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

[Shaper47]

[] Plan: Knock and SH Sacraments with Friendship
-[X] Leash Filthy Rich (gain one follower action)
-[X] Three extra Velvet actions! (Costs 9 follower actions)
-[X] [DETECTIVES] (FOLLOW UP) There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[X] [CONSTABLES] (FOLLOW UP) Everypony heard what happened to your previous prisoner. Nopony wants to sit around and wait for what happens next. Time to raid the mountain of Tall Tale.
-[X] [COMMISSIONER] [FLEETING OPPORTUNITY] Princess Cadance is in Canterlot. You are in Canterlot. Oh, and you nearly died, just a few weeks ago. Use your free time here to meet her.
-[X] [JADE] Research "A Memory of Light" (Current progress 0/100, uses Learning and LANTERN)
-[X] [BALDOMARE] Channel an Influence in Secret Histories
-[X] [MAREINETTE] You need her to talk to Spoiled Rich
-[X] [AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson.
-[X] [SELENE] Comfort Jade
-[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. Alive. Dig a small prison under her house.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Of course it is! When has Harmony not given a tragic villain the chance to redeem themselves?

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Sombra on his second throwdown in the final season. The Mane 6 just straight-up deleted him. He was dead and gone.

 

[jelloloaf]

Sombra on his second throwdown in the final season. The Mane 6 just straight-up deleted him. He was dead and gone.

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Not really a tragic villain in my opinion. Sombra was capital-E Evil and had no interest in ever changing that, unlike Mareinette. Nothing about Grail is incompatible with reformation; we're directly told by Ezeem in CS to "change me."

 

[DelightedOne]

Of course it is! When has Harmony not given a tragic villain the chance to redeem themselves?

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Well considering you said tragic villain, then never.
But Mareinette is first and foremost a monster by choice.

Nothing made her do what she did and still does, she enjoys it and she doesn't want to change.

 

[Shaper47]

[X] Plan: Knock, SH and Edge Sacrament with extra Aotl (Jade on light)
[X] Plan: Knock and SH Sacraments with Friendship
[X] Plan: Knock, SH and Edge Sacrament with extra Aotl
[X] Plan: Knock, SH and Edge Sacrament
[X] Plan: Knock, SH and Wolf Sacrament
[X] Plan Stacking up Influences and Raiding with SH influence

[X] Plan We Can Be More

[X] Plan: Knock, SH and Edge Sacrament with extra Aotl (Jade on light)
-[X] Leash Filthy Rich (gain one follower action)
-[X] Three extra Velvet actions! (Costs 9 follower actions)
-[X] [DETECTIVES] (FOLLOW UP) There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[X] [CONSTABLES] (FOLLOW UP) Everypony heard what happened to your previous prisoner. Nopony wants to sit around and wait for what happens next. Time to raid the mountain of Tall Tale.
-[X] [COMMISSIONER] [FLEETING OPPORTUNITY] Princess Cadance is in Canterlot. You are in Canterlot. Oh, and you nearly died, just a few weeks ago. Use your free time here to meet her.
-[X] [JADE] Research "A Memory of Light" (Current progress 0/100, uses Learning and LANTERN)
-[X] [BALDOMARE] Channel an Influence in Secret Histories
-[X] [MAREINETTE] You need her to talk to Spoiled Rich
-[X] [AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson.
-[X] [BIEDDE] Ask for an Edge Influence.
-[X] You would like for somepony to search for books…
--[X] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (HEART, FORGE)
-[X] You would like somepony to help you with a small ritual. Edge Aotl × 1


[X] Plan: Knock and SH Sacraments with Friendship
-[X] Leash Filthy Rich (gain one follower action)
-[X] Three extra Velvet actions! (Costs 9 follower actions)
-[X] [DETECTIVES] (FOLLOW UP) There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[X] [CONSTABLES] (FOLLOW UP) Everypony heard what happened to your previous prisoner. Nopony wants to sit around and wait for what happens next. Time to raid the mountain of Tall Tale.
-[X] [COMMISSIONER] [FLEETING OPPORTUNITY] Princess Cadance is in Canterlot. You are in Canterlot. Oh, and you nearly died, just a few weeks ago. Use your free time here to meet her.
-[X] [JADE] Research "A Memory of Light" (Current progress 0/100, uses Learning and LANTERN)
-[X] [BALDOMARE] Channel an Influence in Secret Histories
-[X] [MAREINETTE] You need her to talk to Spoiled Rich
-[X] [AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson.
-[X] [SELENE] Comfort Jade
-[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. Alive. Dig a small prison under her house.
-[X] (Other) Lend Comet the Heart 3 artifact for the turn, if he's willing


[X] Plan: Knock, SH and Edge Sacrament
-[X] Leash Filthy Rich (gain one follower action)
-[X] Three extra Velvet actions! (Costs 9 follower actions)
-[X] [DETECTIVES] (FOLLOW UP) There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[X] [CONSTABLES] (FOLLOW UP) Everypony heard what happened to your previous prisoner. Nopony wants to sit around and wait for what happens next. Time to raid the mountain of Tall Tale.
-[X] [COMMISSIONER] [FLEETING OPPORTUNITY] Princess Cadance is in Canterlot. You are in Canterlot. Oh, and you nearly died, just a few weeks ago. Use your free time here to meet her.
-[X] [RARITY] Focus on her work. (Guarantees she will "succeed" on her career roll)
-[X] [BALDOMARE] Channel an Influence in Secret Histories
-[X] [MAREINETTE] You need her to talk to Spoiled Rich
-[X] [AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson.
-[X] [BIEDDE] Ask for an Edge Influence.
-[X] You would like for somepony to search for books…
--[X] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (HEART, FORGE) × 2

[X] Plan: Knock, SH and Edge Sacrament with extra Aotl
-[X] Leash Filthy Rich (gain one follower action)
-[X] Three extra Velvet actions! (Costs 9 follower actions)
-[X] [DETECTIVES] (FOLLOW UP) There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[X] [CONSTABLES] (FOLLOW UP) Everypony heard what happened to your previous prisoner. Nopony wants to sit around and wait for what happens next. Time to raid the mountain of Tall Tale.
-[X] [COMMISSIONER] [FLEETING OPPORTUNITY] Princess Cadance is in Canterlot. You are in Canterlot. Oh, and you nearly died, just a few weeks ago. Use your free time here to meet her.
-[X] [RARITY] Focus on her work. (Guarantees she will "succeed" on her career roll)
-[X] [BALDOMARE] Channel an Influence in Secret Histories
-[X] [MAREINETTE] You need her to talk to Spoiled Rich
-[X] [AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson.
-[X] [BIEDDE] Ask for an Edge Influence.
-[X] You would like for somepony to search for books…
--[X] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (HEART, FORGE)
-[X] You would like somepony to help you with a small ritual. Edge Aotl × 1

[X] Plan: Knock, SH and Wolf Sacrament
-[X] Leash Filthy Rich (gain one follower action)
-[X] Three extra Velvet actions! (Costs 9 follower actions)
-[X] [DETECTIVES] (FOLLOW UP) There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[X] [CONSTABLES] (FOLLOW UP) Everypony heard what happened to your previous prisoner. Nopony wants to sit around and wait for what happens next. Time to raid the mountain of Tall Tale.
-[X] [COMMISSIONER] [FLEETING OPPORTUNITY] Princess Cadance is in Canterlot. You are in Canterlot. Oh, and you nearly died, just a few weeks ago. Use your free time here to meet her.
-[X] [RARITY] Focus on her work. (Guarantees she will "succeed" on her career roll)
-[X] [BALDOMARE] Channel an Influence in Secret Histories
-[X] [MAREINETTE] You need her to talk to Spoiled Rich
-[X] [AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson.
-[X] You would like for somepony to search for books…
--[X] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (HEART, FORGE) × 2
-[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.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

OurLadyOfWires Does artifact study follow the same rules as books for doing a Sacrament in the same turn?

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My main issue with any kind of turn that has "studying" and "Sacrament attempt" at the same time is, and remains, time constraint.

A written scene, and an update, might be depicted as an afternoon, but many times it is also the culmination of several days or weeks of preparation. Especially when it involves Lore usage or dangerous activities.

Performing a Sacrament is no exception.

So, if Velvet needs to study a book or an artifact, even if she would succeed in a single dice roll, she still needs time to do it. And if she needs two weeks to study an artifact, I don't see her "rushing" into a Sacrament just so she can get it done before the end of the month.

For you guys, it's as easy as planning. And you have several certainties that come from this being a game, and you guys picking options. But to Velvet, this is all a constant plunge into the unknown. And I will treat it accordingly.

A Guest is Honoured

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This was great.

Now, I understand the problem inherent to any omake. The wording needs to be vague, and the theme needs to be broad. Any attempt at claiming something is "certain" could run afoul of the main story.

So, it might happen that I missed a few details or nuances you envisioned while writing. Because who, exactly, is the guest? What scent, exactly, is wafting from the kitchen? Are these mentions of gifts and visits referring to small happenstances that occur behind the scenes, or are they referring to previous updates and specific events?

I cannot say for sure. But that vagueness is delightful enough for me to drink them in, rather than look at them with suspicion.

And of course, the most important part to me is that...

I cannot point at a single thing in this story, when it comes to Mareinette's mentality, that is incorrect.

So thank you for sharing this with us! Mareinette is, and remains, one of my favorite characters.

@OurLadyOfWires just a couple thoughts about Mareinette, thought you might enjoy them

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I have no better way to put it. So, I will quote you back to yourself:

So, from her point of view, it makes complete sense what she's doing.

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Because I could not agree more.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

In other news, voting is open. Technically, it has been open for a few minutes now. To the point that Shaper was precisely on time.

Good night everyone!

 

[Maer]

[X] Plan: Knock and SH Sacraments with Friendship

To make sure this actually gets posted…

[X] Plan We Can Be More
-[X] (Detectives) Follow Up: Changelings
-[X] (Constables) Follow Up: The Gardeners
-[X] (Commissioner) Midday Dew
-[X] (Grail-Leash) Filthy Rich
-[X] (Baldomare-Gift) Edge 6 book
-[X] (Baldomare) Channel a SH Influence
-[X] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Spoiled Rich + Filthy Rich
-[X] (DoA) Knock lesson
-[X] (Selene) Soothe the night
-[X] (Selene) Scout Windy's dreams
-[X] (Rarity) Take a commission
-[X] (Biedde) Build a prison
-[X] Cover your bases (-9 Follower AP, +3 Velvet AP)
-[X] (Other) Lend Comet the Heart 3 artifact for the turn, if he's willing

[X] Plan Spreading Ourselves Thin Always Gets Us Punished

[X] Plan Lightcatcher V2

 

[Shaper47]

Just letting people know that "Lend Comet the Heart 3 artifact for the turn, if he's willing" has been added to "Plan: Knock and SH Sacraments with Friendship".

 

[Maer]

@OurLadyOfWires what hexadecimal code creates the color you use to represent actions and words that are heavily tainted by Harmony's Love?

I asked earlier, but the phenomenal update surrounding Mareinette- which you've said details her mentality excellently and drastically changes my view of her while leaving me both slightly less, and yet somehow GREATLY increases my wariness of her- effortlessly and rightfully distracted others from my question.

I always love the Omake's in the quest- even the ones that don't make sense. They're so interesting and so illuminating. They show how a person views the mind of someone in that world… shows how the author views things based on their response. It was amazing. That honestly feels was FAR more impressive and important than a question I can ask any old time. :3

 

[jelloloaf]

Nothing made her do what she did and still does, she enjoys it and she doesn't want to change.

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Crime of the Sky was described as an "irresistible urge," so I feel like there's at least a little wiggle room for redemption.

 

[AuthorTransient]

-[] (Constables) Follow Up: The Gardeners

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Shouldn't this be the Tall Tale expedition instead?

-[] (Selene) Soothe the night

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Presumably, this might also help a bit with Celestia - but we can also use Selene's contact / investigate action to find out more about Daybreaker... hmmm...

-[] (Biedde) Build a prison

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I'm alright with this because we don't really have need for an Edge influence right now.

Velvet action draft:

• Explore the Summit (Free Mansus)
• Teach Selene (Free Social)
• Fleeting Opportunity: Family
• Fleeting Opportunity: Friends
• DoA Sacrament x 4 (Better to over-commit, hopefully with room for the SH Sacrament!)
• Forge Redemption

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This works, except that I would like to follow the constables on the Tall Tale expedition to launder the Forge Redemption. The SH influence will also likley help in exploring the peak.

 

[Sveta08]

When the Lightcatcher Version-whatever is put up, I'll likely cast my vote for that.

Meanwhile, I will be writing. This.... gegh. I hate it. But I want to write it. Even, and especially, if it never matters.
Just... I want this one to be good. The others, I've been happy with. This, I want to be good.
Gonna be a few days.

 

[spiderhellian]

[X] Plan We Can Be More

But let us all keep in mind that while the end CAN justify the means, the end is also SHAPED by the means.

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We are shaped by the means. That doesn't have to mean the ends are. Explicitly, this sacrament not going to change the choices we have in our epilogue.

Of course it is! When has Harmony not given a tragic villain the chance to redeem themselves?

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And what's required for that redemption? Friendship!

This makes me happy in a difficult way.

I suppose the simple fact that it treats Mareinette as... a person. Or something close to it. Something we should do more.
Good stuff. Makes me happy.

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Thank you! The discussion made me think of the feelings you sometime express, where people are talking about something and you think so deeply another way that you have to write it out. Glad you enjoyed it.

This was great.

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And I'm glad you enjoyed it as well. It's very satisfying to know I've done Mareinette justice.

---

Shouldn't this be the Tall Tale expedition instead?

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I'm happy to post an alternative, but people seem to prefer the Cult follow-up. Which makes sense, we've been told the trail is rapidly going cold.

 

[AuthorTransient]

I'm happy to post an alternative, but people seem to prefer the Cult follow-up. Which makes sense, we've been told the trail is rapidly going cold.

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Wouldn't searching for the W*ndigos and investigating the Manehatten Cult remains end up in the same place?

 

[Sveta08]

Thank you! The discussion made me think of the feelings you sometime express, where people are talking about something and you think so deeply another way that you have to write it out. Glad you enjoyed it.

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Of course! And... Ha! It's near exactly that!

When you feel something so strong, when you see something that, to you, is so clear and no matter what you say, you either see or know that it won't be seen that way. When it pulls at you and when you feel the only recourse you have is to pick up the pen so people have to sit down. Have to look through someone else's eyes for a moment. Have a different heart so that they can...
So that it's there, you know?

Love it. The writing and that feeling, even if I hate it, I love it.

 

[Shaper47]

but people seem to prefer the Cult follow-up. Which makes sense, we've been told the trail is rapidly going cold.

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Which I've found pretty confusing given the same people are worried about Windigos.

If your so worried about Windigos why take the option most likely to have them released to fight in a busy city? It doesn't really make sense to me.

Just chase the Windigo jars down later personally if we're worried.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

@OurLadyOfWires what hexadecimal code creates the color you use to represent actions and words that are heavily tainted by Harmony's Love?

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Ah, thank you for pinging me again. Please do that if I miss questions.

So.

"WHERE IS MY SHINING ARMOR?!"

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This is where I am taking it from.

The bbcode button gives me this combination: rgb(255, 77, 166)

And I... don't know how to convert it myself. But a google gives me this: ff4da6

Test

Yeap! That seems to be it.



Aye then. Good night everyone.

 

[spiderhellian]

And I... don't know how to convert it myself. But a google gives me this: ff4da6

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Nice. @Gyldir mind adding this to your post?

 

[AuthorTransient]

The Glory being right there is like the fire alarm calling to me when I'm at work.

As much as I would like Jade to rest or do Memory of Light, I would still prefer to have her scry for the W*ndigos and send Biedde after them.

If we're doing friends action and family action, we can use the Commissioner action for accompanying the constables to Tall Tale. Selene can search for Windy, which would still leave us with 9 follower actions for 3 more Velvet actions.

We are definitely going to spend at least one action on the Knock Sacrament.

I'm happy to post an alternative, but people seem to prefer the Cult follow-up. Which makes sense, we've been told the trail is rapidly going cold.

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I'll post an alternative, then.

[X] Plan We Can Be More with Tall Tale Scenario
-[X] (Detectives) Follow Up: Changelings
-[X] (Constables) Follow Up: Tall Tale expedition
-[X] (Commissioner) Get your hoofs dirty.
-[X] (Grail-Leash) Filthy Rich
-[X] (Baldomare-Gift) Edge 6 book
-[X] (Baldomare) Channel a SH Influence
-[X] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Spoiled Rich
-[X] (DoA) Knock lesson
-[X] (Selene) Scout Windy's dreams
-[X] (Rarity) Take a commission
-[X] (Jade) Scry for the Manehatten W*ndigo jars
-[X] (Biedde) Send on an expedition to 1) destroy the W*ndigo jars and then 2) find and retrieve Neighna, if possible. If Jade's scrying fails, construct a prison instead.
-[X] Cover your bases (-9 Follower AP, +3 Velvet AP)
-[X] (Other) Lend Comet the Heart 3 artifact for the turn, if he's willing

EDIT:
[X] Plan Stacking up Influences and Raiding with SH influence

 

[Nevermort]

I agree with going along on Changeling expedition, but I think we would need more influences to deal with it and with DoA sacrament.

[X] Plan Stacking up Influences and Raiding
-[X] (Detectives) Follow Up: Changelings
-[X] (Constables) Follow Up: Time to raid the mountain of Tall Tale.
-[X] (Commissioner) . Get your hoofs dirty. Join the "Constables" in a raid/Expedition
-[X] (Grail-Leash) Filthy Rich
-[X] (Baldomare-Gift) Edge 6 book
-[X] (Baldomare) Channel a Lantern Influence
-[X] (Mareinette) Channel a Grail Influence
-[X] (DoA) Knock lesson
-[X] (Selene) Attack your foe, or defend yourself. Deal with Windigo's jars
-[X] (Selene) Scout Windy's dreams
-[X] (Jade) Scry for Windigo's Urns
-[X] (Biedde) Ask for an Edge Influence.
-[X] Cover your bases (-9 Follower AP, +3 Velvet AP)
-[X] (Other) Lend Comet the Heart 3 artifact for the turn, if he's willing

Scouting actions and Changeling raid via Comissioner action, after stacking all influences that we can afford.
Grail should help since we have many social events and if we need to explain origin of manuscripts Grail influence may help there too. And I already told my opinion on having Mareinette continue visiting Diamond Tiara household.

[X] Plan Stacking up Influences and Raiding with SH influence
-[X] (Detectives) Follow Up: Changelings
-[X] (Constables) Follow Up: Time to raid the mountain of Tall Tale.
-[X] (Commissioner) . Get your hoofs dirty. Join the "Constables" in a raid/Expedition
-[X] (Grail-Leash) Filthy Rich
-[X] (Baldomare-Gift) Edge 6 book
-[X] (Baldomare) Channel a SH Influence
-[X] (Mareinette) Channel a Grail Influence
-[X] (DoA) Knock lesson
-[X] (Selene) Attack your foe, or defend yourself. Deal with Windigo's jars
-[X] (Selene) Scout Windy's dreams
-[X] (Jade) Scry for Windigo's Urns
-[X] (Biedde) Ask for an Edge Influence.
-[X] Cover your bases (-9 Follower AP, +3 Velvet AP)
-[X] (Other) Lend Comet the Heart 3 artifact for the turn, if he's willing

 

[Artemis_Fowl_2nd]

For Harmony and Love! – A Princess Cadance Quest​

Spoiler: current objective

Enjoy the wedding!

"I do."

And you truly mean it. Today is the happiest day of your life, and this moment is pure magic. You are officially married! Everything feels flawless—your husband, your dress, your day, and the celebration. Could it all be too perfect? Surely not. What a silly thought. As your beloved leans in for the "kiss the bride," you lose yourself in sheer joy.

The cheers and warm wishes pour in, and soon, you're at the heart of your perfect party. How is it going?


[Love!, breakpoints 50/100/150/250/400/500]

[Roll: 100 (banked crit spent) + 10 (stewardship) + 15 (Alicornae Level 3) + 100 [COLOR=ff4da6]Chosen of Love[/COLOR]+ 10 (Courtly Experience) + 30 Generosity's aid + 50 (maid of honor) + 25 (random event roll) + 100 (The... proper sacrifices) + 25 (P E R F E C T) + 25 (city prepared) +5 (prepared your whole life) +5 (weather factory) +50 (points to Gryffindor!)= 500]

[total roll 500, final breakpoint reached! oh dear]

Its perfect, obviously. Why would you even bother to check? Rarity was so wonderful with the dress, and Velvet rallied the staff so well, the coordination and preparations have gone so well. Has there ever been a party half as perfect? It's kind of going beyond a party. Indeed, its gone beyond being just a party a while ago. The entire nation must be celebrating at once, all across Equestria, celebrating your perfect day.

All throughout Equestria, trumpets blare, drums beat, and whatever refreshments can be found are passed around. For almost all of ponykind, celebration beats loud, almost loud enough to wake the dead. And why not? If any dead ponies where to join up, who cares? Hand em a flask, join the fun! In truth, it hasn't ever been so loud with joy, so bright with extravagance, not since beyond recorded memory, when the lord sun traveled the sky on his own power.

Certain things remember those times, and isn't it perfectly natural that their attention be drawn to the party of the millennium? They cannot attend, being dead and gone ages ago. But their echos, the habits and peculiarities left on the world? Those seem to be in attendance, winding their nonexistent way through the actions of the guests, giving just the slightest edge meaning and weight to anything they approve of. Such attention has not been seen amongst the waking world for such a terribly long time. It is attention that the learned of old would have killed for. So, it would be best not to waste it.

But enough about waking and attention, it's time to enjoy the party! What activities will you partake in?
Pick 3
Would have prepared the circle, 7 ponies arranged around the last, all skilled and with their ritual implements prepared. They would know what was coming.
[X] Dance with your beloved!
-Enjoy the music, and have some quality time with Shining Armor (Gives marriage xp)
-It feels like you would never need to stop~
-(???)
Would have started the ritual, the first pony on the drums, beating them to the song in his heart. Would have silenced the heart, your dagger through it, but the beat of the drums does not stop
[X] Head to the refreshments table
-Is that Rarity, the bearer of generosity?
-She will share with you certain tips that she surely never used herself, but that she knows would be of use to a married mare.
-(???)
Would bleed the neck of the next pony, into a golden goblet, and they would drink it, as if to replenish what was lost. Would have torn herself apart, desperate for more of that precious crimson liquid.
[] Leave the party
- Caring naught where you go, for isn't the entire world your party now?
- Will lead to unexpected opportunities.
-(???)
Would shear first the mane, then the fur, then the skin, then the bone, stopping only when the jerking stops. You make sure to not let any fragments escape the circle. and they will try.
[X] Say hello to Celestia
- You can see her atop her tower, why not fly up and greet her?
- Everyone could see you
- Will not reduce Celestia's ire, but could have other positive results
- (??????)
Would draw the intensity of the sun's glare, through thousands of carefully placed mirrors and lenses. Would not, you could not look away until naught but ash remains.
[] Watch the fireworks
- Sit with your beloved for the show.
- Perhaps you could try adding some of your own? (will give magic xp)
- (???)
Would reforge the knife, originally this sacrifice's work, and this time, to be quenched in its creator's blood. Would take multiple blows, they were a hardy pony
[] Join the games
- There are plenty of ponies setting up games of strength and skill, they would be overjoyed to have you.
- They gladly let you join further games, later. (physical xp now, with the contacts for further opportunities)
- (???)
Would stab, and stab and stab and stab, wearing down your knife on this monster of a pony whos body resists such things
[] Stay till the end
- There is a certain beauty in the end of things. But this one may not come for a long time.
- Will lead to additional, lesser, opportunities.
-(??????)
Would finally shatter the blade on this, the final? Sacrifice, leaving you cold and unarmed into the final pieces
[] Throw open the gates
- Will let in anyone from the city to your party
- Will improve your standing with the populace (is that even possible? they love you)
-(???)
Would drag the handle across the center pony, perfectly harmless, yet the wounds appear all the same, openings like the skin becoming unzipped
Something else?
-You may not choose this option, you haven't chosen it.
-Have you?
-If you have some spare time in the future, why not spend it here?
Would stand there, chest heaving, in the circle of dead ponies. You know theres one more sacrifice, but where is it? You have to complete the set, you know the circle isn't finished, you need the one on top. You know you had enough ponies when you started, but for the life of you, you cant recall. As the corpses stand up, and descend upon you, their own knives ready, you realize. The last sacrifice, is the only living pony remaining.
(The room would now have the Attention of the Laws)
(Or, you could throw a really nice party)

Spoiler

I am so late on this lmao. Intended to get this out even before the wedding finished.
technically a continuation of my omake here.

Esquestria: The House of the Sun - A pony cultist experience Crossover - Mature - Users' Choice!

You are part of a cult. In Equestria. What started out as a very interesting book club meeting finally crossed "that" threshold when you realized the ceremonial knife on the wall wasn't just ornamental. But by then, you had already started agreeing with their point of view. The only thing you DO...

forums.sufficientvelocity.com

I swear I spend a normal amount of time fantasizing about how to murder pastel ponies. and relating that to a wedding.
This is leading up to something i think is clever, been meaning to do this since the quest was on SV. I am cooking.
tried really hard to get the vibes going right.

 

[AuthorTransient]

I agree with going along on Changeling expedition, but I think we would need more influences to deal with it and with DoA sacrament.

Click to shrink...

The Changelings likely don't have much of Lore, but it's better to be careful. Though I think the Mareinette action should be socializing Filthy Rich for the Moth Sacrament to hide from Daybreaker.

But my biggest issue with these plans is that we should not send our daughter against the W*ndigos. Nuh-uh. No.

EDIT 1: You're right, if it's a short expedition Selene could bring along some of our hard-hitters. And we did just get a nice infusion of bits recently.

 

[Nevermort]

Which I've found pretty confusing given the same people are worried about Windigos.

If your so worried about Windigos why take the option most likely to have them released to fight in a busy city? It doesn't really make sense to me.

Just chase the Windigo jars down later personally if we're worried.

Click to shrink...

If needed leashing Filthy Rich already enough to satisfy sacrament requirement, and if we have spare social in next few turns we can use it to add Spoiled then. Moth book is more pressing issue.

As for Windigos Assault Rival is usually a short expedition so we should be able to take others with us.

 

[Greymere]

I have awoken!

[X] Plan Lightcatcher V2
-[X] (Detectives) Follow Up: Changelings
-[X] (Constables) Follow Up: The Gardeners
-[X] (Commissioner) Midday Dew
-[X] (Grail-Leash) Filthy Rich
-[X] (Baldomare-Gift) Edge 6 book
-[X] (Baldomare) Channel a Lantern Influence
-[X] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Spoiled Rich
-[X] (DoA) Knock lesson
-[X] (Selene) Soothe the night
-[X] (Selene) Spy on Windy via dreamwalking
-[X] (Rarity) Take a commission
-[X] (Jade) Research the Memory of Light ritual (Stage 1 Progress: 0/100)
-[X] Cover your bases (-9 Follower AP, +3 Velvet AP)
-[X] (Other) Lend Comet the Heart 3 artifact for the turn, if he's willing

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

[X] Plan Spreading Ourselves Thin Always Gets Us Punished
-[X] Do not leash anypony.
-[X] [DETECTIVES] The dangers in the dark come from outside of Ponykind as well. Listen to the rumors. Study the myths. Look for the threats from without. (Search for Expedition Sites for your later consideration. Additionally, keep an ear on the ground for other "foreign" threats)
-[X] [CONSTABLES] (FOLLOW UP) Your detectives have given you a very long list, of ponies and places involved in the attempt against your life. Round them up and put them all in jail, before this trail goes cold.
-[X] [COMMISSIONER] The Lunar Bureau is not the only recently-minted institution in Equestria. Try to contact the others.
--[X] Eclipse(?), and Midday Dew.
-[X] [JADE] Research "A Memory of Light" (Current progress 0/100, uses Learning and LANTERN)
-[X] (Baldomare-Gift) Edge 6 book
-[X] [BALDOMARE] Channel an Influence. (Secret Histories)
-[X] [AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson.
-[X] [MAREINETTE] Channel an Influence. (Grail)
-[X] [SELENE] Soothe the night. (Her Winter realization. Unknown effects, if any.)
-[X] You would like for somepony to search for books…
--[X] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (HEART, FORGE)
-[X] Three extra Velvet actions! (Costs 9 follower actions)
-[X] Something Else (lend Heartifact to Comet)

[X] Won't Someone Think of the Fillies?
-[X] Do not leash anypony.
-[X] [DETECTIVES] The dangers in the dark come from outside of Ponykind as well. Listen to the rumors. Study the myths. Look for the threats from without. (Search for Expedition Sites for your later consideration. Additionally, keep an ear on the ground for other "foreign" threats)
-[X] [CONSTABLES] (FOLLOW UP) Your detectives have given you a very long list, of ponies and places involved in the attempt against your life. Round them up and put them all in jail, before this trail goes cold.
-[X] [COMMISSIONER] The Lunar Bureau is not the only recently-minted institution in Equestria. Try to contact the others.
--[X] Eclipse(?), and Midday Dew.
-[X] [JADE] Research "A Memory of Light" (Current progress 0/100, uses Learning and LANTERN)
-[X] (Baldomare-Gift) Edge 6 book
-[X] [BALDOMARE] Channel an Influence. (Lantern)
-[X] [AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson.
-[X] [MAREINETTE] Channel an Influence. (Grail)
-[X] [SELENE] Soothe the night. (Her Winter realization. Unknown effects, if any.)
-[X] You would like for somepony to search for books…
--[X] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (HEART, FORGE)
-[X] Three extra Velvet actions! (Costs 9 follower actions)
-[X] Something Else (lend Heartifact to Comet)

Here are my earlier Plans, brought in for discussion and voting.

 

[Rafuki22]

[X] Plan We Can Be More

[X] Plan Lightcatcher V2

[X] Won't Someone Think of the Fillies?

Click to shrink...

Probably should separate the plans with a space.

 

[DelightedOne]

[X] Plan Lightcatcher V2

[X] Plan Spreading Ourselves Thin Always Gets Us Punished

Crime of the Sky was described as an "irresistible urge," so I feel like there's at least a little wiggle room for redemption.

Click to shrink...

You do know she did multiple times right? And that she liked it so much she started eating other ponies foals?

 

[Pittauro]

[X] Plan Lightcatcher V2

[X] Plan Spreading Ourselves Thin Always Gets Us Punished


You do know she did multiple times right? And that she liked it so much she started eating other ponies foals?

Click to shrink...

In her defense it's heavily implied that becoming an alukite changes you, so she's a monster because she's following new instincts, at least in part.

Of course that doesn't change the end result, but I feel that

Well considering you said tragic villain, then never.
But Mareinette is first and foremost a monster by choice.

Nothing made her do what she did and still does, she enjoys it and she doesn't want to change.

Click to shrink...

It's not free choice, and in a way her alukite nature DOES make her do it.

Still bad, but... What if we could remove those sick instincts, either by changing the Law of the Crime of the Sky, or by using Harmony to purify her of them?

It's at least a possibility

 

[DelightedOne]

I'm honestly just frustrated with this "Mareinette is redeemable" talk because I can see it is all a way to justify taking her Sacrament and befriending her to take her to All In.

However instead of just saying "we need her, let's do her Sacrament and get it over with" they are instead... trying to make her seem like a nice person? That just doesn't seem right to me.