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

[Talon Tiger Dino]

I legitimately do not know, because timezones and how the site sometimes confuse them. But isn't the 12h moratorium still in effect?


And for all intents and purposes, let's say voting is now open. I don't know if these clocks are right or wrong, but voting won't close until maybe wednesday night anyways.

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Whoops, sorry about that. I had forgotten the moratorium. But I guess that's gone now, so:

[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore it properly. Check the stores, see the sights, and discover what wondrous things this world considers mundane.
[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore even beyond that. Map the roads, learn the rules, and seek the very end of this dream.
[X] Apparently, they are not alicorns here. But they are still the highest authority. (Approach the Principals)

 

[Random Anon]

[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore it properly. Check the stores, see the sights, and discover what wondrous things this world considers mundane.
[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore even beyond that. Map the roads, learn the rules, and seek the very end of this dream.
[X] Alright, WHERE is Stormchaser? (Look for your dear beloved)
[X] Apparently, they are not alicorns here. But they are still the highest authority. (Approach the Principals)

 

[DelightedOne]

And in all honesty, I am right now concerned with drafting DoA's reaction to your return. Because that is something I have been wanting to write for a very long time now.

Click to shrink...

DoA seeing another example of Velvet's VelvetCoversness will be epic.

[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore even beyond that. Map the roads, learn the rules, and seek the very end of this dream.

[X] They are young and impressionable. Thankfully, you are a responsible adult. (Hang out with Rarity and Fluttershy, your real-life confidantes)

[X] Apparently, they are not alicorns here. But they are still the highest authority. (Approach the Principals)

[X] This place has a library. Go take a look.

 

[MisRAR1]

[x] They are young and impressionable. Thankfully, you are a responsible adult. (Hang out with Rarity and Fluttershy, your real-life confidantes)

[x] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore even beyond that. Map the roads, learn the rules, and seek the very end of this dream.

[x] What is this "cellphone" all the kids are talking about? Why do you have one? And what is this "Internet" thing?

 

[HellFire666]

[x] They are young and impressionable. Thankfully, you are a responsible adult. (Hang out with Rarity and Fluttershy, your real-life confidantes)
[x] This place has a library. Go take a look.
[x] What is this "cellphone" all the kids are talking about? Why do you have one? And what is this "Internet" thing?

 

[Nate700]

[x] They are young and impressionable. Thankfully, you are a responsible adult. (Hang out with Rarity and Fluttershy, your real-life confidantes)
[x] This place has a library. Go take a look.
[x] What is this "cellphone" all the kids are talking about? Why do you have one? And what is this "Internet" thing?

 

[Rafuki22]

[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore even beyond that. Map the roads, learn the rules, and seek the very end of this dream.
[X] This place has a library. Go take a look.
[X] What is this "cellphone" all the kids are talking about? Why do you have one? And what is this "Internet" thing?

 

[Greymere]

[X] Return home, with Diary and Frangiclave, and fulfill your bargain with the Daughter-of-Axes. (End the dream, and redistribute your remaining action points.)

I'll probably approval vote some stuff later, cause there's pretty much no way leaving early is actually going to win.

Edit: Approval voting

[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore even beyond that. Map the roads, learn the rules, and seek the very end of this dream.
[X] This place has a library. Go take a look.
[X] What is this "cellphone" all the kids are talking about? Why do you have one? And what is this "Internet" thing?

 

[LieutenantSpirit]

[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore it properly. Check the stores, see the sights, and discover what wondrous things this world considers mundane.
[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore even beyond that. Map the roads, learn the rules, and seek the very end of this dream.
[X] Apparently, they are not alicorns here. But they are still the highest authority. (Approach the Principals)

 

[IronHydra]

[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore it properly. Check the stores, see the sights, and discover what wondrous things this world considers mundane.
[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore even beyond that. Map the roads, learn the rules, and seek the very end of this dream.
[X] This place has a library. Go take a look.

Really, it felt like that promise was completely in-charater and fitting for how Velvet goes about talking to people, I don't see why it needed to be changed, but whatever

Edit:
If the Moratorium isn't up I can take the X's out for a few more hours, I just wasn't sure if it was or not.

 

[Solace2117]

[x] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore it properly. Check the stores, see the sights, and discover what wondrous things this world considers mundane.
[x] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore even beyond that. Map the roads, learn the rules, and seek the very end of this dream.
[x] Apparently, they are not alicorns here. But they are still the highest authority. (Approach the Principals)
[x] This place has a library. Go take a look.

Thought the moratorium was already up, oops.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Really, it felt like that promise was completely in-charater and fitting for how Velvet goes about talking to people

Click to shrink...

I agree. But this is a good reminder that a quest is as much a game as it is a story. And even the same update needs to be able to tell a story while also setting the stage for the options being offered.

So, this isnt really a problem. Just a mattet of synchronization.

 

[keykigdom]

[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore it properly. Check the stores, see the sights, and discover what wondrous things this world considers mundane.
[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore even beyond that. Map the roads, learn the rules, and seek the very end of this dream.
[X] Alright, WHERE is Stormchaser? (Look for your dear beloved)

 

[retrueno]

[X] Return home, with Diary, Frangiclave, and something else besides. Or rather, someone. (End the dream, bringing Twilight Sparkle with you, and redistribute your remaining action points.)

 

[Limabot]

[X] Alright, WHERE is Stormchaser? (Look for your dear beloved)
[X] They are young and impressionable. Thankfully, you are a responsible adult. (Hang out with Rarity and Fluttershy, your real-life confidantes)
[X] "Is there anything on your mind, Miss Jack?" (Approach Applejack)
[X] Apparently, they are not alicorns here. But they are still the highest authority. (Approach the Principals)
[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore even beyond that. Map the roads, learn the rules, and seek the very end of this dream.
[X] This place has a library. Go take a look.

[X] Return home, with Diary and Frangiclave, and fulfill your bargain with the Daughter-of-Axes. (End the dream, and redistribute your remaining action points.)

 

[Pittauro]

I like it. The problem.

Hate it, but I like it. It's the right shape. Don't think we should swap them, if that's really what would happen.

Click to shrink...

maybe it would work out differently. Maybe we'd orchestrate a talk between the two Twilights, or have a talk with Twilight before the change, or something else.

But still, the vote is very clear that we WILL do the switch if we vote for it, which means pony-twilight doesn't get a choice.

I legitimately do not know, because timezones and how the site sometimes confuse them. But isn't the 12h moratorium still in effect?

Click to shrink...

I actually missed the moratorium line. I thought there wasn't one this time

Sure. Not a hill I need to die on.

You have already shown her something that appears to be magic. You have already poked that part of her... let's say "curiosity".

I think that, in character, Velvet would have made that promise. Even if it was a on-the-moment thing she just blurted out. She is too caring, too mothering and too nurturing, so it's just the kind of language she uses.

But if this really is impacting how you want to consider this vote (and I think that is more important right now), then aye. Canonically, Velvet did not promise anything, and I'll also change the option to reflect that.

Click to shrink...

that sounds a bit better. I'll have to recheck the changed scene...

Now that the threshold is crossed, I don't mind talking about it.

There were dice rolls and uncertainties, yes. And things could have gone wrong or taken a little longer. But from a game-design experience I think it's good for me to ensure Sacraments are feasible, and to some extent predictable.

So, if you really look at the Sacrament options, most of them follow a bit of a rule of thumb. Sacraments whose requirements can be "spaced out" across time generally take three actions (three EiB rituals, three SH meditations, etc). While Sacraments that need to be rushed generally need two actions on the same turn (Baldomare + Velvet, for a total of two actions, going on an expedition, etc).

There aren't really a lot of Sacraments, in the grand scheme of things. And they are all individually tweaked and personalized. But that was the basic mold I used when I started working on their requirements.

Click to shrink...

yeah, 2-3 actions seemed the standard for Sacraments. though of course failed actions might raise the number of actions invested, and of course there's also preparations (mostly influences) involved as well that technically make them a bit more expensive than they look.

Is it valid to say you will take an extremely traumatized and damaged pony, and take her somewhere she will have living parents, a caring brother, a loving dog, and modern therapy? Yes, that is also a valid interpretation.

Click to shrink...

... no, I just don't see it.

[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore it properly. Check the stores, see the sights, and discover what wondrous things this world considers mundane.
[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore even beyond that. Map the roads, learn the rules, and seek the very end of this dream.
[X] Apparently, they are not alicorns here. But they are still the highest authority. (Approach the Principals)
[X] They are young and impressionable. Thankfully, you are a responsible adult. (Hang out with Rarity and Fluttershy, your real-life confidantes)

 

[Potdl]

[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore it properly. Check the stores, see the sights, and discover what wondrous things this world considers mundane.
[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore even beyond that. Map the roads, learn the rules, and seek the very end of this dream.
[X] This place has a library. Go take a look.

 

[Enna's Fractal Wings]

[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore even beyond that. Map the roads, learn the rules, and seek the very end of this dream.
[X] This place has a library. Go take a look.
[X] They are young and impressionable. Thankfully, you are a responsible adult. (Hang out with Rarity and Fluttershy, your real-life confidantes)

 

[K4lepo]

Is it valid to say you will take an extremely traumatized and damaged pony, and take her somewhere she will have living parents, a caring brother, a loving dog, and modern therapy? Yes, that is also a valid interpretation.

Click to shrink...

Who needs modern therapy when you have Wolf therapy?

No, really; I'm pretty sure Soft Sweeps is the only pony that Twilight speaks with anymore.

[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore it properly. Check the stores, see the sights, and discover what wondrous things this world considers mundane.
[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore even beyond that. Map the roads, learn the rules, and seek the very end of this dream.

 

[des-pair-2]

[X] Alright, WHERE is Stormchaser? (Look for your dear beloved)
[X] Apparently, they are not alicorns here. But they are still the highest authority. (Approach the Principals)
[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore it properly. Check the stores, see the sights, and discover what wondrous things this world considers mundane.
[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore even beyond that. Map the roads, learn the rules, and seek the very end of this dream.

Okay, I wish to mainly continue our exploration. Having more insight into Celestia, or setting up this Velvet with Stormchaser is a distant second.

About the matter of Twilights, I don't know what to think, really. I need to sleep on this information and I'll decide tomorrow.

 

[DelightedOne]

No, really; I'm pretty sure Soft Sweeps is the only pony that Twilight speaks with anymore.

Click to shrink...

She doesn't know Twilight. And that is a good thing.

Edit: Nevermind Soft knows Twilight, but did not get her to the Wolf cult.

 

[Jame]

[x] They are young and impressionable. Thankfully, you are a responsible adult. (Hang out with Rarity and Fluttershy, your real-life confidantes)
[x] This place has a library. Go take a look.
[x] What is this "cellphone" all the kids are talking about? Why do you have one? And what is this "Internet" thing?

 

[spiderhellian]

[x] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore it properly. Check the stores, see the sights, and discover what wondrous things this world considers mundane.
[x] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore even beyond that. Map the roads, learn the rules, and seek the very end of this dream.
[x] Apparently, they are not alicorns here. But they are still the highest authority. (Approach the Principals)
[X] Return home, with Diary, Frangiclave, and something else besides. Or rather, someone. (End the dream, bringing Twilight Sparkle with you, and redistribute your remaining action points.)

 

[steampvnc1880]

[X] Return home, with Diary and Frangiclave, and fulfill your bargain with the Daughter-of-Axes. (End the dream, and redistribute your remaining action points.)

[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore even beyond that. Map the roads, learn the rules, and seek the very end of this dream.

[x] Apparently, they are not alicorns here. But they are still the highest authority. (Approach the Principals)

 

[Pittauro]

No, really; I'm pretty sure Soft Sweeps is the only pony that Twilight speaks with anymore.

Click to shrink...

She doesn't know Twilight. And that is a good thing.

Click to shrink...

as DelightedOne says. We saw her first recruit NOT go up to Twilight's door, because "only the ones recruited directly by Soft Sweeps fit their cult, when they try to expand on their own it always fails".

and she explicitly thinks that "she's not ready yet". Which, in other words, means Twilight is NOT quite desperate enough, suffering enough, for the Wolf Cult.

and that's a very good thing. It means that, for all that she's in a bad place, she could be worse, and she's not bad enough to be recruited by the worshippers of Agony.

 

[moonlock]

[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore it properly. Check the stores, see the sights, and discover what wondrous things this world considers mundane.
[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore even beyond that. Map the roads, learn the rules, and seek the very end of this dream.
[X] Apparently, they are not alicorns here. But they are still the highest authority. (Approach the Principals)
[X] This place has a library. Go take a look.
[X] What is this "cellphone" all the kids are talking about? Why do you have one? And what is this "Internet" thing?

 

[Anjaxis]

[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore it properly. Check the stores, see the sights, and discover what wondrous things this world considers mundane.
[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore even beyond that. Map the roads, learn the rules, and seek the very end of this dream.
[X] Apparently, they are not alicorns here. But they are still the highest authority. (Approach the Principals)
[X] They are young and impressionable. Thankfully, you are a responsible adult. (Hang out with Rarity and Fluttershy, your real-life confidantes)

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

She doesn't know Twilight. And that is a good thing.

Click to shrink...

What?

I understand the implications of Whacky Amor not knocking on Twilight's door.

But please, let us not forget the actions of the Deacon do not have the same depth as the actions of the Prophet.

(Edit: hyperlink refuses to work, this is very weird. But here.)

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

Mother. Noble. Cultist. Lady Velvet Covers is part of a cult. One that lurks unseen within Equestria, and that calls upon the powers not of Harmony or the Princesses, but of older things that seem to be imprinted on the very tapestry of the world. One that knows that the waking world is somehow...

forum.questionablequesting.com

 

[Kai Merah]

[x] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore it properly. Check the stores, see the sights, and discover what wondrous things this world considers mundane.
[x] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore even beyond that. Map the roads, learn the rules, and seek the very end of this dream.
[x] Apparently, they are not alicorns here. But they are still the highest authority. (Approach the Principals)

 

[Alan975]

[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore it properly. Check the stores, see the sights, and discover what wondrous things this world considers mundane.
[X] Now that you can reach the city center, it is time to explore even beyond that. Map the roads, learn the rules, and seek the very end of this dream.
[X] Apparently, they are not alicorns here. But they are still the highest authority. (Approach the Principals)
[X] They are young and impressionable. Thankfully, you are a responsible adult. (Hang out with Rarity and Fluttershy, your real-life confidantes)
[X] This place has a library. Go take a look.

...I am flabbergasted.

WHY ARE ANY OF YOU SUPRICED?
I'd thought that the Possible results would be obvious, no?
Short of the Twi-thread of actions being a honey trapped dead end.

The infeasibility of bringing a mind to the "real" world without a body to host it, the need for a switch, the possibility to do so at all.
All things that should be apparent and were since they were all brought up before hand!


But lets ignore all that for now, that's just a bit of pettiness on my part.

Lets look at it this way, we will most likely go through with the switch if I've read the mood correctly. Would be a waste not to and I'm positively giddy for the drama.

I'd be surprised if "Real" Twilight is guided through it in a calm and caring fashion. At best, I think that she'll be catatonic as someone hauls her over in a potato sack.
It's probably going to be bad, is what I'm saying.

But I also think that this is really our only chance to help her, short of ignoring Glory.

A place away from the constant reminders, a routine mystically enforced to keep her going.
And unless I've misinterpreted some stuff, she'll be somewhere that seems significantly less Wolf-y.

Is this a good way to help her? To solve all her problems? No, absolutely not.
But Velvet does not want to interact with "Real" Twilight, this is our only option.

One last attempt, and we even get something out of it.
A faithful student of our own.
A gift for Cadance.
And perhaps even a wielder for an element.

Have I gotten the formula right? The one that always seems to be the most palatable here? A moral choice with the best of intentions wrapped in the furthering of our goals?
Because if not then I'll repeat what I've said before, do what we need and do what you want.

Because why would you play if all you want to do is win?