"EQ Game Quest- A Trip to the Badlands"
By klimino (https://pastebin.com/u/klimino)

URL: https://pastebin.com/2gKT0qLY
Created on: Friday 11th of August 2017 10:03:27 PM CDT
Retrieved on: Sunday 25 of October 2020 03:44:38 AM UTC


Ruin-starter kit, leather and scale armor jacket, hungry hornblade, crystal warhammer, sword of heirs, canteen of water, glass bottle full of liquid magic 

Knowledge Seed-saddlebag, canteen, journal, writing implements, survival knife, bandages, flint & steel, 20ft rope. He is wearing a leather tunic, 1 healing potion. Wrench as blunt weapon/tool. 1 Glowstick.Canteen full of water. 

Bassos-Rope, survival knife, canteen of water, hoof blades (x2) 

Spot-On-20ft_rope, bandage * 3, canteen, fire_starter, flint&steel, journal, ration * 2, saddlebag, sleeping_bag, survival_knife, tent, writing_implements 

Moire-enough film to last, beat up old film camera, fountain pen and ink, 2 notebooks, personal journal, canteen o' water, survival knife 

<><><><><><><><><>

A crunch, a snap, as a figure runs as best it can, hoping this way and that up the stony mountainside as it looks behind itself, fear welling up as a primordial scream pierces its skull, the shadows cast by the mountain itself hiding the ever elusive predator, the figure prey.

Finally reaching the top of the peak, the morning air crisp and cool this far up, the cross ways from the badlands to the Jungles below on the other side the figure meets its contact, a large, but thinner Buffalo scout, who already looks ready to bolt.

“I was just about to bolt, geezus man w-” another scream, this one closer, and both the figure and Buffalo turn quickly, looking back down fear beating in their hearts like a drum before a storm.

Quickly, the figure threw back his hood, revealing himself to be a brown furred goat. With no hesitation, he fished out a scroll from his saddle bags and slapped it onto the horn of the Buffalo, turning to look down the path he had come.

Nothing....no....something, that shadow, there! 

“Ill double back, see if I cant distract....them. get to your Tribe, and Outer Hayven, now! That report cannot be lost!” Before the Buffalo can respond, the Goat has charged back down the way he came, the Buffalo, hesitantly, running down the other slope, to the Plains, and Jungle, below. He does not take a moment to ponder what the last scream behind him could've been. 

Around three days later, a different buffalo would give word to Outer Hayven, requesting a small band be sent to investigate an odd report found on a lost scout in the mountain, a note on his horn a bit blotched out with strange tar, stating there is some kinda oozing black stuff forming in 'moving puddles' near the mountains on the other side.

It seems to be, of course, that something is not quite right about it, but they hope this scouting party can prove otherwise, before it is time for the Tribe to spend this coming part of the year in that area, the one time of the year the grass in the Badlands not only grows, but grows strongly coming soon.

For those interested, the notice said to meet at the Western Gate, a Buffalo would be waiting there to collect the volunteers. 



Ruin was at the outdoor bar when word reached town. Hearing some conversation about a buffalo requesting help caught his attention, but as soon as the words "black goo" hit his ears he threw a gold on the counter and made way for the west gate. "I hope this ain't what I think it is." 


Well, atleast the contact won't be hard to find Basso thought as he approached the western gate. He hadn't actually seen a buffalo in town before, so when he arrived and spotted one waiting, he knew who to walk to. "I'm assuming you're the one who put up the notice, yeah?" He asked. As he walked closer, he realized just how big these buffalo are, "The name's Basso." 


Seed overheard something about the buffalo from one of his coworkers out in the fields, but hasn't had any dealings with them in the past. They held some sort of fair a bit ago, but he was too busy to attend. Meeting at the spot, he sees Ruin and Basso, both good for drinking at the MJB. "Hey you two," he offers a small wave, and then introduces himself to the buffalo as well. 


The only thing Moire noticed about the notice was a trip to the mountains. The oozing stuff was secondary to the opportunity she sought in the mountain photos, and perhaps getting to meet some buffalo. She arrived at the western gate on time. She nodded at the others she saw, throwing a "Hey!" to KS, then said to the buffalo, "Hey there, I'm Moire." 


Ruin nods at the three, then the buffalo. "Heard somethin' about a 'black goo', what's the situation?"


"Ruin, Seed, good to see you two here." Basso said, waving to the two ponies. "Though I don't think I've met Moire here." 


The big brown-black buffalo nodded. “I am Seeker of Paths, pleased to meet all of you. Yes there is....ooze, black puddles of bubbling, black stuff, though we are not sure what it is. At first we thought it harmless, til we found a scout dead upon a mountain trail, some of the stuff stuck to his fur. We hope this is just a coincidence, but we felt it...best safe then sorry, but had few of our own scouts to spare for a full investigation.”


thinks to himself for a bit while putting a hoof on his chin. "Is there anything else we should be concerned about in the area? And you're sure it's not just tar or oil?”


Moire grinned and gave a wave to Basso. "Nice to meet you." She turned to the scout, "Well, I happen to be a journalist! I make a career out of investigating things. We should make short work of it." She gently pushed at her camera, it swaying on the strap as a consequence. She had no idea what any of that meant. 

Moire gave an "Oh," getting a notepad out of her bag and writing it down notes, before stuffing the thing in her front vest meshy-pocket-thing. 


Spotjust tagged along with Knowledge Seed as they were working on the crops a bit earlier, unsure about all this she stays quiet. 


"Camera won't help you much, if my gut feeling is right on what this goop is, Moire." Ruin points out "But I got a spare weapon if anyone needs it." Ruin levitates out the warhammer "Anyone think they can use this?" 


Spot steps closer to Knowledge Seed as an unknown stallion levitates a weapon.
the hammer looks way too heavy for her, and she's unsure about hurting anyone yet, although sh'es never been fighting for her life."No thanks" she says to Ruin.


Moire looked at the guy. Ruin, the other poner said. He looked pretty hardcore... Like he knew what he was doing. Aside from whatever took that leg off- "Really? What do you think it could be?-" She paused, a hoof to her chin in thought, "They need an investigator. I'll let the heros do their work, I'll figure out what's the going on."



Seeker of Paths just shrugs. “dont know any tar or oil to move around leaving not a trace behind but...stranger things have happened.”

Looking around at the group, he nods. “this everyone? hm.....once we get to camp, im sure we might have some gear to spare if anyone needs some.” leading the group out the gate, they would see a large, empty wagon, big enough to fit them all with a bit of room to move, the Buffalo quickly hooking up to it. “Inside now, your gonna need to keep your strength for the trip up and over the mountains, so ive been authorized to give you a lift at least to our Camp.”


"We don't know what's out there, but that seems a better choice than my wrench, Ruin. I'll hold onto it then for right now. Thank you," he replies as he takes it out of the air.

Ruin nods. "Looks like it's in good hands then."


thinks Those ponies look so confident, so used to being what they now are, how long have they been in this world? She wonders if she'll end up like that as well. She takes a glance at KS, he seems not surprised. 


Seed looks at his hooves reminisicing about the ball when he had hands again for a bit. 



Moire was surprised. She was prepared for a long hiking trek. She steps into the wagon with a "Thanks." and settles in. 


"Oh good, I really wasn't looking forward to walking the whole way." Basso remarked thankfully, With a hop he flew into the wagon and took a seat in the back, "Enough of us here to take care of whatever problems we have, we'll be fine, and apparently have some nice pictures to boot." He said, reassuringly. 


looking up once more, he inspects the wagon. "Glad I didn't bring the axe from another day." He then glances at Spot and smiles, "Ready to go then?" he asks as he enters the wagon.

Moire smiled at the stallion, sitting opposite of him in the back. "That's damn right! I've never been to the mountains before. This should be fun."

"As much as I wanted to get some more practice walking on this tin can, I definitely do not hate this." Ruin states, hopping up in the cart.


"Yeah, I feel like this will be interesting." She smiles to KS and hops inside the wagon. There's enough room in here, at least. Spot stares at Ruin for a few seconds, wondering what kind of human he could have been before this. The stallion was intimidating but all in all, having him along felt reassuring.

"So how've you been doing since we last met, Seed?" Moire says, leaning forward on her seat.

Ruin leans back against the wall of the cart in his little corner, and his horn lights up as he tips his hat over his eyes. "Anyone know any good jokes?" Ruin asks no one in particular.


With everyone loaded up in the Wagon, the Buffalo gets moving along the closest thing to a path there was to the hilly plains. For better or worse though, buffalo were big, and this meant the few times they had come to town had made said slight path to follow.

It would be an hour or two before they would reach their destination of course, giving them a bit of time to talk as they make their way there.


"I've been doing alright! The gardening lecture went alright, even though less people showed up than expected! At least I got some tasty cookies out of it, Moiré. I did hear about some going underwater to something called," he hesitates, trying to remember and furls his brow, "Aquestria?" With that he nods and continues. "From what I've learned from Eve, it seems they have a culture that's passed down by word of mouth only. Their entire history. Hopefully I can travel there and see it someday!" 


The Day was still young, as the finally see the circular ring of large tents come into view ahead, the wagon pulling in and past the two large guards, well, guarding the entrance.

Inside would be an unfamiliar scene to this group of humans, the Buffalo going about their business, having a pretty good setup for what it was, from a pretty well setup outdoor kitchen to both an iron and gold smithy setup, designed to be easily packed up as the tribe moved around. 

“Alright, hop out now.” Seeker said, unhooking from the wagon and motioning to the tent he stopped infront of. 

Inside they would find an older Shaman talking, along with another scout and the Chief of the Tribe, Breaker of Necks, who would look up at the humans with a nod and smile. 

“Ah, hello! Glad to see our message was received! Welcome, welcome!”


Ruin hops out and approaches the Big Guy, he tips up his hat and asks "I hear you got a goo problem?" 


Spot gets off the wagon, rather shyly, discovering the unknown place "Oh, there's a smithy!" For some reason it reminded her of something she's never lived, as if it came right from a past life. 


"Wow" Basso said, hopping out of the wagon, "Impressive set-up you've got here." Entering the tent he gave a nod to the shaman, "Yeah, loud and clear, you needed some help?"


he hops out of the wagon, and takes a look around for a moment before bowing slightly with his forelegs to the chief. "It is an honor to meet you!"

Moire just grinned at KS and Spot. She did as her chaperone said, following the others into the tent. She looked around at the place as they moved, already spotting some photo opportunities. She turns to the one who addressed them, obviously some big shot around here. "Hey, we've come to help. I'm Moire, a journalist."

sees KS bowing slightly and so she immediatly and awkwardly imatates him, wondering if she just was rude to someone important.


Break Necks nods. “I am Chief Break Necks, of the Dead Plains tribe you see before you, welcome.” he cleared his throat, nodding. “Yes, as you have heard by now, we have some....odd goop mucking about on the other side of the mountain. Unfortunately, most of our own scouts are busy, so we thank you for offering your time.”

He nods. “i wont take up too much of your time, not much to tell aside from what I know you to have already been told.” he nods to the scout, who comes forward and hands each of them something wrapped up in some wax paper.

Upon unwrapping, each would find what seemed like a kinda bio-hazard suit, made out of leather, including a kinda leather face covering with green tinted goggles, each given one of apparent size and species for themselves.

“Take these as a gift, as we expect you might have to get close to the stuff, and it might not be of the healthiest nature. If you need a weapon, talk to our smith, ive told him to give you fair prices for renting or buying.” he nods, and the scout motions for them to follow him out of the tent.

Upon doing so, he would look over to them and say “My name is Path Maker, I will be your guide over the mountains and into the Badlands. Id suggest getting a lot of water, and a weapon....hopefully nothing goes awry, but bandits and other things have been known to dwell beyond the mountains....” he says, stopping by a fire to the side of a tent, and giving them time to do any last minute preparations.


Spot looks at the weird suits "Thank you for your generosity" She waits that he's done talking before checking them. 

"Much obliged." Ruin accepts the goggle-hood apparatus with a nod. "One question though, aside from the tough of goo on the dead scout, anything off about him? Notable wounds or anything?" 

KS nods in gratitude and thanks the chief, then takes his package. He then pops behind the tent to change into the gear before coming back out again. "So we would need more than a canteen each?" he asks Path Maker.

"Thanks for the gifts," she says. She unwrapped it along with the rest of them. Jeeze... exactly what have I gotten myself into? Moire thinks to herself. Following the others with the suit splayed across her back. She sits down at the fire. "Nice to meet you, Path Maker. I'm Moire. Bandits, you say?" She betrays no hint of worry in her voice, but the anxiety slowly builds within her.

"Yes, thank you" Basso said, examining the suit, leaning over to Moire, he whispered "I wonder if their scout was wearing one of these." Still though, he figured some protection was better then none. "And thank you for the use of smith. I'm sure the bandits won't be much of a problem though."

Moire almost laughed when she spotted KS awkwardly emerge ferom behind a tent. Instead, she turns, snickering into a hoof. Moire asked their guide, "Smith? I'd like to purchase a weapon, I think. Some small machete? Where can I find him?" She only slightly ignored Basso's worrying supposition. 

Ruin lifts an eyebrow at Seed "May want to wait til we're near the hazardous materials before putting that on. It looks a bit warm."


Path Maker shrugs to Moire. “Well, yes. The Badlands and mountains are more or less uncontrolled wild-lands. They tend to scatter as we migrate, and move in, like now, sometimes, when we are not in the area.”

He turns to Ruin. “Im not sure, I think they said some bruising. They think he tripped and fell off a ledge perhaps, or at least, hope so....”

He points a hoof at the big ol outdoor Smithy when asked, and shrugs to Knowledge. “perhaps, depends on the individual, but might be best to carry extra water yes.”


nods "It is, good idea. A bit tight, but" he chuckles nervously. "Just checking to see how quickly I could get it on in case of emergency," he says while scrunchy faces. "Alright then, think I could carry a few more canteens." 


Spot can't help but thinking that if the matter really is hazardous, leather might not help much, this would explain why their scoots are so 'busy'. Spot has a bad feeling about this.


"Hmm... Maybe the black good is incidental, and it was bandits that killed your scout? I guess we'll be the ones to find out..." She gets up to walk to the smithy she probably should have noticed by now. She intends to look at his wears. 

"Well, I already have a weapon" He said, lifting a hoof and showing the blade, "But it doesn't hurt to grab an extra canteen, especially in a place called the badlands." Basso turned and left the tent, heading off to pick up his supplies.

Once more the orange pone changes behind the tent back into his leather tunic while keeping the goggles out, hung around his neck. "Off to grab a few canteens then." he follows Basso to pick them up.

raises her voice "Maybe I could check if something would fit me weapon wise."

After a polite nod to Path Maker, Ruin goes to the kitchen area to find some more drinks for the road ahead.

doesn't particularly like weapons, but maybe she could bring something useful
Moire stops in her tracks, turning her head back to the weird little mare, "I'm going there now- to the smith. Wanna come with me?"
nods and turns to KS "Be right back". She trots to moiré and heads with her to the smithy
"What do you need?" she asks to Moiré


The Smithy was selling Spears, Hoof Blades, Javelins, and a few long swords that might be usable by pony.

Spear- 1 gb
Hoof Blades- 6 gb
Javelin- 1 gb for 3
Long Sword- 10 gb


Moire continues on, walking towards the smithalo. "Some kind of longer blade would do my magic fine." She turns her head back to the mare, "You look a little out of it. Are you fine?"

looks at the prices and giggles nervously "hahaha... As expected." "I'm just not used to this world yet, everything is new and intimidating, but I'm learning." 


"Hmm..." She looks over the weapons, before settling on a long sword. She would rather have the lightness of the spear, but the size of the thing would be encumbering. She hands the smithy the gb. Taking it in her magic, she would find a place to settle the (sheath?) on her saddlebags, at the ready. "Oh, so you're one of those new arrivals, then? You guys are pretty rare. I feel sorry for you." She nods to the smith, then sits on her haunches to allow the mare to pick her own weapon out. 

looks around for some sturdy shovel to use as both a weapon and a tool 


The Sun was in Spottys eyes, thats why she cant find a shovel, yeah!

Meanwhile, Path Maker looks to the group. “Everyone ready to go?”


"Yeah, they're good, if you don't mind getting up close." Basso said, nodding to Moire. "Also, I got an extra canteen, you lot done shopping?" 

Moire looks between the mare and the blades... "I can't have you walking around without a weapon." She takes 6gb out of her bags, grimacing. "Here, take this." Moire turns, walking back to the fire and Path Maker. She spots the others. "Hey, you guys mind if I take an extra canteen? Looks like they're eager to leave and I've no idea where to find one." 

Ruin slides the bottle into a saddle bag and rejoins the group. "My body is ready." 

trots back with several canteens clanging "Sure thing." 

shakes her head "No no no! I really appreciate that, but i'm not a fighter, that'd be wasted money. I just thought a shovel could be useful in many situations. besides I can buck hard! Hearth pony superpowers haha!" 

She magics one off of the erfer, "Thanks a bunch." She slides it into her saddlebags, resting in the one opposite the other canteen to distribute weight. 

"You're welcome." KS then adjusts the rest of the canteens for better weight distribution. 

Moire pocketed her 6gb back. If this poner wants to get herself killed, that's fine by me... I won't be carrying the corpse back, though. 


The smith shakes his head at Spot. “sorry, none right now. Most o this is fer a batch were selling to some diamond dogs mercs heading south in a month or two, so order lists is backed up.” 

shrugs "Oh alright, thanks". She turns to Moiré. "Are we done here?" 


"I'm ready, Ruin if you want to carry all my equipment that would be fine by me."  Basso said with a grin.


As it seems everyone is ready, Path Maker gets up and motions for the group to follow. It would only take a bit longer to reach the base of the rocky mountains and start their journey up the winding, steep path of the thing, Paths making sure to remind them to watch their step and they made their way upwards, the air cooling as they climbed, the jungle becoming a sea of green below them.

As they neared the top however, they suddenly saw the change on the other side. Vast, desolate lands of hardened stone and sand, with a bit of dried, grayed grasslands right below the mountain. Heat and death seemed to irradiate off those lands, giving off a sense that perhaps the mountains were more of a wall, then anything else.....


Ruin looks out into the wastes, as he opens his jacket a bit to improve ventilation. A stupid smile crosses his face as a reference pops into his mind, which he of course spit out without second thought, "Patrolling the Mojave is enough to make you wish for a nuclear winter." 

Casually flying beside the group, Basso was extremely grateful that he had too the time to fly. For him the trip up was a breeze, something he not so subtley hinted as as he lazily drifted above them, giving a wave. As the group reached the top though, his casual demeanor dropped. He was silently gazing off into the wasteland of rock, up until he heard Ruin's comment "Booooo!" he heckled. 

Seed chuckles at Ruin’s comment. “And I was enjoying the cooler weather just below us, ah well.” With the sun bearing down on them, he squints, wishing that he should have brought along his hat. One could lie and say that it’s better than the wet heat of the lower jungles, but at this temperature, it doesn’t matter. Whatever is hiding in wait amongst the sands before them was dangerous. To injure the buffalo that were much larger than he was, something is not right at all. His hooves kick up some of the dusty gravel as they climb, and his demeanor begins to change. Fun is good and all, but now it’s time to work. 

Moire trudges along with the rest, one hoof in front of another, up the mountain path, her new sword and armor strapped to her back. She marches up to the precipice, slightly short of breath, and as her head pops above the peak, she takes a deep breath, "Huh, wow!" huff, "That's one heck of a view right there!" She grasps the camera hanging from her neck with her magic, lifting it up to her eye. She walks around for a bit, looking for the perfect frame, and when she finds it, cuchink goes the camera. 

She sits on her haunches, winds the camera to the next frame, opens the latches on her saddlebag and takes out a notepad and fountain pen, writing down the image details. She looks to the others, "You know, this is the first time I've ever been on a mountain like this." She looks to Basso, "You flyboys have it good, honestly." She says, smiling. 

follows the group, hoping things will be alright. She can feel the group is slighly tense despite the casual chatting. Path maker was leading and with every single one of his steps Spot could feel the ground shaking a bit. To think such a creature needed help from ponies was worrying enough already, but the idea of dealing with hazardous phenomenons really made it feel like this could go very, very wrong. Spot thought that since she didn't know so many ponies it wouldn't have too big of an impact if she came to meet her end.She feels heavy hearted for a few minutes, then she shakes her head as to dissipate her negative thoughts. She might be no one, she might not know many people, but the few she met really where nice and helpful, this world wasn't the end of herself, it was the beginning of a new and exciting life! Adventure was ahead, time to bet against the odds and make this something she would be proud of for the years to come! Suddently loaded with determination, Spot trots to @Knowledge Seed 's side and gives him a confident smile. 

Path maker gives everyone a few moments to rest, taking some times to himself sit and drink, as he looked down at the vast expanse of lifeless flatlands beyond, shaking his head. After a moment, he nods to the group to get ready, and starts leading them down the path to the hot, dry Badlands.

It would take much less time, but eventually they would make it to the bottom, Path Finder more than carefully watching the landscape...

[D12+Perception folks]
[+1 for anyone Flying]
Ruin, 2
Bassos, 8
Seed, 8
Moire, 12
Spot, 3


As they step off the mountain and onto the crunchy, rocky ground at the base, a sudden burst of wind gets some sand in Ruin and Spots eyes.

Otherwise, both Bassos and Seed notice a few small spots of black off ahead of them a good distance, just on the edge of the vast canopy of shade currently being cast by the mountains behind them. If the puddles didn't bubble, they probably wouldn't of noticed them.

It was Moire however, that noticed one of the puddles moving, slowly, but noticeable, going off to their left.


Ruin rubs a foreleg against his eyes and curses under his breath a bit. Friggin' sand. 

Spot is humming happily, unaware of what's going on. "Doob dadee dab dab do ?" 

Moire's eagerness to be in a new terrain made her walk near the front of the group, and as her hooves crunched onto the rocky ground below, she smiled. Her camera and canteen swaying from straps on her neck, she holds a hoof over her eyes dramatically - the mountains provided plenty of shade - and surveys the landscape before her. She paused, however, as she squinted into the good distance. Her face screwed itself into a grimace. She brought her camera up to her eyes in her magic, looking closely at the black spots... Her heart drops as she spots one of them move. Bandits? She hoped more for it to be deadly goo than for it to be bandits. She continues watching it make its slow movement, her camera up to her eye. "Uh... Hey guys! Look over there," she says, pointing with a hoof, "Something moving out there. Might be the black goo." 

Squinting out into the wasteland, Basso could make out something in the distance, something he also wrote off as an optical illusion, until he saw it bubbling. Considering they were on the lookout for what was essentiall black tar, it definitely wasn't about to simply write it off. "Yeah." He said hovering over to Moire, "Its moving? Good eyes girl." Landing back on the ground he checked his equipment and gave a brief thought to putting on the hazmat suit the Buffalo had given them, deciding against the idea for now, considering the heat. "We should check it out." 




"I think you're right, Moiré." Seed taps Spot on her shoulder. He's glad she came, but buisness first. "Hey, we might have some trouble coming." The stallion then turns to the pink unicorn, with some concern. "Can you make out what they look like better, or is it just a general blob of black?" He nods at Basso's words. "Think we have enough time to don our gear then?" Seed asks their guide. 

stops humming as ponies around her are suddently seeing something in the distance. She squints her eyes but can't see much, mostly because she's in the back. 

Moire lowers the camera from her eyes, looking to KS who stood beside her. "No, I can't see any further than our eyes with this thing," she says, pushing the camera as it hangs from the neckstrap. "Judging from how far away it is-" she leans forward just slightly with a hoof to her chin, squinting at the black spots and judging its speed, "I mean, I don't want to make assumptions about it, but it's quite far away, and it's moving... Uh, to our left, I think." She turns to KS, a hint of worry in her voice, "I'm pretty sure it's not bandits- or anything."

"It's moving?" Ruin raises an eybrow, "Like, just flowing, or what?" 


Path Maker nods, and suddenly, looking back, they notice he is strapped up in similar suits to they were given. In a now muffled voice, he says to them. *”It might be in our best interest to be prepared....”*


pours herself into the suit, she's no idea what's going on exactly, but she won't wait to find out to get ready.

Basso noted the worry in the unicorn's voice, and his thoughts went back to the last time they fought something similar. It seemed the entire party came out of that fight damaged, two got to enjoy a nice stay in the hospital. "I hope its not that." He said softly before pushing the thought to the back of his mind and donning his suit. "Well, we came here to do a job, let's get to it." He said, pulling it over his shoulders "I'm sure we'll be fine."(edited)

"Better safe than sorry, I'd think." Ruin says, and puts on the hood of his suit. Not the rest though, he'd rather wear armor, just in case.

quickly puts on his gear, faster now that he's donned it once! with that, he's ready and attentive

Moire levitates everything onto the rocky ground - being careful with her vest and tie - then suits up. "Man... This thing sure is going to be a bit hot." She magics her saddlebags back on, then her camera and canteen. She looks at the facemask- but decides to keep it in a pocket that can be accessed quickly. She puts her vest and tie into her bag, then finds a nice little niche between the bag straps and the suit to work as a sheeth for her new sword. "Well... Guess I'm ready. Let's go."






As Path Maker leads them onward, the group cant notice any more movement, as they finally approach the nearest puddle. More like a small damn pool, but still. 

Yup, that was a bunch of foul smelling, black, bubbling stuff. Oddly, they didn't feel much heat coming off it, no more then its environment would naturally heat it up to be.


Moire didn't give a damn about getting hot; black, moving, killer goo? She donned her mask well before they approached. "Geeze. Is that- like, tar?" She says through the filter, sounding like darth vaderlike a russian huddling in a metro tunnel under a nuclear wasteland.(edited)

inspects the strange substance. "The hell is that..?"
Approaching the pool Basso instinctively held a hoof up to his nose, despite the mask on his face. He inspected it, trying to pick out any clues to what it actually was, or might have come from. "Huh, anyone have a stick to poke it?"

he keeps a fair distance from it "Maybe we can try speaking, if it's intelligent?" He then asks the goop, "Hello! Can you understand our words?" 

through his goggle hood, Ruin examines the goo, trying to see if it looks familiar. "Keep back folks." 

Moire cautioned to the others, "Hey now! Let's stay away from it for now. We just saw it moving a while ago, and these things are quite bigger than I thought!" She readies her camera in her grasp. Now that the things were mere "puddles" on the ground, her fear was subsided. She waited for something to happen. 

[ Spot,Bassos, and Ruin, d12+Knowledge or Perception to inspect]
[Seed, d12+Cha to talk]
Spot, 8
Basso, 10
Ruin, 3
Seed,2


Ruin still has dust in his eyes, turns out trying to clean dust with a dusty hoof didnt work well!

Spot and Bassos however, notice a few details. The goop almost seems closer to pain then tar, with that slightly transparent texture on some places, like it needed to be mixed back together properly. Otherwise it was solid black, but reflective enough to see their faces in, when it wasn't bubbling in that area at least.

Bassos however notices something, just at the last second though. The bubbling was starting to happen more frequently where they were looking, and it seemed like a bulge was forming under the goop at those places and...did his reflection just blink out of sync with him for a second there?

[Bassos, Spot, Ruin, d20+dex] 

Bassos, 7
Spot, 6
Ruin, 15


Dust or not, Ruin knew better then to stay around while bad black things were on the move. As suddenly the black goop erupts, he is already moving backwards!

Spot and Bassos are not so lucky, having not reacted in time. Thankfully as it rains little black droplets on them, their suits protect them, but with a blink and as the small downpours subsides suddenly....two black, gooey shapes that seem to be in the shape of each of them are standing less then a foot infront of both Spot and Bassos, simply looking at them with deep, dark, empty black eyes.

It seems ruin got away in time to stop one being made of himself, for now at least...


Spot waves at the thing "do you think they're sapient?" whispering to Basso.

Moire's inner instinct as a photographer forces her to bring her camera up to her eye in an instant, and cuchink goes the camera,

"Back away!"Ruin shouts, readying his sword! 

"Hey there good lookin'" Basso said nervously, starting to slowly back away. "I don't know." Basso replied to Spot "If it is, maybe its trying to communicate." 

She didn't notice the lens was dusty, however. RIP. She raises her voice after taking the shot. "Hey guys, uh- might want to step back a bit. This thing has killed people, you know." 

"Makes sense then that they could take down a buffalo if it copied the shape." Something about the goop unnerved him, but he couldn't place his finger, well, hoof, on it. He takes a few steps back, while keeping direct eye contact on the puddles. "Maybe, but we still don't know the circumstances that caused it." Once again, he attempts to speak to it, well, them. "Is that a better form for you to communicate with us?" 


Path Finder was down low, ready to charge if need be “Be careful, we dont know what these things are or can do...” he says.

 As Bassos talked, the goo Basso tilted its head to the side, and tried to mimic his mouth movements, getting some gloppy, wailing sounds to come out.

When Spot waved too, the goo Spot waved back, but hesitates when Spot leans to Basso, before trying to copy the movement, but ends up head butting the other one, causing the two goo clones to start a hoof slap fight with eachother!


exclaims "Oh god they are! You seeing that Seed!?" 



Moire considered donning her sword like the other, more experienced adventurer just did, but from judging the things, she guesses it wouldn't do much good. However, an idea as to how they could stop these things pops into her head, should they need to... Moire turns, walking back a good distance behind the group. She looks around to make sure the other puddles weren't doing anything, too.

he nods at Spot's words, slowly. Seed steals a quick glance at his surrounding area, just in case there's more and it's just a distraction to take the group by surprise. 

"It's definitely intelligent, THEY are definitely intelligent" Basso remarked, "And can learn." Turning to Spot he held out his hoof "Smile, and shake my hoof, as if we're friends." He says, looking to the group with a big grin. 

"I don't trust this." Ruin states, eyeing the wailing gooforms. He points the sword at them, to see if the blade will light up with sparks. 


As spot obeys, the two goop clones stop slapping each-other and watch intently, before looking at their hooves, and then copying the motion.

They then look at their hooves again and reach them out towards Spot and Basso!

Knowledge looks around, and sees one one goop puddle actually moving fast enough to spot....still moving slowly, just obvious it was moving. Its going away from them though, so does not seem to be a threat, right now anyways...


Moire notes another puddle moving, grimacing underneath her mask. She felt like she was in between two very dangerous things. She turned back around, and gasped as she saw the gooponers reach out towards the others. Instinctively drawing her sword and gritting her teeth, she would start to run up behind Ruin unless anything else happened, where she would stand at attention.

Ruin keeps an eye on the goo monstahs. "Should we really be teaching them how to pone? This could be some 'Invasion Of The Body Snatchers' shit."

Seed tches, mummering, "Damn these things are intelligent. One going off to grab reinforcements while we watch this puppet show." He hopes he's wrong, but the feeling in his gut states otherwise. "No wonder why they were able to take out the scouts." He sits down for a moment, in frustration and places a hoof over his eyes. "I hope to gods I'm wrong. But I won't be the first to initiate an attack."

"All we know about them is that they're intelligent." Basso remarks, examining his clone reaching out to him. His mind raced, the last time he faced something similar, the black tar simply attacked, it did have an intelligence to it as well, but it was hostile, seemingly under the control of that knight. These though, seemed benign, content to laze about in the sun here. It could be a trap, or this could be a genuinely friendly gesture. Maybe the scouts faced the same dilemma. "Well, we've gone this far..." Basso reached his hoof out to his doppelganger, keeping the warm smile, while inside he could feel his heart racing.

looks into basso's eyes, he looked determined. It was a scary situation, Spot understood the risks, it was most likely a trap, but if there was the tiniest chance to solve this matter without hurting anyone, it might be worth a try, as no matter what happens next, if there's an open war between those creatures and buffalos, even ponies, given their ability to morph and their intelligence, the combat would likely result in a disaster. In comparison, putting herself in danger didn't seem like much. Besides she still had the leather suit. Giving a quick smile to Knowledge Seed, thinking of the friends she made here, Spot reaches her hoof out to her doppleganger as well. With a voice that didn't betray how nervous she was, she added "I'm Spot-On! Nice to meet you!". 


As Basso and Spots hooves connect with their gooey dopplegangers, at first it seems well, the dopples happily going along with a hoof shake until....they cant pull their hooves back.

Still smiling, the gooey, deep black shapes start pulling on them, their intent to pull them into the 'puddle' of black ooze clear as day!


"I told you bro, I told you about goo!" Ruin swings his magic sword as he lunges for the nearest tarbaby 

HolyshitHolyshitHolyshitHolyshit, Moire thinks. Moire gallops over to Basso and Spot and attempts to cut the black gooponer arms off with her sword, bringing it up high with her magic and slashing down on their outstretched forelegs. 

groans internally as his worst fears are realized. He gets up off his haunches and comes swinging with Ruin's borrowed warhammer, in attempt to splat the hooves dragging Spot into the muck 

is dragged "Please, don't do that goo-spot, this won't end well if you don't release me.." Spot still tries to convince the thing before it's too late. 

Basso's stomach dropped as he felt the pull on his leg. "crap!" He cried out, attempting to dig in and pull himself away "Let go!" 


[Ruin and Moire] 
[d20+melee at 8+ pass, 13+ success, 3- crit fail]
[or]
[d20+dex at 9+ pass, 12+ success, 4- crit fail]

[Seed]
[d20+melee at 9+ pass, 13+ success, 4- crit fail]
[or]
[d20+dex at 10+ pass, 14+ success, 18+ perfect, 3- crit fail]

[Basso and Spot]
[D20+strength at 9+ pass, 13+ success, 4- crit fail]
[or]
[d20+unarmed at 10+ pass, 14+ success, 18+ perfect, 4- crit fail]


Ruin, melee, 18, success
Moire, melee,17, success
Seed, melee, crit fail
Basso, Un, 4, crit fail
Spot, strength, 4, crit fail


As Ruin and Moire lunge forward, Seed mis judges their swing, ending up blocking Moire from interrupting her attack rather then helping stop the goo clones.

Ruin manages to sever the goo Bassos arm, watching the creatures arm singe and dissolve as it jumps back in surprise, but not before Basso is flung a bit, and ends up with his back half in the goo! He feels it grip on, and start trying to pull him in.

Before Ruin, Moire, or Seed can truly get to Basso though, theres another burst from the pool and two more pony shaped blobs, though these much less detailed, join the injured one in standing, oddly calmly, between them and their friends!

“Guys...” Path Maker says, facing away from them. “...some of the other pools I think might be heading this direction...”

meanwhile Spots been full on tossed into the lake, and feels herself instantly pulled beneath the surface....

It was dark, cramped, but not suffocating, as Spot was surrounded by the pitch, utter darkness, feeling like they were being twisted, prodded, though not painfully. It felt like a bunch of odd, chittery little voices were speaking all around her, though what they were saying was anyone's guess.

And then the pain struck, like mental daggers being dug into their mind as they saw their memories flash before them, as if something was trying to poke and prod and pull them out of her head!


Tumbling, burning with white-hot fire. I plunged into the depths of the abyss. Unspeakable pain, relentless agony, time ceased to exist. Only this torture...and a deepening hatred of the hypocrisy that damned me to this hell! An eternity passed, and my torment receded, bringing me back from the precipice of madness. The descent had destroyed me, and yet I lived. 

"You guys hold off the clones, I gotta try getting them out of there!" Ruin yells to Seed and Moire as he tries to cut a path through the goo clone blocking his way to the pool 

Feeling himself being pulled in Basso began to panic and instinctively reached out for Spot, only to watch her go under, the same place he would soon be as he felt the pull on him increase. He couldn't fly, couldn't kick his way out. All he could do was look to the others and scream for help.

"Right!" Seed acknowledges Ruin, while being upset at his clumsiness. He spots Spot go under, and something flashes in his eyes. He prepares the weapon for another swing, this time at the weakened clone, while he prays the masks they were given holds for the short amount of time she, and Basso might be spending underwater. 


Clang! Goes the blade as Moire's sword thrust is blocked. Moire grits her teeth. "Goddamnit, guys! I told you shitheads not to get close!" She tenses, then allows her sword to drop to the ground. She backs up just slightly, then points her horn towards Spot, attempting to lift her out of the goo with her magic. She wanted to do as Ruin says... But there were things with more priority. 


[Spot]
[D12+Will]

[Moire]
[d12+Tele]

[Basso]
[d12+Strength or Will]

[Ruin]
[d20+Melee at 8+ pass, 13+ success, 3- crit fail]
[or]
[d20+dex at 9+ pass, 12+ success, 4- crit fail]

[Seed]
[d20+melee at 7+ pass, 12+ success, 3- crit fail]
[or]
[d20+strength at 8+ pass, 13+ success, 17+ perfect, 3- crit fail]

Spot, 1, crit fail
Moire, 3, fail
Basso, str, 3, fail
Ruin,dex, 11, pass
Seed, melee, 9, pass


As Ruin and Seed charge forward, they get good hits in, knocking two of the goop ponies back, but they hold their ground, keeping them at bay.

Moire isnt able to locate and grab at Spot, and watches in horror as her eyes connect with Bassos one last time before he is pulled under too.

As Basso is submerged, he feels him being twisted around and prodded and poked, like though not painful it feels like some giant is treating him like a toy. And then he feels it, a sharp pain in his head as his memories of his life flash before his eyes, like something was digging into his skull for them, and then pulling, ripping at them.

Spot felt herself sink deeper, the oppressive darkness tugging at her, hopelessness setting in as she feels the force outright rip a memory, a pleasant one she thought, out of her head, the thought fading and disappearing. And then another one starts to get tugged at.


Seeing what Moire was attempting, Ruin remembers that he is, in fact, also a unicorn. He jumps back from melee range. "Good idea, Moire!" Ruin states as he also lights up his horn. Focusing on the area he watched Basso sink, Ruin tries to pull him out! 


Seed focuses on the goop pony next to him and takes yet another swing after stepping in between them and the unicorns to provide coverage for their next attempt. All that he's focused on right now is the battle, trusting the rescue attempt to the rest. 

What an odd sensation. Like something, or someone was inspecting him. He tried to focus on it, to keep his mind grounded in such a disorienting place. Suddenly though that sensation turned to a screaming pain. He tried to blot it out and mentally begged for relief 

"Oh fuck me!" Moire screamed, as she desperately searched around for the little meek mare, only to see Basso sink beneath the goop. What the fuck have I gotten myself into? _Alright... Alright, think- they mimick. So- "Seed, Ruin! I want one of you to get onto the back of the other! The goo fuckers will intersect... And... I don't know! Maybe it'll work!" Moire yelled towards the others. She braced herself one more time, noticing the opportunity to combine their magic, she stands beside Ruin, nods at him with a forlorn expression underneath her mask, grits her teeth, then points her horn towards Basso, attempting to lift him out. 

blub blubs under the surface while her psychic rape is going on. It seems like one of her happy memories is missing. Shit, now she only has one left. Spot giggles at the thought. Hell if she was about to die she could as well laugh it off, some weird pony taught her that like minutes ago. Had she known, she'd have eaten more bakeries. She wonders who will inherit her tent, and if it will hold for longer when set by them. She remembers that night when the rain was drumming over it, Knowledge Seed 's eyes, so green, like emeralds glowing in the night. 


[Ruin and Moire, d12+Tele, rolls will combine]

[Seed]
[d20+melee at 8+ pass, 14+ success, 3- crit fail]
[or]
[d20+strength at 9+ pass, 13+ success, 18+ perfect, 4- crit fail]

[Basso and Spot]
[d12+Will]

Ruin and Moire, 8 and 4, 12, success
Seed, melee, 17, success
Basso, 1, crit fail
Spot, reroll, 20, success


Basso feels a happy memory get ripped out of his head, his mind going dark, hope fading...until, suddenly, with great effort, Moire and Ruin are able to rip him from the clutches of the ooze and flop him down unceremoniously on the ground near the edge of it, Basso struggling as fresh, non goopy air fills his lungs!

Meanwhile the three goo pones square up at Seed, until he hits one hard, sending it tumbling back into the pit of goo, before the other two charge, but hes  able to keep them at bay.

Lastly Spot feels her only other good memory get gripped, seeing it play before her eyes over and over. It give her the strength to hold onto it, and after much struggling the pulling stops, and she feels an  important, not necessarily happy, memory start to get pulled on instead, pain shooting through her mind.


"Pool's closed, Basso!" Ruin exclaims with a smirk as he begins to telekinetically scoop the area he thinks he saw Spot fall into. 

Moire grinned like a madmare 'neath the mask. She finally did some fancy magic shit for once! "Basso, you need to get away from the pool," she points away from it, "That way. Keep watch out for us!" She moves with Ruin. She once again grits her teeth, preparing to search for the poner who's name she didn't even know with her horn. 

Seed turns and glares at the remaining pair, righteous fury setting his emerald eyes aglow in the sunlight. With the two approaching, he swings at the next target. The unicorns still need a chance to pull out the other companion. At least they're focusing on him right now and have yet to realize that Basso is free. Once more, he brings the hammer down. 

As he is plopped out of the ooze Basso begins greedily gulping in the fresh air, happy to be free of whatever that was. As he tried to get his mind straight he heard Moire's remarks, and quickly kicked himself away from the pool, none too eager to return to that place. Stumbling to his hooves he turned to the direction the unicorn pointed and let his wings unfurl, ready to pounce on anything hostile that may show itself. 

tries and fight the goo, this whole torture thing stopped being interestign two seconds in, she didn't want any more of it. She tries to swim to the surface, using her school taught swimming skills. 


[Ruin and Moire]
[d12-3+ Tele]

[Basso]
[d12+ perception]

[Spot]
[D12+ will or Strength]

[Seed]
[d20+melee at 8+ pass, 14+ success, 3- crit fail]
[or]
[d20+strength at 9+ pass, 13+ success, 18+ perfect, 4- crit fail]


Ruin and Moire,5 and 3, 8
Seed, melee,6, fail
Basso, 7
Spot, 1, crit fail







Spot gives in, feeling his hope and happiness being suppressed as he feels an important memory get ripped out, before she is poked and prodded more.

Seed tries to smack another, but his hammer gets grabbed and tugged on, as the other starts charging! Thankfully, Path Maker rams into it, and sends it toppling away! 

“We need to go, now!” he suggests, and points. Basso had seen it too, a lot of those puddles further away seemed a lot closer now....

It was then Spot feels a tug upwards, as Ruin and Moire manage to find and tug on him, but the ooze is resisting letting him go!


"Yeah, we have company. Get Spot out of their so we can get clear of this crap." Basso called out, flying up into the air to get a better look around. 

Ruin finds Spot in the black puddle! Now with target acquired, he tugs with more focus and vigor! "Going... UP!" 

Spot is shook, Spot is flought outta the goop but Spot's mind is soup. 

he will aid with keeping the pair from dragging Spot in again. He readies the hammer once more to prevent them from swarming her and and the unicorns 

Moire beams underneath the mask. "I'll take her," she says, pulling the mare onto her back with her magic, "Let's go! We gotta get the hell out of here!" 

Moire smiles as she finds the mare underneath the goo. Finally! She strengthens her resolve, huffing underneath the hot mask in the effort to bring her out.


[Ruin and Moire]
[d12+Tele]

[Spot]
[d12-3+Will]

[Seed]
[d20+melee at 7+ pass, 13+ success, 2- crit fail]
[or]
[d20+Strength at 8+ pass, 12+ success, 17+ perfect, 3- crit fail]

As Bassos flies up, he sees about three smaller pools and one larger one slowly inking their way towards the group, in a pattern that looks like they plan to surround them!


Ruin and Moire, 14 and 7, 21
Spot, 3, fail
Seed, melee, 14, success



As the goopey pony tries to drag Seed away, he twists, smacking the thing away with the hammer, watching it stumble and flail on the ground like an upset kid.

Spot feels a sharp tug, an arm getting forced out, and a memory of sadness gets ripped out, before she suddenly rockets up and into the sky, as Ruin and Moire get a firm hold and rip her out!

Wow! They brought her really high up! 

With Spot free, the ooze suddenly starts bubbling like mad, likes its getting ready to erupt!


Spot is not conscious anymore. 

Moire stares, as she sees a pony-shaped blob come out of the mass... Which then goes flying off. Whoops. She jumps back, looks up to the sky, and catches the mare with her magic. She smiles and gives a hoof pump. As Moire levitates the mare onto her back, she looks around, taking heed of Basso's words... Yep. Definitely being surrounded. She looks up to the flyponer, "Hey Basso, do you think you could carry her to safety?" Moire says, pointing to her back with a hoof. She turns back to the other two, "Seed, Ruin! Let's get out of here!"

"Yeah, I got her." Landing next to the unicorn he transfers the unconscious body of Spot-On onto his own back. "Cmon earthy, time to go." He said to the sleepy mare before taking back off, hopefully out of reach of the ooze puddles.

"I've got you covered, Basso." He aids putting her onto the pegasus's back before covering the party's retreat from the black goo. 

Ruin turns toward the goo instead. "Afraid I ain't goin' nowhere, Moire." Ruin tilts down his hat, for dramatic flair. "I reckon' if we run now, this slick shit stays the buffalo's problem, then makes it's way to us, becomin' our problem. Seems mighty prudent t'be doin' somethin' here and now. Y'all run along, I'll cover the tactical retreat." Ruin readies his sword, really willing it to Pence up. "Let it come."

Moire marches right up to him. Right near his face, "Uh, no you fucking don't. We're not letting someone die for nothing. We need to get out of here, think of things... Then we fight it." She moves to pull on him with a foreleg, looking at the good. "I don't think you can do much with that weapon of yours anyway. Let's at least get some distance so we aren't surrounded." She looks around nervously, "And, uh- quickly! They're right on us." 


Suddenly, both Moire and Ruin are tossed up and onto the back of Path Finder, as he full on bolts for the mountains. “no time for this, were leaving, and were not leaving a pony behind!”

[Ruin d12+5+will] 
11




With a mighty arch of lightning, the sword zaps the nearest puddle, which bursts into flames and starts evaporating!

Basso sees the other puddles hesitate a few moments, before they all start forming together into one massive one!

He's is in the rear with the rest retreating. He takes a look at the one pursuing them disappear into a fine mist. Seed elects to pick up the pace. "Should we cover Crazy Horse? Ruin seems to have found a way to stop them."

"They're combining! Get ready!" Basso called out, flying above the group. Taking a hoof he gently began poking at Spot-On, trying to wake her up "Cmon, now isn't the time to sleep, wake up already." 

"Whoa!" Moire is astounded, for but a moment. She shakily turns while the buffy buffalo gallops with them on her back, patting his neck lightly. "Hey, go back! Go back! We can stop them!" "Zap! Zap! Zap!" 

"Haha, Really?" Ruin tips up the hat, revealing wild eyes "You made yourselves a BIGGER target?!" Ruin points the sword at the merging goo lake. "YOU SHOULD HAVE SCATTERED!" Ruin, with determination, puts his will and determination into another bolt from the sword! 


Bassos however sees from up above the first puddle stops burning, still about half was left if not a bit more, as it goes to chase them again.

The other one is now the size of a small fucking lake. It does not look like it will be easy, as it bulges up a bit, though for it that makes it a food ten feet tall at least, as it starts crawling after the others on the ground!

Ruins bolt of lightning hits and burs a bit off, but it seems with the increased size the effects have been diminished!


Moire sees absolutely nothing happens when the second bolt hit. "Never mind! Keep going! Keep going! Jesus christ!" 

"Guess not then! Come on, Ruin! We can construct a tesla coil to take them out later!" He picks up the pace once more. The lightning must have only stunned it. 

"Basso, fly up! See if you can find a valley! Plan B!" 

"Valley?! There aren't any valleys, just a mountain range from where we came" He yelled back. As he watched the large beast start to catch up to them he dipped back, toward it. With his fling the mountains wouldn't be an issue for him, but the others would have to climb. He had to slow it down somehow. "Hang on Spot" He said, grabbing her hoove and pulling them around his neck so she wouldn't fall off. "Cmon you giant puddle of goop, this way."



[Basso, d12+Cha]
6

The massive blob seems to almost...look at Basso, stopping for a moment, but then keeps going.

This does Give Path Finder and Seed to reach the mountain and start climbing, and Basso notices that at that, the blob stops, seemingly watching them, but instead fires off three black orbs that land at the base of the mountain, before it starts backing off.....but the three little ones form into Buffalos and start after the group!


"Oh boy, reminds of those old shooting gallery games that got banned for being racist!" Ruin laughs as he aims the sword at the leftmost gooffalo.

"Defending its territory, but whatever is controlling it, or itself is intelligent." He does not like this situation at all. "I've got your back if you're going to try and stun them again, Ruin. They don't want us escaping." His warhammer is at the ready in case the buffagoop gets too close.

It did react, it stopped, like it was thinking about what to do. Why though, why is it attackign random ponies. Why did it... steal a memory from him. He knew he took it, he remembered losing it, but he can't remember what it lost. Something good though, he could feel it. Maybe it was trying to learn, or maybe it fed on the memories, sucking them from a creature until killing it. The former was hopeful, the latter nightmarish. Flying lower he called out again, regretting that his only weapons required him to actually be punching the monster. "Leave them alone!" He screamed out. 


opens one eye as the agitation around her seemed to have dragged her out of her slumber. "w-what..? Freaking tent...." She closes her eyes again for a tenth of a second before remembering the goo."HA!" She springs up and looks around her, and at herself. "I'm.." She notices the troubles coming at them. "!". 

"Buffagoos!" Moire sat up straight, to get a view over Ruin's head. This was cool as hell, and she was gonna get some pictures! She was suddenly reminded that she didn't pick up her sword before she got tossed onto the buffalo's back... "Well, I can't exactly help you guys out," she lifted the camera to her eyes, "Good luck!" 

[Ruin]
[d12+3+Will]

[Basso]
[d20+ flight at 9+ pass, 14+ success, 3- crit fail]
[or]
[d20+ strength at 10+ pass, 13+ success, 17+ perfect, 4- crit fail]

[Seed]
[d20+melee at 9+ pass, 13+ success, 3- crit fail]
[or]
[d20+ strength at 10+ pass, 12+ success, 18+ perfect, 4- crit fail]


Ruin, 7, alright
Basso, flight, 20, perfect
Seed, melee, 16, success

As Path finder slowly leads them up the mountain, though hes clearly trying his best, the three gooffalos are quickly making headway on them.

Ruin unleashes another bolt, smacking one back and hamming it, but not enough to stop its advance...until Seed turns and smacks it with a hammer, sending the thing toppling back down and away, where it splats like pain at the bottom of the mountain!

The other two are hot on their tails though, until like a rocket from the sky, Basso, and spot clinging to his back, come in, slamming into one hard enough to make it pop like a balloon and send a splat across the rock face next to them, Basso landing expertly as goo rains down around his impact crater, the mare on his back hanging on like in a action movie poster, though this was more coincidental to the situation, then on purpose. 

The last one doesn't  stop though, and seems intent to stop their Buffalo ally from taking them to safety!


Ruin points the sword at the last buffagoo. "Pew pew!" 

Right, well, no time to lose then. Seed gives chase and lets the hammer swing once more calmly to deleg the buffagoo. 

Taking back to the air Basso turned his sights to the final buffalo. His main goal was to catch up to the group, Spot had been in the goo much longer then he was, and he didn't know what something like that could do to any unfortunate pony, or what kind of lasting effects it would leave. As he caught up, he held out his hoof blade, intending to do a fly by of the final goofallo and slice it open. 

Moire takes a picture! Cuchink! Goes the old clunker. She was useful... 


[Ruin]
[d12+1+ Will]

[Basso]
[d20+ flight at 8+ pass, 13+ success, 3- crit fail]
[or]
[d20+ melee at 9+ pass, 12+ success, 18+ perfect, 4- crit fail]

[Seed]
[d20+melee at 9+ pass, 13+ success, 3- crit fail]
[or]
[d20+ strength at 10+ pass, 12+ success, 18+ perfect, 4- crit fail]

Ruin, 7, alright
Basso, unarmed, 17, success
Seed, 7, fail




Seed misses the goofallo, as it jumps over the hammer, but gets struck by Ruins shot, allowing Basso to slam into it, knocking it down the mountain and out of sight!

With the threat gone, Path Finder doesn't take a moment to res til they peak over the top of the mountain, the jungle and hilly plains far below. Panting, he finally stops, letting the others off his back. 

“well....that....was...something.....”


Seed comes to a stop, panting as well. He takes a swig from a canteen after a moment. "Agreed." Looking at the two that got sucked it, he asks, "Are you both alright? What did it do to ya in there?" He rests on the hammer for some balance to remain standing up.

Moire got an awesome picture of Ruin shooting the buffagoo with a lightning sword! "Yes!" After they arrived at the top of the mountain, Moire stepped off the buffalo's back. "Hey, thanks a bunch! We probably would have been goofood had you not brought us out."(edited)

"So, yeah. Spread the word around: stay away from the black shit." Ruin takes a swig of vodka. "Also, keep an eye out for dark looking dudes, might be goo clones."

Pulling out a canteen of his own, Basso took a sip from it and after a moment to catch his wits, turned to Seed "I'm not sure." He said, scratching his head, "It seemed to examine me for a moment, poking and prodding, I couldn't tell which way was up, just inky blackness. Then it... ripped at my memories, stole something from me. I don't know what it was though, a memory, torn out from my mind. Thank you for getting me out of there." 

"Stole a memory? That's fucked up." Ruin frowns "The last goddamn thing we have to tie ourselves to home, and it would take that? Fuck, dude." Ruin levitates the bottle of vodka to Basso.(edited) 


Path Finder frowns, but looks down the mountain. “that....is....terrible, but it only means its best we get word back to camp, sooner then later...”


"Don't thank me, thank Ruin and Moiré. I just provided coverage for them. But yeah, it is messed up." He shakes his head. Concern crosses his face for a moment while glancing at Spot since she was in longer. "Still, if they took them, maybe there's a way to get them back. Whatever they are or whoever is controlling them knows some basic tactics that's for certain, or it was absorbed into them from another victim." Turning to the guide Pathfinder, he asks, "Has anything happened like this before with some coming back to town with missing memories?" Lifting himself off the hammer, Seed then takes one more drink from the canteen and then prepares to head out.



"This sure is some strange stuff we're dealing with... Did you see how it interacted when the first two gooponies came out? How they started to fight one another? That gives me a few ideas..." She looks between everyone else... Who was taking a drink. She meekly took her own canteen in her magical grasp, taking a swig. "I've got a couple things to say to your chief." She says to the buffalo. 


Path Finder shakes his head, and starts heading downward. “Nope, cant think of Buffalo just showing up missing things like that, more so, you think they would remember why and say so....”


Basso pushed the bottle back to Ruin and shook his head "No drink, I don't need to kill any more brain cells today. Though I owe you and Moire, dying is one thing, dying by losing everything that makes you, you, that's too much." He turned and began following the buffallo back down the mountain, "And Moire, i'm sorry. When I first saw you coming along with a camera of all things, I thought you would be rather, useless, ofr a lack of a better word. I was worried we would be the ones saving you." He said with a chuckle. 

"Ironic." Ruin smirks "Speaking of camera, get any good shots?" 

Moire was... A little offended at his comment. Of course, she never let anything like that show. "No problem. Glad to be of help, anyway." She turned her head to Ruin as they walked along. "Uh... Well, just one. Of you. With that lightning sword." She took another swig from her canteen, "And yes, it is awesome." 


With this, and no signs of being followed, they head back to camp, where they are thanked for their effort to a large meal and a place to sleep for the night, considering it was getting pretty dark by the time they do.