The Trotting Dead - s1e012 - Not a Game

[19:28]<EchoesOfDeath>	===========================================
[19:29]<EchoesOfDeath>	The Trotting Dead - Season 1 - Episode #012
[19:30]<EchoesOfDeath>	===========================================
[19:32]<EchoesOfDeath>	Penumbra fills the book store. The employees are still huddled together on the coffee room upstairs. Few lights are on, and the place is silent. Most of the group left to the sewers, but some stayed behind to assure the place would stay safe.
[19:34]<EchoesOfDeath>	The sewer tunnels are dark, but Cambiance was fairly sure of the path and soon they would be close to the pharmacy. After the mysterious shadow left, all they hear is the water and sewage flowing.
[19:35]?	Star_Spotter looks to Cambiance. "We should go after the shadow as long as it's not that much of a detour."
[19:35]?	Cambiance looks around.  "If you're certain.  It might be worth a look."
[19:37]?	Star_Spotter nods. "Let's do it."
[19:39]<EchoesOfDeath>	You pass by the dead wanderer again, towards where the shadow might have gone to.
[19:41]?	HectorSmash follows behind, still fuming silently from their previous altercation.
[19:42]?	Swift_Hurddle yawns and rests his head on his chairs hoof rest, his talk with raven passed the time and was plesant enough but as always she was a bit dramatic.
[19:44]?	Genevieve flaps her wings as she sits ontop of a bookshelf "so do you have any games?"
[19:47]?	Star_Spotter follows behind Backlash
[19:48]?	Cambiance fiddles with her machete as she walks, glancing around the sewer.
[19:49]?	Backlash does a double-take. She asks Star, "Ya want -me- ta lead?"
[19:49]<Star_Spotter>	"Not lead, middle, I'll take behind."
[19:49]<EchoesOfDeath>	Backlash spots a wet hoofprint on the walkway
[19:50]?	Backlash shrugs sullenly, then suddenly stops as she spies the hoofprint. "Look, there. There's a hoofprint, see it?"
[19:51]?	Star_Spotter looks to the hoofprint and nods. "Any chance we can track them?"
[19:51]<EchoesOfDeath>	Mint adjusts her collar. "We do. Looking for something in particular?"
[19:53]<Backlash>	"Prob'ly. Looks like they went... this way." She follows the direction of the hoofprint, trying to track the elusive pony.
[19:54]?	Genevieve shrugs "What games to ponies play? oh and non lame games, Monopony is lame" she flaps down and lands before Mint stretching as her wings flare
[19:56]<EchoesOfDeath>	The hoofmarks keep going ahead, but in the damp dark sewers, they get harder and harder to see as they dry and fade.
[19:59]<EchoesOfDeath>	Mint taps her cheek. "What about the Trotting Platoon?"
[20:00]?	Genevieve cocks her head "you have my attention"
[20:03]<EchoesOfDeath>	Cambiances follows the traces of wet tracks, making a full circle around a small sewer area.
[20:04]<EchoesOfDeath>	As she realizes this, she does see however a path of grease spots that wasn't there the first time, going west.
[20:05]?	Backlash whispers, "Where're we goin', Cam?"
[20:07]?	Cambiance frowns.  "Follow those spots?  They seem to be the only other indicator of somepony being here.  Just... be prepared.  In case they're close."
[20:07]?	Star_Spotter nods. "I'm not sure." She says before nodding. "Where to now?"
[20:10]<EchoesOfDeath>	"It's a game about the creation of the EUP Guard. Each player takes the role of a general, recruiting and training ponies to defend against threats to different parts of Equestria." Mint smiles. "The strategic development of outposts to improve the military power makes it very interesting."
[20:13]?	Genevieve nods "sounds good, wanna get... what was her name? Sugar? to play, or is she still recovering?"
[20:13]?	Backlash nods. "Ya don't really think they'll be nasty, do ya?"
[20:14]?	Cambiance frowns.  "Well, no... Sorry.  I'm just on edge from all this trouble so far."
[20:14]<Backlash>	"Makes sense. I would be, too..."
[20:15]?	Star_Spotter nods. "I am a bit as well. But, let's try and follow them." She takes lead now
[20:16]<EchoesOfDeath>	After a couple turns you see a pony on a large worn suit sneaking down the tunnel. From what Cambiance can tell, they are now headed back to the book store.
[20:16]?	Backlash homes in on the stranger once they come into view, using her sneaking talents to scout ahead.
[20:19]<EchoesOfDeath>	Mint shifts uncomfortably. "She is awake right now, but she still seems dazed. She must be weak from the... surgery... She might also be drunk, still. I don't know for sure..."
[20:22]?	Genevieve nods "yeah might want to play close to her anyway... you know, to keep an eye on her" she spots the game on a shelf "well lets give it a little play" she moves towards the stairs
[20:22]<EchoesOfDeath>	Backlash follows the pony like a shadow, but he can't seem to realize. He is a stallion earth pony, with a full round beard and a dirty beige coat. It seems the coat itself is covered in grease stains.
[20:24]<EchoesOfDeath>	Mint nods and follows. "That is not a bad idea."
[20:25]?	Genevieve moves to a table and opens the box pulling out the rules as she helps to set up the game "so you work in a bookstore... whats that like?"
[20:26]?	Genevieve she looks over at Swift_Hurddle "hay you gunna play or not?"
[20:26]?	Backlash hides herself out of sight and clears her throat quietly, but hopefully loud enough for the earth pony to hear. "Excuse me..."
[20:27]?	Swift_Hurddle glances up then back at the door, "I dont know... I guess this is pretty secure, what about Raven?"
[20:28]?	Genevieve blinks "yeah she can play too, you ponies are so quiet you just blend in to the books!" she puts the rules on the table and moves to go find Raven
[20:29]<EchoesOfDeath>	The stallion cringes and turns to Backlash with wide eyes surrounded by deep dark circles
[20:29]<Backlash>	"Hey. There's nothin' ta be afraid of. I'm a friend. ...Who are you?"
[20:29]?	Swift_Hurddle shrugs but dosent comment, instead standing and pushing his comfey chair over to the table and aranges it so he can still see the door. Sitting back back down he looks at the game, "Hum,  i think I have seen this before but never played it myself..."
[20:30]<EchoesOfDeath>	"It's exciting." Mint says, sitting by the table.
[20:33]<EchoesOfDeath>	"The Badger, that is me. The Badger."  The bearded pony says.
[20:33]?	Star_Spotter trots up. "Hello Badger."
[20:33]?	Cambiance gulps.  "Hello."
[20:35]?	Backlash reveals herself. "Hey. What're you doin' down here? I'm sure you've seen the insanity outside..."
[20:36]<EchoesOfDeath>	Raven appears fluttering after Swift_Hurddle. The box for the game has six miniatures, two of each pony race. There is also a large map of Equestria and a variety of monster and threat cards. Coincidentally, Genevieve recognizes the first card as an old griffon historical figure.
[20:37]?	Swift_Hurddle looks over the peices, "So i have heard, im not usually much for games like this but I sure beats staring at a door and reading old news articals"
[20:37]<EchoesOfDeath>	"The Badger knows. Bodies float but they aren't so dead as before. But the Badger has a hiding spot and he is king. They say is garbage, but they are dead now. Not very dead."
[20:39]?	Backlash approaches him cautiously, like she might approach a wild animal. "Oh, so you live here? It's much nicer here than up above, that's for sure."
[20:40]?	Star_Spotter blinks lightly and is a bit on gaurd, defending Cambiance
[20:40]?	Genevieve comes to the table and picks up the card "Wait, Jade Blade-wing the Terrible?" she looks the card over "she was a hero, this is kinda raciest" she picks a pegusi miniature.
[20:40]?	Cambiance resists the urge to draw her machete.
[20:42]?	Swift_Hurddle leans over the table to look at the card, "Jade wing? cool name"
[20:43]<EchoesOfDeath>	Mint leans away from Genevieve. "It's... historical, representative from old battles in Equestrian history. Sadly the relations between ponies and griffin haven't always been peaceful."
[20:46]<EchoesOfDeath>	"Nice, it is nice. The Badger makes it better, with wood and ropes and cogs and nails. It is the cave of the king." He grins. He is missing a tooth.
[20:46]?	Genevieve nods "yeah she was a minor called Jade, caste-less and without family and she lead a serf revolt stealing the Griffin Wingblades of justice, used the rest of the minors to form a army to fight the pony settlers who tried to live in griffin territory, Oh and might I add ponies still have the weapons somewhere in that city where your gods live" she shakes her head " we have nothing agenst...
[20:47]?	Genevieve ...ponies but you do tend to expand stupidly fast" she stretches her wings out again "anyway to the game" she looks at the map "I want a corner, no flanking me here!"
[20:48]<Backlash>	"Ohh!" She sounds genuinely interested. "How many subjects do you have?"
[20:49]?	Swift_Hurddle picks up a peice, "Oh ok then... I guess Ill be this and Ill put myself". Looking around he picks a spot at random, "here I guess? Is that right?"
[20:51]<EchoesOfDeath>	"Three, and another and two others. And the last one who nopony remembers." He glances out to a tunnel. "That is the wrong way. The right way."
[20:52]?	Genevieve frowns and cocks her head "wait, the rules... oh what all the places with high resources are super easy to attack and flank" she crosses her arms "yeah its a good spot" she huffs
[20:54]<Backlash>	"Can we meet them, or at least say hello? We'd like some help getting around the city, and who better to ask than the Badger himself?"
[20:54]?	Swift_Hurddle smiles, "oh? cool!"
[20:56]<EchoesOfDeath>	Mint takes one of the pegasus and the area that surrounds Baltimare itself. "She is good in support. Keep in mind, every time a general is defeated the whole game gets harder."
[20:57]?	Genevieve nods and looks to Mint to take the first turn.
[21:09]<EchoesOfDeath>	Mint shuffles the threat cards and puts them face down in each threat area. "So, I'm starting." She sets a couple recruits on her zone and buys a copper helmet to outfit them. "Next is..." She looks around
[21:10]?	Genevieve shrugs and puts a larger force down but does not outfit them at all "thats my turn done"
[21:11]?	Cambiance whispers to Backlash.  "Do you think this guy is safe?"
[21:11]<EchoesOfDeath>	The Badger shakes his head."Here is danger. The city is more danger. You can die, but not much."
[21:12]?	Swift_Hurddle taps his chin with a hoof, "Umm.. I guess Ill dedicate my existing forces to building fortifications for my starting zones. I can do that right? should increase my defense by one for that zone. Then Ill save the rest of my actions for next turn"
[21:13]<EchoesOfDeath>	"Actually... making fortifications always take the whole turn." Mint nods at the book.
[21:15]<Backlash>	"Oh... well, is there anything you'd like? Maybe we could trade something you like for something we like?"
[21:16]?	Genevieve looks at what she has "Hmm, I MIGHT be looking for some iron... all I have are... Gems and gold? gah useless!"
[21:17]<EchoesOfDeath>	"Gems are preeety..." Sugar mumbles.
[21:20]<EchoesOfDeath>	"A splintercycle. The Badger needs a splintercycle." He nods sagely
[21:20]<Backlash>	"A splintercycle? Where could we get one-a those?"
[21:21]?	Genevieve glances at Sugar "oh we can trade... two units of gems for two units of bronze?"
[21:22]?	Star_Spotter looks to Cambiance, trying to voicelessly say they needed to get going to the medical shop.
[21:23]<EchoesOfDeath>	"Where the tree haters are angry and hungry and dead, but not much." The Badger says.
[21:23]?	Cambiance nudges Backlash.  "We need to get going.  We still need to go get those meds," she whispers.
[21:23]<EchoesOfDeath>	"What?" Rosebee says.
[21:24]?	Star_Spotter blinks confused by that riddle as well
[21:24]<EchoesOfDeath>	"Yushhh..." Sugar says.
[21:25]?	Genevieve smiles and passes the two tokens to Sugar
[21:28]?	Backlash glances at the other two and looks upset, but nods. "Look, Badger? We've gotta go, but we'll be back, okay? It was nice talking to you."
[21:29]<EchoesOfDeath>	"Words are good, but clean up after them. The Badger will go." He turns away
[21:31]?	Backlash turns back to the other two looking hurt. "Alright. Let's go..."
[21:32]?	Swift_Hurddle looks over the board, "How many ponies do I need to take a new zone that is unocupied?"
[21:33]?	Cambiance frowns.  "I'm sorry Backlash, but we have hurt ponies.  And that stallion... worried me a little."
[21:34]<EchoesOfDeath>	Mint assists a dizzy Sugar with her turn, she spends the gem on a spell amulet.
[21:34]<Backlash>	"Yeah. You're right. C'mon, let's move."
[21:34]?	Star_Spotter nods lightly. "We'll come back when we have more free time, but right now we are on an important mission." She says moving and looking to Cambiance
[21:35]<Cambiance>	"Right.  Let's see... I think the pharmacy is this way."
[21:36]<EchoesOfDeath>	Mint passes the rulebook to Swift_Hurddle.
[21:36]?	Swift_Hurddle smiles, "Oh, thanks!"
[21:36]?	Genevieve smiles and gives her army swords and helmets before looking at the rules "hmm, looks like that costs me a gold to support an army larger then my food source, easy" she smiles and drops a gold "and that will be my turn, watch out unclaimed zones! The Dragon Inquisition is coming!"
[21:36]?	Backlash follows Cambiance silently.
[21:37]<EchoesOfDeath>	After a little time they reach the the street of the pharmacy
[21:38]?	Star_Spotter looks between them and moves up to take a small look outside
[21:39]<EchoesOfDeath>	Mint flips a threat card near her zone, it's a Manticore.
[21:40]?	Swift_Hurddle blinks as he adds another troop marker to his starting zone, "Umm... not if I raise enough troops to take the easter hills first. My defenses shall never fail!"
[21:45]?	Genevieve smiles and crosses her arms "well You don't get flyers, so yeah I will just takes the ocean tiles and mountain tiles, that gives me a nice part of the board." she looks over the map, if she takes the high ground and Swift_Hurddle takes the low ground they will be mixed up and any battle with each other would be hard to follow
[21:47]<EchoesOfDeath>	The street seems clear, except for a lone wanderer groaning under the shadow of a bus stop down the street
[21:47]?	Swift_Hurddle Looks over the rules as he pushes his forces to the hills, "Well so long as I can hold out long enough it shouldnt matter. Ill have my mines up in no time for added resorces, with wich Ill flood the board with cheep mercenary units!"
[21:49]?	Star_Spotter moves back under. "I spotted one infected under a bus stop but otherwise looks clear."
[21:50]<Backlash>	"Want me ta take care of 'em? They might raise a ruckus if they catch sight-a you two."
[21:50]?	Star_Spotter nods. "If you will but be on the look out incase of fliers."
[21:52]<Backlash>	"Gotcha." She sneaks out with her trowel at the ready and attempts to creep up behind the creature.
[21:56]<EchoesOfDeath>	The infected stay there, oblivious.
[22:01]?	Backlash takes the trowel between both hooves and strikes at the base of the creature's neck.
[22:05]<EchoesOfDeath>	Mint sends her troops to defeat the Manticore and gets a military promotion
[22:05]<EchoesOfDeath>	The stab pierces into the wanderer's spine and it falls limply
[22:12]?	Backlash wipes her trowel on its fur and signals for the other two to follow.
[22:12]?	Star_Spotter moves up and starts on her way to the pharmacy
[22:12]?	Cambiance walks up to the mare.  "Good job Backlash.  Thanks."
[22:13]?	Star_Spotter nods. "Thank you Backlash."
[22:14]?	Backlash nods and smiles faintly. "Glad I could help." She slinks along with Star and Cambiance to the Pharmacy.
[22:15]?	Cambiance looks for any windows to peer into the pharmacy from the outside.
[22:16]<EchoesOfDeath>	The pharmacy itself is a simple building with a well cared garden around it. It's only lit by daylight inside, but you can see somebody moving between shelves.
[22:17]?	Cambiance draws her machete, and tries to identify the figure inside the store.
[22:18]?	Backlash trots up beside Cambiance. "What's wrong?"
[22:19]<Cambiance>	"I see something inside.  Can't tell if it's an infected pony or not."
[22:19]<Backlash>	"Hmm... Lemme get a look."
[22:20]<EchoesOfDeath>	It's moving faster and with more coordination than the infected ponies you had seen
[22:21]?	Star_Spotter trots and tries to get a good sight on the pony as well
[22:27]<EchoesOfDeath>	Star_Spotter and Backlash get to see the pony inside well enough. It's a middle aged earth pony mare, green with a yellow mane. She looks exhausted but there are no clear signs of infection
[22:28]?	Star_Spotter shakes her head. "She seems to be safe. At least from infection."
[22:28]?	Backlash nods in accord. "Thank Luna."
[22:28]?	Cambiance sighs and sheathes her machete.  "Thank goodness..."
[22:29]?	Backlash finds the entrance and knocks.
[22:30]<EchoesOfDeath>	You hear the sound of some glass object shattering, then she peeks over a shelf
[22:31]?	Backlash lowers her voice and coos, "Hello? We're friendly..."
[22:33]?	Star_Spotter nods as she glances in. "Hello, yes I'm Star Spotter, teacher from the local college."
[22:33]<EchoesOfDeath>	"We are closed!" She shouts, without approaching the door
[22:34]?	Cambiance frowns.  "Are you sure?  One of our friends is injured, and we could really use a bit of help."
[22:34]<Star_Spotter>	"We realize this, but please, we have a pony who desperately needs medicine." She says trying to appeal to the mare
[22:37]<EchoesOfDeath>	The mare stops, and sighs. She trots to the door and opens it. "What do you need?"
[22:39]?	Star_Spotter looks to her. "Well antibiotics would be helpful." She says. "May we come in?"
[22:41]<EchoesOfDeath>	The mare sighs. "Come in, but I am busy." She pretty much pushes you inside and locks the door, going back to the shelves
[22:42]?	Star_Spotter moves inside happily and nods. "Busy with what?"
[22:42]?	Cambiance_ walks inside and murmurs, "Thank you miss."
[22:43]?	Backlash browses the selection and canvasses the shop, much as she did with the bookstore.
[22:46]<EchoesOfDeath>	The mare takes a number of jars and bottles, putting them on a neck pouch. "Just busy."
[22:49]?	Star_Spotter nods lightly. "Perhaps we could help while we're here. Do you have food to supply you?"
[22:50]<EchoesOfDeath>	The store only list plant names, but Backlash can easily identify antibiotics, antihistamines, healing accelerators, antidepressants, stimulants in a wide variety of different plant extracts, leaves and salves
[22:50]<EchoesOfDeath>	The mare just rushes to another shelves but pauses as her stomach grumbles.
[22:53]?	Star_Spotter nods obviously not. "Well, are you alone in this shop? We come from the Barnes and Nobells." She says smiling.
[22:56]<EchoesOfDeath>	She mumbles something. "I'm alone." She says, carrying all she got to an inner door
[22:56]?	Cambiance frowns.  "Are you okay?  It's... been a rough few days."
[22:57]?	Star_Spotter nods, moving to her. "Well, might I recomend you join our group and we bring what we can from this store over there? It's quite large enough to support you and even a garden!"
[22:59]<EchoesOfDeath>	"...it really has" She glances at Cambiance. "But no, thank you." She rushes into the door and closes it.
[23:00]?	Cambiance turns to Backlash and Star Spotter.  "Do you think that mare is okay?"
[23:00]<Backlash>	"She might think we're like them..."
[23:00]?	Star_Spotter shakes her head. "I doubt she is." She says, trotting to the door and trying to listen in
[23:08]<EchoesOfDeath>	You hear the noise of her opening and moving glass bottles. You also hear a faint thumping noise
[23:09]?	Star_Spotter knocks on the door. "Dear are you alright?" She calls out. "I know you don't know me very well but I think we should at least make sure you're safe here."
[23:11]<EchoesOfDeath>	"I am fine!" She shouts from across the door.
[23:11]?	Star_Spotter shakes her head. "It doesn't seem like that from here dear." She says
[23:12]<Star_Spotter>	"So please at least open the door and talk with us."
[23:18]<EchoesOfDeath>	You hear a sob, and a stomp. "I... just leave me be."
[23:19]<Star_Spotter>	"No Dear, you need help and I can try and help."
[23:19]<Cambiance>	"Please.  Just let us come in.  We don't want to hurt you."
[23:21]<EchoesOfDeath>	She opens the door. it seems the back is some kind of lab, but open bottles and strange mixes litter all tables, leaving a foul smell.
[23:22]?	Star_Spotter moves to her and hugs her lightly.
[23:22]<EchoesOfDeath>	You hear a thump across a door in this room
[23:22]?	Star_Spotter blinks and look to said door.
[23:22]<EchoesOfDeath>	She leans into your hug. "I need to... there must be something..."
[23:23]<EchoesOfDeath>	The door is closed
[23:23]<Star_Spotter>	"Need to what dear? And what was that? I thought you said you were alone."
[23:25]?	Backlash peeks into the room, catching a whiff of the smell and hearing the thump. Her eyes go wide and she gets a haunted look. She stands just outside, watching the other two.
[23:27]?	Cambiance stands nervously, watching Miss Star Spotter
[23:32]<EchoesOfDeath>	She nods at the door, her eyes tearing up, setting a key on the table and turning away.
[23:33]?	Star_Spotter moves to the key and takes it. "should I open the door?"
[23:33]<EchoesOfDeath>	She doesn't say anything
[23:33]<EchoesOfDeath>	You hear another thump
[23:34]?	Backlash speaks up, "Uh, Star. Maybe I should open it."
[23:34]?	Star_Spotter moves to the door, ready to fight, putting the key in the door and opening it
[23:38]<EchoesOfDeath>	It's their toilet, tiles painted by blood both red and black. A teenager filly and a colt squirm on the floor, tied by vines.  They are pale. There are black bites on their shoulder and flank. Their eyes are glassy. The colt tries to get its head up, groaning, but swings it back. It thumps against the floor.
[23:38]<EchoesOfDeath>	============================================================