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

[jelloloaf]

Thanks for the update

"But here's the thing, Selene. I can't really read your mind," you lie

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Motherhood is a pathway to many abilities that some consider to be . . . unnatural.

Well, she already killed one pony, that cursed Copper mare,

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Another wayward soul lost to the depths of completely unwarranted Copper slander

She could start moonlighting as a detective

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Does it still count as moonlighting if she controls the moon?

 

[Pittauro]

And the reason why you left the Lunar Bureau so early, and why you cleared an entire day's worth of work so you could come back to Ponyville is…



… because today you are picking up your daughters from school!

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...and here I was expecting to heal the scar

I suppose we'll start with reassuring friends and family instead.

You wonder if they will just demolish the school and rebuild it from the ground up, maybe during the vacation period. You wonder how well the Ponyville students are getting along with the newcomers. You wonder…

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probably, really. And build it with some room left to spare too.

Because how could they not? After all, you are well aware that your uncle is a nice pony to be around, to begin with, and that he has a way with words. Plus, given how your uncle is… well, without his suit, or any of his more expensive apparels, he is blending in with his surroundings almost perfectly.

He looks, without a doubt, like a visiting grandparent who is picking up a grandchild from school. And the small crowd of parents around him all seem to be perfectly content with his company.

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I feel a bit sorry about no taking his FO...

who knows, maybe if we get lucky with Axe's sacrament we'll have a spare AP...

"I will never admit to you that I now know everything about Sugarcube Corner," he answers with a joking smile.

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wait, you mean everything? HAVE YOU MET PINKIE PIE?! PLEASE INTRODUCE US!

"You are telling me that I shouldn't be carrying my own daughter? Absurd!" you say, as dramatically as possible. And you are sure that, to Selene's ears, your voice is being a lot louder than it really is. "One day you will be as tall as I am, and how in heaven am I supposed to carry you then? No no no, I will make sure to enjoy this while it lasts!"

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one day indeed.

Like tomorrow.

or yesterday.

or even later today...

You can feel her body heating up as, for some reason, she feels embarrassed by what is happening. And you think you can hear her muttering some kind of nonsense under her breath. Something about her already being taller than you, or that you should still be resting at home rather than being here.

Pff, silly Princess. Hasn't she figured out she will always be a filly in your eyes? And why is she so flustered? She also looks like a filly to everypony around you, so it's not like you are parading an alicorn on your back as you walk down the street.

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truly, such nonsense...

...though can you imagine if we ended up parading her around while she's an Alicorn once we become a Long or Hour?

"That was quite amazing, Selene," you say, feeling her tilt her head in confusion against your mane. "You said all that, but you completely avoided the question that I asked. So, again, how have you been sweetheart?"

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you won't get one over your mom, silly little princess!

And most importantly, you are absolutely sure that something like this hasn't already happened before, maybe… one thousand years ago, give or take? Yes, nothing like this ever happened before in Selene's life, and you are sure that she carries no regrets about refusing her loved ones' help whatsoever.

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uh. As they say, History doesn't repeat itself, but it DOES indeed rhyme.

Oh no, your Selene is a big, strong Princess, and she can carry the weight of the entire world on her b-!

"I'm actually really, really stressed about all this," she says, almost sagging on your back. Her tone low, but urgent, as if those words had almost pushed each other on the way out of her mouth.

If your mental counting is correct, then she caved in… less than three minutes. And over that entire time, you could feel her tensing on your back as if she was a spring that was going taut. But thankfully, she finally gave up on holding in whatever she has inside her chest.

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Velvet, mistress of uncomfortable silences!

Be in awe of her ability to extra confessions by just waiting them out!

Well, she already killed one pony, that cursed Copper mare, so would it really be that bad if she considered…?

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...well, it kinda depends on the target I suppose.

She could start moonlighting as a detective, or maybe as a hero from one of those books, to keep Ponyville and beyond safe.

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...moonlighting, you say?


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-DHOG6c2V8&ab_channel=Christmoon5star

But still, that doesn't mean you should all start making plans of your own. That doesn't mean you should all tell yourselves that I know better and work behind each other's back.

That would just be the recipe for another new disaster.

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...Velvet, you're the very definition of "I know better"!

admittedly you're right more often than not, but STILL!

"Fiiine… fine. I promise I won't do anything silly," she says to you, or perhaps to herself. But still, she almost hugs your neck as she brings her mouth towards your ear to whisper something. "As long as you promise not to get hurt again," she finishes. Her words slightly admonishing, but more worried than anything else.

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and then we roll a nat1 and get a wound from the ritual.

true story!

And a few moments later, you finally arrive at your destination. The local candy shop that, to Silky's delight, has been receiving a lot of patronage from your uncle.

"Sugarcube Corner! YAY!" Silky says -yells, really- as the four of you make your way inside.

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I am NOT getting my hopes up.

I KNOW Pinkie will NOT be there. she will be in the back, or on vacation, or on a delivery, or something else!

...if she somehow is introduced like nothing after all those years, I have NO IDEA how I'll react.

"Just on the day we are understaffed. Where's Pinkie when you need her?"

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I FUCKING KNEW IT!

at this point I seriously don't know if Pinkie is an Hour or at least Long in hiding, or if Bird is just trolling us!

Her door, you can tell, is locked. And the young mare herself, you can feel, is currently inside her room.

Alone.

All by herself.

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uh.

I noticed how JADE was conspicuously not mentioned last turn, which made the friend FO feel that much more important.

but did ANYONE mention Soft Sweeps instead?

ANYONE AT ALL?!

mentions of the wolf cult don't count by the way.

She lurches sobs against your chest, and she spasms shakes ever so slightly.

But still, eventually, she brings her forelegs around you as well. And soon enough, your poor Softy is crying against the fur of your chest.

The stench is unbearable. But more than that, it is as disgusting as it is familiar.

The two of you stay like that for a while, in the darkness of her room, as the young mare tries to process her emotions.

Clinging on to you like a puppet, the smell of the thing inside of her escaping through the cracks of her broken body.

Until finally, her broken sobs croak a few words out of her chest.

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understandably, the wolf is strengthened by her agony...

[] You promised her that you will be safe.
-The best way to calm her down is to prove that this will not happen again. Through words, and then through actions.
-You will promise not to reach one health point for the next six turns. (Although you will not be mechanically prohibited from taking risky or life-threatening actions.)
-Successfully keeping your promise will placate Soft Sweeps.
-Failing to keep your promise will have dire consequences.

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no.

we're about to do Forge Redemption, plenty of expeditions (some of which are risky) AND Biedde's Sacrament.

there's maybe even a 50% chance we might go down to 1 health in the next 6 turns!

[] You promised to spend more time with her.
-The best way to calm her down is to be around her more often.
-Over the next three turns, you will have to take the action "Hang out with Soft Sweeps" a total of two times. (Although you will not be mechanically forced to do so.)
-Successfully keeping your promise will placate Soft Sweeps.
-Failing to keep your promise will have dire consequences.

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potentially viable, though it means committing 2 APs to it.

[] You promise to let her help you.
-The best way to calm her down is to help her develop.
-You will promise to do… something for her. On turn 22 you will have the Fleeting Opportunity of "Soft Sweeps' Request". You cannot predict what she will ask of you, but if you perform that action you will accept whatever request she has. (Although you will not be mechanically forced to take this action.)
-Successfully keeping your promise will placate Soft Sweeps.
-Failing to keep your promise will have dire consequences.

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a mystery box...

[] You did not make any promises.
-The best way to calm her down is to let her be. You have faith in her, that she is stronger than this, and she already got a lot better with words alone.
-You cannot predict how this will affect Soft Sweeps. But you have already mostly calmed her down, so she will not do anything regretful.

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we might very well want to take this. Better than making a promise we can't keep in this case.


Well, the "not go to 1 health" is just not an option. so 2 APs, 1 AP with unknown request, or nothing...

[That which is most precious, breakpoints 60/80/120/150]

[Roll: 56 55 + 13 (Diplomacy) + 20 (Grail level 4) + 40 (An Incarnadescence) = 129]

[Velvet Covers has invoked a re-roll]

[Third breakpoint reached]

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a bit of a wasted reroll. Shame.

but hey, third breakpoint is good!

60: Selene is many things. She is loyal, she is smart, but she can also be hardheaded and reckless. But she trusts you, and the two of you remain in lockstep. (Selene will not start acting behind your back.)

80: Stormchaser is, without a doubt, the pony who most deeply loves you, and he is the pony who has done so for the longest. It would have been easy for that love to turn into concern. But for now, at least, you have convinced him that you are fine. (You will not have to make a great compromise to placate your family.)

120: Silky Stream may be a bright and observant filly, but she is still just a filly. However, you were able to help her navigate this storm she has just lived through. (You will not have to give reassurances to placate your younger daughters.)

150: How do you convince a young mare, who already lost everything, that it won't happen again? Especially after what just happened? It should not be possible. And yet, here you are… (You will not have to make a promise to placate Soft Sweeps.) [BREAKPOINT NOT REACHED]

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ok, so each threshold is to reassure one of the four most important ponies in Velvet's life...

and yeah, we managed with 3 of them.

Considering that the cost of failure and not making a compromise with the other ones would have been "Selene acting behind our back" or "compromise with stormchaser" or "Reassure Silky"...

well, we might want to reassure Soft.

I'm leaning towards the 1 AP promise, but maybe 2 is safer, if more expensive...

I respect the hopium here

A sincere question — is there any data point that would convince you otherwise?

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why, of course!

Reaching Glory and getting a Quest end would convince me!

but really, there's so much left unaddressed! It can't be over just like that!

So, next turn.

If DoA is around, we want BtRC (3) + Study (2) which makes 5 actions. So we'd need a 6th, ie two cover your bases, which is… all our mortal followers + the Risen. Wait, we won't have a Jade action, so that's Biedde again. Doable, but tough — we're spending comet/rarity/Biedde actions on this fleeting, basically.

If DoA isn't around, we want… Study (2) and looking for ritual sites and who knows what. Then it's probably something we can fit in. Though I hope this isn't the world we wind up in, it is very plausible…

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We don't necessarily need to go to the Canterlot expedition with Velvet. we COULD just send Axe + Biedde (with artifacts for better rolls). or maybe add Baldomare or Selene as a third.

1. Trying to stay above 1 HP for SIX turns is completely unrealistic. We have Biedde's Sacrament to worry about too, on top of the already unknown DoA Sacrament and the fact that the Summit of the Mansus may be dangerous. Not worth considering.

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it COULD happen, it's not COMPLETELY unrealistic... but we have at best 50% chance of managing it, I think. so yeah, not a good pick.

 

[des-pair-2]

We shouldn't promise her we will be fine, because we will be fucking around, and we don't want to find out.

I think we will most likely just spend some time with her. Two less AP over two turns can be planned around, while the unknown is scary.

Bird does like 4 PM, so while this is interesting and my second pick, I also don't want this to win.

Nope. This is just not who Velvet is.

 

[DelightedOne]

Yay! Glad I got back home earlier.

The bodyguards are so funny sometimes.

Well, it seems this is the Family FO update. So not a lot of stuff I think.

Uncle Steppes has been accompanying the fillies to and from school? Why did Softy not take care of her sisters?

Selene being flustered. Check.
Deep conversation(with a bit of murdery thoughts). Check.
Silky loving sugar(and recovering from the trauma of a barely alive mom). Check
Bird hiding Pinkie. Unfortunately, check.

Why would that be blood?

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Oh Fuck. Velvet forgot she is suicidal(or rather blocked it).

At least the seed still works.

Well there are choices to make, so let's see what we have.

[] You promised her that you will be safe.

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Almost impossible to promise, we do get in a lot of danger regularly after all. Edge Sacrament also unwise to take with that risk.
Let me guess, if we break it the dire consequences will happen regardless of the promise made?

[] You promised to spend more time with her.

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Viable, if the free social can be used it also becomes ideal(but unlikely since it is stated as a specific action). We might even get to take a look at the Daughter's cult if we're lucky.

[] You promise to let her help you.

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This... feels like it is very dangerous. I can't help but feel some Wolf influence will leak through due to the recent... Events.

[] You did not make any promises.

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Nope, we should take the options that we know can help her, not risk it.

Uhhhh, Breakpoints. Don't mind if I take a look.

[That which is most precious, breakpoints 60/80/120/150]

[Roll: 56 55 + 13 (Diplomacy) + 20 (Grail level 4) + 40 (An Incarnadescence) = 129]

[Velvet Covers has invoked a re-roll]

[Third breakpoint reached]

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Seems like we did need that Grail Influence, I'm glad we got it.

Umm, Selene, Silky and Stormchaser won't be a problem but I'm still worried about Soft so I'll vote for a promise.

 

[Greymere]

We don't necessarily need to go to the Canterlot expedition with Velvet. we COULD just send Axe + Biedde (with artifacts for better rolls). or maybe add Baldomare or Selene as a third.

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Axe + Mareinette + Baldomare (+ artifacts) would probably be our best bet for clearing BtRC. It still leaves major weak points in terms of Winter, Moth, and Forge, but there's not much we can do about that without Velvet leading or by sending Selene along (Winter and Moth). Which, I don't think we'd want to send Selene with because a) holy shit that'd be 480 bits, and while yes we'll technically have the money, and yes they'd probably finish early, that's still a lot of bits to earmark for a single expedition, and b) it'd use both of her AP.

On the other hand, BtRC has the potential to be extremely interesting, and whatever's at the end of THREE!!! entire expedition sites of escalating difficulty has got to be something good, right? So I might be inclined to go for it anyway.

Edit: And tbh, even if we don't manage to keep DoA around and we have to resummon her T23, Mareinette + Baldomare + Selene (+artifacts) still has a pretty good shot imo. Less Knock, and a lower baseline (+40 vs. +50), but it still covers all the Lores except for Forge, with rerolls.

 

[Pittauro]

holy shit that'd be 480 bits

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to be fair, while we NEED 480 bits to start it, I'm assuming we can finish it, like EVERY OTHER EXPEDITION EVER, in 60% of the time or less (grave was 40%, but that one was extremely easy with only two obstacles).

So we'd probably only spend 288 bits with 4 ponies. Maybe less, as the more people we send the less likely it becomes for us to fail rolls and having to repeat challenges.

Still, 3 Names is probably enough. Especially if we manage to study the Lantern and Winter Artifact to help first.

 

[Shaper47]

So, next turn.

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Your forgetting our SH Sacrament.

That should come first and we probably should have take advantage of the SH influence for most of the rest of the actions.

 

[DelightedOne]

Axe + Mareinette + Baldomare (+ artifacts) would probably be our best bet for clearing BtRC.

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At this point scrying BtRC part 3 is cheaper than just sending a bunch of our Followers(or Velvet).

We find out what we need, if DoA can do it with her power alone, great. If she can't and we have the right Artifact(s) she gets it. If she needs a Name we have we send them too.

But not shooting in the dark when there is that many bits involved sounds wise.

 

[Greymere]

At this point scrying BtRC part 3 is cheaper than just sending a bunch of our Followers(or Velvet).

We find out what we need, if DoA can do it with her power alone, great. If she can't and we have the right Artifact(s) she gets it. If she needs a Name we have we send them too.

But not shooting in the dark when there is that many bits involved sounds wise.

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It would definitely be optimal, but also there's the teensy problem of us not having a non-Velvet scryer besides Baldomare. Who's probably going to be busy doing one thing or another for the next couple of turns.

I guess if we finish DoA's Sacrament early we could have Velvet scout it this turn, either in person (somehow) with the help of that +40 SH Influence or via RotT?

Though even if it's scryed, that's not actually a guarantee we're not going to have to send everything and the kitchen sink anyway

Edit: Or we could have Jade do it in Rarity's house I guess. I keep forgetting that's technically an option.

 

[Shaper47]

For Soft promises.

Being safe would be fine if we went to her father for a Sacrament. So I don't think this option is going to be picked.

We really don't have the spare AP to spend that much time talking with her.

Not doing a promise would mean hoofing in our best mother certificate so that's not an option.

So letting her help seems good to me.

 

[DelightedOne]

It would definitely be optimal, but also there's the teensy problem of us not having a non-Velvet scryer besides Baldomare. Who's probably going to be busy doing one thing or another for the next couple of turns.

I guess if we finish DoA's Sacrament early we could have Velvet scout it this turn, either in person (somehow) with the help of that +40 SH Influence or via RotT?

Though even if it's scryed, that's not actually a guarantee we're not going to have to send everything and the kitchen sink anyway

Edit: Or we could have Jade do it in Rarity's house I guess. I keep forgetting that's technically an option.

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There is that Lantern 4 artifact someone wanted to study this turn. Use that with Selene and we have a better scryer than Jade(except for the re-roll).

 

[Greymere]

There is that Lantern 4 artifact someone wanted to study this turn. Use that with Selene and we have a better scryer than Jade(except for the re-roll).

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Speaking of Selene vs. Jade as a scryer, the way the math works out due to the Selene's higher base modifier (w/ Lantern 4 artifact) vs. Jade having the reroll means that while Selene would be better at scrying more difficult targets, Jade is more likely to succeed at scrying lower-DC targets.

Unlikely to be relevant in this case, but just something interesting I noticed when I was messing around w/ AnyDice before.

 

[LieutenantSpirit]

Between the two viable (in my opinion) options, we either guarantee the use of an action next turn, or we spend an extra action to have a slightly more flexible schedule. However, no matter what, we'd need to spend at least one action within the next two turns. The real question is if we're willing to pay the "cost" of whatever Soft requests.

If we simplify the situation, we've essentially been given the option to pay for an extra action with an unknown cost. Bits would hurt a bit but wouldn't be too bad. The big issue is if the request is for a follower action, as there's the chance of it making us miss a "Cover Your Bases" mark and costing us two Velvet actions anyway (plus the loss of the follower action, too).

 

[Maer]

For Soft promises.

Being safe would be fine if we went to her father for a Sacrament. So I don't think this option is going to be picked.

We really don't have the spare AP to spend that much time talking with her.

Not doing a promise would mean hoofing in our best mother certificate so that's not an option.

So letting her help seems good to me.

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1. Since when has Stormchaser been Edge 5+?
More seriously, while I'm less against the Wolf thanks to the other Quest, I just don't find the appeal for Velvet. The 4'th stain… it might be worth it if we run out of time for the other options, but I find the price to be unpleasantly high. I'll support you if things go bad with Beidde though. Truly, I regret a few of our earlier stains…

2. I… sadly, agree. Just not enough.

3. I would accept a stain for this, if that's what it demands. I hope not, but for her? For so little AP? I'd be willing. I will be voting for this one.

4. No. I fully agree that this is a non-option.

 

[Maer]

Hey @OurLadyOfWires , if it isn't an imposition, how do you determine the difficulty of various actions? The DC's or breakthrough points? It primarily just getting a feeling for how difficult an action should be, or is there a specific system you use for it?

I find myself struggling to stay balanced in my own attempts, so I was hoping for some advice. :3

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@OurLadyOfWires
If you find the time to answer, and are willing, I'd appreciate any insight on this you might be willing to offer. I do understand if you aren't willing at the moment though. Thank you for the update!

 

[Greymere]

More seriously, while I'm less against the Wolf thanks to the other Quest, I just don't find the appeal for Velvet. The 4'th stain… it might be worth it if we run out of time for the other options, but I find the price to be unpleasantly high. I'll support you if things go bad with Beidde though. Truly, I regret a few of our earlier stains…

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It's not like we can't try again even if it does? We would genuinely have to be in a situation where the options are literally, objectively, either Get The Wolf Sacrament Right Now or Game Over for me to even be remotely okay with getting Wolf Sacraments; partially because its an RA, partially because I don't want the Wolf in our Edge and Winter, Velvet has more than enough self-hatred as it is thanks. In any other situation, the price of Regrettable Action is not worth it, even if it means we have to try multiple times at Biedde's Sacrament. Or scry a Worthy Opponent that we're willing to kill for our personal Edge Sacrament.

 

[Flaregamer82253]

1. Since when has Stormchaser been Edge 5+?
More seriously, while I'm less against the Wolf thanks to the other Quest, I just don't find the appeal for Velvet. The 4'th stain… it might be worth it if we run out of time for the other options, but I find the price to be unpleasantly high. I'll support you if things go bad with Beidde though. Truly, I regret a few of our earlier stains…

2. I… sadly, agree. Just not enough.

3. I would accept a stain for this, if that's what it demands. I hope not, but for her? For so little AP? I'd be willing. I will be voting for this one.

4. No. I fully agree that this is a non-option.

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OurLady is ALWAYS fair as to letting us know if something is REGRETTABLE or not before we take it. Given that we are assured that, if next turn we take Soft's request, Velvet WILL fulfill the request, this can give us no Stains because we MUST be warned.

It's not like we can't try again even if it does? We would genuinely have to be in a situation where the options are literally, objectively, either Get The Wolf Sacrament Right Now or Game Over for me to even be remotely okay with getting Wolf Sacraments; partially because its an RA, partially because I don't want the Wolf in our Edge and Winter, Velvet has more than enough self-hatred as it is thanks. In any other situation, the price of Regrettable Action is not worth it, even if it means we have to try multiple times at Biedde's Sacrament. Or scry a Worthy Opponent that we're willing to kill for our personal Edge Sacrament.

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What holds me back on considering the Wolf Sacrament is that we don't have the Winter fragments to make it currently worthwhile. If we had 3, we would be guaranteed to level up (Regrettable actions always give us 1 edge and winter lore). And on that matter, we don't know if we'll have the time to do multiple attempts at *Biedde. It's a tricky situation...

*(My preference for Biedde not withstanding)

 

[DelightedOne]

OurLady is ALWAYS fair as to letting us know if something is REGRETTABLE or not before we take it. Given that we are assured that, if next turn we take Soft's request, Velvet WILL fulfill the request, this can give us no Stains because we MUST be warned.

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Well... We don't have to fullfill the request, it says that pretty clearly.

You cannot predict what she will ask of you, but if you perform that action you will accept whatever request she has. (Although you will not be mechanically forced to take this action.)

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So surprise RA could happen, we would just need to break the promise instead(which is still bad).

That is why I will go for the hang out, 2 actions over 3 turns and only 1 one of them can be done each turn is a good price.

Assume you can only do it once per turn. There is a very small chance that narrative explanations align to allow it twice in a single turn, but this promise really is meant as a "dedicate to keep her company over a long period of time", which means it needs to be done over several turns.

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[Limabot]

Well... We don't have to fullfill the request, it says that pretty clearly.

So surprise RA could happen, we would just need to break the promise instead(which is still bad).

That is why I will go for the hang out, 2 actions over 3 turns and only 1 one of them can be done each turn is a good price.

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While that could technically be the case, that seems like it would make the request a Trap option compared to the others, which I feel is kind of unlikely.

 

[Alan975]

[] You did not make any promises.
This option goes right inot the bin i'd say.

No damage would be the most constricting, but I have no strong opinion of which of the 3 is best.

This isn't likely to be something that we can squeeze in-between other things, plans will need to be changed.

Or postponed, even if that is a risk. Cuz it donns't matter if we win if we don't win.

 

[Greymere]

Tbh, regardless of how Wolfy Soft's request might be, I mostly don't like that option just because I don't really like making promises to definitely do something without knowing what I'm agreeing to beforehand

 

[Rafuki22]

Tbh, regardless of how Wolfy Soft's request might be, I mostly don't like that option just because I don't really like making promises to definitely do something without knowing what I'm agreeing to beforehand

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If we can't trust our daughter who can we trust?

I would prefer spending time with Soft, but if the AP is going to be so scarce (and i believe people don't want to choose this option) then i'll choose the request.

 

[spiderhellian]

This conversation has left me deeply conflicted on BtRC... I really want Velvet to be there so we can actually see the culmination of these expeditions, and Selene/Velvet to stack Knock bonus (where we'll definitely start with a hard obstacle), but I also see the efficiency arguments of sending 3 Names. It's a good thing we don't need to figure it out now!

I definitely thinks scouting is silly, we are not that AP-rich for scores and we should just aim to overwhelm. Though I get it's trickier without Velvet/Selene's breadth.

@OurLadyOfWires One other question, Is the "Hang out with Soft Sweeps" an action we can take with our free social?

The thing tempting me there is that I do like Softy content, and this would get us more…

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Oh yeah. Feels so good to be so right about the Grail Sacrament.

Edit: INFLUENCE, I meant Influence. Why do I keep doing this?

 

[Shaper47]

Oh yeah. Feels so good to be so right about the Grail Sacrament.

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Umm, right about what?

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Umm, right about what?

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That it would be directly helpful with the social FOs we were taking this turn. There were people who doubted such.

 

[Maer]

…You mean the Grail Incarnadescence?

Not Sacrament? I think that's what Shaper is confused about.

 

[Shaper47]

…You mean the Grail Incarnadescence?

Not Sacrament? I think that's what Shaper is confused about.

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Yeah this.

Though if it's about the Incarnadescence that was a really really good call of Tiger.

I thought it would be useful for the evidence but didn't expect the Family FO to have such high DC's.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

@OurLadyOfWires
If you find the time to answer, and are willing, I'd appreciate any insight on this you might be willing to offer. I do understand if you aren't willing at the moment though. Thank you for the update!

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Ah, right. Sorry for not answering this one. I am also pretty sure there is an omake I need to read from the gap-period since the last update and this one. I legitimately did not touch the thread for a while, until the mood to write me struck again today.

But about this...

Spoiler: This turned out long, sorry

By all means, feel free to ask if what I say doesn't make sense, but here is my take on difficulty.

The only thing that really matters is picking a system and sticking to it.

I don't remember the actual wording that I used (and i'd appreciate if someone found the post where we discussed it, although it's probably buried in the old site). But I have a bit of a "fixed" system when it comes to difficulty checks.
I refer back to the character sheet's explanation that an "average" pony has +8 to +10 on a status, and I build up from there.

Meaning that, for example, a DC 120 is something a "master on a craft" should be able to do only with great luck and inspiration. And a DC 150 is, quite literally, something that should be impossible by a mortal's standard. From that, you can tone down to when a DC should be an 80, a 75, a 50, and whatever else.

There are also two separate, but important IMO, things that I keep in mind.

First, the DC doesn't need to equate to the drama involved.

It is tempting to only make something a DC 150 check when it is "kill god". But if you remember that DC 150 is supposed to be "merely" impossible, then you allow yourself to use that breakpoint for simpler things.
In the sense that "lockpinging a rust-encrusted door" is, well, impossible. It won't move. But you might be able to do it with a DC 150.
(Not offering the breakpoint, and just declaring it impossible, is also an option. But this is just me saying that you don't need to equate difficulty with reward).

The second thing I like to keep in mind is that I shouldn't let my own feelings interfere with the DC checks.

In the sense that, well, I am human. And sometimes, I actually hope Velvet will pass or fail a certain test. So, it easy to think that "man, I should lower this one".
You can do that if you want to, but my advice is simply "don't". The most important thing in a story, IMO, is consistency. And whenever you break consistency by making something hard easier, you chip away at the world itself, and I think that's bad.

By all means, your story is your own, so don't let my opinion stop you. But still, that's my take on it.

Likewise, I don't make things harder because I want Velvet to FAIL.
I mean. If you guys throw Axe at an expedition, together with an Influence-covered Velvet, then you guys DESERVE to reach that high DC. And you guys deserve whatever reward follows. Even if I personally don't want you guys to grab... whatever it is.

I say that because there have already been times I hoped Velvet would fail, because it would make a better story. But she succeeded. And, tempting as it may be, I need to remember this is still a game, and that if you guys invest in something and succeed, then you guys deserve the shinies.

Anyhow, that's my rambling on the subject. Let me know if I missed the point entirely.

@OurLadyOfWires One other question, Is the "Hang out with Soft Sweeps" an action we can take with our free social?

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Assume you won't be able to use free social actions.

It is very likely you will be able to, but assume that you won't.

And to be clear, I am saying a lot of "assume your legs will be tied" because Softy is one of your daughters. So, if needs must, Velvet will be willing to spend more time/effort/resources to keep to her promise. Unless you guys decide to ignore said promise (which will be allowed).



Finally, I just wanted to point out that Soft's request won't be a RA.

At first I wanted to start this with a "jesus effing christ, where is that coming from?" but I get that Paranoia is a very good boi who does a very good job, even through the fourth wall.

So, to be clear, she won't ask you for anything like that.

I mean, the stuff I had in mind for her requests were "buy me a cute dress" or "teach me how to summon Windigos" or "half-siblings or not, please approve of my marriage with Evil"
But not something that would cause THAT much damage.

Also, just as a side note. Since we are talking about Soft's requests, and since I just wrote a bit about difficulties.

Spoiler: Short rant

Figuring out this family test was a bit of fun. At first, I planned one roll per family member. And I even checked if it make sense for some family members to use different stats, the same way Jade rolls didn't rely on Grail back then.

But when I realized that they all would demand different difficulties, and that it all aligned into a single breakpoint scale, I decided to make it this way.

So, about the failures.

If you didn't reach, say, Stormchaser, then that means you wouldn't have reached Silky and Soft as well. Which is why failing Stormchaser means making a compromise "with your family as a whole", whereas failing Silky would be "giving reassurances to Silky and Soft".

And in case you guys are wondering (although no one asked ) a compromise would have been something big and prohibitive, and possibly permanent. Something like "Velvet agrees to never go on an Expedition again (Except for "All In")". An agreement with your husband, and everypony else by extension, for your safety.

And Silky's reassurances would have been something like "Make a big and pointless 100+ bits purchase, to make a show that you are taking care of your health". Stuff on the level of "big and effort-consuming enough to placate a worried filly".

Anyways, I hope you are all doing well! And I'll see you all later.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

…You mean the Grail Incarnadescence?

Not Sacrament? I think that's what Shaper is confused about.

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I keep calling Influences Sacraments and I don't know why. Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.