Exerpts from Interrogation field manual, recent revision by Commander Bulwark:
"The pride and ego approach concentrates on tricking the source into revealing pertinent information by using flattery or abuse. It is effective with a source who has displayed weaknesses or feelings of inferiority which can be effectively exploited by the interrogator. There are two techniques in this approach: the price and ego up approach, and the price and ego down approach."
"A problem with the price and ego approach techniques is that since both variations rely on trickery, the source will eventually realize that he has been tricked and my refuse to cooperate further. If this occurs, the interrogator can easily move into a fear up approach and convince the source that the questions he has already answered have committed him, and it would be useless to resist further. The interrogator can mention that it will be reported to the source's forces that he has cooperated fully with the enemy, and he or his family may suffer possible retribution when this becomes known, and the source has much to fear if he is returned to his forces. This may even offer the interrogator the option to go into a love-of-family approach in that the source must protect his family by preventing his forces from learning of his duplicity or collaboration. Telling the source that you will not report the fact that the prisoner talked or that he was a severe discipline problem is an incentive that may enhance the effectiveness of the approach."
It would be a safe bet that if you end up alone with Bulwark, and if she wants to pick your brain for information, she will get it, without the need to even lift a finger to harm you.
I'd imagine that Steel Bulwark would view physical torture as against the pale, something that might put her at odds with other members of the Order:
"I find your reckless usage of torture to be rather distaseful, White," Bulwark bristled, squaring off against White Rose. Rose laughed in reply.
"It has gotten us results, has it not? The ends justify the means."
"It has only gotten our source to spit out what he thought you wanted to hear, so as to stop the pain. It is unreliable. I wouldn't trust the so-called 'intelligence' you gathered."
"And what would you suggest?" Rose said, irritated. "Do you want a crack at him?"
"Nyet. I would like a chance to speak with Eta Carniae, and if we're lucky, I can salvage pertinent information out of him. It would be quite a waste if he's been reduced to nothing at your hands."
"I detect a bit of a challenge in your words, Bulwark."
"You deduce correctly, Princess. Perhaps you would be better to focus on words and body language with prisoners as well, as it is clear that you can surmise much from discussing matters with me."
Happiness is zero-gee with a sinus cold.Another interrogation excerpt:
The futility approach is used to make the source believe that it is useless to resist and to persuade him to cooperate with the interrogator. The futility approach is most effective when the interrogator can play on doubts that already exist in the source's mind. There are really many different variations of the futility approach. There is the futility of the personal situation "you are not finished here until you answer the questions," futility in that "everyone talks sooner or later," futility of the battlefield situation, and futility in the sense that if the source does not mind talking about history, why should he mind talking about his missions, as they are also history.
If the source's unit had run out of supplies (ammunition, food, fuel and so forth), it would be relatively easy to convince him that all of his forces are having the same logistical problems. A soldier who has been ambushed may have doubts as to how he was attack so suddenly and the interrogator should be able to easily talk him into believing that enemy forces knew where he was all the time.
The interrogator might describe the source's frightening recollections of seeing death on the battlefield as an everyday occurrence for his forces all up and down the lines. Factual or seemingly factual information must be presented by the interrogator in a persuasive, logical manner and in a matter-of-fact tone of voice.
Making the situation appear hopeless allows the source to rationalize his actions, especially if that action is cooperating with the interrogator. When employing this technique, the interrogator must not only be fortified with factual information, but he should also be aware of, and be able to exploit, the source's psychological, moral and sociological weaknesses.
Another way of using the futility approach is to blow things out of proportion. If the source's unit was low on, or has exhausted, all food supplies, he can be easily led to believe that all of his forces had run out of food. If the source is hinging on cooperating, it may aid the interrogation effort if he is told that all the other source's have already cooperated. A source who may want to help save his comrades' lives may need to be convinced that the situation of the battlefield is hopeless, and that they all will die without his assistance. The futility approach is used to paint a black picture for the prisoner, but it is not effective in and of itself in gaining the source's cooperation. The futility approach must be orchestrated with other approach techniques.
Happiness is zero-gee with a sinus cold.Hey! First time poster as a fan. I like the show, mostly because it's good cartoon fare, in a feminine way, and that's important; we're too much of a culture hung up on masculinity and female-shaming. Nice to see something feminine, but not insipid; the lady Faust has achieved her goals well.
Anyway, other than heaping praise on this great show, it's time to get down to brass tacks. Horrible, horrible brass tacks.
So as I mentioned in the Fanfic thread- not sure if this goes there or here, so I'mma just double-post- I'm thinking about doing a story that's based partly on all those Grimdark Ask a Pony tumblrs, as well as just general Creeepy Fanon. It'll boil down to the Mane 6 getting brought together under a not-totally-trustworthy member of Canterlot's Royal Guard, who knows all about their... proclivities, and intends to use them as a weaponized hit squad against the wide variety of horrible monsters that Discord woke up with his actions in the Season 2 opening.
I plan it to be parodic in the sense that W40k is parodic; that is, it'll take itself entirely seriously, while being completely insane at the same time. I want it to be a Deconstruction of Grimdark- because let's face it, there are some tendencies in people at large that are completely nuts- and also a Reconstruction; that Grimdark shouldn't be used just to pointlessly slap a coat of black paint on something, but to highlight features of the original work. Shadows are meant to add depth to a picture, not take it away.
Anyway, my half-serious plans on this are to take these interpretations, mostly cribbed from Ask a Pony's: Pinkie's a serial killer, but Cupcakes didn't happen- it's a nightmare of hers, as Pinkie doesn't want to hurt her friends. Scootaloo is a sociopath that Pinkie's taken under wing. Fluttershy is a totally creepy stalker who also has access to some shadow... thing that started following her one day. Her element of Kindness has been attracting it.
Rarity is basically Lil Miss Rarity, dead cat and all, but she's not been dead the whole time. She's just fantasizing about it, and has maintained a fairly normal life other than her horrible nighttime fun- which her element of Generosity makes easier to cover, as she can heal very quickly.
Twilight, meanwhile, is paranoid because she's from Canterlot and growing up there as the Princess' number one student has driven her quite mad. Applejack is a drunk who was raped in the past by her cousin Braeburn and is a bit paranoid as well, mostly because her element of Honesty means she keeps seeing the truth of her friends, which is disturbing to her.
Dash doesn't have any real trauma in her past, and is basically normal... except that being the element of Loyalty means that she's a natural mind-reader, and is hearing the thoughts of the other six.
Thoughts?
Your ideas really aren't that dark. Just accounts for things that would exist in a less idealistic and more detailed fantasy setting (unless there is something I haven't seen of yours).
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I really don't know what to say about that, since I have a knee jerk "this is stupid" reaction to that kind of grimdark story. Especially ones that seem to be based around fanon characterizations.
I'll admit you have probably put more thought into this then others would, though if you do intend for people to view it as parody you really shouldn't take the 40k approach.
Anyway I actually wrote some fanon about Dragons in Equestria so I will just leave it here.
Equestrians are said to know "next to nothing" about Dragons. Outside of the Great Migration, it is rare to find a Dragon in Equestria, and even then it is to dangerous to try to approach a Dragon, so most Ponies simply run.
Outside of Equestria where Dragons are more common, extensive lore exist about Dragon habits, behaviors, and even history of their "society". There is even talk of a small nation that is in inhabited by so called "friendly Dragons", but most sensible Equestrians do not believe this story.
The great Dragon Migration exist for only one purpose, reproduction. No one is sure if it is instinct or some informal agreement that brings these thousands of normally hostile adult dragons, but by the end of the event the "hatching grounds" are now littered with several great clutches of eggs. Needless to say Adult dragons do not raise, instead hatchlings need to learn how to take care of themselves very quickly. Because of this more then half of all hatchlings do not reach adolescence. Those that do usually accomplish this by banding together with their clutch mates to form gangs. Though they usually consist of Dragons born in the same clutch it is improper to refer to the as thought they are a familial unit, even if some will refer to each other as "brother" or "cousin". Those Dragons who do not join a gang and survive usually by rapidly growing into adult dragons. It is unknown how or why this happens (though many stories and theories exist to explain this) but it is believed that it is connected to Dragon's natural magical capacity and its juvenile instability.
While these gangs will provide protection and companionship for these young Dragons for many decades, as they reach adulthood competition for resources and space inevitably drive even the most tight knit gangs apart. From here on out there are a number of different options open to the now adult dragon. Most adults will resort to raids and sometimes barter for the vast hoards of jewels and precious metals that Dragons enjoy so much. After which they usually isolate them selves in large mountain lairs. Some of the more ambitious Dragons may try to themselves up as the "King" of a particular territory of "lesser creatures". More reasonable Dragons may offer to protect the territory of the lesser creatures in exchange for tithes for whatever the Dragon may require. Other Dragons will conquer the area and demand fealty from every living thing in his territory on pain of death. Particularly shrewd Adults may try to get gangs of adolescent Dragons to follow them, however most adults will usually not waste there time trying to get other adults to join them, as they are impossible for all but the most powerful and commanding figures to control. Any "Dragon King" that is able to bring multiple Dragons under his/her, especially other adult Dragons is extremely powerful indeed.
Dragons are said to have there own brand of magic, but much of the lore about it is lost. It is thought that only the most elder of all Dragons know of the practices of their magic, and none will divulge even the tiniest of secrets. Of what little is know it appears that Dragon magic draws power from powerful emotions and abstract concepts, particularly selfish ones. It was also said that Dragons made extensive use of "sacrifices" in there rituals.
Some of the more outlandish legends of Dragon history will talk about how their magic once allowed Dragons to rule the world, and how it also caused the downfall of their empire, but most scholars find these legends suspect.
That's fine, everyone has different tastes.
I actually really like this dragon fanon! The idea of a Dragon King tough enough to dominate other dragons is... mildly terrifying.
One thing I'd add is that, since Dragons know nothing about ponies for the most part, that's why they think of them as "namby-pamby" despite the fact that Celestia can send people to the moon. They have no clue she can, and consider ponies nothing much, despite the fact that they are basically Nature Spirit types in pony form.
I'm interested to know your basis for the idea behind dragon magic... and how is it kept if no one is teaching it? Is it simply innate to some dragons? Given what it draws power from, it seems like some dragons might stumble into mastering it by accident.
edited 27th Mar '12 7:55:14 AM by Mr.Cales
Well, I am glad you like it.
I guess that would be true, with a combination of natural Dragon pride and you got some teen dragons talking a lot of smack. Though the elders would definitely know better.
The thing about Dragon magic as it is now, is that is really known is that it exist in some fashion. It is possible for any Dragon to tap in to their inate magical potential and utilize the basic principles of Dragon magic. But the true rituals, the detailed spells, the runes and matrices(and indeed are the only traces of an older, more united Dragon society left)are hoarded by impossibly ancient Dragons (or other sources that don't want them to fall in to the wrong hooves) that would never part with even a word of them, both out of greed and fear. So it really isn't a discipline like it is with other forms of magic. Or at least not at the moment.
Does that make sense?
Sorry, but the chances of that are as close to zero as possible.
This is rare and powerful stuff. No Dragon would want to give another Dragon a potential advantage. Not mention many of the old spells and rituals are quite dangerous in and of themselves.
Heheheh, they are certainly welcome to try.
edited 27th Mar '12 12:15:01 PM by Mio
I can easily imagine a greedy dragon wanting to steal or "borrow" a spell from another dragon. They are rather fond of hoarding and stuff, are they not?
And now, for something completely different:
Eta Carinae looked up from the stone floors of the damp cell, curious as to who was going to visit him this time. The door rattled and clanked, the locking mechanism (shielded against magic, he had discovered) sliding aside. A powerful Earth stallion, clad in black mail armor, shoved open the heavy reinforced door.
Eta struggled to rise to his hooves, but a voice bid him to stay still.
"No need to stand, Professor," the voice, that of a middle-aged Mare, gently commanded. In she walked, dressed in a simple mantle, which he recognized as similiar to the omne from the previous day's encounter with 'The Screamer', a white Unicorm who refused to give her name.
"I've already talked," he said sharply.
"Yes, I'm aware of that. However, I am here to offer you an apology for the crude treatment you have received at the hands of my associate, but she is, how do I put it? A novice in the art of interrogation."
"More like torture," he spat. She drew up to him, slowly, then kneeled to his level, her eyes even with his.
"You have no argument with me over that. I have chastized her at length over the matter, and you won't be seeing her face for quite some time. However, you will be seeing a lot of myself."
"I'm done tallking to your kind, traitor."
"Well, I can see that you're in a lovely mood. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Steel Bulwark, commander of the Northern Forces at Stalliongrad. And you are Eta Carinae, retired Professor of Unicorm Magical Theory, and Alma Mater for Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns."
"You actually expect me to believe that that's your real name? General Bulwark would like to have some words with you, madam, for using her name falsely."
"Assuredly, I am not offended of myself using my own name, nor am I afraid to divulge it to you. As you are not going to leave this facility for quite some time, I see no need to hide behind a cloak or pseudonym," she said pleasantly.
"You're here to verify what I told The Screamer, aren't you?" he flatly stated.
"You are observant. You do indeed live up to your reputation, Professor."
"Flattery will get you nowhere, General."
"No, you are clearly too clever for such basic mind-games. However, you are a pony of science, which means that you respond to reason, logic, evidence and sound judgement. Unless you were one of the crackpot professors, of course." She stood and motioned to the guard still standing passively in the open doorway. A tray was wheeled in, and Eta could at once smell freshly prepared food upon the small tray.
"And this is what I receive if I should talk?" he asked, casting a rueful eye at her.
"Nyet. This is what you can eat now, and I will leave you be. I shall return later when you have rested and we can converse again. I have questions about your treatise about Dragon Magical Abilities and Theory, which I found to be a very interesting read, although a bit heavy-worded for me to fully comprehend. Perhaps you could clarify a few things for me later. But for now, I bid you a good evening, Professor."
She clamped the tray with her teeth and set it in front of him gently, wheeled about with a flair, and departed the cell without another word. He heard the door latch shut and the mechanism locking. And then, he was alone with his thoughts.
Happiness is zero-gee with a sinus cold.I need help with that Monsoon fanfic. The basic plot is that Monsoon goes on an archaeological dig in Marabia after becoming inspired by the Daring Do series to study archaeology, and then wanders off from the main group. He then discovers that the village that the excavation team was investigating was in fact a secret spell-testing facility created by Sultan Hazred. Now, I'm having trouble trying to think of what specific hazards would be there. Here are some ideas that I came up with:
- An alchemy lab
- Some sort of bunker with hostile genies trapped inside
- Some sort of Magitek Clockpunk arms factory?
I like the alchemy lab. All sorts of nasty hazards to be found in a lab - sharp glassware, open flames, toxic unstable chemicals, and of course, the staff of the lab would not take kindly to being investigated and may arrange for some... unfortunate accidents...
Happiness is zero-gee with a sinus cold.Hi everyone!
My suspension has been lifted, and I'm back for good. I hope to resume fanon work shortly.
My fanfic outline. RIP PoseyYay, he's back.
More Ordo Proregis stuff:
Bulwark hid her inner frustrations as she stood at her place at the conference table. Again, she felt her ideological differences asserting themselves, as her counterpart went on and on and on about magical abilities that she barely comprehended. Finally, she cleared her throat.
"Yes, Bulwark?"
"If I am understanding your chain of thought, you wish to create a sort of amplifier of sorts, for Unicorn magical abilities. I mean not to point out the obvious, but do we not have ownership of The Green Room? If I uderstand it corretly, it already does what it is you wish to do."
"Well, yes. However, it does not provide enough amplification. It is in need of repairs, and the overall construction is that of a novice, or rather, the kludge repairs are that of a novice. Which is why I need you to glean information about Eta's methods of making an amplification chamber."
"Ah, I can see that my skills as a former Interrogation Instructer are going to be put to use once more," she said dryly.
"As you are aware, Princess Rose tried to gain this information from me, but did so rather... ineptly. The notes she delivered to me were worthless, and I overheard from the Chief of the Guard that she actually tortured the Professor. But you already knew about that, yes?"
"I have spoken to her about it, yes."
"Well, I need you to step up the pace. I have prepared a listing of questions that you will need to ask about. I trust that you will use your judgement and discrection in phrasing these things, but it is imperative that I learn about the proper construction methods of amplification chambers. My studies in that field are limited, whereas it was Eta's gift."
"I take it you hold him in high regard?"
"He is old, but in his day, he was one of the premiere researchers for passive magical amplification. Since he's the last of his class still alive, he is all we have. He is invaluable. The Professor also has this curious habit of not printing all of his theories and materials to paper. So, we must encourage him to speak it."
"Could it be that he didn't print those things due to them being unworkable?"
"I had considered it. But you must try. The Regent is counting on me to bring The Green Room to fully operational status by the end of the year."
"How old is the Room, if I may ask?"
"Older than all of us combined. A relic, the knowledge that went into designing it lost, although Professor Carinae did re-discover much of the old knowledge, hence his importance."
"I understand. You are aware that he has a small cadre of young Stallions under his wing?"
"Yes. I have taken the liberty of pulling the file for the reporter chap, goes by the name Moonbeam. Talented, studied in Princess Celestia's special school for a time, although he's rather eccentric. They should be of no threat."
"You have informed The Regent of them, I trust?" she queried.
"Only briefly. If you wish to investigate into them yourself, feel free, General. But only after you obtain the information out of the Professor. We're on a timetable here."
"It won't interfere. I have some good Internal Affairs associates in the Palace that I can call in some favors, and they will do the needed background investigations. I will only need their names."
edited 30th Mar '12 3:29:40 PM by pvtnum11
Happiness is zero-gee with a sinus cold.

Pony version for Semper Fi.
Any idea for cool name?