[Cortex Plus/EPRP 2 Testing] The Remnants of Nightmare

The Detectives Library was musty, dusty and mess. Beakers, strange equipment and books cluttered every surface that had been wheeled into the ordinarily ornate wing of the Canterlot Palace, part of the Detective's HQ. The stone walls were softened with dark wood bookshelves across every wall, decks centered around a dome in the middle of the carpet on the floor. This huge, hoof-worn rug was likely a more complex pattern once but now it was a haze of red and blue fibers, greyed with dust and time. Light poured in from the tall windows at the far wall opposite the door while lamps ensured the place wasn't utterly cast in shadow. Though, most were illuminating the area around the dome in the centre. There was certainly room to spare in here.

Most of the desks were here in the centre, caught in orbit around the new acquisition of the Detectives, with several of the 34 members taking recordings with hefty equipment or attempting to make sense of the data they did have. One of them was even approaching the dome and throwing some nuts into a specialised hatch, locking it straight back up afterwards hurriedly to ensure the creature within didn't escape.

The creature itself seemed dormant for now, the dark furred squirrel sitting and looking around at the hubbub it had caused with some apparent amusement. It even got up and then rushed at one of the ponies at the side of the dome, fangs and claws beared. Within a moment, it was at her face; uselessly wrestling with the surface of thick material between the pony and that squirrel. The detective backs off, eyes wide with fright.

This was enough for the squirrel as it settles down, cackling to itself.

(Please, introduce yourself and wonder right in.)

 

The squirrel watches Silver and cocks it's head, watching her with great curiosity. There was a strange grin on it's face, the black-marked fur and bright yellow eyes made it seem like a demon watching from within that dome.

"What are you doing?" One of the ponies said as they move between you and the dome, ushering Silver away. "Are you assigned to this case or are you also just trying to get a peak at the freak show?"

"Dusky, leave her be."

"No! I'm sick of being disturbed every five minutes!" The unicorn said, her own dark blue mane waving around, the curls bouncing freely as she talks to the other stallion with a black frown. Bags under her eyes, drooping posture and a few stray hairs in her mane. She looks to Silver and then looks her up and down again. "Umm..."

"It's the other Kitsune." The Stallion said.

"Oh! Sorry, I've been up all night trying to find something about the rodent of doom." 'Dusky' manages to meander into her previous position in front of a book, hanging her head over it like it was weighted. The stallion gives a loud yawn, his white coat contrasting against his own set of dark shades under his eyes. His glasses are slid back on his face by his hoof, the burgundy mane on his head was long, straight and appeared to have been singed at the ends at some point recently.

"You here to investigate this thing too?" The stallion asks, his eyes seemingly sliding off of every page in front of him. "I guess we could catch you up."

(Remember, you are able to use your skills to effect the scene.)

 

(Occulist is a distinction. Actions that require a Skill Check come from a combination of an Attribute and a Skill, while your Distinctions add extra dice in order to make your roll more likely. Also, you don't have Occulist as a Distinction. But, I would accept Royal Detective in this case to add to your dice.)

"We have theories." The Stallion began, scrutinising the little creature himself. "It could be possession though that appears unlikely as the creature appears to possess only a slightly more elevated rudimentary intelligence than a regular squirrel. Possession would likely give it a pony-like intelligence and it would be able to speak. Not snarl like an animal. Likely mutation through magical means."

"I, and a few more of the faculty, believe that this was Emotional Energy." Adds Dusky "It's a relatively new therory-"

"That gets banded around like a cure-all remedy for anything we don't fully know about magic." The stallion drops in.

"It's a relatively new theory that suggests that there is magic separate but related to the manifestation of will Unicorns and Alicorns can perform. Strong emotions can take on a power of their own, exerting new force on objects and ponies. It's how we think the Elements of Harmony functioned; as catalysts to turn virtue into power."

"It's a theory. It explains Princess Twilight and the power her and her entourage share. Turning good vibes into rainbow lasers." The stallion scoffs. "Taking down bad guys with the power of friendship. Literally."

Dusky nods: "We all channel and generate these energies all the time but it's so small in comparison to an Alicorn that it doesn't usually bother anyone unless it's powerful. Either good or bad. Some ponies can just make you feel what they feel just by being near. But Alicorns do so much more if unchecked." She looks to the squirrel, currently trying to dig through the metal floor of it's cage.

"Yeah. Prevailing theory is that this little mite was changed by a mother of bad moods made real. The only one we know that might be still out there that still exists, belonged to Princess Luna." The Stallion said.

(Got dice handy? Roll me a Mental Notice check. You may add your Royal Detective die and any other dice from your character sheet that's necessary.

So, you get to roll a d10 for Mental, a d8 for your Notice skill and a d8 for your Royal Detective distinction. You may add extra dice too this pool, rolling all of them and only selecting the two highest from the roll. If you get a 1, please tell me as they have a special function and do not count towards your total. An applicable die to add for your roll might be your Small Details speciality on your Notice Skill, which is another d6. Roll all of them and tell me the highest two numbers you have and if there's any 1s.

Also, you began the game with a Plot Point. Plot Points not only allow you to activate abilities but they also allow you to add extra dice from your dice pool to your total score, because you add the two highest results together to get your score. You roll against whoever your acting against and your acting against the environment so that ends up being me. You earn them from your Distinction triggers or from good roleplay or if I create a Complication. Though only the ones in blue are unlocked. You can also use them to create an asset, which is something in this scene that would reasonably be there you use to help you out. Could be an item, could be a certain mood, could be a person. Please roleplay how you came across your asset when you make them. Each costs a Plot Point but creates an extra d6.

To succeed, your roll has to beat an 8. Any questions?)

 

(Yep! Perfectly reasonable but they usually last for a scene. They're meant to be disposable so don't get too attached unless you want to spend more Plot Points to make it stick around.

Now, 1s mean that I can effect the story...badly. Please accept another Plot Point for the complication I just made. However, 9+2=11 so you succeed still against my 8. Make sense? *ahem*)

The creature exuded a strange aggression that felt tangible. It's something a Kitsune gets used to in Equestria; the sensation of electric in the air around particular events. It's Kitsune that suggested the idea of Emotional Energy in the first place and to them, it's evident at every festival and holiday themed event they've been to. Even stirring music performances can give little sparks here and there if you're in the right spot.

This thing felt like nightmare night without the fun. Like a horrid thought come to life. It was watching her with hollow pits that seemed to be empty, unaware of the outside world but the creature still moved and reacted as if directed by the cocktail of bad vibes it was showing, even through the thick glass. It bears it's fangs and for a moment, there's a flash of aggression. Of maddening jealousy. A yawning pit, a yearning need for attention. Isolation despite hundreds around. Disappointment at utterly stunning beauty. Then an all consuming rage.

There's a bang. The squirrel is already barrelling backwards from the impact it's attempted towards the dome, trying to get at Silver. One of it's sharpened teeth is embedded within the sizable crack it's left in the glass. While the dome is still solid, it's clearly managed an impressive feat. Even the cost of a tooth doesn't seem to bother it as it gets up, seemingly watching Silver and looking for another opening to lunge for.

This was a truely dangerous thing.

(Complications

• Cracked Dome - d8

)

 

(I will allow though I have no idea if Equestria has Duct Tape but sure. You've spent one of your two Plot Points thus far. I will also point out that actions are One Attribute and One Skill per action. Partly to make it simple, partly to ensure you're not overpowered by throwing skills around like it's confetti that solves problems. In this case, you'd be making a Physical Fix roll. So, one die for your Physical Attribute and one for your Fix skill. That's the same for every skill check.

However, your asset gives you an extra d6 to help out, so your dice pool is made up of a d4, a d4 and a d6 to represent your Physical Attribute, your Fix Skill and the help your Duct Tape asset grants you. Beat a 9 and you'll succeed.)

(Hi, we're experimenting with a tabletop system on a forum. If you'd like to join in, we prefer it (especially in this case), if you'd poke your head into the Out Of Character threads for the corresponding Roleplay thread. The one for this one is here where we can throw a character together for you: [Cortex Plus/EPRP 2 Testing] The Remnants of Nightmare)

 

(I play with the 'Players Break Ties Rule' soooo...)

The tape stuck to the dome in a thick patch as the frantic pawing and sticking down made for a silly, energetic display. Even so, it looked like the patch would stand up to some punishment. Hardly the best solution.

"I could have..." Dusky began but trails off. "Never mind. We've been trying to come up with ways of using this squirrel to find the rest of the entity. Any ideas?"

(Complications

• Cracked Dome - d6 - Reduced

)

 

"We've thought of that." the Stallion said, yawning widely then blinks his eyes in some attempt to keep them running. "If you'd like to try and chase a tiny squirrel, be my guest."

Dusky looks up from a book at Silver: "Actually, how good is a fox's nose? Any better than a pony's?"

 

"So, are we saying it's a good idea?" Dusky said. "I mean, we've been thinking of using a tracking spell but this might work too. Are you up to it?"

 

"What? Really? Are you sure you should-"

"Yes!" Dusky said "Good luck! You probably need to find someone to go with you because it's kind of a big thing to go alone but if you think you can handle it."

The sagging and the desperate need to sleep in her eyes was devastating to anyone that gazed too long. She wanted a solution so she could get some respite else collapse into another old tome.