There's some controversy right now about the new OGL (Open Gaming License) published by Wizards of the Coast, the company behind Dungeons & Dragons.
I don't talk about D&D here a lot, since I know it's not relevant to Fimfiction, but I think it's worth getting this news out. Also they're owned by Hasbro, the same company that own MLP, so it's worth knowing what they're up to.
In which I explore the depths of my favourite folders, and highlight a few of the stories that I personally liked but that didn't get enough love from other people. Link to part 1.
This time, I'm focusing on stuff you can listen to. The title is relative: since under-appreciated stories typically don't get audio reading, the upvote numbers here average higher than in the other list, but they're still worth more attention.
A few of these stories have more than one audio reading available, in which case I've picked one.
A Million Little Lights by Aragon Reading by Noctal Narrator
A short, thought-provoking story about the nature of truth and perfection. Celestia fears that Shining Armor is beginning to revere her as a god. She doesn't want zealots and worshippers, and so she must convince him that she is not a omniscient.
This is also a really lovely audio reading, that seems to be been completely overlooked. Only 45 views in the year since it was published, presumably because it's the only pony reading on that channel. Go listen to this.
The Mare of the Equestrian Eighth by The 24th Pegasus Reading by Wirehead
Writing a whole story in poetry is particularly difficult you can end up so focused on the form of the verse that you overlook the important bits of the story, like characterisation and pacing. When done right though, it can make a story extra-special. This is one that gets it right. Minimalist, touching descriptions that allow the reader to fill in their own details, and a tight focus on one character. It's short but powerful.
It tells the story of Rainbow Dash from the Sombra timeline from The Cutie Re-Mark – the Rainbow with the mechanical wing – from the beginning of the war through to its end, and hers is a particularly grim story.
The Order by Bad_Seed_72 Dramatic adaptation by BlackIrisBallon et al
Flash Sentry loves Twilight from afar. She can never know of his love. She could never return it. The two could never be. Such is the order—the way things are supposed to be.
This is set in an AU with a strict caste system, where the pony tribes are deeply segregated. Unicorns are nobility, pegasi and earth ponies are not, and marriage between tribes is forbidden. As a royal guard, Flash Sentry is charged with protecting this system, even though he harbours a private longing for the newly crowned Princess Twilight Sparkle. It's a sad, forbidden love story.
This is of course a very different world from the show, but the story plays it very realistically. The characters all belong in their world, the prejudices of it ones they have grown up with. The full cast audio adaptation is brilliant as well.
This story is relevant to anybody who works to create something - whether that's writing, drawing, crafting or building - and has felt the frustration of not being able to bring a vision into reality. The episode Inspiration Manifestation may have introduced the idea, but this story expands so much on it.
Mare of Many Hats by Skywriter Reading by Lightning Runner
Sharing a Manehatten hotel room with Rarity, AJ mourns the loss of her hat. Her father's hat. One of only 67,986 hats he left her.
This one is pure silliness, riffing on all sorts of bits of the show. The audio reading is slightly unprofessional, with the music a little too loud sometimes, but it works.
A Twilight Dinner Date by Fimbulvinter Dramatic reading by Scribbler and Dr Wolf
I'm honestly surprised there aren't more vampire stories featuring Twilight Sparkle. Perhaps it's because scientific curiosity and excitability don't mesh well with the traditional 'thrall' thing. This story plays them together well, as Twilight is drawn in by a discussion with a bat pony who gradually, tantalisingly reveals his tribe's secrets in a way designed to draw Twilight in.
An Apple Comes Out of the Cellar by Seether00 Reading by ShadowOfCygnus
King Sombra meant to possess Twilight Sparkle's body and take over Equestria with it. Due to an addressing error, he ends up in Dinky Doo's body instead. Neither of them is very happy about it. *5th place in the More Most Dangerous Game contest*
The eternal spirit of King Sombra is not truly defeated. He slips into Ponyville in dead of night and posesses the soul of a pony, intending to enact his revenge. Unfortunately he finds himself in Dinky Doo. And she has better things to do than listen to him.
Princess Celestia's Private Library by Shrink Laureate Reading by Winged T. Spears
And finally, because this is my party and you can't stop me, I'm going to selfishly include my own story here. To say any more would be indulgent, so I'll leave it at that.
Ayyyyyy thanks for the love
4590578
Thank you for great narrations. Listening to stories was a large part of what got me into fimfic in the first place.
Oh, hey, thanks for the reading, LR!