/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal

>>169444
Posey nods knowingly as Lament recounts his story, well aware of how fiercely the living have resisted the forces of darkness. Her expression appears rather stoic, not mournful, but disappointed as he recounts the systemic eradications.
>the agent responsible for killing that last vampire has been hiding in Fillydelphia
At this, her ears perk.
>“Now tell, me, Rosie Ring. Would you have any interest in perhaps engaging in a little interdiction of your own?”
She gives a sinister grin
"A treasure hunt, you say? Well, that's certainly an exciting prospect. I'm not the type to lay in a coffin all day while there's still adventure to be conquered." her grin deepens
"Count me in."

>>169445
He smiles, and gives a nod.

“The papers gave general descriptions where the vampire was slain, and where he took his last victims. There was no description of just where, precisely, the lair was located. That is why this is an interdiction and not a race. You need that old hunter to arrive there first and find it for you. He certainly seems to think he can. Since SMILE was disbanded, its members have been hunted by the colonials. This particular agent has taken up arms with the Equestrian Liberation Front, an underground organization supposedly dedicated to removing the changelings and the colonials from Equestria and restoring the Principality. He’ll almost certainly have a few armed rebels with him, whether he brought them from Fillydelphia or picked them up in Hayseed. We don’t know exactly where the lair is, or what is there, or what sort of treasure is there. We don’t know if there are any undead remaining in or near the lair, and if they’ve survived these decades. And we don’t know who or whatelse may be involved. But it seems a decent lead.”

>>169447
"Splendid." Posey replies
"That begs the question though; where do we start?"

Also taking the liberty to roll Religion to see if I know anything about this particular vampire
[1d20+9 = (9+9) = 18]

>>169448
I guess I'll roll an untrained knowledge check to see if I know anything of this vampire slayer
[1d20+3 = (18+3) = 21]

>>169448
“Take Meadow Brook’s highway until about five miles before it forks to Hayseed and New Horseleans. Then go south along an unnamed road to the hamlet of Painted Creek. That’s where he will arrive, I am sure. If not him, then his stallions. You should bd able to follow him from there. A portion of this town’s income comes from travelers, so they will be willing to talk. Don’t worry, I have multiple ponies who could take you there.”

Posey has heard the story of this vampire. He was a part of an old noble family in White Severyana that was its own vampire clan; the last in Equestria. None survived, and all knowledge about these last vampires comes from pony sources. This last vampire was one of the very last to have been created in Equestria, only a few years old if even that. He was the spoiled son of nobility, and held no special erudition or talents that would make him interesting to Dread League mages. When his family was killed, he fled south.

Posey is slightly more knowledgeable of the vampire slayer. His name was August Wreath; he was born in Vanhoover, and was only in his early twenties when he was credited with tracking down the last vampire, and killing him. This was the high point of his career, though he’s credited with other significant kills, like a particularly dangerous timber wolf. He was reassigned to counterintelligence during The War, and performed miserably at it. He was one of the agents to pass on Changeling “Hydra” misinformation, and was demoted. Evidently he’s survived the war.

>>169450
"I will be ready to leave in no time." Posey replies
> I have multiple ponies who could take you there.
"Great. When can we move out?"

>This last vampire was one of the very last to have been created in Equestria, only a few years old if even that. He was the spoiled son of nobility, and held no special erudition or talents
An amateur, huh. Probably relied on his innate powers and believed he was invincible. His slayer shouldn't be too much trouble then, but Posey won't underestimate him.
>performed miserably
Sounds like a guy who got a lucky mark and then did little of note thereafter. He might put up a good fight though.

>>169451
Although, if this Slayer did kill a vampire on his own (usually CR 7 minimum, but possibly low as CR 6 if this vamp was an NPC classed lvl 5 Aristocrat), he might be a lvl 10 character, and could mog Posey with his WBL equipment alone (which I'll assume includes heavy artillery). Confronting him directly would be a bad idea... Posey will have to be careful.

Posey prepares her equipment for travel.

>>169450
>Changeling “Hydra” misinformation,
I'll roll History to see if Posey knows anything about this
[1d20+3 = (1+3) = 4]

>>169453
Nope

>>169450
>“Take Meadow Brook’s highway until about five miles before it forks to Hayseed and New Horseleans. Then go south along an unnamed road to the hamlet of Painted Creek. That’s where he will arrive, I am sure.
"How many nights away is this? I'm still unfamiliar with this country's geography."

It wouldn't take Posey long to be ready to leave. She only needs 8 hours rest for spell slot recovery, less if she'll be on a long car trip.

>>169453
"Hydra" references a secret organization spawned from the Changeling hegemony bent on world domination.

>>169455
>>169461
>>169452
"It's around about a hundred miles. This would take at least two days or more by hoof, but by car or truck, perhaps three hours. Train is faster still, but none stop where you're going."

I will let you chose the time of day for this quest.

>>169471
"By car then. We'll be better set off if we arrive earlier than later."
>I will let you chose the time of day for this quest.
Posey strongly prefers to go about her business at night, for various reasons including but not limited to darkvision advantage, appearance of certain light-aversive undead to interact with, stealth advantage, and her personal disdain for sunlight.

However, it's pretty late, so idk how much I can do tonight.

>>169475
Hmmm... afternoon arrival. This would place most action after dark anyways.

"I'll task Mason with getting you there." He pauses for a moment. "And what do you hope to bring back?"

>>169480
"Whatever the late lord of the mansion left behind. Treasure, artworks, documentation concerning connection with the coven. Perhaps even a friend or two."

>>169483
"I doubt he caried that much, so far from home. But if I ever had to leave this place, I would certainly take a few carts with me."

>>169487
"Whatever's there, August seems to think it's worth investigating, and I intend to intercept his inquisition."

Posey takes all of her normal equipment with her on the quest, which is little.

It has come to my attention that I have made errors in Posey's sheet. I misinterpreted the clause for the Corpsecrafter feat tree, and failed to notice that the tree only applies to undead created as the product of a spell. I will remove all the benefits of being created with the tree (6 HP, speed bonus, initiative bonus, natural armor bonus).
I will post an updated sheet later.

>>169502
Please do post an updated character sheet.

I think this west could stretch the limits

>>169503
Her new statblocks would be close to the same as the previous one.
Here's a rough draft. I removed all corpsecrafter benefits.
>I think this west could stretch the limits
That sounds great. I'm rather fond of high-risk splatfests. First time soloing one though.

Necro-bump

Posey remains with Gloomy for the remainder of the day. She makes sure he's well-fed, washed properly, and comfortable with his new environment.

>>169503
I think I'm ready to start.

Lament has Posey wait a few minutes before Mason drives up in a small truck. Posey takes a seat presumably in the front, and this time, there are no negative comments nor looks towards Posey's choice to go in full armor.

The truck takes its turn right at the end of the driveway, and towards the town through the increasingly familiar route, crossing that same bridge. But this time, the vehicle turns left rather than right. It continues alongside the river, passing townhouses, brick textile mills and manufactories, and government buildings like a shiny fire station. To the left, Posey can see a barge and tugboat going down the river with several barges of lumber. As the car travels west, the city slowly thins out, though the high-rises of the city center hang in the distance. Mason turns off of the road next to the river, a little north. Townhouses become houses spaced near each other with tiny yards, wooden fences, and barren branched trees, with the most impressive buildings being the occasional mills and schools. A name plate tells Posey she has entered Mane Chapel. They continue, and some minutes later they leave the town, and residences become sparse. Posey can see that they are now on the Meadowbrook Road, 97 miles to New Horseleans.

It's barely outside of the city that they encounter a checkpoint. Mason tells Posey to follow along and not start trouble. This checkpoint is more thorough than any Posey has gone through before. The griffin that Mason wished to speak to actually takes a different vehicle, and Mason converses with an overly inquisitive pegasus. The soldier asks Mason a long set of questions, far more than the basic "let me see your identification" and "where are you going?" Mason tells the soldier that he works for a paper company and they are going to a small number of locations in the west to check on local logging and mills as a part of a centralized effort to keep production figures up (he does name Painted Creek as a destination). He says that the truck is carrying some equipment, but also supplies like sulfuric acid (used in milling) that it's not best to mess with. He says that Posey is there as a discount expert (still in training) on death and decay. Specifically, the decay of wood inside of trees. Oh, of course the trees are still alive, but you see, the internal sections are actually dead. That's why they rot sometimes, and the company is looking to minimize rot inside of harvested trees, hence Posey's function. What's that? Why is she wearing that ridiculous outfit? Well it's because there are bears and hydras in the woods, and that is where she, unlike Mason, will be going. Why is it not off and in the back? Because there are sulfur fumes in the back. Also it's cold. The soldier seems unpersuaded, and the conversation lasts what feels an eternity, though it was surely less than a minute. Finally, the soldier lets them pass. Posey can't tell if that final move of the hoof on Mason's part obscured a bribe.

Driving away from the checkpoint, the truck leaves the city and enters rural Equestria. For the next hour, Posey rides past an endless number of fields. Some are plowed, some are covered in grass, but many have the stumble and remains of last year's harvested crops. A few have small, growing stocks of clover or onion. These fields are almost universally ringed by barriers of trees, which themselves are mostly barren branched for winter. The land is overwhelmingly flat, although from the end of one line of vision to the other, sometimes portions of land extend above others, in very low hills. Once, the road curves north, and through a break in the trees Posey can see the endless blue expanse of the ocean past a rocky cliff. Twice, the road bends south and Posey can see the Delamare River, winding its way along. Mostly though, the road traverses that space between the river and the sea. The railroad follows the same general path as the road, a little north, mostly separated by a field. It's usually raised above the ground, and double tracked. Posey sees a large plume of smoke, that soon enough becomes a steam locomotive pulling dozens of black and grey tanker cars in the direction of Baltimare. At another point, a bright red and chrome smokeless engine pulling stainless steel passenger cars overtakes them, heading west. At other times, the road winds, or a forest passes, and Posey loses sight of the railroad altogether, just for it to return later after the hiatus.

Homesteads, though sparse, are still common, and Posey passes quite a number of these. Occasionally, a windmill, or a shed or a barn is visible. A few homes and barns are burned, damaged, or otherwise demolished. Mostly though, the countryside speaks of an Equestria that, while dormant for the winter, is very much alive, with a majority of the buildings being undecayed, if wanting a fresh coat of paint. Homes and buildings are sometimes very old in their construction, and sometimes new. Though most are humble, a few are grand. Villages and small towns are spaced apart, and signs point to their existence long before they are approached. The villages tend to have their clusters of houses, with a couple stores, a gas station, a larger building like a mill, and a schoolhouse. A church tends to sit on the closest thing resembling a hill, and in one instance, is by the road, with Posey sensing its evil aura as she rides past. Twice, the car goes through the center of a town with two story brick buildings, inns, diners, and small shops like clothing stores.

An hour after leaving Baltimare, the fields give way to great stretches of forest; barren limbed deciduous trees interspersed with conifers. Houses and signs of civilization generally become fewer, as the truck drives through the wilderness. A sign by the road marks another 40 miles to New Horseleans, or 70 to Hayseed Junction. A fork in the road appears shortly after this, and the truck turns left and south, inland towards Hayseed. This road is narrower, and the forest on either side becomes denser. Whereas the forest before was carefully curated and marked by splotches of seedlings that were clearly placed after logging, this new stretch of forest must surely resemble the primordial Equestria, dense with undergrowth and with towering ancient trees felled neither by hurricane winds nor lumbermare's axe. The Delemare has long since wound south, though creeks and ravines sometimes accompany the path of the road.

After less than 30 minutes, Mason announces their proximity to their destination at Painted Creek. A sign announces the presence of a gas station, an inn, a diner and an autoshop (Yes, we have tires) at Painted Creek in 10 miles. The truck drives over a wooden bridge and nears a sign to the left stating Painted Creek, this way. A left turn south, and the truck is on a small road. the much advertised Inn, tavern, gas station, and autoshop, are all within view. The autoshop is a simple structure adjacent to the pumps and store of the gas station, while the tavern and the inn are connected in one building, being two stories tall with a gambrel roof. The village itself, with houses and the usual accompaniments of a permanent pony settlement, must surely stretch along this road further south still, with a couple homes visible past trees, and a sign pointing to a paper mill still further down this road.

Posey is, if not quite at her final destination, certainly close enough that the next step is up to her.

>>169510
>Oh, of course the trees are still alive, but you see, the internal sections are actually dead.
Lol'd here.
Mason burning the midnight oil with his stories.
>there are bears and hydras in the woods
This peaks Posey's interest. After the checkpoint is passed, she brings it up, with a bit of a giddy schoolfilly-,like expression.
"Hydras, you say? I've never seen a live one before. Their cadavers are so desirable back in Magehold (they make a lot of attacks as a zombie)."
Rolling Arcana, to see what Posey might know about the local Hydra population.
[1d20+9 = (2+9) = 11]

>>169511
>Posey is, if not quite at her final destination, certainly close enough that the next step is up to her.
Posey thanks Mason for the ride and exits the vehicle, making sure that she's completely obscured with her cloak.

Does Posey have a hunch where she's going to intercept August?

>>169513
Well, she would know that he's due to arrive in Painted Creek.

Posey looks for any clues as to where he would arrive.
Rolling to Gather Information
[1d20+4 = (19+4) = 23]

>>169514
*Where he would arrive in the village

>>169514
Assuming success, Posey would furtively gravitate towards that area.

>>169516
>>169514
Gonna follow this up with some other relevant checks, to speed things along.
Local knowledge, to recall any important details about this settlement
[1d20+3 = (19+3) = 22]
Disguise check, to look less-dead (minor details, pretending to breath, concealing her armor beneath her cloak)
[1d20+11 = (18+11) = 29]
A Hide check, to blend into the crowd, or stake-out the meeting place (whichever is necessary)
[1d20+9 = (11+9) = 20]
Another Hide check, to tail August, if he arrives
[1d20+9 = (9+9) = 18]
And a Bluff check, in case I fail check to tail him.
[1d20+12 = (6+12) = 18]
https://www.realmshelps.net/charbuild/skills/hide.shtml

If you don't like me rolling this all at once, feel free to discard these rolls:

>>169512
>Hydras, you say? I've never seen a live one before
"Pray you never shall. They are not pleasant. They mostly keep to the swamps a little further south. They are not common as so many of them have been hunted or pushed out, but they are not extinct either."

>Does Posey have a hunch where she's going to intercept August?
He'd presumably enter through the town. From where they are coming from, they would certainly need to travel by vehicle.

>Gather Information
Posey soon discerns that the most likely first location, though not necessarily the final location of August, would be the restaurant-tavern below the inn. Posey sees that there are several small trucks, automobiles, and pulled carts between the several buildings at the end of the road. One medium sized truck kind of stands out as larger, and parked to the side a little behind the inn, as if to make it harder to see from the main road and every other angle, though it's hard to tell if this has any connection to August, or if it's just someone's truck.

>local knowledge
This settlement has the fortune of having two sources of economic activity, travellers along the road, and also a paper mill. The two are rather far apart, causing the town to be strung along a small road. Where the town is less fortunate is to have been the final stop of the vampire twenty years ago. Several townsponies and travelers died, and the event is still remembered. There is a creek that runs through, and the area is mostly forest. The lack of leaves mean visibility through the forest will be higher than normal.

>Disguise check, to look less-dead
This is important, as most creatures coming here will be alive, and the town still remembers the last time someone dead walked through. Out of towners are not at all uncommon where Posey is, so she has a decent chance of hiding in plain sight.

>every other check
A little premature.

>>169518
>the swamps a little further south
I'll remember that.
>He'd presumably enter through the town.
I guess Posey will have to wait and watch what vehicles enter through the town.
unless
>restaurant-tavern below the inn
Okay then.
Posey enters the tavern. She spends a silver on a glass of whatever and proceeds to watch over the place.
>There is a creek that runs through
A vampire wouldn't be able to just walk over the creek into town, unless he were carried in a coffin. Knowing this, Posey focuses her vigilance on the direction by the same side of the creek as the town.

Does Posey see anypony unusual in the tavern? Anypony carrying a weapon or acting cocky?

>>169519
>someone dead walked through
>small creek
Using this knowledge, Posey infers that the vampire could have only come from so many angles.
I will attempt a Wisdom check, to determine what side of town he would have come from, and by extension what direction his lair would be in.
[1d20+2 = (10+2) = 12]

>>169519
>creek
It's east of town, and runs through in a curve. If he came from the west he might not have passed it. But who can really say just how he came?

Posey enters the tavern, to find almost immediately that things are, well, a bit off.

There are a number of ponies in there. A couple at a table by the window, another one by the low wall that separates the main dining area from a hall that goes back to the kitchen... But what is more interesting is certainly three little groups. At the bar, a pair of young stallions converse with a pair of mares. One yellow pegasus, one white earth pony. Posey can see that these stallions don't do a very good job of concealing bolt action rifles under the counter. In the main dining area is a big table with a number of stallions at it. Earth ponies, unicorns, pegasi, the lot. Two wear sort of winter outdoor clothes, but four have jackets, mostly taken off and placed on the seats. One sits at the head of the table, a large grey unicorn stallion wearing a simple green shirt. Again, Posey can see poorly concealed, albeit better concealed, rifles on the floor and under the table, or behind it and along the wall. There is also some backpacks and luggage by the wall. There is a map on the table. The pony at the head seems to have a smaller, black firearm hidden under a tablecloth. And then near them, to the right and in the corner, is a lone pony at a small table looking forward. It's a yellow-green stallion, with a golden mane combed back. He wears a white robe, though through the gaps Posey can see chrome-colored banded armor in the style of Equestrian royal guards. He is leaning back, with forelegs crossed, and wearing steel tipped shoes on his hind legs. Under a jacket by the wall is a pair of long items that may be firearms or weapons, and next to his chair is a stainless-steel helmet, in the pattern of royal guards, minus the plume. If Posey's intent was to go unnoticed, this is already lost, as he notices Posey as she enters. He gives her a smile.

There is a waiter walking around, carrying drinks.

>>169520
As stated before, this would tend to indicate that the lair was likely to the west, and not too far south. If he was coming from up north, he would have approached from the west, or possibly from New Horseleans. There are multiple rivers he certainly would have had to find a way to traverse to get here from White Severyana, however.

>>169521
I'm going to roll an intelligence check to see if Posey would have been smart enough to remember to ask Lament what August actually looks like
[1d20+3 = (18+3) = 21]

>>169521
>He gives her a smile.
Posey gives a shy but polite smile, feigning nervousness as a lone mare wandering an unfamiliar place.
Bluff check, to appear inconspicuous
[1d20+12 = (8+12) = 20]

>>169523
If this succeeds, Posey takes a lone seat, preferably far enough to be inconspicuous, but near enough to eavesdrop on any of these groups.

Although she keeps an eye on the yellow-green golden one, suspecting that he may be her target by name.

Btw, as his white robes give Posey some suspicion that he might be a priest, Posey checks for any holy symbols, reliquaries or other potential undead-killing tools that might indicate his powers.

>>169523

>>169522
Kek. He's presumably the yellow-green unicorn in the corner. He should not be alone, but with a group of ELF partisans coming with him from Fillydelphia. If that was not obvious.

>>169524
As Posey has the appearance of a young, attractive female, sitting alone, it will be very hard for her to be invisible to the small crowd of young stallions. She can try though, and take a seat in the dining area at a table.

It is very difficult to look at the green unicorn without being noticed. Nothing stands out as obviously a holy symbol, a reliquary, or a vampire-killing weapon. But he also appears to be one of the better stallions at hiding things.

>>169525
>very hard for her to be invisible
Then she sits in the corner, pretending to be a shy, easily-impressed mare that would be very interested in overhearing the tales of glory or future plans of any strong, handsome adventurers.
She sits in silence, her ears attuned to the conversation.

>>169526
Posey is in luck. It appears that the two stallions at the bar are distracted by the locals (they do not talk about work), the stallions at the table are too busy with work, and August doesn't really seem to be interested in getting up from his seat, though he continues his watch.

>>169528
Posey plays the waiting game, pretending to enjoy her drink and busying herself over some parchment with runes scribbled over it (it's just a spell component shopping list). She waits for the stallion to make a move, or talk with one of his compatriots.

I'm going to have to sleep soon. I'll try to pick this up tomorrow.

>>169529
Posey can hear portions of the conversation at the table. The conversation is centered on what to do if the Military attacks. There is some disagreement. One pony, evidently a local, suggests that sentiment for the ELF is too high here for such a thing to be possible, but the leader replies that all it takes is a single tip. Then there is some disagreement as whether to fight or flee, but the consensus is to attempt to ambush any military attack, which surely must come from the main road, and then flee into the forest if necessary. Two ponies will stay in the inn tonight on vigil, while the remainder will stay in a local's house.

August actually seems to be approached by a different mare with a black mane, who seems to be familiar with who he is

>>169531
Posey attempts to listen in on the conversation between August and the mare
Listen check
[1d20+4 = (9+4) = 13]
>if the Military attacks
Huh. Are the ponies of this region at odds with the regime?
History/Local check (same untrained mod)
[1d20+3 = (2+3) = 5]

>>169534
>failed a common knowledge check
Idk why I don't take 10 more...

>>169521
>As stated before, this would tend to indicate that the lair was likely to the west, and not too far south. If he was coming from up north, he would have approached from the west, or possibly from New Horseleans. There are multiple rivers he certainly would have had to find a way to traverse to get here from White Severyana, however.
Knowing this, could Posey trace a path to the lair by heading west and turning at the rivers?

>>169536
I guess that would require a check.
I'm going to try to roll Survival, applying a +2 Circumstance bonus for knowing about the river crossing aversion.
[1d20+4 = (11+4) = 15]

>>169531
Is the mare with a black mane wearing any equipment?

Since Posey has an opportunity to look at August outside of combat, she decides to size up this supposed slayer. She knows that if August could kill a vampire, he can kill her, but the scale of his powers remains a mystery.
She makes a Sense Motive check, contested by August's Bluff check (I take it he'd know to passively hide his strength, if he was clever enough to kill a vampire)
[1d20+2 = (17+2) = 19]
She attempts to gauge August's CR (character level), relative to her own level (3), to see if he's Easy, A Fair Fight, A Tough Challenge or a Dire Threat, as described in the Complete Adventurer.
https://www.realmshelps.net/charbuild/skills/sense_motive.shtml

There's a chance that August may be passively assessing Posey's power level as well. Posey's challenge rating is complicated (bloodline levels), but it's no less than four, and no greater than 7 (,if you include bloodline as character levels, which considering her build, you probably might). It's 5-6 once you factor in the undead weaknesses I gave her voluntarily to make her more vampire-like, but this would make her at least as dangerous as a vampire spawn.
Posey is passively hides her powers wherever she goes, taking 10 when not in combat for a modified 22.

In the event that August has the ability to detect evil (I suspect he might be a Paladin), Posey's evil Aura is Moderate: this would alert any character capable of detecting evil, since only exceptionally powerful evil creatures, fairly dangerous undead, or low-ranking fiends and Clerics have that aura.

>>169540
>An opponent that is particularly vulnerable to your typical attack routine (for example, a vampire facing a high-level cleric of Pelor) registers as one category less challenging; one who is resistant to your typical attack routine (for example, a golem opposing a rogue who relies heavily on sneak attacks) registers as one category more challenging.
I'll mention that Posey's attack routine relies largely on Fear-based effects, attacks that have saving throws, and and necromancy spells, so a character like a Paladin or similar character would be a bigger threat to her.
She has basic undead immunities and some damage reduction, so she'd be a higher threat to a Rogue and maybe a warrior, but a lower threat to a Paladin or Cleric who is skilled at fighting undead.

>>169540
Alright, so I can clarify, is Posey looking primarily for *what* August is, or what he’s doing this moment, and what his intent seems to be?

>>169542
Mostly, his attitude. Does he look like someone confident in his vampire-slaying abilities?
So to answer your question, what, in terms of his powers. Intent on terms of his confidence in using them.

>>169538
She is not. She is actually completely naked.

>>169534
Posey can hear portions of the conversation; enough, mostly, to understand what they are talking about, and some complete sentences, but not every word spoken. The mare recognizes the unicorn as the vampire slayer, and seems pretty excited to talk to him. The stallion only confirms his identity reluctantly, after the mare refuses to believe otherwise. The mare states that she was a small filly when the vampire came to her town, and though she did not understand what was happening, she saw how it affected her father and others in town. She remembers those days as especially dark, with fear pervading the town. At least two ponies known closely to the family went missing. She remembers the excitement and feeling of relief when the vampire was slain, in her family, and in the town generally.

August expresses joy at the eradication of these parasites, and then, the bragging starts. He talks about how he was called in after the vampire started making his way south, and was hot on his trail for a while. He claims that he spooked the vampire out of at least one, but probably two hiding locations, and he thinks the only reason that he could not kill the vampire earlier (and thus save pony lives) was that he was not placed fully on the case until after the vampire passed south of Buck Castle. The vampire's name as listed on the registry in Zakatnie was "Leto Panolovich," though locals of that region would call him by the nickname of "Nieciarplivy," meaning "impatient" or "rash," which Equestrians, not speaking the language, would shorten to simply "Plivy." August tells some details of how he tracked down, and eventually killed Plivy, though not many. Posey learns that August first looked for Plivy's likely prey - which is to say ponies who would at least be theoretically hard to notice are missing - to find locations where Plivy may be drawn, and then investigated. Painted Creek was thus considered because of its status as a traveler's stopping point, and dense surrounding forests. He tells some details of how the vampire was slain, stating it was done with a magical weapon in the water of the creek itself. He caught Plivy as he was moving away from his lair and lured him near the river.

August is evasive about what he is doing back in the town now, save that it concerns the liberation of Equestria. An aside statement from the mare stating that the Changeling invasion caused the same fear, and "disappearances" of stallions sent to the front, including her former lover, receives no direct reply. August taps the mare's thigh with a hoof, and when this is lightly pushed away, shortly thereafter terminates the conversation.

What he does next will likely depend on Posey.

>>169536
As these rivers are very far away, she can't narrow down such a path with any precision; Plivy moving north or south by even a few degrees, or taking any indirect route, would drastically change the area he traversed.

>>169534
>Are the ponies of this region at odds with the regime?
shrugs

>>169540
>>169541
>>169543
Posey can tell that he is a reasonably seasoned warrior who is built to combat creatures like her. He'd be a tough challenge. He seems a little weak though to kill a vampire, even a runt, all by himself.

There is a mix of paranoia about some hidden threat, and euphoria and revelry about being exalted as heroes pervading the room. August and all of his companions. August seems cautious and is deliberately hiding especially his equipment. He does not hide his physique or amor however, especially when the mare comes to talk to him. He is definitely concerned about the possibility of hidden danger in the room. he periodically breaks eye contact with the mare to survey his surroundings.

Okay, there's no way in Hell Posey is evaluating him without constantly glancing towards him. She is going to need to do a bluff to hide her intent, including a cover story on why she's looking that direction, or someway of hiding that she'd doing it in the first place.

Sorry. I fell asleep. Been sick.

>>169544
>bluff to hide her intent, including a cover story on why she's looking that direction
She puts on a flattering demeanor, pretending to be impressed.
Posey puts on a sort of woozy, pouty, flirtatious expression: the kind that lonely young single mares passingly throw towards handsome stallions across a bar late at night. She shifts in her seat and flicks her tail in a frisky demeanor.
The she does this a couple times, as well as quickly (but not too quickly) looking away when his eyes fall on her, feigning shyness to his gaze.
Bluff check.
[1d20+12 = (18+12) = 30]

>>169544
>What he does next will likely depend on Posey
Seeing as how Posey has no way of locating the lair herself, her best option is to tail August, so she'll wait for now, to find out where he's headed.

>>169546
>Yet another 18
Why do you consistently have better luck than... frankly anyone? Anyways...

August looks over towards Posey, then back to the mare, and tells her it's been nice talking to her. He stands up, walks over to the leader, whispers something in his ear, and walks back to his table when the mare has left. August, still standing, walks slightly closer towards Posey and looks directly at her with an intense smile. He adjusts his robe to cover himself.

He speaks directly to Posey
"A shame to see such a lovely mare as yourself sitting alone. Why don't you come over here and join me? Let me buy you a drink."

His smile changes to show teeth
"I don't bite."

>>169548
>Bingo
Posey smirks, satisfied with herself
"Well, aren't you a gentlecolt." She replies, getting up, adjusting her own cloak around her barrel to cover her barding.
>"I don't bite."
Her own smile turns toothy and rather coy
"I might." she says, in a tone salacious tone so low it's barely a whisper as she passes him

"I take it you're from out of town? What's a handsome fellow like you doing this time of night?"

>>169549
He moves the chair with a blue-green magical aura, and invites Posey to sit by him.

"Yes. I'm here for... Business." There is a pause, but he refuses to elaborate.

He raises an eyebrow. "You're not from here either, are you?"

>>169550
"Oh, I'm new here. I'm a researcher for.. Advanced timber logging methodology."
"What sort of business are you up to?"

Just saying now, I'm going to have to sleep soon.

>>169552
Awww

>>169551
"Unofrtunately I can't say much about current matters. Non-disclosure and all that. Suffice it to say that I am pursuing a golden opportunity for my organization."

>>169553
"Oooh, that sounds exciting." Posey replies, bobbing her head nonchalantly, as she gets up onto the chair
"I've been getting to know these woods quite well, as of late (a lie). Seems like entropic energy imbalances have been causing the trees to drop their leaves and rot from the inside out, especially towards the west. Something sinister is out there... I would be careful if I were you." She continues

>>169554
His eyes go big, and an ear flops. Then he nods.

"Really? Do you know where, I mean, precisely?"

>>169555
"Well, not precisely..." Posey says
"I haven't seen the focus of it, but I've been studying the effects of magical entropy in the region. I notice things that most ponies don't: the subtle things that signal Harmony's been disrupted. Trees dying in concentric patterns, crows swarming, erratic behavior among the local wolf population, accelerated carrion decomposition... There's definitely something fishy nestled in these parts." She continues
"I'm only here to research the effects on the trees, and I have a strong feeling that whatever causes it is centered somewhere west of this village. I'd take a closer look myself, but... I'm just blue collar uninsured magewright, and mill didn't feel like funding escorts to deal with rabid wolves. Cheapskates..." she finishes with a click of her tongue

I hav to sleep now. We'll see where this goes tomorrow.

>>169556
August's jovial mood began to change with Posey's previous response. Now, however, the change is complete, and August pauses for a moment, considering Posey's words carefully. He breaths in, and his smile is gone. He looks down towards the table, and then back up.

"Tell me, Ms. Magewright, what do you know about what causes such areas of accelerated magical entropy?"

He surely waits for Posey to answer this question, but once she is done, he asks another
"What do you know about the history of this town?"

I have always forgot about doing this but I have intended to do this a few times in the past. I felt like I wanted to apologize, tho, at this point it is so far in the past, I don't even know if I have already done it beofer at some point.

Well, I'm sorry to the gm for two things: When I made the sorceress I kinda criticized the setting stubbornly because I disagreed with the idea the Celestia would support some sort of multiculture world or something, idk, I tbf I think I still am not onboard of the setting completely from what I remember but I think I remember myself being kina obnxious, so I apologise.

I also feel bad that made characters and then scrapped themand created new ones and never comitted to one, though that was more expected since that's kinda just how I am.

>>169558
>what do you know about what causes such areas of accelerated magical entropy?
"It's hard to say, there are so many things that could lead to it, especially in these trying times. The balance of Harmony is so fragile; Equestria is only so beautiful because the ponies care for it with all their hearts. The most common cause of it would probably be, what did the princess call it...? 'Hopelessness Magic's? It causes the color to disappear from the land, and eventually living things to shrivel away. The second biggest cause would be chaos magic: it's usually triggered by hatred, violence and disharmony between ponies that feed the windigos. You see it quite a bit these days, with the war and whatnot. Battlefields turns into tainted mana wastes, with restless dead an supernatural storms, forests shrivel and even the animals of the land become cruel and savage... It would explain the wolves " she pauses at his second question
>"What do you know about the history of this town?"
"Nothing much. I'm new here, and I've spent more time looking at the inside of rotten logs than speaking with ponies. I came into the village to see if there was any hopelessness or hatred among the local ponies that would lead to nature turning on them, without me having to trot into the dark of the woods by myself... but the locals here seem pretty lively and peaceful, and we're pretty far from the front of the war, so it can't be that..." She pauses again
"There are other causes for entropy imbalance. It could be ponies abusing forbidden magic; the kind that drains life from all living things and causes widespread illness and decay. It could be a curse, a ghastly one, rooted deep within the land. It could be the influence of monsters lairing; ghouls, wraiths bogarts, wights..." She puts on a bit of a worried expression
"Trees rotten from the inside out, thick gray mists, shadows seeming gaunt and animate, wolves gathering in numbers and turning savage... If I didn't know better, I'd say a vampire placed his favorite coffin not far from here.... Somewhere to the west."

She gives a long pause, and a bit of a worried expression, turning her head to the west, as if sensing a dark presence.
Since these clues are all lies, and Posey isn't actually here to examine logs, I will make a bluff check.
[1d20+12 = (17+12) = 29]

>>169561
August, too, takes a long pause, as if unsure of how to respond.

He tries to get a sense of Posey. And I don't mean trying to evaluate whether he'd win in a duel against her or not. He doesn't seem to want to duel her at all right now. He's looking for her emotional disposition, her attitude towards things, and how she may respond to things.
[Hidden sense motive]

>>169562
Posey is trying to project an attitude of curiosity (which is genuine), wistfulness, and a touch of helplessness, like that of a lonely necro-botanist frustrated that her higher ups wouldn't fund an escort into the woods to exercise her skills and get to the root of the tree problem.

>>169561
>>169563
"So you know what a vampire is. You know the signs of a vampire's lair. You know they rest in coffins in the day. But you don't know what happened here, or of the history of vampires in Equestria?" He says, with an oddly toothy smile

>>169564
"What can I say? I'm book-smart, not pony-smart, and this is my first time in town."
Bluff
[1d20+12 = (7+12) = 19]

>>169565
He has a sly look.
"Somehow... I don't believe that is true."

>>169566
Posey gives a shrug
"Well, since you're the first one I've talked to here, why don't you tell me the story of this little village? What is it that makes the trees cry?"

>>169567
He is displeased by this evasive non-answer, but continues all the same.

"Heh heh" he moves back in his seat. "The history of vampires in Equestria is forgotten? I have done my job too well. I want you to stop and think about the implications of that. Vampires are no longer a peace of living history, but on the same level as myth and fictional creations. No one would ever dare think of Changelings that way. Not now. Not after the last 11 years, though the two magical beings are so similar. But not vampires. Just as well. Let those parasites meet the oblivion that is the fate of all weak and deviant pretenders to magical glory. And if that means that the heroes of the past are likewise forgotten, to forever rest in that same dustbin of history, so be it. Better to live on through a far-reaching legacy of glorious deeds, than to be dismissed as fabricated legend.

I can say much about this town and many others. But you would not believe me, as the facts are so fantastic as to strain credulity. And better to remain silent to the truth, than to tell the truth and be rejected as a liar. Because that's how far-removed life in Equestria today is from the world of vampires, hags, owlbears, werewolves, and other fantastical creatures, that all of these exist not even in common memory.

This is a good thing. Only the fittest survive in the struggle for life. The aberrant have failed. Now it's a question as to who shall have Equestria. The Changelings? The Duke and his Fascists? Or shall a princess again sit upon Her throne?

Yes, there was a vampire once, west of town. This I know and much more. But you needn't be concerned much about that. If there is a dying ember, it shall be stamped out. Just as forest fires leave ashen remains, and just as fungal blights leave dead trees, so too does the magical aberrant. But the fungus, which has proven stronger in the struggle for life than the aberrant, still exists to terrorize our paper and lumber industries. The aberrant does not."

>>169568
Posey's eyes widen
"So it's true... That's fascinating.. all the signs were there." she says, her voice communication incredulous impression, amazement, and curiosity
>If there is a dying ember, it shall be stamped out.
"Well, good luck with the stampeding; I'm sure the trees will appreciate the favor. As for me, I have a report to write."
Posey finishes her drink and gets up, slowly walking towards the door with a swing to her hips and a swish of her tail.
However, as she goes, she glances back at him, with an enchanting gaze.

Posey attempts to use her supernatural charm ability. He needs to roll a Will save, with the same DC as before (17).

>>169569
"Need you write it now? Or do you care for a drink?" He asks, standing up as she starts to leave.

>>169570
I kind of thought they would have already had drinks, but sure.
"Oh, I guess I could stay a while." Posey replies, as she walks back to the bar.

>>169571
Perhaps they have, perhaps they haven't. All the same a slightly older mare with a red mane up in a bun and a kind of grey coat comes over when summoned by August. August himself declines a drink, stating that he has work later. August's air of guarded and vigilant comfort and confidence has been replaced with an obvious unease. Assuming Posey is okay with it, he sits back in his same chair right there in the exact corner of the room. He circles back with small talk.

"Do you travel often?"

>>169572
>"Do you travel often?"
"Until lately, no. But now I've found myself traveling quite a bit, for work related reasons."

>>169573
“Signs of death?” He asks, attempting to relax in his seat

>>169574
She looks at him in confusion.
"What now?"

>>169575
“You travel to places of death?” He asks

>>169576
"I try to. I've read about more than I've been to though. It's related to my research." Posey replies

>>169577
"And what is your research? You seem passionate."

>>169578
"Decay. I'm a freelancing magewright (NPC classed professional magician), specializing in the macabre. There's always work for a Necrologist where there's war... for better or for worse..."

>>169579
"What did you do during the war?" He asks

>>169580
"Study, mostly. The advancement of decay, long-term effects of magical warfare, environmental impact assessments, monster habits. A bit of everything."

>>169581
“But I mean the war. How did it affect you? How has the “peace” affected you?”

>>169582
*"Well, it's certainly made me busy, the war and it's aftermath. I've been travelling quite a bit, place to place, still.seeiny the echos of the past war."

>>169583
He blinks.

“No loved ones lost? No outrage at the invasions? No sadness at the Princess’s abdication speech? No hasty relocation from your home? No concern your stipends will have to come from a different source?”

>>169584
Posey looks up in the air for a few moments, as if lost in thought.
"I didn't really have very loved ones to begin with, and I've been wandering for some time now, following the carnage and it's aftermaths... The term 'vulture' gets thrown around a lot in my profession. Can't say I blame them, but you'd think hardworking hedgemages would be more respected these days, with the Princess's academies shut down." She takes a sip of her drink and grimaces
"I try not to let the politics get to me. Tragedy is all too common in my life of work, and there's only so much I can do by myself with my practice... Sometimes I like to think that my magical thesis might change the world some day, but that's just a dream..."

>>169585
"But enough about me. How have times been for you?"
">>169584

>>169585
“Magical thesis?!?”

This clearly has him intrigued. But he answers
“How can you retreat from the politics? Many do, but I never understand it. Equestria’s cry calls her children to action. But I’ve always been a bit more active. My line of work historically has been aligned, or at least, related to yours, but quite a bit more practical in nature. You study the effects of aberrations? I find them and eliminate them. You study disharmony and chaos? I restore order.”

>>169587
Posey gives another shrug
"What can I really do? I'm only one mare, posing as a minor mage. I can't even go into the woods to finish my logging report without the mill approving an escort..." She says, her head looking to the west
She gives a whistful sigh, a bit exaggerated as she isn't quite used it it.

>>169588
August moves closer to Posey. “This report must be very important to you.” August leans in, and places a hoof on an intimate area of Posey. Her flank or upper thigh if it’s exposed, or that’s covered by her robes and barding, her lower neck around her chest and shoulder. “Would you like to get closer to those afflicted areas?”

>>169589
>Ahahaha, sucker!
Posey leans into it slightly, her horn magically hiking up her cloak subtly to allow easier access to her exposed flank.
She pouts
"I reeeeeeally would..! But how would defenseless mare like me do such a thing?"

>>169590
"I could escort you myself." He lifts up his robes with his magic to show off his armor, and probably his physique.

"Do you know where you are staying tonight?" He asks