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

[Talon Tiger Dino]

It is feasible in one turn, yes. And Rarity's Forge will help. And since this is more on the "building stuff" side of actions, the previous (failed) servant's roll will also give a bonus to future attempts.

No comment on a percentage though.

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Oh-ho, a new contender for Rarity's action I see. And, I must admit, a tempting one, given that prisoners very well could come about from the raid.

 

[Venerable Ro]

Atch, I really don't want to have to deal with turns of prisoner-related muckery and drama, let's just kill Copper and be done with it already, let the Bureau have the cultists.

 

[Greymere]

I guess you could? Feels a little wasteful I think. Or maybe just unusual.

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Tbh, I don't think it'd be that wasteful, considering that we only seem to find out someone's affinity at around the Close Friend mark? Which is at least 3 AP invested (meeting, Acq. -> Friend, Friend -> Close Friend). And if we're hunting for a Confidant with a specific affinity, 3 AP is a lot of AP to spend on someone who probably isn't even what we want

 

[spiderhellian]

View: https://i.imgur.com/22kwnCU.png

Me (and I have to imagine, Bird) when we talk about Confidants.

(All in good fun, I hope @Venerable Ro -- I appreciate your thoughtfulness and effort, even if I so deeply disagree!)

 

[Greymere]

Oh-ho, a new contender for Rarity's action I see. And, I must admit, a tempting one, given that prisoners very well could come about from the raid.

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Atch, I really don't want to have to deal with turns of prisoner-related muckery and drama, let's just kill Copper and be done with it already, let the Bureau have the cultists.

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Also let's be honest, there's always going to be more opportunities to get prisoners if we decide we really need one. Hunting down any murdery cultists the Bureau might have missed, Windy, nabbing a changeling from one of the hives before the Bureau gets there, sending out Biedde or Mareinette to nab the closest unrepentant serial murderer...

Edit: Point is, we really shouldn't be worried about getting prisoners right now, considering both possible Sacraments that can consume one are still a ways off.

 

[Shaper47]

I'm pretty certain all of that took place in Soft's own mind and soul, since there was no sight of Glory.

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Isn't Glory were the light is coming from?

Trying not to think about the fact that you know there is a sun in this dream. You know, deep down, where the light is coming from.

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Because somehow you know that… that there is a sun, on the far side of that great ocean. There is a sun, just beyond the horizon, that is about to rise. And you can see everything around you thanks to the light of that sun, that is reflecting against the sky of the far horizon.

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[Pittauro]

It is feasible in one turn, yes. And Rarity's Forge will help. And since this is more on the "building stuff" side of actions, the previous (failed) servant's roll will also give a bonus to future attempts.

No comment on a percentage though.

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tempting.

also @OurLadyOfWires I had a potentially crazy idea, and I want to hear if it's viable.

What if we sent Selene to Windy's dreams to recruit him?

We trick him. We tell him that we managed to find AND recruit Luna, maybe that the Wolf or the Worms or something else got the Master but that we're now following his formed directions, Either because we're still going for Glory, OR we reveal to him that Glory is locked (no mention of outsider blood of course) and so we're now pursuing Harmony.

Basically we send Luna to trick him into believing we're still following the Master's will (which is kinda sorta true, actually, we're still pursuing the same end-goals he introduced to us, if with different means), AND then we maybe reveal our conflict with Copper and that she betrayed the Master and/or got greedy or is tying loose ends.

Maybe we even convince him that obviously after killing us she'd go after him, while if he joins us again we can keep the Bureau from checking in on him... as long as he's not doing something absurd like trying to cause a Wolf-Apocalypse, you know...



Basically the details are not really set in my mind, but the general idea is: what if we sent Luna to try and recruit Windy for us, and sort of recruited him through making him think either that it's in his best interest OR that Copper will go after him next OR that we're still following the Master's will while Copper is not?

We could even convince him that Copper killed Starry...

 

[LieutenantSpirit]

Velvet: "Now that I've had a near-death experience, I've had a change in perspective. I'm sending all of you on an expedition to take out Copper. All except except for you, Mareinette. I need you to do something else that's just as important."

"[Grail]."

"I need you to find something for me. A special kind of pony, if you will."

"[Grail]?"

"One that is morally reprehensible. One that is just awful. One that is so horrible, I will have no regrets when I--"

"[GRAIL]!"

"Use them for my Moth Sacrament."

...

"...[grail]."

 

[Venerable Ro]

Basically the details are not really set in my mind, but the general idea is: what if we sent Luna to try and recruit Windy for us, and sort of recruited him through making him think either that it's in his best interest OR that Copper will go after him next OR that we're still following the Master's will while Copper is not?

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"Okay Luna, I know I nearly died, and that our family is feeling really uncertain and frightened right now, I really do appreciate how you want to keep us all safe.

But I want you to go try to make friends with this Wolf-worshiping pony I knew back in the Cult, I'm pretty sure he's a serial killer but that's details.

What? No, this definitely needs to happen right now, there's nothing more important going on."

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Atch, I really don't want to have to deal with turns of prisoner-related muckery and drama, let's just kill Copper and be done with it already, let the Bureau have the cultists.

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Also let's be honest, there's always going to be more opportunities to get prisoners if we decide we really need one. Hunting down any murdery cultists the Bureau might have missed, Windy, nabbing a changeling from one of the hives before the Bureau gets there, sending out Biedde or Mareinette to nab the closest unrepentant serial murderer...

Edit: Point is, we really shouldn't be worried about getting prisoners right now, considering both possible Sacraments that can consume one are still a ways off.

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Well have you gents considered turning Jade's House into our loot storage facility, then? I believe our dear Servants kind of messed that up a tad when we sent them to do it.

Velvet: "Now that I've had a near-death experience, I've had a change in perspective. I'm sending all of you on an expedition to take out Copper. All except except for you, Mareinette. I need you to do something else that's just as important."

"[Grail]."

"I need you to find something for me. A special kind of pony, if you will."

"[Grail]?"

"One that is morally reprehensible. One that is just awful. One that is so horrible, I will have no regrets when I--"

"[GRAIL]!"

"Use them for my Moth Sacrament."

...

"...[grail]."

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While amusing, we can totally send her on a Short Expedition to punch Copper while doing this, so no need for sad [grail] noises. She can eat several Grail Cultists, as a treat.

 

[Pittauro]

Velvet: "Now that I've had a near-death experience, I've had a change in perspective. I'm sending all of you on an expedition to take out Copper. All except except for you, Mareinette. I need you to do something else that's just as important."

"[Grail]."

"I need you to find something for me. A special kind of pony, if you will."

"[Grail]?"

"One that is morally reprehensible. One that is just awful. One that is so horrible, I will have no regrets when I--"

"[GRAIL]!"

"Use them for my Moth Sacrament."

...

"...[grail]."

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Mareinette: GRAIL (you fucking Tease!)

"Okay Luna, I know I nearly died, and that our family is feeling really uncertain and frightened right now, I really do appreciate how you want to keep us all safe.

But I want you to go try to make friends with this Wolf-worshiping pony I knew back in the Cult, I'm pretty sure he's a serial killer but that's details.

What? No, this definitely needs to happen right now, there's nothing more important going on."

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more like trick into becoming an ally, but yep

 

[Bakkasama]

[X] Plan More Heart

[X] Plan Time's Up - Rarity Working

 

[Greymere]

Well have you gents considered turning Jade's House into our loot storage facility, then? I believe our dear Servants kind of messed that up a tad when we sent them to do it.

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I'm not actually sure I trust Jade's house to serve as the warehouse for all our loot

At least the Velvet estate is pretty much always going to have at least one Name hanging around the place, Jade's house is completely undefended pretty much all the time and doesn't have any kind of scry protection.

 

[Venerable Ro]

(All in good fun, I hope @Venerable Ro -- I appreciate your thoughtfulness and effort, even if I so deeply disagree!)

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Then I'm sure you wouldn't mind if Rarity went on vacation for a few turns, since "economic resources" are optional frills.

No worries, man you're good. I disagree just as strongly with haring off after Windy in the middle of the current situation.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Then I'm sure you wouldn't mind if Rarity went on vacation for a few turns, since "economic resources" are optional frills.

No worries, man you're good. I disagree just as strongly with haring off after Windy in the middle of the current situation.

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Having but one Confidante check in on the loon before he commits some terrible atrocity isn't "hearing off."

Trying to immediately convert him through dreams is though. Any such conscription attempt would be way more convincing with a fully armed and operational Alicorn anyways.

 

[Shaper47]

All I really care about is getting our hoofs on some heart books.

It's the only lore we don't have at level 4.

 

[Rafuki22]

"[GRAIL]!"

"Use them for my Moth Sacrament."

...

"...[grail]."

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What a tease indeed.

@OurLadyOfWires if we begin the Axe Knock Sacrament can we continue it on our own even without Axe summoned?

Edit: Ok, no need, question answered.

 

[Greymere]

What a tease indeed.

@OurLadyOfWires if we begin the Axe Knock Sacrament can we continue it on our own even without Axe summoned?

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The Daughter-of-Axes' invitation: "Ae sppose ae can wash yer hoof, s'long as ye wash mine as well. Ae need ye te run me an errant. Do tha' an' ae'll make et worth yer time. Bu' get sum'more Knock on ye farst, or else ye won' survive th' trip."
-Successfully complete her request on the "Through the foggy mirror" action. You do not know how many actions this will take.
-Your forays into the "Through the foggy mirror" action may be spaced through however many turns you wish, and you may invest however many actions per turn you wish into it. But the Daughter-of-Axes must be summoned every time you want to try it.
-You must reach 4/4 scraps of Knock before taking this action.

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[Venerable Ro]

Having but one Confidante check in on the loon before he commits some terrible atrocity isn't "hearing off."

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Well how about we split the difference then.

You want Windy investigated in order to determine whether he will, is, or has committed an atrocity or is otherwise a threat to us.

I want Selene to take a guard action to reinforce her protective convictions, reassure her and our family, and make double-damn sure that there won't be any absolute last-minute surprises.

These two objectives don't have to be incompatible, what would you say to pulling Jade off the Outsider and having her do another RoT on Windy instead? That could easily get his location, his disposition, his saturation of Wolf or lack thereof, ect. Rarity and the servants can make a bit of progress in Canterlot this turn and Jade/Baldomare can finish it up next turn. Heck, with the level six book Baldomare might even be willing to put some extra oomph into it.

 

[Sintonir]

Wait, why all the plans go for a tight security?
Isn't that bad for Velvet to be guarded by Bureau at all times?

 

[Venerable Ro]

Wait, why all the plans go for a tight security?
Isn't that bad for Velvet to be guarded by Bureau at all times?

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Not if we subvert the Bureau to be loyal to us personally, we're well on our way to establishing a proper cult of personality.

 

[Bakkasama]

What a tease indeed.

@OurLadyOfWires if we begin the Axe Knock Sacrament can we continue it on our own even without Axe summoned?

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No? It says so in the sacrament description.

 

[Rafuki22]

No? It says so in the sacrament description.

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Alredy told, and if that's the case we should do her sacrament the next time we summon her...if the stars align.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Well how about we split the difference then.

You want Windy investigated in order to determine whether he will, is, or has committed an atrocity or is otherwise a threat to us.

I want Selene to take a guard action to reinforce her protective convictions, reassure her and our family, and make double-damn sure that there won't be any absolute last-minute surprises.

These two objectives don't have to be incompatible, what would you say to pulling Jade off the Outsider and having her do another RoT on Windy instead? That could easily get his location, his disposition, his saturation of Wolf or lack thereof, ect. Rarity and the servants can make a bit of progress in Canterlot this turn and Jade/Baldomare can finish it up next turn. Heck, with the level six book Baldomare might even be willing to put some extra oomph into it.

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I like the sound of it, not sure if the thread will go for it.

 

[Venerable Ro]

I like the sound of it, not sure if the thread will go for it.

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Well the whole point of all this is threshing out what people want to do and what they're unwilling to do until a consensus is reached. As we've done!

Lemme know how this looks to you.

[X] Plan: Talon-Ro Wartime Surveillance
-[] 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.)
-[] [GUARD] You would very much like to keep this safe. (Let Luna guard us)
-[] You need somepony to perform this ritual… ("The Reflection of the Tapestry" seeking Copper Secateur's specific whereabouts)
--[] To be performed on the safe place Baldomare directed you to. (Will expire at the end of turn 20)
-[] You need somepony to perform this ritual… ("The Reflection of the Tapestry" seeking information on Windy Flake's current activities and whereabouts)
--[] To be performed on the safe place Baldomare directed you to. (Will expire at the end of turn 20)
-[] [COPPER] Send somepony to attack this opponent
-[] [FLUTTERSHY] Ask Comet to go on an assault/expedition.
-[] You need this to be done. Send a pony on an expedition. (The Grave)
-[] [BALDOMARE] Prolong her stay. (Gifting her the level six book found in the Grave expedition, if the book is unavailable then her choice of level five books.)
-[] [SELENE] Realize something about Winter. (Unlock her Winter skill) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[] [AXE] Make Keys.
-[] [MAREINETTE] Something else? (We intend to put on a performance in the near future, with Mareinette playing a central role. But we need a victim lead, would fair Mareinette be so kind as to seek out an ideal costar? For the Moth Sacrament we need a reprehensible pony to inflict a reprehensible fate upon without regret, Mareinette knows the sent of such all too well.)
-[] There is something in Canterlot that you simply must find. Look for it. (Progress 0/200, applies Intrigue and Secret Histories) X2

 

[LieutenantSpirit]

I dislike the idea of using a ritual to spy on Windy instead of sending Selene to his dreams, especially since it would mean removing one of the Outsider search actions. The sooner we complete our search, the sooner we can reach the next stage and adjust our plans.

As for using the Guard action to reinforce Selene's protective convictions, I see Guard as a very passive, reactive action. I'd rather her be proactive when it comes to searching out would-be threats.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Behold, the dark arts of approval voting.

[X] Plan Time's Up - Rarity Searching, Selene Spying, and Venerable Mareinette
-[X] (Detectives) Investigate the Commissioner's attackers
-[X] (Constables) Guard the Commissioner
-[X] (Selene) Winter Realization
-[X] (Selene) You need her to talk to somepony about…
--[X] Spy on Windy Flakes's dreams
-[X] [MAREINETTE] Something else? (We intend to put on a performance in the near future, with Mareinette playing a central role. But we need a victim lead, would fair Mareinette be so kind as to seek out an ideal costar? For the Moth Sacrament we need a reprehensible pony to inflict a reprehensible fate upon without regret, Mareinette knows the sent of such all too well.)
-[X] (DoA) Wrong Keys
-[X] (Fluttershy) Ask Comet to lead an expedition: A Grave on a Hill
-[X] (Baldomare-Free) Give her the Level 6 book if the expedition is successful, otherwise give her the Knock 5 book
-[X] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry
--[X] Target: Copper and her cult. Their location, their resources, their defenses, anything and everything about them
--[X] To be performed on an inconspicuous place, located by Baldomare
-[X] Assault an opponent (Copper Secateur)
-[X] Search Canterlot for the Outsider (x 3)

[X] Plan: Talon-Ro Wartime Surveillance
-[X] A tighter security detail, at all times.
-[X] [DETECTIVES] (VENGEANCE) Somepony dared attack the Commissioner. Find their trail.
-[X] [CONSTABLES] The Commissioner is just too important to leave unattended. Run security. (Order them to "Guard" you for this turn.)
-[X] [GUARD] You would very much like to keep this safe. (Let Luna guard us)
-[X] You need somepony to perform this ritual… ("The Reflection of the Tapestry" seeking Copper Secateur's specific whereabouts)
--[X] To be performed on the safe place Baldomare directed you to. (Will expire at the end of turn 20)
-[X] You need somepony to perform this ritual… ("The Reflection of the Tapestry" seeking information on Windy Flake's current activities and whereabouts)
--[X] To be performed on the safe place Baldomare directed you to. (Will expire at the end of turn 20)
-[X] [COPPER] Send somepony to attack this opponent
-[X] [FLUTTERSHY] Ask Comet to go on an assault/expedition.
-[X] You need this to be done. Send a pony on an expedition. (The Grave)
-[X] [BALDOMARE] Prolong her stay. (Gifting her the level six book found in the Grave expedition, if the book is unavailable then her choice of level five books.)
-[X] [SELENE] Realize something about Winter. (Unlock her Winter skill) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[X] [AXE] Make Keys.
-[X] [MAREINETTE] Something else? (We intend to put on a performance in the near future, with Mareinette playing a central role. But we need a victim lead, would fair Mareinette be so kind as to seek out an ideal costar? For the Moth Sacrament we need a reprehensible pony to inflict a reprehensible fate upon without regret, Mareinette knows the sent of such all too well.)
-[X] There is something in Canterlot that you simply must find. Look for it. (Progress 0/200, applies Intrigue and Secret Histories) X2

@Venerable Ro , it looks fine to me.

 

[Venerable Ro]

I dislike the idea of using a ritual to spy on Windy instead of sending Selene to his dreams, especially since it would mean removing one of the Outsider search actions. The sooner we complete our search, the sooner we can reach the next stage and adjust our plans.

As for using the Guard action to reinforce Selene's protective convictions, I see Guard as a very passive, reactive action. I'd rather her be proactive when it comes to searching out would-be threats.

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We're unlikely to get the Search done in one turn without investing so many actions that our main goals (Getting the Book and Copper's head) would suffer or become impossible. On the other hand, Rarity and the Servants ought to get enough done that Baldomare and Jade will be able to finish it off. It's going to take two turns, whether the progress is 80:20 or 20:80 it still adds up to 100%.

The guard action is her personal preference and would reassure our family, leaving emotional problems to fester won't make them disappear, as we're currently seeing, it just hides them. If we aggressively repair the situation now we won't have to deal with problems later, such as when we go to teach everyone the Lores and discover poor Silky has unresolved trauma or summat. And so far as proactive action goes, we're definitely sending her off with the Names to hit Copper, that'll be plenty proactive.

 

[DelightedOne]

As for using the Guard action to reinforce Selene's protective convictions, I see Guard as a very passive, reactive action. I'd rather her be proactive when it comes to searching out would-be threats.

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Don't forget that Luna canonically has a bit of... difficulty to connect with and trust ponies, because she tends to place her responsibilities and title as THE reason why ponies should trust her and her alone to deal with any problems she feels are hers to solve without help.

Having Selene guard could reinforce those thoughts. And it would be preferable if she learned that other ponies can deal with their own issues without her getting involved but we also need to give her something to do so she feels useful(or maybe needed?), so Expedition.

 

[spiderhellian]

We're unlikely to get the Search done in one turn without investing so many actions that our main goals (Getting the Book and Copper's head) would suffer or become impossible. On the other hand, Rarity and the Servants ought to get enough done that Baldomare and Jade will be able to finish it off. It's going to take two turns, whether the progress is 80:20 or 20:80 it still adds up to 100%.

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This is simply untrue. Luna, Jade, Rarity, Servants gets us to 62% chance of success!

Or we have Jade scry and it's near guaranteed with a Baldomare search.