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

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Cheerilee is a pleasant teacher. But from her perspective,,why on earth would Velvet, who barely is alive right now, want to speak with her? My gut says it would be most likely that Cheerilee might expect Velvet to request a Guard follow Silky, for safety. And what can Cheerilee do about our current situation? When she enters Velvets bedchambers, what is she expecting she is there for?

The same questions follow for the rest of the people we know and could interact with. Applejack, Velvet hardly knows. Why on earth would Velvet reach out to them, now of all times? What would Applejack think? Maybe trying to organize a get together for Silky and Selene and Applebloom. Somewhere away from it all to try and breath and have a bit of normalcy. If it's just a social call... What is Applejack supposed to think?

Filthy Rich and Spoiled Milk.... Well, sending Marinette is one thing. Inviting some of the few wealthy not-nobles in town to your private estate after a only just failed assassination attempt, parents of a child that Silky at least gets along well with... I wouldn't doubt that the Rich's would think that they are coming over so Velvet can say "If they come after me and Stormy, take care of my children" kind of situation. We are more or less requesting people visit us as much as going to them. What assumptions will they make?

Mayor Mare, it's clear. It's obvious. It gives Mayor Mare, Velvet herself, and anyone and anyone else privy to it an excuse why Velvet wants to see them, now of all times. There was an assassination attempt in Mayor Mares town. There is business to discuss. That it can be social and getting a feeling for the tone of town itself are "coincidental" benefits.



Because, yes. We may be the highest honcho in town. But people heard that honcho was nearly killed. And like I mentioned before, Velvet became... Known in the town after the changling purge. They wanted to know her thoughts on the direction of town. Their... Hometown hero noble turned one of Celestia's Chosen, whom has hosted a Princess no less than twice...
She nearly died. In Ponyville. The town that was supposed to be safe.

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Cheerilee, Applejack, and Filthy Rich also happen to all be Velvet's friend, and she's probably really bored at any time she is conscious. And she definitely hates being alone with her thoughts. Severely so.

I think we should bring the Heart artefact on the Grave expedition. It's a grave~Winter (subverted by Heart) and a long way, feels like a decent chance that there'll be a Heart check, and we don't need it for healing this turn.

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We also should take the Heart Artifact on the expedition featuring a hostile Winter Name.

Mayor Mare is easy to justify given the spectacle the Bureau made and is making of our home, Cheerilee as a concerned teacher checking in on our daughters is pretty reasonable too.

Applejack really doesn't have a reason to visit and our [Nurse!] does not reccomend we venture clear over to the Acres seeking idle social activity.

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She is our friend, and we can send a request she visit us rather than have Velvet crawl out of her hospital bed in our current state.

 

[Shaper47]

+15 on a roll is +15 on a roll!

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We also should take the Heart Artifact on the expedition featuring a hostile Winter Name.

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Good point, adding the Heart Artifact.

[X] Plan Ruthlessly Kicking Ass and Taking Names
-[X] [BUREAU] You will assault Copper BEFORE the Bureau picks her trail.
-[X] Assault an opponent (Copper Secateur)
--[X] Who is going? (WRITE IN which followers will go)
---[X] Biedde (as planner)
---[X] Daughter of Axes
---[X] Mareinette
---[X] Baldomare
---[X] Selene
--[X] What are they taking? (WRITE IN what artifacts, if any, to take)
---[X] One wrong key
---[X] Edge 3 artifact (Selene)
---[X] SH 3 artifact
---[X] Heart 3 artifact
---[X] Winter 1 artifact
--[X] What is their objective? (WRITE IN what your followers must do, in order of PRIORITY)
---[X] Get Neighnia's binding above all, kidnap Copper and force her to hand over the bindings for the Name or at least any information she has on the Name. Have Mareinette drink her Grail lore from her before putting her in Steppes prison.
---[X] Find and neutralize anything that would compromise us. (Steal or destroy evidence that implicates us as part of the Master's cult, or an associate of Copper's, or having knowledge of the lores before their official rediscovery.)
---[X] Steal anything valuable and easy to steal. (As long as it doesn't jeopardize any other objectives! For example, books that strike Baldomare's fancy, artifacts, bits or things that can be sold for bits.)
--[X] Anything else? (WRITE IN any other orders or specifications you have)
---[X] Focus on your own safety (Selene is free to go all out "No holds barred" and also summon Ash-Ghouls if necessary)
---[X] For loot focus on Artifacts level 3 or higher over bits
---[X] Leave as little trace as possible or at least cover your tracks (Leave no evidence of the assault, for example, by employing stealth, eating the bodies, grailing witnesses actively or passively into believing they saw nothing notable, making them believe it was changelings or rival gangs, etc.)
---[X] Good luck. Should the mission be a huge success, do let Velvet know if there are any particular rewards you seek. Velvet gives out headpats to everyone when they come back.
-[X] The Grave on the Hill
--[X] Who is going? (WRITE IN which followers will go)
---[X] Comet (as planner)
---[X] Daughter of Axes
--[X] What are they taking? (WRITE IN what artifacts, if any, to take)
---[X] Heart 3 artifact
---[X] SH 3 artifact
---[X] Winter 1 artifact
---[X] One wrong key
-[X] You are wounded! (You currently have 2 wounds. You must pick one of each option.)
--[X] Take a few breaks, every now and then. (Costs 1 action. Rolls TWO dice. 0/-15)
--[X] There is no holy grail for healing magic, no miraculous wound-closing spell. But vigor-enhancing spells, and other small boosts, are a thing. The crystals where they are stored for sale are expensive, though… (Costs 60 bits. Two dice will auto-succeed)
-[X] [STEPPES] There is no guarantee he will be able to help you, but you will write him about…
--[X] You have a favour to ask him... in person
-[X] [SOCIAL] You don't have it in you to teach anypony of the Lores. But you can make a social call to… (WRITE IN) (IF CHOSEN, will give you a -15 to your healing roll, free action)
--[X] Steppes, with Selene reveal Luna to him and ask him for a prison for Copper. Your princess commands it.
-[X] Something else?
--[X] Visit your daughters grief session and morn Starry Dancer.
-[X] Talk to somepony? (WRITE IN who)
--[X] Talk to your sons


[X] Plan Ruthlessly Kicking Ass and Taking Names with Mayor time
-[X] [BUREAU] You will assault Copper BEFORE the Bureau picks her trail.
-[X] Assault an opponent (Copper Secateur)
--[X] Who is going? (WRITE IN which followers will go)
---[X] Biedde (as planner)
---[X] Daughter of Axes
---[X] Mareinette
---[X] Baldomare
---[X] Selene
--[X] What are they taking? (WRITE IN what artifacts, if any, to take)
---[X] One wrong key
---[X] Edge 3 artifact (Selene)
---[X] SH 3 artifact
---[X] Heart 3 artifact
---[X] Winter 1 artifact
--[X] What is their objective? (WRITE IN what your followers must do, in order of PRIORITY)
---[X] Get Neighnia's binding above all, kidnap Copper and force her to hand over the bindings for the Name or at least any information she has on the Name. Have Mareinette drink her Grail lore from her before putting her in Steppes prison.
---[X] Find and neutralize anything that would compromise us. (Steal or destroy evidence that implicates us as part of the Master's cult, or an associate of Copper's, or having knowledge of the lores before their official rediscovery.)
---[X] Steal anything valuable and easy to steal. (As long as it doesn't jeopardize any other objectives! For example, books that strike Baldomare's fancy, artifacts, bits or things that can be sold for bits.)
--[X] Anything else? (WRITE IN any other orders or specifications you have)
---[X] Focus on your own safety (Selene is free to go all out "No holds barred" and also summon Ash-Ghouls if necessary)
---[X] For loot focus on Artifacts level 3 or higher over bits
---[X] Leave as little trace as possible or at least cover your tracks (Leave no evidence of the assault, for example, by employing stealth, eating the bodies, grailing witnesses actively or passively into believing they saw nothing notable, making them believe it was changelings or rival gangs, etc.)
---[X] Good luck. Should the mission be a huge success, do let Velvet know if there are any particular rewards you seek. Velvet gives out headpats to everyone when they come back.
-[X] The Grave on the Hill
--[X] Who is going? (WRITE IN which followers will go)
---[X] Comet (as planner)
---[X] Daughter of Axes
--[X] What are they taking? (WRITE IN what artifacts, if any, to take)
---[X] Heart 3 artifact
---[X] SH 3 artifact
---[X] Winter 1 artifact
---[X] One wrong key
-[X] You are wounded! (You currently have 2 wounds. You must pick one of each option.)
--[X] Take a few breaks, every now and then. (Costs 1 action. Rolls TWO dice. 0/-15)
--[X] There is no holy grail for healing magic, no miraculous wound-closing spell. But vigor-enhancing spells, and other small boosts, are a thing. The crystals where they are stored for sale are expensive, though… (Costs 60 bits. Two dice will auto-succeed)
-[X] [STEPPES] There is no guarantee he will be able to help you, but you will write him about…
--[X] You have a favour to ask him... in person
-[X] [SOCIAL] You don't have it in you to teach anypony of the Lores. But you can make a social call to… (WRITE IN) (IF CHOSEN, will give you a -15 to your healing roll, free action)
--[X] Steppes, with Selene reveal Luna to him and ask him for a prison for Copper. Your princess commands it.
[X] [SOCIAL] You don't have it in you to teach anypony of the Lores. But you can make a social call to… (WRITE IN) (IF CHOSEN, will give you a -15 to your healing roll, free action)
--[X] Mayor Mare
-[X] Something else?
--[X] Visit your daughters grief session and morn Starry Dancer.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

You spend your nights with your dear Velvet Covers herself. The mare that you care for greatly, that you love.

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Salacious! Scandalous! Lewd!

I was afraid they were going to hold hoofs after talking. But thankfully, you barely kept is sfw

Mercilessly, unstoppably, deliciously, brutally -- one Pony's will is done.

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Ah, let's see how it goes.



Thank you two for sharing this with us!

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Aight, time for me own plan.

[X] Plan They Have A Winter Name
-[X] [BUREAU] You will assault Copper BEFORE the Bureau picks her trail.
-[X] Assault an opponent (Copper Secateur)
--[X] Who is going? (WRITE IN which followers will go)
---[X] Biedde (as planner)
---[X] Daughter of Axes
---[X] Mareinette
---[X] Baldomare
---[X] Selene
--[X] What are they taking? (WRITE IN what artifacts, if any, to take)
---[X] Edge 3 artifact
---[X] SH 3 artifact
---[X] Heart 3 artifact
---[X] Winter 1 artifact
--[X] What is their objective? (WRITE IN what your followers must do, in order of PRIORITY)
---[X] Neutralize Copper.
---[X] Neutralize Neighnia.
---[X] Remove any evidence tying us to the cult.
---[X] Loot their library, artifacts, bits, and so forth, should time allow.
--[X] Anything else? (WRITE IN any other orders or specifications you have)
---[X] Minimize innocent casualties.
---[X] Leave as little trace or tracks as possible.
--[X] Who is going? (WRITE IN which followers will go)
---[X] Rarity (as planner)
---[X] Daughter of Axes
--[X] What are they taking? (WRITE IN what artifacts, if any, to take)
---[X] Heart 3 artifact
---[X] SH 3 artifact
---[X] Winter 1 artifact
-[X] You are wounded! (You currently have 2 wounds. You must pick one of each option.)
--[X] Take a few breaks, every now and then. (Costs 1 action. Rolls TWO dice. 0/-15)
--[X] There is no holy grail for healing magic, no miraculous wound-closing spell. But vigor-enhancing spells, and other small boosts, are a thing. The crystals where they are stored for sale are expensive, though… (Costs 60 bits. Two dice will auto-succeed)
-[X] [STEPPES] There is no guarantee he will be able to help you, but you will write him about…
--[X] How Silky has been shaken up by the attempt on your life, and how she might be comforted by her beloved uncle's presence.
[X] [SOCIAL] You don't have it in you to teach anypony of the Lores. But you can make a social call to… (WRITE IN) (IF CHOSEN, will give you a -15 to your healing roll, free action)
--[X] Mayor Mare
[X] [SOCIAL] You don't have it in you to teach anypony of the Lores. But you can make a social call to…
--[X] Cheerilee
[X] [SOCIAL] You don't have it in you to teach anypony of the Lores. But you can make a social call to…
--[X] Applejack

I cast Summon Family and Friends! Because a Velvet alone with her thoughts is a Velvet who is either giving herself an aneurysm or chugging Mareinette's patented painkillers in a fashion strangely like a mother bird feeding her chick.

Now, for the Expeditions:

Grave on the Hill should be easy for Axe to handle, unless she has to talk to somebody about anything whatsoever. Like for directions. Or for poking around their field if it turns out this grave has been swallowed up by someone's property, or something. That's where Rarity comes in! She can talk pretty well. Artifacts are just to buff that little band because, well, why not? Bonuses are bonuses.

The Assault on Copper is more troublesome. Unlike every other plan, I remembered to specify to minimize innocent casualties, something that OurLadyofWires mentioned when it came to assault planning. And I'm not doing things by halves: we are bringing every Artifact we can muster so that our Names can bulldoze hurdles as efficiently as possible. For priorities, Copper is at the very top. She is the source of hostility, the one ordering our demise repeatedly, the one who knows our face and name and connection to the occult. She must be handled. And that means we also must handle Neighnia, for she also knows our face, our name, and our ties to the occult, and what's worse, will remember Copper and what Copper has ranted to her like none other, due to being a creature of the Elegiast. Manuscripts come in third because they'll simply be less troublesome to neutralize than a cult leader and a hostile Name. It's not like they can fight back. Looting is fourth, a purely opportunistic thing, really, but such opportunities must be listed in the off-chance they arise.

I do not bother assigning Wrong Keys because we have a metric ton of Edge to use for unsummoning things the direct way. Also because DoA has an entire keychain of the things on her.

 

[Greymere]

[X] Plan They Have A Winter Name

The Assault on Copper is more troublesome. Unlike every other plan, I remembered to specify to minimize innocent casualties, something that OurLadyofWires mentioned when it came to assault planning. And I'm not doing things by halves: we are bringing every Artifact we can muster so that our Names can bulldoze hurdles as efficiently as possible. For priorities, Copper is at the very top. She is the source of hostility, the one ordering our demise repeatedly, the one who knows our face and name and connection to the occult. She must be handled. And that means we also must handle Neighnia, for she also knows our face, our name, and our ties to the occult, and what's worse, will remember Copper and what Copper has ranted to her like none other, due to being a creature of the Elegiast. Manuscripts come in third because they'll simply be less troublesome to neutralize than a cult leader and a hostile Name. It's not like they can fight back. Looting is fourth, a purely opportunistic thing, really, but such opportunities must be listed in the off-chance they arise.

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While I am going to vote for, I really have to insist that if the Name Hit Squad doesn't manage to recover the evidence (or confirm that none is in the cult's possession) we deal with that right away next turn instead of leaving it to languish as an impending problem considering that we're going to want to sic the Bureau on the remnants sometime in the next couple of turns.

 

[Shaper47]

Unlike every other plan, I remembered to specify to minimize innocent casualties, something that OurLadyofWires mentioned when it came to assault planning

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Eh, I'm just leaving it up to them. Selene is right there so we can leave things to her.

Besides it's a matter if priorities. I don't want Selene to have hold back if she get ambushed by Windigos. Her safety matter more.

For priorities, Copper is at the very top. She is the source of hostility, the one ordering our demise repeatedly, the one who knows our face and name and connection to the occult. She must be handled. And that means we also must handle Neighnia,

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I kinda consider them as intertwined. Get Copper and they can make her cough up the Name.

But priority of Copper over Neighnia feels dangerous to me.

 

[Bakkasama]

Cheerilee, Applejack, and Filthy Rich also happen to all be Velvet's friend, and she's probably really bored at any time she is conscious. And she definitely hates being alone with her thoughts. Severely so.

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Even if they weren't, we have had Applejack's sister and Filthy's daughter for sleepovers at our house. It is not that weird for them to check on us, that is just being neighbourly. Though whether they feel safe letting those fillies sleep at our house anytime soon is another matter.

 

[Shaper47]

You know thinking about our search for the Outsider. Our sadly departed Master would have been really pleased with Velvet working to sacrifice Discord for Glory.

I suppose that answers my old question when I suggested sacrificing Discord before it was cool.

I wonder how pleased Moth Master would be if we stole Discord to use him as a scarifce.

Velvet: "Nopony was paying attention what with that whole issue with the Celestia so I picked up this ugly statue from the gardens."

A hopeful blush appears on Velvet's face as she turns her head while her hoof messes with the floor.

Velvet: "I was thinking we could sacrifce him together."

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