Re: Luna's Command: The Wibbly-Wobbly Saga

casey1859 Mon May 13, 2013 9:14 pm

Spoiler:

... Sorry, Mr. Eye. I don't know what came over me. I totally take back what I said, I promise not to speak unkindly to you or your friend again.
Cobbled hung his head in shame, but only for a moment to show that he was sorry, before continuing on with what he was doing.
Which was playing with the items in his back-sack.
Or whatever those are called.

Spoiler:

cobbled heard what Grizzle had said.
Alright. I'll keep it down.

AProcrastinatingWriter Mon May 13, 2013 9:23 pm

Spoiler:

casey1859 Mon May 13, 2013 9:28 pm

Spoiler:

Cobbled dove down to cover himself as best as possible he could, as per Grilled's orders.
He also tried as well as he could to see whatever might be out there.

Dusk Raven Mon May 13, 2013 9:35 pm

Wandering Eye cast the invisibility spell upon himself once more, before doing what he did best and taking keen observations of his surroundings.

Spoiler:

Retrokinesis Mon May 13, 2013 9:42 pm

Brilliant nods at Grizzled and Plug's comments and tries her best to quiet her movements. Even though she's not great at being sneaky, it works surprisingly well for once. She makes sure to keep her senses tuned for anything out of the ordinary... especially any feeling of being watched. Wandering's explanation was troubling her greatly.

Spoiler:

deonte9109 Mon May 13, 2013 10:04 pm

Iggy's ears twitched and flicked as he tried to concentrate on the sounds around him.
"Finally some progress." He said under his breath.
At the sounds of the group trying to be stealthy Iggy followed suit restricting any and all movements of his to those that were necessary.

Barrel Roll:

**Paper Shadow** Tue May 14, 2013 6:04 am

deonte9109 wrote:
Barrel Roll:

(Actually, you get +2 now, since Scorch can see you and I used Instant-Party on Iggy, so yay bonuses...)

Scorch paid attention to his surroundings, but not so much the noise he was making. In fact, since everypony was being so quiet, it made it seem that his shackles were rattling louder than usual...

(Perception Check: 15 (Roll) + 8 (Bonus) = 23)
(Stealth Check: 5 (Roll) + 5 (Bonus) = 10)

AProcrastinatingWriter Tue May 14, 2013 4:54 pm

Spoiler:

Xel Unknown Tue May 14, 2013 5:05 pm

Lunar wished yet again in his live he was better at sleath... Like the rest of his pack was. Still at least nearly nothing could go unnoticed by him.

skill checks:

Curunir Wed May 15, 2013 2:28 am

Luthier nodded at Grizzle's instruction, and was on alert, trying to be quiet- although he already had been throughout the conversation as they walked- he had been happy enough to just listen to Wandering Eye talk about the strange things he researched, and good to know that somepony knew something about some of the peculiar things going on.

Spoiler:

AProcrastinatingWriter Wed May 15, 2013 5:56 pm

As everypony in the group advances, with prior warning from Grizzle, yet another clearing comes into view; this time it is an area well-shaded by sheer rock, an overhang of mineral protecting the final destination: Canterlot Caves, a former mine for precious gems before ponies got more greedy and most gemstones thus got a lot less precious.

And, judging by the four ponies, two timberwolves, and giant spotlight moving back and forth from the safety of a nearby outcropping, somepony is utilizing these caves at the moment..

casey1859 wrote:
Spoiler:
Cobbled dove down to cover himself as best as possible he could, as per Grilled's orders.
He also tried as well as he could to see whatever might be out there.

Thanks to his upbringing, the first thing Cobbled notices is not the ponies (and others) hanging about by the entrance in a vaguely patternish sort of back-and-forth. That comes second. The first thing he notices is an irregularity in the rocks by the cave - they seem to have been broken and then put back together for some reason or another. One would barely notice the hairline cracks involved; such is how well the job is done. But they're there, and Cobbled notices them.

He is so busy noticing them, in fact, that he sticks his head out of the undergrowth and into the clearing, but pulls it back in before anypony sees him. As he does so, he notices a couple objects seemingly floating in midair three-quarters of the way behind the cave entrance's walls. Long and black, with a purplish opening at the end. The two ponies out front are carrying similar items. Probably more waiting to ambush just inside the cave, then. Judging by the way all these ponies are holding these purple boxy things, they're probably guns.

Dusk Raven wrote:Wandering Eye cast the invisibility spell upon himself once more, before doing what he did best and taking keen observations of his surroundings.

Spoiler:

There are two ponies and four collared timberwolves in addition to the obvious spotlight, from what Wander can see. The ponies are dressed almost entirely in black catsuits with light black armoring atop, mirrored sunglasses included and with heavy combat boots to match. The only lack of black on their bodies is at their muzzles, where a metal grill on a thick frame covers the rest of their faces. They wear no metal collars like the timberwolves.

They do, however, look to be carrying guns. Big, blocky, black guns with inset purple gems.

Wander sucks in a sharp breath through his teeth involuntarily. If he were closer, that would have given him away despite his current transparency. Guns hadn't been used in Equestria at large for some time now; the majority of ponies didn't even know what they were at this point, despite the frequency of expressions like "faster than a speeding bullet". These ponies mean business, and a dangerous business at that.

Retrokinesis wrote:Brilliant nods at Grizzled and Plug's comments and tries her best to quiet her movements. Even though she's not great at being sneaky, it works surprisingly well for once. She makes sure to keep her senses tuned for anything out of the ordinary... especially any feeling of being watched. Wandering's explanation was troubling her greatly.
Spoiler:

Brilliant does little more than rustle the branches nearby as she comes upon the scene. Peering through the darkness, she is unable to see anything except what the spotlight allows her with its sweeps. Judging by that, she can see at least three timberwolves and two ponies, the latter in black, lightweight armor and carrying what are probably weapons of some sort or another. Now that her eyes have adjusted, she notes the weapons giving off a slight purple glow at one end. Curious.

deonte9109 wrote:Iggy's ears twitched and flicked as he tried to concentrate on the sounds around him.
"Finally some progress." He said under his breath.
At the sounds of the group trying to be stealthy Iggy followed suit restricting any and all movements of his to those that were necessary.
Barrel Roll:

Iggy almost goes too far, taking a single step into the clearing before noting the lack of shrubs and taking that step right back. After that mild noise has settled, a bit of concentration reveals a noise he's never heard before. It's a whining noise, like the sound lightning would make if decided to hum one day.

He doesn't know why that description seems so apt; it just does.

Other than that, there are two ponies on patrol in heavy boots and four wolves with their crackling claws clacking at double-speed, though Iggy isn't sure why they're in such a hurry since they're all just pacing back and forth in front of the cave entrance.

Xel Unknown wrote:Lunar wished yet again in his live he was better at sleath... Like the rest of his pack was. Still at least nearly nothing could go unnoticed by him.

skill checks:

Lunar can't see a lot in the darkness, but he gets what he can out of what he...well, can see.

This appears to be, as the map said, the central hub, judging by all the hoofprints and timberwolf tracks going and coming. Other interesting tracks include griffins, minotaurs, even some dragonish tracks - and one set of zebra hoofprints as well. Some exotic - to you, at least - creatures have also been through lately, at earliest just as the rainstorm two days ago caused the ground to be wet and at soonest after it subsequently dried up. Though one would guess creatures have been here before and since as well.

The wavering pattern of the spotlight also helps him to glimpse the four timberwolves and two ponies guarding the cave entrance.

Curunir wrote:Luthier nodded at Grizzle's instruction, and was on alert, trying to be quiet- although he already had been throughout the conversation as they walked- he had been happy enough to just listen to Wandering Eye talk about the strange things he researched, and good to know that somepony knew something about some of the peculiar things going on.

Spoiler:

Luthier stayed low to the ground as he finally came upon the Caves, looking to see what he could see and trying to ignore the rustling of branches around him. If he couldn't hear it, the enemy could not either. Sound logic.

He cannot see anything in the darkness, however, except of course for (as spotlit every now and again) a pair of timberwolves and a pair of ponies with dreadfully dark fashion sense and dreadfully-heavy looking weapons. They appear to be glowing slightly, actually.

"Well then," Plug whispers. "This looks a bit sticky...nothing we can't take on our own, but by the time we get to disabling the spotlight and the dude inside, the guard there will have run off-"

"And sounded the alarm," Grizzle finishes for him. "Whereas if we try and reverse the process, the other ponies are certain to notice something wrong unless we are very quiet about dispatching the guard and one of us keeps the spotlight's pattern going, and that will not only keep things annoying for us but will require us to lose a member temporarily."

"Yeah, but a shade better than the alternative, huh?"

"Too right," Grizzle nodded. "So here's the plan - we'll watch for a while, memorize the spotlight's patterns and the guards', looking for blind spots in both we can exploit with a bit of creativity. At the same time as we do that, we sit here and compare notes on details we've...noted, looking for anything the pony beside you might have missed. Once that's finis-"

Paper Shadow wrote:
Scorch paid attention to his surroundings, but not so much the noise he was making. In fact, since everypony was being so quiet, it made it seem that his shackles were rattling louder than usual...

(Perception Check: 15 (Roll) + 8 (Bonus) = 23)
(Stealth Check: 5 (Roll) + 5 (Bonus) = 10)

Scorch suddenly tripped forward over the chain of his shackle, distracted by his attempt to squint into the darkness and divine what more he could about the scene before him than "two pony guards, a spotlight, and three timberwolves". As he did so, he slammed into Lunar. The sudden movement of chains and tumbling of intertwined bodies was loud enough, but in addition to that, Lunar, quite against his will, let off an oversize SQUAWK.

The world paused for a split second.

Then the spotlight whipped over to precisely where the party was hiding in the bushes, and as if the sound guy had never heard a spotlight swivel before in his life, the accompanying sound to go along with this was a fourfold growl of timberwolves. "Freeze!" one of the ponies calls in a strong voice. Silouhetted against the light shining in your eyes, the whole party can see him raise his weapon into the air, pressing it softly into his cheek and turning his head slightly for some reason or another. Definitely earth pony; can't tell about the partner, though that one's raising his weapon too. "Come out with your hooves up and your faces down!"

Cobbled notes, at the cave entrance, the two other guns tense up slightly, so to speak.

Spoiler:

**Paper Shadow** Wed May 15, 2013 6:26 pm

"Everypony stay back," Scorch whispers to the group as he picks himself up, "I've got a plan." The dragon knew the group could take them, but wanted to see if he could get some answers about the things they've seen in the forest. Mind-controlled timberwolves and the like. He decided to use the best tool he had for the job, snarkiness. He stepped out of the bush and shakes his claws in the air, the chains jingling as he does. He begins to call out to the ponies. "Sorry ponies, I can't do that. No hooves, you see. I've also kinda just broken out of captivity, so how about you tell me who in Equestria should a dragon like me surrender themselves to, and why?"

(Persuasion Roll: 19 (Roll) + 11 (Bonus) = 30)
(Preparing Stereotype (Villainous Laughter) just in case I wanna do some intimidating)

AProcrastinatingWriter Wed May 15, 2013 7:36 pm

The timberwolves continue on their path for a few seconds before one of the guards cries out "Heel!" They stop the instant he (it is presumed to be a he) says this, and sit calmly. As one.

The other guard keeps its focus on Scorch. "We are Echo," he says, his voice muffled and metallic through his masklike grill. "And you should surrender to us because we are the future."

"Heh, heh," the other guard chuckles. Twice. Once more than necessary even for the sadistic. Like something funny was said. The spotlight still travels, searching for others that may have been with this strange dragon.

Dusk Raven Wed May 15, 2013 7:38 pm

Wandering Eye froze reflexively before he could start analyzing the situation and forming a plan. This was not good. He liked going into things having an idea of what to do. He glanced at his hooves to see if he was still invisible - if so, he had an idea...

Spoiler:

AProcrastinatingWriter Wed May 15, 2013 7:48 pm

Spoiler:

With perhaps more caution than he has ever put into anything in his life, Wandering Eye places one hoof in front of the other. The branches around him do not make a single solitary sound.

One of the timberwolves, the second from the left, perks its head up anyway. Then, after a gentle moment, it seems to change its mind and settle back into itself.

Spoiler:

Dusk Raven Wed May 15, 2013 7:52 pm

[Basically, I'm trying to just put an object, or objects, between me and the hostile ponies/timberwolves/spotlight, but since Stealth Mode running out isn't an issue... I'm going to be looking at the spotlight (not directly, mind) and trying to figure out the best way to it.]

AProcrastinatingWriter Wed May 15, 2013 8:05 pm

Spoiler:

**Paper Shadow** Wed May 15, 2013 8:17 pm

"Is the future in that cave?" asked Scorch, before chuckling slightly. "Oh, I get it. Echo in a Cave. Clever."

Scorch sees that the spotlight is pointing to the bush, and tries to think of a way to get it to turn. Then he remembers to carriage ride to Canterlot Castle. The dragon points to the left, away from the group's hiding spot, and begins to yell now, making sure everypony heard. "Hey, would it be too much trouble, before I surrender, to shine that light of yours that way? You see, I'm hungry, and I've been trying to catch a BIRD that you most likely heard SQUAWK. I think it flew THAT WAY. If we HEAR THE NOISE OVER THERE, and you SHINE THE LIGHT THAT WAY, then I could get a snack before I surrender to the future." Scorch hopes that the pony responsible for the Luna-Echo gets the message. He also begins to step further away from the bush, claws still in the air...

(Persuasion Check for having the Spotlight light somewhere else: 8 (Roll) + 11 (Bonus) = 19)

Dusk Raven Wed May 15, 2013 8:30 pm

Wandering Eye's plan was simple - find a way up to the spotlight, most likely skirting around the ponies and wolves if possible. He glanced up at the spotlight's general area, trying to see if there was any good way a non-pegasus pony could get to it... Scorch was keeping the ponies distracted for a moment, but it seemed like he'd have to keep out of range of the wolves...

[Perception: 18 (roll) + 15 (skill) + 2 (Scorch) = 35

I'll note that, as Dragonshy shows, ponies can climb pretty sheer surfaces...]

AProcrastinatingWriter Wed May 15, 2013 9:03 pm

Paper Shadow wrote:"Is the future in that cave?" asked Scorch, before chuckling slightly. "Oh, I get it. Echo in a Cave. Clever."

Scorch sees that the spotlight is pointing to the bush, and tries to think of a way to get it to turn. Then he remembers to carriage ride to Canterlot Castle. The dragon points to the left, away from the group's hiding spot, and begins to yell now, making sure everypony heard. "Hey, would it be too much trouble, before I surrender, to shine that light of yours that way? You see, I'm hungry, and I've been trying to catch a BIRD that you most likely heard SQUAWK. I think it flew THAT WAY. If we HEAR THE NOISE OVER THERE, and you SHINE THE LIGHT THAT WAY, then I could get a snack before I surrender to the future." Scorch hopes that the pony responsible for the Luna-Echo gets the message. He also begins to step further away from the bush, claws still in the air...

(Persuasion Check for having the Spotlight light somewhere else: 8 (Roll) + 11 (Bonus) = 19)

The spotlight goes perfectly still for several seconds while the assorted group of apparent ne'er-do-wells stares at Scorch.

A few seconds more.

Yeah, just a couple more.

The spotlight swings in the exact opposite direction that Scorch is pointing and lands itself on the bushes where the rest of the group is staying - though admittedly, it's a pretty large section of bushes, so the spotlight's still a good chunk of bush away from those in question.

"Empty Night..." Grizzle groans, placing a hoof to his forehead as the same guard giving orders to the timberwolves earlier indicates for them to continue their approach. "That dragon..."

Dusk Raven wrote:Wandering Eye's plan was simple - find a way up to the spotlight, most likely skirting around the ponies and wolves if possible. He glanced up at the spotlight's general area, trying to see if there was any good way a non-pegasus pony could get to it... Scorch was keeping the ponies distracted for a moment, but it seemed like he'd have to keep out of range of the wolves...

[Perception: 18 (roll) + 15 (skill) + 2 (Scorch) = 35

I'll note that, as Dragonshy shows, ponies can climb pretty sheer surfaces...]

There is a ridge of rock - stalagmites, almost - growing from the ground to the far side of the spotlight's beam. Behind it, a relatively flat surface rises at the same rate as the stalagmites. It is a perfect walkway to reach the spotlight's embrace, to use an awkward metaphor.

Actually, it's too perfect. Booby-trapped somehow?

Spoiler:

Dusk Raven Wed May 15, 2013 9:33 pm

[You know, if you hadn't said that I would have waltzed right up the path, figuring, "I'm sure my Perception check would have noticed anything dangerous..."]

Great, Wandering Eye thought. It was quite a good path, but a convenient one, possibly artificial, and they doubtless had prepared for it. The stalagmites themselves didn't seem too promising, and he wasn't sure he could find another place to climb. It might make some noise in the process, too, although at the moment the others could use a distraction...

...And right now, he needed to get away from the others and where the spotlight was pointing. For now he'd remain hidden... if a fight broke out, he could use the distraction to slip around and perhaps disable the spotlight or get a sneak attack in on one of their foes...

**Paper Shadow** Wed May 15, 2013 9:37 pm

AProcrastinatingWriter wrote:
Spoiler:

(I figured as much. The main point of it was to alert Composed to do another echo, although if any other pony could do something like that it would help...)

Scorch is slightly annoyed that this happened, but he still wasn't done as he continues forward. "Well, if you find the bird there, save me a wing, okay?" he tells the timberwolves, although knowing that they won't understand him. But he continues talking to the pony guards afterwards. "So, I'm guessing that I'm going back into servitude now. May I ask what is your leader's name, and does he prefer to be call Sir or Master? Or Ma'am, if that's the case."

(Persuasion Check: 12 (Roll) + 11 (Skill) = 23)

AProcrastinatingWriter Wed May 15, 2013 10:00 pm

Paper Shadow wrote:Scorch is slightly annoyed that this happened, but he still wasn't done as he continues forward. "Well, if you find the bird there, save me a wing, okay?" he tells the timberwolves, although knowing that they won't understand him. But he continues talking to the pony guards afterwards. "So, I'm guessing that I'm going back into servitude now. May I ask what is your leader's name, and does he prefer to be call Sir or Master? Or Ma'am, if that's the case."

(Persuasion Check: 12 (Roll) + 11 (Skill) = 23)

The two guards hesitate, then look at each other. They look back to you. "That's classified information," says what what seems to be the wolf-handler. Now that your eyes are adjusting to the darkness, he looks to be a pegasus.

"We're doing the questions." The primary speaker has opted for a different tactic as he shuffles closer. The timberwolves are taking a wide path towards Scorch; either they're actually going for those in the bushes behind him or else they're trying to surround him. "Get on your knees and put your hands behind your head." A pause, then an afterthought: "Wings shut."

Dusk Raven Wed May 15, 2013 10:23 pm

Well, the situation seemed to be deteriorating. Diplomacy, at least Scorch's version of it, was breaking down... and Wander needed to help his friend.

So the only thing he could think to do given the time would be to try and circumvent the timber wolves and the ponies, to get behind the wolf handler, and then... well, he'd cross that bridge when he got there.

It is a good day to roll a die!:

deonte9109 Wed May 15, 2013 10:35 pm

"Ok so this doesn't sound like its going anywhere so everypony on my signal do something.....and try to not hurt yourselves."
With a sly grin, Iggy pushed his sunglasses more onto his face.

Sponsored content