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

[Nevermort]

All the Names are super old and skilled in all lores that why they are Names. Assume all the Names have 5-6 in every lore.

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Why Baldomare would take Mareinette Sacrament instead of her own? Or instead of Sacrament of any other adept? Remember that at the time there were thousands of adepts , there is not much reason to assume that Mareinette was her only friend, or that they did not become friends many years after Baldomare become Name.

 

[Venerable Ro]

Here's a thought to think, consider the nature of endings and resolutions, destinations at the end of paths.

Mareinette delved deeper into Grail than any other Know or Name, and certainly was a favorite of that ever-thirsting Hour if anyone was. Every indulgence sampled, every sensation enjoyed, every temptation welcomed. She had the run of the Cathedral itself, all to herself. So where did that path end?

Desiccation, withering, a desperate void that reduced proud nobility to licking a stone like an animal.

Mareinette has already done the "revel in debaucherous hedonism" bit, she did it to the exhaustion of the Red Cathedral itself. She's a creature of habit as any immortal is of course, so she'll do it again without much convincing, but I believe she could be tempted to try something different if it meant a different outcome.

We've never actually talked to her you know, (just like we never really talked to The Master) all of our impressions are by-the-large strongly colored by metaknowledge and layers of accreted speculation as to the intentions of the Grail-Name. But we never actually asked, for example, what her goals/desires/objectives are. We put her in a barn and hoped that minimal interaction would make the QM forget about her as a game piece, or something.

Anyway, back to Cadence and Mareinette. Our Lady Of Wires teaches what she knows and enacts what she teaches, her perspective of Grail isn't so much a rut in a road as a canyon sunk in a desert. Cadence needs to know who she's talking to, yes, but she also needs to actively express and enact her own understanding of Love so that the old might learn something new. Call it enlightened self-interest on Mareinette's part, above all else she does not want to go back to The Cathedral.

(To express Cadence we must speak in terms of songs played far too many times on the radio.)


View: https://youtu.be/L4FZjlxtNtE?feature=shared

What would be more tempting to one endlessly dying of thirst than a wellspring that might never run dry, a Principle that flourishes and renews the more it is enacted, a Lore that Satisfies?


View: https://youtu.be/nbcCG7PkI18?feature=shared

Deep in her eyes
I think I see the future
I realize this is my last chance
She took my arm
I don't know how it happened
We took the floor and she said


"Oh, don't you dare look back
Just keep your eyes on me"
I said, "You're holding back"
She said, "Shut up and dance with me"


Am I reaching? Oh I am absolutely reaching, reaching for stars just to check and see if one might just be within my grasp. It's possible, many things are possible, especially if people are properly motivated. Mareinette is dreadfully aware of what it's like to be alone and hopeless, she's motivated to avoid retracing her steps back down into that pit and presumably wise enough to perceive an out if it becomes available. It's a lifestyle thing, Grail is never satisfied by definition according to her enactment, if Mareinette simply retreads the same interpretations she's doomed to end up at the same conclusion. Cadence breaks with those patterns, she just needs to live up to her potential, embody it, so that she can be Love's truest inspiration.

Cadence needs support and encouragement, along with honest challenge fit to lead her unto growth. Cosseting would leave her unprepared for the harshness lying in wait to savage her Principle, but Love is not only a soft and delicate thing.

Love is relentless, Love protects and endures, Love will bleed for her child,

Spoiler: And will make you bleed all the more!

 

[ses]

Just finished the Grail Apostle run. It was totally on the first try and not the second after dying to season of sickness in literally the first 10 minutes.

Copper Secateur will feast forever in the high halls of the Mansus, while Jelloloaf is Nowhere at all.

Was a lot of fun, I had never touched the Apostle mode for the longest time because honestly the idea of a Long sending constant attacks and escalating stressed me out too much to even try. Turns out that, uh, you can just ignore Lady Tryphon the whole game and she's basically harmless?! If you're already a proud member of the Church of Malfean Stealth intrigue attacks do basically nothing? "Lol, lmao, you exposed my followers so they produce notoriety whenever they do stuff? Whatever will I do?"

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Yes, yes, bury Mareinette in Love. Velvet used Love to beat Biedde/the Colonel via Fluttershy, Velvet gave Love a perfect wedding to make it stronger, and hell, Velvet even buoyed Love in a History not our own when she took her first SH Sacrament Action.
Velvet just can't see Love levels like she does Lore levels because she cannot into Harmony, is all.

Love can also compel you to burn down the world, but I don't think Cadance is going that path.
Celestia might, but I think she's going to burn down the world for other reasons if she does it in this quest.

 

[AuthorTransient]

You're all just trying to avert your gaze from the final result. Truth was I believed Bird not to be lying when he said this wasn't an important vote, but the truth is now also that we are at the mercy of the moods of Mareinette. Whether that's good or bad, we don't actually know, we can only make educated guesses.

Though to indulge a little bit in hopemaking, it's either our problem or not our problem anymore. Bird, every time you think about using Mareinette's new position as a 'gotcha', I hope you remember that you said it wasn't an important vote and your conscience holds you back. We're in the endgame now.

 

[Alan975]

I say we dine when we get the chance

 

[Nevermort]

You're all just trying to avert your gaze from the final result. Truth was I believed Bird not to be lying when he said this wasn't an important vote, but the truth is now also that we are at the mercy of the moods of Mareinette. Whether that's good or bad, we don't actually know, we can only make educated guesses.

Though to indulge a little bit in hopemaking, it's either our problem or not our problem anymore. Bird, every time you think about using Mareinette's new position as a 'gotcha', I hope you remember that you said it wasn't an important vote and your conscience holds you back. We're in the endgame now.

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I guess you are correct in a way, but at the time was not choice always between fighting or befriending Mareinette? Cadance is just bonus option. If it fails we are back to original two. If we decide to fight her, her not being constantly at our side would only help with preparation. And option to take her Sacrament is always open.

I say we dine when we get the chance

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It does not stop Mareinette from being interested in Cadance though. If we say dine right next turn, Mareinette may decide that her job is done and express desire to meet Cadance regardless. We are told that her Moods are not one turn thing after all. Or she may act right after we ascend and we don't know how Hour Velvet will act, assuming we even survive All-in.

Also from Wolf example we know that Hour offer its Sacraments to its followers, so it would be Sacrament that Hour Velvet offers to Grail adepts. Adepts like Rarity and Cadance. So if in the end outcome is the same we can as well do it while it may help with ascension.

If the entire point is to remove risks for Velvet ascension, then send Mareinette to Cadance regardless. Prepare prisoners while Mareinette rising Cadance Lore levels. Take Mareinette Sacrament, then when both Rarity and Cadance at lvl 4, invite them to Velvet mansion and have a dinner with Velvet Hill as main dish. It would be 21 level in Grail for All-in expedition in addition to all other levels in Heart, Winter and Forge.

 

[Alan975]

It does not stop Mareinette from being interested in Cadance though

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Yes, but I see the main threat coming from this will-we-won't-we offending Mareinette.
That's why i've been pushing kiss or kill, either we do wine and dine her or we're gonna have a problem.

Could also create some problems, but we have no way to predict that

 

[Nevermort]

Yes, but I see the main threat coming from this will-we-won't-we offending Mareinette.
That's why i've been pushing kiss or kill, either we do wine and dine her or we're gonna have a problem.

Could also create some problems, but we have no way to predict that

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I don't completely understand which actions you think will offend Mareinette, if you don't count prepare to kill her actions.

That said I don't mind making preparations for dealing with Mareinette in more permanent fashion . I think they should start with asking Baldomare for ritual to strengthen/change her binding. Like making it so that she can't break her bindings (because she is making eyes at Cadance and we don't want to let her go... angry yandere horse noises) or interfering with Second Rebirth so she really turns into filly (with hopes that Velvet desire to adopt her would confuse Mareinette senses until we spring the trap).

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

The idea of Fillying Marinette is amusing, but I doubt we could do such a thing. She is the second strongest Name we have ever met, after all.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

So does Windigo qualify as worthy opponent for the sake of Velvet sacrament? And if so would we need to fight 1vs1 against it to get it?@OurLadyOfWires can you comment on this?

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By numbers alone (they rock +55 with Edge re-roll) they would definitely be a worthy opponent. But I can`t remember if, theologically, they can be worthy oponents.

I would have to think on that. Because Names aren't worthy opponents because you don't "kill" them. But I don't remember if they need to be ponies or not.

So I'm not really sure, now that you mention it.

Red Winds Sing

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This was lovely! Thank you for sharing it with us.

And one thing in particular came to mind, while I re-read it to threadmark it.

"At least, Cantrip. At least a week she said. Not only, at least."
But what was here, was more than what wasn't. A prince in a tower, pining for a princess long gone. Or, long forlong this time.
Pride, pity the name, all but collapsed at the balcony edge. Hooves held in shambles as his eyes rose, almost pleadingly to the sky.

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You know, there was a discussion, or an omake, or maybe something else that I can't quite name (I swear it was an Omake but I can't find it) in which Axe thinks about a fairy tale she read once.

There is, or maybe was, something about the Witch and the Sister that I wanted to say. There is, or was, a parallel that I wanted to draw, between them and Axe, that I didn't quite have the time to write down. Because of life and its many problems, as it usually is the case.

Still, I always quite enjoyed the idea that there "one who is beautiful", somewhere out there (previously Pasharka, and then maybe Silky, or perhaps Pride) to whom Axe can be the "one who was born a monster".

So, I really mean it when I say that I enjoy these parallels, where Axe is the brutish, practical and maybe tormented beast, to someone else's "pure" half who lives in an ivory tower. Whether if that is Silky or, here, Pride.

So thank you for this!

@OurLadyOfWires just to be sure, if the Windigo rolls... say an 80 total, and we have a guard that rolls 90 total and everyone else <80, is the Windigo the ONLY one that gets damage?

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I'm not sure I udnerstand the question. But I'm also not sure if it is moot anymore? Let me know if you want me to clarify something, but I don't think I know how to respond to this, exactly.

... @OurLadyOfWires, please be honest with me: Is this kind of a knock-off Keyblade (only in relation to locks, physical and metaphysical, NOT in combat potential!)

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We have both already expounded on our love and ambivalence towards Kingdom Hearts, when it comes to you and I respectively.

So no

@OurLadyOfWires I know you dislike "social actions that combine multiple goals" and "planning for next turn way too early" but I was just curious as I was trying to figure out our options for getting a 3circle site next turn. If we do [HONORED GUEST] with Mareinette to try and grailbomb Spoiled can she also handle obtaining a non-suspicious 3circle site from Filthy? Especially if we sign off on whatever bits she needs to just rent a place from him. Would that be allowed without interfering with the "grailbomb Spoiled" objective too badly? We could also Leash Filthy if needed and I'm not sure how that would effect things.

Speaking of which how does budgeting work with social-fuing people? We were told way back when that 30-50 bits would be the baseline cost of social lubrication on trying to get people up to the threshold of Confidante (the explanation blurb on our contacts threadmark even says "actions OR bits"). Do we have to declare ahead of time that Mareinette has a budget or does she just not need one or what?

Honestly, I'm kind of just confused on how we're supposed to Confidante people on purpose. Like, how would we even approach bumping Cheerilee to confidante? I mean as players how would we approach it not as asking for metagame spoilers. Since as I understand it Confidante isn't the level you reach by just hitting the "spend an AP on them" button, but in previous cases we were offered votes that gave us our path. Is there just no option to Confidante Cheerilee unless a FO somehow shows up for her?

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So, one at a time.

If you have Mareinette social Spoiled, and if you also grail her at the beginning of the turn, then we'd see where the chips would fall. But IF you reached Minion-level on her early enough on the turn (if at all), i wouldn't be opposed to letting you give her an order on the same turn. And then you could ask Spoiled to look for a circle.

In short, I'm not even sure if that'd qualify as "a social action with several objectives." Instead, it sounds more like a sequence of Mareinette doing one thing, you grailing one pony, and then the grailed pony acting on their own action.

On the second part. You see, that explanation on socialing was given way back when I thought you would actually form a cult on the cult-based game, and when I thought social links would be less personal and more like "pawns on a spreadsheet".
But things have changed, to the point I had to invent "cover your bases" to adapt to your "tall" build rather than the initially expected "wide" build.

So, if you wanna advance someone on their social line, just interact with them. If I feel a hurdle needs to be crossed, I'll let you guys know. For example, if you want Cheerilee to become a Confidante, you can just social her. "Mechanically" i'll understand that as a request to increase her friendship level. "Narratively", I would figure out if that would happen through talking, a dice roll, or if she would just ask you to do a mini-quest sort of request.

Just a couple of days ago, I finished reading all the chapters of this wonderful quest and all the omakes.

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Thank you kindly!

And I apologize if I missed any other new readers. But this kind of comment is truly motivating to writers like me.

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

Hmm.

As far as Celestia being a problem goes @OurLadyOfWires ?

We know she is acting as a "bad end" for this quest. But we also know that Luna said she would handle it?

And I think you mentioned out of character we would be wise to let Luna... take care of things?

Has the situation evolved? Or should we be worried about trying to heal Celestia?

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She will give you a report during the "minion reports" part of the turn, together with Jade and other characters besides. So, it's in the pipeline.

And if I happen to forget about it, please let me know! My notes are becoming, uh, a little complex at this point and some things might fall from the sides

@OurLadyOfWires Berry Punch is an earth pony unless this is meant to not be a recognizable character? Purple with grape cutie mark seems unlikely to just happen to be a unicorn.

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Fixed.

Here is the History in question:

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NOOOO WHAT HAVE YOU DONE-

@OurLadyOfWires Sveta was asking about the follower action of "Have this Follower follow and assist Velvet". Like we used with Rarity back in the day.

Was it intentional that you answered it as the opposite — ie that action is the only one available to Velvet?

Or are we able to use a Mareinette action to have her spend time with and assist Velvet?

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Ah, I see.

So, about the olde option of having characters follow you and help you out, there were/are two problems with that.

First, that choice was effectively devoured into the new "cover your bases" mechanic.

Second, I can't in good conscience offer you guys choices that won't net you some kind of advantage. Or at least a risk that can turn into an advantage. Meaning that I don't want to offer you guys choices that will have absolutely nothing interesting come out of it.

And the problem of having a character "follow you around to help" is that... to be honest? By this point Velvet is too competent for a regular pony to be able to help her in most scenarios. I mean, back then I could narratively and mechanically justify a Lore 0 Velvet being aided by "random friend X". But nowadays, the scene would be just... Velvet doing what needs to be done while her friend stands on the side? I just don't see it working.

So, I'm not really interested in offering that option nowadays.

And when it comes to Names, their time is also valuable. So I am more comfortable with the current "favor trading" relationship of you asking them to do specific things, and not ask them to follow you around like a mortal friend would be willing to.

So, in short, I just don't see that option being relevant anymore.

@OurLadyOfWires
Afternoon. Pardon for two clarifications in a day.
Do our Sacraments allow us o use Changelings (or theoretically other species like dragons or griffins) as targets?

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I am almost entirely sure all sacrificial Sacraments must be done with ponies. So no. I could double-check, but I'm almost sure that's the case.

A Dinner With Spoiled Rich

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Absolutely lovely. Thank you for sharing this!

And

This is a humble request, Bird -- let us do the Moth and Grail sacrament actions on the same person, in the same night. Whoever that might be...

Yes, humble requests tend to take 2000 words, that's standard practice!

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this is quite tempting as far as bribery humble requests go, but... well, why don't we get the thread to a point they are willing to commit to this first? Then we can discuss terms

But again, this was great! Loved the details, and the characterization, and the peek into Spoiled's... not-so-pleasant mind. This was awesome!







Aaaaand I think I am up to date with the thread!

As always, thank you all for your participation! Reading the discussion is always delightful. I'll avoid chiming in unless I am explicitly pinged, as experience tells us is best. But other than that, I just want to repeat how great it is to have you all here.

I'll go prepare to write what comes next. Can't promise any deadlines, but it's in the works.

Have a wonderful sunday everyone. I hope you are all doing well!

 

[Uruguayan spider]

NOOOO WHAT HAVE YOU DONE-

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RED SPY WOLF ON THE BASE IN THE HISTORY!

 

[des-pair-2]

NOOOO WHAT HAVE YOU DONE-

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CO T NME T F LD
!

! !

Spoiler: CON IN EN CEL

!
!!

ON AINM T FIE D

 

[Sveta08]

Well! Thank you for explaining the old consumed action thing. And, glad you liked the little story!
Will have to hunt for the Omake you are talking about. I think it was one focused on Pasharka actually... for some reason I think it was Venerable Ro who made it...

But! Glad to know. Back to the idle thinking on what to do later.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Well! Thank you for explaining the old consumed action thing. And, glad you liked the little story!
Will have to hunt for the Omake you are talking about. I think it was one focused on Pasharka actually... for some reason I think it was Venerable Ro who made it...

But! Glad to know. Back to the idle thinking on what to do later.

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There is a chance I just missed threadmarking the omake. The time I have available to read through the thread not always coincide with when I am logged in and available to use my profile controls.

But if you find it, and if I really did miss threadmarking it, please let me know.

In other news, I'll probably have two short updates ready for today. Definitely one, but hopefully two, so we can have a small voting going on for the week, and so I am one step closer to finishing this Turn for us.

See you all soon!

 

[Sveta08]

But if you find it, and if I really did miss threadmarking it, please let me know.

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Ah-ha! Found it. And no, you did not miss it.
Remarkably, it is even one of the "What of" Omake

The Axe Looks in the Mirror

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Good memory, that.

Edit: And remarkably accurate in retrospect

 

[Void_510]

Whew, all caught up...

Regarding Mareinette - this doesn't really change much at all. This is the same choice we would always have had to make regarding her just with an extra option. If it pushes people to stop kicking this can down the road so much the better.
I've pushed for us before to learn Heart from her since the Grail is so abhorrent to many off us so I say that we commit to getting the Heart we need to find out what the Sacrament is.

Take a Heart lesson from her to get an inkling of what her take on Heart is all about.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Ah-ha! Found it. And no, you did not miss it.
Remarkably, it is even one of the "What of" Omake



Good memory, that.

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Ah, I thought it had been written recently! That's why I couldn't find it. I only searched on the more recent omakes.

This was, I think, the omake I had as "canonicity pending" because I was waiting for the Snekrament.

Yes, this is exactly the one. I always liked the idea that, despite her hatred for the With-and-Sister, Axe had some parallels with her/them as well.

Thank you for finding it! This was, indeed, yet another one of Spiderhielian's peeks into the future.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Whew, all caught up...

Regarding Mareinette - this doesn't really change much at all. This is the same choice we would always have had to make regarding her just with an extra option. If it pushes people to stop kicking this can down the road so much the better.
I've pushed for us before to learn Heart from her since the Grail is so abhorrent to many off us so I say that we commit to getting the Heart we need to find out what the Sacrament is.

Take a Heart lesson from her to get an inkling of what her take on Heart is all about.

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*Rages against the Ruined Church again*

 

[Shaper47]

Take a Heart lesson from her to get an inkling of what her take on Heart is all about.

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For efficiency reasons I'm against any level 3 Heart lessons.

Level 4 would be fine though.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Winning Plan

[X] Plan Prudent KISSing
-[X] (AotL) Lantern
-[X] (Forge) Forge 3 reagent
-[X] (Knock) Explore the Summit
-[X] (Winter) Invoke a Risen
-[X] (Social) Teach Selene
-[X] Fleeting Opportunity: Family
-[X] Fleeting Opportunity: Friends
-[X] Perform the Forge's Redemption
--[X] Sacrifice Forge 3 reagent
--[X] At Jade's old house
-[X] Sacrament: Through the Foggy Mirror (4x) (only 3 actions consumed)
-[X] Uncle Steppes has come to visit! But every time you speak to him, you get the impression he is… unwell. Even though he hides it well from the fillies. Spend some more time with him, and see if you can help him.

[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][RARITY] Take a Commission.
-[X] Needs must. Ask somepony to procure you a dead body from the local cemetery.
-[X] Three extra Velvet actions! (Costs 9 follower actions)
-[X] Something Else (lend Heartifact to Comet)
-[X] You will have a follower perform a RotT ritual, to search for a Level 7 book. (Jade Whistle action BORROWED from Turn 22)

The Glory is... Glorious.

There is no other way to describe it. No other words come to mind. It simply is.

Even though you cannot truly see its light, because it is blocked. Even though you are so far, despite being so close. You cannot help but be enraptured by it.

It is the ultimate flame, that calls to all moths. It is the perfect light, that cuts away all darkness. It is the peak of the House and the light upon the crown of the Monarch. And as you behold it, your mind is so enraptured by its Glory that no other words come to mind. You cannot rightfully call it Eternity, and you cannot rightfully call it Neverending, although you would know after waking that both words could easily apply to it.

Still, as you sit here, the only thing you can think about is that it is Glory and it is Glorious and that you will spend the rest of your existence banging your head against this damn locked wall if it means that gets you even a little bit closer to-



[Channeling the LIGHT, cd 120]

[Roll: 61 + 13 (Magic) + 40 (Lantern, level 4) = 114]

[Velvet Covers invokes a re-roll]

[Re-roll: 70 + 13 (Magic) + 40 (Lantern, level 4) = 123]



-you stop thinking. If only for a second.

No, that is not the right way to describe it.

You stop controlling your thoughts. Instead, you let them flow like a river. A river made out of light and logic and the madness that is attempting to link cause and effect in this world.

You let your thoughts flow without your interference or influence. You let your thoughts flow through you. Because, as Baldomare once told you, knowledge can be light, and a mind can be like glass.

And thanks to that, or perhaps because of that, you are able to lessen the indefatigable grip that Glory has on your mind. That it has on everypony's mind.

If only for a moment.

If only for a fraction of a second.

But that… that might be all that you need.

Because what are you doing, again? Where are you, exactly?

To what place have you been coming to? Every. Single. Night?

And where have you been mindlessly roaming around, all these nights, like a mad moth that is circling a covered candle?

That's right.

You have been coming here. And you have been doing this. And to nopony's surprise, you haven't made any progress in opening this damn door.



…



You take a deep, cold breath. One that could have made a corpse rise from its grave, if it had filled their lungs. And perhaps, in a sense, that is what just happened to you. Because perhaps, in a sense, drowning in Glory-lust is no different than dying, or losing your mind, or perhaps some other equivalency to no longer living.

You let that deep, cold breath spread through your insides.

And finally, finally, you realize where you are.

You are Lady Velvet Covers.

You are at the very top of the Mansus. On that nigh-unreachable peak that the adepts of old trampled over each other to climb to.

And right now, as you snap out of the madness that gripped you so many times before, you have your back turned to Glory.

Yes. That is right.

You are near the very roof of the House. You have been visiting this place nearly every night for the past few weeks now. But this time, perhaps for the first time, you were able to wrench your eyes away from that final locked Door, and the Glory that shines behind it.

And for the first time since you reached this level of the Mansus, you are finally free to look at… something else. At anything else, really.

For the first time, you are able to appreciate how spiderweb-cracked the floor is, under your hoofs. And for the first time you can see how the glass-lilies float and dance around with the dream-breeze of this place.

But you also know you must not tarry. You must not look at the cracks on the floor, less you notice some fascinating configuration in how they were cracked. And you must not look at the floating lilies for too long, less that inescapable light reflects on one of their petals and back into your eyes.

No, instead you must look at the one place you came here to explore. At that single, absolutely fascinating landmark that, thanks to its proximity to Glory, you could not care less for until now.

Yes. Tonight you will explore the crater that sits at the very top of the house. Tonight you will explore the gaping wound that never healed, and the shockwave of which shattered the Mansus under its blow.

Tonight, you will explore that which Ruined the Concursum, and Shattered the Stairways, and made its violation known all the way to the very Branding Door.

"Tonight, I find what I need to unlock those chains," you say, although even that vaguest of mention nearly drags your attention back to that light that shines behind you.

Still, you harden yourself, and you keep a loose grip on the river that flows through your mind.

And with one hoofstep after the other, you make your way to the crater.



…



Deep down, you always knew what you would find here. Deep down, you already knew what awaited you here, even if you did not know its name.

The top of the Mansus is not a small place. It is not horizon-wide like some of the other floors, and it does not stretch into a twisting and fogging infinity like other levels. But still, it is a respectable mesa of Mansus-stone, that is diminished only be the inevitable cliffs that mark its ends.

At its very center, lies the Crater. The gaping wound from which all of the cracks in the Mansus originated.

The Crater is a deep, bowl-shaped thing of shattered glass and melted Mansus-stone. It is slightly crooked, seeing how the culprit of this wound came down from an angle, and its depth betrays the true (and perhaps endless) thickness that a Mansus-stone mesa has.

However, despite all the mortal words you can use to paint this place, there is only one true way to describe the sight before your eyes.

You are looking at… the grave of a God. You are looking at an ugly Wound that defined, and perhaps even ended, an Era.

You are looking at the hoofwork of the Forge-of-Days. And even though you have never truly heard her name or her Names before, something deep in your mind understands this to be her doing.

Something in your mind, or perhaps the very air of the Mansus, is telling you this. Without a doubt. Because this is what she does, isn't it? This has her craftsmanship written all over it. It is the grave of a God, a Wound upon the world, and the unwelcome End of and entire world as it was known.

You might as well be looking at her Hoofprint, imprinted upon the soft clay that was the Mansus-stone, when stepped upon by her bright-hot hoofs. You might as well be reading from her very hoofwriting, because what else are her actions if not the embodiment of her teachings?

Yes. This is where it happened.



Before this, She Remade With Fire.

After this, She Ended All Nights.

But here… here you see how She Ended What Would Not Change.



Because at the very center of the Crater, you can see what she left behind. You can see her workshop, or perhaps her body, or perhaps there is no difference because that was the place where her creations were given life.

At the very center of the Crater, you can see her previous home. A large and blocky structure, castle-sized and as large as the Ruined Church, that is half-sunk into the cracked Mansus-stone. Like a great nail that was hammered deep into a block of blue marble. Surrounded by the shattered remains of the Mirror Door that it punched through in its flaming descent.

At the very center of the Crater, you see the old temple of the Forge-of-Days, which your mind now knows was called the Malleary.

So, with cautious hoofsteps, you begin making your way down the Crater.



- - -



The Crater is still warm to the touch. You can feel it, even though your hoofs are not real. You can feel that this place is still lukewarm and cooling, as if the vicious blow that shattered the Mansus has occurred just a few hours ago.

And who knows, given how different time works within the Mansus, that might really be the case.

Still, the Crater is not so hot that it actually hurts you, and the hateful remains of the Mirror Door are easy enough to avoid. So, you descend into the Crater, negotiating your way down its steep cracks and slopes, until you approach the great structure itself.

The Malleary is… huge. It is larger even than the Ruined Church. Or perhaps it is you who feel small when standing before it. Still, it is a great and blocky structure made out of solid metals and shining alloys. It is beautiful, in a way, but also practical and utilitarian. You do not see any windows, only chutes. And in certain places, the mechanisms that operated the forges within its walls are jutting out of the walls, with the tightly-connected cogs of unseen machines doubling as the outer walls in certain sections of its side.

This place looks, at the same time, like a giant puzzle box, and a fortress, and a workshop, and somehow… also like a home.

Because for some unnamable reason, even though you are at the very top of the Mansus and your mind should be the furthest away from these feelings, you can also feel an echo of love coming from this structure.

Still, you must not tarry, and you must not linger. So, you begin searching for a door.

The Malleary is huge, yes, but it is also a utilitarian structure. And it is also embedded into the very shattered ground. So, you begin circling around it, hoping that its only door was not facing the Mansus when it struck it. Because you cannot begin to imagine what kind of power would be needed to break through its walls, if another entrance is needed.

But luckily, or perhaps by design, you soon chance upon what seems to be its entrance.

Near the side of the Malleary, so close to the ground that you might be able to climb in, you see a grand square-shaped entrance.

It is, quite literally, a perfect square, that leads into a square-shaped corridor, and into the depths of the grand structure. However, there is something wrong about it. And, as you cautiously observe it from a distance, it takes you several seconds to realize what exactly is so wrong about it.

The entrance, you can tell, is dark. And that by definition makes it feel wrong. Because the Malleary, you know without knowing, was ever ablaze, ever echoing with the sound of hammers, and ever burning with heat. So, to see its very entrance dark and cold and forbidding is… well, it was probably despairing to the adepts of old, who saw it in its full glory. But even to you, it feels wrong, or perhaps sad, or maybe even lonely.

Still, that is your entrance. This is the entrance to the abode of the highest Goddess, whose hoofs and works shattered more than one God. So, this is where you will find what you need.

Trepidation fills your heart. You should Wake. You should retreat and come back some other night, when you are better prepared. To step into this place unprepared would be folly, you know.

But still, you are not quite done. Not yet.

And there isn't, or at least you hope there isn't, any harm in getting a little closer to that entrance.

So, cautiously, you make your way to the sad and cold entrance of the Malleary. Taking a better look at its metal walls and noticing how, remarkably, it looks undamaged. Even when the very Mansus underneath it is so cracked and punished from its touch.

You cautiously approach the entrance to this highest of places, until you finally notice… something.

There is something on the ground.

Right here, just a few paces from the entrance of the Malleary, you can see… something.

It looks like a corpse, or a broken clock, or perhaps the scattered remains of discarded machinery. An endless assortment of springs and cogs and pieces that somehow you know all fit together, once. Enough pieces of scrap to fill an entire lake, but also so few pieces that you can almost see at a glance how they are supposed to come back together, and what their original purpose was.

…

You don't… really… know, what you are looking at. But you also do.

It was a clock, but it wasn't.

It was a servant, but it wasn't.

It was a son, but not the one She wished to give Him.

This, you know, is what remains of one of the most beloved creations of the Forge-of-Days. And the day its creator left, it followed her to the door, bade her its last goodbye, and crumbled into pieces as it had completed its purpose.

…

And you think… you think you can put it back together.

But not here, and not now. No. For now, you must Wake. You must Wake, and you must commit this knowledge to memory. Less the Glory-lust takes hold of you again, and you forget who you are.

Still, you found what you were looking for. You found what you were looking for, and far, far more.

Because here, you know is a place where Gods have already died.

And here, within the walls of the Malleary, you know you will find the means to kill an Outsider.





You have completely explored the top of the Mansus. There are no other locations to explore beyond the (broken) Mirror Door.

You have found Her workshop, where She almost knew regret, and where she always knew Joy. The very sight of its walls is enough to inspire creation. You have gained one scrap of Forge Lore.

You have discovered the Mansus expedition "Into the Malleary". This expedition will only be available AFTER you have acquired an Outsider. No exploratory forays will be dared before that.

You have located the means to extract the blood of an Outsider. You may now commit to the Expedition "All In".

You have learned the Rite of Joyous (Re)Forging.

 

[Witherbrine2671]

-Upon successful completion of the ritual, you will have built the Name of Forge, and it will be bound to you as a regular summons.

Click to shrink...

Well, well, well. It seems we will build our own Name. God from Steel anybody? (Also, small update lol. 2.5k words is not small)

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

ADOPTEE DETECTED

FUCK THEY'RE EXPENSIVE

 

[DelightedOne]

Phew, the last few days have been crazy and my internet was acting up so it is nice to have the time(and also being capable) to be here.

and don't think for a moment that Mareinette is not Edge 6, entire Name hit squads have tried to kill Mareinette and got eaten for their efforts.

Click to shrink...

Mareinette doesn't need Edge 6(and she probably doesn't even have it) she probably survived due to her high Heart and Alukite condition, trickery and experience from age also could have played a factor(my main theory is that she actually has a puppet that "dies" for her and then she hides away for a while).
The Names have their lores and that is that. Can they learn more, yes absolutely and the Master was proof of this but they had no need to do it(or even opportunity).

also, you know... "oh what's so wrong with a little Competition..."

it sounds pretty Lionsmithy too.

Click to shrink...

Sounds Wolfy to me.

Oh, update just dropped.

*Sigh* damn it I could swear we used the reroll earlier. But good to know Glory still has a few obstacles.

"You will let your hoofs guide you. You will let your love shape it. And you will let fate decide on the rest.
Just as She did before."

?????

Summoning Requirements: FORGE 300, KNOCK 80.

Summoning cost: Zero bits.

Summoning details:
-An unlimited number of Forge-aligned sacrifices may be made for this Ritual.
-For every TWO bits used in this ritual, you gain an additional "+1" for the Forge roll. An unlimited number of bits may be used for this ritual.
-Failing this ritual will destroy ALL Knock-aligned sacrifices, and HALF of all Forge-aligned sacrifices.
-Upon successful completion of the ritual, you will have built the Name of Forge, and it will be bound to you as a regular summons.
-You cannot predict any information other than this.

Click to shrink...

Oh my Glob... This ritual is almost insane in how hard it is, good thing we can sacrifice a bunch of things to make it better.

 

[ses]

Hopefully our new filly isn't Coaxmetal. Is this the setup to a Sweetie Bot punchline?

And holy shit money continues to be the most important superpower in the world.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

I want to make the Forge Name, Forge is the weakest Lore of our... social circle? Secret society? No, conspiracy, Velvet and co. are definitely a conspiracy. Forge is the weakest Lore of our conspiracy, and a Name will fix that right up just nicely.

MAREINETTE BUTTER UP CADANCE FOR ROYAL FUNDING, WE ARE BUT POOR BEGGARS BEFORE THE FURNACE

 

[Shaper47]

You know how I wanted those bit gaining options.

Remember how I wanted that extra 900 bits.

Vindication!!!

 

[Venerable Ro]

Welp, we found the Forge Name...

(Some assembly required)

I guess we may as well go get that Forge Sacrament, we'll be stacking reagents to the roof anyway so we ought to make sure we're getting maximal bang for our buck.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Also something tells me Forge will be really important for hammering an Outsider into a lock-opening apparatus. Even if that apparatus is a refreshing juice, freshly squeezed.

 

[DelightedOne]

Welp, we found the Forge Name...

(Some assembly required)

I guess we may as well go get that Forge Sacrament, we'll be stacking reagents to the roof anyway so we ought to make sure we're getting maximal bang for our buck.

Click to shrink...

And we only need one Scrap to start it. Progress!