File: 1348685372519.png (342.41 KB, 1075x968, index.png)
>The sun is setting. So begins another night.
It is not long since the battle of the Necroponelis - a short but devastating campaign that saw great losses among Canterlot's ranks. Great monuments will be erected in the memory of those heroes who served their crown and home with diligence and honour to the last.
But not all will be buried as heroes and legends.
For there are those who will have no monuments, funerals or graves.
Ghosts not acknowledged by any official source, and whose existence is denied by all in power.
Yet whose deeds that day were perhaps more important than the deeds of any soldier.
The Royal Lordblades.
And chief among these losses, was Cloak, one of the Twin Spies who served as Celestia's eyes and ears.
Now her brother, Dagger, remains alone to lead his order.
But he has somepony new at his side now.
And it is time the order meets her.
Two hooded figures silently slid through the shadows of Canterlot's underbelly.
Under the immaculately paved roads and lavish palaces, lies a network of old tunnels, forgotten buildings, uncharted caves and redundant storm drains.
A maze of forgotten trash to any who would step hoof in Canterlot.
But home to a certain chosen elite, who found the safest of all hideouts among that which the world had discarded.
Leading the way is a pony who knows these winding paths like the insides of his eyelids.
A pony who has seen as many secrets as he has seen deaths.
A pony who lived life as one half of an unbreakable duo.
Dagger of the Lordblades.
Following him, perhaps a bit skittishly, is a more slender, younger pony.
Who is about to make a big splash in the silent, still pool that is the Royal Lordblades.
It is not long since the battle of the Necroponelis - a short but devastating campaign that saw great losses among Canterlot's ranks. Great monuments will be erected in the memory of those heroes who served their crown and home with diligence and honour to the last.
But not all will be buried as heroes and legends.
For there are those who will have no monuments, funerals or graves.
Ghosts not acknowledged by any official source, and whose existence is denied by all in power.
Yet whose deeds that day were perhaps more important than the deeds of any soldier.
The Royal Lordblades.
And chief among these losses, was Cloak, one of the Twin Spies who served as Celestia's eyes and ears.
Now her brother, Dagger, remains alone to lead his order.
But he has somepony new at his side now.
And it is time the order meets her.
Two hooded figures silently slid through the shadows of Canterlot's underbelly.
Under the immaculately paved roads and lavish palaces, lies a network of old tunnels, forgotten buildings, uncharted caves and redundant storm drains.
A maze of forgotten trash to any who would step hoof in Canterlot.
But home to a certain chosen elite, who found the safest of all hideouts among that which the world had discarded.
Leading the way is a pony who knows these winding paths like the insides of his eyelids.
A pony who has seen as many secrets as he has seen deaths.
A pony who lived life as one half of an unbreakable duo.
Dagger of the Lordblades.
Following him, perhaps a bit skittishly, is a more slender, younger pony.
Who is about to make a big splash in the silent, still pool that is the Royal Lordblades.
>>130498
The hole opens up to a small pit at the center of a large circular room. Overall the shape is a bit like a funnel, and leaves whoever emerges from the door extremely prone to attacks.
Dagger climbs up and sits down by the hole, then helps you up.
Through the room is as black as the night, and as silent as a grave, you can sense dozens of eyes staring out at you from the shadows.
The hole opens up to a small pit at the center of a large circular room. Overall the shape is a bit like a funnel, and leaves whoever emerges from the door extremely prone to attacks.
Dagger climbs up and sits down by the hole, then helps you up.
Through the room is as black as the night, and as silent as a grave, you can sense dozens of eyes staring out at you from the shadows.
>>130507
>Now, we introduce the newest of the order.
Cloak vanishes and appears somewhere in the deep shadow, his usual sharp whisper replaced with an equally piercing, if much more powerful tone.
>ROYAL LORDBLADES. RISE AND GREET THE NEWEST OF OUR RANKS.
A loud, synchronous woosh sound is heard as all those present stand up at once
>BEHOLD THE ONE WHO WILL REPLACE MY BROTHER. THOUGH HIS DEEDS WILL BE HARD TO MATCH, AND WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN, SHE HAS PROVED HERSELF WORTHY OF THIS POST.
For a brief second, Dagger reappears by you
>Go on, introduce yourself to the order
He then vanishes away again
>Now, we introduce the newest of the order.
Cloak vanishes and appears somewhere in the deep shadow, his usual sharp whisper replaced with an equally piercing, if much more powerful tone.
>ROYAL LORDBLADES. RISE AND GREET THE NEWEST OF OUR RANKS.
A loud, synchronous woosh sound is heard as all those present stand up at once
>BEHOLD THE ONE WHO WILL REPLACE MY BROTHER. THOUGH HIS DEEDS WILL BE HARD TO MATCH, AND WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN, SHE HAS PROVED HERSELF WORTHY OF THIS POST.
For a brief second, Dagger reappears by you
>Go on, introduce yourself to the order
He then vanishes away again
>>130515
There is a slight murmur among the shadows
"And what, Goldentail, makes you worthy of Grandmaster Cloak's title?"
"…she looks awfully young"
"So did you when you started, deary"
"Are you saying I'm getting old?"
"I'm saying you no longer need to disguise as a decrepit old mare"
"A newcomer"
"Oh yes, how lovely"
"Hush you two."
There is a slight murmur among the shadows
"And what, Goldentail, makes you worthy of Grandmaster Cloak's title?"
"…she looks awfully young"
"So did you when you started, deary"
"Are you saying I'm getting old?"
"I'm saying you no longer need to disguise as a decrepit old mare"
"A newcomer"
"Oh yes, how lovely"
"Hush you two."
>>130527
A large pony walks out of the shadows.
He seems to be stepping a bit oddly on his left side. The insignias on his clothing are the same Cloak and Dagger wore, and which also appear on the blades Dagger gave you.
He walks around you, inspecting you
"Ya don't look like a dragonslayer ta me, missy."
A large pony walks out of the shadows.
He seems to be stepping a bit oddly on his left side. The insignias on his clothing are the same Cloak and Dagger wore, and which also appear on the blades Dagger gave you.
He walks around you, inspecting you
"Ya don't look like a dragonslayer ta me, missy."
>>130556
>>130559
The large pony takes a confident swing at Dawn, who vanishes with a smirk.
As the other pony waves away the smoke, Dawn drops on him and smacks his face on the ground.
"One after the grand master's teachings I see. Well… one tricks wont be enough for everything!"
He tries another attack
Rolled 8 = 8
>>130559
The large pony takes a confident swing at Dawn, who vanishes with a smirk.
As the other pony waves away the smoke, Dawn drops on him and smacks his face on the ground.
"One after the grand master's teachings I see. Well… one tricks wont be enough for everything!"
He tries another attack
Rolled 8 = 8
>>130567
>>130568
Your push does little to stop him and he shoves you down. However before he can slash you with an overhead blow, Dagger reappears between you
>Timberhooves. Enough. I know she is damn well qualified.
The larger rogue backs down
"Yes, Grandmaster. Your word is the law of our order."
Dagger helps you up
>THOUGH YOUNG, SHE HAS PERFORMED DEEDS WE CAN ONLY DREAM OF. LET US WELCOME HER WITH OPEN HOOVES AND FIERY HEARTS! TO DAWN!
As the hall bursts into a reasonable cheer, small candles begin to light the area, revealing the rows and rows of assassins, spies, thieves and others who make up the ranks of the Royal Lordblades.
Dagger gives you a quick smile
>Welcome to the family.
IF EVERYONE DIDN'T LEAVE YET, YOU CAN HOP IN NOW TO TALK WITH THE NEWCOMER.
I WILL BE LEAVING SOON
>>130568
Your push does little to stop him and he shoves you down. However before he can slash you with an overhead blow, Dagger reappears between you
>Timberhooves. Enough. I know she is damn well qualified.
The larger rogue backs down
"Yes, Grandmaster. Your word is the law of our order."
Dagger helps you up
>THOUGH YOUNG, SHE HAS PERFORMED DEEDS WE CAN ONLY DREAM OF. LET US WELCOME HER WITH OPEN HOOVES AND FIERY HEARTS! TO DAWN!
As the hall bursts into a reasonable cheer, small candles begin to light the area, revealing the rows and rows of assassins, spies, thieves and others who make up the ranks of the Royal Lordblades.
Dagger gives you a quick smile
>Welcome to the family.
IF EVERYONE DIDN'T LEAVE YET, YOU CAN HOP IN NOW TO TALK WITH THE NEWCOMER.
I WILL BE LEAVING SOON
>>130572
The largest of a trio of Lordblades knocks you off the beam
"Keep it on the down low while you still got a voice, dog."
He is rather well armoured for a rogue, and shares notable similarities to the two behind him. Perhaps they are siblings. The smaller ones resemble a mage and a street performer more than anything else.
The largest of a trio of Lordblades knocks you off the beam
"Keep it on the down low while you still got a voice, dog."
He is rather well armoured for a rogue, and shares notable similarities to the two behind him. Perhaps they are siblings. The smaller ones resemble a mage and a street performer more than anything else.
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Seeing durante quiet and me being pushed around, I stand up and then approach the newcomer and stare at Dawn with the most menacing glare I can musterintimidate roll.
"You are now in the LordBlades, how cunning are ya!"
Rolled 7 = 7
"You are now in the LordBlades, how cunning are ya!"
Rolled 7 = 7
>>130598
>>130599
I bow deeply and take off my feathery hat, then kiss Dagger forcibly on both his cheeks
"My name is Durante! Piacere di conoscerti!"
Take out one of my daggers
"These knives, they don't only kill! They also make di fantastico food! What kind of food do you like? Di pasta? Di pizza? Di salato?"
>>130599
I bow deeply and take off my feathery hat, then kiss Dagger forcibly on both his cheeks
"My name is Durante! Piacere di conoscerti!"
Take out one of my daggers
"These knives, they don't only kill! They also make di fantastico food! What kind of food do you like? Di pasta? Di pizza? Di salato?"
>>131946
>Thank you for the permission.
Dagger straightens the lordblade insignia on his sash and turns to the others
>As you know, Cloak and I needed to enact a purge among our ranks not too long ago to root out spies and traitors who had forsaken Celestia out of fear and greed. Those who had joined the death cult of Ironhide, or worse yet, the necromancer servants of Strife.
A slight murmur erupts among the Lordblades again
>BUT. As effective as this dark work was, we did not emerge entirely victorious. Several of our relics were stolen, and we fear information regarding our order has been taken as well, to be sold to the highest bidders. This will not stand. We must go and recover all that was lost, and destroy the remnants of those who deceived and betrayed us, along with their paymasters.
The murmur becomes louder
"Do we have names? Faces?"
"What was taken?"
"BLOOD! BLOOD FOR THEIR CRIMES!"
>SILENCE! I will brief you all more closely soon. But before that, let it be known that a faltering heart could doom this entire order, and through it, all of Canterlot. I will not allow another greedy coward or honourless traitor among these ranks. Those found wanting will be dealt with. Mark my words.
Dagger clears his throat
>Of the things stolen, the Icewood Bow and Crystal of Shadows are the most valuable. If we can trace either, we will be on a good trail.
>Thank you for the permission.
Dagger straightens the lordblade insignia on his sash and turns to the others
>As you know, Cloak and I needed to enact a purge among our ranks not too long ago to root out spies and traitors who had forsaken Celestia out of fear and greed. Those who had joined the death cult of Ironhide, or worse yet, the necromancer servants of Strife.
A slight murmur erupts among the Lordblades again
>BUT. As effective as this dark work was, we did not emerge entirely victorious. Several of our relics were stolen, and we fear information regarding our order has been taken as well, to be sold to the highest bidders. This will not stand. We must go and recover all that was lost, and destroy the remnants of those who deceived and betrayed us, along with their paymasters.
The murmur becomes louder
"Do we have names? Faces?"
"What was taken?"
"BLOOD! BLOOD FOR THEIR CRIMES!"
>SILENCE! I will brief you all more closely soon. But before that, let it be known that a faltering heart could doom this entire order, and through it, all of Canterlot. I will not allow another greedy coward or honourless traitor among these ranks. Those found wanting will be dealt with. Mark my words.
Dagger clears his throat
>Of the things stolen, the Icewood Bow and Crystal of Shadows are the most valuable. If we can trace either, we will be on a good trail.
>>132005
>I know of a few who were connected to known cultists during the Ironhide disaster. Most notably among them a few of the professors of the Mage Academy, and some of the guards.
>>132010
>If you require a history lesson, the bow is a trophy taken by one of the first of our order in a battle that helped define the role of the Lordblades forever. Though not magical, the bow is a symbol of the lordblades as much as the insignias we wear.
>The Crystal is more functional, being a reward of past services. It allowed us to keep watch over Canterlot, giving us magical eyes in the darkness to oversee our home. Without it, we are blinded to what goes on above.
>>132011
Dagger's voice seems to lose a lot of it's piercing edge when he talks to you
>The trail needs to be picked up somehow. For example we could try to pose as buyers in the right places to lure out our targets.
>>132013
>We must pick a starting place. Be it the mage academy, the guard keep, or the known black markets.
>I know of a few who were connected to known cultists during the Ironhide disaster. Most notably among them a few of the professors of the Mage Academy, and some of the guards.
>>132010
>If you require a history lesson, the bow is a trophy taken by one of the first of our order in a battle that helped define the role of the Lordblades forever. Though not magical, the bow is a symbol of the lordblades as much as the insignias we wear.
>The Crystal is more functional, being a reward of past services. It allowed us to keep watch over Canterlot, giving us magical eyes in the darkness to oversee our home. Without it, we are blinded to what goes on above.
>>132011
Dagger's voice seems to lose a lot of it's piercing edge when he talks to you
>The trail needs to be picked up somehow. For example we could try to pose as buyers in the right places to lure out our targets.
>>132013
>We must pick a starting place. Be it the mage academy, the guard keep, or the known black markets.
>>132055
>The Black Markets are a bit more subtle. Ofter operating out of noble houses or abandoned buildings by courier. I know where to find one of said couriers if we need to.
>If we go for the guards, we will need to be careful. The Captain is not entirely happy with the amount of traitors we've exposed in his ranks, and it is unlikely he will play nice if he catches our intentions.
>If we head for the mages, we will have help on the inside from the Archmage, Dustbunny. However the mages, though fragile, are prone to admit false testimony if they feel too scared.
>The Black Markets are a bit more subtle. Ofter operating out of noble houses or abandoned buildings by courier. I know where to find one of said couriers if we need to.
>If we go for the guards, we will need to be careful. The Captain is not entirely happy with the amount of traitors we've exposed in his ranks, and it is unlikely he will play nice if he catches our intentions.
>If we head for the mages, we will have help on the inside from the Archmage, Dustbunny. However the mages, though fragile, are prone to admit false testimony if they feel too scared.
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>>132118
>>132120
>Yes.
>>132119
>We don't need him, we need his information.
>>132121
>>132123
>>132129
Dagger walks to hole in the center of the floor and hops in.
The rest follow and after a trek through the winding corridors, emerge into the cool Canterlot night.
>The courier will cross through that street there. We can either jump him, try to get his bag without harming him, or come up with another plan.
A dirty hobo is sleeping nearby
>>132120
>Yes.
>>132119
>We don't need him, we need his information.
>>132121
>>132123
>>132129
Dagger walks to hole in the center of the floor and hops in.
The rest follow and after a trek through the winding corridors, emerge into the cool Canterlot night.
>The courier will cross through that street there. We can either jump him, try to get his bag without harming him, or come up with another plan.
A dirty hobo is sleeping nearby
>>132134
>>132142
"Hu? Wussat? Ay not ya facks agan… Noit missa Dagga ser, goodtameetcha!"
>Hello old friend. Sleeping well?
"Awas enna yerlot came clatterin"
>Sorry about that
"Snothin ser."
>>132136
>That could be a plan. And you look just the part for a simple mugger.
>>132137
>We spill the blood of the guilty and leave no bodies unless an example must be made. This is not the place to make one.
>>132143
>Were it so easy there would be no couriers. These are clever bastards, often keeping hidden tricks on themselves.
>>132147
You climb up a drainpipe and lay low on a nearby rooftop.
>>132142
"Hu? Wussat? Ay not ya facks agan… Noit missa Dagga ser, goodtameetcha!"
>Hello old friend. Sleeping well?
"Awas enna yerlot came clatterin"
>Sorry about that
"Snothin ser."
>>132136
>That could be a plan. And you look just the part for a simple mugger.
>>132137
>We spill the blood of the guilty and leave no bodies unless an example must be made. This is not the place to make one.
>>132143
>Were it so easy there would be no couriers. These are clever bastards, often keeping hidden tricks on themselves.
>>132147
You climb up a drainpipe and lay low on a nearby rooftop.
>>132155
You do find one.
After lifting the cover with great effort and looking like a big silly, you hide down there.
>>132156
>It took me and Cloak the best part of a week to catch one of them, and even then it turned out to be only a mirror image. As I said, these are crafty ponies.
>>132158
You just brush up to Dagger
He's so big and strong~ surely nobody will notive you if you stand behind him.
>>132162
>The dog can help you
>>132165
You are bad at multitasking it seems. As you talk, you bash your head onto a balcony in mid flight and fall back down.
>>132171
You sit down on a pile of muck and do your best to pretend to be a sack of trash or something.
"Yernat onnadem smartotaips arya dogge?"
The hobo gives you a condescending smile
You do find one.
After lifting the cover with great effort and looking like a big silly, you hide down there.
>>132156
>It took me and Cloak the best part of a week to catch one of them, and even then it turned out to be only a mirror image. As I said, these are crafty ponies.
>>132158
You just brush up to Dagger
He's so big and strong~ surely nobody will notive you if you stand behind him.
>>132162
>The dog can help you
>>132165
You are bad at multitasking it seems. As you talk, you bash your head onto a balcony in mid flight and fall back down.
>>132171
You sit down on a pile of muck and do your best to pretend to be a sack of trash or something.
"Yernat onnadem smartotaips arya dogge?"
The hobo gives you a condescending smile
>>132178
See that's so hard if you just actually pay attention.
You hide on the roof like the black cat of ill fortune.
>>132179
His ass is obscured by his outfit.
You cannot determine how nice it is.
>>132182
You lurk into the dark shadows behind some discarded boards.
Dawn's ass is squarely in view.
>>132184
>>132185
three ponies seem to be running down the road.
>>132190
The hobo leans on your hiding pile and starts snoring
See that's so hard if you just actually pay attention.
You hide on the roof like the black cat of ill fortune.
>>132179
His ass is obscured by his outfit.
You cannot determine how nice it is.
>>132182
You lurk into the dark shadows behind some discarded boards.
Dawn's ass is squarely in view.
>>132184
>>132185
three ponies seem to be running down the road.
>>132190
The hobo leans on your hiding pile and starts snoring
>>132212
You hide in the alley nearby.
It is a fine hiding place but you are almost sitting on Durante now.
>>132213
You push three small stones off the rooftop.
None of the couriers react, and keep their straight line.
>>132218
You are more focused on the turd stuck to your leg.
Damn sewers.
The couriers will pass the party in one more turn
You hide in the alley nearby.
It is a fine hiding place but you are almost sitting on Durante now.
>>132213
You push three small stones off the rooftop.
None of the couriers react, and keep their straight line.
>>132218
You are more focused on the turd stuck to your leg.
Damn sewers.
The couriers will pass the party in one more turn
>>132246
>>132247
You can't even catch a glimpse.
Dagger seems deeply displeased.
>>132248
He's a Unicorn alright.
He proves it by jabbing his horn in your eye.
>>132253
You push the second courier down and hold him
>>132254
You make an educated guess and actually manage to catch a glimpse of the fleeing courier. Thinking fast, you throw a knife into his leg, making it bleed.
It's not much, but maybe the trail will help.
>>132247
You can't even catch a glimpse.
Dagger seems deeply displeased.
>>132248
He's a Unicorn alright.
He proves it by jabbing his horn in your eye.
>>132253
You push the second courier down and hold him
>>132254
You make an educated guess and actually manage to catch a glimpse of the fleeing courier. Thinking fast, you throw a knife into his leg, making it bleed.
It's not much, but maybe the trail will help.
>>132288
>>132291
>>132295
>Mirror image. Advanced illusion magic. Very clever.
>>132287
"I value my life too much to do that"
>>132289
"A dog? You crooks are lower than I thought."
>>132290
>Not surprising. That just leaves one question. Is he the real one, or is this one
Dagger points at the pinned down courier
>>132291
>>132295
>Mirror image. Advanced illusion magic. Very clever.
>>132287
"I value my life too much to do that"
>>132289
"A dog? You crooks are lower than I thought."
>>132290
>Not surprising. That just leaves one question. Is he the real one, or is this one
Dagger points at the pinned down courier
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>>132362
You tie your legs together and fall over
>>132341
>>132340
>>132337
>>132335
The shadowy figure turns to look at you all.
She seems to be a slenderly built mare pegasus clad in a uniform not entirely unlike that of Dagger. Only hers is more silvery, and adorned with symbols of the crescent moon.
Dagger's eyes narrow a little
>You.
"Dagger? It's been quite a while~"
WHO IS SHE?
WHAT IS THEIR HISTORY?
FIND OUT NEXT TIME
You tie your legs together and fall over
>>132341
>>132340
>>132337
>>132335
The shadowy figure turns to look at you all.
She seems to be a slenderly built mare pegasus clad in a uniform not entirely unlike that of Dagger. Only hers is more silvery, and adorned with symbols of the crescent moon.
Dagger's eyes narrow a little
>You.
"Dagger? It's been quite a while~"
WHO IS SHE?
WHAT IS THEIR HISTORY?
FIND OUT NEXT TIME