searching [OOC] The Æther Project

Blitz Boom · May 1

I'm still game.

I'm not fussed on continuation or sequel, but it did seem like more of a want to get past the last month, and into the new world from the various angles of the known characters, as well as some others, that were previously not mentioned/unseen.

Illiad Easle · May 3

@Props Valroa @Blitz Boom @Evil Pink One

Sounds like the consensus is for a sequel with new/recurring characters, which is fine by me. I'll refamiliarize myself with where we left everyone, since I primarily want to play with the younger characters (Plein, Pom, Power, and Aurum) and how they shape the future of this new world.

Illiad Easle · May 7

@Props Valroa

The adult characters can easily get bogged down in the minutia of rebuilding society, while the younger characters are more free to explore the new world, while still participating in the rebuilding should they so choose.

@Props Valroa @Blitz Boom @Evil Pink One

Which world do we want the project to return to? There are a few options:

1. An empty world, all the bastions fell while the Æther was away, so the only creatures who remain are those who allied with Discord. Discord will need to be defeated in this world.

1.a, Same as above, but the events of Five Score play out so that Discord is banished before the Æther arrives.

2. A mostly empty world, The three bastions remain, providing options for those who want to explore distant lands. As in 1a the events of Five Score banish Discord.

3. A reclaimed world, Discord was defeated shortly after the Æther left, and those left behind have been rebuilding since then. There are still groups loyal to Discord, but much of the land has been restored.

Or, if you guys have other suggestions, I'm open to hear them. Option 2 seems to provide the most freedom, but I'll leave it up to you.

Evil Pink One · May 7

Hmmm 3 perhaps? Where the enemy is the underdog might have something interesting to play...

Blitz Boom · May 13

@Illiad Easle

(Sorry for late reply. Busy days)

I like 1a and 2. I think a post-Discord world, that still has some issues, holds potential, but in general, I like the idea of folks having to settle in, and finding their place. If Discord is still there, they'd be encouraged to stick together instead, as the only safe alternative.

Any area with conflict though, that could use some protection, would draw in Last Stand and her soldiers. Potentially with Light in tow. But either way, a survivor's enclave would be a good place for them to settle in, and learn of the world again proper, whilst doing some good.

I can imagine Brittle and... I think it was Plein? They were talking about going out and exploring. Could be others with them too. Or they might follow the Evergrown, at least for a time, as they would wander of to find a place to plant the seed, and make a new home.

The Evergrown would ideally not be too far away, from regular settlements though. If The Æther as it were to become, were going to rebuild some society, and make a town (I think I recall something about a cloud town) they'd offer to see if they could find something somewhat close, so they could help with the natural resources that would be sorely needed to make a proper, livable settlement. If they are not need there, they will search elsewhere, but aiming to be somewhere that was not too isolated, whilst still leaving notable space for them to plant their tree in peace. Think like... I'd say at least fifteen kilometers in a radius, from where they would need to plant. So a notable area, but that's how explosive the seed will react to being planted. Any higher sentience being like a pony that were within the radius, would be converted into an Evergrown too. This is why in parts, they have some non-evergrown with them. A few finding purpose in what they hear, and one terminally ill, with just a few months left to live. Being converted, would provide him with a possible chance of survival.

Either which way we go, I look forward to this: And I would like to still use my Evergrown. There's still story to tell there, and they could end up being important in an area. Like if one of the survivor enclaves for instance, needed a resource-rich environment to sprout somewhat nearby, and were willing to co-exist. Briar and his kin, wants to help, long as they aren't harvested, or their natural bounty taken in so large amounts, that they can't keep up with sustaining it. As the seed holder, Briar is the de facto leader of them currently. Doubly so, due to a unanimous vote from the other evergrown on the matter.

Anyway, I look forward to when things will begin, and how you see us starting things off. I can imagine there's gonna be several groups going in each their own direction. And if you need something from a stay at home perspective, Blitz and her family is staying where the scientist community of The Æther goes. That feels like home to them.

Illiad Easle · May 28

@Props Valroa @Blitz Boom @Evil Pink One

Sorry for my absence, I do intend to set things up, and I was going to do so today, but something came up that threw me off my groove.

I think we'll go with option 2 since that was my original plan.

No promises on when I'll be able to spin this up, we'll see how long it takes my personal issues to be resolved.

Blitz Boom · May 28

@Illiad Easle

Looking forward to when it is, but best to keep focus on the real life stuff first. We'll be around when things are calm again.

Evil Pink One · May 28

Take your time bro. I'm off my groove too. Today was not a good day from my company. And I can't take in good conscience to RP about potentially harming someone. Lets just say A very grave accident happen.

Its weird that we all know our work was dangerous. But seeing in actuality how dangerous and what happened to our coworker is a wake up call for everyone.

Illiad Easle · June 3

@Props Valroa @Blitz Boom @Evil Pink One

Alright, let's get this spun up!

So, I only have two events planned for this story, I figured we could collaborate on the main story beats before we get started, as well as figuring out which characters you want to actively and passively play.

The first event is Colonel Panic, a rouge artifact left behind by the Project when it first left, now harassing the survivors on the ground seeking something called 'Baseplate'. I imagine this one will be dealt with early, before the Project sets down a permanent settlement.

The second event is Avarice, the unicorn empress turned draconequis of greed. Much of this event will circle around Aurum, between her mother's disappointment at her earlier failures and her desires to continue controlling her with all of her new power.

Outside of those events we have four locations:

The return site
1. The place where the ponies of Five Score return to Equestria, centered on what remains of Ponyville which is also where Discord moved the pieces from anywhere that he wanted to keep, including Canterlot Castle and the Canterlot Archives.
The Blackwater Bastion
1. Encompassing the Blackwater Quarry (of @Randimaxis fame) it resides to the north under a powerful shield fueled by the changeling hive that lives there.
The Archback Bastion
1. A mountain to the southwest that sealed itself shut to protect those within, and protected by a deal Discord made with the one in charge there.
The Himillama Bastion
1. Far too remote and inaccessible for Discord's followers to bother with, and covered in the magically resistant hair of llamas and alpacas, they remained unaffected by the conflict and welcomed all who managed to make their way up.

Thoughts on events? I know @Blitz Boom has mentioned the evergrown forming their own colony, which will likely happen between the first and second events I've listed.

As to characters, I think you should all have at least one 'Child of the Æther' character, but that is not a hard requirement. You could also have one or more characters present at any of the locations I mentioned, or one who happened to have survived the whole 25 years on the ground outside the bastions. Let me know and I can provide more details.

Evil Pink One · June 3

35 minutes ago, Illiad Easle said:

@Props Valroa @Blitz Boom @Evil Pink One

Alright, let's get this spun up!

So, I only have two events planned for this story, I figured we could collaborate on the main story beats before we get started, as well as figuring out which characters you want to actively and passively play.

The first event is Colonel Panic, a rouge artifact left behind by the Project when it first left, now harassing the survivors on the ground seeking something called 'Baseplate'. I imagine this one will be dealt with early, before the Project sets down a permanent settlement.

The second event is Avarice, the unicorn empress turned draconequis of greed. Much of this event will circle around Aurum, between her mother's disappointment at her earlier failures and her desires to continue controlling her with all of her new power.

Outside of those events we have four locations:

The return site

The place where the ponies of Five Score return to Equestria, centered on what remains of Ponyville which is also where Discord moved the pieces from anywhere that he wanted to keep, including Canterlot Castle and the Canterlot Archives.

The Blackwater Bastion

Encompassing the Blackwater Quarry (of @Randimaxis fame) it resides to the north under a powerful shield fueled by the changeling hive that lives there.

The Archback Bastion

A mountain to the southwest that sealed itself shut to protect those within, and protected by a deal Discord made with the one in charge there.

The Himillama Bastion

Far too remote and inaccessible for Discord's followers to bother with, and covered in the magically resistant hair of llamas and alpacas, they remained unaffected by the conflict and welcomed all who managed to make their way up.

Thoughts on events? I know @Blitz Boom has mentioned the evergrown forming their own colony, which will likely happen between the first and second events I've listed.

As to characters, I think you should all have at least one 'Child of the Æther' character, but that is not a hard requirement. You could also have one or more characters present at any of the locations I mentioned, or one who happened to have survived the whole 25 years on the ground outside the bastions. Let me know and I can provide more details.

Ooooohhhh so averice ended up in this dimension? Hmmmmm.....

Evil Pink One · June 3

@Illiad Easle

If you'd still have me ( i really have no experience or knowledge in fall out. Though.)

I think I'd like to put Aligner here...

Aligner

Earth pony

Artificer./engineer /mechanic.

Studies the effect and processes of the artifact and is hoping to grasp its knowledge.

He has an artifact known as

"mother of all." An artifact that can produce other artifacts. With the right knowledge, one can easily make any artifact they wished for... That is if, one has it.

No one has knowledge how artifacts are even made of or how it even works.

An artifact that can shoot fireball yes, but how?

There lies Aligner's quest!

( In this case, to avoid OP if Aligner uses the artifacts its your decision to put side effects on it. For example: Aligner needs a rope. He makes one from mother of all. A rope is made. But that is an artifact. One of you can make it have the ability to vanish or burn when touched etc. or automatically tie anyone who touches it.) i guess this way it'd be fun ? Or is this too much trouble? I mean sure i can make a cannon but you guys can put a side effect that it only shoots bubbles or it's a one use weapon or it's alive and whenever it barks it shoots out it's cannon, and its aa chu-hua-hua cannon...gg.( imagine that dog chasing you and barking 10 per second.10BPS)

Back story... Well if you want, he can be

One of aether's child...

The aether project? Is that just a title or do we have something special with that title... Probably a descendant of

@Blitz Boom.... MOMMY! :crackle:

I guess the reason why he can't control the artifact well is probably with Blitz boom's blood line....their Cutie mark.

Luckily he didn't inherit the explosiveness of his mother. But it does excite him when it happens.

His father?....

Probably Blu hahaha how'd he got there i do not know. Or how they got along.

(Those are just wild guesses and are jests)

His cutie mark is just an aligner.

Illiad Easle · June 4

@Blitz Boom @Evil Pink One @Props Valroa

I guess I should quickly clarify, this story will take place like 1 month after the last events we wrote. I'll answer all your other questions in more detail tomorrow.

Blitz Boom · June 4

@Illiad Easle @Evil Pink One @Props Valroa

12 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

Outside of those events we have four locations:

The return site

The place where the ponies of Five Score return to Equestria, centered on what remains of Ponyville which is also where Discord moved the pieces from anywhere that he wanted to keep, including Canterlot Castle and the Canterlot Archives.

The Blackwater Bastion

Encompassing the Blackwater Quarry (of @Randimaxis fame) it resides to the north under a powerful shield fueled by the changeling hive that lives there.

The Archback Bastion

A mountain to the southwest that sealed itself shut to protect those within, and protected by a deal Discord made with the one in charge there.

The Himillama Bastion

Far too remote and inaccessible for Discord's followers to bother with, and covered in the magically resistant hair of llamas and alpacas, they remained unaffected by the conflict and welcomed all who managed to make their way up.

Thoughts on events? I know @Blitz Boom has mentioned the evergrown forming their own colony, which will likely happen between the first and second events I've listed.

As to characters, I think you should all have at least one 'Child of the Æther' character, but that is not a hard requirement. You could also have one or more characters present at any of the locations I mentioned, or one who happened to have survived the whole 25 years on the ground outside the bastions. Let me know and I can provide more details.

As were mentioned with the Evergrown, they will go somewhere that calls out to them, that is near enough where they could coexist with others. Briar wants for them to move past their former, isolated lifestyles, as events have all but proven that for the best of everyone, is to not stand alone. And after decades being around those of The Æther, all of them are aware how much better things are, if you coexist in general, rather than shun others for your differences.

If it were that The Æther wanted to settle down in a place for instance, but lacked the resources to sustain a town proper, he and his, would seek a place somewhat nearby (I mentioned a minimum safe distance in an early mention here in the OOC), and plant the seed there, that they may continue their work. If not, they would wander, until they found another place, where they were needed, or where they felt would be a good place to settle.

Long as land they wish to settle on, isn't blighted (thus, devoid of even the slightest natural energies), they can settle there. Thus rather than an entirely separate plot, it can be a workaround to one of the places that you think would be suitable, and still offer some story development for them, as well as what you have in mind. That might prove more efficient, and suitable for the current way of the plot events ahead of us, that you put forth, yes? I would think it makes sense for him to have this talk with whomever is the current leader of The Æther, that they might come to an agreement on things, long as the ground they land near are as said, not blighted.

As for children of the Æther, I have three. One is an infant though, so she barely counts. Last's kids are more in the right sort of age and autonomy to count for this. I have yet to settle on names, but will do so when we get to things proper. Although it is tempting to call them Punch and Judy.

Regarding the events... Last and her guards, wanting to be useful, would definitely stick around for the first event, with Panic out there to cause trouble. What comes next for them, I cannot say. It will depending what happens during this. Though she has a personal stake in the event that follows it, so assume she will be connected well to things, and so in some parts, will her family. Rest will fit in here and there me think, based on happenings.

Making characters for every location though... Lemme think here...

1. Return site.

Blitz would definitely want to at least see this. She lived near Ponyville for a time, and remembered fondly the various ponies that lived there. Especially Pinkie Pie. Being back, she'd be happy, if she could come around and see the place again. Due to the castle being there, it would also hold some degree of reverence, to Last, as she still holds the memory of Princess Luna in high regards.

2. The Blackwater Bastion.

Easiest and most fitting one for this is probably Brittle. She is being set up as going to adventure some with Plein, when they land proper. Their travels might take them around this place eventually, though what would come from that, I am less certain of. Perhaps the hive that Brittle would want for? Hard to say in advance, though she'd probably still travel with Plein from there eventually, but given things to ponder.

3. The Archback Bastion.

Perhaps this is where Molotov Boom ended up? A mountain would have good metal resources and such to work from, and they could probably do with an inventor. Though when did it get sealed up? Just cause I need to have him placed somewhere, that one other could slip through like... 15 years or so ago. If it were sealed shut at the time, he'd be elsewhere. Probably the Blackwater Bastion, due to what I mentioned before about available resources and such.

I am uncertain on this, since you mention that the one in charge made a deal with Discord. As such, I would have to know if it is meant as that place being under the control of someone evil and tyrannical, or there's good folks in there. If the former, I'd probably just have a new char to work with regardless. Molotov would wanna be a place where he could actually help. Unless of course, he didn't have a choice in the matter. Like he'd be tossed to the spawn if he tried to leave, or knew that if he did try and leave, a lot would end up getting hurt because of it. Even under a tyrant, he'd want what was best for those close to him, and to try and keep as many alive during the conflict as possible.

He is good at making robots, and defenses, so wherever he'd fit in, it would make sense to be in a place where they needed things to keep them safe.

4. The Himillama Bastion.

This one's trickier. Remote, magically stunting, due to hair, and I dunno how Llamas and Alpaca's are in universe, so finding someone that fits could be harder... I think I need to ask for more information around this place too, to get a grasp on potential fits. Molotov is an option too probably. He's a unicorn, but he's an engineer, first and foremost. If he couldn't cast magic, he'd just work around it.

Evil Pink One · June 4

10 hours ago, Blitz Boom said:

@Illiad Easle @Evil Pink One @Props Valroa

As were mentioned with the Evergrown, they will go somewhere that calls out to them, that is near enough where they could coexist with others. Briar wants for them to move past their former, isolated lifestyles, as events have all but proven that for the best of everyone, is to not stand alone. And after decades being around those of The Æther, all of them are aware how much better things are, if you coexist in general, rather than shun others for your differences.

If it were that The Æther wanted to settle down in a place for instance, but lacked the resources to sustain a town proper, he and his, would seek a place somewhat nearby (I mentioned a minimum safe distance in an early mention here in the OOC), and plant the seed there, that they may continue their work. If not, they would wander, until they found another place, where they were needed, or where they felt would be a good place to settle.

Long as land they wish to settle on, isn't blighted (thus, devoid of even the slightest natural energies), they can settle there. Thus rather than an entirely separate plot, it can be a workaround to one of the places that you think would be suitable, and still offer some story development for them, as well as what you have in mind. That might prove more efficient, and suitable for the current way of the plot events ahead of us, that you put forth, yes? I would think it makes sense for him to have this talk with whomever is the current leader of The Æther, that they might come to an agreement on things, long as the ground they land near are as said, not blighted.

As for children of the Æther, I have three. One is an infant though, so she barely counts. Last's kids are more in the right sort of age and autonomy to count for this. I have yet to settle on names, but will do so when we get to things proper. Although it is tempting to call them Punch and Judy.

Regarding the events... Last and her guards, wanting to be useful, would definitely stick around for the first event, with Panic out there to cause trouble. What comes next for them, I cannot say. It will depending what happens during this. Though she has a personal stake in the event that follows it, so assume she will be connected well to things, and so in some parts, will her family. Rest will fit in here and there me think, based on happenings.

Making characters for every location though... Lemme think here...

1. Return site.

Blitz would definitely want to at least see this. She lived near Ponyville for a time, and remembered fondly the various ponies that lived there. Especially Pinkie Pie. Being back, she'd be happy, if she could come around and see the place again. Due to the castle being there, it would also hold some degree of reverence, to Last, as she still holds the memory of Princess Luna in high regards.

2. The Blackwater Bastion.

Easiest and most fitting one for this is probably Brittle. She is being set up as going to adventure some with Plein, when they land proper. Their travels might take them around this place eventually, though what would come from that, I am less certain of. Perhaps the hive that Brittle would want for? Hard to say in advance, though she'd probably still travel with Plein from there eventually, but given things to ponder.

3. The Archback Bastion.

Perhaps this is where Molotov Boom ended up? A mountain would have good metal resources and such to work from, and they could probably do with an inventor. Though when did it get sealed up? Just cause I need to have him placed somewhere, that one other could slip through like... 15 years or so ago. If it were sealed shut at the time, he'd be elsewhere. Probably the Blackwater Bastion, due to what I mentioned before about available resources and such.

I am uncertain on this, since you mention that the one in charge made a deal with Discord. As such, I would have to know if it is meant as that place being under the control of someone evil and tyrannical, or there's good folks in there. If the former, I'd probably just have a new char to work with regardless. Molotov would wanna be a place where he could actually help. Unless of course, he didn't have a choice in the matter. Like he'd be tossed to the spawn if he tried to leave, or knew that if he did try and leave, a lot would end up getting hurt because of it. Even under a tyrant, he'd want what was best for those close to him, and to try and keep as many alive during the conflict as possible.

He is good at making robots, and defenses, so wherever he'd fit in, it would make sense to be in a place where they needed things to keep them safe.

4. The Himillama Bastion.

This one's trickier. Remote, magically stunting, due to hair, and I dunno how Llamas and Alpaca's are in universe, so finding someone that fits could be harder... I think I need to ask for more information around this place too, to get a grasp on potential fits. Molotov is an option too probably. He's a unicorn, but he's an engineer, first and foremost. If he couldn't cast magic, he'd just work around it.

Just consider the llamas in "them fightin herds." Art was made by the same god anyway.

Illiad Easle · June 5

@Props Valroa

Given it's only a month until the start of the next part, Spiral will still be the Consul at the start of the story, and will remain the Consul until the end of the first event, the election taking place once the permanent settlement is set down. Whether she runs for re-election is up to you.

She only has a bad relationship with Euclid, Power's father, because she let Power go on that away mission. Euclid wasn't worried about Power's safety, but rather his ambition. Power did not end up relaying most of what he received to the Project, deciding to keep most of it, whatever he could directly benefit from, for himself.

Discord was banished by the Elements of Harmony, or rather, the versions of themselves that forgot almost everything and spent the twenty five years in the human realm as humans, having full lives there before turning back into ponies and returning to Equestria. They have access to the portal from Equestria Girls, but that is only open for a few days every few years, so that won't be much of a plot point. (Which is to say, I have no plans of exploring that aspect of the story.)

The elements were weakened by all the chaos, so while they could not turn Discord to stone, they could weaken him to the point where Twilight could use the spell he used to banish them against him, but amplified. Discord is banished to the human realm as a horse for 100,000,000 years. But your characters will be able to learn a lot of this from talking to those at the return site.

Between the start of the story and where we left off? Nothing she would remember. With regards to the others, mostly just planning who will be assigned to the permanent settlement and who will remain aboard the Æther after the separation.

Factions are the Children of the Æther, which are those who grew up here and hold no allegiance to anywhere else. Typically aged 12-30. Plein and Blitz would be considered Children of the Æther.

There are still the Equestrians and the Trojans, but mostly they're just waiting until the return, where once a permanent settlement is established they will go their separate ways to form their own towns where appropriate.

Since she was elected Consul, it can be said that she is presently respected, regardless of her past actions.

Per Maud, at the return there wouldn't be much need for professors, rather her services as a surveyor would be needed then more than ever! They'll need her to find the best site for the permanent settlement as well as where they ought to gather resources. Then there's a lot of rebuilding that needs to happen before anyone will be in a position to be taught.

Merlot will still be one of the head pilots, and they'll need her to get the Project into position for the separation, then she'll be free to do what she pleases.

I could see Janet being a student of Aurum's, maybe one that asks too many personal questions that Aurum would rather not answer? This could tie in well to the second event given her proximity.

If you would rather she be part of one of the bastions though, I think it will be a bit before the bastions will come up.

@Props Valroa @Evil Pink One @Blitz Boom

That's a question for all of you actually, would you rather the bastions be more or less ignored until someone from the Project could get in contact with them? Or would you rather play a character in a bastion right from the get-go?

As it stands, the Return Site will be visited first, so characters that lived normal pony lives, then spent 25 years as humans, then turned back into ponies in the exact form they had when they were banished, then returned to a ruined Equestria with some amount of their previous memories, would be applicable here.

For simplicity's sake, I'm going to say that very few ponies elected to remain in Equestria after the first portal, most deciding to return to Earth and take advantage of being human again. That way we don't have to deal with canon characters unless the story manages to stretch for the several years it takes for the portal to open again.

The Blackwater Bastion will be the next one visited, after the permanent settlement is established, mostly at Silver's request.

The Archback Bastion will be third, followed by the Himillama bastion. Both of those would only be explored if there is interest, given their distance.

@Evil Pink One

Given the timeline, he can't be Blitz's child. And having an artifact on par with an Enigma Machine would get him very closely watched by the O5, and likely having the artifact taken from him. Although... maybe he is selected by a member of the O5 and entrusted with the artifact to study it?

As a limitation on the artifact's power, I would say that it requires matter as input, and that the quality of the item produced is dependent on the types of materials supplied. For instance, he could just supply dirt, but then it would produce things made out of dirt, which wouldn't be very useful, but he could supply raw ingots and get a decent item out.

We can feel it out. He'll be mid twenties and working under Silver, maybe he worked in the ironworks or the pipeworks before he was selected to be part of the group, but he grew up on the Project.

Also, Blu is happily married to Dinky, and isn't about to cheat on her with Blitz, who is also married to someone else. Blu also only has one child, who isn't capable of reproduction at this time, so Blu won't have any descendants other than Power.

@Blitz Boom

I was thinking that the permanent settlement would be situated around where Ponyville was, given it had good land for farming and was fairly centrally located on the continent. That would give the Evergrown the choice of either the Everfree forest or the Whitetail Woods nearby without being too close.

In either case they will have to clear out those loyal to Discord, as well as perhaps cleaning up the remnants of the changeling hive hidden within, they'll be able to get some willing new members out of them if they want.

Per the Archback Bastion, it was sealed once Discord revealed himself a traitor and banished Celestia. So Molotov would only be able to get in if he were already there. Which is unlikely. But him being at the Blackwater Bastion, more or less taking Silver's place there, would fit.

Per the deal, The Black Knight had a favor on Discord that he cashed in. While Discord is a trickster, he can be bound by his word, and he does have some level of respect for the Black Knight. Anyway, the leader at Archback isn't evil.

This does though pose an option, given Blitz came aboard after the initial takeoff, she came from a different universe, meaning that the Molotov here is not technically her brother, and that there could potentially be a second Blitz running around, if the Blitz in this universe wasn't picked up.

Evil Pink One · June 5

2 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

, Blu is happily married to Dinky, and isn't about to cheat on her with Blitz, who is also married to someone else. Blu also only has one child, who isn't capable of reproduction at this time, so Blu won't have any descendants other than Power.

I did say it was a joke 🤣 at some point i think?🤔

Anyway I'm good with what you planned. So the decisions of a side effect is not in effect but rather the quality of the material then? Okay with me. 👍

Lets just say that Aligner thinks highly of Blitz.

Also can i have some important details of silver? Since he she is my boss.

Illiad Easle · June 6

@Evil Pink One

On 2024-06-05 at 1:28 AM, Evil Pink One said:

Also can i have some important details of silver? Since he she is my boss.

Before your worked for her, you had been told that she was the chief engineer of the Project, and had designed many of the Project's crucial systems herself. She is the wife of the former Consul Easle, who did not make it onto the Project. You are advised to not mention him around her, even 25 years later she still considers this a tough subject.

She is also the mother of Plein Easle.

In working with her you've found that she is quiet, often fully immersed in her work to the point where she doesn't notice those around her, and forgets the passage of time. On several occasions in the past she has worked herself to utter exhaustion, but those instances have become much less frequent in recent years.

She approached you privately after you had been working with her for some time, inviting you to take part in a secret project, stressing that it was of utmost importance that you not share any part of your new job with anyone that she herself did not clear. After your agreement you were given charge of a few, mundane, mechanical artifacts to study in an attempt to understand how they worked, with a limited amount of success.

After about a year of that you were entrusted with the artifact you have currently, and given the same objective of learning how it works, and reminded that you are not to show it to anyone.

Whenever Silver spoke to you it was exclusively professional, not so much cold as distant, and she would refuse any attempts to get to know her more personally.

I think that should cover it, any particular questions?

@Props Valroa

On 2024-06-05 at 9:54 AM, Props Valroa said:

I don't remember the details we discussed for how she was over the 20 years, but, either way she would have been very involved in the leadership of the Consul.

If I remember correctly we said that she had worked her way up the political ladder over the course of that time, working through the levels of councils until she was elected Consul. I think we're coming up on the end of her first term now.

Given her efforts in politics she would be considered Trojan, as most Equestrians are disinterested in politics outside of local representation.

On 2024-06-05 at 9:54 AM, Props Valroa said:

Can anyone be considered "Trojan"?

Trojan culture has always been a melting pot type, they don't require that you be born there even to be their leader (Which is why Illiad could become Consul despite having been born in Canterlot) So anyone who espouses their ideals of equality, democracy, and community, can call themselves Trojan.

On 2024-06-05 at 9:54 AM, Props Valroa said:

Since she has only a bad relationship with Euclid, and likely has very good relations with the rest of those on the project - Euclid's bad opinion of her shouldn't impact her reputation that much and she'll try to come to a consensus with Euclid anyway and not appear as an aggressor to him, so as to paint Euclid as the aggressor if they are in the same room with others, perhaps. Spiral does not like the fact that someone would hold something like that against her, though she won't try to do anything out of line about it.

Euclid is on the younger side, and has a decent amount of pull with the research division as well as acting as a bridge between the Trojans and the Children.

(Spiral doesn't know this, but he is part of the O5, which really shifts how much leverage he has in how the election turns out.)

On 2024-06-05 at 9:54 AM, Props Valroa said:

I would imagine that once the permanent settlement is established, the Project itself would be dismantled and its resources split among the different factions in different areas?

Now that comes down to you as the Consul to decide. Whether you'll allow the Project to simply split up, or fight for everyone to stick together.

The original plan was for the Project to set down the parts not made of cloud, returning to its original form as a cloud city since the permanent settlement will need a cloud city to manage the weather given how unruly everything has grown in the absence of any regulatory body. So the Pipeworks, Foundry, Power Plant, Vertical Farm, etc, will be dropped off for the permanent settlement while whatever is made of cloud will remain on the city allowing it to move faster than before and scout the surrounding areas with relative safety.

But you're right, those on the ground will have different ideas as to how they should proceed. Many Trojans, Equestrians, Gryphons, and others have dreams of reclaiming their ancestral homeland, while most of the Children have no such attachments or desires, and will happily work in cooperation.

On 2024-06-05 at 9:54 AM, Props Valroa said:

Merlot would be involved with that, then. What do you mean by separation? You mean that the Project will separate itself apart physically?

Yes, many parts of the Project will be dropped off, as I stated above.

On 2024-06-05 at 9:54 AM, Props Valroa said:

If we do Janet in the Archback Bastion, what would it be like there, and what would her general upbringing there have been like as opposed to on the Project?

Alright, history time:

The Archback Bastion is composed of the descendants of the Children of the Moon, Mohotma City, and the Fastar Clan of Thestrals. All of them sealed within Archback Mountain, or rather, an impassible mountain range was erected by Discord to cut off those groups from the rest of the world. The peaks too high and too cold to cross, even for pegasi.

Over the 25 years the three groups have remained mostly separate, as they did before, dividing along racial lines with the ponies on and in the central mountain, the zebra in the valley, and the thestrals in the forest.

There have been conflicts between the groups, given their inability to leave the space to interact with anyone else, but lacking the common project to keep them working together like those on the Æther did. (So imagine the civil war, but without unification coming after)

Living in such close proximity to groups that have acted hostile before has made many interactions cold and guarded, even within their communities. The Lunar Order does their best to foster collaboration between the groups, but even they are growing disillusioned when their efforts don't bear much fruit.

As a pony Janet would be among the Children of the Moon, and given her coloration I'd even be willing to say she is the child of one of the Lunar Order, specifically of Moondancer and Candlelight, both of whom work as the archivist and historian of the order. Her parentage causes others to be a bit more distant to her, and gave her plenty of opportunity to study.

When Discord is banished, the impassible mountain range crumbles to dust and blows away, leaving the isolated area once again exposed, and revealing the level of devastation outside that had been hidden from them.

Evil Pink One · June 7

12 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

@Evil Pink One

Before your worked for her, you had been told that she was the chief engineer of the Project, and had designed many of the Project's crucial systems herself. She is the wife of the former Consul Easle, who did not make it onto the Project. You are advised to not mention him around her, even 25 years later she still considers this a tough subject.

She is also the mother of Plein Easle.

In working with her you've found that she is quiet, often fully immersed in her work to the point where she doesn't notice those around her, and forgets the passage of time. On several occasions in the past she has worked herself to utter exhaustion, but those instances have become much less frequent in recent years.

She approached you privately after you had been working with her for some time, inviting you to take part in a secret project, stressing that it was of utmost importance that you not share any part of your new job with anyone that she herself did not clear. After your agreement you were given charge of a few, mundane, mechanical artifacts to study in an attempt to understand how they worked, with a limited amount of success.

After about a year of that you were entrusted with the artifact you have currently, and given the same objective of learning how it works, and reminded that you are not to show it to anyone.

Whenever Silver spoke to you it was exclusively professional, not so much cold as distant, and she would refuse any attempts to get to know her more personally.

I think that should cover it, any particular questions?

@Props Valroa

If I remember correctly we said that she had worked her way up the political ladder over the course of that time, working through the levels of councils until she was elected Consul. I think we're coming up on the end of her first term now.

Given her efforts in politics she would be considered Trojan, as most Equestrians are disinterested in politics outside of local representation.

Trojan culture has always been a melting pot type, they don't require that you be born there even to be their leader (Which is why Illiad could become Consul despite having been born in Canterlot) So anyone who espouses their ideals of equality, democracy, and community, can call themselves Trojan.

Euclid is on the younger side, and has a decent amount of pull with the research division as well as acting as a bridge between the Trojans and the Children.

(Spiral doesn't know this, but he is part of the O5, which really shifts how much leverage he has in how the election turns out.)

Now that comes down to you as the Consul to decide. Whether you'll allow the Project to simply split up, or fight for everyone to stick together.

The original plan was for the Project to set down the parts not made of cloud, returning to its original form as a cloud city since the permanent settlement will need a cloud city to manage the weather given how unruly everything has grown in the absence of any regulatory body. So the Pipeworks, Foundry, Power Plant, Vertical Farm, etc, will be dropped off for the permanent settlement while whatever is made of cloud will remain on the city allowing it to move faster than before and scout the surrounding areas with relative safety.

But you're right, those on the ground will have different ideas as to how they should proceed. Many Trojans, Equestrians, Gryphons, and others have dreams of reclaiming their ancestral homeland, while most of the Children have no such attachments or desires, and will happily work in cooperation.

Yes, many parts of the Project will be dropped off, as I stated above.

Alright, history time:

The Archback Bastion is composed of the descendants of the Children of the Moon, Mohotma City, and the Fastar Clan of Thestrals. All of them sealed within Archback Mountain, or rather, an impassible mountain range was erected by Discord to cut off those groups from the rest of the world. The peaks too high and too cold to cross, even for pegasi.

Over the 25 years the three groups have remained mostly separate, as they did before, dividing along racial lines with the ponies on and in the central mountain, the zebra in the valley, and the thestrals in the forest.

There have been conflicts between the groups, given their inability to leave the space to interact with anyone else, but lacking the common project to keep them working together like those on the Æther did. (So imagine the civil war, but without unification coming after)

Living in such close proximity to groups that have acted hostile before has made many interactions cold and guarded, even within their communities. The Lunar Order does their best to foster collaboration between the groups, but even they are growing disillusioned when their efforts don't bear much fruit.

As a pony Janet would be among the Children of the Moon, and given her coloration I'd even be willing to say she is the child of one of the Lunar Order, specifically of Moondancer and Candlelight, both of whom work as the archivist and historian of the order. Her parentage causes others to be a bit more distant to her, and gave her plenty of opportunity to study.

When Discord is banished, the impassible mountain range crumbles to dust and blows away, leaving the isolated area once again exposed, and revealing the level of devastation outside that had been hidden from them.

Okay got it. They're pretty much aligned with their moods. No distraction just work.

Now set me up! :sneer: .

So im at my office? A lab? Or probably just a hightech room right? Probably somewhere hidden or discreet. Also do i still have those artifacts with me which i have no idea yet on what it does. How many artifacts do i currently have to study? Including the " mother of all"?

So my understanding in this is i work alone and silver visits me once in a while check on things and pay me i guess?

Did she mentioned why she hired me and gave this responsibility? Or its because she knows me a bit and she knows i dont ask alot of questions and just do what was told, which he would. Since he has worked with Silver before right? And was scouted. So Aligner would say yes for silver no questions asked. Strictly business.

So yeah game.

Blitz Boom · June 7

@Illiad Easle

On 2024-06-05 at 6:57 AM, Illiad Easle said:

Per the Archback Bastion, it was sealed once Discord revealed himself a traitor and banished Celestia. So Molotov would only be able to get in if he were already there. Which is unlikely. But him being at the Blackwater Bastion, more or less taking Silver's place there, would fit.

Per the deal, The Black Knight had a favor on Discord that he cashed in. While Discord is a trickster, he can be bound by his word, and he does have some level of respect for the Black Knight. Anyway, the leader at Archback isn't evil.

This does though pose an option, given Blitz came aboard after the initial takeoff, she came from a different universe, meaning that the Molotov here is not technically her brother, and that there could potentially be a second Blitz running around, if the Blitz in this universe wasn't picked up.

I think it best to start here at the end, because I seemed to have missed where this were an alternative universe. I assumed that it were the same one that they had left. Does that mean that all of my chars are not from the same universe, as the one we will be landing in? Because then, I have to evaluate the possibility of duplicates, as well as some who will be swept into story they do not understand, because it regards another version of them, who died.

I can work with it, it just presents certain wrinkles, that I weren't aware of being true. It also makes me wonder then, if it means that this war, were multidimensional in nature?

Hmm... I could have a second Blitz being alive in this other universe then, but she would not be an ally. Not at the first at lest. I'm thinking getting separated from her brother, then the settlement she were in raided, her kidnapped and forced to work on war machines, isolated and beaten into submission, mentally and physically... She could have eventually snapped completely, killed everyone at her camp, and made it a base for her madness. Could be there were some rivalry with her trying to assult the Blackwater Quarry as it were, to try and get to her brother, or vice versa, him trying to get her, and so far failing. He'd still not have given up hope that she could be saved, though it isn't exactly an easy task.

...Potential mad scientist scenario? A bit of a look at what can happen, when potential like hers, gets twisted by different circumstances.

Or the alternate Blitz could be in the Archback Bastion. Different universe, she might have been in the area when things broke, and got scooped up to join the others, in the soon thereafter closed off city. She's good with explosions and other things, that could be of value, if she were put to the task by some who valued her potential. Different background, it would give a native to the Bastion, with her perspective (She'd be a calm, calculated mind here, having been trained extensively in keeping her focus, and thus never confronted her past). Molotov would also not be sure if she were alive anymore, so seeing a different Blitz show up suddenly, he'd think it were his sister. Much confusion would happen, and it's a fair bit calmer story from my end. And it'd give a perspective from the Archback Bastion, that I can work with.

23 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

The Archback Bastion is composed of the descendants of the Children of the Moon, Mohotma City, and the Fastar Clan of Thestrals. All of them sealed within Archback Mountain, or rather, an impassible mountain range was erected by Discord to cut off those groups from the rest of the world. The peaks too high and too cold to cross, even for pegasi.

Over the 25 years the three groups have remained mostly separate, as they did before, dividing along racial lines with the ponies on and in the central mountain, the zebra in the valley, and the thestrals in the forest.

There have been conflicts between the groups, given their inability to leave the space to interact with anyone else, but lacking the common project to keep them working together like those on the Æther did. (So imagine the civil war, but without unification coming after)

Living in such close proximity to groups that have acted hostile before has made many interactions cold and guarded, even within their communities. The Lunar Order does their best to foster collaboration between the groups, but even they are growing disillusioned when their efforts don't bear much fruit.

Blitz could fit into this, as being one from the Pony group then. She'd be told to be secular, but she still doesn't harbor ill will towards all others, simply for being different. Perhaps she could in some way, be of some usage to The Lunar Order? As an asset, or someone they took away, and keeps for themselves. It depends what value there would be in somepony like her, to any of the groups. Though this is just something I saw, and got an idea from. I am not trying to center myself into that plotline. More add to it, if you think it appropriate to do so. I get ideas when I see story bits like that.

Anyway, for other things.

On 2024-06-05 at 6:57 AM, Illiad Easle said:

I was thinking that the permanent settlement would be situated around where Ponyville was, given it had good land for farming and was fairly centrally located on the continent. That would give the Evergrown the choice of either the Everfree forest or the Whitetail Woods nearby without being too close.

In either case they will have to clear out those loyal to Discord, as well as perhaps cleaning up the remnants of the changeling hive hidden within, they'll be able to get some willing new members out of them if they want.

I could see the Everfree Forest perhaps being of some interest. It was always shown as a very wild forest, with peculiar natural creatures, and strange magics. It would be potent and brimming with natural energies, and the Timberwolves would be a most welcome sight, as they too are children of nature. Perhaps there could be some level of coexistence and harmony between the two kin? That would be an interesting prospect.

But yes, if the forest is to be cleared first... Briar would not want violence to be the first answer. He would hope they could talk reason, and avoid needless bloodshed. He's very diplomatic like that. Yet the loyalists I can imagine, would not be willing to just surrender and make friends with any sort of ease...

So, a suggestion here. They feel the nearby forest, when they land, and know that it would prove perfect for them. I can't imagine the forest have escaped completely unscathed over time, so any sort of damage to it, the seed would also help regrow, even if the fauna would be somewhat odd in places. But learning there are enemies within, Last would want to intervene, and root out the loyalists. Especially if there is some of the old members of the area, that were now returning home again. She'd want them and their town to be safe, as well as teach her children about the history of the world they'd never seen before.

So she'd want to get in on rooting out loyalists, and have them gathered up. What comes of them after, will be seen. She wouldn't kill first, lest they didn't give her a choice, so capturing would be the first option, and then hoping that some at the least, could be convinced to switch sides. As for remnants of a changeling hive... Might I ask which one? More specifically, are they hostile, or can they be reasoned with, if we manage to make contact? I can imagine they would be suspicious of outsiders, due to the loyalists in the area, but perhaps there could be allies there, if some diplomacy were made use of proper? There were changelings on The Æther too. Could be that they would want to make contact, yes?

On 2024-06-05 at 6:57 AM, Illiad Easle said:

That's a question for all of you actually, would you rather the bastions be more or less ignored until someone from the Project could get in contact with them? Or would you rather play a character in a bastion right from the get-go?

As it stands, the Return Site will be visited first, so characters that lived normal pony lives, then spent 25 years as humans, then turned back into ponies in the exact form they had when they were banished, then returned to a ruined Equestria with some amount of their previous memories, would be applicable here.

For simplicity's sake, I'm going to say that very few ponies elected to remain in Equestria after the first portal, most deciding to return to Earth and take advantage of being human again. That way we don't have to deal with canon characters unless the story manages to stretch for the several years it takes for the portal to open again.

The Blackwater Bastion will be the next one visited, after the permanent settlement is established, mostly at Silver's request.

The Archback Bastion will be third, followed by the Himillama bastion. Both of those would only be explored if there is interest, given their distance.

I'd be game for going that order, but I'd like to see those two other areas too. I think by the time we got to the Himillama Bastion, folks might have enough of a grasp of how things work, to get their minds tingling with the possibilities, and the more curious, explorer sorts, would likely be drawn to see what were there.

Liking the idea of alternate Blitz being in the Archback even more, with perhaps this world's Molotov, after getting past the confusion of "Wait, not my real sister", saying he heard some rumors that she could be there. Being contacted by herself, would definitely make a Blitz curious.

I can make some references to folks I had that decided to stay in the human world, but return ones... I might have one who'd want to stay, that came from the human place, but wished to stay. Have to ponder it a bit more though. I'm currently cat sitting for my mother, so I can't focus on everything.

Illiad Easle · June 7

@Blitz Boom

I'll quickly clarify:

23 minutes ago, Blitz Boom said:

I seemed to have missed where this were an alternative universe. I assumed that it were the same one that they had left. Does that mean that all of my chars are not from the same universe, as the one we will be landing in? Because then, I have to evaluate the possibility of duplicates, as well as some who will be swept into story they do not understand, because it regards another version of them, who died.

The Project returned to the universe that it left from. Every time it cycled it shifted into another universe where the same event happened (Discord causing major trouble) with minor, often inconsequential differences in the timeline. Interference by Fury prevented any duplicates from boarding the project, and it wasn't until the very last shift where they ended up somewhere that wasn't a parallel universe, due to the system starting to break down. (Which is why, while in the void, Light saw many different versions of the Project going in and out, and some destroyed in the void.)

That is to say, there is some finite number of parallel universes that the Project traveled through before returning, and it may have visited the same dimension more than once, but not consecutively.

That does bring up something important. Did Blitz get on the Project before it initially left? I had assumed, from her introduction, that she had been found by a later expedition. If she boarded the Project before it left, then this is her home dimension and there are no duplicates. If she boarded at a later date as I had previously assumed, then there is the chance that she was not collected from this dimension and that there could be a duplicate of her around.

I do like your ideas, and I'll give a better response when I have more time. I hope that above makes sense?

Illiad Easle · June 10

@Props Valroa

On 2024-06-06 at 7:39 PM, Props Valroa said:

That is an interesting idea there that we can potentially go for that has more interest from me as opposed to the idea of her just being on the Aether project. Janet will likely be a very intelligent filly - but her personality, egotistical, always wanting to be ontop of things, always wanting to prove herself to others and generally just being full of herself is something that others will likely notice. Yet, she's a filly, largely innocent and wants to know more about the world - and when that area is exposed she'll be really interested in it. I imagine that she, herself does not hold much loyalty to the past and traditions either.

Sounds like an interesting premise, we can go with this if you're keen on it.

@Props Valroa @Evil Pink One @Blitz Boom

On 2024-06-07 at 3:36 PM, Props Valroa said:

f that is the case, Spiral is from the universe the Project is returning to, as well as Janet. Merlot will likely not be from the same Universe, just to make things interesting.

Actually, keeping track of different universes will make this story a bit more complex than I'm interested in maintaining. Instead we will group characters into Canon, being those that are part of my personal canon, and Guests, being those that are present in the story, but only as a result of multiversal shenanigans.

As of this moment, the only Canon characters shown in the story that I did not write is Blitz, and even her depiction in this story may not be considered Canon for the purposes of the wider universe.

In summary, we're not going to worry about who came from where nor what is or is not canon. Blitz is the only character that can have a (1) duplicate.

@Evil Pink One

On 2024-06-07 at 3:49 AM, Evil Pink One said:

So im at my office? A lab? Or probably just a hightech room right? Probably somewhere hidden or discreet. Also do i still have those artifacts with me which i have no idea yet on what it does. How many artifacts do i currently have to study? Including the " mother of all"?

So my understanding in this is i work alone and silver visits me once in a while check on things and pay me i guess?

We'll do the setup once all the details are ironed out, but we'll say that you're presently only in charge of the artifact you described. Outside of work you're still a normal member of the Project, you're just not allowed to talk about what you do with others outside of saying that you work in the research division.

She doesn't pay you though, no one on the Project gets paid.

Is that the only character you want to play in this story? It sounds like Props wants to play a character in the Archback Bastion, so I could help you through making a character in that region too if you want.

@Blitz Boom

Per Blitz, I like the story idea of her at Blackwater better, and I think the arc you described, where she was separated from her brother, her group got taken over by Discord's Legion, she was pressed into service by those loyal to Discord (Which are not the best of ponies) before snapping and killing all those in the loyalist camp before then trying to get into Blackwater because she thinks that her brother is in there (The truth of that I'll leave up to you)

The question would be when they got separated. One idea I have is as follows: Molotov was at the Quarry for whatever reason, maybe working on a contract basis since Silver left the Quarry to marry Illiad some time prior. Blitz was not with him at that time, maybe in Ponyville for whatever reason. The time leading up to Discord's betrayal was a stressful one for everyone since the spawn of tartarus were becoming a threat even then, so Blitz might have been entrusted to someone elsewhere rather than joining Molotov on the trip to the Quarry.

In any case, the betrayal happens, and after a battle at the Quarry (Which I worked out with @Randimaxis) a shield is erected to keep all the attackers out, and all the ponies present in. In a sense they are as trapped inside, locked away from the rest of the world, as all the other bastions. This means that Molotov could be trapped inside, or that Blitz would think that he was trapped inside, but he could have left before the battle in an effort to get back to Blitz.

The story beats are less defined from that point forward, but they line up with what you mentioned. It gives Blitz motivation to seek out the Quarry and try to get in after her trauma, and gives you the option to have Molotov either stuck in the Quarry, or out wandering the world trying to find Blitz, while Blitz is trying to find him.

We can work out the specifics, but I think the latter option works better since it allows Molotov and the Project Blitz to meet up before going to the Quarry.

Per Evergrown, due to the lack of ponies to manage the weather all of the forests of Equestria are now like the Everfree, in that everything is reverted to nature and the wild creatures that were previously contained there have spread out to the rest of the continent. Plus, Discord, which would likely make the animals a bit more hostile than they were before, especially towards ponies as the animals would regularly be attacked by loyalists, many of which were granted special powers by Discord.

After Discord is defeated, many of these powers will be reduced in potency, and things will slowly start to normalize. The loyalists will still be mostly evil though, though there will be some who were loyal out of fear that they might otherwise be killed, who would be hesitant, but willing, to join the Project in exchange for protection from the Loyalists.

Nonetheless, there will be loyalists that need to be killed, I'll try and write some compelling mini-boss type dialogue for them.

As it pertains to the changelings, pretty much all of the major queens and most of the minor queens are dead, which includes Polistae (who I stole from A Novel Tale along with most of how I describe changeling culture) and Miasma, who were in charge of the Whitetail and Everfree hives respectively. There will be very few remnants of Hive Polistae, as they were mostly pacifists and would not willingly join Discord, so most were killed along with their queen. A few who were outside the hive when the rest were destroyed will have taken refuge there afterwards though. Hive Miasma, having been attuned to fear, would have been less against joining Discord to save themselves, though Queen Miasma would still be destroyed many of her hive would join in with the loyalists or use their abilities to induce fear to keep the loyalists away. They are more willing to be violent towards those they consider outsiders.

That should be interesting to explore in either case though, depending whether the Evergrown head more north or south from the return site.

The changelings on the Æther are mostly hive Permu, with Queen Permu, so the rumors that a queen was still alive would be attractive to the changelings, with those from Polistae being more hopeful and those from Miasma being less trusting.

Blitz Boom · June 10

@Illiad Easle

I never specified when she were picked up, just that they had come for Molotov. Though I do seem to recall he also made the choice to give her away, because he wanted to stay and keep as many safe as he could. That likely fits well with them picking her up after the event happened in the first place, so one of the cycles post take off, which means that this would not be her brother's dimension. It'd sadden her, to know that he wouldn't get to see her again, but she also knows that he were aware of the risk, when he sent her off on her own in the first place. He wanted to make sure that she survived, no matter how he'd do. She'd find some level of comfort in that, and this world's Molotov would consider her family all the same. The Boom family tends to be rather chill with family stuff like that.

I think we could have some fun, working with there being 2 Blitz's in this universe. It'll be up to you if you want the deranged mad scientists, who will cause havoc, and have to be captured, restrained, and given extensive help to be brought back to semi-normality, or if it's Blitz but in the closed bastion, which gives an insider perspective, and might be a place where there'd be some degree of fight over who she helps, in case her position as a great inventor, and explosives expert, would be of high demand in the setting.

I still think the second one would work better, as there's already enough villains set up, so having one more muddling things, might prove an issue, but I'll let it be up to you.

And this is how far I got, before you wrote. So let's see what else you have to say. xD

1 hour ago, Illiad Easle said:

Actually, keeping track of different universes will make this story a bit more complex than I'm interested in maintaining. Instead we will group characters into Canon, being those that are part of my personal canon, and Guests, being those that are present in the story, but only as a result of multiversal shenanigans.

As of this moment, the only Canon characters shown in the story that I did not write is Blitz, and even her depiction in this story may not be considered Canon for the purposes of the wider universe.

In summary, we're not going to worry about who came from where nor what is or is not canon. Blitz is the only character that can have a (1) duplicate.

Awh, I feel all special now. I'll have a Blitz blow up something in your honor when I get the chance.

1 hour ago, Illiad Easle said:

Per Blitz, I like the story idea of her at Blackwater better, and I think the arc you described, where she was separated from her brother, her group got taken over by Discord's Legion, she was pressed into service by those loyal to Discord (Which are not the best of ponies) before snapping and killing all those in the loyalist camp before then trying to get into Blackwater because she thinks that her brother is in there (The truth of that I'll leave up to you)

The question would be when they got separated. One idea I have is as follows: Molotov was at the Quarry for whatever reason, maybe working on a contract basis since Silver left the Quarry to marry Illiad some time prior. Blitz was not with him at that time, maybe in Ponyville for whatever reason. The time leading up to Discord's betrayal was a stressful one for everyone since the spawn of tartarus were becoming a threat even then, so Blitz might have been entrusted to someone elsewhere rather than joining Molotov on the trip to the Quarry.

In any case, the betrayal happens, and after a battle at the Quarry (Which I worked out with @Randimaxis) a shield is erected to keep all the attackers out, and all the ponies present in. In a sense they are as trapped inside, locked away from the rest of the world, as all the other bastions. This means that Molotov could be trapped inside, or that Blitz would think that he was trapped inside, but he could have left before the battle in an effort to get back to Blitz.

The story beats are less defined from that point forward, but they line up with what you mentioned. It gives Blitz motivation to seek out the Quarry and try to get in after her trauma, and gives you the option to have Molotov either stuck in the Quarry, or out wandering the world trying to find Blitz, while Blitz is trying to find him.

Aight, we go with this angle then. Though my own perspective? You're forgetting a rather important part of Molotov: He's a robotics specialist. If he were trapped, with attacks all over, he'd understand that he were needed there, sick with worry as he might be, and so he'd spent what little free time he would be able to get, making robots to go and find her. Though due to time, they wouldn't be overly complex. At least not for a while, so he would get minor details, rather than deep perspectives.

I'd say that every once in a while, one would return back with a sighting, however minor. Her being with a group, without him knowing at first it were one for Discord, would make him feel a little more at ease, but still wanting updates, as well as trying to lead her his way. Some years later, he would finally get one back, and this time, he would get to learn that she were made to work or Discord's loyalists. Potentially having gotten a clue that could be the case too, by some weaponry used towards the quarry, that bore some striking resemblance to her style, which he'd know all too well.

He'd spent years sending stronger things out, to try and get hold of her, but they'd all fail, with none returning, and himself being unable to leave the quarry, due to getting family of his own that needed him there, among other things. Then eventually, say... 10 years past, one with a camera would return, to show a grizzly scene. The ruined remains of the loyalists current bastion, bodies in various states of damage scattered all over the place, and Blitz standing there, caked in blood and soot, with some monstrous weaponry near her, cackling maniacally.

He'd still try and get her, but his robots would return different. Modified and with the direction to capture him, and not let any creature stand in their way. And this then, have been their feud, with her sending modified or original designs towards him, as she knows where he is, and him trying to both repel them, well as modifying them to go back and capture her alive. He still worries about her, but he cannot, under any circumstance, let the mare that he sometimes catches glimpses off through his designs, get within the quarry without restraints. He's even had one a ring ready for near a decade, that is normally applied to a unicorn's horn to null their magic output, so he can properly capture her.

Her base is where the loyalists were before, build on the ashes of her former prison. Others have come, and enjoy some relative safety, but they live under her rules, and most there tend to be equally afraid of the dangers out there, as well as what would happen if she got the impression that they were going to betray her.

As for why Molotov does not just surrender? His family, as well as the leadership at the Quarry, would likely outright forbid it, and to be on the safe side, keep him under lockdown in the quarry, ever since Blitz killed off her captors. Perhaps even before that. They wouldn't want to lose a valuable resource after all, right? And she does not go there, because she considers the entire quarry to be enemies, and does not have the means to properly level it without killing her brother.

She cares for him, and wants him there, in her home. But she also thinks he's a prisoner, and thus, her attempt to have him stolen away continues. And yes, he have tried to send messages with her bots, but she's somewhat deranged and paranoid at this point, so she doesn't trust that the messages comes from him.

Is she evil per se? It's hard to say. In the war-torn world, someone hard and strong are needed to stay afloat, and keep others alive too, out where there's no magical barriers, or cliffs to hide in, so she does help others. But she is also somewhat crazed, in a less fun way than usual, and think little of ending a life, if she considers it what's best for her own agenda. Nor have an issue removing what she considers obstacles, to get what she wants. Even if she have to raze another Discord Loyalist outpost to get to it. And yes, she still hates them, with every fiber in her being, and will not only kill any of them she finds on sight, but will also openly attack any settlements they try to have within her area of attention, with the goal of killing them. The very, very fed she allows to live, are those who can convince her that they were forced into service, and they are made to serve her, in her personal lab, with explosives collars on, just in case one them tries to get uppity.

But that is this world's Blitz. The one on the Æther, would think this her brother, and try to get to him to talk about the past that she had forgotten, catch up, and show off her husband and infant. Perhaps with her helping, they'll manage to actually get to this world's Blitz, and capture her once and for all. For her own sake, as well as that of those around her.

For an added bonus, Blitz will not look exactly the same in this world, but the one on the Æther is close enough, that her appearance will cause some red flags to raise, and both Molotov's security bots, and probably whatever changeling guards that is also made use of, would detain her immediately, with her being considered a high risk security threat. It'd make for quite the awkward scene, and hilarity ensues.

Almost forgot, reason I don't think it makes sense to have Molotov out and looking for Blitz, is that as written, he's an asset. I think it makes far more sense that he were not allowed to leave the quarry, as they could use someone who could make defense robots, various turrets, general repairs, and just overall, be a good, inventive engineer. And he in turn, would be bound between his boundaries, eventual family, and not wanting to potentially leave the quarry to die, if something were to happen in his absence. Simply leaving would be him in a desperate attempt to save one, over the lives of countless others. Both his morality, and likely others around him, would have a hard time being able to argue for him taking that risk.

1 hour ago, Illiad Easle said:

Per Evergrown, due to the lack of ponies to manage the weather all of the forests of Equestria are now like the Everfree, in that everything is reverted to nature and the wild creatures that were previously contained there have spread out to the rest of the continent. Plus, Discord, which would likely make the animals a bit more hostile than they were before, especially towards ponies as the animals would regularly be attacked by loyalists, many of which were granted special powers by Discord.

After Discord is defeated, many of these powers will be reduced in potency, and things will slowly start to normalize. The loyalists will still be mostly evil though, though there will be some who were loyal out of fear that they might otherwise be killed, who would be hesitant, but willing, to join the Project in exchange for protection from the Loyalists.

Nonetheless, there will be loyalists that need to be killed, I'll try and write some compelling mini-boss type dialogue for them.

As it pertains to the changelings, pretty much all of the major queens and most of the minor queens are dead, which includes Polistae (who I stole from A Novel Tale along with most of how I describe changeling culture) and Miasma, who were in charge of the Whitetail and Everfree hives respectively. There will be very few remnants of Hive Polistae, as they were mostly pacifists and would not willingly join Discord, so most were killed along with their queen. A few who were outside the hive when the rest were destroyed will have taken refuge there afterwards though. Hive Miasma, having been attuned to fear, would have been less against joining Discord to save themselves, though Queen Miasma would still be destroyed many of her hive would join in with the loyalists or use their abilities to induce fear to keep the loyalists away. They are more willing to be violent towards those they consider outsiders.

That should be interesting to explore in either case though, depending whether the Evergrown head more north or south from the return site.

The changelings on the Æther are mostly hive Permu, with Queen Permu, so the rumors that a queen was still alive would be attractive to the changelings, with those from Polistae being more hopeful and those from Miasma being less trusting.

Regarding the Evergrown, they would be reluctant to partake in murdering others. Well, Thorn Weaver wouldn't have an issue per se, but Briar have preached compassion and diplomacy, with violence as a last resort, or used to protect others. So lest it were needed, she wouldn't be wanting to start off that way. That said, she'd have no issue providing potent poisons, healing brews, and such to use by those who would go and fight. A skilled alchemist are useful in many ways. And if there were wild animals, she would soon enough seek out something flying, roughly the size of an owl, to bond with. That is what her chest hole is mostly meant for. Animal companions, that they offer protection for, and in turn gets their companionship, and some help with various things.

As for the changelings... The pacifist ones doesn't sound like the biggest issue, as you said, once they knew a new queen were there. As for the Polistae ones... You say they have a focus on fear, yes? Well... I don't think she'd enjoy being tossed into the midst of this, but I did mention in the proper RP, that Brittle found out that she came from a hive of fear, and that she can use fear based magic. She just mostly do it by accident, as it is something she considers a ghastly tool that makes her feel like a villain. Thorn Weaver also came from a branch of Evergrown, that adapted to be frightening, to both live alongside horrors in the dark woods they inhabited, and scare off lesser evils. Perhaps she could be of some service as well. She's been described in the RP proper as well.

Briar would openly refuse to plant the seed before both the Changelings and Loyalists have been handled at least. When it is planted, every higher sentience being like ponies and griffons, etc. will be mutated into new Evergrown, if they are within the radius. He will not force that upon others, if he knows there to be any creatures living there, as it should be a choice, not a forced change, in his opinion. And as the other Evergrown see him as their de facto leader, they will stand with him on this matter.

Where they'd go though... Briar would want to stay and talk a little with others, before he went off. Might be enough time for him to learn of the loyalists/changelings. If not... Perhaps they could be used as the way to introduce at least 1 of those factions? So if for instance they went South, if that area seemed the most promising, or felt more natural, they could run into one of the factions, and from that interaction, they would chose/be forced to go back, and relay news of the competing factions they would have to deal with?

As for what happens when the seed is eventually planted... I do have that planned out mostly. I know I mention it a lot, but it is essential to them. Without that seed, their kin have no trees, and they will eventually die out permanently. And the effects are mutative and strange, since they were after all, made by a heavy, coordinated amount of nature and chaos magic, by a seer who convinced a draconequus to assist in the creation, to appease that giant entity they worship they call The Earthmother, that she may stay peacefully asleep, rather than wake up and cause untold destruction. You don't get a seed that needs some water and centuries to grow into anything, from that kind of thing.

Oh right, while at it... I had mentioned all the various evergrown, were picked up at different times? For a laugh, do you want them all to be from different dimensions? It will mean absolutely nothing, since those who weren't saved, have died years ago in this dimension, as they were all found isolated in the first place. But like I said, you can have that added for a laugh.

So then. Thoughts?

Edited June 10 by Blitz Boom

Evil Pink One · June 10

1 hour ago, Illiad Easle said:

no one on the Project gets paid.

When i meant "paid" is i get my rights to stay in the project, have my own room, perhaps better than the rest or something better quality food or more healthy in a way, or perhaps there are things that i can have or access i can go to. You know more rights? I mean unless my line of work is less valuable, i get less. I just want to know how well my character is living so i can adapt him on how he should be. We cant have a heartless and careless guy with minimum "wage" or lesser than that. Or lets say he is easily bribed by food or better life if he is poorer.

( Of course you know me... I would probably forget :derp: .)

1 hour ago, Illiad Easle said:

that the only character you want to play in this story? It sounds like Props wants to play a character in the Archback Bastion, so I could help you through making a character in that region too if you want.

You know how much of a headache i am and you want me to put more characters here? :Pip-giggle: but if you want then........

Who do i want to put?

@Props Valroa what kinda character would you want with your character? That is if you're fine me joining in?

Theres Light, who acts like he has an eight grade syndrome to everyone since no one believes his tales.

Theres kuya who is...... Always chasing mares i guess? A earth pony mercenary.

We can use the PRE MAD madeline here. Hasn't mastered 4th walling yet. Is a shy bit of pinkie. Is on a mission to stop disarray and trying to save pinkie pie her aunt.

Or perhaps Shallow. Shes a shark pony who can swim in the shadows and is after Light.

Illiad Easle · June 11

@Props Valroa

20 hours ago, Props Valroa said:

I am to assume anyway, that beyond the Bastions and the landing site in this world - there are no other inhabited areas as everyone else either became spawn, died, or went to another universe.

That isn't entirely true, there are some scattered remnants of creatures who managed to survive despite the efforts of Discord and the Loyalists, but these groups are small and mostly inconsequential, like the changeling remnants I mentioned in Blitz's section.

There are also the Loyalist camps, though they will have lost a bit of their strength after Discord's defeat. Those could be considered 'inhabited areas' despite being more nomadic.

Remember that the Spawn are not zombies per-say, they are those who died, suffered in Tartarus, and emerged via the gates having lost some or all of their identity. They're more akin to ghouls from fallout than zombies.

20 hours ago, Props Valroa said:

Though if there is an interesting idea, I could possibly be convinced to be interested in that again. Just that the ideas as they stand right now I have,

That is part of why I want players to run more than one character, as it will allow you more access to the larger plots while still being free to run your individual story independent of larger plot elements. So you can choose to be part of the larger story, or just have your characters remain isolated.

@Blitz Boom

20 hours ago, Blitz Boom said:

so one of the cycles post take off, which means that this would not be her brother's dimension. It'd sadden her, to know that he wouldn't get to see her again, but she also knows that he were aware of the risk, when he sent her off on her own in the first place. He wanted to make sure that she survived, no matter how he'd do. She'd find some level of comfort in that, and this world's Molotov would consider her family all the same. The Boom family tends to be rather chill with family stuff like that.

You know... we could say that that Molotov, the one that sent the Project Blitz, is the Molotov that we see in Escape From Deep Science. Not that it would change much on either end but I like how it ties up a loose end.

20 hours ago, Blitz Boom said:

You're forgetting a rather important part of Molotov: He's a robotics specialist.

I wouldn't say I forgot, I just wasn't going to define every aspect of their history without your input.

20 hours ago, Blitz Boom said:

If he were trapped, with attacks all over, he'd understand that he were needed there, sick with worry as he might be, and so he'd spent what little free time he would be able to get, making robots to go and find her. Though due to time, they wouldn't be overly complex. At least not for a while, so he would get minor details, rather than deep perspectives.

I do like the premise, however:

The Quarry shield is impenetrable, nothing gets in, nothing gets out. If Molotov's bots could come and go, then the Loyalists could also potentially get in.
The Quarry shield doesn't go up immediately, but rather at the very end of the Battle for the Quarry, which happens a short while after news of Discord's betrayal reaches the Quarry, so there's a day or two between Oracle's prophecy and the attack wherein Molotov could have left the quarry to go after Blitz before the shield was generated.
1. We could also say that Oracle specifically tells Molotov to go after his sister rather than staying behind to defend the quarry.

So the options are either:

Have Molotov outside the Quarry roaming the land in search of Blitz, building bots to aid in his search and helping those he comes across (Not unlike the story of Fallout 4) and when he discovers that Blitz has gone a bit crazy he shifts his efforts to protecting others from Blitz while also trying to get through to her.

Or:

Have Molotov trapped inside the Quarry with no way out other than the radio, turning his efforts inward to help the quarry remain self sustaining given they're trapped inside a large dome. Maybe he could discover a way to circumvent the shield to get some searchers out? But it would have to be a way that does not leave an opportunity for the Loyalists to get in, as they have the Quarry surrounded.

There could be a reasonable third option, if you have an idea in mind, but I do like your plans for Blitz. She will have reason to attack the quarry regardless of if Molotov is in there, and there are plenty of Loyalists surrounding the quarry for her to attack given she can't do much to the shield itself. The strength of the shield could be why Molotov doesn't immediately reveal himself to her, as he knows that as long as she's focused on the shield she isn't hurting anyone else by accident while he works to calm her down.

20 hours ago, Blitz Boom said:

Almost forgot, reason I don't think it makes sense to have Molotov out and looking for Blitz, is that as written, he's an asset. I think it makes far more sense that he were not allowed to leave the quarry, as they could use someone who could make defense robots, various turrets, general repairs, and just overall, be a good, inventive engineer. And he in turn, would be bound between his boundaries, eventual family, and not wanting to potentially leave the quarry to die, if something were to happen in his absence. Simply leaving would be him in a desperate attempt to save one, over the lives of countless others. Both his morality, and likely others around him, would have a hard time being able to argue for him taking that risk.

That is fair, and we can work with him being trapped inside the quarry if you think that is a more reasonable story arc. Oracle could tell him that the quarry would be fine without him if he went after his sister, indicating that bad things could happen to her and those around her if she were not recovered, leaving the choice up to him and balancing the costs.

Quarry leadership would of course push for him to remain, but Oracle would provide a way out if he chose to leave.

Up to you of course, I can see a good story down either path.

20 hours ago, Blitz Boom said:

The pacifist ones doesn't sound like the biggest issue, as you said, once they knew a new queen were there. As for the Polistae ones... You say they have a focus on fear, yes?

Polistae = pascifist, Miasma = fear

Another thought was that the remaining Polistae changelings would adopt more natural disguises, making them look like Evergrown to better hide among the trees and wildlife from the Loyalists. On first encounter they might be mistaken for Evergrown.

These changelings would be especially hungry though, as their attuned emotions (Respect and Admiration) are not easy to come by in this world (Most loyalists know only Fear, Envy, and Spite) and animals aren't often evolved enough to have that level of complex emotion.

Miasma changelings don't have that issue, as the Loyalists serve as a good source of fear, and they can harvest fear from animals if need be.

Given the above statements, I think the Polistae changelings would be willing to be converted, at least most of them, plus the Whitetail woods are a bit tamer than the Everfree, so will be easier for ponies to settle near afterwards.

20 hours ago, Blitz Boom said:

Where they'd go though... Briar would want to stay and talk a little with others, before he went off. Might be enough time for him to learn of the loyalists/changelings. If not... Perhaps they could be used as the way to introduce at least 1 of those factions? So if for instance they went South, if that area seemed the most promising, or felt more natural, they could run into one of the factions, and from that interaction, they would chose/be forced to go back, and relay news of the competing factions they would have to deal with?

I don't imagine that Briar will leave before the first event is finished and the permanent settlement is established. The location of the permanent settlement may affect his decision on where to go with the seed, and could result in some of the factions having already been discovered before he sets out.

20 hours ago, Blitz Boom said:

Oh right, while at it... I had mentioned all the various evergrown, were picked up at different times? For a laugh, do you want them all to be from different dimensions? It will mean absolutely nothing, since those who weren't saved, have died years ago in this dimension, as they were all found isolated in the first place. But like I said, you can have that added for a laugh.

So then. Thoughts?

Really the only consideration is whether any Evergrown will be present in the return universe. Given they were made by a draconequis that is not yet present in my canon we could say that there were no Evergrown present in my universe to begin with, or that the ones present came about by some other means, for instance by the Kitsune.

For simplicity, we'll say that there are no remaining Evergrown here, so we don't have to worry about them finding any others. Whether your evergrown are from a mix of universes or not is up to you, they don't seem to have much interest in history or surrounding areas so its not like they would be able to tell even if they were.

@Evil Pink One

20 hours ago, Evil Pink One said:

You know more rights? I mean unless my line of work is less valuable, i get less. I just want to know how well my character is living so i can adapt him on how he should be. We cant have a heartless and careless guy with minimum "wage" or lesser than that. Or lets say he is easily bribed by food or better life if he is poorer.

We'll say above average, but standard for the research division. It won't matter though as soon the whole Project will be restructured and O5 will have to decide whether they move everything off of the Project into the permanent settlement or not.

20 hours ago, Evil Pink One said:

Theres Light, who acts like he has an eight grade syndrome to everyone since no one believes his tales.

Theres kuya who is...... Always chasing mares i guess? A earth pony mercenary.

We can use the PRE MAD madeline here. Hasn't mastered 4th walling yet. Is a shy bit of pinkie. Is on a mission to stop disarray and trying to save pinkie pie her aunt.

Or perhaps Shallow. Shes a shark pony who can swim in the shadows and is after Light.

To be clear, I'm not asking for more special characters. Any new characters should be reasonable, normal sorts without crazy abilities.

If you don't have characters like that, no problem, we'll just play the one. But if you do have someone more in like with the characters that the others have been playing then we can consider it.

Evil Pink One · June 11

2 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

you don't have characters like that, no problem, we'll just play the one. But if you do have someone more in like with the characters that the others have been playing then we can consider it.

And here i thought Aligner was tamed/normal... Well i guess the artifact wouldve made him OP. But That's not him and there is a side effect to that thing... Or perhaps you are talking about the others.

The only one i thought i included here that was very special was White Light.... Oh madeline right shes OP for 4th walling and hard to handle.

Anyway...

How about Shallow Shores, the shark pony? Or is her shadow walk skill too much here? 🤔

Btw what should we do with white light... I made a mistake of thinking this was the fall out RP :lie: ...

Im so sorry everyone.

Aaaaand it didn't become a gif....

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