DAY 1: TURN 7:

EVENING 1/3

EQUESTRIA

No Alterations:

WORLD NEWS:

House Earthborn Primary House Army The Earthshakers is moving out.
House Earthborn Independent Army Molten Rain is moving out.

House Everfree Primary House Army The Path of Wrath has been spotted near Her Watchful Eyes Wildling Camp in Everfree Territory.
House Everfree Independent Army The Dire Fang is participating in a Purge in the Forward Scout Camp in Everfree Territory!

House Storming Primary House Army The Blazing Comets has been spotted at The Hoofington Mines in Moon and Star Territory!
House Stormwing Independent Army The Deep Sea Raiders is fighting near the Deep Earth Mines in Moon and Star Territory!

House Moon and Star has moved troops to the Independent Army Lunar Wolves!

Cult of Laughter Primary Cult Troupe The Coffinguard has been spotted at the Gem Mines in Whitegold Territory! (North-Eastern)

ARMY ACTIONS:

LUNAR WOLVES:
1854932

18 Squads Strong out of Current Max 25 Squads.
Wealth: 5,000 Bits.

The Lunar Wolves Independent Army is currently garrisoned at Headquarters in the Fortress of the Moon.

General Star Saber is currently at Headquarters.

Alpha Room: (Personal Quarters. Hold Meetings with important House members here.)
The Leash Office: (Liaison headquarters. Troop Recruitment. Officer Recruitment. Army Upgrades. Building Upgrades. Building Purchase.)
Wolves Den Barracks: (Troop Garrisoning. 25 Squad Capacity as of Current.)
Star Forge: (Squad Upgrades. General Upgrades.)
Trophy Room: (Trophy/Artifact Containment.)

What do you do?

DEEP SEA RAIDERS:
1855434

8 Squads Strong out of Current Max 25 Squads.
Wealth: 10,000 Bits.

The Deep Sea Raiders Independent Army is currently conducting an ambush near the Deep Earth Mines in The Northern Expansion!

General Storm Chaser is currently leading his Army in an ambush.

The Eye of the Storm: (Personal Quarters. Hold Meetings with important House members here.)
Liaison Office: (Liaison headquarters. Troop Recruitment. Officer Recruitment. Army Upgrades. Building Upgrades. Building Purchase.)
Raider Racks: (Troop Garrisoning. 25 Squad Capacity as of Current.)
Armory: (Squad Upgrades. General Upgrades.)
Vault: (Trophy/Artifact Containment.)

THE DEEP SEA RAIDERS ARE CURRENTLY IN A BATTLE!!!

MOLTEN RAIN:
1854846

14 Squads Strong out of Current Max 25 Squads.
Wealth: 4,000 Bits.

The Molten Rain Independent Army is on the move!
General Surprising Impact is currently leading his army.

Inner Sanctum: (Personal Quarters. Hold Meetings with important House members here.)
Liaison Office: (Liaison headquarters. Troop Recruitment. Officer Recruitment. Army Upgrades. Building Upgrades. Building Purchase.)
Warehouse Barracks: (Troop Garrisoning. 25 Squad Capacity as of Current.)
Forge of the Molten Rain Company: (Squad Upgrades. General Upgrades.)
Vault: (Trophy/Artifact Containment.)

Headed towards Ruins of Watchtower #1! (Will arrive next turn.)

THE NIGHT WRAITHS:
1749257

17 Squads Strong out of Current Max 25 Squads.

Wealth: 5,000 Bits.

The Night Wraiths Independent Army is currently garrisoned at Headquarters in Manehatten.
General Night Fury is currently in his Headquarters.

Inner Sanctum: (Personal Quarters. Hold Meetings with important House members here.)
Liaison Office: (Liaison headquarters. Troop Recruitment. Officer Recruitment. Army Upgrades. Building Upgrades. Building Purchase.)
Barracks: (Troop Garrisoning. 25 Squad Capacity as of Current.)
Forge: (Squad Upgrades. General Upgrades.)
Vault: (Trophy/Artifact Containment.)

What do you do?

THE DIRE FANG:
1853038

7 Squads Strong out of Current Max 25 Squads.
Wealth: 10,000 Bits.

The Dire Fang Independent Army is currently conducting a Purge in the Forward Scout Camp!
The Dire Fang Independent Army has left a garrison in their Headquarters.
General Asua is currently leading his Army in a Purge.

Inner Sanctum: (Personal Quarters. Hold Meetings with important House members here.)
Liaison Office: (Liaison headquarters. Troop Recruitment. Officer Recruitment. Army Upgrades. Building Upgrades. Building Purchase.)
The Wolves Bark: (Troop Garrisoning. 25 Squad Capacity as of Current.)
The Broken Fang: (Squad Upgrades. General Upgrades.)
Sightful Grotto: (Trophy/Artifact Containment.)

THE DIRE FANG IS CONDUCTING A PURGE!!!

1853038

CULT OF LAUGHTER TURN:
Cult of Laughter Forces

BATTLE MOVEMENTS:

1: REMAINING AT Corpsecart Circle in Cave.
Evergrin Necromancer: General.
Laughing Dead: 3X
Cadaver Carousel: 1X
Smiling Dolls: 1X

2: MOVING FROM Corpsecart Circle in Cave TO Hillside Cave Entrance.
Revelers: 2X
Laughing Dead: 2X

ATTACKING ASUA’S FORCES AT Hillside Cave Entrance.

1: Inside the cave dark forces loomed. The dead giggles and laughed and chuckled as the Laughing Mare’s power permeated the air, the corpse-stink coming from deep within sickly sweet with cotton-candy and licorice, burnt popcorn melding with the stench of blood as her will was whispered into their ears, and her unholy children gathered within, ready to protect her holy places and servant.

DEFENDING.

2: Out of the cave came giggles and chortles and chuckles and guffaws. Hooded madponies with crude leather armor and robes came galloping forth out of the black, drooling over clinking chains in their teeth, dragging long spiked cylinders across the dirt, raking through it as they charged with madness in their eyes and joy in their hearts.

2X Reveler Squads attacking. Enemy not defending. Target picking allowed. Picking 1X Squad Wildling Ponies.

The twenty Revelers descended on the one Wildling squad, attacking the ten ponies with wild abandon, swinging their chains about their heads with glee, ignorant of all it seemed save for the joy of battle as they laid into the Wildlings.

REVELER SQUADS DAMAGE ROLL: 22 Points
WILDING SQUAD DEFENSE ROLL: 3
DAMAGE TO WILDLING SQUAD: 19 out of 20 Damage Points.

CRACK!

The skull of a Wildling split open as his brains spilled out onto the grass in front of the cave. A Reveler cackled as he twirled his chain above his head, and struck the head of a charging Wildling Mare with the cylinder, the spikes digging into her head and piercing through her skull as she fell to the ground, wide-eyed, blood dripping out of her mouth. A pair of Revelers flailed their chains onto a prone Wildling, ripping open his back and neck with their chains, sickening cracks sounded as they continued their gleeful beating.

Only one Wildling remained, staggering back and coughing up blood as the Revelers rapid attack put his fellow warriors out of commission, blood pooling at his side and dripping from his mouth as his eyes darted rapidly between the crazed lunatics, all around, trembling with the pain…

1X Wildling Squad: 1/10 Members remaining.
MASSIVE MORAL DAMAGE.
Dropped from High to Low.

Even as this chaos engulfed the Wildlings, another lower, more sinister chuckle came from the cave, and plodding out stepped shambling corpses, stumbling and walking with low chuckles shaking from their throats, walking with rotting grins on their faces, twenty unquiet chuckling dead entering the battlefield, advancing towards Asua’s forces…

ASUA’S MOVE:

1909211
Saber sighs with contentment as the paper was finished and the army was ready now all he need to do was fully introduce Flame to the fortress and the other wolves. The it they'd have some clean up duty in Hoofington. While his mind worked Saber noticed Nightlight pouring him a small cup of moonshine, to which Saber smiles at her, before taking the glass from her. With a gulp he brought the glass back and slowly closed his eyes as the burn in this throat grew from the heave drink with a sigh of contentment Saber turns his eyes back at Nightlight.

"Tell Flame to prepare his introduction, also inform Torch to gather the wolves we will to the chapel," Saber orders his assistant nods before heading to the door, Another sigh escapes his lips as he looks over his blitz and could only smile like a child on his birthday. Saber stood and walked to the door grabbing his coat as he did with not a sound he soon found himself in front of the chapel dedicated solely to Luna. The room was large enough to fit the whole Fortress and then some. Saber calmly walks over the statue of Luna closing his eyes Saber turns his head towards the ceiling and spoke in a low voice.

"For those who do not love you Luna may they feel your wraith at our coming Faust same them from their fate, Amen"

1909211

Getting off the train was a solemn affair. No torches or sources of light were to be used, the brave mares, stallions and non-pony allies of the Molten Rain Company being ordered to let their eyes adjust to the dark before they began the trip from the railway to the ruined tower. In truth Surprising planned on the Changelings spotting them long before they arrived at the tower and having torches would not only cause them to stand out more, but greatly limit their field of vision.

Clearing his throat once the train had left, Surprising spoke loud and clear for all those around him to hear. "Alright everyone. I'm sure that you've all had the plans for tonight's operation explained to you but I will make a quick once over of important points so we all are on the same page. Do not leave your group for any reason. If you have doubts about someone the call signs are the begins of common nursery rhythms with the counter call being the next line of said song. Try not to use the same parts of the song more then once."

"When you hear the call sign 'Operation Sunny Day', I want all those carrying the beach umbrellas to stick them into the ground and open them. Everyone who can, get under them and shield your eyes to protect your night vision. Pony at arms, if you'll take the lead. Make sure to use your canes to thoroughly probe the ground ahead of you. I would rather us take a while to get there then to lose anyone to acid mines that may be in order path. Any questions?"

If there were questions, Surprising would take the time to answer them. If there were none, he would merely nod his head and say "Alright then. Form up and move out!"

1909211
The Night Wraiths had been busy during the day; training, preparing weapons, entertaining themselves. Doing things that soldiers are wont to do. But all were quiet when the doors to the sanctum opened up, as the sky slowly turned to darker, redder colors. Night Fury strode out, looking well-rested and in full battle armor.

Steel Blade, upon seeing him, immediately rushed to him. “Sir, how do you feel?”
“Magnificent, thank you for asking. How are the boys?”
“Everything is in tip-top shape, as always.”
“Very good.” Fury smiled, stretching out his wings. “Any word from the Mistress?”

Blade levitated out a parchment, holding it aloft for the bat pony to read. There was a lot if flowery words and beautiful calligraphy, its phrasing and flow so complicated that most of the poor (and even a few of the rich) ponies in Manehattan would be unable to translate it. Typical encryption for Whitegold messaging. After a minute, Fury smiled.

“This is wonderful news, my friend.” He gloated.
“Does it say what I thought it said, master?”
“Indeed, Steel. We have our seal of approval. Operation: Thrift Shop is open for business.”

He launched himself into the air, hovering over the unicorn. “Gather up our warriors in front of the barracks. There is something they shall wish to hear…”

ARMY MOVEMENT: PART 1

1909043

"Surround them and cut through the enemy ranks!" Storm barked. "No quarter! All forces attack and cut them to pieces!"

AMBUSH PLACEMENT:

Mountain Pass Westernmost Tip:

1X Fallen
2X Hoplites
1X Wind Riders

Mountain Pass Straight Path:

2X Nhorse
1X Hoplites
1X Wind Riders
Storm Chaser

BATTLE MOVEMENTS:

All Stormwing forces move into Mountain Pass Western Bend
2X Wind Riders Aiming for 2X Seraphs
1X Fallen Aiming for 1X Inquisition Troops
1X Hoplites Aiming for 1X Knights of Luna
2X Hoplites and 1X Nhorse Aiming for 5X Legionnares
Storm Chaser and 1X Nhorse Aiming for Royal Legate

1912553

1:

2X Wind Riders attacking 2X Seraphs:

Damage Roll Total: 22

Defensive Roll Total: 10

(12 of 12 killed :) 

The Seraphs flapped on gossamer deep-blue wings, over the rolling wagons filled with gems and the soldiers galloping below, purple swirls mixing with black circles upon the deep-blue, their wings blessed with Luna’s night. The ephemeral flappers held their long crescent blades in auras of different colors, gazing ahead with nervous butterflies in their stomach to the gathering forces at the opposite ends… They gripped their blades tighter with their magic. Stormwing or not they still outnumbered these would be plunderers! They were prepared to fight as one of the groups seemed to blur and-

SCHLICK!

From behind the Seraphs felt a gust of wind, accompanied by blurring blades running through spines and severing necks from half their number. Even as the remainders flapped to a stop, rising up in a panic, a-

SCHINK!

Sounded as the blur from the front ran threw them, and the remnants felt their lungs and guts scatter. Heads hit the dirt below and rolled between the hooves of fellow soldiers. Bodies plunked into the carts, scattering gems, and organs splattered onto the ground as bodies fell on top of them in halves…

The Wind Riders rose up in a twisting arch of dripping red rain, fanning out above the field, watching with smug satisfaction as they flapped the blood off their wing blades, a special kind of satisfaction gained in the killing of the fake fliers…

2:

1X Hoplites attacking 1X Knights of Luna: (Engaged)
2X Hoplites attacking 5X Legionnaires: (Unable to engage all. 2X Legionnaires engaged.)

Hoplites versus Knights of Luna:
Damage Roll: 6
Defensive Roll: 8
(No injuries.)

Hoplites versus Legionnaires:
Damage Roll1:11
DefensiveRoll1:4
(3 killed, 1 injured. 7 Squad members remaining.)

Damage Roll2: 12
Defensive Roll2: 3
(4 killed, 1 injured. 6 Squad members remaining.)
Morale Damage: Enemy down to Average.

The Hoplites flew from forward and behind even as the Wind Riders cut the Seraphs to ribbons, letting the bloody bodies of the sliced and diced Pegasus wanna-bes fall to the earth. One from the back and two from the front, the Hoplites descended upon the unicorn soldiers, even as they pulled themselves back up from dodging falling body parts.

The Hoplites speeding up from the Straight Path behind the caravan descended upon the Knights of Luna. The Knights, dark-blue armor plates with black chainmail beneath and purple edgings along the plates, they held in their levitational auras black shields with purple edging and luminescent white crescent moons with blue circles at where the moon edges nearly intersected, curved up like it was, and curved crescent-shaped blades, also held in their auras. The powerful armored defenders of Luna’s temple barked orders, and turned with narrowed eyes and gritted teeth to face the oncoming Hoplites.

The Hoplites surged forward with piercing spears, only to for them to be met by the blocking shields of the Knights. Swinging blades stopped the Hoplites from full-descents, forcing them back, even as their raised shields blocked further strikes as the Hoplites flew over, pecking and striking at the Knights, spears sparking and scratching the metal but never piercing, frustrating the Hoplite’s efforts as their blows were blocked and deflected.

The dual squads surging forth from the Westernmost Tip faced better luck as they fell upon the recovering Legionnaires. The steel-clad Legionnaires with dark blue edgings around the steel plates and purple cloth beneath the armor, barely had time to telekinetically hoist their spears when the Hoplites descended on them, having been so busy dodging their dead comrades.

A Hoplite spear jutted through one’s right eye socket, driving into his brain as the Hoplite ran him to the ground with her shaft. Another gasped as a spear-tip pierced through his neck armor, cutting his throat on the inside, and still another found the armor at his chest worthless as the spear rammed right through, and cut into his heart. Others rallied, and forced the charge to break with their blades, knocking away spears and backing up, keeping the Hoplites back.

One Legionnaire tried to stab a Hoplite, only for that Hoplite to knock the spear aside with his own spear, and then with a flap and twist, the bring his buckler around to slam into the side of the Legionnaire’s head, knocking him back with a dent in the helmet, cut in the forehead, blood spilling out over the eye forcing it to close as the dazed Legionnaire shook his head, one of his comrades waving spear between him and the attacking Hoplite. Another Legionnaire had the great fortune to knock aside a spear-thrust to the chest, only for it to pierce his front-left leg. Letting out a yell he staggered back, sweat coating his fur as he wildly waved his spear back and forth his telekinesis, driving back the encroaching opponent, gritting his teeth as his eyes teared up from the pain, holding his leg up off the ground and close to his body.

A good start for the Hoplites, but their attacks took up only a small portion of the Legionnaire’s forces, as the rest began to rally.

3:

Storm Chaser attacking Royal Legate: (Engaged)

(STORM CHASER will reach the Legate and ENGAGE him this turn. I will let you describe the nature of Storm Chaser’s attack.)

Damage Roll: 9
Defense Roll: 9

(No damage)

The Royal Legate stood amongst the forces, firm, tall, with narrowed eyes looking towards the Pegasi that dared assault the Princesses forces. He was covered with dark-blue metal plates, rimmed with jet black. His legs were covered with dark-grey scale-mail, and over them were hung short purple banners, half-covering like pants with half the parts cut off and left to hang. The banners bore the black and purple symbols of the moon and star upon them, and the helmet he wore had a rough horsehair outcropping at the top, purple, rising in a thick cropped Mohawk, half as long as what one might expect from the normal mane-styling, designed into the helmet.

Floating in his telekinetic grip were shield and spear. One large thick tower-shield, of the same dark-blue as his armor, with a purple curving crescent moon and circle upon it, emblazoned for all to see. Then, in his other grip was a large powerful curved spear with tip, like those of the Legionnaires only larger, longer, and heavier. Around his back was a strap of leather that connected to a sheathe at his side, a heavy curved saber with a black metal handle and guard, star-shape of the Moon and Star at the end, ready to be pulled out and used at a moment’s notice.

A tall stallion, his coat was dark-grey and his eyes were a deep purple, same color as the magic he used, his natural mane unseen but his tail short and black. He turned his gaze to Storm as the tactician approached with a scowl and snarl. He raised his shield up in front of his form, even as he jutted his spear out at the charging tactician.

4:

1X Nhorse attacking 5X Legionnaires: (Unable to engage all. 1X Legionnaire squads engaged.)
1X Nhorse attacking Royal Legate:
1X Fallen attacking 1X Inquisition Troops: (Engaged)

Following the Wind Riders, Hoplites, and their General on the call to glory, came the Nhorse and the Fallen, running across the dirt paths, Nhorse gripping axes in their teeth with blood in their eyes, Fallen with long spiked flails and rage.

Nhorse attacking Legionnaires:
DamageRoll: 8
DefensiveRoll: 4
(2 Legionnaires killed, 8 Remaining.)
The Nhorse fell upon one of the Legionnaire lines, the soldiers turning to face them. Not quickly enough, as one of the Nhorse warriors brought his axe to the neck of a turning soldier. The head flew from the shoulders as blood spurted out from the neck, painting the Nhorse pony’s face with the blood of his enemy as the body slumped down, and he let out a muffled laugh from behind his axe. Even as he felled his enemy, another one of his brethren slammed into a Legionnaire and knocked him to the ground, before planting his hooves on the unicorn’s chest, keeping him down as he slammed the axe down into the soldier’s face, cutting through the helmet and an eye, burrowing the axe deep into his skull… With a laugh of triumph, the Nhorse abandoned the lodged axe to grab up the unicorn’s curved spear in his teeth, and charged with the rest of his brethren as they entered melee with the Legionnaires, axes and spears clashing as the warriors fought.

Nhorse attacking Royal Legate:
Damage Roll: 5
Defensive Roll:12
(No Damage)

Other Nhorse surged to the aid of their general as he fought with the Royal Legate. The Legate, having finished blocking Storm Chaser’s attack, would turn with a scowl towards the Nhorse. With a snort of his nose, his horn would light up, and a purple shield would engulf him. The Nhorse would hit into the shield, attacking it with their axes as he looked at them with contempt, and with another flash of his horn blew the shield back, causing the Nhorse warriors to stumble back, forcing them to regain composure as he turned back to Storm Chaser.

Fallen attacking Inquisition Troops:
Damage Roll: 5
Defensive Roll: 5
(No Damage)

The Fallen with grimaces on their faces, rage in their hearts, and an overpowering urge to wallow in death and blood, ran across the field, the cut stumps of what had been their wings with errant feathers sticking sickly out from the flesh wiggling uselessly as they trusted their speed to their hooves.

The Inquisitors, standing calm and grim levitated their books up before them, with torches spouting cold blue flame and no light levitating right beside them. They started to speak… when the Fallen reached them. Furrowing brows, they interrupted their chant to cast a shield spell as one. The purple dome formed around them as the Fallen began to beat on it with wild abandon, throats growling, anger in their eyes, as the unicorn supremists furrowed their brows, sweat beginning to build from the effort of keeping the shield up against the attack.

(Attack turn complete. Enemy response pending.)

1912553

Knights of Luna engaged with Hoplites. Attacking Hoplites!

Damage Roll: 9
Defensive Roll: 11
(No Damage)

The Knights, shielding themselves from the Hoplites pecking attacks, retaliated. Their horns glowed bright, and beams of what appeared to be moonlight shot out from them, directed at the Hoplites. The Hoplites quickly dodged in the air, zipping by as the Knights unleashed a magical barrage on them, and stopped and deflected beams with their bucklers, dodging and blocking the Knights attempts to shoot them down.

Legionnaires (7, 1 injured) engaged with Hoplites. Attacking Hoplites!

Damage Roll: 11
Defensive Roll: 9
(1 Killed.)

Legionnaires (6, 1 injured) (Average Morale) engaged with Hoplites. Attacking Hoplites!

Damage Roll: 4
Defensive Roll: 12
(No Damage)

In melee, the Legionnaires rallied and began to fight with the Hoplites assaulting them. Levitating their spears forward, they hit the enemy bucklers, blocked shield stabs, the injured one breathing heavily as the fighting continued. One young mare, gritting her teeth horn aglow, brought her spear up levitating to block a Hoplite’s thrust, and then sent it plummeting forward, slipping just past the buckler and piercing the Hoplite’s neck. The mare looked almost surprised as the Hoplite, as blood began to gush around the wound, the Hoplite staggering, and gasping for breath, before falling to the ground, the Legionnaire breathing heavily with wide eyes as she magically pulled her shafted crescent spear from her dead opponent…

Otherwise the fighting continued with poor luck on the Legionnaires part, their stabs and thrusts blocked and deflected, their slashes avoided, barely keeping up with their quick-hoofed opponents.

Legionnaires (8) engaged with Nhorse! Attacking Nhorse!

Damage Roll: 6
Defensive Roll: 7
(No Damage)

The Nhorse and the Legionnaires got stuck in, trading blows, axe to blade and blade to axe! The shafted crescent blades twirled through the air, only to be blocked by Nhorse axes. Nhorse axes chopped, only to be blocked by crescent blades. Hooves kicked up dirt, ponies threw their bodies into slashes and bumps, Legionnaire and Nhorse locked weapon in stalemate, Legionnaires eyes burning with hatred, and Nhorse smiling with the thrill of battle dancing in their orbs…

1X Legionnaires moving to attack Nhorse! ENGAGING Nhorse!

Damage Roll: 13
Defensive Roll: 3
(5 killed! 1 Remaining.)
MAJOR MORALE DAMAGE
(From High to Low)

Royal Legate: Engaged with Storm Chaser. Attacking Storm Chaser!
1X Legionnaires moving to attack Storm Chaser!

Combined Damage: 15
Defensive Roll: 12
(Some damage! 3 Wound out of 13. 10 Left.)

The two full Legionnaire squads, recovered from dodging their fallen kindred and spared attack, fared much better. Seeing their Legate attacked by enemies, they charged to his aid, and divided up to attack his enemies… One moved quickly upon the still dazed Nhorse affected by the shield blast, and fell upon them. A Nhorse looked up with dazed eyes, as a blade fell that severed his head from his shoulders, sending it rolling in a bloody mess across the dirt. Another turned to unleash a battle cry, only to find his throat stuck through and cut down the middle. Still another was kicked to the dirt by the unicorn’s hooves, before his blade came down and cut the Nhorse open down the middle.

One Nhorse stood up shakily at the end, and looked to his brethren, wide-eyed, to find suddenly that he was one Nhorse, faced up against ten Legionnaires…

Even as the Nhorse were cut apart, the Royal Legate looked up from Storm Chaser to the encroaching Legionnaires, and smiled with a glint in his eyes. He stabbed forward as the Legionnaire squad moved to surround and attack Storm Chaser, blades jutting forward, thrusting and stabbing at the pony, and the Royal Legate’s returning to his side with blood dripping from the edge…

Inquisition Troops: Attempting to Withdraw from Engagement:
No speed bonus to either unit.
Inquisition Troops succeed Withdraw roll!
Inquisition Troops beginning Sermons of Luna. (will take effect next turn unless engaged.)
(Reduces Damage and Defense rankings by 1.)

The Inquisition Troops flinched and sweated beneath the beating of the Fallen’s flailing maces. They shifted hooves, and muttered curses, before looking to each other and trading whispers. With a single nod, they dropped the unified shield. Instantly the Fallen began to descend upon the Inquisition Troops, only for their horns to flash purple and-

ZAP!

The Inquisition Troops disappeared from the ground they’d been standing on, teleporting a short distance away, near to the carts and just outside of the fighting, levitating up their sermon books in front of them, flipping through the pages, and beginning to mutter sacred texts as their horns began to glow…

DAY 1: TURN 8:

EVENING 2/3

EQUESTRIA
No Alterations:

WORLD NEWS:

House Earthborn Primary House Army The Earthshakers is on the move.

House Earthborn Independent Army Molten Rain ha been spotted near Ruins of Watchtower #1 in Changeling Territory!

House Everfree Primary House Army The Path of Wrath is on the move.

House Everfree Independent Army The Dire Fang is participating in a Purge in the Forward Scout Camp in Everfree Territory!

House Storming Primary House Army The Blazing Comets is conducting a RAID on The Hoofington Mines in Moon and Star Territory! (Calculated 3 turns until raid complete)

House Stormwing Independent Army The Deep Sea Raiders is fighting near the Deep Earth Mines in Moon and Star Territory!

House Moon and Star Independent Army Lunar Wolves is preparing to move out.

Cult of Laughter Primary Cult Troupe The Coffinguard is starting a CONVERSION attempt at the Gem Mines in Whitegold Territory! (North-Eastern)

ARMY ACTIONS:

LUNAR WOLVES:
1909878

18 Squads Strong out of Current Max 25 Squads.
Wealth: 5,000 Bits.

The Lunar Wolves Independent Army is currently garrisoned at Headquarters in the Fortress of the Moon.
General Star Saber is currently at Headquarters.

Alpha Room: (Personal Quarters. Hold Meetings with important House members here.)
The Leash Office: (Liaison headquarters. Troop Recruitment. Officer Recruitment. Army Upgrades. Building Upgrades. Building Purchase.)
Wolves Den Barracks: (Troop Garrisoning. 25 Squad Capacity as of Current.)
Star Forge: (Squad Upgrades. General Upgrades.)
Trophy Room: (Trophy/Artifact Containment.)

What do you do?

DEEP SEA RAIDERS:
1912553

8 Squads Strong out of Current Max 25 Squads.

Wealth: 10,000 Bits.

The Deep Sea Raiders Independent Army is currently conducting an ambush near the Deep Earth Mines in The Northern Expansion!

General Storm Chaser is currently leading his Army in an ambush.

The Eye of the Storm: (Personal Quarters. Hold Meetings with important House members here.)
Liaison Office: (Liaison headquarters. Troop Recruitment. Officer Recruitment. Army Upgrades. Building Upgrades. Building Purchase.)
Raider Racks: (Troop Garrisoning. 25 Squad Capacity as of Current.)
Armory: (Squad Upgrades. General Upgrades.)
Vault: (Trophy/Artifact Containment.)

THE DEEP SEA RAIDERS ARE CURRENTLY IN A BATTLE!!!

MOLTEN RAIN:
1910326

14 Squads Strong out of Current Max 25 Squads.
Wealth: 4,000 Bits.

The Molten Rain Independent Army is on the move!
General Surprising Impact is currently leading his army.

Mine checking. Partial success. 1 squad of Pony-at-Arms mine-check failure. Lethal failure. High-Lethality.

While checking for mines, one of the Pony-at-Arms squads walked over a large acid-mine pit. Either they didn't push hard enough or the pit was a bit sturdier than most, because it didn't collapse until most of their weight was on it. The resulting acid explosions ate through the armor and melted through the flesh, reducing multiple Ponies-at-Arms to twitching half-skeletal husks in pools of their own sizzling juices, melted armor mixing with their organs. One suffered only minor splashes on the front-left hoof that ate through the armor and burned his skin, but didn't go all the way through.

(6 Ponies killed. 1 Pony injured. 4 Ponies-at-Arms remaining in the squad.)

Inner Sanctum: (Personal Quarters. Hold Meetings with important House members here.)
Liaison Office: (Liaison headquarters. Troop Recruitment. Officer Recruitment. Army Upgrades. Building Upgrades. Building Purchase.)
Warehouse Barracks: (Troop Garrisoning. 25 Squad Capacity as of Current.)
Forge of the Molten Rain Company: (Squad Upgrades. General Upgrades.)
Vault: (Trophy/Artifact Containment.)

At the Ruins of Watchtower #1! (Changeling forces have noticed your presence and there is currently a buzz over the ruins. They do appear to be organizing and are not yet ready to attack, though will probably be able to mount a decent defense.)

THE NIGHT WRAITHS:
1910535

17 Squads Strong out of Current Max 25 Squads.

Wealth: 5,000 Bits.

The Night Wraiths Independent Army is currently garrisoned at Headquarters in Manehatten.
General Night Fury is currently in his Headquarters.

Inner Sanctum: (Personal Quarters. Hold Meetings with important House members here.)
Liaison Office: (Liaison headquarters. Troop Recruitment. Officer Recruitment. Army Upgrades. Building Upgrades. Building Purchase.)
Barracks: (Troop Garrisoning. 25 Squad Capacity as of Current.)
Forge: (Squad Upgrades. General Upgrades.)
Vault: (Trophy/Artifact Containment.)

What do you do?

THE DIRE FANG:
1853038

7 Squads Strong out of Current Max 25 Squads.
Wealth: 10,000 Bits.

The Dire Fang Independent Army is currently conducting a Purge in the Forward Scout Camp!
The Dire Fang Independent Army has left a garrison in their Headquarters.
General Asua is currently leading his Army in a Purge.

Inner Sanctum: (Personal Quarters. Hold Meetings with important House members here.)
Liaison Office: (Liaison headquarters. Troop Recruitment. Officer Recruitment. Army Upgrades. Building Upgrades. Building Purchase.)
The Wolves Bark: (Troop Garrisoning. 25 Squad Capacity as of Current.)
The Broken Fang: (Squad Upgrades. General Upgrades.)
Sightful Grotto: (Trophy/Artifact Containment.)

THE DIRE FANG IS CONDUCTING A PURGE!!!

1938460

The march had started off with so much promise.

While the pitfalls weren't exactly uncommon, they weren't common either. The leading squads uncovered them one at a time and for a while progress was good. Until it happened...

If there was any silver lining to the whole thing, it was that it had been over within seconds. For Surprising, those might have been some of the longest seconds of his life to date. Over half a squad of Pony at Arms had been lost to the acid and one had clearly been injured by it. The seventh member of the squad had been insanely lucky to have only gotten a glancing splash of the acid instead of a full bath, but the effect this might have on moral needed to be dealt with quickly if the buzzing in the air had anything to do with it.

After making sure that the injured pony at arm's wasn't at risk of losing his leg to the acid, Helpful had opted to have the wounded squad become his 'honor guard'. They had lost to many of their numbers already to be front line and he honestly didn't want to lose anymore of them if he could help it.

Clearing his throat, he decided to address those under his command with a firm voice, thankful that a little time and the darkness of the night covered how pale he must have been. " All remaining Pony at Arm squads, confirm that the ground surrounding us is secure. Use the utmost caution. We allowed ourselves to get overconfident and underestimate the abilities of our enemies and we suffered far to much for it already. We will not lose anyone else in such a manner!"

" Everyone else, bunker down and get ready. We want the damn bugs to come out into the open and face us where we have the advantage. Buffalo, if you can work in pairs to help angle the cannon's upwards so they can fire grape shot into the swarm before they arrive that would be fantastic. Remember everyone, first wave of fire needs to be aimed for the edges of the swarm. We want to force them together."

"Just remember and stick to the plan and this will be completely one sided in our favor. Remember, every one of these damn bugs that dies out here in the open is one less we have to deal with after we break their resolve and they flee back into OUR tower to die like the pests they are!"

His pre-battle speech over and done with, Surprising made sure to stop by the rangers and pegasus squads to have a brief word on their part of the coming battle. They would defend this location... they would defend changeling blood all over the barren wasteland.

1938460

“Good Evening, my good and faithful warriors!” Night Fury called out to his troupe. The soldiers below, having gathered together outside the barracks, gave a loud cheer in reply.

“Oh what fortuitous news do I have for you tonight,” He continued, trotting back and forth across the roof of the barracks. “I have just received confirmation from our esteemed leader, the beautiful Mistress Rarity, that all of our paperwork is filled out and notarized, and we can now march against our enemies!” The Wraiths liked this - the ponies cheered, the dogs howled.

“So with that out of the way, I had to think of which faction shall be ‘blessed’ with first feeling the sting of our bullets and blades… and it occurred to me that our city has a lot of filth around here. It has too much chaos, too much trash, too much… smiling.” The soldiers went quiet.

“Yes my brothers, our first to fall shall be the blasphemous Cult within Manehattan. A House divided upon itself cannot stand, and if Whitegold is to be truly respected amongst the other powers, we must cleanse our city of the wretched cancer that infects us and our kin day in and day out! And that is why, starting tonight, Operation: Thrift Shop, my plan on exterminating this disease of madness, shall start tonight!”

Fury stomped his hoof on the roof, the clang of the metal echoing around the base. “No more shall we hide our children at night for fear of the carnivals snatching them away. No more shall we be suspicious of a friendly smile, or fear what dreaded laughter might come from the dark alleys! No living dead shall stop us, no abominations shall deter us! We shall not fear the dark things that go bump in the night, for we ARE the night! We shall not fear the undead, for we are the Messengers of Death Itself! We are Night Wraiths, we are the Knights in the Darkness, and we shall KNOW NO FEAR!”

The entire base - who had also been listening to their leader’s speech - all rose up and cheered at his speech. Now they were ready to take on the Cult. “Get ready, my brothers,” Night Fury declared, “We march at dusk!”

ARMY MOVEMENT: PART 2

1936137

Storm's breathing had now increased, feeling the cut on his side. He quickly did a self diagnostic of the wound. It was deep, and it would definitely need medical attention but at least he wasn't in imminent danger here on the battlefield.

The battle certainly wasn't going as planned, a quick look around showed him that not only were both the Inquisitors and Knights still standing, but his forces had taken at least five casualties. It wasn't nearly as many as the Moon and Star Forces had taken, but with such a small force even that low of numbers was a blow.

It was time time to change the dynamic of this battle, as Storm took the precious moment to analyze the situation. Time seemed to slow down to a halt, as the Tactician formulated a new plan.

Those damned Inquisitors were still dancing around, now teleporting away and preparing to cast a spell. Either way, they were going to be a thorn in his side. Storm didn't like it, but he had to take them out or at the very least distract them or this battle could get much more hairy for him and his troops.

1X Fallen Attacking 1X Inquisition Troops!

Now, he glanced at the Knights of Luna. Storm had been afraid that they would be a much larger threat, but it seemed that the Hoplites were able to deal with them decently well enough. The bigger threat right now was, surprisingly enough, the Legionaries, though Storm could attribute that to their numbers and sheer luck.

A quick glance at the sky brought even more good news. Not only had the Wind Riders won their battle, they'd completely wiped out the Seraphs and established air dominance. A small victory, but one that might just be enough to give the edge to his forces.

He took another look at the ground around him, at the dead Nhorse. The Legionnaires had really done a number on the squad that had been acting as his backup, leaving only one left, and one wounded one at that. The Nhorse wouldn't like his choice, but hopefully it would save his life.

1X Nhorse attempting to withdraw from engagement!

Now then what to do about this Legate? Storm could in theory battle him one on one, very thrilling if one was writing a book, but not very practical if you want to win a battle. Storm decided to ignore him for now and turn his attention to the Legionnaires. He began to whistle sharply, whirling his hooves in the air. His soldiers immediately understood the orders being given, and they moved to comply, the Wind Riders coming around to surprise and flank the enemy troops. Storm hoisted his own spear, and began to charge the Legionnaires who had no idea what kind of hell was about to be brought upon them.

3X Hoplites, 2X Wind Riders, 1X Nhorse, and Storm Chaser Attacking 5X Legionnaires!

1938460
Saber squirmed in his private box car as the Canterlot express moved forward. He never liked the cramp feeling of the at the time modern transports, in away he felt the return to the older ways was more it style, he did like the quickness of the travel. The bonus of not have his troops tried when the reach the city was an added bonus.
He could hear most of his soldiers entertaining themselves in their groups doing card games and other such thing to keep their nerves and edge off before they reach the city. He turns his head and re-read the map of the major city of Hoofington, looking over the spots of Cult activity while seeing the ally ways and forms of attack that he could do.
While he'd prefer to hit hard and fast, a city battle with a group that knew it like the back of their hoofs was annoying, fighting them without hurting the civivs would be even more difficult. There was a small knock on his door, ending his thoughts.

"Enter." Saber commanded his tone a bit more hard as his train of though ended.

"My lord all things are ready," Solaris the inquisitor spoke as he entered.

"So your ready to attack the cult?" Saber asked as the inquisitor smirks.

"We only await our orders upon arrival," Solaris answers bowing his head.

"For now rest, since it will be our time when we enter city, " Saber gave his orders before turning his head towards the moon.

"My lord, may I speak?" Solaris asks

"You may," Saber allows.

"You know we may be walking into a trap right my lord?" Solaris questions giving his new commander a inquisitive look.

"Oh yes, I know, for things like this you can only do one things," Saber chuckles lean back into his chair.

"What's that?"

"Spring the trap."