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

[Greymere]

Now I think about it Influence is a great choice too, Soft is really good at the whole therapy thing and wants the best for everyone and could use responsibilities from helping out with Ponyville's direction to grow up in a good way, meanwhile her friends would be forced to interact with other ponies in public projects reminding them of why they keep going, it would be great for all of them!

Click to shrink...

Nahh, I'd argue Influence is only better than Inspiration (which considering it extra-Wolfs Softy, isn't saying much). It's the only one that explicitly has something bad happen basically right away to one of our contacts, and would force us into committing to speed-socialing her just to avoid probably-not-her-death. We're going to have a Level 7 book and Level 6 reagent to go after next turn, we really need to have Mareinette available for that, and we have better targets for our free social action (like Cheerilee).

 

[DelightedOne]

Now I think about it Influence is a great choice too

Click to shrink...

What a coincidence this happens now, right after something about Influence was mentioned by someone else. Right?

Riiiiiight????Riiiiiiiiiighhhhhht????????????

 

[spiderhellian]

I do think there's a compelling argument for Inspirstion just for that added insight into the wolf.

Being able to learn as if we had more than half our stains, without actually venturing down that road… is really something.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Soft Sweep's vote is still open. And as it stands, it is currently tied.

Spoiler: Vote tally

Adhoc vote count started by OurLadyOfWires on Nov 26, 2025 at 11:26 PM, finished with 178 posts and 27 votes.

• ---

  13 people have voted

  [X] Gift her tools.

  • Greymere
  • Rafuki22
  • Sintonir
  • keykigdom
  • Talon Tiger Dino
  • Anjaxis
  • Sk1lz3r
  • Portec
  • Solace2117
  • Shaper47
  • Limabot
  • des-pair-2
  • AuthorTransient

  13 people have voted

  [X] Gift her influence.

  • Shaper47
  • spiderhellian
  • Potdl
  • Biowolf
  • Arrkhon
  • Nevermort
  • IronHydra
  • Limabot
  • des-pair-2
  • AuthorTransient
  • Cochimetl
  • Talon Tiger Dino
  • SilentPencil

  10 people have voted

  [X] Gift her freedom.

  • ses
  • DelightedOne
  • Random Anon
  • Venerable Ro
  • Greymere
  • Limabot
  • des-pair-2
  • AuthorTransient
  • Cochimetl
  • SilentPencil

  8 people have voted

  [X] Gift her inspiration.

  • Shaper47
  • Arrkhon
  • spiderhellian
  • Nevermort
  • IronHydra
  • Bakkasama
  • Darkday
  • Cochimetl

The vote will be called soon. And a tiebreaker extension will be called if it remains tied.
This note will be deleted after the vote is called.

- - -

Spoiler: Winning Plan

[X] Plan: IM FROM PONYVILLE AND I SAY KILL EM ALL
-[X] (AotL) Edge
-[X] (Knock) Explore the Ashen Wastes
-[X] (Social) Fleeting Opportunity: Soft Sweeps
-[X] Study (2x), by priority: Moth 5 book, Lantern 4 artifact, Winter 4 artifact, Manehatten book
-[X] Join the Assault on Tall Tale
-[X] Sacrament: Challenge Biedde

[X] Plan: Prisoner Chomping
-[x] (Free) Sell Edge 3 artifact
-[x] (Detectives) Follow Up: Dodge City
-[x] (Constables) Follow Up: Tall Tale
-[X] (Commissioner) Introduce Lore: Forge
-[x] (Director) Lantern
-[x] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Spoiled Rich & Filthy Rich
-[x] (Biedde) Channel an Edge Influence
-[x] (Baldomare) Channel a Lantern Influence
-[x] (Selene) Soothe the night
-[x] (Rarity) Focus on her work
-[x] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry x 2
--[x] Target: Easiest Level 7 book to acquire
--[X] Target: Easiest Forge 6 reagent to acquire
--[X] At Jade's old house
-[X] Acquire a prisoner, preferably not an innocent civilian
-[X] Build a prison
-[X] Obtain a dead body
-[X] Perform the Attention of the Laws (Edge) (x2)
-[X] Cover your bases (-2 Follower AP, +1 Velvet AP)

You had expected Baldomare to be dismissive of your request.

Dismissive, or annoyed, or maybe even hesitant. You expected words of warning, at how you might endanger yourself by doing this. Or words of caution, musing that you could very well "turn out like her" if you continued on your path.

What you didn't expect was for her to smile.

It was the smile of a mare who knew this would happen.

It was the smile of a mare who, by the very nature of your request, had just been proven right.

And it was also the smile of a monster.

Even though it was no different from the expression she always had, whenever she was in a good mood.

"I know you will arrange to be delivered the soldier's blade, not long from now. Just don't use these to look directly into that weapon," she said, like a merchant explaining a minor detail of a product. "The sight will blind you. Permanently."

She said that, and then she took off her glasses, placed them inside an eyeglass case, and gave them to you.

And for a reason you knew very well, but did not wish to name, you immediately regretted your decision.



- - -



You arrive at the Royal Castle late at night, or perhaps early in the morning. With your chariot touching the marble-wrought ground just as the moon touches the west horizon. And thankfully, your arrival in Canterlot is mostly uneventful. At least by your standards.

The Bureau was warned of your presence, of course, and the messenger-on-duty is waiting for you when you reach your room. He does not have any urgent messages for you, and you can't think of any business that you want to dispatch right now. So, you dispatch him with your decision that you will be returning to the Bureau tomorrow, rather than today.

The Secretariat already knew of your daughter's cute-ceñeara. And in all honesty, the ponies who work closer to you even expected you to stay home for a little longer, or maybe even take the whole week off. But duty calls, and you know the Bureau will be particularly busy this month. So, you will be in Canterlot starting today, in case something requires your urgent attention, and you will be back at your office tomorrow.

However, unlike what your secretaries will probably think is happening, you will not stay cooped in your room because you are tired, or homesick, or just need some time for yourself after an entire weekend dedicated to your family.

No, you have… other plans. You have some long-overdue reading that you need to catch up with, and then some other things besides.

…

You sincerely wish you could just call this some "light reading". But as the harsh reality of the world once again pierces into your eyes through Baldomare's glasses, you prepare to delve into a book that, truth be told, nopony alive has any business trying to read.



[Study actions]



The first item you remove from your luggage, carefully secured for the trip, is an old tome made out of crumbling paper. A stack of bone-dry sheets, whose original bindings probably rotted away long ago, kept together by a number of rusted iron rings.

The scrawling on its face is indecipherable. You wouldn't even think it was some kind of language, if not for the symbols that are repeated here and there. Furthermore, you can't even know for sure if the pages are in the correct order, or if the "tome" you have on your hoofs is even complete to begin with.

However, there is an air about this "book" you just placed on your study desk. Something about it feels… like it is calling to you. Not as a sharp challenge to be conquered, and not as a bright treasure to be deciphered. But instead, you feel like these crumbling sheets of paper are inviting your eyes to hurl themselves against them, like a colt might invite his troublemaking friends to tumble down a steep hill for fun.

Reading this feels… erratic, counterproductive, and maybe even unsafe. But there is a part of you that just wants you to do it.

Or at least that is what you feel, until you put on Baldomare's glasses.

Because now… now the pages before you make a little more sense. But you also feel like you have just dissected a joke, and for all that you understand it now, you will never be able to laugh at it again.

Knowledge is never kind you suppose.



[Moth Book, Level 5. "Ancient Beyond History, -50 per roll". Current progress 0/100]

[Roll = 96 + 14 (Learning) + 5 (Well Read) + 20 (Lantern application) + 11 (SH Artifact) + 40 ("A Splendour") – 50 ("Ancient Beyond History") = 136]

[Book successfully deciphered]



You can sense something in the words. Something that a corner of your mind can't help but interpret as "camaraderie" or perhaps "mirth".

This book, you suppose, was written for a friend. Or by a friend. Or for the sake of a friend.

You wouldn't know. You do not have enough information to draw a conclusion.

Still, you have gleaned enough from it.

The pages, you could tell, were in the same order as they were written. However, perhaps as a prank or perhaps as a code, it was meant to be written in another order. And while you could understand most of it, you also realized that some words had two, or three different applicable meanings. While some words simply no longer have an equivalent or translation in this modern era.

But the contents were intriguing enough, you suppose. The book seems to be a missive of sorts, and for all that the meaning of the message seems to change depending on which interpretation you use for certain words, you have decided that too was intentional from the writer.

"There will come the [day/scandal/plan] when we must be [forgotten/hidden/conserved]. Like [undecipherable] on a jar, awaiting [a feast/death/the birth of the recipient of a gift].
Our [best/worst/only] solution will be to use the rivers to [hide/die/drink].
Fortunately, our [patron/enemy/other party of a contract] has already [planted the seeds/painted the rivers/distributed herbs used for poisoning].
Will she betray us? Of course she will betray us. That is [what makes it fun/the only guarantee we have/the sole regret of a widowed wife].
But that is [a/the] [bargain, in the sense of a deal/bargain, in the sense of a bet/bargain, in the sense of a low price] that I am willing to take.
That is my [hope for a peaceful death/hope for a fruitful life/lack of hope, when something goes wrong]."​

You could learn much from this confusion. As well as from the intriguing implications this letter has, considering when it was written and where it was found.

Furthermore, this missive seems to be surprisingly safe and tame, considering how old it is.

You should not expect this from other pieces of writing of this age.



…



Your studies are interrupted by a knock on the door. A maid asking what you would like for dinner.

Which in turn makes you realize you have missed lunch. And breakfast.

But the food is enough of an excuse for you to put the old missive, and your attached notes, away.

After you are well fed, you resist the urge to further offend the book by shedding more light on it. And instead, you carefully pull another item from your bags.

The instrument you have on your hoofs, or at least the thing you assume is an instrument, is in surprisingly good condition. It is entirely made of metal, and it has a vaguely cylindrical that makes it easy to hold on a hoof.

You do not yet know how to operate it, or even what it does, but you can see the hallmarks of an ergonomic design. And what is more, this item is not a singular cylindrical shape, but is instead comprised of several interconnected parts that you are sure must unfold somehow.

However, like a puzzle or a particularly eccentric piece of art, you cannot seem to be able to twist or turn it in any way.

And then, of course, there was the problem that as soon as you put on Baldomare's glasses you almost went blind.

Not in a metaphysical or eldritch sense, no. You literally almost went blind. Because through the lenses of the glasses, the instrument shone. And for the split second before you dropped it and yelled out in pain, as you looked directly at it through the glasses, you felt like you were looking at the sun.

But the instrument, and its natural glow, was a lot more agreeable once you turned off all the lights and began to study it in total darkness.



[Lantern Artifact, Level 4. CD 90]

[Roll = 14 + 14 (Learning) + 20 (Lantern application) + 8 (SH Artifact) + 40 ("A Splendour") = 96]

[Success]



It takes you far longer than you are willing to admit for you to completely unfold this instrument.

But an instrument it is, that is for sure. An intricate, beautifully crafted instrument the design of which is nothing less than inspiring. You might even call it genius.

Because the first few joints and prongs you untwisted revealed several measuring devices. Delicate pliers with intricate markings telling you its current angle of opening. Extensible rulers with different scales and runes. Even a small rod that vibrated curiously when you submerged it in a bottle of water. All of that, and several others besides, many of which you don't really know the purpose of.

Upon further untwisting, which necessitate the joining and connecting of most of the measuring devices, you found yourself holding what looked like a rather large compass. Or at least it looked like a compass, given how the greater part of the cylinder unfolded into a surface of sorts, and several of the measuring devices connected together into what would be a needle of a compass.

However, unlike a regular compass, the central needle wouldn't stop spinning. It did so very slowly, but no matter how long you waited it wouldn't stabilize itself. Although the movement of the needle was not regular enough for you to think of it as a clock.

And finally, when you completely unfolded the device, it turned into something resembling a globe, or a trio of rings forming a sphere. All of its other parts were connected on its inside, in such an intricate way that disassembling it back into its "compact" version would be a puzzle on itself.

Despite your methods, you truly have no idea what this final configuration is for. Although, as you looked at its internal workings, you were vaguely reminded of a gyroscope.

Although you are mostly certain that it is safe enough to use.



…



Your studies were interrupted by a day of work, and then by another. Still, the Bureau is at times lightning-quick and at times bureaucracy-slow, and these days seem to be the latter. So, as your orders trickle down and results trickle up, you are able to continue your studies during the night period after you are done with your work.

The next item to receive your attention is one of the items that were pilfered by Mareinette, during Selene's foray against Copper Secateur.

It doesn't look old, but it doesn't look new either. From its appearance alone, it could be a century-old item that was carefully kept, despite constant use. Or a decade-old item that was left abandoned, after its previous owner passed away. Which feels somewhat poetic, given how you can feel the subtle presence of Winter about it.

In some ways, the thing you are looking at feels more like a memory of an item, rather than the item itself.

It is also fitting, you suppose, that the item itself is a candle snuffer. A long metal rod, with a hoof-grip, which has a cone-shaped cap on its far end, meant to smother down the flames of an overhead candelabra or perhaps a candle that is just out of reach. An item favored by earth ponies, who have neither magic nor the wings to reach more inconvenient places, but not an uncommon item by any stretch of the imagination.

So, you are somewhat curious about why (and how) it became so soaked with the Silent Lore.



[Winter Artifact, Level 4. CD 90]

[Roll = 50 + 14 (Learning) + 20 (Lantern application) + 14 (SH Artifact) + 40 ("A Splendour") = 138]

[Success]



…

…

…

The irony of this situation is not lost to you.

This item, you can tell, is usable. It is usable, and it has a legitimate pall of Winter about it.

But it is also ironic that, as far as you can tell, it is also cursed.

It is a pony curse. A magical curse. Not a curse from the Lores that you would fear due to its age and unpredictability. But a curse nonetheless.

A curse of unluck, of all things.

You wonder if this item became cursed because its previous owner died, or if its previous owner died because of this curse.

Whatever the answer may be, the irony of the situation is still not lost to you.

Because of course Copper Secateur would find a way to remain a thorn on your side. Even after her passing, and by means of a Winter-soaked artifact.



…



The final item you brought with you is not much of a book, as much as it is an assortment of reports, letters and maps that were taken from Copper Secateur's hideout.

There is too little of it for you to truly consider it the "paperwork" of her organization. But there is just enough of it for you to suspect there is something interesting there. And besides, considering the pon… considering the creature that acquired it, you suspect she also reached the same conclusion before hurriedly grabbing them.

It is quite a lot of information, yes.

But under normal circumstances, your hoofs would be enough for you to work over them, even if it took you a few days.

So, given the additional understanding you have, you might as well be reading from a report, as your bespectacled eyes roll over the pile of papers you have on your desk.



[A Book of no Lore levels. CD 50]

[Roll = 75 + 14 (Learning) + 5 (Well Read) + 20 (Lantern application) + 10 (SH Artifact) + 40 ("A Splendour") = 164]

[Success]



It is not the juiciest of blackmail materials, but it is not useless paperwork either.

It is not a map of hidden caches, but it is also not just a pamphlet of Manehattan.

Instead, what you are looking at is… potential.

You knew Copper Secateur. Or at least you think you knew her. You knew her as the pony she was, before the Master became more active and Copper's tendencies and talents became a greater influence in her actions.

So, you know that she was already an… ambitious mare, even before her predilections began to push her even harder.

Which means the information you are looking at is… well, her plans to expand her operation, or perhaps her influence, over Manehattan and beyond.

Something for you to look into later.

But for now, that seems to be it.



- - -



You will revisit your notes, and your tentative conclusions, over the course of the next several days and weeks. You will need time to reduce your findings into writing, and you will triple-check the Lantern instrument-thing before sending it back to Selene for her use.

Of course you will. You wouldn't be caught dead giving Selene a cursed item for her to use in her upcoming tasks.

But for now, you think you have a good enough understanding of what you are dealing with, and what you stand to gain if you continue studying these items.





You have deciphered and ancient book of Moth. Gained one scrap of Moth Lore, and the equivalent Manuscript. Given where it was found, you suspect it was surprisingly tame and safe, despite its age.

Your Moth Lore is now at Level 4, with 4/4 scraps of progression attained. You will no longer be able to gain any scraps of Moth (they will be "wasted" if gained) until you attain Sacrament.

You have successfully studied a book without any Lore levels. Three Expedition sites have been added to your expedition pool.

You have successfully studied a Lantern Artifact and a Winter Artifact. You have gained one scrap of Lantern and Winter Lores, and your information on those artifacts has been updated. Both artifacts are now available for use.

Under a fair reading of your actions, you have used one Study action to study two artifacts (2/2 artifacts for a dedicated action), and one Study action to study two books (2/3 books for a dedicated action). Thus, you can still study a third book (roll one study-dice for a single book) under your book Study action.

A vote on what book you would like to study will be held later this turn.

You are now under the effect of "A Splendour" (+40 for all Lantern rolls).

Because your Lantern is not yet Level 5, and this is your first time under this Influence, you have gained two scraps of Lantern Lore.

And if you would like a more in-depth view of how another Adept could react to Baldomare's "blessings", you can check it out here!

 

[Shaper47]

Thought I switched votes already but here you go.

[X] Gift her tools

[X] Gift her inspiration.

 

[Pittauro]

This reminds me of the conversation we (the thread) had before/after/during the Burning of Canterlot. Iirc, a not uncommon sentiment at the time was that under any other circumstance, Velvet would probably deserve to stand judgement before Celestia and get ashblasted or thrown in prison (depending on her mental state). Unfortunately, Velvet is also the main character, and facing justice just means that the quest comes to an unsatisfying end.

Click to shrink...

Well, maybe not being ashblasted, DEFINITELY thrown in prison or at least put under heavy watch.

Admittedly she's also so skilled and useful that, if there was a way to have her work under watch, that should be considered.

Of course if the stains became known then YES, killing her honestly becomes the moral action.

I'm pretty he got it via training but Velvet got Edge scraps via training too, it's edge you know.

Edge has its own special rules though.


Getting higher level lore does still requires reaching higher level lore sources no matter the type.

The world is mostly devoid of those higher level sources.

Even the Master couldn't reach Mastery without access to higher level sources.

Click to shrink...

well, I said my piece. Underestimate Celestia at your peril.

Earlier in the quest, my initial thought on what to do if you died was "whoever has custody of Silky".

Then Selene happened. The Soft happened. And more recently Axe happened.

My knee-jerk reaction is still Soft. But I'll be honest, this quest surprises me as much as it surprises you all. So who knows.

Not dying feels like the better option.

Click to shrink...

well, for Velvet it definitely is.

Jury is out on what's the best for Equestria.

On the one hand, Worms are a problem and we're the ones most likely to find a solution.

Then again, we brought Evil, Paranoia and Ash to this world, and things WOULD significantly improve for the average pony if we die. Harmony might very well start to recover, and Selene now knows about the Worms so she wouldn't easily fall in the same trap as before.

and five Name-rituals that (pinches her cheek while doing a baby voice) we both know I'll never let you contest me on."

Click to shrink...

So, I am not worried about how Velvet will teach Soft, and will instead focus on her thoughts of why she thought the best idea was to teach those rituals.

And the only thing that comes to mind is that "you trust Soft".

You could have given her anything else, but you decided to give her all the tools to "accomplish her objective of helping you" and no true direction on how to do it. In fact, you won't even tell her she has a cult (in your eyes).

So yeah, this will be a big "follow your heart" moment for her, and a big "I trust my daughter" moment for you.

It remains to be seen what they will think they can do with the tools they will be offered.

Click to shrink...

...the way I see it, this is the most "irrational" and "emotional" choice on Velvet's part.

Velvet is, and has been for most of the quest, a total control freak.

This would be the very first time she WILLINGLY relinquishes power and control.

The easiest way to put it is, I think, that with this option we're making Soft a PLAYER and not just a "pawn/servant".

We're giving her most of our tools, our library, and letting her spread her wings.

We're giving her the freedom to do what she thinks is best, even if it's something we'd disagree with.

It's definitely an interesting decision. It COULD easily backfire... but then again, it might also work extremely well.

I find it weird that Velvet wouldn't tell her of the cult thing though.

I hope there is a vote for it of it happens. Soft, Selene and Axe? The thread will light up with the flames of war!

I would choose the Alicorn.

I know, I know. How original of the Harmonist to want to play with a Princess.

Click to shrink...

To be fair it's an Alicorn with FOUR lore affinities, AND the higher combat score out of them all when going all out.

SHe LITERALLY only loses against Biedde and Celestia.

Correct.

And before you ask yourselves "what kind of mother would do this?", I invite you to turn this question on its head.

Don't think that "Velvet would never do this, because she is a great mother." Instead, ask "if Velvet is such a great mother, why is she doing this?"

What does it mean, when you guys tell me that Velvet's idea of "encouraging her daughter" is to hand her esoteric tools? What does this mean for Velvet's perspective of what is healthy, or even normal?

You guys already have one Sacrament, are actively working towards several more, and only aren't All-4 because of very funny circumstances.

So, you tell me

Click to shrink...

We're empowering her, giving her the means to defend herself and enact her own will on the world, in the ONE way that Velvet knows worked for her.

And, arguably, we're giving her a shot at Glory if we ever fail.

That DOES sound like love and trust to me, if maybe not in an healthy way. but then again, Velvet is NOT normal. Never has been, really.

---

...hey, a new threadmark!

EDIT: Give me an hour or so at most Bird! I'll vote after reading the threadmark!

 

[spiderhellian]

Nice! That went smoothly.I feel there's definitely some pieces to unpack in that Moth book… rivers, huh? Do we know of any important rivers…?

A trio of short expeditions is also quite nice to have in our back pocket. Good way to put the Names to work.

 

[ses]

Our plan specifically called to study the Moth 3 artifact if we oneshot the book?

We specifically ordered the priority on purpose so that it would be a Study 1 book 1 artifact action if we got the moth book first try and a study 3 books action otherwise