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

[Shaper47]

Even assuming that won't cause other problems, that sort of taking our time just means the other timers blow up in our face?

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True but being better prepared for All In might be worth it.

Like, narratively I suspect having the higher lore the better for the Glory Ending.

And, well personally there's a lot I still want Velvet to do before she ascends.

It's a trade off I suppose. The more time Velvet has to prepare the better but she's still vulnerable while preparing.

 

[Greymere]

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.

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There are times you can really tell that Moth was the lore chosen in that first quest vote, that it was Velvet's first lore to 3, that it was the first lore we taught Selene. This update felt like one of them: pretty much the entire truth, but it's refracted through a plethora of deception. Mothy through and through!

Dovetailed nicely with the loss of influence and wound, too.

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And all this is without the ability to "don the mask", however that shakes out.

Edit: You know, if we end up having any free/flex follower AP, I'd almost be tempted to send someone out to look for books in Ponyville.... we're only a single Level 2 book away from having the Bureau at Forge 3.

 

[dcoconeo]

-"Lend" FOUR followers to Baldomare. They will all embark on a SHORT expedition with her to an unknown location.

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Can we lend Smiles over, since this is also SHORT?
Similarly, can we double down on feeding Smiles Velvet AP if we want?

Edit:
Also, isn't making the Forge 6 Reagent directly much easier than the expedition, since sending Names is not cheap either?

 

[Greymere]

Also, isn't making the Forge 6 Reagent directly much easier than the expedition, since sending Names is not cheap either?

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Making the Forge 6 reagent ourselves would cost 190 bits (80 for Lv. 4 + 110 for purification). So... it depends.

Edit:

@OurLadyOfWires there's a tiny bit of a discrepancy between the progress bar we were originally told for the map fragment, and what it is in our inventory...

BOOK Non-Lore. "The Way Home (Fragment)." A fragment of a map, retrieved from a small changeling quasi-hive, that might point the way to their original hive. (Requires deciphering. Progress 0/100. Confusing text, "-20" to deciphering rolls.)

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-You will gain the Non-Lore book "The Way Home (Fragment)," which has a "-20 (Confusing)" malus for study, and a "0/300" progression bar to it. Finding other Fragments (if they exist) would greatly help you study this book.

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[DelightedOne]

Can we lend Smiles over, since this is also SHORT?
Similarly, can we double down on feeding Smiles Velvet AP if we want?

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We could.

Wait, I'm a bit confused. Why are you asking that if it doesn't matter who we send on an AP level(I'm assuming you are thinking on using Smiles' Troublemaker trait)? Since it doesn't consume Follower actions.

-The expedition will not cost you funds, nor will they cost actions from the followers. But it will cost one action from Baldomare herself.

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[Pittauro]

"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.

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There's always Sugarcube Corner. Maybe you'll even meet the legendary Party-In-Splendour...

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

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...I'm forgetting the difference.

Maybe the Director was the formal title of Luna? If not, what am I missing?

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.

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Well, we lost the Edge Influence AND we made a Name enemy. So yeah, sick kinda fits.

Also the one wound.

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.

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Another Selene form?

"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."

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...Is he the Lantern bureau guy? Because he's pretty perceptive.

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.

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If only they knew it's basically the reverse!

Imagine if what Selene was whispering to Velvet was "mom, I don't wanna talk to all those ponies!" or something like that

"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, are swung wide open.

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Well, that's quite the presentation they prepared.

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 had 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.

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At least this happened AFTER Biedde "left".

...how would it have even worked if we'd had both of them available? They can't stay in the same room after all!

Separate introductions?

"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…"

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kind of an hilarious comparison... but it makes me wonder.

Any chance the Pillars were all Long?

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.

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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.

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Well, that's a significant strenghtening of the Bureau, even if it comes at the cost of our follower actions.

Baldomare could study the weird changeling corpse.

Smile could join assaults. Would he be able to use his free action for that @OurLadyOfWires ?

Mareinette could take care of some diplomatic actions... I wonder if for example we could have her persuade members of Eclipse to be more cooperative.

Cherenkolt could probably build up the headquarter in ways nobody else can.

Axe... well, she can look surly in a corner when not swinging her axe?

Even assuming that won't cause other problems, that sort of taking our time just means the other timers blow up in our face?

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IF, and it's a big IF, we can remove the Daybreaker problem, I'm not opposed to taking a couple extra turns before All In (or even bypass it by having Luna ask for it).

Mostly because we're growing in strenght VERY quickly, and each extra Name and Sacrament and Artifact we get will be a massive help in general. the Sacraments are likely to help a lot in the Mansus after All In too. Already Edge Sacrament means that if we end up fighting there we're much better off as we can heal.

That said, taking more time means there's a chance of, for example, Discord getting free, or Sombra coming to play, or Tirek, or Starlight, or who knows what else.

Can we lend Smiles over, since this is also SHORT?
Similarly, can we double down on feeding Smiles Velvet AP if we want?

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it was mentioned they don't use their actions for Baldomare Lantern Sacrament expedition, so sure.

Also, isn't making the Forge 6 Reagent directly much easier than the expedition, since sending Names is not cheap either?

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To be fair, it's not that much cheaper. Forge 4 requires 80 bits, then Forge 6 requires 1 Velvet Action and 110 bits.

Forge 6 is a single expedition costing 135 bits per pony, we get a good chunk of those back, AND we most likely get other loot too. And, even if we already paid for it, 30 bits for the scrying ritual and a follower action on that.

Expedition is on the whole cheaper (once we get our refund) and gives us more.

 

[Arrkhon]

-Names, if summoned, turns the initial level of the Library into "1" through their mere presence.

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In other words Bureau now technically has all the lores but Moth, though I'm pretty sure that it's not how it works in this case If only we accompanied them in the mountain...
Though we should be pretty close to just giving them our books

 

[DelightedOne]

In Which the Sharpness of Edge is Studied

---

Your name is [REDACTED].


You are the supervisor of the research division, the Lore research division.


Three books had been collected for research on the nature of conflict and violence.


Each one of them proposes a different point of view in the nature of that engine that moves the World.


Each one of them has been assigned a pony to study its contents and write a proper summary of its ancient wisdom.


And of course to make sure they don't kill each other(or themselves) after they finish reading, you have to keep an eye on them.


Now, without further ado, let us read them.


The Power of Duty By Dr. Masked Insight [Edge 7]

Spoiler: Description

A text written by a tradicionalist stallion of great renown. Here, his findings on the nature of Cunning have been preserved.

Spoiler: Study Start

'Authority,' he states, 'is necessary for the safety of our kind. Any who say otherwise are deluded optimists who would rather see all of us burn than to heed the warnings.'

Spoiler: Study End

The Doctor keeps that tone for the entire book, sharp criticism and mercilessly revealing in equal measure. At the end, he reminds the reader that we all have our part, if only we play them properly.

The Importance of Rebellion By Bluebird [Edge 7]

Spoiler: Description

A sharp and repetitive missive revealing her true allegiance to her previous employer. Who, as she wrote, should be receiving a visitor at the same moment he reads this.

Spoiler: Study Start

'I have had my doubts about you... I trusted you... This is bigger than us...' It seems she saw no other choice but to commit treason. However, she makes no mention of what her employer did to make her leave.

Spoiler: Study End

'...And in the end only monsters can do what is needed.' Bluebird words imply she carried guilt over her actions, but she was still willing to go further if it meant stopping her opponents.

(Unreadable Title) By Sharp Hoof [Edge 7]

Spoiler: Description

The first words on the paper are "I may regret this."

Spoiler: Study Start

Sharp Hoof describes the intentions of the Wolf in grim detail, one must wonder how he acquired these insights.

Spoiler: Study End

The last words written were 'I regret this... All of it'. A dark stain covers that page.

And now-


Wait...


There is one more book. How strange.


This wasn't supposed to be here, but it may be prudent for you to give it a look in case there is any relevant information on it.

After all, There are no coincidences.


Peace to All that Wish for It By Gentle Melody [Winter 7]

Spoiler: Description

The writing is clear and simple, it is obvious there was no intention of making it appeal to any specific demographic or maybe that was the intention? To please all that read it?

Spoiler: Study Start

The description of the Corrivality as the engine of the World is challenged here, its need questioned and old records from before History mentioning it not existing at all.

Spoiler: Study End

'Every blade dulls, every war ends. The Corrivality is just the longest one.' Her overall opinion seems to be that struggle and war may yet be the cause of the world's immolation. In that case, peace would be preferable to war for some.

... You need more time to think about this. For now, you will pass the documents to where they need to go.


And maybe slip one of your own making. With the proper precautions to not be found out.

 

[Greymere]

In other words Bureau now technically has all the lores but Moth, though I'm pretty sure that it's not how it works in this case If only we accompanied them in the mountain...
Though we should be pretty close to just giving them our books

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We still need to actually introduce them to all the Lores before they can access the Library for it.

 

[Pittauro]

but, if an action is important enough, we can use a Name to support them.

For example, Smiles for the Assaults, Baldomare for Research, Mareinette for diplomacy, and Cherenkolt for creation/destruction

 

[ses]

I don't see how we possibly fit in Bureau consulting AP.... The Lunar Bureau only gets a single Constables action and a single Detectives action. They just get so few actions how can we possibly justify spending Name AP to buff those actions?

Baldomare's AP is spoken for completely for ages due to our need for Sacraments. Mareinette AP is similarly extremely high value (We're already currently torn between Mayor Mare social, doing a Long Expedition solo, Heart lessons, and Smiles Befriending as possible Mareinette AP spends). Selene's large total Lore levels and diverse spread and more AP available means maybe we toss in a Selene AP if we have nothing more important? By which I mean we can't afford to just have her summon a MITL with that AP?

Well, I suppose if we wanted to investigate Windy Flakes, having a Selene AP spent on Consulting is probably more effective than spending an AP using Selene's Knock realization to spy since that's the sort of thing that she'd probably do for free as a subset of helping the Bureau doing so. But doing something like spending a Baldomare AP just to give her Lore as a bonus to a search for expedition action seems absurd compared to just having her spend AP separately. It's the True Strike D&D problem.

 

[Greymere]

Well, I suppose if we wanted to investigate Windy Flakes, having a Selene AP spent on Consulting is probably more effective than spending an AP using Selene's Knock realization to spy since that's the sort of thing that she'd probably do for free as a subset of helping the Bureau doing so. But doing something like spending a Baldomare AP just to give her Lore as a bonus to a search for expedition action seems absurd compared to just having her spend AP separately. It's the True Strike D&D problem.

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The main benefit I think is in situations like the Dodge City colony, where the Bureau needs a force multiplier to do something successfully. Sure we could work on strengthening the Bureau itself... but we also could send Smiles to them instead and let him roflstomp his way through the assault.

 

[ses]

The main benefit I think is in situations like the Dodge City colony, where the Bureau needs a force multiplier to do something successfully. Sure we could work on strengthening the Bureau itself... but we also could send Smiles to them instead and let him roflstomp his way through the assault.

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I dont feel the need to rush doing the Dodge Colony? We know that the "Changeling Threat" isn't nearly that immediate a threat to Equestria, and Celestia's patience with Tall Tale means that we probably have like 3 months of ignoring Dodge Colony before we start getting heat. The Bureau should probably spend the next 2 turns at least doing stuff that helps us reach Glory. The Bureau needs to do things that help Velvet reach Glory, Velvet doesn't need to slow down her Climb to help the Bureau. Perks of being the Cult Master.

(Seriously @OurLadyOfWires when do we get the ability to send the Constables on an Expedition and have them dump the resulting artifacts in our lap? That deal with Fair Trial can't possibly be so all-encompassing that we can't wiggle our way around that thorn)

 

[Greymere]

I dont feel the need to rush doing the Dodge Colony? We know that the "Changeling Threat" isn't nearly that immediate a threat to Equestria, and Celestia's patience with Tall Tale means that we probably have like 3 months of ignoring Dodge Colony before we start getting heat. The Bureau should probably spend the next 2 turns at least doing stuff that helps us reach Glory. The Bureau needs to do things that help Velvet reach Glory, Velvet doesn't need to slow down her Climb to help the Bureau. Perks of being the Cult Master.

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I wasn't saying that we do. It's just an easy example of "goal that is out of reach for Bureau alone, but not Bureau + Name".

 

[Pittauro]

Baldomare's AP is spoken for completely for ages due to our need for Sacraments. Mareinette AP is similarly extremely high value (We're already currently torn between Mayor Mare social, doing a Long Expedition solo, Heart lessons, and Smiles Befriending as possible Mareinette AP spends). Selene's large total Lore levels and diverse spread and more AP available means maybe we toss in a Selene AP if we have nothing more important? By which I mean we can't afford to just have her summon a MITL with that AP?

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You forgot the GRAIL lessons for Mareinette!

4 scraps for Heart, 4 scraps for Grail, brings them to Heart 4 and Grail 5 (unlocking the actual Sacrament power).

That said, I mostly agree with you. Baldomare and Mareinette especially are in extremely high demand between SH, Lantern and Grail Sacrament, as well as Heart 4, and then Smiles.

A point in favor of Smiles, by the way: I'm going to assume that investing 40 points in him over two turns (if we can afford it) would work extremely well against Biedde, potentially reducing his threat level by stopping him from forming a Cult.

The main benefit I think is in situations like the Dodge City colony, where the Bureau needs a force multiplier to do something successfully. Sure we could work on strengthening the Bureau itself... but we also could send Smiles to them instead and let him roflstomp his way through the assault.

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or Axe. Smiles makes raw combat a straight win basically, but Axe or Mareinette can basically do the same for all other expedition obstacles. It's the same reason that basically any of our Names except Baldomare can solo most expeditions.

High general/expedition/combat bonuses, paired with lores and artifacts, and a decent amount of health. Baldomare is the only one that's unsuited to solo expeditions due to the low health, and to a lesser extent Cherenkolt (missing a specialized bonus, though being able to change his secondary lore helps a bit if we know the challenges ahead).

 

[DelightedOne]

@OurLadyOfWires Would using RotT to search for Biedde's pawns/assets help with Smiles befriending? So he can counter the Colonel's influence more directly.

And if we leash Mayor Mare or Filthy Rich to Confidante and lend them to him does that make a difference due to their status/influence?

 

[AuthorTransient]

Oh damn. Alright, we need to lock in. I feel like Thomas Shelby from Peaky Blinders yelling, "no fighting!" except that it's instead "lock in!".

Simply, we do not have the luxury of time any more - nor perhaps, the luxury of mercy. Straight up, do befriending of Names, go for Glory. I think... yes. We have at most 3 turns. We have 3 turns to live.

Gentle beings, it's been an honor. There is no more time.

 

[DelightedOne]

Oh damn. Alright, we need to lock in. I feel like Thomas Shelby from Peaky Blinders yelling, "no fighting!" except that it's instead "lock in!".

Simply, we do not have the luxury of time any more - nor perhaps, the luxury of mercy. Straight up, do befriending of Names, go for Glory. I think... yes. We have at most 3 turns. We have 3 turns to live.

Gentle beings, it's been an honor. There is no more time.

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It is not that bad. Sure it is bad, but it is not like we can't cripple Biedde's efforts.

And he is not a doom clock like Daybreaker. We also have the Name that opposes him and are planning on befriending him.

 

[ses]

Yeah I'm unhappy about antagonizing Biedde too but let's not get too hysterical. It's absurdly unlikely that Biedde re-enters the Wake in 3 turns unless the QM abandons all pretense of Names having to follow the same limitations the Master had, despite the Master having had a far more unrestricted hand.

 

[DelightedOne]

Yeah I'm unhappy about antagonizing Biedde too but let's not get too hysterical. It's absurdly unlikely that Biedde re-enters the Wake in 3 turns unless the QM abandons all pretense of Names having to follow the same limitations the Master had, despite the Master having had a far more unrestricted hand.

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THAT!

The Master as an Enemy was much more dangerous than Biedde.

All-5, loyal followers, a cult ready for action, unbound in the Wake when returned.

Biedde has maybe one of those things and we can stop him from getting the last one.

Besides if it is like what happened with the Master.

-The Master will begin to actively move against you as an enemy, although her hoofs will be tied until she returns to the Wake.

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We could try to tie his hoofs too by not letting him be summoned.

 

[Xoden]

I don't see how we possibly fit in Bureau consulting AP.... The Lunar Bureau only gets a single Constables action and a single Detectives action. They just get so few actions how can we possibly justify spending Name AP to buff those actions?

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I think the intended mechanic is strategic/tactical level granularity. The Bureau only does two strategics action (investigate and assault hive) that results in multiple tactical actions (investigating, besieging, combat encounters, clean-up), where the assignee's bonuses will apply to checks multiple times. Like it was with Velvet herself in Tall Tale.
I think the problem is that these Changeling investigations and assaults so far could feel like a low-reward dangerous real-world sidequest distractions from the urgent race to the esoteric top. Especially with Changelings already graphically devastated by Master's and Celestia'a actions.
Theoretically, Bureau could have some other exclusive beneficial actions or passive bonuses, where their effects are dependent on Lore level (like with Rarity's increased mastery), with buffs improving the outcomes.
Or be able to go on future generic expeditions, with their own application bonus: they are a governmental supernatural police organisation, so they should be able run multiple expeditions simultaneously, performing investigations to estimate obstacles and rewards, organising travel to cut cost and time for the named characters, and dealing with some of the obstacles automatically.

 

[Greymere]

Wonder if we can sic the Bureau on looking for like, "cult activity" in general. Because at this point we have three potential 'infection points' in Neighnia, Windy, and Steppes/other unknowns. @OurLadyOfWires would that be possible?

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

I really don't want to bring the hammer down on Windy without at least trying to talk to him first. If he was really planning an atrocity he has had ample time to pull it off, and well, we've heard not a peep. And if he is just chilling with Neighnea while working on his painting, then he's not even in the race like we are, he's pursuing his art project.

 

[Rafuki22]

I really don't want to bring the hammer down on Windy without at least trying to talk to him first. If he was really planning an atrocity he has had ample time to pull it off, and well, we've heard not a peep. And if he is just chilling with Neighnea while working on his painting, then he's not even in the race like we are, he's pursuing his art project.

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So what do we do?

We spend an action for a friendly visit?

The moment we know what he is doing, and if it is horrible, we won't be able to claim ignorance, we will have to act or ignore him deliberately.

Worse, we could end up making Windy pay attention to us or even ask for help, and based on the kind of affinity he had...

 

[Limabot]

We could always send Selene to silently spy on his dreams to see what's he's been up to.

 

[Shaper47]

We could always send Selene to silently spy on his dreams to see what's he's been up to.

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We kinda need Selene on scrying duty, maybe befriending Smiles if we have some free ap for her.

Scrying so we can beat him up for loot is on the list though.

 

[Rafuki22]

Do people remember the advice that we were given?

There is a difference between aiming for the win and aiming to not lose.

Even the QM was a few times like "The GLORY is right there".

 

[Earth-Destroyer]

Do people remember the advice that we were given?

There is a difference between aiming for the win and aiming to not lose.

Even the QM was a few times like "The GLORY is right there".

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Quite with our new edge power the dangers of combat go down a lot. The Lantern, Forge, Grail, and Knock names are more then enough firepower to handle anything. And we can drop Lantern if the Level 7 book is not enough. Load up on influences, and go 2-3 turns max to be doing the final mission.

 

[Shaper47]

Do people remember the advice that we were given?

There is a difference between aiming for the win and aiming to not lose.

Even the QM was a few times like "The GLORY is right there".

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There's a good chance Windy had a Winter heirloom given that's our best guess for the Winter Sacrament required expedition at the Blank Plains, also bits.

So shaking him down has a good chance of giving some really good loot.

-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

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--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.

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So around seven Velvet or Mareinette ap should be enough to get most of the way there.

Huh, you know we could probably actually befriend him next turn.

4 + 1 (covering bases) Velvet ap + 2 befriended Mareinette ap = 35

Add in Fluttershy for + 2

25 (5 Velvet ap) + 10 (2 befriended Mareinette ap) + 2 (Fluttershy) + 1 (Smiles) = 39

So auto befriended turn 24 and presumably gives out more ap on turn 24.

 

[ses]

I really don't want to bring the hammer down on Windy without at least trying to talk to him first. If he was really planning an atrocity he has had ample time to pull it off, and well, we've heard not a peep. And if he is just chilling with Neighnea while working on his painting, then he's not even in the race like we are, he's pursuing his art project.

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I assume that after looking into him Velvet can show up personally for a bit of Gunboat Diplomacy. We can totally take the Assault an Opponent action and be like "Show up at his door for a friendly chat about his future and some nice Names with muscles in case he isn't in a listening mood". Well. Blurring the line between Assault and a Social Action. It's fine, you know what I mean.