods." Iron laughs, then points at the shield on his back. "In combination with this and maybe some adjustments to my hide armor
Meaning turning from hide armor (medium) to leather (light) I could probably walk in a police station and take all their guns while they cannot do anything about it." Iron laughs harder, then ponders. "If you need some pony to rough up, I will be there. You do not have to pay me, but it is appreciated."
>>73807She looks at him
"What is it you want to get out of all of this? I mean your time here, in the city?"
>>73808"I simply seek riches and renown. That is why I am here and not where my tribe is." He simply states. "It is the process of maturity everypony in my tribe has to do to participate in important decisions for the tribe. You make a name of yourself here and brings all the goods you can carry back to the tribe and you will be respected."
>>73809"Well, the gang is where a lot of ponies go to seek riches and renown. There's something special in being a 'made mare.' ponies will talk to you different, give you free things. But do understand, not all of us are here because we wanted to get ahead in life. For some of us, we didn't have much other choice"
>>73811"That is what every single pony says in this town so far. I guess it is fair for you since you seem to take care of your father, which I assume is very old to take care of himself, but for some ponies, they just do not want to go out with just their hooves and explore the world around them, out of the safety of their houses, where even then they feel threatened most of the time by others anyways." Iron looks at Cauldron. "They are afraid to seek opportunity elsewhere. Remember those ponies at a bar? They seemed competent enough to venture out and gain the riches they want, but they decide to just stand there, complaining about their lives and how unfair it is for them." Iron shakes his head. "If they only knew the true freedom that they have out of these walls."
>>73812"I think those ponies wanted to over throw the government or something.... Well, I'm glad that you are out doing something with your life. Trying to put your special talents to use. I... Well, loansharking is fine work. It certainly pays well, and I like it well enough. But I'd rather work with chemicals"
>>73813Iron smiles "I still remember that tonic you did for me. It was kind of you and made me feel better." Iron ponders for a bit. "Why do you not open up a shop to sell whatever chemicals you create?"
>>73814"Well, you need to pay rent, make sure you have enough customers to cover expenses, probably hire help. And then there is the city with its regulations. And gangs want 'protection money'... I help my brother when I can"
>>73815"So the city is weighting you down." Iron is somewhat saddened by this. "It is quite bad in here for quality work to be sold what they are owed." Iron shakes his head. "What did your brother do again? I think you told me at the doctor after our job, but I do not seem to remember."
>>73817"My brother operates the family business of a restaurant. We make food in the traditional Zebrican style. My dad set it up after he retired from the Merchant Marine. He's a little old now. I will do cooking sometimes, helping with sauces especially. Business is sort of so so. Quite a few ponies are curious about foreign tastes, and the Zebras like the reminder of home. But there are many restaurants, and often many expenses"
>>73818"I see. Maybe I could go there sometime." Iron looks ahead, seeing how far they are from Jungle Rush. "But I need some directions to get there. This place is like a maze to me."
>>73819"But don't you see? We're here"
As they talked, they edged closer to the Jungle Rush
"Back I see" says the yellow Earth pony at the counter with his thick New Mareland accent
>>73820Iron furrows his brow. "I meant the restaurant," he says to Cauldron. He turns to the earth pony. "I am back for that full armor you were selling. Any information about the special variants?"
>>73821She laughs. "I'll take you there some time"
The stallion says "We have the full set of banded steel for 1500. 1650 if you want a slightly more agile set. We have those in Titanium and Tungsten, which make them lighter and tougher respectively, but that's put you over 10,000 bits. Depending on your tastes, I might recommend a single titanium plate for your chest with ballistic nylon sleeves and under armor. Enchant it with some magic, and it'll cost you 5200 bits, but it won't be slowing you down in battle, and it'll give you almost the protection of the banded steel"
Okay, seriously. Look at the https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Armor list. Those are the ACs, pay attention to speed, and if you click on types of armor, you can see what the permutations cost >>73822"What magic enchantment are we talking about here?" Iron seems confused.
>>73823"Just a basic strengthening spell, permanently added to the plate to make it a bit tougher. Not that other options don't exist, depending on what you're looking for"
>>73822Could you explain me in terms of armors on this wiki the options available? Give me just simple comparisons. I guess Mithryl and Adamanatine and Titanium and Tungsten respectively and the single titanium plate is actually the half-plate or the banded mail, but I want to be sure statwise.
https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Armor >>73825Pretty much anything on the wiki is an option, in basically any combination. Anything you can get your character that he can actually afford, I will transform into a setting appropriate form. The titanium plate is actually Breastplate, which is the most advanced medium armor. If you take it in Mithryl, then Breastplate is a light armor, which means that it allows you to keep the full 30ft per round and not just 20ft. I guess that would mean more if you were playing a class limited to light armor like a rogue. Or if your character needed to retain the ability to fly.
>>73824>>73826"I would like to take the full armor plate made of simple steel. Before I give you the money, I ask two questions: Can I upgrade my steel into Tungsten later on and can you lighten my hide armor? I do not mind if you need to trim a lot of it, just make it lighter."
>>73827"You'll need to get basically a new suit if you want to replace the steel with Tungsten. As for the hide armor, well, it won't be much use
over the plate, but you can have it as an aesthetic, or as a sort of shock absorber under the armor"
>>73828Iron huffs in dissapointment. "I cannot do that. I need something lighter to absorb the hits when the full plate is not enough. If not, it'll drain my stamina. While I do not mind short term, it is going to cause problems in the long run when I need every bit of strength I get."
Maybe leather should do it? *wink wink* Also, I'm being this way because it will become medium load,
and it's not good I think >>73829"just don't wear the hide, and wear the overlapping plates with a standard nylon under armor"
>>73831"I will take one of those under armors then as well as the full plate. Name the cost and it will be paid." Iron ponders for a bit. "Maybe cut the hide so I can adorn the headplate with the wolf's head for aesthetic reasons."
Which I hope it doesn't add more than 1lbs maximum >>73832"Well, it's all a part of the same suit, but we can do so, 1500 for the suit. 1650 if you want a slightly more agile version"
>>73833Iron gives the bits necessary for the fullplate (which I guess that is from +8 to +10) and the wolf head decoration for his helmet.
>>73834It is so. the stallion was able to trim the Wolf's head and have it sewn on