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

[Greymere]

Sooo...Leash + Moth Sacrament next turn?

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Nah, not yet.

Firstly, because we need to find that last Moth scrap somewhere, either from the Mansus or the Moth 5 book.

Secondly, because we want to sac Spoiled Rich not Filthy Rich, which was the entire reason we had Mareinette social them both instead of just Filthy

 

[Greymere]

My last hope is that Discord will manage to free himself before Velvet can find him.

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If that happens then we might as well say goodbye to getting any good ending at all, considering that Celestia is one bad day away from Daybreaker-ing and the Elements of Harmony are, as far as we're aware, still out of commission considering the lack of Twilight.

So, just maybe, don't effectively wish for the Wolf Ending? Because as much of a vendetta you have against the Glory ending, I think we can both agree that a world without light would be infinitely worse, yes?

 

[des-pair-2]

-You may only attempt this expedition AFTER discovering a way to extract an Outsider's "Blood".

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I assume we can extract the blood by killing him, because of this:

[] The Moon will be shattered. Its blood will fall down to the earth as a rain of shooting stars, and Equestria will weep. But after all she has been through, and knowing all the pain that still awaits her, you know this to be a mercy.

-You will gain the permanent trait [Blood of the Outsider]. This trait is not a Malus;

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[spiderhellian]

We've got to scout that expedition next turn, Baldomare-granted Sacraments or Influences be damned.

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I see that extremely explicit warning about scouting as an indicator… we probably shouldn't. Period.

Sooo...Leash + Moth Sacrament next turn?

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Eh we need to read the book, and given what we've learned about Spoiled I think people will really want to go for her. (And seems it'll be easy to get her as Confidant).

Not...exactly right there, there is still work to be done.

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One! One!!!!!!!!!

And preparation, sure.

But it's RIGHT THERE. The action is ALL IN, what more can you ask for.

 

[Greymere]

I assume we can extract the blood by killing him, because of this:

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Iirc Bird's said some stuff before about it not being quite that simple, since we have to go look for the Outsider Juicer in the first place. And also some comments about how that situation with Selene was Very Unusual, implying that just killing an Outsider isn't necessarily enough on its own.

 

[Rafuki22]

Firstly, because we need to find that last Moth scrap somewhere, either from the Mansus or the Moth 5 book.

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We just use the book then.

and given what we've learned about Spoiled I think people will really want to go for her.

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Seems like wasting time when we could have it right now, but who i'm to talk when i advocated the same for the Secret Histories Sacrament?

implying that just killing an Outsider isn't necessarily enough on its own.

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Yep, so Mansus exploration is a go, seems like the most likely place to have the information we want.

We've got to scout that expedition next turn, Baldomare-granted Sacraments or Influences be damned.

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No, we shouldn't be going there without atleast 2 befriended Names and some Sacraments, we can't be reckless about this.

 

[Greymere]

No, we shouldn't be going there without atleast 2 befriended Names and some Sacraments, we can't be reckless about this.

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I know, I know, I went and actually read the details of the expedition after I posted that.

Edit:

We just use the book then.

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Even if we wanted to, I don't think we'll have the time, considering we're probably going to be trying to speedrun DoA's Sacrament, doing FR to finally remove our scar, possibly running damage control on the Bureau, teaching Selene, and whatever Fleeting Opportunities sprout up (Steppes seems to be waving a FO-shaped flag, for one, and I'd like to check up on Cadance at least). And if we commit to DoA + FR, that's probably like, 4 AP gone just from that.

 

[spiderhellian]

because Hours don't share the power they have.

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We will be the Hour. And will indeed have that choice in our hooves.
But no one else will be making it for us.

Seems like wasting time when we could have it right now, but who i'm to talk when i advocated the same for the Secret Histories Sacrament?

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Yeah yeah I empathize but fitting in a reading action in is non-trivial and the moth book is kinda tough. And given it's mentioned Spoiled is easy to get to Confidant, maybe it is worth keeping Filthy.

 

[Solace2117]

So close to victory. Just 3 or so things to arrange, and we win.

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I don't think it'll be that simple. Only a few more things till we should can think about attempting it. This feels more like a final dungeon and we need to level up before we run it, but yeah so close.

I just want you to know that I hate you. That you are the Path where the hope of a better future will die, because Hours don't share the power they have.

My last hope is that Discord will manage to free himself before Velvet can find him.

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We have a final quest where we can use the power of Name friendship and an Alicorn daughter to complete and ascend to Glory. I know you seem convinced that Harmony is the only "good" ending, but we can literally use the power of friendship to reach Glory. I doubt it's what you think it is.

 

[Greymere]

Yeah yeah I empathize but fitting in a reading action in is non-trivial and the moth book is kinda tough. And given it's mentioned Spoiled is easy to get to Confidant, maybe it is worth keeping Filthy.

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Yeah I imagine one more turn of throwing Mareinette at her + the Leash will get her to either Minion or Confidant level, either of which will be sufficient. And then it's time to earn our masks.

Actually @OurLadyOfWires could you include our Leash choice in the Follower Phase instead of the Velvet Phase? Considering that depending on who we use it on, it can affect the amount of Follower AP we have.

 

[DelightedOne]

If that happens then we might as well say goodbye to getting any good ending at all, considering that Celestia is one bad day away from Daybreaker-ing and the Elements of Harmony are, as far as we're aware, still out of commission considering the lack of Twilight.

So, just maybe, don't effectively wish for the Wolf Ending? Because as much of a vendetta you have against the Glory ending, I think we can both agree that a world without light would be infinitely worse, yes?

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Yeah, that was just me being my dramatic self.

Discord should only manage to free himself after we deal with Daybreaker. There, much better.

Actually, we are waiting till that bomb is defused before we poke the Chaos god, right? Because Celestia being alerted and catching Velvet in the act with Daybreaker in her mind... isn't good.

I know you seem convinced that Harmony is the only "good" ending, but we can literally use the power of friendship to reach Glory. I doubt it's what you think it is.

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Oh, no. You misunderstand the main reason why I don't want Glory to win.

I do think it counts as a "good" ending, but only if there is no Wolf in the ascendant... and Velvet has half of her soul Stained. Not hard to think there would be side effects when we already saw it has as much of an infuence on her as the lores(that she uses to keep it down) and that is not even mentioning possible Kinship with the Sons ascending too or even just Velvet being unable to destroy them after becoming an Hour, making it so that Evil, Paranoia and Ash are part of the World as long as she exists.

To be clear, I believe Glory itself has a lot of issues that we won't be able to control but I don't think it is "evil" or "bad".

 

[Greymere]

Discord should only manage to free himself after we deal with Daybreaker. There, much better.

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Y'know what, sure, that's probably fine!

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

And a very BIG reason to double down on Name Befriending! Though I suppose this means that Biedde is categorically barred from participating here, @OurLadyOfWires?

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Yes. Given the requirements and mechanical constraints on Biedde, he will never be able to participate in that expedition.

@OurLadyOfWires Can we use the leash on Filthy Rich to make him a Confidant for this turn..?

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Actually @OurLadyOfWires could you include our Leash choice in the Follower Phase instead of the Velvet Phase?

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Sure. That is doable.

- - -

In other news, I was going to use this post to close Mayor Mare's vote. But I think there has been less than 48h since it was opened. So, even though I doubt more votes will be cast, I will keep it open even as we enter the Follower's Phase.

Don't worry, it actually won't be complicated to keep tabs on those. Just cast your votes as usual and let the tallies sort them out.

That being said, writing has begun for turn 21.

 

[Solace2117]

Oh, no. You misunderstand the main reason why I don't want Glory to win.

I do think it counts as a "good" ending, but only if there is no Wolf in the ascendant... and Velvet has half of her soul Stained. Not hard to think there would be side effects when we already saw it has as much of an infuence on her as the lores(that she uses to keep it down) and that is not even mentioning possible Kinship with the Sons ascending too or even just Velvet being unable to destroy them after becoming an Hour, making it so that Evil, Paranoia and Ash are part of the World as long as she exists.

To be clear, I believe Glory itself has a lot of issues that we won't be able to control but I don't think it is "evil" or "bad".

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I mean that's not how it comes off a lot of the time, but sure. There's no guarantee to Stains wouldn't taint the Harmony ending. Both setting are equally connected. Velvet's friendships and connections will affect her ascent to Glory. At the same time there's no reason that Harmony wouldn't be tainted in the same way if we had pursued that path, which frankly it's way too late for.

 

[Pittauro]

Still, if everything goes well, you will be able to go back to the Bureau next week, and return to work. Hopefully, this week will be the last one poor Shining has to come all the way here just to give you a report. Although you did hear he has been staying for a few hours more, after speaking to you. You wonder what he has been doing during that time…

"Well, I'm sure it's either something important, or none of my business," you say to yourself. "Or maybe it's both. Shining is already a grown stallion, after all."

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cough cough COMET cough cough.

Seriously, Velvet will go CRAZY once she finds out...

Do not be alarmed, my beloved!

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Rarity is, as usual, drunk on Grail. I wonder if we'd have gotten this message if she was Grail 4...

How I longed to have your company here, instead of hers, where not a pony can be seen all the way to the horizon.

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[Roll: 36 + 50 (Expedition bonus) + 15 (Heart total 3) = 101]

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and the Heartifact makes all the difference! NICE!

How I wish you were here, so we could both sweat under the sun together. So I could watch your coat glistening with the heat, as not even the dirt managed to sully your beauty. So that we could, once we reached the cool and covered destination that we had been looking for, finally-"

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wow, Rarity! Thirsty much?

I don't know if I'll ever find the strength to fully give up on my dreams of introducing Rarity to Stormchaser and Velvet's... activities...

In any case, done in TWO DAYS. that's a record!

and it also means we only spent... 20 bits instead of 50.

double nice!

We copied the writings on the walls with clay tablets, and we brought them back. We broke the originals, mind you. Axe said that… the dead wouldn't mind. And that it would be safer, that way."

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Well, I suppose this is to ensure we can't just go back and get another copy after giving the story to Baldomare.

When you asked her for more details, she sounded unusually evasive. You think she mentioned having written something, perhaps a diary of sorts, while on the expedition. But she almost immediately said she shredded it into pieces, and then burned it, after re-reading what she had penned.

A pity, you think. But ultimately, you are sure she would have told you if something truly relevant had happened.

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a real pity indeed...

well, we got an Edge 6 book. I'm a bit sad about giving it up, but... well, we all know what we went and got it for.

And second, because everypony knows that house isn't a "true" noble household. It is a very large house, yes, but it was built and maintained by bits rather than birthrights. And for all that the nobility of Equestria is a fading breed of sorts, everypony alive was still born and raised in a world where that difference matters.

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fair enough. For how much longer though?

She may not be noble in blood. Or at least, not a noble by Princess Celestia's grace. But she is still noble in bearing, and noble in breeding, and perhaps even noble in older and greater ways.

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definitely in older and greater ways, yes

Still regardless of what one might think about that visitor, it would be impossible to treat her as anything but an honored guest.

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Spoiled Rich says that, her words coated with adoration and interest, as she entertains the latest (and perhaps most important) guest of her household.

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I suddenly no longer feel guilty about our plans for her. I wonder why

Because truly, this is the opportunity she had been waiting for. The opportunity she always knew that she deserved. Ever since her daughter became best friends with Lady Velvet's filly, she had been trying to ingratiate herself with the noblemare. But time and again, for reasons none of which were her fault, she was frustrated again and again.

But to think that the Lady would come here? Right after she suffered the most dreadful of accidents against her health? Just to speak to Spoiled herself?

On one hoof, this was the most pleasant of surprises. But on the other hoof, this is only natural!

After all, Spoiled knows this well, precious things are attracted to precious things. And the same way a diamond necklace would become uglier if a lesser gem was added to it, so to does it make sense for high-society ponies to prefer each other's company.

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I truly wonder why...

Honestly, if we can manage a divorce for Filthy where she does not take away all his bits AND his daughter we'd most likely be doing him a favour!

It is the reason why her daughter became friends with such high-pedigree fillies. And it is obviously the reason why the Lady, who has gained the favor of alicorns, is now bringing Spoiled into her own grace.

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Well, we DO have great plans for her...

"Hush, Diamond. Our visitor asked for you to be here, so you will be a good little filly and you will stay quiet."

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...Mareinette, watch yourself...

with her little Diamond Tiara neatly within the embrace of her forelegs.

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I'm sorry Diamond Tiara, please hold on! She should not will not do anything to you I think...

Although, she can't help but suppress a frown as her fool of a husband finally comes back into the living room.

And what is more, Spoiled Rich almost bristles as Filthy Rich makes to approach their guest.

"Excuse me, I am… very sorry, my Lady. But please, could I at least, you know…" he says, motioning towards the towel he is carrying on his hoof.

And sure enough, the magnanimous lady allows him to nearly touch her, as he moves to cover their daughter with the towel.

But why… how dare he do that, even?

If the Lady has chosen to drool over their daughter, as she keeps her between her forelegs, isn't that yet another show of favor towards their little Diamond?

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...I'm so, so SORRY Filthy Rich... You don't deserve this OR your wife.

We'll try to make it up to you! Surely removing her from your life would be good repayment?

Whenever they think back to this day, they will only remember what was good about it. They will only remember what was pleasant. And as the fair Lady inflates their hopes, and string them along in their dreams, they will only be able to think back to the visit itself, and will barely remember the visitor at all.

Whatever good things that happen, they will attribute it to that Lady. Of course, that being "Lady" Velvet Covers. Because what other Lady have they ever met in their lives?

And whatever bad things happen that day, they… won't really think about it. In fact, they might not even remember it at all!

Because this was such a pleasant visit that it feels more like a dream than a waking day. It is the pleasant memory of an evening spent drinking, with no following hangover to mar it. It is a blur of laughs, and mirth, and pleasant sensations that are easy to feel, but hard to truly recollect.

It is, in the end, just a visit, from an Honored Guest.

And by the end of that day, everypony feels a little better about themselves.


"What… dear Celestia, Diamond. What did you do? Go take a shower at once! No daughter of mine is going to look like… like THAT!"


Well, almost everypony.

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hopefully we didn't traumatize the poor filly for life.

Well, it's done anyway. If she somehow IS traumatized maybe we'll be able to offer an incision at some point in the future, but more hopefully she'll just... move on. Or maybe Selene can help with her winter realization.

I've yet to see which option Mareinette will pick. Let's see what I'd pick AND what I think Mareinette would pick...

[-] You told her that relationships are a commitment. And that even if she is going through a rough spot right now, that she should double down and make amends with he pony she swore to love.
-You will become Acquaintances with Spoiled Rich.
-You will encourage her to fix whatever problems she has with her husband. And she will listen to you, even if she needs a few nudges (or maybe some help) here and there.
-You would like her to become her best self. And perhaps, the two of you will grow closer as she reaches for that.
-This is, without a doubt, the healthiest option for everypony involved, in the long term.

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definitely the healthiest option, but also the one we don't have the time to commit to... and DEFINITELY something Mareinette won't take.

[-] You told her that relationships are a pleasure… and an investment. And that she should not squander all the years she invested in her marriage over whatever growing problems they are currently going through.
-You will become Friends with Spoiled rich.
-You will encourage her to maintain her relationship with her husband. She might not love him anymore, but they need not hate each other. And besides, she has a daughter to raise.
-You will slowly, but surely, carve her into a sycophant. She will listen to your every word, eventually, but reaching that point will require a certain degree of care. (Spoiled Rich will more easily become a "Confidante", but will not provide any action points unless she becomes a Minion).
-This is, without a doubt, the most manipulative option.

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so the option that would make her a minion in time. But we're not particularly interested in a long-term investment with her, so...

[-] You told her that her relationships are holding her back. She can't expect to climb the social ladder with weights dragging her down, can she?
-You will become Close Friends with Spoiled Rich.
-You will encourage her to look after herself, first and foremost. And your words will be more than enough to turn whatever ideas she has in her mind into actions.
-Her relationship with her husband will deteriorate, very quickly, and you can predict you will be asked to pick a side when it inevitably falls apart. You will "play both sides" until that happens, but you should act on whatever plans you have for them before you are asked which pony you will stand with.
-This is, without a doubt, the worst option for everypony involved. Everypony, except yourself.

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...ok, I feel a bit guilty about this, but I'm pretty sure Mareinette will pick this, and pragmatically and mechanically speaking this IS the best option for us.

As long as we do Moth Sacrament before things explode.

Honestly... things were already moving in this direction. We're just accelerating the inevitable.

Though we're still guilty here, obviously.

Option picked:
[X] You told her that relationships are a pleasure… and an investment. And that she should not squander all the years she invested in her marriage over whatever growing problems they are currently going through.

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...uh.

Oh, I suppose we didn't tell Mareinette about our Moth plans?

In that case yeah, it makes sense she'd pick this option.

...now that I think about it... SHE is a Minion I'd be fine using the personal grail option on, making her a PERMANENT minion. I wonder... That said, we don't really have another 2 potential minions I'd be comfortable using this on. I'm simply against using it on Jade or Rarity.

...I wonder if Mareinette chose this because she doesn't know about the Moth plan, or because she thought Velvet is not cruel enough to go for the third option...

"I just came back from Canterlot," she says without looking up from her cup, "and I think I found what we… what you are looking for."

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We did it! Outsider action complete!

...and that "we"... I wonder just what her feelings about all of this are...

"For starters, the place was dreadfully crowded. But thankfully, the entourage you lent me managed to do more than just carry my luggage. So thank you for that, Lady Velvet."

She mentions a few names, of the two maids you sent with her, as well as the several ponyservants you put at her disposal. And she even tells you how she encouraged them to "take some time off" and "visit some museums" while she didn't have need for them. As long as they promised to bring her back pictures of the current displays.

"I was planning to visit several places, you see. But the pictures and the stories from your servants helped me cross a few places off my list."

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that explains how the servants helped narratively...

"Yes, yes. The colt you asked to come with me? As a bodyguard?" she says, idly mentioning Comet Feet. "Well, we happened to be visiting the Royal Zoo, one day, and… let's just say that manticores seem to have a particular dislike of him. One of them even managed to break free out of its cage, mind you."

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...that's pretty funny actually

You have several questions. Most of them involve the details she seems to be glossing over. And quite a few of them are queries of how angry Fluttershy will be at you.

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in our defense how were we supposed to expect THIS?!

Eh, what the hay. Given how lovestruck Fluttershy is, the idea of Comet getting hurt will only make her situation more dramatic and…

… and what kind of friend are you, if the first thing you think is that? Good heavens, you must be spending too much time with Rarity, and not enough time with Jade.

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...I kinda think Comet will be happy enough with the result if THAT is the direction things will move towards though

. A place that is old, but that has been touched by something younger. A place… that a very important pony took great pains to erase from a lot of maps."

She tells you that.

And then, she explains to you where you can find a bound and chained Outsider.

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My first thought is the place where the Tree of Harmony is.

The second is Tartarus, but I think Bird mentioned that one, together with the place where Grogar's Bell is, and a third one I don't remember, as potential false trails we might have had to go through if we tried the scrying ritual on the Outsider instead of going for Baldomare pick at the wedding unlocking this search.

Well, in any case, it seems we unlocked an expedition? Let's see...

[The Search, progress 0/200]

[Baldomare's Roll: 51 73 + 50 (Baldomare, searching) + 30 (Secret Histories 6) = 153]

[Comet's Roll: 1 + 10 (Intrigue) = 11]

[CRITICAL FAILURE, rolling malus… Comet Feet suffers 2 wounds]

[Servant's Roll: 79 + 10 (Velvet's unmodified intrigue) = 89]

[Total progress: 153 + 11 + 89 = 253]

[Success]

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...the fuck, Comet rolled a ONE?!

and damn, the Servants overdelivered!

well, all in all it went well enough. We'll have to remember to NOT put Comet in danger next turn. He's a big boy with I think 4 or 5 health, he can take it...

This is the next step, for you to reach the very top of the Mansus.

This is the way towards GL-



"Mooooooom!!!"



-but suddenly, the entirety of your Glory-seeking and ambition-driven flame is snuffed out, like a candle on the wind, as you hear Silky Stream's voice coming from nearby.

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Reminder that Glory is not QUITE the most important thing to Velvet.

Copper didn't understood her as well as she thought.

"Wha-… uncle Steppes?" you say out loud, as you get up from your seat.

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yay, he's here!

"Of course I am, kiddo. I got your letter, and how could I say no to an invitation like that?" he says, moving to give you a heartfelt hug. "And what's this happy business about Selene calling you mom? She let that slip out, while we were on our way here. You gotta tell me your secret, kiddo," your uncle whispers in your ear during his hug.

However, he definitely "whispered" that loud enough for everypony else to hear, and you can only watch as Selene's complicated smile turns into a full blush.

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sorry, if we told you our secret we'd then have to kill you.

...it's scary how that's actually so damn close to NOT being a joke...

also yeah, how could he say no to an invitation like that? funny how that sentence can have multiple meanings... Most of them going completely over Velvet's head!

Shame Biedde is not present to welcome our new guest though

"Ah, and is that Baldomare? Good Sun, it has been so long! How have you been?" your uncle says, looking at the mare who followed after you as soon as he lets go of your hug. And moments later, he is planting a kiss on Baldomare's hoof, mentioning how she looks so beautiful that she is almost dazzling to look at.

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dazzling... he picked an incredibly appropriate word...

"Hold on, have you two met before?" you ask, watching as the two ponies clearly treat each other like ponies who need not be introduced to each other.

Because it would make sense for your uncle to know her name if, say, Silky mentioned it while they were coming back home. And sure, you realize how suave your uncle usually is. But still, the way he is treating her right now feels like…

"Why, don't you remember?" Steppes answers, "Baldomare was there on your wedding ceremony! That's where we met. And I was glad to meet one of the friends you made in college. But I must say, you look even younger than on that day. It's almost as if you are made out of magic!"

"Oh, Steppes, you old charmer. You are going to make me blush," Baldomare says, holding back her laugher as your uncle continues to woo her.

But you…

… you…

How did she… she couldn't possibly…

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...we DID see her in some old photos I think... but damn, she's good.

I also forgot Steppes never met her before in his previous visits.

And the Name answers your unspoken question not with words, but with a rare and knowing smile.

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bullies! ALL OF OUR NAMES ARE MEANY BULLIES!

Axe, Baldomare, Biedde... only Mareinette treats us properly, and isn't that the scariest thought of them all...

Your uncle Velvet Steppes will be staying at your home, during this coming month. He will not be available to "help you" as usual. And despite his pleasant demeanor, after the initial joy of his arrival passes you can see that he looks shaken. You might want to talk to him, if you have the time.

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...I wonder if he'll end up (maybe accidentally) coming clean about his criminal business.

And maybe, just maybe, Velvet could potentially recruit him. In theory we could even make a cult out of his criminal organization, though that's redundant with the Bureau.

Then again having Velvet indirectly control the criminals of Manehattan while directly controlling the secret police... It's not like it's unusual for police or similar organizations to make "deals" with criminals, often to keep more unreasonable criminals under control.

Like Japan and the Yakuza, at least in the past.

Location: There is a reason Princess Celestia pays so much attention to Canterlot's growth. And this is it. She did not build this vault, that rests on the higher peak of Mount Canterlot, but she certainly improved it. Baldomare told you about walls that are not walls, and of things that are ancient to this world... but familiar to her. You have no idea how deep it goes, or how the Princess herself enters it. But now, the roundabout and confusing routes that the train-tunnels take through the mountain make a lot more sense. As does the Princess' edict that Canterlot may only carve out sections of the mountain with her permission. But still, this... is where you will found your Outsider.

Expected duration: IRRELEVANT (This expedition will always happen "between turns", and will not cost any action points from any characters.)

Base cost: FIXED, at 100 bits (this expedition will not cost more, or less, regardless of how long it takes, or how many creatures participate)

Special considerations:
-This expedition may not be picked during a Turn Planning vote. Instead, QM will ask if you wish to "commit" during the gap between turns, if Velvet Covers fulfills the requirements to perform this expedition.
-Scrying this expedition, or otherwise scouting it, will either be hard, perilous, or both.
-Velvet Covers and Selene MUST participate in this expedition.
-Only Names who have been BEFRIENDED may participate in this expedition.
-Only characters who Velvet Covers considers a MINION may participate in this expedition.
-You may only attempt this expedition AFTER discovering a way to extract an Outsider's "Blood".
-You should only attempt this expedition when you are ready to reach one of the Quest's possible Endings.

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ok, going point by point

1)Interesting, a secret vault hidden deep in the mountaintop.

2)DURATION IRRELEVANT AND BASE COST AT 100 BITS? IS IT OUR BIRTHDAY?!

3)... Only BEFRIENDED Names... yeah, that might be a bit of a problem. Axe and Baldomare MIGHT soon count? Together with all our artifacts, Velvet, Selene, Rarity, Jade and Comet, it's actually not a bad squad...

4)WAIT, ONLY MINIONS?! FUCK!

That's... Velvet, Selene, Rarity IF we don't train her to Grail 4 Forge 2...

...ok, yeah, the squad is becoming smaller fast. Right now it's basically only Velvet and Selene. HOPEFULLY Baldomare will count after lvl 6 book and Axe after her Sacrament. If they count, I think I'd be ok in trying it.

ah, we need the Outsider's Blood extraction method first... AND it will probably immediately lead to the ending...

---

Ok, here's my thoughts

Turn 21: we do Axe's Sacrament, and hopefully manage to find the Frangiclave. We also do Outsider's Blood thingy, and teach Selene to bring her to all 4. We also study the lvl 4 Artifacts if we can, maybe even the lower level ones if we can delegate it.

Turn 22: IF, and ONLY IF, we have Axe AND Baldomare befriended, we try this. Otherwise we need to buy more time. Get lvl 7 book and Frangiclave mostly.

We really need Axe's general +50 to help us, and Baldomare's Lantern and SH could likely help a lot too.

I'm not sure if we want to scry. I think we risk setting off an alarm of some kind and make things worse, and it's not like we can prepare much better even if we know the obstacles.


HYPOTHETICAL SQUAD:

Velvet, Selene, Baldomare, Axe. Maybe some Mares in the Light?

Potential Bonuses if we study all artifacts (we can give them to everyone to basically use them all.

	VELVET	SELENE	AXE	BALDOMARE	ARTIFACTS	TOTAL
KNOCK	+20 1 reroll	+20 1 reroll	+30 1 reroll		lvl 2 to Baldomare, +10	50+80= +130 with 3 rerolls
LANTERN	+20 1 reroll	X	X	+30 1 reroll	lvl 4 to Selene, +20	+120 with 2 rerolls
FORGE	+20 1 reroll	X	X	X		+70 with 1 reroll
EDGE	+20 1 reroll	+20 1 reroll	X	X	lvl 3 to Baldomare, +15	+105 with 2 rerolls
WINTER	+20 1 reroll	+20 1 reroll	X	X	lvl 4 to Baldomare, lvl 1 to Axe, +20	+110 with 2 rerolls
HEART	+20 1 reroll	X	X	X	lvl 3 to Selene, +15	+85 with 1 reroll
GRAIL	+20 1 reroll	X	X	X		30+20 = +50 with 1 reroll
MOTH	+20 1 reroll	+20 1 reroll	+15	X	lvl 3 to Baldomare, +15. lvl 1 can't be used unless we bring someone else	+120 with 2 rerolls
SECRET HISTORIES	+20 1 reroll	X	X	+30 1 reroll	lvl 3 to Selene, lvl 1 to Axe, +20.	+120 with 2 rerolls

and we'd want to boost Grail and Forge as the lowest rolls... Grail we can get an influence from Mareinette, Forge maybe an influence from Ritual.

Also edge influence from Biedde for Combat, and Knock and Lantern/SH Influence from Axe and Baldomare.


....uh. We can ho with basically everything (except Grail) above 100 in, if we're lucky, 2 or 3 turns!

---

but yeah, my general thoughts are that we

TURN 21:

Befriend Axe and Baldomare (lvl 6 book and Sacrament), train Selene, heal scar, study artifacts, make preparations for other sacraments if we can.

TURN 22: if Baldomare not befriended, lvl 7 book search. If Axe not befriended, continue that. Probably finish SH and maybe Edge Sacraments. Influences if we're going

END OF TURN 22: potentially go for dungeon.

TURN 23: if we were not ready, more preparations. Edge Sacrament, Moth Sacrament, Winter Sacrament, Influences...

 

[Limabot]

I mean that's not how it comes off a lot of the time, but sure. There's no guarantee to Stains wouldn't taint the Harmony ending. Both setting are equally connected. Velvet's friendships and connections will affect her ascent to Glory. At the same time there's no reason that Harmony wouldn't be tainted in the same way if we had pursued that path, which frankly it's way too late for.

Click to shrink...

In my opinion, as long as we don't do any more Wolf Actions, I would not be surprised if the Glory amplified the remaining 4/7ths of Velvet's soul so that they can either excise or outright dissolve the corrupted 3/7th. The Glory, and Lantern with it, are generally things that are known to purify, exalt, and enforce one's individuality.

I wouldn't count on it being the case, but I do think that the Glory ending won't be so bad if we keep ourselves from going too far of the deep end.

 

[jelloloaf]

It feels crazy to have the end in sight. What am I going to read after the quest is finished?

 

[BritBiscuit]

Honestly I wonder what Rarity's sister thinks about her very obvious (to anyone not Velvet) crush.

Also poor Diamond Tiara, really letting a child eating Monster talk with a neglectful and abusive mother was really only going to end one way, even if no physical harm was done... Just yikes.

Uncle Steppes hype!

oh and Glory I guess... thats a thing too I think...

 

[Sveta08]

Hmm....
I wonder...
I'll keep that for later. But for now?

We have options! We have choices. We have information we did not have before. No comment on Glory yet.
All I ask is... we give Baldomare some bits this coming turn. Have her see what she can turn up... and let her look around the world for her own.
Think she might like that.

 

[BritBiscuit]

In my opinion, as long as we don't do any more Wolf Actions, I would not be surprised if the Glory amplified the remaining 4/7ths of Velvet's soul so that they can either excise or outright dissolve the corrupted 3/7th. The Glory, and Lantern with it, are generally things that are known to purify, exalt, and enforce one's individuality.

I wouldn't count on it being the case, but I do think that the Glory ending won't be so bad if we keep ourselves from going too far of the deep end.

Click to shrink...

I mean it might be that considering we'd be the only Hour we could be considered the Day so out of those 24 hours 3/7 rounded to whole number would be 10 so I guess maybe for 10 hours of the day things would be a bit more grim and painful, kinda like how some people get depressed at night time or something.
I mean if what we became could be called The Week then an easier conversion would be 3/7 days the Wolf is at the wheel.

 

[LieutenantSpirit]

We did it! Outsider action complete!

...and that "we"... I wonder just what her feelings about all of this are...

Click to shrink...

Given who she is, she absolutely knows we intend to befriend her and that the final Expedition brings befriended Names along. At this point, she's due to come with us. Our victory is her victory, and though she might not have the desire to actively chase the Glory and manage a cult, a longing for the Glory will always remain.

but yeah, my general thoughts are that we

TURN 21:

Befriend Axe and Baldomare (lvl 6 book and Sacrament), train Selene, heal scar, study artifacts, make preparations for other sacraments if we can.

TURN 22: if Baldomare not befriended, lvl 7 book search. If Axe not befriended, continue that. Probably finish SH and maybe Edge Sacraments. Influences if we're going

END OF TURN 22: potentially go for dungeon.

TURN 23: if we were not ready, more preparations. Edge Sacrament, Moth Sacrament, Winter Sacrament, Influences...

Click to shrink...

Don't forget that we need to learn how to extract the Blood of an Outsider before going on the final expedition.

This is a wild thought, but maybe Jade researching a Memory of Light will help with that?

 

[DelightedOne]

There's no guarantee to Stains wouldn't taint the Harmony ending. Both setting are equally connected. Velvet's friendships and connections will affect her ascent to Glory. At the same time there's no reason that Harmony wouldn't be tainted in the same way if we had pursued that path, which frankly it's way too late for.

Click to shrink...

Why would Harmony be tainted? The difference between the Harmony and Glory Victories is HUGE.

In Glory, Velvet gains personal power and becomes THE Hour by being bathed in the light of Glory and is changed by it at a fundamental level, including her soul and that is the problem.

In Harmony, we hide it's Light so that no more Worms will be attracted by it.

And that is not even mentioning Harmony is literally made to deal with corruption, evil and general nastiness so I doubt it wouldn't be able to either purify Velvet or just find a way to deal with the Sons later.

 

[Greymere]

nd we'd want to boost Grail and Forge as the lowest rolls... Grail we can get an influence from Mareinette, Forge maybe an influence from Ritual.

Click to shrink...

Keep in mind we're probably going to find the Forge Name when we go searching through the Malleary for the Outsider Juicer. There's really only so many places left for them to be hiding

everything else

Click to shrink...

I think, considering the likely difficulty of what is basically the Endgame Dungeon, we should get the Sacraments that we're willing to get first, and also getting Heart to Level 4.

We're pretty much 100% definitely going to get the Knock, Secret Histories, and Moth Sacraments. Winter is easy enough to get, if expensive and requires us to be okay with either killing three ponies or hoping Neighnia's option is better (and also recruiting her). Forge is much the same, since a max Influence from the Forge Name would both bring us up to the 2/4 scraps necessary to start the actions and also supercharge the actions themselves. Edge is very straightforward and mostly just needs us to get lucky.

Really, I think the only ones that aren't going to be feasible to get by time we're ready for the dungeon crawl are Heart, seeing as its currently at Level 3 0/4, and Grail, for obvious reasons.

 

[Solace2117]

In my opinion, as long as we don't do any more Wolf Actions, I would not be surprised if the Glory amplified the remaining 4/7ths of Velvet's soul so that they can either excise or outright dissolve the corrupted 3/7th. The Glory, and Lantern with it, are generally things that are known to purify, exalt, and enforce one's individuality.

I wouldn't count on it being the case, but I do think that the Glory ending won't be so bad if we keep ourselves from going too far of the deep end.

Click to shrink...

I mean I think the Glory ending will be fine either way, though better if we don't take another Wolf actions or could find a way to mitigate them a bit.

Why would Harmony be tainted? The difference between the Harmony and Glory Victories is HUGE.

In Glory, Velvet gains personal power and becomes THE Hour by being bathed in the light of Glory and is changed by it at a fundamental level, including her soul and that is the problem.

In Harmony, we hide it's Light so that no more Worms will be attracted by it.

And that is not even mentioning Harmony is literally made to deal with corruption, evil and general nastiness so I doubt it wouldn't be able to either purify Velvet or just find a way to deal with the Sons later.

Click to shrink...

You constantly say this with no real proof. I think there's a chance it could help with the Stains, but it's just as likely the Harmony ending involved tainting it or lessening it to keep it from drawing attention.
Your conviction that the Harmony path is a pure MLP ending is overly optimistic considering both settings.

 

[Shaper47]

because we have no way to find

Click to shrink...

Yes we do, we have just never bothered to try and investigate.

from a deadline that we were never even suggested exists

Click to shrink...

The Master told us about it first thing and then kept giving more details later.

Do not be alarmed, my beloved! I

Click to shrink...

How I longed to have your company here

Click to shrink...

How I wish you were here, so we could both sweat under the sun together. So I could watch your coat glistening with the heat, as not even the dirt managed to sully your beauty. So that we could, once we reached the cool and covered destination that we had been looking for, finally-"

Click to shrink...

Ara ara Rarity.

-Gained one book (Edge, Level 6. Requires deciphering. Progress 0/160. From Two Eras Ago, "-40" to deciphering rolls.)

Click to shrink...

...

Damn, an edge trait.

When you asked her for more details, she sounded unusually evasive. You think she mentioned having written something, perhaps a diary of sorts, while on the expedition. But she almost immediately said she shredded it into pieces, and then burned it, after re-reading what she had penned.

Click to shrink...

If only she had gone less far, then Velvet's lantern hooves, SH finding and Moth sneaking would have gotten us the original.

 

[Earth-Destroyer]

TURN 21:

Befriend Axe and Baldomare (lvl 6 book and Sacrament), train Selene, heal scar, study artifacts, make preparations for other sacraments if we can.

TURN 22: if Baldomare not befriended, lvl 7 book search. If Axe not befriended, continue that. Probably finish SH and maybe Edge Sacraments. Influences if we're going

END OF TURN 22: potentially go for dungeon.

TURN 23: if we were not ready, more preparations. Edge Sacrament, Moth Sacrament, Winter Sacrament, Influences...

Click to shrink...

This is the final hurdle for winning the Glory I absolutely want Mareinette to tank with her massive health pool. Their is a none zero chance after getting to the outsider the final challenge will be Celestia teleporting in, and we need Mareinette to hold her off while getting the outsider's blood. Not like it hard to get Mareinette on side either, Moth sacrament, Spoiled capture her, and Grail sacrament.

Also the next or the turn after the Bureau will be attacking the changeling so their will be plenty of prisoners to use for sacraments. So their will be options for getting the sacraments.

 

[DelightedOne]

Also the next or the turn after the Bureau will be attacking the changeling so their will be plenty of prisoners to use for sacraments. So their will be options for getting the sacraments.

Click to shrink...

We can't sacrifice changelings for Sacraments, only ponies.

 

[Pittauro]

Sooo...Leash + Moth Sacrament next turn?

Click to shrink...

I'd rather wait one more turn for two reasons

1)I want to first remove the scar and recover Velvet's traumatic memories, in case they narratively and/or mechanically affect the "I hate myself" moth Sacrament.

2) I'd rather do it on Spoiled Rich, so maybe another action to fully befriend her first?

Edit: Also, maybe not in turn 21, but in turn 22 with a Forge Attention of the Laws could we remove Velvet scar?

Click to shrink...

oh, we're most likely removing it next turn, but keep in mind AotL DOESN'T work on rituals.

I just want you to know that I hate you. That you are the Path where the hope of a better future will die, because Hours don't share the power they have.

My last hope is that Discord will manage to free himself before Velvet can find him.

Click to shrink...

damn, doomer.

It's very much NOT that bad. Even assuming Velvet becomes an Hour (which is NOT a sure thing, we don't KNOW what will happen there) then that gives her a LOT of power... and presumably that power would be shared with the Names we bring with us, I imagine? they're likely to follow us after, at least, and Baldomare and Axe are actually fairly good people (at least as far as Names are concerned).

and I'm still not convinced that the game is fully over once we're done.


In any case we just can't afford the time to go for Harmony ending right now. Keep in mind we're on a Celestia countdown to disaster, among other things.

I see that extremely explicit warning about scouting as an indicator… we probably shouldn't. Period.

Click to shrink...

Agreed.

I mean, we're going to bring all we can anyway, so all befriended Names, all our artifacts, maybe a few Mares as summons, influences from Names and Ritual...

What difference would scouting even do at that point? MAYBE we'd get a minor bonus to all rolls (like a +10 at best) in exchange for risking triggering some kind of alarm.

Not worth it. I say we take 2, maybe 3 turns to prepare (befriend Names, pursue Sacraments, study artifacts, Summon minions, remove scar maybe finish Canterlot Part 3 for more artifacts to help us?) and then we go.

We will be the Hour. And will indeed have that choice in our hooves.
But no one else will be making it for us.

Click to shrink...

or at least that's the hope. I'm not quite sure becoming an Hour is that easy.

Then again, maybe I'm just being too negative.

and Velvet has half of her soul Stained

Click to shrink...

LESS than half, thank you!

Don't forget that we need to learn how to extract the Blood of an Outsider before going on the final expedition.

This is a wild thought, but maybe Jade researching a Memory of Light will help with that?

Click to shrink...

I doubt Jade's action will help, but I'd do it anyway just in case it helps strengthening Luna or gives us a way to calm Celestia. It can't hurt, and Jade is not urgently needed for anything else I think.

as for Blood, I imagine we're going to use the free mansus expedition to explore the Malleary. That should be enough to complete it in one or two turns.

In Harmony, we hide it's Light so that no more Worms will be attracted by it.

Click to shrink...

That's that the MASTER wanted to do, to be fair. He's no longer around, so maybe we will/would do something different instead.

Keep in mind we're probably going to find the Forge Name when we go searching through the Malleary for the Outsider Juicer. There's really only so many places left for them to be hiding


I think, considering the likely difficulty of what is basically the Endgame Dungeon, we should get the Sacraments that we're willing to get first, and also getting Heart to Level 4.

We're pretty much 100% definitely going to get the Knock, Secret Histories, and Moth Sacraments. Winter is easy enough to get, if expensive and requires us to be okay with either killing three ponies or hoping Neighnia's option is better (and also recruiting her). Forge is much the same, since a max Influence from the Forge Name would both bring us up to the 2/4 scraps necessary to start the actions and also supercharge the actions themselves. Edge is very straightforward and mostly just needs us to get lucky.

Really, I think the only ones that aren't going to be feasible to get by time we're ready for the dungeon crawl are Heart, seeing as its currently at Level 3 0/4, and Grail, for obvious reasons.

Click to shrink...

I mostly agree.

We should also consider exploring the remaining expedition sites (Canterlot Part 3, Red Church, Mansus Moon Tower, Tall Tale) because they can give us artifacts we can bring for other bonuses.

We can basically use all our artifacts (summon a Mare in the Light to use leftovers if necessary and for extra muscle for combat), so we'd better research them and get more to pile on the bonuses.

And yeah, I think we're going to do Winter Artifact... hopefully we find Neighnia first, but if not we'll probably still do it.

This is the final hurdle for winning the Glory I absolutely want Mareinette to tank with her massive health pool.

Click to shrink...

Right now the only known way to befriend her is to do her Grail Sacrament.

so... good luck? I'm not necessarily against it, but still, I kinda feel uncomfortable about bringing MAREINETTE with us to the Glory...

 

[Shaper47]

I think, considering the likely difficulty of what is basically the Endgame Dungeon, we should get the Sacraments that we're willing to get first, and also getting Heart to Level 4.

Click to shrink...

Totally agree, along with stacking all the influences we can.

Also more artifacts would probably be useful.

And narratively reagents might come in handy.

Also the next or the turn after the Bureau will be attacking the changeling so their will be plenty of prisoners to use for sacraments. So their will be options for getting the sacraments.

Click to shrink...

It's only ponies that count so we'd be stealing Changeling pony prisoners to use instead of using Changelings. But yeah that could work.

We'd need to build a prison first though.

 

[Sveta08]

... ah
ha
Ha!
Ha...

OurLadyofWires, Bird, or QM? Hate your face sometimes. Love it, but hate it. And I'm not just gonna be cryptic to write something fun and tragic later. The other little one, sure, I'll keep. But this one?
Nah, y'all get this dim realization wholesale. True or not, it smacks too close to something that might be true.



The only names that can go on All In are Names that have been befriended.
Every name is aware of... the path. That this is the steps taken by Velvet before Glory.
The Names Velvet befriends will go with her. The ones that she doesn't, won't. They will know that.
They will see Velvet reaching for Glory, without them.
The only ponies that Velvet will be bringing will be Minions and names.

We know what Mareinette wants for her friendship.
And we know she can choose to break free.

We must befriend Mareinette and bring her with us...
Or we must leave her behind. Near our home, with all the Names who would want to stop her with us. With all our allies on hand with us
Where she sees that we do not want to bring her along in our path to Glory.

Where we will leave her behind. At their home, with Velvet's heart. With Velvet's family
...with Silky

And if Velvet does not offer a hoof beforehand...
If Velvet does not extend her hoof in friendship when she is still reaching for Glory.
If Velvet does not offer company and companionships when she is the weaker party.
Why would she think it would change after Glory?