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

[Solace2117]

[X] Plan Spreading Ourselves Thin Always Gets Us Punished

Well my plan isn't getting any traction, so I'll go with this. I'd rather not use the leash this round. Secret Histories I think will help with Axe and really that's my top priority outside of FO. Grail seems a little superfluous, but could help a lot with Midday Dew, something that could end up more important than we expect.
I also get some people are getting tired of trying to be moral more often than not and some say we've already crossed that line too far so we shouldn't worry about it. A lot of the appeal of this quest is Velvet's struggle along that line. We cheer the success and mourn the failures. I don't have issue with immoral actions if we must because of the challenges ahead, but I'd rather not do them just because.

 

[Earth-Destroyer]

Well, getting the Key is Velvet's goal in addition to whatever the DoA wants her to do. Because again, the DoA doesn't know that they key is somewhere on the other side of the mirror.

Click to shrink...

Incorrect she forgot the key is thou the mirror. Whatever task Ax has is just a lie, masking the fact the Ley is their.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Incorrect she forgot the key is thou the mirror. Whatever task Ax has is just a lie, masking the fact the Ley is their.

Click to shrink...

If Axe knew that the Key was on the other side of the mirror, she wouldn't be constantly searching Equestria for the Key.

 

[Pittauro]

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).

Click to shrink...

WHY DO YOU TORMENT US?!

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.

Click to shrink...

And the moment we add the Knock Artifact is the moment we also turn everyone lore initiated into someone not-horribly-unsuited to summoning Mares-in-the-light.

Axe can do it with the Edge and Lantern Artifacts.

Biedde could with the Lantern and Knock ones.

Baldomare with Edge and Knock

Jade with Edge and Knock

and so on.

Rather than piling up bonuses on a single attempt, we can just end up having 4 or 5 attempts in the same turn, and just trust at least 3 or so will succeed, basically.

The ONLY use that Artifact is going to have in our future, is getting the scrap for our sacrament.

Click to shrink...

Give the Lantern 4 artifact to Selene during the expedition, that's an automatic +20 to lantern checks.

Keep in mind that artifacts help during expeditions.

And I still am not fully convinced "glory ending" is "quest ending". CS had the example of apostle runs...

That said, I agree that we're likely going to do the All In Expedition in 3 or 4 turns or so at the latest. Time enough to get all the "close" Sacraments, study and gain a few more artifacts to gain more bonuses, and summon some more help.

The moment Celestia reaches Lantern 3 or, if we really couldn't be ready earlier, Lantern 4, is the moment we have to take the plunge.

Assuming, obviously, that Selene doesn't come up with another solution to Daybreaker in time...

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?

Click to shrink...

Celestia will raise her Lantern in the very worst case scenario at 1 lvl per turn

Likely and HOPEFULLY slower than that, but that's the worst case, and we should keep it in mind.

Which means that, worst case, she might be lvl 4 by end of turn 23, and lvl 5 by end of turn 24.

We'll also likely get at least one sacrament per turn in the next 4 turns, with 2 in some turns maybe.

We're REALLY close to Knock, SH, Edge, Winter, Moth and Lantern. I think we CAN get them all in 3 turns if we plan well. Something like

Turn 21: Knock
Turn 22: SH, Moth
Turn 23: Edge, Lantern
Turn 24: Winter

We might not have the LUXURY of taking more time if something goes wrong.

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.

Click to shrink...

One worrying thought:

if Celestia used our mechanics, she'd have effectively "YES" Servant actions.

So she could get a LOT more than 4 APs per turn through "cover your bases".

Add to that also YES money, she could very well try to have all her scholars go through her ancient libraries in search of Lantern Knowledge, check other ancient artifacts... she also dealt with MANY villains in the past, it's possible some of them were lore users (like Sombra maybe).

Which is to say that yes, HOPEFULLY she'll go up in levels slowly. But she DOES have many advantages Velvet does not have while studying, including among other things an "ALICORNAE" general bonus that I think was around +50, Likely something close to Learning 20 (if she even HAS normal stats) and who know what other traits and advantages.

and she's focusing on a SINGLE lore, not multiple ones.

I still find it unlikely she'll get 1 lvl per turn each turn... but I could see her keeping pace at least up to lvl 3.

My best guess would be something like 1 lvl per turn up to lvl 3, and then 2 turns for lvl 4.

After that... well, ANY of our sacraments is actually REALLY easy if we don't care about the costs, and Celestia very much doesn't care about costs right now.

So I could see her get to lvl 5 in other 2 turns after that, but we wouldn't be able to risk it because lvl 5 Moth is basically our next soft cap.

We WON'T be able to raise it to lvl 6 in time, we don't have a good enough source of scraps, so once she reaches lvl 4 we HAVE to assume she can get the lvl up in one turn, because if she does it's game over.

SH improves our chances of finishing in one turn, and Lantern doesn't.

Click to shrink...

keep in mind SH helping is only a guess.

A good guess, I believe, but still only a guess.

For all we know there will be multiple rolls like in an expedition, and one of those will be Lantern.

For all we know we'll end up in combat and Edge would help, or we'll have to mingle and negotiate and fake it socially and GRAIL would actually help us the most.

SH is our best guess, but it's STILL only just a guess.

I mean, tell me, WHO OF YOU expected GRAIL to be useful in Canterlot part 2 to NEGOTIATE WITH A GIANT MOLE? because if there was ONE lore I thought would be useless in that expedition it was EXACTLY Grail.

You are underestimating my ability to create alluring FOs. More than that, you are TEMPTING me to do so.

Click to shrink...

I already feel guilty about ignoring our Uncle...

"If I was going to a foreign country to find a well-secured secret, I would want Secret Histories on my hooves. Or maybe a good knife, in case there are guards. She didn't know about her objective (did she?), she might not know of them either. Or I could see why she of all ponies would need someone to do the talking for her. But what about all the books I wanted to read with a light by my side? And what if I need to destroy those chains myself?"

By the Axe, you'll make her stop if she gets any louder. Thankfully, she trails off there... before punctuating it all with one last exclamation.

"I just wish she'd tell me anything!"

...

Whoever she's talking about sounds like a right pain. But then again, so is your summoner. Maybe they're meant for each other. Either way, it's not your problem. Given that she's shut up now, finally.

C'mere Pasharka, it's time to sleep.

Click to shrink...

fucking snakes, really...

The one """gripe""" (and put several quotation marks there) I would have with this being 100% canon is because, well, Silky isn't in the cookie-stealing mood. Filly is quite sad at this exact point of the story. But seriously 99% accurate is more than enough for the main storyline. So thank you!

Click to shrink...

She got a bit more excited when Uncle Steppes arrived, so maybe that good mood lasted into the night!

Well, getting the Key is Velvet's goal in addition to whatever the DoA wants her to do. Because again, the DoA doesn't know that they key is somewhere on the other side of the mirror.

Click to shrink...

She MIGHT suspect. She's certainly not behaving as if she knew for certain, though.

 

[Pittauro]

Spoiler: Tally Results

Vote Tally : Esquestria: The House of the Sun - A pony cultist experience | Page 249 | Questionable Questing [Posts: 7453-7951]
##### NetTally 5.0.6

Task: 【NONE】
— Voters: 28

[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: 15

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Lightcatcher V2
[X] Alan975
[X] DelightedOne
[X] des-pair-2
[X] Flaregamer82253
[X] Greymere
[X] jelloloaf
[X] LieutenantSpirit
[X] MisRAR1
[X] Nate700
[X] Pororurin
[X] Potdl
[X] Rafuki22
[X] Sveta08
[X] Venerable Ro
[X] Waela

[X] Plan Spreading Ourselves Thin Always Gets Us Punished
-[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][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] Needs must. Ask somepony to procure you a dead body from the local cemetery.
-[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: 12

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Spreading Ourselves Thin Always Gets Us Punished
[X] Alan975
[X] Arrkhon
[X] DelightedOne
[X] Demilich
[X] des-pair-2
[X] Limabot
[X] Maer
[X] MisRAR1
[X] Nevermort
[X] Shaper47
[X] Solace2117
[X] Talon Tiger Dino

[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: 8

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Wrap-Up
[X] Demilich
[X] des-pair-2
[X] Limabot
[X] Maer
[X] MisRAR1
[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: 7

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Stacking up Influences and Raiding with SH influence
[x] Alan975
[X] AuthorTransient
[X] des-pair-2
[X] Maer
[X] Nevermort
[X] Shaper47
[X] Talon Tiger Dino

[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: 7

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: We Can Be More + Edge (no Prison)
[X] Anjaxis
[X] des-pair-2
[X] Flaregamer82253
[X] jelloloaf
[X] MisRAR1
[X] Rafuki22
[X] Shaper47

[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

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] 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

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: We Can Be More
[X] des-pair-2
[X] Rafuki22
[X] spiderhellian

[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

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: We Can Be More + Edge (AotL)
[X] des-pair-2
[X] Shaper47
[X] spiderhellian

[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

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Lightcatcher but with Grail Influence
[X] des-pair-2
[X] Nevermort

[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

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: We Can Be More + Corpses
[X] Shaper47
[X] spiderhellian

[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

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: We Can Be More with Tall Tale Scenario
[X] AuthorTransient
[X] des-pair-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

Spoiler: Voters

[X] Portec

[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

Spoiler: Voters

[X] Nevermort

[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

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Knock and SH Sacraments with Friendship
[X] Shaper47

[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

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Knock, SH and Edge Sacrament
[X] Shaper47

[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

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Knock, SH and Edge Sacrament with extra Aotl
[X] Shaper47

[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

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Knock, SH and Edge Sacrament with extra Aotl (Jade on light)
[X] Shaper47

[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

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Knock, SH and Wolf Sacrament
[X] Shaper47

---

Total No. of Voters: 28

 

[Maer]

A bit late, but I agree with Birds, those omake are really good. I'm a bit jealous of that Velvet... but then again, she apparently lost Jade...

Click to shrink...

Thank you! But yeah. I have it a very brief think, and I figured that the lack of AP meant she'd have struggled to prioritize everyone, possibly even missed the suicidal thoughts that Jade was having. Or that Jade got a particularly unlucky few rolls in the Mansus.

Regardless, she had good luck with most, but dropped things with Jade.

I'm glad you liked it though!

 

[spiderhellian]

She MIGHT suspect. She's certainly not behaving as if she knew for certain, though

Click to shrink...

You feel if she knew she would be way more insistent about this. But we definitely don't know the level of overlap, yeah. Which could be anywhere from lots to minimal.

As one hypothesis, Axe is sending us into this history she fled/was banished from to deliver a message to her sister who she has missed for eras and not seen for longer, and when we find her it turns out that she has, or more likely knows where to find, the key that only opens. (Ideally the former, probably the latter, which will be a medium/long expedition Axe can't go on and so we were never going to get the key this turn anyways.)

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

keep in mind SH helping is only a guess.

A good guess, I believe, but still only a guess.

For all we know there will be multiple rolls like in an expedition, and one of those will be Lantern.

For all we know we'll end up in combat and Edge would help, or we'll have to mingle and negotiate and fake it socially and GRAIL would actually help us the most.

SH is our best guess, but it's STILL only just a guess.

I mean, tell me, WHO OF YOU expected GRAIL to be useful in Canterlot part 2 to NEGOTIATE WITH A GIANT MOLE? because if there was ONE lore I thought would be useless in that expedition it was EXACTLY Grail.

Click to shrink...

If you don't know exactly where your goal is already, SH will help you find it. It is SH's entire thing.

That mole is partially why I want a Grail Influence so badly, talking things out is so preferable to slogging things out.

 

[Earth-Destroyer]

If Axe knew that the Key was on the other side of the mirror, she wouldn't be constantly searching Equestria for the Key.

Click to shrink...

That what I said, Ax used to know the Key was thou the mirror but has forgotten that fact. The task Ax wants done is just an excuse Ax is using to get us near the key subconsciously.

 

[Sveta08]

After that... well, ANY of our sacraments is actually REALLY easy if we don't care about the costs, and Celestia very much doesn't care about costs right now.

Click to shrink...

Hmmmmmmmm.

You know what would be the worst?
A Snape situation.

Lantern Sacrament. We know what it is. We understand it. We know what it does to people, more or less.
Velvet sits at the precarious situation of being known to Celestia, a minion to Celestia, but not directly connected to anyone Celestia cares about.

Celestia might not even think of us as a threat. But might think of us as a useful Lantern Sacrament.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

That what I said, Ax used to know the Key was thou the mirror but has forgotten that fact. The task Ax wants done is just an excuse Ax is using to get us near the key subconsciously.

Click to shrink...

What evidence do you have of this?

 

[Pittauro]

[X] Plan Lightcatcher V2

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Hmmmmmmmm.

You know what would be the worst?
A Snape situation.

Lantern Sacrament. We know what it is. We understand it. We know what it does to people, more or less.
Velvet sits at the precarious situation of being known to Celestia, a minion to Celestia, but not directly connected to anyone Celestia cares about.

Celestia might not even think of us as a threat. But might think of us as a useful Lantern Sacrament.

Click to shrink...

Thankfully Personal Sacraments are individualized, other than Edge. So it won't necessarily be a Conversation.

 

[Earth-Destroyer]

What evidence do you have of this?

Click to shrink...

Everything Baldomare told about snakemares, and why the key is thou the mirror. Ax either put it their herself, or had a minion do it. Because Ax is only asking us to do a task thou the mirror is because the Key is their even if Ax herself has forgotten that fact.

 

[Pittauro]

Hmmmmmmmm.

You know what would be the worst?
A Snape situation.

Lantern Sacrament. We know what it is. We understand it. We know what it does to people, more or less.
Velvet sits at the precarious situation of being known to Celestia, a minion to Celestia, but not directly connected to anyone Celestia cares about.

Celestia might not even think of us as a threat. But might think of us as a useful Lantern Sacrament.

Click to shrink...

Well, keep in mind that Personal Sacraments are different from person to person, and SEEM to be connected to your Realization-powers and your personality.

See Velvet's SH-sight, and how her sacrament is an evolution of that, and same for Forge Alchemy (from reagents to... what? maybe one-use artifacts?)

EDGE is the only "universal" Sacrament.

That said, sure, in theory it's possible that Celestia's Lantern Sacrament might require a sacrifice. But it would have to be a very specific requirement to end up with her killing VELVET for it.

If she needs prisoners, that's easy. If she needs minions, that's relatively easy too I imagine.

 

[DelightedOne]

(from reagents to... what? maybe one-use artifacts?)

Click to shrink...

I think they are more like "potions"

"The next logical step is to make reagents that are capable of changing something else: that delicate and fragile engine that ponies refer to as their bodies. You never fancied yourself as a potion maker. But then again, you will not be making mere potions."

Click to shrink...

Considering that is the comparison I believe we will be making consumables that boost ponies in some way.

 

[Earth-Destroyer]

For Velvet forge Sacraments it honestly sound like if Velvet somehow got to Forge 7 she could make a philosopher stone.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Baldomare tells you of what she saw… or rather, she tells you about what she couldn't see.

She tells you that the scrying ritual you asked her to do was so muddled, or perhaps so refracted, that she could barely see anything more than allegories and vague symbolism.

She tells you that the thing you are looking for, or rather the thing that the Daughter-of-Axes is looking for, is very far away… and yet, closer than anypony might imagine.

She tells you that, as these curses usually go, the snakemare already has access to a place where her coveted item may be found. But, as is the case with curses, she cannot go there herself.

Click to shrink...

Just a reminder that the only locational data we have on the Key is allegory, vague symbolism, and that we will have access to where it could be found. That still leaves the actual finding though.

 

[BritBiscuit]

You know with how niche the Cultist Sim fandom is (even if it has grown a fair bit) and with how popular this quest is, I wonder if either of the two people at Weather Factory have read this quest.

 

[Shaper47]

and same for Forge Alchemy (from reagents to... what? maybe one-use artifacts?)

Click to shrink...

I'm guessing a project to improve Velvet's body.

Like granting a extra health.

 

[DelightedOne]

Wait, what if when Bird mentioned ouroboros and Baldomare talking about the literal interpretation he meant the Key is inside DoA and the reason she can't reach it is because she... well... can't go through herself?

The Knock ascension in CS turns the player into a door to the Mansus(except on the Fifth History, where they become a snake-like immortal) so a Knock Name being able to be a door to other places/histories could make sense... Or I just need to sleep, good night.

 

[BritBiscuit]

Wait, what if when Bird mentioned ouroboros and Baldomare talking about the literal interpretation he meant the Key is inside DoA and the reason she can't reach it is because she... well... can't go through herself?

Click to shrink...

I get where you are going with that but all I could think of was this.

*SAW Theme starts playing*
Hello Velvet Axe, for all your life you have opened the way for others, today you will learn to open the way for yourself...
Inside your stomach a key has been implanted, that key is to the chains wrapped around you.
Can you who has trusted only yourself allow someone else in, or will your refusal to open up doom you.
You have 5 Eras, live or die, make your choice.

 

[Earth-Destroyer]

Wait, what if when Bird mentioned ouroboros and Baldomare talking about the literal interpretation he meant the Key is inside DoA and the reason she can't reach it is because she... well... can't go through herself?

Click to shrink...

Not possible the key cannot be contained, it does thing like open the path of blood from you veins, or you arms from you body if you try something like that.

 

[Shaper47]

I was thinking about the lores and actually Edge does have some possible basis for being used for the Knock Sacrament.

Probably not on the finding the Frangiclave that's SH's type of thing.

But more on subversion possibilities.

Sure officially Knock subverts everything but narratively there's this exception relating the Edge. All wounds are doors, are passages (which has other implications), yet wounds are subverted into scars. Which is the Colonel's thing, so a Colonel based Edge influence could be useful.

Got more basis then lantern at least.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Well, this vote is close, especially when you consider that some voters are voting for both of the two top plans. It is anyone's game here.

 

[spiderhellian]

Well, this vote is close, especially when you consider that some voters are voting for both of the two top plans. It is anyone's game here.

Click to shrink...

Yeah, I'm feeling pretty torn now that it's come to those two.

I like studying, I like having the SH influence, I like leashing, you've made an interesting case about the Grail influence (though I think I'm not sure it'll effect Midday Dew, I wonder if he's more like Jade...), I like prepping for Moth Sacrament, I quite like getting a Risen...

@OurLadyOfWires Any idea of when (EDIT: When Friday) the vote will close?

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Yeah, I'm feeling pretty torn now that it's come to those two

I like studying, I like having the SH influence, I like leashing, you've made an interesting case about the Grail influence (though I think I'm not sure it'll effect Midday Dew, I wonder if he's more like Jade...), I like prepping for Moth Sacrament, I quite like getting a Risen...

@OurLadyOfWires Any idea of when the vote will close?

Click to shrink...

OurLady said it would be some time on Friday.
As for Dew, as long as he isn't hyper-depressed Grail should help. Man has been jumping at Wolves and choking on ash under the uncaring heat of the sun, surely that leaves him parched.

Alternatively what he would really like is some Moth to give him some shade, but we don't have a Moth Name to slap an Influence on us, so Eldritch metaphorical beverage it is.

 

[Shaper47]

Any idea of when the vote will close?

Click to shrink...

It's Friday from my memory.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Can confirm our memory is accurate in this.

Anyhow, looks lovely so far. Voting will probably be closed friday, so we'll see how the chips fall.

Good evening everyone.

Click to shrink...

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Hello everyone!

Click to shrink...

How did I miss....

Oh, it was your very first post, so it needed approval from staff and all. So I passed that section of the thread before your message was readable.

Welcome, and thank you for joining us! I hope we can all continue to have fun!

I'm pretty sure Baldomare's Lantern Sacrament can't involve Velvet (it states Followers) can you confirm @OurLadyOfWires?

Click to shrink...

Nope. Velvet can't go. For no particular reason, really. This is, 100%, one of Baldomares idiosyncrasies.

@OurLadyOfWires Any idea of when (EDIT: When Friday) the vote will close?

Click to shrink...

Uhh... time zones and whatnot, so I'm not sure...

It should be closed some fourteen hours from the writing of this post, give or take. Tomorrow around midday, for the americas.