[MLP] Roleplaying is Magic: The Broken Road.

[TheAmishPirate]

Welp. Somepony somewhere Nat 1'd. :smalltongue:

I'll get a post up tomorrow to respond properly. Anything I do tonight will be rushed and terrible.

[Balmas]

Welp. Somepony somewhere Nat 1'd. :smalltongue:

I'll get a post up tomorrow to respond properly. Anything I do tonight will be rushed and terrible.

Yeah, me! I have a terrible suspicion that this is what will happen whenever we split the party; it will become even more terribly split.

Now, to roleplay for the appropriate amount of time.

[BlasTech]

I'm sure DB can catch up, particularly if he goes back to see how the party is going.

And I must add that I'm impressed with how he's still talking to the rock monster after all that happened to him last time he tried that. :smallamused:

[Balmas]

Well, his reasoning is:

A: It won't answer questions from people it considers criminals.
B: It is willing to answer his questions.
C: Therefore, it does not consider him a criminal.

So, since it has only ever attacked him and Grease Spot, most likely because they were acting like criminals, it's safe. Besides, it's Dive Bomb. The options are to sit there and wait, or pump it for information. What do you expect him to di?

[One Tin Soldier]

Haha, yes! I knew poking the rock would do something! Granted, I was expecting something more along the lines of a hidden tunnel, but still!

[BlasTech]

Well, his reasoning is:

A: It won't answer questions from people it considers criminals.
B: It is willing to answer his questions.
C: Therefore, it does not consider him a criminal.

So, since it has only ever attacked him and Grease Spot, most likely because they were acting like criminals, it's safe. Besides, it's Dive Bomb. The options are to sit there and wait, or pump it for information. What do you expect him to di?

Oh I never said it was out of character, just that his persistence in the face of things trying to kill him is admirable. Or at least enjoyable to see from a minimum safe distance :smalltongue:

Question, in your last post you mention a second set of hoof prints about twenty feet back. Whose are those? From DB's perspective I'd thought he'd flown on ahead to find the monster and thus was out of sight of the others. (if he returns to the base of the slope he'd only find their gear and the ambassador in the sand, with all their tracks ending near that rock.

Let me know if I got confused.


Haha, yes! I knew poking the rock would do something! Granted, I was expecting something more along the lines of a hidden tunnel, but still!

That rock or any of the others in that valley. Glad I managed to surprise.

[Balmas]

First set of hoofprints is the golems. The second are his own, from when he touched down, and started walking alongside the golem.

[BlasTech]

Righto, well keep a mind on where he's walking for me then. If he treads on one of the half buried flagstones you can figure where he'll end up, so that's your avenue for catching up with the party.

[TheAmishPirate]

It was buried a bit in the post, but Crown tried to dust himself off to see if there was still any sand in his coat.

Also, as far as the bit with his special somepony, I wasn't planning on anything coming of that. I just figured that, in all the stress of the situation, he'd cling to something semi-familiar and make some wild assumptions based on that.

[BlasTech]

Yarp, saw that. Was hoping I could get away without needing to respond :smalltongue:

Ah well, fair cop. No sand in his coat.

[Balmas]

Righto, well keep a mind on where he's walking for me then. If he treads on one of the half buried flagstones you can figure where he'll end up, so that's your avenue for catching up with the party.

Wait, what flagstones? I didn't realize there were rocks with the golem?

[BlasTech]

The odd shape of the dunes only looked like a shallow half-bowl from a long distance away. When you were in it, it was more like a gigantic amphitheatre of sand; its wings stretching away into the night. It took them a good quarter hour to walk down to the base where the ground levelled out again. Beyond, the desert stretched out in front of them in a flat line, straight as an arrow. Dunes loomed in the darkness, rising on either side of the path that was dotted with the occasional slab of half buried rock.

Half-buried rock slabs = flagstones for lack of a better term.

I guess I need more practise with my scene descriptions in times like this. Anywhoo, if you can picture a semicircle on a stick, that's the top down view of the lay of the land right now.

The semi-circle is the large sandy dune area they just came down, and beyond them there's a long straight path that runs in between dunes (kind of like a valley in the sand) with the occasional half buried flagstone along it. It's like a ruined road.

Mr Rocky has been just following that road after he finished his descent, while everyone else trod on a stone at the beginning.

[Balmas]

Ah. That makes more sense. I hadn't realized that there were rocks around Mr. Rocky, as well as with the others.

[Balmas]

Ladies and Gentlemen, protect your NPCs! They're disappearing like flies!

Wait, does DB still have his saddlebags?

[BlasTech]

Maybe it's the PC's too.

As for the saddlebags, I'd assume so, or at least he'll have the ones with his medicines and chemicals in them. Grease should also have her tools and Cork his paints.

Food and other supplies would be missing though.

[Balmas]

Crown Cork gets over existential conflicts rather quickly, doesn't he?

[TheAmishPirate]

Crown Cork gets over existential conflicts rather quickly, doesn't he?

He's got a lot of practice. :smallwink:

Really, the appearance of Dive Bomb was what set him straight. If he'd taken longer with the rock monster, we would've gotten more of Cork's panicked wrangling with the shifting views of reality. Perhaps him realizing that his legs could've gotten sore walking that long, cobblestone road, or that his watch was now set to the correct afternoon time instead of the morning that he came from. Once DB showed up and they established, "Okay, touching the rocks brings you here, and that pony also saw Igneous," then he could rest easy knowing that reality wasn't being reborn, it was just more kooky magic.

[BlasTech]

I have to actively restrain myself from posting immediately after anyone of you guys post anything :smalltongue:

Gotta give ponies the opportunity to respond.

PS: Is Cork accepting the cookies and making an excuse for anyone who refuses? Or is he taking his leave too? Was a little unclear.

[TheAmishPirate]

I have to actively restrain myself from posting immediately after anyone of you guys post anything :smalltongue:

Gotta give ponies the opportunity to respond.

PS: Is Cork accepting the cookies and making an excuse for anyone who refuses? Or is he taking his leave too? Was a little unclear.

I went back and forth on this, so there might've been a few versions up saying different things. What he is doing is (gladly) accepting tea and cookies, but also making excuses for anypony who doesn't wish to partake.

There's more I want to say on this whole situation, but I'll wait to see how things turn out. :smallwink:

[BlasTech]

I'd be interested in hearing those thoughts later :smallbiggrin:

Anywhoo, I won't be able to post tonight, too busy. I'll throw up another post sometime tomorrow so you can figure out if anyone else wants a cookie before then :smalltongue:

[BlasTech]

Posting frequency seems to have dropped off a little for one or two of you guys. Is it just the holiday/exam season over there, or something else?

I don't have any problem with the pace slowing down as the RP gets into a rhythm. It's more that missing the one-post-a-day requirement is throwing off the flow of action a bit, so I'm hoping it's not a sign of interest dying.

[BlasTech]

In other news I updated/edited my last post. Also, "Expunging your cookie" is not a phrase I expected to write this morning.

[One Tin Soldier]

I think it's mostly the holiday season. I thought that it would mean more time for posting, but it turns out that I'm spending far more time away from my computer. I'll try to keep up, though.

[Balmas]

Is this the real life?
Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a desert...
No escape to reality!

I'd blame the holidays.

[BlasTech]

Open your mind,
Look up to the skies and see,
I'm just a lost colt,
I need no sympathy,

(I keep wondering if muscial numbers will wreck the mood of this RP or not :smalltongue:)

Fair enough about the holiday times, although I'd still like to hear from Ravian. Don't mind if posts devolve to one liners until you guys get more time, but just don't want to be waiting on a specific pony to do something before moving along the story.

Oh and for reference, Vereia's name is pronounced: Vur-Ray-ah

Not that it matters, clearly she is an unimportant NPC. :smalltongue:

[Ravian]

I'm here though lately I've had less time since I've got a senior project to finish. I'm almost done so by mid December I should be very lacking in work.

[BlasTech]

Ok, sweet. It's real life and not the RP then. I was worried for a bit there ^^;

Thanks for letting me know! :smallbiggrin:

[One Tin Soldier]

Open your mind,
Look up to the skies and see,
I'm just a lost colt,
I need no sympathy,

(I keep wondering if muscial numbers will wreck the mood of this RP or not :smalltongue:)

Fair enough about the holiday times, although I'd still like to hear from Ravian. Don't mind if posts devolve to one liners until you guys get more time, but just don't want to be waiting on a specific pony to do something before moving along the story.

Oh and for reference, Vereia's name is pronounced: Vur-Ray-ah

Not that it matters, clearly she is an unimportant NPC. :smalltongue:

Musical numbers can improve any campaign. Even horror campaigns.

And yep, I'm sure the NPC that received ~2 1/2 paragraphs of description (and a guide on name pronunciation) is totally unimportant. Eeeeeeyup.

[BlasTech]

Well, that's about par for the course for most of the NPC's I've come up with so far isn't it? :smallwink:

While we're on the subject;

Kahdar: Car-dar
Kahlin: Car-lin
Amelias: Ah-mee-li-as
Rinda: Rin-dah
Garim: Gah-rim
Igneous: Ig-knee-us

Mr and Mrs Cake are pronounced exactly as they look!

[Balmas]

Well, that's about par for the course for most of the NPC's I've come up with so far isn't it? :smallwink:

While we're on the subject;

Kahdar: Car-dar
Kahlin: Car-lin
Amelias: Ah-mee-li-as
Rinda: Rin-dah
Garim: Gah-rim
Igneous: Ig-knee-us

Mr and Mrs Cake are pronounced exactly as they look!

Kah-KAY?


Musical numbers can improve any campaign. Even horror campaigns.

And yep, I'm sure the NPC that received ~2 1/2 paragraphs of description (and a guide on name pronunciation) is totally unimportant. Eeeeeeyup.

I agree. Music makes everything better.

On that note, I believe that a modified version of Bohemian Rhapsody may capture Dive Bomb perfectly.

Is this the real life?
Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a dream world
No escape to reality!
Open your eyes
Look up to the skies and see
I'm just a poor colt,
I need no sympathy
Because I'm easy come, easy go
Flying high; soaring low!
Any way the wind blows, doesn't really matter to me, to me

Mama, just killed a friend
I left him in his bed,
Did my studies, now he's dead
Mama, life had just begun
But now I've gone and thrown it all away
Mama, ooo
Didn't mean to make you cry
I won't be coming back at all tomorrow,
But carry on, carry on, as if nothing really matters

Too late, my time has come
You found me in my den,
I said, "You'll not see me again!"
Goodbye everybody - I've got to go
Gotta leave you all behind and find the truth
Mama, ooo - (any way the wind blows)
Now, I gotta fly!
I sometimes wish I'd never been born at all

I throw myself into the studies of the land
Study hard! Study hard! Cuz I don't need a friend, no!
Nimble Bolt and Thunderhead -- very, very frightening me
Gallileo, Gallileo,
Gallileo, Gallileo,
Gallileo, Figaro -- magnifico!

I'm just a poor colt, nobody loves me
He's just a poor colt with a lost family
Spare him his life from this monstrosity
Easy come easy go -- will you let me go?
Celestia! No! We will not let you go! -- Let him go!
Celestia! We will not let you go! -- Let him go!
Celestia! We will not let you go! -- Let me go!
Will not let you go! -- Let me go! Never!
Never let you go! -- Let me go!
Never let me go! -- ooo
No, no, no, no, no, no, no!
Oh Mama mia, Mama mia, Mama mia! Let me go!
Psychology has a devil put aside for me!
for me!
for me!!

So you think you can stop me and spit in my eye?
So you think you can love me and leave me and die?
Oh Nimble -- can't do this to me, Nimble!
Just gotta get out -- just gotta learn more about life now

Ooh yeah, ooh yeah
Medicine really matters
Anyone can see
Med'cine really matters
Medicine really matters to me

Any way the wind blows...

[One Tin Soldier]

Kah-KAY?



I agree. Music makes everything better.

On that note, I believe that a modified version of Bohemian Rhapsody may capture Dive Bomb perfectly.

Is this the real life?
Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a dream world
No escape to reality!
Open your eyes
Look up to the skies and see
I'm just a poor colt,
I need no sympathy
Because I'm easy come, easy go
Flying high; soaring low!
Any way the wind blows, doesn't really matter to me, to me

Mama, just killed a friend
I left him in his bed,
Did my studies, now he's dead
Mama, life had just begun
But now I've gone and thrown it all away
Mama, ooo
Didn't mean to make you cry
I won't be coming back at all tomorrow,
But carry on, carry on, as if nothing really matters

Too late, my time has come
You found me in my den,
I said, "You'll not see me again!"
Goodbye everybody - I've got to go
Gotta leave you all behind and find the truth
Mama, ooo - (any way the wind blows)
Now, I gotta fly!
I sometimes wish I'd never been born at all

I throw myself into the studies of the land
Study hard! Study hard! Cuz I don't need a friend, no!
Nimble Bolt and Thunderhead -- very, very frightening me
Gallileo, Gallileo,
Gallileo, Gallileo,
Gallileo, Figaro -- magnifico!

I'm just a poor colt, nobody loves me
He's just a poor colt with a lost family
Spare him his life from this monstrosity
Easy come easy go -- will you let me go?
Celestia! No! We will not let you go! -- Let him go!
Celestia! We will not let you go! -- Let him go!
Celestia! We will not let you go! -- Let me go!
Will not let you go! -- Let me go! Never!
Never let you go! -- Let me go!
Never let me go! -- ooo
No, no, no, no, no, no, no!
Oh Mama mia, Mama mia, Mama mia! Let me go!
Psychology has a devil put aside for me!
for me!
for me!!

So you think you can stop me and spit in my eye?
So you think you can love me and leave me and die?
Oh Nimble -- can't do this to me, Nimble!
Just gotta get out -- just gotta learn more about life now

Ooh yeah, ooh yeah
Medicine really matters
Anyone can see
Med'cine really matters
Medicine really matters to me

Any way the wind blows...

I may have just listened to the song while singing along to these lyrics. Good show, sir, they match up pretty darn well.

[BlasTech]

Maybe we should try to develop some communal songs for deployment in the RP, first one to come up with a situationally fitting piece of original lyrics, that everyone agrees is worthy, gets bonus XP next time we rest? :smalltongue:

Bonus points if it has parts for each character!

No cribbing off existing pop songs though, makes it too easy and they never quite fit I think.

[Balmas]

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m06c0oFAPW1qaylh3o1_500.jpg

Or, to adjust for best pony:
http://i3.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/190/829/131933146075.jpg

So, no cribbing off pop songs, but we're allowed to use other music? Say, if I were to set some lyrics to a Beethoven symphony?

[BlasTech]

If you want to use another melody to give us an idea of how it sounds when sung then sure. It's not mandatory, but it might help convince the others that your song is superior :smalltongue:

Happy Turkey day all you Americans up there!

[Balmas]

So, we're looking more for lyrics than for an actual song, though having a tune by which to sing it may make it better.

About how much bonus experience are we talking about?

Also, Turkey day was good, though I didn't eat as much as normal; only around three platefuls.

[BlasTech]

So, we're looking more for lyrics than for an actual song, though having a tune by which to sing it may make it better.

About how much bonus experience are we talking about?

Also, Turkey day was good, though I didn't eat as much as normal; only around three platefuls.

Mainly lyrics that fit the RP. Could be a folk song that everypony would know, or even a more normal music number about home or something.

It'll only be a point or two of Xp. This is mainly just for fun :)

We don't celebrate turkey day down here, but we're having peking duck for a friends birthday. Does that count? XD.

*checks watch*

Hope the others shake off their food comas soon. Going cold turkey (ba-dum-tish) on RP is hard!

[One Tin Soldier]

Sorry, family time and parties and stuff. I should be posting regularly again now.

I'm afraid I will not be of much help for lyric creation, except perhaps as a sounding board. I am many things, but a lyricist is not one of them.

[Balmas]

As the unofficial party bard: spontaneous song time!


In the Desert
We met in a train station,--so long ago, it seems--
We could not have expected that we'd come to such extremes
when we took the train to Ponyville. We thought it would be good,
But somehow things did not turn out exactly how they should...

The night was dark; a burst of flame sent us to who-knows-where
We woke up in a desert with naught but sand and air.
We'd no idea of where we were, or which way to go.
We had to help our injured friend, but how we didn't know!

In the desert! In the desert!
Made a sled to drag our new friend!
In the desert! In the desert!
Had to find a way back home, least until our journey's end!

Using stars to find the way, we made our plans to leave.
But when he poked some glowing rocks, the ground began to heave.
It was a monster of magic and rock!
Bet you can imagine our fear and our shock!

In the desert! In the desert!
It chased us all over the place
In the desert! In the desert!
Shot a rock into my face!
In the desert! In the desert!
Said I was an evil crook, wouldn't let me plead my case.

Took him into custody, promised a trial and case
at the City of five Nations; I wonder, where's that place?
But then Cork gave the thing a gift: a brightly painted stone!
It seemed to like the colored thing; for his crime it did atone!

In the desert! In the desert!
It led us across the dead waste.
In the desert! In the desert!
Had to travel with some haste.
In the desert! In the desert!
So as on the sand it paced, after it we all did chase.

It had us walking through the night cross the desert land.
We lost one friend as he went sliding down the sand.
While they went to chase our friend, to watch the beast I flew
I guess we all touched some rocks, and now we're here with you!

Where are we now? Where are we now?
I'm not sure I understand.
Where's our friend and our supplies too?
We can't find them though we've scanned.
Where are we now? Where are we now?
Maybe you can help us please? Tell us how to get back home!

Don't know how we got where we are; it's truly an odd tale!
We want to figure out our path; from Equestria we hale.
Please can you help us find our way, so towards home we can go?
We want to go home, so we beg! Help us find our path!
Oh, I hope you know!

From the desert to our homeland!
It's only been a day or two,
But we want to get to our homes!
And therefore we come to you!
From the desert to our homeland!
Do you know Equestria? This story, you know it's true! We hope you can see us throoouugh!

To... our... home.

+1 cookie to whomever recognizes the melody first, based solely off the lyrics.

[TheAmishPirate]

I feel like I should know what it is, and once you tell me, I'll be smacking myself for not getting it, but I just can't remember. >.<

[BlasTech]

Hmm, I can't place the song unfortunately. The rhythm of the words is just slightly off enough (in syllable count) to throw me off.

Welp, it's a good song. My only real complaint is that it's very recappy. I'm thinking we need something more about themes; of being lost or missing home or simply a song about pushing on. Something more ... forward looking? (Gah, can't really describe just yet, need to ponder it a bit.)

[One Tin Soldier]

I don't recognize the song, though I have a hunch that it is from a movie or a play.

And now Grease has officially made her first distinct disagreement with me. (In the game canon, anyway.) I'm kinda relieved, actually, I was starting to worry that she had lost that bit of free will she acquired during character creation.

[Balmas]

Interesting. I have a character who finds that the evidence finds in favor of plausibility of spirits.

As for the song, I pictured it being used to explain our situation to Vereia. (Try singing it to Winter Wrap Up. It was much easier to work the lyrics than with, say, Beethoven.)

[One Tin Soldier]

Interesting. I have a character who finds that the evidence finds in favor of plausibility of spirits.

As for the song, I pictured it being used to explain our situation to Vereia. (Try singing it to Winter Wrap Up. It was much easier to work the lyrics than with, say, Beethoven.)

Ah, yes, that fits. Should have expected something like that, really.

[Balmas]

Hmm, I can't place the song unfortunately. The rhythm of the words is just slightly off enough (in syllable count) to throw me off.

Welp, it's a good song. My only real complaint is that it's very recappy. I'm thinking we need something more about themes; of being lost or missing home or simply a song about pushing on. Something more ... forward looking? (Gah, can't really describe just yet, need to ponder it a bit.)

I could do that. Might take a while, but I could do that.

[TheAmishPirate]

Just to confirm, but the rocks Kahar pointed out as spell-storing were the same as the keystones in the valley, the rock golem, or both?

[BlasTech]

Spell storing ones are the river stones; so they're the ones that look like the body of the rock-monster.

The ones in the valley probably looked a bit more like the gem-creating ones.

[TheAmishPirate]

Spell storing ones are the river stones; so they're the ones that look like the body of the rock-monster.

The ones in the valley probably looked a bit more like the gem-creating ones.

Thanks! That cleared it up.

I'm amused with how relatively effective Cork is at getting stuff done, all the while being the most prissy, eccentric, and easily distracted member of the party. The downside is that this effectiveness will almost immediately vanish once a physical challenge rears its ugly head.

*nurses his measly two remaining Energy*

[Balmas]

Meanwhile, the doctor-in-training who's been living on his own for over a year now, roaming the country, is completely out of his element, has a skillset mostly irrelevant to the situations where he finds himself, and has a special purpose that, unless redefined, will most likely not see play...:smalltongue:

[TheAmishPirate]

Could I get the reasoning for why the Painter Job wouldn't apply in this situation? I'm not sure I understand how it works. To me, this is a detail-oriented pony trying to recall the details of a very strange object he saw less than an hour ago. I feel like there should be something on his sheet that gives him a bonus for this, instead of just being a straight Mind roll. Or is it a case that he didn't get a chance to study it enough?

No, this isn't at all related to the fact that the Job bonus would've made it a success. >.<

EDIT: Here's the post I was thinking of when I was making this stretch:


Heh, well it's a good point, and was one of the arguments I had with myself on Amish/Cork's question earlier was about the scope of Job vs Skill.

In the end I let both apply because it was hard to justify separating Painter from Painting. I think carrying repair forward to making entirely new things might be a bit too much of a stretch, but I do want to be consistent in the treatment between PC's

Ok, how about this. If you think you need to fudge/stretch a stat, then the general answer is yes for jobs and no for skills unless you can come up with a decent argument as to why both apply, bearing in mind that the skill narrowly focused?

This would make the answer earlier to Cork a Yes for Job and No for Skill on the grounds that the 'painting' skill simply refers to his ability with the brush. That sound fair?

[TheAmishPirate]

And because it's long overdue, the grand consolidated post of Crown Cork:

Description:
Physical: Crown Cork is a mocha-colored Earth Pony with a golden, well-groomed mane. In fact, "well-kept" would be a good word to describe him. It is rare to see him anything less than immaculately groomed, and he moves with a poise and grace of somepony used to putting on airs. In spite of this, his eyes shine with a deep, unyielding passion that rarely is fully shown.

Picture!
http://imageshack.us/a/img6/4125/crowncorkheadshot.png

Personality: Meh, I may write something later, but I think the five words cover it pretty well. Melodramatic, always assumes a leadership/superior role over other ponies, deep insecurities regarding his ability to succeed Pop Cork.

Relationships/Family: There are two ponies in Crown's life: His father, and his special somepony.

His father, Pop Cork, is the third Cork to rule over the family soda empire. An overbearing, boisterous stallion, when he says "jump", the only natural response is, "How high, sir?" Like a tyrant of industry, nothing in the business happens without his say. He is fiercely proud of his only son for showing such interest in the company, despite his rather unorthodox talent. Really, painting the bottlecaps? Pure genius! Likewise, Crown views his father as a paragon, an ideal to live up to. His greatest wish is to make his father proud, and his greatest fear is to bring shame upon his old head.

His special somepony...well, perhaps it'd be best if Crown told the story here:

"Many thanks, my good man. Now, I remember the first time I laid eyes upon her like it was yesterday: I was out walking the fields, inspecting the strawberry plants for their ripeness, when all of a sudden, I had a terrible accident! My memory remains hazy from the horror and trauma, but I remember waking up on my back with a great pain in my head. How I tried to right myself and call for help, but I found myself overcome by my injuries, and could not manage more than a mere whimper to the skies. Surely I would've laid there until the Pale Rider came to collect me, but as fate would have it, Celestia heard my silent prayers. Just then, a beautiful angel, sent from the heavens no doubt, arrived to my aid. She tended to my wounds with a touch as tender as her pure heart, but surely all I needed was one look at her divine beauty to forget my wounds. Under her care, I was a new colt once again! Then and there, I swore to-ah! Sweetie! My ear!"

"Hmph! You gabbin' these fine folks t'death again with your stories? I oughta give your ears a boxin' for tellin' tales! You'll have t'pardon Corky, folks. Got a nasty habit of over-exaggeratin' when he gets all misty-eyed.

"Let me set one thing straight; he didn't have no bad accident. The lil' idjit probably went an' tripped on a rock an' fell into one of them there irrigation ditches. At least, that's where I found him. My paw sent me out into th' fields t'find Corky here t'tell him his carriage or some such was here. I'd just about scoured the place, when I heard th' most saddest, most pathetic whinin' I'd ever heard in my life. Seems t'be comin' from a ditch nearby, an' what do you know, there's the little bussinesspony, on his back in th' mud. I helped him up an' gave him an earful about watchin' where he was going, but his head must've been emptier than I thought, 'cause he weren't hearin' a word I was sayin'. Just kept lookin' at me all funny, then before I can give him what-for for that, out of nowhere, he starts goin' on an' on, praisin' th' Sisters for sendin' such a pretty filly t'his aid. I wish I could remember what he'd said, 'cause let me tell you, it were a lot fancier than that.

"Now, I've had m'share of hired help tryin' t'win me over with sweet nothin's, but I ain't ever had anypony go on about me like that. 'Course, first thing I did was slap him for bein' improper. At least, that's what I said at th' time. T'be honesst, I didn't quite know what t'think, so I went with th' first thing that popped into m'head. But don't tell Corky that. I half-expected him t'run off cryin', but he just straightened himself back up, bowed an' apologized for losin' control of his tongue, an' then he was off without another word. I was deathly afraid I might've just lost us th' Cork contract, but sure enough, they came back later that week for their shipment. Funny enough, weren't no sign of that prissy lil' thing, an' I eventually figured he must've used those lines on dozens of fillies before me. I didn't think nothin' of it, until one day, nearly two months later, who should show up askin' for me but that Cork fella. Right away, I notice how run down he looks, almost like he ain't slept in weeks. Before I can get a word in, he says he's here t'set things straight, and pulls out this bit o'canvas he's got. Now, I'd heard he was handy with a brush, but I ain't never seen a painting like that one, an' I don't think I ever will again. It were a paintin' of me, with colors an' texture an' such so lifelike I nearly swore it were a mirror. But as I looked again, I realized that were no bit of glass, 'cause no mirror had ever made me look that good. He lifts a hoof up an' shuts my hangin' jaw, an' says, 'This would've been a lot harder without a proper model, but I only needed t'get one look at th' most unforgettable filly in th' world.'

"W-well, that colt certainly did know his way around words..."

"Sweetie, have I mentioned you look simply divine when you blush like-ah! The ear, the ear!"

Five Words:
Perfection-Details, Time, Fussy, Gift, Dissatisfaction
Family-Father, Fate, Expectations, Love, Foundation
Obligation-Leadership, Inability, Social, Monotony, Direction
Passion-Ham, Vision, Sissy, Burning, Joy
Pride-Superiority, Insecure, Overreaching, Faith, Confidence

Ideal: A pony for every place, and a place for every pony
Flawed: The best fit with what we have.

Statblock:
Name: Crown Cork
Earth Pony Colt
Guiding Element: Honesty
Cutie Mark: A trio of bottlecaps, freshly painted
Special Purpose: "highlighting what makes things special"

Body: 2
Heart: 3
Mind: 3

Energy: 5 (2)
Courage: 6 (5)
Fortitude: 5 (2)
Willpower: 8 (3)

Jobs
Soda Tycoon - 2
Painter - 3

Skills
Painting - 4
Sketching - 3
Politics - 2
Finances - 2
Soda Brewing - 3
Negotiation - 1
Hiking - 1

Talents
Creative
Charismatic

Abilities
Flash of Inspiration (14 xp)
Extra Talented (Charismatic) (4 xp)

Flaws
Mild Phobia (Firearms and Explosives)

XP Spent: 54/54

Soda Tycoon 2 (3 XP)
Painter 3 (3 XP) + (4 XP)

Painting +3 (6 XP)
Soda Brewing +2 (3 XP)
Politics +2 (1 XP)
Sketching +3 (1 XP) + (2 XP)
Finances +2 (1 XP)
Negotiation - New skill (4 XP)
Hiking - New Skill (4 XP)

+1 Temporary bonus *2

Custom Flaw: Mild Phobia
-Whenever your character loses points of Courage due to their phobia, they lose an additional point.

Background Info/Other stories:
Cutie Mark Story:
The Cork family had been in the bottled drink business for longer than most ponies cared to remember. The current head of the family, Pop Cork, was a virtuoso of juice; mixing and blending flavors into masterpieces of beverage came to him as easy as breathing. So sure was he that his son would follow in his hoofsteps, that he even named him for the peculiar bottle caps his drink bottles so often used. Crown Cork, as fate would have it, had other ideas. Ever since he could hold a brush, he'd always found a special sort of peace when he was putting paint to paper. And in terms of technical ability, he was a prodigy. Nopony could match his skill for painting exactly the picture he meant to paint. Just one thing kept him from the easel cutie mark he was so sure he deserved. His attention to detail was so meticulous, that he took days to finish what other artists could accomplish in minutes. Ages of practice, practice, and more practice, and he never could manage to improve enough. His flank was still blank.

His father took this failing as a sign from Celestia herself. Why else would his artistry fail, if not to drive the young colt to the family business where he belonged? Despondent from his lack of a cutie mark, Crown soon found himself believing his father's words and took up work putting on the very caps he was named for. The bottled drink business held none of the magic of a paintbrush, but he couldn't turn down the promise of discovering his talent. He likely would've kept on this miserable path, were he a little less clumsy. While forcing on a particularly stubborn cap, Crown managed to nearly bend it in two. He was about to throw it away, when something about about the plain metal cap caught his eye. The way the metal bent, the way it half-caught the sunlight, it ignited an inspiration in him he hadn't felt in ages. Immediately he tore upstairs and grabbed his leftover paints, only to remember he hadn't bought proper paper in months. With no other option, he plucked out his tiniest brush and set to work on the cap itself.

The next morning, when Pop Cork came to check on the latest batch of Sunrise Lemonade, he found an amazing sight. On each and every one of the caps, he saw a miniature portrait of the sun rising above a sparkling lake. And at the end of the hallway, he found his son, sleeping amidst a pile of spilled paints and bottle caps just like the ones adorning his flank.

Right before the start of the game:
As for the train ride, here's what I figured: The big Cork press conference is tomorrow, and Crown was psyching himself up the whole day to talk with Pop Cork about where his place was in the future of the company. Right as he's about to knock on his dad's door, Pop bursts out in a tizzy. Apparently, he left some key papers back at the family estate, and he doesn't have the time to go fetch them due to tons of preparatory work he has to do tonight. Cork, cursing his foul luck, volunteers to head out on the next overnight train, grab the papers, and be back before the press arrive tomorrow evening. Pop wraps him up in a tight hug, saying how he can always count on his son, and how proud he is of him.

Needless to say, Cork doesn't expect he'll be getting any sleep on the train.

[BlasTech]

Could I get the reasoning for why the Painter Job wouldn't apply in this situation? I'm not sure I understand how it works. To me, this is a detail-oriented pony trying to recall the details of a very strange object he saw less than an hour ago. I feel like there should be something on his sheet that gives him a bonus for this, instead of just being a straight Mind roll. Or is it a case that he didn't get a chance to study it enough?

No, this isn't at all related to the fact that the Job bonus would've made it a success. >.<

EDIT: Here's the post I was thinking of when I was making this stretch:

I know, it just felt like a bit too much of a stretch to equate "attention to detail" with "photographic memory" (at least, not without giving him a powerful ability I wasn't convinced he really had). I couldn't think of a good reason why Cork would have committed anything about those stones to memory in the short time he had to examine them.

EDIT: Added the compilation to the front page

[TheAmishPirate]

Fair enough. I was shooting for general information anyhow, but that's what a DC 10 check is for I suppose. It doesn't stop the failure from being any less frustrating, but I understand the rationale behind it.

[BlasTech]

If it's any consolation, I'm fairly bermused with how you guys manage to fail the inconsequential checks, and have yet to flub a major check (such as when an out of control sled is barreling right at you :smalltongue:)

C'mon, where's the Dwarf Fortress style of thinking; "Losing is fun!"

[TheAmishPirate]

If it's any consolation, I'm fairly bermused with how you guys manage to fail the inconsequential checks, and have yet to flub a major check (such as when an out of control sled is barreling right at you :smalltongue:)

Well, yeah, until some goofball goes and jinxes it. :smallwink:


C'mon, where's the Dwarf Fortress style of thinking; "Losing is fun!"

The part where, unlike Dwarf Fortress, we've spent a great deal of time with these characters, gotten to know them and their innermost thoughts, and it pains us to see them flub things, despite the fact that it logically must happen eventually. Also, failures here involve significantly less catsplosions. Failure is significantly more fun when accompanied by a mushroom cloud of cats.

EDIT: Also, I edited in Cork's failed roll result into my latest post.

DOUBLE EDIT: I edited in a much better response, one that actually keeps the conversation going.

[Balmas]

So, what say ye? Shall we deploy the recap song?

Also, Blastech? I believe that you stated that in order to get the Special Purpose bonus, it's basically a matter of discovering, recording, and recovering knowledge all at the same time. My question is, how is this possible? I could see two at once very easily, but it's nigh impossible to both discover and recover knowledge at the same time.

[One Tin Soldier]

1) I love Cork's story of meeting his Sweetie. It's just so... Cork.

2) I am totally up for deploying the recap song. Do we want to take turns singing lines, or what?

3) Sorry for not posting yesterday, I was reading the new Dresden Files book. (Which, in case you were curious, is awesome.)

[Balmas]

Man, Cork's story-entries makes me wish I'd put a bit more effort into my own. Amish, you make me look bad!

As for the song, it would probably be easier to deploy it all at once, but be more fun to do it in turns. Course, that requires that everyone knows which part belongs to which pony. Any ideas?

[BlasTech]

Also, Blastech? I believe that you stated that in order to get the Special Purpose bonus, it's basically a matter of discovering, recording, and recovering knowledge all at the same time. My question is, how is this possible? I could see two at once very easily, but it's nigh impossible to both discover and recover knowledge at the same time.

I think I gave two examples earlier with a samples analysis and a research task.

(Discover) a specimin. (Recover) it to someplace for study. (Record) your findings. - Example task check, you break a bit off mr Rocky and try to analyse it.

(Discover) an old book in the library. (Recover) it and read. (Record) the knowledge therin. - Example check, you're in the [REDACTED] and want to find a specific piece of information so you check the library. :smallbiggrin:

The only real need to have the distinction of "recover" is to prevent DB from getting the bonus from just looking at stuff while walking around. He needs to take his time to study it in some kind of relevant environment. (Be it a quiet space at the campsite or a lab)

As for the song, however you guys want to deploy it is fine by me. I'm willing to negate the heart check on Vereia if it's used.

[One Tin Soldier]

I think I gave two examples earlier with a samples analysis and a research task.

(Discover) a specimin. (Recover) it to someplace for study. (Record) your findings. - Example task check, you break a bit off mr Rocky and try to analyse it.

(Discover) an old book in the library. (Recover) it and read. (Record) the knowledge therin. - Example check, you're in the [REDACTED] and want to find a specific piece of information so you check the library. :smallbiggrin:

The only real need to have the distinction of "recover" is to prevent DB from getting the bonus from just looking at stuff while walking around. He needs to take his time to study it in some kind of relevant environment. (Be it a quiet space at the campsite or a lab)

As for the song, however you guys want to deploy it is fine by me. I'm willing to negate the heart check on Vereia if it's used.

Looks like I'm not the only one who's been spending time on the SCP Foundation site lately. :smallamused:

[Balmas]

(Discover) an old book in the library. (Recover) it and read. (Record) the knowledge therin. - Example check, you're in the [REDACTED] and want to find a specific piece of information so you check the library. :smallbiggrin:

So in effect, he'd be very good at analyzing things during downtime, but probably couldn't use it in a dangerous situation. I can deal with that.

So, just spouting theoretical situations: say he wanted to find out if a particular plant could be used as medicine. If he had a specimen and the time to examine it, he could get the bonus, plus maybe the job bonus from Chemist and the skill bonus from Pharmaceutical Medicine.


So, if we want to use the song, how should we do it? Just have one person start singing and describe the others?

[BlasTech]

So in effect, he'd be very good at analyzing things during downtime, but probably couldn't use it in a dangerous situation. I can deal with that.

So, just spouting theoretical situations: say he wanted to find out if a particular plant could be used as medicine. If he had a specimen and the time to examine it, he could get the bonus, plus maybe the job bonus from Chemist and the skill bonus from Pharmaceutical Medicine.


That would be a reasonable argument methinks.

[Balmas]

Okay. Good to know.


If there's no objections, we could just sing a few verses each.

[One Tin Soldier]

Okay. Good to know.


If there's no objections, we could just sing a few verses each.

Sounds like a plan to me. I guess you can kick it off, unless you think the first lines are better suited to another character. Doesn't matter to me.

[Balmas]

It would be slightly out of character, but then again, so is singing. So it's alright. :smallbiggrin: I'll go kick it off, then!

[BlasTech]

Oops, ninja'd

Balmas, for post flow, can you please delete and repost your singing right after Vereia's question? Was hoping to get that in as the substitute for the "I'm not sure where I belong, what does everypony do?" in the original :smallbiggrin:

Sorry!! :smallredface:

[Balmas]

Oops, ninja'd

Balmas, for post flow, can you please delete and repost your singing right after Vereia's question? Was hoping to get that in as the substitute for the "I'm not sure where I belong, what does everypony do?" in the original :smallbiggrin:

Sorry!! :smallredface:

Done, and done.


OOC: Hope you don't mind a little bit of control over Dive Bomb so the lyrics make sense.

Sorry, I'm too busy squeeing over the fact that we're singing the lyrics I wrote for it to matter. (Besides, he was kind of intended to sing the lines in green. You can assume that he's singing during the chorus.)

[Ravian]

God you do not know how badly I want Soot to sing the next part. But my iPod's giving me trouble with quoting.:smallfrown: I'll post it sometime tomorrow morning. My class is using laptops so I should be able to make a post then.

[TheAmishPirate]

1) I love Cork's story of meeting his Sweetie. It's just so... Cork.


Man, Cork's story-entries makes me wish I'd put a bit more effort into my own. Amish, you make me look bad!

Man, you all are going to make me wear out this emote before long. :smallredface:

I had that bit of headcanon established a while ago, this is just the first time it's been properly written down. Half the reason I did it as a story is because it gives me another excuse not to use her name ever. :smallbiggrin:

*****************************

So. It comes to my attention that we're singing. And that Cork was just about to spill the beans to Kahdar as well.

Is anypony thinking what I'm thinking? :smallwink:

[Balmas]

So. It comes to my attention that we're singing. And that Cork was just about to spill the beans to Kahdar as well.

Is anypony thinking what I'm thinking? :smallwink:

Yes, but where are we going to get a push-cart, twelve rockets, a quart and a half of Chinese food, and twenty-eight rolls of duct tape?


More seriously, what are you thinking?

[TheAmishPirate]

Yes, but where are we going to get a push-cart, twelve rockets, a quart and a half of Chinese food, and twenty-eight rolls of duct tape?


More seriously, what are you thinking?

I'm thinking he jumps in to take a verse/duets on a verse, if it isn't too silly. Probably this one:

It had us walking through the night cross the desert land.
We lost one friend as he went sliding down the sand.
While they went to chase our friend, to watch the beast I flew
I guess we all touched some rocks, and now we're here with you!

[Balmas]

I'm thinking he jumps in to take a verse/duets on a verse, if it isn't too silly. Probably this one:

It had us walking through the night cross the desert land.
We lost one friend as he went sliding down the sand.
While they went to chase our friend, to watch the beast I flew
I guess we all touched some rocks, and now we're here with you!

Sure, and we can assume that somepony sings it to Vereia.

[TheAmishPirate]

Sure, and we can assume that somepony sings it to Vereia.

Aight, if it's alright with BlasTech, I think I can have Cork ready to spontaneously burst into song after one or two more posts with Kahdar.

[BlasTech]

Fine by me, just try to save a stanza for Ravian :smalltongue:

(Probably makes more sense if we just assume Cork duets the whole piece in his location, but only have the "camera" be on him for one verse or so)

[TheAmishPirate]

I figured Soot would take the next verse, which would give Cork time to talk with Kahdar a bit first.

[Balmas]

God you do not know how badly I want Soot to sing the next part. But my iPod's giving me trouble with quoting.:smallfrown: I'll post it sometime tomorrow morning. My class is using laptops so I should be able to make a post then.

I figured Soot would take the next verse, which would give Cork time to talk with Kahdar a bit first.

Might be difficult.

[TheAmishPirate]

Might be difficult.

I'm cool with waiting.

EDIT: I think Cork would join in the final verse too, as it's got the actual plea for help, not to mention name-dropping Equestria.

[Balmas]

Now that we've ben playing for a while, I think I've got a handle on how to roleplay the dichotomy between proud and shy. Dive Bomb is a smart kid, and he's got no illusions about it. Thus, he usually wants to do things himself. At the same time, he's inexperienced with conversation, and usually avoids idle chitchat.

Now, to figure out how to be an active, questioning, scientist, and be the quiet guy at the same time...


If I understand correctly, the element of magic is represented by showing trust in your friends, yes? Trusting them to do what they do best? I'm trying to figure out whether what Dive Bomb did by trusting Soot and Grease Spot to talk qualifies or not.

Yes it does

displayed trust in friends to do something better than he could himself
Beginnings of actual party relationship, as opposed to him trying to figure out problems by himself


No it doesn't

Somewhat generalized, merely asking friends to talk instead of actually arguing that they should do it. (Then again, if Dive Bomb has to argue that someone should do it in order to get Willpower back, it's never going to happen; we're too nice a party for it to happen.)


Thoughts?

[BlasTech]

It's really a risk/reward sort of payoff system

Cork divulged an uncomfortable truth about himself to someone (risk). Kahdar took that truth and decided to help him (rewarding the leap of faith), thus Cork was justified and qualified for a minor willpower regain. (Minor because there was minimal risk in being wrong)

DB hasn't really taken a risk yet in simply letting the others speak for him as he knows they're better than he is at talking.

An appropriate risk is (generally) an active task; getting outside his comfort zone, defending a friend against a critic or speaking up to support one friends' less popular position against the group consensus. If he's proven right, he gets a regain.

This doesn't necessarily mean an argument, it could be as simple as saying "wait a minute guys, we really should listen to X on this one because of yadda yadda."

If he convinces the party to trust this person, and is proven right, then he gets a regain.

EDIT: Having thought about it a bit, there might be some passive actions that could qualify. The burden of proof is higher though.

One example could be if one of the companions asks DB to trust them with a task that bears real risk to him. (E.g. if Soot asks to wager his research book on a crucial bet.) If DB accepts; thereby volunteering something he values to be at risk and trusting her to do right by him, then he would be qualified for a willpower regain if she succeeds. (in this case, a major one given how much his research means to him)

If, by counter-example, Soot simply was volunteered by the group to handle the betting due to her skill. It probably wouldn't qualify, unless DB played a prominent part in convincing them. (and even if he did, it would likely only warrant a minor regain at most as there is limited personal downside risk to him. Namely that he'd look a bit silly if she subsequently lost.)

[Balmas]

If I understand what you're saying, to embody an element is to be in a situation where it is risky to do so. That's okay. However, I'm not sure that I like this definition because it turns the element of magic from dynamic to reactive.

Inherent to the fact that we are playing a game is the fact that there is a metagame, however small it may be. We're playing as a group, trying to get the best ending as a whole for our characters. That, along with the nature of this game in particular, emphasizes a playstyle that promotes inter-player cooperation. For example, no-one in a D&D party will argue with the rogue searching for treasure; after all, he's most likely got the highest Search modifier. As players, we're most likely to send the pony who's best equipped for the task to deal with it.

In order for Dive Bomb to regain willpower, there must first be a disagreement of some sort between characters, however small it may be; that takes away his chance to be anything but reactive, at least in this capacity. The most active I can imagine him being is if he speaks up to the group and states that they should send someone to do it at the beginning of the conversation. Even this only counts for a willpower regain if someone objects to it; there's very little risk to suggesting something that makes sense.

It's somewhat ironic that your example of him being passive is one of the more active things he could do. Imagine if he volunteered his notebook on the wager; that's more active than most things he could do normally.

How can we make this so there are more active things that Dive Bomb can do to embody his element?

[BlasTech]

Well, first off, I'd repeat that the best way to be dynamic in regards to the Magic element is to get out there and make some friends. Roleplay it up; talk to them, share stories, confide secrets, go out of your way to help them with their problems, build trust, build friendships.

So far, DB has just been thinking about whether he sees the PC's as friends, but he doesn't really know them yet. There's a big step between just thinking about friendship and actually making a friend. It requires some investment of effort or trust (i.e. a risk)

Also, while the PC's may metagame their way around conflicts, I can assure you the same doesn't apply to NPC's. :smalltongue: You can also look for opportunities for gains there.

I'm open to ideas or to discuss examples if you think that you're feeling trapped by your element. But you have to understand that regaining willpower is meant to be difficult. Willpower is one of the most powerful dice modifiers and should be seen as a valuable, if scarce, resource. Hence why I put in the houserule of no regains at day's end.

I'll go on record here to state that if you think you're elegible for a regain, I do need it brought to my attention. I can't constantly be keeping track as to whose element is applicable to what.

And lastly, the example before was if Soot was to ask DB to use his book - hence passive. If DB volunteers it first, then of course it's active. :smallwink:

[Balmas]

I suppose that for DB to fully embody the magic of friendship, actual friends would be helpful. :smalltongue: Now, to orchestrate it so that the cracks in his shell are realistic and in character; he's already moving away from the archtype established during character creation, but he's got a ways to go before trust is easy for him.

I'll keep these things in mind, but I still find it somewhat ironic that the pony with the most trust issues is the one who embodies Magic.

[BlasTech]

Think of it as his character arc.

Re trust: perhaps he can start with the one who rescued him when the monster took him down? :smallwink:

[Balmas]

Hmmm. These spirits have been mentioned two or three times by the same person. They can't possibly be important in any way.

If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say that we are actually interacting with spirits right now. They just don't realize it, a la Sixth Sense.

[BlasTech]

Well, either that or its because youre talking with a rookie zen shaman who's just a little bit obsessed with them. :smalltongue:

As a note, per the setting, most ponies would subscribe to the "Summer Lands" view of the afterlife. Whether or not the princess acts as their final guide depends on who you ask.

[Balmas]

Nope, nope. Definitely ghosts. It's the only answer.

Care to explain the Summer Lands view a bit more? Is that more like the Christian perception of heaven vs. hell or more like the hellenistic Elysian fields?

[BlasTech]

A bit more of the latter.

While it's never defined in Dangerous Business, the MLP version seems to borrow heavily from Lord of the Ring's "Blessed Isles/Aman/The West", except it's implied to not be accessible by ship :smalltongue:

The general gist being that, if you live your lives well, don't do evil and such, then you are admitted to the paradise of the Summer Lands when you die. Depending on who you ask, Princess Celestia may or may not play some role in ferrying you there or judging your worth.

Like I said though, apart from the existence of the summer lands, and a vague religious overtone in the fic, it's not defined. So if you guys want to write down your own takes on this theology/mythology then feel free. I gather there is no strict scripture that's taught in Equestria :smallbiggrin:

To get a feel for it, have the relevant quote:


"End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path... One that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass... And then you see it ... White shores... and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise"

[TheAmishPirate]

Just fyi, edited in some new stuff at the end of my latest Crown post. Wanted to make sure it didn't get lost in the new posts.

[BlasTech]

Congratulations, he just broke the RP.

I hope Cork's proud. :smalltongue:

EDIT: Sorry to interrupt the comparing notes time guys, but Dive Bomb's explanation may need to be deleted and held until the reactions to the hole in reality are addressed.

[One Tin Soldier]

Congratulations, he just broke the RP.

I hope Cork's proud. :smalltongue:

EDIT: Sorry to interrupt the comparing notes time guys, but Dive Bomb's explanation may need to be deleted and held until the reactions to the hole in reality are addressed.

Such are the hazards of rapid responses, I suppose. :smalltongue:
Seriously, I think this is the busiest we've been since the very start of the RP. Which, incidentally, is far from a bad thing.

[BlasTech]

Editing the resposne works fine; I wonder who amongst the PC's or players has actually figured this place out yet. I get the vibe that Dive Bomb hates my guts right now :smallbiggrin:

[Balmas]

He's heading for a nice mental meltdown, yes. :smallbiggrin:

Now, to figure out whether to delete or merely abridge, since he wouldn't state a theory when the evidence suddenly poked massive holes in it.

[One Tin Soldier]

Editing the resposne works fine; I wonder who amongst the PC's or players has actually figured this place out yet. I get the vibe that Dive Bomb hates my guts right now :smallbiggrin:

Well OOC, I'm pretty sure that we're seeing the way that the area used to be a long time ago. It could be either spirit shenanigans or a "mundane" illusion, but spirits seems a bit more likely. It didn't actually bring the party back in time, though, what with the whole sand food thing. It's also definitively tied to the magiporous rocks.
I don't know why talking about Equestrian things disturbed it, though, or why the Elements of Harmony specifically busted it open. Though I get the feeling that we're about to learn more once we enter the crack.

IC, Grease has thoroughly convinced herself that it is a magical illusion. And if/when she finds out about the rocks, it will seal the deal in her mind. (Unless evidence to the contrary shows up first, of course.) It kind of ties in with her opinions on the Summer Lands, in a way. If you asked her about it directly, she'd say "Sure, there's probably some kind of afterlife. Maybe it's the Summer Lands, maybe it's something else." But she sure doesn't think that the afterlife interferes with her day-to-day life. And when you live in a magical fantasy land, day-to-day life has a much broader scope.

Throw in her particular brand of pride, and it's safe to assume that whenever Grease encounters a problem or mystery, she'll assume that it's something she can deal with. For another example, see her first reaction when the train was attacked. She thought that there was a mechanical problem with the train. It was a serious problem, sure, but it was a problem she could do something about.

...And now that I've gone on a characterization tangent, back to our regularly scheduled RP shenganigans.

[Balmas]

OOC, I know it has something to do with the magiporous rocks. If I had to wager a guess, I'd say that our characters are actually inside the rocks; after all, Kahdar did say that they absorb more than magic. We're observing the past, perhaps interacting with the spirits of others stuck in the rocks. That would further explain why the ambassador and the supplies didn't come with them; they didn't touch the rocks.

The cracks in the world could be explained as a crack in the rock, though that doesn't explain why it's visible from inside the room and not outside.

[TheAmishPirate]

My guess? It's rather the same as Balmas', only on a much grander scale.

See, erosion doesn't wear out sand quite that smoothly or steeply, not if the river is running dry. I feel like the slope would've been a bit more gentle if it were naturally formed. And then let's not forget just how many flagstones were in the canyon. All those magiporous rocks, so potent that they absorb any living soul who touches them, sitting in a valley described as "like a giant took a massive scoop out of the landscape", and on top of that, we can see a gemstone through the gap in reality?

I think that something really, really terrible has happened here, possibly so long ago that even the victims have forgotten their fate.

And it is SO HARD to not make Crown Cork leap to the same conclusion.

[One Tin Soldier]

OOC, I know it has something to do with the magiporous rocks. If I had to wager a guess, I'd say that our characters are actually inside the rocks; after all, Kahdar did say that they absorb more than magic. We're observing the past, perhaps interacting with the spirits of others stuck in the rocks. That would further explain why the ambassador and the supplies didn't come with them; they didn't touch the rocks.

The cracks in the world could be explained as a crack in the rock, though that doesn't explain why it's visible from inside the room and not outside.

Ooh, I hadn't thought of that. Though if I remember correctly, Grease was the only one to touch the rock out of the group she was in. But still, I like that idea. Of course, now we have to wait to share these ideas in character before we can act on them.

Oh, and apparently Dive Bomb writes fanfiction about Braeburn and Daring Do. (http://www.fimfiction.net/story/44194/Colt-of-the-West)

[Balmas]

Ooh, I hadn't thought of that. Though if I remember correctly, Grease was the only one to touch the rock out of the group she was in. But still, I like that idea. Of course, now we have to wait to share these ideas in character before we can act on them.

Oh, and apparently Dive Bomb writes fanfiction about Braeburn and Daring Do. (http://www.fimfiction.net/story/44194/Colt-of-the-West)

It also doesn't explain how they all came to the same place, though. Unless it's really one huge rock under everything.

Also, my word, but you're a precocious little element of my conscious, aren't you, Dive Bomb! You even have different tastes in shipping than I do!

[BlasTech]

Wow, my first real dilemma as a GM ... how much do I tell you guys?

The whole truth, parts, none? Leave it for later?

I don't know!!

[TheAmishPirate]

Question: Did Soot find the actual spot where the orb originated from?

[BlasTech]

Can't tell, given that it came through the mists and nonpony was there to witness it appearing. Best guess is she's in the approximate area, given direction.

Also for the blanket, cork would know the master bedrooms blanket was peach in colour, not purple. No check needed.

[Balmas]

So, about how high a DC would DB face to discern information about the blanket's previous owners?

[BlasTech]

Let's say we do the tiered Dc that we've done before. 15 to get anything, higher equals more info up to 30

If he sits down and consults the compendium, then special purpose applies.

[One Tin Soldier]

Well, it seems that my last post got passed over. Oh well, I guess I'll chalk it up to momentary deafness. :smalltongue:

[BlasTech]

Sorry, didn't think a specific response was going to add much. Vereia accepted the order to guard the portal after Grease said it, but the other questions kind of demanded her answers first.

[One Tin Soldier]

Sorry, didn't think a specific response was going to add much. Vereia accepted the order to guard the portal after Grease said it, but the other questions kind of demanded her answers first.

I was more referring to the other PCs. Since they said basically the same thing Grease did.

[Balmas]

In my defense, I didn't see it as being addressed towards me.

Also, my character sheet post may be the one I've edited the most. It will now serve as a compendium for DB's journal entries.

[Balmas]

Boy, when you drop bombshells you don't do it by half, do you?

[BlasTech]

I don't know what you're talking about :smalltongue:

Spec-spec-spec-spec join the speculation! :smallbiggrin:

[Balmas]

DM alignment, in order of severity: Type A (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AffablyEvil), Type B (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FauxAffablyEvil), and Type Y (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/KillerGameMaster).

How do you self classify?

[BlasTech]

I choose ... Type i (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/MemeticBadass/WesternAnimation)

[TheAmishPirate]

I can't help but feel a little bit bummed at this, like Cork's random examining of one, solitary object ruined our chance for exposition/talking more to the energy Veriea. Here's hoping the two were coincidental.

EDIT: Not to mention the fact that she seems to act like this is a temporary measure, and that she'll be doing something later.

[Balmas]

Well, ghost-figures are supposed to be somewhat ephemeral, so it's alright. Still, it would be nice to do more than "Hi-Bye."

[BlasTech]

This whole last scene has been an exercise in balance; trying to let you explore a bit more of the place against me trying not to tell you too much information too early; heck, I'm not even sure if this qualification makes things worse in that regard or not :smalltongue:

In hindsight, I probably should've just dumped everyone back in the desert when they went through the crack, saved the repetitive goodbyes. But the downside of that is that it might have robbed you of any goodbyes.

Chalk it up to live and learn, I'll see about making subsequent encounters flow a bit better.

If it's any consolation to you Amish, it doesn't look like any of the energy-things in that area have lasted more than a few seconds.

[TheAmishPirate]

(Warning: Post may be irrelevant after the scene change)

I think what has me in the minor gripes is that, in a situation like this, the information we get at the end is essentially our "reward" for completing this mini-adventure. And as it stands, we're getting the proverbial bait-and-switch; making measurable progress, only to not get our treat at the end.

While I don't expect to find out everything that happened to Riverside in-game, I'd at least expect to be left with some definitive answers. The example I immediately think of is

Off the Edge of the Map spoilers:
the town that burned down that Dash and Fluttershy get caught in. They struggle through, and are eventually able to find out the final fate of the town, as well as help the spirits reach some sort of final rest. It provides a nice bit of closure to the bittersweet encounter, and the reader feels that the protagonists have earned the answers they were given.

Now, I don't know what sort of "endings" we could've reached, or even if this is the end of the mini-adventure and the rewards of information and closure are yet to fully come. But to struggle through the oddities of the town, piece together what we can, and then finally break through the dome-barrier-thing feels like a decent amount of progress. As such, the expectation would be to be rewarded in some way; here, it would be a conversation with ghost-Veriea. But when that conversation doesn't happen seemingly because Crown picked up a trike, I feel conned out of our hard-earned reward.

PS: As I'm typing this, I realize this would all make sense if we're getting something else upon our return to the desert, which would make this whole point moot and instead be a problem of flow, as you said. But I've typed this up this far, and it summarizes some of my thoughts on encounter design anyhow, so it's here to stay!

PPS: Note how I say "minor gripes". Length of post is not at all proportional to severity of injured feelings. :smallwink:

PPPS: An idea for flowing better: Maybe have everypony get dumped off in the desert after somepony touched the stick?

PPPPS: Post-scripts are fun!

[BlasTech]

Oh. I see your point now. Yes, you're not done yet.

[Balmas]

So long as we get answers, I'm fine with it. In-game answers will be much more satisfying, especially if we're the ones to figure it out.

[TheAmishPirate]

Oh. I see your point now. Yes, you're not done yet.

Ahh, there we go. My grump is thoroughly quelled.

You win this round, healthy communication! *shakes fist*

[Balmas]

So, just out of curiosity, where do you see your characters going? At the end of the adventure, what progress do you want them to have made?

[TheAmishPirate]

Y'know, I really should learn not to make useless rolls. :smallsigh:

Well, arguably, it's only one dramatic failure, as the first orb is clearly identified at this point. So that's only one failure to my record. Either way, I'm going to wait and see what hilarity (if any) befalls Crown because of this. This may just give "Mistaken Identity" a whole new meaning. :smallwink:

[BlasTech]

Wow, nice rolls Amish.

For a dramatic failure on identifying the second orb, how's this for an idea; Cork assumes Amelias is Vereia and subsequently makes some reference to the poor quality of the sand-cookies.

[TheAmishPirate]

Wow, nice rolls Amish.

Seriously, the rolls I roll the worst on are unneeded skill checks. Those are always the Nat 1's. I even thought of it as I was rolling, but decided that recognizing the phenomenon would surely prevent it ala Murphy's law.

Apparently, it doesn't work that way.


For a dramatic failure on identifying the second orb, how's this for an idea; Cork assumes Amelias is Vereia and subsequently makes some reference to the poor quality of the sand-cookies.

Aye, that could work well. My first thought was to have him mistake Amelia's voice for his sweetie's, and react accordingly. But yours is actually a mistake that could logically be made, so it has that going for it.

Your call, I'll write the post when it's definitive.

[BlasTech]

Actually. Ill leave this to you, whichever makes for the biggest corksplosion ... complaining to the chef, or propositioning the farmers wife ... while the farmer is standing right there.

[TheAmishPirate]

Actually. Ill leave this to you, whichever makes for the biggest corksplosion ... complaining to the chef, or propositioning the farmers wife ... while the farmer is standing right there.

I am already halfway through his lovestruck monologue. :smallbiggrin:

[Balmas]

Amish, I'd just like to apologize for stealing the good rolls.

[TheAmishPirate]

Amish, I'd just like to apologize for stealing the good rolls.

In this situation, I think I can find it in me to forgive you. :smallbiggrin:

Also, for the record, won't be responding to Dive Bomb until the others get a chance to get a word in. Turn order and all that.

[Balmas]

[Crown's Pride takes a nasty bit of Fortitude damage. :smalltongue:]

Everyone else gets a Schadenfreude-induced morale bonus to courage, :smallbiggrin:

[Balmas]

What would the DC be like if DB wanted to make enough wind to blow away the sand where the house was? The idea is to see if there are any remnants. Kind of like a leaf-blower excavation.

I assume it would involve weathercraft, instead of aerobatics, modified by body. I can't think of any skill modifiers that would help.

[TheAmishPirate]

What would the DC be like if DB wanted to make enough wind to blow away the sand where the house was? The idea is to see if there are any remnants.

And what sort of bonuses could he receive if Crown helped make wind with another long monologue? :smalltongue:

[Balmas]

And what sort of bonuses could he receive if Crown helped make wind with another long monologue? :smalltongue:

Cork Ro Dah?

[BlasTech]

What would the DC be like if DB wanted to make enough wind to blow away the sand where the house was? The idea is to see if there are any remnants. Kind of like a leaf-blower excavation.

I assume it would involve weathercraft, instead of aerobatics, modified by body. I can't think of any skill modifiers that would help.

It really depends on how far down he wants to dig. It he's just dusting the surface to see if there's anything lying there, there's no DC. If he's trying to excavate the place using wind ... there's alot of sand to get through. He'd need something akin to a pegasus tornado.

[Balmas]

So, looking at the GM section, I'd say that's somewhere between "Normal for Special Ponies, hard for everyday ponies" and "Probably only special ponies could do this", or between 15 and 25, depending on whether it's normal or hardcore. Would that sound about accurate?

[BlasTech]

Hmm, let me think a minute.

Knee jerk reaction was that there's alot of sand. But upon reflection, that might not be the actual case.

Okay, yeah, I just checked my notes. DB is lucky, DC would only be 15 to dig down the foot or two until he found stuff.

EDIT: please remind me not to put out DC's before players make the check, it's bad practice.

[Balmas]

I'm assuming Weathercraft and Body?

[BlasTech]

Yup, go nuts.

[Balmas]

I love the dynamic between Cork and Dive Bomb. So different in so many ways, but with the potential, with a little lot of work to come to a respectful friendship.

[TheAmishPirate]

I love the dynamic between Cork and Dive Bomb. So different in so many ways, but with the potential, with a little lot of work to come to a respectful friendship.

Agreed, there's a surprising amount they could agree on, if they could just give each other the chance. Crown is too busy playing at leader, and Dive Bomb is too busy wanting to give the stuck-up little foal a piece of his mind.

If these two go the whole adventure without getting into a good fight, I'll be impressed. :smallbiggrin:

[Balmas]

Agreed, there's a surprising amount they could agree on, if they could just give each other the chance. Crown is too busy playing at leader, and Dive Bomb is too busy wanting to give the stuck-up little foal a piece of his mind.

If these two go the whole adventure without getting into a good fight, I'll be impressed. :smallbiggrin:

I want to deny that he has such base desires as showing up Crown, but if we're being completely honest, he'd enjoy it immensely to see Crown fail. He won't go out of his way to make it happen, but this last incident kind of has him thinking that there's no need for him to help should the need arise. In nonlethal circumstances, of course. If there's something chasing them, he'll probably stop to help, but otherwise he's perfectly happy to let Cork's bluster fail him.

Oh, if they don't fight at least once I'll eat my non-existent hat. It our characters are anything like most fiction, they'll follow along in this progression:

Stand-offish
Coolly Competitive
Outright or at least implied rivals
Grudging respect and admiration. (May take longer than the rest)
Through facing some crisis together, they become tried-by-fire friends. Hopefully, this happens sometime before the final battle, so we enjoy the benefits of harmony before that.

[Ravian]

So does Soot get willpower for demonstrating kindness?

[BlasTech]

I'll pay a point on that yes. Hugs are nice.

[One Tin Soldier]

So I don't think I'll be posting a whole lot over the next few days. I've got incoming finals for one, and for two Grease isn't directly involved in the conversation at the moment. Hopefully things will be less crazy soon.

[BlasTech]

That's cool OTS. Pop in if you find the time, but otherwise, studies come first.

Thanks for the heads up, and good luck!

[TheAmishPirate]

And that's twice now we've had a mis-communication too. :smalltongue:

Crown wasn't talking about leaving the valley, he was talking about continuing on down the proverbial memory lane. Hence all the talk about finding some happy ending for them. He's not ready to give up on the mystery just yet.

[BlasTech]

Darn his flowery imagery. :smalltongue: Shall we just roll with it as a honest misunderstanding?

[TheAmishPirate]

Darn his flowery imagery. :smalltongue: Shall we just roll with it as a honest misunderstanding?

I've already rolled it into my latest post, there is no cause for alarm. This shall just be another lesson Crown must learn in order to make immaculate invigorating speeches.

...oh dear, I think his verbiage is starting to leak into my consciousness. And now I find myself yearning for soda. :smalleek:


EDIT: The dice gods are angry!

[Balmas]

EDIT: The dice gods are angry!

Indeed. They seek revenge for my lucky streak, and now something horrible will happen; I won't venture a guess on what, for fear of inspiring a DM to greater villainy.

[Balmas]

Oh, I like this outcome a lot better than what I feared. You know, something like slipping and clumsily destroying the gravestone.

...maybe it's just that I'm an evil DM myself, and I'd do something like that...

[BlasTech]

I figure the complete destruction of whatever knowledge could've been accrued is punishment enough for now.

[TheAmishPirate]

I figure the complete destruction of whatever knowledge could've been accrued is punishment enough for now.

For a DC 10 check, this seems fair. It's always a bit mean when a dramatic failure on a simple, non-vital check leads to horrific consequences.

[Balmas]

I figure the complete destruction of whatever knowledge could've been accrued is punishment enough for now.

...Okay, now that/s evil.

[BlasTech]

Expect me to wave the MLP version of carbon dating equipment in front of DB at some point during the story :smallwink:

Anywhoo, let me know when/if you guys want to move on, Riverside is almost done I think.

[TheAmishPirate]

Anywhoo, let me know when/if you guys want to move on, Riverside is almost done I think.

I'd like to get a little more time getting some details out of the family. There's still some things I think we can figure out, though I realize we can't get everything out of them.

Namely, what the hay actually happened to us, and some more about why they're bound to this place.

[BlasTech]

Hokays, recommence speculation then :)

[TheAmishPirate]

Alright, well I'll do what I can to figure out decent questions whilst waiting for the next post:

I think an important thing to figure out is how long they've been watching us. If they appeared just moments before we showed up, or if they've been watching us while we were passed out, both could get us somewhere. If they were in the memory with us, then I could also ask about what Kahdar meant about "remembering", and what Crown was supposed to help Veriea do. If they weren't, then we can figure out if we physically went into the stone or not.

Something else that's been bugging me is that Amelias seemed to deny that they were fully dead, saying it, "wasn't quite right." There's something else going on with their current state, and I think we may stand a chance of figuring out what that is. Might have something to do with what Veriea said about spirits not being able to move on.

And while it's a jerk thing to ask, maybe also see if the gravestone was the "important thing" Kahlin did.

[BlasTech]

Going to give the others a chance to add their assent before replying. Will put up next post sometime this afternoon.

[BlasTech]

Just had to update my last post slightly. If Cork had a dice roll on his guesswork, it clearly just came up a 20.

Also, has anyone seen Balmas recently? It's unlike him to be quiet for so long. Hope he's okay and just busy with the holiday season. :smalltongue:

[TheAmishPirate]

Just had to update my last post slightly. If Cork had a dice roll on his guesswork, it clearly just came up a 20.

I think Crown has a bit of Sherlock in him, or at least Thanqol's Rarity/Sherlock from A Study in Scarlet. Once Raiven brought up memories, that got me thinking outside of life/death/spirits, and then everything just fell into place as I followed the assumptions and their implications.

Speaking of implications, the rest of this scene may take some drastically different turns depending on how the conversation goes. There are a few things that I've thought up that Crown hasn't had a chance to realize yet, and I don't know if it's metagaming to talk about them here or not.


Also, has anyone seen Balmas recently? It's unlike him to be quiet for so long. Hope he's okay and just busy with the holiday season. :smalltongue:

I feel like I've seen him in ponythread on occasion, but it is a busy time of year too. Either way, I think I'm going to pause until Dive Bomb gets some thoughts in, so he doesn't get completely left behind.

[Balmas]

Sorry for my absence in the past two days; Greyhound lied when they promised buses with wifi, and when I got home I had to reinstall Windows due to an error with Ubuntu. I'll have a response in the next half hour.

[BlasTech]

All good, was hoping it was just something simple like that :smalltongue:

[BlasTech]

Er, Amish? What's with the "no horn" bit?

Hope you guys haven't forgotten that Kahlin is a unicorn like his mum?

[TheAmishPirate]

Er, Amish? What's with the "no horn" bit?

You guys do realise Kahlin is a unicorn like his mum?

Argle bargle.

That would change conclusion slightly, yes. I'll go and edit that now.

And edited!

[Balmas]

Wait, I thought he was a pegasus. Argle blargle indeed.

[Balmas]

So, I've got a pegasus in my brain who won't stop squeeing over the recovery of an ancient artifact. What do?


What kind of DC would Dive Bomb face to figure out more about the rock? Specifically, what is it made out of? Is it comparable to any known stone? With Grease Spot and Soot's help, can he figure out any enchantments that have been placed on it? Can he figure out any secondary uses, besides looking pretty?

[BlasTech]

I think that for this, it's less a matter of DC, and more a matter of what makes narrative sense. After all, how exactly is he going to analyse it right now? If you start RPing him fiddling with it, i can chime in if he triggers something or breaks it. But ... as far as a general dc goes?

Well, by looking at it, he could probably use his wealth of chemical knowledge to discover that ... it's a crystal of some kind, and that it's green. :smalltongue:

[One Tin Soldier]

I'm finally done my finals!
http://iambrony.steeph.tp-radio.de/mlp/gif/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-brony-party-hard-twilight.gif

Now I can actually put thought into my roleplaying!

[Balmas]

I think that for this, it's less a matter of DC, and more a matter of what makes narrative sense. After all, how exactly is he going to analyse it right now? If you start RPing him fiddling with it, i can chime in if he triggers something or breaks it. But ... as far as a general dc goes?

Well, by looking at it, he could probably use his wealth of chemical knowledge to discover that ... it's a crystal of some kind, and that it's green. :smalltongue:

I was thinking more once they've camped down, obviously. And... green. Crystal. That's helpful.

[Ravian]

And I just finished my Senior project! It's finally over!

[BlasTech]

I'm finally done my finals!
http://iambrony.steeph.tp-radio.de/mlp/gif/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-brony-party-hard-twilight.gif

Now I can actually put thought into my roleplaying!


And I just finished my Senior project! It's finally over!

Congrats guys, just in time for the holidays!

[Balmas]

Out of curiosity, how much time passed in the memory-world? Was it to scale with real-time, or less time in the real world?

[BlasTech]

Out of curiosity, how much time passed in the memory-world? Was it to scale with real-time, or less time in the real world?

Corks watch would read a bit before six o clock. Two hours of time would feel about right.

[Balmas]

So, it's almost dawn then. I kind of want to do a Fallout-style "Days outside Equestria" counter. As of now, we have a day and a night, plus the day and night in the train station.

[One Tin Soldier]

Well I should hope that the semester is over in time for the holidays. :smalltongue:

Oh, and for a brief moment I thought Thanqol was posting in the thread, and I was quite confused.

[BlasTech]

We are all Thanqol.

[Balmas]

We are the Thanqol. Lower your shields and surrender your vessel. Your technology and writing skills will be added to the collective. Resistance is futile; you will be assimilated.

[TheAmishPirate]

The only things Cork would want to do, he'd do at camp. Provided he's not sidelined with 0 Energy, that is. :smalltongue:

[BlasTech]

Merry Christmas/Happy Hearth's warming guys. :smallbiggrin:

Hope you get lots of cool gifts :smallwink:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KBpmuM1S0II/UNiuM1Y5bqI/AAAAAAAAQCA/ZcTk5XLc5QU/s1600/TheBestGiftEver.png

[One Tin Soldier]

Merry Christmas/Happy Hearth's warming guys. :smallbiggrin:

Hope you get lots of cool gifts :smallwink:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KBpmuM1S0II/UNiuM1Y5bqI/AAAAAAAAQCA/ZcTk5XLc5QU/s1600/TheBestGiftEver.png

And the same to you! (And the rest of you guys)

[TheAmishPirate]

Merry Christmas everypony!

I'll have my post up tomorrow, there is something Cork wants to do before we call it a night.

[Balmas]

Dive Bomb would want to examine the crystal, but you said earlier that all he could figure out would be that it's green and crystal.

[BlasTech]

Merry Christmas everypony!

I'll have my post up tomorrow, there is something Cork wants to do before we call it a night.

Merry Christmas ^^

No rush, family time comes first today!


Dive Bomb would want to examine the crystal, but you said earlier that all he could figure out would be that it's green and crystal.

That's all he can tell by looking at it, really. I'm open to any other ideas you have about how to examine it with what he has on hoof.

[TheAmishPirate]

Okay, moving this to the OOC, don't think I was too clear on my intentions:

Basically, I was thinking of what you said when you mentioned that Cork would have to make a Mind check to remember the scene with the rock golem should he want to paint it later. I was hoping that by taking good notes and preliminary sketches now, he could either get a nice bonus on the check, negate any penalties due to the effects of time on memory, or just take that memory check now with Harmony bonuses.

I do agree that the good notes/sketches would help with the actual painting, I'm just more wondering about the memory portion of it.

[BlasTech]

Ah I see. Well, unless he's going to do the painting now, there's no point in taking that memory check at the current time. :smalltongue:

He has probably done enough to make it alot easier for him to recall the events when he does get around to painting it though. I can't say for sure what the final check will look like, given that there may be other circumstances in play when he does take it, but as it stands he's likely not going to have to do a seperate memory check, or at least only have to do a lower DC one/one with a bonus to it.

[TheAmishPirate]

Ah I see. Well, unless he's going to do the painting now, there's no point in taking that memory check at the current time. :smalltongue:

He has probably done enough to make it alot easier for him to recall the events when he does get around to painting it though. I can't say for sure what the final check will look like, given that there may be other circumstances in play when he does take it, but as it stands he's likely not going to have to do a seperate memory check, or at least only have to do a lower DC one/one with a bonus to it.

Okay! That's more than satisfactory for me/Crown. I'll get a post up in a bit, but he's pretty much ready to end the day now. Barring any further babbling from Igneous. :smalltongue:

[BlasTech]

You can assume Iggy is just rambling his usual nonsense until stopped; probably something about the wood panneling.

[BlasTech]

Assuming we have to roll multiple rounds, I'll do so here.

Following Iggy's first round of rambling:
[roll0]

He's still at 8 energy.

[Balmas]

I'm just going to say that creating long, grammatically incorrect sentences for rambling characters is immensely enjoyable. It allows me to shake off the fetters of convention and do some free association in my mind.

I love being able to describe a bit of the NPCs.
http://i.qkme.me/352w1m.jpg

So, just a little bit of metagame here: If I understand what's going on, we probably won't regain any energy by sleeping during the day. At the same time, our energy checks are easier and the consequences of failure less severe by traveling at night.

Contrast that to maintaining a diurnal schedule; we would regain some energy at night, but face stiffer DCs and more energy lost for failures.

Am I pretty close?

[BlasTech]

Close, you will regain some energy by sleeping during the day, just not as much as sleeping during the night. Otherwise, you're correct that you're getting less difficult and punishing energy checks as a result of travelling at night.

Should also point out that the last energy roll is for anyone who is staying up to hear Iggy's rambling, if you've already gone to sleep there's no need.

Once everyone is asleep, I'll end day.

[TheAmishPirate]

You know, this is just following a trend of this game, where I take potentially poor in-game decisions simply because that's what the character would do. First the cookie, and now this game of Energy Chicken. It's actually kind of fun, though I suspect it'll stop being fun once it really comes back to bite me.

Anyhow, first round of Energy rolls:
[roll0]
Bahahaha, and he's already down to 1 Energy. This is a horrible idea, but Cork has probably worked himself to exhaustion more than once before. He'd keep going.

Before I roll for the second round, I'm going to wait for Raivan to post, see what Soot does.

[BlasTech]

It really is an unstoppable force/immovable object thing with those two isnt it XD

[Balmas]

So, now I need to figure out what the rules are for restoring another unconscious character, and what Dive Bomb's bonus attached to his element is...

I mean, unless Cork can successfully outlast Iggy, who has eight energy and needs to roll a one in order to fail this check...

[TheAmishPirate]

It really is an unstoppable force/immovable object thing with those two isnt it XD

It really is, though in this case it's more "Unstoppable force, object once considered to be immovable." Seriously, that pony has Energy out the wazoo.


So, now I need to figure out what the rules are for restoring another unconscious character, and what Dive Bomb's bonus attached to his element is...

I mean, unless Cork can successfully outlast Iggy, who has eight energy and needs to roll a one in order to fail this check...

Unless I'm much mistaken, Cork should be sort-of okay after a night's day's rest. Provided Iggy can at least recognize what's going on and move Cork to his tent.

That, or this'll end up being far more hilarious than I first realized. :smallwink:

[Balmas]

I've taken the liberty of writing up my Dear Princess Celestia before the day ends, since DB is already asleep. It's a long one, so if you wish to skip to the lesson, it's there in italics.

Ugh… Dive Bomb's eyes cracked, and then shot open. Trapped! Too small! There was no sky! No… A jolt of pain shot up his spine, and he clutched at his wing, stopping his thrashing.

"Ow," he murmured, glaring at the offending rock. He rubbed the aching spot on his wing, and peered at it; yeah, that was going to be a bruise.

So, cloth. Tent. Rock. Immense, dry heat. Slowly, the events of the previous day filtered back into his understanding, and he scowled. With this heat, he'd be lucky to get back to sleep.

He lay head on hooves and stared at the wastes before him. If he had a bit for every grain of sand he trod on in this desert, he'd still want to be gone as quickly as possible. Course, the history in the area was very tempting; if they had more water and supplies, he could happily spend a week or so digging around Sanctum City. By necessity, he'd have to move on in order to cover more ground, but in a week he might be able to scratch the surface of the ancient city.

He flipped over onto his side and stared at the cloth before deciding that he liked the sight of the desert better; at least the desert was open.

Counting cumuli proved fruitless, as did attempting to simply slow his bodily functions through slow breathing. He'd do a few laps of the area, but they were trying to sleep so that they could have enough energy to push on at night. Besides, he grumped, it's too hot out. Gimme the stratosphere any day. Preening his wings took a while, but didn't do anything for his inability to sleep.

Well, if he couldn't sleep, he might as well do something useful. He pulled his pen from the saddlebags, and flipped his journal upside down, to the journal section in the back. It had been an eventful day and a half; where was the best place to begin?

He smiled, and lowered his head to touch pen to paper.


Dear Journal,

I really don't know where to begin this entry; my beliefs about reality have been challenged no less than thrice. I've been breathed fire on, sent to a desert Luna-knows-where, been assaulted by a mass of stone, and entertained myself in a dreamworld.

So, I suppose since this is such a long days entry, I should cut it down just a bit, and focus on the highlights. That takes care of a boring day spent napping in the heat of a desert sun, and a somewhat more boring night walking under a desert moon.

Anyway, I've mentioned the desert. Remember how we went to sleep in a train? It was attacked in the middle of the night by some kind of dark beast that breathed green fire. My initial thought was that it was a dragon. Still is, but there are still a few questions; for example, why did it send us to a desert? Why did some things fuse and melt, and others just come along? How the hay did it send a train, complete with train tracks so far? And above all, why?

By my calculations, we're at least three days' walk or a couple hours' flight from anywhere. The area is arid, and has very little water. I've made a map of the area on page 34 of the main log.

Normally, I'd just pick a direction and fly until I ran out of land or came across something interesting. However, there are six others here, and I think I may be warming up to some of them. There are two griffons, Rinda and the Ambassador; Soot, a unicorn, and two earth ponies, Grease Spot and Crown Cork. I rather enjoy talking with Grease, but Cork just rubs me the wrong way. He seems to believe that he is the leader of our little party; this wouldn' t be so bad, if he were capable of also believing that perhaps he's wrong.

Anyway.

We found ourselves in a desert, and most of us did our part to prep for the journey ahead; I scouted out the area, made a sled, and helped care for the Ambassador, who'd been knocked out. Grease helped create another sled to carry our supplies.

Course, all that went out the window the minute we set out. I found a set of glowing rocks, and started poking at it to find out why they glowed. Turns out, as an investigative method, "Poke it until something happens" leaves something to be desired, especially when 'it' happens to be alive. Though, it's somewhat debatable whether a golem counts alive.

See, that's what we found there. It seemed to be some kind of guard; it spoke several languages, among which was an ancient dialect of Equestrian. I'm glad that my parents were so insistent that I take that course; otherwise communication would have been very difficult.

As it was, it accused me of meddling with it, and put me under arrest. I might have been able to fly away, but couldn't leave these ponies alone with it.

You know, reading over that, I feel a bit like I'm bragging. Really don't want to do that, but somehow I doubt that I'll be putting this particular part of my journal into the Compendium. It reads like something out of Burned Jewels. (Not that this is a bad thing; I love his story about sending a mare to the moon with an oversized party cannon. Delightfully offbeat.)

I'm rambling, aren't I? Remember, Dive Bomb; paper is cheap and easy in Equestria, but we're not there.

Anyway, Cork proved that he's not entirely useless; somehow, he made a peace offering that the guardian liked. It stopped threatening me, and started leading us towards a city.

I'll admit, I'm excited. An ancient city, with ancient technology. I mean, how often does anypony get this kind of chance? I could find out lots of new things! That is, if we weren't stuck in a desert with limited food, and even more limited supplies.

Now, that's two new things I've learned today, and I'd have to close there if it weren't for one more thing. The rocks in this desert are capable of storing magic. In our case, it was a memory spell. By touching them, we came in contact with the memory of three dead ponies, and a griffon. Kahlin, a unicorn foal, cast a spell to preserve the memory of his parents Kahdar and Amelias, taken away by a creature of shadow and green smoke.

I'll be honest; I messed up. I was insensitive towards them and dug up their house. I suppose that using minor weather effects to dig up what amounts to a grave could be construed as disrespectful. I didn't think things through in my desire to learn more.

Truth to tell, that's gotten me in trouble twice today. It isn't so much that I intend to hurt people; it's more that by focusing too much on getting the knowledge, I can lose sight of why I want to learn this knowledge. I want to help ponies, to make them happy, to perfect this world. I can't help ponies if I ignore their feelings in pursuit of knowledge. I have to be more careful when I'm talking to others, when I'm investigating. In order to avoid hurting others, I need to ask myself how such a question would make me feel in their situation.

After all, I'd hope that they would do the same for me.

Dive Bomb's eyes went to his right saddlebag, the burgundy one with the sapphire triple-lightning bolt clasp, and smiled wanly. Maybe that was part of the key to understanding other ponies. It almost felt like a betrayal of all that he was fighting so hard to achieve. After all, knowledge was the key to understanding the universe, and the key to saving ponies' lives.

So why was he smiling?

He looked at the journal, and frowned; something was missing. Ah, there it was. He jotted down a short sentence, tucked the pen inside the notebook, and plopped the journal back in the saddlebag.

Though his wing still throbbed, as he drifted off to sleep, he smiled again at the last note in the journal:

"I dreamed of home last night."


Egads, I feel like I'm writing fanfic.

[BlasTech]

@^: That's going to be a very interesting lesson to see him learn, particularly given his worldview.


Egads, I feel like I'm writing fanfic.

And thus all my evil plans were discovered. Yes, this RP is just an elaborate ruse to get you all co-writing pony fanfic with me. :smalltongue:



Unless I'm much mistaken, Cork should be sort-of okay after a night's day's rest. Provided Iggy can at least recognize what's going on and move Cork to his tent.

That, or this'll end up being far more hilarious than I first realized. :smallwink:

Continue please, exactly how hillarious do you want this? :smallwink:

Anyway, given that Ravian seems to have dropped off with, presumably, end of year family shenanigans, I'll give you guys the dream prompts for tonight's sleep so you can get thinking.

Spoil'd so that you can choose to not read them if you want to wait for now.


Tonight's dream;

Everyone is doing something important with a character from their past; it can be whatever kind of event you like with whomever you wish, but the point is that it was memorable for your character for one reason or another.
At some point in the dream, things begin to fade in the following order; sound, colour, details (faces, clothing etc etc), sight. Eventually leaving you in the literal dark.
After a period of disorientation, you trip and fall. (A foot? A mile? you decide)
Before you hit the ground, you're caught by Vereia, who gives you a smile and a "gotcha" before you wake.


Once you wake up, you may notice;


The sun is low in the horizon, but the day was clearly a scorcher. Dry air and the heat of the desert still linger.
You still feel tired, clearly sleeping in the day took its toll.
You can hear something crackling outside your tent, like someone has lit a fire.
You can smell toast.


Finally, I can't end ponyday till Ravian checks in, so do you want to do the next round of energy chicken Amish?

[TheAmishPirate]

Continue please, exactly how hillarious do you want this? :smallwink:

Oh, it's not how hilarious I particularly want. All I'm expecting is Cork will pass out lonnnnnnng before Igneous finishes talking. Anything beyond that, namely what Igneous deems wise to do with the derped-out colt, is a bonus. :smallwink:

It's hard to balance potential hilarity with not hamstringing the party. Alas, it is a hard road I walk.


Finally, I can't end ponyday till Ravian checks in, so do you want to do the next round of energy chicken Amish?

I was initially concerned that Soot might stop Cork from taking down all these notes. Then I realized that he'd likely not bother listening anyway. So go right ahead. :smallbiggrin:

[Ravian]

@^: That's going to be a very interesting lesson to see him learn, particularly given his worldview.



And thus all my evil plans were discovered. Yes, this RP is just an elaborate ruse to get you all co-writing pony fanfic with me. :smalltongue:



Continue please, exactly how hillarious do you want this? :smallwink:

Anyway, given that Ravian seems to have dropped off with, presumably, end of year family shenanigans, I'll give you guys the dream prompts for tonight's sleep so you can get thinking.

Spoil'd so that you can choose to not read them if you want to wait for now.


Tonight's dream;


Everyone is doing something important with a character from their past; it can be whatever kind of event you like with whomever you wish, but the point is that it was memorable for your character for one reason or another.
At some point in the dream, things begin to fade in the following order; sound, colour, details (faces, clothing etc etc), sight. Eventually leaving you in the literal dark.
After a period of disorientation, you trip and fall.
Before you hit the ground, you're caught by Vereia, who gives you a smile
and a "gotcha" before you wake.


Once you wake up, you may notice;


The sun is low in the horizon, but the day was clearly a scorcher. Dry air and the heat of the desert still linger.
You still feel tired, clearly sleeping in the day took its toll.
You can hear something crackling outside your tent, like someone has lit a fire.
You can smell toast.


Finally, I can't end ponyday till Ravian checks in, so do you want to do the next round of energy chicken Amish?

sorry I was off visiting relatives and the thread didn't come up as updated until now

[Balmas]

@^: That's going to be a very interesting lesson to see him learn, particularly given his worldview.



And thus all my evil plans were discovered. Yes, this RP is just an elaborate ruse to get you all co-writing pony fanfic with me. :smalltongue:

To put the lesson most succinctly: don't hurt others to learn new things. Put into practice, it will probably come in the form of a backlash of caution in conversation. He probably won't talk as much, and self-guess himself more often. And yes, it will be frustrating to get right.


As for your evil plan, would now be the right time to reveal my evil counter-ruse and reveal that with permission, I plan to write all of this up into a coherent story?

[BlasTech]

sorry I was off visiting relatives and the thread didn't come up as updated until now

Figured that something like that was the case. Welcome back ^^


To put the lesson most succinctly: don't hurt others to learn new things. Put into practice, it will probably come in the form of a backlash of caution in conversation. He probably won't talk as much, and self-guess himself more often. And yes, it will be frustrating to get right.


As for your evil plan, would now be the right time to reveal my evil counter-ruse and reveal that with permission, I plan to write all of this up into a coherent story?

Plenty of opportunities to refine or reinforce the lesson, especially if DB finds it difficult to adhere to (which I would expect, given he still needs to find that balance.)

As for your counter-ruse; yeah sure. Although, simply copying and pasting RP posts rarely makes for a good story :smalltongue:

That said, if you want the whole story, you're gonna have to stick this through, and I tell ya, I've got a lot of stuff planned out; some solid, some nebulous, all of it on the table for us to see or not see depending on choices.

For instance, in picking which direction to get out of the desert, you've already avoided a few different potential encounters and challenges.

Anyway, as far as I can see, everyone but Cork has "turned in" for the night. Once he does, I'll end the day. He can try to stop Iggy with a heart check if he wants, but it'll be at a penalty due to threat of physical harm. :smalltongue:

[One Tin Soldier]

Ok, time for a letter!

Dear Brush Stroke,
I don't This feels I'm afraid that I won't get to see you or Berry or Mom and Dad for a long while. How do I even begin to describe everything that's happened today? For Celestia's sake, I'm not even sure why I'm writing you this letter. It's not as if I'm going to get a chance to send it any time soon.

I'll write it down anyways. It might do me good to put my thoughts in one place. And you can tease me all you like for being sappy, but I need to talk to family, even if you can't actually hear me. Once I find my way back to civilization, I'll mail these to you right away. The sooner you know what's actually happened to me, the better.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. The last you knew, I was getting on the overnight train to Ponyville. During the night, the train came under attack, apparently from a dragon. It might have been after the griffon ambassador that was on the train with us, but I'm not sure. At any rate, it used magic to transport most of the train to the middle of some desert. Along with me, there are the three younger ponies that I was talking to on the train, a royal guard (though Dad would have smacked him over the head a couple dozen times by now), the griffon ambassador and one of his guards. The ambassador has been unconscious ever since we arrived.

We decided to travel towards a structure that a pegasus in our group scouted out, but there were a couple of... interruptions. First off, our train turned out not to be sent to a completely empty area. The pegasus - his name is Dive Bomb - managed to activate a magical stone construct, which tried to "apprehend" us. Very forcefully.

Fortunately, none of us were seriously injured before Crown Cork managed to pacify it with a painted rock. Yes, the soda Cork. I'm sure by the time you read these, you'll have heard all about him. He seems like the type that the papers would make a big deal over. He's... larger than life in that way.

The construct started leading us to some city, which was the direction we were going anyway, so we followed it. Later on, we hit our second interruption. This one was much stranger. We happened to touch some rocks on the floor of the valley we were travelling through, and we all found ourselves on a pleasant farm. For the sake of space I won't go into the details, but it turned out to be a memory preserved by a colt who used to live here. We spoke to his memory construct, those of his parents, and a griffon he knew, and they told us that this area was inhabited long ago, but there was a disaster that led to this desert being here. (Incidentally, I really have to stop jumping to conclusions. Nothing is what it appears to be out here. I might have saved myself a big headache if I had been more willing to let go of my first theory about that farm. There was a reasonable explanation, but I couldn't see it because I was too focused on my first thoughts. But I'm rambling again.)

Now we're heading to Sanctum City, or rather its ruins. Once there, I think that we are going to see more traces of Veriea, the griffoness from the memory. Rinda - that's the ambassador's guard - thinks that we shouldn't trust her, because she was clearly an exile from her home. She seemed trustworthy to me, but given the trend for hidden truths here, I think I might be a little more cautious.

I will write down more tomorrow. I have a sinking feeling that tonight will be just as interesting as last night.

Your loving sister,
Grease Spot


btw, I've decided that she's writing this in the evening before the others wake up.

[BlasTech]

Reposted from the IC thread

XP Summary

+1 xp for attendance
+1 xp for roleplaying (bonus due to some excellent character actions, even when they're detrimental from an OOC perspective)
+1 xp for song
+1 xp to Dive Bomb for writing the song
+1 xp if you can articulate a lesson in the OOC thread
+1 xp for helping the Longshores
+1 xp for colts/fillies
+1 xp for earth ponies

Potential total: 8xp

Also, as far as DPC's go, I'll happily pay Dive Bomb's, but OTC, can you give me a hand and draw out what the lesson is in your letter? :smallredface:

Also, if anyone missed it earlier, here are tonight's dream post prompts. I won't begin day 3 until everyone has had a chance to post their dream up.

Tonight's dream;

Everyone is doing something important with a character from their past; it can be whatever kind of event you like with whomever you wish, but the point is that it was memorable for your character for one reason or another.
At some point in the dream, things begin to fade in the following order; sound, colour, details (faces, clothing etc etc), sight. Eventually leaving you in the literal dark.
After a period of disorientation, you trip and fall. (A foot? A mile? you decide)
Before you hit the ground, you're caught by Vereia, who gives you a smile and a "gotcha" before you wake.


Once you wake up, you may notice;


The sun is low in the horizon, but the day was clearly a scorcher. Dry air and the heat of the desert still linger.
You still feel tired, clearly sleeping in the day took its toll.
You can hear something crackling outside your tent, like someone has lit a fire.
You can smell toast.

[Balmas]

Reposted from the IC thread

XP Summary

+1 xp for attendance
+1 xp for roleplaying (bonus due to some excellent character actions, even when they're detrimental from an OOC perspective)
+1 xp for song
+1 xp to Dive Bomb for writing the song
+1 xp if you can articulate a lesson in the OOC thread
+1 xp for helping the Longshores
+1 xp for colts/fillies
+1 xp for earth ponies

Potential total: 8xp

Don't forget the +1 XP for the shy penalty with Rinda. So, that's 13 total with the five XP I already had. Time to go on a spree!

I believe we discussed the possibility of him taking a new skill, field medicine. This would be basic first aid, triage, stuff like that. Five XP buys the first rank, and two more buys a second rank, leaving six XP to save for a later day.

Also, maybe I should have tried for NanoWrimo after all; 1028 words in todays entry, and 1398 on the DPC last night.

[BlasTech]

Whoops, totally forgot about that. Thanks for the reminder, yes the Shy flaw nets you one more bonus XP.

Also, yes, I think you've had enough justification narratively to warrant that skill; between the physical examinations of Rinda and the Ambassador, plus whatever reading on the matter DB did in his downtime.

[One Tin Soldier]

Also, as far as DPC's go, I'll happily pay Dive Bomb's, but OTC, can you give me a hand and draw out what the lesson is in your letter? :smallredface:


No problem. It's the part in parenthesis. I thought that would be enough to highlight it, but apparently not quite. I was trying to keep the flow of the letter while still including the lesson, which I guess succeeded in a way.

To clarify: her lesson that she took away was "There is a reasonable explanation to anything, but sometimes you have to consider an unreasonable one before it presents itself." That mare doesn't give up skepticism easily. :smallwink:

Now I just have to figure out what she's dreaming about. I've had couple ideas so far, like her first time asking a colt out or getting her acceptance letter to University, but nothing that really jumps out at me.

[Ravian]

I don't think I can post today. Busy through most of the day for new year's. I can however make my energy check
[roll0]

[TheAmishPirate]

Letter to Celestia. And definitely just Celestia.

My dearest,

Every day I go without seeing your face feels like a lifetime of torment. Alas, your beauty is truly a double-edged sword. For though a single glance upon your heavenly visage can heal my heart of its gravest woes, the moment you are gone from me my soul is torn asunder. Only the thought of hearing your voice one last time keeps me held aloft from an endless ocean of despair.

When you read this, I am sure you will be boxing my ears for 'wastin' my time scribblin' out yer flowery chickin scratch 'stead of hustlin' on home t'you'. But my dear, if I wasted even a moment along the trail, would it not bring eternal shame upon your good name? No, I dare not spend any time to write save for when my weary legs demand I step no further, when the only muscle I can move is my mouth to clutch a pencil.

Ah, but before I expend page after page extolling your virtue and wisdom, allow me a moment to regale you with my tales from afar. By the time you read this, you surely will be wondering why the Sisters saw fit to tear us apart for so long. I myself wondered the very same thing as I trekked bravely through this desert. What good did it do to uproot a Cork, so firmly established in his life? I can tell you now that Celestia still knows precisely what she was doing. For on my journey, I came across a trio of ponies, created from the memory of a young colt, long dead. They told us of their community, showed us visions of their perfect life, before the same creature that sent me here destroyed it all. Now, centuries later, the sands of time had worn away their memory, until only a few markings on a buried gravestone were left. They pleaded with us to remember their tale, and to spread it to all we met.

Don't you see, my sweet? My coming here was no accident, it was nothing short of the hoof of Destiny! For who better to spread this tale than Crown Cork, renowned businesspony and artist extraordinaire? Why, just as soon as the words leave my tongue, they will be recorded and spread across the length and breadth of Equestria! And then, oh! The paintings I shall paint! I simply cannot wait to show you, darling. It will be magnificent.

Bear this in mind, my strawberry blossom. Though life may take us upon many roads, do not balk at a detour. For who knows when a side-road is just a main highway long-forgotten? Always be on alert for when your talents may be needed, and who knows what you'll find?

*What follows is approximately twenty pages of flowery dialogue, waxing on and on about said pony's beauty, charms, mannerisms, eating habits, preference in saddles, and a thousand other such details. For the sake of space, it has been omitted*

If you have gotten this far and I have not swept you off your hooves, then I am no longer worthy of being called your special somepony. Know that I have waited countless lifetimes to be with you once more, and that it was worth every second of patience.

Concisely yours,

Crown Cork

[Balmas]

Added DPC#2 and edited skills on Dive Bomb's sheet.

Do we regain any energy from the days' rest?

[BlasTech]

No problem. It's the part in parenthesis. I thought that would be enough to highlight it, but apparently not quite. I was trying to keep the flow of the letter while still including the lesson, which I guess succeeded in a way.

To clarify: her lesson that she took away was "There is a reasonable explanation to anything, but sometimes you have to consider an unreasonable one before it presents itself." That mare doesn't give up skepticism easily. :smallwink:

Now I just have to figure out what she's dreaming about. I've had couple ideas so far, like her first time asking a colt out or getting her acceptance letter to University, but nothing that really jumps out at me.

Righto, that's clearer now. And sure, I'll pay it.


Letter to Celestia. And definitely just Celestia.


To my Faithful subject, Crown Cork

Take your 1xp, please don't address me as honeysmoocheypie again.

Yours Truly
Princess Celestia.


Added DPC#2 and edited skills on Dive Bomb's sheet.

Do we regain any energy from the days' rest?

I'll be putting it in my next post once everyone's finished their dreams, but the gist is that everyone will regain two points of energy, assuming that they eat and drink their day's rations. You can elect to forgo your ration of food/water and thus not get the energy regain in exchange for saving it for another day; but you will have a minor penalty on any physical tasks due to dehydration tomorrow until you drink your water ration.

[Balmas]

Ah, okay. Also, Happy new year, everypony.

[One Tin Soldier]

Happy new year to you too. :smallsmile:

I've decided on a dream for Grease, and will be posting it presently.

[BlasTech]

Cool cool.

Given that it's new year's day over there, I won't be enforcing the one-post-per day rule today (and haven't been riding it that hard over the holiday period), so take your time.

Come this weekend though, I'll be expecting everyone to get back into it! :smallwink:

[TheAmishPirate]

Cool cool.

Given that it's new year's day over there, I won't be enforcing the one-post-per day rule today (and haven't been riding it that hard over the holiday period), so take your time.

Come this weekend though, I'll be expecting everyone to get back into it! :smallwink:

Thanks. Been busy with family stuff, and struggling to think of a proper dream for Cork. I'll get something soon enough.

[BlasTech]

I love these dream sequences, they're my favourite part of the RP since I don't have to write a thing beyond a dot point prompt and they make for good reading :smallbiggrin:

This reminded me that I should check in on any feedback you guys had about the last day's worth of RP in general, and The Memory Valley in particular. It was pretty improv, only thought up when I realised that given the direction you'd picked, we'd have a whole day's walk with nothing in it otherwise :smalltongue:

Overall, I think it went okay, although I worry that getting out of the dream was too easy. Kind of felt I was laying out the reese pieces and not giving you enough freedom to fail. But it wasn't intended as a trap challenge, more just as an exploration zone. What do you guys think?

Also, you've encountered the first "Cincematic mode" scene of the RP with the rock monster. Again, intended as a tutorial/intro more than a real challenge, but still interested in any feedback you had. (I love how you ended up defeating it though)

In terms of my feedback, my only real observation is that you guys are using Mind checks like some kind of D&D perception roll. I'm kind of torn since they're not meant to be used in that fashion, and in most cases I've provided the same information that I would have given had you just typed "Character X looked around.".

That said, it does speed up the process of look/describe scene/roll check, so I'd be okay with letting it slide if only to stop me needing to go back and request a specific roll if anything is needed. Just be aware that those rolls are often not doing anything :smalltongue:

Finally, regarding the use of second winds. I propose that we trial the houserule that each pony gets one second wind, and one restore faith per cinematic scene (i.e. one "self revive" and one "revive other").

If that turns out to result in a TPK at the next cinematic encounter, I'll probably consider changing it to one second wind, but unlimited restore faiths because those are naturally capped by how much willpower you have remaining anyway.

[Balmas]

I love dream sequences as well. They're a good time to develop just a bit more in a character, and to show important events and items in a character's life.

The dream sequence went well, I thought. The only way that you made it difficult to fail was that you dropped a lot of hints as to the way we should probably go. If we so chose, we could have done a bit more exploring, talked to different ponies, flown up to see the limits of the memory. However, the bread crumbs said to go that way, so we did.

One thing that kind of irks me now but didn't at the time is the way the scene cut out. Instead of just saying, "You lose and black out," it would have been nice to have a say. Maybe give us a chance to resist, even if the result is the same.

As for mind checks, I suppose that it's just force of habit to make a search check when entering a new room. :smalltongue: Out of curiosity, if we roll well, do we get extra details, or is that just as the situation merits? For example, if DB hadn't gotten a twenty on the initial survey of the area, would we have known about the sand lizard?

I approve of everypony getting a second wind and a restore faith per cinematic mode, but have to ask a question, just to be sure. Restoring faith will still require use of willpower, correct?

[TheAmishPirate]

Buh. I have a dream idea, but I also have a headache and writer's block. It'll get up sometime.

Feedback:

I'd agree that the whole "When to say bye to Veriea" thing could've been handled better, but I'm not too sure how.

I don't think the dream was too easy to get out of, though we did sort of stumble on the answer. But then again, it wasn't meant as a trap, so it served its purpose; provided a fantastical experience for the characters, and set up some framing for the rest of their adventure. When you have another mystery meant to actual hinder the PC's, then yes, more difficulty would be appreciated.

The actual challenges have been reasonable enough. The rock monster had no clear solution, and I'm glad that Cork's oddball thinking actually ended up helping instead of backfiring hilariously. The preparations for the walk gave us some good chances for critical thinking regarding what to take, how to take it, what can we scavenge, what can we craft, etc.

I'm impressed that the Memory Valley was all improv, as that only raises further questions about how much Veriea and them factored into your original plans. But those sort of questions are best answered in whatever word document or journal you have, and then revealed when all is said and done and we can laugh about it later.

If I have any more thoughts, I'll post later. Final note: I shudder to think of all the crazy stuff that had to be cut just because we chose one of four branching paths. :smalleek:

[One Tin Soldier]

Final note: I shudder to think of all the crazy stuff that had to be cut just because we chose one of four branching paths. :smalleek:

Well, he can always use the time-honored GMing strategy of putting the encounters away and bringing them out again later. *whistles innocently*

As for feedback, I will say that the whole business with the memory land and even the rock monster was unexpected. I was all prepared for a bunch of survival oriented challenges, when suddenly magical constructs and ancient civilizations. Which I suppose is appropriate, since it caught Grease even more off-guard than me.

To be honest (and give useful feedback), there's both good and bad to this. Good: it really does help with roleplay when we honestly don't know any more about what's going on than our characters. When we aren't sure what the "right solution" is to a problem, we get to think up novel solutions instead.
Bad: when we're always dealing with new mysteries, there isn't as much opportunity for inter-party RP. Our characters all have opinions about the other characters, but those only manifest in subtle ways.
Then again, they have only been travelling together for a day and a half. It does make sense for it to take more time for them to get closer. Or for disagreements to emerge.

All together, more good than bad, it's just that the bad takes more explanation. I look forward to seeing what comes next.


As for the needless spot checks, I for one am just used to making perception checks all the time in RPGs. It's just one of those things; when you want to look for something, you roll the check. I'd be willing to drop it if it's more convenient.

Second wind rules sound fine.


So I got +6 XP for this round. That makes 12 unspent XP, which I really should spend on something. Maybe a rank or two in Jury-Rig as a skill, since she's done a fair amount of that. Yeah, that sounds right. I'll also take a look through the book, see if there's anything else that makes sense (And check XP costs). Once I'm done that, I'll update the character sheet.

[BlasTech]

One thing that kind of irks me now but didn't at the time is the way the scene cut out. Instead of just saying, "You lose and black out," it would have been nice to have a say. Maybe give us a chance to resist, even if the result is the same.

Gotcha, fair point. I'd actually considered dumping you back in the desert as soon as you went through the portal, but it felt too sudden. Hence the rather unpolished ending there.



As for mind checks, I suppose that it's just force of habit to make a search check when entering a new room. :smalltongue: Out of curiosity, if we roll well, do we get extra details, or is that just as the situation merits? For example, if DB hadn't gotten a twenty on the initial survey of the area, would we have known about the sand lizard?

If there's detail to be had, I would've asked for another roll anyway. I think the initial survey was a prompted roll if I recall correctly? Regardless, yes, the only reason you spotted the lizard was due to the nat 20.



I approve of everypony getting a second wind and a restore faith per cinematic mode, but have to ask a question, just to be sure. Restoring faith will still require use of willpower, correct?

Yes, restoring faith requires a point of willpower.


Feedback:

I'd agree that the whole "When to say bye to Veriea" thing could've been handled better, but I'm not too sure how.

You and me both, brudda!



I don't think the dream was too easy to get out of, though we did sort of stumble on the answer. But then again, it wasn't meant as a trap, so it served its purpose; provided a fantastical experience for the characters, and set up some framing for the rest of their adventure. When you have another mystery meant to actual hinder the PC's, then yes, more difficulty would be appreciated.

Noted.



If I have any more thoughts, I'll post later. Final note: I shudder to think of all the crazy stuff that had to be cut just because we chose one of four branching paths. :smalleek:

There have been a few things, but nothing you can't get somewhere else.


Well, he can always use the time-honored GMing strategy of putting the encounters away and bringing them out again later. *whistles innocently*

I am shocked and appalled dear sir, I would never do such a thing!!!!

To be fair, the specific encounters won't be reused, if only to ensure your choices have some meaning, but I might save content and other stuff and deploy it in a different manner later on.

An example would be that you wouldn't be ambushed by an sand lizard for disturbing its waterhole home anymore, but you might see a sand lizard sunning itself as you walk somewhere.



As for feedback, I will say that the whole business with the memory land and even the rock monster was unexpected. I was all prepared for a bunch of survival oriented challenges, when suddenly magical constructs and ancient civilizations. Which I suppose is appropriate, since it caught Grease even more off-guard than me.

To be honest (and give useful feedback), there's both good and bad to this. Good: it really does help with roleplay when we honestly don't know any more about what's going on than our characters. When we aren't sure what the "right solution" is to a problem, we get to think up novel solutions instead.
Bad: when we're always dealing with new mysteries, there isn't as much opportunity for inter-party RP. Our characters all have opinions about the other characters, but those only manifest in subtle ways.
Then again, they have only been travelling together for a day and a half. It does make sense for it to take more time for them to get closer. Or for disagreements to emerge.

All together, more bad than good, it's just that the bad takes more explanation. I look forward to seeing what comes next.


Hmm, ok. So maybe some quiet time to talk and the like is next up on the cards. Oh hey look, we have breakfast now XD

(Also, "More bad than good", is that a typo? :smalltongue:)



As for the needless spot checks, I for one am just used to making perception checks all the time in RPGs. It's just one of those things; when you want to look for something, you roll the check. I'd be willing to drop it if it's more convenient.

Happy for you guys to keep rolling, but bear in mind that alot of those rolls won't actually accomplish anything. (Although when it does, it would save me time)



So I got +6 XP for this round. That makes 12 unspent XP, which I really should spend on something. Maybe a rank or two in Jury-Rig as a skill, since she's done a fair amount of that. Yeah, that sounds right. I'll also take a look through the book, see if there's anything else that makes sense (And check XP costs). Once I'm done that, I'll update the character sheet.

Cool, don't forget to narratively justify anything you want to level up.

[One Tin Soldier]

(Also, "More bad than good", is that a typo? :smalltongue:)


http://images.mylittlefacewhen.com/media/f/img/mlfw2608-facehoof.png

I meant "More good than bad." Stupid brain.

And I decided to just get 2 ranks of Jury-Rig. The rest of the XP will remain banked.

I also am now recording Grease's current "health" levels.

[TheAmishPirate]

Hmm. Now I just need to spend the XP. All twelve of them, as I pretty much banked everything from last time.

-I could spend 9 on increasing an attribute, leaving me two for temporary bonuses
-I could get an Ability (4 xp) which gives me a +1 whenever my Creative Talent applies, then another 4 xp on either bumping up my Painter Job or Skill, then finagle the rest.

I dunno, it seems like I'd get more out of the skills, but there have been a lot of straight Ability checks. Any thoughts?

(Justification won't be a problem; he's had a chance to exercise his abilities today, and he's certainly gotten a lot of painting practice.)

[Balmas]

Well, it depends, I suppose. Skills are much cheaper to purchase for the benefit they provide. However, they also are much more situational.

Purchases towards attributes affect your defensive stats, and are much more broadly applied.

It's a matter of taste, I suppose.



Now, I just realized something regarding Nimble Bolt's death: for such a traumatic, impactful moment, I don't really know much about it. I don't even properly know a timeline.

[Balmas]

There was a pile of stones a short distance away from the campsite; while it had the same markings and colouration as their stone friend, it was not emanating its usual blue glow.

Hmmm. Evil temptation, right there.

Option one: Leave it alone. Go to Sanctum, and hope that we don't need the guard in order to get in.

Possible downsides: skipping out on arrest, not finding or being unable to enter sanctum city. Possible retribution should Rocky wake up.
Upsides: skipping out on arrest.

Option two: Poke it until it wakes up and risk its wrath.
Possible downsides: obvious
Upsides: Hilarity ensues. Somewhat in character.

Option three: Study it. Compare markings on it to markings on Vereia's stone.
Upsides: possibly learn something new. Very in character.
Downsides: will probably lead to option two. If Rocky absorbs magical rocks, risks losing Vereia's stone.

[TheAmishPirate]

I'd say Veriea's stone is pretty safe, provided you don't do anything dumb with it. Remember, the stone golem had to spend a bit of time absorbing the stone, and it only took it when he was sure it was being offered.

Option 3 gets my vote, as it's the most in-character. And that it'll lead to potential hilarity. :smalltongue:

A question though; I thought it forgot all about the arrest? It stopped mentioning it after absorbing the rock, and it started actually answering questions. I figured it was just keeping an eye out on us.

[BlasTech]

Are you asking me? If so, I can't say much more on character motivations than 'what has been typed has been typed', lol.

I could lampshade my uninspired scene choices again if that helps? :smalltongue:

[TheAmishPirate]

More of a "Has anybody else noticed this?" question than anything.

Posts are going to be delayed, spent all day packing and I'll spend a good chunk of tomorrow moving back to college. *flop*

[Balmas]

A question though; I thought it forgot all about the arrest? It stopped mentioning it after absorbing the rock, and it started actually answering questions. I figured it was just keeping an eye out on us.

I thought that it had forgotten about his arrest for the same reasons. But then it came back for us.

[BlasTech]

More of a "Has anybody else noticed this?" question than anything.

Posts are going to be delayed, spent all day packing and I'll spend a good chunk of tomorrow moving back to college. *flop*

No worries, thanks for letting me know.

The other three can just pick up the convos for the next day or two then :smallwink:

[Balmas]

Lalala Artsy mental breakdowns lalala (http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2013/008/a/e/pitch_patch_dive_bomb_by_s_ertryon-d5qub40.png)

[BlasTech]

But I haven't done anything to him yet!!! D:

(Looks nice though)

[Balmas]

But I haven't done anything to him yet!!! D:

(Looks nice though)

Oh, so the DM is the only one who gets to throw characters into temporary insanity?

[BlasTech]

Oh, so the DM is the only one who gets to throw characters into temporary insanity?

No, but competition seriously cuts in on my recreation activities :smalltongue:

Anywhoo, I kind of want to wait a bit to see if Ravian has anything to add before putting down the ambassador's response.

While we wait, we do have some quiet time on the agenda right now; the main things to do (that I can pick out at least) are to pack up the camp and have some food.

If anyone has any particular interactions between party members; conversaton topics, or just wanting to see particular ponies interact. We can think about setting something up (e.g. by putting A and B in charge of packing up the food/tents etc or having them cook something together.).

And those poor guard NPCs are all sleeping in, lazy lazy guard NPC's.

[Balmas]

Well, DB will probably continue to examine Rocky until he "wakes up." Once that happens, he'll annoy Rinda until she gives him some answers about Griffon culture.

[TheAmishPirate]

I don't have anything in particular planned for dear Corky, which means he's free if anypony wants a scene with him. He'll default to chatting up the Ambassador otherwise.

[Ravian]

Finals are over!

I'm sorry I wasn't able to inform anyone, my school ends the semester a little later, so I've been busy cramming for exams.

Hopefully now I can post more regularly, especially since I have a computer course next semester so I can have internet access regularly during the day.

[One Tin Soldier]

Huh, that's a pretty oddly timed semester. Glad to hear that you're done finals, though!

[Balmas]

Congrats, Ravian!

[BlasTech]

Congrats, hope all the results come in well. :smallsmile:

[One Tin Soldier]

It's kind of funny. It occurred to me just as I got to the end of that post that I made Grease's brother a sculptor. If he was there with her then they could repair Mr. Rocky here in a jiffy.

Mental note: When Grease writes her next letter to Brush Stroke, mention this.

EDIT: Also, Grease is getting quite a lot of reminders of her University days this evening. At this rate, it'll be on her mind all night.

[Balmas]

I don't suppose you'd buy that Dive Bomb actually has the required ingredients for thermite in those magic saddlebags of his, would you?

http://denver.mylittlefacewhen.com/media/f/img/mlfw2835-132898039991.jpg

[BlasTech]

That miiiight be pushing the bounds of plausibility. :smalltongue:

That said, I would be interested in knowing what sort of tools Grease has in her toolkit.

[One Tin Soldier]

That miiiight be pushing the bounds of plausibility. :smalltongue:

That said, I would be interested in knowing what sort of tools Grease has in her toolkit.

I guess I can answer this before I head off to bed.

Well, I already established that she doesn't have any fancy magic instruments. I figure that those tend to be expensive, fragile, large, or any combination of the above. But she does have a bunch of simple tools, the kind you find in any toolbox worth the name. Screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers (though those would have to be almost unrecognizable for an earth pony to use, but that's beside the point), a hoof hammer, things like that. She probably has a hooffull of nuts, bolts, screws, and washers, since those tend to accumulate in toolbags. The punny Equestrian equivalents of WD-40 and a small roll of duct tape, of course. As well as her notepad and a pencil. And a few other odds and ends that you wouldn't be surprised to see there. (You never know when it it would be convenient for her to have tool X hanging around in there.)

Heh, come to think of it, maybe half the reason she's as strong as she is is because she's carrying this sun-forsakenly heavy thing with her everywhere. Like if you crammed your backpack full of textbooks every single day.

[Balmas]

Would you like a rough inventory of DB's saddlebags? Kinda prevent them turning into invisible leather Tardis's? (http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=984)

[BlasTech]

Would you like a rough inventory of DB's saddlebags? Kinda prevent them turning into invisible leather Tardis's? (http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=984)

Yeah sure. It's mostly so I can make things a little more obvious as to when they might be useful. (For note, there was one particular scene earlier where I was expecting Grease and her tools to save the day, I guess she didn't think she had it in her. :smalltongue:)

I'm sure the bags will be a least a little tardis-ish, if only because certain talents allow them to be that way. :smallwink:

Anywhoo, when you guys want me to wake up Rocky, just jiggle the mouse to get him out of sleep mode. (or let me know and I'll wake him up). From a meta standpoint, he's only still asleep so you can have a bit of quiet time to meet the ambassador without other NPC's interfering.

[Balmas]

Ah! When I saw a golem companion, I somewhat understood it to be another challenge. Sore of, "In order to proceed, you must find a way to wake up your companion."

Anyway, these are just some things that I'm certain he has. Other things may find their way in

Left Saddlebag (Blue with dictionary clasp)

Sparklers: Pretty much as many as are needed.
Fireworks: A small number, of varying size, shape, and display. Most are fairly small-yield.
String of firecrackers
Flares: He probably has two or three of these.
Dynamite: Very carefully wrapped. He only has one or two sticks' worth.
Jars of various chemicals, such as aluminum powder, magnesium, sulfur, saltpeter, etc.
Paper tubes, small sticks, fuses.


Right Saddlebag (Burgundy, triple-lightning-bolt clasp}

Blue Wonderbolts scarf
Picture of family
Vereia's stone
Notebook
Pencil and Pen (one each.)
Cotton Balls and Gauze
Rubbing alcohol
Smelling Salts
Ipecac
Antacids
Caffeine pills (the true source of the Tireless talent.)
Cough medicine
Small bottles of various medicine for common illnesses.
Aloe vera / burn ointment.
very small lens

[Balmas]

*looks at Drawfriend header*

Hey, that looks almost like...

*looks closer*

Totally is.

Massively huge image.
http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2013/010/4/2/the_world_snake_by_morevespenegas-d5r2019.png

[One Tin Soldier]

Yesssssss. Excellent. Though it took me a moment to realize that the snake's head wasn't small, it was just really far away.

[Balmas]

More and more, I wonder how Iggy made it through guard school...

[BlasTech]

Awesome picture, the world needs more dangerous business fanart really :smallbiggrin:

[Balmas]

The sled still held a large supply of food and a smaller supply of water and other materials. The stretcher could indeed be used to bear some additional weight now that it was no longer being used to ferry an unconscious griffon. The only downside to this would be that the two stretchers bearers would have to work together to keep the load balanced while they walked.

There is a not-so-small sadistic portion of me that wants to put Crown and Dive Bomb in the stretcher together. Is there something wrong with me?

[TheAmishPirate]

There is a not-so-small sadistic portion of me that wants to put Crown and Dive Bomb in the stretcher together. Is there something wrong with me?

...it would be rather good payback for all the perceived slights, and if you play your cards right, it shouldn't be that hard to get him onto the sled.

*whistles innocently*

[Balmas]

No, you misunderstand; I'm being sadistic towards my own character.

And besides, DB has little to no social manipulation skills. Maybe if he were to imply that Rinda ought to be helping to guard, and so can't be in the harness with Dive Bomb? Pair that with a note of how observant Soot is, or perhaps depend on Crown's own masculine pride...

[TheAmishPirate]

Either way, it'd be a hilarious character interaction. I'm too sleepy to figure out exactly how it could happen, but it certainly could.

EDIT: Well, if Igneous decides that he should be on guard duty (try to uphold the honor of the Royal Guard and all that after the train fiasco), then that just leaves the four PCs. If Grease Spot is on the sled, then that leaves two ponies out of Crown Cork, Dive Bomb, and Soot to manage the stretcher.

And what Cork would let a little filly carry his things? :smallamused:

[BlasTech]

Both guards are still rather sleepy, and are thus extra suggestible to whatever you guys want them to do re: the sled/stretcher.

[BlasTech]

Mmmm, more Dangerous Business Fanart

http://th09.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/i/2013/014/6/5/home_ahead_by_gonedreamer-d5ri5ia.png

[Balmas]

Mmmm, more Dangerous Business Fanart

http://th09.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/i/2013/014/6/5/home_ahead_by_gonedreamer-d5ri5ia.png

It's getting to the point where I feel like I might actually need a Dangerous Business subfolder in my pony art folder. Having been a long-time fan of Brian Jacques, I really appreciate the style in which DB is written.