Six years after season 6, Occupied Equestria presents an alternative history where Chrysalis chose a different approach to her second attack on Equestria. The Changelings have conquered half of Equestria, while a former Equestrian colony - soured to Princess Twilight's notion of harmony with all creatures thank to their dealing with griffins - Invaded and took the other half. In Baltimare and the Equestrian Southeast, the magic of friendship has weakened, as Communists, Changeling infiltrators, Fascists, gangs, and corrupt creepy politicians threaten the city. 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.
The party now takes on the task of breaking, entering, and investigating the house of Social Democrat politician Comte "Cheese" Burgher, who is alleged to have 'purchased' two young foals. They have already distracted the guards around the gated community and explored most of the property. Now, Ash tries out her role as a 'dog whisperer,' Dark Star contemplates the evidence he has already collected, Silver shifts between stealing jewelry from innocent third parties and talking about the joyful smell of wingpit sweat, Iron harasses guards by talking to them about queer theory while Onyx acts as his his homosexual partner, Brie tries to get the guards drinking on the job, and Spark follows around the group in the attic.
>>85095I mean, Silver did return the jewelry...
>>85092 →>>85095Sister Ash steps back non-threateningly as she inquires this about the dog.
>>85093 →"THIS ONE here started off demanding to be let in. I thought, no real issue, we have a lot of stallions who think they are important and want to be let in, so I just shut it off. Then he tried to claim that he is someone, so I thought that maybe he is a guest of one of the residents who is coming back from a party or bar drunk, so I tried to get his ID. And then... That's when the ketamine, or whever he is on kicked in. He started talking to me about all of this weird sexual shit like stallions who think they are mares or something. And I thought, well, we do get a lot of weird ponies coming through here. But THEN he started hitting on me like a weird pre-vert and tried putting his hoof under the glass trying to touch me. But he broke through the glass. At that point, I thought 'OH HELL NO" and I pulled my gun on him. And I called these other two here while this guy is still hanging around the gate."
>>85092 →>"I am a one dog army!">>85098In retrospect I should have just said 'it is so,' and then later after Blue Skies reads the police report and finds out that the party - silver included - has robbed a coin collection, cut pictures out of frames, and stolen a mare's jewelry, she would have told Silver something like 'you can never again criticize my government. If you think we Blackhooves are thieves who break in to hearth and home under cover of night, you are nothing better' and basically would have said something like 'clean your room' to Silver anytime he got onto her about the supposed moral superiority of Equestrians
>>85101>"You're only here watching the pool?"
Iron's an intimidating boi, that's for sure.
>>85101Well, it happened, so nothing more can be done. Congratulations on being the first person to guilt trip me in a long ass time, especially about something as silly as pinching a mare's jewelry in a game.
>>85102>"I am the guardian of the pool house, and all of the property. Open this door so I can bite your leg off!"
[1d20+7 = 16]>>85105This is about the time I should be able to roll Wild Empathy, to see if I can influence the dog's attitude towards me.
>"If I open the door, will you promise to be a good boi?"
A 15 would normally be good enough to make a domestic Animal friendly, unless this boi has a particularly bad disposition...
>>85101Brie nods uncomprehendingly. "Sounds like I should probably clear the area then. Am I intruding?"
>>85106>"I am a good boy! I am the guardian of the pool house!">>85108He stares at the queer pony
"Not... particularly"
[1d20+5 = 23]>>85109Rolling Sense Motive, to see if my check succeeded (what his attitude towards me has become).
>>85110Warmer, but he is still a protective animal, and does not want to stop doing his job as one quite yet
>>85111So, indifferent, or friendly?.
This may determine whether or not I open the door?
>>85112Probably best to try a little more to warm him up first
>>85113>"Would you like to come outside? It must be lonely in there."
>>85109Iron waves at the scared guard. "You will confess your true identity sooner than later."
>>85114>"I AM... ...."*sad doggy*
>>85116>"Then why don't you come out with us for a bit? Being kooped up inside can't be good for you."Sister Ash commands Caleb to 'stay' beside her as she telekinetically opens the door.
>>85115"Fuck off, queer"
>>85117The door is locked
>"You... you shall not harm the poolhouse!"
>>85118>"Why would I want to harm the pool house? I'm only looking for somepony."She produces her photograph
>"Have you seen this foal?"
>>85119Now here is the question I want to ask Ash: which foal?
>>85118Iron does not relent "If you keep dodging the question, you will not have a happy life. Are you sure that you are not a mare pretending to be a stallion? Mares are usually more stubborn than stallions, and you are acting quite stubborn."
>>85120Fuck, I thought she knew which foal had been bought by this guy.
Correction, she produces all three of her photos, and shows them to the doggo.
>>85122>"I... think I've seen them?"
>>85123>"I'm looking for a foal that may have been lost or hiding here. Would you mind if I looked around?"
>>85124>"What do you really intend, Dragon!"
>>85125>"I'm looking for a foal. A lost foal. A foal that doesn't belong here."She says genuinely
>>85126>"If there was a foal that did not belong here in the poolhouse, I would know"
>>85127She leans in
>"Are you absolutely sure? There's nowhere here a pony could hide?"
Is there a third building?
>>85129No
>>85128>"No pony can hide from me!"
>>85130Well fuck. I must have missed something. Either me or this dog.
>"Did you happen to notice any strange foal that may have come by lately? A new foal, one that didn't smell like the rest?"
>>85131>"Foals come by on occasion"
>>85132>"Did you notice any new ones lately? Stangers?"
>>85133>"Strangers come by often. Master brings in Stallions and mares all the time, every week"
>>85132I g2g to dinner.
Bbl
Off topic, but just read the entry for "What Lies Beneath." Cozy Glow is definitely getting appointed as a Black Hooves governor
>>85136Good to know. A little meta question. Are bards proficient with ranged weapons in this world?
>>85137Bards are proffient in all simple weapons, and with short bows.
They're profficient in light and heavy crossbows.
So are either of the idiots tied up?
>>85138I'll pretend light and heavy crossbows are pistols and rifles respectively. Any good bard traits from vanilla D&D in particular?
>>85139Lol no, they would get punchedif they tried.
>>85140I sense that you're anticipating the death of a character.
From vanilla? Idk actually.
>>85141Do they all have machine guns?
>>85142Not really. Just creating a suitable replacement if Iron kicks the bucket from bad rolls.>>85143Nope. Booth guard who you're talking to has a shotty, the second guard uses a baton and the third one may or may not have a concealed pistol.
>>85144Good idea with our luck
>>85134"So what are you gonna do with them? Have them arrested?". Brie asks his drinking partner
I'll be AFK for a bit. 30 minutes max
>>85147“We could, or just see if they get bored and go away on their own. So long as they don’t try to touch me or go past the gate”
>>85149"Wait, they're free to go?"
>>85134Sister Ash steps inside slowly
>"That's odd.. I had thought that the pony I was looking for would be somewhere around here."- she beams sadly
>>85150“They are free to go. What they are not free to do is come any closer. Or stay here”
>>85151>”Which pony?”
>>85152"Ah, well then.". Then to the idiots. "You hear that? Be good lads and fuck off?"
>>85152>"A young pony. One that wasn't a member of the family here."
>>85154>”There have been some of those”>>85153“Indeed these weirdos ought to fuck off”
>>85153"I haven't said shit captain, what did I miss?"
>>85156Sister Ash seems interested in this
>"Really? Do you remember anything odd about them?"
>>85158>”quieter. Did not interact with the children who live in the house”
>>85160Sister Ash's ears visibly perk beneath her shawl
>"That sounds like the foal I was looking for.."-she beams
>"Did that pony stay in the house?"-she inquires
>>85157"Apparently nothing and no one is holding you here, so if you wanted to not get shot or arrested, maybe think of GTfO."
>>85162>>85160BackIron shrugs. "Well, if he wants to live a life full of misery and regret, I suppose I cannot stop the pony." He motions Onyx to follow.
>>85157"I will tell you later, when we are out of this mare-in-denial's hearing."
>>85163*"If she or 'he' wants to
>>85161>”There were several odd ones. They stayed in the pool house. They never left”>>85163“Yeah, right on out of here, weirdo”
>>85162Onyx bolts like a batpony out of Tartarus
>>85166>Never leftNow sister Ash seems very curious
>"So, they're still here?"-she asks, her spirits visibly lifted
>>85168>”They are, with a couple odd ones”
>>85169Sister Ash's eyes go wide as she realizes she's found what she's looking for.
>"May I... See them..?"
>>85166He chuckles at the guard's insistence. "Well, I could, but let me check if I am not forgetting something." He walks to any remaining shard of the booth window still in its original position and proceeds to 'comb' his hair while looking at its reflection. Just in case they need more time.
>>85169Wait, fuck. Did he just imply that the Burhger's kids are also still here?
"As for me, my wife is probably going to give me an Eeee-ful after how long I've been gone. Sorry to keep you.". Brie offers, exiting nonchalantly at a casual pace.
>>85172“You can go now”
>>85171>”You may not. I am the Guardian of the Pool House”>>85173Only if they are in the pool house
>>85174“Farewell. And good luck in Baltimare!”
>>85175After checking his current body, he finally nods. "Yes. I am not forgetting anything. Well, good luck on your whole 'mare-disguising-as-a-stallion' business." He walks out of the scene deliberately slowly, just to add a little salt to the guard's pride. He decides to wait inside one of the nearby buildings, specially if they're social buildings.
>>85175>"Are you gaurding the pool, or the foals?"
>>85170"We should leave. i think we have searched all the rooms."
>>85176“Yeah, go fuck yourself”
To Iron’s surprise, there are no low-class drinking areas immediately adjacent to high-end residential zones
>>85177>”Yes”
>>85178Silver nods. "All that is left is poolhouse. And there is dog guarding it. Makes me think there is something hidden there."
>>85179Iron furrows his brow. Where could a stallion like him spend his time near this residential zone while the others do their thing?
[1d20+9 = 14]>>85179Sister Ash prostrates herself in a begging position
>".... Please..?"
>>85181Must be a few blocks further south
>>85182>”Well...”
>>85180"lets go check it out."
>>85186Silver nods once again, and makes his way back out the way they came in to head for the poolhouse.
>>85184Iron decides to walk some more blocks south to see the building options to stay in. Hopefully he can listen well enough to hear any trouble if something bad happens.
>>85187"Need some help getting out the window?"
>>85187>>85189I get done searching the room and head back to the window to meet up with Silver and Dark Star.
>>85189"I...do not think so?"
>>85185>”Well...”>>85186>>85187>>85190A terrier barks at them
>>85188Indeed, it seems that there are some establishments of medium repute further south
>>85184*Whimers pleadingly*
>>85192"Calm down, boy, we are leaving."
>>85192Iron decides to go to a random establishment, not really knowing what it is. Hopefully it's a nice place.
[1d20+2 = 4]>>85190"hey, i found some interesting stuff."
>>85192dark Star uses wild empathy to calm the dog down
>>85196 Should have said hello first.
>>85196"Cool. You should tell me all about it when we escape that dog and this place."
>>85193>”But But”>>85194“Ruff! Ruff!”
>>85195Roll a d20
>>85196“RUFF! RUFF!”
[1d20 = 20]>>85199I knew it was tempting for you to do that.
>>85200Holee fuk. Gimme the two remaining children now.
>>85199>"Come ~oooon.."She pleads, still on the floor
>"I won't make a mess."
>>85196>>85198>>85199"Come. Do not try to provoke dog further." Silver turns to leave the way he came in.
>>85200INB4: strip club
[1d20+7 = 18]>>85199"calm Down boy i dont want to hurt you im a good pony."
i overlooked the part where it said i add my ranger levels
Once out of obvious range, Brie takes flight for the closest liquor store he can find, purchases a bottle of their most potent (and preferrably cheapest) booze, a box of matches, and returns to the scene, this time from a rather high approach (like, almost hard to see the house, high)
>>85206Could you not set things on fire, please? We don't want police panicking over arson.
>>85200I’m not even sure how to interpret that. He sure as shit finds drinks
>>85202>”..... okay”>>85205>”Okay...”>>85206Which scene?
>>85207Ever seen Donnie Darko?
>>85208>"~yay!"[Happy dragon noises]
Sister Ash enters the building and furtively looks for the children.
>>85208>drinks>native unfamiliar with drinksUh, can I ask for something other than drinks? At most, he'll drink some water just to pass time.
>>85209Uh, no.
>>85210"yea he is."
>>85208"whos a good boy? whos a good boy? you are!"
>>85213>inb4 hoof bitten off.
>>85213"Then we should move to poolhouse as soon as we are able. Unless you believe you need to stay to ensure he stays calm."
>>85212You're in for a treat then
>>85208The one at the docks obviously
>>85211Do I need to roll for this?
>>85217Is he going to the house or to the guards?
>>85213*eager barking*
>>85212Sure
>>85211Except that the door is still locked
>>85224The door to the pool room, or the door to the children?
>>85224With Star handling the dog, Silver heads out through the living room window.
>>85225What children? The door to enter the pool house is locked
>>85226He can see that Ash is over by the pool house, and the dog has stopped barking
>>85227The children the the dog just told her about.
Sister Ash uses her telekinesis to unlock the door from the inside, through the glass.
>>85225Silver trots over to Ash. "Find anything?"
>>85230"I'm not sure yet."
>>85224Iron decides to sit at an
presumably empty table, glass of water in tow. He wonders if this place hosts a bunch of changelings to make contact with, although he'd be fucked out of luck if he had to identify that they are, the slippery bunch that they are.
>>85231"Well, I would like to assist, if I could. I have found some evidence we could use, if we find anything substantial to bring case against Comte."
>>85224High above the house
>>85233Sister Ash is magically reaching through a glass door.
"I'm just looking for the children. I want to find them asap."
>>85234It is so
>>85232It is so. A waiter approaches
>>85229The door unlocks
>>85235Silver assumes she's trying to unlock the door. "Please, be careful of dog."
>>85237Sister Ash enters the room and begins furtively searching for where the foal may be hiding.
>>85237Silver peaks his head into the unlocked poolhouse to see if the dog guarding it inside reacts negatively.
>>85224Dark Star playfully pets the dog.
"i have to go boy."
>>85237Calmly, and with an almost nihilistic casualness, Brie opens the bottle of booz, stuffs a napkin into the mouth of the bottle with a trail of cloth/paper sticking out. He swishes the bottle around a bit to allow the napkin to absorb some of the liquid, before pulling out a match, striking it, and lighting the napkin.
>>85240>Not asking the dog for permission
>>85237Iron notices the incoming waiter. "Good afternoon." He makes a mental note of the waiter's appearance.
>>85239Most of what is visible from inside is visible from outside as well. It hosts yet another bar, and couches that have their backs to some of the windows. There is a dog bowl on the floor, and refrigeratir in the back, as well as a closet that appears to hold more wine
>>85242Alright
>>85244“Good afternoon”
Unicorn, grey
>>85245Sister Ash seems confused
>"...So.. Where are the foals..?"
>>85245Iron nods. "Do you have anything interesting to offer at this hour? I am basically new to these kinds of places."
>>85245Silver looks at the dog in the poolhouse as he takes a step inside. "Easy, boy. Easy. I do not mean you harm."
>>85245>>85241Dark Star grabs spark and climbs out the window after saying good bye to his friend the doggo
>>85247“What are you looking for?” She says with a smile. “Food? Drinks?”
>>85248“Grrr”
>>85246>”inside here I think”
>>85250"Easy, boy." He takes another step forward.
>>85246"Ash...mind helping me here and telling dog I am not threat?"
>>85250"I suppose I can go with some food and some water." Iron scratches his chin. "What is there to choose?"
[1d20+5 = 17]
Rolling a Search check for Sister Ash.
Sister Ash takes a move action to direct Caleb to perform the 'Seek' trick, several minutes to sniff out any creature in the vincinity.
[1d20+5 = 22]>>85251"In a minute, Sir."
"He's a guard dog, and it wasn't easy yo convince him to let me in."
(FYI, the check to influence an animal takes a whole minute.)
>>85252is feeling seriously tempted to just take a picture of a menu at the bar I’m at>>85253No obvious passages, but the door is locked to the closet
>>85255Sister Ash inspects the door, and taps on it to see how deep the chamber behind it goes.
>>85256Room seems small from the echo
[1d20+6 = 16]
"Three!" Brie silently Eeee's to himself as he lines up the bottle and drops it as accurately as possible toward the house. (attack roll, if needed)
>>85256Ask Silver to break the lock or Star to open it with some other ability he has.>>85255"Eh, I will take whatever you think I would like. I do not know what to pick anyway."
>>85258Arson is Ash's job, not yours.
[1d20 = 6]>>85258Fucking high area bombing
although to be honest, I would have preferred dive bombing
>>85259This.
If there were any option to burn the place down, I would have done it already.
For all we know, there might still be children in there.
>>85260While Silver has the dog's attention, Sister Ash tries to melt the lock.
Silver starts to wonder if he's the only pony here who doesn't immediately resort to arson as a solution to a problem.
>>85263I also don't conisder arson as the first option
>>85263Sister Ash only resorts to arson when she's angry, bored, frustrated, scared, surrounded by unfamiliar artificial structures or cold.
>>85263to be fair, i havent set any fires.
This isn't arson, this is something else disguised as arson
>>85267Yeah, but kids live here.
And there are still pets in that house...
>>85268Don't worry, a concerned passerby will notify the authorities
>>85258The bottle hits the top of the roof a little towards the left, breaking open on the roof top. I am presuming this alcohol is something like a 100 proof vodka, meaning that it catches fire where most shaken by the crash, but as it is still as much water as ethanol, not all of it lights. A pretty yellow light is spread across the roof tile going down
>>85262Heated, yes. But nirik fire can’t melt steal beams
>>85268This. Hope you can prove us wrong though since you already dropped the molotov cocktails already
>>85269You better not be selling the others out for some ill advised reason.>>85268>>85270Ash, use Silver's above average strength and greatsword already
>>85270>Can't melt steel*Grumbles*
Can she just sear a hole around the lock?
>>85269Yeah, but if the house catches fire, the smoke will alert authorities, and idk if I'll be able to find the kids in time before that.
>>85270I would have hoped they'd have some 151, pr some 120 proof, but eh.
Brie makes a rapid descent in a trajectory that allows him to "happen to be strolling back by this area of the neighborhood", but at a 'conceivably' rapid pace because he's a concerned citizen and there's a fire. He returns to the guards. "Sorry to bother, but is that building on fire?"
>>85268"Is everything okay, Sister Ash?"
>>85270Who of the party can see the fire?
>>85275"Just trying to open this door."
>>85273The blackhooves want something incriminating on this guy yeah? What's better than a fucking nun saving kidnapped foals from being held prisoner from a building? The fire won't burn the house down given its landing and only partial efficacy in igniting, and just you wait, I have at least one more card to play
>>85273He’s intentionally trying to summon authorities. I think he wants to rob firefighters or something
Maybe if the door is wood then the entire door can burn? It’s not going to melt
>>85274“Oh shit, that does look like fire. Which one is it?”
>>85277You know Dark Star has a camera, right? There is absolutely no need for you to do this.
>>85276"Do you need assistance? I am not sure if this dog will let me pass, but I can try to help."
>>85278"Sure.." she replies
>>85281Silver carefully trots towards where Ash is, hoping the dog will not attack him.
>>85278"Not sure, but I'll go get help!" Brie retreats to a safe distance, ignoring any calls for him to wait.
>>85279>need>pic related
Wait, are people coming now?
>>85287From a distance, Brie tries to observe what the guards do
>>85288A pair of them set off in the automobile
>>85287Well, here's hoping the dog doesn't try to kill Silver.Silver takes a look at the closet Ash was trying to open, to see how the door opens and what kind of lock it uses.
>>85285If this goes to shit because of you, I'll be severly dissapointed.Specially since Iron was going for some grub when you decided to act dumb and they will be forced to kill if blows are exchanged unless they severly handicap themselves.Also stop metagaming so explicitly, my guy>>85287Remember to make Iron pick up distant sirens when the firefighters come.
>>85290It opens outwards. The lock is internal to the door, evidently with a key
>>85290Hit the door already.
>>85293The individual in the booth. Essentially, the guys who had been in the automobile much earlier got back in it, while the guy at the gate remains
>>85291Its not meta, Brie is listening to the voices in his head
>>85292A plan starts to formulate in his head.
>>85281"Ash, do you mind trying to get dog away from here, or make it so he can not hear what I am about to do?"
>>85297"Just stick it in quickly and jam it open." She says
>>85298He looks confused at her. "...Stick what in where, exactly?"
[1d20+11 = 14]>>85296Stealth approach the booth guard
>>85298>just stick it in quickly
Okay, we need to find this foal NOW. Before the authorities get here.
>>85299"Stick the sword into the doorframe, and pry it open." She says, a little frustrated
... maybe more bonuses cuz dark?
>>85302I sure hope Brie knows what the fuck he's doing.
>>85300As the guy is inside a booth with walls on two sides...
“Hello again. We sent the other two to see the address so we know where to send the firefighters”
>>85306I don't think he does, but my mission just got a few hours loppoed off of its time limit...
[1d20+2 = 4]>>85304He sighs. "Right..."
Strength: Silver unsheathes his greatsword, and sticks it into the doorframe, trying to use it like a prybar.
>>85301>>85304Dark Star and spark make their way over to the pool house
and is the house brie set on fire the same one we just came out of?
>>85309Well, fuck you too.
[1d20+1 = 20]>>85309"Let me try."
Sister Ash makes a check using her telekinesis.
>>85309Palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy. There's vomit on my sweater already. Mom's spaghetti.
>>85312Mare power at it again.
>>85312Well, fuck you again, dice.
>>85309The thing bounces
>>85310Yes. Yes it is.
>>85312Welp, the breaks the lock the fuck out
>>85312>>85315Silver stares in silent confusion and awe. "...Well, it turns out you did not need my help in first place." He sheathes his sword again.
>>85315Sister Ash sticks her head into the chamber with her lightrock and peers inside.
>>85310The one you just came out of>>85307If the guard goes for the phone, would he be able to see Brie approach?
>>85315I'll suppose the afternoon meal is cancelled for now, seeing that Brie is currently doing some stupid shit.
Here's hoping the waitress was a changeling to bond with
>>85315"Son OF A DIAMOND DOG."
Dark Star goes back over to the window and calls the pupper over to the window
"Boy The house is on fire come with me."
>>85320Is there a fire extinguisher?
Wait, has anyone seen the fire yet?
>>85320>>85321Silver hears Star's shout from the poolhouse. "...Did you hear that, Ash?"
>>85323We have to do something about that smoke before anypony sees it.
>>85325"No." She replies,her head stuck in the closet
>>85327>>85315Silver heads for one of the poolhouse windows to see what the commotion is about.
>>85317More wine bottles. Some cans of food
>>85318The phone is within reach of the guard, and presumably he is looking out through the door of the booth waiting for the other two to return with the address
>>85320>”FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE!”
>>85326I dont have any spells for this. or any way to put it out. i should really fucking invest in a fire extinguisher if you firebugs
bats are going to keep burning shit.
>>85329"Calm Down boy, come here you'll be ok."
Dark Star reaches his hooves inside to grab the doggo
>>85329>Nothing in the closetAre there any other possible signs of where a child could be hidden? Any unusual smells?
Also can she see the fire?
>>85331Don't forget the pet tarantula. He's in there too.
>>85329"I'm gonna go and see if there's anyone that needs help."
He stashes the bottle (the one he and the guard were drinking from) as near as he can to the booth without being obvious, and then runs toward the house.
>>85332i dont think Star saw it
>>85334Poor little guy...
>>85335unless silver says something about him,he is gonna get roasted
>>85336I think you guys are seriously overestimating the size of the fire, and underestimating the responsiveness of the fire department
>>85338Fire departments arrive in minutes, and we still haven't found our foal.
BACK
>>85333Alright, it is so
>>85332She is looking the opposite direction of the fire, and also I have it on the opposite side of the house. She could look more closely, but it appears to be a sort of pantry
>>85339foal
s
>>85341May I ask whether he only runs (versus flying up 30 feet over houses) and whether he tries to enter from the ground level or the window on the roof?
>>85342Flies, since you're giving me a chance to amend, and ground level.
>>85340Gosh darn it...!
Sister Ash ramsacks for a bit more before she looks for anywhere else the foal could be.
By now, what places haven't been searched?
>>85343He can fly over a set of houses, and thus arrive
before the car drives by the house. On the way over he thinks he sees ponies by the pool house in the back, but no obvious lights on. The front door to the house is locked
>>85344Well, she hasn't done a search roll on the pantry
[1d20+5 = 11][1d20+5 = 14]>>85345Rolling Search for both her and Caleb
>>85345He decides to see what the ponies by the pool-house are about
[1d20-1 = -9]>>85346Search: Silver tries to help Ash search.
>>85347It looks like there are no lights on over there. There seems to be at least three of them inside of there, with two dogs that are not barking
>>85346>>85348It looks as if there is a very large movable cover on the floor of the pantry, covering almost the entire floor. Would you believe that it is locked?
[1d20+1 = 18]>>85349Rolling to pry it open like before
>>85349>>85346"Think you can work your lock-breaking magic again, Ash?"
>>85350>>85351The prying is able to cause the part of the cover that attaches to the lock to break off. Moving it aside reveals a stair case going down, away from the house. Wooden steps
>>85351*Grunts*
"I'm trying..!"
>>85352Sister Ash proceeds down the stairs with the light orb levitated ahead of her.
>>85349Brie picks a dark corner nearby to keep an eye on the scene.
>>85352>>85353>>85354"Nice work, Sister Ash!" Silver follows, keeping his horn lit to provide additional light.
>>85355In the front yard, the car approaches, and slows down for a short moment
>>85357Doggy is grabbed
>>85356>>85354What they see when they enter is a room with green painted walls probably at least 20 feet by 20 feet. There is a matress on the ground, and several chairs. A couch. A film projector and a screen.. An open door to what appears to be a small bathroom. A small pile of papers over by a chair in the corner. A closed door at the other side of the room
>>85358Silver looks at the scene more closely, not very enthused about any of it. "Well, this explains how he made film..." He goes for the door, trying to open it.
[1d20+1 = 13]>>85358Not seeing any children, Sister Ash makes a b-line towards the closed door.
Then she tries it open, because i'm pretty sure it's locked.
>>85360Sister Ash looks a bit agitated.
"Let's just find what we're looking for and leave."
>>85360The door - would you be surprised - is locked. Forgot to mention a refrigerator in the room
>>85361Smart cookie. Close, but not quite
[1d20+1 = 17]>>85363She doesn't give up.
Try again
>>85363Might as well try, you know.>>85362"With what else we have found? I already have very bad feeling about what took place down here."
>>85365Sister Ash hurls the door aside and looks into the room.
>>85358Dark Star ushers himself and Spark Towards the pool house
>>85368Is ushered. Apparently.
>>85368>>85369Pls try to put out this fire before the cops arrive...
>>85370Only got fire magic. Sorry.
>>85370i dont know what you want me to do dude, i dont have anything to put it out with.
>>85371>>85372Darn it.
I can put it out with Create Water, but my character isn't there.
>Nervousness intensifies
>>85366>>85367"
HISS!"
The room smells...
unpleasantAnother room, smaller. Unlike every single other room they have been in, this room has a light on in it. To the left periphery is a bed, and past that is a lamp that is on. On the far end is a bed. On that one bed, is not one, but two foals. Both have thick collars with thick leather chains around them, attached to the wall where their is a sturdy metal base.
One is a light green unicorn. Colt, younger, blank flank. Blue eyes cast a very deep sense of despair and sadness, looking towards the door, as his ears droop and he lay on the bed, head close to it. The second foal is a white earth pony colt, also young and a blank flank. He sits up close to the wall, back against it. He does not make eye contact with those entering the room, although he is clearly aware of them. His drooped ears and cowering appearance suggests a sense of intense dread. In the center of the room, on the far side, is a veil that hangs between the left half where the foals are, and the right half of the room. It must serve to keep what exists on each side from having constant line of sight with what is on the other
On the right side of the room, on the side opposite the entrance, are two cages, each not very large. Inside of each are creatures that probably neither Ash nor Dark Star (or even Spark, if he be present) have ever seen in this form alive. Two small undisguised Changelings. At least that must be what they are. They are black with coats more chitinous than furry, big blue eyes with no whites or very distinct pupils, severed tubular ears, translucent green barrels, dragonfly-like wings with green sheaths, and giant holes in their legs. Both of them are drones. They are too small to be adults. They must be in some formative stage of development - that race's equivalence of pre-adolescence. Both are also fitted with leather collars, though these attach to their cages.
One of them hisses at the creatures in the doorway, and its hiss is the one and only sign of a resisting will in the room, as is bares its fangs at the intruders and lowers its tube-like ears. Even it does not come as close as its leash or cage will allow. The other is quiet, and stays at the back of its cage. It too seems to convey a sort of fear in the way it cowers towards the back of its cage
>>85374Dark Star quickly takes pictures of the scene
>>85374"Hush, we are here to free you young ones."
>>85374Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee this is all too much to handle quietly before the freaking cops show up!Sister Ash is taken aback, but remains steadfast. The approaches the nearest foal and removes his collar.
"Are you alright..?" She asks in a soft voice, despite the fact that he obviously isn't
"Can you walk?" She asks
>>85375When did he get here?
>>85375Quite picturesque, indeed
"HISS!"
>>85376No creature responds, although the changeling on the far right hisses at the flash photography
>>85375If Dark Star is there, then so would Spark.
>>85374>>85377I go help ash and calm down the foals.
>>85377He was heading to the pool house
>>85378Dark Star turns around so where he is standing in the stair well and takes a picture of the house
Snap
he turns back around to the foals and walks over to the white earth pony "im gonna get you outta here, the bad pony wont hurt you anymore."
>>85377No pony responds, all remain cowing in fear save the one changeling. The green unicorn seems to stare far past Ash and Dark Star
>>85374"...Oh, sweet Celestia..." Silver looks between the foals and the drones. A desire to see Comte burn in Tartarus slowly rises to the surface.
>>85377Seeing Ash take care of the foals, Silver slowly attempts to approach the drones. He hasn't had many good encounters with changelings, but this...no one, pony or changeling, should have to be in a position like this. His voice assumes a natural paternal tone, trying to sound calming to the drones. "Young ones...are you okay? Are you hurt?"
Holy shit. Can anypony do something to stop the Safety Squads from showing up?Wtf are we supposed to do in this time? Reeeeeee.I'm probably going to need a long time to get these foals ready for transportation, and a bit to plan how to sneak them all out.
>>85381Sister Ash proceeds to remove all of their collars.
>>85380The Earthpony lets out a whimper, and his right ear twitches, but he does not respond
>>85382The right Changeling charges his cage and hisses
>>85383You probably got like 4 minutes or so probably maybe
>>85383Now how is she going to do that? They are clearly made to not be easily removed by telekinesis
>>85385She pulls out her divination blade and attempts to cut through the leather, carefully.
>>85384He instead turns to the changeling on the left, the one cowering. He takes a closer look at the drone.
>>85385>4 minutesThat doesn't sound like it's enough.
How far away are we from the orphanage?
>>85387This one has signs of multiple physical injuries. They don't bruise per se, but the way its body is colored suggests at least beatings, possibly electrocution
>>8538815 minutes probably
[1d20+7 = 8]>>85384Dark Star pets him non threatnigly
Diplomacy to get him to trust me
"its okay i promise im with the good guys we are here to save you all. we arent going to hurt you."
>>85390Loud damned whimpering from that foal and the other one. The white earth pony collapses down in fear
>>85389"О богини…" Silver turns to both changelings, looking sympathetically at them. His voice continues in its paternal tone. "I promise, to both of you, we will find pony who did this. And he
will pay. Now, let us see if we can not get you freed."
Silver takes a look at how the cages open, and if there's something in the room that will let him open them.
>>85391>>85392REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
"W-What are you okay?? stay with me."
I'm going to have to sleep soon. This time limit is stressing me out though.
>>85393Simple locks on each cage
Now, the drone responds and talks to Silver, with an unnatural voice, and nothing less than a deep despair. He is monotone, and stares past the other Changeling
"Das schlechte Pferd hielt uns fest. Es gibt keine Liebe von diesem Pferd. Einfach nur Lust."
He talks aloud to the other:
"Es gibt keinen Grund, Bruder. Unten bleiben."
>>85394He responds finally
"I don't want to go to the bed" he cries
>>85396Sister Ash removes his collar.
"We're leaving. Can you run?" She asks softly
>>85397Of the earth pony or the green unicorn?
"Well this is taking far longer than I had expected,..." Brie Eeeee's to himself.
[1d20+7 = 16]>>85396"shhh, shhh its ok. i promise you no one will hurt you. my names dark star. and im here to help you, and the rest of your friends down here. what's your name my friend?"
Dark Star undoes the collar on the white earth pony
Diplomacy
[1d20+2 = 13]>>85396He can not understand the changelings words. But he understands what they mean. "Do not worry, young ones. He is not here right now. I am."
Strength: Silver grabs his railroadmare's hammer, and tries to break the locks on the cages.
How many foals are there here?
>>85403@ and the chanlings
>>85404If they're blankflsnks, I can probably pick them up.
The Changelings can go fuck themselves. My priorities have shifted now that It on a 4 minute timer.
>>85406ill carry the earth pony out
sigh
Brie goes into the pool-house and follows the 'trail' downstairs to the cell rooms.
"You might consider hurrying." He says entering the room.
>>85407No, you need to gather evidence of these atrocities before the cops show up.
Sister Ash will take these two and try to get back to the orphanage without being seen.
>>85408"Who's that?"
>>85408"Brie! good to see you. what are you doing here?"
>>85409*Snap*
*snap*
*snap*
>>85400The green unicorn cowers, but is submissive enough to obey orders. The white earth pony remains cowering on the bed, and non-responsive
>>85401"I am... White Orchid" responds the colt, still very afraid
>>85402The simple lock breaks, allowing the door to open slightly. The other drone is scared by this, and backs down. He stops hissing. The drone in the cage Silver opened, however, won't shut up
"Wir hungern. Das Pferd würde uns dazu bringen, Bilder anzusehen und uns in viele verschiedene junge Pferde zu verwandeln. Seine Freunde würden ihre Sachen in uns stecken und uns berühren. Sie hatten keine Liebe zum Essen, und wenn wir versuchten zu füttern, würden sie uns einen Stromschlag geben"
>>85411Sister Ash pets him softly with a telekinetic tendril.
"It's going to be alright..." She whispers
"But we have to hurry."
>>85411"okay well, the nice nun is gonna get you to safety alright? everything is going to be ok now. your nightmare is over. you have to be a tough colt can you do that for me?"
[1d20+11 = 14]>>85409>>85410Brie stares at both of them like they're missing something. And without responding gets to work picking any/all of the other locks.
>>85414Sister Ash stares back for a moment
"... Who.. are you..?"
>>85413"... okay..." he says, very submissively
>>85412He does not respond, only complies.
>>85414Only one more lock. The lock on the cage of the changeling that was hissing
[1d20+11 = 20]>>85416That one then
>>85417The door opens right up
>>85408Silver doesn't seem to hear him, or doesn't care much about it.
>>85411Silver understands this much, as well. "They did not let you feed. You are hungry..." He thinks for a moment. "Here, if you still can feed..."
He brings a memory to mind. A loving memory, of him and Storm and their foals together. Storm and Silver, sitting together on the front porch of their cabin out near Manehattan, watching as their foals play out in the front yard. He remembers the joy from watching his offspring try to tag each other, the worry when one of them faceplants into the dirt, the relief when they get back up, smiling and laughing. But most of all, the love from just being there, and being able to enjoy being with his loving family in such a beautiful yet simple moment like that.
He is unsure how much love the changelings can get from this small memory, but he hopes it's enough to get them going.
>>85415"... he helped us at the docks. we met him at the tavern remember? it doesnt matter. get them out of here NOW."
>>85416Sister Ash picks them both up and places them on her back.
Then she turns to leave.
"I'll let the two of you take care if this for now.," She says, as she leaves through the threshold
>>85419"silver do you know what i- he is saying?"
>>85421"Go!"
>>85418Brie says to the hissy changeling. "Guten tag. Wir gehen aus."
>>85419The small and deformed bee pony rises to its hole-filled feet, and seems actually happy
"Kann ich mich von dir ernähren? Danke vielmals!"
There is still the leather restraint tying it down, but it moves forward as close as it can get to Silver, at the very end of its leash. It then opens its mouth, exposing its small fangs and thin tounge, and bites, as if it found something in the air. A green and purple energy is even visible flowing from the air to the small drone
Roll a fortitude save
>>85423It seems a bit confused. Note that it is still restrained by a leather bind
>>85421Small foals, but strength check anyways
[1d20+1 = 16]>>85425Rolling with telekinesis.
>>85425As in needing to be cut, or undone?
I thought for certain that was Germane he spoke
>>85425Dark Star walks over to the cages and thinks bout how much he loves blue
yea hes giving some of it to the most malnourished one.
>>85426Good enough
>>85427As it draws away magic from the Silver, he feels
different at first, it is a lack of happiness. A lack of joy. The memory loses its color, going from color to black and white. He feels his body become suddenly cold, almost violently cold. The same as he felt after raising his wet fur into the winter air after jumping into the pool. It is as if the very will to live is slowly being drained from him, and he is slowly feeling the despair that the foals on the other side of the veil feel right now. But Silver is not there yet, as his magic is strong and he holds steady. The little vampire wants more
>>85428Yes, cut or undone
All of the foals are non-responsive at first>>85429The one on the left is sucking from Silver. the one on the right, near Brie, could use some love
>>85430he walks over to that one
>>85430Wait, are there any more foals in the room?
If not, she leaves the way she came, and gets ready to to flee the scene as fast as she can.
>>85430Brie begins undoing them in sequence, starting with the pissy one.
>>85433"Can you talk to them?"
>>85434"Apparently not. I thought I caught a few of the words they were speaking, but it might be a different dialect of Scandaneighvian. Oh well, they'll figure it out."
>>85431The Drone stays in the back of his cage for a moment. Unlike his companion, he is not talkative, and says nothing to Dark Star. But Brie has undone both the lock and his restraint. He bolts out of his cage, and lunges at the air itself in front of Dark Star - bypassing the physically closer Brie in the process. It pulls a green and purple energy from Dark Star, and towards its open mouth.
Roll a fortitude save
>>85435"Buck, i was gonna get you to ask it about a blonde haied changling."
>>85430He pushes onwards, a singular goal of making sure these changelings get out of here in his mind. He opens the cage and levitates a small, simple survival knife out of his bags. He uses it to cut the restraints off of the changeling. His voice still retains the paternal tone he used. "...this feeling...it is draining..." He looks at the changeling, bringing another memory to mind, for its sake. Him and Storm, out in a field. He looks deep into her yellow eyes. She offers to show him a trick. And suddenly, she takes off, soaring through the air. He sees her zoom across the sky, doing twists and twirls in the air for him, a trail of lightning following her. Suddenly, she makes a sudden turn in midair, right next to the air. A bolt of lightning appears to blow up a nearby cloud, creating possibly the most beautiful rainbow he has ever seen.
He is unsure how much more he can go on, or how much damage this will do to him, but he will push on, if it means he can get these two out of here.
>>85440*right next to a cloud.
Why'd you guys take them out of the cage ffs? You could have just taken the cages with you.
Sister Ash leaves the building, and then promptly leaves the community.
She proceeds towards the orphanage in a hurry.
It's nightfall by now, right?
>>85440Spark stares at this scene, more than a little disturbed.
>>85438When it first sinks into him, Dark Star feels cold. Perhaps the last time he felt significantly cold was waking up, naked and no cover on, alone in Blue Skies' bed in the Grand Baltimare Hotel. They must have neglected to keep the heat on. But this is not the same as simply awaking in a cold room. This is true cold, with almost a fear behind it. His euphoric warmth for Blue Skies... starts to drain and to fade. Even the image in his mind seems to fade. Not so much fade as drain of all color. All happiness starts to fade, all joy. Then a feeling of the very will for life itself slowly fading away. He starts feeling
tired. Hopeless
Dark Star collapses to the floor. The drone automatically stops extracting
>>85440The vampire's eyes glow. It looks as if Silver has brought joy to this insect as it draws away his memories, his magic - his life essence.
Roll one more fortitude save
>>85433Did you cut the restraint on the one eating Silver?
>>85443Oh dear. Now how is she going to leave the community? Remember, it
is walled
>>85444The drone - the one that was hissing earlier - is still hungry after causing Dark Star to collapse to the floor
>>85446How did she get in in the first place? (I was asleep)
I thought she'd leave the way she came.
>>85446I glare at the changeling.
"You stay put."
I then drag Dark Star away from it and guard the door so they don't blast out and become the next quest.
>>85445"this..is what empathy gets you.... i told her emotions were a weak...ness"
Dark Star pulls out his revolver and aims it at his temple
"N...o ho....pe"
[1d20 = 16]>>85450I quick yank the gun away from Dark Star.
>>85450Pull the trigger, pussy
[1d20+3 = 4]>>85445Brie sighs and grapples the loose changeling.
>>85452ill fukken do it scale back
>>85455No u wouldn't. Ur 2 pussy
>>85447A hole in the fencing some hundreds of feet away from the gate
>>85448The pegasi still twists and twirls across the skies of Silver's mind... but it's getting harder to focus. Harder to concentrate. The images in his mind bleed color, then become like static, then he can scarcely think at all. There is this sort of feeling of a lack of purpose. A lack of hope. Like Storm is forever lost. But Silver remains standing, he remains awake, and though he definitely has
less energy, he's defintely felt worse
Silver's little incubus friend, for his part, voluntarily stops. It would not be fair to say that he is 'sated.' The hunger is still visible in his eyes. But what
is fair to say, is that the desperation is gone, He is no longer like a child fallen through a frozen lake, trapped under ice and desperate for air. He looks...
grateful"Vielen Dank!"
But he has one more request, looking over to the other changeling that has just knocked Brie on the ground
"Könnten Sie meinen Bruder füttern?"
>>85454he falls to the ground, prone
>>85450He is weak. He is not suicidal yet. That would require even more
>>85449>Block the open doorwayVery good answer
>>85457She goes for the hole, Caleb beside her.
[1d20+3 = 15]>>85457Eeeeeeeing internally, Brie gets up and tries again as fast as possible.
>>85460"You will see her soon. Just hold on my friend."
[1d20-1 = -7]>>85461Opposed
>>85460He can see her, the color blinking in and out. The image in his mind gives him that smile
>>85459The white Earth pony foal -White Orchid - either falls off, or jumps off
>>85462>>85463"there she is...everything is so du....ll."
>>85463She stops and catches him with her telekinesis.
"Are you alright?"
>>85465Strength check"Let me go!"
>>85461Brie captures the insect, who tries to flap his wings and buzz away, but fails
>>85464He feels weak. Is he ready to try to feed the drone again?
>>85464"Focus on her. She loves you. She needs you. You need to go to her."
[1d20+5 = 12]>>85466Sister Ash seems confused
"..Do you... Want to go back..?"
>>85468He doesn't respond. for a moment. Then he tears up
"I want to go back to mom"
Probably captured
>>85466totally
>>85467dark Star is reaching his hooves out forward
>>85457Silver focuses on the joy in the changeling's eyes. Even with himself feeling hopeless, even with the joy having been sucked from his life, he managed to help this changeling when they were in need. It's a calling he has strived for his entire life, helping those in need, and it fills him with a renewed sense of joy, of purpose, in his heart. Even when all around him goes dark, when he himself is joyless, he can still give joy to others, still give light to those who do not have it.
He looks at the changeling as best as he can. It's clear he's having difficulty focusing, but there's resolve in his eyes, now, that wasn't there before. "...You...you want me to feed him...I...I will try..."
>>85461>>85466Silver turns to Brie and the changeling he's grappling with. His legs are shaking, but he stays strong. "...Let...him go."
[1d20 = 19]>>85466He attempts to pick up the bug.
[1d20+5 = 21]>>85469"What's your mother's name? I could take you there." She asks, still moving towards the exit
>>85471"Yes, yes, we'll get to that." He then proceeds to exit the underground post haste.
>>85474Did he take the changeling with him, or did he leave the changeling behind?
>>85472Bug is still picked up. that doesn't stop him from Vampirizing off of Dark Star and Silver
>>85470>>85471Roll fortitude saves
>>85475I think he's taking the changeling with him, but I am still going to let it parasitize the ponies>>85473".... Rose Glass"
>>85474>>85476Darn bat ponies phasing through ponies in their way.
[1d20+5 = 13]>>85476"Very well. I'll do what I can to find a her."
She offers her hoof
"Can you trust me for now?" She asks, pleadingly
>>85479Didn't mean to roll
>>85474Oh yeah, Shimmer is at the exit
>>85477The image goes from black and white to static. He can feel the great church of Saint Petershoof destroyed. He can feel Storm Warning killed before his very eyes. He can feel the thousand year empire of Hamrony destroyed. These are not thoughts called to mind nor images nor memories... They are feelings. It were as if every other feeling he had. Every other positive thought and memory has been pulled away. Vacuumed, if you will, leaving behind only the unpleasant, the evil, and the despairing. He now feels weak, and collapses.
"Es tut mir so leid" says his little incubus friend. As he falls down, he can tell that
both changelings had been feeding on him at that moment, the changeling he sought to help and the changeling he thought had taken enough
sigh>>85478"I don't suppose I could squeek by?" somewhere in the background there's a drum tap.
>>85481Seriously, GM? Can't even leave it on a good note?
I'm about to pass out soon, willingly or not.
Is Sister Ash able to make it back to the orphanage?
>>85482"You are about to carry a changeling outside, where it can fly away and do Celestia knows what. No, not until we secure them. Help me get the others up."
>>85486You know exactly what part I'm talking about. I'm actually a little pissed off that's the direction you took with it.
>>85488I think he made the direction it went based on the outcome of your roll.
>>85484Eventually, yes. Just keep the foals tight
>>85488Honestly, I may have to rewrite the scene if Dark Star never offers to feed the second changeling
>>85490Sure thing.
Night, Anons.
>>85485"Luna no, I'm going to go get caught with it."
>>85489That is no excuse, and you know it.
>>85492"I'd wager the authorities are going to be far more worried about a changeling or two, and
he emphasizes aggressively since we're all just bystanders responding for calls for help because of the fire, we should have an easy time explaining why we're here."
>>85492"Then for certain you are not leaving with it. The public unrest alone will be enormous, not to mention blowing any cover we might have in this town."
>>85493Actually it is an excuse and you should know it. I have done my fair share of complaining to the GM about how he has handled my character. At the end of the day, it is his story being played out. You have to adapt to it as we go. It may be fucking irritating as all hell, but it makes the whole story a bit more interesting.
>>85494"You aren't going to risk the city with on of those things. Get the others up and then we will talk."
>>85492"Ist ein
Wechselbalg!" interjects Silver's incubus friend
>>85493Alright, first off, when you wrote that thing about silver still feeling warm and fuzzy for helping the changeling - those emotions are blood in the water for hungry sharks. I though that both Dark Star and Silver would be feeding the second changeling, which was actually more than was necessary, so I decided to say 'you cut your palm in front of the hungry vampire and the logical happened,' so the first one was feeding too. I had intended to write that the first one looked apologetic, and if you translate the German, he is saying something like "I am so very sorry"
[1d20 = 9]
Attempting to overrun SS
>>85495>>85494Changeling? What Changeling? Brie is holing a Blue unicorn foal.
[1d20-1 = -5]>>85497Opposed
>>85499>>85497Brie, unicorn foal in hoof, manages to knock over Spark and escape the room
>>85496I know you tried to make him seem apologetic, but that doesn't change the fact that you made him do it in the first place, and that you could have more than easily decided to actually make us care a little for the changelings.I would also argue that Star is in no better shape now to feed a changeling than he was after the changeling fed the first time, but that's besides the point.
>>85501What are you talking about? This is the most sympathetic I have seen the changelings outside of bad fanfics and the skittlebugs. So the bug couldn't fight off the temptation to get more food? I don't see the major problem here.
>>85501If Changelings are too nice, then it just makes everyone who doesn't trust them look like racist assholes who are flat out wrong and nothing more. But if the poor little bee couldn't help himself after being starved for so long... Have some understanding and some patience. It's not an adult and shouldn't be expected to have the same level of self-control. Also Dark Star has vanished, so yes, that scene will probably need to be rewritten anyways
>>85502>>85503The first good thing Silver does after the GM expresses his disappointment at him stealing a couple pieces of jewelry, and he gets betrayed for it, because he decided to put aside his own prejudices and help out members of a species he fought against in the Great War, and that everypony and their mother says can't be trusted, and he did this just because he saw those in need and saw how he could help, even if it hurt him. I don't care what excuses you have, it doesn't change what it is: Silver is getting punished for performing a good deed.I'm gonna go cool off for a bit. I'm fucking pissed.
>>85500The sorcerer is knocked over by the extremely foolish bat. I grumble at this and swear under my breath how he will wind up getting somepony killed because of this.
>>85501"Damn it, Silver! Can you hear me? Can you move?"
I get up and go over to silver and drag him away from the changeling.
>>85504Ok man. But if you think about it, that's life. You don't automatically get rewards for good deeds. You can get rewarded later on, but you can't expect all the things you do that are good to rake in profits with the snap of your fingers. But take a little break if you need to.
I will take this opportunity to remind that Brie >7 Wis
>>855041. Fuck you
2. Go fuck yourself
3. Did you watch the show? In the episode where they try to redeem changelings and show them as not really an Always Chaotic Evil race, one of them does
exactly what just fucking happened here. Thorax is nice to Spike, and is just fine around ponies in his disguise as he is brought along as Spike's friend... and then he passes by the love emanating from Flurry Heart.
He couldn't control himself, he lost over to instinct, and even let down his disguise, causing himself to get caught. And the first thing he does after that is hiss and behave like a monster. All of this after he had been so nice to spike, and because he lost control over his instinct to look for love. Actually, when we first meet Thorax, the first thing he does is hiss at spike. This drone has not done even that. The other drone hissed at Silver, this one cowered in the corner because he's been fucking traumatized by being used as a sex toy, being electrocuted, and being starved for a month or however long.
This changeling, thus far, has been nicer to Silver than Thorax was. The fucking pony show did exactly what you are bitching about, and they still went the "Changelings are actually super good" route, even changing their biology
4. Have you ever stopped to consider that maybe, just maybe, the reason that everypony and their mother says that Changelings can't be trusted is
because they fucking can't. Maybe, just maybe, the millennia of wisdom that teaches that changelings cannot be trusted
has a basis in reality. Not every bit of dislike of Changelings needs to be nothing but "Hate, Fear, and Xenophobia." Changelings are not 'Muslims in America' or 'Black People in America" or whatever oppressed minorities. People who do not trust them actually have some reason to do so. Maybe, just maybe,
not all good deeds are rewarded. Maybe that old adage of the farmer and the viper wasn't just a racist xenophobic homophobic transphobic sexist white male being oppressive. Maybe good payed unto evil is wasted.
5. For the fourth fucking time, the only reason I wrote that scene like that is because we didn't need two ponies for only one drone. If I had known Dark Star would die after that,
I wouldn't have written it that way
Cooled down a bit, had something to eat, realized I was being unreasonable. Apologies, everyone. Just been in a generally pissy mood today and it rubbed me the wrong the way, and I acted like an ass because of it.
>>85509It's ok Silver's player. We all have our moments like that. You may want to apologize to the GM especially. He has been having it tough with all of our complaints.
>>85508Sorry for giving you shit, GM. I should have taken a step back and thought more on it, but I didn't and acted like a fool because of it. I know it's hard putting up with us, and it's mostly thankless work, but I am genuinely grateful you do so.
>>85511I don't know, I just don't like it when I am looking forward to a scene, and then it seems to come together and materialize... and then it doesn't, and fails
>>85512No, it worked, it's just me making a mess of things, as per usual. It was a great scene, I'm just sorry I ruined it for you by being a stupid boi.
>>85513I don't know, I just hope it can continue and end well
>>85514It will, provided we can GTFO from the scene before the authorities Brie called on us arrive.
What is it with our missions and fire?
>>85515We should be well know enough to call ourselves the Firefront Gang now.
>>85515The good news: the three foals have been removed from the basement
The bad news: time is damned low, and all three characters in the basement have been knocked down on the ground, two of them with negative levels
>>85516Nah. We're the Firefighters.>>85517If they can get away, I imagine they could try to go to a religious institution to remove the levels, or see a hospital since I imagine they've had to deal with these sorts of cases before, so I'm not too worried about the negative levels in and of themselves. It's just a question of
if they can get away.
>>85517Before I head to bed (as I assume you have already done so), I'm gonna ask a question for you when you get back to the thread tomorrow: where exactly could changeling-inflicted negative levels be cured at?
Anyways, off to bed with me.
>>85519If negative levels are something akin to succubi kiss. The negative level damage will dissappear after a good night's sleep. I don't think there is another way to do so.
Fuck, Iron wishes he were there.
>>85520>tfw can't sleepAs far as I've read? They require a spell like Restoration to be dispelled. If it doesn't get cured within 24 hours, we have to make a Fortitude save to avoid losing a level. Could be the GM has made special rules for negative levels inflicted by changelings, in which case it's whatever he says, but if it's just from the SRD, then we need to find a pony who can cast the spell.
>>85521Taken from
http://dungeons.wikia.com/wiki/SRD:Energy_Drain,_Negative_Levels,_and_Level_Loss"Negative levels remain until 24 hours have passed or until they are removed with a spell, such as restoration. If a negative level is not removed before 24 hours have passed, the affected creature must attempt a fortitude save... On a success, the negative level goes away with no harm to the creature. On a failure, the negative level goes away, but the creature's level is also reduced by one."
In other words, you can just wait it out and roll a fortitude save to dispel negative levels but there's a chance that it will drain one level from you.
So, you better use restoration on Silver, since he seems to have terrible rolls as of late. Iron should have smaller problems with it. Here's hoping that endurance can help with energy drain.
>>85500>unicorn foal in hoofMotherfucker. Did I miss one?!
>>85523Funny thing, apparently the changelings are smart enough to realize that we're getting them out of there and are putting on a disguise that prevents further scrutiny.
I'm rather starting to like them.
>>85524*Gasp* GM was replaced with changeling!
>>85525What if I told you that GM has always been a changeling?
>>85526N-no. Inconceivable! Y-you're lying, aren't you? Tell me it's not the truth.
>>85527Of course not, thats absurd
>>85528I-I can't trust you. You are lying to me! I know you are. Liar! All you do is lie! Why should I trust you?!
>>85529Whoever said you should?
>>85524Just don't let it get away.
It'll be hard to find again if you lose it.
Small update. I'll be unavailable for a long time, maybe 5 to 6 hours, maybe 9 maximum. If you had something planned for Iron, let it wait until I come back.
>>85531[spiiler]Listen to Ash. I want to snuggle the bug.
>>85531TBH, I hadn't expected it to adopt a disguise, that makes GTFO alot easier. But no, I'm not going to let it get away.
>>85532Where's Chris Hanson when you need him?
>>85533I never said which bug it was. R00d.
>>85533What did you intend to do with it?
>>85535That depends on what happens if/when we can develop an effective method of communication. A pair of changelings might make for some right and proper burglars.
>>85537So.. you're going to keep them..?
>>85537>Not trying to give back the hatchlings to establish contact with more experienced burglars from a hive.What good is it for when you cannot feed them properly and don't understand their biology to see if they are well fed?
>>85538There are alot of options on the table right now. I really hadn't planned on determining what to do with them until everyone was clear of the property and hopefully back at a/the base.
>>85539That will also be an option. I'm not taking anything off the table at this point.
We could always ask the other one
>>85540I'm really looking forward to somewhat peaceful changeling interactions and how will Iron react to it all.
Besides the whole succubus thing
>>85541I guess the war has to end somehow.
>>85542You don't sound so sure
Alright, I'm trying to understand where, precisely, the characters are.
Iron obviously is at a bar or restaurant. Onyx is MIA. I had Ash have a foal try to escape right before she went through the broken fence, although she caught it and I believe she went through. Dark Star and Silver have both collapsed to the ground inside the basement room. Spark has been knocked on the floor at the entrance door of the same.
Now Brie... Yes, I know he left out of the basement of the pool house carrying a unicorn foal as his prize, but where precisely is he? And how is he doing it?
>>85545Just the person I was looking for. I am unavailable for quite a long time. Refer to
>>85532
>>85545At the time we adjourned, Brie would be exiting the poolhouse and assessing the situation topside.
>>85541Succubi aren't a problem for sociopathic bats
"Eeeeeeee"
>>85544Tbh, the end of the war seems oddly far-fetcged, from what I understand from this setting.. the world is really big and complicated. Waging Peace was really the character goal I had in mind though.
I still wanna progress things to get to the point where we can free the Show's cast though. For that though, I need levels.
>>85548Waging peace a/the-only way of ending the war, but it depends on where Chrissy's head is at,... though freeing 2 kids from 'what was going on down there' is a good start
>>85549Eh, I'm starting to wish that Knowledge Geography/History we're a class skill for me.. First I need to figure out how exactly this world works, as well as it's politics/history. It seems to be like five times bigger than the show's world.
Ending a single war is one thing, but future wars can't be prevented unless the countries themselves are remade. Every race needs it's own territory.
>>85550I personally have no bones about war or no war, I'm just saying that IF an end to the war is possible, doing the changelings a solid is a good start.
>>85549Also, from what I've heard, there's not just one Changeling hive, but dozens of them.
>>85552I hadn't heard that. That begs all sorts of questions, such as do they all have regional queens/governesses? Are all the leaders female? Are their differences of opinion among the/any leaders, and/or are some of them more reasonable and open to parlay, or are they all pissy like Chrissy?
>>85546Noted
>>85547The little colt in Brie's grasp struggles against him
"Hiss!"
Roll opposed Grapple
[1d20 = 7]>>85554"Eeeeeeeee!" he responds
[1d20-1 = -11]>>85555And the foal
>>85556>>85555The foal falls to the ground, and starts running. With a flash of green light, he changes into a terrier dog
>>85551What other objective could the story have other than to free the show's cast and restore Equestria to what it was?
It'd feel weird to just do whatever when all the ponies in the show are imprisoned or dying.
>>85553Idk. I don't even know what creature Subtype they count as yet (Monstrous Humanoids, Vermin, Fey?), so I can't roll any knowledge checks. If it's not a class skill for me, I have to assume my chart has only common knowledge: checks with a DC of 10. If they were Monstrous Humanoids, Vermin, Magical Beasts, or Fey, I could learn more about them as I gained ranks in knowedge (nature). If they're Abberations, then they'd apply under Dungeoneering, but only Rangers, Wizards and Bards have that skill.
>>85557"Oh you little... EEEEEEE!" Full chase
>>85558*my character has only common knowledge
Good to know nothing went on while I was passed out.
So, GM, about
>>85519>>85552>>85553The easiest way to think of the Changeling Lands/Changeling Hegemony is to think of the German Empire. It's a single country made up of numerous formerly-independent counties and states. There are many different hives, but they all swear fealty to a single Queen/King. In-game, the only way to stop the Changelings from trying to declare war again is to beat them in a war, and either puppet them or annex them. As New Mareland is fascist like Chrysalis, they'll likely try annexing them if they win. If Equestria is released from New Mareland's occupation as a Harmonist, Communist, or Non-Aligned country, then they'll try puppeting the Hives under the ideology of their choice. In the event of a Harmonist Equestria puppeting the Changeling Lands, Thorax becomes King of the Free Changeling Hives.
>>85561The Changeling is heading to an area behind the house that has greenery and a small stream - a sort of common area used to separate lots. Brie is faster than the foal, so he may roll opposed grapple
>>85558If I said "fey" I am sure that would have all sorts of ramifications that are not desirable for gameplay. So think of them as humanoids, maybe like drow elves or something. But realistically speaking, they are a mix of Vampires, Succubi, Irish Changelings fairies, and the Soviet Union in the immediate aftermath of WW2. Closer to soviets in terms of difficulty to find and kill
>>85563I only spoil things when I am
pissed off and there is no other way, or when something is completely over. Figuring out how to do with Changeling vampirism is all a part of the fun
[1d20-1 = -4]>>85565Opposed
>>85565>>85566Brie has caught the dog. He shall eat well tonight
>>85564Well, I guess I'll go with my gut and hope Silver and Star don't lose a level in the process.
>>85567Since the changeling doesn't seem to speak Ponish, Brie gives him a quick pep talk in Bat.
"Eeeee! E eeee eee'ee eeeeeeee eeeeeee eee eee eee eeee EE eeee eee eee eeee E ee, eee eeee eeee eeee! E'e eee eeeee ee eeee eee, ee EEEEE eee eeeee ee EEEEE eeeee ee'ee ee e eeee eeeeeee eeee!"
Listen! I know you're probably freaked out and you have NO idea who the fuck I am, but calm your tits! I'm not going to hurt you, so PLEASE sit tight at LEAST until we're in a less obvious area!
>>85563>the only way to stop the Changelings from trying to declare war again is to beat them in a warThat makes no sense. Changlings are made to infiltrate and interconnect with other groups of creatures. To say that they'd stop being agressive just because you tried to crush them doesn't make sense when you think if how it worked in the show.
>PuppetingThat's not friendship....
Also, wtf is New Mareland, and wtf are they in power? I sense subtle notes of Fascism, only without all if the traditionalist factors that make fascism worth supporting.
>>85564Humanoid is split into several different groups. Are they a group of their own?
What do they fall under as Favored Enemy targets?
>>85570Tbh, I thought Changelings would be something similar to Dromites.
Now that he has the 'dog' back in hand, are there any adjacent buildings that aren't part of the house in question?
>>85569The changeling recoils a little, and seems to submit. He speaks for the first time
"Töte mich nicht... Ich werde mich benehmen"
>>85570>wtf are theyThey are a settler colony of Equestria. If Equestria is Great Britain or America, New Mareland is Australia
>No traditionalismThey are in their homeland, where their version of the same religion is a little different. T hink of how Protestant christian Americans used to be mistrustful of Catholics for the specific reason that they thought Catholics may be more loyal to the Pope than to their own country. You might have noticed that unlike the Communists, they are not Atheist and they are not Anti-clerical, nor do they actively try to destroy religion. They are also not the sorts of people to write about "The Psychology of Sex" and what have you
>>85570Changelings are their own creature. You can specify "Changelings" as a favored enemy
>>85572Yes and no. This property only has the Pool house and the House. They are adjacent properties with their own buildings
>>85573>their version of the same religionHow exactly does religion work in this game?
How many religions are there, and how many are legitimate?
>>85574Moreso, how does it differ from Equestria?
>>85570When you find something that doesn't quite make sense in regards to what we saw in the show, remember that all of this comes from a game mod, so there's going to be some difference to compensate that.
New Mareland is essentially a combination between Australia and America. At the start of the game, New Mareland starts as a Harmonist Dominion underneath the indirect control of Equestria, in the middle of a Great Depression and with numerous Griffon minorities, AND surrounded by the griffon nations of Aquilia to its north, the griffon nation of Talouse to its northeast, the griffon nation of Wingbardy to its southeast, and the Sun Sea to its west and south. There are a few different paths New Mareland can take to try to fix the state the country starts out in, and in this particular instance, New Mareland took the path of independence and electing the Fascist Duke Haygle as their leader, with the goal of defending their nation against the expanding and increasingly aggressive griffon nations at their borders, at all costs.
>>85577Well, should I approach this with the values of the show, or the game saga?
I'm familiar with the show. I'd have to read about the game if I want to understand the thematics behind conflict resolution and peace.
>>85573"Probably too risky to try commandeering a neighbor's building," he Eeeee's to himself, "... probably best to keep moving."
Tightening his grip on the 'dog', Brie takes flight, setting a course for his hideout (since he doesn't know where the meeting point or wherever is).
>>85574>>85578>>85576If only there were NPCs whom Ash could ask that were experts on theology, religion, and global politics
>>85579Be advised that three more are inside of the Poolhouse. There
are some bushes and trees with cover by the stream, which seems to be where the terrier was running for
>>85580I have other priorities right now.
Sister Ash is also supposed to be an apolitical figure. She wouldn't ask things like that unless she had a specific reason.
Does she make it back to the orphanage?
>>85581Well, unless another foal tries to escape, I wouldn't imagine her having any difficulties
>>85582Okay.
What time is it by now?
>>85580Noted. I'm hoping that between the 3 of them they can come up with a reasonable solution for carting out a friendly
ier changeling. If this guy hadn't tried to run off, Brie might have tried going back to assist them depending on where the authorities are at, but he's thinking that will be improbable.
>>85578Go with a mix of both, I would say. Try for peace, but prepare for war. That, and just ask those in-game who would have more knowledge than Ash.
It would be helpful for Ash at this point, I would imagine, if she knew of the existence of underground Harmonist enclaves in Baltimare, but I get the feeling there aren't any.>>85581From what I understand, Ash is trying to get a better understanding of the cultures, customs, and religious practices of Equestria. I would figure learning about the history of the region, both distant and recent, as well as the political situation in the region would be ways to succeed in this endeavor, even if she remains apolitical and refuses to take a side.
>>85584Alright, be advised that the damned town home is a little to the East, and so a number of minutes by flight
>>85586High-altitude approach then, avoiding contact with anypony, if possible.
>>85588>>85588I'm wondering if it's fair to have brie Advance so far when none of the other characters have responded after falling to the ground
>>85585I'd prefer to resolve issues as the characters of the show would, but that's just my preference.
Even in a war game, there's gotta be a way to attain world peace by the end of it so everpony can live happily ever after.
Sister Ash isn't aligned with any particular religious association. Druids are technically all part of the same sect, and the concept of that is that the Will Of The World supercedes artificial political boundaries and alignments.
She's only staying at this abbey because she considers it to be a good place for her to do volunteer work. If it weren't for the children, she'd just go innawoods, and never come out unless the Earth spoke to her again.
>>85589I'm just waiting for Dark Star and Spark to get back so all three of us can continue.
Did the other changeling stick around with us three, or did he flee into the night?
>>85583By that, I mean time in game.
>>85591The 'nice' changeling still has its collar on, and is with the 3 downstairs
>>85583When she leaves, probably 8 or 9 PMish. When she arrives, that plus like 20 minutes
>>85590>there's gotta be a way to attain world peace by the end of it so everpony can live happily ever after.You understand that that is damned difficult even in the pony show right?
>>85591What
>>85593 said. He never had his chain removed. He retreated to the back of his cage in a cowering position, similar to the way he was when they came in
>>85594>>85593I thought Silver cut his restraints off.
>>85595Can you point to the post? I
know he opened the cage
>>85591Ok, I'm back now.
>>85595I thought it was just the one the bat knocked me over for.
>>85595Possibly, but I don't recall. GM?
>>85598I don't know. Maybe he did in one of the long posts before feeding the thing
>>85594In FiM, Equestria is a pretty peaceful place overall. There's not very much threat of large-scale violence, mostly just cookey individuals.
Anyway. That's just me daydreaming. I just thought that "beating the game" entails stopping wars, and eliminating the imminent threat of foreseeable future wars.
>>85596>>85440Unless I misread something that makes the "cutting off the restraints" part null and void...
>>85597Well, I guess we just gotta wait for Dark Star, now.
>>85602I went and re-read the entire thing, and Silver did break the lock on the cage, as well as Brie unlocking the other cage and cutting the leash on the other one, but this changeling never had his leash cut
So he lays there at the far end of his cage, ears down
>>85603Is there anypony left in the room?
Also, what happens once Sister Ash gets back?
She knocks on the door of the orphanage.
>>85603Dammit. Well, I guess Silver has one more thing to do when Spark helps him back on his hooves.
>>85597Silver lets out a long, low groan. When he speaks, he sounds rather emotionless, and is so quiet Spark can only barely hear him. "...help me up..."
>>85608I assume I don't need a listen check for that.
"Why are you feeding the changelings before we get them out of here?"
I help him up.
"Are you able to stand on your own?"
>>85609His voice continues its monotonous, emotionless tone. "They were not going to be able to escape without it." His legs seem weak, barely able to hold up his own weight plus the weight of his equipment, but he manages to stand.
>>85603He reaches into his bags once more for his survival knife, this time using his mouth to hold it, and approaches the remaining changeling, knife in mouth.
>>85610"You going to be ok? You can lean against me if you need to."
>>85590so your a fucking red?
>>85607The insect in Brie’s arms addresses him, as surely as it does Silver, and a green and purple stream flows from Dark Star and Silver into its mouth. And he can feel the image of blue in his mind going cold, flickering, then a mild headache, and she grows more distant. Joy leaves, as does all pleasure. At the end of all of it, he feels weak and tired - but not much weaker nor more than he was when the second session began. Silver, for his part, falls to the ground. Then the Changeling turns into a dark blue foal, as Brie knocks over Spark
>>85610The Changeling’s ears droop, and it rushes to the back of the cage, now cornered. It knows what is coming
“Es tut mir leid, Es tut mir leid Ich werde es nicht nochmal tun!”
If silver wishes to cut the restraint, rather than slit its throat, Silver could go around the cage to the back where it is tied, so he doesn’t have to move his leg past the saber-like fangs of a scared and cornered animal
>>85614Does anypony respond to Sister Ash at the door of the orphanage?
>>85610>>85614Although pulling it out of the cage
before holding the knife could work as well
>>85614Does anypony respond to Sister Ash at the door of the orphanage?
>>85604Yes. A sister opens the door, starts to say "Hello there Ash, and when she sees the foals, her mouth drops open and she is left speechless, at least long enough for Ash to make another action
>>85614Does anypony respond to Sister Ash at the door of the orphanage?
>>85611He mumbles around the knife in his teeth. "I 'ill be fine. 'e 'ill 'eal 'ith it 'fter 'is."
"I will be fine. We will deal with it after this.">>85614Silver trots around to the back of the cage, and cuts the leash with his knife, though the effects of excessive changeling feeding mean he can't put much effort or emotion into the action. He puts the knife back in his bags. "You are freed."
>>85618Sister Ash enters the house with the two ponies under her arms.
"I'll explain later. Shut the door." She says, as she enters the building.
>>85612I proceed to see if Dark Star can be helped up.
>>85620The changeling looks at Silver through the bars, but has not yet moved from its position
>>85621She abides
"You brought home more... I thought I'd never see them again"
>>85623Her face is grim.
"..These two.. have been through quite a bit..." She mutters darkly
>>85623He looks right at the changeling back. From this position, he can more clearly see the negative effects the feeding have had on Silver. "Go, if it pleases you. I would not stay here if I were you. As matter of fact, we will not be staying for much longer."
>>85624The two colts do not speak. The sister contemplates the meaning of Ash's statement
>>85625It looks at him, then out of the cage, and then slowly walks out of the cage
Brie shakes his head from deja vu and makes his way out of the poolhouse, tightening his grip on the changeling omenously
>>85625I interrupt him.
"Umm... we need to take him with us. We can't let them run around out there. I only hope the bat has not unleashed that other on the city. Somepony... or changeling... will be a causality if that happens."
>>85613gommununist, that spoiler sounded red to me.>>85614Dark Star stands there with a blank look on his face.
>>85628Silver gives him another emotionless look. "He is likely to seek out his hive and his brother, if he leaves. I do not know what we can do, but if you think that is for best, then fine."
>>85629>>85630>>85628The Changeling, for his part, walks around Silver, staying relatively close to Silver, and trying to lose line of sight to Spark, and if possible, Star
>>85627Hmmm...
>>85630"Well, they ended up here on their own. We will figure out the best course of action when we get to safety."
>>85631"Come on Dark Star. I'll get the changeling and you need to help me and Silver get out of here. Blue Skies is waiting for you."
>>85632"Or... Silver, if you have the strength, the changeling seems to trust you more. Think you can help him out of here?"
>>85626Sister Ash seems stressed and tired.
"..Ummm.. Let's get these two something warm to drink.." she says, with a bit of a stutter
"And blankets.. two blankets.." she says, asshe walks deeper into the building
Caleb similarly let's himself in, stopping to nod at the Sister as he passes her
>>85632>>85633Dark Star says with no emotion in his voice
"emotions are a weakness i was right. i told her."
>>85633"I will try. Get Dark Star up and to hospital. He needs to see doctor for cure for this effect feeding had on him. I will join you once this changeling is secured."
>>85632"Come, young one. I will try to see you out." Silver turns for the exit to this horrible place.
>>85634Fluffy quilts or soft but simple blankets? The orphanage has a variety, from simple cotton fabric with some fluff to it, to quilts showing the pony tribes of the old Equestria
"Alright. I'll heat them up some milk"
assuming ponies drink milk, and if not... whatever kids like>>85633You should probably link to Silver to say that, rather than to me
>>85636"Sind Sie wütend auf mich?"
>>85635"Snap out of it. I need you right now and she needs you more. Help us get back."
>>85636"You are coming with us. You were hit by them too."
>>85639"I will seek medical attention as soon as I am able, which will be once I see changeling is made safe."
>>85638He still seems emotionless, but either way, his statement would accurately reflect the truth. "No, young one, I am not mad. Right now my biggest concern is ensuring you are safe."
>>85637Give them hot cocoa.Sister Ash takes whichever blankets look the most comfortable.
The foals of the orphanage have already gone to bed by now, right?
>>85639"back? Theres no going back.. she will know. im going to the city hall, a certain bad horse is going to pay now."
>>85640"Just don't let it go. Find the bat and get them back together and tell him to hold onto them until we can make sure they are safe to leave. it is very important that you don't let them go on their own."
I help both drained ponies get out of the basement.
>>85642"Not until you are better. We are going to the hospital. Once you are there, I will get the others so we can take him out together."
>>85640"ask it about a blond haired changling that appeared in a dream i had."
>>85640The changeling drone comes closer to Silver. he is noticeably shorter than Silver. A green light, almost like a fire, goes from one end of the drone's body to the other. As it recedes, the Changeling assumes the appearance of a sad, droopy eared yellow lab
>>85641They have been taken upstairs. The sister returns with hot chocolate
>>85645"You don't have a choice in the matter. You are going to the hospital and I will personally see to it that Blue Skies helps you recover if I have to."
I drag him along.
>>85646Sister Ash whispers to the other Sister a quick rundown bon the situation, leaving out most details, but expressing the morbid gravity of the situation.
"... -And after that I ran here as quickly as I could.."
>>85643"I do not know where bat is. I will take him to my room at Tavern, he can stay there until I am made better. Then we can find this bat and reunite them."
>>85644Silver is most definitely not in a state of mind to ask a question like that right now.
>>85646"Come, then. I will see you safely." Silver leaves this terrible place, heading topside with the changeling dog (hopefully) in tow.
>>85650If he leaves
now, he can catch the bat while he is still looking at the fire and assessing the situation
>>85649Her eyes grow wide
"What horrible ponies there are in this world! It is a very good thing you saved them"
>>85648"Star! It is in times like these when your hope is gone that you choose what to do. Will you fight me or will you heed my advice and stand a chance to fight the true enemy?"
>>85650"Good plan. I will head to your room once Dark Star is secure in the hospital to keep him from leaving out of fear of being alone again."
[1d20+3 = 13]>>85651"... Yes.. yes it is.."
She turns to the two colts.
Rolling Sense Motive to determine how they're feeling rn.
>>85653Joyed, but shocked. So very shocked
>>85652"Spark let me go i dont want to hurt you. he has to pay now."
>>85651Silver does so.
>>85627Silver catches up to Brie as he exits the poolhouse, looking visibly weakened and emotionless, but still standing. "You, bat. Let changeling go. I will get them to safety."
>>85654Sister Ash slowly approaches the colt who tried to get away earlier, and she speaks softly
"Your mother.. do you know where she lives?"
>>85656"You can't carry two, especially not with a spirited one like this, and I can fly. Where do I meet you guys at?" He says taking flight.
>>85655"He pays when you have the back up needed to guarantee he doesn't escape the law this time. One pony isn't enough to take down such a public figure. Plus, when you start feeling again, you can enjoy him going down."
>>85658Silver nods. "I have room at Eastside Tavern. Ask Glass for Silver's room, tell him he sent you. Take him there, I will be there shortly."
>>85651Silver takes a look at the changeling dog with him to make sure he's still following.
>>85659"the law? hes going to wish the law had him."
>>85654What has the actual terrier been doing?
>>85657Little White Orchid's head droops
"Westwood Green"
>>85660Still following
>>85660"Eeee," and without another word, Brie takes flight as fast as possible, attempting a discrete route to the Tavern
Isn't that the one he worked at?
>>85662It walked away, but has been spotted on the opposite side of the pool
>>85664Correct
>>85661"Come on Star. I can't let anything happen to you. Please go with me. We need you."
>>85663Sister Ash realizes that she doesn't know where that is
"... Is that near here?" She asks the sister
>>85666>>85662>>85660Distant sirens can be heard
>>85665>All this story progression Iron has to catch up withGreat. I hope the food is good. I can try to reach the same timeline now, if you want to.
>>85667"Oh, that's just South"
>>85669Indeed it is. And you may, should you try
>>85663"Come, then, unless you want me to carry you." Silver heads for the way he came in, through the hole he made in the fence. He pays very little attention to the fact that Comte's house is on fire.
>>85668Silver pays little attention to them as well, as he's just trying to make his way back out of the area.
Gotta leave here in a few minutes. I'll try to stay for as long as I can, but once I leave, I'll likely be gone for two hours or so again.
>>85666>>85668"fine."
>>85665"your master rapes foals boys."
He says to the terrier and the griffin shepard
>>85669Its not really all
that much to explain
>>85670Anything in particular to signal Iron the deed is done? I'll suppose the sirens could be something to panic enough to rush to the scene or the abbey, if I can justify it.
>>85668>>85672*dragging along Dark Star intensifies*
I help Dark Star to the hole in the fence and guide him to the hospital.
>>85674I don't...
think so?
>>85675>>85672>>85671A fire truck is the first to come by, going along while they are still walking along the road
>>85674However long it takes to fly from the scene to the tavern
>>85670Sister Ash nods.
Then she turns to the colt
"We're going to try to get you to your mother as soon as possible." She says reassuringly
>>85676"blue's gonna know. what happend when i act strange around her."
>>85676the dogs dont say anything to me about what i just said to them?
>>85676Silver tries as much as he can to look his part: a very tired pony with his dog.
He speaks to the dog as he continues towards the hole in the fence. "It is not much farther, then we can head for safety, reunite you with your brother."
>>85681The only dogs that talk don't speak ponish, and both left before Dark Star came out
>>85679"Yeah, but it will be ok. Nopony expected changelings. We will work it out with her when the time comes. For now, just focus on not being caught by the cops."
>>85683Okay, definitely have to leave now. Should be back in a couple hours, if my ride doesn't suddenly crash because of bad weather and worse roads.
>>85685Yikes. Be careful anon. We will see you soon.
>>85682"Wo ist mein Bruder?"
Says the lab
"Wo bringst du mich hin?"
>>85685Preemptive F
In flight, Brie addresses the 'dog'. "Kinder. Tu vehrstehen mich?"
>>85684"i dont think it will."
>>85685Be safe
>>85688The dog has been restless thus far, moving about in Brie's hooves. Finally, it speaks "Ja..."
>>85689"I bet she gives you a kiss once she sees you."
I nudge him slightly.
>>85678>>85670Who else is present at the scene right now?
Onyx looks around, attempting to gain some kind of bearings
>>85692I was about to say "no one"
Then Onyx joined
>>85693Onyx can see Spark, Silver, and Dark Star going through a hole in the fence and coming out onto the street. Spark and Star are talking, while Silver is walking ahead with a yellow lab
>>85676Welp, let's continue the dinner scene then.
Iron said he'd order anything the waitress recommends for food and some water.
>>85694Is he at the orphanage?
>>85691"you realize i dont feel anything right?"
>>85694Before they leave Dark Star calls the terrier
>>85697"What better way to get to feeling again than with your marefriend?"
>>85693I wave to Onyx.
>>85699"thats not how it works."
>>85698"Ruff?"
>>85697Dude, he only lost one fortitude save. Not like three of them. It would take more soul-sucking for Dark Star to lose all emotions for a very long and sustained period of time
>>85696Onyx? No
>>85695It is so
>>85690"Great." he Eeee's to himself.
"Mein deutsch ist sehr schrect. Wir spreche,... uhm,... soon."
>>85701Iron eats it with gusto, not using the utensils provided on the table. He checks the time of day through a possible window.
>>85700"We will see. Something tell me you will be singing a different tune when you see her."
I chuckle.
>>85701Who's awake in the abbey right now?
>>85703Like 8ish or 9ish
>>85705Should be most of the sisters. Probably many of the older foals as well, although they are in bed quarters
>>85702"Wo bringst du mich hin?"
The insect asks. And then, he says the following, in a firm tone, almost as if he were in a position to negotiate terms or make demands:
"Ich werde deinen schwanz nicht saugen, wenn du mich nicht liebst"
>>85706What was the time at the start of the heist?
>>857087:15, maybe? Something like that
>>85706"Shit!" he Eeeeee's to himself
"Uhm, Ich verstehen nicht, halt ein minute"
>>85706>Older foalsOoh.. How old?
Also, did any of the Sisters have anything to say after Sister Ash gave them the explanation?
>>85711The equivalent of preteens and teenagers. Probably alos even Abby should that be of interest
>other sistersI thought only one spoke to Ash about that?
>>85710The bug isn't going anywhere. Or if he is, he's not revealing his plans to Brie
>>85709Iron thinks he waited enough for the others to do their thing. It should have been a quick in and out to grab incriminating evidence. He pays what is due, plus 30 extra bits for the unicorn mare. "Thank you. It was a good meal you recommended." He stands up and starts his trek back to the Eastside Tavern to see if everybody else is already there
>>85712"Uhm,...
shit wir arriven
?... we'll be there soon. You'll be safe and unharmed. Tu wehrstehen?"
>>85714The insect reads the tone of his voice, and understands that Brie is not trying to be assertive back. At least he isn't forcefully refusing
"Ja..." he says, uncertainly.
He says to brie,
"Wenn ich bei dir bleibe, kann ich nicht versprechen, nicht zu beißen"
>>85694Onyx shakes his head and falls in line
>>85712She would be speaking this whole time while the foals are calming down.
>>85713It is so
>>85716Dark Star is going through some kind of emotional breakdown or something, and Spark is trying to talk him out of pulling a Jack Ruby
>>85717"Du wirst mich nicht zur Polizei bringen? Die Polizei wird mich töten."
>>85719Iron enters the tavern, eager to see the results of the operation.
>>85719Onyx joins spark
"Can I help?"
>>85719"Nein. Ich bin polizei nicht. Ich bin dei fleidermaus."
>>85721"Yes. We need to get Dark Star to the hospital. We ran into little changelings. I'll explain on the way."
[1d20+4 = 16]>>85723"Gotcha"
Strength to pick up Dark
"Mein namae ist Brie. Brie Achtzig-Sechs" (actual name)
>>85712>>85718Sister Ash gives the Sisters a quick rundown as the colts drink their hot cocoa.
>>85727"Come on big guy, we're getting your ass to a hospital"
>>85726They are utterly alarmed to say the least. Does she give them the name of the politician?
>>85725>>85722He is silent for a moment. Then he responds
"Ich bin ein Wechselbalg. Ich heiße Kerr"
>>85728>>85727>>85723Alright, where are you all going so I can set the scene?
Well, roads were indeed icy, but I lived.>>85687"Bat is taking him where I am taking you. To my home." He thinks a bit on what to say. A little emotion is coming back to him, but he still can't feel quite like he did before letting the changelings feed. "I understand if you are worried, but I tell you I will not hurt you. It is only place I know that would be safe for you two, and away from police. There you can rest, gather your strength. In morning, once we are rested, we will help you get to your family safely." Him and the lab reach the hole in the fence Silver made earlier.
>>85729"Hallo Kerr." is all he can think to offer.
Internal dialogue"A fat lot of good you lot did me!" he Eeeees.
"You got his name didn't you, and at least he's not trying to escape."
"That was messed up."
"Muu."
"Are any of you going to explain
exactly what you're doing inside my head and how you got there?!" he Eeee's internally.
"Nope."
>>85729Finally at the computer.Iron does not see any of the people he's agreed to work with here. Iron shakes his head. Great. Well, he should equip his armor and shield while he's at it, maybe they'll come after he puts on his armor pieces.
Should take a long time by himself, so feel free to recall Iron when 10 to 12 minutes have passed.
>>85729>NameIf they asked for it, she would tell them.
Otherwise, she'd keep details to a minimum.
>>85731He nods
Is Silver going with the others to the hospital?
>>85730Does Dark Star agree?
>>85732He asks almost apprehensively
"
Wenn ich beiße, wirst du mich verletzen?"
But he immediately adds as essential explanation
"Ich würde dich nicht bald beißen. Ich habe die Seelen von Earth Pony und Unicorn gegessen. du warst gut"
>>85733Alright, although really he should probably take that long anyways
>>85734Whelp, they are horrified to say the least
>>85736He is being carried by Onyx who did agree, so he is coming. And he was walking with me before hand, so I assume.
>>85736After he makes sure the changeling with him is safe in his room at the tavern, yeah.Silver squeezes through the opening just as he did last time, and waits for the changeling to follow. "What is your name, young one?"
>>85736>horrifiedHorrified as in disgusted that this could happen, or horrified as in afraid?
>>85736Gulp
"Uhhhh, ja das Unicorn und Pony gegessen ist gut. Du brauche?"
>>85738"Ich verstehe nicht"
>>85739Disgusted
>>85740"Nicht jetzt nein. Aber ich kann nicht versprechen, nicht zu beißen"
>>85741Soon
>>85742"Uhhh…" He thinks back to when he saw Changeling records and reports during the Great War, and what little of the language he managed to pick up from them. After a few seconds of trying to remember, he speaks in a difficult to understand accent, and butchers the language in the process, but he manages to speak it all the same. "...Dein Name. Was ist es?"
>>85742"Well, anything?" he Eeeee's impatiently.
"Hmmmm."
"He talks funny."
"Its unlike any language I'm familiar, don't ask me."
"Baka! He say he no hungry now!"
"... there's more?" he Eeee's apprehensively.
"You have no idea.""Das ist gut. Wir spreche en das kopfkevarten," he says, hoping that came out right.
>>85742As sister Ash finishes explaining, she stops to breath
"It was absolutely sickening.. I grabbed these two and left as soon as I could.. I'd like to find this one's mother as soon as possible; she must be worried sick."
>>85743He looks up with cute Labrador eyes
"Oh... Ja. Ich heiße... 'Wesley.'"
>>85745One of the more incensed sisters replies "I would imagine! What evil!"
Another calmer one says
"Ash... that Colt's mother is dead. That's why she's at the orphanage and not living with her mother"
>>85744>>85744He looks a little confused for a moment, but then answers "Sehr gut."
I take it you wish to arrive nowish to soon?
>>85746Silver puts a hoof to his own chest. "Ich heiße 'Silver'." He continues to struggle with the language, making it very clear this isn't a language he can actually speak. "Komm durch Loch, wir müssen zu mir nach Hause gehen."
Can I just say that it's interesting looking at which members of the party tried to help the changelings?
>>85748Well I'm about at my limit for german, and hopefully getting the two of them back together will aid a bit in translation and morale,....
>>85746Sister Ash's eyes grow wide and then darken at the sound of the second Sisters words
(I got mixed up. I though Compt bought one and kidnapped the other)
"... O-Oh...." She says somberly
>>85749"Sher gut... Du bist nett"
He obeys and follows
I was most surprised by Dark Star. that and I didn't think you all would be okay with earning negative levels>>85750It should
>>85751"She died six months ago of fever. She is buried in the Westwood Green Cemetary. I know, because she was a practitioner at the local church"
No, two purchased. I was contemplating having at least one more non-pony to indicate exploitation of immigrants
>>85752You ain't seen nothing yet. I'll sate that little shapeshifting boi's need for love for a week.
>>85752Wait, so how many ponies are missing still missing then. I thought there were only three left, including the one haybuger bought.
Fuck. Now I regret telling this colt I'd take him to see his mom...
>>85755Big F for Ash's feelings
>>85752"Vielen Dank. Du bist auch nett." Silver leads the way to the tavern.
I absolutely did not expect Dark Star to be willing to help. He definitely got good boi points from Silver for that. I wouldn't say we're okay with earning negative levels, but it's not as if they're impossible to remove, and 24 hours is still a fairly generous amount of time to have them removed.I'm more surprised at how Ash did absolutely nothing for the changelings, not even acknowledging they existed.
>>85757Well, she did say she would retrieve the foals lost to the abbey first. I'm sure she was too preoccupied with the foals And a certain bat that torched the damn house, forcing her to move out and decided the foals she said she would save are more important
>>85757I decided that Dark Star and Silver were enough to handle them. That, and I was too tired to give a fuck at the time, and it leaked into my gameplay. I made her take what she cane for, because I didn't want to handle the authorities.
>>8575512 taken. 6 at the Warehouse, 1 escaped, 2 sold to comte, 2 given to made mares to act as apprentices, 1 adopted by a couple in Manehattan
>>85754Male changelings try to avoid sucking cock if they have an alternative>>85757As Silver walks, the Labrador is a bit surprised by this statement, and initially unsure how to respond. He finally says "Es ist gut zu sehen, dass nicht alle Ponys böse sind"
I honestly thought that Dark Star would shoot them, or at least, say 'leave them there.'The player controlling ash takes a laser focus interpretation to motivation. "I am here for this, and I do not care at all for anything besides this very specific purpose"
>>85754:3>>85757Yeah, that surprised me too. That's part of what inspired Brie to take a more active role
>>85760Kek, I didn't mean that particularly. They seem too underdeveloped to be considered of legal age, so Iron's not going to believe that they can fit his length anywhere. I was thinking raw love from happy memories, like Silver did.
>>85760Silver's sense of laugher seems to have returned somewhat, as he chuckles at the changeling's statements. "Es ist lustig. Das sagen einige Ponys über das Wechseln."
>>85760So, 3 foals remaining to be found?
>AdoptedAdoptions don't cost as much as a (medieval) house. I'm very suspicious about the couple that took that foal; in fact, i'm even more suspicious of them than I was of Comte.
Sister Ash rubs her temple.
"By the earth.. it's been such a long day..."
>>85764It was probably a gay couple. Sounds like the most reasonable explanation to me.
>>85760Like I said, Dark Star got some good boi points from that. I can see where having laser focus to missions would be useful, but when I see something I can do, I tend to try to do it.
>>85764But what of the 2 changelings? WTF did
they come from? It was like Tom Cruise's house in there.
Landing eventually finally at the Tavern, Brie sets Kerr down.
"Vorsicht," he says looking around cautiously. "Wir ist nicht aus das wald." and starts inside, waving for him to follow.
>>85767Be aware that Iron is at Silver's room putting his armor on
>>85766Idk. I didn't have the time or energy to think about it.
>>85768Noted, that's where he's headed anyway.
>>85770Ah, peeping a stallion's room already? You should ask for Silver's permission before entering.I don't cuz my armor was in there.
>>85771He's gonna stop by and talk to the clerk, he doesn't even know what room it is yet
>>85772I read it like you were clenching hard on your teeth for some reason. Italics do that.Still, ask for Silver's permission. He should be close behind you from what I read
>>85764For the ninety-second fucking time, the amount in question is NOT as much as a house. It's about the same amount of money as in 2019 America would buy a new car. That's how much foals cost. A new car, or slightly more
"Well I would imagine. These poor foals. It will take them a very long time to get over it"
>>85765I wouldn't judge Dark Star for killing dangerous monsters.>>85763A cool breeze blows through the winter night, a bit unpleasant on Silver's still-wet fur
"Du bist das erste Pony, das mich füttert. Die anderen werden mich schlagen, wenn sie mich erwischen. Ich versuche zu nibbeln, damit sie es nicht merken, aber sie begannen, uns mit einem elektrischen Schlag zu überfallen"
>>85767Kerr looks around. Then, he flashes into a blue unicorn foal again. He looks uncertain, but follows
>>85773More one of those irritated and dry expressions. Ordinarily I emote them as e_e
>>85774Brie walks up to the clerk at the desk. "Good evening, I'm supposed to meet Silver at his room. Could you direct me?"
>>85774Iron huffs in annoyance. Armor equipping sure is hard to do by your lonesome. He decides to stop his equipping and just hang out on Silver's room, laying on the floor in boredom.
>>85776Glistening Glass remains the only attendant at the moment. "Well, Silver isn't here yet."
>>85777Seriously?
>>85774Foals don't have a real market price: they're illrgal and immoral to buy, and have no definite cost to produce/acquire. Those are ransom numbers, determined only by how much people are willing to pay on an individual basis.
Also, by that pricing, a suit of full plate also costs as much as a car: d&d prices aren't exactly consistent.
I'd get it if land should cost more though, because of population growth.
Sister Ash nods in agreement.
"... I'm sure they will..." She replies, trailing off.
".. Now what to do..." She wonders, to nopony in particular
>>85778Tbh, it's a meta move to ease the changeling into not running away in fear. It's not indirect shit talk.
>>85779Well, the foals are still traumatized, and since they will never get therapy or medication, they could use
something
Silver shivers a bit at the feeling of the wind against him. He looks with sadness at the changeling-turned-dog. His speech slowly becomes more understandable to the changeling, from the practice he's getting by speaking to him. It's still in a fairly broken state, however. "Es ist schmerzlich, das zu hören. Es tut mir leid, was meine Freundin Ihnen und Ihrem Bruder angetan hat. Nicht alle von uns sind gute Ponys, soviel weiß ich. Aber ich verspreche Ihnen, wir werden dafür sorgen, dass er für das bezahlt, was er getan hat.
"Ich möchte, dass Sie sich von mir ernähren. Sie können nicht helfen, und Sie müssen es tun, um zu leben. Es war klar, dass Sie verhungerten, und ich wusste, dass ich auf diese Weise helfen konnte."
>>85781Sister Ash walks up to the two of them.
"Are you two alright? Does anything hurt?"
>>85778Is this the same guy who Brie worked for for a day?"... right, he should be here shortly." He sees the writing on the wall. "Can you give me an idea of which
floor he's on, so that I'm not just waiting here in the foyer?"