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

[spiderhellian]

Well, losing out on the RotT is a shame.

Yeah, it seems like Memory of Light is indeed the first step in a long hard road that I imagine only gets us to the Door when it comes to Harmony. Seemingly without mechanical benefits along the way. I don't think we should invest more effort here. It demands an effort that assumes we started 10 turns ago.

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Okay. No more beating around the bush. It's time to make the call on Mareienette.

If we commit to her, we're doing the Grail Sacrament. Maybe on Spoiled Milk, maybe with a Biedde-found criminal. Befriending her and all it entails. Heart 4, let alone Heart sacrament, is turns and turns away.

If we don't, we're offering up Cadance to her influence (and sure, vice versa. Though I don't think it's much of a contest.).

I think the former is the better option. By a lot. I'm going to be really bummed if it goes the other way. But I will be glad to have it resolved.

 

[Greymere]

Edit: Bother bother bother! Spoiled is only a Friend right now. We (obviously) don't really want to spend our time with her, but have to to get at least to close friend. leash from there to get to Confidant to use for Moth. I don't know if/when/how we might be allowed to instantly transfer it to a Prisoner for use for Grail Sacrament, or if that would be permitted or.... Gagh!

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Tbh, even for those that want to go for Mareinette's Sacrament... I'd say just treat the Spoiled Rich thing as something completely separate. There's really no reason to use her for both, just ask Biedde or DoA to capture a prisoner for us if/when the time arises instead of trying to do this weird dance of using her for both at the same time.

 

[Sveta08]

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I... Gegh. I am worried about what we don't know about Biedde and the Edge Sacrament. And part of me wants to ply for the personal Secret Histories Sacrament instead. But the utility of those study actions are more important. Here. Even if it risks wounds.

With the very tight budget that we have given the discussion above, we do still have thirty bits. Namely as... I would propose the 5th Velvet action there be a Reflections of the Tapestry, looking for that Level 7 book. We will need to look for it eventually, and with all the studying and whatnot, it feels right.
Selene could likely do it as well, but given we just lost that roll from a Secret Histories failure, id really rather not repeat that problem.

I'd say just treat the Spoiled Rich thing as something completely separate

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While this is probably the smarter plan, I... Personally want to try to do the weird dance for the dumbest reason.
No matter how it goes down, it will change the Rich Household. And the ripple effects will carry over to Diamond Tiara. Who is Silky's friend, and will thus impact her.
Combining the Grail Sacrament would help disappear Spoiled who, almost certainly, would hate Velvet. It gives leeway to make changes.

But, you are right. It is... Probably smarter to kidnap someone for it.

Maybe someone sweet. Someone Pink

Okay. No more beating around the bush. It's time to make the call on Mareienette

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I'd say befriend her.
Nervous as it makes me, I feel that's the uncomfortable but right call.

 

[Greymere]

*snip*

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Seems pretty similar to what I currently have in my plan skeleton, pending Bird's comments on when artifacts can start being used relative to when they're studied. Though I'll note that despite having the prepwork for the Edge Sacrament in your plan, it's not actually present in the Velvet actions.

Currently:

Detectives - Dodge City
Constables - Tall Tale Proto-Hive
Commissioner - Get our hooves dirty (aka directly help w/ both of the above)
Free Lore Introduction - Lantern

Mareinette - Filthy & Spoiled Rich
Baldomare - Lantern Influence
Biedde - Edge Influence
DoA (2) - ???, tentatively looking for intermediate expedition sites; not difficult enough that DoA would have difficulty doing it on her own or slight backup, but enough to still have relevant rewards
Selene (3) - RotT for Level 7 book (boosted either by studied artifact or by reagent, depending), look for 3-circle site, Soothe the Night
Rarity - Edge AotL
Comet - Edge AotL
Risen - Cover your bases
Servants - Cover your bases

AotL) Either Edge, Lantern, or Grail
Knock) Shattered Stairways
Forge) Either Forge 2 or Lantern 3
Social) Cheerilee
1+2) Study: Moth 5 book, Lantern 4 artifact, Manehattan book, Winter artifact
3) Soft Sweeps FO
4) Forge Name summoning (AP deducted pre-turn)
5) Edge Sacrament

Selene could likely do it as well, but given we just lost that roll from a Secret Histories failure, id really rather not repeat that problem.

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It is quite literally impossible for Selene to fail the SH check. She rolls a baseline of +60, due to her +30 general bonus combined with the +30 from our SH3 artifact.

 

[Sveta08]

It is quite literally impossible for Selene to fail the SH check. She rolls a baseline of +60, due to her +30 general bonus combined with the +30 from our SH3 artifact

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... Somehow I straight up forgot about the General Bonus Selene has.
You have the right of it there.

 

[Greymere]

While this is probably the smarter plan, I... Personally want to try to do the weird dance for the dumbest reason.
No matter how it goes down, it will change the Rich Household. And the ripple effects will carry over to Diamond Tiara. Who is Silky's friend, and will thus impact her.
Combining the Grail Sacrament would help disappear Spoiled who, almost certainly, would hate Velvet. It gives leeway to make changes.

But, you are right. It is... Probably smarter to kidnap someone for it.

Maybe someone sweet. Someone Pink

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I mean... will she? I kind of feel like she'll just become Mareinette's friend in truth instead of her friend by body-double, considering the sheer extent of Mareinette's Grailness. Also, please no kidnapping any more Elements of Harmony, I'm sure we can find a perfectly good kidnapping victim that the thread wouldn't be emotionally attached to and that aren't somewhat metaphysically important to the setting.

 

[Nevermort]

Either way, that means we can't afford to perform either/both of those this turn, and are not in a position to. So I think it is best if this turn we offer a hand to Marinette. Marinette... well, preparing for us a meal of a friend this turn is seemingly inevitable.
We are not yet ready for her friendship, and the cost it has. So offer her the companionship of our close friend Cadence.

Besides, it might help with Cadence's lores if you want a mechanical advantage

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We need to prepare for Mareinette rebinding either way. If we make her stay with us at the farm she may ask for a higher price so we show commitment or hurry with her Sacrament. Still maybe price increase is fixed, but to be safe better to assume that it at least doubles. And it will happen at the end of next turn!
So we need at least 100 bits or more (lol) or artifact with lvl higher than 2, better lvl 4 to be safe. At least we have that Winter 4 thingy.

 

[Greymere]

Also, I just want to point out that there is a reason that I want to social both Cheerilee and Filthy Rich (via Mareinette) this turn, to try and progress them to Confidant. And that reason is AP.

The servants, Comet/Fluttershy, Rarity, Filthy Rich, Jade, and Cheerilee, all together, gives us enough follower AP to consistently take the +2 AP Cover Your Bases option while still leaving a slight bit of wiggle room for Rarity commissions or Jade scrying, and while also leaving our Name (and Selene) AP untouched (unless we need both Jade and Rarity's AP, in which case it's probably Biedde's AP getting the axe). Mayor Mare or Applejack (or someone new, I suppose) could also be added to this list via free socials or Mareinette to give it even more flex.

 

[Earth-Destroyer]

Mareinette can only social one person at a time. And that is on Spoiled so we can Moth & Grail Sacrament her next turn.

Velvet is she can spare an action should try and get and confidants thou.

 

[Nevermort]

Also, I just want to point out that there is a reason that I want to social both Cheerilee and Filthy Rich (via Mareinette) this turn, to try and progress them to Confidant. And that reason is AP.

The servants, Comet/Fluttershy, Rarity, Filthy Rich, Jade, and Cheerilee, all together, gives us enough follower AP to consistently take the +2 AP Cover Your Bases option while still leaving a slight bit of wiggle room for Rarity commissions or Jade scrying, and while also leaving our Name (and Selene) AP untouched (unless we need both Jade and Rarity's AP, in which case it's probably Biedde's AP getting the axe). Mayor Mare or Applejack (or someone new, I suppose) could also be added to this list via free socials or Mareinette to give it even more flex.

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We need money more than AP. We will need money for Book 7 expedition and everything else. Mareinette can get us money.

 

[Greymere]

Mareinette can only social one person at a time. And that is on Spoiled so we can Moth & Grail Sacrament her next turn.

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...I mean she can do multi-socials, it's a perfectly legal action. The downside of trying to social multiple people at the same time is that they're supposed to be less effective, but Mareinette rolls so high in social situations that the decreased efficiency doesn't really matter. It was legal for one of last turn's potential plans, and it was legal for the very first social she did with both Filthy and Spoiled.

We need money more than AP. We will need money for Book 7 expedition and everything else. Mareinette can get us money.

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She can do that next turn, after we have our Moth Sacrament ready to go and Filthy either at Confidant or very close to.

 

[Earth-Destroyer]

Reminder it not really an option to social both Spoiled and Filthy. And we really need Spoiled finished this turn, and she has needs to go up 2 stages minimum plus another from the Leash to be used for the Sacraments.

My opinion is we should just use the Leash on Filthy, to start bringing him online, have Velvet spend an action getting closer to Cheerilee. While Mareinnete turbos thous Spoiled in a single turn.

 

[Nevermort]

She can do that next turn, after we have our Moth Sacrament ready to go and Filthy either at Confidant or very close to.

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But didn't people wanted to start mass summoning Mare-in-lights the moment we get Lantern 4 artifact studied? Both Luna and DoA can easily do it. Each summon costs 55 bits. The more money we have the more MitL we can bring, the more AP we can get. Money is AP.

 

[Greymere]

Reminder it not really an option to social both Spoiled and Filthy. And we really need Spoiled finished this turn, and she has needs to go up 2 stages minimum plus another from the Leash to be used for the Sacraments.

My opinion is we should just use the Leash on Filthy, to start bringing him online, have Velvet spend an action getting closer to Cheerilee. While Mareinnete turbos thous Spoiled in a single turn.

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It literally is though. Bird looked at a plan that included this exact action last turn, a combined Spoiled + Filthy social action via Mareinette, and went "yep no problems here". Also she only needs to go up one stage, because Close Friend + Leash is sufficient for the Moth Sacrament, and she's currently at Friend.

But didn't people wanted to start mass summoning Mare-in-lights the moment we get Lantern 4 artifact studied? Both Luna and DoA can easily do it. Each summon costs 55 bits. The more money we have the more MitL we can bring, the more AP we can get. Money is AP.

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Gotta find a summoning site first. I have Selene looking for one in my future plan, but that doesn't mean she'll succeed at it or that it won't be locked behind an expedition. Or that another plan that doesn't have anyone looking for a 3-circle site won't win. Mundane Confidants also have the benefit of not needing constant bits upkeep to maintain their AP, so enough mundane followers to consistently hit +2 AP seems pretty good to me even if we're also wringing AP out of summoned spirits.

 

[spiderhellian]

The Case for Mareinette
We should commit to Mareinette this turn, and commit to the Grail Sacrament. It is a major source of strength now and in All In, it saves us considerable resources, we can handle corruption better than Cadance, and it is not as corrupting as many fear.

First, to be blunt, it is a lot of power, for not much effort. We get double actions from our strongest Name — that's a lot of Heart lessons, or social actions, or 2 influences for All In. In All In, we also get a good combatant and a Name with lores that address some of our biggest expedition weaknesses. The cost is one Sacrament action and a Leash for Spoiled (maybe). Two extra actions if we need a prison and prisoner.

Second, the alternative is expensive. Mareinette's second binding is going to be painful. A third would hurt. I think there might be explicit risk to leaving her unfriended when we go All In, but even without that, avoiding these costs is very beneficial.

Third, we can handle Mareinette better than Cadance. This seems pretty clear. Mareinette is a monster who has been doing her thing for eras. Cadance is a stressed out Princess doubtful of herself who learned about the lores yesterday. Hoping for a Harmony redemption arc is a hope, and not a good one.

Fourth, considering the Sacrament as indelibly corrupting feels misguided. We are not forced to do more cannibalism. We are not forced to say "go wild, Mareinette." It's unfriended Names who take steps, not friended ones. The Sacrament is about showing her respect. We should do so.

You may disagree on individual elements of these points. I think the sum total still comes very much on the side of the Sacrament.

So I hope you will join me in voting:
-[] (MAREINETTE) You introduced her to Cadance, yes, but you are still very interested in her endeavors.

 

[Earth-Destroyer]

It literally is though. Bird looked at a plan that included this exact action last turn, a combined Spoiled + Filthy social action via Mareinette, and went "yep no problems here". Also she only needs to go up one stage, because Close Friend + Leash is sufficient for the Moth Sacrament, and she's currently at Friend.

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In case you forgot Rich and Spoiled are heading to what amounts to a divorce. To the point they have already asked Velvet whom she is going to support. And we really do need Spoiled to be a Minion as their will be a gap between the Moth and Grail Sacraments. And we cannot just imprison Spoiled as just a close friend without spending someone's action.

The order would go turn after next. Ask Spoiled to step into a cell, Moth Sacrament, Comet action is spent guarding her for most of the turn, then Grail Sacrament towards the end.

 

[Sveta08]

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Seems most of the drafting plans seem pretty similar in aim and scope. Mine is just a touch off.

Currently:

Detectives - Dodge City
Constables - Tall Tale Proto-Hive
Commissioner - Induct those in the know in Lore -Secret Histories
Free Lore Introduction - Lantern

Mareinette - Filthy & Spoiled Rich
Baldomare - Lantern Influence
Biedde - Edge Influence
DoA (2) - Knock Lesson, ??? (Potentially second Knock Lesson, or Study the Ritual)
Selene (3) - RotT for Level 7 book (boosted either by studied artifact or by reagent, depending), look for 3-circle site, Soothe the Night
Rarity - Commission
Comet - Edge AotL
Risen - Search for Expeditions
Servants - Cover your bases
Filthy - Cover your bases

AotL) Edge
Knock) Shattered Stairways
Forge) Forge 2
Leash) Filthy Rich
Social) Cheerilee
1+2) Study: Moth 5 book, Lantern 4 artifact, Manehattan book, Winter artifact
3) Soft Sweeps FO
4) Forge Name summoning (AP deducted pre-turn)
5) Edge Sacrament


Main differences are changing around DoA's action to a Knock Lesson. As much as I'd love for her to earn us bits right now, or go on an expedition, that just doesn't seem to be in the cards. If people want her to search for an expedition instead of of the Risen, I'm fine with that. Just trying to maximize the use gained by Filthy Rich and the Servants.

I agree that getting Extra AP with Cheerilee is probably a good call, and with Marinette doing her thing to the Riches, might not need the Leash for the action, but for planning purposes, we weren't using it anyway.

Oh. And, I moved the Commissioner action expectation to inducting another lore. Going on the expedition gains us nearly nothing. If we got some valuable artifact or book, we would have to study it to make some use of it. That takes actions. We don't need more loyalty. It might injure Velvet before the sacrament even.

 

[Greymere]

In case you forgot Rich and Spoiled are heading to what amounts to a divorce. To the point they have already asked Velvet whom she is going to support. And we really do need Spoiled to be a Minion as their will be a gap between the Moth and Grail Sacraments. And we cannot just imprison Spoiled as just a close friend without spending someone's action.

The order would go turn after next. Ask Spoiled to step into a cell, Moth Sacrament, Comet action is spent guarding her for most of the turn, then Grail Sacrament.

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You're literally spending someone's action either way. Either for someone to guard her, someone to kidnap her, or for someone to kidnap someone else. So no, I'm not particularly inclined to get Spoiled to Minion instead of Confidant just so we can do this weird-ass plan of going "mask off" then eating her like some kind of two-bit horror movie villain instead of just taking the two Sacraments as two separate things.

 

[Nevermort]

The Case for Mareinette
We should commit to Mareinette this turn, and commit to the Grail Sacrament. It is a major source of strength now and in All In, it saves us considerable resources, we can handle corruption better than Cadance, and it is not as corrupting as many fear.

First, to be blunt, it is a lot of power, for not much effort. We get double actions from our strongest Name — that's a lot of Heart lessons, or social actions, or 2 influences for All In. In All In, we also get a good combatant and a Name with lores that address some of our biggest expedition weaknesses. The cost is one Sacrament action and a Leash for Spoiled (maybe). Two extra actions if we need a prison and prisoner.

Second, the alternative is expensive. Mareinette's second binding is going to be painful. A third would hurt. I think there might be explicit risk to leaving her unfriended when we go All In, but even without that, avoiding these costs is very beneficial.

Third, we can handle Mareinette better than Cadance. This seems pretty clear. Mareinette is a monster who has been doing her thing for eras. Cadance is a stressed out Princess doubtful of herself who learned about the lores yesterday. Hoping for a Harmony redemption arc is a hope, and not a good one.

Fourth, considering the Sacrament as indelibly corrupting feels misguided. We are not forced to do more cannibalism. We are not forced to say "go wild, Mareinette." It's unfriended Names who take steps, not friended ones. The Sacrament is about showing her respect. We should do so.

You may disagree on individual elements of these points. I think the sum total still comes very much on the side of the Sacrament.

So I hope you will join me in voting:
-[] (MAREINETTE) You introduced her to Cadance, yes, but you are still very interested in her endeavors.

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Velvet being better than Cadance is protagonist centric mentality. Reminder that QM said that if we agreed to Master possession there would be nothing she would be able to do to resist. Even recently Cadance showed that she is more sturdy and can deal with hangover better than Velvet despite Velvet using her lores. Moreover she has Harmony which is unknown powers to Mareinette while Velvet can't surprise Mareinette with anything beside Regrettable actions.

As for the second binding we don't have prisoners prepared. We don't make it in time regardless.

 

[Pittauro]

With the very tight budget that we have given the discussion above, we do still have thirty bits. Namely as... I would propose the 5th Velvet action there be a Reflections of the Tapestry, looking for that Level 7 book. We will need to look for it eventually, and with all the studying and whatnot, it feels right.
Selene could likely do it as well, but given we just lost that roll from a Secret Histories failure, id really rather not repeat that problem.

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I made a mistake in writing that plan and edited it, but basically that last 5th action in my opinion should be the Edge Sacrament (which I forgot to add).

Seems pretty similar to what I currently have in my plan skeleton, pending Bird's comments on when artifacts can start being used relative to when they're studied. Though I'll note that despite having the prepwork for the Edge Sacrament in your plan, it's not actually present in the Velvet actions.

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Yeah, I somehow forgot to add it in, and edited it now.

Initially I was planning for two Covers your Bases, but I'm not sure it's worth it. It would cost 3 actions for that second one, so... 2 Selene and on Axe? It feels like a waste.

Currently:

Detectives - Dodge City
Constables - Tall Tale Proto-Hive
Commissioner - Get our hooves dirty (aka directly help w/ both of the above)
Free Lore Introduction - Lantern

Mareinette - Filthy & Spoiled Rich
Baldomare - Lantern Influence
Biedde - Edge Influence
DoA (2) - ???, tentatively looking for intermediate expedition sites; not difficult enough that DoA would have difficulty doing it on her own or slight backup, but enough to still have relevant rewards
Selene (3) - RotT for Level 7 book (boosted either by studied artifact or by reagent, depending), look for 3-circle site, Soothe the Night
Rarity - Edge AotL
Comet - Edge AotL
Risen - Cover your bases
Servants - Cover your bases

AotL) Either Edge, Lantern, or Grail
Knock) Shattered Stairways
Forge) Either Forge 2 or Lantern 3
Social) Cheerilee
1+2) Study: Moth 5 book, Lantern 4 artifact, Manehattan book, Winter artifact
3) Soft Sweeps FO
4) Forge Name summoning (AP deducted pre-turn)
5) Edge Sacrament

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Seems Fine.

I might avoid Selene's RotT if Lantern 4 artifact doesn't apply in the same turn, and I think I might go Mareinette grail influence with free social being on Spoiled Rich instead, this way we'd have the Grail Influence active for Tall Tale and Mansus.

And I think we need bits enough that I'd put Rarity on Commission again.

also... can we ask for more Keys from Axe again? If so, we might want to do that instead.

So we need at least 100 bits or more (lol) or artifact with lvl higher than 2, better lvl 4 to be safe. At least we have that Winter 4 thingy.

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Did we need to ahve researched the artifact? Because if not we could definitely give her one of the ones we have yet to study.

We need money more than AP. We will need money for Book 7 expedition and everything else. Mareinette can get us money.

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not without letting her off the leash. I think we were told with the moral constraints a Name action might get us something like 40 bits? IF we let them do whatever they want (which likely includes theft and murder) THEN we could probably get significantly more.

Commissioner - Induct those in the know in Lore -Secret Histories

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No going to Tall Tale?!

Oh. And, I moved the Commissioner action expectation to inducting another lore. Going on the expedition gains us nearly nothing. If we got some valuable artifact or book, we would have to study it to make some use of it. That takes actions. We don't need more loyalty. It might injure Velvet before the sacrament even.

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We literally do NOT know what the Changelings have, but bits and artifacts sound likely. If Velvet is there she can acquire those.

Also Velvet is incredibly good at expeditions, she'd add rerolls and lots of bonuses to their rolls, making them far more effective in general.

 

[DelightedOne]

In case you forgot Rich and Spoiled are heading to what amounts to a divorce. To the point they have already asked Velvet whom she is going to support.

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Not what happened, that would only be a thing if Mareinette had chosen this option:

[-] You told her that her relationships are holding her back. She can't expect to climb the social ladder with weights dragging her down, can she?
-You will become Close Friends with Spoiled Rich.
-You will encourage her to look after herself, first and foremost. And your words will be more than enough to turn whatever ideas she has in her mind into actions.
-Her relationship with her husband will deteriorate, very quickly, and you can predict you will be asked to pick a side when it inevitably falls apart. You will "play both sides" until that happens, but you should act on whatever plans you have for them before you are asked which pony you will stand with.
-This is, without a doubt, the worst option for everypony involved. Everypony, except yourself.

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She didn't, instead Spoiled will treat her marriage as an investment, not loving Filthy but also not hating him.

 

[spiderhellian]

Velvet being better than Cadance is protagonist centric mentality. Reminder that QM said that if we agreed to Master possession there would be nothing she would be able to do to resist

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It's funny. I am also reminded of that discussion around possession. Betting on harmony makes me think of betting the Master will be oh so impressed. Sure, maybe. But we're dealing with Monsters here.

Who is better at keeping Mareinette in check? It's Velvet, who knows what Mareinette is and knows the Lores better than anyone in Equestria. It's not Cadance, who does not. To any extent.

 

[Greymere]

Velvet being better than Cadance is protagonist centric mentality. Reminder that QM said that if we agreed to Master possession there would be nothing she would be able to do to resist. Even recently Cadance showed that she is more sturdy and can deal with hangover better than Velvet despite Velvet using her lores. Moreover she has Harmony which is unknown powers to Mareinette while Velvet can't surprise Mareinette with anything beside Regrettable actions.

As for the second binding we don't have prisoners prepared. We don't make it in time regardless.

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Technically, technically we could probably make it if we send DoA to go get a prisoner and we have the Forge Name build a cell this turn, since taking Mareinette's Sacrament as her renewal option doesn't spend any AP iirc. But it would be a pretty tight crunch and require some pretty specific actions.

And I think we need bits enough that I'd put Rarity on Commission again.

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Ehhhh. While her career is fine, it's also been noted that Rarity taking commissions is very stressful for her, so I'd really rather not take it twice in a row for narrative reasons.

We literally do NOT know what the Changelings have, but bits and artifacts sound likely. If Velvet is there she can acquire those.

Also Velvet is incredibly good at expeditions, she'd add rerolls and lots of bonuses to their rolls, making them far more effective in general.

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Plus, if we're rocking a max Edge and Lantern Influence at the same time, we're basically the changelings' nightmare manifest

We also get to help with the investigation, not just the raid/expedition.

 

[Sveta08]

We literally do NOT know what the Changelings have, but bits and artifacts sound likely. If Velvet is there she can acquire those.

Also Velvet is incredibly good at expeditions, she'd add rerolls and lots of bonuses to their rolls, making them far more effective in general.

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You... Have a point. Several even.
Bits especially. I am simply worried we will get more material or books that will fundamentally be useful, if we have the time or actions to research them. Time we sorely lack.

But, if we find even one somewhat useful reagent, it's worth it in the end. I hadn't considered that. Call me convinced. I was wanting the Secret History intros so that they might find useful bits and bobs anyway. Velvet would be... Far better at that. Just hadn't thought of it.
Will keep the post the same for record, but will change it in my planning.


Ah, and for the actual vote, I am still thinking this bit.

Plan: A Home for Names
-[] (ALL IN) You will NOT attempt the "All In" expedition.
-[] (BIEDDE) Fund a short monster-hunting expedition (Costs 60 bits)
-[] (MAREINETTE) You introduced her to Cadance, yes, but you are still very interested in her endeavors.
-[] (FORGE NAME) You will attempt the "Rite of Joyous (Re)Forging"

 

[Pittauro]

Ehhhh. While her career is fine, it's also been noted that Rarity taking commissions is very stressful for her, so I'd really rather not take it twice in a row for narrative reasons.

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she can deal with stress. Velvet did, Selene did, Jade did, she can too.

Plus, if we're rocking a max Edge and Lantern Influence at the same time, we're basically the changelings' nightmare manifest

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and we could easily add a grail influence there too, as long as we were willing to use the free social to continue the Spoiled Rich project

 

[LieutenantSpirit]

At this point, I am willing to eat a pony. I'd rather eat a pony than go through our personal Grail sacrament, anyway. The best use of Biedde is to get us a prisoner for that, and that's basically where I stand with Mareinette right now.

 

[Greymere]

and we could easily add a grail influence there too, as long as we were willing to use the free social to continue the Spoiled Rich project

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I just don't think the Grail Influence would be nearly as impactful, and I'd really rather we spend Velvet's personal social actions on people we actually intend to keep around.

Unrelated, @OurLadyOfWires since this is in the interest of your favorite Name, would DoA or Biedde be better for kidnapping someone, in terms of what Lores and/or specialties might be invoked?

 

[Nevermort]

Did we need to ahve researched the artifact? Because if not we could definitely give her one of the ones we have yet to study.

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Yes, it need to be studied

not without letting her off the leash. I think we were told with the moral constraints a Name action might get us something like 40 bits? IF we let them do whatever they want (which likely includes theft and murder) THEN we could probably get significantly more.

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We can have her sell low level artifacts. Allow her to gaslight people as much as needed so they are convinced that they are ancient relicts or something, but overall it is not too amorally I think. Or maybe Cadance will buy them.

 

[Nevermort]

At this point, I am willing to eat a pony. I'd rather eat a pony than go through our personal Grail sacrament, anyway. The best use of Biedde is to get us a prisoner for that, and that's basically where I stand with Mareinette right now.

Click to shrink...

First Velvet eats pony with Mareinette. Then she eats pony with Rarity when she teaches her lvl5. Then she eats pony with Cadance...

As for Velvet personal Sacrament. Gather three Grail major ponies.Get Velvet Sacrament. Teach them the same Sacrament. Either they counter each other or they are mutually controlling each other so it stops being big issue

 

[Sveta08]

First Velvet eats pony with Mareinette. Then she eats pony with Rarity when she teaches her lvl5. Then she eats pony with Cadance...

As for Velvet personal Sacrament. Gather three Grail major ponies.Get Velvet Sacrament. Teach them the same Sacrament. Either they counter each other or they are mutually controlling each other so it stops being big issue

Click to shrink...

Normally, I am all for solving problems well ahead of them rearing their head. But this is a bit much even for me.

Rarity is a right mess, but unless we suddenly change tracks, I don't think we need/want her to take a Grail Sacrament. Cadence... That's four lore levels away before it is even a concern.
Not to mention that requires three minions. Living folk too. Those don't just fall out of the woodwork. That takes more time and energy than I think we have, to solve a problem we don't even know if we will have.