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

2) Does Baldomare need to scry Copper? As opposed to Jade? She can guarantee we find the Outsider this turn. What I'd really love is some conditional mess based on how Jade's scry goes... @OurLadyOfWires I'm guessing that would wind up a complex enough plan that you'd rather not see it?
GM has strongly hinted that Copper has already moved out of Manehatten. And Copper has a full cult with the defences only a cult can provide jade has 50% at most of getting thou. Baldomare is certain to.
 
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GM has strongly hinted that Copper has already moved out of Manehatten. And Copper has a full cult with the defences only a cult can provide jade has 50% at most of getting thou. Baldomare is certain to.
He didn't actually. He just pointed out that we are assuming things based on outdated information. There is a pretty good chance that she is still in Manehattan, but we don't actually know, and sending a full Name squad to Manehattan only to find out that the Manehattan cult relocated due to the Royal Guard scare from a few months ago would be very disappointing (and expensive).

Plus, who knows. Maybe she has a safehouse or two outside the city that we'll want to hit as well.
 
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There is a question there, that I'd like to be sure of, because it would make a difference -- @OurLadyOfWires What happens if we have multiple followers going to Search for the Outsider, but not all their actions wind up being necessary?

E.g. let's say we have 3 explore for the outsider actions, and they wind up going to Baldomare, Comet, and Servants, and Baldomare rolls well so that the next roll finishes it. Will that use up Comet's action? The servants'? Would we get a choice? Would it open a vote about what to do with the excess AP?
 
....Hey uh, just had a thought but.... if we are cut off from our lores when under does that mean we are cut off from our abilities, including our active ones?

More specifically, does being pushed into dance with death deactivate our leash?
Yep, no realization powers for us right now, except for Dancing With Death. We don't actually have anyone Leashed right now though, so I don't think we have to worry about that.
 
Yep, no realization powers for us right now, except for Dancing With Death. We don't actually have anyone Leashed right now though, so I don't think we have to worry about that.

Wait, so Shining Armor is Ignoring/not paying attention to Twilight, given her current state, of his own will? Thats...wow.
 
@OurLadyOfWires Totally random question that you may not be able to answer for us, but what was up with this? Was it a reference to something in particular? Had we heard the whisper of the woods once before..? Or was it just the way the scene was written?

(Fond memories of speculating that the Master was… Velvet's Mom! :V )
I mean, you literally know the identity of the Master now. Doesn't that put all your previous interactions into perspective?

Or do I need to add the "unreliable narrator" tag? :V

@OurLadyOfWires Can Velvet go get the Wolf Sacrament in her current state of agonizing near death?

Or does she like need her lore levels back.
Oh, we will discuss this in more details during the Velvet's Phase vote.

But you cannot enter the Mansus.

No, you literally can't. Check out the effects of Knock level 0. That is your mechanical key into the House of the Sun.

Say, @OurLadyOfWires, bit of an odd question but I thought it worth asking.

In light of our current, exceptional circumstances, would it be appropriate to reexamine how many actions Velvet has this coming turn?
I hope the last update gave you a little more context on why the answer is "no" :V

"We don't have time for this!" Rarity yells.
I really want to know what they are cooking.

VELVET, YOU PROMISED!
Very heartwarming and hopeful. I also have a Cadance interlude/scene planned for soon.

Although a Sacrament entailing mask-off running face first into Honored Guest might just break the poor pony's brain instead. @OurLadyOfWires , any thoughts Velvet may have on such an Eldritch interaction?
This would legitimately be an awesome narrative way to frame the mechanical effects of the Sacrament. I'd totally go for it, if we go in that direction.

@OurLadyOfWires, few questions in regards to upcoming turn.

1.You said that we would not have Fleeting Opportunities this turn, but so far they were mostly social in nature. So can't Mareinette cover for us if something important happens?

2.Also somewhat related, can Mareinette take our role in the Bureau, while Velvet is indisposed? Like a body double. Assuming that we make assassination attempt known we can still present it as Velvet getting back on her hoof the next day to demonstrate a strong front. Cadence and Shining Armor can be made informed of it, and Shining likely can deal with bulk of the work, with Mareinette only needed to look good in her role. And would Mareinette be able to take on COMMISSIONER tasks this way, like increasing Bureau loyalty toward Velvet, befirending Midday Dew or even leading assault on changeling hive?

3.We can't rise Rarity Grail lvl without lores, correct? Even with Grail influence?

4.Can we tell Baldomare which books to search for? I think that we need two Heart 3 books if we want to reach lvl 4 next turn and teach our family Lores. So while we can't do it with other followers, would Baldomare be able to focus on specific lore if we ask her to search for it? Or can we scry for two Heart books in Ponivilee to buy in one action or it must be two scrying attempts?
In turn.

1 - No. A fleeting opportunity is...
So, Velvet can't look into the future. So, whenever a turn has a FleetOp, it's as if Velvet "official" plan was to "Go on an Expedition, read, teach Rarity". And when she meets the FleetOp, her plan turns into "Go on an Expedition, talk to Comet, teach Rarity". You still need to be out and about to meet the Fleeting Opportunity (it's one of the reasons of why they are a one-turn deal, they're a coinscidence you happen upon, most of the times). So no. No FleetOps this turn.

2 - No. That would be inconsistent with how little thread trusts her. So far, you have not had her use her skill even once, to talk to a lesser friend. Having Velvet suddenly trust her with the Bureau wouldn't make sense.

3 - No.

4 - Also no.

Btw @OurLadyOfWires, out of curiosity, can we also take our "Commissioner" actions as regular actions? Not this turn, obviously, but if later down the road we wanted to e.g. increase Bureau loyalty and social Midday Dew, could we throw "social Midday Dew" into our personal AP or free social?
For now, I am leaning towards "no".

Both because, narratively, Velvet is very busy at the Bureau, so using personal actions to "work overtime" would be... well, not entirely out of character, but still a little janky to justify for other reasons.
And the second reason is because you should be gunning for Glory. I won't give you guys another avenue of distraction when Velvet, a canonically Glory-smitten pony who has the ambition to reach the Branding Door, is so close to the damn thing.

Huh. We haven't actually tested to see if that artifact helps with this, have we? That's a really good catch if that works. @OurLadyOfWires , does that work? Would we have to test that to find out?
It didn't have any effect on the last SH Sacrament attempt thought?

I mean, it's kind of hard to consult a book while transporting your consciousness to another History.

Like spider said right after:
We didn't get it on the prior roll...

Soon.



- - -

Alright. Reached update.

- - -

I am noticing a distinct lack of Biedde here, @OurLadyOfWires? Shouldn't Follower AP be 10?
Also, minor typo I found:

Thank you. Fixed.

This was, rather unusually, written in an inspiration binge during the night of a weekday. I was beyond exhausted when it was done, and mostly focused on the narrative side of things.

Kindly let me know if you find more errors or inconsistencies. I appreciate it!

@OurLadyOfWires I found some outdated
Selene's information is not outdated, because Velvet will take this "resentment" to her grave :V

Thank you for the Biedde headsup though. I'll work on it later (might need another reminder, but all in due time).

Can Rarity afford to take a commission this turn @OurLadyOfWires ?
Rarity focused on her career on turn 18, and my rule is "three months is a fashion season".

But this is just me saying "SHE is not telling you that she FEELS she should focus on her career". No comments at all on any other factors. You know commissions stress her, and that she is a living pony on top of all of that.

@OurLadyOfWires I'm guessing that would wind up a complex enough plan that you'd rather not see it?
Yeahhh, really appreciate if the plans don't get too complex for discussion.

But more than just that, it would be hard for me to judge what is a RotT failure. The SH check is 60, and you have a +30 artifact for Jade to use. Other than that, the Lantern roll is variable.

So from the get-go, I find it hard for Jade not to get SOME level of information, minus any wards that might be in place. The thing you guys need to decide if that would be enough.

@OurLadyOfWires What happens if we have multiple followers going to Search for the Outsider, but not all their actions wind up being necessary?
Well, for starters I'd be very happy if you got that much Glory progress this turn :V

And more realistically, I'd probably reopen a vote to "decide what this leftover character does".

More specifically, does being pushed into dance with death deactivate our leash?
Yes.



Alright, that seems to be all!

So. The reason I did this now, instead of waiting till friday, is because I'd like to have Velvet's Phase opened on sunday night. No promises, and things might end up differently. But I felt inspired to write last night, so this is what ended up happening.

I hope you are all doing well! And thank you for the kind words. Let me know if there is anything you want to ask/negotiate/correct regarding this update and the voting period. Voting should be open... some four hours from now I think? But we can extend the moratorium if people prefer.

Aye, that's all.
 
This would legitimately be an awesome narrative way to frame the mechanical effects of the Sacrament. I'd totally go for it, if we go in that direction.
...I kind of want to do it this way now, just because this sounds so in-theme for a Moth Sacrament about masks. And we were already thinking of using Spoiled Rich for it...

Edit: Or go tell Mareinette to go chat up the biggest, most unrepentant asshole that she can find that "we" could still make friends with. And by we, I mean Mareinette, and by make friends, I mean make that relationship counter go up just enough to sacrifice it to the Vagabond.
 
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Goodness...
What a beauty. Beyond Reproach is clever and cleverer. And Mareinnete is....
A friend. And we have precious few willing to give freely with the ability to change things.

The books from the grave, progress towards Axe's Sacrament.
Those need to happen.
Then the outsider. Then Copper.

And... Maybe spend an action with family. They will need it.
As will Velvet.


I'll go back and start planning now.


Edit: There... Was an opportunity here, wasn't there? Or at least, there will be? Was supposed to be?
To borrow your language, it is either a "Wasn't" or a "Will be"
A fleeting opportunity to explain to Reproach what happened.
 
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Well, here's a thought:

[] Plan Let's Get That Outsider:
-[] You need somepony to perform this ritual…(Reflection of the Tapestry, aimed at COPPER)
--[] To be performed on the safe place Baldomare directed you to. (Will expire at the end of turn 20)
-[] Attack your foe, or defend yourself. In war, there is no other option.
--[] [COPPER] Send somepony to attack this opponent
-[] [MAREINETTE] Channel an Influence. (GRAIL)
-[] You need this to be done. Send a pony on an expedition.
-[] [AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson.
-[] [SELENE] This body is new to her, but it is old to the world. She must learn of its abilities and privileges. (Grain +5 to her General Bonus) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[] Explore for the Outsider x4
-[] [DETECTIVES] (VENGEANCE) Somepony dared attack the Commissioner. Find their trail.
-[] [CONSTABLES] The Commissioner is just too important to leave unattended. Run security. (Order them to "Guard" you for this turn.)

Possibly sends Luna, Rarity, Jade, Servants to search for the Outsider at 62% chance of success. If Baldomare searches instead of Luna, it's ~guaranteed.

Doesn't include Luna guarding.
 
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The books from the grave, progress towards Axe's Sacrament.
Those need to happen.
Then the outsider. Then Copper.
Aren't your priorities a little skewed? I think threats against our life and progress towards winning are more important that actions that can wait a turn. We can use a level five book to prolong Baldomare's stay even if it doesn't progress her friendship and since Axe's sacrament doesn't use her action we can have her craft keys this turn and get the lesson the next one.
 
I think threats against our life and progress towards winning are more important that actions that can wait a turn. We can use a level five book to prolong Baldomare's stay even if it doesn't progress her friendship and since Axe's sacrament doesn't use her action we can have her craft keys this turn and get the lesson the next one.
If Baldomare and Axe were better friends and our Lores were stronger we would have more of an advantage here. If nothing else having Axe permanently rather than ever having a turn without her as a combatant is definitely useful, and Baldomare's narratively-driven help is directly useful for both Glory-/Outsider- seeking and knowing our enemies.

Names and Sacraments are our best tools to progress towards Glory and defeat our enemies, and we've been neglecting them in favor of short term fires ever since the quest started. Time for a different approach.
 
Current tentative plan:

[] Plan Time's Up
-[] (Detectives) Investigate the Commissioner's attackers
-[] (Constables) Guard the Commissioner
-[] (Selene) Winter Realization
-[] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Filthy Rich and Spoiled Rich
-[] (DoA) Wrong Keys
-[] (Baldomare-Free) Give her the Level 6 book if the expedition is successful, otherwise give her the Knock 5 book
-[] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry (probably Jade)
--[] Target: Copper and her cult. Their location, their resources, their defenses, anything and everything about them
--[] To be performed on an inconspicuous place, located by Baldomare
-[] Assault an opponent (Copper Secateur) (probably Biedde)
-[] Lead an expedition (A Grave on a Hill) (probably Comet)
-[] Guard our home (definitely Selene)
-[] Search Canterlot for the Outsider (x 3) (probably Servants + Rarity + Baldomare)

Yes it's not formatted 'properly'. I'll change it later (or not, Bird has historically accepted simplified plan formats), but this way just makes it easier for me to read while planning & tweaking things.
 
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Send the Servants to do a book search in ponyville. We could use some Heart books and we could start building the Library with anything too low for our use.
Don't have great odds of Heart books, we don't have actions to waste on low level of books, and a d100-10 on the outsider search ain't bad.
-[] (Wounds) 2 healing dice, -1 Velvet AP
-[] (Medicine) Autosuccess for 2 healing dice, -60 bits
Think this decision comes later (even though yeah it's pretty assured)
 
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If Baldomare and Axe were better friends and our Lores were stronger we would have more of an advantage here. If nothing else having Axe permanently rather than ever having a turn without her as a combatant is definitely useful, and Baldomare's narratively-driven help is directly useful for both Glory-/Outsider- seeking and knowing our enemies.

Names and Sacraments are our best tools to progress towards Glory and defeat our enemies, and we've been neglecting them in favor of short term fires ever since the quest started. Time for a different approach.
Except it makes zero difference whether we get the knock lesson this turn or the next in regards to progressing Axe's friendship and we can actually delay the hill expedition for three turns, even though that is unneeded.

My thoughts:
Axe crafts keys.
Rarity work focus
Mareinette either befriends somepony or gives an influence
Luna guards and studies.
RotT on Copper (35 bits)
Attack on Copper (4 Names squad, 100 bits)
Hill expedition (2 ponies, 50 bits)
Search for outsiderx2

We get the Axe lesson next turn because we can't even attempt her sacrament before then.
 
Alright, alright let's give it a try. Making a plan now.

[]Plan Outshine
-[]A tighter security detail, at all times.
-[] [DETECTIVES] (VENGEANCE) Somepony dared attack the Commissioner. Find their trail.
-[] [CONSTABLES] The Commissioner is just too important to leave unattended. Run security. (Order them to "Guard" you for this turn.)
-[] [JADE] Research "A Memory of Light"
-[] [SELENE] Realize something about Winter. (Unlock her Winter skill) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[] [MAREINETTE] Channel an Influence. (GRAIL)
-[] [AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson.
-[] (Baldomare-Free) Give her the Level 6 book if the expedition is successful, otherwise give her the Knock 5 book.
-[] There is something in Canterlot that you simply must find. Look for it. (Progress 0/200, applies Intrigue and Secret Histories) 3 times.
-[] You need this to be done. Send a pony on an expedition.(The Grave on the Hill)
-[] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry(Copper and her Cult)
--[] To be performed on the safe place Baldomare directed you to.
-[] Guard our home
-[] [COPPER] Send somepony to attack this opponent

I think that is all, if anyone wants to make a suggestion for a change or correct a mistake feel welcome to do so. And as always the only thing I'm not willing to compromise is A Memory of Light.

Edit: Forgot Biedde. Added the "Assault an Opponent" action.
 
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Aren't your priorities a little skewed? I think threats against our life and progress towards winning are more important that actions that can wait a turn. We can use a level five book to prolong Baldomare's stay even if it doesn't progress her friendship and since Axe's sacrament doesn't use her action we can have her craft keys this turn and get the lesson the next one.
I am going to put my thoughts in the most clear and terrible way I know how.

I am worried about Windy Flakes.
Copper is indulgent. She is powerful. She is dangerous and she is a problem. She is one we, as the audience, and as the voices that lead Velvet, know how to handle. We have the tools and the people and the power, we just need to spend the time on it. That is going to happen.

Windy Flakes....
There is nothing special and nothing unique that let Velvet escape after audience with the Wolf. And we know he was... Listening for that voice. We know he reached high enough to attain his brand. We know he crafted things of Winter, though we know not what.
And we know that Ash Ghouls can be crafted.


I, am worried about a fool of a cultist with the Wolf in his ears. Because it will take Names who want something to stop the problems that those things bring. Names who have an interest in the things of the Wake.
Not just Mareinnete looking for a new sister.

If you want to swap Axe's lesson for Keys this turn, feel free. But we need the Grave's book. And to begin Axe's Sacrament as soon as we can.
 
Except it makes zero difference whether we get the knock lesson this turn or the next in regards to progressing Axe's friendship and we can actually delay the hill expedition for three turns, even though that is unneeded.
Getting friend status with a Name is a big deal. Or do you think that Names have only 1 action to give, like a regular mortal pony. Newflash Names can do much more then the barely trying level of effort they are putting into helping Velvet at the moment.
 
Current tentative plan:

[] Plan Time's Up
-[] (Detectives) Investigate the Commissioner's attackers
-[] (Constables) Guard the Commissioner
-[] (Selene) Winter Realization
-[] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Filthy Rich and Spoiled Rich
-[] (DoA) Wrong Keys
-[] (Baldomare-Free) Give her the Level 6 book if the expedition is successful, otherwise give her the Knock 5 book
-[] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry (probably Jade)
--[] Target: Copper and her cult. Their location, their resources, their defenses, anything and everything about them
--[] To be performed on an inconspicuous place, located by Baldomare
-[] Assault an opponent (Copper Secateur) (probably Biedde)
-[] Lead an expedition (A Grave on a Hill) (probably Comet)
-[] Guard our home (definitely Selene)
-[] Search Canterlot for the Outsider (x 3) (probably Servants + Rarity + Baldomare)

Yes it's not formatted 'properly'. I'll change it later (or not, Bird has historically accepted simplified plan formats), but this way just makes it easier for me to read while planning & tweaking things.
While I would prefer Mareinnete to give us an Influence to speak with people who will be visiting, if the only loss by my preference is that she speaks in Velvet's place, I am fine with this plan.
This has my tentative acceptance.
 
If we're thinking of using a social action on our family, which... sorta makes, and might help convince Luna we can go without her guarding, I do really like sending Mareinette to socialize rather than the influence.

I think we should push Luna, a bit. She can be brave. But I'm happy with the rest @Greymere .

(I guess one other advantage of making keys this turn is we can bring a few on the Copper raid? Maybe helpful with Neighnia?)

[] Plan Time's Up (Brave Luna, find Windy)
-[] (Detectives) Investigate the Commissioner's attackers
-[] (Constables) Guard the Commissioner
-[] (Selene) Winter Realization
-[] (Selene) Spy on Windy Flake's dreams
-[] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Filthy Rich and Spoiled Rich
-[] (DoA) Wrong Keys
-[] (Baldomare-Free) Give her the Level 6 book if the expedition is successful, otherwise give her the Knock 5 book
-[] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry (probably Jade)
--[] Target: Copper and her cult. Their location, their resources, their defenses, anything and everything about them
--[] To be performed on an inconspicuous place, located by Baldomare
-[] Assault an opponent (Copper Secateur) (probably Biedde)
-[] Lead an expedition (A Grave on a Hill) (probably Comet)
-[] Search Canterlot for the Outsider (x 3) (probably Servants + Rarity + Baldomare)

[] Plan Time's Up (Brave Luna, find Outsider)
-[] (Detectives) Investigate the Commissioner's attackers
-[] (Constables) Guard the Commissioner
-[] (Selene) Winter Realization
-[] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Filthy Rich and Spoiled Rich
-[] (DoA) Wrong Keys
-[] (Baldomare-Free) Give her the Level 6 book if the expedition is successful, otherwise give her the Knock 5 book
-[] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry (probably Baldomare?)
--[] Target: Copper and her cult. Their location, their resources, their defenses, anything and everything about them
--[] To be performed on an inconspicuous place, located by Baldomare
-[] Assault an opponent (Copper Secateur) (probably Biedde)
-[] Lead an expedition (A Grave on a Hill) (probably Comet)
-[] Search Canterlot for the Outsider (x 4) (probably Servants + Rarity + Jade + Selene)
 
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(I guess one other advantage of making keys this turn is we can bring a few on the Copper raid?
Wasn't the current strategy to wait for a turn where we could have recent information, all Names and opportunity to attack Copper completely instead of just attacking her and inviting an immediate response from her?
 
I really want to know what they are cooking.
I know the ending that I'm authoring towards it's just very fucking difficult to get there.

Anyway, now that I've got that off my chest, it seems like we have the general sentiment down (kill Copper with great prejudice), but not all the fiddly bits.

Maybe just scry for 'the most vulnerable entrance to Copper'? And if Selene is spying on Windy, maybe have her priority be nailing down his concrete location, then what he is doing. We can also have DoA accompany as a free action on the Grave on the Hill for her +50 bonus.

Hmm... maybe I'll try making my own plan as well.

Wasn't the current strategy to wait for a turn where we could have recent information, all Names and opportunity to attack Copper completely instead of just attacking her and inviting an immediate response from her?
I don't remember reading that sentiment, though I have been tunneling on, you know, *makes a slicing motion

EDIT: Right, we're scrying this turn and I remember Bird saying that there would be a mini-vote before the expedition.
 
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Wasn't the current strategy to wait for a turn where we could have recent information, all Names and opportunity to attack Copper completely instead of just attacking her and inviting an immediate response from her?
And all Names can go on the expedition, it's a short expedition so it just takes one action form the leader.
 

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