And we begin again, questers. Tonight is the second session of Raisin Quest 4. So far, our hero has found nothing but a long string of seemingly unrelated communications and events. You’ll have to be careful and observant if you hope to solve this mystery… and avoid calamity.

Let’s start things off with a traditional recap of our previous session’s events:

>Get ready for school; Equipped Saddlebags, Royal Medallion, and filled bags with supplies
>Check closet for more supplies
>HUG HAYSEED, SAVED GAME (Raisin’s Bedroom)
>Head into Merlot Residence Foyer
>Greet Mom and Mary; give hugs and go outside
>Discover Mysterious Letter and Applebloom
>Talk about anonymous Love Letters that Applejack keeps receiving
>Observe giant Snake Statue that has suddenly appeared in Town Square
>Team assembles as you listen to the Mayor discuss damage assessment
>Head to school, discover that classes are cancelled because school has sunken into ground
>CRUSADING TIME: Tell team to grab their bags and head back to your place
>Head into house, get lightly chastised by your maid, fetch Bouquet of Flowers
>--Derpy walks by; wave to her because you cannot talk with Bouquet of Flowers in your mouth—
>Team reassembles in front of your house. Compare penmanship on letters.
>xXx Leave letters on doorstep, head inside to pick up equipment xXx
>Juggle items around until you’ve pretty much cleared all items from your room

>>4051636
>Get Signed Permission Slip (Mary Annette’s Signature)
>Rush outside to retrieve letters; Love Letter obtained (25% chance to lose; rolled in player favor). Lost the Mysterious Letter (50% chance to lose; rolled against player favor)
>Finalize equipment loadout, head to Zecora’s
>Enter the Everfree Forest; investigate strange noises coming from up ahead (Random Encounter; 10% chance to appear in dangerous areas)
>**Send Raisin forward to investigate, attacked by Mangy Griffin**
>--Feed the Mangy Griffin your apples—
>Sneak the CMC around him while he eats, lead them to Zecora’s Hut
>Call Zecora out to help you with the now sobbing griffin
>**Warn Zecora that the griffin is aggressive and attacked you on sight**
>Zecora uses Sleeping Powder on Griffin, brings him towards the Hut to assess his injuries

>>4051653
After a very strange morning, Raisin, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo find themselves delivering a potent Bouquet of Flowers to Zecora that they picked during their undocumented escapades through the Everfree Forest. Having just pacified a feral and Mangy Griffin, Raisin sets a small but delicate arrangement of flora on Zecora’s medicine bench as the zebra tries to figure out what’s wrong with the griffin outside. She carefully pokes and prods at the unconscious beast, assessing whatever condition he could possibly have.

With the odd appearances of Love Letters being sent to Applejack by an anonymous source, a Mysterious Letter from what seems to be a helpful stranger, the appearance of a massive Snake Statue in the middle of Town Square, and the sinking of the Schoolhouse into the ground, the sudden encounter with this confused griffin only adds to the intrigue as the stony mare tries to piece together this ever-expanding mystery. What in Equestria could possibly be in store for our typically ill-fated heroine?

That, my friends, is entirely up to you. Your decisions and guidance tonight will see Raisin along in her new adventure as you sort through all this madness. Good luck, questers.

I need adventure after that Huffington Post stream.

>>4051669
Ask Zecora if she knows of any stone eating monsters and tell her what has been happening around town.

HAHA IT'S TIME TO GRAPE RAISIN IN THE MOUTH

> oc
well damn, I think I will skip then

I don't really see what else to do beside see what Zecora has to say

>>4051755
wat?

>>4051669

Ask Zecora if she knows of anything might bear a resemblance to the snake statue.

>>4051653

Well, I suppose that's more stars than xs.

>>4051669

Ask her if feral griffins are a problem in Everfree and why couldn't it just fly to the nearest bastion of civilization? Even if it had no money there would be at least someone willing to take it in.

>>4051771
> raisin

>>4051793

Eh, she's more like a player avatar than an actual >OC anyways.

>>4051636
>>4051653
Can you remind us what the symbols mean?
xXx is bad, ** is good, and -- is game altering right?

>>4051669
Inventory check.

>>4051839
*Asterisks represent good actions, xXx represents bad actions

>>4051839

Yes.

>>4051853

Fucking Hell, this please. Before we forget.

>>4051853
yes, inventory check, always inventory check

>>4051722
>>4051760
>>4051773
The intoxicating smell of ginger root fills the air as a bubbling cauldron cinders on a fire behind you. Zecora's Hut has always been an inviting home even if it has never been located in the most inviting of places. Something feels safe about this place... though you know it's not an impregnable fortress against the forces of evil.

You watch as Zecora gently opens the front door with the mangy, matted coat griffin on her back.

"Whoa! Zecora, are ya sure that's th-" Applebloom begins to protest as the savage creature is brought into the hut.

Zecora explains that he's suffering from some form of delirium, probably due to severe dehydration and malnutrition. She further explains that it's fortunate you found him; he may not of survived much longer given the state he was in.

"Hey Zecora, not to change the subject too quickly, but... do you know of any giant snake creatures that might like to eat stones or anything?"

Sweetie Belle nods her head. "Yeah! There was some big snake statue thing in the middle of town this morning! Nopony knows where it came from."

Zecora looks about, then sighs. She explains that she's never heard of a creature like that, not in the Everfree Forest at least. Twilight Sparkle should know more about fauna like that.

>>4051839
GAME INFO: You are correct. xXx is bad, ** is good, and -- means that event could be major.

>>4051853
>>4051879
>>4051880
GAME INFO:
INVENTORIES:

Raisin: Hayseed, Reinforced Boots , Spool of Rope, Money Bag + 100 Bits, Royal Medallion (Equipped), Twisted Iron Rod (tied to us)

Applebloom: CMC Cape, Hammer, Box of Quarter Sticks (x3), Love Letter, Stompstarter

Sweetie Belle: CMC Cape, Baby Blue Sapphires x10, Saw, Nails, Lamp Oil

Scootaloo: CMC Cape, Fireworks x1, Stompstarter, Bag of Sneezing Powder

>>4051897
Tell Zecora about the mysterious letter we received.

>>4051897
>>4051897
>Zecora explains that he's suffering from some form of delirium, probably due to severe dehydration and malnutrition.
I think we have to make a.. broth for him?

>>4051897

Assist her in making the beast comfortable.

Ask her if it might have been under some sort of enchantment or imprisonment? Seems like griffins wouldn't ever let itself starve like this.

>>4051942

Yeah, ask about if she knows anyone who might also have some magical knowledge in the area.

>>4051897
>Twilight Sparkle should know more about fauna like that.

Oh boy, time for a lecture.

May as well help Zecora care for the griffon. He may know something important, given the opportune timing of his appearance

>>4051897
Ask her what exactly the flowers are supposed to make and who it was for. Also ask her how long until the gryphon is right in his head again.

>>4051951

How many apples did we feed it, all of them?

>>4051989
Speaking of Twilight, did she ever do anything about that curse from RQ2?

>>4052023
i think she nervously said everything is ok and changed the topic when we asked her at the end of raisin3

>>4052023

We just pretend that was taken care of off screen please Jr don't bring it up because we reminded you please.

>>4052020
wat

>>4052002

Yeah, after all, she should be thankful that we got all 7 species.

Also tell her Applebloom carried them in her mouth for a while, were any of them poisonous?

>>4051755
What did you think we'd be? One of the main cast?

>>4051942
>>4051973
>>4051958
>>4051989
You go across the room to help Zecora make the beast a bit more comfortable. You notice that your hooves are making the floor creak. The Zebra lays the peacefully resting griffin on a floor mat and puts an herb into his beak. She says it will help him break his fever.

"What was up with him, anyway? Griffins typically don't act this... weird."

Zecora doesn't have an answer for this question. She guesses that he got lost in the Forest... though he didn't seem to want to leave for some odd reason. He could very well be an outlaw; she's seen several ponies creeping around the woods. She doesn't want to jump to any conclusions, however. She'll have to talk to him to learn more.

As you walk back into the main room, you bring up the Mysterious Letter that you got this morning. You explain the author wanted to 'help' you and gave you a map. She asks if she can see it... you explain that the letter was lost to the wind. The Zebra seems perplexed.

(Continued with Flowers)

>>4052020
GAME INFO: You fed the griffin all of the apples that Scootaloo was hanging on to.

>>4052141

So another red herring? Ugh, we'll never solve this mystery.

>>4052141

Can we get a time check too?

>>4052084
>>4052002
Zecora walks over to her medicinal table. Pushing a few vials out of the way and taking care not to tip over her mortar, she picks up the Bouquet of Flowers that you delivered. At first, she wears a pleased expression. It melts after a minute, though, as she realizes that you and the CMC got all 7 species, including the dangerous one.

"Now I know this cannot be, but did you pick all these in the Everfree?" She holds up one species in particular called a Midnight Widow. You remember having to slog through a mucky swamp with a lantern to find one of these.

"Uh... yeah! We picked all of them ourselves. We wanted to make sure that you had all the ingredients for your bath mixture thing."

Zecora looks a bit upset, saying that she typically hires professional explorers to get these for her. After some chastisement, you interrupt with another question.

"So... what are you going to make and who's it for?"

Zecora shakes her head, telling you that the client wanted to keep that private. She does explain that it's a medicinal bath that is designed to cure a specific type of fungal hoof infection. The mental image reminds you of the time you contracted Mold Rot in the caves during your first Crusade.

Zecora is extremely thankful for you bringing her all the ingredients, however, and wants to reward your efforts. You can choose one item to bring with you on your quest:

Sleeping Powder
Bang Powder
Wake-Me-Up Dust

My apologies, I'm new to Raisin I promise I won't suck but what's a "Stompstarter"?

>>4052275
fire starter

>>4052275

Firestarter.

>>4052211
GAME INFO: It is currently High Noon, 12:00pm. The Forest is beautifully lit at this time of day.

>>4052275
GAME INFO: A Stompstarter is a small lighter like device. It can be used by placing it on flammable material, then stomping on it. It produces a wonderful shower of sparks that is almost guaranteed to start a fire... given your flammable material is dry.

>>4052269
Bang Powder

>>4052269
>Sleeping Powder

>>4052269

Can we get an explanation of each?

Also tell her Applebloom carried them in her mouth for a bit. That would have ramifications in the future will it?

>>4052269
how volatile is the bang powder?
would it be enough to blow up a stone snake?

>>4052269
I imagine Wake-Me-Up Dust does just that, and wakes other people up if thrown on them? Or are we somehow able to use it on ourselves

>>4052343
And release it from it's stony prison? No!

>>4052269

>dangerous one

Err, how dangerous?

Also, what's so good about Wake-Me-Up dust? Seems like you can just slap someone awake if needed.

>>4052362
Maybe it's like a gargoyle.
If you blow it up when it's in its stone form, it won't be able to animate.

>>4052269
Lets get the sleeping powder, use it on Zecora and take the others!

But no, sleeping powder is probably the most useful.

>>4052371
Wouldn't work so well against something like a sleeping spell. The dust could bypass that.

Da fuck is this "div class="sideArrows" id="sa4052414">>>"

>>4052418
But sleeping powder let us to put on sleep some possible enemy/monster.

>>4052269
Does Bang Powder make an explosion or just a loud noise?

>>4052339
OUR SYSTEM THINKS THIS POST IS SPAM
GAME INFO:
Sleeping Powder will make any creature that breathes it in fall asleep. Bang Powder creates a very bright flash with a vociferous report. Wake me up Dust will rouse unconscious party members and prevent drowsiness caused by a lack of sleep.

>>4052463

Depends on if it works on stone creatures.

>>4052269

Wake-Me-Up Dust

>>4052477
Bang Powder could be nice because we could always use a flashbang.

On the other hand, wake-me-up dust does have its uses.

>>4052477
My vote is for Wake-Me-Up dust

I'm getting worried about AB now. It will be useful

>>4052479

Does it?

>>4052477

If Zecora doesn't know, we can easily try it on ourselves. Sniff a pinch of the sleeping powder and if we collapse just sprinkle some of the wake up dust.

>>4052535

I agree. Failing rolls consistently because one of the CMC is tired would really, REALLY suck.

>>4052477
>Wake me up Dust will rouse unconscious party members and prevent drowsiness caused by a lack of sleep.
So it's cocaine!

>>4052479
>>4052544
GAME INFO: Sleeping Powder will work on any creature that breathes it in. It's potent enough to put the largest and baddest of creatures into a deep, restful sleep.

>>4052477

After the whole ordeal during the farm capture last adventure, I'd pick Wake-Up powder. Give it to Scootaloo since she has an open space now.

>>4052479
>>4052544
Well.....theres a very quick and easy way to find out right now....

> . It's potent enough to put the largest and baddest of creatures into a deep, restful sleep.

this

>>4052572

>Breathes it in

So probably not for stony things since they don't need to breathe.

I say bang dust.

>>4052572

On second thought, I want to take the sleeping powder.

>>4052572

FFFFFFFFFFF

That just has too many warning bells.

Sleeping powder since there's no way we can solve the mystery by night.

Sentenal, could you keep inventory for us? Your meticulous attention to detail could be very useful here.

Why don't we make a save now? It seems like this would be a good point.

>>4052663
Nuh-uh anon, we've gotta all do our part. keep us on our toes, y'know?

>>4052675
no no no, let's keep our first save right at the start
we may want to do things pretty differently the next time around, once we've learned more about the situation

>>4052699
indeed, for example, we may want to hold on to the letter

>>4052675
Point? We have a simple choice.

>>4052684
Sentenal excels at tasks like these. I just try to post good ideas and watch closely for anything JR tries to sneak past us.

>>4052726
And talk to Derpy.

>>4052728

A simply choice that could have potentially catastrophic consequences in the future because we don't know the nature of the big bad yet.

>>4052502
>>4052535
>>4052559
>>4052598
4 votes for Wake Me Up Dust
After weighing out your options carefully, you decide that Wake Me Up Dust sounds like the best option. You never know if one of your friends might pass out or need to be on high alert during your adventure... could be extremely useful.

Zecora nods her head, saying that it's one of the harder powders to make. Apparently, it requires a lot of Snail Slime, Bog Mushrooms and Tea Leaves boiled in Swamp Water for about a week and left to dry. You let her know that you'd have been better off not knowing what was in it.

The CMC scrunch their faces as they look the little satchel over. "So... it's gonna let us stay awake all the time?" Applebloom lifts it up and shakes it gently. It sounds like the bag is full of tiny seeds. "Should come in handy, I s'pose."

As you and your friends rest in Zecora's Hut, you try to figure out your next course of action. The griffin snoozes soundly in Zecora's guest room as the Zebra stirs the flowers you gave her into the cauldron. She has a very proud look on her face; you can tell she's impressed that you were able to find everything she needed.

>>4052757
Lacking one item isn't going to doom us.
There's always another way out of a sticky situation.

>>4052774

I guess head out now. Library should be the next destination.

>>4052774
Tell Zecora that we will be back later to see if the gryphon is connected to what is going on around town we really do need to come back during this life. I think JR mentioned that we had a 1/10 chance of finding him?. After that make sure that we have the loveletter and wake-me-up powder stowed with one of us before going back into town to look for Twilight.

>>4052774

It probably wouldn't hurt to ask Zecora about the love letter.

>>4052774

Ask Zecora if she has any snacks for our companions since inferior beings still get hungry and it's around lunchtime.

>>4052866

Yeah, Maybe changelings are around? Just ask if anyone else she knows has received letters like that.

>>4052859

Either this encounter was a lucky break or a waste of time...

Oh god, decisions decisions.

>>4052924
>Enter the Everfree Forest; investigate strange noises coming from up ahead (Random Encounter; 10% chance to appear in dangerous areas)
>**Send Raisin forward to investigate, attacked by Mangy Griffin**
>--Feed the Mangy Griffin your apples—
It's a lucky break. The only question is what sort of luck is it.

>>4052924
>>4052954
We need to get more information out of that griffon. Then we'll know for sure.
For all we know, he could be the one who sent the mysterious letter.

Can we pluck some feathers from griffin? Just in case. One or two.
(I explain later)

>>4052985
Should we ask Zecora how long it will be until he is able to speak with us?

>>4052954

I think the stars might have referred to sending our tanking body out rather than send one of the other CMC out to be mauled.

No we're out of apples, which doesn't seem like a big deal now, but >eating the marshmallows.

>>4053010

Why explain later? Why not now?

>>4052855
>>4052859
Looking over your current inventories, you see that Scootaloo has one empty Saddlebag pocket. "Hey, Scoots. Hold onto this, would you?"

She turns her side toward you, motioning to the empty pocket. "Sure thing! Right in here." Carefully, you use your stony hooves to lift up the pocket. You've had to train a little while to do this without ripping the saddlebag; you really can't feel when the fabric is beginning to fail.

>>4052866
>>4052909
Before leaving, you make sure to ask about the appearance of mysterious Love Letters. Applebloom jumps up. "Yeah! My sister has been gettin' these really creepy love letters from some guy named 'LS'. Ya'll heard of somepony with those initials, Zecora?"

The Zebra continues stirring her cauldron. She stops for a moment, then repeats the initials to herself. She nods, confirming that those initials have popped up before.

"Oh! Good thinking, Raisin! Finally, a lead!" Scootaloo flaps her wings with excitement.

Zecora explains that she received an order for a very specific kind of Crystalline Powder. Apparently, 'LS' didn't have the proper equipment to refine it himself. That was weeks ago, though... since then, he's sent a single Thank You Letter and told her that his lab was completely transferred.

"...lab? Like a mad scientist lab?" Sweetie Belle ponders.

>>4053035
>I think the stars might have referred to sending our tanking body out rather than send one of the other CMC out to be mauled.

Yeah that would have been a pretty bad way to start off the adventure

>>4053010
Explain now please.

>>4053080
GAME INFO: Do you wish to continue with the previous action
>Exit Zecora's Hut, head for the Ponyville Library

>>4053080
Ask what what sorts of thing the powder could be used for.

>>4053093
No.
>>4053118

How long does speaking with a character take? You haven't explained the time rules yet.

>>4053093
I like this idea >>4053118
Jesus this quest has me double guessing myself at every turn and we've barely started

Nice work

>>4053080
Can we see that Thank-You letter?

>>4053069
>>4053086
well
>>4053080


does not matter anymore

>>4053080

THE PLOT THICKENS!

So, why would he want insider access to an apple orchard?

That or he needs PONY SACRIFICE!

>>4053139
If you aren't secondguessing yourself you aren't playing it right.

>>4053080

Ask her to explain further about this powder, then head to the library.

>>4053164

Second guessing? I'm Triple guessing myself, sometimes more.

Every decision we make I can't help but imagine it horrible fucking us over some way.

> tfw contributed nothing and none of my suggestions or answers were accepted

feel pathetic

>>4053245
Keep with us. An extra pair of eyes is always good.

>>4053245
Time to get a hateboner for Jr

>>4053136
GAME INFO: Most actions take place in ~15 minute intervals. Some actions, such as traveling long distances, can take from 30 minutes on up. I'll warn you if an action is going to take up more than 30 minutes of in game time.

>>4053118
>>4053139
>>4053187
"Okay, some Crystalline Powder, huh? What's that used for?"

Zecora explains that she's actually not quite sure. The stuff couldn't be used in medicine, she knows that much. The crystalline powder is refined from a weird, bluish ore that she was sent. While she was refining it, she had 2 samples explode with a strange magical energy. She refined a stable mix and sent it to 'LS', for which she received a good sum of bits. She taps the side of her cauldron, asking if you noticed it was brand new yet.

"Magic crystals... huh. That's definitely weird..." Scootaloo thinks. "We gotta figure out who this 'LS' guy is and why he's hitting on Applebloom's sister. He could be the one behind all the stuff happening in Ponyville!"

Applebloom and Sweetie Belle nod.

>>4053245
GAME INFO: Don't worry, Anon. Majority votes rule the fate of Raisin, so if your suggestion was not popular with other players, I'm not allowed to play it. All game information related questions will be answered, however.

>>4053245

Always explain your logic behind things. Besides, if we mess up even the single voice of reason at least makes us think.

>>4053273
>>4053268
Don't be silly, it seems I just don't fit into the game. I think I will lurk for a while and then go to bed.

>>4053295

Ask Zecora if she still has the thank you letter, maybe there's a home address on it.

>>4053295
Ask her if there is some leftovers of that crystalline powder left by any chance? And could we borrow it?

>>4053295
'Wouldn't happen to be anything at all like the stuff we, and you as a matter of fact, got crystallized with a while ago from that dragon guy, would it? Any relation at all?'

>>4053295
>>4053295

>Bluish ore

Her, doesn't Sweetie have some blue gems?

>>4053295
We still need to ask her how long until the gryphon is ready to talk.

>>4053295

>Sent it to LS

So did she have an address. How did she deliver it?

>>4053390
GAME INFO:
Sweetie Belle: CMC Cape, Baby Blue Sapphires x10, Saw, Nails, Lamp Oil

>>4053390

>Baby Blue Sapphires

Yeah, ask Sweetie why she's carrying precious gems around.

>>4053425

>"These gems wouldn't happen to be related to the sample you got, right?"

>>4053337
>>4053391
do these

>>4053457
This.

>>4053425

That does seem a little suspicious.

You do realize sapphire is not an ore, right?

>>4053481
>>4053337
>>4053391
"...you wouldn't happen to still have that Thank You Letter on you, by any chance?"

Zecora says that she does indeed have the Thank You Letter. It's sitting on her desk near the cauldron.

You walk up to the desk and find a very beautifully written cover to a bi-fold Thank You Letter propped up on her desk. Come to think of it, it's kind of hard to miss...

"Dear Z,

Thank you for your services. The mixture I have received is 72% pure. I'm rather amazed you were able to achieve this level of purity without more advanced equipment.

Thank you for understanding our agreement to anonymity. My research is highly sought out by many of my colleagues, hence the strange terms of our agreement.

Your payment will arrive in the next two days, 75 bits, as promised. I threw in some extra for your expertise and a job well done.

-LS"

As far as you can see, there is no return address on it. You're wondering how this was even mailed... there are no addresses at all on it.

Going with what you've got, you ask about the Griffin and when he'll be able to talk. Zecora says to let him rest; she'll try to get him in good shape by tomorrow afternoon.

>>4053457
>>4053481
>>4053493
(Continued)

>>4053659
do
>>4053364

>>4053659

>tomorrow afternoon.

This suggests we won't immediately die if we don't solve the mystery by sunset.

Right? RIGHT!?

>>4053659
Compare the handwriting of the thank-you letter with the love letter.

>>4053700
we should just keep going until we die, and then start all over with all the information we've learned

>>4053659
>>4053441
>>4053457
>>4053482
>>4053493
"Before we go... Sweetie Belle, I've been meaning to ask you..."

The little white filly turns away from the door and meets your eyes with hers. "Yes?"

"Well, you've been carrying around some Baby Blue Sapphires... can I ask why?"

Sweetie Belle thinks for a moment, looking around the room for an answer. "Oh! Remember the poster we were working on for school? Rarity let me borrow a couple of Sapphires to help spruce it up a bit!" She gives you a warm smile. "...I guess, since schools cancelled... I should probably give them back."

"I dunno, they COULD be useful.." Applebloom steps forward, stretching with her saddlebags on her back. She looks over her shoulder at them, then up to you. "Doesn't hurt to be prepared, right?"

>>4053719
That's the best course of action, always.

Might take a while, but hey, since everyone already knows we're 'clairvoyant', it shouldn't be too hard to pass off us just knowing things.

>>4053744
see
>>4053701 and keep the saffires.

>>4053744

Worse comes to worse we might be able to do some sort of switcheroo with the actual blue ore.

>>4053744

Keep the jewels, head to Twilight since she stacked Lore (Magical Creatures)

>>4053744

Compare the two letters just to be sure it's the same guy, then head to the Library.

>>4053770
>Might take a while
After RQ3, we should know better than to expect anything else.

>>4053847

God, here's hoping this isn't another 23 day ordeal. I mean, holy shit.

>>4053862
You enjoyed it and you know it.

>>4053744
I dunno if this was answered, but how much of the town knows about our heroics? Do they know why we suddenly got rich?

>>4053862
Well, we did almost completely lose on day, what, 10? 12? something like that. So hey, maybe it'll be that long!

>>4053364
>>4053699
>>4053836
Before you exit, you stop again. Scootaloo groans.

"Hey, you don't have any extra or leftover powder from LS's order, do you?"

Zecora shakes her head emphatically. She tells you that she made sure to get rid of any that she had left; the stuff was incredibly unstable and destroyed a good portion of her herbal supply... hence her needing explorers to go and find her some flowers in the Forest.

"Ah well, thought I'd ask..."

>>4053701
>>4053779
You jump up again, hitting the floor with a staggering thud. "Oh! Can't forget... hold on guys, just one more second here..."

The CMC look at one another, then take a seat right outside the door. You can hear Scootaloo mumbling something as she stretches. Quickly, you take Applebloom's Love Letter and race back to Zecora's desk, putting the two letters side by side. As you suspected, the writing styles match nearly perfectly. The Love Letter looks like LS spent a bit more time writing it, hence the letter are a bit smoother.

"Good, good. Now that we've got that out of the way..."

The CMC are waiting at the threshold of Zecora's Hut. Scootaloo looks a bit impatient. "C'mon, Raisin! We know what we've gotta do!" She stops there, obviously not knowing what to do next.

I still think we should ask Zecora is she had some samples of that crysalline powder, could be an evidence.

>>4053862
I'm fine with taking however long is necessary to keep Raisin and her friends alive.

>>4053898
META INFO: I think it was Day 14 that Pinkie got crushed under Tezel's hoof. That was pretty much the end for Raisin on that run... though you guys had already technically 'died' 2 days earlier when you forced the Adanemzurai open.

To new questers, don't worry about any of the above. It's just babble about the previous quests. It's unimportant and completely unrelated to our current one.

>>4053903
Time to go find TWILIY.

>>4053903
"To the library!"

>>4053903

I guess we should head to the library and see if Twilight is available.

>>4053903

Remove shoes and put them in someone's bag.

>>4053903
>>4053907
hue

Anyways, let's note what Zecora described about the powder and head to Twilight's now.
Zecora really doesn't know anything about a snake like creature that potentially eats stone? Really?

>>4053947

That a relief.

Yeah, let's go to Twilight.

>>4053972
Actually, shit, hold up on that.
Do we know any of the locations the map told us to go? Can Zecora tell us anything about them?

>>4053965

Oh yeah, forgot about those.

Maybe we should carry them, exchange something of ours with Applebloom. she was the one who carried them, right?

>>4053965

Applebloom strained. Let's give her our money and replace our empty space with them so they don't break. After all, she's trustworthy.

>>4054020

The ruins in the Everfree were marked on the map if I recall correctly.

>>4054025
Applebloom nearly exhausted herself carrying them, so yeah, we should definitely carry them ourselves.

>>4053965
GAME INFO: You do not currently have your Reinforced Boots equipped. They are inside of your inventory.

>>4053948
>>4053958
>>4053959
>>4053972
>>4054012
"Alright. To the Library!" You feel sort of nerdy for saying this, but then again, you've been a regular at the library since you lost the need to sleep. A book is a great and quiet way to help pass the night.

"Yeah! Finally! Let's go!" Scootaloo flutterjumps up, then starts leading the way. Your group says bye to Zecora as you shut the door and start heading through the beautifully illuminated forest back to Fluttershy's Cottage.

You can hear the birds chirping again... their shrill, otherworldly cries make you feel vulnerable and insecure. You swear that you see some perched in the branches above, but they 'disappear' when you get near. You breathe a sigh of relief out of habit.

Fluttershy's cottage comes into view. You can see her relaxing inside through the window. As you round the stream, the terrifying clucks of chickens echo forth from the small, cramped coop on her land. You keep your distance.

"Chickens too, huh?" Scootaloo snickers.

"It's complicated."

Your friends have a laugh. You feel slightly embarrassed, but you don't care. As long as the birds don't come near you, you're fine.

You start to enter town once again. Before you is the Town Square. The massive Stone Snake is under guard supervision. The library is close by.

>Proceed to Library?

>>4054059
Did the note say anything about a specific time? Maybe we ask Zecora to accompany us and head over there.

>>4054176
Yes

>>4054176

Might as well, be wary of suspicious ponies trailing us.

>>4054176
>"Chickens too, huh?" Scootaloo snickers.
>
>"It's complicated."
???

>>4054176
Did our cheeks flush from embarrassment?

>>4054176

Yeah, not much left to do here until tomorrow if there will even BE a tomorrow

>>4054176

Yes

>>4054176
Maybe we should go back and ask Zecora about the places the letter wanted us to go to. She might know something.

>>4054229
And birds.

>>4054176
I wish I knew why birds were 2spooky

>>4054176

The snake still looks the same, right?

>>4054292
>>4054245
Raisin is a essentially a statue.

What do birds do to statues?

>>4054292
What do birds do to statues?
>>4054201
Seconding.

When it gets close to evening-time, we should all sleep in the CMC clubhouse for the night.
We can stay awake in shifts to watch out for anyone or anything trying to get the jump on us.

>>4054292

A fight with a giant bird was what turned Raisin to stone in the first place.

that or some pigeons shat on her in the park once

>>4054332
oh no wait, we can just stay up the whole time
cuz we're a rock
hurr hurr i'm an idiot

>>4054330
>>4054331
Oh lord. I was assuming it was a Cockatrice kind of deal

>>4054348
We can,but CMC? I think we can spent some time in Library before midnight and then let them sleep

>>4054208
>>4054229
>>4054270
>>4054266
>>4054279
"Alright, Library's this way." You point your hoof at the massive tree in the distance. You've always loved the design of the library; the sturdy floors have never once let you down... not like the stairs in your house.

You see a small flock of doves take off from the upper branches. You kick back, nearly knocking Applebloom down. "Hey! Watch it!"

"Sorry..."

You lead the way into the Library, making sure to knock on the door. A mild-mannered purple dragon greets you. "Hey Raisin, back again huh? You go through more books than Twilight."

"Nah, not here for books right now, Spike... actually, we wanted to ask Twilight about the Snake Statue in the town square."

"Oh, that thing. Uh... sure, she's right upstairs." He looks you up and down. "...I'll go see if she can come down quick." Spike heads inside, ushering your entourage in.

"Twilight! Raisin's here!"

The purple unicorn heads down the stairs carrying a large, old book. "Oh! Hello, Raisin. Back for some more books?"

You ask her about the Stone Snake in town square.

"Oh... actually, I'm still doing some research on it." She flips the book over that she's got in her magical tether. "I found out what it is. Apparently, it's something called a Boulder Snake." She looks at you sincerely. "They're extremely rare. This is the first time in recorded history we've seen a frozen one anywhere near a settlement. Crazy, huh?"

She sits down, inviting you to join her.

>>4054350

To summarize:

We had a magic possessed box thingy
Giant magic stone bird was attacking us on a mountain edge
Took leap of faith thinking that if we landed on the bird we could control it
We missed and the box thingy turned us to stone so that we wouldn't die on impact with the ground

>>4054432
Sit next to her and read up.

>>4054432

Ask for more information about the Boulder Snake.

>>4054432

"Do they come to life at night? Please tell me they don't come to life at night."

>>4054432

"What do they eat? Hopefully not rocks such as myself. Also, could it be connected with the sinkhole where the elementary school used to be?"

>>4054432
Ask her if they happen to eat stone and if she knows anyone with the initials LS or SL.

The next horse is now free for us to use if need be, by the way

Ask her about crystalline and crystalline powder too.

Ask for resource/mineralogical map of ponyville, if there is such. I particular, you want to know about the territory that is covered by Sweet Apple Acres

>>4054432

Ask if they're actratted to any alchemical powders. Zecora got a really suspicious request to make some unstable powder from a blue ore.

>>4054593

>attracted

Damn, I can't be getting tired already.

>>4054432
Ask her if there's been any unusual activity around the areas we were asked to go to in the letter we lost.

>>4054455
>>4054466
You walk across the floor, taking care not to step on any of the books. The Library floor doesn't so much as creak under your weight. You take care in sitting down next to Twilight, watching so that you don't accidentally sit on her tail. She pushes the book closer to you, letting your read.

>>4054486
"Do they come to life at night? Please tell me they don't come to life at night."

Twilight laughs. "Oh, no... actually, they're not even supposed to be made of stone. They're nocturnal... that's what the report says... but they've only been found in a few places outside, frozen like giant statues."

>>4054508
"What do they eat? Hopefully not rocks such as myself. Also, could it be connected with the sinkhole where the elementary school used to be?"

Twilight flips the pages, looking around. "Uh... well, um..." She gets to another section about some Winter Giant, but turns back. "Well, it says here that there's usually a tunnel or a lot of damaged rock around the statues, but... it's not confirmed whether or not they eat stone..."

"This is all I know about them..." She shows you the book cover. It reads "Rare Equestrian Flora and Fauna". "...and I'm willing to bet it's all anyone knows. Princess Celestia gave me this book to study when I asked her about them."

>>4054585
Well we're on page 9 right now so we don't have long

>>4054682
>>4054585
GAME INFO: Right... okay, let's transition over to the next Sunken Ship.

>>4050170
>>4050170
>>4050170
>>4050170
>>4050170

Let's continue there, shall we?

>>4054672

The plot thickens even more!

So, we've found ourselves a rare creature, have we? I wonder...

Let's keep going. The adventure is just about to start heating up.

I claim this horse in the name of dried grapes

>>4054733
>
>>4054588

>>4054672

It's possible they might burrow through the ground.

>>4054733
>cutie mark crusaders creature catchers yay!

>>4054733
Ask Twilight about the areas we were asked to meet the mysterious person at. Has there been any unusual or suspicious activity near them? Is there anything of particular note there?

If Boulder Snakes aren't supposed to be made of stone, maybe it's a construct made to resemble one.
Alternatively, someone or something could have turned it into stone.

>>4054759

Seconding. Frankly I'm having kind of a hard time with these puzzles. We know about an LS guy, but it seems like we've found out little else.

>>4054733
Ask her if she knows anyone with the initials LS or SL and if she have been getting any odd letters lately.

>>4054791

Anyone still have the description?

Could always try to reproduce it to Twily to the best of our ability.

>>4054814

Maybe the love letter wasn't anything insidious?

We could maybe meet this guy by persuading AJ to reply back and arrange a meeting.

>>4054839

>Twily

>>4054871

>AJ dating

Oh gosh~

But seriously, we could use that as a last resort. Maybe if there's a tunnel, we could investigate it and see if it leads anywhere. We'd need a lantern though.

I think we should just blow the snake up.

Deal with it while it's frozen.

>>4054871
that's not a bad idea

>>4054871
Let's ask Twilight about the powder though.

>>4054871

I thought the letter didn't have any address on it. Can't reply back if there's nowhere to send it to.

>>4054996
also yes

>>4054588
>>4054812
"Hmmm... hey, do you know anything about Crystalline Powders? Specifically magical ones?"

Twilight sets the book down for a moment and looks at you. "Oh... uh... Magical Crystalline Powder?" She scratches her chin. "...it's not ringing any bells..." She pulls a few books out from a distant shelf and brings them over. "Spike, do you know where that book on magical ores is?"

Spike rushes off upstairs. In a matter of moments, he returns. "Found it!" No sooner than he can finish his announcement, Twilight takes it from his claws. She cracks it open and starts comparing a few texts side by side.

"Magical Crystalline Powder... not seeing anything..." She skips over the last section in another book. "Well, I'm seeing something for a type of blue stone called Malecite that's kind of magical, but it doesn't do much beyond glow. It used to be used for lighting places that didn't have fuel for fire." She rolls her eyes. "No magic Crystalline Powder, though... not to be terribly curious, but what a strange thing to ask about. Any reason you're looking for some?"

>>4055009
Hey, you know maybe we could've asked Derpy where the letter came fr-
OH WAIT
Some dumbass had to suggest to carry flowers in our mouth which prevented us from asking her!

>>4055050
Tell her about LS and his correspondance with Zecora. And also the love letter.
Tell her it could be relevant to what's going on around town.

>>4055106
this

>>4055050

Underground base needs light without clogging it up with carbon monoxide, got it!

Finally have a lead.

>>4055050
> malachite is green, actually

>>4055106

Yeah, it might be a longshot, but this LS might have been some sort of scholar with some fame.

>>4055104

I'm sorry, I'm new.

>>4055137

Would make sense with the tunnel.

>>4055050
you continue with maps?

>>4055144
He did say Malecite, which is different enough.

>>4055050
Ask her about the LS guy, the letters to Zecora, and the letter that asked us to meet someone at specific locations.

>>4055144
GAME INFO: Completely different material. Malachite is a hard green stone, but Malecite, in the context of our Quest, is a blue, glowing stone of some kind, supposedly possessing a little bit of magic.

>>4055106
>>4055132
>>4055170
>>4055273
"Have you heard about somepony with the initials 'LS'? Zecora did business with him and he's sending Love Letters to Applejack..."

Applebloom butts in. "Like this! It's all fragrancy and... pink... and creepy." She passes the letter to Twilight, who looks a bit confused.

"Goodness, girls... first it's Boulder Snakes, then it's some Magic Crystalline Powder that I've never heard of... and now mysterious Love Letters? I'm sorry if I missed something, but... what exactly is going on here?" The purple unicorn seems very confused by the sudden barrage of questions.

>>4055137
>>4055137
Not really, LS ordered powder, not a stones. I don't think shattered powder glows enough to lighten up underground tunnels. No, he needs it doe something else.

>>4055300

"These have to be all related somehow. Everything is happening at once"

>>4055300
Tell her that we have no idea, but we do have the weird feeling we had when Cil and King Tezel were causing trouble.

>>4055300
'That's what we'd like to know!'

>>4055300
META INFO: Whoa, malachite is actually a really pretty rock. I just looked it up; also, it's relatively soft.

>>4055328

Maybe fluorescent paint?

>>4055300
Ask her if someone named LS (ot crourier from him) borrowed some book from her lately, If she is not sure - ask Spike.

Question about maps still valid. I wantto know why Sweet Apple Acres so valuable

>>4055300

Tell Twilight about the relation between LS and the magic powder.

File: 1345609932542.jpg-(72 KB, 470x470, bismuth_crystal.jpg)

>>4055353

Not as pretty as bismuth.

>>4055300
"Something big."

>>4055300

Based on our superior detective skills, explain that some alchemist named LS is performing nefarious deeds which may have attracted the boulder snake and wants to get close to Applejack which may be for personal romantic purposes or some other heinous plot.

>>4055335
>>4055336
>>4055339
>>4055373
>>4055442
"That's what we're trying to figure out!" You give a little shrug. "It's been a weird day so far. We've got a bunch of evidence collected so far and I've just got this overwhelming fe-"

Twilight stops you. "You've got that 'adventure' feeling again, don't you?"

You nod.

She stacks all the books she recently pulled out and stands up. "Well, alright... you've been right twice before... and without your gut instinct, Equestria could have been lost for good." She pulls up a big book from the front desk of the Library. "...I'll see if LS matches any of the initials of anypony that lives in Ponyville." She gives you a worried expression. "...it might take a while. There's a lot of names in here."

>>4055511

Rummage through her closet for a lamp (permission optional)

>>4055511
It's nice to see people finally willing to help with our crazy ideas.

I get the feeling we'll need to help too.

>>4055511

"How long?"

Time update please.

>>4055511
Ask Applebloom if she knows how to turn Sweetie's sapphires into a glowing potion like the one that you all used during your first adventure.

>>4055591
GAME INFO: The time is currently around 1:45 pm.

>>4055511

I guess tell the CMC to set their saddlebags down gently and relax for a while. They'll need their strength for later.

>>4055511
We should also mention the letter offering to help us with our rock problem.

>>4055560

Isn't our inventory full though?

If we're in town now, maybe we can find Derpy and ask her if she delivered those letters.

>>4055653
GAME INFO: All inventories are currently max out. All saddlebags are at maximum capacity.

>>4055649

Especially this. We can safely say it didn't come from LS because even the casual letter he wrote to Zecora was clean enough to not be the same individual.

>>4055653
>>4055673

We can always have one of our pack mules to carry it in their mouths.

Preferably Scootaloo since she never says anything important anyways.

>>4055666

Are we going with the fanon of Derpy being the mailpony?

>>4055649
>>4055691
Applebloom speaks up. "Hey, Raisin! What about that weird letter that ya got this mornin?"

"Oh yeah... that was pretty weird..." You go on to explain that it was not from the LS guy who wrote the Love Letters. Twilight keeps searching through the list of names, softly speaking them to herself. She's tracing through the L's right now, looking for the first initial. She seems absorbed by the task, not answering your question.

"Huh? Oh, yeah. Weird letter. Right." She continues searching.

>>4055728

Yes

>>4055728
It's hardly fanon. She was one of the delivery ponies who dropped all that stuff on Twilight, remember?
But to answer your question, yes. We bumped into her last session as she was on her mail route, but because we had the flowers in our math we couldn't ask her if she delivered the two mysterious letters.

>>4055769
Do >>4055609 and ask Twilight if she has a lantern we can borrow.

>>4055769

Why, oh why did we have to lose it.

>>4055769
"He said he can turn me back into a pony."
That ought to get her attention.

>>4055818

Seconding. Something tells me she won't be much help.

>>4055839
Seconding this.

>>4055818

Also ask her if we can borrow her pet dragon for a while. More party members always helps.

>>4055839

Also this.

>>4055878

>More inventory space always helps

>>4055818
>>4055609
While Twilight frantically searches through the long list of names that begin with L, you whisper over to Applebloom. "Hey, do you know how to make that glowy potion stuff from Sweetie Belle's sapphires?"

Sweetie Belle nuzzles in between you and Applebloom. "Wow... your face is rough." She comments. "Oh! Uh, we can't use those for that. I promised Rarity that I was only going to borrow them for a little while an-"

Scootaloo cranes her head over yours. "C'mon, Sweetie! We're gonna need some light if we're going to Crusade tonight. We don't have school tomorrow... probably... so we can stay up all night! We'll need some light if we plan on seeing anything."

Sweetie Belle rolls her eyes. "Oh... but... can't we just use Candles or something?"

"Candles burn out. That blue stuff always stays lit. C'mon, Sweetie! Rarity won't care; she's got tons of them anyways." Scootaloo pushes.

"Well... alright... but just 2, alright? I think that's all we need..." Sweetie Belle caves in to the peer pressure.

Twilight mutters on about 'Love...' She's getting through the list pretty slowly, it seems.

"Hey, Twilight. Do you have a lantern we can borrow?"

She misses the question. "Oh? Uh... sure, uh... just a second."

>>4055983

Tell her to do it and we'll take the rap for it. Besides, we have more than enough bits to pay 5 times market price for them.

>>4055983
Ask Applebloom how long it would take to make the potions.

>>4055839
>>4055865
>>4055878
"Hey, that mysterious stranger guy... he said he could make me a normal pony again."

Twilight keeps going through the list, but stops suddenly. "I'm sorry, what?"

You repeat yourself.

"...but... No, there's no way... we've tried everything. Not even Celestia could reverse the curse safely." Twilight looks saddened. "I'm sorry, Raisin, but whoever this friend is that says they can help... I don't think they're telling the truth." She returns her head to the list. "Be careful who you trust out there..."

You feel an odd sensation yet again, like someone is watching you. Again, like last time, it doesn't feel threatening.

>>4055983

"Come on, Sweetie. The fate of the whole WORLD might depend on it! Rarity will understand."

Play it up.

>>4055983
I dunno guys, if Rarity needs them... Lets just use candles, or Twilight's lantern.

>>4056007
Do we know market price?

>>4056042
Look out the window.
See if anyone's watching.

>>4056074
GAME INFO: There are several windows in the immediate room. There is a window next to the door, one up the stairway, and one on the other side of the library.

>>4056042

"If you're so worried maybe you should accompany me. After all, a powerful sorceress like yourself should be able to keep me safe?"

>>4056109

Uuuugh, shit, chance time.

The one on the other side of the library.

>>4056109

Up the stairway

>>4056109

Whichever one we can see clearest out of.

>>4056109
Look out the window by the door and ask the girls to each look out a different window. Tell them we feel like something is spying on us.