LiamOfOrmonde
67% lewd. Oh my!
- Location
- Florida Sometimes
Yup. They all look good.
Also I finally got it from the picture! Boneapart!
Is there going to be a sudden yet inevitable betrayal?
-
Going forward, links to content from Twitter (now X) will no longer be embedded. Pre-existing links should not be affected.
Who Needs Harmony?: An MLP Empire Quest
- Thread starter Questor
- Start date
Also I finally got it from the picture! Boneapart!
Is there going to be a sudden yet inevitable betrayal?
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I think we need to send scouts and spies in to figure out where the traps are (we know there are traps) and possibly disable them. Possibly we should send some diamond dogs underground to check out their plans. I doubt a group of pegasi has underground defenses keeping us from digging our way up to them with a few spies, and that's if they even think of it.
Markala
Hannor & Polycho Shipper
- Location
- At the Junction of Angst and Fluff
I'm all Direct Confrontation but only AFTER something like a Write-in about sending a scouting/intrigue-ish force to check for traps and other nasty-surprise shit maybe? Maybe leave behind a trap or 2 of our own if possible.
FictionPack
Monochromatic Ursine
- Location
- Tennessee
- Pronouns
- He/Him
I believe that would be when we come up with a plan after getting there?
This seems like a vote to decide on a route to the enemy.
Direct Confrontation sounds good, in fact it sounds too good, this is Pegicles we are talking about, it's got to be a trap, there is no way it's not a trap.
So while I would like to end this war as quickly as possible in a single decisive battle, I would rather not have half our army killed of because Pegicles decided to drop a mountain on them or something.
Let's do the smart thing and take our time to grind him down a bit at a time and force him to fight on our terms.
So while I would like to end this war as quickly as possible in a single decisive battle, I would rather not have half our army killed of because Pegicles decided to drop a mountain on them or something.
Let's do the smart thing and take our time to grind him down a bit at a time and force him to fight on our terms.
- Location
- Space between realms
- Pronouns
- He
He does think we are nothing but barbarians but don't forget that he has his storm herald tactic (that was a really cool weapon for pegasus btw) enough wind makes artillery useless and as pegasus they'll have an advantage in any weather they make, it also blurs the line between magic and nature so how effective the black swords will be is suspect
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Why do I feel that this may not be as bad as Garrick may think.
Yeah...
The implications alone for those hearing it is probably scary for them.
"It is just 1 Griffon! How scary can one lone griffon be?"
...IRL Meteorologists with the full weight of the modern world would probably have conniption fits over the meteorology nightmare of this world, let alone people only operating with early industrial revolution level equipment, though possibly superior understanding and magical equivalents, which is still virtually useless.
One worry we my have is the valley flooding. If we are going upriver, then there is the possibility of fliers upriver from the battle whipping up a bunch of rain in an attempt to sweep our army down into the river.
@Questor?
- Do the mountains surrounding the valley have snow? If yes, using our own knowledge of avalanches, how far into the valley they would likely get when triggered?
- If no snow, what about a regular avalanche of stone, dirt and (maybe) mud?
- If pegasi create a smaller sized storm, tornado or whatever and send it through the valley, would the valley's shape allow for easier directing or empowering that force?
- Do the mountains surrounding the valley have snow? If yes, using our own knowledge of avalanches, how far into the valley they would likely get when triggered?
- If no snow, what about a regular avalanche of stone, dirt and (maybe) mud?
- If pegasi create a smaller sized storm, tornado or whatever and send it through the valley, would the valley's shape allow for easier directing or empowering that force?
- Location
- Somewhere
Link to the last time I did this.
Archival purposes: "The Maretonian Campaign, Part 1" (posted by QM on Friday, June 18, 2021)
OR
The Front Page as it appeared to me on Friday, June 18, 2021.
Character Sheet (last edited by QM on Sunday, May 23, 2021)
(Been my experience that spoilers inside quotes, don't work well, so I'm removing those spoilers)
- Not Changed
-- I am prejudiced against spoilers.
Informational: State of the Nation (last edited by QM on Thursday, June 17, 2021)
- Change Happened
-- Bonuses removed: "Improved Army Communications: +6 on certain Army Rolls" + "Naval Navigation Tools: +5 on certain Naval and Exploration Rolls" + "Gun-Cotton: +5 to all Cannon Rolls" + "Firebender Designed Flamethrowers: +5 to all Flamethrower/Liquid Fire Rolls"
Informational: Diplomatic Relations/Persons of Interest (last edited by QM on Friday, May 21, 2021)
- Not Changed
Archival purposes: "The Maretonian Campaign, Part 1" (posted by QM on Friday, June 18, 2021)
OR
The Front Page as it appeared to me on Friday, June 18, 2021.
Character Sheet (last edited by QM on Sunday, May 23, 2021)
(Been my experience that spoilers inside quotes, don't work well, so I'm removing those spoilers)
- Not Changed
-- I am prejudiced against spoilers.
Name: Garrick Golden-Feather
Age: 56
Titles: Emperor of Gryphus, King of Griffonia, Inheritor of the Imperial House of Gryphus, The Unifier, Great Winged Alpha, The Lightbringer, The Liberator, the King of the North.
Description: Before your wife got her talons on you, you were a fairly typical example of the Griffon species. An unmistakably masculine build, a strong, prominent beak, feathers and fur that seem to be perpetually well-groomed, and a pair of piercing amber eyes hiding a fierce intelligence. Not anymore though. Oh, you still have all those qualities, they're just overshadowed by the massive amount of muscle you've put on since you started your wife's "enhanced training regimen". Your wings can lift dumbbells, and your legs are like tree-trunks supporting a barrel chest rippling with abdominal muscles. In short, you have the build of a person who has been lifting heavy objects his entire life.
Martial: 9+2+1+2=14
Diplomacy: 14+2+2=18
Stewardship: 13+2=15
Learning: 16+2=18
Intrigue: 11+2=13
- Trait-Attractive: You are a very handsome fellow. +2 Diplomacy, better spousal relationship
- Trait-Genius: Smart doesn't even begin to describe you. +2 all skills
- Trait-Strong: Working out with your wife has done great things for your body. +2 Martial
Inventory:
- Blade of the King: an ornate and deadly sword you had forged for yourself after being crowned King of Griffonia. +1 Martial
- Runic Royal Armor: Serving to protect you as well as display your royal status to onlookers, this armor is both durable and aesthetically pleasing. With Merlin's assistance, it has been enhanced with runic magic, making it even more durable.
- Orichalcum Sword: A blade made of an extremely durable, magic resistant metal
- Sendak Manuscript: Recovered from the Archives of the Shadow King Sombra, this strange book is bound in the treated flesh of monsters and is written in numerous unknown tongues. It contains diagrams that seem to reference everything from the movements of stellar bodies to the biology of plants and animals to the complex physics of magical phenomenon. It's origins remain a mystery.
Wife: Gabriella Golden-Feather
Opinion of You: 10/10
Age: 55
Martial: 15+1+2=18
Diplomacy: 11+1=12
Stewardship: 8+1=9
Learning: 13+1=14
Intrigue: 10+1=11
Trait: Strong - Born stronger than most. (+2 Martial)
Trait: Experienced - Has been a mercenary for several years, ranging across the lands of the former Empire. Knows much about the world. (+1 All Stats)
Son: Gawain Golden-Feather
Age: 25
Martial: 14+2+2+1=19
Diplomacy: 13+2+2+2=19
Stewardship: 14+2=16
Learning: 10+2=12
Intrigue: 11+2=13
Status: Designated Heir. Will become player character in event of Parent's Deaths.
Trait: Strong-Born stronger than most. (+2 Martial)
Trait: Attractive-A handsome fellow. (+2 Diplomacy, better spousal relationship)
Trait: Genius-Smart doesn't begin to describe him. (+2 All Stats)
Trait: Game Master-Years of playing games of strategy and wits with members of the Imperial Court has honed his sense of strategy and taught him how to read others. (+1 Martial, +2 Diplomacy)
(Adopted) Daughter: Gwyndlyn Golden-Feather
Age: 21
Martial: 15+4-5=14
Diplomacy: 9-5=4
Stewardship: 6+2-5=3
Learning: 8+1-5=4
Intrigue: 9+1-5=5
Status: Adolescent-Malus to all stats
Status-Designated Regent: In the event that no heir is capable of taking the throne, or in the event the rightful ruler is otherwise unavailable, she will take control of the kingdom until the situation can be resolved.
Trait: Dragon-A fire breathing reptile. (+4 Martial)
Trait: Gardener-Years of studying and caring for plants has taught her much in the realm of botany, and has instilled in her an understanding of how hard work and patience can yield great dividends. (+2 Stewardship, +1 Learning, +1 Intrigue)
Daughter: Gilda Golden-Feather
Age: 18
Martial: 8+4-5=7
Diplomacy: 11+2-5=8
Stewardship: 11-5=6
Learning: 7-5=2
Intrigue: 6-5=1
Trait: Beautiful- A stellar example of feminine grace. (+2 Diplomacy)
Duelist: An experienced master of one-on-one combat who spars against others as a hobby. (+4 Martial)
Status: Teenager-Malus to all stats
Daughter: Gleaming Pearl Golden-Feather
Age: 19
Martial: 7+2-5=4
Diplomacy: 10+2-5=7
Stewardship: 12-5=7
Learning: 5+2-5=2
Intrigue: 8-5=3
Status: Teenager-Malus to all stats
Trait: Beautiful-A stellar example of feminine grace. (+2 Diplomacy)
Trait: Studious-Knows her way around the written word. (+2 Learning)
Adopted: Permanently last in the line of Royal Succession.
Crystalmancer: A prodigy in the arcane art of Crystal Manipulation, able to turn a few pebbles into a forest of glittering spires. (+2 Martial)
Informational: State of the Nation (last edited by QM on Thursday, June 17, 2021)
- Change Happened
-- Bonuses removed: "Improved Army Communications: +6 on certain Army Rolls" + "Naval Navigation Tools: +5 on certain Naval and Exploration Rolls" + "Gun-Cotton: +5 to all Cannon Rolls" + "Firebender Designed Flamethrowers: +5 to all Flamethrower/Liquid Fire Rolls"
Informational: Diplomatic Relations/Persons of Interest (last edited by QM on Friday, May 21, 2021)
- Not Changed
Mazeka
You must be joking
- Location
- United States
Are all these posts really necessary? Why not just have shorter posts that note the updates to certain sections rather than large chunks of thread?
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FictionPack
Monochromatic Ursine
- Location
- Tennessee
- Pronouns
- He/Him
That would be the original one in Informationals.
- Location
- Somewhere
Maybe it's not necessary, but it is helpful somewhat. As for why not a single post? Spoilers with quotes inside are something I distrust. One bad experience with spoilers inside quotes, and even if the site has been updated and nothing will go wrong. I don't trust the code with quotes inside spoilers.
Edit: As for why I quote the whole thing instead of just list the changes and let that be the end of things without quoting the front page. Even if nothing happens, having the nothing on the same spot as the something is helpful, otherwise there'd be multiple clicks into the past. Just easier to access if it's in the same post.
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- Location
- I think somewhere. I might be nowhere though
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[] Double Claw Maneuver: Split two small, mobile forces off from the main army to recon and secure the mountains/cliffs surrounding the valley. Once clear, bring the main army forward to skirmish with the enemy army within the valley. Partially through, use our warhorns to signal a retreat to lure the enemy army deeper into the valley and our own army farther away from the upcoming trouble. Use the warhorn again to signal to the two mobile forces to set off an avalanche to bury the enemy army. After setting off the avalanche, the mobile forces are to recongregate on the other side of the valley to secure it in case any of the enemy tries to run, retreat, or desert. All the while, attempt to use our griffons and any pegasi we have to establish and maintain air superiority.
@Questor This work well enough?
@Questor This work well enough?
FictionPack
Monochromatic Ursine
- Location
- Tennessee
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Wouldn't an avalanche impede the stream? The whole reason for wanting this path?
I guess we could use the magic flamethrower to melt it though.
I guess we could use the magic flamethrower to melt it though.
- Location
- I think somewhere. I might be nowhere though
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Depends on the form of the valley. I was thinking it was a valley surrounded by dry mountains (meaning not snow), in which case an avalanche would bring down boulders that our explosives and Diamond Dogs could make short work of after the battle.
Anyhow, I want this path more for destroying a potentially large military force rather than just the river and quickness itself.
The main enemy troop composition is made of pegasi - what exactly do you think would happen if an avalanche approaches?
- Location
- I think somewhere. I might be nowhere though
- Pronouns
- He/Him
FictionPack
Monochromatic Ursine
- Location
- Tennessee
- Pronouns
- He/Him
This presumes they are waiting on the ground and not in the mountains or in the clouds above.
@PyrrosWarrior
@PyrrosWarrior
So your plan is to literally blot out the sky with griffons to prevent any pegasi from just flying directly up?
And you expect the forces of Pegasospolis to advance while we have such aerial superiority in place? To not have the pegasi be mostly airborne unless stuck in a melee with ground troops?
Honestly, I'm more worried over the possibility of our enemy to have hidden troops either behind clouds or among the mountains and then have them take the higher ground compared to our grounded forces before either doing the avalache trick or just starting a thunderstorm on top of us.
More and more I think of it, I think we should leave our grounded forces behind until we have figured out the newest enemy gimmick.
edit: sorry for the double-posts, but currently writing on phone. Will prune them to one later.
And you expect the forces of Pegasospolis to advance while we have such aerial superiority in place? To not have the pegasi be mostly airborne unless stuck in a melee with ground troops?
Honestly, I'm more worried over the possibility of our enemy to have hidden troops either behind clouds or among the mountains and then have them take the higher ground compared to our grounded forces before either doing the avalache trick or just starting a thunderstorm on top of us.
More and more I think of it, I think we should leave our grounded forces behind until we have figured out the newest enemy gimmick.
edit: sorry for the double-posts, but currently writing on phone. Will prune them to one later.
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- Location
- I think somewhere. I might be nowhere though
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Very well. Since my answer doesn't seem self-evident, I will go in to more depth. I would've before if you had been a little more respectful instead of treating me like a moron right off the bat 10. Act like a jerk and I'll give it right back to you.
My plan is that:
A) These are freaking mountains. They presumably have height and pegasi don't have unlimited acceleration to go over the top quick enough, nor are they helicopters able to move directly upwards at an extremely fast pace. An avalanche would most definitely catch at least some of them and make maneuvering in the air far more difficult.
B) Historically, avalanche tactics weren't used to kill armies. They were used to demoralize and disorganize the enemy. Even if literally all of them catch on in time, seeing a bunch of boulders falling everywhere would create a chaotic atmosphere that we could take advantage of. I don't expect it to demoralize them since the pegasi were stated to be Maretonia's military aristocracy and thus are probably elites (especially at this stage in the war), but it would make whatever commanders they have feel great difficulty in controlling where their soldiers are going to at any point in time.
C) We could shoot them out of the sky due to the above chaos and lack of maneuverability. We have flight capabilities for our crossbowman, and we have unicorns capable of shooting them out.
D) We haven't established our military capabilities yet, House Storm thinks we are barbarians uncomparable to pegasi, and House Storm is very likely feeling like the Civil War is practically already over and possibly beginning to suffer from Victory Disease. If they see us retreat, I have little doubt they could be convinced we are routing.
E) If they all tried to go up at once with such a large force as you say they will successfully do, it would cause even more chaos and make them even easier to shoot out of the sky simply by crowding out the skies.
Also, you are REALLY exaggerating with the "blot out the sky" thing. The whole purpose of military presence is to prevent easy movement by exerting pressure over every few meters/"other measurement for 3D purposes", not to prevent all movement. That's why border guards establish outposts rather than having soldiers on every square inch of a border, and why fighter planes have patrols of a few at a time rather than literally "blotting out the skies" as you claim would be necessary. The point of air superiority and guarding alike is to apply pressure to make the enemy delay on believing fighting control of one area or another is the best idea, not to literally stop EVERY POSSIBLE THING.
That's literally the whole point of the "recon and secure" and "air superiority" clauses I put in. Like, it's possible that they might be an out-of-context enough problem that we miss them behind the level of the absolute highest clouds, but at that point no tactic would really secure such parts of the atmosphere. Delaying gives us nothing, and costs us much. We can't afford to get bogged down in Maretonia nor can we afford to let any potential large congregations of military force step free and uncontested. The thing with having an army of elites is that they come in limited numbers. We can make House Storm bleed and lose off their veterancy.
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- Location
- The state of Paranoia
... have you ever watched the show? Because that's exactly what a pegasi can do.
The pegasi flight mechanics follow the rules of magic, with a sprinkle of imitating avionics. They can and will rocket to the sky from a total standstill.
You also fail to understand that the enemy will likely always be airborne unless in direct melee. Even if we retreated, they will give chase through aerial methods, not by lumbering to the ground. Speaking of, I'm pretty sure that on an equal setting a pegasus outflies a gryphon. We would be trying to outrun or outfly a faster opponent, with our backs to the enemy.
- Location
- I think somewhere. I might be nowhere though
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Firstly, I have mentioned multiple times in this quest that I've seen a smattering of episodes here and there when I was testing out the show to see if it'd interest me, but not the show as a whole. Besides those episodes, my primary points of reference are fanworks on Youtube and Equestria at War for HoIV, which honestly is enough given that this is explicitly an AU of MLP.
Anyhow, even in those few episodes I did watch, that definitely wasn't what all pegasi could do. Rainbow Dash could do some stuff like that as her most impressive feats, but a majority of pegasi (even among the more elite) couldn't reach the heights she could in terms of feats. Furthermore, you are really underestimating how limiting being in an enclosed environment like a valley would be even operating in three dimensions. There's not much room for, and let's be generous, 500 pegasi to all suddenly rocket up around incoming rocks/snow and maintaining complete organization while dodging any and all arrows and blasts of magic and each other.
The enemy will be airborne, but not to the point of literal mountains. They are expecting to engage and thus will be far lower than otherwise. There is literally no point to having an army constantly high up in the air when we know for certain there are at least some within the valley, even disregarding that pegasi don't have unlimited stamina and wouldn't be expected for everyone to stay constantly flying for days on end.
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