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Fallout: Beyond Equestria 177: Interlude (Part 11)

Apr 27th, 2016
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  1. [2016-04-20 13:29:08] <Shoat> 3Game Starting Soon! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzLT6_TQmq8&feature=youtu.be&t=47s
  2. [2016-04-20 13:31:05] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Previously...
  3. [2016-04-20 13:31:17] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Staring down at the crew of the /Rainbow Connection/, the floating Spirit of Chaos seemed to evaluate them for a moment before shaking his head. "Sorry, I'm not really one for recent events," the little draconequus said. "Not that it matters. Past is prologue and all that, right?"
  4. [2016-04-20 13:31:22] <Mare-Do-Well> 3...
  5. [2016-04-20 13:31:34] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Mare-Do-Well finishes, "Then, in /Daring Do and the Razor of Dreams/, she finally defeats Ahuizotl and secures control of the Amulet of Atonement, dispelling the dark magic of the Quetzalcóatl Empress, and thus protecting the basin with the Radiant Shield of Rasdon!"
  6. [2016-04-20 13:31:38] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Golden_Dream 's ear perks up. "Mare-Do-Well, where'd they say th' Radiant Shield of Rasdon went?"
  7. [2016-04-20 13:31:43] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Bookwright sighs and shakes his head. "Golden, weren't you listening? We're /in/ the Radiant Shield of Rasdon!"
  8. [2016-04-20 13:31:48] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Bookwright points a hoof upwards, indicating the Obelisk above. "These tunnels, that rock, those glyphs... We're /inside/ the Shield!"
  9. [2016-04-20 13:31:52] <Mare-Do-Well> 3...
  10. [2016-04-20 13:31:59] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Get_Lost nodnods. "colonizing a brand new world is exciting... fleeing from your home is... a lot less okay"
  11. [2016-04-20 13:32:09] <Mare-Do-Well> 3...
  12. [2016-04-20 13:32:24] <Mare-Do-Well> 3"Cordus thinks the portal didn't open to another /world/ at all." Mwana then says, "He thinks we didn't go to another place at all. He thinks we went to another /time/." Mwana looks down at the vent. Then up to Shatara. "And I think he might be right."
  13. [2016-04-20 13:32:29] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Get_Lost contemplates that. "another time? that's interesting.... it could be true"
  14. [2016-04-20 13:32:33] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Mwana adds, "He thinks the Empress rules here because the Radiant Shield of Rasdon hasn't been built yet."
  15. [2016-04-20 13:32:35] <Mare-Do-Well> 3...
  16. [2016-04-20 13:32:58] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Bookwright notes, "The history that survives from that time period is pretty scant."
  17. [2016-04-20 13:33:05] <Mare-Do-Well> 3"And that's just the pony history. The zebra history might not be there at all. Literal darkness and literate darkness aren't ontologically that far apart as far as history is concerned. Discord reigns in Equestria. The Basin is controlled by the Empress. And the Dragons rule over the rest of the zebra lands..."
  18. [2016-04-20 13:33:13] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Bookwright concludes, "...This time period has more darkness, cruelty, random chaotic nonsense, and hideous evil power than you can shake a stick at. We remember these times as times that we don't want to repeat, and little else."
  19. [2016-04-20 13:33:14] <Mare-Do-Well> 3...
  20. [2016-04-20 13:34:25] <Mare-Do-Well> 3CopyCat tells her friends, "They seem to think we're here to collect tribute for someone named 'Sombra'. Me in particular. They speak a similar language to the zebra tongue I recognise, but there are significant differences."
  21. [2016-04-20 13:34:29] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Noble_Heart ruffles her feathers at that prospect. "Sombra..." She frowns, that name sounded familiar but she wasn't certain why.
  22. [2016-04-20 13:34:38] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Mitzi tilts her head. She didn't know anypony named Sombra... did she? It felt like trying to remember a fairy tale from when she was a pup.
  23. [2016-04-20 13:34:44] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Shatara hmms. "Wasn't Sombra the bad dude that enslaved the crystal empire? And was defeated by some ancient megaspell or something?"
  24. [2016-04-20 13:35:09] <Mare-Do-Well> 3...
  25. [2016-04-20 13:35:30] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The shaman orders the opening of the gate. Two zebras move to work the cranks, pulling taunt ropes of thick twine that slowly draw the gate open.
  26. [2016-04-20 13:35:36] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The shaman steps through. "Step forward," he calls to CopyCat in Jadi. "We shall see if the shadows hide in you."
  27. [2016-04-20 13:35:43] <Mare-Do-Well> 3CopyCat pulls off her helmet, letting her aquamarine mane cascade down her shoulders and neck. "Ahh, that did it!" She aims a Winning™ smile at the guards... then at the shaman. "Oh-kay!" She steps forward.
  28. [2016-04-20 13:35:54] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The zebra shaman opens a bag and dips a hoof in it. When it withdraws it, his hoof is covered in a thick yellow oil. He reaches up and smears the oil across CopyCat's face.
  29. [2016-04-20 13:36:09] <Mare-Do-Well> 3CopyCat begins to glow. The other zebras gasp. The shaman steps back, looking grim. "They are like the others," he says. "They are not of the Empress, nor of Her Shadow Pony ally. They are... displaced."
  30. [2016-04-20 13:36:14] <Mare-Do-Well> 3...
  31. [2016-04-20 13:36:32] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The shaman turns back to CopyCat. "Why are you here? Are you cowards too?"
  32. [2016-04-20 13:36:43] <Mare-Do-Well> 3CopyCat giggles at the glowing oil that smeared her face. "That tickles!" Then, still giggling, she answers, "Oh no no, we're here to bring the cowards back. We're the rescue party!"
  33. [2016-04-20 13:36:56] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The shaman considers that, then motions. "Follow. We will take you to the cowards."
  34. [2016-04-20 13:37:06] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Shatara frowns a little at the 'cowards' remark. Sadly, it...wasn't entirely an innacurate description of the pirate bands; seeking to flee to another world rather than fight for the one they were born in.
  35. [2016-04-20 13:37:11] <Mare-Do-Well> 3...
  36. [2016-04-20 13:38:00] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Fallout: Beyond Equestria, Session One Hundred and Seventy-Six: Interlude (Part 10) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02q8kPJn_e4
  37. [2016-04-20 13:38:11] <Mare-Do-Well> 3--- Session Begins ---
  38. [2016-04-20 13:39:45] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The group is lead to a set of deep cages of spiked bamboo. Kifaa and Jugeote stare out at them from within. They are being held prisoner.
  39. [2016-04-20 13:40:47] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Upon seeing Shatara, Jugeote scrambles to her hooves and moves as close to the bars as she can.
  40. [2016-04-20 13:42:18] * Mitzi frowns. No one deserved to be in a kennel. She looks to her friends, then back to the cages. She flexes her claws, as though expecting a signal to get them out.
  41. [2016-04-20 13:45:53] * Bookwright is keeping his mouth shut for the moment. Better to have a plan before putting it into action.
  42. [2016-04-20 13:46:47] * CopyCat gives Kifaa and Jugeote a 'we can't take you anywhere, can we?' look. She turns to the shaman and says apologetically, "We are terribly sorry. Did they cause much trouble?"
  43. [2016-04-20 13:48:31] <Mare-Do-Well> 3"Not yet," the shaman insists. "We have not allowed them the freedom to endanger us."
  44. [2016-04-20 13:50:08] * Mitzi grumbles. "Ur father talked about ponees even lockeen up dere own kind. Uh thought he wuz just makeen stories becuz he hates dem."
  45. [2016-04-20 13:55:22] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The shaman scowls at Jugeote and Kifaa, then turns to CopyCat. "Every zebra here stands against the darkness, knowing we face desolation and death. We stand strong, allied with the spirits. And we *shall* drive the darkness from this land."
  46. [2016-04-20 13:56:38] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The shaman tells CopyCat, "The spirits have looked into the hearts of your friends and found them lacking. If the spirits find yours brave and noble, then we will turn the prisoners over to you. If you are craven as well, you shall join them."
  47. [2016-04-20 14:01:21] * Mitzi stares down at the shaman, looking her right in the eyes. "Eef dey ur friends, dey go wit us."
  48. [2016-04-20 14:01:49] * Noble_Heart frowns at the ongoing conversation, watching the two in the cage quietly.
  49. [2016-04-20 14:01:53] * CopyCat translates for her friends, glancing at her fellow alicorn when having a Noble Heart was mentioned.
  50. [2016-04-20 14:04:52] * CopyCat then replies to Rasdon (while wondering if terminal curiosity was close enough to bravery to count). "Very well. If you wish to test us thusly We shall not decline. Where are your Spirits?"
  51. [2016-04-20 14:05:47] * Noble_Heart frowns and ruffles her feathers, turning to face Rasdon as well. Given that she did not speak zebra, she was also not likely to answer.
  52. [2016-04-20 14:05:51] * Bookwright "And are they grain or tuber based?"
  53. [2016-04-20 14:07:48] * Golden_Dream heaves out a sigh. "Fine, whatever. Summon up them spirits, get that goo out, and let's see if we're good enough." This is going to suck if they decide they're not brave enough. This is gonna turn into a huge paradox-creating mess.
  54. [2016-04-20 14:08:56] * Bookwright "Fruit spirits are okay too, I don't mean to limit the choices or anything."
  55. [2016-04-20 14:11:16] <Mare-Do-Well> 3"I shall request they come. Then we wait. You are free until then, so long as you remain in the village, bring harm to none, and do not attempt to free the cowards."
  56. [2016-04-20 14:11:18] * CopyCat also translates what Bookwright was saying for the zebras. She, too, seemed especially interested in the possibility of alcohol based spirit quests.
  57. [2016-04-20 14:15:05] * Mitzi looks from the caged zebras back to her friends. Leaving them caged didn't sit well with her, but she hoped they understood the situation better.
  58. [2016-04-20 14:15:43] * Noble_Heart looks to Mitzi. "For now, leave them be. Best to resolve this without conflict if possible."
  59. [2016-04-20 14:16:58] * Mitzi nods resolutely. "Uh dun like hurtle ponees aneeways, but Eef dey ur friends dey not get left behind. No matter wut."
  60. [2016-04-20 14:17:40] * Shatara tries to move to the cages in a non-threatening manner.
  61. [2016-04-20 14:19:18] * Golden_Dream feels an itch behind her brow. She couldn't help but think that /something/ was gonna go wrong. "... Alright. We'll jus' camp up, then. Got rooms for seven, there, mister?"
  62. [2016-04-20 14:26:09] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The zebras of the village eye the newcomers with suspicion, but not fear.
  63. [2016-04-20 14:27:13] <Mare-Do-Well> 3There doesn't seem to be any sort of inn, but there are cookfires, and bare places that one could make bed.
  64. [2016-04-20 14:32:59] * CopyCat nods as Shatara approaches Jugeote in the cage and turns to their shaman host. "We wish to speak with our friends. Do you have any objections?"
  65. [2016-04-20 14:34:03] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The shaman moves off into his own home, carved into the wall of the cenote.
  66. [2016-04-20 14:34:34] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Responding to CopyCat as he leaves, "You may speak with them... through the bars."
  67. [2016-04-20 14:37:53] * CopyCat nods, then looks at Shatara and smiles. "Our hosts have no objections to the two of you speaking."
  68. [2016-04-20 14:38:20] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Jugeote calls out to Shatara in a hushed voice, "Shatara! You're here?" Her eyes stray to the zebra pirates with the group. "/They're/ here?"
  69. [2016-04-20 14:40:39] * Shatara settles beside the cage, reaching his talon out to her with a nod. "They're here for the goblet. We're here for you."
  70. [2016-04-20 14:42:12] * Noble_Heart spends a bit of time circling the massive monolith, inspecting the runes and crafting of the device. It was certainly impressive, to say the least.
  71. [2016-04-20 14:42:31] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Jugeote frowns. "That makes sense... for them, at least. I can't believe you're risking your necks like this for me." She adds quickly, "For us."
  72. [2016-04-20 14:44:48] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Kifaa speaks up. "That shaman took the Gauntlet."
  73. [2016-04-20 14:50:50] * Shatara blushes a little. "Well, we couldn't just leave you to whatever fate was beyond the portal... and now that we're here it appears a good thing we came. Do you two realize where you are? Or rather /when/?" He glances towards the shaman. They certainly couldn't leave such a powerful artifact where it doesn't belong...
  74. [2016-04-20 14:56:08] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The two zebras look at each other and shake their heads.
  75. [2016-04-20 15:09:41] * Shatara nods. In fairness, they were probably too busy running for their lives to ponder why. "I'm not sure how much history they teach you in pirate school, but this appears to be the reign of the Queze...ketsuh...Queen Snake-bitch."
  76. [2016-04-20 15:11:10] <Mare-Do-Well> 3They look at each other again. "The giant couatl 'Empress' in all of the ziggurat drawings?"
  77. [2016-04-20 15:11:51] * Shatara nods. "The very same."
  78. [2016-04-20 15:20:36] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Kifaa shakes her head. "She got out of Orcus? What? When?" Then, "Wait, are we *in* Orcus?"
  79. [2016-04-20 15:23:03] * Shatara pauses a moment to try to make sure he has his zebra history right. "No, we're...before that. The lake you came out of is the same one you went in...only a few centuries earlier."
  80. [2016-04-20 15:25:20] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The two stare, eyes wide.
  81. [2016-04-20 15:25:31] <Mare-Do-Well> 3"We traveled through *time*?"
  82. [2016-04-20 15:28:02] * Shatara nods. "Yup...and that there shaman is Rasdon himself."
  83. [2016-04-20 15:30:05] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The zebra's jaws drop.
  84. [2016-04-20 15:31:03] <Mare-Do-Well> 3"And... Rasdon himself wants to sacrifice us to appease the spirits?" Jugeote groans. "We are so boned."
  85. [2016-04-20 15:32:41] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Kifaa consoles, "To be fair, we're not /sure/ that is what they are planning. It's not like we can understand half of what they say."
  86. [2016-04-20 15:34:52] * Shatara shakes his head. "Well...that *might* have been the plan...but he seems inclined to let you come with us, if the spirits are cool with it. Or with us, as it were."
  87. [2016-04-20 15:46:33] * Golden_Dream sets up shop by a campfire. She stares into the flames a bit longer than is probably a good indicator of her mental health.
  88. [2016-04-20 15:46:52] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The shaman steps back out of his dwelling. "The spirits have been called. And now, we wait for them to grace us."
  89. [2016-04-20 15:47:28] * Mitzi stays close to Golden_Dream, but stays back from the fire
  90. [2016-04-20 15:48:20] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Mwana sits next to Golden_Dream, opposite Mizi. "A denarius for your thoughts?"
  91. [2016-04-20 15:48:45] * Bookwright "I'd love for some spirits to grace my cup, that's for sure."
  92. [2016-04-20 15:49:32] * Get_Lost smiles but is confused "hey, how do i know that these spirits are decent guys? i mean, i don't want to be judged by assholes. they should pass a trial too, before they can trial us"
  93. [2016-04-20 15:50:50] * Get_Lost "also, can i chose to be judged using MY traditional way? it is a cultural thing, you know... i accept you, you accept me they are called personal spaces"
  94. [2016-04-20 15:51:35] * Bookwright "My traditional way of judging involves at least a liter of strong spirits per judge and judgee."
  95. [2016-04-20 15:51:49] * Get_Lost "now, to prove a pony's worth we use the ancient and very official and completely honorable ritual of Snu-Snu"
  96. [2016-04-20 15:52:00] * Bookwright grins to show he is being farcical. Mostly.
  97. [2016-04-20 15:52:14] * Get_Lost is being serious
  98. [2016-04-20 15:52:31] * Mare-Do-Well 3blinks at Get_Lost. "Snu-snu? Seriously?"
  99. [2016-04-20 15:53:12] * Get_Lost nodnods and whispers to the ghost "tell me when i wil have another chance to bed a whole tribe of stone-age hunks"
  100. [2016-04-20 15:53:29] * Get_Lost "have you seen these guys? blame me if you can"
  101. [2016-04-20 15:54:13] * Mare-Do-Well 3sighs. "If I was alive..."
  102. [2016-04-20 15:55:23] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Mwana looks at Get_Lost. "Careful. They might expect you to copulate with the spirits. That could get... physically unpleasant."
  103. [2016-04-20 15:56:29] * Get_Lost sighs and frowns "i want the zebra macho guys.. can't it be done via some sort of possession?"
  104. [2016-04-20 16:01:54] * CopyCat glances at her hooves idly. "Well depending on the spirit..."
  105. [2016-04-20 16:04:14] * Get_Lost "oh well, i guess we will do things their way. what are we supposed to do? tea serving contest? shopping in the mall? pun contest?"
  106. [2016-04-20 16:04:40] * Mare-Do-Well 3muses, "I wonder what kind of test it will be? Will it be like an awesome race through a monster-infested gorge? Or maybe ritual combat?" She rears up and strikes her forehooves in the air.
  107. [2016-04-20 16:05:17] * Mare-Do-Well 3settles back down, "Or is it going to be one of those boring tests where they smear goop on you and stare?"
  108. [2016-04-20 16:07:11] * Get_Lost "as long as it doesn't involve taking away my prosthetic i'm fine with it"
  109. [2016-04-20 16:12:24] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Mwana says, "I doubt it would. Although it could involve possession."
  110. [2016-04-20 16:13:34] * Get_Lost "i have nothing against possession. it gives a lot offanfiction amterial"
  111. [2016-04-20 16:13:41] <Get_Lost> *material
  112. [2016-04-20 16:13:54] * Bookwright "The spirits already tested the nimrods we came to rescue. We could just ask them what it is."
  113. [2016-04-20 16:14:04] * Mare-Do-Well 3looks over at Jugeote and Kifaa. "Well, if the spirits judge those two, and they're in one piece, I'm guessing it won't be ritual combat." She sighs, staring at the two captive zebras. "Probably paste and staring."
  114. [2016-04-20 16:14:34] * Get_Lost "let's do it"
  115. [2016-04-20 16:19:28] * Golden_Dream stares at the fire a bit longer. "I've seen some shit, Mwana. I went t' th' Crystal Kingdom. Saw folks stripped of all love. Went t' th' Lighthouse 'a Froggy Bottom. Got possessed, barely fought it off. Went t' Gaea Valley. Saw fool ponies that caused all sorta pain in their money and ignorance.
  116. [2016-04-20 16:21:08] * Get_Lost pouts a bit "hey, they wanted to help..." then lowers their head "they shouldn't have tried..."
  117. [2016-04-20 16:22:58] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Mwana puts a forehoof around Golden_Dream.
  118. [2016-04-20 16:23:30] * Shatara quietly leans on the bars.
  119. [2016-04-20 16:24:19] * Golden_Dream sighs. "Y'd think that I'd jus' become this hardened sonuva gun who ain't gon' take shit from anyfolk. Who got more courage than sense, could solve any problem with a gun and a stare. Like th' tall tales a' nameless wanderers that go through th' desert solvin' shit."
  120. [2016-04-20 16:28:54] * Golden_Dream rubs the bridge of her snout. "Folks with fur like leather and souls that burn like diesel oil, with a deep, sooty blackness that you can see comin' out of their eyes. They beat what's in them, and the only thing that there's left t' beat is what's around them."
  121. [2016-04-20 16:30:33] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Mwana shakes his head. "Doesn't sound like my pony mare. My filly's got much more heart than that."
  122. [2016-04-20 16:32:01] * Golden_Dream finally looks at Mwana. "I've been through all that shit. And th' truth is, I ain't like that. I've never been more afraid in m' entire life. I'm twitchin' with all th' shit that could go wrong worst. So, they're gonna take a look inside me, and what I'm afraid most of is that all they're gonna-
  123. [2016-04-20 16:32:55] <Golden_Dream> see is a scared little filly like I know I am." She goes quiet for a moment. Her face droops. She's tired. Very tired.
  124. [2016-04-20 16:33:13] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Mwana hugs Golden_Dream to him.
  125. [2016-04-20 16:34:15] * Mare-Do-Well 3says, "Hey... being scared don't make you a coward."
  126. [2016-04-20 16:35:40] * Mare-Do-Well 3then plays off what she said. "None of my friends were cowards, and they were scared plenty of times." Then after a moment, "Well, Fluttershy might have been a coward. But she made up for it in so many other ways. The spirits wouldn't be worth their stuff if they couldn't see it."
  127. [2016-04-20 16:36:16] * Mare-Do-Well 3adds, "And they aren't worth their stuff if they don't see all the amazing in you, Goldie."
  128. [2016-04-20 16:45:51] * CopyCat nods along with Mare-Do-Well as she takes a place by the fire. "Well said, Mare-Do-Well."
  129. [2016-04-20 16:46:35] * Golden_Dream stares at the fire for a bit longer. She then puffs a brief stream of air through her nose, and starts to lay down. "I appreciate it." It felt like she was lying. She wasn't, but it felt like it.
  130. [2016-04-20 16:49:29] * Mitzi pats Golden_Dream on the head. "Yu eez gud ponee. Un uv ur best friends."
  131. [2016-04-20 16:59:22] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The pool of the cenote begins to glow. A brilliant golden light rises up, pushing out of the water. The first of the spirits to answer the shaman's summons has arrived: a glowing, golden stag -- easily three ponies tall -- made entirely of swirling, incandescent light. The spiritual stag shines, seeming to epitomize all that is royal, patient and true.
  132. [2016-04-20 17:01:31] * Mitzi 's jaw drops.
  133. [2016-04-20 17:04:30] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The second spirit appears from above: a great beast, dark and dire, embodying the most idealized and terrifying legends of a wolf. It stands at the rim of the cenote and lets out a noble hunter's howl.
  134. [2016-04-20 17:04:50] * Mitzi can't resist the urge and lets out a howl of her own.
  135. [2016-04-20 17:07:34] * CopyCat gasps, her eyes wide as she looks at the majestic stag. "Oh... my... now that is handsome. And beautiful. I'm starting to like Get Lost's idea more and more," she murmurs.
  136. [2016-04-20 17:07:47] <Mare-Do-Well> 3At the feet of the dark wolf of legend, the third spirit appears, peeking her head over the rim. She is a fox -- sleek and graceful, but in size and appearance easily mistakable for an actual animal if not for the piercing intelligence in her eyes. The fox spirit leaps down into the cenote, gliding about the glowing hooves of the stag.
  137. [2016-04-20 17:10:59] * Golden_Dream watches them arrive. "Well. Guess yer' th' folks we was waitin' fer'. If I knew what y' folk ate, I'd a made y' somethin' t' eat."
  138. [2016-04-20 17:11:30] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Shadows expand, threatening to eat the light of the many torches and fires, and all falls into absolute silence as the final spirit arrives. It is the only spirit to model itself in an equine form, but a distorted one -- a tall, gaunt zebra devoid of stripes and without a face. Black tendrils writhe from its back.
  139. [2016-04-20 17:11:58] * Golden_Dream raises her eyebrow. "Oh, hey. It's you. How you been?"
  140. [2016-04-20 17:12:21] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Golden_Dream's words fail to sound.
  141. [2016-04-20 17:12:29] <Mare-Do-Well> 3--- End of Session ---
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