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

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Oh, the other reason for prison cells would be if we found out about the Wolf Cult and wanted a place to stick the loonies and try to figure out if you can break the Wolf's hold on someone.

(I also do wonder what a Rarity-built prison would look like. She is our best pony for the job what with being a Forge-Pony, but this is wildly outside her usual wheelhouse.)

 

[DelightedOne]

So why spend actions on trying to make a mediocre base 'better' (in the loosest terms possible, because I still don't see the actual use of having a personal prison atm) instead of finding a better base?

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Because we don't have the action that says we can do that, so I'm assuming we need to finish fixing up Jade's touse to be more lore-friendly to unlock the better options.

In CS terms, go from Temporary Headquarters to Advanced Headquarters.

The Wildhoof Club also needed a better meeting place early in the story, remember? I think people were freaked out when they discovered Windy asked Comet to kill a guy to get the new place.

So it seems like that is how Cult building/development works.

If we wanted to really focus on expanding a cult in Ponyville we should have voted to keep the attack secret.

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Why would that matter? If you are worried about the Constables that will guard us noticing something suspicious Velvet is immune to them noticing anything she does, but it is true that anything weird that doesn't come from us will be noticed.

 

[Greymere]

Because we don't have the action that says we can do that, so I'm assuming we need to finish fixing up Jade's touse to be more lore-friendly to unlock the better options.

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Step 1: Perform the RotT for a suitable location
Step 2: Clear out whatever gribblies inevitably took up residence via Name to the face
Step 3: Profit

We have a ritual that's all about finding stuff. And even if we didn't, its not like Bird doesn't accept write-in actions. See: what we asked Baldomare for to get the temp locations.

 

[DelightedOne]

Step 1: Perform the RotT for a suitable location
Step 2: Clear out whatever gribblies inevitably took up residence via Name to the face
Step 3: Profit

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So 3 actions at best, instead of the 2 we need to get to the next step of "furthering our interests" in Ponyville? Sounds like a bad deal.

The idea is good in theory but it feels less like a creative solution and more of a rejection of a path we have a clear view of to get treasure in uncharted lands, possibly rewarding but extremely risky.

Meh, we should drop it for now, pick it up next turn if we still have any interest.

 

[Nevermort]

Step 1: Perform the RotT for a suitable location
Step 2: Clear out whatever gribblies inevitably took up residence via Name to the face
Step 3: Profit

We have a ritual that's all about finding stuff. And even if we didn't, its not like Bird doesn't accept write-in actions. See: what we asked Baldomare for to get the temp locations.

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If we had place for 3 circle rituals in Ponyville Baldomare would have found it. It makes me think that we would need to make one. Either expanding underground space by digging even more, or making portal elsewhere

 

[Venerable Ro]

I personally would much rather put the time into developing our relationship with our Bureau, we've made significant gains already if their reactions to our near-death are anything to go by, why muck about with entry level stuff when we can develop our cult of personality in the organization that would be responsible for uncovering said entry-level stuff?

It's like the Detective legacy except the hunters already work for us and we can send them at our rivals without even having to make up a reason.

 

[Greymere]

So 3 actions at best, instead of the 2 we need to get to the next step of "furthering our interests" in Ponyville? Sounds like a bad deal.

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3 AP for somewhere that can actually host three circle summoning rituals and that the entirety of our faction can actually use sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

(Edit: Especially since even if your make Jade's house more Lore friendly -> more options hypothesis is true, that would still mean we spent at least 3 AP working on a building that Jade still can't use.)

If we had place for 3 circle rituals in Ponyville Baldomare would have found it. It makes me think that we would need to make one. Either expanding underground space by digging even more, or making portal elsewhere

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So I mentioned this before, and I'll say it again. That's not actually what we asked Baldomare for. We specifically asked her for somewhere that we could be used immediately at the start of the very next turn. Meaning anything that would have required any amount of extra effort at all to acquire, whether that be an expedition or something as simple as talking to someone, wouldn't even have been on the list of possibilities.

 

[spiderhellian]

…The Glory is RIGHT. THERE.

I get the appeal of better infrastructure and everything. But I don't think we're at the stage of the game where we're making long term investments that pay out over many many turns to come.

We've done that! Made those investments! Had some fail, and many pay off. And now victory is but a handful of steps away, and we should focus on it.

 

[DelightedOne]

I personally would much rather put the time into developing our relationship with our Bureau, we've made significant gains already if their reactions to our near-death are anything to go by, why muck about with entry level stuff when we can develop our cult of personality in the organization that would be responsible for uncovering said entry-level stuff?

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Who said we can't do both, they are two separate types of actions after all. Increasing the loyalty of the Bureau does not interfere in preparing Jade's house and vice versa, besides it is always useful to have a base in the town we live in.

And if we get Applejack as a Close Friend then Leash her she can do that in 2 turns.

 

[Solace2117]

Why would that matter? If you are worried about the Constables that will guard us noticing something suspicious Velvet is immune to them noticing anything she does, but it is true that anything weird that doesn't come from us will be noticed.

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Because it splits our focus onto something else since we won't be able to use our followers to do more set up. Because we'll need to focus on the Bureau and while our personal AP probably won't be used for that I won't be surprised if actions involving Cadence which will help with Shining Armor will. Because the larger it gets, the harder it will be to keep under wraps and we can't afford the suspicion considering what happened.

 

[Pittauro]

That is our first base, of course it is going to suck. Both in CS and this Quest we start with a mediocre Cult base then build it up/change location.

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and I'm going to point out that in CS the main way to get another cult base is to complete an expedition and use the cleaned out location for it.

And we have one such location in Canterlot, if we get around completing part 3.

YES, I don't have proof, it's a guess. but it's a reasonable guess!

She wants it so she can be freed, and can leave the Mansus. So what if Ax wants to keep it on her person, when she moved her real body into Velvet's house.

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if she keeps it, we don't have it. Thatìs the point.

IF she keeps it I doubt we can just ask her to lend it to us every turn, or what's the point? There would have to be a cost.

Otherwise it's just a minor narrative distinction

 

[Rafuki22]

And if we get Applejack as a Close Friend then Leash her she can do that in 2 turns.

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I would prefer to use Filthy Rich, but it would fitting for Velvet to remove her mask for the Element of Honesty.

 

[Greymere]

YES, I don't have proof, it's a guess. but it's a reasonable guess!

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You said that last time too.

If you want an expedition that rewards a three-circle site, then just scry an expedition that has a three circle site and be done with it.

Edit: Or send Baldomare to look for one. She's a SH Name, she should be able to find, say, a bigass castle in the Everfree.

 

[DelightedOne]

I would prefer to use Filthy Rich, but it would fitting for Velvet to remove her mask for the Element of Honesty.

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Nononononononononononononono... no, no, no, no, no, no, no... no, just no.

I meant by using her Confidante actions to do the house actions, not the Moth Sacrament. Lets leave the Elements not broken please, Twilight is enough trouble already.

 

[Venerable Ro]

Huh. I didn't know that being the first to post a plan made it count as a vote. Thought it would need Xs. My apologies.

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No worries man, you're good. I do appreciate the compromise, even if everyone went for other options.

for the record, I'm all for Baldomare Lantern (simple and easy really, just give her two Mares we summon just for that! They can even do their normal actions before the expedition!), and I'm slightly more willing to do Mareinette Grail than Personal Grail but still hate them both.

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Baldomare Lantern seems like the clearly superior option in my mind, especially since Luna will be able to summon more Mares almost effortlessly, heck with two actions per turn we could be accumulating another summon every turn.

Man we really need to check through the local expeditions until we find a proper ritual site, that would be wild.

Who said we can't do both, they are two separate types of actions after all. Increasing the loyalty of the Bureau does not interfere in preparing Jade's house and vice versa, besides it is always useful to have a base in the town we live in.

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But what would we do with it? We can't put a ritual circle there, I seriously doubt the practicality of prisoners despite some quester's optimism, and we frankly don't have the administrative capacity to manage an entire other Cult. The Master recruited six different ponies to handle the top-level functions of their Cult, we have two minions, a bunch of Names, and nopony at all that we'd want to commit to wrangling an eldritch bag of cats instead of standard follower actions.

Nononononononononononononono... no, no, no, no, no, no, no... no, just no.

I meant by using her Confidante actions to do the house actions, not the Moth Sacrament. Lets leave the Elements not broken please, Twilight is enough trouble already.

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See, I wanted Mareinette to go find some sort of lunatic, like those idiots that protest funerals or whatever, someone genuinely horrible who's already made their life miserable through consistently poor life choices.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Alas, the people want Mareinette to social a married couple instead, in the hopes of mask-offing the wife. Which I personally think will drive a massive wedge right back into said marriage, but I also think people might consider that a pleasant bonus. Spoiled is quite detested, after all.

 

[Zxzx24]

The Bureau is well on their way to being personally loyal to only us.

Why the hell would we mess with that?

 

[Shaper47]

Later we can make portal in the basement that leads to the main facilities. Our cult base had something like this leading to Woods. We would just need to see if Knock sacrament will be of use or ask Axe to help.

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There's a project for that.

See, I wanted Mareinette to go find some sort of lunatic, like those idiots that protest funerals or whatever, someone genuinely horrible who's already made their life miserable through consistently poor life choices.

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Potential Trigger Warning

Spoiler: May trigger people

Huh, I was thinking some pony who collects "merchandise" for depraved nobles of certain... "tastes". The type of "merchandise" Mareinette thirsts for. With the implication being that he "samples" his "merchandise" that he collects. Mareinette would befriend them while their getting ready a special commission. A close visual copy with some silver hair dye of a certain mare, an imitation for nobles to work their "frustration" on as they can't touch the real deal.

Because I wouldn't shead a single tear for breaking that kind of pony's mind before eating them.

Comet's background got me thinking of its bad implications.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

The Bureau is well on their way to being personally loyal to only us.

Why the hell would we mess with that?

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Who is advocating for messing with that?

 

[Sveta08]

Alas, the people want Mareinette to social a married couple instead, in the hopes of mask-offing the wife. Which I personally think will drive a massive wedge right back into said marriage, but I also think people might consider that a pleasant bonus. Spoiled is quite detested, after all.

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Mhmm.



Poor Tiara

 

[Venerable Ro]

Who is advocating for messing with that?

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People who want to dig an oubliette in Jade's basement and use it to imprison a Grail-adept along with an unknown number of other cultists; because prisoners try to escape, and even when they don't you assume responsibility for their care if you're trying to take a moral stance. So that's food, water, waste, hygiene, maintenance of the cell, constant guard shifts on the prisoners, arrangements for medical care, disposal of bodies if someone dies, it's a whole thing.

That's funds, someone's AP, suspicious activity in a theoretically abandoned house, and a definite "Trigger Event" to use Bird's terminology if someone gets loose or the place is found.

Frankly, I would argue that the moral thing to do (if that's the debate we're currently having) would be to kill Copper specifically after, as I've said, interrogating her for everything we need to know. Then our coterie leaves, Copper's cult is left in chaos, and the Lunar Bureau handles everything else including humane (pomane?) prisoner treatment.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

@OurLadyOfWires Are we well enough to visit a grief session our daughter runs to talk about Starry Dancer?

Starry was a good friend and at the moment Velvet can't hide from that truth.

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You haven't really thought about Starry at all since the Woods burned

@OurLadyOfWires can Velvet still study books even when dancing with death?

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Yes, no problems. You just won't have your Lantern bonus to help you read it.

Iirc, the 'ideal' set up for the Library is for the books to go ( [1/1] + [2/2 + 2/2] + [3/3 + 3/3 + 3/3] ) and so on and so forth. It's a little weird how it works out when you start mixing different level books though.

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First of all, you are right.

Second of all, the Library... basically functions the same way YOU function.

In the sense that:
-You started the game with all Lores on Level 0.
-You needed ONE scrap of Lore from a level 1 source to reach level on 1.
-You needed TWO scraps of Lore from a level 2 source to reach level 2.
-You need X scraps of Lore from a level X source to reach level X.

It literally is that simple. And I don't mean this in a condescending way.

Velvet is expected to be "ahead" of her Library because she can also gain scraps of Lores from events or actions.

But ultimately, the build you suggested is ideal. You need one level one book to have your library reach level one, two level books to reach level two... so on and so forth.

Now, the library can optimize itself for your convenience. So, if you read one level FOUR book, I can slot it into your "Library level two" requirements, and we have that nifty [4/2] which gives you enough. But that's just to make your life easier, and your lower level books relevant.

Edit: Fun fact, this makes the cumulative total number of book levels needed for each level, assuming no wasted book levels:

Level 1: 1 book level
Level 2: 5 book levels
Level 3: 14 book levels
Level 4: 30 book levels
Level 5: 55 book levels
Level 6: 91 book levels
Level 7: 140 book levels

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I haven't checked the math, but this seems about right. Yeah.

And the term "book levels" is indeed quite fitting.

EDIT: Wait, how is our Free Social going to work while in this state? If we just traumatize people by existing as we are, should we even want to Social anything other than a Name? Unless that's just a family thing since they were there, and our Friends won't have the same amount of recrimination and fear, @OurLadyOfWires ?

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Here's the thing.

The things you guys want is to have Velvet call her family and convince her that "everything is fine" and that you are better. It is impossible to do that this turn because you are still all hurt and whatnot. And because you also can't "fake it" since they live with you.

But a social call with a random friend is still possible. You will have some difficulty doing it, it probably won't be as efficient as if you weren't dancing with death, and you don't have any Grail on you. But it is possible.

This really is a "Velvet is useless for now" turn. Don't expect grand results from the mare.

Just be happy to be alive, and get your ducks in a row for the next turn.

...not really sure what that would mean for studying a lower level artifact though. Would it just be DC50 since all we're doing is discovering it's function rather than looking for eldritch insight? (@OurLadyOfWires)

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Studying an artifact is mostly meant to discover if it has any special properties.

This is Equestria. It is highly possible the item you are holding is cursed, or otherwise harmful to own.

The Lore roll you guys see is mostly a "but do you learn anything from it?" thing on the side.

If we do them back to back in the same turn we shouldn't need it @OurLadyOfWires what's your veredict?

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Nah, you'd still need it.

Doing eldritch stuff still requires prep time. We take some narrative liberties here and there, but it's another thing to say you will be ready to make a Sacrament attempt that needs a sacrifice the moment you return from an expedition.

So, either cough up a prisoner, or be ready to pay a very cost-innefective price to hold a prisoner without a prison.

Something along the lines of "Costs two MINION/SUMMONS actions to keep one prisoner for one turn". Literally keeping them tied up in the middle of the woods, under constant guard by a creature that will obey you without question.

Having a jail cell that you can lock and forget about for a day or two is a convenience that cannot be overstated, when it comes to keeping ponies against their will.

And of course, none of that addresses the issue of "they are still entirely dedicated to escaping at all times" thing.



Right, that seems to be all. I'll go check the plans. Good day to us all.

 

[Venerable Ro]

Mhmm.



Poor Tiara

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Shiiiiiii...

Mareinette paying a social call on the Rich family will put her in close proximity to Diamond, indeed proper social courtesy would require that Filthy introduce his daughter to [Velvet!] as a part of welcoming a guest to their home. Furthermore Spoiled also wants to climb the social ladder by any means necessary and thus (I believe) instructed Diamond to make friends with Silky as a way to build closer ties to Velvet.

Danger Will Robinson, danger!

"Do not invite her to drink. Do not leave her alone with foals...

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[Greymere]

The Lore roll you guys see is mostly a "but do you learn anything from it?" thing on the side.

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So if the Lore roll is for the scraps rather than function, if we study both our artifacts this turn, we'll still find out what their specific bonus/functions are and make them usable by our followers even if we fail the Lore roll (for the Lantern one, anyway)?

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

So if the Lore roll is for the scraps rather than function, if we study both our artifacts this turn, we'll still find out what their specific bonus/functions are and make them usable by our followers even if we fail the Lore roll (for the Lantern one, anyway)?

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I will be entirely honest when I say the artifact studying test (and the book studying test as well) was developed when the Quest began. So these questions like "what test do we roll against when studying an artifact that is LOWER level than us?" is one that I, quite literally, don't have an answer to right now.

So, I can't give you an answer right now. I'll have a (small) mechanical update ready when Velvet's Phase starts, since this is only relevant for her. But I legitimately don't have an answer right now.

Growing pains. We focused so little on expeditions, and found so few artifacts, that Velvet outgrew certain mechanics that were not created with scaling in mind. I mean, this stuff was put in place four years ago, when I was beginning the first quest I ever wrote

Anyhow. I'll figure it out in time for your Velvet planning stage. And if I forget to post it, kindly remind me about it.

---

Right. My tallying program tells me this:

Spoiler

Vote Tally : Esquestria: The House of the Sun - A pony cultist experience | Page 173 | Questionable Questing [Posts: 5284-5583]
##### NetTally 4.0.2

[X] Plan Time's Up - Rarity Searching
-[X] (Detectives) Investigate the Commissioner's attackers
-[X] (Constables) Guard the Commissioner
-[X] (Selene) Winter Realization
-[X] (Selene) Guard us and our home
-[X] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Filthy Rich and Spoiled Rich
-[X] (DoA) Wrong Keys
-[X] (Fluttershy) Ask Comet to lead an expedition: A Grave on a Hill
-[X] (Baldomare-Free) Give her the Level 6 book if the expedition is successful, otherwise give her the Knock 5 book
-[X] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry
--[X] Target: Copper and her cult. Their location, their resources, their defenses, anything and everything about them
--[X] To be performed on an inconspicuous place, located by Baldomare
-[X] Assault an opponent (Copper Secateur)
-[X] Search Canterlot for the Outsider (x 3)
No. of Votes: 12

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Time's Up - Rarity Searching
[X] Anjaxis
[X] AuthorTransient
[X] Cochimetl
[X] Greymere
[X] LieutenantSpirit
[X] Maer
[X] Quaxotia
[X] Rafuki22
[X] Solace2117
[X] Steady Gaze
[X] Sveta08
[X] Waela

[X] Plan More Heart
-[X] (Detectives) Investigate the Commissioner's attackers
-[X] (Constables) Guard the Commissioner
-[X] (Rarity) Focus on work
-[X] (Selene) Winter Realization
-[X] (Selene) Guard us and our home
-[X] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Something else? (We intend to put on a performance in the near future, with Mareinette playing a central role. But we need a victim lead, would fair Mareinette be so kind as to seek out an ideal costar? For the Moth Sacrament we need a reprehensible pony to inflict a reprehensible fate upon without regret, Mareinette knows the sent of such all too well.)
-[X] (DoA) Wrong Keys
-[X] (Fluttershy) Ask Comet to lead an expedition: A Grave on a Hill
-[X] (Baldomare-Free) Give her the Level 6 book if the expedition is successful, otherwise give her the Knock 5 book
-[X] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry
--[X] Target: Copper and her cult. Their location, their resources, their defenses, anything and everything about them
--[X] To be performed on an inconspicuous place, located by Baldomare
-[X] Assault an opponent (Copper Secateur)
-[X] You would like for somepony to search for books…
--[X] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (HEART, FORGE)
-[X] Jade's house is now adequately clean. Or at least sufficiently presentable for ponies to work on it. You should…(Forge-aligned ponies are better suited at attempting these tasks)
---[X] You might need a place to… "store" your enemies.
No. of Votes: 9

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: More Heart
[X] Alan975
[X] Bakkasama
[X] DelightedOne
[X] HellFire666
[X] Lorrie
[X] Nevermort
[X] Potdl
[X] Shaper47
[X] Talon Tiger Dino

[X] Plan Time's Up - Rarity Digging
-[X] (Detectives) Investigate the Commissioner's attackers
-[X] (Constables) Guard the Commissioner
-[X] (Selene) Winter Realization
-[X] (Selene) Guard us and our home
-[X] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Filthy Rich and Spoiled Rich
-[X] (DoA) Wrong Keys
-[X] (Fluttershy) Ask Comet to lead an expedition: A Grave on a Hill
-[X] (Baldomare-Free) Give her the Level 6 book if the expedition is successful, otherwise give her the Knock 5 book
-[X] Jade's house is now adequately clean. Or at least sufficiently presentable for ponies to work on it. You should… (Forge-aligned ponies are better suited at attempting these tasks)
--[X] You might need a place to… "store" your enemies. Alive. Dig a small prison under her house.
-[X] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry
--[X] Target: Copper and her cult. Their location, their resources, their defenses, anything and everything about them
--[X] To be performed on an inconspicuous place, located by Baldomare
-[X] Assault an opponent (Copper Secateur)
-[X] Search Canterlot for the Outsider (x 2)
No. of Votes: 9

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Time's Up - Rarity Digging
[X] des-pair-2
[X] HellFire666
[X] LieutenantSpirit
[X] Nevermort
[X] Quaxotia
[X] Shaper47
[X] Sintonir
[X] Steady Gaze
[X] Talon Tiger Dino

[X] Plan Time's Up - Rarity Working
-[X] (Detectives) Investigate the Commissioner's attackers
-[X] (Constables) Guard the Commissioner
-[X] (Rarity) Focus on work
-[X] (Selene) Winter Realization
-[X] (Selene) Guard us and our home
-[X] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Filthy Rich and Spoiled Rich
-[X] (DoA) Wrong Keys
-[X] (Fluttershy) Ask Comet to lead an expedition: A Grave on a Hill
-[X] (Baldomare-Free) Give her the Level 6 book if the expedition is successful, otherwise give her the Knock 5 book
-[X] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry
--[X] Target: Copper and her cult. Their location, their resources, their defenses, anything and everything about them
--[X] To be performed on an inconspicuous place, located by Baldomare
-[X] Assault an opponent (Copper Secateur)
-[X] Search Canterlot for the Outsider (x2)
No. of Votes: 7

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Time's Up - Rarity Working
[X] Anjaxis
[X] Bakkasama
[X] Cochimetl
[X] Greymere
[X] Limabot
[X] Maer
[X] Solace2117

[X] A tighter security detail, at all times.
No. of Votes: 5

Spoiler: Voters

[X] Greymere
[X] AuthorTransient
[X] Maer
[X] Solace2117
[X] Waela

[X] Plan Take them Alive
-[X] A tighter security detail, at all times.
-[X][DETECTIVES] (VENGEANCE) Somepony dared attack the Commissioner. Find their trail.
-[X][CONSTABLES] The Commissioner is just too important to leave unattended. Run security. (Order them to "Guard" you for this turn.)
-[X][SELENE] Realize something about Winter. (Unlock her Winter skill) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[X][SELENE] Guard her mother.
-[X][MAREINETTE] Channel an Influence. (GRAIL)
-[X] (AXE) Craft Wrong Keys. (She will give you three Wrong Keys, which will expire after five turns. Only once per summoning.)
-[X] Jade's house is now adequately clean. Or at least sufficiently presentable for ponies to work on it. You should… (Forge-aligned ponies are better suited at attempting these tasks)
--[X] You might need a place to… "store" your enemies. Alive. Dig a small prison under her house.
-[X] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry.
--[X] Target: Copper and her cult. Their location, their resources, their defenses, anything and everything about them.
--[X] To be performed on an inconspicuous place, located by Baldomare.
-[X] Research "A Memory of Light".
-[X] Jade's house is now adequately clean. Or at least sufficiently presentable for ponies to work on it. You should… (Forge-aligned ponies are better suited at attempting these tasks)
--[X] You might need a place to… "store" your enemies. Alive. Dig a small prison under her house.
-[X] Lead an expedition. (A Grave on a Hill)
-[X] Lead the assault on Copper.
-[X] Search Canterlot for the Outsider.
-[X] (BALDOMARE) Prolong her stay by giving her the Level 6 book if the expedition is successful, otherwise give her the Knock 5 book.
No. of Votes: 5

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Take them Alive
[X] DelightedOne
[X] Lorrie
[X] Nevermort
[X] Pittauro
[X] Shaper47

[X] Plan Outshine v2
-[X] A tighter security detail, at all times.
-[X][DETECTIVES] (VENGEANCE) Somepony dared attack the Commissioner. Find their trail.
-[X][CONSTABLES] The Commissioner is just too important to leave unattended. Run security. (Order them to "Guard" you for this turn.)
-[X][JADE] Research "A Memory of Light"
-[X][SELENE] Realize something about Winter. (Unlock her Winter skill) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[X][MAREINETTE] Channel an Influence. (GRAIL)
-[X][AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson.
-[X] (Baldomare-Free) Give her the Level 6 book if the expedition is successful, otherwise give her the Knock 5 book.
-[X] There is something in Canterlot that you simply must find. Look for it. (Progress 0/200, applies Intrigue and Secret Histories) 3 times.
-[X] You need this to be done. Send a pony on an expedition.(The Grave on the Hill)
-[X] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry(Copper and her Cult)
--[X] To be performed on the safe place Baldomare directed you to.
-[X][COPPER] Send somepony to attack this opponent.
No. of Votes: 4

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Outshine v2
[X] DelightedOne
[X] des-pair-2
[X] Limabot
[X] Pittauro

[X] Plan: Talon-Ro Wartime Surveillance
-[X] A tighter security detail, at all times.
-[X][DETECTIVES] (VENGEANCE) Somepony dared attack the Commissioner. Find their trail.
-[X][CONSTABLES] The Commissioner is just too important to leave unattended. Run security. (Order them to "Guard" you for this turn.)
-[X][GUARD] You would very much like to keep this safe. (Let Luna guard us)
-[X] You need somepony to perform this ritual… ("The Reflection of the Tapestry" seeking Copper Secateur's specific whereabouts)
--[X] To be performed on the safe place Baldomare directed you to. (Will expire at the end of turn 20)
-[X] You need somepony to perform this ritual… ("The Reflection of the Tapestry" seeking information on Windy Flake's current activities and whereabouts)
--[X] To be performed on the safe place Baldomare directed you to. (Will expire at the end of turn 20)
-[X][COPPER] Send somepony to attack this opponent
-[X][FLUTTERSHY] Ask Comet to go on an assault/expedition.
-[X] You need this to be done. Send a pony on an expedition. (The Grave)
-[X][BALDOMARE] Prolong her stay. (Gifting her the level six book found in the Grave expedition, if the book is unavailable then her choice of level five books.)
-[X][SELENE] Realize something about Winter. (Unlock her Winter skill) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[X][AXE] Make Keys.
-[X][MAREINETTE] Something else? (We intend to put on a performance in the near future, with Mareinette playing a central role. But we need a lead, would fair Mareinette be so kind as to seek out an ideal costar? For the Moth Sacrament we need a reprehensible pony to inflict a reprehensible fate upon without regret, Mareinette knows the sent of such all too well.)
-[X] There is something in Canterlot that you simply must find. Look for it. (Progress 0/200, applies Intrigue and Secret Histories) X2
No. of Votes: 3

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Talon-Ro Wartime Surveillance
[X] Cochimetl
[X] Shaper47
[X] Venerable Ro

[X] Plan Eliminate Threats. Setup for befriending 2 Names
-[X] A tighter security detail, at all times.
-[X][DETECTIVES] (VENGEANCE) Somepony dared attack the Commissioner. Find their trail.
-[X][CONSTABLES] The Commissioner is just too important to leave unattended. Run security. (Order them to "Guard" you for this turn.)
-[X][SELENE] This body is new to her, but it is old to the world. She must learn of its abilities and privileges. (Grain +5 to her General Bonus) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[X][SELENE] Something else? (Expeditions Grave on the Hill)
-[X][BALDOMARE] Scry Copper and her forces.
-[X][MAREINETTE] Channel an Influence. (Heart)
-[X][AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson.
-[X][Biedde] Lead the assault on Copper.
--[X] Priority 1 Unsummon/Flip the Winter Name, and retrieve the means of summoning ritual/Painting
--[X] Priority 2 Kill Copper
--[X] Priority 3 Retrieve all the valuables.
-[X][RARITY] Focus on her work. (Guarantees she will "succeed" on her career roll)
-[X][FLUTTERSHY] Search for the Outsider
-[X][Jade] Search for the Outsider
-[X][Servants] Equestria is full of undiscovered places. You must learn their secrets…
--[X] Search for a place that is recent in its ruin, whose History is decided. Mundane as it might be, it might still bear treasures. (Search for an "easy" expedition)
No. of Votes: 2

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Eliminate Threats. Setup for befriending 2 Names
[X] des-pair-2
[x] Earth-Destroyer

[X] Plan Let's Get That Outsider:
-[X] A tighter security detail
-[X] You need somepony to perform this ritual…(Reflection of the Tapestry, aimed at COPPER)
--[X] To be performed on the safe place Baldomare directed you to. (Will expire at the end of turn 20)
-[X] Attack your foe, or defend yourself. In war, there is no other option.
--[X][COPPER] Send somepony to attack this opponent
-[X][MAREINETTE] Social Filthy/Spoiled.
-[X] You need this to be done. Send a pony on an expedition.
-[X][AXE] Make Keys.
-[X][SELENE] This body is new to her, but it is old to the world. She must learn of its abilities and privileges. (Grain +5 to her General Bonus) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[X] (Baldomare-Free) Give her the Level 6 book from Hill Expedition
-[X] Explore for the Outsider x4
-[X][DETECTIVES] (VENGEANCE) Somepony dared attack the Commissioner. Find their trail.
-[X][CONSTABLES] The Commissioner is just too important to leave unattended. Run security. (Order them to "Guard" you for this turn.)
No. of Votes: 2

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Let's Get That Outsider:
[x] spiderhellian
[x] Steady Gaze

[X] Plan Relative calm before the Assault
-[X] A tighter security detail, at all times.
-[X][DETECTIVES] (VENGEANCE) Somepony dared attack the Commissioner. Find their trail.
-[X][CONSTABLES] The Commissioner is just too important to leave unattended. Run security. (Order them to "Guard" you for this turn.)
-[X][RARITY] Focus on her work. (Guarantees she will "succeed" on her career roll)
-[X][JADE] Research "A Memory of Light".
-[X][SELENE] Realize something about Winter. (Unlock her Winter skill) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[X][SELENE] Guard her mother.
-[X][MAREINETTE] You need her to talk to Twilight Sparkle, if vetoed then search Canterlot for the Outsider.
-[X] (AXE) Craft Wrong Keys. (She will give you three Wrong Keys, which will expire after five turns. Only once per summoning.)
-[X] (BALDOMARE) Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry.
--[X] Target: Copper and her cult. Their location, their resources, their defenses, anything and everything about them.
--[X] To be performed on an inconspicuous place, located by Baldomare.
-[X] (BALDOMARE) Prolong her stay by giving her the Level 6 book if the expedition is successful, otherwise give her the Moth 5 book.
-[X] Lead an expedition. (A Grave on a Hill)
-[X] Search Canterlot for the Outsider. (x 2)
No. of Votes: 2

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Relative calm before the Assault
[X] Cochimetl
[X] Rafuki22

[X] Plan Time's Up - Rarity Searching, Selene Spying
-[X] (Detectives) Investigate the Commissioner's attackers
-[X] (Constables) Guard the Commissioner
-[X] (Selene) Winter Realization
-[X] (Selene) You need her to talk to somepony about…
--[X] Spy on Windy Flakes's dreams
-[X] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Filthy Rich and Spoiled Rich
-[X] (DoA) Wrong Keys
-[X] (Fluttershy) Ask Comet to lead an expedition: A Grave on a Hill
-[X] (Baldomare-Free) Give her the Level 6 book if the expedition is successful, otherwise give her the Knock 5 book
-[X] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry
--[X] Target: Copper and her cult. Their location, their resources, their defenses, anything and everything about them
--[X] To be performed on an inconspicuous place, located by Baldomare
-[X] Assault an opponent (Copper Secateur)
-[X] Search Canterlot for the Outsider (x 3)
No. of Votes: 2

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Time's Up - Rarity Searching, Selene Spying
[X] Limabot
[X] spiderhellian

[X] A tighter security detail
No. of Votes: 1

Spoiler: Voters

[x] Steady Gaze

[X] Plan Relative calm during the Assault
-[X] A tighter security detail, at all times.
-[X][DETECTIVES] (VENGEANCE) Somepony dared attack the Commissioner. Find their trail.
-[X][CONSTABLES] The Commissioner is just too important to leave unattended. Run security. (Order them to "Guard" you for this turn.)
-[X][RARITY] Focus on her work. (Guarantees she will "succeed" on her career roll)
-[X][JADE] Research "A Memory of Light".
-[X][SELENE] Realize something about Winter. (Unlock her Winter skill) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[X][SELENE] Guard her mother.
-[X][MAREINETTE] You need her to talk to Twilight Sparkle, if vetoed then search Canterlot for the Outsider.
-[X] (BALDOMARE) Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry.
--[X] Target: Copper and her cult. Their location, their resources, their defenses, anything and everything about them.
--[X] To be performed on an inconspicuous place, located by Baldomare.
-[X] (BALDOMARE) Prolong her stay by giving her the Level 6 book if the expedition is successful, otherwise give her the Moth 5 book.
-[X] Lead an expedition. (A Grave on a Hill)
-[X] Assault an opponent (Copper Secateur)
-[X] Search Canterlot for the Outsider. (x 2)
No. of Votes: 1

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Relative calm during the Assault
[X] Rafuki22

[X] Plan Time's Up - Rarity Searching, Selene Spying, and Venerable Mareinette
-[X] (Detectives) Investigate the Commissioner's attackers
-[X] (Constables) Guard the Commissioner
-[X] (Selene) Winter Realization
-[X] (Selene) You need her to talk to somepony about…
--[X] Spy on Windy Flakes's dreams
-[X][MAREINETTE] Something else? (We intend to put on a performance in the near future, with Mareinette playing a central role. But we need a lead, would fair Mareinette be so kind as to seek out an ideal costar? For the Moth Sacrament we need a reprehensible pony to inflict a reprehensible fate upon without regret, Mareinette knows the sent of such all too well.)
-[X] (DoA) Wrong Keys
-[X] (Fluttershy) Ask Comet to lead an expedition: A Grave on a Hill
-[X] (Baldomare-Free) Give her the Level 6 book if the expedition is successful, otherwise give her the Knock 5 book
-[X] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry
--[X] Target: Copper and her cult. Their location, their resources, their defenses, anything and everything about them
--[X] To be performed on an inconspicuous place, located by Baldomare
-[X] Assault an opponent (Copper Secateur)
-[X] Search Canterlot for the Outsider (x 3)
No. of Votes: 1

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Time's Up - Rarity Searching, Selene Spying, and Venerable Mareinette
[X] Alan975

Total No. of Voters: 28

General thoughts:
-I'll change Fluttershy's Exclusive Actions next turn. No need to keep the "Ask Comet X", since that'd be a general action that I'd decide who is best suited for (which, again, would default to Comet anyways). But this isn't a problem for the sake of these plans.
-Some votes don't have the "Security detail" vote. But people voted for it independently. I am assuming the current consensus it that you want a tight security, with all the advantages and disadvantages that brings.
-Re-binding a Name is a big deal in my books, so I plan on opening an end-of-turn vote whenever that needs to happen. So, I am mostly ignoring the "Give Baldo Book" options. But that doesn't detract from any of the plans, and it's completely fine to have them there. It's just that it's a free action, so I'm fine ignoring it in favor of asking it again if/when your circumstances change at the end of the turn. More information makes for better decisions and all that.


My thoughts on the top three plans.


Rarity searching (12 votes)
-No illegalities. Seems fine.

More Heart (9 votes)
-Again, I will interpret Mareinette's action as "Find me a new contact". With the caveat of "I would like someone I wouldn't feel guilty screwing in the future".
-No illegalities. Seems fine.

Rarity digging (9 votes)
-No illegalities. Seems fine.

Finally, there are two plans from @Rafuki22 that involve Mareinette speaking to Twilight. I am afraid that is not possible, because Velvet herself doesn't want to interact with your resident purple unicorn.

 

[Greymere]

Alas, the people want Mareinette to social a married couple instead, in the hopes of mask-offing the wife. Which I personally think will drive a massive wedge right back into said marriage, but I also think people might consider that a pleasant bonus. Spoiled is quite detested, after all.

Click to shrink...

Technically we could always switch tracks into getting a double-Confidant with both of them by fixing their marriage and sending Mareinette out again to find someone new

But at least this way both of the Riches are our on contacts list, regardless of what we end up using Spoiled for.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

There's a project for that.



Potential Trigger Warning

Spoiler: May trigger people

Huh, I was thinking some pony who collects "merchandise" for depraved nobles of certain... "tastes". The type of "merchandise" Mareinette thirsts for. With the implication being that he "samples" his "merchandise" that he collects. Mareinette would befriend them while their getting ready a special commission. A close visual copy with some silver hair dye of a certain mare, an imitation for nobles to work their "frustration" on as they can't touch the real deal.

Because I wouldn't shead a single tear for breaking that kind of pony's mind before eating them.

Comet's background got me thinking of its bad implications.

Click to shrink...

Marinette would totally coopt his procurement system to get a continuous pipeline of foals sent straight to her gullet upon learning about it.

Here's the thing.

The things you guys want is to have Velvet call her family and convince her that "everything is fine" and that you are better. It is impossible to do that this turn because you are still all hurt and whatnot. And because you also can't "fake it" since they live with you.

But a social call with a random friend is still possible. You will have some difficulty doing it, it probably won't be as efficient as if you weren't dancing with death, and you don't have any Grail on you. But it is possible.

This really is a "Velvet is useless for now" turn. Don't expect grand results from the mare.

Just be happy to be alive, and get your ducks in a row for the next turn.


Studying an artifact is mostly meant to discover if it has any special properties.

This is Equestria. It is highly possible the item you are holding is cursed, or otherwise harmful to own.

The Lore roll you guys see is mostly a "but do you learn anything from it?" thing on the side.


Nah, you'd still need it.

Doing eldritch stuff still requires prep time. We take some narrative liberties here and there, but it's another thing to say you will be ready to make a Sacrament attempt that needs a sacrifice the moment you return from an expedition.

So, either cough up a prisoner, or be ready to pay a very cost-innefective price to hold a prisoner without a prison.

Something along the lines of "Costs two MINION/SUMMONS actions to keep one prisoner for one turn". Literally keeping them tied up in the middle of the woods, under constant guard by a creature that will obey you without question.

Having a jail cell that you can lock and forget about for a day or two is a convenience that cannot be overstated, when it comes to keeping ponies against their will.

And of course, none of that addresses the issue of "they are still entirely dedicated to escaping at all times" thing.

Click to shrink...

Okay, so we can in fact social up a friend just because we want to see our friends after almost dying, it just might not be terribly productive.

The fact that Lore Rolls are not needed for identifying an artifact's uses makes studying them very tempting this turn.

Finally, prison cells are quite useful for any short-term storage of living entities, but said living entities are problematic.

 

[Sveta08]

Shiiiiiii...

Mareinette paying a social call on the Rich family will put her in close proximity to Diamond, indeed proper social courtesy would require that Filthy introduce his daughter to [Velvet!] as a part of welcoming a guest to their home. Furthermore Spoiled also wants to climb the social ladder by any means necessary and thus (I believe) instructed Diamond to make friends with Silky as a way to build closer ties to Velvet.

Danger Will Robinson, danger!

Click to shrink...

I don't think there was another route to be fair. Not with the people we know, with the contacts and acquaintances we have.

Send Mareinette to the Apple Clan? How often is Apple Bloom alone again, on so large a farm, and so few its owners...
Or maybe you think it wiser to have her be near and befriend Cheerilee? I'm certain Mareinette wouldn't mind offering to... fill in her shoes a moment. Give the children a lesson.
Maybe instead focus on the more Grail Inclined we know? I'm certain Rarity would take kindly to some instruction... even should Sweetie Belle be somewhat less inclined.

The only house Mareinette is barred from is Velvet's.
Either way, we are requesting her to go forth.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

I don't think there was another route to be fair. Not with the people we know, with the contacts and acquaintances we have.

Send Mareinette to the Apple Clan? How often is Apple Bloom alone again, on so large a farm, and so few its owners...
Or maybe you think it wiser to have her be near and befriend Cheerilee? I'm certain Mareinette wouldn't mind offering to... fill in her shoes a moment. Give the children a lesson.
Maybe instead focus on the more Grail Inclined we know? I'm certain Rarity would take kindly to some instruction... even should Sweetie Belle be somewhat less inclined.

The only house Mareinette is barred from is Velvet's.
Either way, we are requesting her to go forth.

Click to shrink...

There was the route of finding us a victim we wouldn't mind Mothing. Also no need to talk like everything is set and done, voting is still open!

 

[Demilich]

[X] Plan Time's Up - Rarity Searching