It had taken months. Plans on top of plans, more books than seemed possible, and in one odd instance, a gallon of maple syrup and a good cry. But it had all been worth it. The Great And Powerful Trixie had finally learned the necessary ritual to summon a powerful spellcaster to be her mentor. Had she been a lesser mare she might have worried about the battle of wills that was sure to occur so she could prove herself worthy of the spirit’s teachings, but she was far too great for such simple matters. She was sitting calmly as she finished the summoning circle, blocking all forms of magic from entering and leaving. Then without a word she cast the spell, pulling one of the greatest magicians of Equestria into her home.
A deep black cloud appeared within the circle as the chalk writing glowed with a brilliant blue light. The cloud expanded to fill the whole circle, becoming a pillar of darkness. Trixie stared in apprehension as the pillar began to fluctuate, shrinking and jerking into a tall bipedal form before it doubled over. Then - with a loud sneeze - the cloud dispersed, leaving a bipedal skeleton in a deep purple robe. Trixie was shocked as the skeleton bent down and inspected the circle. After a moment he clapped, the hard clack of bone on bone startling Trixie as it spoke. "Excellent, this is the best summoning circle Ragar has seen in a few centuries! Of course, you forgot a portion of it." With that, he simply took a step out of the circle with a bony grin. "Ragar doesn't know why ponies always forget the physical half. While Ragar is indeed a mighty lich and uses many spells, he can still walk."
Trixie continued staring for a moment before stomping down her hoof. "This is NOT how this is supposed to go. You're supposed to stay in the magical circle and challenge Trixie to a battle of wills so she can become your student. Not just walk out all willy-nilly."
Ragar paused to consider that. He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Wellll, Ragar could do that, BUT Ragar could also just take you on as his student after a simple game."
Trixie stared in shock. 'This is the creature that can cast some of the most powerful spells on Equus?’ She thought, trying to match him to any of the famed spirits in history. 'He acts like an overexcitable schoolteacher.' She ignored this and took a leap of faith. "Of course the Great and Powerful Trixie shall play this game of yours. Prepare yourself for the greatest loss you have ever received, Ragar!" She pointed her hoof to Ragar, who successfully looked confused despite his blank face.
There was a moment of silence as Ragar stared before a small light appeared in his eye sockets. And then he doubled over in uproarious laughter. "NYEHEHEHEHEHEHE. How would Ragar lose? Ragar just needs a barbarian for his weekly O&O game. Since it's Black Sun's campaign we’re missing our normal fighter. It’s fine if you want to be something else, though; Ragar doesn’t mind."
Trixie stared in abject horror. "A mage of outstanding talent playing a CHILDREN’S GAME?!?! Why would Trixie lower herself to that?"
Ragar let out a few rattles from his jaw. "Because it is fun! Of course, Ragar thinks you should have a challenge first." He began to pace back and forth. "Ragar knows of many ruins that have artifacts that would be of interest, if he but had the time to collect them." Ragar snapped his fingers. "Of course! The sunken ship of Dangerous Dance." He turned to Trixie. "If you can recover the treasure Ragar knows is there, he will show you the way to his lair and teach you his dark and mysterious ways."
Trixie found herself back on familiar footing. Some demons required a test before they would help, after all; Ragar must be no different. "Trixie can do this easily. You will be amazed by the skills and spells of the Greatest Showmare in Equestria!!"
Ragar clattered his teeth and then waved his hand, conjuring a cloud of dark smoke that solidified into a map. "Here is a map to the wreckage. If you follow it carefully, Ragar is sure you can reach it." As Trixie reached for it Ragar held up a finger. "One moment, little pony. Ragar has two more tools for you." He placed the map on the floor before more dark smoke came from his hands. It dispersed to reveal a necklace, as well as a small ribbon. He put both beside the map. "The ribbon will help you by keeping the eyes of Ragar upon you, as well as letting Ragar record your adventure for posterity. The necklace will let you breathe underwater." Trixie flinched at the eyes of Ragar comment, which Ragar noticed.
He picked up the ribbon and waggled it with his fingers. "Of course, Ragar would not want to watch any personal moments. If you wish to have your privacy, simply remove the ribbon and Ragar will be blind to your quest. Keep it on once you are underwater, though; Ragar will be ready to help if it gets too dangerous."
Trixie seemed mollified and floated the objects before her before looking at the map. After a moment she glared at it. "Do you seriously expect Trixie to believe that there is a sunken ship in the PONYVILLE LAKE?!"
Ragar nodded. "Yes. Dangerous Dance was an odd mare. She decided nopony would expect a pirate attack while swimming in a lake, and as such built a full ship in the middle. After a few weeks, she grew bored and used it as a storage area and playground. It was sunk during the harsh storms of Nightfall."
Trixie stared at Ragar in utter confusion. This strange creature had just talked to her about a pirate ship built in a lake and considered it normal. She let out a whisper before even realizing it. "What the buck?"
Ragar laughed. "Yes, things were strange in those days. I believe at the time I was learning how to dance with an odd minotaur that was lost in the Minos caverns. She was a great teacher."
Trixie just nodded along. "O-okay. Trixie is just going to get ready to go, if that is alright."
Ragar nodded. "Of course, and if you need to speak with me again just tap the ribbon four times. It should allow Ragar to speak to you." With that, he clapped his hands and vanished, leaving a confused Trixie in his wake.
Lmao is the only thing i can think to say right now
you know she's only one i could see as his student?
Pfffffffff XD
I am not sure who is the crazier of that pair, but it is going to be hysterical to watch the insanity meter breaking.
Keep up the good work, I love this story.
"CHILDREN'S GAME" My dear Trixie i might never have personally played O&O or D&D, but must inform you that this "game" is something that people
(and creatures, i don't want to discriminate) of all ages and genders can enjoy
......... BRILLIANT
What is there to be confused about, you got a quest, get to it
Awww. Missed chance there for a poke at magic and children's card games.
So much third-personing.
well thats intresting
Trixie, you're gonna be a lot more confused once you're his student ._.
I have a feeling being his student would be the most nail-biting experience possible.
XD
I wish I could leave a like for each chapter!
lol
Never occurred to me to think which pony would best suite Ragar as a student. Trixie fits oddly well in that she has the appropriate amount of bombast while also being likely to hate every other moment of their relationship.
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A lot of people (myself included) think that his end goal is to regain a living body, an immortal living body because why give up your cool powers if you don't have to...
As to his attitude I think he's the inverse of Ainze from the Overlord anime, he's mostly good but plays an "evil" side character. I think he's doing it because it's his way of bonding with and entertaining (himself and) the Alicorns (bordom is the enemy of the immortal) and perparing personal and political connections for when he achieves his goal and "retires" from being the evil lich.
They both speak in third person... They're both very showy... And they both aren't actually that bad. Couldn't think of a better match. Trixie could do with some wings, though... The great and powerful Frazzle commands it!
...Please?
The pair match so well together. I like to see the mayhem that these two may bring.
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I like that theory, and its surprisingly close. But with a few key points missing. However here's a hint. Why would he want to rebuild his living body when he can perfectly mimic such han things as taste and feeling?
Err.... Ragar? If it is within Ponyville area... don't you think the CMCs already savaged it?
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I think it broke a few chapters ago... *holds up remains of insanity meter*
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When Twilight, student of Celestia, learns of Ragar, and actually figures out how to track him down and confronts him, she'll have to do battle with his apprentice: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL TRIXIE!!!
Can't wait for that chapter!
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Okay this makes me think "The Great Work" is based around the Phylactory and not the Avatar...
But to answer your rhetorical question:
He does miss having a living body, and an upgrade is an upgrade... It may not be his goal but it is an interesting spin off project and being a lich it may be possible for him to switch bodies on a "whim" (as they are avatars not so much bodies as we know them) so long as he knows how to make it.
Back to the Great Project: This idea would depend on your alicorn lore but assuming that alicorns are tied to a fundermental aspect of the unverse is he trying to alicornise the phylatory? If he becomes tied to the universe rather than a physical object the only way to destroy him is to destroy the universe itself...
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Okay, these are ideas I wish I had. But no. It is an exceedingly simple plan that you guys are getting real close too. Last hint for the moment. There's a throw away line earlier in the story that is a major checkout gun for it.
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I think you mean Chekov's Gun.
Also, everyone knows that losing a children's card game will darn you to the shadow realm! Just ask Somnambula.
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Sorry. Phone has autocorrect.
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Yeah, I figured you already knew. I just wanted to point it out just in case.
The show itself sometimes seems to drop indirect hints at pretty sad past events, and this is kinda in line with some of them. Judging from how fast she progresses under Starlight, she's indeed pretty talented and no one has ever bothered to teach her (well, Trixie can surely be an annoying prick, so there's probably tiny bit of her own fault here too).
Never underestimate Barbarians, especially in 5e, if you're over level 3 and you pick the Totem path, and then pick Bear, you're taking half damage from everything short of psychic damage and quarter damage from physical attacks. It's a very tanky class, especially early on. Never underestimate the value of hitting someone really hard. Especially if you roll well on how many more hit points you can get when you level up. That, and if you multiclass into Druid, you can turn into a very large raging bear that takes reduced damage from just about anything. Which sounds hilarious.
So, when the Mane 6 get sent to "defeat" Ragnar's newest dungeon, will Trixie be one of the challenges/attractions?
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I think she will be an excellent tour guide?
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Then I'm a bit stumped, I re-read the story and the only other things that jumped out at me were:
Star Wars (Changling Overlord) and Jurrasic Park refferences, recreating fictional sagas that he loves?
The 2 (that we know of) stores, creating a retail chain and disseminating something?
His disire to spread EVIL (knowledge) and searching for old knowledge/items, building a great LIBRARY OF EVIL? A trap for the Princess of Books?
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To everyone speculating his evil plan. What if...there is no evil plan. He's plotting absolutely NOTHING nefarious or sinister at all, and has only been dropping hints and insinuating for millennia to make everyone worried he's got some big and monstrous endgame, and at the very end he reveals he's got nothing and has been trolling them the whole time. It'd be the evilest thing ever.
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As I said, it's a throw away line, said by Ragar once. It hasn't been mentioned again to my memory, but it's something that hints to his backstory. If you figure it out PM me and I'll tell you if you're right. Mostly because I like to make sure it can be guessed. It's not foreshadowing if it's a shadow hidden in a void.
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I honestly don't think he's got an evil plan, but he is working towards something. The over dramatic EVIL is a cover for the bad things he does like study forbidden/dangerous knowledge, break into restricted areas which got laughed away and were quickly forgotten. It's also entertainment for both him and the Princesses.
I so love this story. That pirate ship is utter shenanigans. And the summoning circle...!
There should be an omake where he releases a dark plague... that turns everyone immortal, with no side effects. Or perhaps that causes sneezing whenever somepony says "cabbages."
If not for the fact that I say this for every story (and the fact that this Celly sounds somewhat upset about it), he should publicly distribute the alicorn spell. I wonder what it does to Gryphons, etc. Why do only the ponies get a chance at immortality?
I too think he's just trolling everyone. He doesn't seem evil, per se.
Just... such high quality...
... More, please.
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Secret agenda with Nightmare Moon?
One could argue that Ragar isn't the worst necromancer, but the best (or the most successful) necromancer because he has survived the longest without being vanquished.
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Na, Na; you got that all wrong. He is the worst because he hasn't been vanquished. Afterall, the true purpose of a necromancer is to be vanquished
I only just realised what this fic is called, and now all I can think about is:
"You have got to be without doubt the worst necromancer I have ever heard of."
"But you have heard of me."
(Or would that be 'you have heard of RAGAR THE UNDYING!'?)
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Holy crap your right OMG 😂
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Nope, there is still a plan, and despite a case of writers block the plan will be revealed. You get to see some of the plan in later chapters, and one person has already guessed it successfully. Please, if you guess send it to me in a DM, I don't want everyone to get it spoiled.
Ohooo ragar gains another servant!
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Kind of like Protocol 110 Montauk:
"But the Scarlet King can sense fear, and we have given it fear. Fear alone is all that it ever required."
Ah, an another victim of Ragar`s schemes. Wonderful.
congrats, you made a character so much better than discord that he should'vebeen canon