>>47496
The thugs all seemed to have pretty common and standard weaponry on them. You could pick up a shield if you wanted.
You also notice the small bag on the table where the letter laid on. As you inspect the bag you see that it is filled with coins, denarii again. Just like the coin you found earlier they are still very shiny and must be freshly minted.
The thugs all seemed to have pretty common and standard weaponry on them. You could pick up a shield if you wanted.
You also notice the small bag on the table where the letter laid on. As you inspect the bag you see that it is filled with coins, denarii again. Just like the coin you found earlier they are still very shiny and must be freshly minted.
>>47511
You walk back to the stock room and try another door on the other side. This room isn't as dark and you see a lot of desks and chairs around. This room was probably used for administrative purposes you also see two ponies laying on top of one of the desks, cuddling each other.
Wait what? You don't cuddle that wa-
Oh.
Well at least they haven't noticed you or anything else going on in the building.
You walk back to the stock room and try another door on the other side. This room isn't as dark and you see a lot of desks and chairs around. This room was probably used for administrative purposes you also see two ponies laying on top of one of the desks, cuddling each other.
Wait what? You don't cuddle that wa-
Oh.
Well at least they haven't noticed you or anything else going on in the building.
The party sets off again and reaches the Imperial palace without any incidents. The guards, knowing who you are by now allow you to pass freely and don't even escort you along anymore. The party walks through the gardens and enters the palace itself, following the same route as they always have. As they reach the wooden doors to the throne room however, they are stopped by two guards, who block the way in.
>>47554
>>47556
He cocks an eyebrow.
"Guild Master Ducatia is currently at the guild hall, so if you need her you'll have to go there."
>>47555
>>47557
"Goddesses knows what those inquisit-"
The guard is interrupted as Pick Wick suddenly teleports in between you.
"You are here. Good. And you all made it alive too. Even better."
She motions to the party as she walks down the hallway.
"Follow me, you must tell me what you have learned swiftly, in private."
>>47556
He cocks an eyebrow.
"Guild Master Ducatia is currently at the guild hall, so if you need her you'll have to go there."
>>47555
>>47557
"Goddesses knows what those inquisit-"
The guard is interrupted as Pick Wick suddenly teleports in between you.
"You are here. Good. And you all made it alive too. Even better."
She motions to the party as she walks down the hallway.
"Follow me, you must tell me what you have learned swiftly, in private."
She leads the party down the hallway and steps inside one of the side rooms. The door has her name on it as well as her title, she is apparently a baroness.
Inside the room there is a table with a giant map sprawled on top of it. She takes seat on one of the chairs and motions the party to sit down as well.
"So. What did you learn? What did you find? Please tell me this was a good lead or the empress will eat me alive."
She seems quite nervous and twitchy.
Inside the room there is a table with a giant map sprawled on top of it. She takes seat on one of the chairs and motions the party to sit down as well.
"So. What did you learn? What did you find? Please tell me this was a good lead or the empress will eat me alive."
She seems quite nervous and twitchy.
>>47567
"Lavinia has enough on her hooves already. She can't deal with everything herself, that's why me, Ducatia and Polygross are around."
>>47568
"Yes. I'm fine. Why do you ask? Why would you want to know? You trying to figure me out or something? Trying to find weaknesses so you can come to my chambers at night and stab me to death or suffocate me with a pillow or something? Bah!"
>>47570
"I am always nervous. I always have to be prepared for the worst. You see this room for example? I already planned out 20 different escapes routes just for this particular situation. I've already thought of every possible scenario where you try to kill me and how to counter it. It's my job after all."
"Lavinia has enough on her hooves already. She can't deal with everything herself, that's why me, Ducatia and Polygross are around."
>>47568
"Yes. I'm fine. Why do you ask? Why would you want to know? You trying to figure me out or something? Trying to find weaknesses so you can come to my chambers at night and stab me to death or suffocate me with a pillow or something? Bah!"
>>47570
"I am always nervous. I always have to be prepared for the worst. You see this room for example? I already planned out 20 different escapes routes just for this particular situation. I've already thought of every possible scenario where you try to kill me and how to counter it. It's my job after all."
>>47573
>>47574
"You don't trust me? I gave you this lead. I've been working on trying to catch whoever is responsible for this for so long now. If you go in there and tell the Empress what you've found and it is wrong, she'll have my head for wasting resources. Because it's my lead, my responsibility."
>>47574
"You don't trust me? I gave you this lead. I've been working on trying to catch whoever is responsible for this for so long now. If you go in there and tell the Empress what you've found and it is wrong, she'll have my head for wasting resources. Because it's my lead, my responsibility."
>>47578
>him
>>47579
"Irrefutable? Nothing is irrefutable."
>>47577
"Fine, I'll trust you. Which is weird, I haven't trusted someone since…"
Her voice falters and a sad look creeps on her face.
"No. No. No. Can't linger on the past. Need to look forward, stay vigilant. Let's go."
She leads the party back outside the room into the hallway near the large wooden door.
"And now we wait."
>him
>>47579
"Irrefutable? Nothing is irrefutable."
>>47577
"Fine, I'll trust you. Which is weird, I haven't trusted someone since…"
Her voice falters and a sad look creeps on her face.
"No. No. No. Can't linger on the past. Need to look forward, stay vigilant. Let's go."
She leads the party back outside the room into the hallway near the large wooden door.
"And now we wait."
After waiting for a while, the doors finally open up again. Three ponies step outside wearing inquisitors uniforms. One of them you recognize as Vigil, who doesn't pay any heed to the party whatsoever. As they walk out one of the other inquisitors speaks up.
"Out of our way, wastrels, we don't have time for the likes of you."
"Out of our way, wastrels, we don't have time for the likes of you."
>>47595
She shoots you an even nastier one back. Damn, they must be trained in making nasty faces.
You let the three pass and walk inside, Pick Wick walking alongside you. The empress is sitting on her throne again, staring out in front of her as she appears deep in thought. She doesn't even seem to notice you entering. Polygross is standing near one of the windows, looking over the gardens and also appearing deep in thought.
She shoots you an even nastier one back. Damn, they must be trained in making nasty faces.
You let the three pass and walk inside, Pick Wick walking alongside you. The empress is sitting on her throne again, staring out in front of her as she appears deep in thought. She doesn't even seem to notice you entering. Polygross is standing near one of the windows, looking over the gardens and also appearing deep in thought.
>>47602
>>47601
She blinks a few times and snaps her attention to the party.
"Oh, it's you."
She looks at Dusk, confused.
"It's evening."
Grabbing the letter, she reads it over casually without any trace of emotion… until she reads the last part and does a double take.
"What is it, dear?"
"What's wrong your majesty?"
Instead of answering, she just stares at the letter for a while.
>>47601
She blinks a few times and snaps her attention to the party.
"Oh, it's you."
She looks at Dusk, confused.
"It's evening."
Grabbing the letter, she reads it over casually without any trace of emotion… until she reads the last part and does a double take.
"What is it, dear?"
"What's wrong your majesty?"
Instead of answering, she just stares at the letter for a while.
After a while, her expression changes into one of sheer unadulterated anger
"DU-DUCATIA!? DUCATIA?"
She jumps from her throne and shoves the letter in her husbands' hooves.
"DUCATIA!"
"I don't understand, what do you mean, love?"
"S-SHE ORDERED TO KILL ME! SHE'S THE ONE WHO HIRED THOSE ASSASSINS!"
Pick Wick trots over and glances at the letter too.
"That's her hoofwriting. And signature too."
She then turns to the party.
"Is this all you found? Was there anything more? Anything at all."
The Empress in the meantime simply rants on about decapitation and putting heads of traitors on the walls of city while throwing some vases around.
"DU-DUCATIA!? DUCATIA?"
She jumps from her throne and shoves the letter in her husbands' hooves.
"DUCATIA!"
"I don't understand, what do you mean, love?"
"S-SHE ORDERED TO KILL ME! SHE'S THE ONE WHO HIRED THOSE ASSASSINS!"
Pick Wick trots over and glances at the letter too.
"That's her hoofwriting. And signature too."
She then turns to the party.
"Is this all you found? Was there anything more? Anything at all."
The Empress in the meantime simply rants on about decapitation and putting heads of traitors on the walls of city while throwing some vases around.
>>47614
All you can think of is your wife. It's all coming back to you again. All the abuse, all the tears and the despair. You curl up on the floor and start sobbing quietly.
>>47615
"Freshly minted? Show me."
Polygross speaks up again after finishing reading the letter a few times.
"Ravelsburg? That's Oddomane territory…"
The Empress continues to rant on, having run out of vases and now using a sword to wildly slash around in thin air while yelling about how she will execute her whole family in front of her.
All you can think of is your wife. It's all coming back to you again. All the abuse, all the tears and the despair. You curl up on the floor and start sobbing quietly.
>>47615
"Freshly minted? Show me."
Polygross speaks up again after finishing reading the letter a few times.
"Ravelsburg? That's Oddomane territory…"
The Empress continues to rant on, having run out of vases and now using a sword to wildly slash around in thin air while yelling about how she will execute her whole family in front of her.
>>47619
She inspects them closely.
"Oh yes, freshly minted indeed. And guess who is in charge of minting money? Hmmmm, indeed."
>>47620
Polygross and Pick Wick exchange quick glances with each other but quickly look away again, trying to avoid eye contact with eachother. Pick Wick is the first to speak up.
"They have more troops at their disposal than us. Bu-"
Polygross is quick to interject.
"Please now, let's not jump to conclusions. War shouldn't be on any of our minds right now. As for this Ducatia matter, I simply find it hard to believe. Why would she want to do this? She has no reasons for it…"
She inspects them closely.
"Oh yes, freshly minted indeed. And guess who is in charge of minting money? Hmmmm, indeed."
>>47620
Polygross and Pick Wick exchange quick glances with each other but quickly look away again, trying to avoid eye contact with eachother. Pick Wick is the first to speak up.
"They have more troops at their disposal than us. Bu-"
Polygross is quick to interject.
"Please now, let's not jump to conclusions. War shouldn't be on any of our minds right now. As for this Ducatia matter, I simply find it hard to believe. Why would she want to do this? She has no reasons for it…"
>>47626
Polygross chuckles a bit at this comment and even Pick Wick smiles slightly.
"Come come now, Ducatia is not of nobility. She's a mere commoner. She cannot possibly get a claim on the throne, no matter how rich she is. Besides, Ducatia has no interest in ruling a nation."
Pick Wick pipes in.
"Ducatia is cold and calculating. Oh yes. But she cannot hope to ever seize the throne. She must be working together. Someone who could claim the throne. A member of the nobility."
>>47627
She shakes her head.
"The handwriting and signature are hers. Ducatia has a distinct style. Impossible to copy. She made sure of that. She is a merchant after all."
Polygross chuckles a bit at this comment and even Pick Wick smiles slightly.
"Come come now, Ducatia is not of nobility. She's a mere commoner. She cannot possibly get a claim on the throne, no matter how rich she is. Besides, Ducatia has no interest in ruling a nation."
Pick Wick pipes in.
"Ducatia is cold and calculating. Oh yes. But she cannot hope to ever seize the throne. She must be working together. Someone who could claim the throne. A member of the nobility."
>>47627
She shakes her head.
"The handwriting and signature are hers. Ducatia has a distinct style. Impossible to copy. She made sure of that. She is a merchant after all."
>>47629
"It could be any of the counts or dukes around the empire. The most powerful and richest one of them all is Duke Quake of Trotopolis…"
Pick Wick snorts
"Duke Quake is loyal to the empire, he wouldn't."
>>47630
"Unlikely. Zebras want to conquer, not give away titles to ponies. But yes, inquisition. We must set up a inquisition… a crusade to find out who else is behind this."
>>47631
"Yes, of course, but I can easily find out if it's legitimate or not using a spell. I'm good at my job. That's why I'm here."
>>47634
Your shit has been collected.
"It could be any of the counts or dukes around the empire. The most powerful and richest one of them all is Duke Quake of Trotopolis…"
Pick Wick snorts
"Duke Quake is loyal to the empire, he wouldn't."
>>47630
"Unlikely. Zebras want to conquer, not give away titles to ponies. But yes, inquisition. We must set up a inquisition… a crusade to find out who else is behind this."
>>47631
"Yes, of course, but I can easily find out if it's legitimate or not using a spell. I'm good at my job. That's why I'm here."
>>47634
Your shit has been collected.
Don't even bother to report in and refer to /arc/q/raw/raw/groves/trotantium/46638.html#47680 for a quick recount of last session
[PLAY]
[PLAY]
Lavinia clears her throat as she sits down on her throne again
"Ducatia needs to be arrested, trialed and eventually executed for her treachery."
>>48096
"You could do that. Though if she is as involved in this as much as this letter suggests she'll probably be prepared for anypony. If I send in the imperial guard she'll see them coming and flee before we even get the chance of catching her."
"Ducatia needs to be arrested, trialed and eventually executed for her treachery."
>>48096
"You could do that. Though if she is as involved in this as much as this letter suggests she'll probably be prepared for anypony. If I send in the imperial guard she'll see them coming and flee before we even get the chance of catching her."
>>48130
>>48132
"As the goat suggested, she wont suspect you coming to arrest her seeing as you are outsiders… You'd still need an official with you though…"
Pick Wick pipes in again.
"I can do it, your grace. I'm official. And I can be sneaky."
>>48134
The empress nods firmly.
"That is the alternative. Tomorrow evening I'm hosting a ball and everyone who is anyone is invited. She'll be surrounded by my guards in that case anyway and an easy catch…"
>>48132
"As the goat suggested, she wont suspect you coming to arrest her seeing as you are outsiders… You'd still need an official with you though…"
Pick Wick pipes in again.
"I can do it, your grace. I'm official. And I can be sneaky."
>>48134
The empress nods firmly.
"That is the alternative. Tomorrow evening I'm hosting a ball and everyone who is anyone is invited. She'll be surrounded by my guards in that case anyway and an easy catch…"
>>48165
"Rich? Yes, that she is. She is richer than I am. However, I trust Commander Tyrone and his ponies with my life. They all swore their oaths to serve and protect."
>>48159
"Yours to decide, you are of course invited to the imperial ball either way, which reminds me. My dear, could you please fetch the invitations."
Polygross quickly grabs some papers from a nearby table and hands them over as the empress continues to speak.
"Five invitations, each of you can bring a guest of course. There will be dance, song and drinking, so I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself. Maybe it will be less boring too with you ponies around, we'll see."
"Rich? Yes, that she is. She is richer than I am. However, I trust Commander Tyrone and his ponies with my life. They all swore their oaths to serve and protect."
>>48159
"Yours to decide, you are of course invited to the imperial ball either way, which reminds me. My dear, could you please fetch the invitations."
Polygross quickly grabs some papers from a nearby table and hands them over as the empress continues to speak.
"Five invitations, each of you can bring a guest of course. There will be dance, song and drinking, so I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself. Maybe it will be less boring too with you ponies around, we'll see."
>>48196
"Oh please, it's the least I can do."
>>48191
The mare looks taken aback for a moment, unsure how to respond.
"I-oh um… I am… flattered. I normally don't attend these… things."
She seems extremely uncomfortable and starts to get even more anxious than usual.
>>48208
The empress lets out a small laugh.
"I would wear mine too if I could, but it wouldn't be appropriate unfortunately. You don't have to wear anything if you don't want to, I wont force you to buy a pretty dress or anything. Though you still can of course."
"Oh please, it's the least I can do."
>>48191
The mare looks taken aback for a moment, unsure how to respond.
"I-oh um… I am… flattered. I normally don't attend these… things."
She seems extremely uncomfortable and starts to get even more anxious than usual.
>>48208
The empress lets out a small laugh.
"I would wear mine too if I could, but it wouldn't be appropriate unfortunately. You don't have to wear anything if you don't want to, I wont force you to buy a pretty dress or anything. Though you still can of course."
>>48225
"Y-yes, ofcourse."
She quickly clears her throat and looks around her.
"I'll um… join you. At the ball I mean."
>>48229
She waves a hoof in the air dismissively.
"I am Empress and no one will speak ill of my guests or they'll answer to me. Don't worry yourself about it."
>>48230
"Yes, you may carry a sword seeing your status as paladin of the night."
"Y-yes, ofcourse."
She quickly clears her throat and looks around her.
"I'll um… join you. At the ball I mean."
>>48229
She waves a hoof in the air dismissively.
"I am Empress and no one will speak ill of my guests or they'll answer to me. Don't worry yourself about it."
>>48230
"Yes, you may carry a sword seeing your status as paladin of the night."
>>48250
"It is nothing, speak no more of it. I shall see you all tomorrow evening then, my husband will lead you outside."
Pick Wick teleports herself away again without a word.
Polygross is leading the party out of the throne room and speaks up as soon as they are outside.
"I do not like this Ducatia business. There is something fishy going on."
"It is nothing, speak no more of it. I shall see you all tomorrow evening then, my husband will lead you outside."
Pick Wick teleports herself away again without a word.
Polygross is leading the party out of the throne room and speaks up as soon as they are outside.
"I do not like this Ducatia business. There is something fishy going on."
>>48276
"I… I don't know. I really want to believe she isn't. I mean sure she's a calculating and ambitious mare and a true business mare, but I can't believe she would want to kill Lavinia. It's just so unreal."
>>48278
He shakes his head
"Impossible to tell."
>>48285
He looks to you and opens his mouth to speak but hesitates to do so.
"I… I don't know. I really want to believe she isn't. I mean sure she's a calculating and ambitious mare and a true business mare, but I can't believe she would want to kill Lavinia. It's just so unreal."
>>48278
He shakes his head
"Impossible to tell."
>>48285
He looks to you and opens his mouth to speak but hesitates to do so.
>>48312
His eyes widen in surprise and he hangs his head sadly.
"Yes… Pick Wick. She… my wife had a affair with her once, you know… Didn't even know she had a thing for mares and I'm married to her."
>>48320
"She always has been paranoid and constantly anxious but it got worse after my wife… Well after she pretty much got bored of her and let her fall."
His eyes widen in surprise and he hangs his head sadly.
"Yes… Pick Wick. She… my wife had a affair with her once, you know… Didn't even know she had a thing for mares and I'm married to her."
>>48320
"She always has been paranoid and constantly anxious but it got worse after my wife… Well after she pretty much got bored of her and let her fall."
>>48330
"They can be strange creatures sometimes…"
>>48331
"As my wifes' husband I'm not sure if I prefer the former or the latter."
>>48334
He snorts.
"One thing you should know, if you strike up conversation tomorrow, don't mention her or her sister."
>>48329
"Things like that don't stay secret for long, unfortunately."
"They can be strange creatures sometimes…"
>>48331
"As my wifes' husband I'm not sure if I prefer the former or the latter."
>>48334
He snorts.
"One thing you should know, if you strike up conversation tomorrow, don't mention her or her sister."
>>48329
"Things like that don't stay secret for long, unfortunately."
>>48371
"Hmph, not if we can help it."
>>48372
"Those shrines and temples are dedicated to the sun and the moon, not to the two pompous mares claiming to be the avatars of said deities."
>>48373
You enter the building and see Crescent sitting behind a desk with a lot of paperwork on it, staring out in front of her into nothingness.
"Hmph, not if we can help it."
>>48372
"Those shrines and temples are dedicated to the sun and the moon, not to the two pompous mares claiming to be the avatars of said deities."
>>48373
You enter the building and see Crescent sitting behind a desk with a lot of paperwork on it, staring out in front of her into nothingness.
>>48398
"Only the very same idiots who followed chancellor Puddinghead from the Old Lands do."
>>48385
"We have too many guests as it is I'm afraid, many nobles have already arrived earlier today and our servants have their hands full on all their needs."
>>48404
No response comes from the mare.
You see she is drooling a little.
"Only the very same idiots who followed chancellor Puddinghead from the Old Lands do."
>>48385
"We have too many guests as it is I'm afraid, many nobles have already arrived earlier today and our servants have their hands full on all their needs."
>>48404
No response comes from the mare.
You see she is drooling a little.
>>48428
The mare clutches her heart as she breathes loudly and recovers from the shock.
"I'm sorry if I startled you! I just dozed off again! I'm just such a busy bee all the time I forget to sleep…"
>>48427
You try to trace any kind of reaction, but most of his facial features have been burned making this hard for you to do. You briefly wonder how the minion can shoot so accurately without working eyes.
The rest of the party just reached the EPC building.
The mare clutches her heart as she breathes loudly and recovers from the shock.
"I'm sorry if I startled you! I just dozed off again! I'm just such a busy bee all the time I forget to sleep…"
>>48427
You try to trace any kind of reaction, but most of his facial features have been burned making this hard for you to do. You briefly wonder how the minion can shoot so accurately without working eyes.
The rest of the party just reached the EPC building.
>>48462
"But bees don't take breaks! They just happily buzz along as they work without rest!"
The pegasus mimics the buzzing of bees for a while as she rocks back and forth with her eyes closed.
>>48467
It's quite simple and small really. Nothing really stands out about it except the sign above the door with Equestrian Peace Corps written on it. The inside is filled with desks, cabinets and paperwork, indicating that this probably used for administration rather than for treating and aiding ponies.
>>48464
>>48460
The rest of the party enters the building, Crescent waves happily at them.
"Oh hi! The rest of you are here too! Fu- OH MY GODESSES!"
Crescents lower lip trembles as she sees Piercy.
"Wha- what happened to him!? Oh goodness he needs treatment!"
She quickly rushes over to a cabinet with a red cross on it and starts taking medical equipment out.
"But bees don't take breaks! They just happily buzz along as they work without rest!"
The pegasus mimics the buzzing of bees for a while as she rocks back and forth with her eyes closed.
>>48467
It's quite simple and small really. Nothing really stands out about it except the sign above the door with Equestrian Peace Corps written on it. The inside is filled with desks, cabinets and paperwork, indicating that this probably used for administration rather than for treating and aiding ponies.
>>48464
>>48460
The rest of the party enters the building, Crescent waves happily at them.
"Oh hi! The rest of you are here too! Fu- OH MY GODESSES!"
Crescents lower lip trembles as she sees Piercy.
"Wha- what happened to him!? Oh goodness he needs treatment!"
She quickly rushes over to a cabinet with a red cross on it and starts taking medical equipment out.
>>48526
>>48538
She covers her mouth in surprise and squints her eyes.
"Oh… oh dear. That's so sad! How… what happened to him?"
>>48540
"B-burned to death? That's horrible!"
>>48536
"The ball? THE ball!? Oh my! That would be amazing! But that's not for common ponies like you and I…"
>>48583
"Me neither! They're really pretty and so exotic!"
>>48538
She covers her mouth in surprise and squints her eyes.
"Oh… oh dear. That's so sad! How… what happened to him?"
>>48540
"B-burned to death? That's horrible!"
>>48536
"The ball? THE ball!? Oh my! That would be amazing! But that's not for common ponies like you and I…"
>>48583
"Me neither! They're really pretty and so exotic!"
>>48595
I take a step back, and glance around franatically.
"Please stop saying things like that! I'm just a plain normal zebra, nothing more!"
>>48599
"No, no, I'm terrible, please stop liking me!"
I hide behind Erumal and whisper to him.
"She'll kill me if she finds out someone likes me! She'll beat me to death! She'll come back and kill me to death that even I can't control!"
I take a step back, and glance around franatically.
"Please stop saying things like that! I'm just a plain normal zebra, nothing more!"
>>48599
"No, no, I'm terrible, please stop liking me!"
I hide behind Erumal and whisper to him.
"She'll kill me if she finds out someone likes me! She'll beat me to death! She'll come back and kill me to death that even I can't control!"
>>48603
"It's still a very sad thing when a pony dies!"
>>48599
"Oh! A new friend I haven't met! Hi! I'm Crescent and I work for the EPC!"
>>48605
She gasps before shrieking loudly with pure joy.
"Oh goddesses yes! I'd love to! Where did you get those!?"
>>48612
"But we're friends too! And you were like the first zebra I ever saw! That's really special!"
"It's still a very sad thing when a pony dies!"
>>48599
"Oh! A new friend I haven't met! Hi! I'm Crescent and I work for the EPC!"
>>48605
She gasps before shrieking loudly with pure joy.
"Oh goddesses yes! I'd love to! Where did you get those!?"
>>48612
"But we're friends too! And you were like the first zebra I ever saw! That's really special!"
>>48637
"Don't be silly! You are surrounded by all these good friends and you helped the EPC out, you are a good zebra! You have to be!"
>>48639
She eagerly returns the gesture.
"That's a really nice name! Where are you from? You're wearing pretty armor, are you a knight!?"
>>48640
She gasps again
"THE Empress!? You know her!? Oh goodness, I didn't realize you were celebrities!"
>>48645
"Sure I do! The best of them are in the Upper city, but they cost a lot of money! Oh gosh, I need a dress too! There's tailorers here in this part of the city too! But it's late, they must be all closed by now…"
"Don't be silly! You are surrounded by all these good friends and you helped the EPC out, you are a good zebra! You have to be!"
>>48639
She eagerly returns the gesture.
"That's a really nice name! Where are you from? You're wearing pretty armor, are you a knight!?"
>>48640
She gasps again
"THE Empress!? You know her!? Oh goodness, I didn't realize you were celebrities!"
>>48645
"Sure I do! The best of them are in the Upper city, but they cost a lot of money! Oh gosh, I need a dress too! There's tailorers here in this part of the city too! But it's late, they must be all closed by now…"
Last time on Trotantium: The decline
Lots of chatter and discussion, probably much like how this session is going to turn out. The party is prepping for the imperial ball they've been invited to by the Empress. Aside from drinking and other activities the ball will also act as bait for guild master and steward Ducatia, who is suspected of supporting or perhaps leading the assassination attempt on the Empress.
Players report in
Lots of chatter and discussion, probably much like how this session is going to turn out. The party is prepping for the imperial ball they've been invited to by the Empress. Aside from drinking and other activities the ball will also act as bait for guild master and steward Ducatia, who is suspected of supporting or perhaps leading the assassination attempt on the Empress.
Players report in
>>51695
She boops you on the nose, smiling brightly.
"Of course, silly! We're going to pick out the best dress in the city!"
The party leaves the EPC headquarters,eager to continue to the plot , and sets out to the Upper city. There are many clothing stores around, all of them bearing very haughty and uppity names such as Petit Canterlot, Mare Nostrum and Atelier du Cassis.
Crescent lets out a impressed 'Ooooh' as she looks around at all the different stores in the street.
>>51709
You do so on the way and exchange all your bits for denarii
She boops you on the nose, smiling brightly.
"Of course, silly! We're going to pick out the best dress in the city!"
The party leaves the EPC headquarters,eager to continue to the plot , and sets out to the Upper city. There are many clothing stores around, all of them bearing very haughty and uppity names such as Petit Canterlot, Mare Nostrum and Atelier du Cassis.
Crescent lets out a impressed 'Ooooh' as she looks around at all the different stores in the street.
>>51709
You do so on the way and exchange all your bits for denarii
>>51714
"Ummmmm… I don't really know, I don't really come here all that often…"
>>51718
Yes
"Bits? Oh no you have to use Denarii around here! Equestrian bits are usually not accepted."
YOUR BITS MAGICALLY EXCHANGE THEMSELVES INTO 80 DENARIS
>>51716
"Okay I guess!"
The party enters said store
The store clerk is a chubby unicorn mare
She smells like she dumped several flasks of perfume on her this morning
She also speaks with a french accent for some reason
"Bonjour noble warriors! What can I do for you?"
"Ummmmm… I don't really know, I don't really come here all that often…"
>>51718
Yes
"Bits? Oh no you have to use Denarii around here! Equestrian bits are usually not accepted."
YOUR BITS MAGICALLY EXCHANGE THEMSELVES INTO 80 DENARIS
>>51716
"Okay I guess!"
The party enters said store
The store clerk is a chubby unicorn mare
She smells like she dumped several flasks of perfume on her this morning
She also speaks with a french accent for some reason
"Bonjour noble warriors! What can I do for you?"
>>51732
"Aaaah Oui, bien sûr! You have something in mind, yes? What kind of colors or patterns do you want, monsieur?"
>>51733
"You want a costume? Robes? Toga?"
>>51736
"But of course my dear! You want a dress? A beautiful dress to accent your own beauty?"
>>51747
You are with the rest of the party. This store sells attires for mares and stallions alike
>>51743
No! You must have new clothes! The book store is too far away anyway!
"And what of you? I think I can do something with those stripes of yours, non? Something to accent them!"
"Aaaah Oui, bien sûr! You have something in mind, yes? What kind of colors or patterns do you want, monsieur?"
>>51733
"You want a costume? Robes? Toga?"
>>51736
"But of course my dear! You want a dress? A beautiful dress to accent your own beauty?"
>>51747
You are with the rest of the party. This store sells attires for mares and stallions alike
>>51743
No! You must have new clothes! The book store is too far away anyway!
"And what of you? I think I can do something with those stripes of yours, non? Something to accent them!"
>>51760
Crescent gets herself a pretty pink gown to fit her white coat.
The mare gets you a black tuxedo, you look swag as fuck now.
"This good, hmmm?"
>>51761
"Un instant s'il vous plaît!"
The mare hurries to the back of the store and comes back with a robe that looks exactly like the one you described.
"Very popular with followers of Luna, yes."
>>51763
"As you wish, monsieur."
>>51769
With some help of Crescent, you choose a pretty dress that complements your coat and mane.
What is your colorscheme anyway?
>>51766
"Hmmm, le goat fashion est un strange one. un moment…"
The mare disappears for a moment, searching around for something fitting
Crescent gets herself a pretty pink gown to fit her white coat.
The mare gets you a black tuxedo, you look swag as fuck now.
"This good, hmmm?"
>>51761
"Un instant s'il vous plaît!"
The mare hurries to the back of the store and comes back with a robe that looks exactly like the one you described.
"Very popular with followers of Luna, yes."
>>51763
"As you wish, monsieur."
>>51769
With some help of Crescent, you choose a pretty dress that complements your coat and mane.
What is your colorscheme anyway?
>>51766
"Hmmm, le goat fashion est un strange one. un moment…"
The mare disappears for a moment, searching around for something fitting
>>51794
The mare eventually returns with… a sailor suit?
"Ze latest goat fashion!"
>>51797
Oh well, let's just say the dress fits your colors
Crescent puts a hoof on your shoulder.
"Don't be silly! You look great! and you ought to be!"
>>51791
"I have some jewelry, oui."
She takes out some boxes from behind the counter and hands you a silver collier with a small medallion depicting a crescent moon dangling from it.
"Zis good?"
The mare eventually returns with… a sailor suit?
"Ze latest goat fashion!"
>>51797
Oh well, let's just say the dress fits your colors
Crescent puts a hoof on your shoulder.
"Don't be silly! You look great! and you ought to be!"
>>51791
"I have some jewelry, oui."
She takes out some boxes from behind the counter and hands you a silver collier with a small medallion depicting a crescent moon dangling from it.
"Zis good?"
>>51803
Would work with her Canterlot background. Maybe an grey-ish off-white with some light shade of blue for the hair…
>>51803
>>51808
>>51811
>>51812
"O- okay. I- I'll wear it."
I motion over to the attendant.
"A- also, um, miss? I- is there a place I- I can take my armor to t- to get i- it cleaned a- and touched up?"
Would work with her Canterlot background. Maybe an grey-ish off-white with some light shade of blue for the hair…
>>51803
>>51808
>>51811
>>51812
"O- okay. I- I'll wear it."
I motion over to the attendant.
"A- also, um, miss? I- is there a place I- I can take my armor to t- to get i- it cleaned a- and touched up?"
>>51814
You pay up.
It's not cheap and you spend the last of your money on it, but at least you look like the swaggest donkey around. Crescent seems happy with your choice of attire.
>>51816
The mare looks disappointed.
"You'd look fantastique! But ah well…"
She takes out a black tuxedo, similar to Falkmars instead.
"Zis good?"
>>51826
"Yes, yes of course. We offer cleaning services for ze armor as well for ponies who want to wear it during special events."
You pay up.
It's not cheap and you spend the last of your money on it, but at least you look like the swaggest donkey around. Crescent seems happy with your choice of attire.
>>51816
The mare looks disappointed.
"You'd look fantastique! But ah well…"
She takes out a black tuxedo, similar to Falkmars instead.
"Zis good?"
>>51826
"Yes, yes of course. We offer cleaning services for ze armor as well for ponies who want to wear it during special events."
>>51851
You pay up for the dress and get your armor quickly cleaned and polished up. It looks good as new again.
The Empress said that you are allowed to carry a sword if you wanted to
>>51847
>>51849
It's expensive but you can both afford it.
>>51850
No response comes from the undead archer. He just looks at you with a blank stare.
The rest of the party also leaves the store and are now back on the street, all looking like they fit in this part of the city. Except for Zivur and Piercy.
"Are we gonna go to the palace? Oooooh I've never even been in there! This is going to be the best night ever!"
>>51853
"The moon shrine? But that's all dirty and detoriated… Nopony ever visits it anymore!"
You pay up for the dress and get your armor quickly cleaned and polished up. It looks good as new again.
The Empress said that you are allowed to carry a sword if you wanted to
>>51847
>>51849
It's expensive but you can both afford it.
>>51850
No response comes from the undead archer. He just looks at you with a blank stare.
The rest of the party also leaves the store and are now back on the street, all looking like they fit in this part of the city. Except for Zivur and Piercy.
"Are we gonna go to the palace? Oooooh I've never even been in there! This is going to be the best night ever!"
>>51853
"The moon shrine? But that's all dirty and detoriated… Nopony ever visits it anymore!"
>>51909
They both grumble a little.
"Could you at least cover him up somewhat? He might scare the guests."
>>51912
She graciously accepts and the two of you stroll through the gardens, heading to the palace itself.
>>51915
>>51918
You follow them as well. It's late in the afternoon and unlike the last few times you came here, the garden seems quite empty. Everypony must be inside, including the servants.
They both grumble a little.
"Could you at least cover him up somewhat? He might scare the guests."
>>51912
She graciously accepts and the two of you stroll through the gardens, heading to the palace itself.
>>51915
>>51918
You follow them as well. It's late in the afternoon and unlike the last few times you came here, the garden seems quite empty. Everypony must be inside, including the servants.
>>51927
One of them sighs and hands you over his cape.
"Use this as a cloak or something for heavens sake."
>>51930
Everything seems peaceful and quiet. You can hear music coming from inside the palace building and some of the large windows on the main floor are opened up.
>>51922
>>51928
>>51931
You enter the main hall of the palace. There are several well dressed servants standing about, probably waiting to lead guests to where they need to be. One of them approaches the party and speaks up.
"Here for the her majesty's ball? Follow me please."
One of them sighs and hands you over his cape.
"Use this as a cloak or something for heavens sake."
>>51930
Everything seems peaceful and quiet. You can hear music coming from inside the palace building and some of the large windows on the main floor are opened up.
>>51922
>>51928
>>51931
You enter the main hall of the palace. There are several well dressed servants standing about, probably waiting to lead guests to where they need to be. One of them approaches the party and speaks up.
"Here for the her majesty's ball? Follow me please."
>>51944
You settle down on a bench near a fountain and watch over the water. It's warm outside and the afternoon rays of the sun feel pleasant on your face.
>>51945
>>51943
>>51942
You follow the mare as she leads you through the palace, this time not going to the second floor but staying on the main level. Eventually you reach the large room where the party is being hosted. To the sides of the room there are tables filled with various aperitifs and digestives. Large glass cans of wine, champagne, and other alcoholic drinks can be seen as well as a large bowl of fruit punch. There are baskets filled with fruits and pastries on the tables as well. The middle of the room is completely open and a lot of well dressed ponies are standing talking to each other in groups. There is a ensemble of musicians playing classical music in one of the corners too. On the walls there are many paintings and portraits of ponies, you notice all of them are mares and none of them seem like unicorns. The windows are opened up, bathing the room in sunlight from the outside.
The servant bows to you and takes his leave.
"Please, enjoy yourself. If you need anything, just ask one of the many other servants walking around."
Among the guests standing around you see a few familiar faces, perhaps you should walk over and strike up conversation.
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/86623863/Ball%20music.mp3
You settle down on a bench near a fountain and watch over the water. It's warm outside and the afternoon rays of the sun feel pleasant on your face.
>>51945
>>51943
>>51942
You follow the mare as she leads you through the palace, this time not going to the second floor but staying on the main level. Eventually you reach the large room where the party is being hosted. To the sides of the room there are tables filled with various aperitifs and digestives. Large glass cans of wine, champagne, and other alcoholic drinks can be seen as well as a large bowl of fruit punch. There are baskets filled with fruits and pastries on the tables as well. The middle of the room is completely open and a lot of well dressed ponies are standing talking to each other in groups. There is a ensemble of musicians playing classical music in one of the corners too. On the walls there are many paintings and portraits of ponies, you notice all of them are mares and none of them seem like unicorns. The windows are opened up, bathing the room in sunlight from the outside.
The servant bows to you and takes his leave.
"Please, enjoy yourself. If you need anything, just ask one of the many other servants walking around."
Among the guests standing around you see a few familiar faces, perhaps you should walk over and strike up conversation.
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/86623863/Ball%20music.mp3
>>51971
"Oh yes, I'm starving! I could use a drink too."
You walk over to one of the tables with the food baskets on it. Crescent takes out a pear and starts eating it.
"Oh this tastes great! They say the Empress spends more money on importing food than on health care for the poor…"
>>51973
>>51978
The both of them are standing together with another very young mare talking to each other. They haven't seen either of you.
>>51982
There is tomato sauce leaking out of your pockets.
How strange, you didn't know this dress even had pockets…
"Oh yes, I'm starving! I could use a drink too."
You walk over to one of the tables with the food baskets on it. Crescent takes out a pear and starts eating it.
"Oh this tastes great! They say the Empress spends more money on importing food than on health care for the poor…"
>>51973
>>51978
The both of them are standing together with another very young mare talking to each other. They haven't seen either of you.
>>51982
There is tomato sauce leaking out of your pockets.
How strange, you didn't know this dress even had pockets…
Idly wander out into the garden, eyes closed, assuming I still in the company of others
"-so I look at him and say 'Too feminine? Darling how is that even possible?' After all, I may be a knight, but I am also a lady as you surely have no-"
Open my eyes and realize my company is no longer with me
"…Huh. Now where did they go? Oh, excuse me? You over there! Yes you, you the only other ones close by in the garden! Hey! I'm talking to you!"
Try to get their attention. In a ladylike manner.
Rolled 1 = 1
"-so I look at him and say 'Too feminine? Darling how is that even possible?' After all, I may be a knight, but I am also a lady as you surely have no-"
Open my eyes and realize my company is no longer with me
"…Huh. Now where did they go? Oh, excuse me? You over there! Yes you, you the only other ones close by in the garden! Hey! I'm talking to you!"
Try to get their attention. In a ladylike manner.
Rolled 1 = 1
>>51990
They are talking about books and different authors they enjoy.
>>51992
They all turn to look at you, stopping their previous conversation.
Ducatia is the first to speak up again and makes a small bow to you.
"Ahhh it's our resident plumbers, it's a pleasure to see you again."
She motions to the young mare next to her.
"May I introduce you to Princess Lavinia?"
Pick Wick nods and excuses herself from the group, following you.
"Yes. Yes. What is it? You look… good."
>>51989
She also takes a glass of champagne and takes a little sip from it.
"Are you okay? You're sweating! Please don't tell me you are sick!"
>>52003
You start jumping up and down wildly, shouting and grunting loudly like a uncouth savage beast who just killed its prey. That sure got their attention.
They are talking about books and different authors they enjoy.
>>51992
They all turn to look at you, stopping their previous conversation.
Ducatia is the first to speak up again and makes a small bow to you.
"Ahhh it's our resident plumbers, it's a pleasure to see you again."
She motions to the young mare next to her.
"May I introduce you to Princess Lavinia?"
Pick Wick nods and excuses herself from the group, following you.
"Yes. Yes. What is it? You look… good."
>>51989
She also takes a glass of champagne and takes a little sip from it.
"Are you okay? You're sweating! Please don't tell me you are sick!"
>>52003
You start jumping up and down wildly, shouting and grunting loudly like a uncouth savage beast who just killed its prey. That sure got their attention.
>>52028
She looks around her carefully, making sure no one can hear the two of you. Then speaks quietly.
"Yes. Well, the Empress has a plan. While Ducatia is here she has send some guards with a warrant to search her estate. Hopefully we'll get more evidence. Either way, we wait to do anything. Commander Tyrone will give the word to the guards to cease her. And thank you… I don't dress up often."
>>52023
The mare looks down to you or up to you seeing as she is probably smaller than you are with disdain.
"I don't understand why mother allows goat peasants in here. Ridiculous."
>>52025
"Dance? Oh goodness, of course! But… nopony else is dancing right now… Maybe we should wait until there are some other dancing as well? Otherwise we're all alone!"
You can choose to dance now or wait till later. If you do choose to dance roll a 1d10 to see how you fare.
>>52026
Piercy would agree with you
Alas, he cannot speak and thus stays quiet as a grave.
She looks around her carefully, making sure no one can hear the two of you. Then speaks quietly.
"Yes. Well, the Empress has a plan. While Ducatia is here she has send some guards with a warrant to search her estate. Hopefully we'll get more evidence. Either way, we wait to do anything. Commander Tyrone will give the word to the guards to cease her. And thank you… I don't dress up often."
>>52023
The mare looks down to you or up to you seeing as she is probably smaller than you are with disdain.
"I don't understand why mother allows goat peasants in here. Ridiculous."
>>52025
"Dance? Oh goodness, of course! But… nopony else is dancing right now… Maybe we should wait until there are some other dancing as well? Otherwise we're all alone!"
You can choose to dance now or wait till later. If you do choose to dance roll a 1d10 to see how you fare.
>>52026
Piercy would agree with you
Alas, he cannot speak and thus stays quiet as a grave.
>>52039
She lets out the faintest bit of blush.
"Um. Thank you. Look, umm Dusk. I… I don't know for sure what your intentions are but. Well, you're not my type…"
>>52050
She scowls at you.
"Don't be so sarcastic! I could get you thrown into the dungeons if I wanted to!"
Ducatia smiles amusedly at the scene.
"Now now princess, I'm sure he meant no offense to you."
>>52040
You open up the book again and start flipping through the pages when suddenly a pegasus mare crashes right into you.
"F-fucking bullshit s-sidewind. You a-alright buddy?"
She seems to be more than just slightly intoxicated.
>>52043
The two of you walk over to Sol.
"Hi! Why are you standing all alone? There's no point in wearing a beautiful dress when you hide yourself away in a corner! Cheer up!"
>>52032
You leave the garden behind you and enter the ballroom yourself. Pick Wick and Dusk are standing nearby and Pick quickly looks over to you, anxious that you might hear what the two of them are talking about.
She lets out the faintest bit of blush.
"Um. Thank you. Look, umm Dusk. I… I don't know for sure what your intentions are but. Well, you're not my type…"
>>52050
She scowls at you.
"Don't be so sarcastic! I could get you thrown into the dungeons if I wanted to!"
Ducatia smiles amusedly at the scene.
"Now now princess, I'm sure he meant no offense to you."
>>52040
You open up the book again and start flipping through the pages when suddenly a pegasus mare crashes right into you.
"F-fucking bullshit s-sidewind. You a-alright buddy?"
She seems to be more than just slightly intoxicated.
>>52043
The two of you walk over to Sol.
"Hi! Why are you standing all alone? There's no point in wearing a beautiful dress when you hide yourself away in a corner! Cheer up!"
>>52032
You leave the garden behind you and enter the ballroom yourself. Pick Wick and Dusk are standing nearby and Pick quickly looks over to you, anxious that you might hear what the two of them are talking about.
>>52065
"Ah, a grand and glamorous greeting to you both you two. I trust we have not met, but am sure we can become best of acquaintances in no time at all."
Give them a charming, ladylike smile
"But, woe is me, I am quite thirsty. Would you be a couple of dears and get me something to drink, hm?"
Rolled 5 = 5
"Ah, a grand and glamorous greeting to you both you two. I trust we have not met, but am sure we can become best of acquaintances in no time at all."
Give them a charming, ladylike smile
"But, woe is me, I am quite thirsty. Would you be a couple of dears and get me something to drink, hm?"
Rolled 5 = 5
>>52069
"Of course. Not too much though. I don't want to get drunk. I want control over myself."
>>52088
Pick Wick looks at you apprehensively.
"Who are you? I don't recognize your face. And I know a lot of faces."
>>52067
She shoves Piercy away and puts a hoof around your neck.
"Don't be such a w-wuss buddy, it ain't all… bad! H-here drink something too! Calm yourself, it's p-party time!"
She puts a bottle of wine she's carrying on your mouth and pours some wine it it.
>>52070
>>52073
"Sure we can drink somethi-"
Crescent is interrupted as the Empress walks over to your group.
"Glad you could make it. Or well… most of you at least. Welcome to the ball! Enjoy yourself, grab yourself some drinks, dance a little, maybe grab some whores and have a fine evening."
Crescent quickly bows to her.
"Your grace! I-I'll keep it in mind! thank you your grace!"
>>52075
The princess gives a disdainful snort and walks away from the two of you.
"Such a fiery mare. Just like her mother. To answer your question, yes. Yes it is quite the fascinating job. One that I didn't get by… fiddling in bed with high authorities."
She looks over to Pick Wick and Dusk with a smile.
"Of course. Not too much though. I don't want to get drunk. I want control over myself."
>>52088
Pick Wick looks at you apprehensively.
"Who are you? I don't recognize your face. And I know a lot of faces."
>>52067
She shoves Piercy away and puts a hoof around your neck.
"Don't be such a w-wuss buddy, it ain't all… bad! H-here drink something too! Calm yourself, it's p-party time!"
She puts a bottle of wine she's carrying on your mouth and pours some wine it it.
>>52070
>>52073
"Sure we can drink somethi-"
Crescent is interrupted as the Empress walks over to your group.
"Glad you could make it. Or well… most of you at least. Welcome to the ball! Enjoy yourself, grab yourself some drinks, dance a little, maybe grab some whores and have a fine evening."
Crescent quickly bows to her.
"Your grace! I-I'll keep it in mind! thank you your grace!"
>>52075
The princess gives a disdainful snort and walks away from the two of you.
"Such a fiery mare. Just like her mother. To answer your question, yes. Yes it is quite the fascinating job. One that I didn't get by… fiddling in bed with high authorities."
She looks over to Pick Wick and Dusk with a smile.
>>52094
"Who am I? Who am I? Oh, silly me, it seems there is still someone here I've forgotten to introduce myself to. I am lady Adrasia, Templar of Celestia. Yes, I am a mare, and a knight. And quite a match for any stallion I assure you."
Rolling to look important and respectable.
"But now as I think of it, I don't think I know you or your… delightful companion either. Who are you and what brings you here?"
Rolled 5 = 5
"Who am I? Who am I? Oh, silly me, it seems there is still someone here I've forgotten to introduce myself to. I am lady Adrasia, Templar of Celestia. Yes, I am a mare, and a knight. And quite a match for any stallion I assure you."
Rolling to look important and respectable.
"But now as I think of it, I don't think I know you or your… delightful companion either. Who are you and what brings you here?"
Rolled 5 = 5
>>52099
"You never know what the heck will happen during these feasts, especially when everypony starts getting really drunk."
>>52102
"Who? Her Highness or Pick Wick? And did I? Well I suppose there is always jobs to be done for the guilds."
>>52105
The Empress pats you on the back with quite some force.
"Come on now missy, cheer up! Enjoy!"
>>52103
"One moment."
>>52104
She mumbles your name to herself a few times in contemplation, then looks up to you again.
"Never heard of you. Don't know you. My name is Pick Wick, Baroness of Kimi and imperial Spymaster."
The music starts picking up and increases in volume as a few ponies start dancing.
"You never know what the heck will happen during these feasts, especially when everypony starts getting really drunk."
>>52102
"Who? Her Highness or Pick Wick? And did I? Well I suppose there is always jobs to be done for the guilds."
>>52105
The Empress pats you on the back with quite some force.
"Come on now missy, cheer up! Enjoy!"
>>52103
"One moment."
>>52104
She mumbles your name to herself a few times in contemplation, then looks up to you again.
"Never heard of you. Don't know you. My name is Pick Wick, Baroness of Kimi and imperial Spymaster."
The music starts picking up and increases in volume as a few ponies start dancing.
>>52112
"It's clearly not fine, you look like you're about to take your own life. Come, let's get you something to drink, and maybe we'll talk more."
>>52113
"Nothing scheduled then? Excuse us, we're gonna get some drinks. Uh, unless ms. Crescent wants to do something else?"
I start walking towards the table.
"It's clearly not fine, you look like you're about to take your own life. Come, let's get you something to drink, and maybe we'll talk more."
>>52113
"Nothing scheduled then? Excuse us, we're gonna get some drinks. Uh, unless ms. Crescent wants to do something else?"
I start walking towards the table.
>>52115
It's cool, it's cool. She's just a terrible Spymaster, that's all.
"As a matter of fact, yes. We'll be taking our leave."
>>52116
"No, let us get something to drink."
>>52114
"Of course."
She bows to you a little and goes along her own way again.
>>52117
The Empress takes her leave and goes talking to some different guests instead.
Crescent nods eagerly
"Well, we just have to dance at some point! This is a ball after all!"
NEXT TIME ON TROTANTIUM THE DECLINE: CONTINUATION OF BALLS
Sorry for the short and relatively boring session.
It's cool, it's cool. She's just a terrible Spymaster, that's all.
"As a matter of fact, yes. We'll be taking our leave."
>>52116
"No, let us get something to drink."
>>52114
"Of course."
She bows to you a little and goes along her own way again.
>>52117
The Empress takes her leave and goes talking to some different guests instead.
Crescent nods eagerly
"Well, we just have to dance at some point! This is a ball after all!"
NEXT TIME ON TROTANTIUM THE DECLINE: CONTINUATION OF BALLS
Sorry for the short and relatively boring session.
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/86623863/intro2.mp3
Last time on Trotantium The decline:
The party went shopping for pretty dresses and swag as fuck costumes after which they went to the imperial ball accompanied by Crescent, who Falkmar invited along. RPing and talking ensued. More will follow today.
Players report in
Last time on Trotantium The decline:
The party went shopping for pretty dresses and swag as fuck costumes after which they went to the imperial ball accompanied by Crescent, who Falkmar invited along. RPing and talking ensued. More will follow today.
Players report in
A quick sketch of the situation by the way.
Sol, Falkmar, Crescent and Erumal are standing at the table where all the drinks are set up. Dusk and Pick Wick are making their way over there as well. Zivur is outside in the garden with the drunk mare. The music has picked up in volume and several ponies have started dancing some kind of waltz.
Sol, Falkmar, Crescent and Erumal are standing at the table where all the drinks are set up. Dusk and Pick Wick are making their way over there as well. Zivur is outside in the garden with the drunk mare. The music has picked up in volume and several ponies have started dancing some kind of waltz.
RIGHT
>>59570
"S-see, that's sum quality booze right there buddy."
She puts a hoof around you and starts dragging you inside.
"I hear m-music! And where there's music theres d-dance! Dance with m-me!"
>>59567
>>59571
>>59568
The three of you are standing where the drinks are and are joined by Dusk and Pick Wick who speaks up.
"Hello to the rest of you. Where is your zebra friend? Are you enjoying yourself?"
>>59570
"S-see, that's sum quality booze right there buddy."
She puts a hoof around you and starts dragging you inside.
"I hear m-music! And where there's music theres d-dance! Dance with m-me!"
>>59567
>>59571
>>59568
The three of you are standing where the drinks are and are joined by Dusk and Pick Wick who speaks up.
"Hello to the rest of you. Where is your zebra friend? Are you enjoying yourself?"
>>59585
She moves up her face until you are practically booping noses, then speaks in a very sultry voice. Or tries her hardest to at least, she is quite intoxicated after all.
"What's the m-matter handsome? Shy?"
>>59590
"Oh, it's fun! So many different ponies from all sorts of places!"
She takes a sip from her glass.
"And good wine too."
>>59587
Pick Wick puts a hoof to her face, thinking for a moment.
"The gardens… yes. Very nice. Very… pretty at night. We could make a walk in them later tonight. But first, let's drink something. I don't often get the chance to these day."
She moves up her face until you are practically booping noses, then speaks in a very sultry voice. Or tries her hardest to at least, she is quite intoxicated after all.
"What's the m-matter handsome? Shy?"
>>59590
"Oh, it's fun! So many different ponies from all sorts of places!"
She takes a sip from her glass.
"And good wine too."
>>59587
Pick Wick puts a hoof to her face, thinking for a moment.
"The gardens… yes. Very nice. Very… pretty at night. We could make a walk in them later tonight. But first, let's drink something. I don't often get the chance to these day."
One more thing, you should start rolling if you drink. Just to see how well you take it.
>>59599
"Hmmm, something strong, if you will."
She points towards a dark red bottle on the table.
"Hiraclo's Brandy"
>>59614
As soon as she touches you, you touch of death her and start farting.
Roll to see how much it affects her.
DC5 to not kill her immediately
>>59599
"Hmmm, something strong, if you will."
She points towards a dark red bottle on the table.
"Hiraclo's Brandy"
>>59614
As soon as she touches you, you touch of death her and start farting.
Roll to see how much it affects her.
DC5 to not kill her immediately
>>59625
You activate your necromantic powers while you shove her away. While you don't outright kill her, you do manage to cut away a chunk of her lifeforce, making her suddenly look 10 years older. She falls down on her back, unconscious from the shock. It doesn't seem like anyone noticed you.
>>59629
"To… justice? Tonight?"
She clinks your two glasses together as a toast and drinks it up in one smooth swig.
Rolling to see how much it affects her. You should do the same. This is pretty hardcore shit.
>>59631
It's only champagne, you feel its effects but you aren't exactly drunk yet.
>>59635
"Oh goodness, yes! I… it's been a while though, I hope I don't make myself look too silly!"
The two of you walk to the middle of the room where other ponies are Waltzing already.
Roll to see how you fare.
Rolled 10 = 10
You activate your necromantic powers while you shove her away. While you don't outright kill her, you do manage to cut away a chunk of her lifeforce, making her suddenly look 10 years older. She falls down on her back, unconscious from the shock. It doesn't seem like anyone noticed you.
>>59629
"To… justice? Tonight?"
She clinks your two glasses together as a toast and drinks it up in one smooth swig.
Rolling to see how much it affects her. You should do the same. This is pretty hardcore shit.
>>59631
It's only champagne, you feel its effects but you aren't exactly drunk yet.
>>59635
"Oh goodness, yes! I… it's been a while though, I hope I don't make myself look too silly!"
The two of you walk to the middle of the room where other ponies are Waltzing already.
Roll to see how you fare.
Rolled 10 = 10
>>59641
Oh fuck, that IS some heavy shit. It goes straight to your head and you stumble for a moment to keep your balance. Pick Wick raises an eyebrow with a slight smile, not affected in the slightest.
"Bad drinker? Want another one or… do you want to dance?"
>>59644
The two of you manage to not fuck up too terribly, but it's still a pretty bad show. Crescent looks around, slightly embarrassed.
"Oh goddesses… This is a bit too exciting for me."
Roll to continue dancing, let's see if you can save yourself.
>>59643
You quickly drag Piercy along to one of the edges of the garden, into one of the bushes. You are fully hidden from sight.
Oh fuck, that IS some heavy shit. It goes straight to your head and you stumble for a moment to keep your balance. Pick Wick raises an eyebrow with a slight smile, not affected in the slightest.
"Bad drinker? Want another one or… do you want to dance?"
>>59644
The two of you manage to not fuck up too terribly, but it's still a pretty bad show. Crescent looks around, slightly embarrassed.
"Oh goddesses… This is a bit too exciting for me."
Roll to continue dancing, let's see if you can save yourself.
>>59643
You quickly drag Piercy along to one of the edges of the garden, into one of the bushes. You are fully hidden from sight.
>>59660
"He is an odd little zebra so there might be rules neither of us know. Hmm hmm hmm, maybe you should have a drink or two to calm your nerves while I go out and talk to our rude friend. I'll be back once I've learned some things."
I drink the rest of my champagne and go back to the table. Once I've poured a glass of something strong I head out into the gardens to look for Zivur.
Rolled 10 = 10
"He is an odd little zebra so there might be rules neither of us know. Hmm hmm hmm, maybe you should have a drink or two to calm your nerves while I go out and talk to our rude friend. I'll be back once I've learned some things."
I drink the rest of my champagne and go back to the table. Once I've poured a glass of something strong I head out into the gardens to look for Zivur.
Rolled 10 = 10
>>59656
It doesn't feel like you got raped or anything, but still… goddamn she was close by. You even felt her breath and everything. It's a good thing nopony saw you.
>>59658
You stumble over your own hooves and fall to the ground. You accidentally drag Crescent with you and she falls on top of you pretty hard. The ponies around you are looking at you with a mixture of amusement and disdain. Crescent is red as a tomato from embarrassment.
>>59659
"Okay then. Let us try. Again, it's been a while for me."
Roll to see how your moves are.
>>59666
It doesn't even affect you at all. If anything, it makes your mind even clearer. You head into the gardens, coming across a mare laying down on the ground, probably passed out after drinking too much. Using your goaty sense, you also find Zivur very quickly hiding in some bushes, crying a little bit.
>>59660
While you are alone, you get approached by a nicely dressed Unicorn stallion.
"Good evening fair lady, what is a beautiful mare such as yourself doing all alone?"
It doesn't feel like you got raped or anything, but still… goddamn she was close by. You even felt her breath and everything. It's a good thing nopony saw you.
>>59658
You stumble over your own hooves and fall to the ground. You accidentally drag Crescent with you and she falls on top of you pretty hard. The ponies around you are looking at you with a mixture of amusement and disdain. Crescent is red as a tomato from embarrassment.
>>59659
"Okay then. Let us try. Again, it's been a while for me."
Roll to see how your moves are.
>>59666
It doesn't even affect you at all. If anything, it makes your mind even clearer. You head into the gardens, coming across a mare laying down on the ground, probably passed out after drinking too much. Using your goaty sense, you also find Zivur very quickly hiding in some bushes, crying a little bit.
>>59660
While you are alone, you get approached by a nicely dressed Unicorn stallion.
"Good evening fair lady, what is a beautiful mare such as yourself doing all alone?"
>>59688
"No, no no no no, you don't understand!"
I look around again to see no one else is around.
"Th-there was this ma-mare and she cr-c-crashed into m-me, and the-then s-s-she assaulted m-me!"
I start to sob and put my hooves up near each other.
"Our m-muzzles we-were this cl-close!"
Rolled 9 = 9
"No, no no no no, you don't understand!"
I look around again to see no one else is around.
"Th-there was this ma-mare and she cr-c-crashed into m-me, and the-then s-s-she assaulted m-me!"
I start to sob and put my hooves up near each other.
"Our m-muzzles we-were this cl-close!"
Rolled 9 = 9
>>59678
You stumble over Falkmar and Crescent lying on the ground and fall onto the floor as well. Pick Wick sighs and helps you get up.
"You alright? Feeling a bit clumsy? Come on, let's dance."
Roll again.
>>59679
"Yes… please!"
She covers her face in embarrassment as she follows you towards Sol and the stallion.
>>59680
You contain your spaghetti completely. Your dress isn't getting dirty tonight!
He bows to you like a true gentleman.
"My name is Orion, I'm the ambassador here in Trtoantium representing the Principality of Equestria. May I inquire what your name is, fair lady? Perchance you would be interested in dancing with me today? I do not know many ponies around here unfortunately."
You stumble over Falkmar and Crescent lying on the ground and fall onto the floor as well. Pick Wick sighs and helps you get up.
"You alright? Feeling a bit clumsy? Come on, let's dance."
Roll again.
>>59679
"Yes… please!"
She covers her face in embarrassment as she follows you towards Sol and the stallion.
>>59680
You contain your spaghetti completely. Your dress isn't getting dirty tonight!
He bows to you like a true gentleman.
"My name is Orion, I'm the ambassador here in Trtoantium representing the Principality of Equestria. May I inquire what your name is, fair lady? Perchance you would be interested in dancing with me today? I do not know many ponies around here unfortunately."
>>59693
IT WAS MERELY AN ACT.
You get your shit together and dance with Pick Wick like a true pro. Leading her the entire dance and even doing a better job at it then her. She looks at you impressed.
"You've been holding back, haven't you? You're very good at this…"
>>59694
She shifts around on her hooves, still embarrassed.
"Ummm, yes please."
>>59701
It's starting to stack up, you're really starting to feel tipsy.
Rolling to see how Crescent takes it.
>>59698
"Oh please, a pretty mare such as yourself cannot do anything else but shine on the dancefloor! Even your name says so!"
He chuckles at his own joke and offers his hoof to you.
"Don't worry, you'll do fine!"
Rolled 7 = 7
IT WAS MERELY AN ACT.
You get your shit together and dance with Pick Wick like a true pro. Leading her the entire dance and even doing a better job at it then her. She looks at you impressed.
"You've been holding back, haven't you? You're very good at this…"
>>59694
She shifts around on her hooves, still embarrassed.
"Ummm, yes please."
>>59701
It's starting to stack up, you're really starting to feel tipsy.
Rolling to see how Crescent takes it.
>>59698
"Oh please, a pretty mare such as yourself cannot do anything else but shine on the dancefloor! Even your name says so!"
He chuckles at his own joke and offers his hoof to you.
"Don't worry, you'll do fine!"
Rolled 7 = 7
>>59719
"She is a little plain, there is no denying that, but there are advantages to pushing down your fear and dancing with her. You keep telling me that you are no good in a fight and that you are afraid your dead wife will come back to punish you. What better to protect you than a knight bodyguard that loves you and thinks you love her back?"
"She is a little plain, there is no denying that, but there are advantages to pushing down your fear and dancing with her. You keep telling me that you are no good in a fight and that you are afraid your dead wife will come back to punish you. What better to protect you than a knight bodyguard that loves you and thinks you love her back?"
>>59710
"I appreciate a dance and a drink once in a while. I'm just very busy with work all the time. No time to relax for me."
>>59712
"See? That's not so hard is it? Pray tell, are you Equestrian too by chance? You sound like it to me."
The two of you walk over to the dancefloor and start dancing, Orion taking the lead.
Roll to see how you fare.
>>59706
Crescent takes it slightly better than you do, but she's tipsy as well.
"It's okay! I… um… I don't blame you or anything. It's just a shame you know!"
The two of you are approached by Ducatia, who is snickering slightly.
"My my, you sure know how to make an entrance Paladin. It's good to see you could make it to the ball, would have been a shame to miss out on your dancing skills."
Rolled 5 = 5
"I appreciate a dance and a drink once in a while. I'm just very busy with work all the time. No time to relax for me."
>>59712
"See? That's not so hard is it? Pray tell, are you Equestrian too by chance? You sound like it to me."
The two of you walk over to the dancefloor and start dancing, Orion taking the lead.
Roll to see how you fare.
>>59706
Crescent takes it slightly better than you do, but she's tipsy as well.
"It's okay! I… um… I don't blame you or anything. It's just a shame you know!"
The two of you are approached by Ducatia, who is snickering slightly.
"My my, you sure know how to make an entrance Paladin. It's good to see you could make it to the ball, would have been a shame to miss out on your dancing skills."
Rolled 5 = 5
>>59739
"Just dance with her and don't do anything to insult her. You may have to stay with her after the dance for a while, mares are like that, but there isn't any gain without any pain. You need to be fast though, there are plenty of stallions in there that might steal her away from you. One dance won't be all that you will ever have to do, but it will be a strong start."
"Just dance with her and don't do anything to insult her. You may have to stay with her after the dance for a while, mares are like that, but there isn't any gain without any pain. You need to be fast though, there are plenty of stallions in there that might steal her away from you. One dance won't be all that you will ever have to do, but it will be a strong start."
>>59732
She quickly looks around her, looking a bit alarmed.
"Princess Luna? A monster? Why would you say that? I didn't know you were so close to her…"
>>59733
Crescent nods enthusiastically.
"Yes please!"
Ducatia stops her snickering and goes back to the regular smile she seems to be wearing at all times.
"I'm sorry, you shouldn't worry so much. These nobles are more concerned about their own appearance then what you do. You should try to enjoy yourself more."
>>59737
"Oh? So am I! Though I admit I haven't visited our fair capital in a while. Work and all, you see."
You too dance like a true pro together with Orion, who is quite good himself. The ponies around you seem very impressed at your skills.
Keep rolling.
She quickly looks around her, looking a bit alarmed.
"Princess Luna? A monster? Why would you say that? I didn't know you were so close to her…"
>>59733
Crescent nods enthusiastically.
"Yes please!"
Ducatia stops her snickering and goes back to the regular smile she seems to be wearing at all times.
"I'm sorry, you shouldn't worry so much. These nobles are more concerned about their own appearance then what you do. You should try to enjoy yourself more."
>>59737
"Oh? So am I! Though I admit I haven't visited our fair capital in a while. Work and all, you see."
You too dance like a true pro together with Orion, who is quite good himself. The ponies around you seem very impressed at your skills.
Keep rolling.
>>59748
"I am terribly sorry for the cold reception. I am just not used to situations like these." I motion to the ball room and then to Crescent, but try to make it so she doesn't see it.
I pour Crescent another glass and take one myself.
"How about you, miss Ducatia? Enjoying yourself?"
Rolled 3 = 3
"I am terribly sorry for the cold reception. I am just not used to situations like these." I motion to the ball room and then to Crescent, but try to make it so she doesn't see it.
I pour Crescent another glass and take one myself.
"How about you, miss Ducatia? Enjoying yourself?"
Rolled 3 = 3
>>59759
"Who says you can't dance out here, alone, in the moonlight? That's fairly romantic. And you would have to dance with her again at some point in the future, but what is a dance and a drink and some contact every now and then compared to paying a mercenary everything you own to keep you safe and going to sleep every night hoping he doesn't kill you you and take what little is left?"
"Who says you can't dance out here, alone, in the moonlight? That's fairly romantic. And you would have to dance with her again at some point in the future, but what is a dance and a drink and some contact every now and then compared to paying a mercenary everything you own to keep you safe and going to sleep every night hoping he doesn't kill you you and take what little is left?"
>>59752
You stumble a little, distracted by talking, but Orion is there to catch you.
"Careful now. So what brings you here to Clopantinople? To the Imperial ball no less!"
Continue to roll.
>>59755
This time the alcohol hits you slightly harder. It's really starting to get to you. Crescent empties her glass pretty quickly too.
Rolling for her
Ducatia shrugs indifferently.
"I've been to so many of these gatherings. They are usually boring to me. I'd rather concentrate on my job and keeping the city running. But her majesty insists that I attend anyway of course."
>>59758
"You are some kind of mage, correct? What did you do exactly?"
You stumble a little, distracted by talking, but Orion is there to catch you.
"Careful now. So what brings you here to Clopantinople? To the Imperial ball no less!"
Continue to roll.
>>59755
This time the alcohol hits you slightly harder. It's really starting to get to you. Crescent empties her glass pretty quickly too.
Rolling for her
Ducatia shrugs indifferently.
"I've been to so many of these gatherings. They are usually boring to me. I'd rather concentrate on my job and keeping the city running. But her majesty insists that I attend anyway of course."
>>59758
"You are some kind of mage, correct? What did you do exactly?"
>>59778
"Oh? A wanderer? Must be a very exciting life to see all those different places, acting however as you please."
You stumble a bit again, but Orion again manages to not let you fall to the ground.
Roll for more, or you can stop if you please.
>>59788
"Huh. You probably know a lot of spells."
She thinks to herself for a moment.
"What's your most powerful spell? Mine has to be my magic bolt. I'm not the best spellcaster but I practice a lot to keep myself in shape."
>>59779
"Sure! The gardens are supposed to be really pretty! Many exotic things!"
Ducatia nods in agreement.
"The gardens are quite beautiful. Mind if I tag along? And yes, I do meet a lot of foreign merchants. Trade is very important for the Empire. We are renowned for our steel and wine for example. As well as many other minerals coming from the Shudderpeak mines."
>>59785
You lose your shit.
You lose it so hard that it takes off at terminal velocity and enters orbit around the planet. This would later inspire ponies to find a way to reach the stars using spacecraft.
You break down crying, hugging the empress tightly. Looking a bit confused, she pats you on the back to try and comfort you.
>>59787
You fail to calm him down, he seems to absorbed in his crying to hear you.
The Empress notices how Ducatia is walking with Falkmar and Crescent into the gardens and shoves Zivur into your hooves.
"Here hold this. DUCATIA! Leaving so soon?"
Ducatia turns to the empress, looking quite surprised at hearing her name.
"Why… no your grace. I was merely setting out for a walk in the gardens with these two lovely individuals."
"Oh? A wanderer? Must be a very exciting life to see all those different places, acting however as you please."
You stumble a bit again, but Orion again manages to not let you fall to the ground.
Roll for more, or you can stop if you please.
>>59788
"Huh. You probably know a lot of spells."
She thinks to herself for a moment.
"What's your most powerful spell? Mine has to be my magic bolt. I'm not the best spellcaster but I practice a lot to keep myself in shape."
>>59779
"Sure! The gardens are supposed to be really pretty! Many exotic things!"
Ducatia nods in agreement.
"The gardens are quite beautiful. Mind if I tag along? And yes, I do meet a lot of foreign merchants. Trade is very important for the Empire. We are renowned for our steel and wine for example. As well as many other minerals coming from the Shudderpeak mines."
>>59785
You lose your shit.
You lose it so hard that it takes off at terminal velocity and enters orbit around the planet. This would later inspire ponies to find a way to reach the stars using spacecraft.
You break down crying, hugging the empress tightly. Looking a bit confused, she pats you on the back to try and comfort you.
>>59787
You fail to calm him down, he seems to absorbed in his crying to hear you.
The Empress notices how Ducatia is walking with Falkmar and Crescent into the gardens and shoves Zivur into your hooves.
"Here hold this. DUCATIA! Leaving so soon?"
Ducatia turns to the empress, looking quite surprised at hearing her name.
"Why… no your grace. I was merely setting out for a walk in the gardens with these two lovely individuals."
>>59811
She looks a little unsure and anxious at the offer.
"I don't know… I'm really not THAT great at magic. That sounds really difficult. But we at least try to exchange spells I guess."
>>59810
"I see… Try not to stray too far."
She winks at you non-sexually and goes back inside.
The three of you continue walking in the gardens. Crescent occasionally runs off to sniff a flower. She seems pretty content now.
Ducatia continues to talk
"Pick Wick told me your search for the assassins who tried to murder the Empress hasn't been successful. It's a true shame that justice cannot be enforced on those guilty."
>>59813
She's right there… already dancing with a unicorn stallion.
>>59814
Once again you stumble, almost falling this time.
"It's no problem at all. I'm honored to be able to dance with you. And don't be nervous, just let it overtake you and you'll dance even better."
Roll again.
She looks a little unsure and anxious at the offer.
"I don't know… I'm really not THAT great at magic. That sounds really difficult. But we at least try to exchange spells I guess."
>>59810
"I see… Try not to stray too far."
She winks at you non-sexually and goes back inside.
The three of you continue walking in the gardens. Crescent occasionally runs off to sniff a flower. She seems pretty content now.
Ducatia continues to talk
"Pick Wick told me your search for the assassins who tried to murder the Empress hasn't been successful. It's a true shame that justice cannot be enforced on those guilty."
>>59813
She's right there… already dancing with a unicorn stallion.
>>59814
Once again you stumble, almost falling this time.
"It's no problem at all. I'm honored to be able to dance with you. And don't be nervous, just let it overtake you and you'll dance even better."
Roll again.
>>59823
Your mind goes blank as you try to clear your thoughts from uncertainty. Unfortunately you clear them a bit too much and forget to place your hooves correctly. You fall to the ground, Orion unable to catch you this time.
"Oh goodness gracious! I'm so sorry!"
He helps you get up again.
"Are you okay?"
Continue dancing? If so, roll again.
Your mind goes blank as you try to clear your thoughts from uncertainty. Unfortunately you clear them a bit too much and forget to place your hooves correctly. You fall to the ground, Orion unable to catch you this time.
"Oh goodness gracious! I'm so sorry!"
He helps you get up again.
"Are you okay?"
Continue dancing? If so, roll again.
>>59827
I blush a bit as I get up,
"O- oh!
T- thank you. I- I'm fin-"
>>59825
My face lights up at this,
"Y- you talked to him? A- and he agreed?!"
I grin a bit wider, then gasp and turn to Orion,
"O- oh! I'm so sorry!
B- but my friend is really shy you see, a- and I was hoping to get him to open up a bit by dancing with me.
I- if that's alright with you, of course."
I blush a bit as I get up,
"O- oh!
T- thank you. I- I'm fin-"
>>59825
My face lights up at this,
"Y- you talked to him? A- and he agreed?!"
I grin a bit wider, then gasp and turn to Orion,
"O- oh! I'm so sorry!
B- but my friend is really shy you see, a- and I was hoping to get him to open up a bit by dancing with me.
I- if that's alright with you, of course."
>>59826
She smiles a little.
"That would be great. When can we do this? Maybe I could teach you my detect alignment spell…"
>>59837
He makes a little bow.
"It would be rude of me to say no to such a pretty face like yours. Enjoy yourself and remember to keep calm. Do that and you'll dance well. I hope to see you again some time."
>>59839
She sniffs and looks around her to see if nopony else is near.
"Maybe I could help."
She smiles a little.
"That would be great. When can we do this? Maybe I could teach you my detect alignment spell…"
>>59837
He makes a little bow.
"It would be rude of me to say no to such a pretty face like yours. Enjoy yourself and remember to keep calm. Do that and you'll dance well. I hope to see you again some time."
>>59839
She sniffs and looks around her to see if nopony else is near.
"Maybe I could help."
>>59850
She off sniffing some flowers near a small puddle of water, she's not within hearing range.
"Yes, really. As the head of the guilds around here I meet quite a lot of interesting people as I mentioned before. And I may know someone who could be of… help. He's very knowledgeable about these types of things."
>>59851
You drink some a lovely glass of red wine. It's stronger then you expected and it hits you pretty hard.
A fat earth pony stallion pats you on the back as you cough a little.
"Are you alright? Having a little trouble keeping your alcohol?"
He lets out a loud and boisterous laugh.
"That's some of out finest wine, grown on the vineyards down south and distilled in Trotopolis."
>>59852
"Now? We could go to one of the empty ballrooms around to practice. There's nothing in there of value that could break."
She off sniffing some flowers near a small puddle of water, she's not within hearing range.
"Yes, really. As the head of the guilds around here I meet quite a lot of interesting people as I mentioned before. And I may know someone who could be of… help. He's very knowledgeable about these types of things."
>>59851
You drink some a lovely glass of red wine. It's stronger then you expected and it hits you pretty hard.
A fat earth pony stallion pats you on the back as you cough a little.
"Are you alright? Having a little trouble keeping your alcohol?"
He lets out a loud and boisterous laugh.
"That's some of out finest wine, grown on the vineyards down south and distilled in Trotopolis."
>>59852
"Now? We could go to one of the empty ballrooms around to practice. There's nothing in there of value that could break."
>>59859
He pours you in a glass from a different bottle.
"Sure bud, here taste this one. Should be lighter and fruitier."
He pours in a glass for himself as well and drinks it down in one swoop.
"I should know, as you can see I'm an expert at drinking and eating."
He let's out another very loud laugh.
>>59862
"Okay then."
She leads you outside, grabbing the bottle of brandy with her and taking a swig from it. Then handing it to you as you walk out of the ballroom.
"Want another try?"
He pours you in a glass from a different bottle.
"Sure bud, here taste this one. Should be lighter and fruitier."
He pours in a glass for himself as well and drinks it down in one swoop.
"I should know, as you can see I'm an expert at drinking and eating."
He let's out another very loud laugh.
>>59862
"Okay then."
She leads you outside, grabbing the bottle of brandy with her and taking a swig from it. Then handing it to you as you walk out of the ballroom.
"Want another try?"
>>59871
She leads you away from the ballroom around the palace until you reach another set of doors, this one unguarded. She opens up and walks in. The room is quite big again, fit for holding feasts though not as big as the one you were just in. It's quite dark inside and almost completely empty. Pick lights some candles to create some light and turns to you.
"Now, let's get this started. I'll teach you how to use Detect first. Please clear your mind of thoughts and try to hold still."
She lights up her horn and moves up to you, touching hers with yours. You feel a sensation of something trying to enter your brain.
Roll to see whether you can keep up.
>>59876
"Of course it does! Money! Mares! Power! Great food! Feasts! It's a good life."
>>59878
This one is so much lighter, almost like grapejuice. The stallion looks at you expectantly.
"And? You like it? Want another glass? Or something stronger again?"
>>59880
"I will. But don't tell this to anyone. Not Pick Wick, not the Empress, not her husband. You'll have to promise me."
She leads you away from the ballroom around the palace until you reach another set of doors, this one unguarded. She opens up and walks in. The room is quite big again, fit for holding feasts though not as big as the one you were just in. It's quite dark inside and almost completely empty. Pick lights some candles to create some light and turns to you.
"Now, let's get this started. I'll teach you how to use Detect first. Please clear your mind of thoughts and try to hold still."
She lights up her horn and moves up to you, touching hers with yours. You feel a sensation of something trying to enter your brain.
Roll to see whether you can keep up.
>>59876
"Of course it does! Money! Mares! Power! Great food! Feasts! It's a good life."
>>59878
This one is so much lighter, almost like grapejuice. The stallion looks at you expectantly.
"And? You like it? Want another glass? Or something stronger again?"
>>59880
"I will. But don't tell this to anyone. Not Pick Wick, not the Empress, not her husband. You'll have to promise me."
>>59888
It's easy enough for you, you're a mage after all and used to learning spells.
Pick Wick manages to store the spell inside your head and horn. Roll again to see how much of it you can master.
I'll explain in a moment.
>>59889
He pours you in another glass of the same wine and hoofs it to you.
"I'm Duke Quake! Duke Quake of Trotopolis. I have many other noble titles of course but duke is my primary and highest title."
>>59890
She clears her throat and nods slowly.
"Alright then, there is a smuggler that I know that operates primarily around Trotopolis, smuggling in exotic goods from places around the world. He sees and hears quite a lot of things and told me in a letter that he might know something of interest regarding this matter. However… He was reluctant to tell me by mail and told me that he only wanted to say it to somepony in person."
It's easy enough for you, you're a mage after all and used to learning spells.
Pick Wick manages to store the spell inside your head and horn. Roll again to see how much of it you can master.
I'll explain in a moment.
>>59889
He pours you in another glass of the same wine and hoofs it to you.
"I'm Duke Quake! Duke Quake of Trotopolis. I have many other noble titles of course but duke is my primary and highest title."
>>59890
She clears her throat and nods slowly.
"Alright then, there is a smuggler that I know that operates primarily around Trotopolis, smuggling in exotic goods from places around the world. He sees and hears quite a lot of things and told me in a letter that he might know something of interest regarding this matter. However… He was reluctant to tell me by mail and told me that he only wanted to say it to somepony in person."
>>59894
"R- really?"
I look back up at him, eyes shining,
"U- um, I- I like you mostly because you stand up for w- what you believe in. E- even though you're really shy, y- you still have strong opinions and y- you don't back down to very many people. I- I find that really admirable…"
I turn back to looking at the ground and pawing at it,
"A- and, um, thank you. Thank you so much."
"R- really?"
I look back up at him, eyes shining,
"U- um, I- I like you mostly because you stand up for w- what you believe in. E- even though you're really shy, y- you still have strong opinions and y- you don't back down to very many people. I- I find that really admirable…"
I turn back to looking at the ground and pawing at it,
"A- and, um, thank you. Thank you so much."
>>59901
You understand how to use it… to some degree. It's a real quick crash course you got on how to use it, so it's a little bit shoddy.
You now know Detect Alignment, however it is only successful when you roll a 7 or higher. With practice and time, you might learn to master it completely.
Pick Wick takes a few steps back, sweating a little bit.
"There… How does it feel? Did it work?"
>>59902
"I don't know. Do you want to? I'm not telling you to do anything, Paladin, I'm merely trying to give you options on how to solve this matter."
>>59905
You again take it like a champ, this shit has nothing on you. You're safe.
"Trotopolis is one of the oldest cities of the realm. Trade is of great importance to us, just like Clopantinople. We are best known for our wine. We're also an important producer of salt and pearls."
You understand how to use it… to some degree. It's a real quick crash course you got on how to use it, so it's a little bit shoddy.
You now know Detect Alignment, however it is only successful when you roll a 7 or higher. With practice and time, you might learn to master it completely.
Pick Wick takes a few steps back, sweating a little bit.
"There… How does it feel? Did it work?"
>>59902
"I don't know. Do you want to? I'm not telling you to do anything, Paladin, I'm merely trying to give you options on how to solve this matter."
>>59905
You again take it like a champ, this shit has nothing on you. You're safe.
"Trotopolis is one of the oldest cities of the realm. Trade is of great importance to us, just like Clopantinople. We are best known for our wine. We're also an important producer of salt and pearls."
>>59916
She blushes madly as you hug her tight and anxiously returns the favor.
>>59919
"Of course."
Crescent returns to the two of you, she's put a couple of flowers in her mane and is smiling happily, having forgotten about the dancing fiasco.
"Ahahahaha! These flowers smell so nice! I love them!"
>>59924
He motions towards his head, showing the lack of horn.
"Magic? When this land was settled, it was colonized by Earth Ponies alone. These days our population is more varied but Earth Ponies are still vastly in the majority."
>>59936
You both stumble clumsily. You might want to clear your head a bit and calm down.
>>59938
It's cool, she's just a little unsure, as are you.
She blushes madly as you hug her tight and anxiously returns the favor.
>>59919
"Of course."
Crescent returns to the two of you, she's put a couple of flowers in her mane and is smiling happily, having forgotten about the dancing fiasco.
"Ahahahaha! These flowers smell so nice! I love them!"
>>59924
He motions towards his head, showing the lack of horn.
"Magic? When this land was settled, it was colonized by Earth Ponies alone. These days our population is more varied but Earth Ponies are still vastly in the majority."
>>59936
You both stumble clumsily. You might want to clear your head a bit and calm down.
>>59938
It's cool, she's just a little unsure, as are you.
>>59940
They are just simple tulips of various colors.
>>59943
There, that's much better. You take a firm lead on Zivur, remembering how Orion did it.
>>59945
"Well, we Earth ponies had already settled down in these lands, just limited. Trotopolis was only a tradepost back then. But yes, not everyone was keen on following Chancellor Puddinghead and a lot of them moved towards this country."
He drinks another glass of wine.
"Who did you say you were again? Are you an ambassador? I don't recognize you at all."
>>59947
"Sure, fireball sounds like it could be powerful. I hope I can handle this…"
She puts her horn against yours again and clears her mind.
Roll to see how you fare at exchanging your knowledge.
They are just simple tulips of various colors.
>>59943
There, that's much better. You take a firm lead on Zivur, remembering how Orion did it.
>>59945
"Well, we Earth ponies had already settled down in these lands, just limited. Trotopolis was only a tradepost back then. But yes, not everyone was keen on following Chancellor Puddinghead and a lot of them moved towards this country."
He drinks another glass of wine.
"Who did you say you were again? Are you an ambassador? I don't recognize you at all."
>>59947
"Sure, fireball sounds like it could be powerful. I hope I can handle this…"
She puts her horn against yours again and clears her mind.
Roll to see how you fare at exchanging your knowledge.
>>59960
Your horn goes out with a sad farting noise.
"Uhhh… Come again?"
Roll to try again
>>59962
"We should try and dance again!"
>>59963
It's starting to stack up, but you can still handle it.
"I see, I see… Quite the shame yes. The nobility is pretty limited to Earth Ponies I'm afraid. My spymaster is a goat though! She's been in service for a while. A foreigner, just like you!"
>>59967
You try to lean in closer but fuck up your momentum. Instead you headbutt the poor zebra full force and he walls backwards on the ground. His nose is bleeding pretty hard.
Your horn goes out with a sad farting noise.
"Uhhh… Come again?"
Roll to try again
>>59962
"We should try and dance again!"
>>59963
It's starting to stack up, but you can still handle it.
"I see, I see… Quite the shame yes. The nobility is pretty limited to Earth Ponies I'm afraid. My spymaster is a goat though! She's been in service for a while. A foreigner, just like you!"
>>59967
You try to lean in closer but fuck up your momentum. Instead you headbutt the poor zebra full force and he walls backwards on the ground. His nose is bleeding pretty hard.
>>59975
You start walking back inside with Crescent, Ducatia in tow.
>>59977
This time you manage better, though you do it pretty forcibly. Pick is gritting her teeth in strain.
"Just… a little… more."
Roll again.
>>59983
"I'm afraid not, she's back in Trotopolis at work. She's working together with the Empress' Spymaster to solve the case of the assassination attempt around the clock."
>>59978
Piercy quickly stands in front of you and makes sure Sol stays on a distance.
Pretty bad. Your snout and forelegs are now red with black stripes. At least it doesn't hurt too much. Still a gruesome sight.
You start walking back inside with Crescent, Ducatia in tow.
>>59977
This time you manage better, though you do it pretty forcibly. Pick is gritting her teeth in strain.
"Just… a little… more."
Roll again.
>>59983
"I'm afraid not, she's back in Trotopolis at work. She's working together with the Empress' Spymaster to solve the case of the assassination attempt around the clock."
>>59978
Piercy quickly stands in front of you and makes sure Sol stays on a distance.
Pretty bad. Your snout and forelegs are now red with black stripes. At least it doesn't hurt too much. Still a gruesome sight.
>>59990
Your horn lights up brightly and explodes with a lot of force. Pick Wick lets out a yelp as she gets knocked back a bit by the force.
She blinks a few times in surprise.
"That was… wow."
>>59992
"Oh no she is still here in Clopantinople. To be fair, I don't really keep myself busy with what they do. I'm not a pony of intrigue."
>>59998
You clean yourself up a bit. Now your cape is all bloody though. Piercy still stands on the same spot, frozen.
>>60000
Crescent gently rubs your back with a concerned look.
"Come on Sol! Don't beat yourself up like that! It's okay, everypony makes mistakes sometimes! Falkmar and I made a fool of ourselves earlier too."
Your horn lights up brightly and explodes with a lot of force. Pick Wick lets out a yelp as she gets knocked back a bit by the force.
She blinks a few times in surprise.
"That was… wow."
>>59992
"Oh no she is still here in Clopantinople. To be fair, I don't really keep myself busy with what they do. I'm not a pony of intrigue."
>>59998
You clean yourself up a bit. Now your cape is all bloody though. Piercy still stands on the same spot, frozen.
>>60000
Crescent gently rubs your back with a concerned look.
"Come on Sol! Don't beat yourself up like that! It's okay, everypony makes mistakes sometimes! Falkmar and I made a fool of ourselves earlier too."
>>60005
I keep trying to escape,
"I- It's not like that! I- I- It's so much worse! J- Just leave me alone! I don't deserve anything!"
'You fucked up again Sol.'
'All those things your aunts and uncles said? They're all true. What use is a child to a knight when they can't even follow in their footsteps?'
Rolled 1 = 1
I keep trying to escape,
"I- It's not like that! I- I- It's so much worse! J- Just leave me alone! I don't deserve anything!"
'You fucked up again Sol.'
'All those things your aunts and uncles said? They're all true. What use is a child to a knight when they can't even follow in their footsteps?'
Rolled 1 = 1
>>60009
"It's okay. Just… surprising that's all."
She dusts herself off a bit.
"It worked, that's for sure. Care to try out your spell?"
>>60011
You and piercy walk back to the gates where you entered through. You are now standing on the street again. It's late at night and everything is closed and locked up. There are no ponies in sight aside from the occasional guard patrolling around.
>>60012
He shrugs.
"Again, not a pony of intrigue. I don't keep myself occupied with politics and investigation. Could be anypony for all I know."
>>60014
Crescent hugs you as well now and pets your mane softly.
"Oh Goodness! Why would you say that? That's not true at all! You're a good pony! Just tell us what happened."
"It's okay. Just… surprising that's all."
She dusts herself off a bit.
"It worked, that's for sure. Care to try out your spell?"
>>60011
You and piercy walk back to the gates where you entered through. You are now standing on the street again. It's late at night and everything is closed and locked up. There are no ponies in sight aside from the occasional guard patrolling around.
>>60012
He shrugs.
"Again, not a pony of intrigue. I don't keep myself occupied with politics and investigation. Could be anypony for all I know."
>>60014
Crescent hugs you as well now and pets your mane softly.
"Oh Goodness! Why would you say that? That's not true at all! You're a good pony! Just tell us what happened."
>>60022
You don't feel.jpg
She doesn't feel evil though… but there is no real presence of good either. Hard to pinpoint.
>>60025
The mare eyes you carefully and cocks her eyebrow at the bloodied cape as well as Piercy.
"Sir… please get down on the ground"
>>60026
"Walking? A few days off to the south from here. And I'm sure there'll be work. I'll keep your name in thoughts."
He drinks another glass of wine.
"Maybe you can get together with my spymaster."
He guffaws loudly again.
You don't feel.jpg
She doesn't feel evil though… but there is no real presence of good either. Hard to pinpoint.
>>60025
The mare eyes you carefully and cocks her eyebrow at the bloodied cape as well as Piercy.
"Sir… please get down on the ground"
>>60026
"Walking? A few days off to the south from here. And I'm sure there'll be work. I'll keep your name in thoughts."
He drinks another glass of wine.
"Maybe you can get together with my spymaster."
He guffaws loudly again.
>>60028
All right, that was enough bullshitting for today.
"Oh, you want to know about the blood? I was ASSAULTED! by a mare in the Ball! She lured me away to 'dance', then assaulted me! She even made my nose bleed! You should take her to custody!"
I point at Piercy.
"And he is my bodyguard! Instead of accusing ME, just because I'm a zebra, you guards should do your jobs properly, and defend the innocent!"
All right, that was enough bullshitting for today.
"Oh, you want to know about the blood? I was ASSAULTED! by a mare in the Ball! She lured me away to 'dance', then assaulted me! She even made my nose bleed! You should take her to custody!"
I point at Piercy.
"And he is my bodyguard! Instead of accusing ME, just because I'm a zebra, you guards should do your jobs properly, and defend the innocent!"
>>60017
>>60020
I slump down, give up, and start crying harder,
"I- I- I we- went and h- hurt Zivur. I- I went and hurt t- the one pony w- who I felt close to! T- the one pony t- that I lo- liked! A- and now he h- hates m- me b- because i- i'm just a w- worthless p- pony who d- doesn't deserve to live…"
'Who are you fooling?'
'You can't protect anyone. You're just a foal playing dress up. All those other ponies back at school? They were right. You're useless.'
'And you can't even protect for the ponies you love! All you do is go and get them hurt and make them hate you! First Cloudchaser and now Zivur! You're USELESS!'
'Maybe everyone would be better of if you were dead.'
I feel for my sword.
>>60020
I slump down, give up, and start crying harder,
"I- I- I we- went and h- hurt Zivur. I- I went and hurt t- the one pony w- who I felt close to! T- the one pony t- that I lo- liked! A- and now he h- hates m- me b- because i- i'm just a w- worthless p- pony who d- doesn't deserve to live…"
'Who are you fooling?'
'You can't protect anyone. You're just a foal playing dress up. All those other ponies back at school? They were right. You're useless.'
'And you can't even protect for the ponies you love! All you do is go and get them hurt and make them hate you! First Cloudchaser and now Zivur! You're USELESS!'
'Maybe everyone would be better of if you were dead.'
I feel for my sword.
>>60032
"Under the covers of her bed!"
He explodes in roaring laughter, stomping his forehoofs on the ground as he does so. some of the ponies in the area around you look at the two of you angrily.
>>60033
She raises a hoof to her chin and thinks for a moment.
"I guess I could try Fireball. But that seems like a bad idea to do insi-"
She can speak no further as all of the sudden, a steel bolt hits her square in the chest. Her eyes widen as she gasps, looking over to the blood spilling out of the wound. You hear how a window quickly gets opened and how something flies away out of it, but don't see anything.
Pick Wick collapses on the floor wide eyed and looking very panicked.
>>60037
Crescent gasps loudly as she hears what you say.
"No! Don't say that! Calm down please! Everypony makes mistakes! I made so many in the past! You just go on with your life and do better tomorrow!"
>>60035
She doesn't even blink and just gives you a hard stare.
"Sir, get down on the ground, NOW."
"Under the covers of her bed!"
He explodes in roaring laughter, stomping his forehoofs on the ground as he does so. some of the ponies in the area around you look at the two of you angrily.
>>60033
She raises a hoof to her chin and thinks for a moment.
"I guess I could try Fireball. But that seems like a bad idea to do insi-"
She can speak no further as all of the sudden, a steel bolt hits her square in the chest. Her eyes widen as she gasps, looking over to the blood spilling out of the wound. You hear how a window quickly gets opened and how something flies away out of it, but don't see anything.
Pick Wick collapses on the floor wide eyed and looking very panicked.
>>60037
Crescent gasps loudly as she hears what you say.
"No! Don't say that! Calm down please! Everypony makes mistakes! I made so many in the past! You just go on with your life and do better tomorrow!"
>>60035
She doesn't even blink and just gives you a hard stare.
"Sir, get down on the ground, NOW."
>>60041
I look around and notice the ponies staring at us.
"Yes, yes that is what I meant. Well I hope to meet your fine spymaster sometime soon, but I have lingered by the refreshments table for too long. Goodnight."
I refill my glass of wine and wander the ballroom looking for any of the others.
Rolled 8 = 8
I look around and notice the ponies staring at us.
"Yes, yes that is what I meant. Well I hope to meet your fine spymaster sometime soon, but I have lingered by the refreshments table for too long. Goodnight."
I refill my glass of wine and wander the ballroom looking for any of the others.
Rolled 8 = 8
>>60040
>>60041
"I- I know! A- and I still tried to anyways! I- I f- fucking knew it and I still tried to anyways! I- I- I tried to lean in just a little bit cl- closer and I h- headbutted him! I- I made him bleed!"
I start crying even harder.
'Do it. You'll be doing everyone a favor.'
I grab my sword a bit tighter.
>>60041
"I- I know! A- and I still tried to anyways! I- I f- fucking knew it and I still tried to anyways! I- I- I tried to lean in just a little bit cl- closer and I h- headbutted him! I- I made him bleed!"
I start crying even harder.
'Do it. You'll be doing everyone a favor.'
I grab my sword a bit tighter.
>>60050
I put a hoof on her sword
"Now, I know you're an intelligent mare and you wouldn't do what I think you are going to do, but give that sword for me for the rest of the night, please."
after a moment, with a stern voice
"You need to realize that everyone makes mistakes. And if Zivur can't see it, it's entirely his fault, not yours."
I put a hoof on her sword
"Now, I know you're an intelligent mare and you wouldn't do what I think you are going to do, but give that sword for me for the rest of the night, please."
after a moment, with a stern voice
"You need to realize that everyone makes mistakes. And if Zivur can't see it, it's entirely his fault, not yours."
>>60042
Not backing off, the mare continues to stare you down angrily.
"Citizens still abide to the law. Get on the ground, RIGHT NOW!"
>>60045
You put her on your back using your magic and carry her out of the room towards where you cam from. Her blood is drenching your coat and she is shivering pretty badly. You eventually come across >>60046 just outside the ballroom who is looking for the rest of the party.
>>60047
Crescent continues to hug you tight and pets your mane some more.
"Sssshhh, sssshhh it's okay. Just cry away your sorrow. Don't worry, we're here for you!"
Not backing off, the mare continues to stare you down angrily.
"Citizens still abide to the law. Get on the ground, RIGHT NOW!"
>>60045
You put her on your back using your magic and carry her out of the room towards where you cam from. Her blood is drenching your coat and she is shivering pretty badly. You eventually come across >>60046 just outside the ballroom who is looking for the rest of the party.
>>60047
Crescent continues to hug you tight and pets your mane some more.
"Sssshhh, sssshhh it's okay. Just cry away your sorrow. Don't worry, we're here for you!"
>>60060
"THE LAW applies equal to all, citizen."
She starts cuffing your hooves.
>>60063
You barely manage to stop the bleeding. The steel bolt is still sticking out of her.
>>60064
"Oh goodness don't! Please! It's sad when ponies die and I don't like sad things!"
>>60066
"You can sleep over at the EPC HQ again! No problem at all."
"THE LAW applies equal to all, citizen."
She starts cuffing your hooves.
>>60063
You barely manage to stop the bleeding. The steel bolt is still sticking out of her.
>>60064
"Oh goodness don't! Please! It's sad when ponies die and I don't like sad things!"
>>60066
"You can sleep over at the EPC HQ again! No problem at all."
>>60070
You again fail to do much to help her. She's whimpering slightly and still shivering madly.
>>60071
You alert some of the servants. One of them, a unicorn stallion speaks up and rushes to your side.
"I'm a doctor at court! Show me the way quickly!"
>>60072
She smacks you on the back of the head with the hilt of her sword.
"Be quiet. You are disrupting public order."
>>60073
>>60078
You start heading towards the exit, Ducatia is still with you and speaks up.
"If you wish, you are allowed to spend the night at my home. Your friend is clearly upset and could use a nice bed to sleep in."
You again fail to do much to help her. She's whimpering slightly and still shivering madly.
>>60071
You alert some of the servants. One of them, a unicorn stallion speaks up and rushes to your side.
"I'm a doctor at court! Show me the way quickly!"
>>60072
She smacks you on the back of the head with the hilt of her sword.
"Be quiet. You are disrupting public order."
>>60073
>>60078
You start heading towards the exit, Ducatia is still with you and speaks up.
"If you wish, you are allowed to spend the night at my home. Your friend is clearly upset and could use a nice bed to sleep in."
>>60083
"Hn the Upper City, not far from here. Admittedly I don't spend much time there as I usually just stay at the Guild Hall, but you'll find it to be quite luxurious. I can show you the way if you want."
>>60085
You rip out the bolt forcefully and she cries out in pain, she's bleeding even more now and a puddle of blood is starting to form around her.
>>60084
The stallion quickly follows you and starts casting spells on Pick Wick without say a word, concentrating on his work.
>>60086
She finishes cuffing you and now starts cuffing Piercy, ignoring you completely.
"Hn the Upper City, not far from here. Admittedly I don't spend much time there as I usually just stay at the Guild Hall, but you'll find it to be quite luxurious. I can show you the way if you want."
>>60085
You rip out the bolt forcefully and she cries out in pain, she's bleeding even more now and a puddle of blood is starting to form around her.
>>60084
The stallion quickly follows you and starts casting spells on Pick Wick without say a word, concentrating on his work.
>>60086
She finishes cuffing you and now starts cuffing Piercy, ignoring you completely.
The unicorn is still healing Pick with the best of his abilities.
"I think she'll be fine…"
>>60099
She finishes cuffing Piercy as well and pulls you up.
"Yeah, yeah, act tough all you want, see how you like spending some time behind bars."
>>60098
Crescent quickly shakes her head.
"It's okay! I guess I'll just go back to the EPC… It was… nice tonight. Even with all that happened. Thank you for inviting me!"
Ducatia pipes in.
"A friend of the empress is a friend of mine. Besides, you seem like nice enough ponies."
As you walk outside the palace gates, you notice a guard standing by a cuffed Zivur and Piercy.
>>60111
You cannot find them anywhere nearby.
"I think she'll be fine…"
>>60099
She finishes cuffing Piercy as well and pulls you up.
"Yeah, yeah, act tough all you want, see how you like spending some time behind bars."
>>60098
Crescent quickly shakes her head.
"It's okay! I guess I'll just go back to the EPC… It was… nice tonight. Even with all that happened. Thank you for inviting me!"
Ducatia pipes in.
"A friend of the empress is a friend of mine. Besides, you seem like nice enough ponies."
As you walk outside the palace gates, you notice a guard standing by a cuffed Zivur and Piercy.
>>60111
You cannot find them anywhere nearby.
>>60113
I mutter to myself.
"Not here? Maybe things went even better than I thought they would."
>>60116
"I'm sure the empress has better doctors here at the palace. You stay with her while I go find the others."
I walk through the gardens looking for any sign of the other members of the group.
Rolled 3 = 3
I mutter to myself.
"Not here? Maybe things went even better than I thought they would."
>>60116
"I'm sure the empress has better doctors here at the palace. You stay with her while I go find the others."
I walk through the gardens looking for any sign of the other members of the group.
Rolled 3 = 3
>>60116
"The palace has its own medical bay, don't worry."
He picks her up gently with his magic and starts carrying her away.
"You two gentlecolts may have just saved her life, good job."
>>60125
They aren't in the garden anymore, that's for sure.
>>60118
>>60127
She lets out a giggle as you drop your spaghetti a little bit on the ground.
"I thought you'd never ask, of course!"
>>60117
She rolls her eyes and starts leading you away before >>60118 comes up.
"This stallion and his… companion was walking around with a piece of bloodied cloth disrupting the general peace."
>>60122
>>60130
She cocks an eyebrow at you
"Lady, you need some sleep… or something else. I don't even know."
>>60128
She smacks you on the back of the head again.
"Silence, dissident."
>>60138
"Seems pretty clear to me. This idiot was disrupting public order and I arrested him. No room for misunderstanding."
"The palace has its own medical bay, don't worry."
He picks her up gently with his magic and starts carrying her away.
"You two gentlecolts may have just saved her life, good job."
>>60125
They aren't in the garden anymore, that's for sure.
>>60118
>>60127
She lets out a giggle as you drop your spaghetti a little bit on the ground.
"I thought you'd never ask, of course!"
>>60117
She rolls her eyes and starts leading you away before >>60118 comes up.
"This stallion and his… companion was walking around with a piece of bloodied cloth disrupting the general peace."
>>60122
>>60130
She cocks an eyebrow at you
"Lady, you need some sleep… or something else. I don't even know."
>>60128
She smacks you on the back of the head again.
"Silence, dissident."
>>60138
"Seems pretty clear to me. This idiot was disrupting public order and I arrested him. No room for misunderstanding."
>>60150
"Look lady I- URK"
You slam into the guards chest and she stumbles back a bit.
"HOW DARE YOU!"
She takes out a whistle and blows on it.
>>60154
You grab Crescents ass tightly and squeeze it! Oh shit! That's not what you meant to grab! She lets out a loud yelp and looks at you astoundingly.
"W-what are you doing!?"
Ducatia is standing back, looking at the scene amusingly.
>>60151
You hear a whistle going off and see the all of the above.
>>60149
>>60161
You follow the unicorn carrying Pick Wick through the palace until you reach the medical bay. The unicorn gently lays her on top of one of the beds and gives some orders to the two nurse ponies already present, before going back to tending to Pick Wick.
"Are the two of you family?"
"Look lady I- URK"
You slam into the guards chest and she stumbles back a bit.
"HOW DARE YOU!"
She takes out a whistle and blows on it.
>>60154
You grab Crescents ass tightly and squeeze it! Oh shit! That's not what you meant to grab! She lets out a loud yelp and looks at you astoundingly.
"W-what are you doing!?"
Ducatia is standing back, looking at the scene amusingly.
>>60151
You hear a whistle going off and see the all of the above.
>>60149
>>60161
You follow the unicorn carrying Pick Wick through the palace until you reach the medical bay. The unicorn gently lays her on top of one of the beds and gives some orders to the two nurse ponies already present, before going back to tending to Pick Wick.
"Are the two of you family?"
>>60176
"Isn't it always?"
He continues to tend to Pick Wick, who is still unconscious and muttering a little in her sleep.
>>60180
You try to slam into her again but are stopped by Falkmar
>>60182
"She assaulted a guard! I don't care what happened to her."
>>60184
"And who are you!? Why are there so many people!? Where are you coming from?"
Six more guards rush to her aid and surround the party.
Ducatia his still not doing anything standing in the background and looking very amused.
"Isn't it always?"
He continues to tend to Pick Wick, who is still unconscious and muttering a little in her sleep.
>>60180
You try to slam into her again but are stopped by Falkmar
>>60182
"She assaulted a guard! I don't care what happened to her."
>>60184
"And who are you!? Why are there so many people!? Where are you coming from?"
Six more guards rush to her aid and surround the party.
Ducatia his still not doing anything standing in the background and looking very amused.
>>60192
The guard puts a hoof on you and shoves you back down onto the ground.
>>60193
"YOU THINK YOU ARE IMPRESSIVE SHOUTING LIKE THAT DONKEY!?"
>>60194
She nods silently, before putting her hooves together and starts applauding.
"Good show, all of you. Very good show indeed."
She turns to Falkmar.
"I told you things would get more exciting now that you are here… Guards, if you please."
The guard holding down Zivur widens her eyes as she recognizes the mare.
"Guild Master Ducatia! I didn't recognize you there! At once!"
She quickly uncuffs both Zivur and Piercy.
The guard puts a hoof on you and shoves you back down onto the ground.
>>60193
"YOU THINK YOU ARE IMPRESSIVE SHOUTING LIKE THAT DONKEY!?"
>>60194
She nods silently, before putting her hooves together and starts applauding.
"Good show, all of you. Very good show indeed."
She turns to Falkmar.
"I told you things would get more exciting now that you are here… Guards, if you please."
The guard holding down Zivur widens her eyes as she recognizes the mare.
"Guild Master Ducatia! I didn't recognize you there! At once!"
She quickly uncuffs both Zivur and Piercy.
>>60213
I look over my shoulders a few time before speaking.
"Pick Wick was just assassinated. The Empress has decided that you are the next best thing to her spymaster that she has on hoof right now and needs you circulating the ballroom trying to find out if anyone there is connected to what happened. Please, she wants us all back as soon as possible."
I look over my shoulders a few time before speaking.
"Pick Wick was just assassinated. The Empress has decided that you are the next best thing to her spymaster that she has on hoof right now and needs you circulating the ballroom trying to find out if anyone there is connected to what happened. Please, she wants us all back as soon as possible."
>>60214
"Of course not, I'll be staying here keeping watch over her as well. You want some coffee? Nurse! See that the Empress is told of what happened, and bring us a can of coffee too!"
One of the nurses quickly scurries off.
"So somepony tried to murder her?"
>>60215
"Now now, It was merely a misunderstanding, no need to get upset. You have my sincerest apologies. It must have been a rough night for you all."
>>60216
You are the leader of the party nigga
"Of course."
The party starts walking back to the palace gates.
>>60217
Ducatia's smile instantly fades away.
"Pick Wick? She's dead? Oooooooh boy, we are going to hear it now. Let's go quickly!"
"Of course not, I'll be staying here keeping watch over her as well. You want some coffee? Nurse! See that the Empress is told of what happened, and bring us a can of coffee too!"
One of the nurses quickly scurries off.
"So somepony tried to murder her?"
>>60215
"Now now, It was merely a misunderstanding, no need to get upset. You have my sincerest apologies. It must have been a rough night for you all."
>>60216
You are the leader of the party nigga
"Of course."
The party starts walking back to the palace gates.
>>60217
Ducatia's smile instantly fades away.
"Pick Wick? She's dead? Oooooooh boy, we are going to hear it now. Let's go quickly!"
CLIFFHANGER TIME!
WILL PICK WICK SURVIVE?
WHO TRIED TO KILL HER?
ON A SCALE OF 1 TO /v/, HOW MAD WILL THE EMPRESS BE?
WILL THE PARTY EVER GET ALONG AGAIN?
WILL SOL COMMIT SUDOKU?
WILL FALKMAR EVER GET 5 MINUTES OF RELAXING ALONE TIME WITH CRESCENT?
WILL ZIVUR STOP BEING A TOTAL VAGINA?
FIND OUT NEXT TIME ON TROTANTIUM THE DECLINE
WILL PICK WICK SURVIVE?
WHO TRIED TO KILL HER?
ON A SCALE OF 1 TO /v/, HOW MAD WILL THE EMPRESS BE?
WILL THE PARTY EVER GET ALONG AGAIN?
WILL SOL COMMIT SUDOKU?
WILL FALKMAR EVER GET 5 MINUTES OF RELAXING ALONE TIME WITH CRESCENT?
WILL ZIVUR STOP BEING A TOTAL VAGINA?
FIND OUT NEXT TIME ON TROTANTIUM THE DECLINE
Thread seems kinda broken, but it'll do for now. If it gets too bad, I'll make a new one.
The party is currently heading back to the palace, accompanied by Ducatia and Crescent. Dusk is in the medical bay with Pick Wick and the Unicorn doctor. A nurse was just sent off to warn the empress and her entourage of what happened and to fetch some coffee too.
The party is currently heading back to the palace, accompanied by Ducatia and Crescent. Dusk is in the medical bay with Pick Wick and the Unicorn doctor. A nurse was just sent off to warn the empress and her entourage of what happened and to fetch some coffee too.
>>61165
The stallion looks at you, confused.
"Of course, that's what I'm here for. What is wrong?"
>>61169
Crescent pipes in and corrects you, chiding you in the process.
"EPC! Not ECP! Equestrian Peace corpse!"
>>61161
>>61164
The party enters the palace and stands in the main hall. It seems everypony is still at the ball.
Ducatia speaks up.
"So, what now? Where is she? At the medical bay? Where is the Empress?"
The stallion looks at you, confused.
"Of course, that's what I'm here for. What is wrong?"
>>61169
Crescent pipes in and corrects you, chiding you in the process.
"EPC! Not ECP! Equestrian Peace corpse!"
>>61161
>>61164
The party enters the palace and stands in the main hall. It seems everypony is still at the ball.
Ducatia speaks up.
"So, what now? Where is she? At the medical bay? Where is the Empress?"
>>61176
He looks even more confused now.
"But what about the Empress? I just sent a nurse to warn her!"
>>61180
"Well I suppose we'll just go find he-"
Ducatia is interrupted as the Empress suddenly opens up one of the side doors coming from the ballroom and storms into the main hall, followed by a nurse and a few guards. When she sees Ducatia standing with the party, she narrows her eyes and glowers.
"You!"
Ducatia looks around confused, before realizing she is the one the empress is pointing at.
"Me?"
The empress stomps a hoof on the ground and yells at the top of her lungs.
"SEIZE HER! NOW!"
He looks even more confused now.
"But what about the Empress? I just sent a nurse to warn her!"
>>61180
"Well I suppose we'll just go find he-"
Ducatia is interrupted as the Empress suddenly opens up one of the side doors coming from the ballroom and storms into the main hall, followed by a nurse and a few guards. When she sees Ducatia standing with the party, she narrows her eyes and glowers.
"You!"
Ducatia looks around confused, before realizing she is the one the empress is pointing at.
"Me?"
The empress stomps a hoof on the ground and yells at the top of her lungs.
"SEIZE HER! NOW!"
>>61190
"Alright, but I think we should wait for what the Empress tells us to do…"
Pick Wick stirs a bit and opens one of her eyes, groaning.
>>61194
>>61196
>>61200
Ducatia looks very confused, but keeps her apparent cool.
"There must be a misunders-OOF"
The three of you dogpile her, joined by one of the two guards the Empress has with her who also cuffs her hooves.
"You are under arrest for suspected treason and two murder attempts! You have no rights and will remain silent!"
Ducatia frowns, still keeping her cool.
"I think there must be a misunderstanding here, I know nothing about this. Why would you think this? Who did I even try to kill or betray?"
"Alright, but I think we should wait for what the Empress tells us to do…"
Pick Wick stirs a bit and opens one of her eyes, groaning.
>>61194
>>61196
>>61200
Ducatia looks very confused, but keeps her apparent cool.
"There must be a misunders-OOF"
The three of you dogpile her, joined by one of the two guards the Empress has with her who also cuffs her hooves.
"You are under arrest for suspected treason and two murder attempts! You have no rights and will remain silent!"
Ducatia frowns, still keeping her cool.
"I think there must be a misunderstanding here, I know nothing about this. Why would you think this? Who did I even try to kill or betray?"
>>61204
She looks and stares at you for a while, before closing her eyes again and passing out.
"She lost a lot of blood. She's going to need some rest to recover."
He takes a closer look at the steel bolt she was shot with and eyes it carefully.
>>61205
Crescent looks very confused at the entire scene.
"What's happening!?"
>>61203
"Can somepony please tell-URK"
Piercy kicks her hard in the ribs. Silencing her. She is cringing a little now.
"You tried to not only assassinate me, but also my Spymaster and your fellow councilor Pick Wick."
Ducatia's eyes widen and she shakes her head, not daring to speak up.
She looks and stares at you for a while, before closing her eyes again and passing out.
"She lost a lot of blood. She's going to need some rest to recover."
He takes a closer look at the steel bolt she was shot with and eyes it carefully.
>>61205
Crescent looks very confused at the entire scene.
"What's happening!?"
>>61203
"Can somepony please tell-URK"
Piercy kicks her hard in the ribs. Silencing her. She is cringing a little now.
"You tried to not only assassinate me, but also my Spymaster and your fellow councilor Pick Wick."
Ducatia's eyes widen and she shakes her head, not daring to speak up.
>>61215
"Of course sir."
The nurse returns with a can of coffee
"I warned her majesty, doctor. And I brought some coffee. Do you want some too, sir mage?"
>>61221
Piercy goes back to standing with Zivur
>>61216
The Empress nods solemnly.
"Those were freshly minted coins coming from the Bank of Clopantinople. They weren't even in circulation yet so the only ponies who could have had access to them are me or the members of my council, namely my husband, Ducatia or Pick Wick."
>>61218
The Empress shifts her gaze to you.
"No. No there wasn't. No doubt she got rid of it all after she heard what happened to that gang. Probably afraid we were on her trail. Rightfully so."
She turns to her guards.
"Lock her up in the dungeon. Or no, straight into the oubliette. We'll decide what to do with her tomorrow."
The two guards pick her up and drag her away. She stays silent but the look on her face betrays fear.
"Of course sir."
The nurse returns with a can of coffee
"I warned her majesty, doctor. And I brought some coffee. Do you want some too, sir mage?"
>>61221
Piercy goes back to standing with Zivur
>>61216
The Empress nods solemnly.
"Those were freshly minted coins coming from the Bank of Clopantinople. They weren't even in circulation yet so the only ponies who could have had access to them are me or the members of my council, namely my husband, Ducatia or Pick Wick."
>>61218
The Empress shifts her gaze to you.
"No. No there wasn't. No doubt she got rid of it all after she heard what happened to that gang. Probably afraid we were on her trail. Rightfully so."
She turns to her guards.
"Lock her up in the dungeon. Or no, straight into the oubliette. We'll decide what to do with her tomorrow."
The two guards pick her up and drag her away. She stays silent but the look on her face betrays fear.
>>61230
The nurse hands you a cup of coffee as the doctor continues to talk.
"She is lucky the assassin did not use any poison on the bolt. He or she must have been confident in his marksmanship… unrightfully so it appears."
>>61234
The Empress puts a hoof to her chin and thinks for a moment.
"Maybe… We will see tomorrow. Thank you all for your assistance in this matter. I was a bit worried she would get away for a moment, but you managed to lead her back here. Good job."
She smiles a little, though it doesn't seem like a genuine one.
"I can get a good night's sleep again tonight, I'll need it. I'm blowing off the ball, Pick Wick could have died tonight and that's a little more excitement than I can bear."
The nurse hands you a cup of coffee as the doctor continues to talk.
"She is lucky the assassin did not use any poison on the bolt. He or she must have been confident in his marksmanship… unrightfully so it appears."
>>61234
The Empress puts a hoof to her chin and thinks for a moment.
"Maybe… We will see tomorrow. Thank you all for your assistance in this matter. I was a bit worried she would get away for a moment, but you managed to lead her back here. Good job."
She smiles a little, though it doesn't seem like a genuine one.
"I can get a good night's sleep again tonight, I'll need it. I'm blowing off the ball, Pick Wick could have died tonight and that's a little more excitement than I can bear."
>>61245
"Of course, she'll be heavily guarded."
The Empress turns away and starts heading back to the ballroom.
"You lot can report back in tomorrow. We have things to discuss. Sleep well."
>>61247
Crescent quickly shakes her head, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Are you kidding!? This is so exciting! You are like… like… super secret agents or something! Oh gosh I didn't know! But then it wouldn't be secret of course! Still! Gosh!"
>>61246
"Doubtful, I'm afraid she'll probably stay out cold for the rest of the night. Looks like you're going to be here all night."
You can either decide to go to sleep here or somewhere else or pull an all nighter using the power of COFFEE.
>>61243
You are back into the gardens, Piercy following you closely.
"Of course, she'll be heavily guarded."
The Empress turns away and starts heading back to the ballroom.
"You lot can report back in tomorrow. We have things to discuss. Sleep well."
>>61247
Crescent quickly shakes her head, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Are you kidding!? This is so exciting! You are like… like… super secret agents or something! Oh gosh I didn't know! But then it wouldn't be secret of course! Still! Gosh!"
>>61246
"Doubtful, I'm afraid she'll probably stay out cold for the rest of the night. Looks like you're going to be here all night."
You can either decide to go to sleep here or somewhere else or pull an all nighter using the power of COFFEE.
>>61243
You are back into the gardens, Piercy following you closely.
>>61250
I put a hoof on her shoulder.
"You'll need a good night's sleep, and the world won't look so grim in the morning. I'm sure Zivur will forgive you with time. You're an attractive, intelligent mare, don't let others tell you otherwise."
>>61252
"Well, uh, I am glad you had a good evening. Should we head back to the HQ now?"
I put a hoof on her shoulder.
"You'll need a good night's sleep, and the world won't look so grim in the morning. I'm sure Zivur will forgive you with time. You're an attractive, intelligent mare, don't let others tell you otherwise."
>>61252
"Well, uh, I am glad you had a good evening. Should we head back to the HQ now?"
>>61254
With the power of COFFEE, you'll pull an allnighter. You might feel shitty in the morning but Pick Wick will surely appreciate hearing about this when she awakens again!
>>61255
"Sure! You are always welcome there! As long as you don't bring any undead things along!"
>>61256
You walk back to the same park you slept in before, Piercy in tow.
>>61253
You follow him from a distance.
With the power of COFFEE, you'll pull an allnighter. You might feel shitty in the morning but Pick Wick will surely appreciate hearing about this when she awakens again!
>>61255
"Sure! You are always welcome there! As long as you don't bring any undead things along!"
>>61256
You walk back to the same park you slept in before, Piercy in tow.
>>61253
You follow him from a distance.
>>61258
The three of you walk back all the way over to the EPC headquarters, tired of the long and terrible day. The three of you settle down in bed. It's nice and comfortable, Falkmar lying in between the two mares. You can try to stealthily move closer to Crescent and try to spoon her but you'll have to roll for that of course.
Wouldn't want to pass up the chance of a critfail.
>>61265
Sure, you can roll to see how well you do. If you roll a 10, you will be successful on 6 and higher when casting it
The three of you walk back all the way over to the EPC headquarters, tired of the long and terrible day. The three of you settle down in bed. It's nice and comfortable, Falkmar lying in between the two mares. You can try to stealthily move closer to Crescent and try to spoon her but you'll have to roll for that of course.
Wouldn't want to pass up the chance of a critfail.
>>61265
Sure, you can roll to see how well you do. If you roll a 10, you will be successful on 6 and higher when casting it
>>61270
My face twitches when I hear her name, and my voice trembles with both anger and upsettnes.
"It was terrible. All of it! Of course she was just trying to hurt me! Like all the mares do! All the live ones!"
Then I look him in the eyes.
"Did you set me up? Was this another of your joke for- whatever God you believe in? 'Let's kick in the zebra'? Did you two plan this?"
I take and angry step towards him.
My face twitches when I hear her name, and my voice trembles with both anger and upsettnes.
"It was terrible. All of it! Of course she was just trying to hurt me! Like all the mares do! All the live ones!"
Then I look him in the eyes.
"Did you set me up? Was this another of your joke for- whatever God you believe in? 'Let's kick in the zebra'? Did you two plan this?"
I take and angry step towards him.
>>61273
Your horn is unwilling to cooperate right now. You are probably too tired after all the excitement of today and the exchanging of spells earlier. Oh well. You can try again once more if you want to. Keep in mind that a 1 will get rid of your progress and put the success treshold on 8 instead of 7.
>>61276
You manage to somewhat stealthily move in closer to Crescent. You aren't outright cuddling but you are close enough to smell that nice mane of hers. Smells like… lavender.
>>61279
YOU FALL ASLEEP COMPLETELY
UNABLE TO WAKE UP FOR ANOTHER 8 HOURS
SLEEP
Your horn is unwilling to cooperate right now. You are probably too tired after all the excitement of today and the exchanging of spells earlier. Oh well. You can try again once more if you want to. Keep in mind that a 1 will get rid of your progress and put the success treshold on 8 instead of 7.
>>61276
You manage to somewhat stealthily move in closer to Crescent. You aren't outright cuddling but you are close enough to smell that nice mane of hers. Smells like… lavender.
>>61279
YOU FALL ASLEEP COMPLETELY
UNABLE TO WAKE UP FOR ANOTHER 8 HOURS
SLEEP
>>61284
"I…I let h-her close to me… I trusted her like you said… and when we d-dan-da- did that thing s-she headbutted me!"
Show him all the blood on the cloak.
"That's all mine! I… I fell back an-and I jus-just started bleeding…"
Tears start to flow from my eyes and my shaking legs give away.
"Th-then that gu-g-guard hit m-me t-too j-j-just like… just li-"
I hiccup the last words with sobs and start to cry on the ground.
"I…I let h-her close to me… I trusted her like you said… and when we d-dan-da- did that thing s-she headbutted me!"
Show him all the blood on the cloak.
"That's all mine! I… I fell back an-and I jus-just started bleeding…"
Tears start to flow from my eyes and my shaking legs give away.
"Th-then that gu-g-guard hit m-me t-too j-j-just like… just li-"
I hiccup the last words with sobs and start to cry on the ground.
>>61293
>9
DONKEY GUNNA GET SOME PUSSY TONIGHT
Or well, maybe not. But at least you move in much closer. She doesn't seem to mind at all and murmurs happily as the two of you cuddle each other. You bury your face into that mane of hers. You really needed this after this long and awful day. To just lay down and relax with somepony in your hooves. You'll have sweet dreams tonight and will feel much better tomorrow.
>>61297
>10
BEAUTIFUL DREAMS OF JOY AND BUTTERFLIES!
There is only happiness and no sadness! It's only a minor detour on the road to glory! You can try again! Just gotta give him some time and he'll get over it. Be confident! Be strong! You can do this! You are a strong and independent mare who don't need no sadness! However… This also means you lose Despair.
Welp, can't win 'em all.
Just waiting for Zivur and Erumal now
>9
DONKEY GUNNA GET SOME PUSSY TONIGHT
Or well, maybe not. But at least you move in much closer. She doesn't seem to mind at all and murmurs happily as the two of you cuddle each other. You bury your face into that mane of hers. You really needed this after this long and awful day. To just lay down and relax with somepony in your hooves. You'll have sweet dreams tonight and will feel much better tomorrow.
>>61297
>10
BEAUTIFUL DREAMS OF JOY AND BUTTERFLIES!
There is only happiness and no sadness! It's only a minor detour on the road to glory! You can try again! Just gotta give him some time and he'll get over it. Be confident! Be strong! You can do this! You are a strong and independent mare who don't need no sadness! However… This also means you lose Despair.
Welp, can't win 'em all.
Just waiting for Zivur and Erumal now
>>61299
"Oh Zivur, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry"
I sit down next to him and put a hoof over his shoulder then pat him on the back a few times.
"I'm sorry that happened, I should have known better than suggesting that the two of you dance in that garden after it had been watered so recently. She must have slipped on some wet grass or mud, but I know she didn't meant to hurt you. You should have seen her eyes light up when I told her you agreed to dance with her. That guard though-"
I turn my head away and spit.
"-almost every guard I've ever met is like that. They enjoy abusing others and making them do what they're told and hurting them if they don't. That's just one of those sad facts of life."
"Oh Zivur, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry"
I sit down next to him and put a hoof over his shoulder then pat him on the back a few times.
"I'm sorry that happened, I should have known better than suggesting that the two of you dance in that garden after it had been watered so recently. She must have slipped on some wet grass or mud, but I know she didn't meant to hurt you. You should have seen her eyes light up when I told her you agreed to dance with her. That guard though-"
I turn my head away and spit.
"-almost every guard I've ever met is like that. They enjoy abusing others and making them do what they're told and hurting them if they don't. That's just one of those sad facts of life."
>>61305
I look up at him.
"No! It was on purpose! I know it! S-she just wanted to hurt m-me! Ever since sh-she showed up! All the m-mares only ever cause is t-trouble and hurt!"
Mutter very very quietly, so even I can barely hear it.
"I kn-knew I sho-shouldn't have l-liked an-anyone…"
Then stare at Piercy.
"A-as for that guard I…"
I look at Erumal with concern.
"If N-Nid was with m-me… I would have killed her…"
I look up at him.
"No! It was on purpose! I know it! S-she just wanted to hurt m-me! Ever since sh-she showed up! All the m-mares only ever cause is t-trouble and hurt!"
Mutter very very quietly, so even I can barely hear it.
"I kn-knew I sho-shouldn't have l-liked an-anyone…"
Then stare at Piercy.
"A-as for that guard I…"
I look at Erumal with concern.
"If N-Nid was with m-me… I would have killed her…"
>>61309
"I'm glad he wasn't then because I wouldn't have been able to keep Falkmar from killing you in return. And she didn't want to hurt you. If she had wanted to hurt you she would have attacked you with her sword when the two of you were alone instead of headbutting you after she danced for a little bit. Did I hear you right when I said you liked her? that's good, you should like her."
"I'm glad he wasn't then because I wouldn't have been able to keep Falkmar from killing you in return. And she didn't want to hurt you. If she had wanted to hurt you she would have attacked you with her sword when the two of you were alone instead of headbutting you after she danced for a little bit. Did I hear you right when I said you liked her? that's good, you should like her."
>>61328
"Sh-she just wanted to kn-knock me out and then fi-finish me so I can't com-command Piercy!"
I think a bit at the other part.
"I.. maybe sh-she was hoping we'd get into the same c-cell… The only thing I know is that she ever tries coming close to me again, sh-she'll only get one thing! I w-won't let my guard down again!"
i place a hoof on my shiv.
"Sh-she just wanted to kn-knock me out and then fi-finish me so I can't com-command Piercy!"
I think a bit at the other part.
"I.. maybe sh-she was hoping we'd get into the same c-cell… The only thing I know is that she ever tries coming close to me again, sh-she'll only get one thing! I w-won't let my guard down again!"
i place a hoof on my shiv.
14 FUCKING SESSIONS JESUS FUCKING CHRIST IN HEAVEN
Last time on Trotantium The Decline:
The Empress got mad
The entire party got mad
The Imperial ball was cut short
Ducatia was arrested and thrown into a dungeon
There was some horse cuddling and sleeping
Oh an Dusk drank a lovely cup of coffee
Players report in.
Last time on Trotantium The Decline:
The Empress got mad
The entire party got mad
The Imperial ball was cut short
Ducatia was arrested and thrown into a dungeon
There was some horse cuddling and sleeping
Oh an Dusk drank a lovely cup of coffee
Players report in.
>>61460
>>61464
The two of you awaken in the park where you settled down the evening before. The ground was uncomfortable to sleep on and you talked a good portion of the night away. You pretty much feel like shit right now. Doesn't help that it started raining slightly the last a while back either. At least it's still slightly warm outside.
>>61465
You didn't even sleep at all, marching through the night using the power of COFFEE. You stood guard to make sure Pick Wick stayed safe and she has just woken up, groaning in displeasure and wiping her eyes confusedly. The doctor went to sleep an hour ago or so.
>>61467
>>61470
The two of you had the most amazing of nights. Comfortable bed, nice company, sweet dreams, all was well. You feel especially happy this morning, despite the weather.
>>61464
The two of you awaken in the park where you settled down the evening before. The ground was uncomfortable to sleep on and you talked a good portion of the night away. You pretty much feel like shit right now. Doesn't help that it started raining slightly the last a while back either. At least it's still slightly warm outside.
>>61465
You didn't even sleep at all, marching through the night using the power of COFFEE. You stood guard to make sure Pick Wick stayed safe and she has just woken up, groaning in displeasure and wiping her eyes confusedly. The doctor went to sleep an hour ago or so.
>>61467
>>61470
The two of you had the most amazing of nights. Comfortable bed, nice company, sweet dreams, all was well. You feel especially happy this morning, despite the weather.
>>61483
Crescent is still sleeping happily, snoring slightly in the process. You get up and make yourself some coffee… Which is not simple without coffee machines and with hooves, but you manage doing it the old fashion way anyway.
>>61485
You do so, man that feels good! Crescent stirs a little in her sleep after you yell out what a great day this will be, but remains asleep.
>>61486
You looks down with a sullen look on her face.
"I can't believe I let my guard down. I could have easily been killed if I was alone…"
>>61484
You head back to the palace, the guards letting you through the gates. When you enter the palace, a servant approaches you.
"Can I help you sir?"
>>61487
Piercy is still standing on the same spot where you left him, unmoving and not giving a single fuck.
Crescent is still sleeping happily, snoring slightly in the process. You get up and make yourself some coffee… Which is not simple without coffee machines and with hooves, but you manage doing it the old fashion way anyway.
>>61485
You do so, man that feels good! Crescent stirs a little in her sleep after you yell out what a great day this will be, but remains asleep.
>>61486
You looks down with a sullen look on her face.
"I can't believe I let my guard down. I could have easily been killed if I was alone…"
>>61484
You head back to the palace, the guards letting you through the gates. When you enter the palace, a servant approaches you.
"Can I help you sir?"
>>61487
Piercy is still standing on the same spot where you left him, unmoving and not giving a single fuck.
>>61496
"I should. It's my job. I need to stay alert when others keep their guard down."
She hits her hoof against her head a few times.
"Stupid. Stupid. Stupid."
>>61497
The servant looks a little unsure.
"Does the Empress know about this? We can't just let anyone pass through freely, I hope you understand."
>>61500
Try as you might, the city is just so big and confusing and you can't seem to find where it was again. Instead you end up at the EPC warehouse the party slept in the first night again. Unlike last time it is filled with ponies, both sick and injured. There are several members of the EPC tending to them, including Cross, who approaches you as he sees you coming in.
"Zivur? What are you doing here? Need some medical aid?"
"I should. It's my job. I need to stay alert when others keep their guard down."
She hits her hoof against her head a few times.
"Stupid. Stupid. Stupid."
>>61497
The servant looks a little unsure.
"Does the Empress know about this? We can't just let anyone pass through freely, I hope you understand."
>>61500
Try as you might, the city is just so big and confusing and you can't seem to find where it was again. Instead you end up at the EPC warehouse the party slept in the first night again. Unlike last time it is filled with ponies, both sick and injured. There are several members of the EPC tending to them, including Cross, who approaches you as he sees you coming in.
"Zivur? What are you doing here? Need some medical aid?"
>>61511
He shifts his eyes uncomfortably.
"Ahhh… Yes… Um… The Empress is still sleeping, and I don't dare wake her up right now…"
>>61509
He raises an eyebrow curiously
"Indeed? Lost in town or lost in life? Or both?"
>>61510
"Still, poor observance on my part."
She tries to get out of bed, but almost falls out instead.
"Oof… Did the would-be assassin get caught?"
He shifts his eyes uncomfortably.
"Ahhh… Yes… Um… The Empress is still sleeping, and I don't dare wake her up right now…"
>>61509
He raises an eyebrow curiously
"Indeed? Lost in town or lost in life? Or both?"
>>61510
"Still, poor observance on my part."
She tries to get out of bed, but almost falls out instead.
"Oof… Did the would-be assassin get caught?"
>>61550
"What about Ducatia? Was she arrested?"
>>61552
"Well I'm all ears if you want to talk about it. I'm a good listener."
He looks back sadly at the room filled with beds and patients.
"I've had a lot of practice listening to the stories of these poor souls…"
>>61553
The stallion leads you deeper into the palace and eventually descends from a stairwell guarded by several guards and a heavy iron door. After a few minutes of descending down the stairs the two of you walk into a long hallway. Both sides have the occasional iron door in them but most cells seem empty. There are several ponies standing guard around here as well.
"Not many ponies get locked up here. And if they do it's usually not for a long time. They either get moved to a different prison or… well… executed."
>>61554
>>61555
Falkmar walks up to where Crescent is sleeping and prods her gently. She murmurs a little and buries herself deeper under the blankets, still sleeping fast.
"What about Ducatia? Was she arrested?"
>>61552
"Well I'm all ears if you want to talk about it. I'm a good listener."
He looks back sadly at the room filled with beds and patients.
"I've had a lot of practice listening to the stories of these poor souls…"
>>61553
The stallion leads you deeper into the palace and eventually descends from a stairwell guarded by several guards and a heavy iron door. After a few minutes of descending down the stairs the two of you walk into a long hallway. Both sides have the occasional iron door in them but most cells seem empty. There are several ponies standing guard around here as well.
"Not many ponies get locked up here. And if they do it's usually not for a long time. They either get moved to a different prison or… well… executed."
>>61554
>>61555
Falkmar walks up to where Crescent is sleeping and prods her gently. She murmurs a little and buries herself deeper under the blankets, still sleeping fast.
>>61559
"Yesterday was just terrible… the worst day ever since I got here… I was dragged to a fancy Ball where I didn't want to go, I was a-attacked, I bled, I wa-was almost arrested fo-for being a ze-zebra, I slept in the p-park and my ba-back hurts, I was outside when it rained and I cou-couldn't even get to where I wanted to…"
Try to hold back tears.
Rolled 5 = 5
"Yesterday was just terrible… the worst day ever since I got here… I was dragged to a fancy Ball where I didn't want to go, I was a-attacked, I bled, I wa-was almost arrested fo-for being a ze-zebra, I slept in the p-park and my ba-back hurts, I was outside when it rained and I cou-couldn't even get to where I wanted to…"
Try to hold back tears.
Rolled 5 = 5
>>61561
She opens up one eye and looks at you sleepily.
"Wha? Falkmar?"
>>61562
She blinks a few times in surprise.
"You… You stayed with me all night? Why? Did you even sleep at all?"
>>61565
He pats you on the back as you start to sob a little again.
"Come come now, we all have our bad days. What matters is what you make of your future, not what you did in the past. You are still a free zebra, free to go and do as you please. You are healthy, young and smart, the world is your playground! Just keep your head high and show the world that you are not so easily beaten back, even if you doesn't feel that way to you."
>>61566
"Patience now."
He leads you to the end of the hallway to a large wooden door. Unlocking it, he opens it up and motions inside. The room is completely empty and very small. No furniture whatsoever.
"Here you are, the oubliette. The worst of dungeons."
He points at a large iron grate on the floor. As you walk over you see that there is a hole under the iron grate. It's a few meters deep and very narrow, almost too narrow for a pony to fit inside. At the bottom is a very dirty looking Ducatia.
She opens up one eye and looks at you sleepily.
"Wha? Falkmar?"
>>61562
She blinks a few times in surprise.
"You… You stayed with me all night? Why? Did you even sleep at all?"
>>61565
He pats you on the back as you start to sob a little again.
"Come come now, we all have our bad days. What matters is what you make of your future, not what you did in the past. You are still a free zebra, free to go and do as you please. You are healthy, young and smart, the world is your playground! Just keep your head high and show the world that you are not so easily beaten back, even if you doesn't feel that way to you."
>>61566
"Patience now."
He leads you to the end of the hallway to a large wooden door. Unlocking it, he opens it up and motions inside. The room is completely empty and very small. No furniture whatsoever.
"Here you are, the oubliette. The worst of dungeons."
He points at a large iron grate on the floor. As you walk over you see that there is a hole under the iron grate. It's a few meters deep and very narrow, almost too narrow for a pony to fit inside. At the bottom is a very dirty looking Ducatia.
>>61572
"Thanks… I just wish I had something to live for… well, I kinda want to go to Pegasa but the others are busy licking the hoof of the Empress… and I don't really want to leave them… most of them, at least…"
I wipe my tears.
"Maybe you could point me to the archives after we're done? Please?"
"Thanks… I just wish I had something to live for… well, I kinda want to go to Pegasa but the others are busy licking the hoof of the Empress… and I don't really want to leave them… most of them, at least…"
I wipe my tears.
"Maybe you could point me to the archives after we're done? Please?"
>>61573
She looks up at you weakly
"I… I don't know what you are talking about. I already told every single one of you… I don't know what you are talking about."
>>61574
She looks at you dumbfounded.
"I… I don't know what to say. That's so nice of you…"
>>61576
She gets up, yawning loudly as she stretches herself out.
"Sure! What's up?"
>>61577
"You have yourself to live for! What is it you want most in this world, Zivur? What is the one thing you would die for to achieve or get to? And of course I can point you the way."
She looks up at you weakly
"I… I don't know what you are talking about. I already told every single one of you… I don't know what you are talking about."
>>61574
She looks at you dumbfounded.
"I… I don't know what to say. That's so nice of you…"
>>61576
She gets up, yawning loudly as she stretches herself out.
"Sure! What's up?"
>>61577
"You have yourself to live for! What is it you want most in this world, Zivur? What is the one thing you would die for to achieve or get to? And of course I can point you the way."
>>61584
She grits her teeth, getting upset.
"I. Don't. Know. I'm not involved in this. I don't know what everyone is accusing me off. I have no idea what happened or what is going on."
>>61588
"Me too, obviously."
She gets up, firmly on her legs this time.
"But there is still work to be done. If Ducatia got arrested, that's only one step of many. There are more ponies behind this. And I only have suspicions to work on."
>>61591
"Thank you too! It was great! Crazy, but great!"
>>61593
As soon as Falkmar walks out, Crescent turns to you with a wide smile.
"Soooo, whats up?"
>>61594
"Come on, there has to be something! A childhood dream? Anything?"
She grits her teeth, getting upset.
"I. Don't. Know. I'm not involved in this. I don't know what everyone is accusing me off. I have no idea what happened or what is going on."
>>61588
"Me too, obviously."
She gets up, firmly on her legs this time.
"But there is still work to be done. If Ducatia got arrested, that's only one step of many. There are more ponies behind this. And I only have suspicions to work on."
>>61591
"Thank you too! It was great! Crazy, but great!"
>>61593
As soon as Falkmar walks out, Crescent turns to you with a wide smile.
"Soooo, whats up?"
>>61594
"Come on, there has to be something! A childhood dream? Anything?"
>>61598
No you don't.
Before you get the chance of using your special persuasion skills, a voice rings through your head and you are interrupted.
Come on Erumal, where would the fun in that be? That would just be too easy.
>>61600
She shakes her head.
"No. I have rested enough. Lives are still in danger and there are still enemies of the Empress walking around… probably even inside this palace."
>>61599
"All things can be mended Zivur, even if it seems beyond hope. Now I don't know what happened to you, but you must know that you cannot lose hope. If you're going through Tartarus… keep going! Just try again. And again. And again. Until you get what you want! Never give up you hear me? Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something, because you can if you set your mind to it."
>>61601
She boops your nose happily
"Of course silly! And I'm sure he doesn't hate you! He was just a little upset, that's all. Happens to all of us sometimes, even to me! If you just give him some room and let him calm down, you can try again. Sure you'll need to work hard for it, but you have friends who can help you, including me!"
No you don't.
Before you get the chance of using your special persuasion skills, a voice rings through your head and you are interrupted.
Come on Erumal, where would the fun in that be? That would just be too easy.
>>61600
She shakes her head.
"No. I have rested enough. Lives are still in danger and there are still enemies of the Empress walking around… probably even inside this palace."
>>61599
"All things can be mended Zivur, even if it seems beyond hope. Now I don't know what happened to you, but you must know that you cannot lose hope. If you're going through Tartarus… keep going! Just try again. And again. And again. Until you get what you want! Never give up you hear me? Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something, because you can if you set your mind to it."
>>61601
She boops your nose happily
"Of course silly! And I'm sure he doesn't hate you! He was just a little upset, that's all. Happens to all of us sometimes, even to me! If you just give him some room and let him calm down, you can try again. Sure you'll need to work hard for it, but you have friends who can help you, including me!"
>>61605
Oh fine. I needed a break from that Zebra and his problems anyways.
"Okay Ducatia. Tell me how someone other than you could have gotten their hooves on a bag of freshly minted coins and your signature without your help. Cooperate with me and maybe the blame will shift from you to someone else."
Oh fine. I needed a break from that Zebra and his problems anyways.
"Okay Ducatia. Tell me how someone other than you could have gotten their hooves on a bag of freshly minted coins and your signature without your help. Cooperate with me and maybe the blame will shift from you to someone else."
>>61606
She puts a hoof to her chin for a moment and thinks.
"Let's go down and see if Ducatia is locked up. We can interrogate her."
She steps out of bed, not even caring about the bandages on her and starts walking out of the medical bay.
>>61607
"Sure. It's easy, here let me show you."
Cross shows you the way to the Archives from where you are, you now know where you need to go.
"Remember to stay positive and more importantly; to keep your eyes on the prize."
>>61608
She sighs and sinks her head in her hooves.
"Only the Empress and her council could get their hooves on those. Otherwise it would have been marked down in the ledger."
She looks up to you again.
"Imagine you would believe I was innocent. Could you tell me where you found those coins? And why do they make me look guilty? I don't even understand."
>>61609
"As long as he is upset, yes! But you shouldn't wait too long either, because then he'll think you lost interest. It's really up to your judgement for when you start trying to get closer to him again!"
She puts a hoof to her chin for a moment and thinks.
"Let's go down and see if Ducatia is locked up. We can interrogate her."
She steps out of bed, not even caring about the bandages on her and starts walking out of the medical bay.
>>61607
"Sure. It's easy, here let me show you."
Cross shows you the way to the Archives from where you are, you now know where you need to go.
"Remember to stay positive and more importantly; to keep your eyes on the prize."
>>61608
She sighs and sinks her head in her hooves.
"Only the Empress and her council could get their hooves on those. Otherwise it would have been marked down in the ledger."
She looks up to you again.
"Imagine you would believe I was innocent. Could you tell me where you found those coins? And why do they make me look guilty? I don't even understand."
>>61609
"As long as he is upset, yes! But you shouldn't wait too long either, because then he'll think you lost interest. It's really up to your judgement for when you start trying to get closer to him again!"
>>61625
She nods, absentmindedly.
"Yes… You said it had my signature on it? On a letter plotting to kill the Empress? I never even signed a letter like that, it must have been a fake."
>>61623
>3
You make your way towards the Archives, but are stopped as you hear a very familiar voice call out for you.
"Sister of mine I think we have a customer!"
"My my, a recurring customer at that!"
"Nopony can resist our candy! These are facts sister!"
"Nozebra can either! Haha!"
As you turn around you see two familiar mares standing behind a candy stand, smiling widely at you.
>>61621
Pick Wick starts leading you down the same way the servant led Erumal into the dungeons, but is interrupted as you come across a very tired looking Lavinia.
"Pick Wick! Good to see you're alive and well. You had us worried there for a moment."
Pick Wick bows before the empress.
"It was merely a fleshwound your highness. I'll be fine."
The Empress cocks an eyebrow, not seemingly convinced.
She nods, absentmindedly.
"Yes… You said it had my signature on it? On a letter plotting to kill the Empress? I never even signed a letter like that, it must have been a fake."
>>61623
>3
You make your way towards the Archives, but are stopped as you hear a very familiar voice call out for you.
"Sister of mine I think we have a customer!"
"My my, a recurring customer at that!"
"Nopony can resist our candy! These are facts sister!"
"Nozebra can either! Haha!"
As you turn around you see two familiar mares standing behind a candy stand, smiling widely at you.
>>61621
Pick Wick starts leading you down the same way the servant led Erumal into the dungeons, but is interrupted as you come across a very tired looking Lavinia.
"Pick Wick! Good to see you're alive and well. You had us worried there for a moment."
Pick Wick bows before the empress.
"It was merely a fleshwound your highness. I'll be fine."
The Empress cocks an eyebrow, not seemingly convinced.