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

[Nate700]

[X] Equestria is changing. Evolving. Growing, even. Why not make Ponyville the poster foal of this change?

 

[Shaper47]

I appreciate the effort but I'm not sure what your desired takeaway is… other than the specific plans which feels a little silly to get into so far away from those turns.

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It's a summary though which I thought people might like.

Instead of you know having to dig up information from half a dozen different sources thoughout the thread.

It might feel a little silly but having a clear long team goal or goals in this case does make things easier. Velvet's come pretty far with a Moth playstyle but it's backfired pretty hard on us a few times now. Moth style also isn't the best for gaining sacraments.

Anything else?

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Just repeating the obvious for befriending Names I think.

But mostly it's about having a clear vision on what we want.

The path to get our sacraments for the endgame.

 

[spiderhellian]

It's a summary though which I thought people might like.

Instead of you know having to dig up information from half a dozen different sources thoughout the thread

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Ah I see.

For what it's worth I would personally appreciate it more if you spoilered the speculation, and included the details on the SH sacrament we've learned (eg DC of the first action).

You do you, of course.

 

[Bakkasama]

Mmm... I am inclined to vote for Major Mare to encourage the expansion of farming operations around Ponyville, but if I am honest, it is mostly because Velvet's family are major land owners around here. Like, my gaze inmediately zeroed on that and thought "money!" even though the results are far away enough that we will never see them in-quest unless we convince Pride that it we pushed for that as a favor to him.

 

[Venerable Ro]

It might feel a little silly but having a clear long team goal or goals in this case does make things easier. Velvet's come pretty far with a Moth playstyle but it's backfired pretty hard on us a few times now. Moth style also isn't the best for gaining sacraments.

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That's because we don't really apply Moth's tendency towards hyperfixation. Nothing pursues a goal quite so single-mindedly as The Moth, Fascination is just as much a part of the Woods as it is the Glory.

"As above so below."

Edit: No, I tell a lie, we absolutely hyperfixate. Just not on things that would be considered to be conventionally useful.

 

[Shaper47]

No, I tell a lie, we absolutely hyperfixate. Just not on things that would be considered to be conventionally useful.

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Basically this.

I mean sometimes the turned out to be useful and other times not but sacraments and lores are almost certainly good for hitting Glory.

And Glory should our goal.

For what it's worth I would personally appreciate it more if you spoilered the speculation

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Speculations a major part of why I made it actually.

It's been a long quest over two different threads, it's gets hard to remember our speculations sometimes.

and included the details on the SH sacrament we've learned (eg DC of the first action).

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The idea is to hit it with an SH influence so we'd have around a 93 bonus but yeah I can add that in.

 

[Potdl]

[X] Equestria is changing. Evolving. Growing, even. Why not make Ponyville the poster foal of this change?

 

[Venerable Ro]

To kick in a wild tangent, if we'd been a Heart cult at the start of all this our recruiting would not have been nearly as subtle. One wonders how much time the other cults spend trying to keep Heart-cults under wraps.


View: https://youtu.be/BURBlSYPmBU?feature=shared

Alas I can't write musical lyrics to save my life, though Cultist Simulator: The Musical is certainly a thought to have had.

 

[Anjaxis]

[X] Equestria is changing. Evolving. Growing, even. Why not make Ponyville the poster foal of this change?

 

[Nevermort]

[X] Break the ground, plant the foundations, call the merchants. It is time for Ponyville to feel the kiss of commerce.
-Mayor Mare will endeavor for Ponyville to grow into a "large city".
-It might take years, but the end goal will be for Ponyville to rival Manehattan in size, commerce and (inevitably) corruption.

I like large city option. Copper shown us that in large city finding cites for cult activity is extremely easy. Invite investors to start building scycsrappers, catch one or two for corruption, make all ritual circles that you may need on unfinished property. Best option to hide anything.
Plus we can invite Uncle Steppes to work close to home instead of Manehetten. Or focus on high fashion and luxury product and have Rarity expand her business.


[X] There will always be more ponies. The earth pony city of Ponyville will be the beating heart that will keep Equestria moving.
-Mayor Mare will endeavor to make Ponyville the "breadbasket" of Equestria.
-Ponyville is uniquely situated in Equestria, occupying the great central plains of the country, while also being a stone throw away from Canterlot. Time to expand the as-of-yet tame farmlands of Ponyville into their full potential.

My second favorite option, since we already own farmlands here and can expand. Would be even better if we were still in charge instead of Pride. Still seems like a safe option.

[] Equestria is changing. Evolving. Growing, even. Why not make Ponyville the poster foal of this change?

Science city with a wolf cult in the middle of it. Seems like a receipt for getting in trouble. Scientists already affected by Wolf, this is how we will introduce Equestria to nukes or whatever crazy invention Wolf-scientists may come up.

[] Ponyville has more than its fair share of diamonds, forests, and metals. It is past time ponykind starts to benefit from them.

I don't think that there is any need or useful benefit from strip mining Equestria

[] Equestria must grow to satisfy the needs of a growing Equestria, and Ponyville will provide.

Too long term to really benefit and I don't see immediate benefits from it.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

"Share this like the cold blizzard winds share their snow, scatter it amongst those you know and let the fate of Velvet Covers become known to all!"

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I share the sentiment that this might be a better "summary" if you spoiler the individual points. As in, either spoiler large chunks of it, or spoiler the individual Sacrament/Lore theme discussions, so people can "scroll down to what they want to read and unspoil that".

I also share the sentiment this is very Wolf-biased or perhaps Wolf-BASED

But jokes aside, thank you for this summary! I found it very helpful. In fact, since I already know the Heart sacrament options, I was surprised for a few seconds, asking myself "why didn't he include... Oh."

Also, a question to readers in general. Would anyone like for this to be threadmarked for your convenience?

@OurLadyOfWires you later mention that all options come with good and bad consequences, but personally this one feels like the one with the least "bad" aspects.

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What I mean to say is...

Remember the very beginning of the Quest? When you could pick where you lived, between Canterlot, Ponyville, Manehattan or the Crystal Empire? None of those options were the "right" option. All of them had ups and downs.

So sure, picking the "metropolis" option might FEEL like it has more bad consequences. But consider the following:
-First, Ponyville will not be a Metropolis for a long, long time. So you will live through the "this city is growing" phase, rather than the final product. And a growing city is not a grown city.
-Two, like I said, I am perfectly capable (and willing) of creating difficulties and opportunities tailored for all options. Having "big city crimes" as a negative consequence is something a lot of people can easily envision. But I am just as capable of creating a "farming community" flavored problem.

So, no option is correct, all options will bring good and bad things, and none of them will have any immediate impact whatsoever. Just like deciding what career you will start to study for, this vote will only show its fruits in the future.



Aye, that seems to be it. I hope you are all doing well! And thank you for reading.

The next few updates should be in a shorter "followers report" format. So, I legitimately plan on us reaching the Turn 21 Follower's Phase by the end of the weekend, to kick us off into the week.

Good night everyone!

 

[Limabot]

SNIP

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I really don't like the Manehattan option. Not only is our hope to eventually bring the Lores into the semi-mainstream (thus invalidating the need for there to be homicidal mystery cults running around), but that seems like the best option to thoroughly screw over everypony presently living there save for scoundrels like the Flim-Flam Brothers and maybe the Riches; there's not much family farms and businesses can do to survive getting plowed over by the types who could/would build a megalopolis.

 

[Shaper47]

I share the sentiment that this might be a better "summary" if you spoiler the individual points. As in, either spoiler large chunks of it, or spoiler the individual Sacrament/Lore theme discussions, so people can "scroll down to what they want to read and unspoil that".

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Sure I can do that.

Edit.

Done

 

[Nevermort]

I really don't like the Manehattan option. Not only is our hope to eventually bring the Lores into the semi-mainstream (thus invalidating the need for there to be homicidal mystery cults running around), but that seems like the best option to thoroughly screw over everypony presently living there save for scoundrels like the Flim-Flam Brothers and maybe the Riches; there's not much family farms and businesses can do to survive getting plowed over by the types who could/would build a megalopolis.

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I imagine that some Farmland will be left, since it is mostly our Farmland. So we will have control over selling it to make more scyscrappers or not. Apple farm too would be shielded by our decision, in fact nothing stops us from helping ponies affected by it if we are willing to do it. And again it may be worse for Applejack (but I imagine we will be able to help her) but better for Rarity, so option have its own ups and downs. As of now Rarity works alone on her dresses and we are told that the job takes it toll on her when we really push it. Larger city, means more fashion inclined ponies and ultimately more helping hoofs to expand business.

 

[spiderhellian]

Would anyone like for this to be threadmarked for your convenience

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It's a lot tbh (and there's so much I disagree with )

But it would be nice to have some of the details we've learned added to the Sacraments page. Things that come to mind:

1. Who of our followers could be used for personal Grail sacrament
2. Maybe the DC/mechanics of the first SH Sacrament action? Or even just a link to the post where it occurs?
3. Maybe a mention that "When you asked Baldomare to find something to help the DoA with her curse, she pointed you to this"?

 

[Shaper47]

Personally I like the industrialize option because it's really related to Forge.

Going full Leashed Flame is totally something that would pay off long term.

The breadbasket option is also good as it takes advantage of how Ponyville is uniquely situated for it.

 

[Venerable Ro]

Science city with a wolf cult in the middle of it. Seems like a receipt for getting in trouble. Scientists already affected by Wolf, this is how we will introduce Equestria to nukes or whatever crazy invention Wolf-scientists may come up.

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On the contrary, Paranoia and Ash avoid "our" ponies, so centering intellectual thought on our hometown would create a haven. It's genuinely the best place in Equestria for academic collaboration.

 

[LieutenantSpirit]

[X] There will always be more ponies. The earth pony city of Ponyville will be the beating heart that will keep Equestria moving.

 

[Nevermort]

On the contrary, Paranoia and Ash avoid "our" ponies, so centering intellectual thought on our hometown would create a haven. It's genuinely the best place in Equestria for academic collaboration.

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You think that Fear of the Dark (the thing that affect scientists) is being affected by our presence? I mean the issue here is not that Wolf specifically likes to gnaw on scientists bones. It is knowledge that darkness is full of teeth is what spurs scientists to work in certain Edge flavored direction.

 

[DelightedOne]

On the contrary, Paranoia and Ash avoid "our" ponies, so centering intellectual thought on our hometown would create a haven. It's genuinely the best place in Equestria for academic collaboration.

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That works with Paranoia, but Ash only avoids ponies aligned with Velvet. And only for the "be harmed if you're not Mother's ally" thing, the curse of the innovators will still be in effect.

(All creatures not aligned with Velvet Covers will be harmed, or will risk being harmed, whenever they attempt to enter the Mansus.)

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[Sveta08]

A city, ripe and plentiful
A beacon of learning and growth
A beating heart of a nation
A home for what all will be found
An industry in which the future is made


What a pretty option. And beautiful update! For me though, there feels but one option. The family, the heart, the people. It will change to be sure. But it... Will keep moving.

[X] There will always be more ponies. The earth pony city of Ponyville will be the beating heart that will keep Equestria moving.

 

[Rafuki22]

[X] Equestria is changing. Evolving. Growing, even. Why not make Ponyville the poster foal of this change?

[X] There will always be more ponies. The earth pony city of Ponyville will be the beating heart that will keep Equestria moving.

 

[DelightedOne]

@OurLadyOfWires I just noticed the Secret Library's Edge level doesn't have the effect of Biedde's [WEIGHT OF PRESENCE].

EDGE: Level 1 ( [3/1] )

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[Zxzx24]

[X] There will always be more ponies. The earth pony city of Ponyville will be the beating heart that will keep Equestria moving.

 

[Solace2117]

[X] Equestria is changing. Evolving. Growing, even. Why not make Ponyville the poster foal of this change?

[X] There will always be more ponies. The earth pony city of Ponyville will be the beating heart that will keep Equestria moving.

While all the options are interesting, these feel the most appropriate. Breadbasket is the closest to Ponyville now and seems to be the option that changes the home she loves the least. The education option leans into her background and the her consistent growth in knowledge. Does make me wish we had chosen to have the Bureau live there, but understand not wanting to risk it at the time.

The mining is the only one I'm not a fan of. Feels too different from what the town currently is. Industry could be interesting, but I'm not sure it fits the Velvet of this History. The trade option is boring to me. It's just feels like a typical "big city" and I'd rather do something more unique.

 

[Rafuki22]

You know, correct me if i'm wrong, but if we do attention of the laws (Secret Histories) 2 times with a Level 4 Secret Histories influence we could probably auto-succeed Velvet Secret Histories Sacrament next turn or the one after.

 

[spiderhellian]

[X] There will always be more ponies. The earth pony city of Ponyville will be the beating heart that will keep Equestria moving.

I like Heart.

And the way it parallels Harmony is enough for my vote.

You know, correct me if i'm wrong, but if we do attention of the laws (Secret Histories) 2 times with a Level 4 Secret Histories influence we could probably auto-succeed Velvet Secret Histories Sacrament next turn or the one after.

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It's not SH application, it doesn't use AotL.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

I'm not wrong though.

And really considering how we already almost died because we didn't get our Edge Sacrament not to mention how sus Colonel based Sacrament is. Well it's better to make our last RA count, besides it shields the world from the worms threat.

What did you think of the rest of the paths?

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Screw the Wolf, I'm tired of wounding the whole world, empowering the murder-grief cult in our backyard, and making Soft's condition worse. There are better ways to protect the world from the Worms.

To kick in a wild tangent, if we'd been a Heart cult at the start of all this our recruiting would not have been nearly as subtle. One wonders how much time the other cults spend trying to keep Heart-cults under wraps.

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Sit, this is Equestria. Everyone already does Heart Songs, we would be positively normal by pony standards.

[X] There will always be more ponies. The earth pony city of Ponyville will be the beating heart that will keep Equestria moving.

 

[Rafuki22]

It's not SH application, it doesn't use AotL.

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A pity.

I like Heart.

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Looking at the votes it seems that the breadbasket is neck and neck with the revolution one.

 

[Greymere]

You know, while my kneejerk instinct was to go for the science option, this one does seem the most natural evolution of Ponyville in its current state.

[X] There will always be more ponies. The earth pony city of Ponyville will be the beating heart that will keep Equestria moving.