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

[spiderhellian]

Right no need to make things complicated. Let's get that Sacrament, hopefully befriend the Snake, and we can have another fight once that's done about what to do with the remainder of the actions.

[] Plan KISS (Keep it Snake, Stupid)
-[] (AotL) Lantern
-[] (Forge) Forge 3 reagent
-[] (Knock) Explore the Summit
-[] (Winter) Summon a Risen
-[] FO Family
-[] (Social) FO Friends
-[] DoA Sacrament x6

Like really, if we care about this Sacrament we should just dedicate ourselves to it and hope we get actions at the tail end to use on whatever. Not intentionally go in to something we have 0 clue about with a harsh limit on how much time we spend.

 

[Greymere]

[] Plan Forging For a Key
-[] Before this month starts, you will perform a ritual to draw the attention of [LANTERN] (This is a free action to summon "The Attention of the Laws")
-[] There is no use in finding an Outsider if you do not have the means to extract its blood. But you suspect there is a place, at the summit of the Mansus, where things that should not perish have already died. (Costs one Mansus exploration action)
-[] These are the skills that allow you to climb the Mansus. (Actions towards your possible Sacraments)
--[] Knock, and ye shall open
---[] Offer to go beyond the foggy mirror, to perform an errant for the Daughter-of-Axes
---[] Offer to go beyond the foggy mirror, to perform an errant for the Daughter-of-Axes
---[] Offer to go beyond the foggy mirror, to perform an errant for the Daughter-of-Axes
---[] Offer to go beyond the foggy mirror, to perform an errant for the Daughter-of-Axes
---[] Offer to go beyond the foggy mirror, to perform an errant for the Daughter-of-Axes
-[] They are the ponies who are most precious to you, and they were shaken by what happened to you. You should spend more time with them than usual. (Not taking this action risks negative consequences)
-[] Your friends were probably… affected, by your recent problems. Maybe you should make sure they are alright?
-[] [FORGE] It's actually a lot simpler than it sounds, now that you know what you are doing (produce a reagent, write in which Lore/combination of Lores.
(You cannot produce a reagent with a Lore level superior to your own.) (Producing a single reagent is a FREE ACTION, producing 3 costs 1 action, 5 costs 2 actions, so on.)
--[] [FORGE] Level 4 reagent (80 bits)
-[] "The proper things, in the proper manner, in the proper order. God help us all." (Perform a Ritual)
--[] "The Forge's Redemption"
---[] Sacrifice a Forge 4 Reagent
--[] Invoke a Risen (SPECIFY dead body used as source. ONE Risen is a FREE ACTION)
---[] Biedde's Acquisition

Five Foggy Mirror Actions. Both FOs. An additional Wound, because poking around the Mansus is never ever truly safe, especially at the summit. If we end up with leftover actions we can discuss what to do with them then.

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I think you're missing the free social?

Edit: Wait nevermind, I misread the plan

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

I do feel like an AotL on SH is overkill when we have a Max Influence for SH already. I'd rather use the AotL to shore up a third Lore, one that we could end up using on something other than the DoA Sacrament in the event we clear it quickly. Which really only appears to be Lantern to me atm.

 

[Shaper47]

[] Plan KISS (Keep it Snake, Stupid)

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Great plan!

Just one minor detail

Explore the Summit

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The Summit has unknown dangers while the Wastes are safe for us.

Have you considered Wastes with SH Aotl instead of Summit?

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

I think you're missing the free social?

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I suppose I should specify which FO is the free Social to avoid this confusion.

 

[spiderhellian]

Oh wait. @OurLadyOfWires is there a difference between explore the Summit and look for the Outsider juicer?

I do feel like an AotL on SH is overkill when we have a Max Influence for SH already. I'd rather use the AotL to shore up a third Lore, one that we could end up using on something other than the DoA Sacrament in the event we clear it quickly. Which really only appears to be Lantern to me atm.

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Hm fair. Maybe Heart, then? Or Lantern, sure, possibly gives us room for a study action at the end of it all.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

[] Plan Forging For a Key
-[] Before this month starts, you will perform a ritual to draw the attention of [LANTERN] (This is a free action to summon "The Attention of the Laws")
-[] There is no use in finding an Outsider if you do not have the means to extract its blood. But you suspect there is a place, at the summit of the Mansus, where things that should not perish have already died. (Costs one Mansus exploration action)
-[] These are the skills that allow you to climb the Mansus. (Actions towards your possible Sacraments)
--[] Knock, and ye shall open
---[] Offer to go beyond the foggy mirror, to perform an errant for the Daughter-of-Axes
---[] Offer to go beyond the foggy mirror, to perform an errant for the Daughter-of-Axes
---[] Offer to go beyond the foggy mirror, to perform an errant for the Daughter-of-Axes
---[] Offer to go beyond the foggy mirror, to perform an errant for the Daughter-of-Axes
---[] Offer to go beyond the foggy mirror, to perform an errant for the Daughter-of-Axes
-[] They are the ponies who are most precious to you, and they were shaken by what happened to you. You should spend more time with them than usual. (Not taking this action risks negative consequences)
-[] [SOCIAL] Your friends were probably… affected, by your recent problems. Maybe you should make sure they are alright?
-[] [FORGE] It's actually a lot simpler than it sounds, now that you know what you are doing (produce a reagent, write in which Lore/combination of Lores.
(You cannot produce a reagent with a Lore level superior to your own.) (Producing a single reagent is a FREE ACTION, producing 3 costs 1 action, 5 costs 2 actions, so on.)
--[] [FORGE] Level 4 reagent (80 bits)
-[] "The proper things, in the proper manner, in the proper order. God help us all." (Perform a Ritual)
--[] "The Forge's Redemption"
---[] Sacrifice a Forge 4 Reagent
--[] Invoke a Risen (SPECIFY dead body used as source. ONE Risen is a FREE ACTION)
---[] Biedde's Acquisition

There we go, specified that the Friend FO is the free Social.

But yeah, we need to find the Juicer. The Juicer is at the Summit. The Summit is dangerous. That means we need three Wounds beforehand. We go Forge 4 Reagent to minimize the chances of screwing that up, because time is more valuable than Bits atm.

We perform the necessary FOs to keep our followers and family fully operational.

And we throw everything else we got at the Snake Sacrament.

She says it will take Time, not Blood? Well we'll give her Time, and prepare for if the Mansus takes Blood again.

 

[Shaper47]

I do feel like an AotL on SH is overkill when we have a Max Influence for SH already. I'd rather use the AotL to shore up a third Lore, one that we could end up using on something other than the DoA Sacrament in the event we clear it quickly. Which really only appears to be Lantern to me atm.

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Depends, if we want to study artifacts or read Moth book with any free AP get the Aotl lantern.

If we want want to cast Forge's Redemption or train Selene get the Aotl SH.

Or in certain plans get our SH Sacrament.

 

[Flaregamer82253]

[] Plan: Focused Advantages
-[] [AotL] Secret Histories (Summit)
-[] [FORGE] Level 3 FORGE reagent (45 bits)
-[] [KNOCK] There is no use in finding an Outsider if you do not have the means to extract its blood. But you suspect there is a place, at the summit of the Mansus, where things that should not perish have already died. (Costs one Mansus exploration action)
-[] Invoke a Risen (SPECIFY dead body used as source. ONE Risen is a FREE ACTION)
--[] Biedde's Acquisition
-[] [SOCIAL] Your friends were probably… affected, by your recent problems. Maybe you should make sure they are alright?
-[] They are the ponies who are most precious to you, and they were shaken by what happened to you. You should spend more time with them than usual. (Not taking this action risks negative consequences)
-[] "The Forge's Redemption" on Velvet Covers
--[] To be performed in Jade's old house (only up to Two-Circle rituals)
--[] Sacrifice Forge Level 3 reagent
-[] Offer to go beyond the foggy mirror, to perform an errant for the Daughter-of-Axes - X4
-[] Investigate your current skills. To try to understand them, if nothing else. (Current progress 1/3) (THIS IS A DANGEROUS ACTION)

I've explained my current thoughts on FR previously. I think Selene can wait until next turn and that it's better to take advantage of our bonuses as much as we can. I'd prefer to attempt the Summit now just to get it out of the way. SH isn't a guaranteed check in the DoA Sacrament, so I'll stick with 4 actions towards it and hope it's enough. CD for the SH Sacrament are likely to be ABOVE 110 this time, and we're sitting at a +94 between +40 (Influence) +40 (SH LV4) +14 (Learning). I suspect 120 or 125 for this next one.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Depends, if we want to study artifacts or read Moth book with any free AP get the Aotl lantern.

If we want want to cast Forge's Redemption or train Selene get the Aotl SH.

Or in certain plans get our SH Sacrament.

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AotL SH affects neither FR nor Selene, and it does not apply to our Sacrament either. I'd rather we cover our Lore bases than stack SH even higher.

Or am I misremembering and it can be used on our SH Sacrament, @OurLadyOfWires ?

 

[des-pair-2]

By the way, for those interested, the sister Quest is choosing its cult again. So if you want to be part of the decision that will shape the story, feel free to stop by!

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.c...t-simulator-worm.136181/page-46#post-33561938

 

[Shaper47]

AotL SH affects neither FR nor Selene, and it does not apply to our Sacrament either. I'd rather we cover our Lore bases than stack SH even higher.

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It does however effect Mansus exploration.

Having an 80 SH bonus to finding new areas is better then a 60 SH bonus. Or 90 SH bonus if after our SH Sacrament.

It also effects FR, Selene and SH Sacrament via AP priority. AP spent on Artifacts or Moth book are not AP spent on FR, Selene and SH Sacrament.

[] Plan: Focused Advantages

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Great plan but the SH Aotl isn't used for something.

How about taking advantage of our SH influence to explore and find new areas in the Wastes.

Still disagree with you on FR though. Take advantage of the SH influence while we have it.

so if we have leftover use somehow by the end of the DoA Sacrament attempt, the AotL can go there.

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It's a knowledge test not application test. So no AotL.

 

[Flaregamer82253]

Great plan but the SH Aotl isn't used for something.

How about taking advantage of our SH influence to explore and find new areas in the Wastes.

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I'll put AotL in for that version on the Summit, and I'll post a variant with Ash since I don't mind it.
(Thinking about it, there is a non-zero chance of us randomly stumbling into a Moth scrap between Ash and SH Sacrament. Very itty-bitty.)

[] Plan: Focused Advantages - Ash Version
-[] [AotL] Secret Histories (Ashen Wastes)
-[] [FORGE] Level 3 FORGE reagent (45 bits)
-[] [KNOCK] The Ashen Wastes
--[] [KNOCK] Tarrying in the Wastes is always a poor idea… but there is no other way to discover what this place holds.
-[] Invoke a Risen (SPECIFY dead body used as source. ONE Risen is a FREE ACTION)
--[] Biedde's Acquisition
-[] [SOCIAL] Your friends were probably… affected, by your recent problems. Maybe you should make sure they are alright?
-[] They are the ponies who are most precious to you, and they were shaken by what happened to you. You should spend more time with them than usual. (Not taking this action risks negative consequences)
-[] "The Forge's Redemption" on Velvet Covers
--[] To be performed in Jade's old house (only up to Two-Circle rituals)
--[] Sacrifice Forge Level 3 reagent
-[] Offer to go beyond the foggy mirror, to perform an errant for the Daughter-of-Axes - X4
-[] Investigate your current skills. To try to understand them, if nothing else. (Current progress 1/3) (THIS IS A DANGEROUS ACTION)

 

[Shaper47]

[] Plan KISS (Keep it Snake, Stupid) + Wastes
-[] (AotL) Secret Histories (Ashen Wastes)
-[] (Forge) Forge 3 reagent
-[] (Knock) Explore the Ashen Wastes
-[] (Winter) Summon a Risen
-[] FO Family
-[] (Social) FO Friends
-[] DoA Sacrament x6

A very safe plan.

 

[Flaregamer82253]

Right no need to make things complicated. Let's get that Sacrament, hopefully befriend the Snake, and we can have another fight once that's done about what to do with the remainder of the actions.

[] Plan KISS (Keep it Snake, Stupid)
-[] (AotL) Secret Histories
-[] (Forge) Forge 3 reagent
-[] (Knock) Explore the Summit
-[] (Winter) Summon a Risen
-[] FO Family
-[] (Social) FO Friends
-[] DoA Sacrament x6

Like really, if we care about this Sacrament we should just dedicate ourselves to it and hope we get actions at the tail end to use on whatever. Not intentionally go in to something we have 0 clue about with a harsh limit on how much time we spend.

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Really, this makes EVERYONE happy for now. Can't wait to make new war bunkers in 3 weeks.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Finding the Juicer progresses Glory. Exploring the Ash Wastes does not.

Putting an AotL on something other than SH or Grail expands the range of Lore Tests we can handle if something unanticipated comes up. Putting an AotL on either of those does not.

 

[Shaper47]

Finding the Juicer progresses Glory. Exploring the Ash Wastes does not.

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That's unknown, we don't know what we can get from the Wastes.

The "Juicer" does not take advantage of our SH influence. The Wastes does.

Putting an AotL on something other than SH or Grail expands the range of Lore Tests we can handle if something unanticipated comes up. Putting an AotL on either of those does not.

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AotL isn't useful in sacraments and that's what all our actions should be focused on.

 

[Alan975]

Why the wastes instead of going to the source of information that we know that we will need? Get that done so we're not sitting here three turns from now, lamenting pushing it up.

You know, like usual.

 

[Shaper47]

[] Plan KISS (Keep it Snake, Stupid) + Wastes and SH Sacrament
-[] (AotL) Secret Histories (Ashen Wastes)
-[] (Forge) Forge 3 reagent
-[] (Knock) Explore the Ashen Wastes
-[] (Winter) Summon a Risen
-[] FO Family
-[] (Social) FO Friends
-[] personal SH Sacrament
-[] DoA Sacrament x5

Why the wastes instead of going to the source of information that we know that we will need? Get that done so we're not sitting here three turns from now, lamenting pushing it up.

You know, like usual.

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Because we have an SH influence so we get a massive bonus to exploration mansus actions.

Instead of just wasting the influence.

We can spend our free mansus action when we don't have an SH influence.

 

[Greymere]

Really, this makes EVERYONE happy for now. Can't wait to make new war bunkers in 3 weeks.

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I mean, it doesn't make me happy

Taking teaching Selene as a guaranteed action, at the very least, is an absolute requirement for me.

Edit:
[] Plan Responsible KISSing
-[] (AotL) Lantern/Heart (undecided)
-[] (Forge) Reserve for after Sacrament actions resolve
-[] (Knock) Explore the Summit
-[] (Winter) Invoke a Risen
-[] (Social) Teach Selene
-[] Fleeting Opportunity: Family
-[] Fleeting Opportunity: Friends
-[] Sacrament: Through the Foggy Mirror (5x)

@OurLadyOfWires is the wording on the reagent action legal? I figured it'd be best to wait until after DoA's Sacrament, since we don't know if e.g. we'd want to make a Forge reagent for FR or a Lantern reagent to boost the Level 7 book RotT or something else entirely, depending on how many leftover actions we have.

 

[Rafuki22]

[] Plan KISS (Keep it Snake, Stupid) + Wastes and Selene
-[] (AotL) Secret Histories
-[] (Forge) Forge 3 reagent
-[] (Knock) Explore the Ashen Wastes
-[] (Winter) Summon a Risen
-[] FO Family
-[] (Social) FO Friends
-[] Teaching Selene
-[] DoA Sacrament x5

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

That's unknown, we don't know what we can get from the Wastes.

The "Juicer" does not take advantage of our SH influence. The Wastes does.



AotL isn't useful in sacraments and that's what all our actions should be focused on.

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How does SH Influence not benefit us searching for something in the Mansus? We don't know the blood extraction area's precise location, we have to find it. And SH is the Lore of Finding Things.

AotL isn't useful for Lore Knowledge Checks, but is useful for Lore Application checks. Through the Foggy Mirror seems more like an eldritch expedition to another History than a battery of Knowledge Checks, and so very well could have hurdles that AotL can help with.

 

[Greymere]

How does SH Influence not benefit us searching for something in the Mansus? We don't know the blood extraction area's precise location, we have to find it. And SH is the Lore of Finding Things.

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We still have to actually navigate the Malleary first before we can start looking for the Juicer in earnest, presumably.

Esp. since I would be 0% surprised if it turns out to be behind the Forge Sacrament barrier.

 

[Pittauro]

-As long as Harmony exists what you started will grow and change and when it is time the Mansus will have the ??????? ????? and the ?????????? ????.
-The Dreamlands will start reaching for the Mansus in earnest, in such a way some observant ponies might take notice. Anything that strengthens Harmony's power will accelerate the subversion of the Mansus and the progress of the Seed and the Stone.

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So this would basically be the beginning of the Gods-From-Harmony, I wonder?

--The next step is obvious, but still important. You must climb until you reach the wound you made in the higher parts of the Mansus... and walk past it with your friends in mind. When you do, a new Door will appear, it's requirement for passage the existence of a deep bond with two other ponies from different tribes.

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I truly and deeply love this!

-What you created is wonderful...but how long will it last?

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The one source of worry would be that the Worms MIGHT be able to reach here through the Dreamlands...

[] (Roll 150) You did not roll high enough to do this.
-Do you really think they could have changed?

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Was it an attempt at redeeming the wolf-sons?

And just a small note. The mechanics (bonuses/maluses) of this roll in particular are something I have honestly already considered. Seeing them here was really nice!

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oh? Intriguing, but I imagine you'll refuse to share more about this...

And this would be tearing down the house, and leaving just Harmony behind?

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I'd guess this would be trying to reform the Wolf-Sons... and, MAYBE, even the Wolf-Divided himself.

Appropriately it's basically an impossible roll for current Velvet, and would require all princesses and elements of harmony on her side to have a somewhat decent chance at it.

---

aaaaaaand to read the update....

 

[DelightedOne]

So this would basically be the beginning of the Gods-From-Harmony, I wonder?

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No, no. We already have Alicorns and that is enough thank you very much(they just need more training).

But seriously that was just a new Woods and Door, nothing like a God-From-Harmony.

The one source of worry would be that the Worms MIGHT be able to reach here through the Dreamlands...

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That is one of the things I had in mind when I wrote that.

Was it an attempt at redeeming the wolf-sons?

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The "attempt" is the 120 roll. The 150 one is a auto-success.

 

[Shaper47]

How does SH Influence not benefit us searching for something in the Mansus? We don't know the blood extraction area's precise location, we have to find it. And SH is the Lore of Finding Things.

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I thought we already had the location and were trying to discover the secret instead. Which would be more in lanterns ball-park.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

I thought we already had the location and were trying to discover the secret instead. Which would be more in lanterns ball-park.

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"-[] There is no use in finding an Outsider if you do not have the means to extract its blood. But you suspect there is a place, at the summit of the Mansus, where things that should not perish have already died. (Costs one Mansus exploration action)"

Velvet suspects that there is a place at the Summit of the Mansus where the prerequisite perishing has occurred, but she has not yet located it. Keep in mind that we've only come across Biedde's post and the Tricuspid Gate itself at the Summit, it was by no means fully explored.

 

[Shaper47]

Velvet suspects that there is a place at the Summit of the Mansus where the prerequisite perishing has occurred, but she has not yet located it.

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I'm pretty sure Velvet was at the place when she reached the Mirror Door. So she's already located it.

The suspects is around the process not the location I think.

The wording is a bit ambiguous.

Let's ask the QM

OurLadyOfWires Does Velvet Covers think lantern or SH would be best for the mansus exploration to the Summit to find out how to get the Blood of the Outsider trait?

 

[Flaregamer82253]

I can't help but feel like Spider opened up a different flavor of arguing here.

OurLadyOfWires: Ok I'll refund you on every action for the DoA sacrament you didn't nee-

Questers: We'll take six.

OurLadyOfWires: Pardon?

Questers: I mean this is something we can all agree on!

OurLadyOfWires: ...Well, okay-

Questers: NO WAIT 5 and SH- NO 5 and Teach Sele- NO DO ASH- SUMMIT- DO-

OurLadyOfWires: ...

If this turn was an episode of the show the moral would be that pushing all of your important decisions off until later is cool as long as it makes friends.

 

[Pittauro]

Baldomare did… something, once again. You remember sitting down to have tea with her, and you vaguely remember the conversation that followed. But by the life of you, you can't remember when it happened. And even when you sat down with a calendar, to retrace your steps and solve that mystery, you could not find a suitable date where that could have happened.

Except for… tomorrow.

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...that's funny. Is Baldomare playing a joke on us?

You think you saw something, under her cloak, and under her bones, and under the sins that she covers herself with. Some… thing, that may have been a pony long, long ago.

You think that thing was smiling.

You think this "gift" of hers has a deeper meaning, to her or perhaps to the world, that you cannot quite grasp.



You are now under the effect of "An Incarnadescence", until the end of the turn.

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intriguing. Damn it Bird, you're making me want to get closer to this monster!

At old Biedde's instruction, you take a short walk to the nearby hill, that overlooks your family's estate. The one that is close enough to be part of the scenery, but just far enough for nopony to really bother with it.

There, you find a body, freshly desecrated from Ponyville's own cemetery. Somepony who was once loved and who, by the freshness of their coat, is still remembered.

You hope their family never finds out about this. You hope you can be forgiven for this.

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still better that mind controlling Filthy Rich... probably.

Fate might be closing its invisible jaws around you, but you are not defenseless. And you might have just enough time to see this through.

You will reach Glory. And you will not die trying.

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Gentle reminder that we should NOT hesitate and try to finish our preparations quickly.

-[] [SOCIAL] Teach Selene, and make her something more.

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something more... I can't wait to see WHAT exactly.

She won't quite be Celestia's equal, not with only this... but it's fairly close.

Right no need to make things complicated. Let's get that Sacrament, hopefully befriend the Snake, and we can have another fight once that's done about what to do with the remainder of the actions.

[] Plan KISS (Keep it Snake, Stupid)
-[] (AotL) Secret Histories
-[] (Forge) Forge 3 reagent
-[] (Knock) Explore the Summit
-[] (Winter) Summon a Risen
-[] FO Family
-[] (Social) FO Friends
-[] DoA Sacrament x6

Like really, if we care about this Sacrament we should just dedicate ourselves to it and hope we get actions at the tail end to use on whatever. Not intentionally go in to something we have 0 clue about with a harsh limit on how much time we spend.

Click to shrink...

I'd rather make it 5 actions and keep at least Selene's lessons as well, but it DOES make sense...

---

I'm leaning

1)Search for juicer: YES
2) 4 or 5 actions on Sacrament, Selene training, Friends and Family FOs....
3) Forge Reagent: make it lvl 4, we can't afford to fail it.
4)I'd still do the Forge ritual next turn though, but I CAN be convinced to do it now.

Side note: damn but we have a lot of bits... if we didn't need them for the expeditions I'd so LOVE to give them to Baldomare... maybe we'll be able to afford giving her 200 bits or so in a couple of turns... we'll see what our situation will be then.