"FALLOUT EQUESTRIA: DEAD TREE" By Fiaura, and the leaves are still green... · 3:30pm Nov 6th, 2019
"FO E: DEAD TREE" By Fiaura, and the leaves are still green...
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Hello Wastelanders,
How are you all doing? I hope the week is treating you well and, if it isn't, make it wish it had for the rest of it!
I'd been pondering on an idea to do a few reviews for a while, then I got an opportunity I couldn't refuse! So, here's my first humble review of "Fallout Equestria: Dead Tree" By Fiaura.
(Artwork Fallout for Quake Smol by LigerStorm )
Those who are no stranger to 'Fallout Equestria' stories will recognize immediately that this story is based on the post-apocalyptic role-playing video games, 'Fallout,' of which a FanFiction crossover with 'My Little Pony' was written by KKat. Following the success of KKat's story, many more adaptations of the idea have been realized, of which 'FO E: Dead Tree' is one.
'Dead Tree' follows the story of Wandering Sunrise, a mare who wakes up in a status pod within a Stable (a vault underground built to avoid the apocalypse that wiped out most of Equestria's population and left a lethal madness in its wake). However, Sunrise isn't just any mare.
Synopsis
Sunrise is over 180 years old and the only change she has to show for it is a slightly older and greener body (quite a feat actually since she went into the pod white! I wonder if we'll learn the same effect happened to Walt Disney when they figure out how to reanimate him?) She was a filly when she went into the Stable and now has her Cutie Mark, albeit a rather gruesome one. Unfortunately for Sunrise, she hardly has time to question this, as a pink blur in her vision alerts her to a danger that catapults her out of the Stable. In the confusion of her escape, her memory suddenly fades and when we next find our heroine, she is waking in a pool of water with a group of strangers in a similar predicament.
We soon get to know these strangers better, including Alguacil the griffin, Buddy the diamond dog, a pair of zebra called Chifundo and Nyota, and a filly who hides away in a cardboard box and is affectionately nicknamed Corners. It is not smooth sailing for Sunrise from this point on either, as she must form alliances and friendships with this motley crew if she is to learn what happened to them before their fateful meeting. Armed with small glimpses of her pre-war past with her mechanic father and a voice in her head that her new friends seem capable of also hearing, Sunrise sets out into the Wasteland, where dangerous raiders, gruesome ghouls and questionable morales await her.
Among her many questions, one important one stands out: what was ‘Project: Dead Tree’ and why did her father have to give up his business to the Ministry of Wartime Technology for it..?
There were so many pieces of the puzzle missing, and some of them looked like they were buried on my PipBuck. Where do I go from here? (FO E: Dead Tree, Ch.5, Fiaura)
Why you should read it?
If you want a thrilling, action-packed and comedic story with some dark themes, this story is worth a read. If you want an original ‘Fallout Equestria’ tale that will satisfy your desire for more of the post-apocalyptic pony world, ‘Dead Tree’ is perfect for you.
‘Dead Tree,’ while following some of the models laid out by ‘Fallout Equestria’ and the ‘Fallout’ game series, is not a carbon copy of another ‘Fallout’ story. From the moment it begins, the tale beats its own drum, seemingly taking a little inspiration from the fourth incarnation of the games then moving into unknown territory. The themes of Fallout are strong throughout the opening chapters of the story but do not override the tale that Fiaura (and the tabletop PnP developers) wants to tell.
“That’s why I’m in this box! The box protects.”(FO E: Dead Tree, Ch.1, Fiaura)
The characters in the story are a big part of what makes it so entertaining to read. The worry at first is that with six new main characters (seven if you count the ‘pink blob’/voice in Sunrise’s head) introduced in the first chapter, it might be difficult to get to know any of them. Thankfully, Sunrise has interactions with them both as a party and separately, allowing you moments to get to know the team she comes to befriend. Each reveals his or her own traits and has an individual voice that comes through skillfully in the writing. It is hard not to fall for the charm of Buddy, the adorableness of Corners, or be concerned by the foreboding atmosphere surrounding Chifundo.
Oh, buck me with Luna’s HORN! How could I screw it up that bad? (FO E: Dead Tree, Ch.4, Fiaura)
The humor keeps the story light and fun to read, especially during some of the darker parts. Particularly funny moments come when Sunrise is interacting with her tail as it behaves as a fifth limb for her, thanking it before realizing what she is doing. While the story does take a serious approach and carries certain questions throughout the prose such as what happened to Sunrise and who is pulling the strings in the background of the tale, there are moments of genuine warmth and hilarity. I regularly found parts that I knew I’d find myself quoting again someday, such as oatmeal raisin cookies being a reason to live, and ‘the box protects’.
The Critics
"... And remember, if you ever go feral, would you want to be left that way?” (FO E: Dead Tree, Ch.3, Fiaura)
What often puts non-FO E fans off reading an FO E tale is the thought of their favorite MLP characters being put in harm’s way. ‘Dead Tree’ does not give any additional detail as to what has happened to the individual ponies you and I know in the opening five chapters. However, with the nature of the ‘Fallout Equestria’ universe, it cannot be assumed a different fate occurred from what is canon; mega-spells and balefire bombs changed the face of Equestria irreparably.
Although this upsets some readers (and often causes unsolicited downvotes before the story is given a chance) this reader would like to offer this. ‘Dead Tree’ does not set out to upset anybody with blood and gore. The focus on the growth and strength of Sunrise and her friends, their relationships with other characters and their reaction to the world around them is something that MLP: FIM also embraces. They learn, they discover, they try to be a better pony than they were before and build on the friendships they have. The settings are different yet the ideas are not completely alien.
"Never let what others tell you [to] be what you have to accept. Always give every pony a chance. If that’s all you ever learn from me, keep that,” (FO E: Dead Tree, Ch.3, Fiaura)
Summary
I was genuinely surprised when reading ‘Fallout Equestria: Dead Tree’ because while I was expecting an action-adventure story, I was not expecting the individuality and intelligent use of the characters that were presented. I believe they are its greatest strength and are a credit to the well-written work of Fiaura and developers. While the story is interesting and engaging, you will find yourself caring for these creatures and wanting to protect them, just as you’d want to protect your favorite ponies from MLP.
‘Dead Tree’ is ongoing, and that is a brilliant thing, is it means there is still new content to come. Whether you are a seasoned reader of the series or new to it, there will be more new things around the corner. That, dear reader, is the best excuse as any to check your PipBuck, sip a Radaway, and follow the trail of Sunrise and her friends.
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This review was written in memory of Zach ‘Renegade’ Colon, a fan of Fiaura and ‘Dead Tree’, sorely missed.
If you enjoyed this review please read and support the story above.
If you’d like more reviews like this or would like me to consider another story to review, please do DM me.
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I am most thankful to see this and will be sharing it around. It is surprisingly a relief and humbling to hear something good about a story I've worked on for so long now.
Thank you for the thoughtful review, I am glad to see that you are enjoying it :)
I will give it a shot.
The system is not everyone's cup of tea(okay,I don't like how it does stuff), but I've enjoyed this review, thanks! Sparks my interest, too.
Great review! if you think the book is good, wait till you come listen to the wednesday night live roleplay which gets even more entertaining! Good book, folks ought to order them imho. Written story and live stream recordings compliment each other very nicely.