Dear reader! Whether you are new here, archive-reading and whatnot, or you are already someone who has been with us for quite a while, I would like to say a few words that I believe are best kept close to mind.
-This is an MLP quest. And more importantly, none of us are gratuitously cruel. So good things will happen on this quest, and I hope that enough good things have already happened to prove that.
-This is also a horror quest, so bad things will happen. Bad things might happen to good characters if you are not able to protect them, and you most certainly will not be able to intervene if you lack the tools to do so.
-And finally, this is a quest in which you jostle with powers greater than yourself, with all that it entails.
Please, do keep those things in mind as you go forward. But ultimately, this is also a quest in which it is hoped we all have fun! So if any of the above points is not exactly your cup of tea, or somehow make the experience as a whole "not worth it", then this quest might not be for you. Which is fine! Individual tastes are a thing, so don't think any more about it if you don't want to read anymore. And regardless, I hope you have a lovely day!
Readers should take their own mental health into consideration when voting and not subject themselves to triggering narrative elements like rape or constant mental torture of a friend just for the Greatest Good of a world that doesn't exist.
If those are fine for you or Regrettable is even more triggering, then GREAT! More power to you. But you aren't a bad or selfish person for picking the option that keeps the characters you've emotionally connected with safe. [REDACTED for spoiler warning]
This is a high intensity quest that doesn't hold back when it comes to horror and negative consequences. Take care of yourself.
Maybe if we befriend her we can help her understand the difference between acting like a good noble and acting like a jerk, before she meets any of the others and ends up thinking there's a problem with herself?
Only slightly suspicious, and we'd get a lead on the inevitable 'our daughter is sick and no medicine can cure her' storyline which is endemic in cute daughters.
Plus, level three sounds pretty high, and we rolled single digit suspicion, so for its level it's about as risk free as artifact buying would seem to get.
I just don't know how voting to buy something when we don't have the money for it works. Is it like a commitment to purchase it when we do, or just a time abstraction for wanting to buy something and saving up for it?
Trying to build up Knock lore could help with the Dreamlands traversing. We got another scrap elsewhere, so if we use this one successfully we might be able to upgrade to Knock 2, if I've understood the system correctly?
Edit: I think that first scrap was spent leveling us to Knock 1, so we'd need +2 (for a total of three), my bad.
These are the items that you have decided to purchase last turn. They must be bought with the resources you had available then, but if bought will be immediately available for use or study at this turn.
Last turn's available bits: 120
[ ] BOOK – KNOCK Level 1, buy for 7 bits
[ ] BOOK – FORGE Level 1, buy for 7 bits
[ ] ARTIFACT – HEART Level 3, costs 200 bits -[ ] Buy (not enough resources)
-[ ] Keep it on hold
(Books not bought will be lost, other items will be available through the following turns, but have a chance of being sold to somepony else every turn)
---
You take stock of your current situation, idly sipping on a drink as you watch one of your ponyservants take away the piles of papers on your "DONE" side of the table.
Small comfort that is... you know tomorrow the opposite side will be just as high as it was today, if not higher...
But a month has come to an end, and you must say you are satisfied with it. You managed to take your daughter on her first day at school, and so far she has taken quite well to it. You managed to meet one of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, of all ponies, by coincidence...
Well, maybe not coincidence, you think, while idly looking at your mane, the cut parts cleverly hidden within it.
And perhaps most important of all, you found a way to the Dreamlands.
You know your Master will summon you, and your compatriots, in one month's time. There is much to be done.
---
POSSIBLE ACTIONS
You have four personal actions, and one ponyservant action.
Some actions will be tagged with a suspicion level. These are the actions that can be carried out by your ponyservants, and the suspicion level refers to how well they would (or would not) take to your task. Tasks that involve high suspicion might be outright refused, carried out with the inevitable gossiping, or even sabotaged if your servants believe that what you asked them to do is wrong.
Keep in mind that suspicion level refers to what a servant would think if asked to perform such task, regardless of them performing them, being caught or not. If you choose to perform the task yourself, you will take the necessary steps to be as subtle as you can, but the task itself will still raise suspicion if you are caught.
Specify which action will be carried out by your ponyservants. They will apply ONLY your status bonus, as they will follow instructions or carry your name and influence, but they will not apply personal bonus (bonus given by Lore, personal items, personal Characteristics or of any other nature).
This turn's available bits: 240 (minus items you decided to buy)
Monthly revenue: 120 bits/month
[ ] On what must be done (finding a way to reach Princess Luna)
-[ ] You have reached the Dreamlands, or rather the place where the Mansus touches the Dreamlands. Now you must explore it.
--[ ] If she truly is the sovereign of dreams, then she must stroll through her realm. Learn the paths she takes between dreams and attempt to track her hoofsteps. But keep to the shadows, for the dangers of the Dreamlands are unknown to you.
--[ ] If the Dreamlands are truly the culmination of the dreams of ponykind then it must be large beyond belief. Tracking Princess Luna will be pointless. Find a way to barge into other ponies' dreams, perhaps making enough of a mess will instead make her come to you.
-[ ] Perhaps the least subtle of options is the answer, and your target being royalty means that she is not hard to track. Get in touch with your contacts in Canterlot and try to get a hold of an invitation to some event. You surely won't get to her immediately, but it will be a first hoof into the city where she lives. Not suspicious.
[ ] On furthering the cause
-[ ] There are books that could be of use. You should start looking for them. (may involve random expenditure of bits). All sub-choices not suspicious.
--[ ] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (no extra cost)
--[ ] In the great libraries of Canterlot… the ones that are open to public access, that is (20 bits in transportation)
--[ ] In the many small bookshops that dot the side streets of Manehattan (35 bits in transportation)
-[ ] In all honesty, the Cult lacks an appropriate place for gatherings, at least when it comes to lesser meetings to discuss small matters, or to simply stash certain things. Scout for a suitable place, or other buildings that might be for sale. Not suspicious.
-[ ] Although you are personally judicious about such habits, you are still a noble. Searching for "peculiar items" to "add to your collection" is certainly not out of place… right? Suspicion depends on how strange the item bought is.
-[ ]Copper Secateur may be in charge of finding suitable candidates, she even was the pony who first introduced you into the Wildhoof Club, but you could use followers of your own.
-[ ] You are the highest authority from your family in Ponyville, and have countless earth pony farmers working under you. The next logical step it to scout for those who would be loyal to you and your cult. (Scout out for cult candidates within your own employees). Highly suspicious.
-[ ] There is somepony in charge of the "heavy lifting" within your cult, of course, but you could do with a few strong hoofs at your personal disposal. Go looking for such contacts. Moderately suspicious.
-[ ] There are bound to be, among all of those large, strong earth ponies, some who wouldn't mind a way to make some extra bits on the side. Reach out to them. (Scout out for ponies willing to get their hoofes dirty among your own employees). Highly suspicious.
-[ ] You really shouldn't, but needs must. Every single ledger from the farms east of Ponyville pass through you, it would be a simple matter to have some "administrative mistakes" make some bits disappear from the coffers and appear in your pockets. Highly suspicious.
-[ ] You cannot expect to succeed working alone, that's why you are in a cult. Take some time to help one of your colleagues. Who knows, you might even learn something from them.
--[ ] Help Comet Feet, the pegasus in charge of the "dirty business".
--[ ] Help Starry Dancer, the pink mare who seems to be in charge of the talking.
--[ ] Help Copper Secateur, your cult's eyes and ears in the dark.
--[ ] Help Windy Flakes, the unicorn seems to be in charge of most of the cult's physical possessions.
--[ ] Help Jade Whistle, the earth pony who, apparently, will be doing a lot of the "occult" for the cult.
[ ] There is too much you do not yet know. You must further your knowledge.
-[ ] The matters of [SPECIFY LORE] intrigues you, petition your cult's Master for a lesson (currently willing to teach all Lores up to level 2)
-[ ] There is something about this… thing, and you must learn what it is (pick a single artifact to learn from its Lore, and check it for hidden abilities). --[ ] Currently no unstudied artifacts, unless recently bought.
-[ ] It doesn't have to be just during a leisure evening weekend, you can fit a few minutes of reading even when walking between rooms if you really get into it! (Pick two books to attempt to learn a scrap of Lore. Consumes books). --[ ] Currently no available books, unless recently bought.
Your Lore evolution happens by collecting "scraps of Lore", and the required number of scraps is the Lore level that you are aiming for. I For example, leveling a Lore from Level 2 to Level 3 requires 3 scraps of the appropriate Lore.
Scraps may be gained by performing certain acts or through study under a source of knowledge, but using an action to study will also involve a dice roll, which might fail.
A source of knowledge is only useful to you if it is at most of the same level as you are. So a book or artifact that are Level 2 can give you scraps until you reach Level 3.
Yes, this means that so far your Master is only willing to whisper you Level 1 scraps, since you can only go up to Level 2 under him. Maybe performing your orders well might make him reconsider.
Yes, this also means that if you roll a 100 and get high whatever you can hoard it for later use. Just... remember you'll be keeping a (possibly) haunted thing nearby, just "in case i might need it later".
So what are Lores for? Well, they basically have two utilities.
If you go on your Character Sheet you will see that you have "bonuses" from your Lore. This is the culmination of how the Lores affect you, teach you and change your view of the world. Those bonuses will have broad descriptions, and will apply to any case in which it may be useful. These bonus are only gained by learning and studying, so carrying an item with a high Lore level will not give you access to said bonus.
It is basically your understanding of things. The knowledge that "allows you to do unexplainable things", as you learn more about the workings of the world.
But Lore also has a second utility, think of it as how potent that Lore will be in case you try to "call upon it".
Specifically while INSIDE THE MANSUS or while PERFORMING A MANSUS RITUAL in the Wake ("Mansus magic" in the real world) your Lore also provides an extra +10 per Level, on top of your status and other bonus.
Trying to traverse the Woods? +10 per MOTH Level.
Found a hurdle you can't get through within the Mansus? +10 per FORGE Level to blow it up, or +10 per KNOCK Level to open it.
Attempting to ward your room against the horrible thing you miss-summoned, even while it screeches and gnaws at your door? +10 per HEART Level for that ritual.
So on, so on.
On two particular notes, you do not yet know any specific rituals, so it's not on your choices yet. And you might have noticed that on your (successful) attempt to reach the Dreamlands, you had a "+0 (KNOCK Level 0)" and a "+5 (SECRET HISTORIES bonus)". This is an example of both bonus. The Secret Histories used its broad buff to "find something", and the KNOCK Lore was the one called upon (because you were within the Mansus) to "reach another world".
Certain places within the Mansus work better with certain Lores. The Woods certainly belongs to MOTH, but things might change as you go up.
[ ] The Mansus is a place of contradictions. It exists, and yet it doesn't. It is frightening, and yet it calls to you. Only through exploring it will you learn its secrets.
(Exploring a known part of the Mansus will yield the most varied of rewards, through a hidden roll of a dice. But beware that most rewards will be temporary, such as a one-time buff for "specific kind of roll" that applies only until the end of the next turn. It is possible, however, to learn fragments of Lore as well, or to be rewarded nothing at all. Proceed at your own risk.)
-[ ] Explore the Woods, and its many whispers
-[ ] You have studied the Lores, and are now more knowledgeable than before. It is time to find the paths to somewhere else, or to climb even higher in the Mansus.
[ ] Your personal life, or at least the non cult-y part
-[ ] Of course you love your family very much, but you could always spend a bit more time with them.
-[ ] Go into town and try to meet somepony interesting.
-[ ] Bits are the engine of Equestria! You have been working your hooves off for years now and should write to your parents and request an increase of your share of the family's grants.
-[ ] You do know "your place" in the family, but bits are still important. A letter asking for a one-time gift will surely be better received than one asking for a permanent "raise", right?
-[ ] Much to your own satisfaction, you now have a personal life outside of your maids, immediate family and business related meetings. You could choose to spend some time with…
--[ ] Rarity, who bears the Element of Generosity
---[ ] Just a social call, nothing more than that.
---[ ] Perhaps a few whispers and hints, in the middle of an amicable conversation, will peak her interest. (A social call, but with subtle attempts at cult conversion.)
---[ ] You can be a friend, but you can also be a client! Commissioning a dress from her will surely help you see more of her passionate side.
---[ ] WRITE IN
--[ ] Cheerilee, your daughter's school teacher
---[ ] Just a social call, nothing more that that.
---[ ] Perhaps a few whispers and hints, in the middle of an amicable conversation, will peak her interest. (A social call, but with subtle attempts at cult conversion.)
---[ ] WRITE IN
[ ] You haven't forgotten about it, you just put it on hold until a more convenient time. (Purchases done here will arrive/be completed at the end of this turn.)
-[ ] ARTIFACT – HEART Level 3, costs 200 bits
[ ] Others WRITE IN (anything, but i will have to consider it, and it might make the voting period a bit longer)
There will be at least 24 hours for voting. Please let me know if something sounds confusing, as i just did some "exposition" on how Lore works.
All voting will be in plan format, INCLUDING the decision of what was bought last turn.
The Dreamlands are not part of the Mansus. Perhaps one day they will be, for better or for worse, but you may not call upon any Lore within it as you would in the Mansus. Well, not without performing a ritual.
[X] Plan Slow and Steady
-[X] BOOK – KNOCK Level 1, buy for 7 bits
-[X] BOOK – FORGE Level 1, buy for 7 bits
-[X] ARTIFACT – HEART Level 3, costs 200 bits
--[X] Keep it on hold
-[X] On what must be done (finding a way to reach Princess Luna)
--[X] You have reached the Dreamlands, or rather the place where the Mansus touches the Dreamlands. Now you must explore it.
---[X] If she truly is the sovereign of dreams, then she must stroll through her realm. Learn the paths she takes between dreams and attempt to track her hoofsteps. But keep to the shadows, for the dangers of the Dreamlands are unknown to you.
-[X] On furthering the cause
--[X] In all honesty, the Cult lacks an appropriate place for gatherings, at least when it comes to lesser meetings to discuss small matters, or to simply stash certain things. Scout for a suitable place, or other buildings that might be for sale. Not suspicious.
---[X] Ponyservant
--[X]Copper Secateur may be in charge of finding suitable candidates, she even was the pony who first introduced you into the Wildhoof Club, but you could use followers of your own.
-[X] There is too much you do not yet know. You must further your knowledge.
--[X] It doesn't have to be just during a leisure evening weekend, you can fit a few minutes of reading even when walking between rooms if you really get into it! (Pick two books to attempt to learn a scrap of Lore. Consumes books).
---[X] KNOCK Level 1
---[X] FORGE Level 1
-[X] Your personal life, or at least the non cult-y part
--[X] Much to your own satisfaction, you now have a personal life outside of your maids, immediate family and business related meetings. You could choose to spend some time with…
---[X] Rarity, who bears the Element of Generosity
----[X] Just a social call, nothing more than that.
It's there indeed as a "you can't buy it", to show it was (and will be, since its not a book) available, and will be sent to the end of this turn's list.
More of a tally of what you discovered you can buy. As i'm assuming you will find more things in the near future, many of which you might not be able to purchase immediately, or will simply choose to put on hold.
Oh, and this is just a suggestion, as I really don't know if its a better or worse method.
But do put the whole plan as a single vote, since (not this turn, obviously) two separate plans (one on "what we bought last turn" and one on "what we will do this turn") might cause conflict.
As in, a plan of action might decide to study a book, but if a plan of what you bought decides you didn't buy that book then it makes no sense. So its better to do a single thing.
It's there indeed as a "you can't buy it", to show it was (and will be, since its not a book) available, and will be sent to the end of this turn's list.
More of a tally of what you discovered you can buy. As i'm assuming you will find more things in the near future, many of which you might not be able to purchase immediately, or will simply choose to put on hold.
[ ] On what must be done (finding a way to reach Princess Luna)
-[ ] You have reached the Dreamlands, or rather the place where the Mansus touches the Dreamlands. Now you must explore it.
--[ ] If she truly is the sovereign of dreams, then she must stroll through her realm. Learn the paths she takes between dreams and attempt to track her hoofsteps. But keep to the shadows, for the dangers of the Dreamlands are unknown to you.
--[ ] If the Dreamlands are truly the culmination of the dreams of ponykind then it must be large beyond belief. Tracking Princess Luna will be pointless. Find a way to barge into other ponies' dreams, perhaps making enough of a mess will instead make her come to you.
Barging in can get us pegged as some sort of weird Dream Villain, which sounds bothersome. Political maneuvering would take too long.
We should find her, and then... give her a candy gram or something? It's hard to make tapping on someone's shoulder in an extradimensional space sound not-sinister, but being polite and pleasant is in our best interests.
-[ ] There are books that could be of use. You should start looking for them. (may involve random expenditure of bits). All sub-choices not suspicious.
--[ ] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (no extra cost)
-[ ] Although you are personally judicious about such habits, you are still a noble. Searching for "peculiar items" to "add to your collection" is certainly not out of place… right? Suspicion depends on how strange the item bought is.
-[ ] You cannot expect to succeed working alone, that's why you are in a cult. Take some time to help one of your colleagues. Who knows, you might even learn something from them.
--[ ] Help Comet Feet, the pegasus in charge of the "dirty business".
--[ ] Help Starry Dancer, the pink mare who seems to be in charge of the talking.
--[ ] Help Copper Secateur, your cult's eyes and ears in the dark.
--[ ] Help Windy Flakes, the unicorn seems to be in charge of most of the cult's physical possessions.
--[ ] Help Jade Whistle, the earth pony who, apparently, will be doing a lot of the "occult" for the cult.
[ ] There is too much you do not yet know. You must further your knowledge.
-[ ] The matters of [SPECIFY LORE] intrigues you, petition your cult's Master for a lesson (currently willing to teach all Lores up to level 2)
-[ ] There is something about this… thing, and you must learn what it is (pick a single artifact to learn from its Lore, and check it for hidden abilities). --[ ] Currently no unstudied artifacts, unless recently bought.
-[ ] It doesn't have to be just during a leisure evening weekend, you can fit a few minutes of reading even when walking between rooms if you really get into it! (Pick two books to attempt to learn a scrap of Lore. Consumes books). --[ ] Currently no available books, unless recently bought.
-[ ] Much to your own satisfaction, you now have a personal life outside of your maids, immediate family and business related meetings. You could choose to spend some time with…
--[ ] Rarity, who bears the Element of Generosity
---[ ] Just a social call, nothing more than that.
Rarity is a good influence, she has a little sister who can be friends with our daughter, and also she's got one sixth of a god-annihilating superweapon. We don't need to be sinister to want to be her friend, but if we were I'd still want to do this.
[ ] You haven't forgotten about it, you just put it on hold until a more convenient time. (Purchases done here will arrive/be completed at the end of this turn.)
I guess we'll be laying down our savings on this to get more experience with artifacts; it came up on a pretty great roll, and we can't guarantee we'll find anything like it any time soon.
More Heart lore might help us improve our health in other ways. Our leg might be awfully hard to heal, but maybe we could do something about the constant ache.
So here's my plan.
[X] Friendship is Ritualism
-[X] Last Turn's Purchase Options
--[X] BOOK – FORGE Level 1, buy for 7 bits
--[X] BOOK – KNOCK Level 1, buy for 7 bits
--[X] ARTIFACT – HEART Level 3, costs 200 bits
---[X] Keep it on hold
-[X] This Turn's Purchase Options
--[X] You haven't forgotten about it, you just put it on hold until a more convenient time. (Purchases done here will arrive/be completed at the end of this turn.)
---[X] ARTIFACT – HEART Level 3, costs 200 bits
----[X] Buy
-[X] On what must be done (finding a way to reach Princess Luna)
--[X] You have reached the Dreamlands, or rather the place where the Mansus touches the Dreamlands. Now you must explore it.
---[X] If she truly is the sovereign of dreams, then she must stroll through her realm. Learn the paths she takes between dreams and attempt to track her hoofsteps. But keep to the shadows, for the dangers of the Dreamlands are unknown to you.
-[X] On furthering the cause
--[X] There are books that could be of use. You should start looking for them. (may involve random expenditure of bits). All sub-choices not suspicious.
---[X] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (no extra cost)
----[X] In addition to your own searching, see if your ponyservants find anything neat.
--[X] You cannot expect to succeed working alone, that's why you are in a cult. Take some time to help one of your colleagues. Who knows, you might even learn something from them.
---[X] Help Starry Dancer, the pink mare who seems to be in charge of the talking.
-[X] Your personal life, or at least the non cult-y part
--[X] Much to your own satisfaction, you now have a personal life outside of your maids, immediate family and business related meetings. You could choose to spend some time with…
---[X] Rarity, who bears the Element of Generosity
----[X] Just a social call, nothing more than that.
By my understanding I don't think we need to take a specific action to purchase an artifact, so I'm a bit at a loss for what we could ask our servants to do. By my understanding, this plan has 4+1 actions; trying to tail Luna through the dream realm, searching through the libraries again, helping Starry Dancer, and chatting with Rarity. I have assigned the ponyservants to also search through the Ponyville libraries.
This plan makes two purchases; the Knock book from last turn, and the Heart artifact using the money from this turn (it will be available to study next turn). I think Knock is good for the Dreamlands, and Heart for our family's long-term health (which I expect to be relevant, in the sense that horrible monsters and random flu seasons are both dangers to it).
Edit: After a good argument, I have also included the Forge book. It's not that much more expensive, and as we're at Level 0 Forge we can still get good use out of it.
[X] Plan Making "Proper" Contact with Royalty and Heroes
-[X] BOOK – FORGE Level 1, buy for 7 bits
--[X] ARTIFACT – HEART Level 3, costs 200 bits
---[X] Keep it on hold
-[X] This Turn's Purchase Options
--[X] You haven't forgotten about it, you just put it on hold until a more convenient time. (Purchases done here will arrive/be completed at the end of this turn.)
---[X] ARTIFACT – HEART Level 3, costs 200 bits
----[X] Buy
-[X] On what must be done (finding a way to reach Princess Luna)
--[X] Perhaps the least subtle of options is the answer, and your target being royalty means that she is not hard to track. Get in touch with your contacts in Canterlot and try to get a hold of an invitation to some event. You surely won't get to her immediately, but it will be a first hoof into the city where she lives. Not suspicious.
---[X] Servant Action
-[X] On furthering the cause
-[X] In all honesty, the Cult lacks an appropriate place for gatherings, at least when it comes to lesser meetings to discuss small matters, or to simply stash certain things. Scout for a suitable place, or other buildings that might be for sale. Not suspicious.
--[X] You cannot expect to succeed working alone, that's why you are in a cult. Take some time to help one of your colleagues. Who knows, you might even learn something from them.
---[X] Help Windy Flakes, the unicorn seems to be in charge of most of the cult's physical possessions.
-[X] Your personal life, or at least the non cult-y part
--[X] Go into town and try to meet somepony interesting.
--[X] Much to your own satisfaction, you now have a personal life outside of your maids, immediate family and business related meetings. You could choose to spend some time with…
---[X] Rarity, who bears the Element of Generosity
----[X] Just a social call, nothing more than that.
So I was wondering, how much do Regular ponies know of the occult, how dangerous do they consider it and how are people caught dealing in such things treated? Like does Celestia have her own dungeons full of cultists?
And also yes. It wouldn't be remotely fun to use an action just to buy something you have on hold. The item is "tagged", a short letter to the interested seller will have it delivered.
And you're a good mare, you'd never give the address to some of your "acquaintances" so they'd go "procure" it with a lot less bit-exchanging-hoofs involved. (Preposterous!)
And Knock will indeed be useful. Not because of the +10 bonus, since you wont be in the Mansus or making a ritual, but "opening things" is bound to have its uses in the kaleidoscopic realm of ponykind dream.
So I was wondering, how much do Regular ponies know of the occult, how dangerous do they consider it and how are people caught dealing in such things treated?
I'd have expected the public library to be the first place we'd have gone. Also Ponyville isn't really that big, especially in Season 1 before Twilight became a Princess.
And also yes. It wouldn't be remotely fun to use an action just to buy something you have on hold. The item is "tagged", a short letter to the interested seller will have it delivered.
And you're a good mare, you'd never give the address to some of your "acquaintances" so they'd go "procure" it with a lot less bit-exchanging-hoofs involved. (Preposterous!)
And Knock will indeed be useful. Not because of the +10 bonus, since you wont be in the Mansus or making a ritual, but "opening things" is bound to have its uses in the kaleidoscopic realm of ponykind dream.
Well, for now you know as much as you know.
(Writes down suggestion of secret Celestia cult)
I wouldn't be surprised if Celestia had secret cults working for her. It is already mentioned in canon she had a secret service of some kind (BonBon/Agent Sweetie Drops was one member of it apparently). She also likes her secrets, and in a world in which these strange abilities are real it makes sense.
She'd also want researchers to... well, research and understand possible threats.
Who knows, one day we might defect to her side if we find ourselves to disagree with our Master's goals.
THe most efficient books are the one of the same level as our skill, as they let us avoid "wasting" higher level books on lower level skills.
[ ] BOOK – KNOCK Level 1, buy for 7 bits
we have KNOCK at level 1. this book gives us half level. Another book, or a lesson from our master, would be enough to tip it over to 2. It's cheap enough that we should definitely take it, and either study it immediately or wait until we get the second book/lesson/scrap of lore needed.
As a study action consumes 2 books, we can study both at once and the moment we get a Knock scrap of lore we immediately level it up
[ ] BOOK – FORGE Level 1, buy for 7 bits
We're at zero. This levels it up to 1 once we study it.
I repeat, 14 bits are nothing. We should take both books and study them. Also while the books are "consumed" for us, they still exist. We could have other people study them for THEM to level up their Lore, start to build a little library, we can possibly offer them as a bribe/payment to other cultists, or if we ever leave this cult and start our own becoming our own master, or go over to Luna's/Celestia's side..
Rarity is a good influence, she has a little sister who can be friends with our daughter, and also she's got one sixth of a god-annihilating superweapon. We don't need to be sinister to want to be her friend, but if we were I'd still want to do this.
If someone deletes a post, and you notice that it's been deleted, please don't reply to it unless it's to report it to a moderator or something; I don't want to have said that, because I'm still thinking about what I do want to say.
If someone deletes a post, and you notice that it's been deleted, please don't reply to it unless it's to report it to a moderator or something; I don't want to have said that, because I'm still thinking about what I do want to say.
as you wish, though to be honest it's a bit annoying to have my previous answer basically have been for nothing. Still, you're right, and in the end you were really quick with the deletion.
Post deleted. take your time. If you want I'll delete this post too and you can delete your last one, leave no traces
[x]Plan every cultist for themselves!
-[x] BOOK – KNOCK Level 1, buy for 7 bits
-[x] BOOK – FORGE Level 1, buy for 7 bits
-[x] ARTIFACT – HEART Level 3, costs 200 bits
--[x] Keep it on hold
-[x] On what must be done (finding a way to reach Princess Luna)
--[x] You have reached the Dreamlands, or rather the place where the Mansus touches the Dreamlands. Now you must explore it.
---[x] If she truly is the sovereign of dreams, then she must stroll through her realm. Learn the paths she takes between dreams and attempt to track her hoofsteps. But keep to the shadows, for the dangers of the Dreamlands are unknown to you.
-[x] On furthering the cause
--[x] There are books that could be of use. You should start looking for them. (may involve random expenditure of bits). All sub-choices not suspicious.
---[x] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (no extra cost)
--[x] Although you are personally judicious about such habits, you are still a noble. Searching for "peculiar items" to "add to your collection" is certainly not out of place… right? Suspicion depends on how strange the item bought is.
---[x]have this carried out by your servants
-[x] There is too much you do not yet know. You must further your knowledge.
--[x] It doesn't have to be just during a leisure evening weekend, you can fit a few minutes of reading even when walking between rooms if you really get into it! (Pick two books to attempt to learn a scrap of Lore. Consumes books).
---[x] BOOK – KNOCK Level 1
---[x] BOOK – FORGE Level 1
-[x] Much to your own satisfaction, you now have a personal life outside of your maids, immediate family and business related meetings. You could choose to spend some time with…
--[x] Rarity, who bears the Element of Generosity
---[x] You can be a friend, but you can also be a client! Commissioning a dress from her will surely help you see more of her passionate side.
My own plan. In order, I'm buying both books (to immediately study them) and delaying the artifact. I'd like to see what else we can get with a second artifact roll, and I want to get a better idea of what our bits are worth before we start spending big. We also wouldn't use it or study it immediately I think, so I'm willing to risk waiting one turn. The books are cheap enough that I can't justify NOT taking them to myself.
my 5 actions are:
1) tracking Luna through the Dream Realm
2)searching for more books
3)searching for more artifacts (especially to get a better idea of prices)
4)study the two books
5)spend time with Rarity AND buy a dress from her. Start building a connection to her, and endear us to her thanks to our appreciation of her craft. Once she becomes famous she won't forget us,and a friend among the Elements could help in case things go wrong for us, or we decide to switch sides/Stop trusting our Master. She can put a good word with Celestia, Luna and Twilight.
EDIT: I'm having the artifact action carried out by servant. We're already building a reputation as a bit of an eccentric, that could be useful.
question: does this a single scrap of lore, or two, or does it maybe depend on a roll? Basically is it enough to level up a Lore from 1 to 2 in one action?
thanks. Also done, I'm letting them check for artifacts again. I think we could use a reputation as slightly eccentric.
Do you think it might be better to have them check for the books instead? I kinda hope to get that 60+ and go to Golden Oak Library and "accidentally" meet Twilight though...
thanks. Also done, I'm letting them check for artifacts again. I think we could use a reputation as slightly eccentric.
Do you think it might be better to have them check for the books instead? I kinda hope to get that 60+ and go to Golden Oak Library and "accidentally" meet Twilight though...
I think the Ponyville book action is good because it both searches for books and has a chance for encountering other book nerds; the servants are better for areas outside of Ponyville, where there's nobody we'd care to meet in person.
question: does this a single scrap of lore, or two, or does it maybe depend on a roll? Basically is it enough to level up a Lore from 1 to 2 in one action?
Adhoc vote count started by BirdBodhisattva on Aug 30, 2020 at 7:31 PM, finished with 19 posts and 7 votes.
[X] Friendship is Ritualism
-[X] Last Turn's Purchase Options
--[X] BOOK – FORGE Level 1, buy for 7 bits
--[X] BOOK – KNOCK Level 1, buy for 7 bits
--[X] ARTIFACT – HEART Level 3, costs 200 bits
---[X] Keep it on hold
-[X] This Turn's Purchase Options
--[X] You haven't forgotten about it, you just put it on hold until a more convenient time. (Purchases done here will arrive/be completed at the end of this turn.)
---[X] ARTIFACT – HEART Level 3, costs 200 bits
----[X] Buy
-[X] On what must be done (finding a way to reach Princess Luna)
--[X] You have reached the Dreamlands, or rather the place where the Mansus touches the Dreamlands. Now you must explore it.
---[X] If she truly is the sovereign of dreams, then she must stroll through her realm. Learn the paths she takes between dreams and attempt to track her hoofsteps. But keep to the shadows, for the dangers of the Dreamlands are unknown to you.
-[X] On furthering the cause
--[X] There are books that could be of use. You should start looking for them. (may involve random expenditure of bits). All sub-choices not suspicious.
---[X] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (no extra cost)
----[X] In addition to your own searching, see if your ponyservants find anything neat.
--[X] You cannot expect to succeed working alone, that's why you are in a cult. Take some time to help one of your colleagues. Who knows, you might even learn something from them.
---[X] Help Starry Dancer, the pink mare who seems to be in charge of the talking.
-[X] Your personal life, or at least the non cult-y part
--[X] Much to your own satisfaction, you now have a personal life outside of your maids, immediate family and business related meetings. You could choose to spend some time with…
---[X] Rarity, who bears the Element of Generosity
----[X] Just a social call, nothing more than that.
[X] Plan Slow and Steady
-[X] BOOK – KNOCK Level 1, buy for 7 bits
-[X] BOOK – FORGE Level 1, buy for 7 bits
-[X] ARTIFACT – HEART Level 3, costs 200 bits
--[X] Keep it on hold
-[X] On what must be done (finding a way to reach Princess Luna)
--[X] You have reached the Dreamlands, or rather the place where the Mansus touches the Dreamlands. Now you must explore it.
---[X] If she truly is the sovereign of dreams, then she must stroll through her realm. Learn the paths she takes between dreams and attempt to track her hoofsteps. But keep to the shadows, for the dangers of the Dreamlands are unknown to you.
-[X] On furthering the cause
--[X] In all honesty, the Cult lacks an appropriate place for gatherings, at least when it comes to lesser meetings to discuss small matters, or to simply stash certain things. Scout for a suitable place, or other buildings that might be for sale. Not suspicious.
---[X] Ponyservant
--[X]Copper Secateur may be in charge of finding suitable candidates, she even was the pony who first introduced you into the Wildhoof Club, but you could use followers of your own.
-[X] There is too much you do not yet know. You must further your knowledge.
--[X] It doesn't have to be just during a leisure evening weekend, you can fit a few minutes of reading even when walking between rooms if you really get into it! (Pick two books to attempt to learn a scrap of Lore. Consumes books).
---[X] KNOCK Level 1
---[X] FORGE Level 1
-[X] Your personal life, or at least the non cult-y part
--[X] Much to your own satisfaction, you now have a personal life outside of your maids, immediate family and business related meetings. You could choose to spend some time with…
---[X] Rarity, who bears the Element of Generosity
----[X] Just a social call, nothing more than that.
[X] Plan Making "Proper" Contact with Royalty and Heroes
-[X] BOOK – FORGE Level 1, buy for 7 bits
--[X] ARTIFACT – HEART Level 3, costs 200 bits
---[X] Keep it on hold
-[X] This Turn's Purchase Options
--[X] You haven't forgotten about it, you just put it on hold until a more convenient time. (Purchases done here will arrive/be completed at the end of this turn.)
---[X] ARTIFACT – HEART Level 3, costs 200 bits
----[X] Buy
-[X] On what must be done (finding a way to reach Princess Luna)
--[X] Perhaps the least subtle of options is the answer, and your target being royalty means that she is not hard to track. Get in touch with your contacts in Canterlot and try to get a hold of an invitation to some event. You surely won't get to her immediately, but it will be a first hoof into the city where she lives. Not suspicious.
---[X] Servant Action
-[X] On furthering the cause
-[X] In all honesty, the Cult lacks an appropriate place for gatherings, at least when it comes to lesser meetings to discuss small matters, or to simply stash certain things. Scout for a suitable place, or other buildings that might be for sale. Not suspicious.
--[X] You cannot expect to succeed working alone, that's why you are in a cult. Take some time to help one of your colleagues. Who knows, you might even learn something from them.
---[X] Help Windy Flakes, the unicorn seems to be in charge of most of the cult's physical possessions.
-[X] Your personal life, or at least the non cult-y part
--[X] Go into town and try to meet somepony interesting.
--[X] Much to your own satisfaction, you now have a personal life outside of your maids, immediate family and business related meetings. You could choose to spend some time with…
---[X] Rarity, who bears the Element of Generosity
----[X] Just a social call, nothing more than that.
[x]Plan every cultist for themselves!
-[X] BOOK – KNOCK Level 1, buy for 7 bits
-[X] BOOK – FORGE Level 1, buy for 7 bits
-[X] ARTIFACT – HEART Level 3, costs 200 bits
--[X] Keep it on hold
-[X] On what must be done (finding a way to reach Princess Luna)
--[X] You have reached the Dreamlands, or rather the place where the Mansus touches the Dreamlands. Now you must explore it.
---[X] If she truly is the sovereign of dreams, then she must stroll through her realm. Learn the paths she takes between dreams and attempt to track her hoofsteps. But keep to the shadows, for the dangers of the Dreamlands are unknown to you.
-[X] On furthering the cause
--[X] There are books that could be of use. You should start looking for them. (may involve random expenditure of bits). All sub-choices not suspicious.
---[X] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (no extra cost)
--[x] Although you are personally judicious about such habits, you are still a noble. Searching for "peculiar items" to "add to your collection" is certainly not out of place… right? Suspicion depends on how strange the item bought is.
---[x]have this carried out by your servants
-[X] There is too much you do not yet know. You must further your knowledge.
--[X] It doesn't have to be just during a leisure evening weekend, you can fit a few minutes of reading even when walking between rooms if you really get into it! (Pick two books to attempt to learn a scrap of Lore. Consumes books).
---[x] BOOK – KNOCK Level 1
---[x] BOOK – FORGE Level 1
-[x] Much to your own satisfaction, you now have a personal life outside of your maids, immediate family and business related meetings. You could choose to spend some time with…
--[x] Rarity, who bears the Element of Generosity
---[x] You can be a friend, but you can also be a client! Commissioning a dress from her will surely help you see more of her passionate side.
Edit: After a good argument, I have also included the Forge book. It's not that much more expensive, and as we're at Level 0 Forge we can still get good use out of it.
oh, I didn't notice you had added the second book.
Next time please say it. If I'd seen it I might have even not made my own plan, I'm fine with artifact and delaying buying a dress until AFTER we get to know Rarity, but wasting the book really annoyed me
