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

[AuthorTransient]

That was a very nice look on the other side.

I'm technically on my 3rd rewrite of the *next work of* my own apocrypha series. At some point, I expect I would lower my standards, but it's not this time. I'm cutting pieces out of my previous drafts and making some kind of Frankenstein's.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Voting closed.

Spoiler: Tally

Vote Tally : Esquestria: The House of the Sun - A pony cultist experience | Page 274 | Questionable Questing [Posts: 8350-8514]
##### NetTally 4.0.2

[X] Plan Prudent KISSing
-[X] (AotL) Lantern
-[X] (Forge) Forge 3 reagent
-[X] (Knock) Explore the Summit
-[X] (Winter) Invoke a Risen
-[X] (Social) Teach Selene
-[X] Fleeting Opportunity: Family
-[X] Fleeting Opportunity: Friends
-[X] Perform the Forge's Redemption
--[X] Sacrifice Forge 3 reagent
--[X] At Jade's old house
-[X] Sacrament: Through the Foggy Mirror (4x)
No. of Votes: 16

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Prudent KISSing
[X] Alan975
[X] Anjaxis
[X] AuthorTransient
[X] Bakkasama
[X] DelightedOne
[X] Flaregamer82253
[X] Greymere
[X] jelloloaf
[X] LieutenantSpirit
[X] Limabot
[X] Nevermort
[X] Pororurin
[X] Random Anon
[X] Steady Gaze
[X] Sveta08
[X] Waela

[X] Plan KISS (Keep it Snake, Stupid)
-[X] (AotL) Lantern (Explore Summit)
-[X] (Forge) Forge 3 reagent
-[X] (Knock) Explore the Summit
-[X] (Winter) Summon a Risen
-[X] FO Family
-[X] (Social) FO Friends
-[X] DoA Sacrament x6
No. of Votes: 12

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: KISS (Keep it Snake, Stupid)
[X] Alan975
[X] Anjaxis
[x] Earth-Destroyer
[X] Flaregamer82253
[X] Greymere
[X] LieutenantSpirit
[X] Limabot
[X] MisRAR1
[X] Shaper47
[X] Solace2117
[X] spiderhellian
[X] Zxzx24

[X] Plan Prudent KISSing but even more prudent
-[X] (AotL) Lantern
-[X] (Forge) Forge 4 reagent
-[X] (Knock) Explore the Summit
-[X] (Winter) Invoke a Risen
-[X] (Social) Teach Selene
-[X] Fleeting Opportunity: Family
-[X] Fleeting Opportunity: Friends
-[X] Perform the Forge's Redemption
--[X] Sacrifice Forge 4 reagent
--[X] At Jade's old house
-[X] Sacrament: Through the Foggy Mirror (4x)
No. of Votes: 10

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Prudent KISSing but even more prudent
[X] angelsadvocate666
[X] DelightedOne
[X] Flaregamer82253
[X] Greymere
[X] LieutenantSpirit
[x] Limabot
[X] Maer
[X] Spacemurica
[X] Sveta08
[X] Waela

[X] Plan KISS (Keep it Snake, Stupid) + Wastes
-[X] (AotL) Secret Histories (Ashen Wastes)
-[X] (Forge) Forge 3 reagent
-[X] (Knock) Explore the Ashen Wastes
-[X] (Winter) Summon a Risen
-[X] FO Family
-[X] (Social) FO Friends
-[X] DoA Sacrament x6
No. of Votes: 7

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: KISS (Keep it Snake, Stupid) + Wastes
[X] Alan975
[X] Arrkhon
[x] Earth-Destroyer
[X] Flaregamer82253
[X] Maer
[X] MisRAR1
[X] Shaper47

[X] Plan Taking a Chance
-[X] (AotL) Lantern
-[X] (Forge) Forge 3 reagent
-[X] (Knock) Explore the Summit
-[X] (Winter) Summon a Risen
-[X] FO Family
-[X] (Social) FO Friends
-[X] Personal SH Sacrament x2
-[X] DOA Sacrament x4
No. of Votes: 7

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Taking a Chance
[X] Alan975
[X] Portec
[X] Potdl
[X] Shaper47
[X] Solace2117
[X] Talon Tiger Dino
[X] Void_510

[X] Plan KISS (Keep it Snake, Stupid) + Summit
-[X] (AotL) Secret Histories (Explore Summit)
-[X] (Forge) Forge 3 reagent
-[X] (Knock) Explore the Summit
-[X] (Winter) Summon a Risen
-[X] FO Family
-[X] (Social) FO Friends
-[X] DoA Sacrament x6
No. of Votes: 5

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: KISS (Keep it Snake, Stupid) + Summit
[X] Alan975
[X] Flaregamer82253
[X] Maer
[X] MisRAR1
[X] Shaper47

[X] PLan All on Snake
-[X] (AotL) Grail
-[X] (Forge) Forge 3 reagent
-[X][MANSUS] Tarrying in the Wastes (Search for a new area)
-[X] (Free) Summon a Risen
-[X] (Social) FO Family
-[X] FO Friends
-[X] DOA Sacrament x6
No. of Votes: 4

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: All on Snake
[X] Alan975
[x] Earth-Destroyer
[X] MisRAR1
[X] Shaper47

[X] Plan KISS (Keep it Snake, Stupid) + Wastes and SH Sacrament
-[X] (AotL) Secret Histories (Ashen Wastes)
-[X] (Forge) Forge 3 reagent
-[X] (Knock) Explore the Ashen Wastes
-[X] (Winter) Summon a Risen
-[X] FO Family
-[X] (Social) FO Friends
-[X] personal SH Sacrament
-[X] DoA Sacrament x5
No. of Votes: 4

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: KISS (Keep it Snake, Stupid) + Wastes and SH Sacrament
[X] Alan975
[X] MisRAR1
[X] Potdl
[X] Shaper47

[X] Plan Living on the line
-[X] (AotL) Grail
-[X] (Forge) Forge 3 reagent
-[X][MANSUS] Tarrying in the Wastes (Search for a new area)
-[X] (Winter) Summon a Risen
-[X] (Social) FO Family
-[X] FO Friends
-[X] Personal SH Sacrament x2
-[X] DOA Sacrament x4
No. of Votes: 4

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Living on the line
[X] Alan975
[X] Potdl
[X] Shaper47
[X] Void_510

[X] Plan Responsible KISSing
-[X] (AotL) Lantern
-[X] (Forge) Reserve for after DoA's Sacrament resolves
-[X] (Knock) Explore the Summit
-[X] (Winter) Invoke a Risen
-[X] (Social) Teach Selene
-[X] Fleeting Opportunity: Family
-[X] Fleeting Opportunity: Friends
-[X] Sacrament: Through the Foggy Mirror (5x)
No. of Votes: 3

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Responsible KISSing
[X] Greymere
[X] Limabot
[X] Waela

[X] Plan Elopement
No. of Votes: 2

Spoiler: Voters

[X] Alan975
[X] Flaregamer82253

[X] Plan Prudent KISSing with some Grail
-[X] (AotL) Grail
-[X] (Forge) Forge 3 reagent
-[X] (Knock) Explore the Summit
-[X] (Winter) Invoke a Risen
-[X] (Social) Teach Selene
-[X] Fleeting Opportunity: Family
-[X] Fleeting Opportunity: Friends
-[X] Perform the Forge's Redemption
--[X] Sacrifice Forge 3 reagent
--[X] At Jade's old house
-[X] Sacrament: Through the Foggy Mirror (4x)
No. of Votes: 2

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Prudent KISSing with some Grail
[X] Bakkasama
[X] Nevermort

[X] Plan: SH + Selene + Health
-[X] (AotL) Secret Histories
-[X] (Forge) Forge 3 reagent
-[X] (Knock) Explore the Summit
-[X] (Winter) Summon a Risen
-[X] "The Forge's Redemption"
--[X] Sacrifice Forge 3 reagent
--[X] At Jade's old house
-[X] FO Family
-[X] (Social) FO Friends
-[X] Teach Selene, and make her something more.
-[X] personal SH Sacrament
-[X] DoA Sacrament x 3
No. of Votes: 2

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: SH + Selene + Health
[X] des-pair-2
[X] Void_510

[X] Plan French KISSing
No. of Votes: 1

Spoiler: Voters

[X] Alan975

[X] Plan Grail opportunity
-[X] (AotL) Grail
-[X] (Forge) Reserve for after DoA's Sacrament resolves
-[X] (Knock) Explore the Summit
-[X] (Winter) Invoke a Risen
-[X] (Social) Teach Selene
-[X] Fleeting Opportunity: Family
-[X] Fleeting Opportunity: Friends
-[X] Sacrament: Through the Foggy Mirror (5x)
No. of Votes: 1

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: Grail opportunity
[X] Nevermort

[X] Plan Prudent KISSing but even moreprudent
No. of Votes: 1

Spoiler: Voters

[X] Nevermort

[X] Plan Responsible KISSing (Forge Variant)
No. of Votes: 1

Spoiler: Voters

[X] Flaregamer82253

[X] Plan: KISS (Keep it Snake, Stupid) but with forge 4 reagent
-[X][AotL] Lantern (Explore Summit)
-[X][Forge] Forge 4 reagent
-[X][Knock] Explore the Summit
-[X][Winter] Summon a Risen
-[X] FO Family
-[X][Social] FO Friends
-[X] DoA Sacrament x6
No. of Votes: 1

Spoiler: Voters

[◈] Plan: KISS (Keep it Snake, Stupid) but with forge 4 reagent
[X] Pittauro

[X] Plan: Prudent KISSing but even more prudent
-[X][AotL] Lantern
-[X][Forge] Forge 4 reagent
-[X][Knock] Explore the Summit
-[X][Winter] Invoke a Risen
-[X][Social] Teach Selene
-[X] Fleeting Opportunity: Family
-[X] Fleeting Opportunity: Friends
-[X] Perform the Forge's Redemption
--[X] Sacrifice Forge 4 reagent
--[X] At Jade's old house
-[X] Sacrament: Through the Foggy Mirror (4x)
No. of Votes: 1

Spoiler: Voters

[X] Pittauro

Total No. of Voters: 32

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

And so the turn begins

 

[Shaper47]

Ah well, who knows we might actually get good rolls.

Besides it's not so bad.

Having an exploration focused turn where we use an SH influence for mansus and books isn't really a bad thing.

 

[Greymere]

I'm so excited to see the Bureau's reaction when we introduce Luna/Selene!

And also learning some Velvet lore too I guess

 

[spiderhellian]

Can you feel it, in the night?

It's a boa constrictor, soon to crush you with its immensity. It's a cobra, rearing back to strike. It's a rattle, which portends your doom.

It's the SNAKE LORE, COMING SOON TO A THREAD NEAR YOU!

 

[DelightedOne]

This will surely be a very productive turn for Velvet. We have:

-[X] (Knock) Explore the Summit

Click to shrink...

Glory progress(not that excited about it to be honest).

-[X] (Social) Teach Selene

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All-4 Selene(and maybe Alicornae Selene too).

-[X] Perform the Forge's Redemption

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Velvet facing her childhood traumas(finally, that should have been done a while ago).

-[X] Sacrament: Through the Foggy Mirror (4x)

Click to shrink...

Snake befriending(something we sorely need).


But what I want to see the most is what will happen with Selene. Other highlights include: Cadance seeing Velvet without the scar if done before the Friends FO, A Memory of Light finally having progress(and Harmony), Velvet having no currently relevant Malus and how the night will be soothed.

 

[Greymere]

Glory progress(not that excited about it to be honest).

Click to shrink...

But we might get to meet the Forge Name! They'll probably be cool!

 

[Silent Symphony]

But we might get to meet the Forge Name! They'll probably be cool!

Click to shrink...

Yeah, it's definitely going to be a make-or-break moment.

 

[Bakkasama]

But we might get to meet the Forge Name! They'll probably be cool!

Click to shrink...

I would say that wolf would be happy if they are, but the wolf is never happy.

 

[Pittauro]

If we SOMEHOW fail the ritual I'll laugh

Then I'll cry.

Then I'll probably laugh again.

 

[spiderhellian]

If we SOMEHOW fail the ritual I'll laugh

Then I'll cry.

Then I'll probably laugh again.

Click to shrink...

I can't think of anyone I'd rather share the overconfident box of shame with

 

[Sveta08]

We have equal odds of rolling a 1 as a 100
I just gotta keep telling myself that.

 

[jelloloaf]

Loss and recovery is dramatic. No matter the outcome, I have faith that it will be a good story.

 

[DelightedOne]

You all worried about the ritual failing, but what about the possible wound that can happen if the ritual fails(I assume those are separate events)?

"The Forge's Redemption"
-CD: GRAIL 60, FORGE 100
-Cost: 20 bits on simple materials.
-Duration: Permanent.
-Effect: Permanently removes a "Lasting Wound" or other body-affecting malus.
-Failing this ritual risks you suffering a Wound.

Click to shrink...

Is it weird I'm not worried about that roll and worried about... everything else?

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

You all worried about the ritual failing, but what about the possible wound that can happen if the ritual fails(I assume those are separate events)?


Is it weird I'm not worried about that roll and worried about... everything else?

Click to shrink...

Well it is the failing that causes the wound, so the worry centers on the failing.

 

[Pittauro]

I actually forgot the wound is NOT a sure thing if we fail.

 

[Flaregamer82253]

We have equal odds of rolling a 1 as a 100
I just gotta keep telling myself that.

Click to shrink...

I'm ready for the natural 1 into a SECOND scar. Just hit me with that 1/1 HP.

 

[spiderhellian]

Biedde would be so happy for us!

 

[Shaper47]

If we befriend Baldomare she could turn those scars into armour though a ritual.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

If we befriend Baldomare she could turn those scars into armour though a ritual.

Click to shrink...

I don't think we have that ritual on-hand.

 

[Shaper47]

I don't think we have that ritual on-hand.

Click to shrink...

That's why befriending her is needed. So she can create/recreate the ritual.

 

[Flaregamer82253]

This is a bit of an aside, but Weather Factory very recently announced a new game in the series in Traveling At Night (Steam page). An actual CRPG for once.

Always exciting to see the series continuing!

(And I really need to play BoH soon...)

 

[Nevermort]

This is a bit of an aside, but Weather Factory very recently announced a new game in the series in Traveling At Night (Steam page). An actual CRPG for once.

Always exciting to see the series continuing!

(And I really need to play BoH soon...)

Click to shrink...

I like cultist lore in cold war setting idea. Especially since from initial description lore there appear to be far more widespread (Chitinous cities that embrace the Change ,star-touched Ministries e.t.c). I mean discovering Lores is interesting, but after it is done via first games looking at world build based on Lores would be a welcome change.

Actually made me think about our own revolutionary Starlight. Would she be an Edge main in this setting? And what Lore is Staff of Sameness artifact? Given how easily it let Starlight to subdue Alicorn Twilight would be really useful to have it as backup countermeasure against Celestia. She uncovers us or interferes in All In heist, we poke her in flank and throw into secure prison cell until we are done with the rest of our matters.

Also like totally unrelated but if we succeed in removing Velvet's scar she would need a change in wardrobe. Looks like time for Rarity to shine! @OurLadyOfWires Can Rarity do commission for Velvet? And more importantly can we do it on Bureau money if it is Commissioner's uniforms? Or an action to design Bureau uniforms?

 

[Venerable Ro]

Actually made me think about our own revolutionary Starlight. Would she be an Edge main in this setting? And what Lore is Staff of Sameness artifact? Given how easily it let Starlight to subdue Alicorn Twilight would be really useful to have it as backup countermeasure against Celestia. She uncovers us or interferes in All In heist, we poke her in flank and throw into secure prison cell until we are done with the rest of our matters.

Click to shrink...

Funnily enough the "Staff of Sameness" was complete bullshit that she used to wrap her philosophy up in a palatable myth. The magical power was all her, but for some reason ponies are more inclined to trust magical artifacts of dubious provenance. Also funnily enough I can see Starlight being a very odd devotee of the Horned Axe, practicing division and bindings in her search for a peaceful ideal.

 

[Pittauro]

While staff of sameness was a fake, there WAS the staff of sacanas from the movie.

Also Grogar's Bell.

 

[Nevermort]

Funnily enough the "Staff of Sameness" was complete bullshit that she used to wrap her philosophy up in a palatable myth. The magical power was all her, but for some reason ponies are more inclined to trust magical artifacts of dubious provenance. Also funnily enough I can see Starlight being a very odd devotee of the Horned Axe, practicing division and bindings in her search for a peaceful ideal.

Click to shrink...

I saw episode some time ago but I think fanfic that I read later overwrote this knowledge.Still does not look like normal pony magic especially since Twilight did not know about it. Interesting how it would be explained here. I think some of Starlight magic explained as taken from Starswirl scrolls, but here we know that he actually knew Lores.

 

[Pittauro]

I saw episode some time ago but I think fanfic that I read later overwrote this knowledge.Still does not look like normal pony magic especially since Twilight did not know about it. Interesting how it would be explained here. I think some of Starlight magic explained as taken from Starswirl scrolls, but here we know that he actually knew Lores.

Click to shrink...

Starlight used starswhirl's time spell (you only go back in time for ONE minute, closed time-loop so you can't change the past,(and I THINK it was only once in a lifetime per caster but that might be from a fanfic)) as base for her special time travel spell.

The cutie mark removal/switching spell is her original creation though as far as I know.

Which is really impressive because in a previous episode twilight (at least appeared to,) tried to give a cutie mark to applebloom with magic and failed, after saying something about how cutie mark affecting spells are rare/difficult/impossible. Or something like that.

 

[Rafuki22]

Christmas is in little over a week and here i'm thinking of Mari Lwyd as a nicer Mareinette that is an alcoholic instead of a cannibal.

Spoiler: Mari Lwyd by NatalieDeCorsair

It's her day off. Would you hang out?

Click to shrink...

Dude... give me the bottle

Click to shrink...

@OurLadyOfWires do you like it?

 

[Shaper47]

Mari Lwyd as Mareinette

Click to shrink...

Nice!

It makes me wish we had the free time to make a level 4 Grail reagrent, drain one wound worth of blood and spend a social action drinking with our friend.