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

Updated Tally please.
Your wish is my command.

Vote Tally : Esquestria: The House of the Sun - A pony cultist experience | Page 249 | Questionable Questing [Posts: 7453-7888]
##### NetTally 4.0.2

[X] Plan Lightcatcher V2
-[X] (Detectives) Follow Up: Changelings
-[X] (Constables) Follow Up: The Gardeners
-[X] (Commissioner) Midday Dew
-[X] (Grail-Leash) Filthy Rich
-[X] (Baldomare-Gift) Edge 6 book
-[X] (Baldomare) Channel a Lantern Influence
-[X] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Spoiled Rich
-[X] (DoA) Knock lesson
-[X] (Selene) Soothe the night
-[X] (Selene) Spy on Windy via dreamwalking
-[X] (Rarity) Take a commission
-[X] (Jade) Research the Memory of Light ritual (Stage 1 Progress: 0/100)
-[X] Cover your bases (-9 Follower AP, +3 Velvet AP)
-[X] (Other) Lend Comet the Heart 3 artifact for the turn, if he's willing
No. of Votes: 11

[X] Plan Spreading Ourselves Thin Always Gets Us Punished
-[X] Do not leash anypony.
-[X][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)
-[X][CONSTABLES] (FOLLOW UP) Your detectives have given you a very long list, of ponies and places involved in the attempt against your life. Round them up and put them all in jail, before this trail goes cold.
-[X][COMMISSIONER] The Lunar Bureau is not the only recently-minted institution in Equestria. Try to contact the others.
--[X] Eclipse(?), and Midday Dew.
-[X][JADE] Research "A Memory of Light" (Current progress 0/100, uses Learning and LANTERN)
-[X] (Baldomare-Gift) Edge 6 book
-[X][BALDOMARE] Channel an Influence. (Secret Histories)
-[X][AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson.
-[X][MAREINETTE] Channel an Influence. (Grail)
-[X][SELENE] Soothe the night. (Her Winter realization. Unknown effects, if any.)
-[X] You would like for somepony to search for books…
--[X] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (HEART, FORGE)
-[X] Three extra Velvet actions! (Costs 9 follower actions)
-[X] Something Else (lend Heartifact to Comet)
No. of Votes: 8

[X] Plan Wrap-Up
-[X] Do not leash anypony.
-[X][DETECTIVES] Follow Up: Changelings
-[X][CONSTABLES] (FOLLOW UP) Your detectives have given you a very long list, of ponies and places involved in the attempt against your life. Round them up and put them all in jail, before this trail goes cold.
-[X][COMMISSIONER] The Lunar Bureau is not the only recently-minted institution in Equestria. Try to contact the others.
--[X] Eclipse(?), and Midday Dew.
-[X] (Baldomare-Gift) Edge 6 book
-[X][BALDOMARE] Channel an Influence. (Secret Histories)
-[X][BIEDDE] Kill any Bound Windigos that are discovered. Killing monsters is something you wish to do, after all.
-[X][AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson.
-[X][MAREINETTE] Channel an Influence. (Grail)
-[X][SELENE] Soothe the night. (Her Winter realization. Unknown effects, if any.)
-[X] You need somepony to perform this ritual… (Rite of the Tapestry, targeting Bound Windigos)
--[X] To be performed... somewhere, where you hope nopony will catch wind of it.
-[X] Three extra Velvet actions! (Costs 9 follower actions)
-[X] Something Else (lend Heartifact to Comet.)
No. of Votes: 7
[◈] Plan: Wrap-Up
[X] Demilich
[X] des-pair-2
[X] Limabot
[X] Maer
[X] Nevermort
[X] Shaper47
[X] Talon Tiger Dino

[X] Plan Stacking up Influences and Raiding with SH influence
-[X] (Detectives) Follow Up: Changelings
-[X] (Constables) Follow Up: Time to raid the mountain of Tall Tale.
-[X] (Commissioner) . Get your hoofs dirty. Join the "Constables" in a raid/Expedition
-[X] (Grail-Leash) Filthy Rich
-[X] (Baldomare-Gift) Edge 6 book
-[X] (Baldomare) Channel a SH Influence
-[X] (Mareinette) Channel a Grail Influence
-[X] (DoA) Knock lesson
-[X] (Selene) Attack your foe, or defend yourself. Deal with Windigo's jars
-[X] (Selene) Scout Windy's dreams
-[X] (Jade) Scry for Windigo's Urns
-[X] (Biedde) Ask for an Edge Influence.
-[X] Cover your bases (-9 Follower AP, +3 Velvet AP)
-[X] (Other) Lend Comet the Heart 3 artifact for the turn, if he's willing
No. of Votes: 6

[X] Plan We Can Be More + Edge (no Prison)
-[X] (Detectives) Follow Up: Changelings
-[X] (Constables) Follow Up: The Gardeners
-[X] (Commissioner) Midday Dew
-[X] (Grail-Leash) Filthy Rich
-[X] (Baldomare-Gift) Edge 6 book
-[X] (Baldomare) Channel a SH Influence
-[X] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Spoiled Rich + Filthy Rich
-[X] (DoA) Knock lesson
-[X] (Selene) Soothe the night
-[X] (Selene) Scout Windy's dreams
-[X] (Rarity) Take a commission
-[X] (Biedde) Ask him to channel an influence of Edge for us.
-[X] Cover your bases (-9 Follower AP, +3 Velvet AP)
-[X] (Other) Lend Comet the Heart 3 artifact for the turn, if he's willing
No. of Votes: 6

[X] Plan Bakkasama
-[X][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)
-[X][CONSTABLES] (FOLLOW UP) Your detectives have given you a very long list, of ponies and places involved in the attempt against your life. Round them up and put them all in jail, before this trail goes cold.
-[X][COMMISSIONER] The Lunar Bureau is not the only recently-minted institution in Equestria. Try to contact the others.
--[X] Eclipse(?), and Midday Dew.
-[X] Leash Filthy Rich (gain one follower action)
-[X] Three extra Velvet actions! (Costs 9 follower actions)
-[X][RARITY] Focus on her work. (Guarantees she will "succeed" on her career roll)
-[X][BALDOMARE] Channel an Influence. (SH)
-[X][BALDOMARE] Prolong her stay. (Edge 6 book)
-[X][MAREINETTE] You need her to talk to… (Spoiled Rich)
-[X][AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson.
-[X][JADE] Research "A Memory of Light" (Current progress 0/100, uses Learning and LANTERN)
-[X][SELENE] Soothe the night. (Her Winter realization. Unknown effects, if any.)
-[X] Needs must. Ask somepony to procure you a dead body from the local cemetery.
No. of Votes: 3
[◈] Plan: Bakkasama
[x] Alan975
[x] Bakkasama
[X] Shaper47

[X] Plan We Can Be More
-[X] (Detectives) Follow Up: Changelings
-[X] (Constables) Follow Up: The Gardeners
-[X] (Commissioner) Midday Dew
-[X] (Grail-Leash) Filthy Rich
-[X] (Baldomare-Gift) Edge 6 book
-[X] (Baldomare) Channel a SH Influence
-[X] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Spoiled Rich + Filthy Rich
-[X] (DoA) Knock lesson
-[X] (Selene) Soothe the night
-[X] (Selene) Scout Windy's dreams
-[X] (Rarity) Take a commission
-[X] (Biedde) Build a prison
-[X] Cover your bases (-9 Follower AP, +3 Velvet AP)
-[X] (Other) Lend Comet the Heart 3 artifact for the turn, if he's willing
No. of Votes: 3

[X] Plan We Can Be More + Edge (AotL)
-[X] (Detectives) Follow Up: Changelings
-[X] (Constables) Follow Up: The Gardeners
-[X] (Commissioner) Midday Dew
-[X] (Grail-Leash) Filthy Rich
-[X] (Baldomare-Gift) Edge 6 book
-[X] (Baldomare) Channel a SH Influence
-[X] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Spoiled Rich + Filthy Rich
-[X] (DoA) Knock lesson
-[X] (Selene) Soothe the night
-[X] (Selene) Scout Windy's dreams
-[X] AotL: Edge
-[X] (Biedde) Ask him to channel an influence of Edge for us.
-[X] Cover your bases (-9 Follower AP, +3 Velvet AP)
-[X] (Other) Lend Comet the Heart 3 artifact for the turn, if he's willing
No. of Votes: 3

[X] Plan Lightcatcher but with Grail Influence
-[X] (Detectives) Follow Up: Changelings
-[X] (Constables) Follow Up: The Gardeners
-[X] (Commissioner) Midday Dew
-[X] (Grail-Leash) Filthy Rich
-[X] (Baldomare-Gift) Edge 6 book
-[X] (Baldomare) Channel a Lantern Influence
-[X] (Mareinette) Channel a Grail Influence
-[X] (DoA) Knock lesson
-[X] (Selene) Soothe the night
-[X] (Selene) Spy on Windy via dreamwalking
-[X] (Rarity) Take a commission
-[X] (Jade) Research the Memory of Light ritual (Stage 1 Progress: 0/100)
-[X] Cover your bases (-9 Follower AP, +3 Velvet AP)
-[X] (Other) Lend Comet the Heart 3 artifact for the turn, if he's willing
No. of Votes: 2

[X] Plan We Can Be More + Corpses
-[X] (Detectives) Follow Up: Changelings
-[X] (Constables) Follow Up: The Gardeners
-[X] (Commissioner) Midday Dew
-[X] (Grail-Leash) Filthy Rich
-[X] (Baldomare-Gift) Edge 6 book
-[X] (Baldomare) Channel a SH Influence
-[X] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Spoiled Rich + Filthy Rich
-[X] (DoA) Knock lesson
-[X] (Selene) Soothe the night
-[X] (Selene) Scout Windy's dreams
-[X] (Rarity) Take a commission
-[X] (Biedde) Ask him for some corpses.
-[X] Cover your bases (-9 Follower AP, +3 Velvet AP)
-[X] (Other) Lend Comet the Heart 3 artifact for the turn, if he's willing
No. of Votes: 2

[X] Plan We Can Be More with Tall Tale Scenario
-[X] (Detectives) Follow Up: Changelings
-[X] (Constables) Follow Up: Tall Tale expedition
-[X] (Commissioner) Get your hoofs dirty.
-[X] (Grail-Leash) Filthy Rich
-[X] (Baldomare-Gift) Edge 6 book
-[X] (Baldomare) Channel a SH Influence
-[X] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Spoiled Rich
-[X] (DoA) Knock lesson
-[X] (Selene) Scout Windy's dreams
-[X] (Rarity) Take a commission
-[X] (Jade) Scry for the Manehatten W*ndigo jars
-[X] (Biedde) Send on an expedition to 1) destroy the W*ndigo jars and then 2) find and retrieve Neighna, if possible. If Jade's scrying fails, construct a prison instead.
-[X] Cover your bases (-9 Follower AP, +3 Velvet AP)
-[X] (Other) Lend Comet the Heart 3 artifact for the turn, if he's willing
No. of Votes: 2

[X] Do not leash anypony.
-[X] Gift Baldomare your Level 6 book.
-[X][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)
-[X][CONSTABLES] (FOLLOW UP) Your detectives have given you a very long list, of ponies and places involved in the attempt against your life. Round them up and put them all in jail, before this trail goes cold.
-[X][COMMISSIONER] [FLEETING OPPORTUNITY] Princess Cadance is in Canterlot. You are in Canterlot. Oh, and you nearly died, just a few weeks ago. Use your free time here to meet her.
-[X][RARITY] Focus on her work. (Guarantees she will "succeed" on her career roll)
-[X][JADE] Research "A Memory of Light" (Current progress 0/100, uses Learning and LANTERN)
-[X][BALDOMARE] Channel an Influence. (Secret Histories)
-[X][AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson.
-[X][BIEDDE] Ask for an Edge lesson.
-[X] You would like for somepony to search for books…
--[X] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (HEART, FORGE)
-[X] Three extra Velvet actions! (Costs 9 follower actions)
-[X] Something else? (Be interviewed about what happened during the attack.)
No. of Votes: 1
[X] Portec

[X] Plan Focus and Set up
-[X] (Detectives) Follow Up: Changelings
-[X] (Constables) Follow Up: The Gardeners
-[X] (Commissioner) Beyond Reproach
-[X] (Baldomare-Gift) Edge 6 book
-[X] (Baldomare) Channel a SH Influence
-[X] (DoA) Knock lesson
-[X] (Selene) Soothe the night
-[X][JADE] Research "A Memory of Light" (Current progress 0/100, uses Learning and LANTERN)
-[X][BIEDDE] Scout Tall Tail
-[X] You would like for somepony to search for books…
--[X] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (HEART, FORGE)
-[X] Cover your bases (-9 Follower AP, +3 Velvet AP)
-[X] (Other) Lend Comet the Heart 3 artifact for the turn, if he's willing
No. of Votes: 1

[X] Plan Stacking up Influences and Raiding with SH influence
-[X] (Detectives) Follow Up: Changelings
-[X] (Constables) Follow Up: Time to raid the mountain of Tall Tale.
-[X] (Commissioner) . Get your hoofs dirty. Join the "Constables" in a raid/Expedition
-[X] (Grail-Leash) Filthy Rich
-[X] (Baldomare-Gift) Edge 6 book
-[X] (Baldomare) Channel a SH Influence
-[X] (Mareinette) Channel a Grail Influence
-[X] (DoA) Knock lesson
-[X] (Selene) Scout Windigo's Urns
-[X] (Selene) Scout Windy's dreams
-[X] (Jade) Research the Memory of Light ritual (Stage 1 Progress: 0/100)
-[X] (Biedde) Ask for an Edge Influence.
-[X] Cover your bases (-9 Follower AP, +3 Velvet AP)
-[X] (Other) Lend Comet the Heart 3 artifact for the turn, if he's willing
No. of Votes: 1

[X] Plan: Knock and SH Sacraments with Friendship
-[X] Leash Filthy Rich (gain one follower action)
-[X] Three extra Velvet actions! (Costs 9 follower actions)
-[X][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)
-[X][CONSTABLES] (FOLLOW UP) Everypony heard what happened to your previous prisoner. Nopony wants to sit around and wait for what happens next. Time to raid the mountain of Tall Tale.
-[X][COMMISSIONER] [FLEETING OPPORTUNITY] Princess Cadance is in Canterlot. You are in Canterlot. Oh, and you nearly died, just a few weeks ago. Use your free time here to meet her.
-[X][JADE] Research "A Memory of Light" (Current progress 0/100, uses Learning and LANTERN)
-[X][BALDOMARE] Channel an Influence in Secret Histories
-[X][MAREINETTE] You need her to talk to Spoiled Rich
-[X][AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson.
-[X][SELENE] Comfort Jade
-[X] You would like for somepony to search for books…
--[X] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (HEART, FORGE)
-[X] 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)
---[X] You might need a place to… "store" your enemies. Alive. Dig a small prison under her house.
-[X] (Other) Lend Comet the Heart 3 artifact for the turn, if he's willing
No. of Votes: 1

[X] Plan: Knock, SH and Edge Sacrament
-[X] Leash Filthy Rich (gain one follower action)
-[X] Three extra Velvet actions! (Costs 9 follower actions)
-[X][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)
-[X][CONSTABLES] (FOLLOW UP) Everypony heard what happened to your previous prisoner. Nopony wants to sit around and wait for what happens next. Time to raid the mountain of Tall Tale.
-[X][COMMISSIONER] [FLEETING OPPORTUNITY] Princess Cadance is in Canterlot. You are in Canterlot. Oh, and you nearly died, just a few weeks ago. Use your free time here to meet her.
-[X][RARITY] Focus on her work. (Guarantees she will "succeed" on her career roll)
-[X][BALDOMARE] Channel an Influence in Secret Histories
-[X][MAREINETTE] You need her to talk to Spoiled Rich
-[X][AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson.
-[X][BIEDDE] Ask for an Edge Influence.
-[X] You would like for somepony to search for books…
--[X] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (HEART, FORGE) × 2
No. of Votes: 1

[X] Plan: Knock, SH and Edge Sacrament with extra Aotl
-[X] Leash Filthy Rich (gain one follower action)
-[X] Three extra Velvet actions! (Costs 9 follower actions)
-[X][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)
-[X][CONSTABLES] (FOLLOW UP) Everypony heard what happened to your previous prisoner. Nopony wants to sit around and wait for what happens next. Time to raid the mountain of Tall Tale.
-[X][COMMISSIONER] [FLEETING OPPORTUNITY] Princess Cadance is in Canterlot. You are in Canterlot. Oh, and you nearly died, just a few weeks ago. Use your free time here to meet her.
-[X][RARITY] Focus on her work. (Guarantees she will "succeed" on her career roll)
-[X][BALDOMARE] Channel an Influence in Secret Histories
-[X][MAREINETTE] You need her to talk to Spoiled Rich
-[X][AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson.
-[X][BIEDDE] Ask for an Edge Influence.
-[X] You would like for somepony to search for books…
--[X] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (HEART, FORGE)
-[X] You would like somepony to help you with a small ritual. Edge Aotl × 1
No. of Votes: 1

[X] Plan: Knock, SH and Edge Sacrament with extra Aotl (Jade on light)
-[X] Leash Filthy Rich (gain one follower action)
-[X] Three extra Velvet actions! (Costs 9 follower actions)
-[X][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)
-[X][CONSTABLES] (FOLLOW UP) Everypony heard what happened to your previous prisoner. Nopony wants to sit around and wait for what happens next. Time to raid the mountain of Tall Tale.
-[X][COMMISSIONER] [FLEETING OPPORTUNITY] Princess Cadance is in Canterlot. You are in Canterlot. Oh, and you nearly died, just a few weeks ago. Use your free time here to meet her.
-[X][JADE] Research "A Memory of Light" (Current progress 0/100, uses Learning and LANTERN)
-[X][BALDOMARE] Channel an Influence in Secret Histories
-[X][MAREINETTE] You need her to talk to Spoiled Rich
-[X][AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson.
-[X][BIEDDE] Ask for an Edge Influence.
-[X] You would like for somepony to search for books…
--[X] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (HEART, FORGE)
-[X] You would like somepony to help you with a small ritual. Edge Aotl × 1
No. of Votes: 1

[X] Plan: Knock, SH and Wolf Sacrament
-[X] Leash Filthy Rich (gain one follower action)
-[X] Three extra Velvet actions! (Costs 9 follower actions)
-[X][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)
-[X][CONSTABLES] (FOLLOW UP) Everypony heard what happened to your previous prisoner. Nopony wants to sit around and wait for what happens next. Time to raid the mountain of Tall Tale.
-[X][COMMISSIONER] [FLEETING OPPORTUNITY] Princess Cadance is in Canterlot. You are in Canterlot. Oh, and you nearly died, just a few weeks ago. Use your free time here to meet her.
-[X][RARITY] Focus on her work. (Guarantees she will "succeed" on her career roll)
-[X][BALDOMARE] Channel an Influence in Secret Histories
-[X][MAREINETTE] You need her to talk to Spoiled Rich
-[X][AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson.
-[X] You would like for somepony to search for books…
--[X] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (HEART, FORGE) × 2
-[X] 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)
---[X] You might need a place to… "store" your enemies. Alive. Dig a small prison under her house.
No. of Votes: 1


Total No. of Voters: 24
 
I would vote for the non-leash leading plan, if detectives kept an eye on the Changelings, not foreign threats.

It is done. The change has been made. The Changelings will be followed. I have also learned that any changes I make require me to do back to the original post and change it, merely slapping down an updated version in a later post is not reflected in the tally.

I would really like for Luna to search for Heart Books, or expedition sites.

If you want a book search, Plan Spreading Ourselves Thin Always Gets Us Punished has us book searching in Ponyville for that sweet sweet Heart.
 
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@OurLadyOfWires, in the expedition threadmark, expeditions are sorted by short/medium/long, but on the action to search for an expedition they're divided into easy/intermediate/very hard. Are these directly analogous? As in, easy = short, intermediate = medium, very hard = long?
 
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No. In general, harder expeditions will be longer. But that's not a hard rule. Those options really do refer to expected difficulty.

Trekking through a desert can be (relatively) safe, but take a long time. Whereas exploring the unknowable depths of lost Sugarcube Corner (lost to us in this History) can take a mere afternoon, but be fraught with impossible challenges (you will never find it).
 
[X] Plan Lightcatcher V2

[X] Plan We Can Be More + Edge (no Prison)

We Can Be More is essentially everything I'd want going into the next turn, but Lightcatcher V2 comes relatively close. Gets us closer to Moth sacrament, Rarity working to keep Biedde around next turn, and maybe the only good opportunity to pursue Memory of Light there's been in multiple turns. I do think we need a prison soon, but I have a feeling we wouldn't be ready for either personal Lantern or Marinette's Grail sacraments for a couple more turns anyways. I'd argue that it'd be better to have only 1 study action planned and only commit to more if we can complete the DoA sacrament in under 3 actions.

It's aggravating how we have 7 actions and it doesn't feel like enough. I don't want to imagine how these votes would go with 4.
 
But why go for a Lantern Influence on a turn where we are searching for an item we have never seen before in a land we have never set foot upon? We're not just going for a Knock Sacrament, we're going for a bonus objective for Name befriending. And Name Befriending gets us closer to Glory in a way nothing else currently does.

Use a Lantern Influence on a Lantern-heavy turn where we are studying a bunch of stuff, use an SH Influence on a turn where one of the biggest objectives is finding a thing, it's just sensible.
 
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But why go for a Lantern Influence on a turn where we are searching for an item we have never seen before in a land we have never set foot upon? We're not just going for a Knock Sacrament, we're going for a bonus objective for Name befriending. And Name Befriending gets us closer to Glory in a way nothing else currently does.

Use a Lantern Influence on a Lantern-heavy turn where we are studying a bunch of stuff, use an SH Influence on a turn where one of the biggest objectives is finding a thing, it's just sensible.
Because then we can get the Moth Sacrament next turn and, maybe more importantly, we can have more than one competent scryer.

Which is kiiind of important, because I would like to actually get the SH Sacrament at some point, which isn't going to happen as long as Baldomare is the only available scryer.
 
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One of the more attractive parts of Lightcatcher to me is that the moment we have a lantern 4 artifact studied is the moment everyone lore initiated can somewhat reliably use Reflection of the Tapestry (given we also have an SH LV3 artifact). That means Selene, Comet, and Rarity. Their actions have often struggled to be used effectively, and this gives plenty of options.
 
One of the more attractive parts of Lightcatcher to me is that the moment we have a lantern 4 artifact studied is the moment everyone lore initiated can somewhat reliably use Reflection of the Tapestry (given we also have an SH LV3 artifact). That means Selene, Comet, and Rarity. Their actions have often struggled to be used effectively, and this gives plenty of options.

Our game is ending in a few turns. What use will any of them be in RotT? We have Baldomare if we need anything immediately, and long term... it isn't going to be an issue. It's a long-term benefit option, when we need short-term benefits. The ONLY use that Artifact is going to have in our future, is getting the scrap for our sacrament. We don't have 5 or 6 more turns we can use them for, we have 3 or 4. 3 or 4 VERY busy turns that are filled with lots of socializing, Name befriending, and sacraments. We'll already be studying it next turn alongside our books if we need to do a study-heavy Lantern-illumined turn, and turn 3 is the soonest scrying would be of any actual value anyways, thanks to needing to do the Moth set-up with Grail-befriending and Studying, so with how everything is set up...

SH this turn lets us use the SH influence to better risk our own Sacrament, making it viable in the short term. SH improves our chances of navigating an unfamiliar environment and finding what we seek.

Lantern improves our ability to study things, to learn more about the world through study. This does not help us find a lost object, and it does not let us better act on our immediate needs.

Selene has her ability as a Spy, Rarity is a breadwinner and socialite- not that we ever use her for such- and Comet is the only truly semi-useless person who we can rely on to cover our bases until we study the artifact next turn.

Can someone explain the immediate benefit we get from studying the artifact THIS turn instead of next turn? Especially compared to what we'd gain from an SH influence? I'm willing to be convinced if you have something that is actually viable, I just... it feels wasteful when we could better optimize the use of Lantern influence, and have such limited time on the Knock and SH sacraments having any overlap...
 
Because then we can get the Moth Sacrament next turn and, maybe more importantly, we can have more than one competent scryer.

Which is kiiind of important, because I would like to actually get the SH Sacrament at some point, which isn't going to happen as long as Baldomare is the only available scryer.
We also have a couple of other things that need to be scryed: Baldomare's Level 7 book, BtRC part 3, Neighnia, Windigo jars(if the Bureau doesn't find them), Tall Tale(if we want to do it using our faction, actually maybe we should do it anyway even if we go with the Bureau). And also whatever makes us go [Lantern]!.
 
Firstly, wow. I envy your optimism if you genuinely think we'll actually be prepared to enter the Final Dungeon in three turns. If only because leaving Daybreaker as a hanging thread strikes me an as Really Fucking Bad Idea, and that's definitely not getting resolved in only a couple of turns.

Secondly, as for what we'd want to scry: gee, I don't know. Maybe some good artifacts to fill in those Moth, Grail, Heart, Edge, and Winter Name-shaped holes in our loadout? Baldomare's Level 7 book? A usable three-circle ritual so we can actually summon meatshields and artifact-carriers for All In?
 
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We also have a couple of other things that need to be scryed: Baldomare's Level 7 book, BtRC part 3, Neighnia, Windigo jars(if the Bureau doesn't find them), Tall Tale(if we want to do it using our faction, actually maybe we should do it anyway even if we go with the Bureau). And also whatever makes us go [Lantern]!.

Baldomare is getting refreshed this turn, and we have a Level 5 Book in reserve for an emergency extension. None of those other items are a pressing concern this Turn, and two of them might not ever be a concern.

So I don't think having one earlier turn of scrying measures up to Name Retention and Befriending. All-In, a vital step to our winning, requires Friending. Friending in this case reduces the stress and trauma suffered by DoA and Silky, reduces lost AP Name AP, reduces lost Velvet AP, and reduces lost Bits. Because a Name leaving means we have to go through the expenses and effort of Name resummoning.

And finally, if we absolutely have to do a scry? Jade can still do it, just outside of her house. It risks a tiny bit of suspicion. We are swimming in political favor and clout. It's not that big of a deal.

As for the Lantern Clock, Celestia has gotten to Lantern 1. A piss-easy feat for anyone even just casually perusing the Lores. She's either going to continue her current rate, meaning we have three turns to do our Moth Sacrament, or she's going to slow down, because getting more levels in a Lore gets progressively more difficult.

And if you are thinking of hitting up the Caverns again, it is best done with DoA on-side anyways. She is the Expedition Name, after all.
 
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Firstly, wow. I envy your optimism if you genuinely think we'll actually be prepared to enter the Final Dungeon in two or three turns. If only because leaving Daybreaker as a hanging thread strikes me an as Really Fucking Bad Idea, and that's definitely not getting resolved in only a couple of turns.

Secondly, as for what we'd want to scry: gee, I don't know. Maybe some good artifacts to fill in those Moth, Grail, Heart, Edge, and Winter Name-shaped holes in our loadout? Baldomare's Level 7 book? A usable three-circle ritual so we can actually summon meatshields and artifact-carriers for All In?

I saw Delighted One's post only after I'd sent mine. I have been a bit hyper-focused on that and ignored other focuses for scrying. Regardless, now would still waste the study action and Lantern influence.

1. Turn amount, you have a fair point, but if we're drawing things out a touch, then we can wait a turn or two to be more effective about it regardless.

2. Scrying. Lots of things we want and need to scry for, so that's valid, however, again. Wasting the influence on fewer studying actions and if we are taking more turns anyways, we can wait one extra turn to better use the influence.

3. My own points:
- We'll need her to offer an influence next turn anyways, Lantern or SH, so we may as well get the most out of what we use her for. One extra turn more or less than we currently plan for doesn't matter much, and we can make better use of it for a Sacrament more people want if we are smart about it.
- If we can have next turn be a study turn, that's a Lantern influence boosting a bunch of artifacts and books, instead of only the two we'd study this turn. Whereas the SH increases our chances of finishing the Knock Sacrament how we want to early, on top of boosting our own attempt at our own Sacrament.

Those are some pretty big ones, I think. I am sorry I didn't think through the scrying options before posting, but even if we DO have 5 or 6 or even 8 more turns, we still will be better off waiting one additional turn to make the most use of the options we have at our disposal.
 
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we can wait one extra turn to better use the influence.
Riddle me this: what always ends up happening when we say "oh we'll just do this next turn"? Which I am also guilty of.

It doesn't actually end up happening. So no, "we can just this next turn" is not convincing, because I am not convinced that the thread will actually stick to it.
 
That doesn't change the fact that it is sub-optimal and a waste. If we don't complete DOA's action this turn, that's bits to resummon her out of the 3'rd Canterlot expedition, Forge's Redemption, Tall Tales expedition, Buying books, buying artifacts, making reagents, and summoning other things like MitL's.

SH improves our chances of finishing in one turn, and Lantern doesn't. If she leaves, it wastes SO much time, and money, since we'll have to waste actions preparing to resummon her AND actually doing so. We need to do EVERYTHING we can to guarantee that she sticks around to the best of our ability, because anything less means wasted turns and actions and bits in the future.

Sticking to our guns is secondary, and just means we need to be convincing. I can swear to you that no matter what FO's are offered, I'll vote for a study turn next turn, and I'll help you convince the thread, but I can't do that if I have to focus on reclaiming our easy Knock Sacrament and Name friend/daughter. None of us really can. She's too valuable and the AP she offers is too important.

It isn't just losing her AP, it's losing the AP we may need to resummon her should we fail. And the AP needed to try visiting the other world again if we don't grab the Key that only Opens while we're already there.
 
That doesn't change the fact that it is sub-optimal and a waste. If we don't complete DOA's action this turn, that's bits to resummon her out of the 3'rd Canterlot expedition, Forge's Redemption, Tall Tales expedition, Buying books, buying artifacts, making reagents, and summoning other things like MitL's.
She's 50 bits to resummon. The cost is quite possibly the least convincing aspect of having to resummon her.

SH improves our chances of finishing in one turn, and Lantern doesn't. If she leaves, it wastes SO much time, and money, since we'll have to waste actions preparing to resummon her AND actually doing so. We need to do EVERYTHING we can to guarantee that she sticks around to the best of our ability, because anything less means wasted turns and actions and bits in the future.
It MIGHT improve it. MIGHT.

Because, has I've said before again and again, we don't know anything about what the Sacrament entails. We don't know anything about what's on the other side of the mirror. We don't know if the issue is going to be finding the Frangiclave or in accessing it. We don't know if we need to already have DoA's Sacrament before we can take the action to go get the Frangiclave.
 
Greymere, how is finding a key we have never seen before in a world we've never set foot up on not going to be an issue?
 
Sticking to our guns is secondary, and just means we need to be convincing. I can swear to you that no matter what FO's are offered, I'll vote for a study turn next turn, and I'll help you convince the thread,
You are underestimating my ability to create alluring FOs. More than that, you are TEMPTING me to do so.

:V
 
She's 50 bits to resummon. The cost is quite possibly the least convincing aspect of having to resummon her.


It MIGHT improve it. MIGHT.

Because, has I've said before again and again, we don't know anything about what the Sacrament entails. We don't know anything about what's on the other side of the mirror. We don't know if the issue is going to be finding the Frangiclave or in accessing it. We don't know if we need to already have DoA's Sacrament before we can take the action to go get the Frangiclave.

1. Again, fair. Cost isn't exactly the end all-be all deciding factor, but it is still a factor. Regardless, you did ignore the AP cost I brought up. I'm open to any reasons that would ignorable or not important.

2. But we KNOW that Lantern doesn't help. We cannot scry for it, and Lantern doesn't help in finding unless Scrying is involved, and that could be the SH aspect instead. Lantern only helps with understanding what we already have access to. It is all-but guaranteed to be a useless influence going into this Sacrament.

Grail can help in socials of they exist on the other side.
Edge is useless when we've been told it isn't very dangerous.
Lantern isn't helpful because we aren't studying anything, we're searching.
Moth might be helpful for sneaking around, but there's no name to offer its influence.
Knock is promised to be useless, so there's no barrier that needs bypassing unless it's literally impossible to unlock.
Forge and Winter CAN'T be taken any more than Moth, and Heart is only slightly more useful than Edge for avoiding damage.

That leaves SH as something accessible and likely to be useful, since it aids when searching for things. There's literally no other equivalent cover. The only benefit of Lantern influence is if we study this turn, and unless studying something is necessary to complete the expedition, it'll be a waste that provides no benefit other than a single Lantern artifact and possibly a book or second artifact. One single study action benefiting.

It just isn't worthwhile this turn.
 
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Because we don't know if finding it is actually going to be the issue? As opposed to, I don't know, breaking into whatever location it's held in?

Greymere, this is the equivalent of chucking someone into a foreign nation and telling them to find the key to a maximum security prison in a third nation.

And if the issue is stealing the thing, Lantern is of no help.

Grailing past any guards would be though, which is why I have a Grail Influence in my plans. Both searching and stealing efforts would be boosted in those.
 
Greymere, this is the equivalent of chucking someone into a foreign nation and telling them to find the key to a maximum security prison in a third nation.
Is it? Or are you making assumptions based on literally nothing because WE DON'T KNOW ANYTHING about what's on the other side of the mirror or what DoA wants us to do and pretending otherwise?
 
Firstly, wow. I envy your optimism if you genuinely think we'll actually be prepared to enter the Final Dungeon in three turns. If only because leaving Daybreaker as a hanging thread strikes me an as Really Fucking Bad Idea, and that's definitely not getting resolved in only a couple of turns.
Wow. I envy your optimism if you genuinely think Daybreaker is something we'll resolve.

Luna doesn't have an idea of what to do, yet. Cadance hasn't done much, and she's been trying her best. And even if training or lore-access changes that -- Celestia's mental state is bad, and it's not the kind of thing a some dream therapy or Love will fix quickly.

People are thinking about Daybreaker as a problem we can fix. We should be thinking about it as a constraint we operate under.

We can stall her, perhaps by nudging Eclipse. We can get more runway, by grabbing the Moth sacrament. (Level 6 feels totally out of reach.)

Maybe maybe, Luna and Cadance can slow things down as well. Or give us a fighting chance, rather than insta-death. But we shouldn't plan on desperate hopes in a dire situation.

We should think of ourselves as having a handful of turns before we're going for All In whether we like it or not.
 
Like, my problem isn't that you think that an SH Influence might help. My issue is with that you are treating that "might" as a "definitely", despite the fact that we don't know where DoA is sending us, or what she wants us to do, or the Frangiclave's situation, or how her errand might intersect with obtaining Frangiclave, or literally anything else besides "doesn't use Knock".
 

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