My Adventures with Pony Tales, pt. 1

So, if anyone wonders why updates on my stories have been sluggish these past few weeks... well, that's just how I roll sometimes, but THIS time there's a semi-decent reason for that. I've been working on setting up a roleplaying campaign using the Pony Tales tabletop system, and we just started with our first session. The players have given their permission to release a log of our sessions, so feel free to sit back and read about five people (including myself) meddling with forces beyond their comprehension.

The setting: This campaign takes place in the same universe as my 'Eclipseverse' stories, which currently consist of Snowblind and Lunar Eclipse: The Rock Opera. However, the Moonshadow campaign takes place 200 years before the events of those stories, so events taking place in this RP, unless specifically declared otherwise, can be considered canon to my prose stories without directly involving the Mane 6.

Character images are either made from General Zoi's pony creator program, taken from screencaps, or plucked from Google Images.

Before we start, I'd like to thank my players, Lapis (Horatio), Phaze (Bolt), Night Fox (Glacier), and fellow author LeoArchon (Delta). Special thanks go to Phaze for programming macros for the players to use in Maptool, allowing them to use combat talents and skill checks with the press of a button. Thanks to their hard work, gameplay is going to flow so much more smoothly than it would otherwise.

And of course I have to give a shout-out to Dan Felder, Carson Dougan, Alex Wagner, Kat Schell, Newbiespud, and everyone else involved with the creation of Pony Tales: Aspirations of Harmony. If you aren't familiar with the system, just click the link and check it out.

And with that said, allow me to introduce you to our players:

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{GM Note: Here, the players are asked to briefly introduce themselves. For visual reference, consult the Cast Page on Google Docs. For the purposes of this campaign, each player was tasked with creating their character to have a reason to seek out a face-to-face meeting with Princess Celestia.}

Glacier:
Well my character is Glacier, a griffon and he's with his friend Duri, a durian-based Fruit Bat. The two are on board looking to speak to Celestia on the matter of a missing friend.

Delta Requiem:
Delta merely wants to put on a performance for Princess Celestia at least once in her life. {GM Note: Delta has an extremely rare magical mutation. Instead of weather manipulation, she has an ability called Spellsinging which uses her voice to manipulate magic much like a unicorn. This effect is limited to what she has abilities for, keeping her from being OP in practice.}

Horatio Fisticuffs III, Esquire:
Horatio is, by all outward knowledge, a famous adventurer who has been many places, fought many strange things and NEARLY retrieved many great artifacts, as well as being a dominant force in the charity world, picking up where his grandfather left off. In reality, he hates mosquitos, is afraid of spiders, and when he leaves to go 'adventuring', he actually goes on a yacht he used investment funds for to eat weird fancy pants food like curried duck liver and dates.

Bolt:
Bolt. Orphan Unicorn Filly looking to speak with Celestia because of reasons. (The ruler HAS to know what happened to her most important, highly trained spy operatives, right? ;) ) {GM Note: What the player means is that Bolt has crafted a fantasy where her biological parents are secret agents, to explain why she was left in the system.}

////////////////////////////////////////

GM:
It is a bright, crisp early Autumn afternoon as many ponies are gathered to witness and embark on the maiden voyage of the Radiant Dawn, the largest luxury airship ever constructed. The main body is immense, taking up most of the landing strip on which it sits, and is supported by two smaller, but still impressive 'pods' on each side, each of which could easily be a ship in itself.

GM:
This is more than merely the unveiling of an aeuronautical masterpiece, however. This voyage takes place on the eve of an auspicious holiday. The 800th anniversary of the defeat of Eclipse. (Feel free to roll History checks whenever you want to know something about the setting.)

Delta Requiem:
Delta Requiem rolls History (16)

Glacier:
Glacier rolls History (19)

GM:
(And what, specifically, do you want to know about?)

LeoArchon:
(Specifically, who or what is Eclipse? Unless... is this incorporating your fanfic's canon?)

Glacier:
((How much of it is true. :) ))

GM:
Eight centuries ago, the monster calling itself Eclipse appeared and assaulted the royal sisters, Celestia and Luna. An incorporeal being of living shadow, it succeeded in possessing Princess Luna for a brief time.

Horatio Fisticuffs III, Esquire:
Horatio Fisticuffs III, Esquire rolls History (13) ...and fumbles horribly...

Horatio:
lawl

GM:
Celestia used the Elements of Harmony to free her sister from the demonic creature's control, but her reluctance to use the full power of the Elements against her sister caused her to lose her connection with them, and Eclipse remained free to possess others while Luna was left trapped in an endless sleep from which she has yet to awaken. {GM Note: For more details, refer to "Lunar Eclipse: The Rock Opera" at http://www.fimfiction.net/story/103454/lunar-eclipse-the-rock-opera (in progress as of this post.)}

LeoArchon:
(And in 200 years, a ragtag group of misfit ponies will recover the Elements, defeat Eclipse, and awaken Luna.)

GM:
Horatio, you were asleep in class when the subject of Eclipse up. (Shhhh, Leo, spoilers) ;)

LeoArchon:
((I've got background music in the form of my roommate playing Final Fantasy XIV on the PS3))

GM:
Today, Celestia stands in front of the crowd of ponies and other beings eagerly waiting to board the ship. The royal alicorn is surrounded by her honor guard and their leader, Captain Blindside, one of the extremely rare breed of ponies known as thestrals (or 'batponies' in less academic terms). The princess herself sits tall and regal on a podium beside the airship, her face wizened and wrinkled from the centuries, her frame thin with age. Yet she still holds herself with a sense of powerful inner strength, her mane and tail shimmering and wafting in the breeze with an ethereal beauty that belies her grandmotherly appearance.

GM:
(Yes, I know the token doesn't look like that, but there aren't a whole lot of 'elderly Celestia' pictures floating around.

Glacier:
((That's what the artistic fans of your stories are for. ;) ))

Horatio:
(( http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/362/103/b58.gif ))

GM:
(Yeah, well I didn't want to wait for someone to do that. Anyway!)

GM:
Drawing the attention of all present with little more than a clearing of her throat, Celestia looks out at the crowd.

Celestia:
Thank you, my little ponies, for joining me on this day. Eight hundred years ago, this land and its people triumphed against a terrible evil. For many, it came at a dear... dear cost, but Equestria itself stood firm and stood true. No matter how dark it seemed to become, the light of friendship and honor continued to shine brightly in the hearts of ponies. For eight centuries, we have grown and flourished in that light, and today it gives us this marvel... the Radiant Dawn!

GM:
Celestia looks down for a moment, her expression of serene calm slipping ever so slightly. But when she looks up again, her smile is as warm and loving as ever.

Celestia:
This airship is a wonder. The greatest example of Equestrian ingenuity, made possible only by that strength of heart which is in us all. The greatest minds worked in concert to bring life to that which was previously only an idea. It is because of the courage and integrity of your ancestors that we now live in this moment, but this is not the pinnacle of our achievement. This is merely one of many wonders to come, and it is your duty to dream even grander. To envision even more miracles and to bring them to life so that one hundred years from now, it will be your descendants who marvel at what we create now.

Celestia:
It is with that hope for the future that I greet you all and welcome you aboard the Radiant Dawn, so that you may marvel and draw inspiration from this magnificent vessel.

GM:
With that, Celestia is offered a bottle of wine by one of the guards as a traditional means of blessing the ship before it takes off for the first time. Celestia accepts the bottle in her golden aura, magically swinging it at the hull of the ship.

GM:
The bottle thumps against the hull with a dull *thunk*, but doesn't break.

GM:
Most of the ponies in attendance start stomping the ground to celebrate, though it quickly peters out when the bottle refuses to break against the hull. Celestia attempts it again with similar results.

Delta Requiem:
((Is Celestia's age keeping her from breaking the bottle?))

Celestia:
My apologies, everypony. It would seem that my magic isn't quite what it used to be, but the third time is the charm.

GM:
Getting a wider swing this time, Celestia hurls the bottle at the hull, where it smashes open. The audience immediately starts stomping and cheering in applause.

Horatio Fisticuffs III, Esquire:
Dutifully, as a manly adventurer, Horatio whistles and claps.

Delta Requiem:
Among those applauding, a dark amaranth pegasus lets out a loud whistle. A lute is slung over her back, between her wings. She has a two-tone mane and tail; the majority being grey, but with crimson streaks running through them. Aside from her lute, the only thing she has is a feathered cap on her head.

Glacier:
*looks around at the ponies before he himself claps politely with his talons, giving a nervous little smile from his beak*

GM:
Celestia's smile widens as looks at the sea of joyous faces.

Celestia:
Now, then, why don't you share some of that applause with the Wonderbolts, who are here to provide us with an unforgettable send-off?

* Bolt raises an eyebrow at the cheering on the other side of the ship. Seems things are about to get under way. Looks determinedly at the crates out back.

GM:
Celestia's horn glows, and she shoots off a golden beam up into the sky, which explodes in a bright firework that shines brilliantly even against the afternoon sky, as well as acting as a signal for Equestria's premier team of stunt fliers to soar in formation above the crowd, drawing all eyes upward.

GM:
On the other side of the ship, workmen are busy loading the ship with cargo and luggage, but even they stop for a moment to enjoy the show.

Bolt:
(I wanna use the opportunity to see if I can rush up and slip inside one of the crates un-noticed)

GM:
(Roll me a Stealth check.)

Bolt:
Bolt rolls Stealth (23)

Glacier:
((AFK for a minute.))

GM:
Distracted as they are, it is simplicity itself for the little blue unicorn filly to dash toward the crates and find one with a loose board to squeeze into before any of them look down.

Horatio:
((Into the crate of 'week old open jars of mayonnaise'))

Bolt:
(Celestia has strange tastes)

GM:
While Bolt gets herself situated in the crate of spare engine parts she has managed to work herself into, she overhears some of the workers talking while they start loading crates.

Glacier:
*looks upward at the show happening above everyone's heads, watching with some interest though he often returns his gaze back down to the white Alicorn in front of him*

GM:
"Some show, huh Porter?" "Yeah, makes me wish I could actually hitch a ride on this boat instead of breakin' my back loadin' this stuff." "Not me, man. You see the deal with that bottle? That's bad luck." "Don't tell me you believe that superstitious malarkey!" "Hey, my sister was on a ship where they weren't able to break the bottle. You don't wanna know what happened with the toilets. Say, speakin' of sisters, is yours still single?" "Brick? Why you wanna know?"

GM:
Their supervisor then shows up and shouts, "Shipper! Porter House! Get your sorry plots back in gear and load up those crates!" The two workers immediately get back to work, carrying the crate Bolt is in up a ramp and into the bowels of the ship.

GM:
Meanwhile, most of the guards, including Captain Blindside, accompany the princess into the ship. Once that is done, the few remaining outside help manage the lines as the 1st class passengers are allowed to board first.

GM:
Among the larger crowd of coach passengers, a filly in a bonnet bounces around excitedly while looking up at the Wonderbolts show.

Farmer Filly:
Look! Look, pa! Ya see that? Lookit 'em flip 'round!

Delta Requiem:
It is pretty impressive. Wish I could fly that well...

Farmer Filly:
The filly looks to Delta and says reassuringly, "Don't worry, Ah bet there's somethin' ya'll're just as good at, too! Everypony's got somethin' they're good at! That's why we're here. Mah pa's the best farmer in Equestria, so we left the house behind so's we can ask fer a better one where he can do his job!"

Farmer Mare:
The child's mother eeps at the verbal flood coming from her filly's mouth and yanks her back. "Ah'm sorry about that, miss. Greenie, what'd yer pa and I tell ya about botherin' strangers?"

Horatio Fisticuffs III, Esquire:
"Very good showsmenship. Ponies work hard for that. Not like flying out over the fire marshes, but hey."

Horatio:
((Horatio is voiced by Owen Wilson, carry on.))

Delta Requiem:
Delta laughs. "It's alright miss, I don't mind." She looks between the two. "I'm Delta Requiem, a wandering minstrel. Might I ask your names?"

Farmer Mare:
"Sew'n'Sow," the mare replies while her daughter grumps, quietly muttering about not bothering anypony. "And this is my husband, Pokey Oaks."

Farmer Stallion:
Eeyup.

Greenie Smith:
An' Ah'm Greenie Smith! So, what's a wanderin' menstrual do, Ms. Delta?

Delta Requiem:
(Snrk)

Bolt:
[*bites tongue*)

Delta Requiem:
Delta chuckles. "I go from place to place, playing music and singing songs, Greenie."

Glacier:
*overhears Horatio's words, turning his head in the direction of the voice* F-f-fire marshes? There's places on fire?

Greenie Smith:
Greenie's eyes widen with wonder. "Oooh. Are ya any good?!" This earns her a hoof over the mouth from her mother.

Delta Requiem:
"Well..." Delta winks. "When we get onboard, I'll put on a performance, and you can see for yourself, okay?"

Sew'n'Sow:
"Well Ah'm sure we'd like that, miss. Thank the nice lady, Greenie."

Greenie Smith:
Thank ya!

Horatio Fisticuffs III, Esquire:
"Yea, you see, the gas builds up under the marsh, then giant plumes of fire rip up to the sky. We had to travel over it when I went hunting for the great tiny Sphinx."

GM:
While Horatio and Glacier converse, the line of ponies gradually proceeds up the ramp to the ship.

GM:
(BTW, where's Glacier's pet fruit bat at this time?)

Horatio:
(Eric the fruitbat)

Glacier:
*goes wide-eyed at the thought of big gouts of fire leaping up into the air, looking more and more nervous* Th-this ship w-won't go anywhere near these big fires, r-right? I mean.. *curiously, what looks like some sort of vapor starts coming from the corners of his beak as he stammers on about the fire and how fireproof the Dawn could be. It takes what looks like a spikey ball with wings to flutter up from a hiding spot under one of the griffon's wings to kill the vapor by landing right on top of the beak to snap it shut, the griffon jumping in startlement as whatever landed on his mouth starts squeaking at him*

Glacier:
((Sorry, had to add the pet-location into the pose when I got the question. :) ))

GM:
(NP)

GM:
Seeing the fruit bat perched on Glacier's beak, one of the guards trots over.

Guard Unicorn 2:
Sir, do you have a permit to bring a pet on board?

Glacier:
*mumbles something with the 'pet' still on his beak. The bat spins around gracefully and looks indignant at the guard, pointing one of it's wings at the guard and giving it a few squeaks before it flies back to where it came from for the moment, giving the griffon a chance to speak* P-p-permit? Uhh..I...

1st Class Stallion:
Ugh... how frightfully uncouth...

1st Class Mare:
Well what do you expect from one of THOSE people?

1st Class Stallion:
Shhh, not so loud. You know what sort of temper griffons have.

Delta Requiem:
(Would I have to roll to overhear the snobs?)

GM:
(From that distance, yeah, roll Perception.)

Delta Requiem:
Delta Requiem rolls Perception (11)

GM:
(You don't hear anything from over there.)

GM:
(Though it's easy enough to see that Glacier is at the center of a little hubbub.)

Delta Requiem:
Delta sighs. "I am so glad I'm not travelling first-class."

Glacier:
*looks like he just wants to wilt or melt down into the ground from all the attention he's now getting from both the guards and the rich ponies around him when the bat flies back out, papers in it's claws. He lands on the tip of the guard's muzzle much to the griffon's horror and holds out the papers which turn out to be two first-class tickets with the names 'Glacier' and 'Dori' on them, squeaking out some more unintelligable bat-talk while before bapping the guard with the tickets lightly between the eyes and folding it's wings across it's chest with a 'I dare you to upset me more then you have' look that probably wouldn't be unfamiliar if it came from some of the other first-class passengers*

Horatio Fisticuffs III, Esquire:
Horatio looks uncomfortable for a moment that it MIGHT get near any fire marshes, but he flashes his big smile. "Don't worry about it, everything is in good hands!" He coughs slightly into his hoof as everyone looks at Glacier. He should do something! He begins to speak more loudly. "Oh, I see, he is speaking the language of the Fruit Bat, from the great Fruit Bat Nation. Very interesting culture they have."

Delta Requiem:
((I'm trying to picture a cross-eyed unicorn guard...))

Guard Unicorn 2:
The guard glares at the bat and looks the tickets over before shaking his head. "I don't get paid enough for this. Alright, your tickets for yourself and your... traveling companion appear to be in order. Welcome aboard." With that, he ushers Glacier, Duri and Horatio onto the ship.

GM:
Once inside, porters are waiting to take any bags that the 1st class passengers are carrying with them, as well as to show them to their suites.

Glacier:
*quickly plucks the bat and the tickets off of the guard, a talon over the bat's mouth before it can make things worse* Y-yes, thank you. I'm so sorry, he's just so excited about this trip! Lots to see, yes! Nothing said about how sad your muscles and armor looks, no! *he stuffs the protesting bat and the tickets back under his wing and dashes forward into the ship*

Horatio Fisticuffs III, Esquire:
Horatio has only his manly leather satchel on him. His other proper luggage is all hidden away with the bath salts and the two pounds of red gummi candy.

Delta Requiem:
((Should we just assume that by this point, Bolt, Glacier, and Horatio are on the ship?))

GM:
(Yes.)

GM:
Also, when they are allowed on board, Horatio and Glacier are each handed a small envelope by a smiling pegasus mare. "Thank you for flying 1st class! As a valued guest, please accept this pass for the ball tomorrow night! We'll be celebrating the eighth centennial celebration of Eclipse's defeat with music, dancing, feasting, and Princess Celestia herself will be there as well!"

Delta Requiem:
(Wonder if Delta can bribe her way into being part of the music?)

Glacier:
*smiles earnestly when he hears the part about Celestia's attendance, taking the envelope and passing it along towards his wing where a green one pokes out of and snags the item for him* She'll be there? Really? Will we get to talk to her?

GM:
The mare shrugs her wings a little, but catches herself and keeps her smile on. "Yes indeed, the princess will make time to greet each and every one of our 1st class guests!"

Horatio Fisticuffs III, Esquire:
"Ah good, I'm sure she likes a rousing story!" He talks loudly so everyone can hear, "And she will be pleased to hear about my next great adventure, I'm sure."

GM:
As the 1st class line diminishes enough for the coach passengers to start queueing up behind them, a poofy-maned unicorn near Delta whispers to the blue pegasus next to him. (Delta, roll perception.)

Delta Requiem:
Delta Requiem rolls Perception (17)

Glacier:
*bows his head towards the mare* That's great, thank you very much! Er, which way do we go now?

GM:
One of the porters tells Glacier, "Right this way, sir. Just go up the stairs to the A-Deck, and I'll help you find your quarters!"

Glacier:
*bows his head again, this time to the porter* Oh, thank you!

Bolt:
(alright, I wanna listen to see if I can tell if anyone's near the crate I'm in)

GM:
Delta overhears the unicorn whisper, "We need to get one of those passes. Once we're in, she won't be able to stop us."

Horatio:
('Oi, Pusher, want to hear about that horrible weeping rash I got last week')

GM:
Meanwhile, Bolt is carried to a storage room and set down among a myriad of other crates. The sound of machinery fills the air around her, vibrating in her bones. (roll Perception.)

Bolt:
(haha, don't tell me androgyponies are changlings or something :P)

Bolt:
Bolt rolls Perception (26)

GM:
(Okay, I won't tell you.)

Bolt:
(:P)

GM:
After a few minutes, the workers set the last of the crates in place and walk away. A little bit after that, as you strain your ears against the rattling of machinery, you figure that nopony is coming back just yet.

GM:
('you' being Bolt)

Bolt:
(I hazard a peek out of the crate from the loose board, double checking, being cautious)

Bolt:
Bolt rolls Perception (26)

Delta Requiem:
Delta gives no indication of overhearing the unicorn, but a small frown crosses her face. When she goes to pass the guards on the way to the ramp, she whispers to one of them, "Keep an eye on that poofy-maned fellow and his pegasus companion."

GM:
Poking her head out, Bolt can see that she's been left alone. The sounds of mechanics checking on the engines can be heard echoing from down the corridors, but they're some distance away. Luckily, a small map of the ship with the emergency exits on it is posted on the wall at a nearby T-junction, and it also shows the way to the passenger deck.

Bolt:
(oooh, is it a paper map, or one of those billboard things?)

GM:
The guard arches an eyebrow at Delta's comment, but when the unicorn, pegasus, and a bespectacled unicorn child accompanying them reach the front of the line, they get pulled aside for a 'random inspection'.

GM:
(Billboard.)

Bolt:
(bleh. I leave it, to cumbersome, but I do study it, looking it over for places I might hide)

GM:
(Hmm... roll a Mechanics check, Bolt.)

Bolt:
Bolt rolls Mechanics (31)

Horatio:
(RACIAL PROFILING)

Bolt:
(the guard's one of them!)

GM:
As Bolt studies the map, it only provides a general outline of the ship's layout, but her precocious knowledge of engines and machines gives her a few hints about where she might find some dead spaces, nooks, and crannies where a filly her size might be able to slip away if she needs to. (And for the rest of your stay on board the ship, you get a +2 bonus for Stealth checks when you're hiding away.)

Delta Requiem:
When Delta gets on board, she asks the ticket-taker, "Excuse me, but are there any rules against an independent musician like myself putting on a small performance during the voyage?"

Bolt:
(woo me)

Bolt:
(I mean: Yay me)

Bolt:
(well, let's use this knowledge to good use and see if we can't find a nook or cranny to hide until the thing actually takes off)

Bolt:
(*waits for GM to stop typing*)

GM:
"Not at all," the ticket-taker replies with a wide, well-practiced grin. "As long as it's family-friendly and isn't disruptive to the other guests, of course." As the farmer family behind Delta approaches, she greets them with, "Welcome aboard! Please go up the stairs and down the corridor to your right to reach your rooms. If your filly wants to play with other children, there's a Day Care in the main ship. And if you two would like to take part in the Best Couple contest being held later this evening, you could win passes to the ball tomorrow night!"

Bolt:
Bolt rolls Stealth (29)

Sew'n'Sow:
Ya hear that, Pokey? That could be our chance!

Pokey Oaks:
Eeyup.

Horatio:
(Haha)

Delta Requiem:
"Hm... Are there any other ways to earn passes to the ball?"

GM:
"Oh, I'm afraid not," the ticket-taker replies. "The demand was very high, and almost all of the available passes have been handed out to our first-class passengers. Now, please move along so other ponies can get inside, buh-bye!"

Delta Requiem:
Delta moves along, thinking to herself, 'Let's just hope that those ponies I heard plotting don't win that contest.'

GM:
Bolt, you find a cosy little niche to tuck yourself away in while the last of the passengers file their way inside.

Horatio Fisticuffs III, Esquire:
Horatio, meanwhile, is doing what is important. He is making sure a few older copies of his book just HAPPEN to be in a few of the bathrooms, and then he has to spend some time carefully trimming his stubble to exact ruggedness.

Horatio:
Horatio Fisticuffs III vs the Giant Mummies of the River Kingdom

GM:
(Feel free to move to the A-Deck map whenever you want, BTW. Delta should take one of the 'coach' quarters on either of the two side-ships, and Horatio and Glacier will each get one of the VIP rooms in the central area.)

GM:
Glacier is led to his room and given time to take in the sight of it and settle in. The 1st class quarters are enormous, and stocked with various luxuries such as bookshelves, a reading desk and lamp, a plush sofa, and most importantly a mini-bar.

Glacier:
((Here fine?))

GM:
(That's fine. It doesn't matter which one you take.)

Glacier:
*thanks the porter again before examining the room, stepping over to a bookshelf to look at some of the titles there. Dori in the meantime flaps his way over to the mini-bar to check out some of the contents about* Wow, this is certainly a lot more roomier then I thought it'd be. I guess between this place and the free ticket to the ball, it wasn't a bad idea that you insisted we spend all the leftover gold for the best spots after all. I just hope she won't be mad we spent what she didn't take with her when we find her.

Delta Requiem:
After stashing her cap and coinpurse under the pillow of the bed she desired, Delta made her way to the lounge of the side-ship she was on, still carrying her lute across her back.

GM:
As Delta makes her way to the lounge along the outermost side, she sees the farmer couple sitting at a nearby table while Greenie practically has her nose pressed against the window as she excitedly looks out. With the last of the passengers on board, the engineers are given the go-ahead, and the thrum of magical machinery grows louder as the giant gasbags attached to each section of the ship are augmented by levitation-enchantment engines. There is a feeling of being pressed down upon, causing Greenie to slip, but she quickly gets her hooves back under her as she watches the ground while it seems to drop out from underneath the ship.

Delta Requiem:
(I'm assuming none of the other passengers are important enough to warrant tokens?)

GM:
(Yeah, I'm not going to make tokens for every single passenger. Just assume that the area is full of ponies wherever you go.)

Horatio:
(I'm afraid I'm just not feeling well, and I gotta make sure I nap for work, I'm going to pull back and let you guys continue on.)

Delta Requiem:
(Aw, sorry to hear that. Hope you get better.)

Horatio:
(I'll try to be more chatty next week! Take care.)

Bolt:
(niiiiight)

** Horatio is disconnected. **

Delta Requiem:
(Can we continue without Horatio?)

Bolt:
(he's napping after ingesting some bad curried duck liver?)

GM:
(Yeah, we can assume that he's hob-nobbing and schmoozing the other society types.)

GM:
(Spinning tales about his five-hour battle with a deadly river serpent.)

Delta Requiem:
(Don't joke about hours-long battles, unless you've fought Yiazmat.)

GM:
(*chuckles* Alright. So, now that the ship is aloft, what do you guys intend to do?)

Delta Requiem:
When Delta feels the ship level out, she pulls her lute into a playing position, and begins tuning it with her practiced ear.

Bolt:
(so, no map for engineering deck?)

GM:
(No, sorry, I was too lazy.)

Bolt:
(no worries)

* Bolt gets comfortable in her little nook as best she can, intending to wait for some time to pass, so that IF she's found, they can't just turn right around and dump her off on the ground or something

Glacier:
((Sorry, have to AFK for a few.))

GM:
While Bolt settles in, she hears something. Something besides the constant chugging of the magical levitation engines, that is. As Delta tunes her lyre, the sound of plucking strings carries through the ventilation down to the stowaway filly.

Delta Requiem:
(Lute, not lyre)

GM:
(Sorry. Hey, I got half the letters right!)

Delta Requiem:
(And they're both stringed instruments)

Glacier:
((Back, sorry.))

* Bolt earperks at the sound and listens as she waits.

Delta Requiem:
Once the lute is tuned to Delta's satisfaction, she begins strumming a melody, though there are no words to it. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHUFvY9Z2PY)

GM:
(Roll a Persuasion check for your performance.)

Delta Requiem:
Delta Requiem rolls Persuasion (23)

Delta Requiem:
(Hope you don't mind me using brony music. :P)

Bolt:
(If anywhere's the place for it...)

Glacier:
((Yeah.))

GM:
The performance doesn't draw a large crowd, as taken as most of the nearby ponies are with the view, but Greenie and her family, along with a fair number of nearby ponies turn to look at you. When you're finished, there is an appreciative round of stomps from the audience.

Greenie Smith:
Greenie runs up to Delta and asks, "That was perty! Where'd ya learn that song?"

Delta Requiem:
Delta smiles. "I actually wrote that one myself. It's based off a dream I had once."

Greenie Smith:
"A dream? What kinda dream? Ah ain't never had a dream that made me wanna play music before!"

Delta Requiem:
Delta hesitates, before looking at the filly's mother. "Greenie... do you know what today is?"

* Bolt smiles for a bit after the inspirational music, though finds it a bit sad... But definately pretty.

GM:
Sew'n'Sow just sighs over her daughter's lack of boundaries, though she's grateful that Delta is willing to humor the filly at least instead of getting irritated.

Greenie Smith:
'Course Ah do! 'S like Princess Celestia said, it's the day b'fore Eclipse was beaten an' banished into the moon's shadow!

Delta Requiem:
(Quick question: is Princess Luna's condition common knowledge?)

Bolt:
(I'd assume over the span of 800 years...)

GM:
(Pretty much. It's sort of become folklore by this point, seeing as it's been eight centuries since Luna was awake, but this version of Celestia has taken steps to keep the memory of her sister alive.)

Delta Requiem:
Delta nodded to the filly. "Well, my dream was about Princess Luna. In it, there was no Eclipse, but Luna looked like she was jealous of Celestia, and she turned into this black version of herself, with fangs and cat-like eyes."

Greenie Smith:
Greenie gasps in shock, as if Delta had just spat in Princess Celestia's own face. "Why would ya dream somethin' lahk that?! That's a horrible thing ta say!"

Delta Requiem:
"Dreams do what they will, Greenie," Delta said sadly. "I was rather upset at it myself. But, sometimes I wonder if what I dreamed actually happened, in another time and place? I wrote that song as an exercise more than anything."

Greenie Smith:
Greenie pouts. "Well, if'n ya get ta talk to the princess, ya shouldn't say things like that to her. She loves her sister, even if Luna ain't comin' back."

Sew'n'Sow:
Greenie Smith!

Greenie Smith:
But ma, she's been sleepin' fer eight hundred years!

Delta Requiem:
Delta smiled. "Don't worry. I'm not stupid, I know better than to insult Luna to Celestia's face. As for Luna waking up... who can say? Maybe all it will take is some lucky group of adventurers finding a way to break Eclipse's curse once and for all!" She said this last part dramatically, hovering in the air with her forelegs outstretched.

Glacier:
((*checks the fourth wall to see how solid it is*))

GM:
Greenie looks downcast. "Ah dunno... that's what Ah thought when ol' Buster, our hound dog fell asleep an' wouldn't wake up. But Pa had ta take him away like they did with Luna in the story, an' they said he ain't never comin' back."

Delta Requiem:
Delta sighed. "Well, let me ask you: How old is Princess Celestia?"

Greenie Smith:
Greenie looks up at Delta and thinks for a minute before replying, "I dunno... really old?"

Delta Requiem:
"Well, Luna's only a little bit younger, from what I've read. And Princess Celestia is still going strong, right?"

Greenie Smith:
Greenie tilts her head in thought before nodding. "Well... she's all wrinkly, but pa says she's been like that since 'fore he was born, so ah guess so!"

Pokey Oaks:
Eeyup.

Sew'n'Sow:
Pokey....

Delta Requiem:
"Well, assuming that curse gets broken sometime soon, Luna'll have a good long while before she has to go to sleep for good. Dogs like Buster have to sleep sooner." Delta was careful in her word choice, not certain that the filly understood what death truly meant.

Greenie Smith:
Greenie looks unsure, but replies, "Ah... guess so. Ya really think we could see her wake up some day?"

Delta Requiem:
"I do. Heck, for all I know, you could be one of the adventurers that breaks the curse!" Delta said with a grin.

Greenie Smith:
That brightens Greenie up some. "Gosh! Ah ain't never even seen Princess Luna outside o' storybooks! That'd sure be somethin'!"

GM:
{GM Note: At this point, I rolled a secret Perception check on Glacier's behalf.} Meanwhile, in Glacier's room, as the griffon finishes putting his few possessions away, it catches his eye that something is amiss. The envelope containing the pass to tomorrow night's ball has a thin slit cut into the side.

Glacier:
*ehhs curiously at the envelope, picking it up to examine it more closely* Duri, did you try to open this on the way to our room? *the bat replies with muffled squeaks, mouth half-full at the moment with the fruit-slices and cherries used to garnish the drinks at the mini-bar*

GM:
The cut is very thin and straight. And as you examine the envelope more carefully, it becomes obvious very quickly that it is empty, with no pass inside.

Delta Requiem:
(Well, that's not good.)

Glacier:
*ehhhhhs more loudly as he sees what's missing, holding the envelope up with the hole opened wide while facing the floor* There's no ticket inside for the ball! It's empty!! *the sound of food being spat out fills the air briefly before the bat quickly flies over and pokes his head into the envelope to look around. He pulls it off and lands on the griffon's beak, squeaking in an accusatory tone* What? I didn't lose it! I gave it to you, remember?!

Glacier:
((Need more? :) ))

GM:
(And with that, I think it's getting late enough to call it an evening. Any last words before I shut it down?)

Bolt:
(rubber baby buggy bumpers)

Bolt:
(:P)

Delta Requiem:
(She sells seashells by the seashore)

Glacier:
((Heh. :) This was a fun start. Shame Horatio had to bail midway.))

Bolt:
(yeah :/ but later, quest for ballroom tickets shall commence!)

GM:
(Har-dee-har-har, you guys. Anything related to the session? ;) And yeah, but at least he stuck it out for most of it.)

Bolt:
(I wonder if it'll be a ballroom blitz?)

LeoArchon:
Well, I for one enjoyed this. Did my tip to the guards do anything?

GM:
(Oh, it did something alright.)

Bolt:
(androgypony is walking funny now)

////////////////////////////////////////

If you enjoyed that, we'll try to have a session every week, so join us next time. If you didn't... sorry.

Comments

[Whiteeyes]

Hah, good show.

[CrowMagnon]

2056135 Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[Whiteeyes]

2056279 Is it wrong that I like Horatio the best? I love that sort of character when done right. A fake hero right there when a real adventure starts, and ithers start turning to him to save the day. What's worse for him, there's a little kid traveling with the group that could totally latch onto his stories as real and start eto worshiping him. Now he has to live up to his fake reputation, or break a poor orphan child's heart.

[EvilDustMan]

It is completely okay because Horatio is the best character. Whoever is playing Horatio must be a genius of modern art.

[CrowMagnon]

2056640 Yes, and he's obviously had hundreds of girlfriends as well.

[Whiteeyes]

2056640 I like Horatio too! We should make a Horation fanclub.