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

[Sveta08]

Going after Velvet Hill is a terrible idea. He's a prominent figure and we run a Bureau that investigates incidents like this. Even with loyalty it's still a lot of heat for no real reason. We also live with our brother who will more than likely hound us about it. We can literally just kidnap some random criminal or Mareinette could find a volunteer, she seems to be running her own cult. We're over complicating things.

Click to shrink...

Understood, agreed, and respectfully, disregarded.

Velvet has made it clear that for what she can, she doesn't want to hurt innocents. And, when she does, she feels guilty as hell about it. We understand that the Grail Sacrament will kill someone. So, it has to be someone that Velvet wouldn't feel as guilty about. Or at least, someone she feel deserves it.
Our Lady of Wires is also... sharp. A Sacrament will be done all the same, regardless of who the target is. But, in theory, depending on the target, she may or may not see Velvet as being more serious about it. And as far as "being serious about it" goes for targets, the most serious Velvet can be that she is still willing to go along with, is Velvet Hills.

This is a risk. This is a complication. This is a danger that could come up and bite us.
But this is also the Right way to do the Wrong Thing. At least in my eyes.

 

[Rafuki22]

the most serious Velvet can be that she is still willing to go along with, is Velvet Hills.

Click to shrink...

I would say the opposite, targeting Velvet Hills means she isn't serious about it because he is the low hanging fruit, of course Velvet Covers would want to kill him, and it would be easy to bring herself to eat him, to prove her seriousness she would do it with someone less personal.

 

[Solace2117]

Understood, agreed, and respectfully, disregarded.

Velvet has made it clear that for what she can, she doesn't want to hurt innocents. And, when she does, she feels guilty as hell about it. We understand that the Grail Sacrament will kill someone. So, it has to be someone that Velvet wouldn't feel as guilty about. Or at least, someone she feel deserves it.
Our Lady of Wires is also... sharp. A Sacrament will be done all the same, regardless of who the target is. But, in theory, depending on the target, she may or may not see Velvet as being more serious about it. And as far as "being serious about it" goes for targets, the most serious Velvet can be that she is still willing to go along with, is Velvet Hills.

This is a risk. This is a complication. This is a danger that could come up and bite us.
But this is also the Right way to do the Wrong Thing. At least in my eyes.

Click to shrink...

We can have Mareinette track down a criminal, a rapist or murderer. Velvet is arguably too emotionally invested for it to be more right.

 

[Arrkhon]

Honestly both Spoiled and Hills make sense, one is killing a mostly innocent pony for power, but still only one and one that we are going to fuck up for power anyway at that, and the other is just pure poetry that also removes someone we actively dislike

 

[Alan975]

targeting Velvet Hills means she isn't serious about it because he is the low hanging fruit

Click to shrink...

Having Velvet go for some random criminal is impersonal, just another + to statistics.
Her own father makes it personal, could be argued that it enhances the spice of the meal.


It makes a better story narratively, and do also consider that we as a collective are Velvet, what does it say about lack of commitment when you'd like to go for someone that poses no risk?
That's based on my personal theory of The Lady getting a peak behind the curtain though, cuz that would just be fun to deal with

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Does this action involves meeting with Needles or just looking through contract documents? If it is later Lantern seems like a more fitting Lore.

Click to shrink...

Since OurLadyofWires initially took it to mean meeting with the Needles I have Recalibrated the little guy for meeting with the Needles.

But this is also the Right way to do the Wrong Thing. At least in my eyes.

Click to shrink...

A shame then, that Velvet wouldn't see it that way per word of QM. It's just Wrong Thing all the way down to her, but she just hates Hills enough to do it anyways.

 

[Bakkasama]

A shame then, that Velvet wouldn't see it that way per word of QM. It's just Wrong Thing all the way down to her, but she just hates Hills enough to do it anyways.

Click to shrink...

That is probably the best argument for eating Hills that I read, honestly. Morality and practicality has nothing to do with it, we just hate that guy. Fuck Velvet Hills (wait, wrong sacrament)

 

[Pittauro]

But this is also the Right way to do the Wrong Thing. At least in my eyes.

Click to shrink...

I still think the "right way to do the wrong thing" would be an unconnected criminal, but Velvet Hill is PROBABLY less bad way than Spoiled at least.

He's definitely done far more to deserve revenge from Velvet, and that's not counting all his OTHER crimes.

...damn, I don't want to go Velvet Hill, but I can't deny I REALLY want to read the update with their last conversation...

 

[Sveta08]

...damn, I don't want to go Velvet Hill, but I can't deny I REALLY want to read the update with their last conversation...

Click to shrink...

Hmm.... Ah! Ha! Perfect. Doubtful it is true, but the idea is hilarious to me all the same.

Obviously Velvet has to kidnap Hill! The alternative is that Hill might take it upon himself to try and be "pleasant" and show up at Silky's Cute-ceñeara.
And that just won't do. No. If he want's to not be a part of Silky's life, then fine! He won't be.
At all.

 

[spiderhellian]

I'm just so sad we've got an Edge Influence and a Lantern Influence and we'd not be going to Tall Tale.

We will be a Changeling's worst nightmare.

We will be able to recognize the lores. Fight against them, where necessary, and identify/steal loot our agents might otherwise overlook.

We will be among the strongest combatants in Equestria. We will have an absurd Lantern modifier to see through their illusions. Let's make this happen.

Vote
[X] Plan: Graven Commissioner and Commander

Over Devouring the Sky!

Going to Tall Tale is the only difference, and what a difference it will make.

 

[Greymere]

I'm just so sad we've got an Edge Influence and a Lantern Influence and we'd not be going to Tall Tale.

We will be a Changeling's worst nightmare.

We will be able to recognize the lores. Fight against them, where necessary, and identify/steal loot our agents might otherwise overlook.

We will be among the strongest combatants in Equestria. We will have an absurd Lantern modifier to see through their illusions. Let's make this happen.

Vote
[X] Plan: Graven Commissioner and Commander

Over Devouring the Sky!

Going to Tall Tale is the only difference, and what a difference it will make.

Click to shrink...

Ah, but going to Tall Tale will be but a fleeting advantage. Once our Bureau is learned enough in the Lores, there is nothing that will be able to hide from their eyes, and the faster we introduce the Lores the faster our Bureau can exploit the hell out of things like Influences and the Swiss army knife of gathering information called the Reflection of the Tapestry.

(also the faster the Bureau gets Lore'd, the sooner we can get a cadre and ritual space up and running)

 

[Solace2117]

[X] Plan: Prisoner Chomping
[X] Plan: Let's Not Kidnap a Prominent Figure From Canterlot
-[X] (Detectives) Follow Up: Dodge City
-[X] (Constables) Follow Up: Tall Tale
-[X] (Commissioner) Get your Hoofs Dirty
-[X] (Director) Lantern
-[X] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Spoiled Rich & Filthy Rich
-[X] (Biedde) Channel an Edge Influence
-[X] (Baldomare) Channel a Lantern Influence
-[X] (Selene) Soothe the night
-[X] (Rarity) Focus on her work
-[X] (Free) Sell Edge 3 artifact
-[X] Needs must. Ask somepony to procure you a dead body from the local cemetery.
-[X] (Free) Summon a Risen.
-[X] There really is no other way. Ask somepony to get you a live prisoner; specifically, a foal peddler/predator. (You have no place to keep live prisoners)
-[X] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry x 2
--[X] Target: Easiest Level 7 book to acquire
--[X] Target: Easiest Level 6 Forge Reagent to acquire
-[X] Build a prison (Cherenkolt)
-[X] Edge AotL x 2
-[X] Cover your Bases x 2

These work for now unless I have time to make my own plan. I would like to point out Velvet's knock sacrament actually encourages her to go on expeditions since she can discover interesting things to interact with.
Also I still think it could be interesting/potentially bad if we we meat the other Edge Name with Biedde's influence, but it makes sense to have it either for Tall Tales and/or the Edge sacrament.

I continue to be divided on the Grail sacrament, but we seems committed so it is what it is. I still want to emphasize what a bad idea going after Velvet Hill is. I get it, people think it's clever and fitting, but Glory's right there and Velvet's slipping. I'm getting Ruined Church vibes in how people are underestimating the consequences. He's a prominent figure in the capital city where we work. Velvet lives on the same estate with her brother. Our Uncle is there. There are so many ways this could blow up in our face both locally and in a grander sense. We don't need more distractions and complications. We need Sacraments and friendly Names. If you don't want some random pony or Spoiled, send a Name to track down a criminal. Victory is in sight, our biggest obstacle is arguably our own hubris.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Speaking of Friendly Names, if you want a Plan that Befriends little Cherenkolt ASAP, then Plan: Cannibalism is Cringe is the Plan for you! Watch Selene scry for radioactive materials for her only brother! Watch said brother conduct business negotiations to make us more money (I will argue for the smallest financial advisor every turn). Don't miss out on Velvet's chance to assault a Changeling hive structure a second time (and the wonders doing some unmitigated good will have for her psyche)!

Alternatively, if you want to work towards befriending two Names in one Follower Phase, then go with Plan: Let's Not Kidnap a Prominent Figure From Canterlot! Instead of having Selene spy on the one cultist we parted on good terms with, she'll try to locate that sweet sweet poisonous blue-gold for her little brother Cherenkolt! Watch the Daughter of Axes play the lead role in an extreme version of To Catch a Predator, with Mareinette and Velvet standing in for a woodchipper! Avoid further unmooring Steppes from the world, shattering Pride's entire existence, a driving a most dreadful secret between him, Axe, and Velvet! And keep Canterlot calmer.

Seriously though, Selene with a Lantern 4 Artifact is better at Scrying than Velvet, have her scry for book and reagent.

 

[ses]

"They will realize what should already be obvious, and what Princess Celestia has already made very clear. To hinder the Bureau is to offend Princess Luna, and there shall be none of that under Equestria's sun."

Click to shrink...

It is almost hard to believe that you are standing before a mere unicorn, and not a Princess. No, more than just that, you have already met Princess Celestia and Princess Cadance, and you did not feel this intimidated even when you were in their presence.

Click to shrink...

This is extra funny in hindsight now that Princess Luna is the Director of the Lunar Bureau

 

[spiderhellian]

Ah, but going to Tall Tale will be but a fleeting advantage. Once our Bureau is learned enough in the Lores, there is nothing that will be able to hide from their eyes, and the faster we introduce the Lores the faster our Bureau can exploit the hell out of things like Influences and the Swiss army knife of gathering information called the Reflection of the Tapestry.

(also the faster the Bureau gets Lore'd, the sooner we can get a cadre and ritual space up and running)

Click to shrink...

I don't think it balances out. It's one manuscript, and one lore introduced.

Compared to being significantly more effective at their first strike against the Changelings. And proving the tools' worth. And being able to identify the lore goodies in the hive, rather than having them dumped in with other evidence or missed entirely.

I think Graven Commissioner and Commander is the way to go.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

[X] Plan: Cannibalism is Cringe
-[x] (Detectives) Follow Up: Dodge City
-[x] (Constables) Follow Up: Tall Tale
-[x] (Commissioner) Get your Hoofs Dirty
-[x] (Director) Lantern
-[x] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Spoiled Rich & Filthy Rich
-[x] (Biedde) Channel an Edge Influence
-[x] (Baldomare) Channel a Lantern Influence
-[x] (Selene) Soothe the night
-[x] (Rarity) Focus on her work
-[x] [CHERENKOLT] (Free) Recalibrate to Grail
-[x] [CHERENKOLT] Something else? (Go over Rarity's Contract with the Needles, see what can be improved.)
-[x] (Free) Sell Edge 3 artifact
-[x] Needs must. Ask somepony to procure you a dead body from the local cemetery.
-[x] (Free) Summon a Risen.
-[x] Go searching for expeditions.
-[x] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry x 2
--[x] Target: Easiest Level 7 book to acquire
--[x] Target: Easiest Level 6 Forge Reagent to acquire
-[x] Edge AotL x 2
-[x] Cover your Bases x 2

Because a Forge 6 Grail 3 Name will run rings around the Needles and bring us that most covered of nectar: Bits.

[X] Plan: Let's Not Kidnap a Prominent Figure From Canterlot
-[X] (Detectives) Follow Up: Dodge City
-[X] (Constables) Follow Up: Tall Tale
-[X] (Commissioner) Get your Hoofs Dirty
-[X] (Director) Lantern
-[X] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Spoiled Rich & Filthy Rich
-[X] (Biedde) Channel an Edge Influence
-[X] (Baldomare) Channel a Lantern Influence
-[X] (Selene) Soothe the night
-[X] (Rarity) Focus on her work
-[X] (Free) Sell Edge 3 artifact
-[X] Needs must. Ask somepony to procure you a dead body from the local cemetery.
-[X] (Free) Summon a Risen.
-[X] There really is no other way. Ask somepony to get you a live prisoner; specifically, a foal peddler/predator. (You have no place to keep live prisoners)
-[X] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry x 2
--[X] Target: Easiest Level 7 book to acquire
--[X] Target: Easiest Level 6 Forge Reagent to acquire
-[X] Build a prison (Cherenkolt)
-[X] Edge AotL x 2
-[X] Cover your Bases x 2

Because I don't want to deal with the familial fallout of eating Hills, and would rather give the DoA conflicting feelings on a novel form of executing someone who did unspeakable things to children.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

This is extra funny in hindsight now that Princess Luna is the Director of the Lunar Bureau

Click to shrink...

Yes. Ive been lining things up for this narrative for a while now.

Needed a way to explain why equestrias best detectives wouldnt pick up on your trail of lies. And this was the best alternative i could come up with.

Also

Adhoc vote count started by OurLadyOfWires on May 3, 2025 at 10:31 PM, finished with 88 posts and 20 votes.

• ---

  10 people have voted

  [X] Plan: Devouring the Sky
  -[x] (Free) Sell Edge 3 artifact
  -[x] (Detectives) Follow Up: Dodge City
  -[x] (Constables) Follow Up: Tall Tale
  -[X] (Commissioner) Introduce Lore: Forge
  -[x] (Director) Lantern
  -[x] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Spoiled Rich & Filthy Rich
  -[x] (Biedde) Channel an Edge Influence
  -[x] (Baldomare) Channel a Lantern Influence
  -[x] (Selene) Soothe the night
  -[X] (Selene) Dreamwalking: Spy on Windy Flakes
  -[x] (Rarity) Focus on her work
  -[X] Assault an Opponent: Velvet Hill
  -[X] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry
  --[x] Target: Easiest Level 7 book to acquire
  --[X] At Jade's old house
  -[X] Build a prison
  -[X] Obtain a dead body
  -[X] Perform the Attention of the Laws (Edge) (x2)
  -[X] Cover your bases (-2 Follower AP, +1 Velvet AP)

  • Greymere
  • ses
  • Sveta08
  • Maer
  • Arrkhon
  • Alan975
  • AuthorTransient
  • Diamondfiend
  • Earth-Destroyer
  • Demilich

  7 people have voted

  [X] Plan: Cannibalism is Cringe
  -[x] (Detectives) Follow Up: Dodge City
  -[x] (Constables) Follow Up: Tall Tale
  -[x] (Commissioner) Get your Hoofs Dirty
  -[x] (Director) Lantern
  -[x] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Spoiled Rich & Filthy Rich
  -[x] (Biedde) Channel an Edge Influence
  -[x] (Baldomare) Channel a Lantern Influence
  -[x] (Selene) Soothe the night
  -[x] (Rarity) Focus on her work
  -[x] [CHERENKOLT] (Free) Recalibrate to Grail
  -[x] [CHERENKOLT] Something else? (Go over Rarity's Contract with the Needles, see what can be improved.)
  -[x] (Free) Sell Edge 3 artifact
  -[x] Needs must. Ask somepony to procure you a dead body from the local cemetery.
  -[x] (Free) Summon a Risen.
  -[x] Go searching for expeditions.
  -[x] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry x 2
  --[x] Target: Easiest Level 7 book to acquire
  --[x] Target: Easiest Level 6 Forge Reagent to acquire
  -[x] Edge AotL x 2
  -[x] Cover your Bases x 2

  • Talon Tiger Dino
  • DelightedOne
  • Cochimetl
  • Anjaxis
  • Zxzx24
  • Nevermort
  • Limabot

  5 people have voted

  [X] Plan: Graven Commissioner and Commander
  -[x] (Detectives) Follow Up: Dodge City
  -[x] (Constables) Follow Up: Tall Tale
  -[x] (Commissioner) Get your Hoofs Dirty
  -[x] (Director) Lantern
  -[x] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Spoiled Rich & Filthy Rich
  -[x] (Biedde) Channel an Edge Influence
  -[x] (Baldomare) Channel a Lantern Influence
  -[x] (Selene) Soothe the night
  -[X] (Selene) Dreamwalking: Spy on Windy Flakes
  -[x] (Rarity) Focus on her work
  -[X] (Summon) Summon a Torn Risen
  -[X] Assault an Opponent: Velvet Hill
  -[X] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry
  --[x] Target: Easiest Level 7 book to acquire
  --[X] At Jade's old house
  -[X] Build a prison
  -[X] Perform the Attention of the Laws (Edge) (x2)
  -[x] Needs must. Ask somepony to procure you a dead body from the local cemetery.
  -[X] Cover your bases (-2 Follower AP, +1 Velvet AP)

  • Sveta08
  • ses
  • Nevermort
  • Alan975
  • spiderhellian

  4 people have voted

  [X] Plan: Prisoner Chomping
  -[x] (Free) Sell Edge 3 artifact
  -[x] (Detectives) Follow Up: Dodge City
  -[x] (Constables) Follow Up: Tall Tale
  -[X] (Commissioner) Introduce Lore: Forge
  -[x] (Director) Lantern
  -[x] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Spoiled Rich & Filthy Rich
  -[x] (Biedde) Channel an Edge Influence
  -[x] (Baldomare) Channel a Lantern Influence
  -[x] (Selene) Soothe the night
  -[x] (Rarity) Focus on her work
  -[x] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry x 2
  --[x] Target: Easiest Level 7 book to acquire
  --[X] Target: Easiest Forge 6 reagent to acquire
  --[X] At Jade's old house
  -[X] Acquire a prisoner, preferably not an innocent civilian
  -[X] Build a prison
  -[X] Obtain a dead body
  -[X] Perform the Attention of the Laws (Edge) (x2)
  -[X] Cover your bases (-2 Follower AP, +1 Velvet AP)

  • Greymere
  • ses
  • Limabot
  • Solace2117

  4 people have voted

  [X] Plan: Velvet of All Lores, Introduction
  -[x] (Free) Sell Edge 3 artifact
  -[X] Detectives - Dodge City
  -[X] Constables - Tall Tale Proto-Hive
  -[X] (Commissioner) Introduce Lore: Forge
  -[X] Free Lore Introduction - Lantern
  -[X] Cherenkolt Mode - Lantern
  -[X] [MAREINETTE] Grail Influence
  -[X] [BIEDDE] Edge Influence.
  -[X] [BALDOMARE] Lantern Influence
  -[X] [SELENE] Soothe the night.
  -[X] [SELENE] Spy on Windy
  -[X] RotT for Lv. 7 book.At Jade's old house
  -[X] RotT for Forge 6 reagent. At Jade's old house
  -[X] Get body. If successful Risen
  -[X] Cover your bases (-5 Follower AP, +2 Velvet AP )

  • Nevermort
  • Maer
  • Arrkhon
  • Limabot

  3 people have voted

  [X] Plan: Let's Not Kidnap a Prominent Figure From Canterlot
  -[x] (Detectives) Follow Up: Dodge City
  -[x] (Constables) Follow Up: Tall Tale
  -[x] (Commissioner) Get your Hoofs Dirty
  -[x] (Director) Lantern
  -[x] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Spoiled Rich & Filthy Rich
  -[x] (Biedde) Channel an Edge Influence
  -[x] (Baldomare) Channel a Lantern Influence
  -[x] (Selene) Soothe the night
  -[x] (Rarity) Focus on her work
  -[x] (Free) Sell Edge 3 artifact
  -[x] Needs must. Ask somepony to procure you a dead body from the local cemetery.
  -[x] (Free) Summon a Risen.
  -[X] There really is no other way. Ask somepony to get you a live prisoner; specifically, a foal peddler/predator. (You have no place to keep live prisoners)
  -[x] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry x 2
  --[x] Target: Easiest Level 7 book to acquire
  --[x] Target: Easiest Level 6 Forge Reagent to acquire
  -[X] Build a prison (Cherenkolt)
  -[x] Edge AotL x 2
  -[x] Cover your Bases x 2

  • Solace2117
  • Talon Tiger Dino
  • Limabot

  2 people have voted

  [X] Plan Prep for Moth and Grail Sacraments while finally getting our SH Sacrament
  -[X] [DETECTIVES] (FOLLOW UP) They have confirmed the presence of changelings in Dodge City. Have them take a closer look, and focus their efforts there. (May not be picked with "Siege Dodge City")
  -[X] [CONSTABLES] (FOLLOW UP) Everypony heard what happened to your previous prisoner. Nopony wants to sit around and wait for what happens next. Time to raid the mountain of Tall Tale.
  -[X] [COMMISSIONER] Spend time with Cadence
  -[X] [DIRECTOR] Lantern
  -[X] [RARITY] Focus on her work. (Guarantees she will "succeed" on her career roll)
  -[X] [MAREINETTE] You need her to talk to Spoiled Rich
  -[X] [AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson x 2
  -[X] [CHERENKOLT] Ask for a Forge lesson
  -[X] [SELENE] Soothe the night.
  -[X] [SELENE] Get the Silver Key from Axe (Knock Sacrament)
  -[X] [BALDOMARE] SH Sacrament
  -[X] Leash Filithy Rich
  -[X] One extra Velvet action! (Costs 2 follower actions)
  -[x] Needs must. Ask somepony to procure you a dead body from the local cemetery.
  -[X] You might need a place to… "store" your enemies. Alive. Dig a small prison under her house.
  -[X] You would like for somepony to search for books…
  --[X] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (HEART, FORGE)
  -[X] Aotl lantern x 2

  • Shaper47
  • Arrkhon

  2 people have voted

  [X] Plan Prep for Moth and Grail Sacraments while finally getting our SH Sacrament and Edge Sacrament
  -[X] [DETECTIVES] (FOLLOW UP) They have confirmed the presence of changelings in Dodge City. Have them take a closer look, and focus their efforts there. (May not be picked with "Siege Dodge City")
  -[X] [CONSTABLES] (FOLLOW UP) Everypony heard what happened to your previous prisoner. Nopony wants to sit around and wait for what happens next. Time to raid the mountain of Tall Tale.
  -[X] [COMMISSIONER] Spend time with Cadence
  -[X] [DIRECTOR] Lantern
  -[X] [RARITY] Focus on her work. (Guarantees she will "succeed" on her career roll)
  -[X] [MAREINETTE] You need her to talk to Spoiled Rich
  -[X] [AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson x 2
  -[X] [SELENE] Soothe the night.
  -[X] [SELENE] Get the Silver Key from Axe (Knock Sacrament)
  -[X] [BALDOMARE] SH Sacrament
  -[X] [BIEDDE] Edge Influence.
  -[X] Leash Filithy Rich
  -[X] One extra Velvet action! (Costs 2 follower actions)
  -[x] Needs must. Ask somepony to procure you a dead body from the local cemetery.
  -[X] You might need a place to… "store" your enemies. Alive. Dig a small prison under her house.
  -[X] Aotl lantern x 2
  -[X] Aotl edge

  • Shaper47
  • Alan975

  1 people have voted

  [X] Plan: Velvet of All Lores
  -[x] (Free) Sell Edge 3 artifact
  -[X] Detectives - Dodge City
  -[X] Constables - Tall Tale Proto-Hive
  -[X] Commissioner - Get our hooves dirty
  -[X] Free Lore Introduction - Lantern
  -[X] [MAREINETTE] Grail Influence
  -[X] [BIEDDE] Edge Influence.
  -[X] [BALDOMARE] Lantern Influence
  -[X] [SELENE] Soothe the night.
  -[X] Assault Opponent: Velvet Hill
  -[X] RotT for Easiest Level 7 book to acquire. At Jade's old house
  -[X] Build a prison
  -[X] Get body. If successful Risen and Edge AotL
  -[X] Cover your bases (-5 Follower AP, +2 Velvet AP )

  • Nevermort

  1 people have voted

  [X] Plan: Commissioner and Commander
  -[x] (Detectives) Follow Up: Dodge City
  -[x] (Constables) Follow Up: Tall Tale
  -[x] (Commissioner) Get your Hoofs Dirty
  -[x] (Director) Lantern
  -[x] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Spoiled Rich & Filthy Rich
  -[x] (Biedde) Channel an Edge Influence
  -[x] (Baldomare) Channel a Lantern Influence
  -[x] (Selene) Soothe the night
  -[X] (Selene) Dreamwalking: Spy on Windy Flakes
  -[x] (Rarity) Focus on her work
  -[X] Assault an Opponent: Velvet Hill
  -[X] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry
  --[x] Target: Easiest Level 7 book to acquire
  --[X] At Jade's old house
  -[X] Build a prison
  -[X] Perform the Attention of the Laws (Edge) (x2)
  -[X] Cover your bases (-2 Follower AP, +1 Velvet AP)

  • Sveta08

  1 people have voted

  [X] Plan: Waste Not Want Not
  -[x] (Detectives) Follow Up: Dodge City
  -[x] (Constables) Follow Up: Tall Tale
  -[x] (Commissioner) Get your Hoofs Dirty
  -[x] (Director) Lantern
  -[x] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Spoiled Rich & Filthy Rich
  -[x] (Biedde) Channel an Edge Influence
  -[x] (Baldomare) Channel a Lantern Influence
  -[x] (Selene) Soothe the night
  -[x] (Rarity) Focus on her work
  -[X] Forge Lesson (Cherenkolt)
  -[X] Spy on Windy's Dreams (Selene)
  -[x] Needs must. Ask somepony to procure you a dead body from the local cemetery.
  -[X] Look for Medium difficulty Expeditions
  -[X] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry
  --[x] Target: Easiest Level 7 book to acquire
  -[X] Edge AotL
  -[X] Cover your Bases (1)

  • Nevermort

 

[ses]

I continue to be divided on the Grail sacrament, but we seems committed so it is what it is. I still want to emphasize what a bad idea going after Velvet Hill is. I get it, people think it's clever and fitting, but Glory's right there and Velvet's slipping. I'm getting Ruined Church vibes in how people are underestimating the consequences. He's a prominent figure in the capital city where we work. Velvet lives on the same estate with her brother. Our Uncle is there. There are so many ways this could blow up in our face both locally and in a grander sense. We don't need more distractions and complications. We need Sacraments and friendly Names. If you don't want some random pony or Spoiled, send a Name to track down a criminal. Victory is in sight, our biggest obstacle is arguably our own hubris.

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This will certainly be easier than Assault Copper was, and we can look at the Assault on Copper for comparison.

[This being an assault, the entirety of the first day has been used for transportation and preliminary planning]

[Rolling enemy detection – results unknown]

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The team gets 5 days of time budget for a short expedition, and Axe will use her best judgement on any choices.

[Due to the nature and competency of your team, you have decided to "multitask", and attempt several preparatory actions at the same time]
[Cut-off party: Selene, Axe, Biedde]

[Preparatory scouting, breakpoints 50/80/100/120]

[Roll: 77 + 50 (Axe, leader) + 30 (Moth total 6) = 157]

[Final threshold reached]

[They have a Winter Name?, breakpoints 100/150]

[Roll: 21 9 + 50 (Baldomare, leader) + 30 (Secret Histories total 6) = 101]

[First threshold reached]
[Context, breakpoints 50/80/100/120]

[Roll: 56 87 + 60 (Mareinette, leader) + 30 (Grail total 6) = 177]

[Last threshold reached]
[You have decided not to make any more preparations, and stage the assault as soon as possible]

[Rolling enemy detection – results unknown]

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This was the rolls for Day 2. By default during an Assault, days 2, 3 and 4 can all be spent on scouting and making various rolls to gain bonuses or unlock choices for the assault.

We don't have a scry like last time, but we also already know the exact location so no hurdles need to be spent on that, same as with the Copper assault skipping those hurdles via scry. And enemy detection is a lot more negligible here than it was with the Gardeners who were already spooked and had Lore knowledge, Axe is perfectly free to spend all 3 scouting days scouting.

If we study the Moth 3 artifact, Axe+Biedde will have the same Moth level total that the Copper team had, with a 60% chance to hit the final threshold on Moth-type scouting and an 80% chance for the 2nd highest. And likely multiple rolls due to being able to scout multiple times instead of attacking early.
Mareinette will easily sail into the final threshold on Grail-type scouting.
Secret Histories-type scouting will not be available, but that doesn't really matter for this assault.

The building is tall, it is sufficiently built to be entirely walled and mostly habitable, and it is located on a well-developed part of the city. And thanks to its nature as a skyscraper-under-construction, it is not at all out of place in that part of the city, and everypony seems to take its presence as part of the scenery.

Furthermore, nobody suspects a thing when they see groups of ponies coming in and out of the place, dragging carts full of boxes. And why would they? After all, the ponies themselves are dressed like construction workers, and the crates are unassuming enough to look like regular building supplies.

The perfect coverup for a cult. The ideal way to hide in plain sight, and to have a warehouse-slash-headquarters in a place that is far more convenient than the outskirts of the city.

However, and much more importantly, there are several ways to get in without drawing attention.

"The guards seemed to know what they were doing, and they all know each other's faces," you say, "I don't think we should do something fancy like trying to smuggle ourselves in through a crate."

The three of you spent the entire day observing that building. Taking turns as you stealthily counted how many ponies went in and out, what methods they used to identify each other, and basically get used to the surrounding streets of that place.

You saw no signs of Copper Secateur herself. Although you can't be entirely sure, since you only know what her cutie mark looks like. But still, and more importantly, you all confirmed that everypony in that building seemed to know each other's faces. So, you would either have to prepare a very convincing lie, or you would have to enter that place entirely unnoticed.

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Here's the results for a successful Moth scout roll. This is... extremely professional and goes over not only what the defenses are, but allows the team to consider what approaches they might use in the assault itself and gain knowledge about how workable those approaches are. They specifically consider various ways of attacking and make informed decisions on if it's viable or not viable based on the information gained.

And since this is much less time-constrained, they can roll scouting and preparation attempts for 3 days, with both Moth and Grail attempts rolled on each day due to team-splitting.

Like... this is clearly something the Names can handle. This is SO much easier than a building full of cultists who know they're at war, and they'll have triple the time spent scouting, which easily outcompetes the Jade scry.

[Evidence coverup: Selene]

[Roll: 64 + 20 (Selene) + 30 (Selene: no holds barred) + 15 (Selene's Edge, level 3) + 30 (Expedition's Moth total 6) = 159]

[The CD to investigate the aftermath of this assault has been set to "159"]

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And Biedde can clean up evidence very thoroughly. Even if there's a giant penalty for "dont hurt anyone but Hill", the expedition Moth total plus Biedde's combat score setting the CD to investigate is absolutely beyond any mortal local constabulary. Even if he's looking at a -30 penalty for non-lethal that's still a +80 on a contested roll against non-adept mortals.


In conclusion:

You won't get any particular bonuses. But then again, an expedition prepares for and fares just fine against "the complete unknown". And this won't be treated any differently.

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[Greymere]

I don't think it balances out. It's one manuscript, and one lore introduced.

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Yes. Which is twice as fast as our passive introduction rate! That single manuscript could be the difference between having a functional cadre and Bureau capable of performing rituals and us still not having any functional ritual infrastructure by the end of next turn, seeing as our 'cult' development within the Bureau directly relates to how many Lores have been introduced.

1/4th of a progress bar vs. 1/8th isn't exactly an insignificant difference. Particularly since people are still dragging their feet on acquiring (or building) a three-circle site on our own. And particularly since we have no other way of speeding up Bureau development besides our Commissioner action.

 

[Shaper47]

If we study the Moth 3 artifact, Axe+Biedde will have the same Moth level total that the Copper team had, with a 60% chance to hit the final threshold on Moth-type scouting and an 80% chance for the 2nd highest. And likely multiple rolls due to being able to scout multiple times instead of attacking early.

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Artifacts are not available the turn they are being studied.

 

[Arrkhon]

Now I think about it what are the chances that once we introduce Forge to our cult we will be able to make them produce batteries for our lapdog?

 

[Greymere]

Now I think about it what are the chances that once we introduce Forge to our cult we will be able to make them produce batteries for our lapdog?

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Maybe if we get the Bureau to Forge 3. That's when infrastructure bonuses are supposed to kick in after all.

 

[Solace2117]

r

This will certainly be easier than Assault Copper was, and we can look at the Assault on Copper for comparison.

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So, how many people are we sending. Just cause they can doesn't mean some evidence won't be left behind. It's still a risk that isn't needed. Even if it doesn't, Copper was a gang leader in a crime ridden city stationed in an "abandoned" building. If we weren't having the Bureau raid them no one would have cared. Velvet Hill is a noble in the middle of the capital. Even if he is "secretly" a criminal this will be noticed.
Even if it is not tied directly to Velvet I doubt it is something she's be able to directly sweep under the rug. It's complications we don't need right now.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

I am unswayed. I crave more scenes akin to Velvet curbstomping a Windigo, and a manuscript does not provide that.

 

[Shaper47]

I crave for more scenes with Caddy.

While her husband is away Velvet can prevent her from feeling lonely in her cold room.

 

[Cochimetl]

So, for the people who want to kill Hill, have you thought this through? Because Hill is the owner of a Royal Writ with associated priviliges, including the stuff financing Velvet's estate.
A Writ which is no longer inheritable. It will be lost upon Hill's death.

@OurLadyOfWires, what would happen if Velvet Hill were to die? In the sense of 'what does Velvet know or think would happen'?

 

[ses]

So, for the people who want to kill Hill, have you thought this through? Because Hill is the owner of a Royal Writ with associated priviliges, including the stuff financing Velvet's estate.
A Writ which is no longer inheritable. It will be lost upon Hill's death.

@OurLadyOfWires, what would happen if Velvet Hill were to die? In the sense of 'what does Velvet know or think would happen'?

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The farmlands are a business investment by the Velvet family. They own them and gain income from them for ordinary property owner reasons. The Royal Writ doesn't play into it other than the fact that the velvets had startup capital to invest. It doesn't rely on any sort of state-granted monopoly that would die with the writ. The noble families get to keep their money and investments, they just lose state-granted privileges and have to operate as ordinary businessmen.

 

[Nevermort]

Also Velvet Hill would be disappeared, not officially dead. It may take months of investigation until any conclusion reached, which is multiple turns.

 

[Shaper47]

So, for the people who want to kill Hill, have you thought this through? Because Hill is the owner of a Royal Writ with associated priviliges, including the stuff financing Velvet's estate.
A Writ which is no longer inheritable. It will be lost upon Hill's death.

@OurLadyOfWires, what would happen if Velvet Hill were to die? In the sense of 'what does Velvet know or think would happen'?

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That's a very good point.

The Velvet's legal monopoly via royal privilege would be lost with Hills death.

 

[Nevermort]

That's a very good point.

The Velvet's legal monopoly via royal privilege would be lost with Hills death.

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Excuse me, what monopoly?

No, seriously. Only one I could think off is organized crime monopoly, but while prominent in the criminal underworld I doubt Uncle actually achieved it and it certainly not covered by Royal Writ.