Act 1 Story Notes *spoilers* · 10:13pm Oct 16th, 2011
Well, another story, another overlong title gag. I've got to say, it feels good to be writing this series again.
When I decided to continue the series, I was torn between doing more of the same (but harder-better-faster), or something completely different and risky. I settled on a compromise, with pert 3 continuing in more or less the same format as before, and setting the stage for the more ambitious stuff I've got planned for part 4. Hence, the exposition dump at the beginning.
I'm slowing down the pace just a little for this one. Back when I wrote the original story, I was obsessed with keeping it short, since I came out of the /co/ culture of the time and stories there were rarely longer than a few pages (a necessity in the days before we started using Google docs, and fics had to be posted in image format). I figured I would be trying people's patience by doing something longer. After seeing some of the pony epics that have popped up in the intervening time, I realize how wrong I was. The frantic pace was fun, but it meant that a few characters didn't get much time to shine. So, this time, I'm taking the time to get to know the characters a little more, and let each of them have some time in the spotlight.
One of my goals for the series has always been to keep it accessible to people who've never played an RPG before. I didn't want to stress over individual die rolls or worry that the rules wouldn't let them do what I wanted, so I kept it pretty stylized, focused on the story rather than the mechanics. That said, by turning Applejack into a min-maxer, however, I had to start getting a little more rules-y. I'm hoping that it still stays easy to follow for non-gamers. I drew mostly on 3.5 edition rules, but I'm not worried about sticking to them too closely. Let's just say they're playing version three-point-pony.
Just to clarify things for people looking forward to seeing their favorite character, I do plan for all the main six to make an appearance. Each act will have Applejack and Pinkie Pie in the lead roles, along with a new DM and a Surprise Guest Pony (TM).
I did this to try to control the number of characters in a given scene, since it can get hard to keep track of them all when they're all playing at once. Unfortunately for my fellow Fluttershy-lovers out there, that means she won't be showing up again until part 4 rolls around. If it makes you feel better, feel free to imagine any FlutterMac scenarios you like taking place after they leave the barn. I won't stop you.
Random story notes:
-I liked the idea of Pinkie Pie and Applejack taking center stage, since they haven't had much time together in the show. I feel like they have a sort of Abbot and Costello relationship, with AJ acting as straight mare to Pinkies zaniness. Of course, that dynamic is a little reversed, what with Applejack's new obsession...
-Applejack's being a little obnoxious here, I know, especially to poor, put-upon Big Mac. It's in service to the overarching plot, though, so hopefully it'll be worth it.
-Speaking of Big Mac, I SWEAR I already had the part with the dolls written before Lesson Zero aired. I just thought it'd be funny to give the big guy a soft spot for dollies, and it's an amazing coincidence that the show's writers had the same idea.
-As for Zinnadiana's instruments, there are actual rules for using both lute-bayonets and harpsichords available in the 3.5 book Songs and Silence. Apparently, harpsichords give bonuses to sleep-related spells. Kind of a slam against harpsichordists, but what are you gonna do?
-I'm really, REALLY glad I could bring back Mr. Jiggly. Everyone I talk to says he was their favorite part of part 1, and I was anxious to get him more directly involved in the story. Ended up getting a great action sequence out of it, if I don't say so myself. This isn't the last you'll see of him, either; he'll have a big roll in part 4.
-The idea is for Applejack to try out a new character for each gaming session as the story progresses, so don't get too used to her as a human ranger. Marcus was a bit of a dick, anyway, IMO.
Okay, that's enough rambling. Time to get to work on Act 2. Later!
can't wait!