It was leading to rabbit holes of character arguments that spiraled into hellish domains where finding a feasible 'out' for Sunset grew dire indeed. After several attempts I've decided to just rip out the rootArengea's Game · 8:36pm Apr 4th, 2014
Arengea’s Game
By Tundara
Everything was going terribad, an inky shadow of darkness covering the land like a moldy blanket. The Princess was missing. The Elements lost among the ruins of Murdoom’Gul. And the forces of the Necromancer had the fair Queendom surrounded. If a heroine didn’t rise up soon, then all would be lost. If—
“I’m sorry, but, ‘Murdoom’Gul’? ‘Inky shadow of darkness’? That’s all… kind of cliche, isn’t it?” Rarity tilted her head, a slight frown playing in her knitted brow.
“Huh?” Arengea looked up from her notes, a stack of paper covered in neat, minute writing, with notations, spread sheets, and quick-guides in the margins. A little, scrawny unicorn foal to the unaware, Arengea wore her two toned mane of amethyst and silver cut short and scruffy, parted by her little white horn.
Across the table from her sat Rarity, Celestia, Luna, and Pinkie Pie. Each had a sheet of paper in front of them, a plate of cupcakes sitting in the middle.
“I rather liked it,” Celestia countered, glancing down on the mare at her side.
“Well, you would. I’ve seen the books you read.” Rarity gave a little sniff of feigned disgust, not mentioning she’d been the one to introduce Celestia to the Romance genre.
“Moooom! You promised to give the game a chance!” Arengea pouted, lifting herself up to peer over the edge of her Game Master’s Screen, resplendent with a painting of stylised wizards, warriors, and rogues battling a fire-breathing dragon on its face.
“I’m sorry, dear, it’s just—”
Rarity was interrupted by Celestia clearing her throat, and giving Rarity a pointed look.
“Yes, sorry. I will try.” Putting on a conciliatory expression, Rarity asked for Arengea to continue.
“Why don’t you introduce your characters, since the intro is deader than one of Polyhymnia’s recitals,” grumbled the filly as she lowered her head back down behind her screen.
“No need to be snippy, dear. Your sister tries her hardest, just like you.” Rarity waited for her daughter to give a half-hearted ‘I’m sorry’ before continuing. “Now, I am... Blackmoon Battleaxe the Drunk?” Rarity gave the sheet of paper in front of her a quizzical look.
“Oh, that’s my character,” Pinkie chirped from her place on the other side of Rarity. “This must be yours, Rares.”
Glancing at the sheet she took from Pinkie, Rarity gave a relieved sigh. “Yes, this is better. I am the fair knight, Lady Silvershield of Canterwall.”
Swallowing the remainder of a cupcake, Luna intoned in a solemn voice, "I am the wandering wizard Thistlegown." Leaning closer to Pinkie, Luna whispered, "This is how we play the game, yes?" to which Pinkie rapidly nodded.
Celestia had just begun to introduce her character when, bouncing off the walls in a tremendous roar, came, “I am Thunderfury the Bold, once apprentice to the good lord Hurricane, I have set out to find my own path with only my trusty war-hammer, armour, and desire for glory!” Zeus stood in the doorway, a bag of cheetos, case of Valley Dew, and a small bag of custom, engraved dice floating at his side.
Rarity gave Zeus a scathing glare, one that had made mountains tremble and gods wilt. Zeus merely gave an oblivious smile as he trotted into the room.
“Uncle Zeus, your back!” Arengea clapped her hooves. “Great, now the game can really begin! Roll for initiative!”
This should be a thing
Nice.
It seems this is set in the future of the Mythsverse, but of course I will ignore that for now, because it will be long time until then, and the future is not written in stone.
Due to Applebloom's story, we know Rarity will not return to Ponyville for years, and the name of these fillies fit more in Gaia than in Ioka, I can assume the filly calls Zeus uncle because they are the daughters of a brother of Zeus that Rarity met during her quest in Gaia. Due to the theme-naming of those alicorns, I would assume the stallion is named Poseidon.
Of course, most of what I said will end up being different.
I wonder if there are a lot of stories of gods playing tabletop games.
You're one of the most talented authors I've ever met.
1981901
It's non-canonical, that's for sure.
Originally it started as an April Fools idea, but I didn't write it until this morning.
Posiedon is an interesting guess for Arengea's dad. He isn't, mind you. But a good guess.
Having played Pathfinder just yesterday, this is making me grin like an idiot.
dungeons and dragons ftw. this needs to be a thing
... so, if Myths isn't keeping you too busy, can you write this too?
Hehe, Luna and Zeus.
I love it!
......I'd totally read that and/or play with them if I could!
1982503
Heh, I don't think I will. It was just a fun joke I had with my editor the other day.
1981925 Until then, can I see it as canon?