Friendship is Dragons

Page 3 - Are You An Arcanist

4th Aug 2011, 6:00 AM

<<First <Previous Next> Latest>>

Average Rating: 4.92 (13 votes)

Rate this comic

<<First <Previous Next> Latest>>

Author Notes:

Newbiespud 4th Aug 2011, 6:00 AM edit delete

I've taken lots of inspiration from Lurking Rhythmically's Erin Palette, who devoted an entire week (and then some) to My Little Pony and tabletop roleplaying. She matched each of the mane six to a character class and fleshed out how a campaign in Equestria might go down. Apparently, I couldn't resist turning those notes into a story.

As reference, I went ahead and built all six characters for 4th edition. You can see some of the stats for Twilight Sparkle and the other ponies on the Cast page.

Notice: Now accepting guest comics! Submission rules and guidelines available here. Deadline: January 30th

47 Comments:

Post a Comment

man_lick69 4th Aug 2011, 6:07 AM edit delete reply

i'm still waiting for my cutie mark.

AlixwithanI 4th Aug 2011, 6:10 AM edit delete reply

I like! Pretty art, good concept!

Fyren 14th Sep 2018, 7:51 AM edit delete reply

You might have figured this out already, as this comment is seven years old and I'm probably making an idiot out of myself by replying, but my OCD won't let me ignore it. The art is literally just still scenes from the show. XD

McRandom 17th Nov 2018, 12:03 PM edit delete reply

I understand your compulsion, friend.
I would've done it had you not
^^;

Gryphon 4th Aug 2011, 6:43 AM edit delete reply

Awesome comic. The group I RP with keeps threatening a Ponies campaign. Of course, they've been trying to strongarm Equestria into a White Wolf mold... Still, after we successfully used the World of Darkness rulesbooks to cobble together a Portal/Doctor Who crossover, I believe that anythign is possible.
I luuurve the comic! Keep up the good work!

UnfairAdvantage 7th Dec 2011, 4:57 PM edit delete reply

If you can stick Doctor Who and Portal together, and make it make sense, you, sir, are a genius.

I need logs of this. I need this to happen.

Erin Palette 4th Aug 2011, 1:12 PM edit delete reply

This is amazing and awesome! No one's ever taken an idea I had and turned it into their own project before. I'm flattered!

I just wish you'd told me about it. I had to find this comment while obsessively looking over my referrals and trackbacks.... <sniffle>

Newbiespud 4th Aug 2011, 1:26 PM edit delete reply

Sorry about that. Chalk it up to my own insecurity - I wasn't sure this project would completely pan out. It seems to be here to stay, though. I'm glad you like it. :)

Erin Palette 4th Aug 2011, 1:53 PM edit delete reply

Aw, it's fine. I even gave you a link! I wish you lots of luck and hope you enjoy making this comic, because you are now obligated to finish it! ;)

multifish 5th Aug 2011, 3:52 AM edit delete reply

A-heh, you're already reminding me of Darths & Droids.
Which is not a bad thing, mind you! :D Odd to see different scenes being used in conjunction with each other after reading D&D for so long, though... Again, still lookin' forward to addin' this to my regular comic updatey bookmarks folder!

Zerobrony 5th Aug 2011, 4:16 AM edit delete reply

Well, I know where I'LL be every tuesday and thursday.

SparksTesla 5th Aug 2011, 5:13 AM edit delete reply

Omigosh! Looks great, so far! Add another webcomic to my list. Do you have an update schedule? (It's okie dokie lokie if you don't!)

Sparks "Got 1 on his spot 5th Aug 2011, 5:14 AM edit delete reply

Wooops! Tues/Thurs, got it! :P

Kyman201 5th Aug 2011, 8:51 AM edit delete reply

Hey, looking forward to the rest of this comic, though I did notice something on the Profiles page. Some of the math on Fluttershy's skills don't seem to add up... I don't think it's possible for someone at level 1 in 4th ed to have a -2 in any one skill without backgrounds. And Fluttershy's constitution isn't bad enough to warrent a -1 to endurance.

Just me noticing some details, it probably won't come up in the comic.

Newbiespud 5th Aug 2011, 11:58 AM edit delete reply

To all of you guys that are undoubtedly going to check my math: You're right! I'll double-check it myself and see if I can't make some corrections. I found the problem with Fluttershy, but this prompts me to check the others as well...

EDIT: Changes have been made.

Rockburgh 5th Aug 2011, 9:09 AM edit delete reply

So the DM didn't decide that him/herself..? Hmm, this promises to be interesting... and now we know that Twilight's a power gamer.

On another note, now that I've actually read the cast page, (and know that Rarity isn't the DM,) I am rather intrigued by the statistics of each character... I'll be mathing over everything soon, no doubt about that.

Matev 5th Aug 2011, 9:45 AM edit delete reply

You had me at Ponies and Dragons...

Guest 5th Aug 2011, 10:28 AM edit delete reply

Looking good so far. I wish you luck making it through the whole of season 1.

Guest 5th Aug 2011, 12:13 PM edit delete reply

Do I smell DM of the Rings? I certainly hope so.

The Red Mage 5th Aug 2011, 4:07 PM edit delete reply

I was browsing you page and noticed a distinct lack of FAQ page. So, I guess I'm gonna ask this here: What system are the players using? Probably not "pure" 4E D&D, right?

Newbiespud 5th Aug 2011, 4:19 PM edit delete reply

Ha! I was JUST about to start working on a page like that.

4e is the base. But yes, there are quite a few house rules in play to go along with the setting. Rules for the character races and rules for Cutie Marks/special talents, mostly.

EDIT: There's now an About page to hopefully answer questions like this.

Anonymous 6th Aug 2011, 1:54 AM edit delete reply

A Darths and droids style comic done with magical pastel colored equines?

Sounds awesome! =D

Linden 6th Aug 2011, 1:15 PM edit delete reply

I am SO looking forward to more!

kriss1989 6th Aug 2011, 8:29 PM edit delete reply

yeah, you've been mentioned on ED as you probably well know by now. You will therefor get a lot more viewers than you used to. No pressure, but like 60% of the Brony community is probably watching you right now.

TheDoomBug 7th Aug 2011, 5:39 PM edit delete reply

Three pages and I'm already hooked.

man_lick69 7th Aug 2011, 6:21 PM edit delete reply

i just knew this was going to happen. three billion guests for the ponies. :)

Guest 7th Aug 2011, 7:15 PM edit delete reply

Quick question for you: Do you intend to do your comic with only screencaps from the series itself, or would you consider getting some artists to help once in a while? Reading the other two comics that inspired this one's style, I've always thought that though the limits of the "style" are interesting, there's no reason to stick by those limits all the time if it would make a better story/joke.

Newbiespud 8th Aug 2011, 1:55 PM edit delete reply

You underestimate the power of creative limitations. With total creative freedom, I probably wouldn't be able to come up with any story or jokes at all. It would be too daunting. In this format, there's a flow I can follow (and even break away from occasionally) that helps inspire the writing.

In this case, the art is not in service to the story - rather, the story serves the art. That story/art spectrum is part of what makes comics so fascinating.

Tweaky Scribe 8th Aug 2011, 3:50 AM edit delete reply

Oh man, you MUST keep this thing going! I cannot wait to continue reading this! Keep up the amazing work!

Sidnoea 8th Aug 2011, 11:19 PM edit delete reply

Ironically enough, that last panel had an animation error where Rainbow Dash had NO cutie mark (or wings).

Random 9th Aug 2011, 1:01 AM edit delete reply

i lovin it!

McBehrer 2nd Sep 2011, 11:20 PM edit delete reply

Eew, 4th edition?

I must say, 3.5 is far superior.

Newbiespud 3rd Sep 2011, 12:51 AM edit delete reply

I know many people who would argue against you on that. I also know many people who would agree with you on that.

After spending some time standing between these people, I've concluded that the argument is just not worth having at all.

Tanuki Tales 4th Apr 2014, 4:03 PM edit delete reply

Hey, at least they're both better than the fail-whale Next is shaping up to be. :P

Lugbzurg 25th Sep 2011, 8:02 PM edit delete reply

I love how they're trying to make her look like she's some "godmod noob"!

Nervous Tick 4th Oct 2011, 1:18 PM edit delete reply

Panel 6, DM's textbox:
"...and specific spells assoSciated with a special talent."

That should, of course, be associated, without the third S. =D

Also, great comic; can't wait for more!

leafia6 11th Oct 2011, 11:07 AM edit delete reply

Rainbow Dash with an axe-tail would have been 20% cooler.

ShadowStar 22nd Oct 2011, 4:31 PM edit delete reply

"Then I'd have an Axe on my butt."

You sir/madam are
BRIILIANT!

Drbry 28th Jan 2012, 10:41 AM edit delete reply

Realy the only thing I have to add to this and don't let this detract from the comic at all because thats great. Its just that 4th addition is an abomination and should be struck from all records as the inheritor of the D&D name. Its a tactacal board game nothing more. There are almost no mechanics in the game for roleplay.
Jus twanted to vent my nerd rage.

Candlewick 29th Dec 2014, 11:06 PM edit delete reply

So Twilight's a munchkin?

Dadada 12th Mar 2017, 9:23 PM edit delete reply

There is a system that I've heard of called ponyfinder, is this based on that?

Zidders Roofurry 9th Jun 2017, 2:32 AM edit delete reply

Nope. This isn't based on it. Ponyfinder came later and was the result of its creator enjoying both Pathfinder and Ponies. It's a pretty great system.