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

[Shaper47]

Actually wait a minute here.

-You will learn how to summon Smiles, and will be permitted to do so. Summoning Smiles, keeping Biedde summoned, or even having both summoned at the same time will not be considered as "joining" either of their sides in their conflict.

Click to shrink...

-Smiles is capable of CHANNELING the highest intensity of Edge influence, and gifting it to you for a full month.

Click to shrink...

...

It's possible to have multiple Name influences.

So if we have an Edge Influence from Biedde and an Edge Influence from Smiles we could have Velvet or Selene have a plus 80 combat bonus from Edge influences.

Surely absolutely nothing could go wrong from doing such a thing.

 

[Sk1lz3r]

Actually wait a minute here.





...

It's possible to have multiple Name influences.

So if we have an Edge Influence from Biedde and an Edge Influence from Smiles we could have Velvet or Selene have a plus 80 combat bonus from Edge influences.

Surely absolutely nothing could go wrong from doing such a thing.

Click to shrink...

Not sure if it works like that. Would be fun if it did.

And it would mean we don't take the Colonel Sacrament. Because we shouldn't and we won't.

Just to make it clear: Cowards way out to seek for a Worthy Opponent, or take the Smiles Sacrament are our only options here.

You Do NOT Enslave Yourself to the SLAVE GOD

 

[Greymere]

Crossing my fingers and praying to the Vagabond that the scried reagent expedition ends up being short, because that would be so convenient with Smiles's trait.

 

[Rafuki22]

[X] Plan: Compromising more than only a little

[X] Plan: Don't Bother With the Small Stuff

 

[Shaper47]

If it were just Velvet I could see going for Smiles Sacrament.

Monster creation is cool as bro.

But we have to think about more then just Velvet here, we have to consider her family.

Biedde protects her family and that's something I think people are forgetting here.

It could be going to the Colonel to ensure our family is protected, or scrying a worthy foe or just visiting the Wolf. But Velvet's top priority should be her family.

Maybe if I could trust the thread to say put Selene on guard instead of that Night waste marlaky it might be possible.

However currently going for Smiles Sacrament at this time is a gamble with our families safety on the line.

A gamble that all those with reasons to kill Velvet of which there are many won't assault us.

 

[DelightedOne]

Maybe if I could trust the thread to say put Selene on guard instead of that Night waste marlaky it might be possible.

Click to shrink...

Remember we both agreed to not call anything about Soothing the Night before seeing this turn results?

And there is no reason to not have Selene guard us if we need her to. And we also don't know if Smiles will do that if Befriended.

 

[spiderhellian]

Holy lord. What an update. Might be one of my favourites of the entire quest.

I was not expecting that to be the next update. And as soon as I saw the 49 overflow, I was filled with dread. Visions of those simulations Ses did running through my mind…

I can't believe we did it. God, Velvet, you're a badass.

And what. A. Consequence!!!!!

The last Name! The last Name!!! Hello Smiles, it's a pity you're not a lion, but it is so nice to meet you.

And you present a very, very, tempting offer…

 

[Flaregamer82253]

Been quite a while since I've been around, but I wanted to chime in with my own thoughts on our ongoing votes.

So the changeling hive! Velvet coming in to dropkick the changeling leader's head off was hilarious, but holy hell is Velvet scary when she wants to be. The assault honestly couldn't have gone better as far as I'm concerned.

As for our rewards, there are some interesting caveats that we have going on here. The prisoner is something that I personally think is just unaffordable going into next turn. Mareinette is going to ask us for our three turn payment at the end of this turn and I don't think we'll ever get a better chance than this to Moth/Grail sacrament with Spoiled Rich than we will at the end of this turn. I know we've had a lot of back and forth on the topic, but all the pieces are lined up and ready for so many benefits and it would be agonizing to miss out on it because we don't have a leash available. And even if we go through with separating the two sacraments, we still need the Leash regardless. The price for the prisoner is just too much to afford at this time.

The map is something I could see us going for personally if people wanted to. We do have 1 remaining book study left in the turn and we do have the influence ready for it. We have been talking about looking for higher level expeditions recently and this one seems to be falling into our lap. It may be worth more to let this go to the bureau and trying to swipe the expedition out from under their nose after we've researched it though.

The Changeling Thing is a wildcard here. This may have longer term consequences, but it may also inform us of something for an expedition to the real hive later on too. I also see which way the tables are moving on the matter.

And nobody wants the money! More bits for the expedition machine, or MORE importantly, befriending Cherenkolt is absolutely preferred than not taking anything! We need bits badly people!

[X] Plan: Small or Big and Nothing Between
-[X] (MAP) Let the Bureau have it.
-[X] (PRISONER) Leave him.
-[X] (LOOT) I will steal from the poor, innocent pony prisoners.
-[X] (THING) Capture it.

[X] Plan: Don't Bother With the Small Stuff
-[X] (MAP) Let the Bureau have it.
-[X] (PRISONER) Leave him.
-[X] (LOOT) I will do the right thing, and not steal.
-[X] (THING) Capture it.


My thoughts on the duel with Biedde and the choices we can make will follow later. As the "Biedde guy" I have a lot of thoughts on the matter...

As always, good to see you all again!

 

[spiderhellian]

Take the map — we have a study action left over to make a serious dent, and it's not very hard.

Take the prisoner — it's a good use of the Leash.

Kill the Thing — any benefits of having it alive are not worth the headache with Eclipse.

And heavens, the bits? Really?

[X] Plan The Right Path Forward
-[X] (THING) Kill it.
-[X] (LOOT) I will do the right thing, and not steal.
-[X] (PRISONER) Take him.
-[X] (MAP) Take it for yourself.

[X] Plan The Rich Path Forward
-[X] (THING) Kill it.
-[X] (LOOT) I will steal from the poor, innocent pony prisoners.
-[X] (PRISONER) Take him.
-[X] (MAP) Take it for yourself.

 

[ses]

BIRD! Are there any Invitation sacraments that don't have huge wide-reaching implications regarding Name disposition?!

Anyway, the Party-In-Splendor choice is clearly Smiles. She has a whole song about it and everything! And Steppes could really use cheering up. It's unclear what we can do to rescue Steppes but Smiles does seem like a good probability path to Uncle Steppes back at the Velvet Estate as a real confidante.

And heavens, the bits? Really?

Click to shrink...

I told everyone we should have done a home invasion of our father's estate to steal stuff. Now we're stuck abusing civil asset forfeiture to steal from crime victims. That's so much worse than reverse crime of the sky.

 

[Shaper47]

Remember we both agreed to not call anything about Soothing the Night before seeing this turn results?

Click to shrink...

Right yeah, sorry about that.

Just frustrated you know.

And we also don't know if Smiles will do that if Befriended.

Click to shrink...

We have his full character sheet. He gets free assaults while Biedde gets free guarding.

and I don't think we'll ever get a better chance than this to Moth/Grail sacrament with Spoiled Rich than we will at the end of this turn.

Click to shrink...

We've already ordered a prisoner to eat this turn.

-[X] Acquire a prisoner, preferably not an innocent civilian
-[X] Build a prison

Click to shrink...

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Well, I have a friend I call Smiles IRL, so I simply must make it possible to bring this guy forth into the Wake.

I want to take the Coward's Way Out just to see Biedde and Smiles take turns trying to win over Silky in increasingly over-the-top ways.

 

[spiderhellian]

Can someone do the math to check how tough Summoning Smiles is? And what the best path for it would be?

Honestly, something just… offends me about the choice these two old stallions have to offer. Being drawn into the old corrivality, which feels so farcical at this point.

I am sorry, we are how many steps away from the Glory? How many steps from knocking over the game board, or perhaps the whole table?

And you two are just so parochial, so literally caught in the past, that all you can think of is tying us to your faction?

Wake up, Edge-drunk fools, the world is changing!

At least the Lionsmith is a better bet, if we have to make one, for that. Importantly, Smiles' offer does not tie us to the Lionsmith.

 

[Shaper47]

Can someone do the math to check how tough Summoning Smiles is? And what the best path for it would be?

Click to shrink...

Let's check;

Summoning requirements: EDGE 100, KNOCK 80, HEART 60.

Click to shrink...

Ugh heart lore requirement.

50 (Edge 5) + 13 (magic) = 63

100 - 63 = 37 Edge dc (has a reroll) no reroll

50 (Knock 5) + 13 (magic) = 63

80 - 63 = 17 Knock dc (has a reroll)

30 (Heart 3) + 13 (magic) = 33

60 - 33 = 27 Heart dc

Probably going to want a 2 heart/Edge reagent and a wrong key.

So, 17 Edge dc (with reroll), auto Knock, 7 Heart dc.

 

[Greymere]

Can someone do the math to check how tough Summoning Smiles is? And what the best path for it would be?

Honestly, something just… offends me about the choice these two old stallions have to offer. Being drawn into the old corrivality, which feels so farcical at this point.

I am sorry, we are how many steps away from the Glory? How many steps from knocking over the game board, or perhaps the whole table?

And you two are just so parochial, so literally caught in the past, that all you can think of is tying us to your faction?

Wake up, Edge-drunk fools, the world is changing!

At least the Lionsmith is a better bet, if we have to make one, for that. Importantly, Smiles' offer does not tie us to the Lionsmith.

Click to shrink...

Allow me to offer up a very simple, yet compelling reason as to why we should only pick one, and why that one should be Smiles.

*clears throat*

BITS

 

[ses]

Can someone do the math to check how tough Summoning Smiles is? And what the best path for it would be?

Honestly, something just… offends me about the choice these two old stallions have to offer. Being drawn into the old corrivality, which feels so farcical at this point.

I am sorry, we are how many steps away from the Glory? How many steps from knocking over the game board, or perhaps the whole table?

And you two are just so parochial, so literally caught in the past, that all you can think of is tying us to your faction?

Wake up, Edge-drunk fools, the world is changing!

At least the Lionsmith is a better bet, if we have to make one, for that.

Click to shrink...

Assuming we don't achieve Edge sacrament via Wolf or Worthy Opponent, and that we dont reach level 4 Heart:

No reagents spent, relevant rerolls available:
2.56% chance of failing Knock
16% chance of failing Heart
46% chance of failing Edge
44% chance of success overall.

If we sac an expiring Torn Risen and create a single Edge 2/Heart 1 reagent for 35 bits:
2.56% failure chance (Knock)
6% failure(Heart)
6% failure(Edge)
86.1% success rate on the cheap-out option.

If we level Heart to 4 our failure chance on Heart craters to 0.49%, allowing us to summon Smiles with 95.9% accuracy with a Torn Risen and Edge 3 Reagent.

 

[Arrkhon]

Of note is that we get to summon him for free the first time

 

[DelightedOne]

17 Edge dc (with reroll)

Click to shrink...

We unfortunately do not have Edge reroll for these matters.

-Level 4: Decisiveness is crucial. Even the sharpest blade will only cut as deep as you push it into a body, and a blade that is pulled backwards only risks cutting yourself. Once you make a commitment, the only direction you can go is forward. (Further +5 to Personal Combat. Roll twice on your first of every six combat dice, during combat.)

Click to shrink...

 

[ses]

We unfortunately do not have Edge reroll for these matters.

Click to shrink...

We also wouldn't have Edge 5 if we were in a position to be casting Smile's summoning ritual, as that implies we took the Coward's Path.

 

[Shaper47]

We also wouldn't have Edge 5 if we were in a position to be casting Smile's summoning ritual, as that implies we took the Coward's Path.

Click to shrink...

Egh, Wolf is right there for a quick and easy Edge 5.

So it should be possible.

 

[spiderhellian]

Assuming we don't achieve Edge sacrament via Wolf or Worthy Opponent, and that we dont reach level 4 Heart:

No reagents spent, relevant rerolls available:
2.89% chance of failing Knock
17% chance of failing Heart
47% chance of failing Edge
42.7% chance of success overall.

If we sac an expiring Torn Risen and create a single Edge 2/Heart 1 reagent for 35 bits:
2.89% failure chance (Knock)
7% failure(Heart)
7% failure(Edge)
84% success rate on the cheap-out option.

If we level Heart to 4 our failure chance on Heart craters to 0.49%, allowing us to summon Smiles with 95.6% accuracy with a Torn Risen and Edge 3 Reagent.

Click to shrink...

Thanks. Heart 4 makes it straightforward, but that's also quite far away, 16% failure is… not that bad. And if we spend 50 bits or so (for a Level 4 reagent), we get it down to 9%, which is as good as it gets.

Now where oh where can we find 50 bits or so on a turn like this

 

[Limabot]

Also, one interesting more minor thing about this update is that it confirms that most of the remaining Names are only so because they still have their Patron Hours around.

Thus, that means that the Horned Axe, the Watchman (Watchpony), the Edge Hours, the Elegaist, and possibly the Red Grail, are all still alive somewhere in the Mansus.

 

[Shaper47]

Also, one interesting more minor thing about this update is that it confirms that most of the remaining Names are only so because they still have their Patron Hours around.

Thus, that means that the Horned Axe, the Watchman (Watchpony), the Edge Hours, the Elegaist, and possibly the Red Grail, are all still alive somewhere in the Mansus.

Click to shrink...

Egh, I doubt that.

The Grail is dry so she's almost certainly dead.

Teresa is flat out dying, so the Watchpony is probably dead.

I'm pretty sure things with Axe would be very different if the Horned Axe was around so she's also dead.

As for the Elegaist, well, he is the power which prevents the world from forgetting the lost Hours. However the world has been forgetting the Hours that were lost, forgetting the lores. So he's probably super dead.

 

[spiderhellian]

Also, one interesting more minor thing about this update is that it confirms that most of the remaining Names are only so because they still have their Patron Hours around.

Click to shrink...

Where did you get this from?

 

[Limabot]

Where did you get this from?

Click to shrink...

I was taking it from this line.

Yes, you are sure of it.

Biedde's master is in this place. An Hour, for only an Hour could keep a Name within its grip, still stalks this corridors.

And at this very moment it is still stalking its prey. This soldier of soldiers, this killer of killers, is still here, and the battle that so damaged these halls is still ongoing.

Click to shrink...

 

[spiderhellian]

I was taking it from this line.

Click to shrink...

Hmm, I that Biedde is the only Name who has really been described as being in anyone else's grip ("And he will not release him"). DoA, Baldomare, Mareinette… that is not the case. I don't think I'd be confident inferring their Hours have stuck around.

 

[Wise Wolf]

Well, let's consult our GRINDSET on this decision.

SIGMA RULE 5: KILL ANYONE WHO GETS IN THE WAY OF THE GRINDSET. THIS IS THE FINAL AND MOST CRITICAL SIGMA RULE. ON YOUR JOURNEY OF SELF-IMPROVEMENT, YOU MAY FIND LIMITS TO HOW STRONG OR INTELLIGENT YOU CAN BECOME, BUT THERE ARE NO LIMITS TO VIOLENCE.

Click to shrink...

Technically, Biedde has been standing in the way of this maze for a long time, so I think the SIGMA move here is to team up with Smiles to kill him. Smiles probably counts as a spirit under the GRINDSET, so it even matches the methodology recommendation.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Alright!

First of all, thank you so much for your patience. This was all written in a bit of a short notice, so I appreciate your understanding with the small things that piled up.

Also, I must say that it was really hard not to cram more Smiles into his update. This may very well be the last time he is ever seen, but I created him with as much nuance as DoA or Cherenkolt. So, thank you for spending some time with it. And in case he is forgotten, I apologize for not being able to give him more characterization. We only had this short, introductory, "I am actually more worried about the Colonel but nice to meet you" update to work with.

Now, one thing at a time.


List of stuff I did:
-Updated Bureau page with Winter teachings.
-Updated Biedde-duel with a "ses Disclaimer"
-Velvet's health set to "2/3" in character sheet
-That seems to be it

mh... I kinda wonder... @OurLadyOfWires if we had somehow achieved Velvet's Grail Sacrament before meeting Mareinette, would friendship with her have become impossible? Or would we have needed to do the dinner with no other benefit from it?

Click to shrink...

(I don't remember answering this)
Answer: Try and find out.

@OurLadyOfWires What would happen if we eventually took the Leash off him..? Even for a "quick-leash-Spoiled-and-Moth-sac-her" moment? Is that a "You don't know"?

Click to shrink...

That could change too much depending on the minion-creating options for me to answer. It also involves a bit of "looking into the future" for something I don't feel would be fun to reveal like that.

Man, it is... tough, to read back on this (Post #188 ). And the contrast to the absolute menace Velvet was in this assault.

We can blame it on the Influence -- and in part we should, and in part that's a reminder of how harsh those influences bind. But it does also reflect the steps she has walked since, the level of Edge that has suffused her role as Director of the Lunar Bureau, and how much more sin and sorrow she has allowed stain her hooves since those days not so long ago.

Click to shrink...

"Status Quo Enjoyer" Biedde, with a Mandate from the Princesses to hate all changelings, can be quite the influence eh?

And agreed. The same Velvet that did those things is the Velvet that did these things. I legitimately kept that in mind while writing.

@OurLadyOfWires are the Lantern and SH rolls to detect changelings and find infiltrators the same as what the Bureau would have rolled if Velvet hadn't spent an AP on joining the Assault? Because those three extra thresholds of success Velvet brought via Splendor and Lantern 4 means that "assaulting Tall Tale" would have caused huge backlash/consequences for only reaching the first threshold in the counterfactual where we sent just the Bureau. Just want to know if that's the sort of tests we can expect more or less when doing constable actions like this.

Click to shrink...

Yes and no.

Bureau would have rolled Lantern and SH to recognize and search for changelings. But the circumstances would have been different if Velvet had not been there. For example, Velvet used her authority as Commissioner to lock down Tall Tale (to facilitate the doppleganger-searching, after finding pony prisoners). So the narrative of it would have changed.
But yet, Bureau would have rolled SH and Lantern, and low rolls/consequences would have been brought to your attention as Commissioner to make decisions on, if needed.

I say this knowing very very very keenly how I got folded in half in humiliation last time I tried to "um, akshually" you, but shouldn't Velvet have +90 combat when using AotL due to +1 Martial?

Click to shrink...

Oh.

...

No, you are completely correct!

GOD, that makes it less dramatic. But "you are technically correct, which is the best kind of correct." So thank you for pointing it out! And please, never think you are "um, akshually"-ing me. If I give you a snarky response, it's because I feel you are chill enough to take it with the spirit of humor I write it with

@OurLadyOfWires Can we have a forth option where Velvet immediately commits to getting her Edge Sacrament from the Wolf-Divided?

Click to shrink...

No.

Wolf-votes are like launching a nuke. I'd rather it be voted on when everyone is aware of it, and with big flashy lights pointed at it, with due notice.

And you can offer that at any time during turn plan voting. So, not here.

Is this something that even needed to be said?

Click to shrink...

You make a good point that "this should be obvious".

But I also stated several times (and it is the point of a CS quest) that "nothing is off-limits to win". Especially when an immoral action (mortal or eldritch) is presented and seriously considered.

So, I think it is fair (and even required) for me to be very clear that "this particular action goes against the anything for victory notion because it has the potential to impact your victory as you understand it."

I will not go into details of "by how much?" But this much of a warning feels more than sensible in my opinion.

How does accessing the Mansus work if this option is chosen? Don't we need to pass by the Museum in order to reach the Summit? Isn't Biedde extremely capable of killing us in the Mansus?

Click to shrink...

Biedde's guard post is actually a "detour" (a side zone) connected to the Concursum. You can safely go up and down from Glory while not coming anywhere near it.

So, if Biedde is turned into an enemy, you will just very carefully never pick the path that leads there ever again.

@OurLadyOfWires As I understand it, if Smiles gets summoned for free he will have a standard 3 turn summoning, correct? And will only start asking for follower actions at the END of turn 25? Where it'll.... be a pattern of 1 follower action on turn 26, 2 follower actions turn 27, 3 on turn 28? And so on until we can no longer pay?

Click to shrink...

Yes, that sounds entirely correct.

Does "Capture Steppes alive and... unspoiled... and bring him to me" count as an Assault if we say it in our best Dark Lord voice?

Click to shrink...

It technically should, but right now Steppes is off the game board and unreachable for your purposes.

The last Name! The last Name!!! Hello Smiles, it's a pity you're not a lion, but it is so nice to meet you.

Click to shrink...

About that, he kind of sort of is!

There was no way to put something that casual in an update like that. Not without losing focus. But other than his (quite literally) sabertooth fangs, he has other feline traits.

His tail, for starters, is definitely feline (but you couldn't see it on the account of the "am blocking door" thing). But more on that if/when he ever gets to the Wake, the poor sod.

BIRD! Are there any Invitation sacraments that don't have huge wide-reaching implications regarding Name disposition?!

Click to shrink...

Biedde and Smiles take turns trying to win over Silky in increasingly over-the-top ways.

Click to shrink...

This is actually on my books as well, if circumstances allow.



And that seems to be it! Now, I will go afk for the rest of the day. Kindly ping me if you need anything later on (I commented on some un-pinged comments here, but that's not what I usually do), and let me know if the updates need any more corrections.

I hope you are all doing well, and have a nice christmas eve!

Voting for both updates is still ongoing.

 

[Greymere]

There was no way to put something that casual in an update like that. Not without losing focus. But other than his (quite literally) sabertooth fangs, he has other feline traits.

His tail, for starters, is definitely feline (but you couldn't see it on the account of the "am blocking door" thing). But more on that if/when he ever gets to the Wake, the poor sod.

Click to shrink...

...so what you're saying is, is that Smiles is a simhata?

 

[DelightedOne]

Answer: Try and find out.

Click to shrink...

Now I want to try it.