Occupied Equestria: set six years after season 6, it presents an alternative history where Chrysalis chose a different approach to her second attack on Equestria. The Changelings have conquered half of Equestria, while an Equestrian splinter colony - soured to Princesses notion of harmony with all creatures thank to their dealing with griffins - Invaded and took the other half. In Baltimare and the Equestruan Southlands, the magic of friendship has weakened, as Communists, Changeling infiltrators, Fascists, gangs, and even ancient necormancers and dark gods threaten the city and the surrounding regions. This role play is based in large part upon the Equestria at War mod for Hearts of Iron 4, and uses D&d 3.5e mechanics.
In this latest episode, the crew has united once again, and returned in full to the catacombs under the Curwhinny farm. What old secrets they will unearth, whether they will survive without being turned into undead monsters... whether Silver will ever get paid... will be determined in this thread.
1770 replies and 52 files omitted.
>>82424"Oh, he'll be fine. He just got the wind knocked out of him."
That 10 damage probably would have really hurt like a bitch though. Ouch.
>>82429 Because there was a second punch. Read the thread
>>82430So you rolled sneak attack damage and unarmed damage both at once?>>82428Iron now feels the sucker punch. He grunts for a bit. "Good. He is a good pony, to be sure. I do not know why he looked to fight with me."
[1d20+2 = 5]
Fuck me, that was damage. Rolling confirmation
>>82431And Iron has won an additional 10 damage, for 20 damage total. But they are even now
>>82432>>82433How rude of her.Iron has been knocked out by Skies
because who else would have sucker punched Iron, making him fall on top of Dark Star with a solid thud.
>>82431"He wasn't dissuaded by the odds. It's admirable, really. There's no honor in only fighting battles that you're sure you'll win."
>>82435And then he falls on his face right in front of her...
[1d20+2 = 10]>>82434"Hmm. Fair punch."
>>82435Strength: Silver tries to roll Iron off of Star. "Let me just...help you with that, Star."
>>82436“There is no intelligence in fighting a battle you are sure to lose.”
Skies says with utmost contempt and disgust
“It’s funny, I never took you for the type to see fighting as noble”
>>82439"There's no shame in two stallions exchanging friendly blows in a match." She says, as she dusts off Iron and pulls out another beetle shell
"So long as they're not wounding each other and they fight in good faith, it's nothing more than a show of strength."
[1d20+5 = 6]
Rolling for beetle dust
>>82442Sister Ash accidentally drops the whole beetle into Iron's nostril.
"...Whups..."
>>82447Iron feels painful strecthing of his nostril. He groans in pain.
[1d20+5 = 8]>>82448"Ummm.. let's try something else."
Rolling to ressucitate
>>82441“My brother was brain damaged at an early age because of a joust that permanently harmed his faculties. Now, I have no more love for that
son of a bitch than he ever showed for me. But I know a waste when I see one.
Do you realize what you egged on here? These two are not going to be in any position to rescue foals from a child predator. Do you understand that? Your ‘fun’ has doomed at least two foals to another night of molestation.
What a fucking waste”
>>82449Silver just look at Sister Ash. "If you want help, just say so."
>>82450Nevermind the fact that Skies literally ensured that one of the ponies got knocked out.>>82449Iron does not feel resucitated. He just thinks about mares in his confused haze.
>>82450"I have to agree. I don't even remember how we got into this position of brawling each other. Maybe the smoke damaged our brains more than we gave it credit for."
>>82453Dark Star unironically asked for it though.
>>82458I'm not sure why that linked that one instead of this one
>>82453 >>82453I'm not saying he didn't, but if you're going the 'it's a waste of time to kick eachother's asses' route, don't kick a pony's ass before that.>>82455>>82454Iron now feels conscious again. He groans for a bit, rubbing the back of his neck. "What just entered my nose?"
>>82457Also this and the fact I explicitly asked for Skies' permission to brawl with Star,
which got little to no response from Skies in the long run. In fact you encouarged it when Iron was beaten up already. >>82458"Well, if we are all done beating snot out of each other, I believe there are foals that need saving."
>>82458"The mission should continue. It is a stealth and diplomacy focused situation. We still have you as our back up. We need to at least attempt to go forward."
>>82457>>82459"Where is this target holding the foal, or do we even know?"
>>82462"Since we did we switch to that instead of rekilling skeletons?"
>>82464"After somepony set fire to books and filled tunnels with carbon monoxide. It is on hold until we get gas masks."
>>82462>>82463Iron nods. "Agreed. We need to think up a plan of action. Anyone has any info on Burgher to exploit?"
>>82461The pacifist nun shouldn’t be promoting violence that harms the team, and Iron took a healing potion and then changed the rules where he would take the attacks of opportunities in the second fight, hence why Skies was uncertain. Because the circumstances of the fight were different than those which were anticipated
>>82463>BackupOnyx nods in understanding
>>82464"Since the smoke has put any exploration on hold. And I think we can stop for the sake of the foals, don't you?"
>>82450Sister Ash crosses her arms in discontent.
"We weren't going anywhere together so long as the old stallion over there was done catching his breath. They were not having a bout with any intent to do permanent damage to one another. I didn't encourage them; I only helped set the terms for a decision they'd already made themselves." She says, as Iron slowly wakes up
Her eyes narrow as she finishes speaking, in an expression that seems to scream "no u".
>>82470"..." Silver looks down, his ears falling limp to the sides of his head. "...I am not that old..."
>>82471I pat Silver on the back.
"Don't listen to the Kirin."
>>82471Onyx also pats the old man on the back
>>82471“You’re okay, don’t listen to her”
>>82467Eh, sparring is not really hurting anyone in the long run tbh, specially with hooves. That is only true in games though.Iron looks at Skies calmly while he stands up. "Do you have anything on Comte, Skies? A routine, some vices to exploit. Any information counts."
>>82470Iron bows to Ash after waking and standing up. "I thank you for your efforts, Ash."
>>82471"You are pretty good." He points his hooves at Silver like pic related.
>>82467She didn't promote it, she just suggested the loser should do community service. If you didn't catch my drift, the 48 hours community service thing was actually supposed to
discourage Dark Star (because that's a full week's worth of unpaid labor); because she thought the match was dumb, but still respected their descision.
>>82471She bows respectfully.
"Pardon my words. I meant ' more experienced'." she says,
>>82475“I can check with headquarters”
>>82477"How long until you obtain the information? We could wait at the Eastside Tavern if it takes too long."
>>82476>>82472>>82471>>82473 >>82478"What do you say, everyone?"
>>82480
And Ash is a fucking hypocrite for calling dueling honorable after fucking assaulting Skies for suggesting it
>>82472>>82473>>82474>>82475This all certainly does help to lift his spirits.
>>82476"Ah, it is all the same. I suppose I
am getting up there in age."
>>82478>>82479"It is where I live, so more likely than not I will already be there."
>>82481“Pacifist nun” wants to be the one to drop the handkerchief
>>82484"Shall we wait for you at the bar while you get that information, or should we go ahead and scout out areas of interest?"
>>82485Onyx realizes his best choice is to serve drinks, cause he can't scout or be a diplomat.
>>82482Dueling =/= sparring
Dueling is a vengeful act, that ends in actors killing or seriously wounding one another: It's a lethal match.
Sparring is two combatants exchanging blows in a show of skill, without intent to kill: it's a nonlethal match.
If they had suggested shooting eachother or swordfighting or otherwise fighting to the death, Sister Ash surely would have stopped them. And she only melted Blue's gun because she insisted on shooting or being shot.
And I'd say that in-character, but Sister Ash doesn't believe Blue would understand even if she did.
>>82483Sister Ash gives another bow.
"Age is nothing to be ashamed of. It's natural. Getting older only means a pony has more wisdom to share." She says
"Anyway, so long as you're recovering, it shouldn't matter if those two tassle with one another. It would be better off if we avoided hustle or direct confrontation for today, and devoted the rest of the day to gathering our resources and information. I would like to have a word with the church about what I've heard today, and I would love to meet you tomorrow morning or this evening with a plan for what our next step is."
She bows so hard her nose touches the grass
>*Respect for elders intensifies*"Words cannot express how much I appreciate the help from all of you in this endeavor of mine. I do not have any means to compensate you for your noble service, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart." She says, addressing the entire group
>>82489Iron chuckles. "Do not think anything of it, Ash. It is only natural to help a kind mare like yourself."
>>82487Shut the fuck up, stop playing semantic bullshit by making up properties of “sparing” versus duels,” and stop pissing me off
>>82489Silver rolls his eyes and chuckles at the extreme lengths Ash is going to to try to show respect. "I do not know what help I can be to you, but if there are foals in danger, I will do all I can to help them."
Alright, I’m back
The Pegasus exits stage left, and characters can decide what they want to do next
>>82500Dark Star picks himself up off the ground and goes to the Eastside Tavern
>>82500That's ominous.>>82489Iron puts on his leather belt, armor pieces and equips his shield. He then picks up all possible jars he can. "Alright, you said you wanted to go to a church in order to put these souls to rest. Shall we go there?"
If you do not respond in 30 minutes, I'll assume that you went to bed.>>82492Iron motions Silver to carry any remaining jars there are in the vicinity.
Same goes to you, although it's less likely. >>82502Still Barely awake.
>>82500Iron watches Blue fly off with a frown for a few minutes, before deciding that there's little she can do to amend the situation at this point.
>>82502She formally says good by to each of the remaining PCs, and leaves with Iron to deliver the jars to the church.
>>82503Iron nods and follows her, making sure there are no remaining jars left behind. "We will meet up at the bar with you guys later when we finish this." He calls out as he leaves.
>>82503Also, didn't notice but
>Iron watches Blue... little she can doIron is now genderbent and kirinized.
>>82506Kek. I wish I could know how magic works as well as Ash's player does.
>>82501It is so
>>82503Assuming she recallls the location of the Cathedral of Saint Eligius, it is so
>>82505It is so
>>82509The sad part is, Iron's player had no idea the GM was serious.
>>82510Alright. It doesn’t really look much different than the last few times, although naturally there are more ponies there than there were in the early morning
>>82512Dark Star Walks over to the bar pony
>>82505>>82503I fucked up
*Sister Ash watches Blue fly off
>>82513You never can tell with this group of anons. Sometimes just making it though basic conversation can be a challenge.
>>82514“Well, if it isn’t my favorite partial stake investor”
>>82516Do you want to continue? We seem to have reached our destination.
>>82517Oh no, not basic conversation! *thunder in the distance*
>>82508I think she would.
She would go to where she thinks she could find a funeral minister.
>>82519It's 1:30 AM, and I really should go to bed...
>>82520Where would she believe she could find a funeral minister?
>>82522At a church, temple, or other holy place.
She's already done the eulogies, she's just looking for someone who can show her to an appropriate place to scatter the ashes.
>>82518"i just got my flank kicked, can i get a double whiskey?"
>>82524He looks at Dark Star
“Well, you do kind of look like it. A double whiskey coming right up”
>>82523I take it she’s looking for the priestess?
>>82523She believes that scattering cremation remains is a ceremonial practice, but she's unaware of pony customs regarding where it is okay to scatter them (since you can't just do it in the middle of a city).
>>82526Yeah. That's who I was looking for.
>>82527She looks at the jars of blue salt, with a kind of horrified confusion
“What are these?”
>>82527Tl;dr, I have a lot of jars and idk what to do with them all at once, so I'm looking for someone who's job it is to deal with this.
>>82528Sister Ash responds with a morbid expression.
"They're ponies. Trapped, tortured, and descrated. I retrieved them in this state from the depths of Curwinney's farm. That wretched, evil, necromancer did this to them." She says, looking over the jars
"He did something vile to them, so they were unable to pass into the next life by themselves, and they've been suffering alone for who knows how long. I have done what I could to repose them formally, bit their torment won't be completed until their remains are properly scattered."
She looks at the mare
"Can I beg your service, in finishing their funeral? I would have reposed them myself, but my knowledge of proper Equestrian morticianism is limited."
>>82529Her eyes are wide and her mouth well open
“I can...
Let me go get help”
She runs off, and eventually comes back with both Father Maren and Slow Burn. Slow Burn, for the first time, is stilled and the joyful smile wiped right off his face as he is told that the jars contain “ponies”
Father Maren: “Good Celestia, what did that stallion do here?”
>>82526Dark Star rubs his stomach
>>82531Uh, I take it this means he is hungry?
[1d20+9 = 23]>>82530"It seems to have been an extensive process to trap the would of the deceased. Necromancy was used in the process, other types of auras were mixed in as well. Copious amounts of embalming agents were used as material components for the practice, and he jars appear to be an arcane focus to hold the powers together." Sister Ash says, communicating her hypotheses
"I do not know what motivated that evil creature to put them in this state, or why he stored them together in such quantities, but it was certainly a most sinister ambition."
And fuck it, Spellcraft check, to see if whatever this is has a name.
>>82533Nothing more than “essential salts” comes to mind
“I can safely say I have never seen anything like this before. Great Celestia, there must be dozens of these jars. I will call an expert in Canterlot, and see if there are any special procedures needed”
>>82533>>82535I took a shower, so I'm going to just assume Silver helped you two with carrying the jars like Iron requested earlier."Knowledge, I am afraid. And loss. He was looking for ways to resurrect his family -- his wife and foals -- after they had all died from plague. Dug up remains of long dead ponies who might have had knowledge he had so sought, and cremated them using mixture of herbal solutions and arsenic, while chanting incantations to bind their souls to their ashes."
>>82535>Tfw Druids don't get any of the convienient abjurations and utilities Clerics do."... I've done what I can.. I've been listening to them, speaking to them, preparing her for the next life. They were long-overdue for their eulogies."
>>82536“Well, that would explain the why... and part of the how... now we need to break this curse and reverse this ambonible process”
>>82537“Judging from the statement of your friend here, it sounds like many of them have already had eulogies”
>>82539Iron cocks his head. "Eulogies? So are the souls gone from the jars, then? That is what it means, right?"
>>82539*Checks definition of 'eulogy' one more time*
..I may have been using this term incorrectly...
>>82532yea
"hey do you sell food too?"
>>82540"No. They're still there. Their remains need to be reposed before they can leave."
>>82542He ponders the question
“As of now, we only have peanuts. It we could expand to sell food as well, if I can make that back room into a kitchen”
>>82540>>82543“The souls are ‘tied’ to the salts, shall we say, ms. Dragon lady”
>>82543>>82544"Oh. Sorry." Iron bows lightly, a bit uncomfortable.
>>82540>>82543>>82544"I can confirm, their souls are very much still contained in these jars. From what I understand, it is still possible to summon corporeal apparition of pony these ashes come from. How, I am not so sure of."
>>82544"hmmmm how much would that cost to turn it into one?"
>>82544"It's interesting.. normally, we salts such as this are used to prevent the spread of decadence and repell impure creatures. But in this case, it's being used to hold back the life force of s pony. An inward-facing saltine, you could call it."
>>82546>>82545>>82546“I believe the process uses the corporeal essence of the corpse to mimic the bond of flesh and soul, so that the spiritual essence of the deceased is recalled to the salt when summoned”
>>82547“Hard to say... perhaps 1000 for all renovations”
>>82548“You don’t understand. These are not salts added, these salts
are the corpses, after treatment with certain acids”
I cannot for the life of me figure out what evocation spell uses salt as a matrial component and creates an affect such as this. I have no idea how to solve this as of now.
Alright, it's 2:30; now I need to go to bed.
Goodnight.
>>82550"if i come into some more money ill fund it."
>>82551I'll follow your steps and go to bed as well. Night Ash, and everyone else.
>>82551>>82553I guess I'll head to bed as well. Goodnight everyone.
>>82552He laughs slightly
“Now that would be very welcome”
>>82551It’s because I got it out of an HP Lovecraft novel and not the SRD >>82555Gibe More H.P lovecraft>>82555"would you give me some peanuts?"
>>82557Well shit, if you don’t mind more blatant lovecraft rip offs, I had a quest based on a different lovecraft short story imagined, but Ash never took the hook“Sure, I can get you peanuts”
Glistening Glass pushes over a bowl of peanuts to Dark Star
>>82559Did it involve the books?>>82559Dark Star eats the peanuts and drinks the shot
>>82559>Ash never took the hookIf it was there, I did not see it even in the least bit. Now I wish I had known...
Plots involving lovecraftian horrors sound fun though, especially if it includes killing some Eldritch abominations. It's definitely something a Druid would be committed to. I actually based Sister Ash's background in part in the Gatekeeper Druids from Eberron, who dedicated their lives to suppressing in the lovecraftian abominations of Xoriat (Beholders, mindflayers, and other Aberrations and outsiders). Aberrations and undead are unnatural creatures, and Druids despise them, so some spooky lovecraftian shit to purge from the world sounds like a fun call to action.
Also, Lords of Madness, and the Eberron books have some pretty awesome mechanics and suggestions for lovecraftian villains, plots and monsters. The Book of Vile Darkness has a lot of cool ideas for evil villains, rituals, black magic and cults too; and a lot of contextual tips on creating genuinely evil creatures and characters. You can find all of the PDFs online, if you're interested.
>>82565I mean, has anyone actually tried punching them?>>82550"You would know better than I. All I know is that process is simple enough for non-magic users to summon spirit, and similar to dispel them. Perhaps it is as simple as exposing ashes to open air, then resealing them in jar once you are finished."
>>82566Eh, that's true. Iron could be the first to find out.
>>82567Iron the God Puncher. Has a ring to it.
>>82568We'll see if he can pierce a god's AC, but it does sound good.
>>82569You have a 5 percent chance at absolutely succeeding anything action you attempt.
Gods aren't a joke though, even in RPGs.
I'm working on the stats for discord as a minimum level deity, and holy draconequius, he's already practically invincible.
>>82570Don't worry. I won't attack gods just because I can, but I will try if push comes to shove.
Feel sorry for Iron if that's the case. >>82566He looks a little surprised
"You tried it?"
>>82574He shakes his head no. "Not in legitimate attempt, no. I did almost manage to, while disturbing ashes yesterday, but they settled before they could fully form."
>>82573*suppresses urge to go on a rant about the later seasons' lack of plot consistency*Anyway, I'm free for the rest of the day.
>>82550Sister Ash nods in acknowledgement.
"So.. How should the remains be handeled?"
>>82572"Do you have any of that potato alcohol?"
>>82575Father Maren looks more than a little disturbed by this
>>82576"For that, I need to make a phone call"
>>82577"Why yes. Yes we do"
>>82578"Very well then."
What time of day would it be?
>>82578"get me some of that with milk in it."
>>82578"At least I did not try to lick them." Silver, somehow, manages to say this with a straight face.
>>82581This leaves his mouth open
>>82579Like 2 PMish or something
>>82580"Let me see if I have any fresh"
>>82582Silver continues to have a straight face.
>>82582Noted
Sister Ash bows politely, and allows the stallion the time it take for him to take care of his business.
>>82583>>82584Father Maren Disappears to the back and is gone a little longer than would be expected. Sundew remains in there a bit uneasy. Slow Burn is more than a little uneasy, until he starts asking questions
"So you saw, like, Zombies?"
>>82585"You're in luck! It hasn't expired yet"
He pours the milk into the Vodka
>>82586"Yes, in addition to skeletons. There are many we still have to slay, though matters out of our control have forced us to delay."
>>82586"Ghasts." She replies
"And a rather large skeleton.."
>>82589Really fucking sore and also pretty tired
>>82588>>82587His eyes widen
"Cool! So you like had to fight off hordes and chop their heads off?"
>>82590"Hey Do you have rooms here?"
>>82590"We did did precisely that, among other things..." Sister Ash replies, although clearly less enthusiastic about it than the pony, for multiple reasons
"It wasn't pleasant."
>>82593He puts his hooves together as if to say 'very good point'
"But was it
cool?"
>>82594"For you, free for today"
>>82590Silver smiles at him. His youthful excitement is a nice change of pace from what he's used to. "It is not exactly like zombie novels you have read, I am afraid. Though there is horde of undead in lower levels of catacombs, I am not sure I would want to face them all at once."
>>82595Silver gets a semi-mischievous grin on his face. "I suppose one could call it 'cool', if your definition of cool is facing certain death in close combat against rotting, shambling, soulless undead whose only desire is to consume living flesh."
>>82596Dark Star drinks his white stalliongrader
"Thanks i need a rest. which one is it?"
>>82595The foreign mare seems slightly confused by the pony's choice of words
"I don't know what you mean by that.. but it was certainly an exhilarating experience.."
Her tone darkens
"In each of the four rooms those jars layed in, there were about a dozen screaming ghasts imprisoned in deep pits.. I spent the majority of my time torching their flesh and bashing their skulls in until their bodies ceased to shamble.. It was agonizing work, but it had to be done..."
>>82598He smiles at him, and points to a door to Dark Star's left
"Through the door, up the stairs. You can take the first room"
>>82598>>82597"eeeee!"
"Go on..."
>>82600I'll assume that was for me.
"Deeper in.. there was a rather large skeleton.. the reanimated remains of a Chimera, that was probably captured for experientation.. It took some effort to fell, but it went down rather quickly.." she trails off
"At that point, I was absolutely furious.."
>>82600Dark Star pays for his drink and thanks glimmering glass then goes to the room
>>82600With a further smile, Silver recounts the tale of the battle with 'The Sarge', describing the unsightly appearance and smell of the former EDF soldier turned zombie, the harrowing fight as Silver rushed in to keep the monster away from his companions, the pain as the ghast tore into his flesh with teeth and hooves both, the exhilaration as he swung both hammer and greatsword at it, trying desperately to bring it down, and the final strike that felled The Sarge for good, putting a final end to the long-tormented soul.
>>82602"And.. I was so angry.. I kind of set the place on fire.. a little bit.." she mutters, fidgeting sheepishly
>>82603It is rather austere, lacking the elegant bedsheets, the dressers, the size, and the curtains of the Grand Baltimare Hotel. there is one chest and a simple bed, with simple wooden floors
>>82604>>82605He looks back in expressions of horror, anxiety, and above all, excitement over triumph
>>82606Sister Ash looks embarrassed, uncomfortable, and mostly tired.
"... All in a day's work.."
>>82606Silver raises his foreleg to show where The Sarge had bit him, the fur not having grown back yet allowing him to see the bite mark. "All in all, it was tough fight. Helped me to learn ways to better deal with these ghasts."
>>82607Also, she's still covered in extrordinarily bright and shining golden armor, I case anyone forgot.
I g2g for a bit.
>>82606"Reminds me of the old house..."
dark Star puts his saddle bag in the chest then he gets in the bed and tries to go to sleep
>>82607>>82608Slow Burn looks over in deep amazement, before saying "So cool! Eeeee!"
Sundew ranges from embarrassed, to an 'oh you' expression, to irritation from Slow Burn's behavior
>>82610Roll >>82612Oh He's definitely tired and sore. But he hasn't fallen asleep just yet
>>82611"Though, there was one issue during fight. One of my companions lost grip of their pistol as it fired, and bullet ricocheted around room into it came and hit me in a-...hit me in rear." Silver just barely manages to catch himself swearing. He gives Sundew a look suggesting that Slow Burn's still young yet, so this sort of thing is to be expected from time to time.
>>82614"Somepony shot you in the rump?"
>>82613"this is terrible. i cant sleep."
>>82615He nods. "On accident, of course. But yes, I got shot in rump."
>>82616Roll again to try again
>>82617He gives a contemplative expression for a number of seconds, before going to a different subject
"And this evil necromancer kept the souls of ponies in jars!"
>>82618He nods. "These very same jars."
>>82619And falls right the fuck to sleep
>>82621Dark Star snores up a storm
>>82623And what dreams may come....
Dark Star sees a crib in a house with two beautiful foals in them.
The first, a light blue earth pony with all her father's edginess and mother's bitchiness. The second, a white, blue eyed colt with expressions of courage and adventure
>>82625The little colt gives a soft coo, and the little blue filly tries to resist being picked up
>>82626Dark Star tickles the filly and then pats the colt