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

[Talon Tiger Dino]

When the price for failure is a Wound which sets back a number of plans and Sacraments, that 2% means a lot to me.

 

[Pittauro]

In Talon's plan I think Forge' Redemption is basically a must have. Our Grail check is guaranteed without reroll and a forge LV3 reagent leaves us at +73.

Click to shrink...

Remember that influences don't apply bonuses to rituals.

So it doesn't make a difference compared to doing it next turn.

We CAN do it, but we don't HAVE to.

This is an obscene waste of bits.

We're paying more than a RotT costs for 2%.

We've got Biedde to pay for and expeditions and future reagents and rituals.

Click to shrink...

keep in mind that 2%, if we fail, ruins a lot of things.

We'll need to retry the ritual.
We'll need to heal.
We won't be able to do risky things.
We won't be able to do Edge Sacrament next turn.


lvl 3 reagent is 45 bits, lvl 4 is 80 bits.

It's 35 bits to reduce the chance of a disaster by 2% (or was it 2.5%?) or so.

but if we fail... it's not as bad as the Dancing with Death we went through, but it's at least comparable in how it could ruin our plans.

Can you link the math? I know our chances of failure are low, but I didn't think THAT low.

Click to shrink...

we have magic 13, lvl 4 grail and forge.

CD: GRAIL 60, FORGE 100

so we roll 1d100 +53 + reagents.

On Grail, that's a 7% chance of failure... BUT we have a reroll, so we need to fail twice in a row to fail the ritual. That's 0.07^2= = 0.0049 = 0.49%

on Forge, with a lvl 4 reagent it's same math as above (7% chance of failure, have to fail twice).

with a lvl 3 we'd have a 17% chance of failure, so 0.17^2= 0.0289= 2.89%.


so yeah, for the cost of 35 bits (the difference in price between a lvl 4 and 3 reagent) we can reduce the chance of failing the FORGE DC by 2.5%

I'm not checking the joint % (failing ONE of them fails the whole ritual), but it's likely not THAT different.

 

[Flaregamer82253]

Remember that influences don't apply bonuses to rituals.

Click to shrink...

we have magic 13, lvl 4 grail and forge.

CD: GRAIL 60, FORGE 100

so we roll 1d100 +53 + reagents.

On Grail, that's a 7% chance of failure... BUT we have a reroll, so we need to fail twice in a row to fail the ritual. That's 0.07^2= = 0.0049 = 0.49%

on Forge, with a lvl 4 reagent it's same math as above (7% chance of failure, have to fail twice).

with a lvl 3 we'd have a 17% chance of failure, so 0.17^2= 0.0289= 2.89%.

Click to shrink...

Appreciated Pitt! Went back and changed my own post for clarity sake. I was miscounting a 10 somewhere.

 

[Greymere]

keep in mind that 2%, if we fail, ruins a lot of things.

We'll need to retry the ritual.
We'll need to heal.
We won't be able to do risky things.
We won't be able to do Edge Sacrament next turn.


lvl 3 reagent is 45 bits, lvl 4 is 80 bits.

It's 35 bits to reduce the chance of a disaster by 2% (or was it 2.5%?) or so.

but if we fail... it's not as bad as the Dancing with Death we went through, but it's at least comparable in how it could ruin our plans.

Click to shrink...

It's still not worth it imo.

If we plan around a 2.5% chance of failure we might as well start planning everything around the possibility of critfailing. It's a smaller margin of failure than almost literally anything else we ever do, including exploring the Mansus. And we have more useful things to spend 35 bits on besides moving our chance of success from 97.5% to 99.6%.

 

[spiderhellian]

7% chance of failure

Click to shrink...

Thanks for the math! Though it's 6% technically, we succeed if we match the DC.

 

[LieutenantSpirit]

Given how critical succeeding a Forge's Redemption is (we can't afford the wound), cutting the failure rate to a third is absolutely worth the 35 bits.

Can we sell low-level artifacts?

 

[spiderhellian]

It's a 2.19% difference.

That's so little. And the cost is non-trivial. I 100% agree worrying about that little risk is like worrying about crit fails.

 

[Pittauro]

Given how critical succeeding a Forge's Redemption is (we can't afford the wound), cutting the failure rate to a third is absolutely worth the 35 bits.

Can we sell low-level artifacts?

Click to shrink...

unknown. My idea is that we could sell them through Uncle Steppes, as he knows an Auction House.

But presumably we can't sell them without studying them first, as we can't advertise what they do otherwise.

And we've been told that right now only Velvet can study artifacts. I think Bird Mentioned he might change this mechanic at some point, but he refuses to say when and what to...

It's a 2.19% difference.

That's so little. And the cost is non-trivial. I 100% agree worrying about that little risk is like worrying about crit fails.

Click to shrink...

I DO worry about crit-fails sometimes.

Crit-fails tier events happen.

I mean, the combination of "lose health in Red Church" PLUS "Copper attacked us THAT specific turn" PLUS "She'd send enough people to get through Biedde AND Mareinette" PLUS "Velvet will actually get involved in combat" PLUS "A random thug will manage to actually seriously hurt a Velvet with an edge 4 influence active"...

...sure, Red Church was probably a bad idea, but the combination of all those situations was really really unlikely.

I dismissed the chance ALL of those things could go wrong at the same time, and we got punished for it. If we're unlucky enough to fail the ritual we'll regret it nearly as much as this.

and it's not like we're short on bits. It's ONLY 35 bits, we wasted more than that on the low level books, it's LESS than what Rarity gives us usually, and so on. I find it worth the cost all things considered.

 

[Greymere]

and it's not like we're short on bits. It's ONLY 35 bits, we wasted more than that on the low level books, it's LESS than what Rarity gives us usually, and so on. I find it worth the cost all things considered.

Click to shrink...

yeah and it usually ended up screwing us over

I mean, the combination of "lose health in Red Church" PLUS "Copper attacked us THAT specific turn" PLUS "She'd send enough people to get through Biedde AND Mareinette" PLUS "Velvet will actually get involved in combat" PLUS "A random thug will manage to actually seriously hurt a Velvet with an edge 4 influence active"...

Click to shrink...

also three of those four things were, uh... pretty likely to happen actually?

The likelihood of Copper attacking us in particular was one of the reasons we decided to summon Biedde, have channel him channel an Edge Influence, and had Mareinette guarding in the first place. And we only had something like a 40% chance to pass the Heart obstacle.

 

[DelightedOne]

I think Bird Mentioned he might change this mechanic at some point, but he refuses to say when and what to...

Click to shrink...

My mind went to 2 possibilities: Bureau or fully prepared Jade's house.

Bureau is obvious since we would have ponies loyal to us *cough*a Cult*cough*.

Jade's house is less obvious but it includes a storage option for occult stuff, so I can see the finished base being what unlocks the option for Confidantes to study Artifacts and other things.

 

[Anjaxis]

[X] Plan Lightcatcher V2

 

[spiderhellian]

Bird Mentioned he might change this mechanic at some point, but he refuses to say when and what to...

Click to shrink...

I have a guess that all will be illuminated pretty soon.

 

[Sveta08]

I have a guess that all will be illuminated pretty soon.

Click to shrink...

I kinda doubt the mechanic itself will change. But, that it will be an option Baldomare might be able to provide upon getting closer with her.

 

[Solace2117]

Ultimately I think there's real value in using the SH influence. There's no guarantee that it'll help with DOA's quest/sacrament, but it seems the most likely since it involves finding a way/finding something.

I genuinely think it's important we finish it this turn. I hate letting her summons expire from a narrative perspective, but I'd also argue it's a bad call from a game play perspective. Sure we can just resume on her after a turn off, but that ignores two things. One she's a Name which we know is of greater importance. Two this is essentially her friendship quest and Ourladyofwires has all but said that gaining a Name's friendship increases there worth even further. That's two extra turns of a name who is also a friend. That has worth.

I also once again point out that the grail influence could end up being much more important considering the meeting with Midday Dew. It also might be useful with the FO considering the involvement of Cadence and Jade's mental state. There may not be rolls there, but if there are they could come in clutch.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

VOTING IS CLOSED

Spoiler: Tally

Vote Tally : Esquestria: The House of the Sun - A pony cultist experience | Page 249 | Questionable Questing [Posts: 7453-8081]
##### NetTally 4.0.2

[X] Plan Spreading Ourselves Thin Always Gets Us Punished
-[X] Do not leash anypony.
-[X][DETECTIVES] Follow Up: Changelings
-[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][RARITY] Take a Commission.
-[X] Needs must. Ask somepony to procure you a dead body from the local cemetery.
-[X] Three extra Velvet actions! (Costs 9 follower actions)
-[X] Something Else (lend Heartifact to Comet)
No. of Votes: 19

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Spreading Ourselves Thin Always Gets Us Punished
[X] Alan975
[X] Arrkhon
[X] Bakkasama
[X] Cochimetl
[X] DelightedOne
[X] Demilich
[X] des-pair-2
[X] Flaregamer82253
[X] LieutenantSpirit
[X] Limabot
[X] Maer
[X] MisRAR1
[X] Nevermort
[X] Pittauro
[X] Potdl
[X] Shaper47
[X] Solace2117
[X] Talon Tiger Dino
[X] Xoden

[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
No. of Votes: 15

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Lightcatcher V2
[X] Alan975
[X] Anjaxis
[X] DelightedOne
[X] Earth-Destroyer
[X] Flaregamer82253
[X] Greymere
[X] jelloloaf
[X] Nate700
[X] Pororurin
[X] Rafuki22
[X] Sintonir
[X] spiderhellian
[X] Sveta08
[X] Venerable Ro
[X] Waela

[X] Plan Lightcatcher No Leash
-[X] (Detectives) Follow Up: Changelings
-[X] (Constables) Follow Up: The Gardeners
-[X] (Commissioner) Midday Dew
-[X] (Grail-Leash) No
-[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] (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
No. of Votes: 7

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Lightcatcher No Leash
[X] AuthorTransient
[X] DelightedOne
[X] Greymere
[X] LieutenantSpirit
[X] Limabot
[X] Sintonir
[X] Zxzx24

[X] Plan Wrap-Up
-[X] Do not leash anypony.
-[X][DETECTIVES] Follow Up: Changelings
-[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] (Baldomare-Gift) Edge 6 book
-[X][BALDOMARE] Channel an Influence. (Secret Histories)
-[X][BIEDDE] Kill any Bound Windigos that are discovered. Killing monsters is something you wish to do, after all.
-[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 need somepony to perform this ritual… (Rite of the Tapestry, targeting Bound Windigos)
--[X] To be performed... somewhere, where you hope nopony will catch wind of it.
-[X] Three extra Velvet actions! (Costs 9 follower actions)
-[X] Something Else (lend Heartifact to Comet.)
No. of Votes: 7

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Wrap-Up
[X] Demilich
[X] des-pair-2
[X] Limabot
[X] Nevermort
[X] Portec
[X] Shaper47
[X] Talon Tiger Dino

[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
No. of Votes: 6

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Stacking up Influences and Raiding with SH influence
[x] Alan975
[X] AuthorTransient
[X] des-pair-2
[X] Nevermort
[X] Shaper47
[X] Talon Tiger Dino

[X] Plan We Can Be More + Edge (no Prison)
-[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) Ask him to channel an influence of Edge for us.
-[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
No. of Votes: 5

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: We Can Be More + Edge (no Prison)
[X] des-pair-2
[X] Flaregamer82253
[X] jelloloaf
[X] Rafuki22
[X] Shaper47

[X] Plan Bakkasama
-[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] Leash Filthy Rich (gain one follower action)
-[X] Three extra Velvet actions! (Costs 9 follower actions)
-[X][RARITY] Focus on her work. (Guarantees she will "succeed" on her career roll)
-[X][BALDOMARE] Channel an Influence. (SH)
-[X][BALDOMARE] Prolong her stay. (Edge 6 book)
-[X][MAREINETTE] You need her to talk to… (Spoiled Rich)
-[X][AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson.
-[X][JADE] Research "A Memory of Light" (Current progress 0/100, uses Learning and LANTERN)
-[X][SELENE] Soothe the night. (Her Winter realization. Unknown effects, if any.)
-[X] Needs must. Ask somepony to procure you a dead body from the local cemetery.
No. of Votes: 3

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Bakkasama
[x] Alan975
[x] Bakkasama
[X] Shaper47

[X] Plan Lightcatcher but with Grail Influence
-[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) Channel a Grail Influence
-[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
No. of Votes: 2

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Lightcatcher but with Grail Influence
[X] des-pair-2
[X] Nevermort

[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
No. of Votes: 2

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: We Can Be More
[X] des-pair-2
[X] Rafuki22

[X] Plan We Can Be More + Edge (AotL)
-[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] AotL: Edge
-[X] (Biedde) Ask him to channel an influence of Edge for us.
-[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
No. of Votes: 2

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: We Can Be More + Edge (AotL)
[X] des-pair-2
[X] Shaper47

[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
No. of Votes: 2

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: We Can Be More with Tall Tale Scenario
[X] AuthorTransient
[X] des-pair-2

[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) Scout Windigo's Urns
-[X] (Selene) Scout Windy's dreams
-[X] (Jade) Research the Memory of Light ritual (Stage 1 Progress: 0/100)
-[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
No. of Votes: 1

Spoiler: Voters

[X] Nevermort

[X] Plan We Can Be More + Corpses
-[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) Ask him for some corpses.
-[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
No. of Votes: 1

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: We Can Be More + Corpses
[X] Shaper47

[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
No. of Votes: 1

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Knock and SH Sacraments with Friendship
[X] Shaper47

[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
No. of Votes: 1

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Knock, SH and Edge Sacrament
[X] Shaper47

[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
No. of Votes: 1

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Knock, SH and Edge Sacrament with extra Aotl
[X] Shaper47

[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
No. of Votes: 1

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Knock, SH and Edge Sacrament with extra Aotl (Jade on light)
[X] Shaper47

[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.
No. of Votes: 1

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Knock, SH and Wolf Sacrament
[X] Shaper47

Total No. of Voters: 34

Kindly let me know if the final version of the plan above is incorrect, or if there are any issues with how my program tallied the votes.



I will post something else now, and then I'll begin work on the Velvet's Phase update. It should be up... not today, definitely, but by the end of the weekend.

As always, I hope you are all doing well.

 

[Pittauro]

well. SH+GRAIL influences, Risen, and No-Leash won. I think everything else was basically the same.

And now to FINALLY discover what a lvl 6 does for Baldomare...

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

You are Beyond Reproach.

And right now, you are just about done with this week.

Being on the beat in Manehattan for the last few weeks was all well and good. And like everypony else, you filed more than a few tips to the local law enforcement. Things that, while unrelated to the attempt against the Commissioner, could be useful to whatever cases they have on their hoofs.

But still, you have to admit that… well, you still feel a bit torn about this. But a part of you is glad that you are all done with Manehattan.

Because investigating the Commissioner's attackers was good work, sure. And by all means, the attempt against her life felt like a stain on everypony's cutie mark, yours included.

However, this is still the Lunar Bureau. And, as much as you hesitate to admit, you can tell that the spirit of the institution is getting to you as well. Because you see, the Bureau is meant to find the real monsters. You are all meant to go after the real threats. You do not regret helping in the investigation on the Gardeners, and you hope they get thrown behind the bars where they belong.

But now that you are done, and now that the next set of orders finally came from the Commissioner's office, you can't help but feel a little more motivated.

After all, there are plenty of good ponies working on keeping the streets clean. There are plenty of good ponies out there, in every city, working their flanks off to catch the crooks and keep the innocent safe.

But the Lunar Bureau is the only organization that is focused on, and prepared to go after, the real monsters. The ones that caused the Catastrophe. The ones who, to this day, still keep your sister locked inside her room, afraid to even look at you.

So, you are ready to leave Manehattan behind, and focus on what really matters. Even if it means tackling the hardest and most complicated cases you have ever seen in your life.

"Hey, Reproach! Can you come here for a second?"

The familiar voice of Iron Button, your assigned partner, comes from the dormitory's door. So, you finish packing your uniform, locking your suitcase after making sure you got everything, and then you make your way towards him.

"Yeah? What is it?" you ask, as you enter the recreational area of the dormitory.

Iron Button is a passable detective. He sticks a bit too close to the books, and you think that slows him down. But still, the two of you found a nice balance for your working relationship, and you are more than happy to let him be the face that speaks to the chiefs.

And as you approach him, you realize he is… working on something?

"What the hay?" you say, as you make your way towards him. "I though you said you were done for the day as well. What's that you're reading?"

You ask that because Iron Button seems to be looking at a report.

You thought that, like every other time, he was going to offer you to sleep at his house, instead of having you catch the night train. Iron is part of the majority of ponies who moved to Canterlot for the job, so he never misses an opportunity to try and drag you into a dinner with his family, whenever you two are in Canterlot.

And you, on the other hoof, are part of the minority of ponies who use the Bureau's dormitory.

You don't mind how your fellow detectives turned the recreational area into a giant office-slash-case-room. But still, you didn't expect him to be working right now.

"This is… well, that's exactly what I called you for, Reproach," he says, picking a report and sliding it on the desk towards you. "Remember the runner that was looking for me? Well, he called me upstairs for this."

Yes, you remember it. Today was mostly dedicated to paperwork, so when Button was called upstairs earlier today you thought it was just for the usual. Maybe somepony in Operations wanted to double-check what he meant by something he wrote on one of his reports. Or maybe the Deputy wanted to speak directly to him. Stuff like that already happened enough times for a call from upstairs to not really raise any eyebrows.

But for Button to come back carrying something with him?

"What the… this isn't something we made. What the hay is this case?" you ask.

Because the document you are reading, the one Button just gave you, is… well, it is definitely an investigation report.

However, this isn't the hoofwritten mess that you detectives submit to the office. This isn't, so to speak, the product that leaves you groundstompers' hoofs and makes its way to Operations to get filtered and analyzed. On the contrary, this is one of the fancy and finished reports that the Commissioner usually has with her during an all-hoofs meetings. The kind of fancy document proofread by the Secretariat, hardcover and all.

But fancy document or not, you are more intrigued by the contents of the report than anything else.

"Was this… did we catch wind of this last week? In Manehattan?" you say, as you flip through page after page. And even though you only meant to quickly glance through it, you can already feel your hoofs slowing down as you begin to read more intently. "What team was in charge of it? And… no, when was this done to begin with? This isn't a three-week job…"

Your words trail off as you begin to piece together the puzzle that is in front of you. And before you realize it, you have already turned the report back to its first page, as you carefully read every word on every line.

And the information in front of your eyes is… mind-boggling.

This report is on a noble house. One of the big ones. The Greenhoofs, who have been Celestia's go-to earth ponies for several generations now. A noble family that has at least one hoof in almost everything food-related, from owning vast swathes of fertile land to developing the latest techniques in food processing.

However, if this report is to be believed, some of their members have been involved in…

"… all of Equestria? Really?" you say to yourself, or perhaps to Button, as you page through the report's summary.

"Well, not all of Equestria. Just everywhere that matters. But yeah, they were plotting to bribe, threaten or replace every governor in every major city, except for Canterlot," Iron Button says, as he pours over his own report. "Get all of Equestria under their hoofs, in practice, while having them pay the Princesses lip service that they were following the Crown's orders."

He says that, basically confirming what you can see with your own two eyes.

But the problem isn't just what the report claims. The biggest problem you have, and the greatest reason why this is so mind-boggling, is the sheer amount of evidence attached to it.

"They had their ambitions for several years now," Iron Button continues. "But they started working towards it in earnest when Princess Luna disappeared. But back then, they were still fighting the Bluebloods, since they are… well, were, the Princesses' Stewards. But now that the over-governor family has been exiled…"

This isn't something the Bureau worked on. This can't be. Because the evidence attached dates back several months. You can see copies of letters, proofs of transactions that paint a larger picture when put together… hay, there are even pictures here of certain ponies meeting in less-than-likely circumstances. No doubt to plot or reach an agreement based on the rest of the evidence.

"Now that the Bluebloods are gone, the Greenhoofs were getting ready to spring their own plan," you mutter, watching Iron Button nod on the corner of your vision. "Would have taken them a few more months, maybe even years. But these families always played the long game and…"

"And the report I have here isn't a copy," Iron Button says, as he slides the document he was reading towards you. "This one is the second part. The one you have there is part one."

"What the hay….?" you once again scratch your head.

Because the information on these reports is… well, staggering. Not only because of how flagrant and dangerous this whole conspiracy is, but also because of how detailed the evidence is.

The entirety of the Bureau worked together for several weeks to create the Blueblood dossier. It was everything that everypony was focused on doing for the longest time, and even then, it was a challenge.

So how in Celestia's name does something like this just… up and appears on Iron Button's hoofs?

"Some of these pictures… predate the Bureau's creation," you say to your partner, as you flip through an attached album, "cut to the chase, Iron. Where the hay is this coming from?"

Iron Button doesn't answer you with words. Instead, he gives you a complicated expression, and pushes towards you one last piece of paper. A regular circular, which is usually attached to the front of all Bureau documents so the paper-pushers know where it came from and where it's supposed to go.

And by the looks of it, this circular was attached to these files when Iron Button received them.

LUNAR BUREAU
Clearance: Reserved​

From: Commissioner V.C.
To: Secretariat
Subject: Report prep

Inkwell,

Since I will not be taking the train anymore, and since you all refuse to let me have any semblance of privacy, I will be passing this on to our ponies.

Everything in this pile of documents: Run it through Operations, filter it, and turn it into a report. Then, have Deputy S.A. assign it to somepony.

To be very clear, I do not want this to be a Blueblood. Making a show of our first case was well and good, but I want these kinds of busts to be seen as routine from now on. No grand raids, and no operations that are larger than they need to be. Just send a warrant to my desk when the constables are ready to go, and drag them back for questioning and processing.

Yes, even if this involves the second daughter of one of the great families.

See to it, report when done.

V.C.



You read that circular, your eyes pausing on the Commissioner's own stamp for several seconds, and then you…

"You gotta be freaking kidding me…" you say, as the final piece of this puzzle falls into place.

"Yeap. I had the same questions you have, and I asked everypony I could," Iron Button says as he shakes his head. "And apparently, the Commissioner just… threw a pile of books, ledgers and film rolls at them, and told them to sort it out."

"But what she wrote here… that she is passing this down to us because she doesn't have privacy anymore? This means that…"

"Yeap. The Commissioner was moonlighting as a detective. That whole thing she had about taking the train? About leaving early and arriving late because of her family? Nonsense. Or well, at least half-nonsense," Iron Button shrugs. "The Commissioner was working on this herself this entire time. And by the looks of it, she has been working on this for a long time now."

He says that, and you can only… agree. You can only nod in agreement, as Iron Button says the same thing that is in your mind right now.

However, and perhaps more importantly, this puts everything else you thought you knew under a new light.

Because the time frames, the decisions that were taken, the implications of this…

This plot from the Greenhoofs began, in earnest, when Princess Luna went missing. And from what you heard, the Commissioner herself was leg-deep in that whole mess, when it happened. Although she was one of the few nobles who stuck with the Crown, while the other noble houses began to bicker and kick each other for power.

So, she worked for the Crown, perhaps became a little closer to the Princesses… and then she caught wind of this conspiracy? Yes, that would make sense. Maybe she noticed some strange movements in the political sphere, while the Crown was too busy searching for the Princess of the Moon. But regardless, she noticed something, and then she began to dig.

Fast-forward a few months, and she had collected enough evidence to bury the Greenhoofs two times over. But she was still just a lonely noblemare from a lesser house. So, what did she do next? Why of course, she took this to the Princesses.

And then, they decided to…

"This whole time, we thought the Princesses had made her Commissioner just because," you say. "We thought they decided on her because they trusted her, but that other than that she was just a noblemare civilian."

You say that, and Iron Button answers you with a slow nod.

"Never heard of a Princess making a wrong decision," Iron Button leans back on his chair, "and this seems to be no different. Because it seems that the Commissioner did more than any of us, alone and without a badge, before the Bureau was even a thing."

You need… several seconds, to process all of this. Maybe even a few minutes.

But when you manage to get the shock out of your system… or at least most of it, you take in a deep breath and you turn to your partner.

"Well then, what the hay comes next?" you ask.

"You read what she wants to happen," he says. "And the Deputy told me to follow it to the letter. Treat it like any other crime by any other perp. So, he wants me to double-check the critical stuff, prepare a warrant, grab a squad of constables and bring them in."

"You're gonna need more than just a few constables for this one," you chuckle.

Which he answers with a tired nod.

"And what the hay… I was gonna take three-off, but this seems to be too much for a single pony to double-check. You want some help with this?" you ask. Because sure, you planned on going back to Ponyville, see if you could get your sister to leave her room, but… well, you think you'll be able to do more here. Just for a few more days.

"Pff, just admit you want some of the credit for this. I mean, second highest-profile bust in history! Of course Beyond Reproach wants his name on the headlines."

You can't help but laugh as he says that, and soon enough your partner joins you.

But still, your mirth cools down after just a few seconds. Because the more you think about… well, about everything, you can't shake a question out of your mind.

"… who in Equestria's name are we working for?" you mutter under your breath.

Because now that you think about it… well, he wasn't entirely joking. This is still the second highest-profile bust in recent history. It'll look great for the Bureau itself, sure, but something tells you the Commissioner herself won't want to take any credit for this.

But more importantly, how the hay did she get this done?

The more you wonder that, the more your mind drags you to… well everything else. Everything else that you know, and the much-larger number of things that you don't know, about the Commissioner.

Where did she find the time to do this? How did she find the means, and even the courage, to investigate something like this so quietly, and for so long?

Hay, the more you think about it, the more you remember the smaller details, the smaller inconsistencies that never got answered.

Because to this day, you never even found out what her cutie mark looks like.

"Reproach, you good?" Iron Button asks, and you smoothly drag yourself out of your thoughts.

Those questions… those concerns you have. You will address them… later.

Not here, not now.

Not when you have a job to do.

"Yeah, no, I'm fine. More importantly, and jokes aside, you want help with any of this?" you ask.

To which the stallion nods, with an expression that is more than just a little thankful.

"Hay yeah. The paperwork is already done, seeing how it literally came from upstairs. But I still have to go through everything, and see who gets taken in for what. I'll definitely appreciate your help with this."

"Gotcha. Let's get to work then."

"Oh, no, no, we can start tomorrow. And since you aren't going back to Ponyville… wanna head to my place for dinner? My wife said she cooked up something great for the weekend, and you're more than welcome."

You roll your eyes at that, but this time… well, you don't really have an excuse not to go.

So, it seems that, at long last, you will be meeting your partner's family.

"I suppose it beats whatever they are serving the garrison tonight…" you say.

Iron Button lets out a victorious hum, as he picks up the two reports and staches them away.

And with that, the two of you make your way out of the Lunar Bureau.





Your blackmail material on the Greenhoof family, one of the great houses of Canterlot, has been doctored, properly filtered, and then fed to the Lunar Bureau. They will be arrested for conspiracy against the Crown shortly.

As knowledge of your nonchalant "contribution" to the Bureau spreads, over the course of this month, your reputation will increase greatly.

News about this, together with the unspoken "secret" details about how many attackers you fought off (as well as about how they died), has completely changed the vision your subordinates have of you.

Not that you have noticed it, for the most part. Except for that one day where the constables invited you to come with them, to personally hoffcuff the conspirators that "you caught". However, the only response you gave them was an annoyed wave of your hoof, as you shooed them away. You just had too much paperwork to do that day!

A few days later, as you read the news and connected the dots, you wondered if that invitation was part of the constables' culture.

Oh well.

Your reputation within the Lunar Bureau, and their respect towards you, has greatly increased.

More importantly, you feel that you finally will be able to…





- - -

- - -

- - -





You are Velvet Covers. And right now, you are on your way to do something very important.

Not for the first time, you are thankful for being a unicorn. Sure, earth ponies are stronger, and pegasi can fly.

But by the heavens, you have no idea of where you would be without your magic.

It is night. You are already back home after a long (and tiring) week of work at the Bureau, and this is the first night of the Weekend.

You will be going to bed with your husband soon enough, and you can sense that two of your daughters are already asleep.

However, before you join the sleepy atmosphere of your home, you must first attend to certain… obligations.

"Ah, there you are Velvet," Baldomare says as you enter her room.

The door was open, and her room looks organized… but inhabited, with all the little hints that a pony has been living in this guest room, and none of the sterilized appearance of an empty guest room that had been cleaned by the maids.

Which tells you two things. First, that she had been expecting you. And second, that she already knows why you are here.

And more importantly, that she seems to concur with the reason behind your visit.

"Good evening, Baldomare. I am glad to see you here," you say, as you put down the items you had been floating behind you.

The carpeted floor groans, slightly, as you put down the several slabs of clay that you had been carrying with you. And thank the heavens for levitation magic, because you are not sure how you would have brought these over without your horn.

The earth pony mare raises an eyebrow, and soon enough her horn lights up, as she floats the clay tablets to inspect them one by one.

"Ah, how delightful. The prose looks familiar, as does the style, but I can't tell you how long it was since I last read this particular tale," she says, as she parses through the tablets.

Still, she eventually puts them down where they were. In the exact same order that you initially left them, even. And then, she once again looks at you.

"But I don't think you came here just to hear me reminisce about old stories," she says. And then, she fixes her posture slightly, looking you in the eye as if she was about to perform a small ritual, or uphold a tradition. "So… is there anything you want to tell me, that I don't already know?"

She asks that, and you don't answer her with words.

Instead, you just wave a hoof at the pile of clay tablets. At that pile of forgotten knowledge, unknown even to you, that you are offering to her. For her services, and her presence, and perhaps something else besides.

The mare looks at you, and then the stack of clay tablets, and answers you with a gracious nod.

She then moves towards the clay tablets. And once she is right in front of them, she raises a hoof and gently tap the topmost tablet-

Part of you feels like you are looking at something large. Something ravenous, and perhaps even unsightly, that looks like the cursed fusion between a lighthouse and a half-empty dam. And these senses that you cannot name, which are both and neither sight or touch, can only watch as the true content of the clay slabs are devoured and hungrily archived by this beast you can't even begin to comprehend.

-and just like that, the clay tablets are empty. Their surfaces smooth and clean, as if they had never been touched ever since they were initially cut.

The event is confusing, almost hard to grasp, but for some reason you do not feel dizzy. In fact, you can tell that you observed everything that just happened with perfect clarity.

It is just that… that you did not have the tools to comprehend it. What just happened could not be hidden. In fact, hiding something like that would have been anathema to a being like Baldomare. It would be like claiming a light did not shine, or that a lantern did no illuminate.

So yes, you saw… you felt all of that. But still, you have no idea of what just happened. It was like being in a classroom and watching a lecture that was being given in another language. You could understand that you were in a school, and that there was a class taking place, but your mind could not participate in it any more than you could speak with animals.

However… you did see something. As you witnessed that strange mixture of ravenous pillaging and mindful cataloguing, you noticed something that even your primitive and unprepared mind could comprehend.

Because the dam… the "dam" you saw, of light and knowledge and understanding… it was half-full. The dam was half-full, and the lighthouse was cracked.

And even the intake… "process". Even that felt wrong. It was as wrong as watching a librarian let the pages of a book fall down, as she placed them on the shelves. It was as stressful as watching a stream of water pour out through the cracks on a water reservoir.

Because… because…!

"Baldomare… you are bleed-!" you begin to say.

But you are surprised to find Baldomare right in front of you, placing a hoof on your lips, as the Name of Lantern herself moves to silence you.

"Velvet Covers," she says, her voice crystal clear, and her tone as calm as ever. "I want you to listen to me very carefully. I know what you are thinking. I know what you are doing. And I already know where your thoughts are going to take you. So, let me be very clear. I. Don't. Want. You. To. Do. This."

She says that, and only then does she take her hoof off from your lips.

And she looks at you with that piercing stare of hers, almost as if waiting for you to answer her. But before you ever have the chance to do so, whether to nod your head or shake it in refusal, she turns around and returns to her reading desk.

"Good night, Velvet Covers," she says, waving at you even as she keeps her back turned to you.

And you… leave. Not her gaze, and not her thoughts. But still, you leave her room. Well-aware that Baldomare might still be following you. That she might be picking your thoughts right now, or perhaps even before you think them.

But still, you can't help but think… you can't help but wonder.

Because Baldomare is… she is hurt. You could see it, plain as light. She is wounded. She is bleeding. And that is why she needs something, perhaps knowledge or perhaps something that she can create with knowledge, to remain in the Wake.

And what is more. She… she knows that. She always knew that. Even before she came to the Wake. Even before the first time she met you. And now, she knows that you know that.

But there are so many things you are still missing. So many things you do not understand, and that you cannot even check!

Is she also hurt in the Mansus? Could it be that your blank-fogged mind was incapable of noticing that, when you visited her on that level of the Mansus. Could it be that she remains within the Blank Plains because she is hurt?

Or is this something that happened in the Wake? Or maybe even more recently? Perhaps a disagreement with your former Master, or the wounds she accrued while wandering through the Wake, checking whatever forgotten places she knows about.

And does that wound affect her? She is… she is a creature of light and knowledge, so wouldn't a wound like that mean she is bleeding knowledge itself? Could she be forgetting things? Or perhaps even losing sight of who she is?

You think all of that, your mind suddenly sprinting into a gallop despite how late it is.

However, you also can't forget that… well, that she knows everything. And that she just told you very clearly that she does not want you poking around this issue of hers.

But still…

Still.

You also know that, for all that Baldomare never told you a lie, you are also acutely aware that she has mastered the art of omission.

So, for all that she told you she doesn't want you to do this…

There is a very big difference between what a pony wants… and what they need.

Your friend is hurting. And she is your friend, even if she never said it with words. Because you have already seen her kinder side, and you have already heard from her that this Wake can't help but make ponies care. So, she is your friend, even if she has not yet learned what that word means in this Era.

She is your friend, and she is hurting. She is bleeding out light and thought through a wound she seems unable to staunch.

And what kind of friend would you be if you did not try to help her?

…

Still, you realize this is… way beyond your means. At least for now. She is a Name, after all, and you are barely a half-cooked mortal. So, given how adamant she seems to be in avoiding this issue, you will need… more. More knowledge, more fuel, more blood to help her. To fill the reserves she has been steadily losing, even if only to make her existence here less unpleasant.

You will need an older book. One that had forbidden secrets from even her own Era.

Something to show her you want to help.

Who knows, perhaps if you give her enough knowledge…. You might be able to get a better look at her wound, as the light bleeds out of it. You might be able to better understand what hurt her.

And that could be the next step in helping her, you think…

You hope.

You dearly, dearly hope.





You have gifted Baldomare a Level 6 book. Her summoning period has been reset.

You think you will be able to solve this enigma, and help her for good, if you gift her a Level 7 book.

Spoiler: Author's Note

A small problem occurred during this last voting period.

Specifically, I realized I did not give you all of the information that you needed to make an educated vote. I take information quarantine very seriously in this quest, but not giving you all the information you should have is just as bad as letting you guys know something you shouldn't.

To writ:

-Gifting Baldomare a Level 6 book happened, narratively, at the end of turn 20. Before the voting for Turn 21 should have begun.

-And you would have learned that a Level 7 Book is a REQUIREMENT, to advance Baldomare's quest, during said book-gifting.

-So: You should have entered this Follower's Phase with this knowledge in hand, in case you would have wanted to scout/scry/search for said book. Especially given how the "All in" expedition may only be joined by befriended names.

It could have been that, even if you knew that, you would have decided to ignore that completely for this turn. But it also could have been that a completely different plan would have been concocted in order to include a Book-searching related action. And since I only realized that (literally) yesterday, I was not willing to throw that additional wrench into the discussion and delay the voting period for another few days.



Regardless of "could have beens," it is not my place to decide that as the QM. The fact remains this small issue needs to be fixed.



Consequently, this is what is going to happen: Since this was a QM blunder, it will be fixed with QM privileges. I will allow for some time-warping shenanigans, and you all will be able to "credit" a follower action from Turn 22.

Specifically, later during this turn (as in, not right now) you will be offered these options:



[Would you like to search for a Unique Book for Baldomare?]

[-] Have Baldomare scry for a Level 7 book (costs one Baldomare action from Turn 22)

[-] Have Jade scry for a Level 7 book (costs one Jade Whistle action from turn 22)

[-] Have somepony search for a Level 7 book (WRITE IN who, and how)

[-] No, I wouldn't have done it this turn anyways. (Nothing will happen)



Just so you all understand, no true "time-warping" shenanigans will happen. That was a figure of expression. But, mechanically, I will allow you all to tap into next turn's resources. I "stole" from you the chance to do it this turn, so if you feel strongly enough about it you will be given the option to do it this turn, at the expense of a follower action from the next turn.

But for now, no voting needs to occur. This is just an informational for your benefit.

That is all.

More to follow.

 

[Zxzx24]

Amd what Lunas dream soothing does

 

[Greymere]

You think you will be able to solve this enigma, and help her for good, if you gift her a Level 7 book.

Click to shrink...

Ah ha! Called it!

 

[spiderhellian]

God I love Baldomare.

 

[Greymere]

More importantly, you feel that you finally will be able to…

Click to shrink...

Also, what does this mean? Finally be able to what? Introduce them to Selene/Luna?

Hours, I hope we managed to pass the threshold needed to introduce them to Selene/Luna. It would break their poor brains to know that not only does their boss's boss consider Velvet her mom, but also that Velvet's been secretly taking care of her for over a year.

 

[Zxzx24]

Her slowly dying explains a lot about her behavior. Honestly.

 

[Pororurin]

The ham was half-full,

Click to shrink...

Typo, only one I noticed


God, Baldomare is such a great character in this quest. When we get the option, the Baldomare scry is what I think we should 100% take. And I'm not just saying that because I'm a simp for baldomare, I swear.

 

[spiderhellian]

"… who in Equestria's name are we working for?" you mutter under your breath.

Click to shrink...

Wow. This was impactful. Very cool, and I look forward to seeing what the ramifications are.

Though I'll forever be curious what Mareinette would have done!

 

[Greymere]

Just out of curiosity @OurLadyOfWires, if we somehow manage to obtain the Level 7 book before Baldomare's summoning period is up, could we give it to her early? Since it'd be Friendship Quest Progression, not a normal refresh.

 

[Rafuki22]

Though I'll forever be curious what Mareinette would have done!

Click to shrink...

And now the QM makes an omake of what could have been so that we thirst.

 

[DelightedOne]

Wow, those Greenhoofs really were playing with fire, too much ambition leads to this.

I also wonder if Velvet Horseshoe(first noble of the Velvet family) was like our Velvet.

More importantly, you feel that you finally will be able to…

Click to shrink...

Ooohh, I hope that is what I think it is.

Welp, I sometimes forget Baldomare's true nature(I blame the SH) glad to be remembered she is as much eldritch creature as the rest of the Names.

Wait... SHE IS LEAKING LIGHT? Oh, no does that mean she is dying, is that why she can't leave the Blank Plains, is that because of the Heirloom? Gah, so many questions with the Lantern Name instead of answers.

Could it be that she remains within the Blank Plains because she is hurt?

Click to shrink...

Huh, weird that I wrote about that before reading it.

You think you will be able to solve this enigma, and help her for good, if you gift her a Level 7 book.

Click to shrink...

We know our new goal(that was already part of the plan).

 

[Limabot]

Since it turns out that Baldomare is slowly bleeding out, it makes me suspect that the Watchman (her implied patron) is not one of the Hours that survived the collapse of the Mansus. On a related note, given that Biedde and the DoA don't seem to have this problem, I would suggest that the Colonel and the Horned Axe are still around, even if just barely.

 

[Greymere]

Since it turns out that Baldomare is slowly bleeding out, it makes me suspect that the Watchman (her implied patron) is not one of the Hours that survived the collapse of the Mansus. On a related note, given that Biedde and the DoA don't seem to have this problem, I would suggest that the Colonel and the Horned Axe are still around, even if just barely.

Click to shrink...

It could also be that she was injured in whatever shitstorm befell the Mansus after the Forge-of-Days did whatever she did. Names may be immortal, but they can still be killed with sufficient amounts of power after all.

 

[Greymere]

Also, what does this mean? Finally be able to what? Introduce them to Selene/Luna?

Hours, I hope we managed to pass the threshold needed to introduce them to Selene/Luna. It would break their poor brains to know that not only does their boss's boss consider Velvet her mom, but also that Velvet's been secretly taking care of her for over a year.

Click to shrink...

Ooohh, I hope that is what I think it is.

Click to shrink...

WAIT, HOLD ON!

Is this why you were asking about whether or not Shining was directly confirmed to have been let in on the Selene Secret(tm)?!?!