1196 7.09 KB 102
Game Night Sidestories 04: Used Camels in Equestria
By twilightgamenightCreated: 2021-07-16 21:31:33
Updated: 2021-01-31 22:08:07
Expiry: Never
-
>”Anon, do ya know what yer doin’?”
-
>It stings that AJ has no faith in your DMing skills, even after she’s played… um… two(?) whole sessions with you.
-
>Maybe it’s because both of those resulted in total party kills, but those totally weren’t your fault.
-
>”Quiet,” Twilight hushes her friend. “Let him give it a shot before you start criticizing.”
-
>She doesn’t have any faith, either.
-
>But at least she’s willing to pretend.
-
>The princess clearly uncomfortable being on the other side of the DM screen – she’s twitchy and nervous and keeps fiddling with her dice.
-
>”I’m sure he’ll do just fine,” the yellow one whispers.
-
>If she’s not going to speak up, you’re not going to bother to learn her name.
-
>Even if she is mildly supportive.
-
>She gives you a shy smile.
-
>”It is just *too* bad Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie could not make it,” Rarity – you think that’s her name – sighs dramatically.
-
>Annoying though she is, the unicorn has a point.
-
>Would be nice if one of your actual friends was here.
-
>You’re pretty sure Twilight Sparkle didn’t let them know about tonight’s game. Probably intentionally, seeing as this isn’t the usual game night.
-
>Trying to break you out of your comfort zone, you suspect.
-
>Or trying to limit the amount of chaos by keeping your usual accomplices away.
-
>”OH, GOOD! YOU HAVEN’T STARTED YET!”
-
>Silly bookhorse should know by now that she just can’t deny the Ponk like that.
-
>A plate of cupcakes slams onto the table, followed by a little pink pony.
-
>You’re not sure where she came from.
-
>Up, you know that much, but – yep, you just checked – the ceiling is still pretty solid.
-
“Nope. Waiting on you.”
-
>”Well, I’m here now!” she cries out, rolling off the table and slapping a brand new character sheet on the table. “Let’s get this show on the road!”
-
>Twilight does a fairly decent job of hiding her surprise – maybe she wasn’t expecting to keep Ponka from attending, just hoping.
-
>”Yes, let’s,” she says, smiling far too wide for it to be genuine. “So, we meet in a tavern?”
-
“Sure, why not?”
-
>No point dropping any surprises on them this early.
-
-
>The adventurers spend a short time introducing themselves and discussing their mission before exiting the tavern. Though their employer has managed to locate the Lost Treasure of the Sun, he requires a strong band of heroes to help him reclaim it from the monsters inhabiting the Forest of Despair.
-
-
>You cringe at the name – it wasn’t your choice.
-
>Twilight handed you the adventure booklet last week and only approved *minor* changes.
-
>Apparently your little trick with the fighter didn’t convince her that you know what you’re doing.
-
>”It *is* a long walk from Hedgeville to the Forest of Despair,” Rarity whines. “My character would rather not, if you understand.”
-
>”Yeah, gettin’ some form of transportation would be nice,” Applejack agrees. “Mah paladin’s gonna look around town to see if anypony’s goin’ our way. Even if we can’t use a magic gate or hire a carriage, maybe we can join up with a caravan.”
-
>”Ooooh, good idea, Applejack!” Twilight nods eagerly. “That should help us avoid some random encounters, or at least give us some help!”
-
“Okay, are you going to split up?”
-
>”Nah, this town’s small,” the orange mare scoffs. “And Ah bet yer just waitin’ fer that to spring an ambush!”
-
>Strike that plan.
-
“I can’t say. So, your party begins to wander the small village…”
-
-
>”Well, there ain’t nopony goin’ our way,” the paladin sighs, “and nothing fer hire, not that we can afford anyhow.”
-
>They’ve checked everywhere.
-
>The village market, the carriage inn, the tavern – nothing.
-
>”Oh, drat,” her illusionist companion whines. “We shall just have to ‘hoof-it’, as the ruffians say.”
-
>She stomps daintily, making a face as the very dust she had just kicked up settles on her elegant robes.
-
-
>You’re almost feeling guilty.
-
>Not really.
-
>Not at all, actually.
-
>But it’s what the module states *very* clearly – nopony is headed towards the Forest of Despair.
-
>Possibly because of the shit name.
-
>Still, Twilight *did* say you could make minor alterations...
-
-
>The adventurers pass the outskirts of the town, only one building remaining between them and the open fields.
-
>”Maybe this won’t be *so* bad,” the druid says, trying to keep her companions’ spirits up. “A nice walk does wonders for your health.”
-
>”Ah guess, but –“
-
“HELLO, MY GOOD FRIENDS!”
-
-
>Twilight winces at your yelling, but motions for you to continue.
-
-
“WELCOME TO MY EMPORIUM!”
-
>The adventurers eye the pony beckoning them from the doorway of his shop with suspicion, but step closer.
-
“YOU HAVE NEEDS, YES?”
-
>”Yeah, we got some,” the paladin grudgingly answers, advancing ahead of the rest of her party.
-
>Always keep the tank between the squishies and a potential threat.
-
“YOU HAVE NEEDS!”
-
>The pony claps his forehooves together excitedly.
-
“LET CRAZY HASSAN HELP!”
-
>”I’d rather not,” the mage answers quietly, only to be pushed aside as one of her teammates bounds past her.
-
>Or through her.
-
>”Oooooooh, I *like* him!” the rogue cheers, trotting around the paladin to shake the merchant’s hoof.
-
“THEN WE ARE FRIENDS, YES? COME! WE ARE FRIENDS! LET CRAZY HASSAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR NEEDS! YOU NEED CAMELS, YES?”
-
>”Um, no?” the rogue answers, tilting her head to one side in confusion. “Maybe. Are they *fun* camels?”
-
“THEY ARE CHEAP! YOU KNOW WHY?”
-
>”No?”
-
“THEY ARE USED! IS WHY YOU CAN RENT CHEAP!”
-
>”Ummmm…”
-
“WHY HESITATION, MY FRIEND? YOU NEED CAMELS TO RIDE, YES? THEY MAKE THE TIME PASS FASTER! USED CAMELS ARE BEST CAMELS, THEY KNOW HOW DOING WHAT DO, YES?”
-
-
>”You want *us* -“ Rarity pauses, gesturing dramatically to herself and her friends “ – to… to *rent*… this is just dreadful… to rent *used* camels?”
-
>Prissy, isn’t she?”
-
-
“JUST AS GOOD AS UNUSED CAMELS, HALF THE PRICE! COME, MY GOOD FRIENDS! WE MAKE DEAL!”
-
>”You. Want. Us. To. Ride. Used. Camels?” the illusionist asks bluntly. “Are you insane?”
-
-
>”It’s *kinda* in his name, Rarity,” Ponks snarks at the unicorn. “*Crazy* Hassan.”
-
>Good, at least one of them gets it.
-
>You hope that Twilight is clutching her head because of Rarity’s stupidity and not because you dicked with the module – you’re just trying to help them out.
-
>That’s DMing 101.
-
>”So, I go inside –“
-
>”No,” Twilight interrupts Ponka, looking up from the table angrily. “This was a bad idea. We’re stopping here.”
-
“Why!?”
-
>”Because you aren’t as clever as you think you are, Anon,” the alicorn sighs. “You want us to 'ride used camels?'”
-
“And what’s wrong with that?”
-
>She shakes her head angrily, muttering things you can’t quite hear.
-
“Seriously, Twilight. What the hell is wrong with that? Is it the yelling?”
-
>It has to be the yelling.
-
“Sorry, but Crazy Hassan –“
-
>”Don’t be such a spoil-sport, Twily,” Ponks laughs. “Crazy Hassan seems pretty cool for a pimp!”
-
>Pimp…?
by twilightgamenight
by twilightgamenight
by twilightgamenight
by twilightgamenight
by twilightgamenight