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

[Rafuki22]

I wonder how different would Smiles Edge Influence be and how it would contrast with Biedde's? The Bureau would certainly be confused.

 

[Shaper47]

I'm wishing we had the Edge Brand now instead of SH.

Edge Sacraments are just so cool

 

[Sveta08]

I see even as miles is curious what Velvets aiming at. But!
Fun speculation for later
For now?

I am... Glad to see what is. Will be wistful for what wasn't. And quite curious indeed...

The dream of a rebellion, of a fire, of a spark. Less man and more idea.
I do wonder what changes he will seek to nudge the world to endure.

Much as Smiles seems violent and dangerous and forward thinking in a way that will break things.... I wonder what he would touch, given access to people.
The words. The dreams. The aims.
How fertile the fields are from Paranoia. From the glare of an Absent Sun.
I wonder indeed...


He reminds me of the best worst kind of friend.

 

[DelightedOne]

I'm wishing we had the Edge Brand now instead of SH.

Edge Sacraments are just so cool

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And you have a very furry one you wanted us to take huh?

 

[ses]

If we're on the subject of Brands we wish we had instead the only option other than SH would have been Moth for me. We probably would have ended up hitting 4/4 Moth before the Master pulled her disappearing act if we had chosen it as our Brand and been able to take the Master's Invitation on like turn 15. Plus we wouldn't have lost Baldomare. I'm pretty sure the Dappled Ashes moth heirloom that got destroyed by our RA was at the end of the Master's Invitation mansus expedition. Taking the Master's Invitation while we were actively in the middle of betraying the cult would have been awesome to read.

But SH is the Lore that by far the most benefits from double-Sacrament. It's not even close considering how torn we've been between how cool our Personal SH is and Baldomare's invitation.

EDIT: If we hadn't gotten the two SH scraps from our Brand we wouldn't have gotten SH 4 in time for the Great Book Hunt, which means no reroll which means no [A Morning, an Afternoon, A History]. SH was the best Brand and it's not close.

 

[Shaper47]

And you have a very furry one you wanted us to take huh?

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That or the Lionsmith themselves or the natural one.

Every Edge Sacrament aside from the Colonel would be awesome.

The Colonel would be amazing to see but I don't think it would fit Velvet mechanically or narratively.

 

[Quaxotia]

I'm a little morbidly curious about what happens if we take the Wolf Winter Sacrament now (obviously not enough to vote for it though). Does it do nothing for the Edge component now, or will it override the Edge Sacrament with a Wolf variant due to the nature of being an RA?

 

[Shaper47]

Does it do nothing for the Edge component now, or will it override the Edge Sacrament with a Wolf variant due to the nature of being an RA?

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I'm pretty sure we keep Smiles Sacrament but we might learn how to give out our own Sacrament or get a trait.

So no override but maybe learn something cool for edge.

Getting traits from high level sources of lore is a thing afterall so probably just some edge trait.

 

[ses]

@OurLadyOfWires So about the Comet Feet sized elephant in the room? I know you mentioned you might scrap the entire concept of followers hitting Lore 5 due to how late the hour is.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

@OurLadyOfWires So about the Comet Feet sized elephant in the room? I know you mentioned you might scrap the entire concept of followers hitting Lore 5 due to how late the hour is.

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Could you kindly elaborate? I can't tell what exactly you are asking about.

Comet Feet is not your enemy, I fail to see how he is an elephant in anypony's room other than Fluttershy's.

 

[spiderhellian]

@OurLadyOfWires So about the Comet Feet sized elephant in the room? I know you mentioned you might scrap the entire concept of followers hitting Lore 5 due to how late the hour is.

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I think Comet has take a Lovers victory, and isn't really interested in pursuing deeper degrees of Edge Lore even if they were available…

Assuming you're asking if Smiles can give the Pony who rejected the Colonel's influence a Sacrament.

 

[ses]

Could you kindly elaborate? I can't tell what exactly you are asking about.

Comet Feet is not your enemy, I fail to see how he is an elephant in anypony's room other than Fluttershy's.

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We currently have Edge 5 and thus Velvet can potentially do a "Teach Comet" social action by the rules, and Comet is likely interested in breaking the block he's had for over a year. You said you didn't have the rules for getting a follower to Exalted hashed out and didn't know if you were going to bother doing so since it's so late in the game.

(And while normally Names dont give our followers invitations, Smiles seems fairly interested in giving his out and getting Comet to Edge 5 seems like the sort of thing that might earn him as a genuine Confidante outside of our fluttershy-arrangement. I honestly am very interested in what sort of narrative results having fluttercomet do Smile's action gifting will result in too considering both Comet's comet-ness and Fluttershy being a picture perfect representation of the Strength tarot card the Lionsmith corresponds to)

 

[Sintonir]

@OurLadyOfWires I think there is a need for some changes to the "Contacts and Names" threadmark, specifically to the Names section

 

[Pittauro]

He looked like something that came from the future. His eyes bright with ideas of how the world should be, and his large body somehow diminished by the weight and backwardness of your current time.

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oh, that's an interesting way to put the dichotomy of Lionsmith vs Colonel.

The world that is, vs the world that COULD be. Which is basically another way of going "status quo" vs "the revolution":

"For starters, you are growing stronger. The contrast between you and the other mortals is like night from day, and I know that didn't happen overnight."

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Indeed, Velvet has been growing every turn, for the whole quest. And her rate of growth is kind of absurd.

Left alone with no challenges and the tutorship of the Names, she could reach all-7 in a few years.

"You are also making yourself seamless," he continued. "I can smell some of your mistakes, here and there. But only traces of them. Only enough for me to know they were here, but no longer are. I cannot see them, because you have chosen to close your wounds rather than dwell on them."

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I have to wonder if there was an alternative approach to healing the wounds that would have been more Colonel-like...

No cutie mark. No Brand. Nothing in his great horse-sized flank that rippled with hard muscles every time he walked.

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as others have already noted.

"And when it comes to making monsters…" he chuckled darkly. "Well, I think you are well acquainted with that."

He said that, and he did not have to elaborate any further. The Woods, and the Tribal Door, and Equestria as a whole were more than enough reminders for you to understand what he meant to say.

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We do not particularly appreciate THAT part of Velvet's similarities to the Colonel, admittedly.

Not for Glory, which is out of reach.

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yep. definitely out of reach.

"But a promise is a promise. And whether you keep me around or decide we should go our separate ways, my old enemy now wants you removed from the board. So of course, I will help you make his struggle a little harder.

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That's a good point. after all, an enemy of the Colonel is someone the Lionsmith wouldn't mind helping a bit out of principle.

"There is an argument your flesh can make. One day, perhaps, you will argue it in an irrefragable way. But for now, at least, these are its opening words."

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...irrefragable? I did not know that word

Velvet Covers has reached Edge level 5.

You have also discussed more things with Smiles, including his plans for the Wake and his views on his relationship with you.

Smiles' "Befriending progression" has been set to "0/40." Smiles' sheet has been updated with more information on the rituals threadmark.

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EDGE: I Heal Without Scars: If a creature damages (causes wounds) to you and is later destroyed, you will instantly heal for whatever wounds you received from that creature. Exceptionally, this ability will trigger even if you are "Dancing with Death." (Level 5);

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...damn. this is BIG. It's BASICALLY the equivalent of the Windigoes' ability of recovering post-fight, in a way, as long as we win and kill.

It makes expeditions with combat much more doable for Velvet.

A pretty good combat trait. FINALLY we get a decent example of what a Sacrament can do.

Smiles has also explained to you how he can remain in the Wake:

Spoiler: I won't forget this

"The old fuck will always have more access to the Wake than I have. It's just the reality of how we are placed in the board. Still, I can teach this world to resist his ways."

Smiles wishes to "inoculate" this world against the Colonel's tyranny. He claims to have his ways, but he also realizes this world is new and strange to him, to the point that he will accept all the help he can get.

To that end, Smiles will perform "behind the scenes" actions, where he will (in his own words) "whisper a few things here and there so ponies know better."

He promised not to start any rebellions, and to keep fires at the barest minimum.

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...I'm not sure if I believe him. or if our definition of minimum coincides with HIS.

EXTENDING SMILES' SUMMONING PERIOD
-Once Smiles' summoning period ends, he will ask for Follower Actions to renew his bindings.
-For every additional turn you wish for him to stay in the Wake, he will ask for one additional Follower Action.
-The Follower Action for his summoning extension can be from any creature, even creatures that are "Unintelligent." But Velvet Covers' actions may not be used to renew his summoning period.
-This means he will ask for 1 Follower Action at the beginning of his fourth turn in the Wake, 2 Follower Actions at the beginning of his fifth turn in the Wake, 3 Follower Actions at the beginning of his sixth turn in the Wake, etc.
-Follower Actions used to renew his summoning will ONLY count as "+1" per Follower Action used, even if you use the actions of mortal ponies or Mareinette (see "Befriending" rules below for more information).

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ok, so indeed it increases each turn. That's a bit annoying.

BEFRIENDING SMILES
-Smiles operates on a "progress bar" mechanic. He will start his progress bar at "0/40." Once his progress bar reaches "40/40" he will be immediately BEFRIENDED.
-This "progress bar" represents Smiles' progress in subtly influencing pony culture to be more resistant to the Colonel's moves.
-EVERY TURN Smiles is in the Wake, he will add one point to his progress bar.
-EVERY Follower Action dedicated to renewing Smiles' summoning period will count as an equivalent number of points for his progress bar. (When you spend two Follower Actions to renew his summoning the second time, that will also add "+2" to his progress bar, on top of Smiles own natural "+1" per turn.)
-You may also "gift" Follower Actions to Smiles, representing extra effort in furthering his goals. "Gifted" follower actions are more effective, and follow special rules:
--Summoned creatures, even if they are Names, give "+1" to his progress bar. And "Unintelligent" creatures may NOT be gratuitously "gifted" to help him (although they can still be used to extend his summoning);
--Mortal ponies give "+2" to his progress bar, due to their understanding of the current era.
--Selene gives "+3" to his progress bar, due to her access to Ponykind's subconscious dreams.
--Velvet Covers gives "+5" to his progress bar per Personal Action gifted, due to her present influence.
--Mareinette, exceptionally, gives "+5" to his progress bar per Follower Action given despite being a summoned Name.
-You oppose the Colonel, even if you do not serve the Lionsmith. But laughing Smiles just sees this as an "enemy of my enemy" situation, and is ready to swear aid to your cause once he is done reinforcing this Era's culture.

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so...

use Risen for the normal extending, as they can't be used for the "gift".

mortal ponies = +2. That's Comet/Fluttershy, Rarity, Jade, our servants.
Selene = + 3. and we have two actions per turn, so potentially +6 in a turn.
Velvet = +5. significant.
Mareinette = +5

so... 2 Selene + 2 Mareinette +2 Velvet = 26 already.

Mortals give +2, but the first Cover Your Bases is better (2 mortal followers for 1 Velvet Action).

In any case, IF we trust him, we could manage in a couple of dedicated turns. The cost is a bit high, but it's not beyond our ability to pay.

Mareinette actions are the best "currency" to use with Smiles, and we'll get two per turn.

@OurLadyOfWires Could we potentially recruit temporary followers for Bits, to just have them work for Smiles? Kinda like in CS with the minions for hire. Or is the kind of help he requires too suspicious?

Torn Risen: 1
Rarity: 1
Jade Whistle: 1 0 (Borrowed on the previous turn)
Fluttershy: 1
Baldomare: 1
Mareinette: 1
Velvet Axe: 2
Biedde: 1
Cherenkolt: 1
Selene: 3
Household servants: 1

Click to shrink...

Mareinette about to reach 2, Biedde no longer a thing, Baldomare and Cherenkolt will reach 2 soonish too.

So it becomes, before turn 3,

Torn Risen: 1
Rarity: 1
Jade Whistle: 1
Fluttershy/Comet: 1
Baldomare: 1 to become 2 on turn 23 if we do expedition immediately.
Mareinette: 2
Velvet Axe: 2
Biedde: 1
Smiles 1 (+ free expedition)
Cherenkolt: 1 to become 2 on turn 24 (if we do expedition immediately)
Selene: 3
Household servants: 1

So... Mareinette x2 + Velvet x2. That's 40 points in 2 turns. And it costs us zero bits too. Something worth considering.

Or we can use "leftover" Mortal followers to help.

Risen, Jade, Comet/Fluttershy, Servants, that's 8 points (though we want to convert 2 of those in a Velvet action at least. That way it's 9 points)


And getting him in All In, considering how strong he is for Combat, is worth it. He basically wins all combat challenges in All In for us!

---

Edit: Also, notably, due to the math involved, 1 Velvet AP is more valuable than 2 Follower AP. So if it's a choice between Cover Your Bases or giving those AP away to Smiles... it's more efficient to Cover Your Bases then give the resulting Velvet AP.

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for the FIRST Cover your bases, at least.

Basically we need to give him 4 Velvet+Mareinette actions per turn for 2 turns, and we're gold.

It's surprisingly viable, especially if the social velvet action counts too!

Hmmm, this is... slow. Not hard, not too expensive, but slow. Something like 4 Mareinette/Velvet actions + 2 Selene actions + 5 mortal actions + 4 turns gets us there, but that's really non-trivial.

Once Mareinette is befriended, she's pretty good at this, but we do want her actions for Heart lessons at least (and maybe Grail too, since Grail 5 will be there for the taking).

Solid use of low-lore Confidants, though... Filthy or Fluttercomet or [Mayor Mare/Cherrilee/Filthy Rich/etc.]

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It's 8 actions over (ideally) 2 turns. expensive, but not beyond reason.

As for Mareinette... Grail would probably be more important than Grail. They BOTH require 4 scraps for level up, but one is the reroll, the other is a SACRAMENT. Though yeah, both are nice.

 

[ses]

Torn Risen: 1
Rarity: 1
Jade Whistle: 1
Fluttershy/Comet: 1
Baldomare: 1 to become 2 on turn 23 if we do expedition immediately.
Mareinette: 2
Velvet Axe: 2
Biedde: 1
Smiles 1 (+ free expedition)
Cherenkolt: 1 to become 2 on turn 24 (if we do expedition immediately)
Selene: 3
Household servants: 1

Click to shrink...

The earliest we can get a level 7 book is END of turn 23, Baldomare cannot have 2 actions until Turn 24. Cherry Coat similarly cannot have 2 actions till turn 25 (Forge 6 reagent obtained END of turn 23, purification into plutonium on turn 24. We saw from Axe that befriending doesn't kick in till end of turn, we dont get their second AP on the same turn).

Maybe if we're very very lucky Mareinette will consider our promising to take her Invitation at the end of this turn to be good enough to give 2 AP next turn, with the caveat that she will become an Enemy if we welch on the invitation. I highly doubt it, and in fact worry that there will be an "and one more small thing" after the Invitation itself. We dont know for sure the Invitation befriends her by itself, only that it is necessary to do so. I genuinely think there's a decent chance that beating Ruined Church 2 after taking the Invitation is the full requirements to Befriend her. The Ruined Church and Mareinette's mind are one and the same now after all as was explained during the [Moods of Mareinette] update. I'm expecting some kind of Psychonauts episode once we get past the first Heart hurdle.

As for Mareinette... Grail would probably be more important than Grail. They BOTH require 4 scraps for level up, but one is the reroll, the other is a SACRAMENT. Though yeah, both are nice.

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It only takes 3 Mareinette AP for Heart 4 because we haven't had a Heart Influence yet, and there are Grail scraps (and probably the Grail Heirloom) on offer by beating Ruined Church 2.

But yes I dont think people are appreciating how monstrously expensive Smiles' befriending is, even if it's straightforward. We're going to do it obviously, but it's NOT cheap.


It's something like 3 social actions on average to make a Confidante. So spending 7ish Mareinette/Velvet AP on Smiles plus some loose change is multiple moth sacraments worth of progress lost if we spent that AP on nothing but meeting new contacts and befriending Applejack/Mayor Mare/Cheerilee let alone all the other things we can do with Velvet AP. It's like twice as expensive as Personal Winter assuming reasonable bits/AP conversions. It's easily over twice as expensive as Personal Moth was.

 

[Pittauro]

Maybe if we're very very lucky Mareinette will consider our promising to take her Invitation at the end of this turn to be good enough to give 2 AP next turn, with the caveat that she will become an Enemy if we welch on the invitation. I highly doubt it, and in fact worry that there will be an "and one more small thing" after the Invitation itself. We dont know for sure the Invitation befriends her by itself, only that it is necessary to do so. I genuinely think there's a decent chance that beating Ruined Church 2 after taking the Invitation is the full requirements to Befriend her. The Ruined Church and Mareinette's mind are one and the same now after all as was explained during the [Moods of Mareinette] update. I'm expecting some kind of Psychonauts episode once we get past the first Heart hurdle.

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where do you get the "one and the same" thing? Mareinette is Mareinette, and she's FULLY in the Wake right now. Ruined Church has nothing to do with her now.

and I'd be very surprised if we got surprise extra requirements for her friendship out of nowhere.

But yes I dont think people are appreciating how monstrously expensive Smiles' befriending is, even if it's straightforward. We're going to do it obviously, but it's NOT cheap.


It's something like 3 social actions on average to make a Confidante. So spending 7ish Mareinette/Velvet AP on Smiles plus some loose change is multiple moth sacraments worth of progress lost if we spent that AP on nothing but meeting new contacts and befriending Applejack/Mayor Mare/Cheerilee let alone all the other things we can do with Velvet AP. It's like twice as expensive as Personal Winter assuming reasonable bits/AP conversions. It's easily over twice as expensive as Personal Moth was.

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Not really true, it's competitive with other sacraments.

Baldomare is a lvl 5, 6 and 7 basically. It took 6 to understand we needed 7, so basically we were meant to go the whole chain. Which means she effectively costs lots of bits (lvl 5 book) and/or multiple expeditions. Which includes the scrying.

Like, low estimate, 1 follower action for lvl 5 book, 2 follower actions for lvl 6 book (scrying + expedition), 2 or 3 follower actions for lvl 7 book (scrying + expedition, probably with Axe or Mareinette + Cherenkolt), and a fair bit of bits for those.

Axe was scrying for Frangiclave (high difficulty), followed by at least 1 action in the Mirror. she was technically the cheapest I think. We ALSO needed Knock 4 4/4 though.

Cherenkolt required scrying + expedition for forge 6, + 1 action from BOTH Velvet and Cherenkolt to make the Blue Ingot, + 1 Forge Ritual to heal the poisoned blood.

Mareinette is the dinner, which mostly meant Grail 4 + a prisoner

Smiles is expensive, but not unreasonably so. It would probably be easier for a full cult then a single person, but then again we have Mareinette, Selene, and a very influential Velvet.

And befriended Names are arguably MORE valuable than Sacraments, as their doubled actions add up quickly enough.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Current 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 are Iron Button.

And to your surprise, you are currently in Ponyville.

"Huh… I thought this place would be a lot more… well, less," you say as you look around. "When me and the wife decided to take the housing option in Canterlot, we thought Ponyville was just wooden houses and dirt streets."

To be fair, most of the roads here are still made out of dirt, compacted into its shape by all the hoofed traffic it sees.

But still, and you say that with all due respect, Ponyville looks a lot more civilized than you expected.

"We have been to several places in Equestria by now," Beyond Reproach, who is walking next to you, answers in a dismissive tone. To the point that you quickly wonder if your comments offended him. "And even hamlets have the odd brick structure, even if it's their granary. So of course Ponyville wouldn't be three wood huts around a fire."

And given the barb you sense in his words, you definitely offended him. Which is weird, given how little time he spends in Ponyville and…

Oh, right. His sister lives here. He rarely talks about her, and you know better than to ask, so you had almost forgotten. But given how few buttons Reproach has that anypony can push, you will make sure to choose your words better.

"Still, you have a bit of a point," your partner continues. "Ponyville has been growing. I swear to the sun that every time I come back here there's something new. And the central avenue by the city hall wasn't covered in concrete the last time I was here, so that's definitely recent."

You answer him with a nod, even if most of your attention is still in the surrounding scenery.

As you mentioned before, you are currently in Ponyville. And what is more, you are here for work-related reasons. However, since you are not in an investigation or undercover, you and Reproach are currently wearing your Bureau uniforms. The black and midnight-purple of the Lunar Bureau covering your bodies from neck to flank.

It is still early in the morning, and in fact you arrived by train less than an hour ago. But you are not the only one, and you can already tell that Ponyville is being treated to a rare sight, to say the least.

Because everywhere you look, you can see at least one more Bureau pony. Most of them are loitering here and there, getting to know the small town better, while others are exploring whatever local shops were closest to the train station. In fact, you can even spot a small restaurant being overwhelmed by an unexpected surge of uniformed customers.

It makes sense, you suppose. They didn't serve any breakfast on the train.

"By the way, you said the mansion is out of town," you say, pulling out a watch from one of your pockets to double check the time. "How far is it? How long will it take us to get there?"

"It's not that far, so don't worry," Reproach answers. "Besides, I heard the last train from the Dodge City team hasn't even arrived yet, and they scheduled the meeting for when everypony arrives here."

Fair enough, you think. And you give him a nod as you put your watch away.

"Well then, do you know anywhere interesting we can kill time?" you ask.

"Of course not," Beyond Reproach answers, "I only live here."

And you are not entirely sure why you expected that stallion to answer anything else.



- - -



You have spent most of your career working in a large city. So, you are not used to a town as small as this.

You have also spent most of your career working out of sight, only reporting to your headquarters when you got an update on a case, or when you needed help from the Guard. So, admittedly, you are not used to seeing so many uniforms at the same time.

Still, you can only imagine how this looked like to the small town of Ponyville.

Because at the behest of the Commissioner, more than half of the Lunar Bureau has reported as ordered in the Velvet Estate. A trio of trains, commandeered by decree, spent the entire night going around Equestria and gathering isolated agents of the Bureau, in order to bring them here. To the point that right now, every single investigator of the Lunar Bureau, every high-ranking officer of the constable branch, and most of the support staff of the Bureau made its way from Ponyville's small train station to the mansion beyond the edge of the city.

And that, you are sure, was more than a little unusual to this quiet-looking town.

Still, those musings don't stay inside your mind for long. And as the minutes tick down to the appointed time, you can't help but join everypony else in wondering what this is all about.

"Was this the place you sneaked into that time?" you ask, whispering under your breath, to your partner who is sitting next to you.

"No. Not this building. Her brother took over the farmlands you saw a few months ago. He kept the paperwork on the building next door," Reproach answers, his voice barely audible.

And there is a reason why the two of you are being so cautious about this.

You and Reproach are currently inside the Velvet mansion. To be more precise, you two are in the ballroom-sized entrance hall on the first floor. The hall itself is filled with rows upon rows of chairs, facing the central stairway, and all around you are other uniformed members of the Lunar Bureau.

You see friends, and coworkers, and ponies you have never met before. You see ponies you only know by name, and ponies you have quite literally investigated for a greater purpose.

Sitting a few rows behind you, you see Lucky Brush sitting next to Steady Step. Near the top of the staircase, Battering Ram speaking to another one of the Commissioner's bodyguards. By the side of the room you see the Deputy, speaking to the head of Investigations and Operations and a pair of secretaries, ticking off names from a list like a group of teachers taking attendance.

And of course, at the very bottom of the stairs, you see a large and empty chair.

And just by looking at that chair, yet another thrill of excitement silently rushes through your body.

Because even though that is just an empty chair, made out of wood and barely cushioned, you can't help but think that you are looking at a throne. Which in turn reminds you of who you are really looking for.

Sometimes, you feel like you and Reproach are doing too little. Sometimes, you feel like you two are not moving fast enough. Hay, sometimes you just want to yell at the top of your lungs that everything will be fine because a Princess is here.

But then you remind yourself of your station. You remind yourself of the trust that has been given to you. And most importantly, you remind yourself that if She is being this patient and careful, then you should know your place and stick to Her plan.

Still, you can't help but hope that…

"You think we will have the chance to speak to her today?" you ask Reproach, not bothering to hide the excitement from your voice.

"We did find somepony else to… present to her. And I already regret bring that blabbermouth Lucky Brush into this, because he told me he already made a few invitations on his own. The idiot." Reproach says that, shaking his head slightly. "But today? I'm not sure. Too many ponies around, and too many top hats from different departments. She will probably be busy."

You open your mouth to say something, but you are interrupted by a small rush of activity coming from the front of the hall.

It isn't a single thing that catches your attention, but a multitude of small things. Several ponies raise their heads at the same time, looking in the same direction. Multiple conversations die down at the same time, while several more begin in more discreet whispers. And of course, the highest-ranking ponies in the room stop what they are doing and make their way to the chairs on the front seat.

And the reason for that is obvious.

A uniformed mare just came into view, at the top of the stairs. Normally, her appearance would be heralded by a sharp "All rise!" coming from the Deputy, but that never happens. And what is more, as you look at her you can't help but think that today... today she feels... different.

"That… is the Commissioner," you say, to which Reproach instantly agrees.

But of course, given what you two know this little comment from you means something entirely different.

Still, you can tell at a glance that you are looking at the Commissioner rather than at the Director of the Lunar Bureau.

Because Lady Velvet Covers, and you are absolutely sure that is Lady Velvet, is… tired. She looks tired, and she looks bothered, and you can't see any of the sharpness that was present in her just a few weeks ago when you last saw her.

If you didn't know any better, you would almost think that she is sick. Still, you watch as she waves away a maid, as well as Battering Ram, and gives the Deputy a weak welcome as she walks down the stairs.

And by the time she sits down on the central chair, in front of the rows of seats, the conversation in the hall has completely died down.

That is only natural, you know. After all, if the Commissioner is here, then this event can finally begin.

However, you can't help but feel a little disappointed at this. The thin mare sitting in front of you looks far too small for her chair.

"Well, that answers my previous question," you whisper to Reproach, this time not bothering to hide your letdown.

But the stallion sitting next to you doesn't answer. More than that, you have worked with him for long enough to realize he didn't even listen to you. And when you turn your face towards him, you can see that he has that unusually focused expression he has on his face whenever he is onto something.

"Roach? You good?" you ask, even as the secretaries on the front of the hall prepare a trio of canvases, for whatever presentation will be taking place here. "I feel the same, but she's probably busy," you continue, more confused by his reaction than anything else.

That is, until your partner whispers a question you don't really understand at first.

"Who the hay is that mare?" he whispers, more to himself than to you, but you pick up on his words anyways.

And for a moment, you almost give him the obvious answer. For a moment, you almost dismiss his conspiratorial tone by saying "that's the Commissioner" before writing this off as one of his more eccentric moments.

But then, you realize who he is talking about.

"Wait, what the hay…?" you say, the moment you lay your eyes on the Commissioner once more.

Because yes, the Commissioner is sitting at the very front of the hall, right in front of the stairs. Every other chair is facing towards her, while her chair has its back to the stairs and is facing you all. A configuration that wouldn't be out of place in a throne room, for a Princess giving audience, or for a gathering of the Guard. And to the Commissioner's right is another empty chair that, you assume, is meant for the Deputy.

But the thing you can't wrap your head around is…

"… how in the hay didn't I notice her?" you ask yourself.

Because to the Commissioner's left there is another chair. To the Commissioner's left there is another chair, that is also facing you, and is currently occupied by a pegasus mare you have never seen before.

She is not wearing the Bureau's uniform, but you know she wouldn't be sitting there if she wasn't meant to be there. But still…

Still.

Stormcloud-grey coat, raven black mane… you stretch your neck as high as you can to look over the rows of ponies in front of you, and you catch a glimpse of a cutie mark: a moon partially hidden by black clouds.

And what is more, the mare looks sullen. Not angry, but not friendly either.

No, she doesn't look sullen. She looks serious… and disappointed. As if she is more than just unimpressed by the gathering of ponies in front of her.

Which in turn reminds you of the stories you heard, from your constable friends. About the very recent raid on Tall Tale, and the things the Commissioner said to the gathered troops before the assault.

A thrill of excitement runs through you once more. Because just like the clouded moon on her flank, you can tell the mare in front of you is hidden in plain sight. Almost as if everypony's eyes are passing over her without quite registering her presence.

"… she leaned in to talk to her…" Reproach whispers next to you.

But this time, you can tell from his tone that he is speaking to you, rather than just whispering under his breath.

"Come again?"

"The Commissioner leaned in to talk to her," he repeats himself. And once again, you squint your eyes to look at the pair of mares at the front of the hall.

It is maddening how you have to focus to be able to find the pegasus mare, even if she hasn't moved an inch.

But sure enough, you look at the Commissioner… and you can see that she is leaning into the pegasus mare to listen to something she was saying.

"That's body language one-oh-one," Reproach continues. "I've seen the Commissioner wave away bodyguards that are larger than her, and I've seen her frown when the freaking Deputy took a few seconds to come when called. She is a noble, and she is used to wielding authority. And still, she is leaning in to hear what that mare has to say."

He says that, and then he waits. And you know he said that in order to double-check it with you. You realize that he, much like yourself, is trying to confirm if he isn't just going insane.

And Beyond Reproach lets out a minute sigh of relief when you answer him with a nod of your own.

You agree.

This isn't the kind of thing you can hide. Or rather, this is the kind of subconscious thing that you need to be trained to hide. But the Commissioner, no matter what other ponies might think of her, is still just a noble mare. She is just the decoy.

And you agree with Reproach that, clear as day, the Commissioner thinks of herself as beneath that unknown mare who is sitting next to her.

"But why do this? Why have the Commissioner make an appearance if… if She herself is here?" you ask.

To which Reproach answers with a shrug.

"I don't know, but I get the impression we will find out soon enough."

And moments later, the loud sound of a hoof hitting against wood echoes through the hall. Everypony falls silent, and the Deputy begins to speak.



- - -



This meeting is, for the most part, a debriefing. A big debriefing, with enough ponies to warrant a place of this size, and more than a few wall-sized maps for visual presentation.

But it is a debriefing nonetheless, and for that it is as informative as it is harrowing.

"The Bureau can only be as effective as the information it has. But there comes a point where the information centralized in Canterlot must be spread down to everypony else, so we can all work with the bigger picture in mind," the Deputy said as his opening words.

Following that, the head of Operations took the front of the hall.

Most of the ponies gathered here are investigators, so when it came to the Tall Tale raid, you all had heard little more than the rumors and barracks-talk from your fellow constables.

So, the thorough debriefing from the head of Operations was enlightening.

The number of changelings found, and killed, in that hive. The tactics, or lack thereof, that they used. Their capabilities. From what you were told, some of the changelings fought without using their transformative powers, which suggest that some of them either lost that ability, or never reached the stage of their lives where they can use it.

They are not sure. Nopony is really sure. The changelings, for all the harm they have caused, are still a big unknown to Ponykind.

At least the coroners will have plenty to work with, for the next several weeks.

And then, of course, there was the mutated unknown that was found dead at the heart of the hive.

"We suspect that this thing was a changeling, at some point, but we don't know what it currently is. Let alone what it was trying to become, if anything. But the changelings thought it was important enough to protect. So, we will assume that other similarly-sized groups of changelings are gathering around these things. Keep that in mind as you continue your respective missions."

After that, the head of Investigations took the figurative stage.

His own presentation covered the breadth of Equestria, making it clear just how far the Bureau can reach. But still, most of those reports were on the quick and quiet tabs the Bureau keep on the rumor mills of several cities.

More importantly, he spent the bulk of his time talking about Dodge City, which is the current focus of the Bureau's efforts.

You knew quite a bit about what he was talking about, given how you and Reproach were stationed there this past month. But still, seeing the several pieces being connected in front of you revealed something quite… discouraging, to say the least.

"Given everything we have gathered, we concluded that the changeling presence in Dodge City was the equivalent of a hunting party. A steady source of food, if you will, for another location. And after covertly following that trail, we discovered that the Macintosh Hills, further down south, are infested by the shapeshifters. We estimate this gathering to be two to three times larger than the one in Tall Tale."

Because you and Reproach spent a lot of time investigating the disappearances of Dodge City, but you hadn't heard what the scouting parties sent to the south had discovered. To learn that so many of the monsters were gathered so close to Ponykind was quite harrowing indeed.

Still, the head of Investigations finishes his briefing, and goes back to his seat after a short salute to the Commissioner.

The Deputy stands up, looking at the mare as if waiting for something. And for a moment the entire hall waits in utter silence.

A part of you tells you that this is the first time the Commissioner herself is hearing about this huge gathering of changelings. And her exhaustion, as well as her lack of experience, becomes quite apparent to you by how quickly she is writing on a scroll she is floating in front of you.

But then, the mare sitting next to her says something, and the Commissioner once again leans in to listen to her.

Moments later, the Commissioner nods. And you can tell that she has the expression of a mare who knows everything will be alright, because there is a Princess there who knows what to do next.

"Thank you for your presentation," the Commissioner says to the head of Investigations, giving him a kind nod. "And thank you all for your hard work. It may be true that our constables are fighting and bleeding for us, and one of our own even made the ultimate sacrifice already. But the work you all do, in all the shadowy corners of Equestria, is no less important. And no less dangerous."

She takes a deep breath, as if steadying herself, and then she gets up from her seat.

You swear you see her wince for a moment. But her face is once again serious in the next moment.

"I also thank you all for coming all the way here. I know it takes effort to move so many ponies around, but I wanted to give you all the opportunity to talk to each other. It can be dangerous, at times, to have so many teams working independently and reporting back to a distant headquarters. So please, once this is done, make sure to catch up with each other."

She says that, and then she… waves at the mare who was sitting next to her?

This is just for show. You know she is just putting on a show. Because the mare you know to be the Commissioner just waved at a mare you know is nopony other than Princess Luna herself.

And Princess Luna, the alicorn of the Moon, just got up from her seat as if she had just received an order.

"But before we go, there are a few ponies I would like to introduce you all. As well as a few changes I will be making to the Lunar Bureau."

To those words, the grey coated mare flaps her wings, slightly, and makes her way up the central stairs so everypony can see her better.

"As the Commissioner of the Lunar Bureau, I have made the decision that we need the aid of more ponies. Not because we are unskilled or untrustworthy. But because Equestria can offer skills and aid that is as rare as it is valuable."

She says that, and then she points a hoof towards the pegasus mare.

"So, I would like to introduce you all to Midnight Wind. Miss Wind is a pony with whom I have been working for some time, even before I joined the Lunar Bureau. She has my complete trust, and I have recently managed to convince her to join us, if only as a temporary consultant."

You feel the fur on your coat rise as she says that.

Because of course, this is the reason why She is doing this. This is the reason why the Princess is not using her guise as the Commissioner, but is instead letting herself be "presented" to the Bureau.

She has finally decided to work alongside you. Even if she still wishes to keep her identity a secret.

And the thought of working not under a Princess, but with a Princess, is more than enough to make your breath get stuck inside your chest.

Still, the Commissioner was not done speaking.

"But more importantly, I have been trying to recruit Miss Wind because of her own contacts, and… well, if you could do the honors, Midnight Wind?"

The Commissioner says that, and Midnight Wind answers with a mute nod.

And then, the pegasus mare raises a hoof and-



-CLOP-



-she strikes the hardwood of the stairs with enough force for it to echo through the hall.

And as if to answer her summons, the entrance doors of the hall, the large double doors that are closed shut behind you, swing wide open-

!!!!!

-causing the very air inside the hall to change almost immediately, as a group of ponies makes it way into the mansion.

"From time to time, Miss Wind will present herself to some of you. She may come to one of your teams during an investigatory mission, or she may offer her services to a constable squadron during an enforcement action. If she offers her services, and you are the ranking officer, I recommend you to accept her offer."

A total of five ponies enter the hall. Three of them coming from the outside, through the open door, and two of them making their way down from the second floor.

A larger-than-life stallion bristling with muscles, taller than anypony else you have ever seen.

A mare exuding beauty as if it were a perfume she could wear or sell, cloaked in regal robes of red and black.

A burly stallion whose coat has a metallic sheen to it, his expression blank and serious.

"Alternatively, she may send one of her… contacts, in her stead. One of them, or several, with or without her. I recommend you to cooperate with them as much as possible, in whatever operation you may be involved."

A bespectacled mare with a piercing gaze, her mane tied into a bun behind her hair.

A sullen pony, covered from nose to tail in a tattered cloak, walking down the stairs as if they did not want to be there.

"I have personally cleared them for any subject that the Bureau may work with, and they will be provided temporary badges whenever Miss Wind contacts me to lend her aid. But other than that, I hope their skills prove useful. To us, and to all of Equestria."

The hall remains in stunned silence, even as the Commissioner finishes speaking. Everypony's eyes glued to the five figures that have arrayed themselves on the stairs. Because even though nopony can really put it into words, you can all tell that… that there is something about those ponies that…

There is something about those ponies that simply distinguishes them from all of you. From every other pony, even, in all of Equestria.

"No wonder she didn't bother to work with us…" Beyond Reproach whispers to you under his breath. "This whole time, she had at her disposal ponies like... like them."

And you can't help but agree.

"There is this fairy tale I sometimes read to my foals…" you say to him in return, also in a whisper. "About an old mage and his band of companions. They called themselves the Pillars, and they helped the Princesses guard Equestria a thousand years ago…"

You say that as you look at those five ponies, and at the "Midnight Wind" pegasus who so easily hides behind them, despite being their leader.

You look at those ponies, and you can't help but think of the stories you read to your foals. More than that, you can't help but wonder if those stories were really fairy tales, or if they were real.

"They look plenty real to me, Button. And even if they were fairy tales, I can't help but worry that she decided to bring them out from wherever she was hiding them. If she thinks things are so bad she needs to bring out something like this..."

Reproach says that, but for once his cynicism doesn't really bother you.

On the contrary, you feel glad… you feel honored, even, to think that you will be working with a Princess and her own band of legends.

"Thank you, Miss Wind. And that will be all," the Commissioner says, excusing herself and slowly making her way up the stairs and deeper into her home. "Deputy Shining Armor, you have the room. You can discuss with Midnight Wind where we could use her help."





Due to the Bureau's progress with the Lores, you have introduced the Names the Lunar Bureau. Summoned Names may now, mechanically and narratively, interact with the Lunar Bureau, either by their own design or through your orders.

All summoned Names, and Selene, may now use the action "Consult for the Lunar Bureau." If picked, that character will aid the Bureau for the duration of that turn in whatever way they are best suited, narratively or mechanically. Names and Selene will only be available for Bureau raids/assaults during said turn if they are "Consulting".

Summoned Names will now add their innate bonuses to the Bureau's library.

The Lunar Bureau has received the "Mutated Husk" corpse. You can guarantee the Bureau will retain custody of it at least until the end of Turn 23, but you cannot know if Eclipse will learn about it after that.

The Lunar Bureau has discovered the expedition site "The Colony of Dodge City." It will be added to your list of expeditions shortly.

The Operations and Investigations departments of the Lunar Bureau have jointly recommended that, presently, the Lunar Bureau LACKS the capability to assault this recently found place. They recommend either searching for other gatherings of changeling activities, or increasing the Bureaus offensive abilities.

Come Turn 23, you will be offered additional options to address these recent changes (both relating to studying the corpse, and exploring your options in relation to the changeling colony).

Finally, the non-Lore book "The Way Home (Fragment)" has been added to your personal inventory.

More to follow.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Look Smiles, I know you want to inoculate Pony Culture against the Colonel, but I prefer more... direct efforts to stymie his summoning. That and well:

Celestia is trying to make ponykind stand on its own hooves now because she is sick and tired of their dependency and resulting failings.

The Colonel tried to grab the most Edged of Ponies and got smacked away by us and Fluttershy.

The judicial system is receiving an overhaul as we speak.

Honestly that last one might throw him for a loop, the tyrant basically trying to browbeat their polity into not needing a tyrant. He'd be trying to foster greater independence and self-sufficiency and be upheld as a model citizen for it.

 

[DelightedOne]

Huh. Did. Not expect more this early.

Oh, right. His sister lives here. He rarely talks about her, and you know better than to ask, so you had almost forgotten. But given how few buttons Reproach has that anypony can push, you will make sure to choose your words better.

Click to shrink...

Soooooo, she is definitely in Soft's cult now huh? Hope she is one of those that leaves in the end.

Come Turn 23, you will be offered additional options to address these recent changes (both relating to studying the corpse, and exploring your options in relation to the changeling colony).

Click to shrink...

Shame we can't study the corpse with that book reading. It would have been so much fun to get Grail and Knock to the Bureau now.

Specially since Mareinette and DoA would give their bonuses.

Only the Wastes, the book and Selene are left. I think.

 

[Rafuki22]

But other than that, I hope

Click to shrink...

It ends abruptly here.

More to follow

Click to shrink...

That was a change for the Bureau.

 

[ses]

"I have personally cleared them for any subject that the Bureau may work with, and they will be provided temporary badges whenever Miss Wind contacts me to lend her aid. But other than that, I hope

Click to shrink...

Sentence cuts off here

Also our Library should be Edge 2, correct? Due to Weight of Presence?

 

[Sveta08]

Come Turn 23, you will be offered additional options to address these recent changes (both relating to studying the corpse, and exploring your options in relation to the changeling colony).

Click to shrink...

Oh no. You didn't. You didn't!
Oh how sweet of you!

ahem

@OurLadyOfWires
Shouldst we... perhaps, devote an action. A time. An effort into a coming Sacrament, whilst also having some time to... study said corpse.
Might it be possible for us to have that study action after said Sacrament? Incase it is a bit more flavorful writing that way.

 

[Rafuki22]

Shouldst we... perhaps, devote an action. A time. An effort into a coming Sacrament, whilst also having some time to... study said corpse.

Click to shrink...

I see where you are going my compatriot.

You sure you want to go there?

It may not even be feasible.

 

[ses]

Our layers of lies and masks and obfuscations have layered themselves so deep that we're now presenting Reproach with the literal truth. His beliefs regarding everyone's identities is now accurate, but it doesn't feel like it.

 

[Sveta08]

I see where you are going my compatriot.

You sure you want to go there?

It may not even be feasible.

Click to shrink...

Oh goodness, am I sure? Not particularly!
Odds are there are far more, and far better uses!

But what can I say?
I like the temptation.

 

[spiderhellian]

@OurLadyOfWires Does sending Smiles as a consultant earn him any Befriending points..?