//------------------------------//
// New Pastimes 
// Story: Story Shuffle (v.ii) MLP Collectable Card Game 
// by abrony-mouse 
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New Pastimes


In a tale of darkness, redemption, and - of course - friendship, Starlight and Trixie just about manage to overcome their demons and complete their first DnD (Ogres and Oubliettes) campaign... (TBC)


Discord suggests that he and his fellow defenders of Equestria, Trixie and Starlight, get to know each other better over a friendly game of Ogres & Obliettes (Discord - captain wuzz). Starlight is reluctant at first, given all the trouble she has had from Discord, but relents when Trixie expresses enthusiasm for the game (Twilight Sparkle & Silverstream - eager to learn) and stands up for DIscord as a fellow reformed villain (Join the herd*).


With a snap of Discord's talon the campaign begins, but - given that it is Discord's game, all is not what it seems - both Trixie and Starlight start out separately with a companion NPC: changelings that impersonate Starlight and Trixie respectively (Infiltrating the hive*; Similo duplexis*). Starlight begins as an apprentice sorcerer of Discordia (Starlight glimmer - apprentice sorcerer) and is among a number of adventurers tasked by the captain of the guard to capture the devious Moxile Outlain - a renowned trickster and thief who has stolen a priceless relic (Trixie - smoke and mirrors*; Make-over*). Trixie begins as an apprentice rogue from Celestinople - part of a team tasked to return an relic sacred to the great Eastern city. With the rest of her team dead, she must evade capture and return with the relic alone but for her 'friend' Starlight - actually a changeling.

Both Trixie and Starlight start by seeking guidance from what they assume to be their friend (Starlight Glimmer - guidance counsellor*). When Trixie suggests to changeling-Starlight that they return the artefact to explore Discordia, Starlight acts shocked and angry and Trixie immediately becomes suspicious of this new humourless companion (Quibble pants - non-believer*). Their 'planning' is mostly prickly bickering (Pugwudgie). In contrast, Starlight happily accepts her quest and plans with changeling-Trixie without suspecting (Snips and snails - problem solvers).


Starlight and changeling-Trixie easily dispatch a necromancer suspected of aiding Moxile Outlain  (Skeleton soldiers - necromancy is magic). Following leads, they traverse sewers filled with sentient slimes (The smooze - creeping crud) and explore caves haunted by savage critters (Quarray eels) encouraged by prophetic dreams of destiny (Dream network). Their exploits become the talk of the land (Truffle - newsworthy), they loot mercilessly (Rarity - hoarder*) and level up even the most obscure skills (Party favor - balloon master). Starlight generally enjoys herself (Starlight glimmer - time of her life).


Meanwhile Trixie and changeling-Starlight start out badly by almost dying to a manticore who overhears them arguing (A hasty retreat) only for Trixie to fail a nature check and fall into a swamp as they rush away (Belly flop). From that start Trixie's campaign goes from bad to worse. Changeling-Starlight tries to help (Starlight Glimmer - magic instructor; Starlight glimmer - taking charge*) but Trixie ignores 'her'. When Trixie's character falls into a patch of poison joke (Cutie pox scare*) she finally snaps and declares she is done with the game (Twilight sparkle - zoned out*).


Seeing Trixie upset, Discord reluctantly ends the game and explains his ruse (Jest clowning around). Starlight is angry with Trixie for being a spoilsport (Starlight glimmer - snowfall frost*) while Trixie is angry that Starlight had so much fun playing with Discord and suggests that maybe Discord and Starlight should be friends instead if they are so close (Traitor!). Starlight becomes truly enraged by this and in a surge of anger screams that maybe Trixie is right (Starlight glimmer - apocalypse now; Dark magic surge). Discord begins to think that they might actually end their friendship and is upset (Luna's future). Starlight, calming a little after the outburst and upon seeing Discord is upset, apologises to Trixie. She has an idea as to how to rescue the game - she senses that Trixie might prefer to be centre-stage as dungeon master (Scope things out) and therefore suggests that Trixie set an adventure for both her and Discord. Trixie is sullen at first but eventually accepts the apology. They agree to suspend the game (Napcakes) but set a date for next week.


Trixie spends the week cackling evilly with plans for her session (Nightmare scenario**). Discord's archer and Starlight's apprentice wade through a plot full of changelings and trickery (Changeling Barricade*) verbal fencing with imperious mages (Professor flintheart - potions master) and sneery nobles (Jet set and upper crust) and imprisonment by guards (Detention). They travel Trixietopia for hundreds of miles on a lead (Halfway across equestria*) only for it to prove false. Eventually they storm the throne room (Thrash the throne*) of the evil king who has been torturing the population (Tirek's reign of terror) only to find that the real villain was not the evil king but the queen of Trixietopia (Sneak attack**) who had been playing everypony for foals. In a close battle the evil queen wins due to her Great and Powerful Magic (Frozen in magicite) and her devout wizard minions (Snips and snails - stage magicians*). Trixie gloats insufferably at the time, but the three continue to play Ogres and Oubliettes together for many years after and it forms another strand to their unusual friendship :3


Starlight Glimmer: "Dear Princess Celestia" when making friends with others sometimes we end up being our own worst enemy. When they do us wrong we can become so wrapped up in the moment that we forget to forgive. Today I learned that friendship requires trust - in them, and in our judgement about them as our friend. Ultimately, despite their flaws you have to create the space for a true friend to show you why they were your friend in the first place... just as when I show them my flaws I must let them help me to believe that I can still be the pony they befriended.