Canterlot City was… unusually quiet lately; no magical mayhem, no city in danger, and since it was Summer Break, no madness at school, and while this should’ve meant the girls could relax and enjoy themselves, they were – in truth – bored out of their minds with nothing to do but wait.
At least, that’s how it was before Twilight Sparkle pitched them an idea; her brother Shining Armor – in himself a massive nerd almost as much as her – was planning a campaign of Dungeons and Dragons and was looking for players with time on their hands.
“I can’t believe I agreed to this.” Rainbow Dash remarked; she had never given this game a second thought, and yet here she was walking with the others to Shining Armor’s house ready to play.
“I can’t believe it took as little as it did to convince you.” Sunset Shimmer pointed out; Rainbow had agreed to the game rather quickly.
“Hey, not my fault I’m bored out of my skull.” Rainbow pointed out; all it had taken to convince her to join the game was a question if she had free time. “I’m just surprised I agreed to such a nerdy game.”
“Really, Rainbow Dash; Twilight’s brother is offering us a few hours every week to relax and have some fun.” Rarity pointed out. “Are we really going to spit in the face of that?”
“No, it’s just… I dunno.” Rainbow shrugged, stopping for a bit and looking at the girls. “I guess since we got our awesome magic superpowers, I’ve gotten kinda… bored with the usual teenager stuff, y’know? I mean, when you’ve got super speed or strength or whatever, the things you did before you had it get kinda dull.”
“Yeah, Ah s’pose Ah can understand that.” Applejack conceded; there were plenty of times she could remember in quite recent history that her own strength had helped her with tasks that had at one point been more than somewhat difficult. “But even folk with superpowers need a break every now and then.”
“Especially when it brings them into a world of magic and adventure unlike any other!” Pinkie Pie announced, in an honorable tone that somewhat surprised the other girls. But she quickly returned to her own jovial tone again. “Besides, the characters we made are so cute and cool, and Ooh! This is just gonna be so much fun!”
“Yeah, there’s Pinkie Pie for ya,” Applejack smirked, knowing she would enjoy her character and the game itself to the fullest no matter what.
“Oh. I just hope this campaign isn’t too scary.” Fluttershy shuddered; she’d done a bit of research on this game with Twilight’s help when it was pitched, and from what she saw, it seemed like exactly the sort of game she wouldn’t like with all the terror and blood thrown around.
“Relax Fluttershy. We all signed those little consent contracts Twilight gave us, right?” Sunset pointed out, remembering the forms Twilight had given the girls when the game was pitched to them, which included options of consent for everything from various frightening aspects to types of death and torture.
“Besides, what’re you worrying about? You basically made your character a self-portrait of yourself, remember?” Rainbow reminded.
“Pretty sure we all did that.” Applejack pointed out. And she was totally right; the girls had all based their characters for this session on themselves.
“Speak for yourself; I didn’t see Sunset go for the demon people,” Rainbow smirked, knowing her friend was over jokes like that.
“Yeah-yeah, ha-ha; really funny.” Sunset rolled her eyes; she didn’t dare tell anyone she did consider a Tiefling character just for the irony, but she did not want to deal with that can of worms, so she just let it pass and knocked on the door to Shining Armor’s house. “For the record, I double-checked; they’re devil people, not demon people.”
“What’s the difference?” Rainbow asked as Twilight opened the door.
“In the context of the game? Enough to merit different sections in the Monster Manual.” she smiled. “So glad you guys could make it.”
“Like we’re gonna miss this.” Sunset insisted as she and the girls moved into the house. “Anything to get out of the house every now and then.”
“I hear that.” Twilight smiled. “Got everything set; dice, character sheets, snacks?”
“Yeah, we’re set.” Rainbow nodded.
“Great. Quick house rule; my brother always rolls a d20 before we start to see how the session’s gonna go.” Twilight smiled as she and Spike walked with the group to the dining room, where they found Shining Armor already set up.
“Thanks for coming girls; we’re gonna have a lot of fun tonight.” Shining Armor smiled. “Just so we’re all clear, can you tell me what kinda characters you’re going for? Race, class, background, stuff like that.”
Sunset smiled as she leaned back. “Sun Elf Sorceress Sage, Phoenix Sorcery.”
“Half-Elf Wizard, going for Lore Mastery. Cloistered Scholar background.” Twilight shrugged.
Spike yapped as he hopped up into Twilight’s lap. “And I will be playing the role of the pseudodragon familiar.”
“Homebrew edited a bit, of course. Just to spice things up.” Twilight smiled.
“Nice.” Rainbow smiled. “Human Paladin Folk Hero, right here. Oath of Glory looks awesome.”
“I of course will be playing as a Moon Elf Fighter Guild Artisan.” Rarity smiled. “Weavers Guild, naturally, and I intend to become an Eldritch Knight.”
“Weaver?” asked Rainbow.
“It's the closest thing I could find to fashion designer.” Rarity shrugged. “Besides, from what I've found, I have the greatest capability of making sure we all look truly fabulous.”
“Yeah? Well, good luck with that for the Barbarian here.” Applejack smirked. “Variant human, Clan Crafter. Goin’ for Ancestral Guardian, cause a gal’s gotta love her family even if she’s out adventurin’.”
“That sounds right for you.” Rainbow shrugged. “But nowhere near as much as Pinkie’s thing.”
Pinkie just giggled. “Yep; I’m a Rock Gnome Bard Entertainer Jester. College of Glamour looks like so much fun.”
“See what I mean?” Rainbow remarked.
Shining chuckled. “Okay yeah, that sounds about right.” he nodded, looking over at Fluttershy. “And how about you Fluttershy?”
Fluttershy was a bit nervous but still smiled. “I’m uh… a wood elf. Druid hermit. I- I wanna do the Circle of the Shepherd.”
“Now that sounds like a perfect match.” Shining Armor smiled as he rolled his d20 in his fingers. “Alright, alright, alright; let’s get this on. But first… house tradition.”
As he got ready to roll, Sunset saw a strange wisp of what looked like Equestrian Magic flying behind his head. Then when Shining tossed the die out into the middle of the table, it suddenly shot into one of the die’s faces as it tumbled out onto the table… and ended up landing as a perfect 20.
“Whoa-ho-ho. Man, that’s a really good omen.” Shining smiled. “Haven’t opened a session with a 20 since college.” Then the number on the die started glowing a bright blue, which drew everyone’s attention. “Now that’s just never happened before ever.” Then the number suddenly let out a burst of blinding light.
Shining groaned as he pinched his eyes and when his vision cleared, he saw something wrong right away; the girls were just… gone. His eyes immediately drew down to the d20 and he shook his head, with one thing clear to him right away. “Oh, Mom and Dad are gonna kill me.”
Author's Note: Character sheets here - I'll be transposing them in other chapters every time they level up.
Sunset:
Sunset Shimmer – Sun Elf – Sorcerer Level 1 – Phoenix Sorcery – Sage (Wizard’s Apprentice)
Inspiration 1 – Proficiency Bonus +2 – HP 9 (Max 9) [Temporary HP 0] – Hit Dice 1d6 – AC 11 – Initiative +1 – Speed 30 – Passive Perception 11
STATS: STR 10 (+0) – DEX 11 (+1) – CON 17 (+3) – INT 17 (+3) – WIS 11 (+1) – CHA 17 (+3)
SAVING THROWS: STR +0 – DEX +1 – CON +5 – INT +3 – WIS +1 – CHA +5
SKILLS: Acrobatics +1 – Animal Handling +1 – Arcana +5 – Athletics +1 – Deception +3 – History +5 – Insight +1 – Intimidation +5 – Investigation +3 – Medicine +1 – Nature +3 – Perception +3 – Performance +3 – Persuasion +5 – Religion +3 – Sleight of Hand +1 – Stealth +1 – Survival +1
PROFICIENCIES & LANGUAGES: Common, Elvish, Infernal, Dwarvish, Sylvan, Swords & Bows, Daggers, Darts, Slings, Quarterstaffs, Light Crossbows
FEATURES & TRAITS: Darkvision 60ft, Keen Senses, Fey Ancestry, Trance, Researcher, Ignite, Mantle of Flames (ready)
CHARACTERISTICS: Personality Trait: I’m willing to listen to every side of an argument before I make my own judgment. Ideal: The goal of a life of study should be the betterment of oneself. Bond: I sold my soul for power. I hope to do good deeds and win it back. Flaw: I can’t keep a secret to save my life, or anyone else’s.
EQUIPMENT: Ink bottle, quill, penknife, letter, common clothes, Quarterstaff (ATK BONUS: +2 DAMAGE: 1d6/1d8+0), Arcane Focus (Crystal), Explorer’s Pack, Dagger (ATK BONUS: +2/+3 DAMAGE: 1d4+0/+1) (2)
MONEY: 0 CP, 0 SP, 0 EP, 10 GP, 0 PP
Spell Casting Ability: Charisma Spell Save DC: 13 Spell Attack Modifier: +5
SPELLS: Cantrips: Friends, Mending, Mage Hand, Thunderclap 1st Level: (2 total Spell Slots; 2 available) Burning Hands, Witch Bolt
Twilight:
Twilight Sparkle – Half-Elf – Wizard Level 1 – Arcane Tradition (School of Lore Mastery at Level 2) – Cloistered Scholar
Inspiration 1 – Proficiency Bonus +2 – HP 7 (Max 7) [Temporary HP 0] – Hit Dice 1d6 – AC 11 – Initiative +1 – Speed 30 – Passive Perception 15
STATS: STR 10 (+0) – DEX 13 (+1) – CON 12 (+1) – INT 16 (+3) – WIS 15 (+2) – CHA 10 (+0)
SAVING THROWS: STR +0 – DEX +1 – CON +1 – INT +5 – WIS +4 – CHA +0
SKILLS: Acrobatics +1 – Animal Handling +2 – Arcana +5 – Athletics +0 – Deception +0 – History +5 – Insight +4 – Intimidation +0 – Investigation +5 – Medicine +2 – Nature +3 – Perception +4 – Performance +0 – Persuasion +0 – Religion +5 – Sleight of Hand +0 – Stealth +0 – Survival +2
PROFICIENCIES & LANGUAGES: Common, Elvish, Celestial, Dwarvish, Sylvan, Daggers, Darts, Slings, Quarterstaffs, Light Crossbows
FEATURES & TRAITS: Darkvision, Fey Ancestry, Library Access, Arcane Recovery
CHARACTERISTICS: Personality Trait: I'm obsessed with things from a prior age, collecting many relics from that time / I'm willing to listen to every side of an argument before I make my own judgment. Ideal: I want to make the world a better place with my inventions or research. Bond: I work to preserve a library. Flaw: Grammatical correctness and syntactic precision are the keys to effective communication. I shall correct errors wherever I perceive them.
EQUIPMENT: Scholar’s robes, Writing Kit, Book, Quarterstaff (ATK BONUS: +2 DAMAGE: 1d6/1d8+0), Arcane Focus (Crystal), Scholar’s Pack, Spellbook
Familiar: (Spike; Pseudodragon AC 13, HP 7, Speed 15 [Fly 60], SRT 6 (-2) DEX 15 (+2) CON 13 (+1) INT 10 (+0) WIS 12 (+1) CHA 10 (+0) Perception +3, Stealth +4 Blindsight 10ft, Darkvision 60ft, Passive Perception 13, Common, Draconic, Keen Senses, Magic Resistance, Limited Telepathy, Bite [+4 to hit, 1d4+2 piercing], Sting [+4 to hit, 1d4+2 piercing CON Save DC 11 or Poison for 1 hour – fail by 5 or more, target is unconscious], Breath Weapon [1x2ft line of fire – DEX Save 11; 2d6 fire damage on fail, half on success])
MONEY: 0 CP, 0 SP, 0 EP, 10 GP, 0 PP
Spell Casting Ability: Intelligence Spell Save DC: 13 Spell Attack Modifier: +5
SPELLS: Cantrips: Mage Hand, Blade Ward, Prestidigitation 1st Level: (2 total Spell Slots; 2 available) Feather Fall (prepared), Witch Bolt (prepared), Detect Magic (prepared), Mage Armor (prepared)
Rainbow:
Rainbow Dash – Human – Paladin 1 – Oath (Oath of Glory at Level 3) – Folk Hero (Recruited into a lord’s army, I rose to leadership and was commended for my heroism.)
Inspiration 1 – Proficiency Bonus +2 – HP 12 (Max 12) [Temporary HP 0] – Hit Dice 1d10 – AC 16 – Initiative +3 – Speed 30 – Passive Perception 9
STATS: STR 13 (+1) – DEX 16 (+3) – CON 14 (+2) – INT 11 (+0) – WIS 9 (-1) – CHA 15 (+2)
SAVING THROWS: STR +1 – DEX +3 – CON +2 – INT +0 – WIS +1 – CHA +4
SKILLS: Acrobatics +3 – Animal Handling +1 – Arcana +0 – Athletics +3 – Deception +2 – History +0 – Insight -1 – Intimidation +4 – Investigation +0 – Medicine -1 – Nature +0 – Perception -1 – Performance +2 – Persuasion +2 – Religion +0 – Sleight of Hand +3 – Stealth +3 – Survival +1
PROFICIENCIES & LANGUAGES: Common, Elvish, Land Vehicles, Cartographer’s Tools, All Armor and Shields, Simple and Martial Weapons
FEATURES & TRAITS: Rustic Hospitality, Divine Sense (5/5 uses), Lay-on Hands (Healing Pool 5 Points)
CHARACTERISTICS: Personality Trait: I’m confident in my own abilities and do what I can to instill confidence in others. / I get bored easily. When am I going to get on with my destiny? Ideal: People deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Bond: I protect those who cannot protect themselves. Flaw: I’m convinced of the significance of my destiny, and blind to my shortcomings and the risk of failure.
EQUIPMENT: Chainmail, Holy Symbol (Pelor Amulet), Explorer’s Pack, Shortsword (ATK BONUS: +3/+5 DAMAGE: 1d6+1/+3) (2), Javelin (ATK BONUS: +3 DAMAGE: 1d6+1 RANGE: 30/120) (5), Cartographer’s Tools, shovel, iron pot, common clothes, Winged Boots (flight speed equal to walking for up to 4 hours)
MONEY: 0 CP, 0 SP, 0 EP, 10 GP, 0 PP
Rarity:
Rarity – Moon Elf – Fighter Level 1 – Archetype (Eldritch Knight at Level 3) – Guild Artisan: Weavers and Dyers
Inspiration 1 – Proficiency Bonus +2 – HP 11 (Max 11) [Temporary HP 0] – Hit Dice 1d10 – AC 14 – Initiative +3 – Speed 30 – Passive Perception 13
STATS: STR 11 (+1) – DEX 16 (+3) – CON 12 (+1) – INT 15 (+2) – WIS 13 (+1) – CHA 15 (+2)
SAVING THROWS: STR +3 – DEX +5 – CON +1 – INT +2 – WIS +1 – CHA +2
SKILLS: Acrobatics +3 – Animal Handling +1 – Arcana +2 – Athletics +1 – Deception +2 – History +2 – Insight +3 – Intimidation +4 – Investigation +2 – Medicine +1 – Nature +2 – Perception +3 – Performance +2 – Persuasion +4 – Religion +1 – Sleight of Hand +2 – Stealth +3 – Survival +1
PROFICIENCIES & LANGUAGES: Common, Elvish, Sylvan, All Armor and Shields, All Weapons (especially swords and bows), Weaver’s Tools
FEATURES & TRAITS: Darkvision 60ft, Fey Ancestry, Trance, Guild Membership, Dueling Style (+2 to attacks with only one weapon), Second Wind
CHARACTERISTICS: Personality Trait: I like to talk at length about my profession / I believe that anything worth doing is worth doing right. I can't help it – I'm a perfectionist. Ideal: My talents were given to me so that I could use them to benefit the world. Bond: The workshop where I learned my trade is the most important place in the world to me. Flaw: I'll do anything to get my hands on something rare or priceless.
EQUIPMENT: Leather Armor, Longbow (ATK BONUS: +5 DAMAGE: 1d8+3), Arrow (20), Rapier (ATK BONUS: +3/+5 DAMAGE: 1d8+1/+3), Whip (ATK BONUS: +3/+5 DAMAGE: 1d4+1/+3), Dagger (ATK BONUS: +3/+5 DAMAGE: 1d4+1/+3) (2), Explorer’s Pack, Weaver’s Tools, Letter of Introduction, Traveler’s Clothes
MONEY: 0 CP, 0 SP, 0 EP, 15 GP, 0 PP
Applejack:
Applejack – Human (Variant) – Barbarian Level 1 – Primal Path (Path of the Ancestral Guardian at Level 3) – Clan Crafter
Inspiration 1 – Proficiency Bonus +2 – HP 14 (Max 14) [Temporary HP 0] – Hit Dice 1d12 – AC 12 – Initiative +2 – Speed 30 – Passive Perception 10
STATS: STR 16 (+3) – DEX 14 (+2) – CON 14 (+2) – INT 9 (-1) – WIS 10 (+0) – CHA 12 (+1)
SAVING THROWS: STR +5 – DEX +2 – CON +4 – INT -1 – WIS +0 – CHA +1
SKILLS: Acrobatics +4 – Animal Handling +0 – Arcana -1 – Athletics +3 – Deception +1 (always roll at Disadvantage) – History +1 – Insight +2 – Intimidation +1 – Investigation -1 – Medicine +0 – Nature +1 – Perception +0 – Performance +1 – Persuasion +1 – Religion -1 – Sleight of Hand +2 – Stealth +2 – Survival +2
PROFICIENCIES & LANGUAGES: Common, Elvish, Dwarvish, Gnomish, Light & Medium Armor, Shields, Simple & Martial Weapons, Cook’s Utensils
FEATURES & TRAITS: Charger, Respect of the Stout Folk, Unarmored Defense, Reckless Attack, Danger Sense
CHARACTERISTICS: Personality Trait: I'm always polite and respectful / My friends know they can rely on me, no matter what. Ideal: The ancient traditions of my craft must be preserved and upheld. Bond: Nothing is more important than the other members of my clan. Flaw: I hold to tradition at the expense of adaptability.
EQUIPMENT: Cook’s Utensils, Chisel, Traveler’s Clothes, Gem (worth 10 GP), Warhammer (ATK BONUS: +5 DAMAGE: 1d8/1d10+3), Spear (ATK BONUS: +5/+4 DAMAGE: 1d6+3/+2), Javelin (ATK BONUS: +5 DAMAGE: 1d6+3), Lasso (Net), Traveler’s Pack
MONEY: 0 CP, 0 SP, 0 EP, 5 GP, 0 PP
RAGES: 2 max, 2 available; +2 damage
Pinkie:
Pinkie Pie – Rock Gnome – Bard Level 1 – Bard College (College of Glamour at Level 3) – Entertainer (Jester/Singer)
Inspiration 1 – Proficiency Bonus +2 – HP 9 (Max 9) [Temporary HP 0] – Hit Dice 1d8 – AC 13 – Initiative +2 – Speed 30 – Passive Perception 8
STATS: STR 10 (+0) – DEX 14 (+2) – CON 13 (+1) – INT 15 (+2) – WIS 8 (-1) – CHA 15 (+2)
SAVING THROWS: STR +0 – DEX +4 – CON +1 – INT +2 – WIS -1 – CHA +4
SKILLS: Acrobatics +4 – Animal Handling -1 – Arcana +2 – Athletics +4 – Deception +2 – History +2 – Insight +1 – Intimidation +2 – Investigation +2 – Medicine -1 – Nature +2 – Perception -1 – Performance +6 – Persuasion +6 – Religion +2 – Sleight of Hand +2 – Stealth +2 – Survival -1
PROFICIENCIES & LANGUAGES: Common, Gnomish, Tinker’s Tools, Light Armor, Simple Weapons, Hand Crossbows, Swords, Drum, Lute, Horn, Shawm, Disguise Kit
FEATURES & TRAITS: Artificer’s Lore, Tinker, By Popular Demand, Bardic Inspiration (d6)
CHARACTERISTICS: Personality Trait: I know a story relevant to almost every situation / I'll settle for nothing less than perfection. Ideal: I like seeing the smiles on people's faces when I perform. That's all that matters. Bond: My instrument is my most treasured possession, and it reminds me of someone I love. Flaw: I have trouble keeping my true feelings hidden. My sharp tongue lands me in trouble.
EQUIPMENT: Leather armor, Entertainer’s Pack, Horn, Light Hammer (ATK BONUS: +2 DAMAGE: 1d4+0), Drum, Amethyst Ring, Costume
MONEY: 0 CP, 0 SP, 0 EP, 15 GP, 0 PP
Spell Casting Ability: Charisma Spell Save DC: 12 Spell Attack Modifier: +4
SPELLS: Cantrips: Friends, Blade Ward 1st Level Spells: (2 total Spell Slots; 2 available) Tasha’s Hideous Laughter, Charm Person, Feather Fall, Unseen Servant
Fluttershy:
Fluttershy – Wood Elf – Druid Level 1 – Druidic Circle (Circle of the Shepherd at Level 2) – Hermit (I needed to commune with nature, far from civilization.)
Inspiration 1 – Proficiency Bonus +2 – HP 9 (Max 9) [Temporary HP 0] – Hit Dice 1d8 – AC 15 – Initiative +2 – Speed 35 – Passive Perception 16
STATS: STR 14 (+2) – DEX 15 (+2) – CON 12 (+1) – INT 10 (+0) – WIS 16 (+3) – CHA 8 (-1)
SAVING THROWS: STR +2 – DEX +2 – CON +1 – INT +2 – WIS +5 – CHA -1
SKILLS: Acrobatics +2 – Animal Handling +5 – Arcana +0 – Athletics +2 – Deception -1 – History +0 – Insight +3 – Intimidation -1 – Investigation +0 – Medicine +5 – Nature +2 – Perception +5 – Performance -1 – Persuasion -1 – Religion +2 – Sleight of Hand +2 – Stealth +2 – Survival +3
PROFICIENCIES & LANGUAGES: Common, Elvish, Gnomish, Sylvan, Herbalism Kit, Swords, Bows, Light and Medium Armor, Shields, Clubs, Daggers, Darts, Javelins, Maces, Quarterstaffs, Scimitars, Sickles, Slings, Spears
FEATURES & TRAITS: Darkvision 60ft, Fey Ancestry, Trance, Mask of the Wild, Druidic
CHARACTERISTICS: Personality Trait: I feel tremendous empathy for all who suffer. Ideal: Emotions must not cloud our sense of what is right and true, or our logical thinking. Bond: I entered seclusion to hide from the ones who might still be hunting me. I must someday confront them. Flaw: I am dogmatic in my thoughts and philosophy.
EQUIPMENT: Wooden Shield, Quarterstaff (ATK BONUS: +4 DAMAGE: 1d6+2), Leather Armor, Explorer’s Pack, Druidic Focus (Holly Crown), Scroll Case, Winter Blanket, Common Clothes, Herbalism Kit
MONEY: 0 CP, 0 SP, 0 EP, 5 GP, 0 PP
Spell Casting Ability: Wisdom Spell Save DC: 13 Spell Attack Bonus: +5
SPELLS: Cantrips: Druidcraft, Thorn Whip 1st Level: (2 total Spell Slots; 2 available) Spells Vary By Day
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That's a badass story cover.
The characters playing D&D and Equestrian magic affects it. This'll be fun. Hope that Shining has some influence on it because of what happened.