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

Voted best in category in the Users' Choice awards.
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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!

Kaelor said:
PSA for whoever needs to hear it:

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.
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(Quote slightly edited to avoid spoilers)
 
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BirdBodhisattva said:
Aye, thanks for the advice! I had 12 hours in mind more for a "proportional" reason. Since I'll try to keep the 48h voting period as a norm it made some sort of sense to have "1/4th" of it as a non-voting period.
I also thought that since i mostly post updates late at night thanks to work (or at least on late Brazil time) having a short period of moratorium would have no effect since most people would be asleep.
Foolish of me, truly, to underestimate SV reading habits. I'll see how a 2 or 3 hours moratorium works on the following turns, but this one seemed to have stabilized nicely.

And as you said, moratorium might be important to more important votes, in which the options are also single-pick (as in waifu votes or life or death decisions), so there is indeed wisdom in what you all say.
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Moratorium strategy is generally:
-Many interlocking choices
-Long story segment(>3000 words, though reading speeds vary) within several hours of vote.
-Major character decisions
-Anticipation of thread drama
-Active Participant count at a rate of a page generated within an hour

All those increase moratorium times, stacking.
 
Well, the usual lore for stability (mental included) is Winter.

Winter is calm, collected, steady. Winter is patient and it can be kind.

Winter is peace.
 
Artemis1992 said:
Gaining the lore of Winter means facing your own despair and overcoming it.
Or not I guess, but then you won't get very far.

The ascending acolyte in Winter neither fears death, nor searches it, for he knows it and has accepted it.
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I suppose... hmmm, thought. Heart/Winter would be a really interesting combination, actually. Fortitude of mind and body, acceptance of death but preserving the self, they're perhaps even more balanced than even Moth or Lantern, and probably the two most aligned with traditional Pony values. I could probably back that, though again I want to keep Moth strong since it's our original Lore, but Knock also calls to me... Mrgh, it's going to be really annoying if and when we get to a point where we need to specialize. so much is attractive.
 
Ericwinter said:
Mrgh, it's going to be really annoying if and when we get to a point where we need to specialize. so much is attractive.
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CS wise, lores can be subverted either in cycle Lantern -> Forge -> Edge -> Winter -> Heart -> Grail -> Moth -> Lantern or anything (except secret histories) into Knock. I don't think it would be directly translated into the quest, but yes, Winter and Heart are a fairly natural combination and Heart builds on Winter.
Artemis1992 said:
The ascending acolyte in Winter neither fears death, nor searches it, for he knows it and has accepted it.
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Keyword: acolyte. We do remember that Luna didn't like to learn Winter lore (i.e. about Worms), don't we?
 
BirdBodhisattva said:
A slight chill runs down your spine as you slowly open your eyes, only to be greeted by the total darkness of your daughter's room, the soft sound of her breathing and the pounding of your heart being the only things keeping you company.

And you finally understand what has happened to you.

You wonder what this change means. You wonder if it could ever possibly mean something good.
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This made me feel like the tail end of a certain song. You're changing, alright...
 
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Random thought, but you know what we should do if and when we get really high Knock? We should go to the EQG dimension and recruit Sunset.
 
Adhoc vote count started by BirdBodhisattva on Oct 1, 2020 at 9:54 PM, finished with 115 posts and 16 votes.
  • [X] Plan Outreach
    -[X] Previous Turn's Items:
    --[X] On Hold (no purchase):
    ---[X] ARTIFACT – MOTH Level 2, moderately suspicious, buy for 100 bits
    -[X] Before this month starts, you will perform a ritual to draw the attention of MOTH (This is a free action to summon "The Attention of the Laws")
    -[X] How much will you dedicate yourself to your family's affairs this month? (You must pick one)
    --[X] A measured commitment: Give everything a once-over, sign everything in stacks. The farmlands wont just crumble and burn if you miss a few numbers this month. (6 personal actions and 1 servant action. Might be noticed by those closest to you. Will not be noticed by the family head if you do not do this often.)
    -[X] On what must be done (searching for Princess Luna)
    --[X] You seek the Princess of the Night, and perhaps you are the only pony in Equestria who can access the Dreamlands, bar your compatriots (to whom you showed the way). She is bound to be there. And even if she is not, she is bound to sleep, and everypony has a door.
    ---[X] Invoke the power of the MOTH to Protect You From Nightmares.
    --[X] You are a noble, albeit a lesser noble. But the crown has called for every stallion and mare for help, and it would be very noble of you to join in the searches. Offering your help to the search parties will surely give you useful insight, on their progress if nothing else. Not suspicious, but servants will take no proactive action other than bring back information.
    -[X] On aiding the cult (options not related to your current task, but related to the cult or with interactions with its members)
    --[X] Help Comet Feet
    ---[X] He is out of town in… whoever knows where. Reach out to him, he could definitely use some company.
    --[X] Help Starry Dancer
    ---[X] She seems somewhat rattled. You all are. Lend her an ear, or perhaps a shoulder.
    --[X] Help Jade Whistle
    ---[X] She might not be as quiet and disconnected as she seems. Get to know her better.
    -[X] On the matters of house and heart (actions directed towards your own family, the part that you care for deeply as well as… the rest)
    --[X] Of course you love your family very much, but you could always spend a bit more time with them.
    ---[X] Just another pleasant day that you will spend with them. Perfect for cooling your head off.
    -[X] On the treasures that bits may buy (actions where you search for things to purchase)
    --[X] There are books that could be of use. You should start looking for them. All sub-choices not suspicious.
    ---[X] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (no extra cost)
    ----[X] [Servant Action]
    [X] Plan People-focus
    -[X] Before this month starts, you will perform a ritual to draw the attention of MOTH (This is a free action to summon "The Attention of the Laws")
    -[X] How much will you dedicate yourself to your family's affairs this month? (You must pick one)
    --[X] A measured commitment: Give everything a once-over, sign everything in stacks. The farmlands wont just crumble and burn if you miss a few numbers this month. (6 personal actions and 1 servant action. Might be noticed by those closest to you. Will not be noticed by the family head if you do not do this often.)
    -[X] On what must be done (searching for Princess Luna)
    --[X] Jade Whistle said that she will try to devise a Ritual to locate Princess Luna. The Mansus is the only advantage you have over the search parties, so helping her on this is surely the way to go.
    --[X] You seek the Princess of the Night, and perhaps you are the only pony in Equestria who can access the Dreamlands, bar your compatriots (to whom you showed the way). She is bound to be there. And even if she is not, she is bound to sleep, and everypony has a door.
    ---[X] Invoke the power of the MOTH to Protect You From Nightmares.
    --[X] You are a noble, albeit a lesser noble. But the crown has called for every stallion and mare for help, and it would be very noble of you to join in the searches. Offering your help to the search parties will surely give you useful insight, on their progress if nothing else. [Servant Action]
    -[X] On aiding the cult (options not related to your current task, but related to the cult or with interactions with its members)
    --[X] Help Starry Dancer
    ---[X] She seems somewhat rattled. You all are. Lend her an ear, or perhaps a shoulder.
    ---[X] She is supposed to get into the good graces of the local merchants, but you can't help but worry that she will be swindled out of her every bit during the whole thing. Give her a hoof.
    -[X] Help Comet Feet
    --[X] He is out of town in… whoever knows where. Reach out to him, he could definitely use some company.
    --[X] Help Jade Whistle
    ---[X] She might not be as quiet and disconnected as she seems. Get to know her better.
    [x] Plan Cult Focus
    -[X] Previous Turn's Items:
    --[X] On Hold (no purchase):
    ---[X] ARTIFACT – MOTH Level 2, moderately suspicious, buy for 100 bits
    -[X] Before this month starts, you will perform a ritual to draw the attention of MOTH (This is a free action to summon "The Attention of the Laws")
    -[X] How much will you dedicate yourself to your family's affairs this month? (You must pick one)
    --[X] A measured commitment: Give everything a once-over, sign everything in stacks. The farmlands wont just crumble and burn if you miss a few numbers this month. (6 personal actions and 1 servant action. Might be noticed by those closest to you. Will not be noticed by the family head if you do not do this often.)
    -[X] On what must be done (searching for Princess Luna)
    --[X] Jade Whistle said that she will try to devise a Ritual to locate Princess Luna. The Mansus is the only advantage you have over the search parties, so helping her on this is surely the way to go.
    --[X] You seek the Princess of the Night, and perhaps you are the only pony in Equestria who can access the Dreamlands, bar your compatriots (to whom you showed the way). She is bound to be there. And even if she is not, she is bound to sleep, and everypony has a door.
    -[X] On the treasures that bits may buy (actions where you search for things to purchase)
    --[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? Not suspicious. Suspicion might arise if you later decide to buy the item, depending on its individual suspicion level.
    -[X] On aiding the cult (options not related to your current task, but related to the cult or with interactions with its members)
    --[X] Help Starry Dancer
    ---[X] She seems somewhat rattled. You all are. Lend her an ear, or perhaps a shoulder.
    --[X] Help Jade Whistle
    ---[X] She might not be as quiet and disconnected as she seems. Get to know her better.
    -[x] On furthering your knowledge (actions directed at increasing your Lores, as explained in the Informational threadmark)
    --[x] The matters of [SPECIFY LORE] intrigues you, petition your cult's Master for a lesson (currently willing to teach all Lores up to level 4, gives a single scrap of Lore WITHOUT triggering a test)
    ---[x]Heart
    -[X] On the matters of house and heart (actions directed towards your own family, the part that you care for deeply as well as… the rest)
    --[X] Of course you love your family very much, but you could always spend a bit more time with them.
    ---[X] Just another pleasant day that you will spend with them. Perfect for cooling your head off.
    [X] Plan Every Pony Calm Down Please
    -[X] Before this month starts, you will perform a ritual to draw the attention of MOTH (This is a free action to summon "The Attention of the Laws")
    -[X] How much will you dedicate yourself to your family's affairs this month? (You must pick one)
    --[X] A measured commitment: Give everything a once-over, sign everything in stacks. The farmlands wont just crumble and burn if you miss a few numbers this month. (6 personal actions and 1 servant action. Might be noticed by those closest to you. Will not be noticed by the family head if you do not do this often.)
    -[X] A fleeting opportunity (rumor mills spin, opportunities come and go. These actions will never be available again)
    --[X] You heard from Rarity that Twilight Sparkle will be going to Canterlot to try and visit Princess Celestia, due to her worries. She has not called for any of her friends to come with, but you just might "coincidentally" be visiting your family back in the capital for similar reasons. (Costs 20 bits on transportation)
    -[X] On what must be done (searching for Princess Luna)
    --[X] Jade Whistle said that she will try to devise a Ritual to locate Princess Luna. The Mansus is the only advantage you have over the search parties, so helping her on this is surely the way to go.
    --[X] You seek the Princess of the Night, and perhaps you are the only pony in Equestria who can access the Dreamlands, bar your compatriots (to whom you showed the way). She is bound to be there. And even if she is not, she is bound to sleep, and everypony has a door.
    ---[X] Invoke the power of the MOTH to Protect You From Nightmares.
    --[X] You are a noble, albeit a lesser noble. But the crown has called for every stallion and mare for help, and it would be very noble of you to join in the searches. Offering your help to the search parties will surely give you useful insight, on their progress if nothing else. [Servant Action]
    -[X] On aiding the cult (options not related to your current task, but related to the cult or with interactions with its members)
    --[X] Help Starry Dancer
    ---[X] She seems somewhat rattled. You all are. Lend her an ear, or perhaps a shoulder.
    --[X] Help Jade Whistle
    ---[X] She might not be as quiet and disconnected as she seems. Get to know her better.
    -[X] On the matters of house and heart (actions directed towards your own family, the part that you care for deeply as well as… the rest)
    --[X] Of course you love your family very much, but you could always spend a bit more time with them.
    ---[X] Just another pleasant day that you will spend with them. Perfect for cooling your head off.
    [X] Plan Beating Hearts
    -[X] Before this month starts, you will perform a ritual to draw the attention of MOTH (This is a free action to summon "The Attention of the Laws")
    -[X] How much will you dedicate yourself to your family's affairs this month? (You must pick one)
    --[X] A measured commitment: Give everything a once-over, sign everything in stacks. The farmlands wont just crumble and burn if you miss a few numbers this month. (6 personal actions and 1 servant action. Might be noticed by those closest to you. Will not be noticed by the family head if you do not do this often.)
    -[X] On what must be done (searching for Princess Luna)
    --[X] You seek the Princess of the Night, and perhaps you are the only pony in Equestria who can access the Dreamlands, bar your compatriots (to whom you showed the way). She is bound to be there. And even if she is not, she is bound to sleep, and everypony has a door.
    ---[X] Invoke the power of the MOTH to Protect You From Nightmares.
    -[X] Jade Whistle said that she will try to devise a Ritual to locate Princess Luna. The Mansus is the only advantage you have over the search parties, so helping her on this is surely the way to go.
    --[X] You are a noble, albeit a lesser noble. But the crown has called for every stallion and mare for help, and it would be very noble of you to join in the searches. Offering your help to the search parties will surely give you useful insight, on their progress if nothing else. Not suspicious, but servants will take no proactive action other than bring back information.
    ----[X] [Servant Action]
    -[X] On aiding the cult (options not related to your current task, but related to the cult or with interactions with its members)
    --[X] Help Starry Dancer
    ---[X] She seems somewhat rattled. You all are. Lend her an ear, or perhaps a shoulder.
    ---[X] She is supposed to get into the good graces of the local merchants, but you can't help but worry that she will be swindled out of her every bit during the whole thing. Give her a hoof.
    --[X] Help Jade Whistle
    ---[X] She might not be as quiet and disconnected as she seems. Get to know her better.
    -[x] On furthering your knowledge (actions directed at increasing your Lores, as explained in the Informational threadmark)
    --[X] It doesn't have to be just during a leisure weekend evening, you can fit a few minutes of reading even when walking between rooms if you really get into it! (Pick up to two books to attempt to learn a scrap of Lore. Consumes books).
    ---[X] BOOK, HEART Level 1. "A small book that covers a particular kind of elegant dancing".
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VOTING CLOSED

So you all uh... feeling pretty social today I guess.

More to follow.
 
Uh, hold on. Did we mean to buy the artifact? Because @BirdBodhisattva said not to mention it at all if we didn't want to, and I was under the assumption nobody wanted to...
 
chocolote12 said:
I thought that was in the context of future votes. I wouldn't be too put out if we did, though; it's creepy, but not that creepy.
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Nah, says it right here:
BirdBodhisattva said:
Again, do not mention the buying option if its not being picked on your vote.
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That seems pretty clear. Admittedly, I don't mind either; it could be useful if we're lucky, and if not we can always sacrifice it to boost a ritual. It just didn't seem necessary to go out of our way.
 
Ericwinter said:
Nah, says it right here:

That seems pretty clear. Admittedly, I don't mind either; it could be useful if we're lucky, and if not we can always sacrifice it to boost a ritual. It just didn't seem necessary to go out of our way.
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The sentence before that had a definite 'going into the future' vibe, rather than a 'change your votes this round' sentiment coming off of it:
BirdBodhisattva said:
Aye. Lets make a habit of simply not picking the choice for buying if we will ignore it.
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I can see interpretations either way.
 
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I'll consider the artifact as being not-bought, since that was what the planned vote implied previously. No worries, your bits will be spared.
And being an artifact it will probably be there on the next turn, unless you are somewhat unlucky.
 
chocolote12 said:
The sentence before that had a definite 'going into the future' vibe, rather than a 'change your votes this round' sentiment coming off of it:


I can see interpretations either way.
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That was actually the paragraph before it, and in that one I can see the confusion. It was the repetition that made me think "this turn". But, the GM's already chimes in, so it really doesn't matter.
 
Ericwinter said:
That was actually the paragraph before it, and in that one I can see the confusion. It was the repetition that made me think "this turn". But, the GM's already chimes in, so it really doesn't matter.
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It was a sentence. It was before the other sentence. Being pedantic is only fun for jokes where one is very literal. :V
 
zxzx24 said:
So if we do meet Luna, what do we say to her?
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"Hi there we're the ones who gave you trauma! Want to join our super duper secret spooky cult club?"
Something like that but worded more tactfully
We shouldn't lie to her but we should impress upon Luna that we have the same goals to protect Equestria and that we have knowledge that she doesn't possess on how to properly do so.
 
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