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

[spiderhellian]

The glory is in reach. Let's find the Outsider, without compromising much else.

[x] Plan Let's Get That Outsider:
-[x] A tighter security detail
-[x] You need somepony to perform this ritual…(Reflection of the Tapestry, aimed at COPPER)
--[x] To be performed on the safe place Baldomare directed you to. (Will expire at the end of turn 20)
-[x] Attack your foe, or defend yourself. In war, there is no other option.
--[x] [COPPER] Send somepony to attack this opponent
-[x] [MAREINETTE] Social Filthy/Spoiled.
-[x] You need this to be done. Send a pony on an expedition.
-[x] [AXE] Make Keys.
-[x] [SELENE] This body is new to her, but it is old to the world. She must learn of its abilities and privileges. (Grain +5 to her General Bonus) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[x] (Baldomare-Free) Give her the Level 6 book from Hill Expedition
-[x] Explore for the Outsider x4
-[x] [DETECTIVES] (VENGEANCE) Somepony dared attack the Commissioner. Find their trail.
-[x] [CONSTABLES] The Commissioner is just too important to leave unattended. Run security. (Order them to "Guard" you for this turn.)

 

[Greymere]

on the other hand the "lore of pleasure" would likely be the best kind of pain medication in existence.

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Do we actually want Velvet acting like she's dosed up on super-morphine when she's trying to talk to her friends and family, though?

Edit:

The secret Library needs improving, we need more friends to use that library, and we need the actions that such would provide. Mareinette helps, the free social action COULD help, and other such actions can assist us. But again… it's an investment. Still… we could use a better library and more people able to make use of it.

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So what you're saying is that we should do more expeditions?

Actually, a thought for you @OurLadyOfWires. I know I've mentioned wanting a Secret Histories Confidant before, so we can have someone basically permanently on looking for new expeditions; would it be possible to scry a new contact with a specific Lore affinity via RotT?

 

[Pittauro]

Why do this when we don't need the bits this turn? It stresses Rarity out, it's worth giving her a cooldown period when it's not necessary

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because we'll need them next turn.

or the turn after.


We need AT LEAST 240 bits for Canterlot part 3 once we do that. We'll need bits for summoning Mares, for more scrying rituals, to heal ourselves, to deal with Windy... and who knows what else.

We'll always need more bits, so I'm leaning towards Rarity's stress being worth it.

Do we actually want Velvet acting like she's dosed up on super-morphine when she's trying to talk to her friends and family, though?

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it could be funny!

also probably better than speaking while super-tired and in pain.

...part of me wonders if this might turn her into a masochist though.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

I am mildly concerned about turning Velvet into a Grail addict now, thanks a lot guys.

 

[spiderhellian]

because we'll need them next turn.

or the turn after.


We need AT LEAST 240 bits for Canterlot part 3 once we do that. We'll need bits for summoning Mares, for more scrying rituals, to heal ourselves, to deal with Windy... and who knows what else.

We'll always need more bits, so I'm leaning towards Rarity's stress being worth it.

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But we'll be able to do a commission next turn? Unless you think there's some very valuable thing Rarity will need to do instead?

@OurLadyOfWires can you provide any sort of ballpark in how difficult Jade house prison making is? At all feasible for Rarity in one turn or nah?

 

[Greymere]

We need AT LEAST 240 bits for Canterlot part 3 once we do that. We'll need bits for summoning Mares, for more scrying rituals, to heal ourselves, to deal with Windy... and who knows what else.

We'll always need more bits, so I'm leaning towards Rarity's stress being worth it.

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Nothing stops us from double-commissioning T21 and T22 though? Besides Rarity's stress levels ofc. And tbf, this turn is going to be stressful as a baseline for all our friends and family. Considering. So it might be better to focus now (or at least don't do something that is explicitly extra-stressful) rather than focus next turn (which should, hopefully, just be normal, or at least lower, levels of stress)

(also we STILL CAN'T SUMMON MARES PITT)

 

[Venerable Ro]

The glory is in reach. Let's find the Outsider, without compromising much else.

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You're missing the bit where we give Baldomare a book to prolong her stay.

 

[Earth-Destroyer]

Bird has already said before that we're the only one who can do study actions.

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And not what I said Baldomare, or hell any scholar of dead languages can do the translation for us. It takes Velvet to read the books to get lore scraps and traits. She does not have to be the one to modernize the work. Once we introduce the Lores to the Bureau we will have an excuse to hire dozens of scholars to translate everything for free.

 

[Greymere]

And not what I said Baldomare, or hell any scholar of dead languages can do the translation for us. It takes Velvet to read the books to get lore scraps and traits. She does not have to be the one to modernize the work. Once we introduce the Lores to the Bureau we will have an excuse to hire dozens of scholars to translate everything for free.

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Deciphering books is a study action, so no, that is indeed what you said. Other people can't study things for us (including artifacts), deciphering books is a study action, ergo people can't just decipher books for us. Unless and until Bird actually says otherwise, I'm not inclined to take speculation that goes directly against what we currently know seriously.

 

[Rafuki22]

[X] Plan Relative calm before the Assault
-[X] A tighter security detail, at all times.
-[X] [DETECTIVES] (VENGEANCE) Somepony dared attack the Commissioner. Find their trail.
-[X] [CONSTABLES] The Commissioner is just too important to leave unattended. Run security. (Order them to "Guard" you for this turn.)
-[X] [RARITY] Focus on her work. (Guarantees she will "succeed" on her career roll)
-[X] [JADE] Research "A Memory of Light".
-[X] [SELENE] Realize something about Winter. (Unlock her Winter skill) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[X] [SELENE] Guard her mother.
-[X] [MAREINETTE] You need her to talk to Twilight Sparkle, if vetoed then search Canterlot for the Outsider.
-[X] (AXE) Craft Wrong Keys. (She will give you three Wrong Keys, which will expire after five turns. Only once per summoning.)
-[X] (BALDOMARE) Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry.
--[X] Target: Copper and her cult. Their location, their resources, their defenses, anything and everything about them.
--[X] To be performed on an inconspicuous place, located by Baldomare.
-[X] (BALDOMARE) Prolong her stay by giving her the Level 6 book if the expedition is successful, otherwise give her the Moth 5 book.
-[X] Lead an expedition. (A Grave on a Hill)
-[X] Search Canterlot for the Outsider. (x 2)

[X] Plan Time's Up - Rarity Searching
-[X] (Detectives) Investigate the Commissioner's attackers
-[X] (Constables) Guard the Commissioner
-[X] (Selene) Winter Realization
-[X] (Selene) Guard us and our home
-[X] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Filthy Rich and Spoiled Rich
-[X] (DoA) Wrong Keys
-[X] (Fluttershy) Ask Comet to lead an expedition: A Grave on a Hill
-[X] (Baldomare-Free) Give her the Level 6 book if the expedition is successful, otherwise give her the Knock 5 book
-[X] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry
--[X] Target: Copper and her cult. Their location, their resources, their defenses, anything and everything about them
--[X] To be performed on an inconspicuous place, located by Baldomare
-[X] Assault an opponent (Copper Secateur)
-[X] Search Canterlot for the Outsider (x 3)

 

[Venerable Ro]

And not what I said Baldomare, or hell any scholar of dead languages can do the translation for us. It takes Velvet to read the books to get lore scraps and traits. She does not have to be the one to modernize the work. Once we introduce the Lores to the Bureau we will have an excuse to hire dozens of scholars to translate everything for free.

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Bird has bundled the study and translation actions together so they're all one thing.

 

[Greymere]

Also remember guys, there's the constable guard upgrade option to vote for too, not just the Follower Phase plan!

Edit: At least, I'm pretty sure it's a separate thing, considering it has a [] in the update and not a -[]

 

[Pittauro]

But we'll be able to do a commission next turn? Unless you think there's some very valuable thing Rarity will need to do instead?

@OurLadyOfWires can you provide any sort of ballpark in how difficult Jade house prison making is? At all feasible for Rarity in one turn or nah?

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we'd get the bits later though. So they wouldnt' be available next turn.

Nothing stops us from double-commissioning T21 and T22 though? Besides Rarity's stress levels ofc. And tbf, this turn is going to be stressful as a baseline for all our friends and family. Considering. So it might be better to focus now (or at least don't do something that is explicitly extra-stressful) rather than focus next turn (which should, hopefully, just be normal, or at least lower, levels of stress)

(also we STILL CAN'T SUMMON MARES PITT)

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on that note actually... one more reason for bits! We need to have the bits for Canterlot part 3, as that one likely will unlock a location for rituals!

(unless there's a part 4, which FEELS unlikely).

Deciphering books is a study action, so no, that is indeed what you said. Other people can't study things for us (including artifacts), deciphering books is a study action, ergo people can't just decipher books for us. Unless and until Bird actually says otherwise, I'm not inclined to take speculation that goes directly against what we currently know seriously.

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I think we were explicitly told we can't have other people decypher books for us too.

To be fair imagine having a random scholar study things that can cause fascination and dread and contain occult secrets.

It's inherently very risky.

 

[Lorrie]

[X] Plan More Heart
[X] Plan Take them Alive

We need prisoners in preparation for future Sacraments. Besides, our personal Lantern sacrament seems much more interesting than just understanding nearly every language.

 

[LieutenantSpirit]

I don't like us taking more vague preparations for actions we might take in the future. I'd rather have us pursue the options we have right now. We need to find the Outsider, and we need to take out Copper. In my opinion, @Greymere has the best plans to do this so far, but I also think it's worth checking in on Windy. Selene will dislike missing out on the chance to guard us, but I feel like having her check the dreams of a likely serial killer is a pretty good alternative.

(Greymere's plan)
[X] Plan Time's Up - Rarity Searching
-[X] (Detectives) Investigate the Commissioner's attackers
-[X] (Constables) Guard the Commissioner
-[X] (Selene) Winter Realization
-[X] (Selene) Guard us and our home
-[X] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Filthy Rich and Spoiled Rich
-[X] (DoA) Wrong Keys
-[X] (Fluttershy) Ask Comet to lead an expedition: A Grave on a Hill
-[X] (Baldomare-Free) Give her the Level 6 book if the expedition is successful, otherwise give her the Knock 5 book
-[X] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry
--[X] Target: Copper and her cult. Their location, their resources, their defenses, anything and everything about them
--[X] To be performed on an inconspicuous place, located by Baldomare
-[X] Assault an opponent (Copper Secateur)
-[X] Search Canterlot for the Outsider (x 3)

(My slightly modified version of Greymere's plan)
[X] Plan Time's Up - Rarity Searching, Selene Spying
-[X] (Detectives) Investigate the Commissioner's attackers
-[X] (Constables) Guard the Commissioner
-[X] (Selene) Winter Realization
-[X] (Selene) You need her to talk to somepony about…
--[X] Spy on Windy Flakes's dreams
-[X] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Filthy Rich and Spoiled Rich
-[X] (DoA) Wrong Keys
-[X] (Fluttershy) Ask Comet to lead an expedition: A Grave on a Hill
-[X] (Baldomare-Free) Give her the Level 6 book if the expedition is successful, otherwise give her the Knock 5 book
-[X] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry
--[X] Target: Copper and her cult. Their location, their resources, their defenses, anything and everything about them
--[X] To be performed on an inconspicuous place, located by Baldomare
-[X] Assault an opponent (Copper Secateur)
-[X] Search Canterlot for the Outsider (x 3)

Separate from this, I'm not worried about the limitations of the security detail. I'm hoping that sending the Bureau after Copper will lead us to disseminating the Lores within it.

[X]A tighter security detail, at all times.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

we'd get the bits later though. So they wouldnt' be available next turn.


on that note actually... one more reason for bits! We need to have the bits for Canterlot part 3, as that one likely will unlock a location for rituals!

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Pit you have said that for each stage of the Canterlot Expedition. It has yet to hold true.

EDIT: Though I suppose it did give us a location for smaller rituals, so you were partially right?

 

[Greymere]

EDIT: Though I suppose it did give us a location for smaller rituals, so you were partially right?

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Smaller ritual, singular

And one that we can do in Jade's house regardless

Edit:

we'd get the bits later though. So they wouldnt' be available next turn.

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We get the commission bits at the start of the turn we have Rarity take the commission, though?

 

[spiderhellian]

[x] Plan Let's Get That Outsider:
-[x] A tighter security detail
-[x] You need somepony to perform this ritual…(Reflection of the Tapestry, aimed at COPPER)
--[x] To be performed on the safe place Baldomare directed you to. (Will expire at the end of turn 20)
-[x] Attack your foe, or defend yourself. In war, there is no other option.
--[x] [COPPER] Send somepony to attack this opponent
-[x] [MAREINETTE] Social Filthy/Spoiled.
-[x] You need this to be done. Send a pony on an expedition.
-[x] [AXE] Make Keys.
-[x] [SELENE] This body is new to her, but it is old to the world. She must learn of its abilities and privileges. (Grain +5 to her General Bonus) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[x] (Baldomare-Free) Give her the Level 6 book from Hill Expedition
-[x] Explore for the Outsider x4
-[x] [DETECTIVES] (VENGEANCE) Somepony dared attack the Commissioner. Find their trail.
-[x] [CONSTABLES] The Commissioner is just too important to leave unattended. Run security. (Order them to "Guard" you for this turn.)

I like LieutenantSpirit's as well, it's similar and it would be nice to have a heads up about Windy...

[X] Plan Time's Up - Rarity Searching, Selene Spying
-[X] (Detectives) Investigate the Commissioner's attackers
-[X] (Constables) Guard the Commissioner
-[X] (Selene) Winter Realization
-[X] (Selene) You need her to talk to somepony about…
--[X] Spy on Windy Flakes's dreams
-[X] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Filthy Rich and Spoiled Rich
-[X] (DoA) Wrong Keys
-[X] (Fluttershy) Ask Comet to lead an expedition: A Grave on a Hill
-[X] (Baldomare-Free) Give her the Level 6 book if the expedition is successful, otherwise give her the Knock 5 book
-[X] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry
--[X] Target: Copper and her cult. Their location, their resources, their defenses, anything and everything about them
--[X] To be performed on an inconspicuous place, located by Baldomare
-[X] Assault an opponent (Copper Secateur)
-[X] Search Canterlot for the Outsider (x 3)

Do we actually want Velvet acting like she's dosed up on super-morphine when she's trying to talk to her friends and family, though?

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Honestly I think there's something lovely and tragic about Velvet having this brush with death, to the point she reaches out to her family and friends she hasn't seen in a while... but she's so afraid of "just" being herself and not having the Lores to lean on that she doesn't want to do it without a max Grail influence accompanying her.

Just... that poor Mare. The glimpse we got in the most recent update feels so accurate, and is so sad.

we'd get the bits later though. So they wouldnt' be available next turn.

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We get the bits immediately… we just did that this turn!

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

My iteration of @spiderhellian 's take on Time's Up, using @Venerable Ro 's wonderful Marinette write-in. I would go for an unchanged version, but I dislike using Mareinette on pre-existing friends, which Filthy Rich happens to be. Also it's just a really, really nice write-in.

[X] Plan Time's Up - Rarity Searching, Selene Spying, and Venerable Mareinette
-[X] (Detectives) Investigate the Commissioner's attackers
-[X] (Constables) Guard the Commissioner
-[X] (Selene) Winter Realization
-[X] (Selene) You need her to talk to somepony about…
--[X] Spy on Windy Flakes's dreams
-[X] [MAREINETTE] Something else? (We intend to put on a performance in the near future, with Mareinette playing a central role. But we need a victim lead, would fair Mareinette be so kind as to seek out an ideal costar? For the Moth Sacrament we need a reprehensible pony to inflict a reprehensible fate upon without regret, Mareinette knows the sent of such all too well.)
-[X] (DoA) Wrong Keys
-[X] (Fluttershy) Ask Comet to lead an expedition: A Grave on a Hill
-[X] (Baldomare-Free) Give her the Level 6 book if the expedition is successful, otherwise give her the Knock 5 book
-[X] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry
--[X] Target: Copper and her cult. Their location, their resources, their defenses, anything and everything about them
--[X] To be performed on an inconspicuous place, located by Baldomare
-[X] Assault an opponent (Copper Secateur)
-[X] Search Canterlot for the Outsider (x 3)

 

[Venerable Ro]

Updating my plan slightly, getting Keys off of Axe is better this turn than a lesson, keeps the defenses airtight and lets us resummon her if we're unable to get her Sacrament done next turn.

Also correctly listing the Outsider search as X3 (Rarity, Jade, and Servants)

 

[spiderhellian]

(also we STILL CAN'T SUMMON MARES PITT)

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What makes you say this? Not having a ritual site?

...We can just suck it up and accept the possibility of some suspicion, really.

My iteration of @spiderhellian 's take on Time's Up,

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It's LieutenantSpirit's plan, originally!

Also posting this tool again for providing the odds of finishing the Outsider quest this turn with different set-ups.

 

[Venerable Ro]

My iteration of @spiderhellian 's take on Time's Up, using @Venerable Ro 's wonderful Marinette write-in. I would go for an unchanged version, but I dislike using Mareinette on pre-existing friends, which Filthy Rich happens to be. Also it's just a really, really nice write-in.

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Well Thank you for the compliment! I note we've managed to plan almost the exact same plan, might I ask how intent you really are on having Luna poke Windy this very turn?

 

[Pittauro]

Pit you have said that for each stage of the Canterlot Expedition. It has yet to hold true.

EDIT: Though I suppose it did give us a location for smaller rituals, so you were partially right?

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false.

first stage gave us a one-circle ritual. so I was right there. I don't think I expected a 3-circles area after part 1, though I don't remember.

I was wrong about second part, though I expected a 2-circles area there, not a 3-circles one.

End of expedition it just makes sense for there to be an area, for multiple reasons. Game design, similarities to how it worked in CS, even just the fact that beyond that door it's likely to be a narratively larger area we could use once we dealt with the dangers.

We get the commission bits at the start of the turn we have Rarity take the commission, though?

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we do? I admit I forgot that then.

I'd still rather have the bits earlier than later, as it basically moves the whole schedule one turn later

 

[Greymere]

What makes you say this? Not having a ritual site?

...We can just suck it up and accept the possibility of some suspicion, really.

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I don't think it's worth it for anything less than a Name.

I'd still rather have the bits earlier than later, as it basically moves the whole schedule one turn later

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Does it tho? If we scry BtRC Part 3 on T21, then we should really only be actually doing the expedition on T22.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Well Thank you for the compliment! I note we've managed to plan almost the exact same plan, might I ask how intent you really are on having Luna poke Windy this very turn?

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Very, the Wolf shenanigans we have unlocked for the world skyrockets his potential threat rating. Dude doesn't even need a ritual circle anymore.

But if he's just like, dreaming of his girlfriend and a life past a brief Wolf-Phase then things are fine. We just really shouldn't wait for this to blow up in our face Master/Copper-Style.

 

[Venerable Ro]

Very, the Wolf shenanigans we have unlocked for the world skyrockets his potential threat rating. Dude doesn't even need a ritual circle anymore.

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Hmm, I don't argue that, but I'd like to remind you that Selene's dream-walking restricts her to either her alicorn or filly appearance, she can't impersonate anyone. I'm also rather unsure as to how her abilities will stack up against Windy's Adept-granted skill with lucid dreaming, or indeed what would happen if he's busy in the Mansus. I agree that we need to know what he's doing, but I really don't want to draw aggro on us or Selene just as we get done with Copper's whole thing.

Huh, that's actually a really good point, how does Selene's dreamwalking interact with someone in a Mansus-dream? We should test this, but not on Windy methinks.

 

[Shaper47]

Huh, that's actually a really good point, how does Selene's dreamwalking interact with someone in a Mansus-dream?

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Didn't she visit her sister and brother in a Mansus-dream? And does it regularly.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Hmm, I don't argue that, but I'd like to remind you that Selene's dream-walking restricts her to either her alicorn or filly appearance, she can't impersonate anyone. I'm also rather unsure as to how her abilities will stack up against Windy's Adept-granted skill with lucid dreaming, or indeed what would happen if he's busy in the Mansus. I agree that we need to know what he's doing, but I really don't want to draw aggro on us or Selene just as we get done with Copper's whole thing.

Huh, that's actually a really good point, how does Selene's dreamwalking interact with someone in a Mansus-dream? We should test this, but not on Windy methinks.

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She's an Adept in the Lores as well, on top of her big ol' Alicorn bonus on top of this being her specific wheelhouse. And this will be, y'know, a month's worth of dream-spying, if he spends a every night in the Mansus that's telling in and of itself.

 

[Venerable Ro]

Didn't she visit her sister and brother in a Mansus-dream? And does it regularly.

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I'm pretty certain all of that took place in Soft's own mind and soul, since there was no sight of Glory.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Actually, a thought for you @OurLadyOfWires. I know I've mentioned wanting a Secret Histories Confidant before, so we can have someone basically permanently on looking for new expeditions; would it be possible to scry a new contact with a specific Lore affinity via RotT?

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I guess you could? Feels a little wasteful I think. Or maybe just unusual.

But nothing in the description or lore of RotT would suggest otherwise, and I don't see an immediate mechanical/balancing problem. So sure, why not.

In canon CS you ca get a "peculiar rumor" in dreams to find a new follower, so why not this here.

@OurLadyOfWires can you provide any sort of ballpark in how difficult Jade house prison making is? At all feasible for Rarity in one turn or nah?

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It is feasible in one turn, yes. And Rarity's Forge will help. And since this is more on the "building stuff" side of actions, the previous (failed) servant's roll will also give a bonus to future attempts.

No comment on a percentage though.