Friendship is Dragons
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Page 267 - Con Context
Author Notes:
Newbiespud
4th Apr 2013, 6:00 AM
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I prefer to think of her as AJ Chesterton's The Mare Who Was Rarity.
Indeed! Evidence without context is not evidence. :D
(Also, your icon is gold)
(Also, your icon is gold)
Curse you definitelynotRaxon! This conversation was far funnier than it had any right to be. I could honestly say I hadn't laughed this hard in weeks, but I just watched Yu-gi-oh Abridged in Ebonics yesterday which had comprable humor statistics.
I like that Gustav Le Grande is now Equestria's criminal kingpin.
Wait. Since Gustav is a griffin, would that make Gilda a spoiled rotten Mafia princess?
Wait. Since Gustav is a griffin, would that make Gilda a spoiled rotten Mafia princess?
Alternatively, that picture is just what everyone thinks he looks like, and he's actually Mane. Con Mane.
I wouldn't be able to do much with it if Gustave was Elusive, now would I?
I have a theorie as to who is this "Elusive" character, but it is far-fetched. My theorie is, Elusive is Rarity's colt version!!!
I wish I could convince my players to get into a pony RPG. I'd use the wild west setting I established in my fanfic, Outlaw Mares where the party faces off against a secret organization for powerful relics forgotten in Equestria's history.
It would be like a pony version of "The Amazing Screw On Head".
(If you don't know what that is, search for it on YouTube, it's a one-shot episode ride into an amazing and hilarious adventure).
It would be like a pony version of "The Amazing Screw On Head".
(If you don't know what that is, search for it on YouTube, it's a one-shot episode ride into an amazing and hilarious adventure).
Emperor Zombie: You let me down. You went on and on about how sweet the candy was, then told me not to put it in my mouth and got mad at me when I did.
Screw-On Head: If by 'candy' you mean 'ancient forbidden evil' then, yes, I told you not to put it in your mouth.
It has brilliant dialog like that. Perfect for a villain of fine caliber to set upon my players.
To this day I am always on the look out for saying "MINE NOW"
Hahaha, that's awesome. :)
Once I had a villain who attempted to murder the PCs by shunting them into the Elemental Plane of Fire. Ultimately the PCs survived and got back home. The next meeting after that when the BBEG was better prepared I used the line "Now the adventurers shall die. Again. Perminantly!"
Once I had a villain who attempted to murder the PCs by shunting them into the Elemental Plane of Fire. Ultimately the PCs survived and got back home. The next meeting after that when the BBEG was better prepared I used the line "Now the adventurers shall die. Again. Perminantly!"
Ooh, the plotting. I like intrigue like this: straightforward problem solving that nevertheless has to bend and twist around the rules. Neat.
Also, Raxon needs to be a guest character in the comic, somehow. IF ONLY HE WERE HERE TO GIVE US HIS WARPED COMMENTARY.
Also, Raxon needs to be a guest character in the comic, somehow. IF ONLY HE WERE HERE TO GIVE US HIS WARPED COMMENTARY.
Quite so, my fine bespectacled friend. Uncouth though his commentary may be, the Rax who is On often amuses even with such a base approach, as it is more clever in its execution rather than its content, which creates a delightfully incongruous experience that appeals to my sense of the absurd.
He is visiting family, you say? Well, that seems odd, for I could have sworn he was some form of sapient A.I. released upon the World Wide Web by accident from the personal computation device of a deranged, maddened cheese vendor in the Philippines. Be a good chap and let him know that I hope he enjoys the time with his fellow meatspawn.
He is visiting family, you say? Well, that seems odd, for I could have sworn he was some form of sapient A.I. released upon the World Wide Web by accident from the personal computation device of a deranged, maddened cheese vendor in the Philippines. Be a good chap and let him know that I hope he enjoys the time with his fellow meatspawn.
Elusive?! Huh. You never cease to surprise me, Newbiespud. That's beautifully inspired, and I'm beginning to suspect I don't know the fifth of it.
Is the name "Elusive" a reference to something? I don't recognize it.
Yes, it's the name of the gender flipped Rarity.
Which means that possibly all the gender flipped ponies exist in this Equestria.
We're gonna get a drawn 'dark rangers'-esque guest comic series at some point now aren't we?
Which means that possibly all the gender flipped ponies exist in this Equestria.
We're gonna get a drawn 'dark rangers'-esque guest comic series at some point now aren't we?
Now that I think about it, that could really work.
Elusive - an unaligned rogue who actually only steals in order to keep the rich spending on replacing lost items, thus stimulating the economy. The reason he's 'Equestrias biggest secret' is because Celestia recognises him as a necessary evil and keeps his existence secret, and why she chooses to believe that Rarity really is just a fashion designer.
Dusk Shine - a Chaotic Evil Sorcerer. Originally Celestia's chosen pupil, he was cast aside for a female. He wants revenge for this slight. The reason could be anything really, but my choice would be that Celestia got enough flack and questions about risque relations with Twilight, imagine what it would have been like if her pupil was male?
Applejack - A Chaotic Evil Ranger with 'favoured enemy - alcohol'. Like Applejack, he's a character who reads his opponents, and probably realises that challenging AJ and Dash to a drinking contest would put them under the table and him in a position to 'deal with them'. Or sleep with them, he subscribes to the 3.5 method of diversifying his favored enemies. He chose 'pretty ladies' as an off option :P
Bubble Berry - An unaligned Bard who... -you know what? No, he'd probably just party with Pinkie and the two of them would break reality and stop all conflict ever. It'd be awesome.
Rainbow Blitz - A Lawful Good Monk. He loves racing and speed, but he's all about letting his opponents destroy themselves in combat and turning their attacks back on themselves. Though that's not to say he can't kick their asses on his own merits.
Buttercup or whatever R63 Fluttershy is called - Evil Shaman. The main concept here is that his 'animal spirits' are actually animals he's killed.
That could actually work as a decent evil counterparts adventure scenario methinks. And yes, I changed the classes up a bit, they can't all be EXACTLY the same as the mains now can they?
Elusive - an unaligned rogue who actually only steals in order to keep the rich spending on replacing lost items, thus stimulating the economy. The reason he's 'Equestrias biggest secret' is because Celestia recognises him as a necessary evil and keeps his existence secret, and why she chooses to believe that Rarity really is just a fashion designer.
Dusk Shine - a Chaotic Evil Sorcerer. Originally Celestia's chosen pupil, he was cast aside for a female. He wants revenge for this slight. The reason could be anything really, but my choice would be that Celestia got enough flack and questions about risque relations with Twilight, imagine what it would have been like if her pupil was male?
Applejack - A Chaotic Evil Ranger with 'favoured enemy - alcohol'. Like Applejack, he's a character who reads his opponents, and probably realises that challenging AJ and Dash to a drinking contest would put them under the table and him in a position to 'deal with them'. Or sleep with them, he subscribes to the 3.5 method of diversifying his favored enemies. He chose 'pretty ladies' as an off option :P
Bubble Berry - An unaligned Bard who... -you know what? No, he'd probably just party with Pinkie and the two of them would break reality and stop all conflict ever. It'd be awesome.
Rainbow Blitz - A Lawful Good Monk. He loves racing and speed, but he's all about letting his opponents destroy themselves in combat and turning their attacks back on themselves. Though that's not to say he can't kick their asses on his own merits.
Buttercup or whatever R63 Fluttershy is called - Evil Shaman. The main concept here is that his 'animal spirits' are actually animals he's killed.
That could actually work as a decent evil counterparts adventure scenario methinks. And yes, I changed the classes up a bit, they can't all be EXACTLY the same as the mains now can they?
Also...I'm going that Rarity IS Elusive, and pretends to be a low ranking member of her own organization, Undercover Boss or Kaiser Sozei style.
Glad I wasn't the only one thinking that Elusive and Rarity could be one and the same. I still wouldn't put money on it.
And Lord Solaris, Prince Artemis, Prince Tempo and Royal Major Officer Gleaming Shield??
You might be overthinking it, with Elusive operating with Celestia's tacit permission.
If Celestia is in the loop, my money would be on "Elusive" being Celestia herself. She's more than capable of any disguise, illusion, subterfuge, or mind-manipulation needed for that.
If the DM is playing her as a chessmaster instead of as the kind-but-oblivious mentor she's presenting herself as, she would _totally_ usurp control of the underworld to make it work for the greater good. Machiavellian-Good is best Good.
If Celestia is in the loop, my money would be on "Elusive" being Celestia herself. She's more than capable of any disguise, illusion, subterfuge, or mind-manipulation needed for that.
If the DM is playing her as a chessmaster instead of as the kind-but-oblivious mentor she's presenting herself as, she would _totally_ usurp control of the underworld to make it work for the greater good. Machiavellian-Good is best Good.
Considering that the "note" was given to Rarity at a party Celestia is attending would definitely provide support to that theory.
Good lord...Celestia is secretly head of the Thieve's Guild? What next? She's also secretly head of the Barbarians guild? Mage's guild? Druid's guild? ALL the guild's?
Actually, I think the "Celestia's in the loop and is keeeping the secret to maintain control" is even better. Picture it, Celestia as Lord Vetinari.
Actually, I think the "Celestia's in the loop and is keeeping the secret to maintain control" is even better. Picture it, Celestia as Lord Vetinari.
Celestianari. The mental image of that puts "By Celestia's Beard!" in a whole new light.
So does that make Twilight Sam Vimes or Carrot Ironfounderson?
Carrot, definitely Carrot. There is no way Twi could be cynical enough to be Vimes.
So who's Vimes then? Several members of the party qualifies as cynical, after all.
If we're going by straight cynicism...
Maybe Cranky Doodle Donkey (now retired)?
Maybe Cranky Doodle Donkey (now retired)?
Celestia is head of all guilds. And she's the Dragonborn. Just because. :D
I could see Pinkie vs. Bubble in a musical duel. The kind that brings collateral damage on the same level that Blaster Master and Soundwave had when they had a showdown in Transformers.
Comments such as that one make me consider a Kickstarter to help pay for Raxon to take more frequent vacations.
Man, if he doesn't have his own TV tropes page, he should.
If you have ever watched the Dawnforged Cast videos on youtube, I keep reading notRaxon with the voice he used for his Call of Cthulu game....
Elusive is Blueblood. Calling it now.
(Of course by posting this, I may have ensured that it WON'T be Blueblood.)
(Of course by posting this, I may have ensured that it WON'T be Blueblood.)
Hey, who knows? If we post enough theories, there won't be any other characters left and he'll HAVE to pick one of the ones we've speculated upon!
In fact, that perfectly explains what the bloody hell Rarity is doing with some moron she obviously can't manipulate if she married him at the Gala...intriguing.
Damn this comic its made me into a bronie and now Im reading a My Little Pony RTD gahh. Why did you do this to me?
Welcome to the Herd.
Pecking order is your now our bitch.
Pecking order is your now our bitch.
Lets see about that (takes off skin reveling tree-head and metal skeleton)
Come at me bro!
reference
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=118106.0
I'm mark
Come at me bro!
reference
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=118106.0
I'm mark
meets
www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=99908.0
"oh no'
(by the way anyone know how title urls)
www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=99908.0
"oh no'
(by the way anyone know how title urls)
ONE OF US ONE OF US ONE OF US ONE OF─
Oh hang on. I remember you. I was Tom.
Oh hang on. I remember you. I was Tom.
Onyx I remember, you died, wasn't it exploding crystals that killed you, after all we went through and I thought my mods to your body would keep you safe
Eeyup. Pyromania and a disproportionate love for loot can only take you so far when you get the urge to start abusing magical artifacts you only just found. Especially when they're about as volatile as a tank covered in gasoline rolling through a nitroglycerin factory.
I remember when 50% of the comment section wasn't Raxon looking for attention, good times.
Also, this comic has made Sapphire Shores ten times more interesting than she was in the show. Kudos to Newbiespud.
Also, this comic has made Sapphire Shores ten times more interesting than she was in the show. Kudos to Newbiespud.
Also, thanks!
I third the tolerance toward a ten-times more interesting Sapphire Shores.
i am very interested in how newbiespud is going to pull this off. good luck to you!
This strip can be summed up in TWO words. Money and ponies. Ponies and money. And crime. This strip can be summed up in THREE words: money, ponies, and crime... and an almost fanatical devotion to fashion. This strip... AMONGST the words that can describe this strip are...
I'll come in again.
I'll come in again.
"NOPONY EXPECTS THE EQUESTRIAN INQUISITION!"
(Now i just need to figure out which pony that would sound best coming out of the mouth of...)
(Now i just need to figure out which pony that would sound best coming out of the mouth of...)
Michael Palin is still alive. We could always ping him and ask him what his OC pony would look like?
(Or just base it off of his character in the sketch.)
Of ponies who've showed up in the show, there are actually very few with the hamminess required. Of those who are sufficiently good at stealing the spotlight, I'd have to go with Luna as the prime candidate.
[RCV]"NOPONY DOTH EXPECT YE EQUESTRIAN INQUISITION!"[/RCV]
(Or just base it off of his character in the sketch.)
Of ponies who've showed up in the show, there are actually very few with the hamminess required. Of those who are sufficiently good at stealing the spotlight, I'd have to go with Luna as the prime candidate.
[RCV]"NOPONY DOTH EXPECT YE EQUESTRIAN INQUISITION!"[/RCV]
Blueblood would be the one complaining that he wasn't expecting the Equestrian Inquisition.
Cue Luna's entrance.
Cue Luna's entrance.
...Aaaand, I really should have expected Trixie. Well done.
If it's the incident I'm thinking of it was a trade between American and Canadian troops: American tanks in exchange for C7 rifles. We wanted the tanks for use in training, the Yanks wanted the rifles because some troops have a strong dislike for the M16's burst limiter[1], (the C7 is an AR-15 like the M16 is still capable of full-auto fire).
[1] The problem with a burst limiter is that if you fire 2 rounds then next burst you fire will only be a single round.
[1] The problem with a burst limiter is that if you fire 2 rounds then next burst you fire will only be a single round.
Griffon the Brush off - Alt script
- RD has a debt of some sort with a rival criminal gang of Rarity's, gotten either by accident (property damage, member assassination, theft), via Rarity (transferred debts from RY to RD via scam), or on purpose (contraband weaponry buying).
- Gilda arrives as an enforcer to collect said debt. RD has no money to pay and is in trouble.
- PP shows up, clueless as to who Gilda is. RD bluffs that PP is a rival debt enforcer for Rarity's guild, and is trying to collect on Gilda's debt payment, which would leave Gilda empty-clawed.
- Gilda sticks close to RD to make sure she doesn't bail out of her debt. Rd invents a cover story ("old flight school friend") to keep Pinkie Pie from getting her into more trouble than she already is.
- Gilda goes on to intimidate FS (who crit-failed her own intimidate check to try scare Gilda away from RD), which PP witnesses and figures out that she's a "meanie".
- PP, in her infinite wisdom, decides to throw a party and try to reform Gilda from her meanie ways with friendship and a heavy dose of bardic spells.
- Gilda goes to party, suspicious of PP and trying to find a way to assassinate her.
- Unknown to her and PP, Rarity and RD teamed together to booby-trap the party with deadly traps, in order to get rid of Gilda for good.
- Episode ends with Gilda exposed, followed by either jailing, delayed poisoning (she falls to her death trying to reach her crime gang), brainwashing (via PP bard magic), or good old murder.
Note: No in-character text, leaving that up for Lynt to figure out. :p
Oh man, I don't know why, but this is actually getting kinda intense XD .
If Rarity does still get kidnapped by the Diamond Dogs, I think it'd be pretty funny imagining the DM acting like Spike & slamming open the door to where the other players are, catching them by surprise, and yelling incomprehensibly about the kidnapping; they would be so confused by it all XD .
~Of course, you do whatever you feel is best. I just like crazy and silly roleplaying/method acting moments~
If Rarity does still get kidnapped by the Diamond Dogs, I think it'd be pretty funny imagining the DM acting like Spike & slamming open the door to where the other players are, catching them by surprise, and yelling incomprehensibly about the kidnapping; they would be so confused by it all XD .
~Of course, you do whatever you feel is best. I just like crazy and silly roleplaying/method acting moments~
Mr & Mrs Cake - Selling of illegal, hallucinogenic substances. This explains why PP is so crazy half the time, as she eats half the stock by accident. They eventually retire from the illegal business after their children are born.
Mayor Mare - Corrupt politician on the pay from the thieves guild. Keeps good publicity to keep Celestia's eyes off of her.
Celestia - Is in fact, the "Invisible Thief". Nopony would EVER suspect her, and she is literally untouchable.
Pinkie Pie - Is in fact, the "Invisible Thief". Because she's the Goddamned Pinkie Pie.
Derpy Hooves - Is in fact, the "Invisible Thief". She just steals and sifts through the mail assigned to her, giving her a gigantic advantage in figuring out crooked deals and opportunities for profit. Nobody suspects her due to her eye condition.
Apple Family - Bootleggers and smugglers.
CMC - Kid smugglers and weapons dealers. Nopony can hold charges against them, being minors, nor would anyone suspect them. Problem is, they suck at weapons dealing.
Photo Finish - Criminal PR agent and money launderer. Moderately famous, she uses her influence to retire those who wish to leave the crime business and retire with their earnings without suffering legal backlash.
Flim&Flam - Criminal bootleggers and large-time scammers. Competent and working within the reaches of the law, but dangerously arrogant and unscrupulous.
Cranky Doodle Donkey - Former legendary mob boss, that waged a bloody war after the hit on his wife, causing him to completely dominate the criminal scene. He is now retired and living in misery, having earned his riches and revenge.
Matilda - Wife of Cranky, who faked her death in a brilliant plan to have Cranky become the sole crime-boss. Years later, she is still in hiding, fearful of her husbands reaction and eventual former enemy backlash.
Creative list, Zarhon.
Pinkie Pie - Is in fact, the "Invisible Thief". Because she's the Goddamned Pinkie Pie.
"The Pink and the Pie" has a nice ring to it.
Derpy Hooves - Is in fact, the "Invisible Thief". She just steals and sifts through the mail assigned to her, giving her a gigantic advantage in figuring out crooked deals and opportunities for profit. Nobody suspects her due to her eye condition.
I see what you did there.
And there.
Apple Family - Bootleggers and smugglers.
Making their way, the only way they know how.
Pinkie Pie - Is in fact, the "Invisible Thief". Because she's the Goddamned Pinkie Pie.
"The Pink and the Pie" has a nice ring to it.
Derpy Hooves - Is in fact, the "Invisible Thief". She just steals and sifts through the mail assigned to her, giving her a gigantic advantage in figuring out crooked deals and opportunities for profit. Nobody suspects her due to her eye condition.
I see what you did there.
And there.
Apple Family - Bootleggers and smugglers.
Making their way, the only way they know how.
The bottom left panel is a freezeframe that always bothered me when I first noticed it in the show.
There is no anatomical way for rarity's arm to be held in that position without her shoulder being in her neck.
There is no anatomical way for rarity's arm to be held in that position without her shoulder being in her neck.
WE NEED A DOCTOR NOW!
...I wonder if that kind of animation inconsistency is what led to those creepy head-spider ponies I've seen a couple of times (It's usually an animated walk cycle of a pony's head with its four legs directly attached to the neck. And nothing else below that. Pretty disturbing.)
This is a well-known side effect of the "tweening" used to interpolate frames in computer-animated works.
Or at least, most of the stranger animation panels are caused by that. Not necessarily all of them.
Or at least, most of the stranger animation panels are caused by that. Not necessarily all of them.
Oh I'm aware of WHY it happens.
I've worked in flash and CG animation in general for many years before and after ponies.
(although more in C# and programming of late ah the times they change).
Its not so much I don't know why it happened.
Its that I am annoyed that it was allowed to slip by.
But really can't complain much because animators are an overworked and under appreciated lot.
I've worked in flash and CG animation in general for many years before and after ponies.
(although more in C# and programming of late ah the times they change).
Its not so much I don't know why it happened.
Its that I am annoyed that it was allowed to slip by.
But really can't complain much because animators are an overworked and under appreciated lot.
4th Apr 2013, 4:27 PM
In the penultimate panel, one can see that SaphireShores is a blank-flank.
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In the penultimate panel, one can see that SaphireShores is a blank-flank.
Oh thank Celestia someone else on this planet hasn't forgotten Homestar Runner! :D
Rarity: Princess Luna? You're the mysterious Elusive? You'd been banished to the moon how were you running the thieves guild?
Luna: We're just that good.
Luna: We're just that good.
Here's a better one.
Discord: Rarity, if you don't change sides, I'll expell you from the Thieves Guild.
Rarity: How could you possibly have that authority?
Discord: Puh-leez. An organization dedicated to secrets, trickery, deception, and bucking the system? Who did you think would be in charge?
Rarity: Wait...YOU'RE Elusive? How?
Discord: This is hardly the first time a criminal has run a succesful criminal enterprise from his cell.
Rarity: But you were turned to STONE! This doesn't make any sense!
Discord: Oh Rarity...where's the fun in making sense? Dollars are worth so much more, after all.
Discord: Rarity, if you don't change sides, I'll expell you from the Thieves Guild.
Rarity: How could you possibly have that authority?
Discord: Puh-leez. An organization dedicated to secrets, trickery, deception, and bucking the system? Who did you think would be in charge?
Rarity: Wait...YOU'RE Elusive? How?
Discord: This is hardly the first time a criminal has run a succesful criminal enterprise from his cell.
Rarity: But you were turned to STONE! This doesn't make any sense!
Discord: Oh Rarity...where's the fun in making sense? Dollars are worth so much more, after all.
Newbiespud, were you aware of the fandom genderswapped names, or was your use of Elusive serendipity?
Sapphire Shores, the Pony of Pop, has no Cutie Mark. Does this mean that while she is an amazingly talented singer, she has yet to find what truly makes her happy? Although she still remains on top of the charts for years, making millions on the concert circuit, it's not until years after her career has ended and she has nothing but time to herself that she discovers her true joy in life...
...surfing!
Just in time for her comeback tour, she gets a magical patch to cover her new surfing cutie mark to maintain her youthful appearance while secretly hitting the waves between public appearances.
...surfing!
Just in time for her comeback tour, she gets a magical patch to cover her new surfing cutie mark to maintain her youthful appearance while secretly hitting the waves between public appearances.
You know, the 'Celestinari' discussion above has actually led me to come up with something I find somewhat amusing, so I'll share it.
Magical Mystery Cure Ending Alt-script:
DM: After being blasted by energy from the Elements of Harmony, you find yourself in a strange place that seems to float amongst the stars. Your hooves rest on a path that seems to be made of white light.
Twilight: So I'm dead then?
DM: What? No-
Twilight: Does one of you girls know Ressurect? Cause I'm pretty sure I need it.
Rarity: Rogue, darling. No spells.
AJ: Can't say I do.
FS: Umm, maybe...wait, no. I'm sorry.
PP: Sorry, never learned that one. Didn't think we'd ever actually DIE in this campaign. We made it so far without it, after all.
RD: Wow, looks like you're screwed Twilight.
Twilight: Well, I guess I'll start rolling up a new-
DM: YOU'RE NOT DEAD!
Twilight: But...I just got vaporised by the Elements, and now it looks like I'm in some sort of Spirit Plain that resembles Heaven.
DM: ...you're not dead.
Twilight: O...kay...
<continued>
Magical Mystery Cure Ending Alt-script:
DM: After being blasted by energy from the Elements of Harmony, you find yourself in a strange place that seems to float amongst the stars. Your hooves rest on a path that seems to be made of white light.
Twilight: So I'm dead then?
DM: What? No-
Twilight: Does one of you girls know Ressurect? Cause I'm pretty sure I need it.
Rarity: Rogue, darling. No spells.
AJ: Can't say I do.
FS: Umm, maybe...wait, no. I'm sorry.
PP: Sorry, never learned that one. Didn't think we'd ever actually DIE in this campaign. We made it so far without it, after all.
RD: Wow, looks like you're screwed Twilight.
Twilight: Well, I guess I'll start rolling up a new-
DM: YOU'RE NOT DEAD!
Twilight: But...I just got vaporised by the Elements, and now it looks like I'm in some sort of Spirit Plain that resembles Heaven.
DM: ...you're not dead.
Twilight: O...kay...
<continued>
DM: You see Princess Celestia approaching you.
All: Say what?
Celestia: My dearest student, I always knew this day would come-
Twilight: HOLD IT!
All: Huh?
Twilight: Always knew this day would come? Sorry, but there's a limit to how much foreknowledge an NPC can have before I start questioning things. She knew this would happen and set it up anyway? *roll* Hah! Natural 20 insight!
DM: Huh?
Twilight: What are Celestia's real motives here?
DM: ...Wow, I didn't actually think I'd need THIS plan. Glad I made it. *Pulls out sealed folder and retrieves from it a few sheets of paper*
Twilight: Okay, now I'm nervous.
DM: From your insight check, you are able to glean Princess Celestia's true race, profession, and alignment.
Twilight: But I thought we already-
DM: Race, alicorn.
RD: No surprise there.
DM: Profession, Paladin.
AJ: That would have been useful to have in the party on occassion.
DM: And, Princess Celestia, the one you, Twilight, have looked up to, learned from, honored, and to a certain extent loved-
Twilight: *blush* Stupid character diaries...
DM: -is Lawful Evil.
*dead silence*
Whole Party: Say WHAT?
DM: Now, Twilight, how do you react to discovering this?
Twilight: You mean, in character? Umm...
Twilight: Celestia? You're...you're evil?
DM: Celestia chuckles quietly.
Celestia: Indeed, Twilight. I'm surprised you hadn't realized it sooner.
Twilight: B-bu...
Celestia: But then, you are so young and naive still, as I needed you to be.
Twilight: But...you're a hero! You've protected Equestria for so long-
Celestia: From what? An egotistical trickster? My sister? Twilight, did it ever occur to you to wonder why I sent you and your friends after everything that came to threaten Equestria?
Twilight: ...you know in character that makes a lot less sense, now that you point it out.
Celestia: The truth is simple, Twilight. Heroes can save the day any number of times...but after the hero work is done? They're helpless. Good can triumph over evil any number of times...but only evil can make the ruthless, calculated decisions that keep things working. Good can't do that, especially when it means sacrificing an entire country of innocents to save the rest of the world.
Twilight: ...the Crystal Empire...
Celestia: Indeed. However, things aren't what you think they are.
Twilight: ...I'm sure.
Celestia: Discord, Luna and I have been in cahoots on this since we first took power here.
All: WHAT?
Celestia: When running a country, you have to make certain cutthroat decisions, especially in the early days. To keep the citizenry in line, every so often you need someone in power for them to blame, to villify. First was Discord.
Twilight: But...but all those things you said-
Celestia: Were completely true. When it was needed, he went out of his way to make himself seem a monster...even going so far as to pervert his Alicorn body.
All: Say what?
Celestia: My dearest student, I always knew this day would come-
Twilight: HOLD IT!
All: Huh?
Twilight: Always knew this day would come? Sorry, but there's a limit to how much foreknowledge an NPC can have before I start questioning things. She knew this would happen and set it up anyway? *roll* Hah! Natural 20 insight!
DM: Huh?
Twilight: What are Celestia's real motives here?
DM: ...Wow, I didn't actually think I'd need THIS plan. Glad I made it. *Pulls out sealed folder and retrieves from it a few sheets of paper*
Twilight: Okay, now I'm nervous.
DM: From your insight check, you are able to glean Princess Celestia's true race, profession, and alignment.
Twilight: But I thought we already-
DM: Race, alicorn.
RD: No surprise there.
DM: Profession, Paladin.
AJ: That would have been useful to have in the party on occassion.
DM: And, Princess Celestia, the one you, Twilight, have looked up to, learned from, honored, and to a certain extent loved-
Twilight: *blush* Stupid character diaries...
DM: -is Lawful Evil.
*dead silence*
Whole Party: Say WHAT?
DM: Now, Twilight, how do you react to discovering this?
Twilight: You mean, in character? Umm...
Twilight: Celestia? You're...you're evil?
DM: Celestia chuckles quietly.
Celestia: Indeed, Twilight. I'm surprised you hadn't realized it sooner.
Twilight: B-bu...
Celestia: But then, you are so young and naive still, as I needed you to be.
Twilight: But...you're a hero! You've protected Equestria for so long-
Celestia: From what? An egotistical trickster? My sister? Twilight, did it ever occur to you to wonder why I sent you and your friends after everything that came to threaten Equestria?
Twilight: ...you know in character that makes a lot less sense, now that you point it out.
Celestia: The truth is simple, Twilight. Heroes can save the day any number of times...but after the hero work is done? They're helpless. Good can triumph over evil any number of times...but only evil can make the ruthless, calculated decisions that keep things working. Good can't do that, especially when it means sacrificing an entire country of innocents to save the rest of the world.
Twilight: ...the Crystal Empire...
Celestia: Indeed. However, things aren't what you think they are.
Twilight: ...I'm sure.
Celestia: Discord, Luna and I have been in cahoots on this since we first took power here.
All: WHAT?
Celestia: When running a country, you have to make certain cutthroat decisions, especially in the early days. To keep the citizenry in line, every so often you need someone in power for them to blame, to villify. First was Discord.
Twilight: But...but all those things you said-
Celestia: Were completely true. When it was needed, he went out of his way to make himself seem a monster...even going so far as to pervert his Alicorn body.
<part3>
*DM pauses to wait out their shock*
Celestia: Think about it, Twilight. You heard how powerful he was, how much of a threat he was...and you saw how easily he could evade literally anything. Did you really think beating him - even with the Elements of Harmony - would be so easy?
RD: Wait, I thought he rolled a 1!
AJ: And for a literal god, that's still gotta be plot explained.
Celestia: He threw the fight. And his rehabilitation...did you ever wonder why it was so easy to get the spirit of Chaos to embrace Friendship?
Twilight: ...I never thought about it. ...wait! Discord was 'first'? THen Luna...
Celestia: She was next. We were in agreement on that. She was tired of politics and wanted a vacation, and we needed someone to play a villain for a while. So she embraced high level dark magic...which the Elements purged her of when you fought her, and she didn't dodge.
Twilight: By the stars...
Celestia: And after that, the noble caste had developed, and I had any number of ponies to blame things on when something went wrong, so I could maintain what I had worked so hard to create.
Twilight: But why is it so important? Why would you sacrifice-
Celestia: Twilight, take a good, long look at Equestria. See how frequently some disaster strikes? How closely it teeters on the brink so often? How easily it could all fall to the abyss? Corruption is inescapable. It can only be controlled, which I have strived to do. This is a country where good, neutral, and evil ponies live side by side and are friendly with each other. Have you any idea the level of effort and conniving that takes at the top to maintain?
Twilight: ...
Celestia: Equestria spins freely on the axis of Chaos and Harmony...but it works. That's my job, Twilight, to keep the world spinning. However, I'm running out of fallponies. Equestria will need a major villain again before too long, somepony new. That's where you come in.
Twilight: What? You've been training me all this time to be a...patsy?
Celestia: Oh no Twilight. All this time with you, I haven't been training a wizard. While that was where you started, it was never meant to be the sum total of your being.
DM: Celestia smiles at you, looking you right in the eye.
Celestia: I've been training an apprentice.
*DM pauses to wait out their shock*
Celestia: Think about it, Twilight. You heard how powerful he was, how much of a threat he was...and you saw how easily he could evade literally anything. Did you really think beating him - even with the Elements of Harmony - would be so easy?
RD: Wait, I thought he rolled a 1!
AJ: And for a literal god, that's still gotta be plot explained.
Celestia: He threw the fight. And his rehabilitation...did you ever wonder why it was so easy to get the spirit of Chaos to embrace Friendship?
Twilight: ...I never thought about it. ...wait! Discord was 'first'? THen Luna...
Celestia: She was next. We were in agreement on that. She was tired of politics and wanted a vacation, and we needed someone to play a villain for a while. So she embraced high level dark magic...which the Elements purged her of when you fought her, and she didn't dodge.
Twilight: By the stars...
Celestia: And after that, the noble caste had developed, and I had any number of ponies to blame things on when something went wrong, so I could maintain what I had worked so hard to create.
Twilight: But why is it so important? Why would you sacrifice-
Celestia: Twilight, take a good, long look at Equestria. See how frequently some disaster strikes? How closely it teeters on the brink so often? How easily it could all fall to the abyss? Corruption is inescapable. It can only be controlled, which I have strived to do. This is a country where good, neutral, and evil ponies live side by side and are friendly with each other. Have you any idea the level of effort and conniving that takes at the top to maintain?
Twilight: ...
Celestia: Equestria spins freely on the axis of Chaos and Harmony...but it works. That's my job, Twilight, to keep the world spinning. However, I'm running out of fallponies. Equestria will need a major villain again before too long, somepony new. That's where you come in.
Twilight: What? You've been training me all this time to be a...patsy?
Celestia: Oh no Twilight. All this time with you, I haven't been training a wizard. While that was where you started, it was never meant to be the sum total of your being.
DM: Celestia smiles at you, looking you right in the eye.
Celestia: I've been training an apprentice.
<part4>
AJ: Twi? You alright? You've been kinda just...sitting there for a while.
Rarity: Darling, I think you broke her.
DM: I guess that did come kinda out of left field, huh?
RD: I think she's coming around...nah, she's a vegetable.
FS: Maybe these will help?
TS: Faugh!
DM: Fluttershy, why do you have smelling salts?
FS: Pinkie said I should have them today, just in case.
PP: I knew we were getting close to the campaign culmination, so I thought we should be prepared for anything cause this campaign got super-duper totally amazing!
DM: I...see. Twilight? Are you ready to continue?
TS: Umm...yean, I think I am.
Twilight: Your...apprentice?
Celestia: That's right, Twilight. Think about it. You brought the Elements of Harmony to life...not with a group of all Good ponies as many would think was needed, but with such a mixed group. Your kind druid, your honest ranger, both good. Your laughing bard, true neutral. And the real surprises. A Generous Rogue, who changed her alignement from evil to neutral to embrace her new nature and identity. And the Chaotic Evil Barbarian, who by her very nature has no loyalty to anything but herself...
RD: Hey!
Celestia: ...you evoked loyalty in her to your bonds of Friendship so strong that it powered the Element.
RD: ...hey...
Celestia: You are everything I hoped you would become the day I made you my personal student. Congratulations, Twilight. As my Apprentice...you are ready to graduate.
Twilight: G-graduate?
Celestia: Indeed. All that remains is a final test.
Twilight: A test?
Celestia: Indeed. One question. Do you want to graduate?
AJ: Twi? You alright? You've been kinda just...sitting there for a while.
Rarity: Darling, I think you broke her.
DM: I guess that did come kinda out of left field, huh?
RD: I think she's coming around...nah, she's a vegetable.
FS: Maybe these will help?
TS: Faugh!
DM: Fluttershy, why do you have smelling salts?
FS: Pinkie said I should have them today, just in case.
PP: I knew we were getting close to the campaign culmination, so I thought we should be prepared for anything cause this campaign got super-duper totally amazing!
DM: I...see. Twilight? Are you ready to continue?
TS: Umm...yean, I think I am.
Twilight: Your...apprentice?
Celestia: That's right, Twilight. Think about it. You brought the Elements of Harmony to life...not with a group of all Good ponies as many would think was needed, but with such a mixed group. Your kind druid, your honest ranger, both good. Your laughing bard, true neutral. And the real surprises. A Generous Rogue, who changed her alignement from evil to neutral to embrace her new nature and identity. And the Chaotic Evil Barbarian, who by her very nature has no loyalty to anything but herself...
RD: Hey!
Celestia: ...you evoked loyalty in her to your bonds of Friendship so strong that it powered the Element.
RD: ...hey...
Celestia: You are everything I hoped you would become the day I made you my personal student. Congratulations, Twilight. As my Apprentice...you are ready to graduate.
Twilight: G-graduate?
Celestia: Indeed. All that remains is a final test.
Twilight: A test?
Celestia: Indeed. One question. Do you want to graduate?
<part 5>
TS: Girls, what do I do?
All: Huh?
TS: What do I say? I mean, I don't want to do anything that might invalidate who Twilight is, but I also don't want to do anything that might screw up the campaign or our group. I mean, we've been having so much fun, and-
AJ: Twi, deep breaths now, ya hear?
TS: ... ...okay...
RD: I don't get the big deal. Graduate sounds like a big power boost. Go for it!
TS: But...what about our group? THis sounds like the whole things coming to an end!
FS: Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but...our friendship, that's real. It's not a game mechanic. Whatever else changes, we're still friends. We're still a group. We'll just see where it goes from here.
PP: That certainly works for me!
Rarity: Darling, I think you're stressing out over something unneedfully. Just put yourself in Twilight's shoes and let it come naturally.
RD: Twilight Sparkle doesn't wear-
Rarity: HORSEshoes.
RD: Ah, that works.
AJ: Twi, we're all with ya, no matter what happens.
TS: ...thanks girls. I'm ready.
Twilight: Celestia...I want to graduate.
Celestia: As you wish, Twilight Sparkle. I hope you are ready.
DM: A glowing cloud of purple light comes out of your chest before encompasing your entire body. Scene shift back to Ponyville.
All: Huh?
DM: You have all been searching for some clue of where Twilight has gone to, since you all flat out refused to believe she was dead.
RD: I'm pretty sure we were all under the impression she was dead a bit earlier, even her?
AJ: Not now, Rainbow.
DM: Suddenly, a glowing image of Twilight's Cutie Mark appears in the sky.
PP: Ooh...pretty!
DM: As it drops towards the ground, it shrinks until it is the size of a pony, and in a flash, Twilight Sparkle appears, her eyes still closed.
Twilight: Well, I'm back. So what happened-
DM: As you relax your body from the events, two large purple wings spread from your back, demonstrating your new status as an Alicorn.
Twilight: ... ... ...
TS: ... ... ...
AJ: Fluttershy, you still got those smelling salts?
TS: Girls, what do I do?
All: Huh?
TS: What do I say? I mean, I don't want to do anything that might invalidate who Twilight is, but I also don't want to do anything that might screw up the campaign or our group. I mean, we've been having so much fun, and-
AJ: Twi, deep breaths now, ya hear?
TS: ... ...okay...
RD: I don't get the big deal. Graduate sounds like a big power boost. Go for it!
TS: But...what about our group? THis sounds like the whole things coming to an end!
FS: Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but...our friendship, that's real. It's not a game mechanic. Whatever else changes, we're still friends. We're still a group. We'll just see where it goes from here.
PP: That certainly works for me!
Rarity: Darling, I think you're stressing out over something unneedfully. Just put yourself in Twilight's shoes and let it come naturally.
RD: Twilight Sparkle doesn't wear-
Rarity: HORSEshoes.
RD: Ah, that works.
AJ: Twi, we're all with ya, no matter what happens.
TS: ...thanks girls. I'm ready.
Twilight: Celestia...I want to graduate.
Celestia: As you wish, Twilight Sparkle. I hope you are ready.
DM: A glowing cloud of purple light comes out of your chest before encompasing your entire body. Scene shift back to Ponyville.
All: Huh?
DM: You have all been searching for some clue of where Twilight has gone to, since you all flat out refused to believe she was dead.
RD: I'm pretty sure we were all under the impression she was dead a bit earlier, even her?
AJ: Not now, Rainbow.
DM: Suddenly, a glowing image of Twilight's Cutie Mark appears in the sky.
PP: Ooh...pretty!
DM: As it drops towards the ground, it shrinks until it is the size of a pony, and in a flash, Twilight Sparkle appears, her eyes still closed.
Twilight: Well, I'm back. So what happened-
DM: As you relax your body from the events, two large purple wings spread from your back, demonstrating your new status as an Alicorn.
Twilight: ... ... ...
TS: ... ... ...
AJ: Fluttershy, you still got those smelling salts?
epic!!!!! i must share this with all my brony friends!!!!
How soon until Discord appears? For that matter, WILL Discord be appearing in this comic?
Thanks for the AWESOME comic btw :)
Im hoping Elusive will not be in reality either Celestia or Rarity. That would be different. Too many peope seem to expect something now that the name " Elusive" have being use LOL
it would be hilarious if elusive was pip from season 2 episode 4.
hmm Im thinking Elusive is:
Rarity's long lsot twin brother
Rarity's alter-ego
derpy
Princess Cadence
Sweetie Belle
Big Macintosh
Rarity's long lsot twin brother
Rarity's alter-ego
derpy
Princess Cadence
Sweetie Belle
Big Macintosh