Esquestria: The House of the Sun - A pony cultist experience

[Solace2117]

Well idea was blaming this on the Changelings so that's not really a valid concern.

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And when we fail to find it and she grows increasingly more angry and unstable because as time goes on.

It has a decent chance of extending our deadline. Celestia might not even be able to reach Lantern Mastery without the Mirror.

Also it gives a massive boost to our scrying actions and would let us sell our lantern 4 artifact for lots of bits.

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It also has a decent chance of blowing up in our face and releasing Daybreaker. There's absolutely no guarantee that it could extend our deadline. She has the resources of an entire kingdom. It may just spur her to dive in more. Sure Velvet has a better base knowledge of what to look for, but money and resources can go a long way.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Anyways, back to writing. Should have an update up soon.

 

[Shaper47]

Second I doubt that Daybreaker will ever agree. Why would she change Alicorn for some unicorn host? She will need to be dragged there kicking and screaming.

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Being able to act instead of being trapped.

Those without freedom seek it.

Besides she could always then Celestia's care for Velvet against her.

It also has a decent chance of blowing up in our face and releasing Daybreaker.

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I think your greatly overestimating the chance of that here.

If anything the lack of a level 7 lantern artifact on her mind will make the chance of Daybreaker coming our less not more.

There's absolutely no guarantee that it could extend our deadline.

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There is decent chance of it though especially for Mastery.

High level lore is not easy to find.

She has the resources of an entire kingdom. It may just spur her to dive in more. Sure Velvet has a better base knowledge of what to look for, but money and resources can go a long way.

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She's already dived in as much as possible.

I heavily doubt it's possible to spur her to drive further.

She's already going a hundred percent so she can't go any further.

Besides money and resources are useless if you don't know where to find what your looking for.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Daybreaker isn't even a possessing entity, she's just a millennia of pent-up anger and frustration subjected to intense pressure-cooking in the last year. This isn't like Nightmare Moon where a Worm was hijacking things, it's all Celestia here. Mare needs therapy. And a vacation.

Not for us to shatter what little trust she has left in pony institutions.

Finally, Lantern-Crazy and Daybreaker-Crazy are two distinct flavors of crazy; you can definitely set off one while trying to treat the other.

 

[DelightedOne]

Daybreaker isn't even a possessing entity, she's just a millennia of pent-up anger and frustration subjected to intense pressure-cooking in the last year. This isn't like Nightmare Moon where a Worm was hijacking things, it's all Celestia here. Mare needs therapy. And a vacation.

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Are we sure the Worm had full control? Cause Daybreaker spawning in Celestia's mind makes me think Alicorns can just snap under enough pressure.

Nightmare Moon could have been the same thing as Daybreaker, but the Worm made her too crazy to go her natural way. Ruthless defences maybe? Luna is the necessary evil to keep ponies safe, after all, it would not surprise me if that turned into hyper destructive genocide of other creatures and "traitors" to the Sisters(Daybreaker seems to crave being reunited with Luna).

I just think Nightmare Moon's "The night will last forever" could very well have been a plan to douse the lights and avoid more Worms coming. That could even explain why Luna was said to be tortured and not Nightmare Moon herself, the split personality took the front seat while Luna suffered the torture.

It could also explain her animosity towards Celestia. Her role is to nurture the lights while Luna defends them, if she was trying to keep the worms away that would have been the opposite of what she wanted to do.

She's already dived in as much as possible.

I heavily doubt it's possible to spur her to drive further.

She's already going a hundred percent so she can't go any further.

Money and resources are useless if you don't know where to find what your looking for.

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She might not have gone as far as she could. We did get an update dedicated to telling us Harmony decided to go for the lores for real(maybe even Climb using the Alicorns?) recently.

Which might have to do with all 3 Alicorns being introduced to the lores.

 

[Solace2117]

I think your greatly overestimating the chance of that here.

If anything the lack of a level 7 lantern artifact on her mind will make the chance of Daybreaker coming our less not more.

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And I think you're doing the opposite. The whole reason Daybreaker is an issue is because of Chrysalis pretending to be Luna and the changeling attack on Canterlot. It had nothing to do with her pursuit of lores. Her being attacked potentially in the same place while an unknown enemy steals the artifact, which we be trying to blame on changelings, is much more likely to set her off considering the parallels.

There is decent chance of it though especially for Mastery.

High level lore is not easy to find.

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Underestimating a determined Celestia seems unwise. Especially one that was just attcked by the "changelings" she hates.

She's already dived in as much as possible.

I heavily doubt it's possible to spur her to drive further.

She's already going a hundred percent so she can't go any further.

Besides money and resources are useless if you don't know where to find what your looking for.

Click to shrink...

But it is certainly possible to anger her further. Right now she's keeping Daybreaker contained, but barely. This could easily drive her over the edge.

Really though I keep coming back to why? What do we get from this. A level 7 artifact and a decent amount of bits. Useful yes, but I doubt it's game breaking. What are the risks. Daybreaker getting free and taking control. Celestia tracing it back to Velvet and killing her. Getting bogged down with actions trying to hide the fact we have the artifact. Potentially alienating the Bureau. From a cost benefit basis it doesn't make sense. We won't get anywhere near the return on investment for the level of risk.
Velvet is good, but we don't act in a vacuum and underestimating others could easily bite us again. If the rewards were high enough you could maybe talk me into it, but frankly it's not worth the risk for what we would gain.

 

[Shaper47]

Daybreaker getting free and taking control.

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Low possibility at worst.

It's probably not even a real issues.

Celestia tracing it back to Velvet and killing her.

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Nonexistent risk.

Getting bogged down with actions trying to hide the fact we have the artifact.

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Not an issue.

I don't see any reason why it would take as much as a single ap.

Maybe a single follower ap at worst but no serious cost.

Potentially alienating the Bureau.

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How?

What do we get from this. A level 7 artifact and a decent amount of bits. Useful yes, but I doubt it's game breaking.

Click to shrink...

Also a decent chance of extending our deadline along with a decent chance of helping Celestia's mental state and thus reducing the chances of Daybreaker breaking out.

And let's not underestimate the ability for Selene to scry with level 7 lantern at base. That's good enough to aim for the most valuable expeditions.

. It had nothing to do with her pursuit of lores. Her being attacked potentially in the same place while an unknown enemy steals the artifact, which we be trying to blame on changelings, is much more likely to set her off considering the parallels

Click to shrink...

Lantern Lore however is explicitly hard on the mental state and we've just had a in character warning about the dangers of high level sources of lore.

The idea that a single victory against Celestia is enough to serious shatter her mental hold on Daybreaker is way too overly paranoid.

Sure it might have a small effect on Celestia, might, but still nothing compared to having her flaws and the truth mercilessly forced into her mind while she is shaped to be merciless.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Winning Plan

[X] Plan: IM FROM PONYVILLE AND I SAY KILL EM ALL
-[X] (AotL) Edge
-[X] (Knock) Explore the Ashen Wastes
-[X] (Social) Fleeting Opportunity: Soft Sweeps
-[X] Study (2x), by priority: Moth 5 book, Lantern 4 artifact, Winter 4 artifact, Manehatten book
-[X] Join the Assault on Tall Tale
-[X] Sacrament: Challenge Biedde

[X] Plan: Prisoner Chomping
-[x] (Free) Sell Edge 3 artifact
-[x] (Detectives) Follow Up: Dodge City
-[x] (Constables) Follow Up: Tall Tale
-[X] (Commissioner) Introduce Lore: Forge
-[x] (Director) Lantern
-[x] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Spoiled Rich & Filthy Rich
-[x] (Biedde) Channel an Edge Influence
-[x] (Baldomare) Channel a Lantern Influence
-[x] (Selene) Soothe the night
-[x] (Rarity) Focus on her work
-[x] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry x 2
--[x] Target: Easiest Level 7 book to acquire
--[X] Target: Easiest Forge 6 reagent to acquire
--[X] At Jade's old house
-[X] Acquire a prisoner, preferably not an innocent civilian
-[X] Build a prison
-[X] Obtain a dead body
-[X] Perform the Attention of the Laws (Edge) (x2)
-[X] Cover your bases (-2 Follower AP, +1 Velvet AP)

The old stallion entered her room in the middle of the night.

Unexpected. Uninvited. Unwelcome.

But also inevitable, like death itself.

"I will be taking my leave now. But I understand you will be requesting an assessment this month, yes?"

He said that as he left her something. A leather-sheathed thing that would much rather be sunk into the leather of something that still lives.

"I will be back by then. And this is something that can still make me bleed. I recommend you get used to wielding it by the time I return."

He said that, and he left that, and then he left.

And the soundless whisper of the door closing upon his departure was the same sound that startled her awake.

Although she could not tell, no matter how hard she tried, if that had been a nightmare or not.

Because the tool she had been left was nowhere to be seen.

But its sting was very, very real.​

- - -



Lucky Brush swallowed, and something dry and hard worked its way down his throat as he did.

As he did that, several thoughts began to appear in his mind. He thought about the weather, and how dry it is today. He thought about pony anatomy, and that he couldn't really remember when was the last time he drank water today. He thought about pony psychology, and of how his brain is clearly trying to distract him from the stress.

But of course, that train of thought had the opposite effect. It just reminded him of how empty his stomach feels, and of how his hoofs are almost shivering, and of how nervous he is right now.

So, once again, another dry gulp, and another deep breath from the dry air.

"You really think they mean it?" the mare next to him asked, and he almost jumped up in surprise at the sound of her voice.

Granted, she had been standing next to him the whole time, but he was so nervous that he had forgotten about her.

"They told us not to talk about it," Lucky Brush answered, his voice barely a whisper. "Not even here."

He spared the mare another glance, trying and failing to appear calm and unbothered. And for some reason, he couldn't help but feel slightly more relaxed when he looked at the mare and realized she looked as nervous as he did.

Good, it meant he wasn't going crazy. It meant that he wasn't an entire idiot for believing in all this.

"I know, I know…" she whispered back.

Although she immediately went quiet, and the two of them went completely still, as one of the doors down the corridor opened. Less than a second later, a tense-looking secretary carrying a stack of papers ran across the corridor and entered the opposite door, quickly closing it behind her.

Leaving the two of them alone in the corridor. Still waiting.

But even then, it took the mare several seconds before she dared to continue speaking.

"I know they said that… but c'mon, you don't think the secretaries know? I mean, somepony has to know, how else would she-?"

Her words were cut off, once again, as one of the doors down the corridor opened.

And this time, the pony who looked out at them was a more familiar face.

It was the face of the pony who had roped them into this… this madness.

It was the face of Iron Button, looking at them from the partially-open door to the Commissioner's office.



"She will be seeing you now," the stallion said. And his words felt as thrilling as they felt terrifying.



Still, Lucky Brush and his unlikely friend made their way to the detective and into the Commissioner's office.

And the moment they stepped a hoof through the door, they immediately believed everything the detective had told them.

"Lucky Brush. Forensics specialist, second assistant of the evidence department."​

He had never been in a fight in his entire life. But even then, he suddenly understood how it felt to be kicked on his chest.

He had also never been a member of the Guard, or of any rough-and-tough group like the constables. But he somehow understood that he was standing in attention.

"Steady Step. Maintenance specialist, from the equipment department, currently assigned to the armory."​

Because the mare in front of him, the mare so casually sitting behind the large work desk…

There was no way she was a pony. There was no way she was just a pony.

Her presence was palpable in a way that even his academic mind could almost measure.

Her eyes were sharp, to the point that he knew at a glance that she could see into his mind, or perhaps into his dreams.

And her words were commanding in a way… in a way that scared him, yes. But also in a way that made him want to follow her.

"Iron Button has brought you two here at my request, and by his judgment. He thinks you two are particularly trustworthy, and I have need of ponies I can trust."​

The mare in front of him, as he could perceive her right now, was one that was tired of keeping up appearances. Or perhaps she had just deigned to let her mask slip, even if only a little.

The mare in front of him knew the way. To the point that he as a pony could not help but feel the desire, the need, to follow her.

And the mare in front of him was not a pony.

Or at least, she could not be just a unicorn.

"The Bureau as it stands is not enough. Its ponies may not lack in will, but I find their skills and methods wanting. So, I will teach you those skills, and I will give you those tools, and you two will spread them under the guise of my approval. Until more ponies like yourselves are selected."​

She said that, and Lucky Brush immediately understood it. All of it.

The need for secrecy. The stakes involved. The sheer honor that he was being given.

As well as the things that would be required of him, and the sacrifices he would need to make.

"Instructions will begin immediately."​

- - -



Velvet Steppes was old.

Be he was not out of cards to play.

At least not yet.

Appleloosa was truly a sight for sore eyes. It was beautiful, but not in a manicured way like Canterlot was. And it was a wide open and undeveloped place, but it certainly lacked the peacefulness of, say, Ponyville.

Yes, Appleloosa was a wild place. A true frontier town, where some streets just lead to the vastness of nature, untouched by ponies, and where the few signs of civilization seem carved and fought for rather than bought and built.

And he wasn't exactly sure why he felt that way, but something about this little village just made him feel good. The air felt fresher, and the ponies seemed more energetic…

"Can I get you anything else sugar?" the waitress asked him, with a smile much too knowledgeable for her age.

"Nothing at all, I'm still waiting for some ponies," he answered.

… and of course, the mares were a lot prettier!

But alas, he was much too old to care about that last part. In fact, his old body could only be thankful for the energy in the air, but he knew he had come here to finish something, and not start something new.

"Although I should have come here a long time ago," he said to himself, as he allowed his eyes to linger on the waitress for just a little longer.

That is, until his ears were filled with the sound of a small bell ringing, and his eyes were then graced by one of the ponies he was waiting for.


"-has to be it, right? The Shinny Apple?"
"We wuid've fokken known if ye dinnae lose the fokken letter!"
"I said I'm sorry…! But if I hadn't let go of my saddle, I would have fallen on that river and-"
"An' maybe ye suid've had the bath, ye moron!"


Steppes' expression opened with a smile as he watched his youngest nephew enter-

"Now dinnae ge' lost. Ae'm gonna do sumthin' else an' ae'll be right back. Dinnae. Fokken. Leave this place, ye hear?!"

-or rather, get thrown into the bar by a certain mare.

And it didn't take long for young Velvet Pride to see him, and make his way to his table. Even if he was still massaging his hind where it had hit the floor.

"Ah, lovely to see you, nephew. How is the date going?"

"D-date? What date? Don't be ridiculous, uncle! I… I just had to hire her to escort me here, because you picked such a faraway and dangerous place for this!"

"Yes, of course," Steppes nodded, feigning belief in his nephew's obvious lie. "And the good mare wouldn't be caught dead riding a train, so you two had to trek your way here."

He said that, and then he started the more methodical task of learning how his young nephew's date went. Because he can't think of any reason as to why a sheltered young stallion like Pride would ever go on a camping journey if not because of that mare.

In fact, that had been one of the very reasons why he picked Appleloosa for this little meeting. So how could he not reap the benefits of listening to his nephew talk about his journey here?

And just when Pride was about to finish his short (but very interesting) tale, the doorbell rang again.

"-sure that you don't want to come in, Selene?"

"It's okay mom. The letter did say it was something private, didn't it?"

And in came his niece, together with her adopted filly.

Velvet Covers didn't seem surprised to see her younger brother there, but she did raise a curious eyebrow. So, she said something else to little Selene, who gave a shy wave to Steppes, and then the mare entered the bar alone.

"Uncle Steppes, Velvet Pride," she said, greeting the two of them before taking a seat herself. "The train ride here was quite charming, and Selene was so interested that she said she wanted to look around the town while we are here. But still, color me surprised, because your letter didn't quite explain why we couldn't have this conversation back in Ponyville."

She said that, but Steppes could sense the good nature of her tone.

Because yes, the letters Steppes sent to orchestrate this meeting were more than a little mysterious. And yes, it didn't make a lot of sense to have the three ponies around that table meet in such a distant town, rather than in the central garden of the Ponyville estate.

But still-

"Everything will make sense soon, Covers," he answered her.

-and Steppes couldn't have timed his words any better. Because the moment he said that, the doorbell rang a third time.

Right after that, a middle-aged pegasus, healthy-looking but already sporting a few grey strands on his mane, entered the bar.

His young nephew looked at him, but his eyes quickly returned to Steppes and his sister. Not an inkling of recognition on his face.

His niece, on the other hoof, almost froze when she looked at him.

And the pegasus himself, in turn, looked back at her, and then at Steppes, with a mixture of surprise, shock, and maybe something else.

But before anypony could do anything else, Steppes spoke up.

"Now, this is a long, long overdue meeting. But come now, Wings, your old uncle has some business to discuss, yes?"

It would take patience, and it would take skill, and it would take every last ounce of guile he had. But Steppes vowed to himself that he would make that meeting work.

He owed it to them.

Besides, they didn't call him the "facilitator" for nothing. And if this would be his last act before leaving the stage for good, then having carried that title for his entire life would have been worth it.

He took a deep breath, feeling the energizing air of the frontier fill his lungs, and then he put on his best smile so he-



-finally woke up.



…

He woke up. Once again, inside an unfamiliar room, and on an unfamiliar bed. The energizing air of the south gone from his lungs, and the young face of his favorite ponies nowhere to be seen.

…

Well, that place wasn't too unfamiliar. It was his room in the Ponyville estate. He had already been there plenty of times, so that place wasn't exactly strange to him.

But still, it was not… his home.

He simply didn't have a place he could call that. Not here, and not anywhere else.

He was old.

He had no more cards to play.

And finally, he was out of time.

"Well, I knew I wouldn't be able to get everything done. Still, it's a pity that…" he said to himself, as he got up from his bed.

But he stopped himself, before he could finish what he was going to say. He had a good run. It could have gone better, yes, but it definitely could have gone worse.

And besides, he is doing all of this so he can go out on his own terms. So, he won't bemoan for what could have been.

"I'll pass by the post office on my way to the train station," he said to himself as he made his way to the door.

And then he left. He left the room, and then the mansion, and then the gate, just as the morning sun was being raised on the horizon. Without his luggage, and without his cigars, and without even clothes on his body. But he also left without any of his regrets.

He left with nothing but a small bag, with a few bits and a letter he had finished writing the previous night.

He wouldn't really need anything else.



- - -



Diamond Tiara did not like Silky's mom.

It was a… complicated feeling. One that her young self had difficulty putting into words.

At times, she felt angry at Silky's mom. Of course, she rarely saw the mare to begin with, but on the few times she saw her she couldn't help but feel a little angry. Something about the way she fawned over Silky and Selene made her feel…

Well, it was hard to describe. Diamond didn't have a problem with the two sisters, but she definitely did not like it when she met their mother.

However, that was what she felt on some of the times she met Silky's mother. On some occasions when she met the mare, she would feel angry.

But there were other times where the only thing she could feel was…

Dread.

"[GRAIL]!"

"Ohohohoho, you are so right Lady Velvet!"​

Diamond Tiara already had nightmares like this. In fact, a small part of her wished this was a nightmare.

But the feeling of sharp bones poking at her from underneath the thick cloak told her this was reality.

Diamond Tiara was… was being carried on the back of Silky's mother. She was being carried on the back of Silky's mother, who was currently engaged in conversation with Diamond's mother. The two older mares were laughing as they walked around Ponyville, but…

But every now and then, Silky's mother would look back towards Diamond… a-and the expression she had w-was…!

Diamond could not convince herself that this was a nightmare.

But she could not convince herself that she would live to see the end of that day either.

"[FORGE]!"

"What a wonderful suggestion, Lady Velvet. Our fillies will look positively fabulous!"

And not for the first time, Silky's mother gave yet another outrageous suggestion that…

Oh dear Celestia please help!



…

"Velvet, darling, how wonderful it is for you to visit me! Oh, and you are…?"

"Spoiled Rich! But please, call me Rich. Any friend of Lady Velvet is a friend of mine."

"Ah, Mrs. Rich! Of course! You did buy some of my articles on occasion, before I closed the boutique. Welcome, welcome!"

"[HEART]!"

"Oh, the usual? Anything for you, darling… Just give me a…"

…

"Sweetie Belle… stop being so… stubborn!"
"B-but Rarity! I-I-I don't want- d-don't like it when she takes me a-and-!"
"No BUTS, and no IFS. Now put on this dress and get your blank flank down there!"
"Y-you don't understand, l-last time she took us t-to-!"
"If I even hear a whisper from my Velvey that you were rude to her, so help me I will…!"

"[MOTH]?"

"Nothing, Lady Velvet! We will be down there in a minute!"​

…



The dresses were cute.

The fillies wearing them were even cuter.

And their guardians would do anything to stay in the Lady's favor.

So, it was no surprise that the filly pageant, impromptu and sudden as it may have been, was a great success.

Why, it was so emotional at times that some of the participants even cried!

But more importantly, it was a wonderful opportunity of the parents to bond and spend time together.



[Honored Guest: Visit the Riches – Breakpoints 50/80/120/150]

[Roll = 46 98 + 60 (Name focus) + 30 (Grail, Level 6) = 188]

[Final breakpoint reached]

Spoiler: Mareinette breakpoints

>50 – A gaffe: Lose progress in both relationships.

50 –A pleasant "how do you do": No progress in either relationship.

80 – The artist's touch: Make progress on both relationships, but nothing quantifiable yet.

120 – A jostle of favors: Take a full step in one relationship, and make a small progress in the other (open vote).

150 – Her cup runneth over: Take a full step with both relationships.

You are now under the effect of "A Resolution" (+40 for all Edge rolls).

You have introduced the Lores of Lantern and Forge to the Lunar Bureau. Two "Institutional Knowledge" Manuscripts have been added to the Secret Library.

Velvet Steppes has left your estate, with no word of where he would be going next. Nopony has heard from him since, either in the Velvet Manor back in Canterlot, or in his other places of residence. But a letter, postmarked with the date of his departure, arrived just a few days later, suggesting you to contact somepony for a "mutually beneficial business".

Uncle Steppes has gifted you the Fleeting Opportunity "Contact somepony?". This Fleeting Opportunity will not truly decay, but the passage of time might make an eventual contact more complicated.

Spoiled Rich is now a Close Friend.

Filthy Rich seems just about ready to become closer to you. But of course, a true true friend helps a friend in need, so you can see he needs a final push to get there. Filthy Rich is… not dissatisfied with his wife, but he is certainly unhappy about their current situation. He loves her, despite anypony else's opinion on her, and he misses the time she loved him back.

From the time you spent with him, you believe he has an affinity with Winter, which helped him weather the difficulties of life and climb to success, as well as Grail, which motivated him to do so.

Furthermore, Filthy Rich will become a Confidante if you save his marriage. Or perhaps he will fall into your clutches if his marriage is ruined, and you are there to catch him when he falls. A "Write-in" may be offered to specify how you would like to go about that come next turn.

 

[Solace2117]

How?

Click to shrink...

If specific members find out, and they may, they are not stupid, the fact we were willing to attack Celestia like that could alienate some of them.

At the end of the day though if you are going to simply dismiss any possible risks then we have nothing else to argue about right now. If it actually comes to a vote I'll argue against it and I think you'll lose, but we'll see.

 

[Shaper47]

Uncle Steppes has gifted you the Fleeting Opportunity "Contact somepony?". This Fleeting Opportunity will not truly decay, but the passage of time might make an eventual contact more complicated.

Click to shrink...

Hmm, can this ve done with a social action?

Furthermore, Steppes will become a Confidante if you save his marriage. Or perhaps he will fall into your clutches if his marriage is ruined, and you are there to catch him when he falls. A "Write-in" may be offered to specify how you would like to go about that come next turn.

Click to shrink...

Well we're Mothing his wife so if she leaves town to get away from his friend Velvet.

Well Cover is right there to catch him.

 

[ses]

Furthermore, Steppes will become a Confidante if you save his marriage. Or perhaps he will fall into your clutches if his marriage is ruined, and you are there to catch him when he falls. A "Write-in" may be offered to specify how you would like to go about that come next turn.

Click to shrink...

I notice we have a Grail aspect female minion who would do anything for us. And is already the successful Socialite spoiled wishes she was.

Not a serious suggestion but its certainly a funny idea.

 

[DelightedOne]

[Honored Guest: Visit the Riches – Breakpoints 50/80/120/150]

[Roll = 46 98 + 60 (Name focus) + 30 (Grail, Level 6) = 188]

[Final breakpoint reached]

Click to shrink...

Is it bad I wanted a Nat 100 even if it would have been morally worse? 2 numbers away...

150 – Her cup runneth over: Take a full step with both relationships.

Click to shrink...

Did we just get a new Confidante? AP hell is drifting away it seems.

You have introduced the Lores of Lantern and Forge to the Lunar Bureau. Two "Institutional Knowledge" Manuscripts have been added to the Secret Library.

Click to shrink...

Quite obvious for the scene, love Edge!Velvet coming back to work.

Velvet Steppes has left your estate, with no word of where he would be going next. Nopony has heard from him since, either in the Velvet Manor back in Canterlot, or in his other places of residence. But a letter, postmarked with the date of his departure, arrived just a few days later, suggesting you to contact somepony for a "mutually beneficial business".

Uncle Steppes has gifted you the Fleeting Opportunity "Contact somepony?". This Fleeting Opportunity will not truly decay, but the passage of time might make an eventual contact more complicated.

Click to shrink...

No idea what this means.

Spoiled Rich is now a Close Friend.

Click to shrink...

Her fate is sealed.

Filthy Rich seems just about ready to become closer to you. But of course, a true true friend helps a friend in need, so you can see he needs a final push to get there. Filthy Rich is… not dissatisfied with his wife, but he is certainly unhappy about their current situation. He loves her, despite anypony else's opinion on her, and he misses the time she loved him back.

From the time you spent with him, you believe he has an affinity with Winter, which helped him weather the difficulties of life and climb to success, as well as Grail, which motivated him to do so.

Furthermore, Steppes will become a Confidante if you save his marriage. Or perhaps he will fall into your clutches if his marriage is ruined, and you are there to catch him when he falls. A "Write-in" may be offered to specify how you would like to go about that come next turn.

Click to shrink...

She loved him back? her flashback appearance in canon made her seem like a regular gold digger.

Better just make him think his love was one sided all along, better than have him look for her if she "disappears" or something.

Also there is a "Steppes" instead of "Filthy Rich" here in the end. Funny!

 

[Shaper47]

If specific members find out, and they may, they are not stupid, the fact we were willing to attack Celestia like that could alienate some of them.

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That doesn't make any sense at all.

How in the world would the Bureau have any way to find that out?

At the end of the day though if you are going to simply dismiss any possible risks then we have nothing else to argue about right now

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There's a difference between possible risks and almost certainly impossible risks.

Your getting to the point where your making up non existent threats that literally don't exist here.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Too many moving pieces and characters in this update:

Well we're Mothing his wife so if she leaves town to get away from his friend Velvet.

Well Cover is right there to catch him.

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I notice we have a Grail aspect female minion who would do anything for us. And is already the successful Socialite spoiled wishes she was.

Not a serious suggestion but its certainly a funny idea.

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I am sure you two understood it, but in your quotes it says "Steppes" will become a Confidante. It was supposed to read "Filthy Rich". And it has been fixed to reflect that.

Also, other threadmarks updated. I'll go back to writing, because I hope to have the next update up by today.

 

[spiderhellian]

Great update!

Steppe's dream is a very sad ending for him. But I think a fitting one. I'm sure we'll fit in a fleeting, we love fleetings.

I feel like there's some great set up with Spoiled and the Moth Sacrament. This friend who she idealizes as how to be a lady, this person she is friends with to a level she's never really been friends before… turns out to be someone she doesn't know at all, which sends her rebounding to the safety and security of her established relationship.

Also Mareinette. You are so messed up. And we dont care at all. It's really the Immune to Monstrous Appearance trait playing out IRL.

 

[DelightedOne]

Also Mareinette. You are so messed up. And we dont care at all. It's really the Immune to Monstrous Appearance trait playing out IRL.

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I care, very much in fact. And if there was any sound here you all would hear me scream a lot.

 

[Random Anon]

Ouch. That Steppes scene was bitter. I really hope we get to do the fleeting action next turn.

 

[Solace2117]

That doesn't make any sense at all.

How in the world would the Bureau have any way to find that out?

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Beyond Reproach was pretty good at finding stuff out.

There's a difference between possible risks and almost certainly impossible risks.

Your getting to the point where your making up non existent threats that literally don't exist here.

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Okay, sure, we'll see.

 

[ses]

@OurLadyOfWires I just want to say The Commissioner remains my favorite character in the quest! I love when Velvet gets to be her!

Honestly I feel a little addicted to the feeling of being scary beyond all reason to the Bureau and being the big scary sharp leader to be feared by the enemies of equestria. Edge is one of my favorite Lores alongside Knock.

 

[Shaper47]

Beyond Reproach was pretty good at finding stuff out.

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He's good I'll admit that but he's not see past Mareinette's hiding trick or Velvet's Moth Sacrament good.

The White Knight or normal Mirror expedition doesn't leave any tracks for him to find.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

I do feel mildly bad for missing the Steppes action, but mostly because we miss out on some potential Velvet sibling bonding.

 

[des-pair-2]

"Instructions will begin immediately."

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The Focused Velvet is so cool.

He took a deep breath, feeling the energizing air of the frontier fill his lungs, and then he put on his best smile so he-

-finally woke up.

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Compliments to the QM, I really liked this bitter dish.

And their guardians would do anything to stay in the Lady's favor.

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It's for the greater good. Maybe if we repeat it enough times, it may even become true.

 

[ses]

I do feel mildly bad for missing the Steppes action, but mostly because we miss out on some potential Velvet sibling bonding.

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Im the opposite, I'm glad we didn't spend AP on a reintroduction to Velvet Wings and burn even more good ap after bad. This whole rabbit hole was a waste of precious AP. We should keep focused on Sacraments and Expeditions. Hopefully Steppes performs well on his Lore instructions from Biedde. I wish him the best but goddamn could he really not provide us with useful aid in reaching Glory?

 

[Greymere]

Scary Velvet is best Velvet. We don't get to see her in full Lore mode very often, and when we do its usually from inside her head which kind of blunts the effect of it.

Furthermore, Filthy Rich will become a Confidante if you save his marriage. Or perhaps he will fall into your clutches if his marriage is ruined, and you are there to catch him when he falls. A "Write-in" may be offered to specify how you would like to go about that come next turn.

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She loved him back? her flashback appearance in canon made her seem like a regular gold digger.

Better just make him think his love was one sided all along, better than have him look for her if she "disappears" or something.

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Convince him that his love was always one-sided, that she only ever loved him for his money and connections, and that he should get a divorce?

Anyway, thank fuck that that will be the last time we'll ever need to throw Mareinette at the Riches.

Im the opposite, I'm glad we didn't spend AP on a reintroduction to Velvet Wings and burn even more good ap after bad. This whole rabbit hole was a waste of precious AP. We should keep focused on Sacraments and Expeditions. Hopefully Steppes performs well on his Lore instructions from Biedde. I wish him the best but goddamn could he really not provide us with useful aid in reaching Glory?

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He might have, if we took the FO, since it explicitly would have given us more control over what he gave us.

@OurLadyOfWires is the contact FO something that can be done with our free social action?

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Im the opposite, I'm glad we didn't spend AP on a reintroduction to Velvet Wings and burn even more good ap after bad. This whole rabbit hole was a waste of precious AP. We should keep focused on Sacraments and Expeditions. Hopefully Steppes performs well on his Lore instructions from Biedde. I wish him the best but goddamn could he really not provide us with useful aid in reaching Glory?

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Well, as I greatly enjoy Velvet family times, I would not consider such a thing a waste of AP, because I would have enjoyed reading the scene. And honestly, had that FO included a familial get-together in its description I would have voted for it.

Especially since it would have led to Pride being forced to go cross-country camping with an irate snake.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

@OurLadyOfWires is the contact FO something that can be done with our free social action?

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Yes, of course. The FO is the "send letter, receive guest" kind of social activity that you would have comboed through if you had picked Steppes' FO. But as it stands, he gifted you the possibility of reaching out.

Well, as I greatly enjoy Velvet family times, I would not consider such a thing a waste of AP, because I would have enjoyed reading the scene. And honestly, had that FO included a familial get-together in its description I would have voted for it.

Especially since it would have led to Pride being forced to go cross-country camping with an irate snake.

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Agreed



Also, if you like Commissioner Velvet, you're gonna love what comes next. I hope I can finish it by today.

 

[Greymere]

Also, if you like Commissioner Velvet, you're gonna love what comes next. I hope I can finish it by today.

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Tall Tale's a-coming!

Those changelings aren't going to know what hit them.

 

[DelightedOne]

Convince him that his love was always one-sided, that she only ever loved him for his money and connections, and that he should get a divorce?

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Yep.

Anyway, thank fuck that that will be the last time we'll ever need to throw Mareinette at the Riches.

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Yep, now we throw her at Mayor Mare.

Also, if you like Commissioner Velvet, you're gonna love what comes next. I hope I can finish it by today.

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Next is Tall Tale, then. Let's hope that we are not wounded.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Oh boy, it's time to see if this Hive Takedown was worth missing out on Steppes' get-together.

Though if we find a Worthy Opponent there and thus are left with a spare AP I will have an intense desire to hunt down Steppes and smack him for vanishing in the shadow of the night.

With Max Lantern there will be nowhere for him to hide, and with Max Edge no way for him to dodge.

 

[Solace2117]

On one hand, I'm sad we missed out on Steppes action. It would have been fun and potentially more useful then some might think. On the other hand, I'm excited to see Velvet in Tall Tales