File: 1390241120919.jpg (37.23 KB, 720x480, midnight guard.jpg, IO Exif Google TinEye)
And so with pants in hand and tender butts, our heroes left on the next leg of their journey. Good planning and preparation paid off, and the trip was mainly uneventful. Not many landmarks were passed, save for a couple of sleepy farms and a lone church near some woods. But as the terrain turned rockier and steeper, Cloudcover knew he was right on track. Bare Hill was not far now, and it seemed that the party was not the only group headed there. Not too far from you, three other ponies were walking in the same direction.
You could easily get their attention, or eavesdrop on them with a little finesse.
You could easily get their attention, or eavesdrop on them with a little finesse.
>>521390
"It's fine, Blossom. We met them earlier."
>>521388
>>521389
>>521391
>>521392
"It's a small world, it seems."
Lady Blazing's guard lowers his shield and backs off as she steps forward
"We've come here to claim my heirloom. If you wish to help, I won't object to that. But please try to remember it is rightfully mine."
"It's fine, Blossom. We met them earlier."
>>521388
>>521389
>>521391
>>521392
"It's a small world, it seems."
Lady Blazing's guard lowers his shield and backs off as she steps forward
"We've come here to claim my heirloom. If you wish to help, I won't object to that. But please try to remember it is rightfully mine."
>>521396
She wouldn't think of taking it off.
And she stays well behind Dulltooth like a shadow.
>>521397
>>521398
"My information came from Calming Breeze. He assured me what I sought was being stored in this mine, and permitted me and Sunsong to split from his group to come after it while he and the others went to retrieve another lost symbol of power. Indeed we already managed to obtain one of them before splitting up. While it holds no value to me, Calming says it should pay him well."
>>521394
"If it's money you're after, perhaps I can be of some assistance. If you have found one of the artifacts, I could… buy it off you and have it sent home for secure storage. You get paid and no longer need to worry about it, and Calming can later claim the reward for it in Canterlot.
Everypony wins."
She wouldn't think of taking it off.
And she stays well behind Dulltooth like a shadow.
>>521397
>>521398
"My information came from Calming Breeze. He assured me what I sought was being stored in this mine, and permitted me and Sunsong to split from his group to come after it while he and the others went to retrieve another lost symbol of power. Indeed we already managed to obtain one of them before splitting up. While it holds no value to me, Calming says it should pay him well."
>>521394
"If it's money you're after, perhaps I can be of some assistance. If you have found one of the artifacts, I could… buy it off you and have it sent home for secure storage. You get paid and no longer need to worry about it, and Calming can later claim the reward for it in Canterlot.
Everypony wins."
>>521400
>>521401
"We can make camp and discuss payment if that is desired."
>>521402
>>521403
"For all we know, it's just a mine"
Cloudcover interjects
"That may have been converted to act as an illegal storage facility"
Blazing dismisses this
"Still, I doubt we'll be seeing traps."
>>521404
She gives a worried nod
>>521401
"We can make camp and discuss payment if that is desired."
>>521402
>>521403
"For all we know, it's just a mine"
Cloudcover interjects
"That may have been converted to act as an illegal storage facility"
Blazing dismisses this
"Still, I doubt we'll be seeing traps."
>>521404
She gives a worried nod
>>521436
"Oh, I see.."
Glance over at the mare.
>>521437
Then chuckle softly, bringing a hoof to cover my mouth.
>>521440
"Milady, there should be no problems entering the mine from here.
We should just be wary of potential cave ins or evil exhalations in the lower reaches.
Some times the miners dig too deep, and no pony can stand the stenches…"
"Oh, I see.."
Glance over at the mare.
>>521437
Then chuckle softly, bringing a hoof to cover my mouth.
>>521440
"Milady, there should be no problems entering the mine from here.
We should just be wary of potential cave ins or evil exhalations in the lower reaches.
Some times the miners dig too deep, and no pony can stand the stenches…"
Feel free to chat up the newcomer for now
NEXT TIME ON MIDBUTTS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39qZg14mgsg
NEXT TIME ON MIDBUTTS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39qZg14mgsg
And so you were all ready to enter Bare Hill.
Cloudcover goes through his maps one final time
"There are two possible entrances. The one right over there, and one more on the other side of the hill. The old mine town is not far either, and may contain maps of the place. However, odds are there are maps in the mine itself as well.
While we have no exact information on what awaits us down there, I'm guessing it's thugs and smugglers.
Any questions?"
Cloudcover goes through his maps one final time
"There are two possible entrances. The one right over there, and one more on the other side of the hill. The old mine town is not far either, and may contain maps of the place. However, odds are there are maps in the mine itself as well.
While we have no exact information on what awaits us down there, I'm guessing it's thugs and smugglers.
Any questions?"
>>523024
>>523034
There is no door because the door has been bashed clean off its hinges. Someone came in here with considerable force.
As for possible sentries, it seems they all left in a hurry quite some time ago, and headed deeper into the mine. This is obvious from the fact that there is some slightly stale partially eaten food on a crate nearby, along with lanterns, but all the weapon racks are empty.
There are also hoofprints here. Many. A lot more than there were sentries.
You are not the first party to come in here.
>>523036
You are all smiles.
In fact, you look downright adorable.
>>523034
There is no door because the door has been bashed clean off its hinges. Someone came in here with considerable force.
As for possible sentries, it seems they all left in a hurry quite some time ago, and headed deeper into the mine. This is obvious from the fact that there is some slightly stale partially eaten food on a crate nearby, along with lanterns, but all the weapon racks are empty.
There are also hoofprints here. Many. A lot more than there were sentries.
You are not the first party to come in here.
>>523036
You are all smiles.
In fact, you look downright adorable.
>>523042
Looks like these lanterns have no oil left. They were probably left on when the sentries rushed off.
>>523040
>>523041
>>523043
>>523044
"Visibility will be bad inside, but keep your ears open. Echoes can carry a lot of information."
>>523045
Not much around, save for a knife left stuck to a dartboard.
There is only a single way deeper in for now. It doesn't seem lit however. Possibly to maintain the illusion that this place is abandoned.
Looks like these lanterns have no oil left. They were probably left on when the sentries rushed off.
>>523040
>>523041
>>523043
>>523044
"Visibility will be bad inside, but keep your ears open. Echoes can carry a lot of information."
>>523045
Not much around, save for a knife left stuck to a dartboard.
There is only a single way deeper in for now. It doesn't seem lit however. Possibly to maintain the illusion that this place is abandoned.
>>523058
Your outfit seems to be less than willing to remain silent.
>>523053
She looks at it with mild hesitation but then hides it under her cloak
>>523048
>>523049
Faint echoes of hoofsteps and shouting can be detected. From the sound of it, it's coming from deep inside the mine.
After a considerable length of pitch black darkness, you come upon a shack of some sort. Possibly a guard house or checkpoint set up by mine bandits. However, there doesn't seem to be anyone here.
Your outfit seems to be less than willing to remain silent.
>>523053
She looks at it with mild hesitation but then hides it under her cloak
>>523048
>>523049
Faint echoes of hoofsteps and shouting can be detected. From the sound of it, it's coming from deep inside the mine.
After a considerable length of pitch black darkness, you come upon a shack of some sort. Possibly a guard house or checkpoint set up by mine bandits. However, there doesn't seem to be anyone here.
>>523070
A map of the mine, along with some notes
>>523072
Well maybe it was your cavernous calcified vagina then.
>>523074
Strangely, not all of these hoofprints look… normal. Indeed you can't even tell what made them.
>>523075
You bash your head on the shack door.
Nothing happens. The door is labeled [PULL]
>>523076
It seems dark and empty. In fact the noises seem to only get more distant.
A map of the mine, along with some notes
>>523072
Well maybe it was your cavernous calcified vagina then.
>>523074
Strangely, not all of these hoofprints look… normal. Indeed you can't even tell what made them.
>>523075
You bash your head on the shack door.
Nothing happens. The door is labeled [PULL]
>>523076
It seems dark and empty. In fact the noises seem to only get more distant.
>>523079
There are no normal hooves.
In fact, they are closer to strange feet.
>>523081
>>523082
>>523093
The map indicates there is still an inner checkpoint down this tunnel before entering the main mine area.
Judging from the markings, it seems some of the tunnels have been excavated further into living quarters, while others are reserved for storage.
The rear exit features similar barricades.
"Looks like our assumption was right. This place is another storage facility."
>>523097
They seem malformed, possibly possessing toes or even claws.
There are no normal hooves.
In fact, they are closer to strange feet.
>>523081
>>523082
>>523093
The map indicates there is still an inner checkpoint down this tunnel before entering the main mine area.
Judging from the markings, it seems some of the tunnels have been excavated further into living quarters, while others are reserved for storage.
The rear exit features similar barricades.
"Looks like our assumption was right. This place is another storage facility."
>>523097
They seem malformed, possibly possessing toes or even claws.
>>523103
They are weird. Nothing like you've ever seen before.
>>523109
"Weird looking.
More worried about the noise. Sounds like dogs."
>>523099
"We are all on the same hunt here. I'm not about to turn back or turn down help in the face of a little unexpected adversity."
>>523130
>>523126
You head in deeper.
Worryingly, there is still no sign of anyone. No bandits, no guards, no weirdos with strange feet. Nothing.
They are weird. Nothing like you've ever seen before.
>>523109
"Weird looking.
More worried about the noise. Sounds like dogs."
>>523099
"We are all on the same hunt here. I'm not about to turn back or turn down help in the face of a little unexpected adversity."
>>523130
>>523126
You head in deeper.
Worryingly, there is still no sign of anyone. No bandits, no guards, no weirdos with strange feet. Nothing.
>>523177
>>523172
>>523168
>>523167
And so you head further down, the sense of dread only rising as you realize there is some heavy damage on the walls and floor, possibly left by some impossibly strong creature clawing at the stone.
You reach the last gate after passing numerous warnings about the dangers of cave-ins. The gate itself is an iron grid which had later been reinforced with heavy timbers.
And more recently, been nearly torn in half. Something REALLY wanted to get in there…
>>523172
>>523168
>>523167
And so you head further down, the sense of dread only rising as you realize there is some heavy damage on the walls and floor, possibly left by some impossibly strong creature clawing at the stone.
You reach the last gate after passing numerous warnings about the dangers of cave-ins. The gate itself is an iron grid which had later been reinforced with heavy timbers.
And more recently, been nearly torn in half. Something REALLY wanted to get in there…
Passing the destroyed gate in a hurry, you take a look on the other side.
The sight stops Cloudcover and Blazing in their tracks - what once was a solid mine dug into a mountainside has collapsed into a deep mess of tunnels leading downwards from a single crater, as if someone had undermined the entire main shaft and dropped it into a…
"…diamond dog burrow. A massive one."
"I guess the dogs that once owned this land came to take it back."
The sight stops Cloudcover and Blazing in their tracks - what once was a solid mine dug into a mountainside has collapsed into a deep mess of tunnels leading downwards from a single crater, as if someone had undermined the entire main shaft and dropped it into a…
"…diamond dog burrow. A massive one."
"I guess the dogs that once owned this land came to take it back."
>>523308
"Is dogs. From looks of tunnels, large pack. Very large. Tunnels made for many dogs to move at once, or large cargo.
If they came to reclaim this place, they did well."
>>523309
"Is unlikely. We not smell like them. After so long among ponies, we easy to pick out.
Oh good side, if they can dig here, so can we."
>>523301
>>523311
>>523314
Cloudcover nods as he peers into the tunnels below
"They have other things to worry about than just us. Whatever monster broke through those gates is somewhere down there, and there may still be bandit survivors holding out against them. That can buy us time and distractions.
However, we may need to take one alive to learn how to navigate this mess. They probably took whatever valuables were in the bandit dens, so we may need to locate the dog treasure hoard."
"Is dogs. From looks of tunnels, large pack. Very large. Tunnels made for many dogs to move at once, or large cargo.
If they came to reclaim this place, they did well."
>>523309
"Is unlikely. We not smell like them. After so long among ponies, we easy to pick out.
Oh good side, if they can dig here, so can we."
>>523301
>>523311
>>523314
Cloudcover nods as he peers into the tunnels below
"They have other things to worry about than just us. Whatever monster broke through those gates is somewhere down there, and there may still be bandit survivors holding out against them. That can buy us time and distractions.
However, we may need to take one alive to learn how to navigate this mess. They probably took whatever valuables were in the bandit dens, so we may need to locate the dog treasure hoard."
>>523338
"Seems like most roads lead to dogs. If this anything like usual burrow, it contain some form of center all tunnels branch from.
Also, exit must exist somewhere. They came from underneath, not from door."
>>523333
>>523327
"So be it then. It seems they have set up some lights down there so we can at least see without revealing ourselves too much.
Keep your ears open and watch the shadows on the walls. I have a feeling there is more going on than is immediately apparent."
"Seems like most roads lead to dogs. If this anything like usual burrow, it contain some form of center all tunnels branch from.
Also, exit must exist somewhere. They came from underneath, not from door."
>>523333
>>523327
"So be it then. It seems they have set up some lights down there so we can at least see without revealing ourselves too much.
Keep your ears open and watch the shadows on the walls. I have a feeling there is more going on than is immediately apparent."
>>523346
>>523349
These tunnels make you uneasy. It's like you're walking in the veins of some giant stone monster…
>>523347
>>523350
Many tunnels split off from the main collapse crater. And you can see clear splatters of blood from bandits around some of the tunnels. So those were probably used as attack routes. Others seem entirely undisturbed, and one has more of those strange monster prints leading into it.
>>523349
These tunnels make you uneasy. It's like you're walking in the veins of some giant stone monster…
>>523347
>>523350
Many tunnels split off from the main collapse crater. And you can see clear splatters of blood from bandits around some of the tunnels. So those were probably used as attack routes. Others seem entirely undisturbed, and one has more of those strange monster prints leading into it.
>>523364
"Feels like this place is alive."
"So then, each one of these is fraught with danger and any option we choose is barely more than a guess."
"The undisturbed ones might be the ones that are checked next, so they might show up behind us. We should go in one that's already been used. They might not be expecting further resistance or ignore it altogether."
"Feels like this place is alive."
"So then, each one of these is fraught with danger and any option we choose is barely more than a guess."
"The undisturbed ones might be the ones that are checked next, so they might show up behind us. We should go in one that's already been used. They might not be expecting further resistance or ignore it altogether."
>>525139
>>525140
>>525141
>>525142
>>525144
You pick the tunnel with clear signs of battle plastered on its rocky walls.
Simply observing the damage implies a great deal about what happened - the bandits that survived the initial fall were dragged down these tunnels to be ganged up on before more came down to aid them. The bodies you start finding soon enough confirm these assumptions.
Further down, you can hear the sounds of battle. It is possible that some of the second wave are still alive.
>>525140
>>525141
>>525142
>>525144
You pick the tunnel with clear signs of battle plastered on its rocky walls.
Simply observing the damage implies a great deal about what happened - the bandits that survived the initial fall were dragged down these tunnels to be ganged up on before more came down to aid them. The bodies you start finding soon enough confirm these assumptions.
Further down, you can hear the sounds of battle. It is possible that some of the second wave are still alive.
>>525148
>>525149
>>525151
>>525152
A little deeper, illuminated by burning bodies, is what appears to be the last stand of a group of ponies. Four of them, all wounded to some degree, are holding out in a tight bottleneck in the tunnels, most routes already clogged with dead dogs, and the ponies fighting back any who still charge at them. The air smells terrible, the smoke and blood have stained the ponies beyond recognition and the angry flickering of the flames around them give the scene a truly shocking feel.
One of them looks over and leaps down to defend this exit as well, but stops as he sees fellow ponies. You can almost see tears of hope form in his bloodshot eyes as he tries to see past the smoke, brushing his mane aside to confirm his eyes do not lie to him.
"Did you come to help!?"
>>525149
>>525151
>>525152
A little deeper, illuminated by burning bodies, is what appears to be the last stand of a group of ponies. Four of them, all wounded to some degree, are holding out in a tight bottleneck in the tunnels, most routes already clogged with dead dogs, and the ponies fighting back any who still charge at them. The air smells terrible, the smoke and blood have stained the ponies beyond recognition and the angry flickering of the flames around them give the scene a truly shocking feel.
One of them looks over and leaps down to defend this exit as well, but stops as he sees fellow ponies. You can almost see tears of hope form in his bloodshot eyes as he tries to see past the smoke, brushing his mane aside to confirm his eyes do not lie to him.
"Did you come to help!?"
>>525158
It's hard to say. But they seem slightly outnumbered.
>>525157
>>525160
He breathes a sigh of relief.
"Thank you. I was pretty sure I wouldn't survive this"
>>525159
"After the dogs undermined the mine floor, we raised an alarm and charged down to push them back. None of us expected this to happen, it took us all by surprise. They were upon us before we knew what was going on to begin with.
And this day was supposed to be so good, what with…"
>>525155
His eyes lock onto you, the hope in them swiftly changing to anger and betrayal
"DOG! THEY'RE COMING FROM THIS SIDE TOO!"
It's hard to say. But they seem slightly outnumbered.
>>525157
>>525160
He breathes a sigh of relief.
"Thank you. I was pretty sure I wouldn't survive this"
>>525159
"After the dogs undermined the mine floor, we raised an alarm and charged down to push them back. None of us expected this to happen, it took us all by surprise. They were upon us before we knew what was going on to begin with.
And this day was supposed to be so good, what with…"
>>525155
His eyes lock onto you, the hope in them swiftly changing to anger and betrayal
"DOG! THEY'RE COMING FROM THIS SIDE TOO!"
>>525168
Silk gives you a confused look, then turns to the bandit and kisses him on the mouth, softly brushing the soot from his cheek with her hoof and whispering calmingly while staring into his eyes.
"It's fine… it's going to be fine… shh… I'm here for you now."
>>525164
>>525165
>>525163
>>525167
He takes a few shallow breaths and calms down
"Alright. Lets push them back and then think about our next move."
#ENEMY
Small Diamond Dog 2/2
Medium Diamond Dog 5/3
Big Diamond Dog 1 3/4
Huge Diamond Dog 2/5
Wounded Diamond Dog 8/1
Female Diamond Dog 1/4
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 6/5
+Dulltooth 7/5
Cassie 7/5
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica 5/5
+Primrose 5/5
Coral Burst 5/5
Whisper 5/4
Hariac 5/5
Blossom 5/5
Silk gives you a confused look, then turns to the bandit and kisses him on the mouth, softly brushing the soot from his cheek with her hoof and whispering calmingly while staring into his eyes.
"It's fine… it's going to be fine… shh… I'm here for you now."
>>525164
>>525165
>>525163
>>525167
He takes a few shallow breaths and calms down
"Alright. Lets push them back and then think about our next move."
#ENEMY
Small Diamond Dog 2/2
Medium Diamond Dog 5/3
Big Diamond Dog 1 3/4
Huge Diamond Dog 2/5
Wounded Diamond Dog 8/1
Female Diamond Dog 1/4
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 6/5
+Dulltooth 7/5
Cassie 7/5
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica 5/5
+Primrose 5/5
Coral Burst 5/5
Whisper 5/4
Hariac 5/5
Blossom 5/5
>>525171
>>525172
>>525173
You leap into a dance of blades, taking a couple of blows before your flurry really has a chance to shine, but once the third strike sends you to the ground, you bring the Medium Diamond Dog down as well.
>>525174
>>525175
Fire Blossom heroically hits a wall with a wide swing, but as the small dog tries to creep up on her to deal some damage, Cassie smashes him down with her sword
>>525176
However, the Small Dog manages to scamper up, bleeding and panting.
Primrose makes some cold assessments of the target, and with a single surgical strike brings her down to a pained, screaming heap on the cavern flood, her eyes rolling in agony as she tries to invent new words for the things she wants to call your assistant.
>>525178
You walk up to the huge dog, and get a face full of meaty fist as a reward for your bravery.
Dulltooth cracks his knuckles and steps in to face his equal, ducking a few of its swings before delivering a thundering double uppercut to his gut and jaw, sending the foe helpless in one strike!
The bandits also do their part
'4d10'
As do Cloudcover and Sunsong '2d10'
Roll #1 7, 6, 1, 3 = 17 / Roll #2 4, 3 = 7
>>525172
>>525173
You leap into a dance of blades, taking a couple of blows before your flurry really has a chance to shine, but once the third strike sends you to the ground, you bring the Medium Diamond Dog down as well.
>>525174
>>525175
Fire Blossom heroically hits a wall with a wide swing, but as the small dog tries to creep up on her to deal some damage, Cassie smashes him down with her sword
>>525176
However, the Small Dog manages to scamper up, bleeding and panting.
Primrose makes some cold assessments of the target, and with a single surgical strike brings her down to a pained, screaming heap on the cavern flood, her eyes rolling in agony as she tries to invent new words for the things she wants to call your assistant.
>>525178
You walk up to the huge dog, and get a face full of meaty fist as a reward for your bravery.
Dulltooth cracks his knuckles and steps in to face his equal, ducking a few of its swings before delivering a thundering double uppercut to his gut and jaw, sending the foe helpless in one strike!
The bandits also do their part
'4d10'
As do Cloudcover and Sunsong '2d10'
Roll #1 7, 6, 1, 3 = 17 / Roll #2 4, 3 = 7
>>525181
The Huge dog proves to be a tough one as he mows through the ranks of defenders. Even Sunsong and Cloudcover are unable to halt him. However, two of the bandits manage to nearly kill the small dog as he attempts to flee.
#ENEMY
Small Diamond Dog 1/1
Medium Diamond Dog HELPLESS/2
Big Diamond Dog 1 HELPLESS/3
Huge Diamond Dog 2/5
Wounded Diamond Dog 8/1
Female Diamond Dog HELPLESS/2
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 2/5
+Dulltooth 7/5
Cassie 3/5
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica 5/5
+Primrose 5/5
Coral Burst 5/5
Whisper HELPLESS/3
Hariac 5/5
Blossom 5/5
The Huge dog proves to be a tough one as he mows through the ranks of defenders. Even Sunsong and Cloudcover are unable to halt him. However, two of the bandits manage to nearly kill the small dog as he attempts to flee.
#ENEMY
Small Diamond Dog 1/1
Medium Diamond Dog HELPLESS/2
Big Diamond Dog 1 HELPLESS/3
Huge Diamond Dog 2/5
Wounded Diamond Dog 8/1
Female Diamond Dog HELPLESS/2
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 2/5
+Dulltooth 7/5
Cassie 3/5
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica 5/5
+Primrose 5/5
Coral Burst 5/5
Whisper HELPLESS/3
Hariac 5/5
Blossom 5/5
>>525183
>>525186
Whisper is back up and running
>>525184
Your attempt at sweeping the opposition ends with you taking several angry fists to the torso before a rock to the head sends you down for the count
>>525185
The small dog runs circles around you, even while bleeding, and manages to dislocate your knee before smacking you with a loose stone, knocking you down.
Primrose stands to face the Huge dog, halting its charge with a thundering strike
>>525187
You leap at the now helpless Huge dog, wounding it further.
Dulltooth slams his fis downt between the downed big dog's legs, ensuring it will not even consider standing up again.
The two standing bandits fight '2d10'
The helpless bandits try to stand '2d10'
And Cloudcover and Sunsong have another go at it '2d10'
Roll #1 8, 4 = 12 / Roll #2 8, 2 = 10 / Roll #3 3, 9 = 12
>>525186
Whisper is back up and running
>>525184
Your attempt at sweeping the opposition ends with you taking several angry fists to the torso before a rock to the head sends you down for the count
>>525185
The small dog runs circles around you, even while bleeding, and manages to dislocate your knee before smacking you with a loose stone, knocking you down.
Primrose stands to face the Huge dog, halting its charge with a thundering strike
>>525187
You leap at the now helpless Huge dog, wounding it further.
Dulltooth slams his fis downt between the downed big dog's legs, ensuring it will not even consider standing up again.
The two standing bandits fight '2d10'
The helpless bandits try to stand '2d10'
And Cloudcover and Sunsong have another go at it '2d10'
Roll #1 8, 4 = 12 / Roll #2 8, 2 = 10 / Roll #3 3, 9 = 12
>>525192
As one of the bandits stands up, his helpless comrade meets his end at the paws of the small dog. The little devil's victory is short lived, however, as another bandit finishes it off.
Cloudcover and Sunsong take on the wounded dog, and while Cloudcover draws its attention, Sunsong manages to land a solid blow.
One last bandit tries to go finish off the bitch, but she is too fast for him.
#ENEMY
Small Diamond Dog DEAD
Medium Diamond Dog HELPLESS/2
Big Diamond Dog 1 HELPLESS/1
Huge Diamond Dog HELPLESS/4
Wounded Diamond Dog 4/1
Female Diamond Dog 5/2
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 2/5
+Dulltooth 7/5
Cassie HELPLESS/4
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica HELPLESS/4
+Primrose 5/5
Coral Burst 5/5
Whisper 5/4
Hariac 5/5
Blossom 5/5
As one of the bandits stands up, his helpless comrade meets his end at the paws of the small dog. The little devil's victory is short lived, however, as another bandit finishes it off.
Cloudcover and Sunsong take on the wounded dog, and while Cloudcover draws its attention, Sunsong manages to land a solid blow.
One last bandit tries to go finish off the bitch, but she is too fast for him.
#ENEMY
Small Diamond Dog DEAD
Medium Diamond Dog HELPLESS/2
Big Diamond Dog 1 HELPLESS/1
Huge Diamond Dog HELPLESS/4
Wounded Diamond Dog 4/1
Female Diamond Dog 5/2
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 2/5
+Dulltooth 7/5
Cassie HELPLESS/4
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica HELPLESS/4
+Primrose 5/5
Coral Burst 5/5
Whisper 5/4
Hariac 5/5
Blossom 5/5
>>525200
>>525199
The good doctor bashes the bits across the knees, dropping her on all fours. Before she can so much as snarl, Dulltooth lifts her up and in a very literal sense breaks her in half while unleashing a terrifying war howl.
>>525198
Primrose sets you up with a Bolster
>>525199
You keep the pressure on the huge dog, hacking at him while he is down
Peanut gallery '3d10'
And NPCs '2d10'
Roll #1 3, 10, 10 = 23 / Roll #2 1, 1 = 2
>>525199
The good doctor bashes the bits across the knees, dropping her on all fours. Before she can so much as snarl, Dulltooth lifts her up and in a very literal sense breaks her in half while unleashing a terrifying war howl.
>>525198
Primrose sets you up with a Bolster
>>525199
You keep the pressure on the huge dog, hacking at him while he is down
Peanut gallery '3d10'
And NPCs '2d10'
Roll #1 3, 10, 10 = 23 / Roll #2 1, 1 = 2
>>525201
The bandits corner the medium dog as it stands up, and kill it where it stands.
The wounded dog, seeing its brothers and sisters go down around it, finds some second wind and manages to dispatch both Sunsong AND Cloudcover in an impressive display of retaliatory blows.
#ENEMY
Small Diamond Dog DEAD
Medium Diamond Dog DEAD
Big Diamond Dog 1 HELPLESS/1
Huge Diamond Dog HELPLESS/3
Wounded Diamond Dog 4/1
Female Diamond Dog DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 2/5
+Dulltooth 7/5
Cassie HELPLESS/4 [bolster]
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica 5/4
+Primrose 5/5
Coral Burst 5/5
Whisper 5/4
Hariac 5/5
Blossom 5/5
The bandits corner the medium dog as it stands up, and kill it where it stands.
The wounded dog, seeing its brothers and sisters go down around it, finds some second wind and manages to dispatch both Sunsong AND Cloudcover in an impressive display of retaliatory blows.
#ENEMY
Small Diamond Dog DEAD
Medium Diamond Dog DEAD
Big Diamond Dog 1 HELPLESS/1
Huge Diamond Dog HELPLESS/3
Wounded Diamond Dog 4/1
Female Diamond Dog DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 2/5
+Dulltooth 7/5
Cassie HELPLESS/4 [bolster]
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica 5/4
+Primrose 5/5
Coral Burst 5/5
Whisper 5/4
Hariac 5/5
Blossom 5/5
>>525207
>>525215
Cassie is flung clear across the room, but is caught by Fire Blossom
>>525212
You stab at nothing for a while.
Try picking a target next time
>>525210
You cleave the huge dog's chest wide open, leaving him on the brink of death.
Dulltooth looks a little busy right now with what remains of the bitch.
>>525213
[yes]
Primrose lops the wounded dog's head off with a clean mechanical 'ping' from her joints.
You infest the thoroughly defeated big dog with Necromachines.
It seems everyone is either dead or helpless.
Not much resistance left.
Blazing goes help Sunsong, while Cloudcover gets himself back on his hooves.
Three bandits survived.
#ENEMY
Small Diamond Dog DEAD
Medium Diamond Dog DEAD
Big Diamond Dog 1 HELPLESS/1
Huge Diamond Dog HELPLESS/1
Wounded Diamond Dog DEAD
Female Diamond Dog DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 2/5
+Dulltooth 6/5
Cassie 5/5
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica 5/4
+Primrose 5/5
Coral Burst 5/5
Whisper 5/4
Hariac 5/5
Blossom 5/5
>>525215
Cassie is flung clear across the room, but is caught by Fire Blossom
>>525212
You stab at nothing for a while.
Try picking a target next time
>>525210
You cleave the huge dog's chest wide open, leaving him on the brink of death.
Dulltooth looks a little busy right now with what remains of the bitch.
>>525213
[yes]
Primrose lops the wounded dog's head off with a clean mechanical 'ping' from her joints.
You infest the thoroughly defeated big dog with Necromachines.
It seems everyone is either dead or helpless.
Not much resistance left.
Blazing goes help Sunsong, while Cloudcover gets himself back on his hooves.
Three bandits survived.
#ENEMY
Small Diamond Dog DEAD
Medium Diamond Dog DEAD
Big Diamond Dog 1 HELPLESS/1
Huge Diamond Dog HELPLESS/1
Wounded Diamond Dog DEAD
Female Diamond Dog DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 2/5
+Dulltooth 6/5
Cassie 5/5
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica 5/4
+Primrose 5/5
Coral Burst 5/5
Whisper 5/4
Hariac 5/5
Blossom 5/5
>>525246
"We came to get any survivors out and drive the invading dogs back."
"Who are you lot anyway? How did you find our hideout?"
>>525249
The huge dogs is going to die in minutes if not treated.
The surviving bandits are all beat up.
Cloudcover took a few hits.
>>525250
"You make for decent temporary solution.
Besides. Is not gay if with pony. Everydog knows that."
"We came to get any survivors out and drive the invading dogs back."
"Who are you lot anyway? How did you find our hideout?"
>>525249
The huge dogs is going to die in minutes if not treated.
The surviving bandits are all beat up.
Cloudcover took a few hits.
>>525250
"You make for decent temporary solution.
Besides. Is not gay if with pony. Everydog knows that."
>>525259
>>525260
The dog will live.
It is also rather big, so be on guard.
>>525262
"Local. Probably big pack, small pack rarely make such branching tunnels."
There isn't much of value on the dogs, save for a crude map of the attack plan.
>>525266
"Terribly well armed for explorers, aren't you?"
"For a moment I thought you were the buyers."
>>525260
The dog will live.
It is also rather big, so be on guard.
>>525262
"Local. Probably big pack, small pack rarely make such branching tunnels."
There isn't much of value on the dogs, save for a crude map of the attack plan.
>>525266
"Terribly well armed for explorers, aren't you?"
"For a moment I thought you were the buyers."
>>525270
>>525277
>>525278
"Right, well, that makes sense. I suppose you prefer some other name like 'darkeners' or whatever. Sorry lads, you're all just buyers to us. Though I thought you'd look more… I don't know. Freaky.
Anyway, the good news is the heart is still intact. The bad news is the dogs have it now."
>>525275
A lot of these tunnels seem to slowly link together into a few main passages that lead to key areas. The network is quite big, but if you take the short routes you should be able to reach the central parts with relative ease.
A few landmarks have been noted down on the map, such as digging posts, treasure rooms and living quarters.
The dog who owned the map also made small markings on it, possibly indicating personal stashes.
>>525277
>>525278
"Right, well, that makes sense. I suppose you prefer some other name like 'darkeners' or whatever. Sorry lads, you're all just buyers to us. Though I thought you'd look more… I don't know. Freaky.
Anyway, the good news is the heart is still intact. The bad news is the dogs have it now."
>>525275
A lot of these tunnels seem to slowly link together into a few main passages that lead to key areas. The network is quite big, but if you take the short routes you should be able to reach the central parts with relative ease.
A few landmarks have been noted down on the map, such as digging posts, treasure rooms and living quarters.
The dog who owned the map also made small markings on it, possibly indicating personal stashes.
>>525287
>>525273
He grumbles.
Perhaps you can get something out of him
>>525286
>>525288
"In any case, you're on your own with it. Payment or no, we have no intention of going deeper"
"I do. Our friends are still out there!"
"And probably dead by now! Look around you!"
>>525292
"Back outside?
These confined spaces leave little options if we need to run…"
>>525273
He grumbles.
Perhaps you can get something out of him
>>525286
>>525288
"In any case, you're on your own with it. Payment or no, we have no intention of going deeper"
"I do. Our friends are still out there!"
"And probably dead by now! Look around you!"
>>525292
"Back outside?
These confined spaces leave little options if we need to run…"
>>525294
Bust out laughing at her expression. "Hahahaha, I'd forgotten how priceless that expression always is! Oh, I used to do that to my sister all the time! Never gets old!"
>>525295
"I know, I know, but we need to get what we came for. Besides, we just survived a literal ghost town a few days ago. We should be able to handle whatever we find down here."
Bust out laughing at her expression. "Hahahaha, I'd forgotten how priceless that expression always is! Oh, I used to do that to my sister all the time! Never gets old!"
>>525295
"I know, I know, but we need to get what we came for. Besides, we just survived a literal ghost town a few days ago. We should be able to handle whatever we find down here."
>>525305
"Our land. Taking it back."
>>525303
"I just don't like it. There is no room for backup plans down here.
…but the valuables are probably in their vaults."
>>525301
>>525299
"Enjoy your bloody mess. You seem like the types who are into that."
Two of the bandits limp off back towards the exit.
The last one stays, peering into the depths of the caves
"Our land. Taking it back."
>>525303
"I just don't like it. There is no room for backup plans down here.
…but the valuables are probably in their vaults."
>>525301
>>525299
"Enjoy your bloody mess. You seem like the types who are into that."
Two of the bandits limp off back towards the exit.
The last one stays, peering into the depths of the caves
>>525357
He takes your hoof, slaps it on the ground, then punches the print to make it all twisted and fucked up looking
"Is ugly."
The remaining bandit turns to look at it, then at the rest of you
"…well, yes, clearly? I mean, aren't you Tirek worshipers supposed to look weird?"
This in turn makes the huge dog's eye slight up in rage
"DEMON PONIES!? KILL YOU ALL! WILL NOT LET YOU HARM PACK!"
He takes your hoof, slaps it on the ground, then punches the print to make it all twisted and fucked up looking
"Is ugly."
The remaining bandit turns to look at it, then at the rest of you
"…well, yes, clearly? I mean, aren't you Tirek worshipers supposed to look weird?"
This in turn makes the huge dog's eye slight up in rage
"DEMON PONIES!? KILL YOU ALL! WILL NOT LET YOU HARM PACK!"
You were about to face off against the last of the badits.
The huge (and restrained for the time being) Diamond Dog raider is also present.
The Buyers are somewhere else in these caves, and the Heart of Darkness is likely in one of the treasure vaults inside the cave complex.
Now you just have to get there.
The huge (and restrained for the time being) Diamond Dog raider is also present.
The Buyers are somewhere else in these caves, and the Heart of Darkness is likely in one of the treasure vaults inside the cave complex.
Now you just have to get there.
>>527320
With escape no longer being an option, the bandit glances around and tries to gather his bravery '1d10'
>>527319
"NOT HARM PACK! NOT HARM PUPS!"
He seems very upset about the prospect of the tribe's young coming to harm in all this.
>>527324
Your comment gets a confused look from Lady Sunset
"…heart?"
Roll #1 3 = 3
With escape no longer being an option, the bandit glances around and tries to gather his bravery '1d10'
>>527319
"NOT HARM PACK! NOT HARM PUPS!"
He seems very upset about the prospect of the tribe's young coming to harm in all this.
>>527324
Your comment gets a confused look from Lady Sunset
"…heart?"
Roll #1 3 = 3
>>527329
He growls. Odds are he doesn't really trust you.
>>527327
"Hm. No need to worry. I am perfectly capable of surviving any danger."
Her guard gives a reassuring nod.
>>527330
"Mate I don't think you quite get the situation here. My friends are down there being splattered on the walls by these dogs. They don't want to be here. None of us do. If anything, they'd be glad for the rescue."
He growls. Odds are he doesn't really trust you.
>>527327
"Hm. No need to worry. I am perfectly capable of surviving any danger."
Her guard gives a reassuring nod.
>>527330
"Mate I don't think you quite get the situation here. My friends are down there being splattered on the walls by these dogs. They don't want to be here. None of us do. If anything, they'd be glad for the rescue."
>>527335
"Don't underestimate me. I'm far more than some… bargaining chip for noble marriages!"
>>527340
"Must keep pups safe. Keep pack safe. Is duty."
>>527338
>>527337
"If any of them are in any shape to even fight any more, I'll be amazed. Hell I'll be amazed if any of them are even alive. But… I want to be sure. I don't want to leave them to die if I can still save them."
"Don't underestimate me. I'm far more than some… bargaining chip for noble marriages!"
>>527340
"Must keep pups safe. Keep pack safe. Is duty."
>>527338
>>527337
"If any of them are in any shape to even fight any more, I'll be amazed. Hell I'll be amazed if any of them are even alive. But… I want to be sure. I don't want to leave them to die if I can still save them."
>>527349
"Guess I've heard it a few times before…"
Her guard gives her a reassuring shove, and she snaps out of it.
"Right. Are me going?"
>>527346
The dog looks at his restraints
"If hear even one yelp, me come for you. Let me go."
>>527348
Lady Sunset frowns
"I am destined for more. I know it."
>>527351
>>527345
"I can come. But I don't know these tunnels any better than you do."
"Guess I've heard it a few times before…"
Her guard gives her a reassuring shove, and she snaps out of it.
"Right. Are me going?"
>>527346
The dog looks at his restraints
"If hear even one yelp, me come for you. Let me go."
>>527348
Lady Sunset frowns
"I am destined for more. I know it."
>>527351
>>527345
"I can come. But I don't know these tunnels any better than you do."
>>527361
The massive dog gets up and stars slowly walking down the corridor.
"Homes this way. You not go there. I go. Protect family.
You go elsewhere. Kill invaders. We not meet again. We not kill eachother."
>>527359
"Don't patronize me. My family did that quite enough."
Her guard looks like he is about to say something but decides to hold his tongue as always.
>>527360
>>527354
The bandit looks at the dog go
"I don't want to anger him to be honest. But they may have taken my friends to the… homes?"
The massive dog gets up and stars slowly walking down the corridor.
"Homes this way. You not go there. I go. Protect family.
You go elsewhere. Kill invaders. We not meet again. We not kill eachother."
>>527359
"Don't patronize me. My family did that quite enough."
Her guard looks like he is about to say something but decides to hold his tongue as always.
>>527360
>>527354
The bandit looks at the dog go
"I don't want to anger him to be honest. But they may have taken my friends to the… homes?"
You turn back and head to the earlier tunnel junction. You can hear some commotion up above in the mine. The bandits you rescued are probably grabbing what they can before abandoning the place.
Before you lies an untouched tunnel, and a tunnel with strange claw markings and twisted hoofprints on the floor and walls.
Before you lies an untouched tunnel, and a tunnel with strange claw markings and twisted hoofprints on the floor and walls.
>>527423
>>527425
>>527428
>>527430
These cultists have torches with them, the ceiling is blackened. You should be able to spot the light when they are close, which can give you an advantage.
There are two distinct kinds of claw marks. Deep, wide ones left by something very very strong, and shallower, narrower ones left more chaotically along the walls and even the ceiling, implying considerable reach.
>>527432
You can make some sense of the chaos in these hoofprints. There should be roughly half a dozen of them. One clearly bigger than the others. Massive in fact. And heavy.
At least one of them also possesses immense reach, or is incredibly tall.
Dulltooth has his eyes on Silk.
Silk just tries to look for escape routes.
>>527425
>>527428
>>527430
These cultists have torches with them, the ceiling is blackened. You should be able to spot the light when they are close, which can give you an advantage.
There are two distinct kinds of claw marks. Deep, wide ones left by something very very strong, and shallower, narrower ones left more chaotically along the walls and even the ceiling, implying considerable reach.
>>527432
You can make some sense of the chaos in these hoofprints. There should be roughly half a dozen of them. One clearly bigger than the others. Massive in fact. And heavy.
At least one of them also possesses immense reach, or is incredibly tall.
Dulltooth has his eyes on Silk.
Silk just tries to look for escape routes.
As you proceed deeper, you start seeing signs of the cultists having met some resistance from the dog sentries. Unfortunately, not much remains of said sentries. The encounter was swift and fierce, but left clear proof of the cultists' power. Even the very rock on one of the walls is twisted into a strange tortured spiral by some unknown power. But it was not a victory without a cost - a trail of dark blood leads away from the battle. This may help track the cultists.
You can examine the remains more closely, or capitalize on this and pick up the pace to catch them more swiftly
You can examine the remains more closely, or capitalize on this and pick up the pace to catch them more swiftly
>>527553
>>527561
Some of the remains near the odd looking wall show signs of rapid mutation without any real rhyme or reason. Asymmetrical and unnatural, this may be the power of Tirek's magic.
Impact marks on the walls and bodies also imply whatever the largest cultist is, it is more than capable of slamming large dents in solid rock.
>>527564
You keep heading deeper, and start catching the scent of smoke and the sounds of battle further ahead. It seems the cultists are not far now.
>>527561
Some of the remains near the odd looking wall show signs of rapid mutation without any real rhyme or reason. Asymmetrical and unnatural, this may be the power of Tirek's magic.
Impact marks on the walls and bodies also imply whatever the largest cultist is, it is more than capable of slamming large dents in solid rock.
>>527564
You keep heading deeper, and start catching the scent of smoke and the sounds of battle further ahead. It seems the cultists are not far now.
>>527599
"I have too much to lose to turn back now. My name depends on this. And Breeze has faith in me."
Her guard looks a little displeased at the mention of Calming Breeze, but says nothing.
>>527594
>>527595
>>527600
A little way down, the path splits. Echoes make it hard to determine which path the sounds are coming from, or are they indeed coming from both, but you can see light in both tunnels.
"I have too much to lose to turn back now. My name depends on this. And Breeze has faith in me."
Her guard looks a little displeased at the mention of Calming Breeze, but says nothing.
>>527594
>>527595
>>527600
A little way down, the path splits. Echoes make it hard to determine which path the sounds are coming from, or are they indeed coming from both, but you can see light in both tunnels.
>>527674
>>527675
>>527688
>>527689
A little further up you see two of them. Ponies, but no ponies like you've ever seen. One seems to be covered in scales like a dragon, and even has tusks growing from his jaw.
The other has long tendrils coming from his back, each tipped with a curved claw, lashing out at anything nearby.
They are fighting a few dog guards, who seem to be holding them back from proceeding further towards the living quarters.
The area they are clashing in is a larger room, featuring what appears to be some kind of primitive elevator tucked off to the side.
Neither group has seen you. Yet.
>>527675
>>527688
>>527689
A little further up you see two of them. Ponies, but no ponies like you've ever seen. One seems to be covered in scales like a dragon, and even has tusks growing from his jaw.
The other has long tendrils coming from his back, each tipped with a curved claw, lashing out at anything nearby.
They are fighting a few dog guards, who seem to be holding them back from proceeding further towards the living quarters.
The area they are clashing in is a larger room, featuring what appears to be some kind of primitive elevator tucked off to the side.
Neither group has seen you. Yet.
>>527699
Seeing as how the others have already left me behind, time to get to work.
I'll strike the ones closest to us. '2d10'
Primrose can hit whichever is biggest. '1d10'
If the Necromachine'd Diamond Dog is still around, he can help trying to contain the tentacled one. '1d10'
Roll #1 5, 1 = 6 / Roll #2 1 = 1 / Roll #3 1 = 1
Seeing as how the others have already left me behind, time to get to work.
I'll strike the ones closest to us. '2d10'
Primrose can hit whichever is biggest. '1d10'
If the Necromachine'd Diamond Dog is still around, he can help trying to contain the tentacled one. '1d10'
Roll #1 5, 1 = 6 / Roll #2 1 = 1 / Roll #3 1 = 1
>>527713
One of the tendrils lashes out, impaling your bicep before whipping you off your feet
>>527772
The mutant pulls its tendril loose from Cassie and whips the entire lot of them at you as you charge forth, scything through your defenses and beating you down before you can even reach him
>>527723
You leap at the scaly one, pushing it back a step. However, Dulltooth has his hands full trying to deal with the tentacles of the other.
>>527720
You focus your powers of healing and purification, of easing tortured flesh and of repairing that which no other could save.
The tentacled pony shrieks as its mutations go haywire, shooting out in every direction, whipping around madly, wrapping around anything in reach, breaking its own host's neck in its madness.
As the cultist collapses, the tentacles assume the role of legs, leaving the host's corpse dangling in mid-air.
#ENEMY
Scaly Mutant 4/6
Tentacle Mutant 20/1
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 6/5
+Dulltooth 6/5
Cassie HELPLESS/4
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica HELPLESS/4
+Primrose HELPLESS/4
Coral Burst 5/5
Whisper 5/4
Hariac 5/5
Blossom 5/5
One of the tendrils lashes out, impaling your bicep before whipping you off your feet
>>527772
The mutant pulls its tendril loose from Cassie and whips the entire lot of them at you as you charge forth, scything through your defenses and beating you down before you can even reach him
>>527723
You leap at the scaly one, pushing it back a step. However, Dulltooth has his hands full trying to deal with the tentacles of the other.
>>527720
You focus your powers of healing and purification, of easing tortured flesh and of repairing that which no other could save.
The tentacled pony shrieks as its mutations go haywire, shooting out in every direction, whipping around madly, wrapping around anything in reach, breaking its own host's neck in its madness.
As the cultist collapses, the tentacles assume the role of legs, leaving the host's corpse dangling in mid-air.
#ENEMY
Scaly Mutant 4/6
Tentacle Mutant 20/1
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 6/5
+Dulltooth 6/5
Cassie HELPLESS/4
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica HELPLESS/4
+Primrose HELPLESS/4
Coral Burst 5/5
Whisper 5/4
Hariac 5/5
Blossom 5/5
>>528112
>>528113
You do a cool little flip as you stand up.
The diamond dog sentries clap.
>>528114
You stand back up. The wounds are not bad, just painful.
>>528116
The tentacle thing moves rather nimbly, stepping over you and stabbing downward as it goes, raining pain upon you
>>528115
You bash the scaly one, deflecting its sharp tusks with a masterful redirect
Dulltooth takes a more direct approach to the tentacles and yanks on one of them, breaking it
#ENEMY
Scaly Mutant 1/6
Tentacle Mutant 18/1
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 6/5
+Dulltooth 6/5
Cassie 7/4
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica 5/4
+Primrose 5/4
Coral Burst 2/5
Whisper 5/4
Hariac 5/5
Blossom 5/5
>>528113
You do a cool little flip as you stand up.
The diamond dog sentries clap.
>>528114
You stand back up. The wounds are not bad, just painful.
>>528116
The tentacle thing moves rather nimbly, stepping over you and stabbing downward as it goes, raining pain upon you
>>528115
You bash the scaly one, deflecting its sharp tusks with a masterful redirect
Dulltooth takes a more direct approach to the tentacles and yanks on one of them, breaking it
#ENEMY
Scaly Mutant 1/6
Tentacle Mutant 18/1
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 6/5
+Dulltooth 6/5
Cassie 7/4
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica 5/4
+Primrose 5/4
Coral Burst 2/5
Whisper 5/4
Hariac 5/5
Blossom 5/5
>>528118
You clash horns to tusks, both ending up wounded.
Primrose goes help against the tentacle thing.
>>528119
You manage to catch both in one strike, further wounding the now downed scaly one
>>528120
Tentacles grasp around your limbs, hoisting you up in the air, stretching and pulling.
The sentry dogs whistle.
>>528121
You open up a massive wound in his neck by prying apart two scales and stabbing between them.
It looks like he might die soon.
Dulltooth grabs the tentacle bundle and swings it at the nearby wall like a sack of jelly.
#ENEMY
Scaly Mutant HELPLESS/2
Tentacle Mutant 8/1
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 6/5
+Dulltooth 6/5
Cassie 4/4
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica 5/4
+Primrose 5/4
Coral Burst 2/5
Whisper 5/4
Hariac 5/5
Blossom 5/5
You clash horns to tusks, both ending up wounded.
Primrose goes help against the tentacle thing.
>>528119
You manage to catch both in one strike, further wounding the now downed scaly one
>>528120
Tentacles grasp around your limbs, hoisting you up in the air, stretching and pulling.
The sentry dogs whistle.
>>528121
You open up a massive wound in his neck by prying apart two scales and stabbing between them.
It looks like he might die soon.
Dulltooth grabs the tentacle bundle and swings it at the nearby wall like a sack of jelly.
#ENEMY
Scaly Mutant HELPLESS/2
Tentacle Mutant 8/1
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 6/5
+Dulltooth 6/5
Cassie 4/4
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica 5/4
+Primrose 5/4
Coral Burst 2/5
Whisper 5/4
Hariac 5/5
Blossom 5/5
>>528125
The tentacles wrap around you, slamming you against the ceiling and dropping you down, helpless.
>>528126
The mutant shrugs the necromachines off and stands back up
The tentacle mutant slashes Primrose, ripping some of her protective fabric and bashing her internals.
>>528129
Amazingly, your blatant lie gives everyone #+2 to all rolls next turn
Dulltooth gets caught by the tentacles, stabbed several times and thrown aside
>>528130
You slash through a few tentacles and land on your paws
#ENEMY
Scaly Mutant 6/2
Tentacle Mutant 4/1
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 6/5
+Dulltooth 3/5
Cassie 4/4
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica 5/4
+Primrose 2/4
Coral Burst HELPLESS/4
Whisper 5/4
Hariac 5/5
Blossom 5/5
The tentacles wrap around you, slamming you against the ceiling and dropping you down, helpless.
>>528126
The mutant shrugs the necromachines off and stands back up
The tentacle mutant slashes Primrose, ripping some of her protective fabric and bashing her internals.
>>528129
Amazingly, your blatant lie gives everyone #+2 to all rolls next turn
Dulltooth gets caught by the tentacles, stabbed several times and thrown aside
>>528130
You slash through a few tentacles and land on your paws
#ENEMY
Scaly Mutant 6/2
Tentacle Mutant 4/1
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 6/5
+Dulltooth 3/5
Cassie 4/4
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica 5/4
+Primrose 2/4
Coral Burst HELPLESS/4
Whisper 5/4
Hariac 5/5
Blossom 5/5
>>528142
You manage to stand back up for the final showdown
>>528140
>>528141
>>528145
You charge the tentacle mutant in an effort to finish the fight. Dulltooth tackles it to the ground and Grey leaps at the host, severing the tentacles at their roots.
Cassie heroically charges the final flailing tentacles, which retaliates by flying up between her legs and jamming itself in before being severed and left wriggling.
The sentry dogs are not sure how to react.
And those pants are going to need a patch.
>>528141
Amber's Leap splits the mutant's tusks, sending it stumbling and falling over, on the verge of death
#ENEMY
Scaly Mutant HELPLESS/1
Tentacle Mutant DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 6/5
+Dulltooth 3/5
Cassie HELPLESS/3
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica 5/4
+Primrose 2/4
Coral Burst 5/4
Whisper 5/4
Hariac 5/5
Blossom 5/5
You manage to stand back up for the final showdown
>>528140
>>528141
>>528145
You charge the tentacle mutant in an effort to finish the fight. Dulltooth tackles it to the ground and Grey leaps at the host, severing the tentacles at their roots.
Cassie heroically charges the final flailing tentacles, which retaliates by flying up between her legs and jamming itself in before being severed and left wriggling.
The sentry dogs are not sure how to react.
And those pants are going to need a patch.
>>528141
Amber's Leap splits the mutant's tusks, sending it stumbling and falling over, on the verge of death
#ENEMY
Scaly Mutant HELPLESS/1
Tentacle Mutant DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 6/5
+Dulltooth 3/5
Cassie HELPLESS/3
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica 5/4
+Primrose 2/4
Coral Burst 5/4
Whisper 5/4
Hariac 5/5
Blossom 5/5
>>528196
"No ma'am"
"We had to ensure the town was not compromised, and that our wounded friends got away safely."
>>528207
"Mostly."
>>528200
Dulltooth pats you on the flank and whispers
"These dogs traditional. Think ponies as labor."
>>528201
"Your ponies mentioned there being more"
"We feared as much. They may be headed for the lower tunnels."
"No ma'am"
"We had to ensure the town was not compromised, and that our wounded friends got away safely."
>>528207
"Mostly."
>>528200
Dulltooth pats you on the flank and whispers
"These dogs traditional. Think ponies as labor."
>>528201
"Your ponies mentioned there being more"
"We feared as much. They may be headed for the lower tunnels."
>>528232
"Ma'am?"
"Why should we not? They are a threat to our homes here."
>>528234
You finished off two mutated cultists. Cassie is chatting up two of the dog guards.
>>528235
"Charge in and kill anything in my way?
…I really don't know. I'm in no position to negotiate either."
>>528236
He nuzzles you a little
"Something worse almost certainly. But we'll defeat it all the same."
"Ma'am?"
"Why should we not? They are a threat to our homes here."
>>528234
You finished off two mutated cultists. Cassie is chatting up two of the dog guards.
>>528235
"Charge in and kill anything in my way?
…I really don't know. I'm in no position to negotiate either."
>>528236
He nuzzles you a little
"Something worse almost certainly. But we'll defeat it all the same."
>>528268
Nothing that can't be fixed with a little grease and thread. Mostly just slightly misaligned gears and joints.
>>528266
>>528264
Dulltooth chimes in
"We save this place from those monsters. Now we kindly go clear out rest for you.
Payment in ponies perfectly good."
The sentries think for a moment and hesitantly nod
"Well, we agree"
"The alpha will need to decide this though."
Nothing that can't be fixed with a little grease and thread. Mostly just slightly misaligned gears and joints.
>>528266
>>528264
Dulltooth chimes in
"We save this place from those monsters. Now we kindly go clear out rest for you.
Payment in ponies perfectly good."
The sentries think for a moment and hesitantly nod
"Well, we agree"
"The alpha will need to decide this though."
>>528636
The heaviest of them came down this way at least. And from the looks of it, so did several others. No signs of blood at least up here. They were all unharmed when they came through here, unlike the previous duo.
Your nose also picks up a curious odor.
>>528637
"They traditional. Use ponies for labor. Not think much of modern comforts. Prefer tunnels, not cities.
I think they kinda stupid like that."
>>528634
"With bravery, good pilgrim! This quest nears its climax!"
The heaviest of them came down this way at least. And from the looks of it, so did several others. No signs of blood at least up here. They were all unharmed when they came through here, unlike the previous duo.
Your nose also picks up a curious odor.
>>528637
"They traditional. Use ponies for labor. Not think much of modern comforts. Prefer tunnels, not cities.
I think they kinda stupid like that."
>>528634
"With bravery, good pilgrim! This quest nears its climax!"
>>528639
It smells vaguely poisonous. There may be a gas leak somewhere in the deeper caves.
If the smell gets stronger, it might be a good idea to try and escape whatever room you are in.
>>528640
"Not sure. Maybe wizard did it?"
>>528641
She raises a brow
"This is no time to be thinking of those kinds of things."
It smells vaguely poisonous. There may be a gas leak somewhere in the deeper caves.
If the smell gets stronger, it might be a good idea to try and escape whatever room you are in.
>>528640
"Not sure. Maybe wizard did it?"
>>528641
She raises a brow
"This is no time to be thinking of those kinds of things."
>>528642
"…It's disturbing how often that's a valid answer. How about you, Silk? You holding up okay?"
>>528644
"I'm more interested with who's behind all this. At first I thought it was some kind of squabble between the houses; now I don't know what to think."
>>528645
"Right. On your signal, we charge. Got it."
"…It's disturbing how often that's a valid answer. How about you, Silk? You holding up okay?"
>>528644
"I'm more interested with who's behind all this. At first I thought it was some kind of squabble between the houses; now I don't know what to think."
>>528645
"Right. On your signal, we charge. Got it."
>>528651
"Ah, that kind of 'something bad in the air.'"
Can I smell anything?
>>528652
"Good. If you're worried, it means you're thinking fast. Easier to avoid trouble that way."
>>528653
"Demonic boogeypony self-mutilation for the sake of a feud between nobles? …I have to admit, the idea has merit."
Roll #1 10 = 10
"Ah, that kind of 'something bad in the air.'"
Can I smell anything?
>>528652
"Good. If you're worried, it means you're thinking fast. Easier to avoid trouble that way."
>>528653
"Demonic boogeypony self-mutilation for the sake of a feud between nobles? …I have to admit, the idea has merit."
Roll #1 10 = 10
>>528655
"Grigori Gryphon, Horschei, and these are just the ones we know. These feuds could be going for a long time, wouldn't be unusual for one member to escalate and the other side to retaliate in a similar manner. Hide the funds, and eventually even they don't know what they are paying for."
"Grigori Gryphon, Horschei, and these are just the ones we know. These feuds could be going for a long time, wouldn't be unusual for one member to escalate and the other side to retaliate in a similar manner. Hide the funds, and eventually even they don't know what they are paying for."
>>528686
>>528688
"I got no idea. It was reported by the crew who took a bunch of loot from that mine up top into the treasure holds.
Me and… a couple of others… stayed back to keep these tunnels secure after we heard some commotion. Thought it might have been escaped ponies.
…you lot aren't escapees are you?"
>>528688
"I got no idea. It was reported by the crew who took a bunch of loot from that mine up top into the treasure holds.
Me and… a couple of others… stayed back to keep these tunnels secure after we heard some commotion. Thought it might have been escaped ponies.
…you lot aren't escapees are you?"
As you head down, your eyes start to water a little. There is a visible haze in the air, and no torches to light the way.
The tunnels down here are clearly unfinished and fairly fresh, which explains why the gas leak was only found recently.
You can hear some sounds of combat in the far distance, slightly above you. There must be tunnels leading back up to the other parts of the caves here somewhere…
The tunnels down here are clearly unfinished and fairly fresh, which explains why the gas leak was only found recently.
You can hear some sounds of combat in the far distance, slightly above you. There must be tunnels leading back up to the other parts of the caves here somewhere…
>>528721
You poke your head up and squint your eyes, then collapse down in a fit of coughing.
Bad idea.
>>528722
>>528723
Silk is coughing violently and looks green in the face.
Dulltooth looks at a nearby wall, scratches a little X on it and punches hand, breaking the rock and revealing a tunnel
"Leads up."
>>528724
Dulltooth uncovered a parallel passageway. It should help dodge some of the gas
You poke your head up and squint your eyes, then collapse down in a fit of coughing.
Bad idea.
>>528722
>>528723
Silk is coughing violently and looks green in the face.
Dulltooth looks at a nearby wall, scratches a little X on it and punches hand, breaking the rock and revealing a tunnel
"Leads up."
>>528724
Dulltooth uncovered a parallel passageway. It should help dodge some of the gas
>>528731
The boulder is leaning against both outer walls of the tunnel. You will probably end up in the as tunnel again if you try.
>>528732
It's a treasure room with quite a stockpile of gems, gold and various other valuables arranged in crates, chests and shelves.
A few lanterns have been left in the room.
A moving shadow reveals someone is hiding in here.
The boulder is leaning against both outer walls of the tunnel. You will probably end up in the as tunnel again if you try.
>>528732
It's a treasure room with quite a stockpile of gems, gold and various other valuables arranged in crates, chests and shelves.
A few lanterns have been left in the room.
A moving shadow reveals someone is hiding in here.
>>528747
>>528748
"It's where we get water. Down in the lowest tunnels, under the gas leak.
There's a well that leads there up in the village, but the only route by foot is down the now poisoned tunnels, past the other treasure room and expansion tunnels. You know you're close when you start feeling the moisture."
>>528748
"It's where we get water. Down in the lowest tunnels, under the gas leak.
There's a well that leads there up in the village, but the only route by foot is down the now poisoned tunnels, past the other treasure room and expansion tunnels. You know you're close when you start feeling the moisture."
>>528760
After wafting through the haze, you find the leak. It's a crack in a wall, spewing out a constant stream of gas.
A large pile of rocks might me able to at least hold it for a while, but anything short of collapsing the entire room might not be a permanent solution.
The repair crew also had some airtight sailcloth bags with them.
>>528761
You each put on masks.
The poison tunnels can now be explored freely, unless something happens to the masks.
After wafting through the haze, you find the leak. It's a crack in a wall, spewing out a constant stream of gas.
A large pile of rocks might me able to at least hold it for a while, but anything short of collapsing the entire room might not be a permanent solution.
The repair crew also had some airtight sailcloth bags with them.
>>528761
You each put on masks.
The poison tunnels can now be explored freely, unless something happens to the masks.
>>528770
You head down a tunnel, trip, and bash your head against a wall, ripping the mask.
>>528772
The walls get more moist as you head lower. As the dog earlier said, you must be nearing the underground lake.
>>528773
It's not exactly pretty, but after you recall some basic lessons about chemistry, make a few hasty and probably unhygienic mixtures from what you can, soak the cloth, add the coal, sow together a few bags and nail the whole mess over the leak… it seems to hold, at least for now.
It will take hours for this chain of bags to fill up with gas, more than enough to let you escape the tunnels before it starts seeping out again.
You head down a tunnel, trip, and bash your head against a wall, ripping the mask.
>>528772
The walls get more moist as you head lower. As the dog earlier said, you must be nearing the underground lake.
>>528773
It's not exactly pretty, but after you recall some basic lessons about chemistry, make a few hasty and probably unhygienic mixtures from what you can, soak the cloth, add the coal, sow together a few bags and nail the whole mess over the leak… it seems to hold, at least for now.
It will take hours for this chain of bags to fill up with gas, more than enough to let you escape the tunnels before it starts seeping out again.
>>528776
You seem fine on the outside.
But that was the last intact mask…
Lady Sunset looks at you with a worried face and gives you hers. This in turn prompts Sunsong to give his to the lady, giving her a stern "No." when she tries to give it back.
>>528779
"It's condensation from the underground lake. We must be close to those cultists"
>>528778
>>528777
You head down, clearing gas by flapping the fans as you go.
The air grows colder and more moist
And you start hearing sounds. Voices. Hoofsteps.
Chanting.
NEXT TIME ON TEMPORARY SIDE OF THE DAY
THE GOOD
THE BAD
AND THE HIDEOUSLY MUTATED
You seem fine on the outside.
But that was the last intact mask…
Lady Sunset looks at you with a worried face and gives you hers. This in turn prompts Sunsong to give his to the lady, giving her a stern "No." when she tries to give it back.
>>528779
"It's condensation from the underground lake. We must be close to those cultists"
>>528778
>>528777
You head down, clearing gas by flapping the fans as you go.
The air grows colder and more moist
And you start hearing sounds. Voices. Hoofsteps.
Chanting.
NEXT TIME ON TEMPORARY SIDE OF THE DAY
THE GOOD
THE BAD
AND THE HIDEOUSLY MUTATED
>>529061
It is but a minor mistake in most languages to mix up a letter. Skim can become skin, bus turn to pus, gain to pain.
But in the tongue of those who scream without a mouth, to whom corruption and mutation are blessings and gifts, and to die with your prayed unanswered is far more merciful than to truly attract the eyes that stare in the abyss beyond mortal reason, such a slight can have consequences that resonate far deeper than any mere slip of the tongue should.
You have called out to the darkness. And the darkness has heard you.
It knows you now.
It is but a minor mistake in most languages to mix up a letter. Skim can become skin, bus turn to pus, gain to pain.
But in the tongue of those who scream without a mouth, to whom corruption and mutation are blessings and gifts, and to die with your prayed unanswered is far more merciful than to truly attract the eyes that stare in the abyss beyond mortal reason, such a slight can have consequences that resonate far deeper than any mere slip of the tongue should.
You have called out to the darkness. And the darkness has heard you.
It knows you now.
>>529072
Non-combat turns are still turns.
>>529060
>>529065
>>529066
You head in deeper, descending into the lowest bowels of the tunnels. The gas seems to be fading, or perhaps more accurately seeping into the water that is condensed on nearly every surface. This mixture is certainly less explosive, but licking the walls is probably a bad idea.
The chanting becomes clearer and clearer. You can see torchlight up ahead.
If you have anything left you wished to ready before the battle, now is the time
Non-combat turns are still turns.
>>529060
>>529065
>>529066
You head in deeper, descending into the lowest bowels of the tunnels. The gas seems to be fading, or perhaps more accurately seeping into the water that is condensed on nearly every surface. This mixture is certainly less explosive, but licking the walls is probably a bad idea.
The chanting becomes clearer and clearer. You can see torchlight up ahead.
If you have anything left you wished to ready before the battle, now is the time
>>529081
>>529083
>>529084
>>529086
You charge forth, arriving in a flooded cavern akin to an underground lake. A rocky outcrop extends over it, and atop it, you finally catch sight of the rest of the cultists.
One of them is massive. Far more massive than any pony, or even any buffalo should be. A colossal mass of twisted muscle and toughened hide, with sharp ridges lining his spine and misshapen claws growing from his hooves.
Another seems freakishly elongated, as if he had been stretched out by the neck and limbs, his legs coiling into serpent tails and his neck twisting and looking around like the head of a dragon.
The third may once have been a pegasus, or perhaps more accurately a bat pony, but his great leathery wings are a cruel mockery of the noble guards of the night. Far more worryingly, he has another pair, though without its membrane, leaving nothing but spindly hands that desperately claw at the air on its back. His eyes are sharp and fiery, and tusks grow not only from the sides of his mouth, but his chin and the back of his head.
The fourth ill even resembles a pony. Perhaps it would be more fitting to call it some unholy cross between a diamond dog and a dragon. A boar-faced monster with a armored, leathery hide, mighty claws, long fangs and a strong, muscular tail.
The final one, possibly their leader, seems the most normal of the lot. If you ignore that another pony seems to grow from where his head should be, leaving his third pair of legs high in the air and his head at an odd angle. This last one is the one chanting, holding in its hooves the Heart of Darkness above the dark, churning waters.
>>529079
Worryingly, you alone seem to be able to make sense of his chanting.
…come to us, great gate-wyrm, come to us and lead us forth
Show yourself so we may stride through the dark and cold of the lightless abyss, to stand once more before Midnight's throne, and bring this tribute to your creator
Rise, rise, let us give our flesh to you, rise, rise…
>>529083
>>529084
>>529086
You charge forth, arriving in a flooded cavern akin to an underground lake. A rocky outcrop extends over it, and atop it, you finally catch sight of the rest of the cultists.
One of them is massive. Far more massive than any pony, or even any buffalo should be. A colossal mass of twisted muscle and toughened hide, with sharp ridges lining his spine and misshapen claws growing from his hooves.
Another seems freakishly elongated, as if he had been stretched out by the neck and limbs, his legs coiling into serpent tails and his neck twisting and looking around like the head of a dragon.
The third may once have been a pegasus, or perhaps more accurately a bat pony, but his great leathery wings are a cruel mockery of the noble guards of the night. Far more worryingly, he has another pair, though without its membrane, leaving nothing but spindly hands that desperately claw at the air on its back. His eyes are sharp and fiery, and tusks grow not only from the sides of his mouth, but his chin and the back of his head.
The fourth ill even resembles a pony. Perhaps it would be more fitting to call it some unholy cross between a diamond dog and a dragon. A boar-faced monster with a armored, leathery hide, mighty claws, long fangs and a strong, muscular tail.
The final one, possibly their leader, seems the most normal of the lot. If you ignore that another pony seems to grow from where his head should be, leaving his third pair of legs high in the air and his head at an odd angle. This last one is the one chanting, holding in its hooves the Heart of Darkness above the dark, churning waters.
>>529079
Worryingly, you alone seem to be able to make sense of his chanting.
…come to us, great gate-wyrm, come to us and lead us forth
Show yourself so we may stride through the dark and cold of the lightless abyss, to stand once more before Midnight's throne, and bring this tribute to your creator
Rise, rise, let us give our flesh to you, rise, rise…
>>529117
So, this is the one, then. Very well.
The cultist turns around and breathes a great torrent of black flames from his mouth. The flames engulf you, searing your flesh and forcing you down in pain, but only for a moment as >>529124 Fire Blossom helps you back up. However, something in you may have changed forever…
>>529121
Your hammer lands hard on the strange two-legged thing, exploding with devastating force that also impacts the nearby massive cultist.
>>529118
You charge the snake-like cultist, Ducking under its heavy swing and slashing one of its legs
>>529122
Your shot splits in half in mid-air, striking both the bat and the massive mutant
>>529125
With the huge cultist already taking a beating, you charge in and bring it down
Or, had it been any less Huge, you would have. Its sheer size allows it to remain standing. Barely.
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist 5/5
Huge Cultist 1/10
Snake Cultist 3/7
Dragon Cultist 10/5
Winged Cultist 3/5
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 6/5
+Dulltooth 7/5
Cassie 7/5
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica 5/5
+Primrose 5/5
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 5/5
So, this is the one, then. Very well.
The cultist turns around and breathes a great torrent of black flames from his mouth. The flames engulf you, searing your flesh and forcing you down in pain, but only for a moment as >>529124 Fire Blossom helps you back up. However, something in you may have changed forever…
>>529121
Your hammer lands hard on the strange two-legged thing, exploding with devastating force that also impacts the nearby massive cultist.
>>529118
You charge the snake-like cultist, Ducking under its heavy swing and slashing one of its legs
>>529122
Your shot splits in half in mid-air, striking both the bat and the massive mutant
>>529125
With the huge cultist already taking a beating, you charge in and bring it down
Or, had it been any less Huge, you would have. Its sheer size allows it to remain standing. Barely.
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist 5/5
Huge Cultist 1/10
Snake Cultist 3/7
Dragon Cultist 10/5
Winged Cultist 3/5
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 6/5
+Dulltooth 7/5
Cassie 7/5
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica 5/5
+Primrose 5/5
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 5/5
>>529136
>>529139
Cassie takes another swing at the serpent mutant and then dives to take a crushing blow from the dragon beast for Coral
>>529138
You keep the pressure up, and though you get a little beaten up, you manage to topple the massive cultist
>>529146
You take aim and manage to shoot one of the bat thing's wings, bringing it down!
>>529148
>>529140
The Dragon is on a roll, slamming Dulltooth aside with ease and steamrolling its way through Fire Blossom.
>>529140
You leap over the battle and strike the Centaur, making him take a few steps back
Why resist Tirek's gifts? You belong to him now. You dedicated your soul to his service.
>>529139
Cassie takes another swing at the serpent mutant and then dives to take a crushing blow from the dragon beast for Coral
>>529138
You keep the pressure up, and though you get a little beaten up, you manage to topple the massive cultist
>>529146
You take aim and manage to shoot one of the bat thing's wings, bringing it down!
>>529148
>>529140
The Dragon is on a roll, slamming Dulltooth aside with ease and steamrolling its way through Fire Blossom.
>>529140
You leap over the battle and strike the Centaur, making him take a few steps back
Why resist Tirek's gifts? You belong to him now. You dedicated your soul to his service.
>>529152
Your repeating shot finally crits, ripping apart the bony hand wings of the bat thing
>>529155
The dragon punches you on the muzzle, sending you reeling, but you stay up despite the damage suffered.
>>529161
The dragon's tail whips you on the side, crushing you with its weight.
>>529156
Seeing an opportunity, you leap in as the dragon cultist is distracted. Your strike lands with the force of will that can only be born from a pure heart striking for what it believes in. A shining beacon of hope and faith in this foul, dark place, it cleaves through the dragon's scales, hide, flesh and bone with explosive force
>>529157
The Huge cultist rises up, and after taking a hit from you, it slams Primrose off the rocks and into a wall.
>>529162
Dulltooth picks up the winged cultist and swings it around before bashing its head against a rocky stalagmite, smashing it dead.
You keep the pressure on, bringing the Centaur to a knee
Tirek's black heart will beat once more. You will be there to witness it. Among the first to bow or fall before the Night that Never Ends.
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist 1/5
Huge Cultist 7/9
Snake Cultist 1/7
Dragon Cultist 3/5
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 6/5
+Dulltooth 4/5
Cassie 7/4
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica 4/5
+Primrose HELPLESS/4
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom HELPLESS/4
Your repeating shot finally crits, ripping apart the bony hand wings of the bat thing
>>529155
The dragon punches you on the muzzle, sending you reeling, but you stay up despite the damage suffered.
>>529161
The dragon's tail whips you on the side, crushing you with its weight.
>>529156
Seeing an opportunity, you leap in as the dragon cultist is distracted. Your strike lands with the force of will that can only be born from a pure heart striking for what it believes in. A shining beacon of hope and faith in this foul, dark place, it cleaves through the dragon's scales, hide, flesh and bone with explosive force
>>529157
The Huge cultist rises up, and after taking a hit from you, it slams Primrose off the rocks and into a wall.
>>529162
Dulltooth picks up the winged cultist and swings it around before bashing its head against a rocky stalagmite, smashing it dead.
You keep the pressure on, bringing the Centaur to a knee
Tirek's black heart will beat once more. You will be there to witness it. Among the first to bow or fall before the Night that Never Ends.
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist 1/5
Huge Cultist 7/9
Snake Cultist 1/7
Dragon Cultist 3/5
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 6/5
+Dulltooth 4/5
Cassie 7/4
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica 4/5
+Primrose HELPLESS/4
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom HELPLESS/4
>>529169
You almost manage it, but at the last moment your legs give in
>>529170
The first beef to be played out is you beefing it, as his neck wraps around you and he bites your side
>>529171
Your blow manages to knock him over, though he still grasps the heart
Dulltooth enters the fray with a thundering drop kick!
>>529172
[Yes]
Primrose stands up
However a swift one-two from the huge cultist sends you flying into the shallow waters of the lake shore
>>529173
>>529174
The air itself ignites into a flash of light as your weapon cleaves clean through the dragon, making it collapse.
The sheer look of shock and excitement on Cloudcover's face is quite a sight too.
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist HELPLESS/4
Huge Cultist 3/9
Snake Cultist 1/7
Dragon Cultist HELPLESS/4
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 6/5
+Dulltooth 4/5
Cassie 3/4
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica HELPLESS/4
+Primrose 5/4
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom HELPLESS/4
You almost manage it, but at the last moment your legs give in
>>529170
The first beef to be played out is you beefing it, as his neck wraps around you and he bites your side
>>529171
Your blow manages to knock him over, though he still grasps the heart
Dulltooth enters the fray with a thundering drop kick!
>>529172
[Yes]
Primrose stands up
However a swift one-two from the huge cultist sends you flying into the shallow waters of the lake shore
>>529173
>>529174
The air itself ignites into a flash of light as your weapon cleaves clean through the dragon, making it collapse.
The sheer look of shock and excitement on Cloudcover's face is quite a sight too.
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist HELPLESS/4
Huge Cultist 3/9
Snake Cultist 1/7
Dragon Cultist HELPLESS/4
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 6/5
+Dulltooth 4/5
Cassie 3/4
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica HELPLESS/4
+Primrose 5/4
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom HELPLESS/4
>>529186
This world needs heroes.
You will be one, now that you stand proud once more.
>>529188
Your punch mostly hurts your own fist.
>>529192
The dragon rises up once again.
>>529196
The dragon plows over your prone form, but Primrose retaliates, nearly felling it!
>>529190
Dulltooth brings the huge mutant down!
You are too late.
The lake begins to heave and boil. You can see something swimming up from the seemingly endless depths. Your head screams in agony as the darkness looks back at you.
You collapse as the Centaur rises with a triumphant cackle
It comes.
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist 5/4
Huge Cultist HELPLESS/8
Snake Cultist 1/7
Dragon Cultist 15/4
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn HELPLESS/4
+Dulltooth 4/5
Cassie 2/4
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica HELPLESS/3
+Primrose 5/4
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 5/4
This world needs heroes.
You will be one, now that you stand proud once more.
>>529188
Your punch mostly hurts your own fist.
>>529192
The dragon rises up once again.
>>529196
The dragon plows over your prone form, but Primrose retaliates, nearly felling it!
>>529190
Dulltooth brings the huge mutant down!
You are too late.
The lake begins to heave and boil. You can see something swimming up from the seemingly endless depths. Your head screams in agony as the darkness looks back at you.
You collapse as the Centaur rises with a triumphant cackle
It comes.
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist 5/4
Huge Cultist HELPLESS/8
Snake Cultist 1/7
Dragon Cultist 15/4
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn HELPLESS/4
+Dulltooth 4/5
Cassie 2/4
Eira 5/5
Dr. Jonica HELPLESS/3
+Primrose 5/4
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 5/4
>>529206
Your break a tooth and fall helpless
>>529210
You probably could, if you got someone in the water and detonated them there…
The snake bashes you across the back with a tail
>>529207
You bring the snake down, and wound the Centaur, stopping its laugh short
>>529203
>>529202
The doctor is back up and running
>>529205
You stand back up, only to see Dulltooth get crushed against the cavern wall
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist 3/4
Huge Cultist HELPLESS/8
Snake Cultist HELPLESS/6
Dragon Cultist 15/4
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 5/4
+Dulltooth HELPLESS/4
Cassie HELPLESS/5
Eira 3/5
Dr. Jonica 5/3
+Primrose 5/4
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 5/4
Your break a tooth and fall helpless
>>529210
You probably could, if you got someone in the water and detonated them there…
The snake bashes you across the back with a tail
>>529207
You bring the snake down, and wound the Centaur, stopping its laugh short
>>529203
>>529202
The doctor is back up and running
>>529205
You stand back up, only to see Dulltooth get crushed against the cavern wall
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist 3/4
Huge Cultist HELPLESS/8
Snake Cultist HELPLESS/6
Dragon Cultist 15/4
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 5/4
+Dulltooth HELPLESS/4
Cassie HELPLESS/5
Eira 3/5
Dr. Jonica 5/3
+Primrose 5/4
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 5/4
>>529215
His smack is perhaps less telekinetic and more forceful.
He still aims for your cheek though.
>>529216
>>529218
>>529222
Dulltooth and Cassie are back up
>>529222
Your blow knocks the Centaur to the edge of the rocks
>>529220
You wound one of the snake's tails
>>529223
The Huge Cultist capitalizes on your moment of confusion and manages to get up
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist HELPLESS/3
Huge Cultist 10/8
Snake Cultist HELPLESS/5
Dragon Cultist 15/4
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 5/4
+Dulltooth 7/4
Cassie 7/5
Eira 2/5
Dr. Jonica 5/3
+Primrose 5/4
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 5/4
His smack is perhaps less telekinetic and more forceful.
He still aims for your cheek though.
>>529216
>>529218
>>529222
Dulltooth and Cassie are back up
>>529222
Your blow knocks the Centaur to the edge of the rocks
>>529220
You wound one of the snake's tails
>>529223
The Huge Cultist capitalizes on your moment of confusion and manages to get up
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist HELPLESS/3
Huge Cultist 10/8
Snake Cultist HELPLESS/5
Dragon Cultist 15/4
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 5/4
+Dulltooth 7/4
Cassie 7/5
Eira 2/5
Dr. Jonica 5/3
+Primrose 5/4
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 5/4
>>529234
You raise your hoof in the air and with a scream bring it down, exploding the rock below your and the very air around you in holy flame, searing your foes!
>>529235
>>529242
Coral and Dulltooth charge the Huge cultist as it reels, nearly bringing it down
>>529235
You charge the wounded Centaur meeting its gaze as you prepare your swing
You already belong to Him
In a mighty blow you send him flying off the rocks, launching his bloodied corpse into the center of the angry whirlpool forming in the lake. It is unlikely that he could have possibly survived such an impact.
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist DEAD
Huge Cultist 1/8
Snake Cultist HELPLESS/4
Dragon Cultist 11/4
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 5/4
+Dulltooth 7/4
Cassie 7/5
Eira 2/5
Dr. Jonica 5/3
+Primrose 5/4
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 5/4
You raise your hoof in the air and with a scream bring it down, exploding the rock below your and the very air around you in holy flame, searing your foes!
>>529235
>>529242
Coral and Dulltooth charge the Huge cultist as it reels, nearly bringing it down
>>529235
You charge the wounded Centaur meeting its gaze as you prepare your swing
You already belong to Him
In a mighty blow you send him flying off the rocks, launching his bloodied corpse into the center of the angry whirlpool forming in the lake. It is unlikely that he could have possibly survived such an impact.
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist DEAD
Huge Cultist 1/8
Snake Cultist HELPLESS/4
Dragon Cultist 11/4
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 5/4
+Dulltooth 7/4
Cassie 7/5
Eira 2/5
Dr. Jonica 5/3
+Primrose 5/4
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 5/4
>>529249
The Huge cultist slaps Primrose aside, but is brought down by your strikes once again!
>>529253
Though Dulltooth fails to harm anyone but himself, your stroke deals visible damage to the Dragon
>>529256
>>529257
>>529261
Coral stumbles and slips on the wet rocks, but Cassie leaps in to take the brunt of the retaliation
>>529260
You manage to patch the doctor up better than you thought possible with such methods. Good job.
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist DEAD
Huge Cultist HELPLESS/6
Snake Cultist HELPLESS/4
Dragon Cultist 7/4
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 5/4
+Dulltooth 4/4
Cassie 0/5
Eira 2/5
Dr. Jonica 5/5
+Primrose 1/4
Coral Burst 5/5 Protected
Blossom 5/4
The Huge cultist slaps Primrose aside, but is brought down by your strikes once again!
>>529253
Though Dulltooth fails to harm anyone but himself, your stroke deals visible damage to the Dragon
>>529256
>>529257
>>529261
Coral stumbles and slips on the wet rocks, but Cassie leaps in to take the brunt of the retaliation
>>529260
You manage to patch the doctor up better than you thought possible with such methods. Good job.
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist DEAD
Huge Cultist HELPLESS/6
Snake Cultist HELPLESS/4
Dragon Cultist 7/4
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 5/4
+Dulltooth 4/4
Cassie 0/5
Eira 2/5
Dr. Jonica 5/5
+Primrose 1/4
Coral Burst 5/5 Protected
Blossom 5/4
>>529283
A thundering retaliation from the Dragon sends you skidding back, but you remain standing
>>529281
Primrose's leg buckles and she slams head first into some rocks
>>529276
>>529278
>>529281
A mighty volley of blows nearly kills the Huge Cultist, but it still manages to stand up for a final battle
>>529277
Dulltooth looks good to go once more
>>529278
You're winning! Just one last push and you can beat them!
#+2 to all rolls next turn!
A thundering retaliation from the Dragon sends you skidding back, but you remain standing
>>529281
Primrose's leg buckles and she slams head first into some rocks
>>529276
>>529278
>>529281
A mighty volley of blows nearly kills the Huge Cultist, but it still manages to stand up for a final battle
>>529277
Dulltooth looks good to go once more
>>529278
You're winning! Just one last push and you can beat them!
#+2 to all rolls next turn!
>>529291
You manage to knock the Dragon down
>>529297
And you aid the effort, further wounding it
>>529295
The Huge cultist slams you Helpless as Primrose gets back up
>>529301
The snake cultist who Cloudcover, Lady Sunset and Sunsong had kept down for a while now finally breaks loose as you stumble into them
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist DEAD
Huge Cultist 10/2
Snake Cultist 5/4
Dragon Cultist HELPLESS/2
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 5/4
+Dulltooth 6/4
Cassie 7/4
Eira 2/5
Dr. Jonica HELPLESS/4
+Primrose 5/3
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 5/4
You manage to knock the Dragon down
>>529297
And you aid the effort, further wounding it
>>529295
The Huge cultist slams you Helpless as Primrose gets back up
>>529301
The snake cultist who Cloudcover, Lady Sunset and Sunsong had kept down for a while now finally breaks loose as you stumble into them
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist DEAD
Huge Cultist 10/2
Snake Cultist 5/4
Dragon Cultist HELPLESS/2
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 5/4
+Dulltooth 6/4
Cassie 7/4
Eira 2/5
Dr. Jonica HELPLESS/4
+Primrose 5/3
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 5/4
>>529297
Your efforts are rewarded with naught but failure as you are wounded and Dulltooth is knocked Helpless
>>529308
The only wrath here is that of a snake scorned. A wrath you feel lash all over your body in the blink of an eye as the beast slithers around you like a sentient cat 'o nine tails
>>529309
You nearly kill the Dragon
>>529310
Primrose aids you back on your hooves
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist DEAD
Huge Cultist 10/2
Snake Cultist 5/4
Dragon Cultist HELPLESS/1
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 2/4
+Dulltooth HELPLESS/3
Cassie 7/4
Eira 2/5
Dr. Jonica 5/4
+Primrose 5/3
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 1/4
Your efforts are rewarded with naught but failure as you are wounded and Dulltooth is knocked Helpless
>>529308
The only wrath here is that of a snake scorned. A wrath you feel lash all over your body in the blink of an eye as the beast slithers around you like a sentient cat 'o nine tails
>>529309
You nearly kill the Dragon
>>529310
Primrose aids you back on your hooves
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist DEAD
Huge Cultist 10/2
Snake Cultist 5/4
Dragon Cultist HELPLESS/1
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 2/4
+Dulltooth HELPLESS/3
Cassie 7/4
Eira 2/5
Dr. Jonica 5/4
+Primrose 5/3
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 1/4
>>529297
Dulltooth fails to get up, but in a final mighty blow you sever the head of the dragon cultist, killing it.
>>529312
You aid Dulltooth, while Primrose wounds the Huge cultist
>>529313
You attack the snake, forcing it to change tactics and slither back, but it quickly turns to Cassie
>>529314
The snake surprises you from behind!
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist DEAD
Huge Cultist 7/2
Snake Cultist 3/4
Dragon Cultist DEAD
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 2/4
+Dulltooth 8/3
Cassie 5/4
Dr. Jonica 5/4
+Primrose 5/3
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 1/4
Dulltooth fails to get up, but in a final mighty blow you sever the head of the dragon cultist, killing it.
>>529312
You aid Dulltooth, while Primrose wounds the Huge cultist
>>529313
You attack the snake, forcing it to change tactics and slither back, but it quickly turns to Cassie
>>529314
The snake surprises you from behind!
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist DEAD
Huge Cultist 7/2
Snake Cultist 3/4
Dragon Cultist DEAD
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 2/4
+Dulltooth 8/3
Cassie 5/4
Dr. Jonica 5/4
+Primrose 5/3
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 1/4
>>529316
Your swing hits nothing but air as the swift serpent strikes from an unexpected angle
>>529317
You capitalize on it focusing on Cassie, further wounding it
>>529318
The huge one barrels through you, slamming into Primrose
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist DEAD
Huge Cultist 7/2
Snake Cultist 4/4
Dragon Cultist DEAD
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 2/4
+Dulltooth 8/3
Cassie 1/4
Dr. Jonica 2/4
+Primrose HELPLESS/2
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 1/4
Your swing hits nothing but air as the swift serpent strikes from an unexpected angle
>>529317
You capitalize on it focusing on Cassie, further wounding it
>>529318
The huge one barrels through you, slamming into Primrose
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist DEAD
Huge Cultist 7/2
Snake Cultist 4/4
Dragon Cultist DEAD
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 2/4
+Dulltooth 8/3
Cassie 1/4
Dr. Jonica 2/4
+Primrose HELPLESS/2
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 1/4
>>529321
>>529322
Cassie takes the full brunt of an assault that would have killed a less prepared defender outright.
Whisper just does a less than impressive pratfall
>>529320
You help the dented Primrose back on her squeaky feet.
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist DEAD
Huge Cultist 7/2
Snake Cultist 4/4
Dragon Cultist DEAD
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 2/4
+Dulltooth 8/3
Cassie -6/4
Dr. Jonica 2/4
+Primrose 5/2
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 1/4
Whisper 5/5 Protected
>>529322
Cassie takes the full brunt of an assault that would have killed a less prepared defender outright.
Whisper just does a less than impressive pratfall
>>529320
You help the dented Primrose back on her squeaky feet.
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist DEAD
Huge Cultist 7/2
Snake Cultist 4/4
Dragon Cultist DEAD
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 2/4
+Dulltooth 8/3
Cassie -6/4
Dr. Jonica 2/4
+Primrose 5/2
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 1/4
Whisper 5/5 Protected
>>529324
>>529325
Miraculously, Primrose manages to stabilize, support and patch up Cassie from the brink of death!
The good doctor exchanges blows with the huge mutant
>>529326
>>529327
You slash the Huge mutant, slowly bringing it closer to death
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist DEAD
Huge Cultist 5/2
Snake Cultist 4/4
Dragon Cultist DEAD
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 2/4
+Dulltooth 8/3
Cassie 7/4
Dr. Jonica 1/4
+Primrose 5/2
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 1/4
Whisper 5/5 Protected
>>529325
Miraculously, Primrose manages to stabilize, support and patch up Cassie from the brink of death!
The good doctor exchanges blows with the huge mutant
>>529326
>>529327
You slash the Huge mutant, slowly bringing it closer to death
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist DEAD
Huge Cultist 5/2
Snake Cultist 4/4
Dragon Cultist DEAD
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 2/4
+Dulltooth 8/3
Cassie 7/4
Dr. Jonica 1/4
+Primrose 5/2
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 1/4
Whisper 5/5 Protected
>>529329
You jam your blade in the Huge cultist's neck, nearly killing it
Just one more blow should do the trick!
>>529330
You manage to bring the Snake down!
>>529331
The Huge mutant struggles up for one final stand as you and Primrose fumble your finishing move
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist DEAD
Huge Cultist 10/1
Snake Cultist HELPLESS/3
Dragon Cultist DEAD
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 2/4
+Dulltooth 8/3
Cassie 7/4
Dr. Jonica 1/4
+Primrose 5/2
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 1/4
Whisper 5/5
You jam your blade in the Huge cultist's neck, nearly killing it
Just one more blow should do the trick!
>>529330
You manage to bring the Snake down!
>>529331
The Huge mutant struggles up for one final stand as you and Primrose fumble your finishing move
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist DEAD
Huge Cultist 10/1
Snake Cultist HELPLESS/3
Dragon Cultist DEAD
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 2/4
+Dulltooth 8/3
Cassie 7/4
Dr. Jonica 1/4
+Primrose 5/2
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 1/4
Whisper 5/5
>>529333
The huge thing is far harder to stop than you guessed, and it tosses you off the rocks
>>529335
The huge one then plows into you, but Primrose comes to your aid
>>529334
You punch its stupid snake teeth right out of its skull and crush its jaw against a rock for good measure
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist DEAD
Huge Cultist 10/1
Snake Cultist HELPLESS/1
Dragon Cultist DEAD
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 2/4
+Dulltooth 8/3
Cassie 7/4
Dr. Jonica 5/4
+Primrose 5/2
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 1/4
Whisper 2/5
The huge thing is far harder to stop than you guessed, and it tosses you off the rocks
>>529335
The huge one then plows into you, but Primrose comes to your aid
>>529334
You punch its stupid snake teeth right out of its skull and crush its jaw against a rock for good measure
#ENEMY
Centaur Cultist DEAD
Huge Cultist 10/1
Snake Cultist HELPLESS/1
Dragon Cultist DEAD
Winged Cultist DEAD
#PARTY
Amber Dawn 2/4
+Dulltooth 8/3
Cassie 7/4
Dr. Jonica 5/4
+Primrose 5/2
Coral Burst 5/5
Blossom 1/4
Whisper 2/5
>>529338
>>529340
You charge the Snake en masse and finish it off, leaving its corpse twitching for a moment before it stops
>>529337
>>529339
>>529341
You leap out of the water, dancing around the Huge mutant in a flurry of steel, ripping its massive body asunder faster than it can retaliate, before stopping right in front of it and letting it try and slam into you. As it does, its muscles come off its bones and its hide splits into ribbons, exploding the whole beast into a mess of unidentifiable gore.
All seems silent now.
The Heart of Darkness sits at the tip of the rocky outcrop, still and silent.
>>529340
You charge the Snake en masse and finish it off, leaving its corpse twitching for a moment before it stops
>>529337
>>529339
>>529341
You leap out of the water, dancing around the Huge mutant in a flurry of steel, ripping its massive body asunder faster than it can retaliate, before stopping right in front of it and letting it try and slam into you. As it does, its muscles come off its bones and its hide splits into ribbons, exploding the whole beast into a mess of unidentifiable gore.
All seems silent now.
The Heart of Darkness sits at the tip of the rocky outcrop, still and silent.
>>529345
>>529350
As you near the heart, the swirling abyss at the heart of the lake pulses, and the broken body of the centaur rises, lifted by the great fanged maw of a giant serpent, its mouth alone large enough to be considered a tunnel
The hour of twilight is here, the last day of this world will soon set, and forevermore will midnight dominate the skies. Once more power will belong to those who have earned it as the true god of the night will return to this world.
The Black Heart of Tirek stolen so long ago shall beat again!
You cannot help but stare as the massive serpent looms before you and the centaur plucks the heart from the rock. As his hooves touch it, it beats a single, weak beat.
With a smile of genuine, warm joy, the centaur allows the great worm to swallow him as it dives back down into the lake and vanishes.
As she recovers from the shock of what she just saw, Lady Sunset sits down to gather herself
"…My torch was never here… was it?
But… how? How!? Calming said it was being held here!
…I need to see him. At once!"
>>529350
As you near the heart, the swirling abyss at the heart of the lake pulses, and the broken body of the centaur rises, lifted by the great fanged maw of a giant serpent, its mouth alone large enough to be considered a tunnel
The hour of twilight is here, the last day of this world will soon set, and forevermore will midnight dominate the skies. Once more power will belong to those who have earned it as the true god of the night will return to this world.
The Black Heart of Tirek stolen so long ago shall beat again!
You cannot help but stare as the massive serpent looms before you and the centaur plucks the heart from the rock. As his hooves touch it, it beats a single, weak beat.
With a smile of genuine, warm joy, the centaur allows the great worm to swallow him as it dives back down into the lake and vanishes.
As she recovers from the shock of what she just saw, Lady Sunset sits down to gather herself
"…My torch was never here… was it?
But… how? How!? Calming said it was being held here!
…I need to see him. At once!"
>>529364
"Just, let me know if you start feeling strange. I've got Amber to deal with right now, we don't need anyone else hurt."
>>529365
"Not really, and this is starting to feel so far out of my area of expertise. My prescription is we get the prisoners out, inform those that sent us here, and take a well deserved drink."
"Just, let me know if you start feeling strange. I've got Amber to deal with right now, we don't need anyone else hurt."
>>529365
"Not really, and this is starting to feel so far out of my area of expertise. My prescription is we get the prisoners out, inform those that sent us here, and take a well deserved drink."
>>529362
"Yes.
Because they will need that too, if the stories are true."
>>529361
The cover only contains a symbol of a great horned head.
It appears to be some sort of journal, or spellbook.
>>529363
>>529365
The lady sighs
"Grandfather often told stories about the Torch, saying it's more than just some dusty relic. That it actually houses a fragment of an imprisoned god. And as nobles, our duty was to keep it safe so that no evil force could ever gather these pieces and reunite them.
Now, my father never believed a word of that, saying it's just myth and peasant romanticism. My siblings shared his views, but I believed Grandpa. And now.. after seeing this… I think we were right all along.
These ponies seek to collect all the pieces of Tirek's power in order to resurrect their long-dead god of Midnight."
NEXT TIME ON MIDNIGHTS
CLAIM YOUR NEW REWARDS
MAKE NEW PLANS
AND HEAD ON OUT TO A NEW LOCATION
"Yes.
Because they will need that too, if the stories are true."
>>529361
The cover only contains a symbol of a great horned head.
It appears to be some sort of journal, or spellbook.
>>529363
>>529365
The lady sighs
"Grandfather often told stories about the Torch, saying it's more than just some dusty relic. That it actually houses a fragment of an imprisoned god. And as nobles, our duty was to keep it safe so that no evil force could ever gather these pieces and reunite them.
Now, my father never believed a word of that, saying it's just myth and peasant romanticism. My siblings shared his views, but I believed Grandpa. And now.. after seeing this… I think we were right all along.
These ponies seek to collect all the pieces of Tirek's power in order to resurrect their long-dead god of Midnight."
NEXT TIME ON MIDNIGHTS
CLAIM YOUR NEW REWARDS
MAKE NEW PLANS
AND HEAD ON OUT TO A NEW LOCATION
>>529447
It seems to be a collection of his thoughts on Tirek and his teachings.
His writing style changes from normal to barely legible to outright strange towards the later half of the book. It's like he stopped using normal words or even normal letters.
>>529448
There is a faint whispering somewhere in the depths of your ears, or then that's just the sound of your heart.
Shadowy figures scuttle at the edges of your vision, but vanish if you turn to look at them.
And Whisper seems to be really confused by a page of perfectly normal text in that book he is reading.
>>529449
"Almost certainly. We hold the Mirror, and Calming has the Book. They now have the Heart.
This leaves my torch, as well as the Jewel unaccounted for."
>>529466
"There is no need to be dramatic, Blossom. This is the situation we are in, and the only way to change it is to go and do something about it ourselves."
It seems to be a collection of his thoughts on Tirek and his teachings.
His writing style changes from normal to barely legible to outright strange towards the later half of the book. It's like he stopped using normal words or even normal letters.
>>529448
There is a faint whispering somewhere in the depths of your ears, or then that's just the sound of your heart.
Shadowy figures scuttle at the edges of your vision, but vanish if you turn to look at them.
And Whisper seems to be really confused by a page of perfectly normal text in that book he is reading.
>>529449
"Almost certainly. We hold the Mirror, and Calming has the Book. They now have the Heart.
This leaves my torch, as well as the Jewel unaccounted for."
>>529466
"There is no need to be dramatic, Blossom. This is the situation we are in, and the only way to change it is to go and do something about it ourselves."
>>529474
"Those who believe in seniority. After all, Tirek predates our beloved princess."
She has a rather huffy tone. Sounds like someone doesn't really like her older siblings…
>>529479
The Gatewyrm swims below all seas, everywhere when called, nowhere when hidden. It alone knows the way to midnight's throne, it alone can see us home. Grant thine flesh to its care, and permit it to bring you to the new seat of power built by our brothers. Hidden under the noses of unbelievers, shrouded by the cloak of vanity, that sin the rich most freely embrace.We take their labor and stone for our own, and when the time to rise has come, the Gatewyrm will see our new home to its rightful place.
"Those who believe in seniority. After all, Tirek predates our beloved princess."
She has a rather huffy tone. Sounds like someone doesn't really like her older siblings…
>>529479
The Gatewyrm swims below all seas, everywhere when called, nowhere when hidden. It alone knows the way to midnight's throne, it alone can see us home. Grant thine flesh to its care, and permit it to bring you to the new seat of power built by our brothers. Hidden under the noses of unbelievers, shrouded by the cloak of vanity, that sin the rich most freely embrace.We take their labor and stone for our own, and when the time to rise has come, the Gatewyrm will see our new home to its rightful place.
Cloudcover takes a moment to assess the situation
"It seems we have a few clear priorities here. We need to get the mirror to safety, as well as meet up with this… Calming Breeze to reclaim the artifacts he has found.
Then, we need to locate the rest of these cultists and put a stop to their actions."
"It seems we have a few clear priorities here. We need to get the mirror to safety, as well as meet up with this… Calming Breeze to reclaim the artifacts he has found.
Then, we need to locate the rest of these cultists and put a stop to their actions."
>>529517
"…It is? I know it was written by those cultists, and the stuff it says sounds crazy, but… maybe they just have really sloppy writing?"
>>529518
"I'm not! I… I think that black fire they breathed at me… did something to me. They started talking about me being "the one," and that Tirek "owned me now" or something. Nobody owns me!"
"…It is? I know it was written by those cultists, and the stuff it says sounds crazy, but… maybe they just have really sloppy writing?"
>>529518
"I'm not! I… I think that black fire they breathed at me… did something to me. They started talking about me being "the one," and that Tirek "owned me now" or something. Nobody owns me!"
>>529539
"If I can read it and the rest of you can't… It might be too late for that." Still, I close the book and push it away. "On the plus side, now we know what they're up to. All that's left is to figure out a way to stop them."
>>529546
Shoot her a smirk. "Can't take your eyes off me, eh?" Flip my hair. "Unfortunately for you, my heart's already set on another."
"If I can read it and the rest of you can't… It might be too late for that." Still, I close the book and push it away. "On the plus side, now we know what they're up to. All that's left is to figure out a way to stop them."
>>529546
Shoot her a smirk. "Can't take your eyes off me, eh?" Flip my hair. "Unfortunately for you, my heart's already set on another."
>>529558
>>529570
Cloudcover looks hesitant
"You really want to save those bandits?"
>>529586
>>529581
In an incredible twist, the cure forces all the corruption causes by the black flame to shrivel and retreat to a single point, rather than trying to invade the entire body.
The ability to read and speak Dark Tongue is now perfectly under Amber's control.
>>529570
Cloudcover looks hesitant
"You really want to save those bandits?"
>>529586
>>529581
In an incredible twist, the cure forces all the corruption causes by the black flame to shrivel and retreat to a single point, rather than trying to invade the entire body.
The ability to read and speak Dark Tongue is now perfectly under Amber's control.
You are hauled up, leaving the wet caverns behind, and soon emerging from a well at the heart of the dog town.
The huge dog from before is there, a little puppy hiding behind his massive arm, taking curious peeks at you.
So is the small sentry you saved.
But more importantly, surrounded by guards who look like they have seen plenty of action, and bitched with hips that could pass a buffalo herd and not even notice, stands a dog with a build to shame a minotaur and a jaw that could split the earth. This is probably the Alpha.
The huge dog from before is there, a little puppy hiding behind his massive arm, taking curious peeks at you.
So is the small sentry you saved.
But more importantly, surrounded by guards who look like they have seen plenty of action, and bitched with hips that could pass a buffalo herd and not even notice, stands a dog with a build to shame a minotaur and a jaw that could split the earth. This is probably the Alpha.
>>529730
Kick the head Dulltooth dropped.
"Do you think this was a game? A joyride for us? These were not just your run of the mill, digging gone wrong baddies. I want a fair price."
Cross my paws.
"Oh, and patched up the gas leak too, so if you want to fix it permanently do it now while it holds."
Kick the head Dulltooth dropped.
"Do you think this was a game? A joyride for us? These were not just your run of the mill, digging gone wrong baddies. I want a fair price."
Cross my paws.
"Oh, and patched up the gas leak too, so if you want to fix it permanently do it now while it holds."
>>529737
They are probably in pens somewhere. Though a few are standing around, mostly doing chores or just carrying stuff for the dogs present.
>>529735
The small sentry you rescued raises a paw
"Alpha, if I may, she speaks truth. Give them two for killing, a third for helping with the gas. It would be fair."
The alpha thinks for a moment, rubbing his chin, then turns to one of his guards
"You fought these too. Is the reward fair?"
"…Yes. Tougher than those thief ponies, they were."
"Then so be it."
The alpha turns back to you and Dulltooth
"Three ponies each, of your choosing. For aid in felling a dangerous foe, and in helping with a dangerous leak."
They are probably in pens somewhere. Though a few are standing around, mostly doing chores or just carrying stuff for the dogs present.
>>529735
The small sentry you rescued raises a paw
"Alpha, if I may, she speaks truth. Give them two for killing, a third for helping with the gas. It would be fair."
The alpha thinks for a moment, rubbing his chin, then turns to one of his guards
"You fought these too. Is the reward fair?"
"…Yes. Tougher than those thief ponies, they were."
"Then so be it."
The alpha turns back to you and Dulltooth
"Three ponies each, of your choosing. For aid in felling a dangerous foe, and in helping with a dangerous leak."
>>529746
"If a dog told you a day ago there was a pony with hide as thick as a wal with the head of a dragon, you would have said that was a lie too, right?"
Point at the head.
"Oh, would you look at that?
They only needed the water, no matter how deep, to summon it."
>>529748
"And leave all the others for them? They would just get even more work to fill in for the ones we took."
"If a dog told you a day ago there was a pony with hide as thick as a wal with the head of a dragon, you would have said that was a lie too, right?"
Point at the head.
"Oh, would you look at that?
They only needed the water, no matter how deep, to summon it."
>>529748
"And leave all the others for them? They would just get even more work to fill in for the ones we took."
>>529785
"I guess you didn't see what happened just outside. There was this infected pony, with tentacles growing out of his skin… when we killed it, the tentacles only got madder. You execute them and you bring all of them down on you at once. Or one by one they wear down your best warriors."
Sigh.
"These cultists, pal, they don't fuck around when it comes to slaughter."
"I guess you didn't see what happened just outside. There was this infected pony, with tentacles growing out of his skin… when we killed it, the tentacles only got madder. You execute them and you bring all of them down on you at once. Or one by one they wear down your best warriors."
Sigh.
"These cultists, pal, they don't fuck around when it comes to slaughter."
>>529812
The bandits are rough types with bodies forged by a hard life. Seeing them share a teary hug is a little jarring.
The mare is pretty enough, nothing special, but she has a soft body and the eyes of someone who isn't easily shaken.
>>529813
Dulltooth got three
Cassie got ten
The dogs kept the rest
>>529814
He shakes your paw and points you to the pens
One of his guards joins you
Once you are out of earshot, the guard turns to you
"I can't believe you actually stood up to him."
The bandits are rough types with bodies forged by a hard life. Seeing them share a teary hug is a little jarring.
The mare is pretty enough, nothing special, but she has a soft body and the eyes of someone who isn't easily shaken.
>>529813
Dulltooth got three
Cassie got ten
The dogs kept the rest
>>529814
He shakes your paw and points you to the pens
One of his guards joins you
Once you are out of earshot, the guard turns to you
"I can't believe you actually stood up to him."
>>529829
"I'm not happy about leaving ponies here either, but think for a moment. Some of us are still injured, and almost all of us are tired. What chance would we have against an entire dogpack? We are saving the ones we can. When we get back, the guard can send an entire platoon to free the rest."
"I'm not happy about leaving ponies here either, but think for a moment. Some of us are still injured, and almost all of us are tired. What chance would we have against an entire dogpack? We are saving the ones we can. When we get back, the guard can send an entire platoon to free the rest."
>>529832
Pull him closer.
"You know, he is making a mistake. I think the infection might have spread into the other pens too. I don't know if you saw us fighting these mutants… they aren't good for many things, but if there is one they do, it's killing. I'd hate to know a town of dogs died to something as silly as infected pony slaves. That would be just embarassing."
Pull him closer.
"You know, he is making a mistake. I think the infection might have spread into the other pens too. I don't know if you saw us fighting these mutants… they aren't good for many things, but if there is one they do, it's killing. I'd hate to know a town of dogs died to something as silly as infected pony slaves. That would be just embarassing."
>>529957
Grab him, and pull him closer to me.
Lower my voice so others can't hear.
"No, I will not enjoy it. Ponies are one of my least favourite things. Those ponies? I don't own them. They insist that I am their 'friend'. But do you know what's below ponies on my least favourite things list? Slavery."
Release him.
"There's a reason I left home."
Grab him, and pull him closer to me.
Lower my voice so others can't hear.
"No, I will not enjoy it. Ponies are one of my least favourite things. Those ponies? I don't own them. They insist that I am their 'friend'. But do you know what's below ponies on my least favourite things list? Slavery."
Release him.
"There's a reason I left home."
>>529960
"Most of it. Still, it was better than the lot who died fighting."
>>529961
"Name's Fern, what's it to you?"
>>529962
"Fine enough, really. For a while there we were kinda worried."
>>529965
For a moment he just stands there, staring at you, then, without more than a smile, he nods.
"We're probably the only dogs around who think like that.
…it's a hell of a gamble but…"
"Most of it. Still, it was better than the lot who died fighting."
>>529961
"Name's Fern, what's it to you?"
>>529962
"Fine enough, really. For a while there we were kinda worried."
>>529965
For a moment he just stands there, staring at you, then, without more than a smile, he nods.
"We're probably the only dogs around who think like that.
…it's a hell of a gamble but…"
>>530101
>>530103
>>530106
>>530110
The best part about this plan was how it had no hope of working.
The moment one of the guards sees you with a huge herd of ponies, they rush in to stop you, possibly out of a sense of duty, possibly thinking you are being given more than they are for doing less work.
It all quickly devolves into a brawl, and you manage to escape to the surface with none but the bandits and Fern in tow. A few of the other ponies seem to have rushed towards other directions, so maybe some of them made it out. You cannot know.
Night is falling.
You should make camp somewhere and rest before heading on the next leg of this journey.
NEXT TIME ON MIDNIGHTS
OLD FACES
NEW FOES
AND MORE WAIFUS
>>530103
>>530106
>>530110
The best part about this plan was how it had no hope of working.
The moment one of the guards sees you with a huge herd of ponies, they rush in to stop you, possibly out of a sense of duty, possibly thinking you are being given more than they are for doing less work.
It all quickly devolves into a brawl, and you manage to escape to the surface with none but the bandits and Fern in tow. A few of the other ponies seem to have rushed towards other directions, so maybe some of them made it out. You cannot know.
Night is falling.
You should make camp somewhere and rest before heading on the next leg of this journey.
NEXT TIME ON MIDNIGHTS
OLD FACES
NEW FOES
AND MORE WAIFUS