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

[Venerable Ro]

I am still not so fond of everyone wanting to attack before the Bureau gets our Names more info to work with.

Click to shrink...

If the Bureau gets a chance to document what Copper's cult has, then they're going to notice when they roll in and discover holes in the facade (such as Copper having gone missing). It's the same principle as looting expeditions that our Investigators scout out.

 

[Alan975]

If the Bureau gets a chance to document what Copper's cult has, then they're going to notice when they roll in and discover holes in the facade (such as Copper having gone missing). It's the same principle as looting expeditions that our Investigators scout out.

Click to shrink...

Yes, that is what people have claimed before. I am not convinced.

Could go either way, but it just sounds a bit too much like hopes and dreams (as usual) that this whole operation will go smoothly.

Like Seriously.
I can't be the only one to find most of the offered plans absurd, right?

Some detailing in which way they want different objectives to be performed based on made up scenarios when we only have the slightest guess about how the cult is structured or run?

IMO, it should be a simple 3 step plan.
Goal 1: Kill Copper.
Goal 2: hide cult connection.
Goal 3: confront Name.

Not 1-3 paragraphs per goal, that is not going to work.

At least not if we don't have more information.


And on the topic of risk.
We do not know how far the investigators will get, we do not know if they'll have heard a few rumors caried by the winds or if they'll be on a stakeout the second our Names kick in a door.

Yet so far, every example that has been brought up has been stated as if it were a done deal.

Even you.

If the Bureau gets a chance to document what Copper's cult has,

Click to shrink...

You assume that they will get so far as to get a clue about the artifacts and books that the cult has?

So you say that they'd manage to infiltrate the cults presumably most secure holdings? Or bribe the information out of ponies that are ruled by a Grail user?

We're not aiming to take land deeds, stocks or gold here.

Or do you mean to say that they will interrogate the survivors after our assault, and be most suspicious about some missing magical doodads and tomes? Things that normal pony society already has? That that will raise more suspicion than the fact that either-

1: A massive fight with appropriate collateral occurred.
Or
2: That the leader(s) just all decided to take their own life/mysteriously vanish/ succumb to a freak accident days before the constables start breaking knees?

 

[Venerable Ro]

Yet so far, every example that has been brought up has been stated as if it were fact.

Even you.

Click to shrink...

What I am saying, is that any information gathered by the Bureau, actionable information useful to the assault, will then be altered by the assault, creating an inexplicable discrepancy.

The biggest one of course, would be the Bureau identifying Copper as the tentative leader or at least a figure of importance/interest. If she then immediately turns up missing right after the report is filed, what conclusions are they supposed to draw?

Going in early with preliminary scrying and then on-site guidance from the Name of Lantern and the Secret Histories allows us to establish the story and avoid creating questions for ourselves.

 

[Shaper47]

Like Seriously.
I can't be the only one to find most of the offered plans absurd, right?

Click to shrink...

I do kinda find the restrictions on the assault a bit hubris'y.

But given what Velvet's sending I can understand the hubris.

IMO, it should be a simple 3 step plan.
Goal 1: Kill Copper.
Goal 2: hide cult connection.
Goal 3: confront Name.

Not 1-3 paragraphs per goal, that is not going to work.

At least not if we don't have more information.

Click to shrink...

I totally understand having it simple and leaving it to the Names.

Unfortunately I couldn't be so concise in my goals.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Yes, that is what people have claimed before. I am not convinced.

Could go either way, but it just sounds a bit too much like hopes and dreams (as usual) that this whole operation will go smoothly.

Like Seriously.
I can't be the only one to find most of the offered plans absurd, right?

Some detailing in which way they want different objectives to be performed based on made up scenarios when we only have the slightest guess about how the cult is structured or run?

IMO, it should be a simple 3 step plan.
Goal 1: Kill Copper.
Goal 2: hide cult connection.
Goal 3: confront Name.

Not 1-3 paragraphs per goal, that is not going to work.

At least not if we don't have more information.


And on the topic of risk.
We do not know how far the investigators will get, we do not know if they'll have heard a few rumors caried by the winds or if they'll be on a stakeout the second our Names kick in a door.

Yet so far, every example that has been brought up has been stated as if it were a done deal.

Even you.



You assume that they will get so far as to get a clue about the artifacts and books that the cult has?

So you say that they'd manage to infiltrate the cults presumably most secure holdings? Or bribe the information out of ponies that are ruled by a Grail user?

We're not aiming to take land deeds, stocks or gold here.

Or do you mean to say that they will interrogate the survivors after our assault, and be most suspicious about some missing magical doodads and tomes? Things that normal pony society already has? That that will raise more suspicion than the fact that either-

1: A massive fight with appropriate collateral occurred.
Or
2: That the leader(s) just all decided to take their own life/mysteriously vanish/ succumb to a freak accident days before the constables start breaking knees?

Click to shrink...

Sounds like you might be interested in Plan They Have A Winter Name, where our Expedition Goals read as follows:

"--[X] What is their objective? (WRITE IN what your followers must do, in order of PRIORITY)
---[X] Neutralize Copper.
---[X] Neutralize Neighnia.
---[X] Remove any evidence tying us to the cult.
---[X] Loot their library, artifacts, bits, and so forth, should time allow.
--[X] Anything else? (WRITE IN any other orders or specifications you have)
---[X] Minimize innocent casualties.
---[X] Leave as little trace or tracks as possible."

Not a single paragraph to be found, at best 2 sentences. I will admit though, it goes before the Investigators rather than after.

 

[Alan975]

Sounds like you might be interested in Plan They Have A Winter Name

Click to shrink...

Yes, you were on the right track it seems.

Seems that I just... started glossing over 'em cuz they were samey and since I already had Sveta's as a safe bet and Shaper's as a fun one.