Back in the tree house, in a remote corner of Sweet Apple Acres, a trio of fillies were huddled around a small table. Each of them had some notes in front of them, along with a few statistics cards and multiple die—each with various numbers of sides. Scootaloo had discovered a new game, and was trying to teach it to her friends. It was a table-top, role-playing game called Creatures and Crusades.
In this game, they could create a character of any species, class and profession, as defined under the established rules. As these characters, they could explore a world, talk with other characters, go on quests, and encounter many creatures. The rules, mechanics and story were, thankfully, in a guide that Scootaloo had in front of her. She was acting as something called the "Crusade Master", but she was also playing her own character as well. It seemed really fun, and they were all eager to try it out. However, things were not going so well.
"What do you mean Ah' missed?" Apple Bloom complained. "It's magical dust that can go everywhere! How could Ah' have possibly missed?"
"I told you," Scootaloo sighed. "There are certain requirements for your attack to work, and the creature has a high resistance against magical attacks. You needed at least a 12 on your second roll, you got a total of 6. Basically, you missed!"
"Okay, fine!" Apple Bloom relented. "What are we fightin' again?"
"A wyrmling...it's a small dragon," Scootaloo added, noting the look of confusion on her friends' faces.
"So, like Spike then?" Apple Bloom asked.
"No!" The pegasus-filly exclaimed, wings buzzing in agitation.
"But he's a small dragon," Apple Bloom stated.
"It's not the same thing, trust me!" The stressful Scootaloo said.
Finally, Sweetie Belle chimed in. "Why can't I use the Thunderbolt spell again?"
"Because you already used all of your Thunderbolt spells!" Scootaloo said. "Once you use a spell, it cannot be re-used. You need to find more magical scrolls with that spell if you want to use it again."
"But magic doesn't work like that," Sweetie Belle stated. "Once you know a spell, it can always b—"
"It can always be used!" Scootaloo finished. "I know! That's just what the rules of the game say!"
"So, when did I use my last Thunderbolt spell?" Sweetie Belle squeaked.
Scootaloo face-hooved, "When you scared off that chupacabra."
"Chupacabraaaa."
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle looked around for the strange, whispered voice that seemed to come from absolutely nowhere in particular. A mixture of confusion and terror were planted on their faces.
"The chupa-what now?" Apple Bloom finally asked.
"The mysterious vampire creature that was never seen and seemed to dissapear into the shadows whenever you looked for it," Scootaloo explained. "We encountered it in the desert of Trotsas."
"Oh," exclaimed both Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom in comprehension.
"Right," Scootaloo said, relieved that her friends at least understood this part of the game. "And for some reason, that...thing happens every time you say 'chupacabra'."
"ChupaCABraaaa."
"Weird," Apple Bloom concluded, Sweetie Belle nodding in agreement.
"So who's on first?" Sweetie Belle asked, looking at her stat cards.
"Exactly," Scootaloo replied. "And What is on second and I Don't Know, third."
"What?" Sweetie Belle squeaked.
"I...don't know," Scootaloo said, wondering for herself where that thought had even come from.
"Anyhow," Apple Bloom said, breaking the awkward silence. "This game is strange. Ah' mean, all of this stuff is already 'round us: the creatures an' magic objects. We even have ponies who can do magic. So what exactly is the point of this game?"
Scootaloo finally snapped.
"I DON'T KNOW!" she screamed, and then proceeded like a runaway train. "I just found a game a couple of weeks ago about fantasy, exploration, sword fights and stuff and thought that it would really cool to have my friends play but it can be really hard to get into and I decided to be the Crusade Master which is a difficult job and I wanted to play too but you're not supposed to do that since you will know all of the obstacles and encounters and what will and won't work but I thought it would be okay since I would be acting like a guide but that didn't work and the most important job for the Crusade Master is to make sure all of the other players have fun BUT I FAILED!"
Scootaloo's head hit the table and she buried it with her forelegs. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle looked at each other and then back at their friend. She was clearly upset, though not quite to the verge of tears like the time she had given up all hope at flying during their flag routine tryouts for the Equestria Games. Concerned, they both knew they needed to do something to cheer her up.
"Scootaloo," Sweetie Belle said, putting a hoof on her friends shoulder. "We were having fun."
"What?" Scootaloo asked, lifting her head up.
"Yeah," Apple Bloom agreed. "But it's like you said, it's a hard game ta' understand. Maybe we should take a break an' go to Sugercube Corner. We can try again another time, maybe with others who know what they're doing with this whole 'master' business. What do'yah' say?"
"Yeah, I'd like that," Scootaloo said, a smile forming on her face.
"Great!" Apple Bloom exclaimed. "Last one out of the clubhouse is wyrmling food!"
There was a mad scramble to descend the tree, all three fillies galloping towards town. Having eaten cupckaes to their hearts' content, they left the pastry shop. It was a beautiful day out, and the three fillies took a pleasurable stroll around town.
"So how did you get into that game anyways?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Well..." Scootaloo started nervously.
Just then, two colts ran up to them.
"Hey Scootaloo!" The short one, named Snips, said. "Are you coming to our C&C session tomorrow after school?"
"Yeah," the tall and lanky Snails added. "I get to be the Crusade Master this time."
"And Rumble will also be there," Snips added, with a slight tone that was trying to bait her.
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle fell over, laughing like there was no tomorrow.
"WHAT?" Scootaloo demanded.
"That's how you got into the game?" Apple Bloom said in complete hysteria. "You have a crush on a colt who plays it too!"
Struggling for breath, Sweetie Belle sang, "Scootaloo and Rumble, sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-"
"SHUT UP!" Scootaloo shouted, clearly blushing.
~~~
Author's Note
I have never played any form of an RPG. I just made stuff up based on some things I have both heard and seen of other people playing. That's part of the reason I wrote this the way I did: as a bunch of novices trying to play, with terrible results. So if there are any D&D, or any other type of RPG, fans reading this and are offended for any reason, I'm sorry. Know that it was not intentional. I just had an idea that I really liked, and I went for it. Besides, it was all it good fun, and I hope you enjoyed it.
Sparkling Bell, Plemlobopa and Leskoo waited for their imminent deaths. As they prepared for life to be snatched away from them at any instant, the wyrmling backed off. Eventually, they realized that they were still alive and dared to look up. What they saw was astounding.
A stallion was facing the beast with something in his hooves, but it wasn't a sword. He had one, but it remained on his side, locked in its scabbard. Instead, he was holding a lute and playing some unrecognizable tune. Yet the most astonishing thing of all was that it seemed to be working. The wyrmling looked dazed, swaying its neck to the rhythm now emanating from the small wooden instrument. Then, without warning, it spread its wings and flew off to the top of a nearby cliff, curling itself into a ball and falling asleep.
"By the light of Celendil, I have never seen such wizardry or magic that has accomplished what you have demonstrated today brave sir," Sparkling Bell said as their savior and his traveling companion approached them.
"Almost any beast can be subdued, provided that you know the proper tune," the stranger with the lute said, with a very eloquent and upbeat tone to his voice.
They were an odd pair. The music playing hero was a stunning grey pegasus (who was definitely not hard on the eyes). His companion was some cat-like creature that was not a panther (although that is what his appearance seemed closest to). He seemed more ape-like, but with the obvious feline features. Plemlobopa recognized this creature as a khajiit, a mystical anthropomorphic feline which rarely traveled outside of its own homeland. He had various knives and daggers, along with a pair of sheers inexplicably placed on his shoulder-strap.
"This pony's actions rattle my skull," Plemlobopa said. "However, we are still very grateful."
"Indeed," Sparkling Bell concurred. "Even a wizard knows when she is indebted to somepony."
"'Tis a small matter for friends," the grey pegasus stated.
Confused, the wizard and zebra both looked towards their warrior friend who, up to this point, had said nothing.
"Yeah, we've met," Leskoo said, trying not to sound impressed.
"Forgive me, for I have not introduced myself," noted the stallion. "I am Rummy the Bard, traveling musician and fighter extraordinaire."
"I'm Pinstran," the feline creature reluctantly said, in a gravely voice. "Expert hunter, and outcast."
The trio each took turns introducing themselves.
"I'm Sparkling Bell the Sage, the wizard prodigy."
"I'm Plemlobopa, the mystical elvish mare with black-and-white hair."
"Obviously you all know me, Leskoo the Brave and Strong Pegasus Warrior."
"I see that you are without a weapon Brave Leskoo," Rummy said, noticing the broken shards of what used to be a sword. "'Tis not wise to travel in these parts unarmed, especially for a lovely lady such as yourself. Here, take mine."
"Thanks," Leskoo said, almost reluctantly taking the offered blade, and ignoring her snickering travel companions.
"But what of your arms?" Plemlobopa asked. "Surely you do not wish to leave yourself open to harm?"
"Oh, I have other means of defense," Rummy answered. "And I know where and how to obtain weapons, should I require them."
"Still as overconfident as usual, eh Rummy?" Leskoo teased.
"That is a matter of opinion," Rummy replied. "Well, I must be off, for I am on a quest to track down the elusive chupacabra."
"CHUPAcabraaaa."
With that, Rummy the Bard was off. Pinstran followed, rolling his feline eyes. Sparkling Bell, Plemlobopa and Leskoo watched as they disappeared into the horizon. Then they continued forward on their own journey. Each would encounter perilous creatures, find bountiful treasures and wait for the day when they should cross paths once again.
