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

[Greymere]

I'm a bit new around here so maybe I'm missing something, but can you explain why optimizing Bureau Lores is a thing we should really care about? The daybreaker clock has a solid chance of firing on Turn 24 or 25, so we're probably >50% to go All-In at the end of one of those. And if not, likely the turn after.

It seems to me that levelling up our cultBureau is a longer-term investment; it's not clear to me how much it helps us in the small number of turns that probably remain.

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Potential ritual support, mainly. Even if we're willing to run the risk of doing 3-circle rituals in a barn and eating suspicion, it'd still be better for us if we could get a dedicated, unsuspicious spot to do them in and reacquire a cadre bonus.

There is, technically, also the possibility that getting the Bureau to max Lores will grant us some sort of benefit toward all in, but who knows.

 

[Pittauro]

also unless ending literally ends with Velvet being omnipotent (and even Hours are not REALLY omnipotent), presumably the state of the Wake and everything we've done and left undone will matter at least somewhat narratively.

We don't even know if Velvet will continue as the head of the Bureau or leave to live in the Mansus, or anything else. We don't know what will happen once we pass the Tricuspid at all except "there be Glory"

 

[DelightedOne]

also unless ending literally ends with Velvet being omnipotent (and even Hours are not REALLY omnipotent), presumably the state of the Wake and everything we've done and left undone will matter at least somewhat narratively.

We don't even know if Velvet will continue as the head of the Bureau or leave to live in the Mansus, or anything else. We don't know what will happen once we pass the Tricuspid at all except "there be Glory"

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Yeah, for Hours(or even the hypothetical Day, the lone god of a World and its Histories) to be omnipotent they would need to be above rules, which is not possible since Hours embody and follow rules. Their powers come with heavy and very specific limits.

That is one of the reasons I don't vibe with the scorched Equestria mentality. Not caring about what we will do while reaching a Victory because it ends the game is obviously going to have a chance of poisoning our epilogue.

And there is also the matter of the surviving Hours, all of the Corrivality ones are alive and relatively well. The only thing stopping the Lionsmith and the Colonel from jumping Velvet after she reaches Glory is their stalemate.

Assuming other possibly alive Hours are having similar troubles sounds about right, but how many of them would risk everything to go back to gatekeeping Glory is the problem.

 

[Earth-Destroyer]

Yeah, for Hours(or even the hypothetical Day, the lone god of a World and its Histories) to be omnipotent they would need to be above rules, which is not possible since Hours embody and follow rules. Their powers come with heavy and very specific limits.

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The limits on an Hours powers are the other Hours. And the other Hours are either dead, trying to die. Or locked in stalemate where sparing Velvet a moments notice means death.

Their a reason getting to the Glory means victory. Their nobody to oppose Velvet becoming the Clock.

 

[DelightedOne]

The limits on an Hours powers are the other Hours. And the other Hours are either dead, trying to die. Or locked in stalemate where sparing Velvet a moments notice means death.

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Noo? Hours are specifically said to work with limits several times, including but not limited to other Hours. But this is more of a Book of Hours thing so I get it if you don't know.

 

[ses]

Book of Hours isn't relevant to this quest even slightly.

And there's also a universe of difference between "Let's risk the entire country for the sake of mayor mare being a person whose name we know" and "scorched Equestria". Let's not pretend otherwise.

 

[DelightedOne]

Book of Hours isn't relevant to this quest even slightly.

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I said more of, there is still quite a few examples in Cultist Simulator. The Keys not being owned by Hours, the Crime of the Sky being unable to be voided even by the Sun-in-Splendor, the Wolf not being able to be killed(no matter how much he may want it) by anything less than the Second Dawn or the end of the world, there is even a argument to be made that Hours can't stop Ascensions or the birth of new Hours.

And it is not because she is a named character, it is because it is a Wolf cult taking control of Ponyville, a metaphysically important town.

 

[Shaper47]

I trust our daughters, so really there's nothing to worry about.

 

[ses]

I'd still rather have Velvet accompany the Bureau herself. She is just that strong of a force multiplier, with Level 4+ and rerolls across nearly the entire board except Heart. And we've already seen with Tall Tale that Velvet simply Being Involved with Bureau things gives her opportunities to introduce the Lores to them, and that was when she was only joining in last-minute on the raid itself rather than the whole month's worth of effort; like at the very least I would expect the same sort of "go all out, +1 Bureau Lore" that we saw at Tall Tale. The potential extra Bureau levels from studying the husk just don't matter when Velvet herself is on the expedition, providing twice the Lore levels that they'd get from having Grail/Knock introduced to them via the dissection, plus for every other Lore on top. It also means that Selene's AP would be free to do something more useful than just Calling an Influence that she's likely not even going to use next turn.

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I agree that Velvet just adds too many Beeg Numahs to pass up on, but I'm not optimistic that we'll get another lore introduction this turn by doing so? Like, it wouldn't make sense for us to get a +1 lore introduction every time we get our hoofs dirty in addition to helping with the constable/detective actions. That would just make adding +1 lore via commissioner action strictly worse than doing normal commissioner stuff. That was probably a one time thing.

Also I disagree that Selene doing a Heart influence isn't useful. That's a huge amount of Heart on average, literally over 5 lore levels. And unless this Quarry expedition is a disaster there's an extremely high chance that Selene and the Constables do another expedition next turn anyway. That's a huge amount of numbers added to hurdle checks for 30 bits and a selene AP. Plus it means we'd be able to introduce SH to the bureau this turn instead of Heart. Which would be very nice for a variety of reasons. Especially since if Tall Tale is an indication it might be "roll a separate SH check for every piece of loot other than the scried reward to see if you find it", which would diminish the power of our SH reroll as well as really incentivizing us to boost the Bureau's SH rolls by +10, while still having over +100 to heart rolls via a called influence. QM has hinted pretty heavily that Long expeditions are intended to be a giant pile of varied loot and that we just happened to scry pre-written expeditions that happened to have what we were looking for on their loot list. While it's not mandatory by any means it'll be very nice to get as much of it as possible, every bit of power picked up cheaply and non-problematically now makes it that much less likely we get painted into a corner.

Though honestly if you want to do Selene-Smiles AP we dont actually need Selene consulting for the bureau if we're doing Hoofs Dirty and sending Axe+Cherenkolt to consult. We have +100 Winter without Selene if Velvet gets her hoofs dirty (5 bureau+50 axe specialty bonus+20 velvet+25 artifacts(winter 1 noose+winter 4 cursed artifact)). And Selene's knock levels are pretty superfluous as well. We could just do 2 Smiles AP with Selene instead, the only thing she's really contributing is +20 Moth bonus and an extra Moth reroll. I like zero bureau+2 smiles and bureau+influence both a lot more than 1 ap on consult and 1 ap on smiles. I honestly was looking forward to Selene consulting though for narrative reasons, especially if we investigate windy with our detective action.

And saving mayor mare is just... we can't possibly take the risk on dropping a Help Cadance AP for it. Yes four AP is likely where we're anchored to for the "standard" amount of AP we're expected to invest, but going +1 more means we likely dont have to rely on not getting unlucky. It's too big a risk.

EDIT: Yeah I'm becoming increasingly in favor of "Soothe, Smiles, Smiles" for Selene's AP this turn. +100 winter with reroll and +90 moth with reroll is already going to sail past the relevant hurdles. It's not that it's impossible that we run into a CD 120 winter hurdle or anything but with the reroll that's still 96% chance of passing. We should just take +6 smiles progress. Axe+Cherenkolt(Grail)+Velvet is already bringing massive numbers, with +100 Winter and +90 Heart if we teach the bureau Heart with our Director action. Getting that +6 Smiles now means that we can hit 40 progress on turn 24 with 2 Selene AP, 4 Mareinette+Velvet AP, and 3 mortal ponies (Filthy/Cheerilee/Fluttershy).

 

[Wise Wolf]

And it is not because she is a named character, it is because it is a Wolf cult taking control of Ponyville, a metaphysically important town.

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Note that we already voted, and the Wolf Cult will take over ponyville. If you think that's metaphysically important, the right vote to discuss that was the Cult vote.

All that we're determining now is whether they kill Mayor Mare or use her as a puppet.

 

[DelightedOne]

Note that we already voted, and the Wolf Cult will take over ponyville. If you think that's metaphysically important, the right vote to discuss that was the Cult vote.

All that we're determining now is whether they kill Mayor Mare or use her as a puppet.

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It doesn't look like it.

-"Ponyville is growing. I would like the right hoofs to take the reins before it grows too much."
-Soft Sweeps (and through her, her congregation) will gain power and influence over Ponyville.
-Mayor Mare will be… "negatively affected" if she does not become a "Close Friend" to Velvet Covers by the end of Turn 23. (Leashing her from Friend to Close Friend is fine)
-You will tell her that you hope Ponyville turns out "the right way". And as much as it scares her to have this much responsibility, she will try her best.

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If it was a full take over I doubt we would be able to save Mayor Mare. The fact that we even can seems more like a way to minimize the damage of a bad option.

The condition of her survival being her becoming a Close Friend instead of a Confidante or a Minion makes it even clearer she is not going to become a puppet.

Influence is the way Velvet said Soft Sweeps can help her. Close Friends can help Velvet.

Close Friends can be relied to have your best interests in mind, and are honestly interested in helping you. They will not purposefully hinder an action that they are involved in, and will generally be more useful/willing to help as the narrative allows.

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Meaning the Daughter has no reason to take over Ponyville directly, instead just influencing it as it grows.

Seriously, trying to stop one of the consequences of a "pick your poison" vote that requires AP when we got into that mess in the first place by not wanting to spend AP is not as unreasonable as it seems.

 

[Wise Wolf]

It doesn't look like it.

If it was a full take over I doubt we would be able to save Mayor Mare. The fact that we even can seems more like a way to minimize the damage of a bad option.

The condition of her survival being her becoming a Close Friend instead of a Confidante or a Minion makes it even clearer she is not going to become a puppet.

Influence is the way Velvet said Soft Sweeps can help her. Close Friends can help Velvet.

Meaning the Daughter has no reason to take over Ponyville directly, instead just influencing it as it grows.

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As the vote says, and you quoted, the Daughter will gain power and influence over Ponyville.

Seriously, trying to stop one of the consequences of a "pick your poison" vote that requires AP when we got into that mess in the first place by not wanting to spend AP is not as unreasonable as it seems.

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I mean, we absolutely can do this. I just want to be clear that the negative consequence we are averting is Mayor Mare being "negatively affected", not the Daughter and her cult "gain[ing] power and influence over Ponyville."

The QM was quite explicit.

 

[Greymere]

EDIT: Yeah I'm becoming increasingly in favor of "Soothe, Smiles, Smiles" for Selene's AP this turn. +100 winter with reroll and +90 moth with reroll is already going to sail past the relevant hurdles. It's not that it's impossible that we run into a CD 120 winter hurdle or anything but with the reroll that's still 96% chance of passing. We should just take +6 smiles progress. Axe+Cherenkolt(Grail)+Velvet is already bringing massive numbers, with +100 Winter and +90 Heart if we teach the bureau Heart with our Director action. Getting that +6 Smiles now means that we can hit 40 progress on turn 24 with 2 Selene AP, 4 Mareinette+Velvet AP, and 3 mortal ponies (Filthy/Cheerilee/Fluttershy).

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If we Consult Smiles, we might want to consider having our Detectives doing this instead of Windy:

-You will have a Bureau option to "Analyse your options regarding the Changeling Colony" (can be picked by either Investigator action or Commissioner action)

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...seeing as consultation also lets the Names interact narratively with the Bureau, and the combat expert and the master engineer might have some things to say on planning an assault on a larger colony.

Either going after Windy or investigating the options re: the colony assault are unlikely to matter if we're pushed in All In at the end of T24 or T25, so I'd rather go with the one that seems more interesting narratively here.

 

[ses]

If we Consult Smiles, we might want to consider having our Detectives doing this instead of Windy:

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Why would we have Smiles consult? I meant spending Selene's AP as "Help Smiles, Help Smiles, Soothe" while having Axe+Cherenkolt+Velvet do the expedition. Smiles should summon a MITL, he's not super useful with the Bureau. And besides, we just learned that the changelings have no current plans on staging an attack. We should use the big win we got to just slow-walk the changelings and effectively ignore them for the next few turns until we either go all in or fix celestia. The changelings are no longer on my radar as a priority

 

[Greymere]

Why would we have Smiles consult? I meant spending Selene's AP as "Help Smiles, Help Smiles, Soothe" while having Axe+Cherenkolt+Velvet do the expedition. Smiles should summon a MITL, he's not super useful with the Bureau. And besides, we just learned that the changelings have no current plans on staging an attack. We should use the big win we got to just slow-walk the changelings and effectively ignore them for the next few turns until we either go all in or fix celestia. The changelings are no longer on my radar as a priority

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I think I got a little mixed up with all the mentions of Smiles.

And it's not like we're going to have much motivation or reason to deal with Windy either, when we're trying to prepare for All In. Both he and the changeling stuff only really matter to us if Selene successfully defuses things in the next couple of turns. If anything, poking the Windy might just end up creating a new problem for us. Sending in the Bureau to investigate him is pretty borderline hostile.

Could have them search for expedition sites/foreign threats instead then, on the off chance we get an extra turn for All In and can raid some more expedition sites for hopefully useful loot.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

I agree that sending the Bureau Investigators to look in on Windy is bound to set off Windy if they are detected; if you want to contact Windy, do it some other way than sending the things he was trying to run away from after him. Just scry him. Better yet, scry Neighnia, and send her an invitation to say hi to all the other Names we are hosting. Perhaps she would even wish to stay, or failing that, chuck a boon at us for the entertainment derived from the Name Soiree.

I admit that I am horribly biased in favor of my theory that Windy is currently with Neighnia who directed him to shove a bit of Wolf Stuff into his Palest Painting, as such is canonically a requirement of painting such a piece in Cultist Simulator.

 

[ses]

We are not going to waste Name AP on him. It's never going to happen. It just happens to be that our Detectives action doesn't have much useful to do this turn. Searching for expeditions is... okay, but we dont really have a shortage of expeditions right now and they're not even introduced to SH yet. The other main contender is "Have the detectives do literally nothing but reduce population tension" which is not useful at all, or completely waste their action on changelings that we really dont care about anymore. Fearmongering about our detectives being "too aggressive" is just silly, I dont consider it a risk. If you want to get a basic overview of what Windy is up to, this is the way to do it.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Searching for expeditions is... okay, but we dont really have a shortage of expeditions right now and they're not even introduced to SH yet. The other main contender is "Have the detectives do literally nothing but reduce population tension" which is not useful at all, or completely waste their action on changelings that we really dont care about anymore. Fearmongering about our detectives being "too aggressive" is just silly, I dont consider it a risk. If you want to get a basic overview of what Windy is up to, this is the way to do it.

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How is it fearmongering to be concerned that the cultist who left town out of fear of the authorities coming down on him would be keeping an eye out for the authorities looking into him? We made the inner circle worried about this exact scenario on purpose to facilitate their fragmentation. The risk is not that our investigators will be too aggressive, it's that Windy will be too paranoid.

I'd rather have our Investigators look for expeditions since we can apparently have the Bureau hoof the bill for those now. It's honestly pretty fantastic for our budget.

 

[Arrkhon]

Assuming Windy still dreams just leaving him a message that we want to talk in Mansus is a perfectly viable approach to getting an update on him, I'm pretty sure Ash would be willing to direct him to it

 

[dcoconeo]

Assuming Windy still dreams just leaving him a message that we want to talk in Mansus is a perfectly viable approach to getting an update on him, I'm pretty sure Ash would be willing to direct him to it

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Directing him to Ash seems like asking for trouble, if he doesn't already know???

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Initial post

"Yar, har, har! I wish to finish this voting period quickly, so I may post the next voting period by the end of Sunday!"

Said the foolish author... two weeks ago.

Now, to be very clear:
-I have NOT YET caught up to thread
-I most likely missed things in this update, detail-heavy as it is, so kindly let me know if I need to fix something
-We will have a 24h moratorium, at least
-I hope you are all doing well!

Yes, this post will be edited to include the next update. Just give me a second.

- - -

Baldomare never considered herself to be a vain mare.

However, she knew for a fact that beauty existed. Of course beauty existed.

It existed as an ascribed pall that loomed over that which was pleasing to the sufficiently powerful, be they Hours or otherwise.

It existed within the eyes and minds of ponies, the proverbial eye of the beholder, as the patterns they had been taught to love and appreciate.

And deep within her mind of minds, for she no longer had a heart of hearts, she knew beauty existed. She might not be able to measure or observe it, but she knew that to be true.

And good Baldomare knew everything, so how could she ever be wrong?

Regardless. Baldomare never considered herself to be a vain mare.

But even she was paying attention to what was happening.

"By Equestria Rarity, you are right. This fits her perfectly!"
"It does, doesn't it darling? And once I am done, it will fit everypony perfectly. Mark my words!"
"Um… It is very nice…"
"Very nice? Fluttershy, you look better than Cadance did at her own wedding."
"Now now, Velvet darling, let's not get ahead of ourselves…"​

Baldomare was observing a group of mares in their natural habitat. That is to say, she was sitting in the tearoom as Fluttershy modeled for a dress-in-the-making, Velvet Covers fawned over her, and Rarity circled the pegasus mare like a hound as she eyed the fine details of her ongoing piece. All while Baldomare sat in her usual spot, saying the obvious whenever they strayed too far away from objective reality.

And to her own surprise, she found all of that to be… pleasant. Not exciting, but not just quaint either. Pleasant. She would even venture to say that she was in good company, and that she wouldn't mind staying there until the tea went cold.

The Wake, that Wake, did have a way of drawing them in, after all.

But she was letting her thoughts stray too far away, and she quickly recentered herself as she noticed Rarity's attention quietly shifting towards her.

"What do you think, Baldomare?" the mare asked her.

Which Baldomare answered with a raised eyebrow.

Because she was thinking about a lot of things. So many things. Too many things. Especially the things she couldn't think about. But she knew the unicorn wasn't asking about any of that.

Instead Rarity was asking… yes, yes, of course Baldomare knew Rarity was asking for feedback on her dress. But there was more to her question than mere feedback. There was a doubt inside Rarity's mind, that the mare couldn't name it herself, that had been nagging her this entire time.

Rarity was asking for feedback, yes, but she didn't know what feedback it was.

Rarity didn't know, but Baldomare did. She could see the mare's question for what it was, her deeper insecurity, as clear as a crack in a mirror.

So, good Baldomare would use her answer to help the mare navigate that little problem.

"I think that…" Baldomare trailed off, feigning the slowness that puts ponies at ease, "what did you say was the name of this piece again?"

Baldomare asked that, and she watched as Rarity's mind flared with insecurity. That small crack suddenly becoming the center of her inward attention.

Outwardly, Rarity only stalled for a second, the slightest frow coming to her brow as she thought about it. But in her mind, she remembered the several hours she spent on the drawing board, laboring over that same question as she solved so many other issues with that piece.

"I… well…" Rarity hesitated, biting her lower lip as the several failed candidates for the dress' name flashed through her mind.

"You said this piece was inspired by Cadance's wedding, didn't you?" Velvet Covers spoke up, her horn shining as she experimented with braiding Fluttershy's mane a different way, to complement the dress.

"Yes, it definitely was," Rarity answered, anchoring her attention (and other things besides) on Velvet's words. "I have received more than a few requests for wedding dresses. A Princess getting married, and the fading of the noble houses, got several rich ponies very interested in joining their families, all of a sudden."

Baldomare nodded her head at that, content that the conversation was going in the right direction.

"That makes sense, I wonder if Pride… well, that's not the point right now," Velvet continued. "You also said you weren't sure what kind of tiara to put on this dress? Why not a laurel, or a crown of branches? And really, look at how lovely Fluttershy is. Why not call this piece something like a wedding in the garden, and name the rest of the series something similar to that?"

With that, Baldomare watched as the crack of insecurity in Rarity's mind slowly began to mend itself, as the two mares began workshopping more names with the occasional suggestion of their pegasus model. Until Rarity's mind was once again clear as a calm lake, and her inspiration was able to shine without mars or refractions.

As it was proper.

There were other things she could say, of course. There were always more things she could say. But as always, she kept to herself.

There would be no point in telling Rarity what names she should use for her upcoming dresses. That would take from her that eureka moment of figuring it out herself.

There would be no point in telling them that she shouldn't tighten Fluttershy's corset that much. It wasn't doing any harm at that moment, and Fluttershy herself would find out about it in a few weeks.

There would be no point in telling them that the brute Smiles was about to barge into Stormchaser's conversation with Comet. After all-

CRACK

"Did… did something just break somewhere?"​

-well, after all Baldomare never really liked the vase that just fell to the ground, when the Name barged into the nearby room.

The point was that there would be no point in saying a lot of things. Especially when the ponies around her had not yet figured them out.

Because that would be telling.

And being able to read a few pages ahead is not the same as knowing what is going to happen.

Still, at that moment, Baldomare was… fine.

She was amenable to that current arrangement.

And so, she would stay for a little longer.

- - -

Spoiler: Winning Vote

TALLY
[X] (ALL IN) You will NOT attempt the "All In" expedition.
[X] (BOOK) What did you read again? The Way Home
[X] (SCRY) You do not wish to scry for any expeditions at this point.
[X] (MAREINETTE) Accept her "Invitation to Dinner"

- - -

RULE CHANGE and Author's Notes:

Spoiler: RULE CHANGE and Author's Notes

There has been a CHANGE in existing rules:
If a character with "A Confident Certainty" (Lore level 4) rolls a 1, they cannot invoke a reroll. Characters with "A Mastery" (Lore level 6), may invoke rerolls on a 1.
Explanation: To my memory, it has not yet happened that a Lore 4 character rolled a 1 on their favored Lore. But this was a question that bugged me for a while. Because it makes sense for "confident" (cocky) characters to have a 1/100 catastrophic failure chance, but not for a Name to make such mistakes. This feels like a good compromise, that Lore 4 characters can make rare mistakes, but Lore 6 Masters (Name or mortal) are above such problems.


Author's Notes:
You have retroactively read a book. "126" points of progress have been made towards the book "The Way Home (Fragment)".

A NEW detail has been added to the changeling husk study.
The Bureau will try to study it by itself. This is to represent the Bureau's own multi-faceted competence, and its own separate forensic teams. It will also apply the Bureau's Lantern Lore, to show the concrete impact of Lore teaching.
Velvet may STILL choose to study it herself. In that case, she will have the Bureau aid her, and will roll with more advantages.
If Velvet chooses not to study the husk, there is still a chance it will be studied with its results being presented to you.
The fact that you can only guarantee ownership of the husk for this turn remains the same.

There was a miscommunication during the last vote, that is the writer's fault. During regular turns, you could vote to perform "An Invitation to Dinner" by using an action from Velvet Covers. Most Sacraments are described as "taking an action" which means using a personal action, or they specify when the action is either free or requires specific followers.
Here, Mareinette's Sacrament was offered "in between turn" in a way that could be reasonably understood as being a free action.
Since this was a mistake from the QM, and a reasonable interpretation from readers, I will explicitly "waive" the action point cost, since the alternative would be to reopen a vote with the clarification of "this should cost an action."
The results of the previous votes will stand, regarding Mareinette's Sacrament, and will be performed for no action point cost.

- - -

FOLLOWERS PHASE​

Velvet Covers currently has 4 personal actions to use on her own phase. (4 base, one used for Mareinette's Sacrament see author's notes).

The following options must be included in your plan, and they are "preliminary" to this turn:

Would you like to Leash somepony? (This option will also be available on Velvet's Phase. Please count the additional Follower Action as available if you turn somepony into a confidante with a Leash)
-[] Yes (WRITE IN who)
-[] Do not leash anypony.


You currently have FOURTEEN Follower actions.

Spoiler: Follower breakdown

Torn Risen: 1
Rarity: 1
Jade Whistle: 1
Fluttershy: 1
Baldomare: 1
Mareinette: 1
Velvet Axe: 2
Smiles: 1
Cherenkolt: 1
Selene: 3
Household servants: 1

Spoiler: Things to keep in mind

Additional notes:
TALLY
-Velvet Covers will be "wounded" this turn, and will be offered options to deal with it.
-Selene, your beloved daughter, has not directly asked to be ordered to "Soothe the Night" again this turn. But she is not against it either. She is unsure how to proceed and will defer to your guidance.
-There has been a CHANGE to the Mutated Husk circumstances. See "Author's Notes" above.
-The following Fleeting Opportunities will be available this turn:
--A silent crisis will happen in the Royal Castle, involving Princess Celestia. Princess Cadance will ask for your help. (May use as many personal actions as you wish. May use social actions and Mareinette).
--Uncle Steppes left you a contact. (May use social actions or Mareinette. Will not disappear, but will grow weaker every turn it is not picked)
--Filthy Rich confided to you that his relationship is failing. You have the option to do something about in order to completely gain his trust. (Free action)

Current bits: 504 (298 from previous turn, 160 from salary, 46 from Rarity's dividends)


The Lunar Bureau

Spoiler: Orders, Commissioner?

General notes:
-Velvet Covers may NOT "tamper with evidence" of anything the Lunar Bureau captures.
-The Lunar Bureau has a growing, understanding of the Lores. But few ponies have been brought into the know so far. (This progress will be measure based on how many Lores have been introduced to the Lunar Bureau.)
-Velvet Covers MAY "plant evidence" in advance, in an already-explored expedition site or somewhere you direct the Bureau to go. Consult with QM for details, to write-in a Velvet action aimed at that.


Pick ONE of each.


You don't have many detectives, but the ones you do are the best of the best. What should they focus on this month?
-[] [DETECTIVES] Despite their friendly nature, ponies are capable of crimes just like any other intelligent creature. Have them investigate crimes at large, in the several cities of Equestria. (Less impactful in the grand scheme of things. But helps the Bureau keep a good image, and decreases the "tension" of the population at large, as the world becomes a worse place)
-[] [DETECTIVES] (FOLLOW UP) There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[] [DETECTIVES] (FOLLOW UP) The Changeling Colony near Dodge City is too much for your current forces. You should investigate it further to understand your options and devise a plan to deal with it. (May also be picked with Commissioner action, needs not be picked by both Investigators and Commissioner)
-[] [DETECTIVES] The dangers in the dark come from outside of Ponykind as well. Listen to the rumors. Study the myths. Look for the threats from without. (Search for Expedition Sites for your later consideration. Additionally, keep an ear on the ground for other "foreign" threats)
-[] [DETECTIVES] Nudge them in the… "correct" direction. Put them on the trail of one of your Opponents. (WRITE IN which Opponent. Sets the Bureau to investigate a pony you have a personal problem with)


Former constables, ex-Guards, defenders, one and all. They are not perfectly suited for investigations, but the Bureau needs muscles. And these ponies provide.
-[] [CONSTABLES] It is less paperwork for you if they just help with the investigations. (NO ACTION from the Constables. GAIN one VELVET action for the next phase, no "loyalty" loss)
-[] [CONSTABLES] (FOLLOW UP) "Equestria belongs to the Princesses. Kill anything in it that isn't a pony." (Assault the Dodge City colony, even though you explicitly lack the intelligence to do so) (This is a DANGEROUS action)
-[] [CONSTABLES] (FOLLOW UP) There is an entire colony near Dodge City. You cannot assault it, but you should secure it. (Dedicate your constables to protecting the population of Dodge City, and being near this high-risk area) (WARNING, this may "tip off" the changelings that you discovered this lair, and is not a risk-free action)
-[] [CONSTABLES] Plan and execute a raid. Within Equestria, or anywhere else that is needed. (WRITE IN an Expedition, OR an Opponent the Bureau has investigated. The Bureau will attempt to perform the Expedition, or will assault an Opponent)
-[] [CONSTABLES] The Commissioner is just too important to leave unattended. Run security. (Adds four additional ponies as bodyguards to your retinue, for this turn only)


Of course, now that you have a better handle of this, you can find the time to pursue other endeavors while in Canterlot.
-[] [COMMISSIONER] Some of the ponies in the Bureau are more important than the others. Get to know them better.
--[] Shining Armor, your Deputy.
--[] Beyond Reproach and Iron Button, your finest detectives.
--[] Spend time with somepony else. (Discover, and talk to, another key figure)
-[] [COMMISSIONER] Dedicate more of your time to spreading the "necessary" knowledge within the Lunar Bureau, that they may learn how to better fight the darkness. (WRITE IN LORE, will create a level 1 "Institutional Knowledge" manifest)
-[] [COMMISSIONER] (FOLLOW UP) There is a colony close to Dodge City. One that your officers believe you lack the horsepower to assault. Look into it. (May also be picked as an Investigator action. Needs not be picked by both.)
-[] [COMMISSIONER] (FOLLOW UP) You found a mutated husk in Tall Tale. Study it. (The Bureau will study it by itself, without your aid, if you do not pick this action)
-[] [COMMISSIONER] The Lunar Bureau is not the only recently-minted institution in Equestria. Try to contact the others.
--[] The Solar Court, and Fair Trial.
--[] Eclipse(?), and Midday Dew.
-[] [COMMISSIONER] Get your hoofs dirty. (Participate in the "Investigators" and "Constables" actions.)


"Princess Luna is the Director of the Lunar Bureau." Those in the know understand what that truly means. Time to bring more ponies into the know.
-[] [DIRECTOR] Introduce another Lore to the Lunar Bureau. (WRITE IN LORE, will create a level 1 "Institutional Knowledge" manifest)

Exclusive actions

Spoiler: You are the only one I can trust with this

Picking an action from any of these lists will "ensure/lock" that pony to that action, and that follower will not be available for the pool of "general actions".


Rarity (3 health, GRAIL 3, FORGE 1)
-[] [RARITY] Focus on her work. (Guarantees she will "succeed" on her career roll)
-[] [RARITY] Take a commission. (Gain at least 100 bits immediately, will "fail" her career roll)
-[] [RARITY] Focus on her studies, and learn more of the Lores. (SECRET LIBRARY INSUFFICIENTLY LEVELED)
-[] [RARITY] Something else? (WRITE IN)


Jade Whistle (3 health, LANTERN 4, HEART 2)
-[] [JADE] "You do you." (Let her do what she wants, and hopefully rest)
-[] [JADE] Research an artifact (WRITE IN which, will not award any Lore scraps for Velvet)
-[] [JADE] Research the Lores and try to come up with a new ritual (will offer you more options, later during the turn)
-[] [JADE] Research "A Memory of the Path" (Current progress 0/200, uses Learning and KNOCK)
-[] [JADE] Something else? (WRITE IN)


Fluttershy (3 health, WINTER 1, UNKNOWN nonexistent)
Comet Feet (4/4 health, EDGE 4)
-[] [FLUTTERSHY] Ask Comet to Guard your home.
-[] [FLUTTERSHY] Focus on her studies, and learn more of the Lores. (No longer allowed, as per your deal with Comet)
-[] [FLUTTERSHY] Something else? (WRITE IN)
-[] [FLUTTERSHY] Something else from your… mutual frient? (WRITE IN to ask Comet Feet for something)


Baldomare (2 health, LANTERN 6, SECRET HISTORIES 6)
(Baldomare will expire at the end of turn 23)
-[] [BALDOMARE] Ask for a lesson on the Lores. (WRITE IN Lore)
-[] [BALDOMARE] Channel an Influence. (WRITE IN Lore)
-[] [BALDOMARE] "Go have fun." (WRITE IN how many bits, at least 100, that she is allowed to spend to find something interesting)
-[] [BALDOMARE] Consult to the Lunar Bureau
-[] [BALDOMARE] Prolong her stay. (WRITE IN an unread book, of level 5 or higher, to gift her. This is a FREE ACTION and will "reset" her summoning period to the beginning of next turn.)
-[] [BALDOMARE] Something else? (WRITE IN)


Mareinette (??? Health, GRAIL 6, HEART 6)
(Mareinette's bindings will expire at the end of turn 22) [GRAIL]!
-[] [MAREINETTE] [FLEETING OPPORTUNITY] Have her aid Cadance.
-[] [MAREINETTE] [FLEETING OPPORTUNITY] Have her meet your uncle's contact, in your stead.
-[] [MAREINETTE] Ask for a lesson on the Lores. (WRITE IN Lores)
-[] [MAREINETTE] Channel an Influence. (WRITE IN Lore)
-[] [MAREINETTE] You need her to talk to… (WRITE IN a pony for her to speak with in, "stepping into" your horseshoes).
-[] [MAREINETTE] Consult to the Lunar Bureau
-[] [MAREINETTE] Something else? (WRITE IN)


The Daughter-of-Axes (5 health, KNOCK 6, EDGE 3)
(As a befriended Name, the Daughter-of-Axes has TWO actions)
-[] [AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson.
-[] [AXE] Ask for a Knock Influence.
-[] [AXE] Craft Wrong Keys. (She will give you three Wrong Keys, which will expire after five turns. Three full turns of cooldown, starting from the beginning of this turn.)
-[] [AXE] Consult to the Lunar Bureau
-[] [AXE] Something else? (WRITE IN)


Smiles (5 health, EDGE 6, HEART 3)
(Biedde's bindings will expire at the end of turn 25)
-[] [SMILES] Ask for an Edge lesson.
-[] [SMILES] Ask for an Edge Influence.
-[] [SMILES] Consult to the Lunar Bureau
-[] [SMILES] (TROUBLEMAKER) Tell him you need something broken. (Will open an "Expedition planning" vote later this turn) (FREE ACTION)
-[] [SMILES] Something else? (WRITE IN)


Cherenkolt (5 health, FORGE 6, SH 3)
(Cherenkolt will run out of fuel at the end of turn 24)
-[] [CHERENKOLT] "Thank you for the meal, mother!" (WRITE IN what artifacts to feed Cherenkolt. FREE ACTION)
-[] [CHERENKOLT] "Recalibrating." (WRITE IN what Lore to change his minor attribute to. FREE ACTION)
-[] [CHERENKOLT] "Powering down..." (Cherenkolt will be treated as an ARTIFACT for the entire turn. Extends his fuel reserves for one full turn.)
-[] [CHERENKOLT] Transmutate Blue Gold (Also costs one VELVET COVERS actions. Requires a Forge 6 reagent in your inventory)
-[] [CHERENKOLT] Ask for a Forge lesson.
-[] [CHERENKOLT] Ask for a Forge Influence.
-[] [CHERENKOLT] Consult to the Lunar Bureau
-[] [CHERENKOLT] Someting else? (WRITE IN)


Selene (7 health, MOTH 4, EDGE 4, WINTER 4, KNOCK 4)
(As the self-elected best alicorn daughter, Selene has THREE actions per turn)
-[] [SELENE] You need her to talk to somepony about… (WRITE IN whose dreams she will enter)
-[] [SELENE] Soothe the night. (Her Winter realization. Unknown effects, if any.)
-[] [SELENE] Consult to the Lunar Bureau
-[] [SELENE] Something else? (WRITE IN)

General actions

Spoiler: Could anypony please…?

Do NOT specify what follower will perform which actions. Followers who are not busy performing "exclusive actions" will perform whatever you choose here, based on who is best suited for it.
Any action may be picked several times. Write in a note specifying if you want that to happen.


-[] You would like for somepony to search for books…
--[] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (HEART, FORGE)
--[] In the great libraries of Canterlot… the ones that are open to public access, that is (LANTERN, GRAIL, SECRET HISTORIES)
--[] In the many small bookshops that dot the side streets of Manehattan (MOTH, EDGE, KNOCK)


-[] You need somepony to search for a more "peculiar" artifact. (Search for a random artifact to buy)


-[] You have contacts in Ponyville, that can find you exactly what you need. Reach out to them. (Write in LORE and LEVEL, up to Level 3. A suitable matching artifact will be available for purchase, but will be more expensive than normal)


-[] Actually, you would like to get rid of this. (FREE ACTION, WRITE IN studied artifacts to sell, to receive the bits at the END of this turn)


-[] Jade's house is now adequately clean. Or at least sufficiently presentable for ponies to work on it. You should… (Forge-aligned ponies are better suited at attempting these tasks)
--[] You need a place where you can safely, and discreetly, store items. Use the upper level of her house for it.
--[] Actually, you will need a LOT more space. Dig under Jade's house, enough room for a 3 circle ritual. (Progress 0/400. Applies Martial and Forge knowledge.)


-[] Equestria is full of undiscovered places. You must learn their secrets…
--[] Search for a place that is recent in its ruin, whose History is decided. Mundane as it might be, it might still bear treasures. (Search for an "easy" expedition)
--[] Search for a place that is old in its History. Where the influence of the Mansus is but an echo, but that can still be heard in the wind. (Search for an intermediary expedition)
--[] Search for a place that should be better left forgotten. According to the powers of this Era, at least. Finding it will be hard, though, and uncovering its secrets even harder. (Search for a very hard expedition)


-[] You need to learn more about this. Send a pony to better scout a known expedition site. (WRITE IN which expedition to scout)


-[] You need this to be done. Send a pony on an expedition. (Will cause an "Expedition planning" vote to occur, later this turn. If the expedition is not a "short" one, you must pick this action as many times as you want followers to participate in it.)


-[] Needs must. Ask somepony to procure you a dead body from the local cemetery.


-[] There really is no other way. Ask somepony to get you a live prisoner. (You have no place to keep live prisoners)


-[] You need somepony to perform this ritual… (WRITE IN ritual, and its target)
--[] To be performed in Jade's house (up to two-circle rituals)
--[] To be performed... somewhere, where you hope nopony will catch wind of it.


-[] You would like somepony to help you with a small ritual (WRITE IN what Lore, VELVET gains one Attention of the Laws in the Lore. May be picked multiple times.)

-[] (NEW OPTION) Smiles needs help with something, please go do what he asks... within reason of course. (Aid Smiles' Progression Bar. QM will decide who is optimal, unless you write-in the characters)


-[] Attack your foe, or defend yourself. In war, there is no other option.

Spoiler: Opponents

"They might not be your enemies, but they are definitely not your friends."
(Knowing, or at least suspecting, an opponent's location is vital for a non-ritual action to succeed. Otherwise, the pony sent will spend their action investigating an opponent's whereabouts)


Defend your home. Because you can't keep fighting if you are dead.
--[] [GUARD] You would very much like to keep this safe.
(Followers ordered to GUARD will always participate in combat if a foe, or some other faction, tries to attack you during this turn)
(Followers ordered to GUARD will NOT magically teleport to Velvet if she decides to start a combat of her own accord, in another narrative/mechanic situation, and they will not be present during combats that occur during expeditions.)
(If you are not attacked during this turn, any GUARD action taken will have no effect.)


Windy Flakes (possible location unknown)
--[] [WINDY] Send somepony to attack this opponent
--[] [WINDY] Send somepony to locate, or spy on, this opponent
--[] [WINDY] Perform a ritual aimed at this opponent (WRITE IN what ritual)
--[] [WINDY] Attempt to contact this opponent (WRITE IN what to discuss if successful)

"Cover your bases"
(You may only pick ONE of the following options)
-[] One extra Velvet action! (Costs 2 follower actions)
-[] Two extra Velvet actions! (Costs 5 follower actions)
-[] Three extra Velvet actions! (Costs 9 follower actions)
-[] Four extra Velvet actions! (Costs 14 follower actions)


-[] Something else? (WRITE IN)



Twenty-four hours of moratorium.

Kindly let me know if anything needs to be added, removed, or fixed.

And finally, I cannot find it in my notes. Haven't we already picked an action that makes Jade Whistle's house into a "storage"? I thought we picked and succeeded on that action before, though I may be misremembering a previous failed attempt by your house servants, which ended in just renovating the house.

I hope you are all doing well.

 

[ses]

And finally, I cannot find it in my notes. Haven't we already picked an action that makes Jade Whistle's house into a "storage"? I thought we picked and succeeded on that action before, though I may be misremembering a previous failed attempt by your house servants, which ended in just renovating the house.

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There was a failed action by the servants. We never followed up.

The Bureau will try to study it by itself. This is to represent the Bureau's own multi-faceted competence, and its own separate forensic teams. It will also apply the Bureau's Lantern Lore, to show the concrete impact of Lore teaching.

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Does Consult with the Bureau/Get Your Hoofs Dirty interact with this? Obviously Hoofs Dirty can't totally replace focusing on the husk ourself, but it might be different than gallivanting off to do something totally unrelated (especially since I think the Bureau uses our artifacts this turn if we take those options? Between Velvet's lantern level, the Names general bonuses, and the SH3 artifact's study bonus there may be something that interacts even if Baldomare doesn't personally consult this turn for lantern levels.)

Jade Whistle (3 health, LANTERN 4, HEART 2) [NO ACTION POINTS THIS TURN]

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Has not been updated to reflect the sundial's shadow

If a character with "A Confident Certainty" (Lore level 4) rolls a 1, they cannot invoke a reroll. Characters with "A Mastery" (Lore level 6), may invoke rerolls on a 1.
Explanation: To my memory, it has not yet happened that a Lore 4 character rolled a 1 on their favored Lore. But this was a question that bugged me for a while. Because it makes sense for "confident" (cocky) characters to have a 1/100 catastrophic failure chance, but not for a Name to make such mistakes. This feels like a good compromise, that Lore 4 characters can make rare mistakes, but Lore 6 Masters (Name or mortal) are above such problems.

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To be clear, if they invoke a reroll and get a 1 on the 2nd roll, the 1 still gets ignored like normal?

 

[DelightedOne]

There would be no point in telling them that she shouldn't tighten Fluttershy's corset that much. It wasn't doing any harm at that moment, and Fluttershy herself would find out about it in a few weeks.

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Say what now?

Are we getting Healed Scar? Does this mean Harmony is making a new batch of Elements? If so Silky better be Magic(could explain the ??? in her alignment, friendship would be too on the nose)... What? We failed one but Velvet doesn't fail her daughters *looks at Soft* at least not permanently.

Because that would be telling.

And being able to read a few pages ahead is not the same as knowing what is going to happen.

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That's true sister. So very true.

There has been a CHANGE in existing rules:
If a character with "A Confident Certainty" (Lore level 4) rolls a 1, they cannot invoke a reroll. Characters with "A Mastery" (Lore level 6), may invoke rerolls on a 1.
Explanation: To my memory, it has not yet happened that a Lore 4 character rolled a 1 on their favored Lore. But this was a question that bugged me for a while. Because it makes sense for "confident" (cocky) characters to have a 1/100 catastrophic failure chance, but not for a Name to make such mistakes. This feels like a good compromise, that Lore 4 characters can make rare mistakes, but Lore 6 Masters (Name or mortal) are above such problems.

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Okay, this is a bit worrying. But it hasn't been a problem yet so I guess it is good enough for now.

A NEW detail has been added to the changeling husk study.
The Bureau will try to study it by itself. This is to represent the Bureau's own multi-faceted competence, and its own separate forensic teams. It will also apply the Bureau's Lantern Lore, to show the concrete impact of Lore teaching.
Velvet may STILL choose to study it herself. In that case, she will have the Bureau aid her, and will roll with more advantages.
If Velvet chooses not to study the husk, there is still a chance it will be studied with its results being presented to you.
The fact that you can only guarantee ownership of the husk for this turn remains the same.

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This is also good! Hope it ends up paying off in Lore ways.

There was a miscommunication during the last vote, that is the writer's fault. During regular turns, you could vote to perform "An Invitation to Dinner" by using an action from Velvet Covers. Most Sacraments are described as "taking an action" which means using a personal action, or they specify when the action is either free or requires specific followers.
Here, Mareinette's Sacrament was offered "in between turn" in a way that could be reasonably understood as being a free action.
Since this was a mistake from the QM, and a reasonable interpretation from readers, I will explicitly "waive" the action point cost, since the alternative would be to reopen a vote with the clarification of "this should cost an action."
The results of the previous votes will stand, regarding Mareinette's Sacrament, and will be performed for no action point cost.

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...

Well, it was going to happen anyway. Good thing we will have more AP to spare this turn.

 

[ses]

Torn Risen: 1
Rarity: 1
Jade Whistle: 1
Fluttershy: 1
Baldomare: 1
Mareinette: 1
Velvet Axe: 2
Smiles: 1
Cherenkolt: 1
Selene: 3
Household servants: 1

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--Filthy Rich confided to you that his relationship is failing. You have the option to do something about in order to completely gain his trust. (Free action)

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Fuck, we don't get Filthy's AP this turn. That really sucks when this might be the 2nd to last turn.

 

[Greymere]

There was a miscommunication during the last vote, that is the writer's fault. During regular turns, you could vote to perform "An Invitation to Dinner" by using an action from Velvet Covers. Most Sacraments are described as "taking an action" which means using a personal action, or they specify when the action is either free or requires specific followers.
Here, Mareinette's Sacrament was offered "in between turn" in a way that could be reasonably understood as being a free action.
Since this was a mistake from the QM, and a reasonable interpretation from readers, I will explicitly "waive" the action point cost, since the alternative would be to reopen a vote with the clarification of "this should cost an action."
The results of the previous votes will stand, regarding Mareinette's Sacrament, and will be performed for no action point cost.

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Tbh I thought it was fairly evident that we were "locking in" an AP for this, but I'm certainly not going to complain about getting an AP back.

@OurLadyOfWires just to make sure, if we get Filthy to Confidant or (hopefully not) Minion this turn, we don't get to use his AP this turn? I.e. slot him into Cover Your Bases?

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Does Consult with the Bureau/Get Your Hoofs Dirty interact with this? Obviously Hoofs Dirty can't totally replace focusing on the husk ourself, but it might be different than gallivanting off to do something totally unrelated (especially since I think the Bureau uses our artifacts this turn if we take those options? Between Velvet's lantern level, the Names general bonuses, and the SH3 artifact's study bonus there may be something that interacts even if Baldomare doesn't personally consult this turn for lantern levels.)

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Yes, but it depends.

If you "Get your Hooves Dirty" and your investigator/constable actions are long and complicated, you might not help husk study at all. It will be a balancing act. Conversely, if your investigators and bureaus do well, and you only give them minimal aid, Velvet will use the extra time to help the Bureau in "secondary" actions like studying the husk.

"Try and find out" and all that.

As long as you understand getting your hooves dirty will prioritize contables/investigators, and that "the action to study the Husk is the action to study the Husk" you are fine.

Has not been updated to reflect the sundial's shadow

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Thank you! Fixed.

To be clear, if they invoke a reroll and get a 1 on the 2nd roll, the 1 still gets ignored like normal?

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Yes. If you re-roll and roll a 1 as your second dice, you "keep the greatest" result (which would not be a 1).

Baldomare will roll a 1 on Lantern if she rolls two 1s consecutively. And a Name screwing up on a 1/10.000 chance feels like the correct odds to me.

Tbh I thought it was fairly evident that we were "locking in" an AP for this, but I'm certainly not going to complain about getting an AP back.

@OurLadyOfWires just to make sure, if we get Filthy to Confidant or (hopefully not) Minion this turn, we don't get to use his AP this turn? I.e. slot him into Cover Your Bases?

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I agree, but I realize I am biased because I am constantly thinking about the rules of the quest, and other factors besides. And when I thought about it and read the options in a neutral light, I noticed all the "Mareinette" options were free (and the one that wasn't explicitly said it cost 2 Velvet AP). So the Sacrament being among those options without a reminder that it cost AP felt like a low blow.

It's balances and compromises. So, since I don't know how many voters did not take that into consideration (and no one will want to relitigate that because free AP ) I made the decision to "yeah it's cool" it away.

EDIT: Forgot the second part of your question. And about Filthy, you don't get his actions this turn.
Mechanically, I always like the CS game mechanic of "do stuff, wait for the timer." Right now you invested in your relationship with Filthy, and his option is open for you to add a Reason (save marraige) or Passion (ruin marriage) card on it. Or something else entirely, this is just an analogy.
But my point is that you will get him as a confidante once you finish all this. Getting confidantes is meant to involve a personalized flair, after all, and not just push the Mareinette button.

And narratively, Filthy Rich has, uh, a lot going on right now. Be there for him and you will hook this fish, but don't rush it.

 

[ses]

EDIT: Forgot the second part of your question. And about Filthy, you don't get his actions this turn.
Mechanically, I always like the CS game mechanic of "do stuff, wait for the timer." Right now you invested in your relationship with Filthy, and his option is open for you to add a Reason (save marraige) or Passion (ruin marriage) card on it. Or something else entirely, this is just an analogy.
But my point is that you will get him as a confidante once you finish all this. Getting confidantes is meant to involve a personalized flair, after all, and not just push the Mareinette button.

And narratively, Filthy Rich has, uh, a lot going on right now. Be there for him and you will hook this fish, but don't rush it.

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It was just confusing since it seems like the sort of thing [OLD INTELLIGENCE] was made for to avoid Mareinette's action being worse than Velvet's at the thing Honored Guest was made to do. I honestly dont think the thread, and certainly not myself, would have minded if Mareinette had just picked an option herself last turn. But we're getting a free Velvet AP this turn so that is a helluva balm.


I feel pretty attached to "Make a forge reagent, Axe and Cherenkolt on Consult, Hoofs Dirty, 5 Help Cadance AP", but with the addition of the extra Velvet AP I dont think we necessarily need to go up to 6 Help Cadance... so what do we use Mareinette for?

Options:
Help Cadance
+5 Smiles
Mayor Mare
Heart lesson

I still think it's just plain irresponsible to prioritize Mayor Mare over helping Cadance. While I dont think going from 5 to 6 is a top level priority the way "Only dip down to 4 Cadance AP if we have no other choice" would have helping cadance be a priority for me, I dont think I could justify spending it on Mayor Mare just because we know her name. Similarly I dont think we take the Heart lesson over just getting the +5 Smiles out of the way now and freeing up AP next turn.

Do we still do 2 Cover Your Bases AP? I think we might not.

Attention: Secret Histories
Grail: Spoiled Rich
Forge: Forge 4
Winter: Torn Risen
Knock: Shattered Stairways
Social: Help Cadance
Velvet: Moth Sacrament
Velvet: Help Cadance
Velvet: Purify Forge Reagent
Velvet: Help Cadance
Bases: Help Cadance

Baldomare: Lantern Lesson
Axe: Consult with the Bureau
Axe: Summon a MITL
Mareinette: Help Cadance
Troublemaker: Manehattan
Smiles: Summon a MITL(Wrong Key)
Cherenkolt(Grail): Consult with the Bureau
Selene: Soothe the Night
Selene: Smiles
Selene: Smiles

Comet: Smiles
Rarity: Commission
Jade: Study Artifact (Moth 3)

MITL: Graverob
MITL: Manehattan
Risen: Cover Your Bases
Risen: Cover Your Bases
Servants: Smiles

Detectives: Windy Flakes/Search for Expeditions?
Constables: Quarry
Commissioner: Get Your Hoofs Dirty
Director: Heart


Something like this? There's no real point to the 2nd Cover Your Bases AP since Servants+Comet give +4 Smiles progress already, and the leftover MITL can just ferry a Name to a Manehatten expedition if both summoning succeed, and this way there's no awkwardness if one of them fails the 90% chance. This gives us 5 Help Cadance AP and +10 Smiles from followers, while probably getting an extra short expedition for studyables as well as keeping our flow of bodies going.

 

[DelightedOne]

I dont think I could justify spending it on Mayor Mare just because we know her name

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Once more, this is not the reason. It is to make sure the Wolf Cult won't get as much influence over Ponyville.

Sure, we can't stop it getting some influence, but losing Mayor Mare would let them take full control.

She has been Velvet's way to influence Ponyville since turn 15 and giving that up when there is a way to just not do it feels extremely careless and out of character for the control freak that Velvet is.

 

[spiderhellian]

Awwww, Fluttershy is pregnant!

After the glimpse we got of her future son, in a sadder history, that's very sweet.

 

[Greymere]

I still think it's just plain irresponsible to prioritize Mayor Mare over helping Cadance. While I dont think going from 5 to 6 is a top level priority the way "Only dip down to 4 Cadance AP if we have no other choice" would have helping cadance be a priority for me, I dont think I could justify spending it on Mayor Mare just because we know her name. Similarly I dont think we take the Heart lesson over just getting the +5 Smiles out of the way now and freeing up AP next turn.

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Quite frankly, if 5 AP helping Cadance ends up being insufficient to defuse Celestia, we're going to have to find an alternative solution real quick - either that, or sprint full speed towards Glory to get the power needed to deal with an unleashed Daybreaker.

Edit:

Knock: Shattered Stairways

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Why the Stairways? We should still have one more Wastes location to explore.