>>747238
>Guard is pleased; knows it’s a phony, but as long as the chest falls under the watch of Archæus, he’s okay. Happily trots off, Archæus is extremely irate that his glasses are missing
>Attempt to talk to Archæus to get him to leave; he explodes and starts blindly searching around for you, mistaking you for Sweetie Belle
>Sidestep angry old pone, stare at magnificent White Chest

With her escape route to the right, Raisin (currently disguised as ‘Amethyst’) pours over the White Chest that she is sure contains her beloved Adanemzurai. While Archæus, the angry old Archives Keeper, bats his hooves with reckless abandon toward Princess Celestia’s throne room doors, Raisin ponders just how this White Chest is going to relinquish its brilliant gold treasure to her. Raisin knows that she’s running out of time; with the evening sun hanging over the far West mountains, she needs to find a way to get herself, Sweetie Belle, and the Adanemzurai to the Castle in the Sand… and fast.

Once more, we meet here once again to determine whether or not Raisin is worthy of surviving to see another adventure in the future. It’s been a long and difficult road thus far, questers, but there’s still a slew of challenges ahead for our poor, purple filly. Will you be able to see her defeat King Tezel and return her home to her worried parents? Let’s find out.

Good luck, questers.

Sweetie Belle comes back in from the gentle breeze out on the airdock balcony. She looks down the hall towards the Throne Room, watching Archæus flail wildly as he approaches the giant, extravagant doors at the hall’s end. Just as she’s about to comment on the strange sight, she turns her head toward you. Your gaze stays fixated on the White Chest.

“Umm… Amethyst?” She cracks her voice. “…are you okay?”

>>747250

"Yeah, I'm fine"

Open chest.

>>747250
Rape the maids.

>>747250

Check to see nobody's looking, then take off our dress and open the chest using it as protection in case it's booby-trapped.

>>747250
>throne room doors
Shit, we're that close?
Is that where the princess is? We probably shouldn't let him get to there

>>747250
>While Archæus, the angry old Archives Keeper, bats his hooves with reckless abandon toward Princess Celestia’s throne room doors

Tell Sweetie Belle to tell him he is going the wrong way. Start dragging the chest towards the airship.

>>747334

Uhh, yeah, if he's going towards THOSE doors, maybe it would be a good idea for sweetie to go and help him retrieve his glasses. All we need to do is open the chest, get the box, and shut it. He'll be none the wiser.

>>747354

Let's try opening it first. gotta be stealthy.

>>747250
inventory check, always inventory check

>>747394
This, and how closely have we examined the chest?
I really don't want to set off a trap or something.

>>746485
Serbia
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

>>747283
>>747331
>>747392
>>747427
"Yeah, I'm fine"

You quickly run up to the side of the White Chest, the presence of the Adanemzurai sending a gentle wave of peace throughout your body. With giddy anticipation of being reunited with your vitreous golden box, you hop up to attempt opening the Chest.

The White Chest is covered with a series of small gears and rods on its lid. The engineering is marvelous, to say the least, but your eyes seem to gaze passed all the mechanics. You can see the faint rectangular aura of the Adanemzurai within your reach, but this complicated looking lid is in your way.

"She's so close..." You mutter to yourself.

>>747334
>>747354
>>747356
Quickly, you wave your hooves up in the air. "Sweetie! Stop that guy!" You whisper yell to her.

"Umm... excuse me! You're going the wr-" Archæus immediately interrupts her. "You! How did you get over there?! Little brat!" He flips around, charging back your way.

>>747394
Raisin: Fancy Dress, Fancy Horseshoes, Glass Jar, Quills, Empty Ink Jar, Parchment (x2)
Sweetie Belle: Fancy Dress, Fancy Horseshoes, Thick Glasses

>>747329
GAME INFO: There are currently no maids located in this hallway. You also do not possess the necessary knowledge to carry out this violent action.

>>747486
He needs to not let him get the glasses, and he needs to not get too close to us.

Examine chest

>>747486

Tell Sweetie to play keep away while we figure this out.

Are there any big holes that look like a key fits?

>>747486
Have Sweetie Belle draw him away from us and the throne room. Tell her to return once he is running in a safe direction. While she does that lets start dragging that chest to the airship.

>>747486
Find maids and a book about rape.

>>747486

Follow the gears. Which ones look like they go to the locking mechanism?

We might have to try turning some.

>>747580

How about instead of rape, we hug nonsexually?

>>747624
How about you shut your whore mouth?

>>747595

As long as we use our hooves.

Don't want our lips and tongue crunched in between gears.

>>747550
>>747595
>>747667
We can examine this once we are on the airship.

>>747550
>>747517
>>747667
GAME INFO: As you examine the lid, you try to look passed all the intricate machinery and find the 'keyhole'. If the guards can open this thing up, then surely there's a simple solution to this puzzle.

Upon the lid, there is a rainbow shaped indentation on a large, drawn out stone. It looks significant in some way. There are tons of gears around it. In one of the rods, you see a small gold pin sticking out of it.

>>747550
>>747568
As you examine the lid, you blink a certain pattern to Sweetie Belle. She nods, seeming to understand this odd code. "Follow me, old timer!"

"WHAT?! How DARE you! Insolent, insipid hoof biter!" The Archives Keeper falls for the trick like he was born yesterday. Sweetie and him take off down the hall toward the Southern Suite.

>>747580
GAME INFO: Currently, during your stay at the Castle, you have yet to see a single maid. You know that the premises is well maintained, but you've never seen the cleaning staff as of yet.

Raisin does not currently know where she would obtain a book on this subject matter. You'd probably be hard pressed to find information concerning violent sexual crimes or guides on how to commit such acts.

>>747624

Does mindrape count? We'll probably be doing that in a bit.

>>747727
Go to the library. There must be a book on rape there.

>>747737
we will if we can get this stupid chest open and get to our precious

>>747727

My first instinct would be to use our earth pony retard strength to kick the box open, but that probably won't be good.

Mind giving us a sketch?

>>747804
GAME INFO: Rendering Image, please hold...

>>747727

QUICK! ROLL FOR A LOCKPICK CHECK!

>>747727
does the gold pin look loose or firmly in place

>>747816

Yeah, it'll probably help. There's probably some solution if we can get a better look at it.

>>747727

Does the rainbow shaped indentation seem hoof-sized?

>>747727
Try and remember if we saw the old guy or one of the guards with something that would fit into the indentation.

>>747868

Luna opened it with magic, which makes me assume the solution involves doing a lot of things at once.

>>747833
>>747841
>>747857
>>747915
GAME INFO: (Loss of detail due to time constraints) The pin is that darker looking rectangle up above.

With this image, you may contemplate your next action or ask more questions regarding the mechanisms before you.

>>747915
Maybe pressing on the stone and removing the pin at the same time?

>>747987
Smash everything.

>>747987
>pale yellow on white
Oh god

>>747987

What pretty horseshoes.

We should remove them though, they're probably flat compared to our hoofsies.

>>747987

Are the black spots on the edge decorative, or do they look like indented buttons?

>>748059
GAME INFO: The black spots on the outside edges of the Chest looks like holes. You're not sure what they're for.

>>747995
>>747995

Might be good if >>748059 doesn't give us anything.

>>748071

Remove a quill and try inserting it into one of the holes to see whether or not something clicks.

>>747987
It looks like the stone turns, probably turning a bunch of other stuff, but I can't really tell what is connected to what, or how.

I bet the indent is supposed to fit a horseshoe though.

The pin looks like it stops the slide at the top from moving to the right.

>>748099

So what you're saying is to j-j-jam it in?

So, in a way, we'd be raping the box?

>>747987
how large is the rainbow shaped indentation compared to our hooves?

>>748107

So maybe put our hoof into the indent, remove the pin, then press down or turn?
I only say insert our hoof first because removing that pin might trigger a trap if everything doesn't stay still as it's removed.

>>748142
GAME INFO: Putting your horseshoe up to the indentation, it doesn't look like your hoof was made for it, but you could probably just barely fit it in if you kept your hoof up to the top of the indent. Your flat shoe prevents your hoof from entering the indentation.

>>748184

Well, we should remove the shoe of our dominant hoof then.

>>747987
>>748184
This is confusing, I can't really tell what is supposed to do what.

Is the thing in the middle of the slide at the top a slot for the peg at the end of the diagonal bar to slide in?

>>748184

Let's try inserting the quills to make sure the indents aren't buttons, then >>748181

>>748236

That's probably the point. Don't worry, we're a smart pony.

>>748218
>>748035
GAME INFO: I'm going to be chaining your actions together for this event. Give me an order of operations that you think will make this White Chest open up for you.

>Remove Horseshoe, place inside indent

(You guys vote on next actions)

>>748289
Remove horseshoe, smash everything.

>>748289
Unless there is something interesting about the rest of the box that you've been purposely ignoring, I guess we'll start by poking a quill in a hole to see what happens.
If nothing does, hold the stone in place and remove the peg, then turn the stone... clockwise probably, judging by the position compared to the big gear.

sound good to everyone?

>>748289

Wait, let's test the holes first. They're there for a raisin

>>748289
remove pin and turn hoof/indent would be my vote
>>748280
we have often proven ourselves to be both a clever pony and not a clever pony

>>748357

Yes, I agree.

There weren't quills in the room for nothing.

>>748371

FACT: Raisin is a clever pony 100% of the time except when she's not.

>>748357
>>748360
>>748387

>Test the holes with your quill
>Remove Horseshoe, place hoof on indent
>Attempt to turn the stone to see what happens

So far, so good? Shall we give it a whirl?

>>748414

Yes, but hold everything if we hear a click.

>>748414
Nah. Lets just go with the Alexandrian option and smash the device.

>>748414
I really think we should get in onboard the airship first. We don't want our eyes to go all glowy while there are a bunch of guards nearby.

>>748414

...This is going to end terribly, isn't it.

goddamn paranoia.

>>748436

Let's save that until after we've tried using our brains.

>>748440

Put we also don't want to let the guards see us dragging a huge chest on board a private vessel.

We can wrap the cube in our dress once we get it.

>>748462
If it worked for Alexander, it'll work for Raisin.

And then she can go on to become the queen of Asia.

>>748440
How big is the chest, I forget.
Anyway, we probably need the box to get on the ship and get away.
Isn't the dock full of guards?

>>748489
with the precious raisin can be queen of the whole world

>>748506

Hey, would it also be worth investigating the chariots to get our bags and shit?

>>748429
>>748452
You can hear the distant taunts of Sweetie Belle as she leads Archæus around the Castle and up the Southern Suite tower. You carefully and quickly withdraw a quill from the Glass Jar you've set beside the White Chest. You know that you haven't much time until a patrol shows up... or the dumb guards on the airdock balcony peek inside to see what you're doing.

You take the sharp quill and prod at the nearest hole. As it disappears into the chest, you can feel it come into contact with something. You're not sure what, but it seems like this something can move around a bit.

>Continue or test the stone indentation?

>>748506
GAME INFO: The chest is about as long as an adult pony and eye level to a filly your age.

>>748535
Ok, so no moving the chest.
Fucking puzzles.

Is there anything unique about any of the holes?

>>748535

Test indentation.

Try pressing down on it. If something clicks, do it to all six holes.

>>748535
There are six holes and we only have four hooves. We can't possibly open this thing.

Lets smash it.

>>748577
GAME INFO: All of the holes on the White Chest look the exact same.

>>748535

Press the button. If it seems stuck, rest our hoof on the indent to brace it, then remove the pin and try pressing down on the quill again.

>>748535
It seems to me that those holes might contain the locking pins, or whatever they are called. Once we unlock the pins will pop out.

>>748608

If there's an order we have to press them in then fuck you.

>>748631
Oh, that makes sense.

Try to turn the stone while poking in the hole.
Does something change?
It could be a spread out pinand tumbler lock.

>that feel when you were really into Raisin quest but I have a hard time caring about it anymore because of decisions made by the GM that just feels like a kick to the nuts
>the game can only end poorly because of this, even if we 'win'
good luck to those still going
not trying to be a dick or discouraging, I understand your reasons for speeding up the game Jr, but I just can't

>>748631

Maybe, but what the fuck kind of chest locks like that?

If the thing doesn't press, then maybe try >>748414

So how many hours do you think we are going to spend on this chest?

>>748671

That sucks.

Maybe you can read the pastebins.

>>748714
At least until the end of today's session.
It is possible that we will actually leave the castle, but I would be surpised.

>>748714

At least 5.

Well, at least this puzzle seems a bit more straightforward than usual, which makes me think it's a toughie.

>>748578
>>748614
>>748661
You leave the quill inside the hole, keeping a close eye on it. You quickly kick off one of your horseshoes and place your hoof into the indentation on the White Chest. At first it doesn't seem to do anything, but you give it a press. The stone moves down and clicks.

"Alright... looks like we're getting somewhere..."

The quill doesn't move at all, but the gears on the chest seem to have come free.

>>748671
MORALE MODE: I'm really sorry to hear that, questing anon. I had to take that extra life away, man. I just had to. I've been doing Raisin Quest 3 so long that it's simply getting ridiculous.

And no, you guys probably have the best chance of winning this game right now, as it is. Taking away that life shortens this shit up and prevents you guys from prematurely Hayseeding 5-6 sessions worth of questing back.

>>748788
>the gears have come free
What? So like, arent attatched any more?
Or, can turn now or what?
Did we try turning the stone without pushing it?

>>748788
Quick! Smash it open while you've got it distracted!

>>748788
Remove the quill and try to open the chest. If it doesn't open try jiggling the pin.

>>748813
GAME INFO: The gears are not statically held in place anymore. They look like they'll actually move around a bit instead of being locked in position.

>>748788

Yeah, I can see your reasons, it's just that things have just been going so wrong lately. It's just a little disheartening.

Anyways, before I go, try turning the indent clockwise and counterclockwise.

>>748837

Can we move them around by turning the indent?

Before turning them, do they look like they'll be stopped by the pin?

>>748788
i don't doubt that we'll win
but our secret is out, and Raisin will have to deal with it from now on
if you're even willing to do Raisin Quest anymore
i agree the unlimited loads was too much, and the limited lives load-on-death save-with-hug is better
but we're still fucked and can't fix it, after thinking we could

>>748886

The quest is quite a bit grander in scope, too. I mean, even cutting out reloads, it took us 5-6 days to reach the climax the first time.

>>748886

Fuck yeah we'll win hopefully maybe sorta

>>748868
>>748813
>>748828
>>748843
>>748868
You keep your hoof pressed firmly down inside the indent. You decide to give it a little jiggle left. The stone doesn't seem to want to turn this direction but only a little; the gears jitter around. Seeing them move, you give the stone a little turn to the right. The gears all start to spin; a large bar towards the top of the chest moves.

As this bar moves, the golden pin seems to catch on another bar. You're not sure what the function of it is.

"Hmmm...."

You can still hear Sweetie off in the distance. It sounds like she's finally coming back.

>Continue turning the stone?

>>748963
let off the turning a bit and see if we can move the pin

>>748963

Remove pin while still pressing down, then turn right.

>>748963
remove pin, then continue turning

>>748998

But don't let up on the indent. It's it's up while the pin is removed, bad things (tm) probably happen.

>>748963
Remove the pin.

>>748963

Take a quick look to see that Oldilocks isn't coming back for us, then >>749001

>>748963

This is too easy.

This is a trap.

>>749082

Yeah, this seems a little suspicious.

Where is Leth with his brain to help us?

>>749082
of course, everything is a trap

>>749092
I can't brain tonight.

>>748998
>>749001
>>749022
>>749027
>>749035
>>749044
Before you continue fiddling with the box, you look back over your shoulder to check for the old, grumpy archives pony. He doesn't seem to be following Sweetie Belle anymore. She trots back up to you, her nose held up high in the air. "Hello, my lady."

"Where's the old pony at?"

Sweetie laughs softly. "He knocked himself out in the bridge alcove! The poor old guy ran into a wall." She giggles to herself. "Boy, was he ever mad..." She sits down to watch you tinker with the chest. "Well, c'mon! Let's get our stuff back!"

You stop turning the stone for a moment. Noticing the pin catching, you crank back the large bar so that you can get a hoof on the small, obstructing pin.

The pin feels like it's attached to a spring. You give it a little yank while keeping your hoof pressed firmly down on the button. With a twang, the pin comes flying out, a small spring attached to the end of it.

"...well, okay, I guess that works."

>Give the stone a spin?

>>749092
He just posted in the other thread. Maybe he doesn't know were questing...?

>>749082
>>749092

What else can the solution be? Either we remove pin, then turn, or turn then remove pin.

>>749115
Another lucky roll, questers; 1/3 chance of something happening when you fiddled with the pin. Didn't happen.

>>749115
Fuck, what else can we do I guess?
Maybe everyone wants to stand off to the side while we turn it, just in case.

>>749115

Yes.

Pray.

Shouldn't we just take the box and deal with it in a less hostile area?

Or just take it onto the airship and like, drop it off the side of the ship and hope it breaks open?

>>749152
>something
I don't suppose you can tell us what this something is? Let's open this sucker.

>>749115
spin and hope for the best or at least not the worst

>>749115

Maybe it would be a good idea to tell Sweetie to take a quill and press it in one of the hole while we're turning.

>>749185
Box is bigger than we are, it was one of the first things that got asked

>>749185

It's large and heavy. There are guards at the docks; they'll notice us trying to carry off royal property.

>>749194

Worth a shot.

>>749185
its too big, even if we're able to drag it along it'd very suspicious and we dont need guard scrutiny right now

>>749201
>>749214
>>749228
That's what I get for being tired and forgetful.

>>749153
>>749171
>>749192
Saying a quick, quiet prayer, you carefully turn the stone key and watch the gears. The top bar slides to the right, dodging the other bar now that the pin is missing. As it slides all the way to the right, you feel in your gut that something terrible is about to happen.

The box clicks. Then a few more clicks. Then, a small flurry of clicks. You jump back.

Suddenly, the lid shutters and jumps up a notch. It opens up slowly... you can feel Her radiant beauty glowing in the waning sunlight.

"Wh.. What was that?" One of the guards on the balcony flips around.

Sweetie's eyes open up wide. "Hurry...!" She whisper yells to you from the other side of the lid. "Grab our stuff and let's get out of here!"

>>749275

AHA SUCCESS

Grab box, wrap in dress, shut chest.

>>749275
can we see whats in the chest or is it only a crack open?

>>749275

Great, time to blow this taco stand.

put on our horseshoe, grab the box making sure it doesn't touch our bare skin, then walk unsuspiciously fast away.

>>749311
GAME INFO: The lid has opened up enough so that you could easily peer into the chest. It seems to be completely unlatched, able to open and close fully.

>>749275
Wrap the Azdonomanaiiasnsomething in your dress

DON'T TOUCH IT

and hoof it out of sight

We probably won't make it onto the airship, since the guards there won't let it leave

But eh

We can take control of a guard if it gets dangerous

Then blame it on the curse afterwards

>>749328

It'll be hard to carry the book in our hooves while we're running, but yeah, don't forget our pretty shoe.

>>749332

I'm sure that the Rich Couple can take off if they want. We just have to "persuade" them.

>>749275
Read the book right here and now.

>>749275
Grab our saddlebag while Sweetie grabs her's. Make sure we have the box wrapped in something and grab that too before heading towards the airship.

>>749366
We also have to not get immediatly grabbed by the guards.
Leave the old guys glasses near the chest after we close it again too, they might just think he dropped them and went crazy, that seems like somethign that he does pretty often.

>>749275
can the balcony guards see us right now?

>>749427
>>749427
>>749427
>>749427
>>749427
>>749427
>>749427
>>749427
>>749427
>>749427

>>749435
You must be new here.

>>749298
>>749328
>>749332
>>749347
You pull your beautiful dress off quick and rush up to the chest. There She sits... the lustrous golden sheen of the Adanemzurai, finally released from her mechanical prison. You throw your dress into the chest, wrapping it around the Adanemzurai and tying the dress into a small ball. The Golden Box is now safe. Even through the dress bundle, you can feel Her calming allure wash over your body. Your focus increases tremendously, though you don't quite have your 'normal' vision with Her.

"Rai...Amethyst!" Sweetie Belle looks really nervous. You quickly withdraw the bundle and shut the box. A guard is approaching from the balcony. He looks surprised.

>>749379
GAME INFO: The White Chest contained only the Adanemzurai. You told Sweetie that you thought your stuff may be inside the chest so that she'd help you.

>>749435
The next thread's been going for a very long time now.

>>746786
>>746786

>>749459
Close the box again.
Can the guard see us well or does he just know that something is going on?

Is the pin in sight? We could relock the chest if we find some way to prevent the bar from moving.

>>749459

"Oh hello there officer. Nope no dark powers here."

>>749459

Seconding replacing the pin if we can find it easily. Also, just walk away and put Sweetie in between us and the guard.

>>749459
Go look for the chariot that we arrived in and see if our saddlebags are there. If any guards ask why we don't have our dress on say a troublesome bird made a mess on it.

>>749459

Oh fuck, did he see us? Let's not run. Running makes everything worse.

>>749535

Gotta shake off this guard first.

hey Jr, how much longer are we going to run today?
I might have to leave, but if I'd miss hours of stuff I could probably dodge.

>>749556

Agreed.

We should WALK away.

>>749645

while talking loudly about the lovely intricate mechanical design of that chest

maybe if we're lucky he'll think we were just admiring it

>>749499
>>749526
>>749556
>>749572
>>749502
"Oh, hello there officer." You put on your most charming, rich pony accent. "How are you?"

He starts to make an approach. "Aren't you the... you're Velvet's daughter, right?" He stops. "Whatcha got there, wrapped up in your dress?" He approaches carefully. You see him tap one of his buddies as he enters the doorway.

You simply smile at him.

>What do?

>>749722
HOLD UP, just saw
>>749645
>>749694
>>749599
(answering)

>>749722

"This dress? Wearing your dress bundled is the newest fashion. I doubt a pony of, less refined, tastes can appreciate it. Would you like to help me bundle my friend's dress too?"

>>749740

This doesn't change anything, right? RIGHT!?

>>749795
>we ded now

>>749599
GAME INFO: I'm planning on running this until about 2:30am EST or so. May go longer, depending on where we get to.

>>749645
>>749694
You give the guard a smile, then look right at Sweetie Belle. "And I just simply cannot believe how intricate and... complicated this design is." You chortle, containing your nervousness by utilizing the calming effects of the Adanemzurai. "Don't you see why I wanted it so, Writesalot? Something this beautiful simply MUST be part of my fancy... uh... chest collection."

Sweetie Belle looks around with a blank expression. Suddenly, your idea hits her like a sack of bricks. "Oh! Yes, of course!"

The guard clears his throat still approaching. "You seem to be hugging that bundle pretty tight. Care to show me what's in there?"

>>749774
You scoff at the guard. "This dress? Wearing your dress bundled is the newest fashion. I doubt a pony of, less refined, tastes can appreciate it. Would you like to help me bundle my friend's dress too?"

PICK AN UNLUCKY NUMBER, 1-5. Let's see if the guards will buy your story.

>>749836
6

>>749836
2.

>>749836

1 is the loneliest number

>>749836
>using that rediculous story
At least go with the one about the bird shit, it made some sense.

2 soudns fine.

>>749836

1, and if we fail, tell him we had our period

>>749879

Horses don't have periods, retard.

Tell him we frew up and that the rich couple we were talking to earlier had soda pop on their ship.

>>749879

horses don't have periods

...we had an accident?

>>749914
There is always my bird crap idea.

>>749865
>>749869
>>749874
>>749875
>>749879
>2 and 1 selected as unlucky numbers
ROLLING...
3

The guard just rolls his eyes. "I suppose... I mean, you're probably carrying that 'sophisticated' Glass Jar and those 'exquisite' Quills in there...

Your eyes dart to the side, noticing that your writing supplies are all at the base of the White Chest. You slide them over to the side a bit, keeping them behind the chest.

"Alright, whatever... you kids really shouldn't be loitering around during this crisis anyhow. Amethyst, my dear, you look almost exactly like our criminal. I'd suggest you go back to your mother's suite before a guard hassles you... or worse, arrests you." He seems to calm down, shaking his head as he goes back to his post. His friend punches him in the shoulder.

Sweetie Belle breathes a sigh of relief, then gives you a look. "Bundled dresses? New style?" With a slight pause, she continues, "...really?"

With the White Chest in front of you, the Adanemzurai in a bundle on your back, and your mane still styled up pretty enough to pass as a wealthy pony, you're currently guard free. Where do you wish to proceed to?

>>749914
How common is that for fillies at this age?
If its not completely unheard of, that would actually make a perfect excuse.

We would threaten to get him fired if he told anyone, can't emdarass the family like that.

>>750048

I'm convinced we have 10 CHA

Also, let's just stick with 1 for now.

>>750048
Have Sweetie grab the Glass Jar and follow us while we search for the chariot we arrived in.

>>750050
Holy hell that took forever to post, what?

>>750048

Let's proceed to the docks.

Tell Sweetie to bundle her dress.

Let's get out of here, finally.

>>750129
>>750129

Seconding this. gotta stay consistent.

>>750129

Yeah, try to keep Sweetie between us and the guards at all times.

Maybe going around chariots if they're there.

>>750108
>>750129
>>750149
>>750197
You motion for Sweetie to run over to the chest. "Rai... err... Amethyst... did you find our stuff?"

You look around a bit, then give out a small, white lie. "I found some of the stuff we lost... c'mon, bundle up your dress like mine."

Sweetie looks kind of disappointed. "Awww... do I have to?" She tugs on one of the frills by her shoulder. "It's sooo pretty..."

"Yes. Off. Now."

With a hesitant sigh, she peels the little dress off and bundles it up, stuffing the Glass Jar and all of the writing supplies inside the small bundle. She slings the bundle up on her back to match yours. Before you head out of the airdock doors, she stops you. "Nose up!"

As you exit the door, the guards give the two of you a look. One mutters, "...seriously? I just don't get it." You can see the mountains far off in the distance... and a nearly setting sun. The landscape looks gorgeous down below, but the height gives you a bit of vertigo. It also reminds you of when Sally was tossing you around in the air... you get butterflies in your stomach, but the Adanemzurai seems to eliminate them quickly.

Looking over the chariots, you vaguely remember on of the 4 chariots parked here was the one you arrived on. Sweetie Belle comments, "so, do you think our stuff is still in one of these?"

>>750281

It's worth a shot. Give each a quick lookover. If our stuff isn't here, go to the rich couple's ship.

>>750281

Do they all look identical? The one we came in had a cabin on the back I think.

>>750328
GAME INFO: Each one of the chariots here look the exact same. It's hard to tell them apart... to the right of the normal chariots are two distinct Royal Chariots that you assume belong to the Princesses. Further right still, you can see the airship hugging up tight to Canterlot Castle.

>>750311
This.

>>750311

This should be good. Just walk past each and give them a quick glance. If the guards accost us, pay them no mind and just say that you'd expect royal chariots to be better designed.

>>750361

Just do a quick lookover then.

>>750311
>>750365
>>750371
>>750443
You remember to keep your nose held high as you walk passed each one. You cast them each a glance, carefully looking over them to see if there's anything inside. One of the guards comes up to bother you.

"Excuse me, miss. I know you're mother is high class super-important, but we must ask you to step away from the chariots at once." He nods towards one of them. "These may or may not contain evidence obtained from recently transported, extremely dangerous criminals."

You scoff. "I was simply admiring their construction. I'd expect better from Canterlot's finest... these look like flying breadboxes."

"Just keep your distance." He rolls his eyes. As he walks away, you can feel him staring at you from the very corners of his eyes.

You're very close to the edge of the platform. A breeze runs through your mane.

>>750452

Jump off.

>>750466

How about no.

Alright, let's consider what we'd be losing.

The bags, the slingshots, the siren sand, some elixir, and our lucky stompstarter, right?

>>750495

Bags are replaceable, and we need the siren sand to get past the cockatrice.

We've never used the stompstarter in this quest, but that doesn't mean Jr won't be a dick and include a challenge up ahead.

>>750525

I think we've bypassed the cockatrice entirely this time

still, the siren sand would be handy to have. and not having the slingshots will make smashing the phonograph a little harder

>>750495
GAME INFO: If you decide to leave your stuff behind, you would lose:
>Raisin's Saddlebags
>Sweetie Belle's Saddlebags
>2 x CMC Capes
>Vial of Siren Sand
>2 x Slingshots
>Stompstarter

>>750495
the slingshot and siren sand were pretty important on the first trip to the sand castle, but we have taken such a widely different path this time i have no idea if they'd be useful now

>>750561

Smashing the phonograph will be easy because Jr said in one of the hints that we have to defeat Tezel before destroying it if we don't want any fatalities.

Also,this guard, is he alone?

>>750599
>Also,this guard, is he alone?

Yes. Could we use the box to mind control him without being seen by the other guards?

>>750591

We can bypass the cockatrice, and there weren't any monsters in the mountains.

Let's get some more info on this area.

>>750599

what's our plan of attack for that, anyways? do we have one?

>>750643
>Yes
Hurr. I meant to be agreeing with your question, not saying that the guard was alone.

>>750599
GAME INFO: From his current position, the guard, you, and Sweetie Belle are all behind the 4 chariots, safely out of sight of the two guards by the airdock entrance. You have little room to navigate on the edge of the airdock; the edge looks like a rather sizable fall, nearly a mountains height to the ground.

>>750667

Presumably we to talk Pinkie into a distraction routine again, then either have a pegasus j-j-jam it in from behind or get extremely lucky with a slingshot.

>>750672

Hmm,

I KNOW, fucking KNOW we need those bags later.

Tell sweetie to distract the guard by asking what mundane things like whether guards have cutie marks and why they look the same and shit, while we get the box and boop him on the butt with it.

>>750705

we could sic the big bird on him and pin him down. if a bunch of ponies could knock him around in the last iteration, a few tons of stone should keep him immobilized long enough to do...whatever it is we plan to do to him

jam the Azumanderai into the slot in his crown? maybe?

>>750672
Whisper to Sweetie that we are going to use the box to take control of the guard so we can get our stuff back and have a trained pegasi that can help us rescue the missing unicorns.

>>750743
>we could sic the big bird on him and pin him down

Jr said that using the box to take control of the bird would be very dangerous.

>>750734

This is extremely risky. Like, so risky it's ridiculous.

But, I guess we should do it.just try to be sneaky and make it look like we've lost ourselves staring at the view before he turns his back on us.

>>750773

We should take our airship when we get it and land at the base of the mountains. We can then at least try to hide behind the tree or whatever was the solution.

We never did get our explosive satchel, did we?

>>750749

Yeah, make our plans clear to Sweetie so she doesn't freak out.

>>750817
nope, its still at sweet apple acres

inb4 the box makes us do something evil because we got unlucky on the roll.

>>750734
>>750749
>>750784
You see that this lowly, sharpsighted guard is all alone on this side of the chariots. The Adanemzurai hums against your back, soothing you as the giant expanse of land far, far below doesn't seem to scare you as much as you know it normally would without Her. You get a clever idea.

"Sweetie Belle... help me out here. Talk to that guard for a bit... I'm going to control him."

Sweetie Belle backs away from you. "Y...what?!" She gets a good distance away. "Wwwait a minute... that... you got that thing with you?!" She looks about, avoiding looking off the edge. She huffs and puffs. "I thought you found some of your stuff in there!"

"I did. I found the Adanemzurai."

Sweetie looks like she's panicking a bit. "It is true... Raisin, you are cursed..."

You shake your head, the Adanemzurai influencing your movement slightly. "No, I'm not. We need to get out of here, Sweetie. Capturing that guard is the only way we're going to be able to do it."

Sweetie looks unsure of herself. You put a hoof on her shoulder. "Look, we've been through so much together. You're like... my best friend." You give her your saddest, widest eyes. "I would never do anything to hurt you or anypony else."

Sweetie Belle shuffles in place. "...I don't know..."
(Continued)

>>750924

If she's scared, then let's not.

>>746786
>>746786
Is now empty whenever we want to move.

>>750924

Tell her that there's no curse, we're just going to make the guard retrieve our stuff, then release him.

>>750924
"Listen, just talk to that guard for a bit and She'll control him like that other guard back in Ponyville. After we defeat our despicable King, She'll release him and he'll fall asleep. No harm done!"

She kicks her hooves about, but reluctantly looks up to your eyes. She's getting teary. "Are you sure everything's going to be alright?"

You give her a soft hug. "We promise."

Sweetie pulls away for a moment. "...'we'?"

You shake your head. "C'mon, just go talk to him for a bit. It'll be over really quick."

Sweetie navigates around you, then walks up to the guard. "Um... hi." The guard and her strike up a conversation.

>Stopping, long action. What do you wish to do next?
>IDEAS: Search the carts, sneak up on guard, control guard while he's out of sight

>>750971
ANNNNDD, thank you btw Anon, let's move to the new thread quick.

>>746786
>>746786
>>746786
>>746786
>>746786
>>746786

>>750924

fingers crossed

Continue onwards, Questers. We're making good progress tonight; let's see how long your luck will last.

>>751046

Now I remember why I never wanted to use it.

Break off, abort, save it for the rich couple. The guard is wary of us and probably is trained to know when he's being set up.

>>751073
Let's search the cart while Sweetie is distracting the guard. Only mind control him if we have to.

>>751073

Bags can be replaced.

Sweetie's already scared. Let's just leave.

>>751120

He's watching us out of the corner of his eye, there's no way we can sneak around him.

>>751120

and even if we have to, let's just tell him to "take a nap" and then release control immediately

we're getting closer to death's door every time we use that damn thing

>>751084
>>751107
>>751120
>>751125
Suddenly, you feel compelled to abort your bag saving mission. You follow up behind Sweetie Belle and give her little tail a nibble. "Writesalot, I believe we've wasted enough time out here?" You walk towards the massive, luxurious airship down the dock a ways. "Come. Let's not keep our company waiting."

As you and Sweetie head off, the guard keeps a close watch on you. "Goodbye, ladies..."

Sweetie seems confused, but tags along behind you. As you begin to ascend the bridge into the airship, a stronger gust blasts your mane. You can feel your hair 'pop' into it's natural shape.

>>751202
Go "Pah!" Like a rich filly and brush it back into shape, with Sweetie's help.
Quickly, but don't look rushed.

That is, if they aren't all charging at you.

>>751202

Let's hurry into the ship.

Tell Sweetie that we got scared too, but we're MUST control the rich couple. Tell her we just need to get out of here, and we'll never touch it again.

>>751202
cowards

Have Sweetie help us brush our hair back into shape then continue.

>>751202

"Oh poppycock."

Style it back up again.

"This wind is simply deplorable. Come, Writesalot. Let us return to the airship, where it's nice and cozy."

>>751202

Well, it'll save us the trouble later. Tell her that we're going to need her help to fly this airship out of here.

>>751240
>>751240

Raisin plays paragon.

>>751273

We're going to need those slingshots.

FUCKING NEED THEM

>>751219
>>751234
>>751240
>>751246
>>751260
"Oh, bother and befuddle! Simply rubbish, this wind." You immediately start to primp your untamed, wild mane into the richer pony shape with one of your hooves. You stop and roll your eyes, putting on a show for the guard that's moving toward the airship.

"Writesalot, fix me." Sweetie Belle grabs your dress bundle off your back, then hops on up. You feel the cold of the wind against your coat now... you're again separated from your Adanemzurai, if even by a few extra feet.

"At once, Lady Amethyst." She pushes her hooves into your mane, roughly pushing and primping it as you enter into the airship. As soon as you enter, the Rich Stallion comes up to the door.

"Ah, if it isn't..." He stops. "Girls, whatever happened to your lovely dresses? Those guards didn't dirty them up with their grubby hooves, did they?"

You look over your shoulder instinctively. The guard seems to be gone, but you're certain you can hear his wings flapping not too far off.

>>751288

Then it's our own damn fault. Guards are the greatest threat to us right now, we have to get out of here.

>>751330

"My good host, do you have a private room on this ship where I can straighten myself out?"

>>751330

The airship has a below deck that's closed off, right? Or, is everything all on deck?

>>751330

Alright, divide and conquer?

Ask Sweetie to accompany us so we can talk in private.

>>751330
Tell him that we got a little hot and needed to take them off. Ask if he would fancy setting sail.

>>751330

"No, but they did give me quite a bit of trouble while I was touring the area. What a gruff bunch, these guards. Simply uncouth."

"May I go fix my mane? Some wind ruffled it up quite a bit."

>>751375
GAME INFO: The airship itself is a closed deck. It's completely isolated from the outside elements with a beautiful panoramic view up front. On the main deck, you can see the steering column, a flight of stairs going up and down between decks, and a door leading out to the outside deck.

All in all, it looks extremely cozy. The two unicorns have a very magnificent airship.

>>751433

Compliment them on it. A little schmoozing couldn't hurt.

>>751433

Let's just be invited if for now, you know, to acquaint ourselves and see where the wife is.

>>751364
>>751403
>>751410
>>751416
>>751452
Quickly, you decide the compliment the couple on their fine taste in airships. The Rich Stallion puffs up his chest a bit.

"Oh, it was quite an expensive affair... but it was worth every single bit. Your father deserves even more, I dare say. This ship has been the most comfortable air deringible that I have ever had the honor of setting sail in." He stops for a moment. "But... do tell, those guards didn't set a hoof on you, did they? If they did, I swear by Celestia I'll have them-"

"Honey, now... they're just servants. No need to be upset." His wife enters the room from the outside deck."

"We're alright, but the guards certainly are a fine bunch of ruffians. So... uncouth."

Sweetie Belle almost laughs, but maintains her composure.

"Do you have a room where we may freshen up a bit?"

The Rich Stallion lets out a haughty laugh. "But of course! Downstairs, on the right. There's a guest bedroom all made up and ready for you. Make yourself at home, Amethyst... and Amethyst's friend."

>>751585

Alright, let's go down there with Sweetie and plan our attack.

We'll have some more time to comfort her and prepare her for what we're going to do.

>>751585

Go into bedroom with Sweetie, turn on stealth mode.

Also, what time is it?

>>751585

head on down

>>751585

How many windows are there? I bet those will screw us over.

WAIT WAIT WAIT! Sweetie Belle took the asmadadingdong off our back when she messed with our hair. Where the fuck is it now?

>>751605
>>751638
>>751653
>>751619
You decide to head on downstairs with Sweetie Belle to the cozy guest bedroom. As you stamp on downstairs, the Rich Stallion calls out, "And if you girls are hungry, we have hoof-picked greens from Germaney on the deck!"

You and Sweetie Belle tuck away into the room. Quickly, you shut the curtains on your window. The room goes almost totally dark. You look over Sweetie Belle, making sure the Adanemzurai is with her. She relinquishes both bundles onto the bed as you wrap a hoof around her shoulder.

"Okay, so here's the plan..."

>Insert Player's Plan Here

GAME INFO: The current time of day is mid-evening. The sun is nearly out of the sky.
Also, the entire ship has many windows located everywhere. Thankfully, the bedrooms have privacy curtains.

This may be a perfect spot to put in our bookmark... could go on a bit more?

>>751734

Oh shit, didn't we put those back on?

Get it before going down.

>>751768
Let's stop here.

>>751768

Sounds like a good time to stop as any.

Even though you fucking cowards have probably sealed our fate by chickening out.

>>751768

Oh good.

Next session when? I promise we'll get out of the castle next time. Today's session was a bit shorter than usual, so I'm using that as an excuse.

>>751803

Listen, we've come so close to bad end in this castle so many times.

The guards are the most dangerous enemies we've had yet. We can replace our bags, and the only thing we might have needed was the slingshot.

>>751778
>>751803
>>751837
Alright, bookmark for tonight. We'll start up right here on... let's see... Friday work good? I may bump the session around, but Friday at the earliest, Sunday at the latest.

I think things are starting to get interesting. So many... interesting choices made so far...

Let's see how they influence your journey.

>>751879

I agree with you, but for different reasons. That box man. Given how much we need to control what we do, having us do anything unprecedented at any time WILL kill us.

Who knows how the scale goes. It could increase by 1, 10 or 50 percent with each use. We don't know.

>>751915

Oh fuck you we should have went renegade, shouldn't we?

Goddammit.

But yeah, Friday works.

>>751915
Looking forward to our final assault.

We have to try out best to not use the box more than needed.

We can't let it take over before we use it to stop Tezel, then return the box to the crown once and for all.

>>751915

FUCK YOU THE ONLY CHOICE WE MADE WAS WHETHER TO GET OUR STUFF OR NOT

If it's unwinnable, please tell us now.

>>751966
GAME INFO: Just to be nice, I'll let you know that the modifier does adjust a little bit each time you use the Adanemzurai. It's an exponential effect; the amount the modifier adjusts by changes per use.

>>752000
That's not the only choice you made, my friend.

You can still win yet, but victory will never be assured.

>>751915

F-F-F-F-FRIDAY NIIIGHT looks good. I'll be ready for some late night adventuring.