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

BirdBodhisattva · Jul 9, 2021

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.

(Quote slightly edited to avoid spoilers)

quantum lurker · Dec 31, 2023

Talon TigerDino said:
We can always work on improving relations with our employees

But we cannot work on improving precedent after the fact? If things start going wrong people will then have a big shining moment to point to as the cause?

Like, by what Bird said anything we do to explain will fall under excuses to people who are paying attention (which our employees will be), because wedding security will automatically be done at a adequate level?

zxzx24 · Dec 31, 2023

Man.

This is really what we're doing next turn?

We're having the Baldomare go real estate shopping?

Really?

quantum lurker · Dec 31, 2023

Fork a plan that uses the free Velvet action to search for ritual location + AotL if you don't want that to happen?

Iustus Vitae · Dec 31, 2023

I don't like it either but people are hell bent on exploring the Temple and IotH this turn for some reason.

Hell I'm 90% sure that a lot of people are supporting that plan specifically for the IotH

zxzx24 · Dec 31, 2023

Well it sure will be good for all those fights we are going to get into.

Alex Sol · Dec 31, 2023

Iustus Vitae said:
I don't like it either but people are hell bent on exploring the Temple and IotH this turn for some reason.

Hell I'm 90% sure that a lot of people are supporting that plan specifically for the IotH

Personally I want to explore Temple and Woods in hopes of finding Master (or another Moth Name) and ~~invite them to the wedding~~ see if we can get related Sacrament soon.

Cochimetl · Dec 31, 2023

I see the point of IotH. In one fell swoop it both removes a liability in a fight, and adds a high level combatant to our side.

quantum lurker · Dec 31, 2023

lurker9875 said:
-snip-

Continuing the conversation,
1) I agree that this opportunity is unique,
2) but I don't think we can completely mitigate it's costs now by taking the +Loyalty action;
3) and I don't think we can mitigate the costs completely even with future actions?
Especially if Bluebloods ended up collaborating with Changelings or something

Bakkasama · Dec 31, 2023

BirdBodhisattva said:
So, right now I am more exhausted than not. Kindly tell me if I missed any questions, and I hope you are all well. Still, I'll go take a day-long breather so I have the energy to write (and live) starting monday.

Yeah, actually. @BirdBodhisattva The barn we were using for summoning is something our ponysevants prepared for us on turn 15. Can we make them prepare another site for us without raising suspiscions? Most of our plans have either Velvet of Baldomare search for a place and it would really change things up if we could do it as a free action.

Talon TigerDino · Dec 31, 2023

lurker9875 said:
Continuing the conversation,
1) I agree that this opportunity is unique,
2) but I don't think we can completely mitigate it's costs now by taking the +Loyalty action;
3) and I don't think we can mitigate the costs completely even with future actions?
Especially if Bluebloods ended up collaborating with Changelings or something

The Canterlot Bluebloods and a good number of non-Canterlot Bluebloods are currently all sitting in Bureau cells awaiting trial, they can't do anything.

As for IotH, IotH helps if we want to have Velvet fight people away from home; at home, she is already willing to get between Mareinette and children. Mortal thugs are nothing in comparison to that, so I am unworried on Velvet's ability to contribute to home defense. Would rather put the bits towards RotTing something that lets us keep our Names longer.

Bakkasama · Dec 31, 2023

Corporeal Ghost said:
[X] Plan Pittauro, but without the neglecting work free action

(This plan needs to specify that Mareinette uses an Edge Artifact without sacrificing it @Bakkasama)

Ok. I added that to the plan.

Iustus Vitae · Dec 31, 2023

Alex Sol said:
Personally I want to explore Temple and Woods in hopes of finding Master (or another Moth Name) and ~~invite them to the wedding~~ see if we can get related Sacrament soon.

There is no other Moth Name and meeting the master at the temple is unironically the worst thing that can happen.

As for IotH I honestly wanna know how many fights you guys think we're gonna get into that we can't Name away? How many you think we're gonna get into this turn?

ElMariachi · Dec 31, 2023

About protecting Stormchaser when he isn't home, I've had an idea: Comet Feet is a pegasus too, so why not convince Stormy to take him as an apprentice weather controller (under the cover of being a professional reconversion after the Catastrophe for example)?
That way Stormchaser will have his own bodyguard and Comet will get to pass more time with his new best friend!

Now of course, the challenge would be to convince someone as antisocial as Comet to go to a normal job and stay away from Fluttershy for periods of several weeks... but man, think of all the hilarious scenes that could create!

Talon TigerDino · Dec 31, 2023

Iustus Vitae said:
As for IotH I honestly wanna know how many fights you guys think we're gonna get into that we can't Name away? How many you think we're gonna get into this turn?

That is essentially my thinking. We have fought all of once thus far in the quest, while we have been strapped for cash and actions almost all the time. Abandon this silly rite of cutting away at the heart. Choose real power. Choose friends.

quantum lurker · Dec 31, 2023

Iustus Vitae said:
As for IotH I honestly wanna know how many fights you guys think we're gonna get into that we can't Name away? How many you think we're gonna get into this turn?

All the Mansus fights, and 0-2, respectively (I think it's probably 0 tho).

Talon TigerDino said:
The Canterlot Bluebloods and a good number of non-Canterlot Bluebloods are currently all sitting in Bureau cells awaiting trial, they can't do anything.

Very well, I still don't like the plan, but it's a mix of risky and conservative I can now get behind.

Cochimetl said:
I see the point of IotH. In one fell swoop it both removes a liability in a fight, and adds a high level combatant to our side.

A 'high level combatant' with 2 Wounds? I'm not sure why THIS turn either, but the voters have spoken so..

BirdBodhisattva said:
Baldomare can search for whatever you want with a write-in. But of course, rituals have the benefit of being magical.

Is saving the bits on this REALLY worth it, if we want to guarantee things by asking Baldomare to do it?

Void_510 · Dec 31, 2023

Iustus Vitae said:
There is no other Moth Name and meeting the master at the temple is unironically the worst thing that can happen.

As for IotH I honestly wanna know how many fights you guys think we're gonna get into that we can't Name away? How many you think we're gonna get into this turn?

Any in the Mansus, and our personal SH sacrament is dangerous as well. I won't be voting for it before we've at least done IotH.

We've mostly avoided combat because we've ignored expeditions, imo. The chances of being in combat have markedly increased with the war with Copper.

Once we're able to use Forge safely that is the first thing I want to do that turn as well.

Oh, and add this vote

[X] Plan Pittauro, but with our SH Sacrament.

Greymere · Dec 31, 2023

zxzx24 said:
Man.

This is really what we're doing next turn?

We're having the Baldomare go real estate shopping?

Really?

That's a mood :-/

quantum lurker · Dec 31, 2023

[x] Plan Pittauro, All in wedding without key but with expedition.

Really don't want to see a Mental Malus come rolling in and want to do the Baldomare Sacrament because safety, so..

Iustus Vitae · Dec 31, 2023

Are we planning on taking Marinette along next turn for the Frangclaive expedition? If not then we can IotH next turn. In the variation of the plan in which we do our personal SH sacrament this turn we aren't doing the Mansus expedition which means we don't need the +10 for it and Velvet's Fear malus doesn't matter when she is at home protecting her family so that ain't an argument either. If we drop the IotH we can have Marinette search for the ritual site so Baldomare can find the Frangclaive that way we aren't wasting her action by having her find a three ritual site, that is probably gonna be another warehouse, for us.

quantum lurker · Dec 31, 2023

Iustus Vitae said:
have Marinette search for the ritual site

Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure Marienette has a lower bonus than Baldomare for finding things? If she returns us a Expedition we'd have wasted our time IMO

@Pittauro mind modifying your plan to add a revote clause for the Personal AP Mansus Exploration if we somehow get injured during the Knock Mansus free action?

Iustus Vitae · Dec 31, 2023

lurker9875 said:
Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure Marienette has a lower bonus than Baldomare for finding things? If she returns us a Expedition we'd have wasted our time IMO

She has a general bonus of 40 compared to Baldomare's 80. And she shouldn't return with an expedition if we word the request right. Something like:

"Find us an available, safe and discrete place to do a 3 circle ritual in without us having to first clear it out"

Look simple fact to the matter is that I consider having Baldomare search for a ritual site when we have so many more pressing things she could be doing for us a huge waste.

Pittauro · Dec 31, 2023

BirdBodhisattva said:
One of the problems of a ritual site is that it has to be near your home. So, assuming you mean a "danger zone" like a faraway desert, it makes little sense for Velvet to be interested in a ritual zone that needs an entire personal action just to reach.

Your one-circle ritual under Canterlot is just close enough for you to use it. But I don't see the attractiveness of rituals in dangerous places "just because".

And no, the Everfree Forest is not on the menu. You have no IC knowledge about it (looking at you, castle of the two sisters) that would justify being interested in it for ritual sites. Still, that's what the search action is for I suppose.

Can I at least get a confirmation that normal baldomare search (+80) CAN result in a place we'll be able to use next turn, and not something like "you find an expedition site you have to complete and so it will take this turn AND the next to unlock it"? I understand if she finds something like "a building for rent/sale at cheap, or something that can't be used without other costs, but will it at least be viable?

BirdBodhisattva said:
To be honest, you can just pick a Lore for AotL and not specify where it's used. Velvet will use it in the place she thinks is most convenient if that is the case.

I'll just remove the "pride" mention and leave it at "grail" then.

You can never go wrong with Grail! (unless it's Mareinette)

BirdBodhisattva said:
No for both. AotL only affects Velvet, and Baldomare can search for whatever you want with a write-in. But of course, rituals have the benefit of being magical.

but Baldomare is magical too! She's a Name Summon after all!

She also has +80!

+80!!!

That's as many at four 20s. and that's wonderful.

BirdBodhisattva said:
Same reasoning for Stormchaser. Same reasoning for anyone you ask. He doesn't have a spotless record, ten-plus years working in law enforcement, and a cutie mark related to protecting other ponies.

...SAME REASONING?

I'll remind everyone that our deputy and Comet Feet have some history together. remember the horn?

lurker9875 said:
Velvet: "For the sake of our families, and for Equestria, we need to work hard with a common objective..."

Later, Bureau member: "Velvet, we need your help for..."
Velvet: (Is missing and shopping with Cadence)
Bureau member: "...what happened to working hard with a common objective?"

The princess called for our aid (for shopping!). Are you going to deny your princess?!

Iustus Vitae said:
The Royal Castle underground one? It has two parts no?

I'm counting it as two different expeditions personally. Just one that is unlocked by the previous one.

Multi-turn implies there's no reward until we do it all.

Talon TigerDino said:
We can still use our barn. Summonings are not guaranteed to generate Suspicion after all, they just have a chance of doing so.

I know. Barn is just the backup last card option, if we don't find anything better.

lurker9875 said:
I'm done updating the temporary threadmark, please take a look; and consider keeping Velvet as a responsible pony, a good role model for her agents to follow?

We really don't want to set the precedent of random excuses being used to dodge work and all...

a Once in forever royal wedding is NOT a random excuse!!!

lurker9875 said:
You know what's better than Damage Control (of unknown effectiveness?)

Not having any fires or rumours to put out in the first place? That way we don't get the +Loyalty of this option spoiled, isn't it great?

And you know what better than a minor and uncertain and mitigated risk? A sure reward we'll never have a chance to get again. Isn't it great?

Mage of Eyes · Dec 31, 2023

[x] Plan Pittauro, All in wedding without key but with expedition.

Greymere · Dec 31, 2023

Iustus Vitae said:
Are we planning on taking Marinette along next turn for the Frangclaive expedition?

Depends on what the obstacles are going to be.

Edit: And if we're scrying Frangiclave next turn rather than this turn, the expedition's going to be available until T20's vote anyway.

quantum lurker · Dec 31, 2023

@zxzx24
[x] Plan Pittauro, Having our cake and eating it too
-[X] [AotL] Secret Histories
-[X] [FORGE] Create a Knock 1 Edge 1 Reagent if we don't have the bits, Knock 2 Edge 1 otherwise. (20/45 bits, Free Action)
-[X] [KNOCK] The Only Way Up
--[X] [KNOCK] Keep going up. You are so very close now. So. Very. Close.
-[X] [DETECTIVES] There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[X] [CONSTABLES] It is less paperwork for you if they just help with the investigations. (NO ACTION from the Constables. GAIN a PERSONAL ACTION for Velvet Covers)
-[x] [COMMISSIONER] The Bureau is more than an institution, it is a gathering of dedicated ponies working towards a unified goal. Ingrain yourself with them. (Establish, increase, or salvage the loyalty of the Bureau towards you personally.)
-[X] [SOCIAL] [TEACH] Teach Rarity, and make her a Disciple. (Free Action)
-[X] A fleeting opportunity
--[X] Royal. Wedding! Royal. Wedding! Help. Plan. The Royal. Wedding! (Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
--[x] "The Royal Wedding is a matter of national security, so of course the Commissioner must be involved. Yes, even on that time she went on a shopping spree with the Princess." (Free action. NEGLECT work at the Lunar Bureau. Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
--[X] Velvet Pride, your upstart younger brother, seems to be heartbroken. Or so the gossip goes. If you take the initiative to talk to him, you might be able to get closer to him. (assisted by Marienette)
-[X] Find a immediately usable three circle ritual location (assisted by Marienette)
-[X] [JADE] "You do you." Let her do whatever she wants for once. It might do her some good, both mentally and personally.
-[X] [FLUTTERSHY] Ask for a favor, from your... mutual friend.
--[X] [GUARD] Our home.
-[X] [RARITY] Focus on your work.
-[X] [STEPPES] There is no guarantee he will be able to help you, but you will write him about… (WRITE IN)
--[X] [STEPPES] Ask for advice about how to bond with your brother
-[X] Jade's house is now adequately clean. Or at least sufficiently presentable for ponies to work on it. You should…
--[X] [SERVANTS] You need a place where you can safely, and discreetly, store items. Use the upper level of her house for it.
-[X] [MAREINETTE] Assist us with Pride and searching for ritual location. If legal with RAW and we find an expedition, immediately then go on the expedition on our behalf.
-[X] [BALDOMARE] If we find a ritual circle space on our own, scry for Frangiclave using RoTT at Jade's house; if the ritual circle space is behind a Expedition revote, otherwise find us a place where we can hold 3-circle rituals next turn (for Axe's summon).
-[X] [SELENE] Go play, one last time. (Costs two actions. Goodbye, Selene.)

Sacrifices the IotH and Mansus option, but mechanically I think this is superior? We get to roll +80 twice for ritual I think; and +a lot for Pride action.
@BirdBodhisattva mind weighing in on the legality of this plan, and clarifying if you understand the conditionals? Thanks.

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

A bodhisattva, by definition, must die to move on.

There is always a greater fool

There is always a greater fool