/q/ - Quest

The small tidal cave system known as Alcatel Grotto has been reported to be host to eldritch activity by the locals of the area. Whispers have circulated of shadowy, shapeless figures seen entering the grotto at sundown, and of unearthly wails and screams heard during the witching hours. A group of sellswords from all walks of life have been hired to investigate this grotto and discover the truth behind the rumors - and to put an end to their source, if possible. Who will answer to this call?

First of many threads to come.

Selena
The oasis is alive with activity, from colts playing to busy merchants and traders. It seems most of the structures here are tents.

You were examining the strawberry trees last. It's not fruiting right now, which isn't surprising since you're headed into winter – not that you can tell by the heat out. The tree is large, with thick branches and a wide canopy of flat, wide leaves. Strange pitcher-shaped leaves are growing around the case of the tree. The wood itself is red-orange.

Emrille
Your eyes bolt open and you jerk awake. Morning. You're in an inn. Not in chains. Yet, anyway.

Kotone & Marina
Your travel makes for odd bedfellows. Now that you've departed for the high seas and your crew is full-to-burst, space is at a premium. A certain ninja having to be downsized and stored in Kotone's room, and Marina having to share Cumin's "room" since it takes up so much space and that's already running short.

Kotone learned the ninja's name is Horosha – "Wanderer" – but that seems more like a codename than a real name to you. Maybe in time you can get her to open up a little more. Speaking of little, you've pilfered some of Marina's seeds and set to work developing your little garden a little more. Of course, rations have to compete with alchemy ingredients for your limited hydroponics trays.

Marina has been spending some time closer with Cumin. If you're getting married soon, you might as well know about each other. It seems Cumin had already known a lot about your mother before meeting - she had read about her in scholarly texts. It's kind of weird to think of Mom in that way, that there are Equestrians speculating on who she is, what she's like. To raise crew morale, you distilled some fruity wine, and even got Cumin to drink some after assuring her that everyone else was drinking it anyway so nopony would make fun. While she was tipsy she admitted to trying on one of your dresses - not the wedding dress she insists - and apologized because she felt bad about violating your privacy. The two of you passed out drunk in bed, but nothing came of it, because sometimes getting drunk in close quarters really doesn't add up to anything. In any case, she assures you that her supposed confession was probably a drink-induced dream and she didn't wear any of it.

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Selena
In the garden of the royal palace at Istanbull…

"I thought you said you came because you got mail saying our ship sank?" Aria asks, surprised. You said you came because of that weird letter that said Reptil.

Kotone and Marina
The ship's bell rings from above, freeing poor Cumin from answering any further questions – though Marina no doubt has some serious questions for her father. With such a tiny boat, he has nowhere to hide.

Still, that bell signals docking… Kotone will soon have to make a choice about whether to leave the party for good, but the chance to leave and pick up her room means that she doesn't have to answer any hard questions about whether she was eavesdropping on that VERY private conversation.

Maeda
You've just learned some serious theological lore surrounding the creation of the world – the well known Mother Nature, and the scarcely mentioned Spirit of Law… this corruption wasn't what you were expecting, but it's certainly raising some questions. On the other hoof, you've had the most exhausting day you've had in a long time.

Lilly
While you've started to get unpacked to make your cave nook a little more comfy, Sitar went ahead to try to find an elder to get that lead you suggested.
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This is a thread for ███████████, commonly known as ARC, hosted by the GM Timber.

Addendum (1); Femto Roleplaying System: http://pastebin.com/Pu749mrT
Addendum (2) [DATA EXPUNGED]
Addendum (3); ARC Info Document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W0vz-DIzE7oXBylKUewIqqao70xlMbY7LUymLl6RnK4/edit

20 years ago, the Changeling Army took over the world. No military or mage could go up against them and come back alive. So the Princesses of the world surrender.

Now, the world is under the control of the CHRYSALID Organization, responsible for maintaining their power performing their heinous projects.

But you are not one to let yourself get used that way. You have made contact with the Resistance, and now your efforts are needed if any Equestrian wants to see a world free of the Changelings control.

Maeda
Slowly, gently, a tremor running through your body – you lean in. It feels so surreal. The air seems to be made of cotton - your whole body is numb, like a dream. You feel like you've been in the motion of leaning forward for several minutes when suddenly your sense of balance goes and you plant your face on the bed. Opening your eyes, you see you were a little too far to the side, and missed. At least your mouth didn't end up anywhere embarrassing. Strictures kisses your forehead as you lay there, red-faced.

Just when it seems the furnace is hot enough to make a decent bath, your door suddenly swings open, interrupting your moment. One of the Inquisitors you met earlier barges in out of the rain, shutting the storm out with a slam of the door.

"We've found the source."

Stricture, not missing a beat, replies: "That was fast."

"It's closer than we thought. Somewhere on the southern half of Dandelion Island."

Emrille
You went into the military wing and into a basement store room - with nothing but some crates, a lit sconce, and a little bell. You rang the bell.

At first, nothing. Then, bricks in front of you rippling like water, a blue pony with a green mane sticks his head out through the apparently-not-solid wall. He has tired eyes.
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The first thread, in which the GM is nervous

http://pastebin.com/A9fGvKGW

You spent weeks studying
Learning about the way of the mystic
Perfecting your magical abilities at the Canterlot Academy of the arcane arts for the magically endowed
All you had to worry about was the bell, your homework, and grades
But an accident made your life take a turn you were not prepared for
You were transported back in time to a simpler age, and to return, you will have to use everything you learned, and more…

Chapter XIII: A Terrible Storm Gathers

Maeda
Princessland has, if nothing else, plenty of buildings. Perhaps some description is in order. The larder is hosted out of the great dining hall, which could easily host 1,000 guests at once. The diningware is polished stone, and modest drapes add some color to the grey tones of the stone walls in this chamber. Long wooden tables in the light tones of banana palm seem more ornamental than sturdy, but the long, stalwart yew benches at their feet are terraced with steel rings on which to hook chains.

To find your way around Princessland, it is ironically probably not best to turn to the Office of Holy Information, which in this case is information in a more general sense, and rather consult the local priesthood. You might try the secretaries at the Office of the Abbot, or for a less formal session, consult the groundskeeper at his house apart.

Lilly
Grey told you that chasing graves seems crazy. Now that breakfast is settled, you have nothing but the road ahead of you… do you want to ask anyone to come with you besides Sitar?

Maybe the other mercenaries, like George or Emrille, or even Lacy might come. On the other hand, they might have their own business.

Emrille
Another day, another posh suite. If nothing else, the Belle family is well off. Lilly may want help - or perhaps you could follow up on that lead with Bran. Apparently Selena and her daughters got in last night. Or maybe George has interesting stuff going on. Plenty to investigate.