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

[ses]

I consider the Free Forge Reagent action to be straightforwardly a half-action.

It's important enough and if we didn't have it we'd spend Velvet AP on reagent crafting fairly often, and have spent Velvet AP on reagent crafting before even with us having it. So I'm fine rounding it up from like 45% of an action to just saying it's straightforwardly worth half an AP.

And uh.... I doubt that we're going to stop needing that Forge action slot anytime soon. Jade needs SH reagents to not risk failure at scrying, Calling of Influence is a thing we may be interested in doing in the future, especially if we want to do another run at the Ruined Church, Lantern reagents are always good for supercharging scries even if Selene is throwing +70 at the lantern end, we're probably going to need to Forge's Redemption shining armor in the next 3 turns even if we didn't take the opportunity to do it next turn (either a forge reagent to do it ourselves or a Grail reagent for the Forge name to do it), reagents never stop being useful.

 

[Greymere]

I consider the Free Forge Reagent action to be straightforwardly a half-action.

It's important enough and if we didn't have it we'd spend Velvet AP on reagent crafting fairly often, and have spent a Velvet AP on reagent crafting before even with us having it. So I'm fine rounding it up from like 45% of an action to just saying it's straightforwardly worth half an AP.

And uh.... I doubt that we're going to stop needing that Forge action slot anytime soon. Jade needs SH reagents to not risk failure at scrying, Calling of Influence is a thing we may be interested in doing in the future, especially if we want to do another run at the Ruined Church, Lantern reagents are always good for supercharging scries even if Selene is throwing +70 at the lantern end, we're probably going to need to Forge's Redemption shining armor in the next 3 turns even if we didn't take the opportunity to do it next turn (either a forge reagent to do it ourselves or a Grail reagent for the Forge name to do it), reagents never stop being useful.

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I didn't say we wouldn't need it, I said we shouldn't need one every single turn. And using a Lantern reagent on a Lantern artifact-boosted Selene scry would seriously just be a waste of bits; if we need something with more oomph than a +70, then that's when you throw Baldomare at the problem. And Jade being slightly unreliable at RotT's SH check is... mostly a nonissue currently, considering that we still don't have anywhere for her to actually do 2+ circle rituals when Rarity isn't out on commission, and can be solved by getting a slightly better SH artifact (you know, by going on expeditions, which you have said you want to do).

Edit: Somewhat unrelated, but @OurLadyOfWires, does "searching for new expeditions" count for the purposes of DoA's expedition specialty bonus?

 

[ses]

Lots of scry actions are "thresholds of goodies" scries, not fixed-DC scries! Baldomare will use reagents sometimes if we're doing something like Assaulting an Opponent or otherwise doing scrying where more information is progressively better. Scouting expeditions in general is a situation where more bonuses are always better, and we have some big name expeditions on our list that could use Name numbers with big bonuses on top. It's incidental to the main point that "I dont think there will be a turn in the next 4 turns where we dont have an important use for our forge reagent action" seeing as next turn's is spoken for for Forge Name, and we're probably going to need another for Shining at some point in the next 4 turns, as well as we're probably going to make a SH reagent for Jade at least once in the next 4 turns as I doubt we will have exactly a level 5 SH artifact on turns 23 or 24, as well as we're probably going to need one for a Calling of Influence in preparation for Ruined church. That's 4 right there even without anything new and unexpected in store.

Like, I'm not saying sacrifice it for 15 bits, but for 40 bits I'd take that deal. For 80 bits we'd be a fool not to. It's just a question to ask the QM if it's possible at all, especially since the probability of us using it remains low. The arguments we might use it may be true, but even then it's exactly the sort of action that ends up getting cut first when we have any other priorities.

@OurLadyOfWires If we have the Bureau converted as well as introduced to the Lores does that mean our need to find a 3circle site has been obviated? You've been strict in the past but at some point I feel like we've earned the ability to use Bureau facilities. Or at least the right to use a Commissioner action to get one set up or something.

 

[Nevermort]

Okay we have Mareinette as Cadance stand-in and Velvet as Luna. Who should be our Celestia replacement?

... Ah, heh.
You know? I don't know why we would, but now, we could...
Have Velvet, pretending she's Luna, be replaced by Mareinette, pretending she's Velvet, pretending she's Luna.

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Well, about that. @OurLadyOfWires I asked before if Mareinette can befriend Midday Dew in place of Velvet. You said that she can't because Velvet does not trust her enough as we never used her for Velvet social actions at that time. Since then we used her to befriend Rich family and more importantly to replace Cadance for a day. So is this still the case?

@OurLadyOfWires I feel like, thematically, the fact that we have a functioning laptop computer from a 21st century dimension should count as a Forge reagent for the Rite of Joyous Reforging. Like, come on. It fits too well for Tinkering to not be sacrificable as a decent Forge pseudo-artifact. You should consider allowing this.

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I'd rather keep it in reserve in case that at some point we can justify having institution knowledge to Celestia. Something like closer connections to Eclipse or Lore information that we took from Gardeners could possibly justify it and then we would only need to ensure that Velvet level is not being higher than Bureau's. Not high chance of it, but still. And someone already asked QM how Velvet plans to hide Bureau Lores from Celestia so it may depend on the answer.

 

[Greymere]

Lots of scry actions are "thresholds of goodies" scries, not fixed-DC scries! Baldomare will use reagents sometimes if we're doing something like Assaulting an Opponent or otherwise doing scrying where more information is progressively better. Scouting expeditions in general is a situation where more bonuses are always better, and we have some big name expeditions on our list that could use Name numbers with big bonuses on top.

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Sure, bigger number is better, but bigger number isn't always necessary or worth the opportunity cost. We could throw a Level 3 Lantern reagent at every RotT ever, but that doesn't mean we should when it would mean that we're out another 45 bits on top of the ritual cost that could have instead been spent on expeditions, Sacraments, rituals, renewing Biedde (if we decide to keep him around), renewing Mareinette's contract, etc. If Baldomare/Selene is scrying something Big and Important like All In or BtRC Part 3, then yeah, it would make sense to boost the ritual with a reagent (esp. for All In). But for stuff like, "find me an expedition with a Knock 5 artifact", "find an expedition with lots of books", "where tf is Windy", it's just... not going to be worth it imo if the base roll from Selene is already at a +70, and Baldomare at a +110 w/ reroll vs. doing something else with those bits and/or reagent.

Edit: Also, again! I'm not saying we just make manuscripts whenever for the hell of it. I'm saying that we should make them in the specific instance where doing so gets the Bureau to the Level 3 breakpoint, because that breakpoint is important both narratively and presumably mechanically. That's when our agents start getting Realizations, and when infrastructure bonuses should start being a thing that we benefit from. Especially if we want to use these guys for expeditions.

 

[BritBiscuit]

Only criticism is that Drummer Clap is a mare.

Drummer Clap is our new The Enforcer. Which Bureau constable is going to be our new Stewardship advisor? Because we need bits. Hopefully when we get one established they're better at their job than Windy was.

And yes indeed Velvet did learn very well from the Master how to run a cult the Moth way. It's very funny how we're the only member of the Inner Circle who was truly into the Moth way. No wonder the Master was disappointed we didn't take a Moth Brand. Imagine the alternate timeline where we did and were able to take Master's invitation after The Brazen Step but before Trigger Event. Though we wouldn't have been able to Morning, An Afternoon, a History without the reroll that we wouldnt have had if we hadn't taken a SH brand, and that was a true core moment of the quest.

Of course if we had taken a Moth brand we wouldn't have lost Baldomare so the entire timeline would have gone completely off the rails.

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Thanks for saying the only criticism of my joke was the gender of Drummer Clap, however I don't think I actually said Drummer clap was male? Is the term Mafioso speciffically for male members of the Mob? I could possibly see someone reading it that way from the 'his partner' in there but that was for Reproach's partner in the investigation.

Also in a way some people could say that the most Moth Brand for a Moth Adept is a brand that isn't a Moth Brand, if they particullarly resonate with the secrecy and unreason parts of Moth then surely the biggest secret of all is the Lore that is truelly the center of your world or even what makes the least sense to do other than choose otherwise.

 

[Greymere]

I want to start working on a turn plan but I can't because we don't know the follower stuff yet and it's importaaaaaant :-(

 

[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)

You are Lady Velvet Covers, and you are currently in your office-turned-hobby-place… room. Your workshop? Your library? It doesn't really matter.

All that matters is that the clock did not stop ticking. And just like that, the month is now over.

"So, what do we do next?" your daughter, the one other pony who is in the room with you, asks.

And you answer Selene's question with… a few moments of silence.

You need to think about it.

Because yes, you need to decide what you should be focusing on personally, over the next few weeks. As always, you have several little plates that you need to keep spinning. And on the backdrop of everything, like an ever-pulsing sore on the side of your mind, is the knowledge that Glory is so very close.

But you also need to worry about other things, and other ponies. The Bureau being one of them.

And besides, for all that Selene asked you to handle the Bureau, you still think you should ask her opinion on what you should do next. To get her thinking about the subject, and to slowly prepare her for the future, if nothing else.

After all, it wouldn't do for you to not prepare your daughter for the future. She is a Princess after all!

"One of the things I am worried about is the Bureau. Or rather, the latest reports they gave me… Would you mind if I talked to you about it? I need somepony to soundboard some ideas, if nothing else," you say.

And for a while, you and Selene discuss the matters of Equestria.



The Lunar Bureau has brought news, these last few days, and you have yet to decide where to direct them next.

Under the cover of the night, using a train cart commandeered by Bureau authority, your detectives have brought back the body of a dead changeling. It was killed during its capture, after being cornered in the distant frontier town known as Dodge City.

The Lunar Bureau may now act upon Dodge City. You may either order your investigators to "Further investigate Dodge City", to search for more traces of changeling activity, or you may order your constables to "Siege Dodge City", for a more direct (if brutal) approach.

Furthermore, your Constables have reported that the roundups of Manehattan has been completed. Nine out of every ten warrants were successfully carried out, and the remaining ponies are either on the run, or presumed dead. The cutie marks of those who are yet on the run have been spread out to all the constabularies in Equestria, ensuring they will never again live without fear of arrest.

The remnants of the Wildhoof Club which reformed into the Gardeners have been completely eradicated. They will no longer be an issue. And the only pony from the Wildhoof Club who remains unaccounted for, as far as you know, is Windy Flakes.



Selene gives you her opinion, which you are satisfied to see is mostly aligned with your own, and you store all that information away to make a decision later on.

"Next, I need to figure out how to handle… other issues," you tell your daughter.

And she answers you with a short, cute, nod of her little filly head.

Focus, Velvet. Focus! You can squee at your daughter later.

Because right now, you need to decide what to do about…

Spoiler: Jade Whistle's rolls

[The Reflection of the Tapestry]

[Secret Histories, CD 60]

[Roll: 11 + 14 (Magic) + 30 (Artifact, level 3) = 55]

[Ritual failed]



[A Memory of Light – Research, Progress 0/100]

[Roll: 5 47 + 14 (Learning) + 40 (Lantern, Level 4) = 101]

[Jade Whistle invoked her re-roll]

[Success]

Jade Whistle has brought you a… bundle of notes. Almost too many for a single pony to read.

The more confusing part of it was an attempt at drawing a map. Half-remembered dreams about wrong paths and false doors, poorly drawn over a map of Equestria. The Lore of Secret Histories has never been her forte, and you conclude that nothing useful could be gleaned from those.

But the other part of her notes, the better-organized description of her memories, tells you a different story.

Jade Whistle has successfully researched "A Memory of Light". She has discovered a fragment of something. Something big, and important, and that part of you believes is a ritual. That same part of you also thinks this fragment is one of three.

You may now research "A memory of the Path", which uses LEARNING and KNOCK, and has its progress set to 0/200.

Additional information has been added to your Ritual tab.



"That is… interesting," Selene says, as she goes over the notes with you.

You have to walk her through most of the Lantern-heavy sections, but part of you thinks that… that Selene actually gets it. That for all that she doesn't know much about Lantern itself, there is a deeper part of her that noticed, or perhaps recognized, something that you haven't realized at all. Even if she can't put it into words.

"Speaking of… well, speaking of strange things, there is something I want your opinion on, mom," Selene says, after a few moments of silence.

And then she asks you for your advice.



Selene has spent a good deal of her time, and her nights, going around the dreams of Ponykind. She is not entirely sure how to describe it to you, or even if she should. She believes she has done, and is doing, something good. But still, she is more concerned about other things.

"My sister… Celestia, that is. I visited her dreams the most, and I saw…"

Selene has been keeping an eye on Princess Celestia. She has correctly informed you that Princess Celestia will have reached Lantern 2 by the beginning of Turn 22.

Selene has also asked you to give her more time to continue using the "Soothe the Night" action (although you are not forced to give her that order).



With that… well, it is now time for you to decide what to do next.





30 bits have been taken from your treasury, for Jade's failed ritual.

Your Name-given Influences, "An Incarnadescence" and "I Have Been Here Before", have expired.

Your Attention of the Laws for the Lore of Lantern has faded away, unused.

Your contract with Biedde, the Name of Edge, is about to expire. He will come to you to address that shortly.

Your options on how to prepare for Turn 22 will be available imminently.

 

[Greymere]

Sigh...

Fine, ill get out of bed and go write.

Mumble Mumble...

Click to shrink...

(I do want to clarify that wasn't an actual complaint, I just enjoy putting together plans)

 

[Pittauro]

Due to the time crunch it's still not worth it.

It's a long term investment while we're in the endgame.

Mechanically still not worth it.

Besides I would much rather spend the commissioner actions on Cadence.



Me too, it's nice narratively just not mechanically.

I have a bit of a head cannon that this was Copper's dream goal which makes this extra amusing.

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I actually mostly agree, with an asterisk.

IF the quest actually ends in 3 or 4 turns, we're unlikely to do more than break even at best... but it might have an effect in a follow-up quest / sequel, and we MIGHT get our money back if we use them for expeditions and we get the loot without having to pay the bits and action cost from Names and Velvet's free time.

Noooo, don't sacrifice our only way of making more than a single manuscript at a time! We just (re)unlocked the ability for writing manuscripts to actually be relevant (again)!

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To be fair, the ONLY way I can see the Lapdog / Manuscripts becoming relevant is if the infrastructure bonuses are just THAT good for us DIRECTLY.

MAYBE we could try to get ONE lore at 3 and see what happens?It's probably not worth making Manuscripts for though. MAYBE if a single action was enough for it.

But actually writing manuscripts is terrible action efficiency for leveling up the Library, and the laptop only increases its efficiency by 33%, which isn't anywhere near enough to make it good. (1 AP to make 2 reagents, 2 AP to make 4 manuscripts, for 3 per 4 manuscripts instead of 4 per 4 manuscripts. Compared to 1 AP per 3 manuscripts when reading books. All we need is expeditions on taxpayer funds to get the books with!)

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it MIGHT maybe be worth it if we have no other use for the per-turn reagent, and that action manages to bring a lore to lvl 3... though I think we're not there yet for any Lore.

Depending on the lore we can get two lvl 3 or two lvl 4 manuscripts out of a single action.

MOTH: Level 1 ( [1/1] )

if we add a lvl 1 (Institutional Knowledge) and two lvl 4 manuscripts (so to be done AFTER Sacrament) and the lvl 5 moth book it should get to

(1/1) + (4/2) + (5/3 +4/3) + 1/4= lvl 3 Moth.

Or, just, craft a single reagent with a free action? We don't need a reagent every single turn, now that the Name Brigade will be finished soon, and how often we'd want to write manuscripts is limited by the Bureau's ability to unlock Lores in the first place. I'm not saying we rely entirely on manuscripts to level them up, but like, if we hit Level 5 and write some manuscripts for that Lore, that's effectively two targeted Level 4 books. Like, for example! By hitting Moth 5 (incl. reading the Moth book) and writing two manuscripts for 1 AP via lapdog, the Bureau can just... hit Moth 3. Immediately. Or if we read that Knock 5 book, two at-will Level 4 manuscripts can move that up from Knock 2 to Knock 3. Which is important, because Level 3 is when infrastructure bonuses start to happen, at least according to the previous framework (and I suspect Bird would really like to show them off at least a little bit), and narratively that's when some of our Bureau agents start getting their Realization powers.

Edit 2: Or to put it another way, I'm not saying we level up the Bureau solely on manuscripts, but that we should use the lapdog to make manuscripts in the instances where two Level 4 books (or Level 3, depending on the Lore) directly translates into "the Bureau Lore Level goes up to Level 3+".

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yep, exactly. IF a single action could bring the Bureau to lvl 3 in a lore, then MAYBE it could be worth it. It depends on how good infrastructure bonuses are.

Thanks for saying the only criticism of my joke was the gender of Drummer Clap, however I don't think I actually said Drummer clap was male? Is the term Mafioso speciffically for male members of the Mob? I could possibly see someone reading it that way from the 'his partner' in there but that was for Reproach's partner in the investigation.

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Well, Mafioso is originally an italian word, and in italian that's explicitly a male adjective, while to make it "female" you'd say Mafiosa.

general rule with admittedly lots of exceptions, words ending in O are male and words ending in A are female. Yes, we do that to most adjectives too.

 

[Greymere]

[The Reflection of the Tapestry]

[Secret Histories, CD 60]

[Roll: 11 + 14 (Magic) + 30 (Artifact, level 3) = 55]

[Ritual failed]



[A Memory of Light – Research, Progress 0/100]

[Roll: 5 47 + 14 (Learning) + 40 (Lantern, Level 4) = 101]

[Jade Whistle invoked her re-roll]

[Success]

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Poor, poor Jade. The dice just really were not with her this turn, huh?

Edit:

"The Rite of ?????????????????????"
-CD: LANTERN 150, ????????????????
-Cost: 300 bits ("prohibitively expensive", immune to any discount effects)
-Duration: ??????????????
-Effect: ???????????????
-Additional Notes:
--You may not attempt this Ritual until it is completely researched
--Casting this ritual requires a custom-made ritual circle, and will always cause suspicion (if that is still an issue)
--????????????????? (other notes, if any, unknown)

Click to shrink...

Hmm...

-CD: LANTERN 150, ???????????????? -Cost: 300 bits ("prohibitively expensive", immune to any discount effects) --Casting this ritual requires a custom-made ritual circle, and will always cause suspicion (if that is still an issue)

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HMMMM...

...good thing we've got the Bureau in our corner, huh? This smells Important. Who knows if we'll get to it before Glory, but it's certainly piqued my interest.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

The following notes relate to the coming Turn 22 voting period, and are relevant for you to make an educated decision on this current vote:

Spoiler: Notes

-You can assume you will have 623 bits at the beginning of Turn 22. (Your current 421, plus 160 from your salary, plus 42 from Rarity's dividends).
-You will be offered a Fleeting Opportunity to fulfill "Soft Sweep's Request".
-You will be offered a Fleeting Opportunity to "Make more time for Uncle Steppes". This will allow you to have more say on the "gift" he wants to give you, but not picking this option will still result in receiving something from him.
-Jade Whistle will, exceptionally, have NO ACTION POINTS AVAILABLE, since she borrowed her actions from Turn 22 to attempt a ritual on Turn 21.
-The report of your minions, and the additional actions that have been unlocked by their efforts, can be read on the threadmark immediately before this one.

You have decided to...


[] (ALL IN) You WILL attempt the "All In" expedition immediately. (No other options may be picked)

-[] (ALL IN) You will NOT attempt the "All In" expedition.


When it comes to old Biedde, you will...


-[] (BIEDDE) End your contract.
-Biedde will be unsummoned.

-[] (BIEDDE) Fund a short monster-hunting expedition (Costs 60 bits)
-Biedde will extend his stay for one turn.

-[] (BIEDDE) Fund a long monster-hunting expedition (Costs 100 bits)
-Biedde will extend his stay for three turns.
-During the FIRST turn of his extended stay, he will be "completely unavailable" as he pursues his expedition.
-Meaning he will be GONE for the first turn, and present as normal for the following TWO turns, for a total of three turns.

-[] (BIEDDE) Pursue religious goals.
-Biedde will extend his stay for one turn.
-It is rude to ask what he would do with his free time.


Regarding your Honored guest, you think you should...


-[] (MAREINETTE) Mareinette is her own mare, and Cadance could use some company. Don't do anything, and see how things turn out.
-You will not take any particular action this turn.
-From what you hear, Mareinette will be more absent from your home than usual. Something about spending more time in Canterlot.
-This is a free action, and will not interfere in Mareinette's ability to serve you.

-[] (MAREINETTE) You introduced her to Cadance, yes, but you are still very interested in her endeavors.
-You will signal to Mareinette that you are still interested in your ongoing relationship. She will hold you for that.
-From what you hear, Mareinette will continue to mostly lounge in your estate and wander around Ponyville. To the delight of the farmhoofs that adore her.
-This is a free action, and will not interfere in Mareinette's ability to serve you.


And of course, your latest "project"...


-[] (FORGE NAME) You will attempt the "Rite of Joyous (Re)Forging" (WRITE IN what sacrifices will be used) (COSTS ONE VELVET COVERS ACTION FROM TURN 22)

-[] (FORGE NAME) You will NOT attempt to summon it, at this time.



Twelve hours moratorium. Vote in plans.

All plans MUST contain one of each option. Unless you vote to go for the "All In" expedition, in which case you should only vote for that.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

So @OurLadyOfWires, how long until we can start training some people up as a Cadre?

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This will be my answer for a while, for now. But:

"Right now, your "Cult" is Iron Button and Reproach literally being sneaky apostles "spreading the good word to the faithful" that Princess Luna walks among them."

Mechanically, I will start letting the Bureau use Lore bonuses on their rolls. But narratively the pony using the roll will be the one agent who is "in the know" who has the right Lore affinity at the right time.

You only have one out of nine Lores unlocked for the Bureau, and I will measure the growth of your "cult" as you unlock more Lores. Talk to me again when we are at 5/9 or something.

@OurLadyOfWires Mechanically, you say the Bureau is loyal. Does that mean we have more or less free use of its resources?

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See above.

But Luna has a MOON cutie mark.

So she said the truth, but if they REALLY thought about it they should have realized that IF she's saying the truth THEN she can't be Luna. Because she would have lied about her cutie mark.

@OurLadyOfWires is that on purpose? It feels like Velvet purposefully left them a hint to the REAL truth for some reason.

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I'll be honest. I could have gone for the extra-maximum-Moth sneakiness of "answering all three answers with truths".

But this is Moth, and you are a grown mare. I am entirely happy with saying you lied through your teeth on the third answer.

"Oh no! Velvet broke the rules of her own made up game!" Yeah, it's called Moth.

@OurLadyOfWires We know that Celestia's Lantern surpassing our Moth is potential Game Over.

Does this work for her Lantern vs Bureau moth too? Or she wouldn't think to check them instead of just their leader?

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I will not make detection of Bureau Lore levels a problem, when it comes to Celestia doom clock. But mostly because there are too few agents in the know for her to notice, and I need to give you guys some level of security since this is a game.

But I might create other, entirely new problems. I mean, we are on turn 21/22 and you guys FINALLY performed the FIRST ACTION you do in Cultist Simulator, which is to found a cult. And even then, this is not a real cult.

So, we'll see how it goes.

@OurLadyOfWires I feel like, thematically, the fact that we have a functioning laptop computer from a 21st century dimension should count as a Forge reagent for the Rite of Joyous Reforging. Like, come on. It fits too well for Tinkering to not be sacrificable as a decent Forge pseudo-artifact. You should consider allowing this.

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Nah. Leave the lapdog alone. Don't hurt him.

Somewhat unrelated, but @OurLadyOfWires, does "searching for new expeditions" count for the purposes of DoA's expedition specialty bonus?

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No. She is good at adventuring, but not necessarily finding places to adventure in.

@OurLadyOfWires If we have the Bureau converted as well as introduced to the Lores does that mean our need to find a 3circle site has been obviated? You've been strict in the past but at some point I feel like we've earned the ability to use Bureau facilities. Or at least the right to use a Commissioner action to get one set up or something.

Click to shrink...

No.

Again, your "cult" is two colts in a trenchcoat (a trenchcoat of lies). And I will measure your growth, and give concessions, as you teach them more Lores.

Go found a cult first, before asking for the benefits of a cult.

Well, about that. @OurLadyOfWires I asked before if Mareinette can befriend Midday Dew in place of Velvet. You said that she can't because Velvet does not trust her enough as we never used her for Velvet social actions at that time. Since then we used her to befriend Rich family and more importantly to replace Cadance for a day. So is this still the case?

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I mean... I could be amenable to that now? If there is public interest in the follower's phase, we can discuss that.

Still, I'm trying to be respectful for the thread's (apparent) aversion to Mareinette.

This coming vote for the Moods of Mareinette will be an important indicator for me on how to proceed, to be honest.

(I do want to clarify that wasn't an actual complaint, I just enjoy putting together plans)

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I have no idea what post you are quoting, and I don't know what you are complaining about.

Gaslighting? What's that?





All jokes aside, I hope you are all doing well! Ping me if you have any questions. My intention (or perhaps hope) is to open the Turn 22 follower's phase Sunday night, as soon as this vote is closed, to have it run over the course of the week.

But unfortunately, I can't make any promises.

Cheers

 

[DelightedOne]

You really weren't kidding when you said you would be writing, huh.

Now let's see, Gardeners taken care off and new city to investigate while we deal with Tall Tale.

[The Reflection of the Tapestry]

[Secret Histories, CD 60]

[Roll: 11 + 14 (Magic) + 30 (Artifact, level 3) = 55]

[Ritual failed]

Click to shrink...

Good thing we have that book for Baldomare then.

[A Memory of Light – Research, Progress 0/100]

[Roll: 5 47 + 14 (Learning) + 40 (Lantern, Level 4) = 101]

[Jade Whistle invoked her re-roll]

[Success]

Click to shrink...

Fuck yeah, that is what I wanted to hear(well, read).

"The Rite of ?????????????????????"
-CD: LANTERN 150, ????????????????
-Cost: 300 bits ("prohibitively expensive", immune to any discount effects)
-Duration: ??????????????
-Effect: ???????????????
-Additional Notes:
--You may not attempt this Ritual until it is completely researched
--Casting this ritual requires a custom-made ritual circle, and will always cause suspicion (if that is still an issue)
--????????????????? (other notes, if any, unknown)

Click to shrink...

That is going to be a lot of work, but it is also our best backup path if Glory goes wrong. This is definitely a 3 circle ritual, that will have Lantern, Knock and one unknown lore, possibly SH considering the-

"You only realize how thankful you are for the rules, and the Powers that wrote them, when you start stepping out of them. Because then, you realize the constraints you were under were actually guardrails. This is unknown territory. All bets are off."

Click to shrink...

@OurLadyOfWires Wouldn't it make more sense for the previous Harmonic rituals(Mother and Father; Childhood's End) to be here too now this section exists?

You have to walk her through most of the Lantern-heavy sections, but part of you thinks that… that Selene actually gets it. That for all that she doesn't know much about Lantern itself, there is a deeper part of her that noticed, or perhaps recognized, something that you haven't realized at all. Even if she can't put it into words.

Click to shrink...

Ah, is this a clue the Alicorns are supposed to do the ritual for us or is it just Selene's nature as one of them shining through?

We are going to need a Lantern Sacrament for this, a 3 circle ritual spot, did we ever ask if Influences can be used to study rituals?

Selene has spent a good deal of her time, and her nights, going around the dreams of Ponykind. She is not entirely sure how to describe it to you, or even if she should. She believes she has done, and is doing, something good. But still, she is more concerned about other things.

"My sister… Celestia, that is. I visited her dreams the most, and I saw…"

Selene has been keeping an eye on Princess Celestia. She has correctly informed you that Princess Celestia will have reached Lantern 2 by the beginning of Turn 22.

Selene has also asked you to give her more time to continue using the "Soothe the Night" action (although you are not forced to give her that order).

Click to shrink...

I guess this is evidence "Soothe the Night" has to do with Celestia and Daybreaker. Voting for this without a shred of doubt.

Now for the plan:

Plan Knives and Names
-[] (ALL IN) You will NOT attempt the "All In" expedition.
-[] (BIEDDE) Fund a short monster-hunting expedition (Costs 60 bits)
-[] (MAREINETTE) Mareinette is her own mare, and Cadance could use some company. Don't do anything, and see how things turn out.
-[] (FORGE NAME) You will attempt the "Rite of Joyous (Re)Forging"

I'm honestly not in the mindset to calculate the optimal way to sacrifice stuff right now so if anyone wants to take this and use it be my guest.

 

[Greymere]

Quick question @OurLadyOfWires in regards to artifacts; are they capable of being used on the same turn we study them (by our followers), presuming the study action is successful?

Edit: Actually, another question. How much does Luna remember about the Castle of the Two Sisters, in the Everfree? I don't think Velvet knows about it in-character, but if she went to Selene and was like "hello daughter mine, please find a place that can hold really big ritual circles" does she remember enough to go "ah yes, there's an abandoned castle around here somewhere, let's see if I could find it"?

 

[Nevermort]

First thoughts.

Seems like Soothing the Night helps with progress on Celestia so we need to do it. @OurLadyOfWires Would doing it multiple times per turn help more?

If we go for Changeling expedition I want to have Biedde Influence which means extending his stay for 1 turn (60 bits).

If people are willing to delay changelings we can buy two of his turns after next for 100 bits. I think we can do it, if we say we are investigating Dodge town and want to strike all their bases simultaneously. But even with that I am not sure if we should risk delaying it.

On Marienette I already said my opinion. Send her to Cadance and hope for some Harmony assistance. Even if it does not help still gives us more time.

We even got some progress on Harmony path this turn. I think ritual in either path to Harmony or Alicorn ascension. As alicorn ascension moves you to a different plane maybe a bit of both. Would be awkward to meet Celestia there though.

Of course we summon Forge Name. May create reagent to save some money? Unless we need reagent for something else.

I mean... I could be amenable to that now? If there is public interest in the follower's phase, we can discuss that.

Still, I'm trying to be respectful for the thread's (apparent) aversion to Mareinette.

This coming vote for the Moods of Mareinette will be an important indicator for me on how to proceed, to be honest.

Click to shrink...

We all love Mareinette. Not all share her tastes though.

And Moods does not clarify picture much. Are we sending her to Cadance because we are extending some measures of trust toward her or because we want to have Mareinette out of the way? Are we having her stay with us because people talked ourself into accepting her Sacrament or because they don't trust her with Cadance and plan to deal with her in some other way?

 

[Sveta08]

"The Rite of ?????????????????????"
-CD: LANTERN 150, ????????????????
-Cost: 300 bits ("prohibitively expensive", immune to any discount effects)
-Duration: ??????????????
-Effect: ???????????????
-Additional Notes:
--You may not attempt this Ritual until it is completely researched
--Casting this ritual requires a custom-made ritual circle, and will always cause suspicion (if that is still an issue)
--????????????????? (other notes, if any, unknown)

Click to shrink...

squints
squints harder

You.... Cheeky little jerk! That was....
Turn one. Not even turn one! You...

It was a Reagent.


That's clever.

 

[DelightedOne]

We even got some progress on Harmony path this turn. I think ritual in either path to Harmony or Alicorn ascension. As alicorn ascension moves you to a different plane maybe a bit of both. Would be awkward to meet Celestia there though.

Click to shrink...

It is probably the Path and we walk it by studying the steps, reach the door by performing the ritual and turn the key with Celestia and Luna's presence/contribution(and maybe Cadance since I think she gives a bonus).

It would not be awkward at all, if we were ascending I mean, because it would confirm beyond any reasonable means Velvet is trustworthy(who else could become an Alicorn if not a pony who is worthy of the title?). And we would also get a general bonus, Alicorn benefits and become Royalty, that would be perfect.

If not ascending, yeah it would be awkward.

Also something really weird just happened where you Quoted me but it was something Bird said. Did you do that on purpose?

 

[Greymere]

Plan Knives and Names
-[] (ALL IN) You will NOT attempt the "All In" expedition.
-[] (BIEDDE) Fund a short monster-hunting expedition (Costs 60 bits)
-[] (MAREINETTE) Mareinette is her own mare, and Cadance could use some company. Don't do anything, and see how things turn out.
-[] (FORGE NAME) You will attempt the "Rite of Joyous (Re)Forging"

I'm honestly not in the mindset to calculate the optimal way to sacrifice stuff right now so if anyone wants to take this and use it be my guest.

Click to shrink...

Following this and assuming no reagents on the Forge Name, just raw bits and a Wrong Key:

Bits available this turn - 621
Essential Actions (that cost bits) - Biedde renewal (60), Forge Name summon (480 for 99.8% success), re-attempt Level 7 book scry (30)

This leaves 51 bits to do other things. If we make a Forge 2 reagent, we can save 20 bits for a final of 71 remaining bits, but we may have to use reagent creation for something else depending on how exactly artifact use rules play out per Bird. Jade is unavailable, Baldomare will inevitably be busy doing something, leaving Selene as our only follower capable of performing RotT well. We could do it ourselves, but, I get the feeling we don't really want to spend our personal AP on that, so Selene it is. If we can use artifacts on the same turn that they are studied, I think we're fine to put a Forge 2 reagent toward the Forge Name, since Selene w/ the Lantern 4 artifact rolls a +70.

squints
squints harder

You.... Cheeky little jerk! That was....
Turn one. Not even turn one! You...

It was a Reagent.


That's clever.

Click to shrink...

???

 

[Sveta08]

???

Click to shrink...

Don't worry about it. That post was for me.

If you want to worry about it, Cadence made a potion, didn't she?

Plan Knives and Names

Click to shrink...

I like this in principle. I want to communicate to Marinette that we will (should at least) work towards her Sacrament. But wanting to let her be a little more free too... I don't know how to combine that. Not with these options.

 

[Nevermort]

Also something really weird just happened where you Quoted me but it was something Bird said. Did you do that on purpose?

Click to shrink...

Sorry. Just result of juggling several quotes in the same post and then deleting wrong parts. I fixed it.

Baldomare will inevitably be busy doing something, leaving Selene as our only follower capable of performing RotT well. We could do it ourselves, but, I get the feeling we don't really want to spend our personal AP on that, so Selene it is. If we can use artifacts on the same turn that they are studied, I think we're fine to put a Forge 2 reagent toward the Forge Name, since Selene w/ the Lantern 4 artifact rolls a +70.

Click to shrink...

We vote for followers actions first. Velvet actions decided later. I think QM mentioned that he allowed actions to affect the same turn only if their outcome is guaranteed. I would not rely much on Lantern artifact being available.

As option if we delay changelings again (with all risks that it entails) we can get one more Velvet action from constables.

 

[Arrkhon]

BRANDED by the SECRET HISTORIES: Your cutie mark is no longer merely that... You will be recognized by those in the know, and in turn you will now recognize them back. You may also benefit from the skills learned by both (Personal and Invitation) Sacraments of your Branded Lore;

Click to shrink...

I think we were overlooking this minor detail

 

[Greymere]

I think we were overlooking this minor detail

Click to shrink...

Really? It seemed pretty looked at to me when it was revealed.

We vote for followers actions first. Velvet actions decided later. I think QM mentioned that he allowed actions to affect the same turn only if their outcome is guaranteed. I would not rely much on Lantern artifact being available.

Click to shrink...

I remember that he said that about Sacraments, but I'm not sure if it also applies to less "impactful" things (compared to carving out a bit of your soul, anyway), which is why I ask.

 

[Sveta08]

I think we were overlooking this minor detail

Click to shrink...

In what way?
I think all our brains are firing on weird cylinders. We are gonna have to be specific for a bit.

 

[Nevermort]

I think we were overlooking this minor detail

Click to shrink...

Would have been cool foreshadowing but no.

Initially it sounded like this. Part about Sacrament was added when we learned about it in character.

BRANDED by the SECRET HISTORIES: Your cutie mark is no longer merely that... You will be recognized by those in the know, and in turn you will now recognize them back (further effects unknown);

 

[Earth-Destroyer]

With the Bureau loyal I don't see a reason to not attack the changelings this turn. Deal with them, and get prisoners for the Lateran Sacrament, send along Biedde to back them up to be sure.

 

[DelightedOne]

Thanks to Greymere I now know what to sacrifice so here is the full version of my plan

[] Plan Knives and Names
-[] (ALL IN) You will NOT attempt the "All In" expedition.
-[] (BIEDDE) Fund a short monster-hunting expedition (Costs 60 bits)
-[] (MAREINETTE) Mareinette is her own mare, and Cadance could use some company. Don't do anything, and see how things turn out.
-[] (FORGE NAME) You will attempt the "Rite of Joyous (Re)Forging" (Sacrifice 1 Wrong Key, 480 Bits)

Might make another version with a Forge 2 Reagent, but when voting starts I won't be available anyway so might as well leave it here.

If you want to worry about it, Cadence made a potion, didn't she?

Click to shrink...

So her contribution to the ritual is Harmonic reagents? Makes sense, but I wonder if she can make those outside of her lores and also which Realization unlocks that.

That also makes me think the last lore on the ritual is Heart, for permanence of the connection made by Knock, for protection in/of the path and also for the similarities Harmony has with it.

 

[Sveta08]

So her contribution to the ritual is Harmonic reagents? Makes sense, but I wonder if she can make those outside of her lores and also which Realization unlocks that.

That also makes me think the last lore on the ritual is Heart, for permanence of the connection made by Knock, for protection in/of the path and also for the similarities Harmony has with it.

Click to shrink...

It is quite literally less important than the other things here right now. But yes. I agree that the third aspect is probably Heart, and I'll talk more on it much later. Especially naming conventions.


As for the Brand...
While I am not certain if you are talking about wanting to take advantage of both Secret History sacraments this turn (thus necessitating we don't plan to use Baldomare's action) or are referring to the recognizing other Branded part (and worrying about the ascent of Eclipse from that) I don't think either are too much a concern this second.

Eclipse especially, as The Wolves, The Blank Door, and the Blank Plains are all fairly difficult hurdles to contend with at first. I'd worry about that next turn.



Edit: Bother bother bother! Spoiled is only a Friend right now. We (obviously) don't really want to spend our time with her, but have to to get at least to close friend. leash from there to get to Confidant to use for Moth. I don't know if/when/how we might be allowed to instantly transfer it to a Prisoner for use for Grail Sacrament, or if that would be permitted or.... Gagh!

Either way, that means we can't afford to perform either/both of those this turn, and are not in a position to. So I think it is best if this turn we offer a hand to Marinette. Marinette... well, preparing for us a meal of a friend this turn is seemingly inevitable.
We are not yet ready for her friendship, and the cost it has. So offer her the companionship of our close friend Cadence.

Besides, it might help with Cadence's lores if you want a mechanical advantage

 

[Pittauro]

annoyingly I didn't notice the first update here as it was posted while i was writing my reply

---

Under the cover of the night, using a train cart commandeered by Bureau authority, your detectives have brought back the body of a dead changeling. It was killed during its capture, after being cornered in the distant frontier town known as Dodge City.

The Lunar Bureau may now act upon Dodge City. You may either order your investigators to "Further investigate Dodge City", to search for more traces of changeling activity, or you may order your constables to "Siege Dodge City", for a more direct (if brutal) approach.

Furthermore, your Constables have reported that the roundups of Manehattan has been completed. Nine out of every ten warrants were successfully carried out, and the remaining ponies are either on the run, or presumed dead. The cutie marks of those who are yet on the run have been spread out to all the constabularies in Equestria, ensuring they will never again live without fear of arrest.

The remnants of the Wildhoof Club which reformed into the Gardeners have been completely eradicated. They will no longer be an issue. And the only pony from the Wildhoof Club who remains unaccounted for, as far as you know, is Windy Flakes.

Click to shrink...

out of curiosity, what kind of sentences are being given to low level Gardeners members?

in any case, that's a problem dealt with. Shame we didn't find Neighnia though. Maybe we should scry for her?

Dodge City I'd go with investigation, and we can use the Constables for the Tall Tale expedition instead. Velvet can join it to keep the best loot from it.

[The Reflection of the Tapestry]

[Secret Histories, CD 60]

[Roll: 11 + 14 (Magic) + 30 (Artifact, level 3) = 55]

[Ritual failed]



[A Memory of Light – Research, Progress 0/100]

[Roll: 5 47 + 14 (Learning) + 40 (Lantern, Level 4) = 101]

[Jade Whistle invoked her re-roll]

[Success]

Click to shrink...

...well, shame the ritual failed, so no lvl 7 book. but At least she one-shotted Memory of Light.

Let's see if it's useful on its own, and if it's worth going for part 2 now.

Rituals of unknown provenance

"You only realize how thankful you are for the rules, and the Powers that wrote them, when you start stepping out of them. Because then, you realize the constraints you were under were actually guardrails. This is unknown territory. All bets are off."

Spoiler: The unknown Dream ritual

"The Rite of ?????????????????????"
-CD: LANTERN 150, ????????????????
-Cost: 300 bits ("prohibitively expensive", immune to any discount effects)
-Duration: ??????????????
-Effect: ???????????????
-Additional Notes:
--You may not attempt this Ritual until it is completely researched
--Casting this ritual requires a custom-made ritual circle, and will always cause suspicion (if that is still an issue)
--????????????????? (other notes, if any, unknown)

Click to shrink...

Jade Whistle has successfully researched "A Memory of Light". She has discovered a fragment of something. Something big, and important, and that part of you believes is a ritual. That same part of you also thinks this fragment is one of three.

You may now research "A memory of the Path", which uses LEARNING and KNOCK, and has its progress set to 0/200.

Additional information has been added to your Ritual tab.

Click to shrink...

So... this is probably a ritual that results in us reaching the equivalent of Harmony's "Tricuspid".

As in, once the ritual is ready to be used, or maybe AFTER using it, we need to satisfy some other special requirement... probably having Luna and Celestia work together for the next step? Then again, maybe Cadance can do something for it too.

Probably not worth pursuing right now then. MAYBE if Axe can research the Knock one for us? Two actions from her would roll 1d100 + 30 (general/learning) + 60 (knock) = +90, so two actions would CERTAINLY complete it.

THAT might make it worth doing, IF we don't have other more urgent actions for her. Then again she's super useful for expeditions AND can also give us lessons towards Knock 6, so... I'm not convinced it's a good use of our time.

We bet, and it turns out until part 3 there's not much of use from this, and part 3 is a bit too far away to pursue.

Selene has been keeping an eye on Princess Celestia. She has correctly informed you that Princess Celestia will have reached Lantern 2 by the beginning of Turn 22.

Selene has also asked you to give her more time to continue using the "Soothe the Night" action (although you are not forced to give her that order).

Click to shrink...

reminder that absolute worst case scenario is Celestia Lantern 5 by beginning of turn 25 then.

Also it SEEMS like "Sooth the Night" might be the first step towards dealing with Celestia... or, at the very least, it allows her to keep us informed on the Lantern countdown.

Hmm...

HMMMM...

...good thing we've got the Bureau in our corner, huh? This smells Important. Who knows if we'll get to it before Glory, but it's certainly piqued my interest.

Click to shrink...

Only way I see us getting this is IF the quest doesn't end after All In and we can do it then.

[] (ALL IN) You WILL attempt the "All In" expedition immediately. (No other options may be picked)

-[] (ALL IN) You will NOT attempt the "All In" expedition.

Click to shrink...

-[] (BIEDDE) Fund a long monster-hunting expedition (Costs 100 bits)
-Biedde will extend his stay for three turns.
-During the FIRST turn of his extended stay, he will be "completely unavailable" as he pursues his expedition.
-Meaning he will be GONE for the first turn, and present as normal for the following TWO turns, for a total of three turns.

Click to shrink...

If we can afford this, I lean towards this.

UNLESS, of course, we are planning to use Biedde for Expeditions next turn.

-[] (MAREINETTE) Mareinette is her own mare, and Cadance could use some company. Don't do anything, and see how things turn out.
-You will not take any particular action this turn.
-From what you hear, Mareinette will be more absent from your home than usual. Something about spending more time in Canterlot.
-This is a free action, and will not interfere in Mareinette's ability to serve you.

-[] (MAREINETTE) You introduced her to Cadance, yes, but you are still very interested in her endeavors.
-You will signal to Mareinette that you are still interested in your ongoing relationship. She will hold you for that.
-From what you hear, Mareinette will continue to mostly lounge in your estate and wander around Ponyville. To the delight of the farmhoofs that adore her.
-This is a free action, and will not interfere in Mareinette's ability to serve you.

Click to shrink...

I HAVE NO IDEA!

-[] (FORGE NAME) You will attempt the "Rite of Joyous (Re)Forging" (WRITE IN what sacrifices will be used) (COSTS ONE VELVET COVERS ACTION FROM TURN 22)

Click to shrink...

I imagine we're doing it.

I'll be honest. I could have gone for the extra-maximum-Moth sneakiness of "answering all three answers with truths".

But this is Moth, and you are a grown mare. I am entirely happy with saying you lied through your teeth on the third answer.

"Oh no! Velvet broke the rules of her own made up game!" Yeah, it's called Moth.

Click to shrink...

Booooo! My versions funnier!

No. She is good at adventuring, but not necessarily finding places to adventure in.

Click to shrink...

That's Baldomare's specialty after all. She knows all interesting stories and places to visit!

---

In any case, with lvl 7 scrying having failed, we're not going to need bits for THAT expedition.

Tall Tale is done by the Bureau, so we're not paying ourselves.

We don't have the bits OR actions for Canterlot part 3, so that's also not something we're going to do right now. Maybe Manehattan book will unlock an expedition, but if so that's NOT for this turn either.

Let me see a potential next turn.

Bureau:

Detectives: investigate Dodge Junction
Constables: Tall Tale Expedition
Commissioner: join Tall Tale Expedition (alternatively, lvl 1 manuscript).

FOLLOWERS

Rarity: 1 (Commission? We REALLY need the money)
Jade Whistle: 1
Fluttershy/Comet: 1 (Edge AotL)
Filthy Rich: 1 (Cover your bases)
Baldomare: 1 (Lantern Influence to study and for Tall Tale)
Mareinette: 1 (probably more Spoiled Rich? Grail Influence if we do that with free social, so we'd have a third influence available this turn for Tall Tale and maybe Mansus)
Velvet Axe: 2 (?, ?)
Biedde: 1 (Edge Influence for Sacrament and Tall Tale)
Selene: 3 (Sooth the Night, ?, ?)
Household servants: 1 (Cover your bases)

These are the actions we have from our followers.

1 cover your bases for 2 follower actions.

I have not decided on Axe's 2 actions and 2 of the three Selene actions, Probably one more AotL? 1 from Comet and one from the free per turn it's 2 already, but I think 3 was the best odds, though I forget how much the third AotL helps.

THE IDEA IS TO DO EDGE SACRAMENT AFTER TALL TALE, as long as we're not hurt there. That way we first use the Edge Influence in the expedition to get more out of it.






and Velvet should have 4 actions, + social, + 1 from Cover Your Bases (at the cost of 2 follower actions).


FREE AOTL: Edge
1) Soft Sweeps
2) Summon Forge Name
3-4) Study actions (Lantern 4 artifact, Winter 4 artifact, Moth 5 book, Manehattan book, one of the irrelevant books if we have a leftover action)
FREE SOCIAL: Rarity lesson, or Spoiled Rich.
FREE MANSUS: I'd say Stairways, there's one location left there.


This leaves a fifth action available. PROBABLY Steppes FO (EDIT I MEANT EDGE SACRAMENT), but we could do something else, like a THIRD study action for example (if we fail the artifacts we could retry, and there's a decent-ish moth 3 artifact we could research if we have half the action leftover), or Mansus exploration.

 

[spiderhellian]

Well, losing out on the RotT is a shame.

Yeah, it seems like Memory of Light is indeed the first step in a long hard road that I imagine only gets us to the Door when it comes to Harmony. Seemingly without mechanical benefits along the way. I don't think we should invest more effort here. It demands an effort that assumes we started 10 turns ago.

---

Okay. No more beating around the bush. It's time to make the call on Mareienette.

If we commit to her, we're doing the Grail Sacrament. Maybe on Spoiled Milk, maybe with a Biedde-found criminal. Befriending her and all it entails. Heart 4, let alone Heart sacrament, is turns and turns away.

If we don't, we're offering up Cadance to her influence (and sure, vice versa. Though I don't think it's much of a contest.).

I think the former is the better option. By a lot. I'm going to be really bummed if it goes the other way. But I will be glad to have it resolved.