Well then, having had some time to think some things over, I think it's safe to say that the Forge's Redemption ritual is no longer optional. We need to get that eldritch therapy sorted because by Storms and Crows Velvet is fucked up. It's a good thing the Moth Sacrament hadn't been forced through already or we might have actually just straight up died.
This gives powerful credence to the theory that the Moth Sacrament is based on Velvet's trauma/insecurity. Like, not in a flavor-text way, a "this is a foundational part of my identity" way. We can't be building anything on *this* or we're going to implode if and when we're forced into this state again.
I'm pretty sure Velvet actually Wolfed her own brain rather than deal with her spiraling anxiety and guilt, (let it be noted for posterity that Velvet is not on board with Shaper's shennaniganry) the brain damage seemed to manifest after the fact.
On a similar note, I reiterate my profund regrets that we chose the Master's Moth-apple over Baldomare, as Mareinette's unilateral ministrations are yet another consequence thereof. We never actually extended her time, we never took her Sacrament (either one!) for all that we've been a perfectly lovely Bed&Breakfast host we've never made a serious investment in our relationship. Yes yes the book is in the works, but that's tomorrow and Mareinette is in our bedroom tonight.
All in all, dear Velvet is in dire need of some positive reinforcement and care, it is a damn good thing we opted to bring in literally everyone or we'd have no support structure at all right now. We have confirmation of Cadance visiting, that's very good.
Ai, what a mess.
I don't quite get what you mean by it being good we didn't go for Moth Sacrament yet.
Presumably if we did that, the trauma would be solved, if only because we'd "shed it away"
, or at least shed away the parts of Velvet that care/worry about those things.
For better or worse, the problem would be solved there, if at a cost.
As for Wolf... uh, actually good catch. it's only AFTER the "
Shut up" that Velvet express confusions at where she is and what's going on, showing signs of Amnesia.
as for the moth apple... keep in mind that the choice there was "eat the fruit and don't roll for Selene Moth 3" or "give it to Baldomare, and take a risk on Selene".
As Baldomare said "it wasn't really a choice at all", and to be fair Selene came out PERFECTLY, and we can't be sure how much the "never failing to teach her" helped.
- We need the Book, so that'll be one thing,
- we need the raid done, that'll be another,
- a guard action for Selene and the constables,
- revenge for the investigators,
- we need a Knock-scrap for to take a crack at the Knock Sacrament next turn (probably ask Axe for that)
- we need Copper scryed to aim the hit-squad (that'll probably be Baldomare)
- we need to at least get started on the Moth-fuckery that is the Sacrament so that'll need a patsy (Mareinette),
- in terms of Velvet actions I would strongly prefer as many wholesome influences as possible so socials for her family, Cheerilee, and Mayor Mare,
- Rarity needs to focus on her career so that that doesn't go up in flames too and this should be a cheaper turn anyway,
- Comet can lead the Graveyard expedition and bring Baldomare along to actually find the bloody place,
- Biedde ought lead the raid unless he's gone AWOL for some strange Edge-reason,
- Jade I think can either search for the Outsider or progress the Memory of Light (I don't have a strong opinion) Edit: no I actually do, she's probably stressed as hell, either give her time off or let her contemplate a merciful Light.
- That leaves the servants, I don't really have any ideas that leap out at me.
- And of course the Baldomare free action, the level six book from the expedition if successful, one of our level five books otherwise. I personally choose the Moth book, because I'm petty like that.
For Moth Fuckery, the grail influence + 3 socials plan covers it.
Why would you have Baldomare go with Comet instead of Axe or Mareinette, who have far higher bonuses? Baldomare is ONLY better on Lantern and SH, Axe is better at literally everything else except social, and Mareinette is only a bit worse than Axe in general BUT makes up for it in case of social challenges.
For Rarity, unless we're explicitly told she HAS to work this turn, Bird previously mentioned she can "afford" to fail her roll. So I'd give her Commission again, as next turn we WILL need even more bits for Mares, Canterlot Part 3, healing ritual, and who knows, maybe a follow up on Comet assault. Also we kinda need to get some bits reserve for when we'll have to renew Biedde's contract. in the not so distant future...
for Baldomare, we probably want to go Grave>knock>moth in terms of books given.
mh... I still want to try and get Outsider done this turn. Maybe Servants + Jade + Selene? We can do the last action next turn together with exploring for the Malleary.
It gets worse when you remember that Moth was the lore that Velvet demonstrated the most interest/affinity in the past(Copper recruited her talking about it).
eh, that's more because that was the lore of the cult that the one that most resonated with Velvet.
She did call us mom already.
and it was a VERY GLORIOUS MOMENT!
Wow! Thank you Mareinette! I trust you immediately and we should be deeply grateful for your friendship!
oh no, she's already trailing some of us!
nobody is safe, the 4th wall won't protect us! 
1) Rarity does not need to focus on her work. She's a d100 + ~11 on the Outsider search, pretty good. At Grail 3 she should have quite good odds of succeeding the roll even without guaranteeing it. And in the very unlikely chance she does fail, it's okay -- as long as we don't get three failures in a row, it'll be alright.
with how many potential expenses we have to deal with, I value the 100+ bits more than her contribution to outsider. Send Jade, Selene and servants (and maybe an additional one if we have someone left) instead.
2) Does Baldomare need to scry Copper? As opposed to Jade? She can guarantee we find the Outsider this turn. What I'd really love is some conditional mess based on how Jade's scry goes... @OurLadyOfWires I'm guessing that would wind up a complex enough plan that you'd rather not see it?
3) I think we should push Luna to not guard. 6 mortal guards, and Biedde? That's an incredible amount. Her actions are really useful, I'm not sure we can use one like this...
partially agree with Baldomare, though we can afford to NOT send Baldomare on scrying IF we can send 4 other people there instead. Something like Selene x2 + Jade + Servants would near guarantee it for example.
that said, there IS a risk of a follow up attack. Copper is likely to be desperate the moment she finds out we survived. She might very well throw everything she has left against us then.
For example,
all her remaining Windigoes.
GM has strongly hinted that Copper has already moved out of Manehatten. And Copper has a full cult with the defences only a cult can provide jade has 50% at most of getting thou. Baldomare is certain to.
I'm not even taking it as hints. Bird very reasonably said that she COULD have moved, and we have no way to know until we check, which is kind of self-evident.
It's been some 5-6 months, she could have done
anything and gone anywhere.
Very heartwarming and hopeful. I also have a Cadance interlude/scene planned for soon.
I want it! I want it so bad!
(it's one of the reasons of why they are a one-turn deal, they're a coinscidence you happen upon, most of the times)
but Bird,
coincidences don't exist!
And the second reason is because you should be gunning for Glory. I won't give you guys another avenue of distraction when Velvet, a canonically Glory-smitten pony who has the ambition to reach the Branding Door, is so close to the damn thing.
Bird is getting frustrated
It didn't have any effect on the last SH Sacrament attempt thought?
I mean, it's kind of hard to consult a book while transporting your consciousness to another History.
Like spider said right after:
considering the book has different contents every time we check it, I'd assume it would work as "you check the book before you start having visions, and it
coincidentally has pertinent information to the world you're going to visit"
Yeahhh, really appreciate if the plans don't get too complex for discussion.
But more than just that, it would be hard for me to judge what is a RotT failure. The SH check is 60, and you have a +30 artifact for Jade to use. Other than that, the Lantern roll is variable.
So from the get-go, I find it hard for Jade not to get SOME level of information, minus any wards that might be in place. The thing you guys need to decide if that would be enough.
to me It's enough, because what if we send a full Name-team to deal with Copper and the Cult, then we don't need THAT much information from the scrying.
ALL WE NEED is basically the general location. After that they can basically brute force it with their +40 to +60 general bonuses + various lvl 6 lores.
Well, for starters I'd be very happy if you got that much Glory progress this turn
And more realistically, I'd probably reopen a vote to "decide what this leftover character does".
Uh. Honestly I expected that extra progress to just be wasted. Nice of you to give us a little extra in that case.
...I kind of want to do it this way now, just because this sounds so in-theme for a Moth Sacrament about masks. And we were already thinking of using Spoiled Rich for it...
Edit: Or go tell Mareinette to go chat up the biggest, most unrepentant asshole that she can find that "we" could still make friends with. And by we, I mean Mareinette, and by make friends, I mean make that relationship counter go up just enough to sacrifice it to the Vagabond.
THat's so
petty.
I kinda like it.
Goodness...
What a beauty. Beyond Reproach is clever and cleverer. And Mareinnete is....
A friend. And we have precious few willing to give freely with the ability to change things.
keep in mind she's a friend that's making a game of seeing if she can convince us to eat our own daughter. THAT has been the implication so far.
Mareinette is useful, and right now SOME of our interests align.
There's even a chance of the relationship staying friendly in the future.
but she's still a dangerous monster, and we shouldn't forget that.
Getting friend status with a Name is a big deal. Or do you think that Names have only 1 action to give, like a regular mortal pony. Newflash Names can do much more then the barely trying level of effort they are putting into helping Velvet at the moment.
Personally I suspect it goes 1-2-3 actions as we progress with them, to sort of go with Biedde having 2 standard actions and not being befriendable, and Selene starting at 2 as well.
I'm hoping that after lvl 6 book Baldomare might go up to 2 actions per turn, same with Axe and Frangiclave. It seems like the most likely way to do that.
Anyway, now that I've got that off my chest, it seems like we have the general sentiment down (kill Copper with great prejudice), but not all the fiddly bits.
you're missing the very important "and get all her stuff"!
Particularly Manuscripts, Neighnia, artifacts and bits, in that order more or less!
Anyways, with the QM really liking my idea of the Moth Mask-Off being that the friend was actually Marinette all along, I am tempted to have her get started on that rather than slapping an Influence on us for a mere 2 Socials.
3, we get a free social action each turn and that one wasn't from lores so I'm assuming we still have it. 2 velvet actions + 1 free social.
Also wow, Mareinette must have been incredibly worried about us to have left so much of the bodies behind. Normally it's just skin and bones she leaves, these bodies are practically intact by her standards! Makes sense if we are her pet project to bring back the Ligeaen Club though.
you know, I really wonder what she REALLY thinks of us.
It's probably something kinda like "I see a bit of my olds self in her, it's nostalgic, seeing as she has potential I'll see what she ends up doing for a bit".
Selene should not waste her action of guarding when their so many better thing for her to do. And training so she can promote next turn.
We have 6 guards plus Biedde that could tank 2 of those new summons.
keep in mind we just saw how Biedde can basically only stop ONE person at a time, as the other ones will avoid him if they can.
generally speaking he can KILL nearly anypony in one round, two if he's very unlucky, but still.
and if Copper attacks us again, she'll be DESPERATE so I expect her to basically use all the Windigoes she has left, and the Ash-ghouls if she already found them and has the sacrifices for it.
She'll KNOW that she overplayed her hand, now either she kills us or we recover and kill her.
To me, whether or not Selene Guards is entirely dependent on if we think we can reach her the next lesson next turn. If we can't, then eh. If we can, then she should finish her training instead.
all things considered I can't decide how important having her fully trained now to reach all-4 next turn is.
we COULD do it, probably. We'd likely need to sacrifice something else from our list to get the action to teach her next turn, but it's viable.
I think the near-certain ones next turn are healing ritual, 2 actions (at least) on Axe, and one study action for Lantern 4 (and probably knock 2) artifact.
that's the 4 basic actions. we can get more from cover your bases and, if really necessary, constables. If we can use the artifacts we study in the same turn, then we could have our followers summon some Mares for us and use THEM for Cover your bases, even.
I'll recheck current plans in a bit.
my tentative list includes
1)3 to 4 people on outsider search
2) Mareinette grail influence so we can have Velvet social this turn
3) Axe lesson to be ready for Axe sacrament next turn.
4)Grave expedition (add Axe or Mareinette as free action to help. That's 50 bits reserved, we'll probably get 10 bits back I imagine)
5)scry on Copper (Jade is fine for me, I can live with Baldomare doing it though).
6)Giga-attack on Copper (Probably Axe, Mareinette, Biedde and Baldomare at least. that's 100 bits reserved
I'm not set on what to have Selene do yet, nor Rarity. I'd like Commission, but I suppose she's stressed enough and an extra action for Outsiders would not be bad.
