Friendship is Dragons
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Page 500 - A Halloween Carol
Author Notes:
Story Time! 2 - Friendship is Dragons 500
Notice: Guest comic submissions are still open until this arc is finished! Guidelines here.
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So, Nerdy Vampira was ordered by the great god empress Solstistia to descend upon Ponyville, and prepare it for a good old ravaging, like she does every year. Vampy brought with her Spike McFang, a dragon of mysterious origin. They entered the city, which was an example of the beauty and order of her glorious utopian republic, and anyone who disagreed was guilty of speaking against the righteousness of our lady the empress.
Vampy recruited five teenagers with attitudes. There was Spunky, Hicky, Squeaky, Shouty, and Token. When a great enemy of justice arose, free from her imprisonment in the penal colony moon base, the six set forth to silence this dangerous rebel before her lies could spread and disrupt the harmony of the glorious pony's republic. They fought the dark haired temptress in her ancient, decrepit palace. After a great battle, they emerged victorious, when our beautiful, merciful empress(may she live forever) offered the criminal traitor a most generous pardon, and allowed her to enter back into our wonderful society under the loving, watchful eye of our great empress mother Solstistia.
And the criminal was reformed, and Solstistia once again displayed her magnanimity and infinite wisdom, and there is only kindness in her words.
After a time of peace, a new criminal arose, and challenged the wisdom and authority of our beloved god empress. A dragon sought to bring dissidence into our glorious pony's republic. Solostistia sent her loyal servants, the Merciful Lady's Rangers of Friendship, to confront this threat. They climbed a great mountain, and the dragon caused many an disaster to befall them, but they pressed onward. None could see the wisdom in Solstistia's order to bring squeaky, who was small, and timid, but they brought her, for none dared doubt the wisdom of the empress.
Squeaky hid, for she knew she was the least of them, while Vampy approached the dragon. Vampy was a wordsmith, and she spoke at length, making grand and logical arguments against the dragon's criminal activity, but the brutish dragon blew smoke, and she was forced away. Token tried her hoof next. She tried to convince the cruel dragon of the joys of Solstistia's plan, and the infinite mercy and kindness with which he would be welcomed if he would stop, but the dragon refused, and drove her out.
Then came Spunky unto the dragon's lair. She brought the gift of laughter and mirth to the dragon, but his heart could not be moved by the joy she offered, and she was driven out, her gifts smashed and mocked. Shouty grew tired of all this, for she was impatient, and desired to see this foul dragon driven out! She charged forward and struck the dragon, shouting angrily. This angered the dragon, and he struck her. He roared and exited his lair, approaching the group of now frightened ponies.
From the rocks, Squeaky had been watching. As she watched her comrades fall, she stopped fearing, and she grew angry. The righteous anger of Solstistia filled her blood, and she stepped forth to oppose the dragon. She raised her voice, and her voice was filled with holy power. With this power, she rebuked the dragon and exiled him, that none may threaten her empress's glorious utopia. With that, they were saved by the lowliest of Solstistia's subjects, and they learned that even the smallest voice in this wonderful land can protect it.
And thus, our glorious empress Solstistia's wisdom has once again triumphed over the evils of dissension.
There was peace for a time, until an enchantress entered. This enchantress spread lies, tried to trick the good ponies. But she did so with curses and potions, for she was evil and cared not for the joy or others. Our most loving and wise Soslstistia allowed Vampy and her comrades to discover this evil enchantress as she was terrifying the good town of Ponyville, spreading fear and hatred. The rangers found her hiding in the evil forest, away from the good and civilized lands.
When they spoke to the enchantress, she promised to change her ways, and they were happy. The next morning, they found themselves cursed. Vampy could no longer use her magic. Spunky's tongue was ruined, and she could not speak properly. Hicky had been shrunk to the size of an apple. Squeaky's gentle, merciful voice was made deep and frightening to the ear. Shouty's wings were turned around, and she could not fly anywhere. And finally, beautiful Token's fur had grown long and wild, making her trip over it, and unable to show the beauty that represents Solstistia's utopia.
They confronted the enchantess in her forest lair, and defeated her. The enchantress could not be reasoned with, and they were forced to imprison her. It pained their hearts to do so, for they were so kind, they regretted ever needing to harm anypony. And so they removed their curses, and brought safety and peace back to their beloved friends under the loving, watchful eye of Solstistia.
All was peaceful until the day the kindest and gentlest of their ranks, Squeaky, was taken in and deceived by a foreigner. The foreigner was brought to her home, and taught of the glory of Solstistia and her utopia. The foreigner ate her food, and pretended to listen, but had other plans. The foreigner was jealous and wanted this utopia for himself. He brought his family into Ponyville and they overran it. They ate all the food, bullied the peaceful ponies, and tried to take the bountiful utopian city of our majestic empress for themselves. Vampy denied them any more food, and ordered them to leave.
The foreigners were belligerent, and began to destroy Ponyville, when Spunky came up with a plan. She called forth music to calm the primitive foreigners. With her music, she led the foreigners away, and they constructed a great empty gulf that nopony may cross. They barricaded it with mines and fences, to keep out the foreigners that might ruin their happy society. The foreign barbarians were kept away, because they covet our empress's wondrous gifts to her subjects.
The ponies returned to their happy lives, until one of Solstistia's proud workers approached Token with a commission from our wonderful empress. She required a suit of diamonds with which to show the world of the beauty and riches of Solstistia's utopia. Token took McFang to gather the required materials, but they stumbled across traitors, trying to steal ponies away to other nations, as part of some form of underground railroad. Token was captured, and forced to use her skills to find rupees for the traitors to buy shields, bombchus, and arrows, as well as red and green potions, from their evil foreign contacts.
McFang, having escaped the evil railroaders, ran to find Vampy, who rallied the rangers to go and fight the railroadedrs. The railroaders tried to block off their tunnels, but the rangers were too quick, and managed to slip in one. Once inside, they were attacked, but easily fought off the cowardly traitors. They found Token and freed her from the captivity of the evil railroaders. The underground railroad was shut down, and the traitorous plot to steal our beloved subjects from their homes to escape to the foreign world was stopped. The traitors were thrown in the dungeon, for they had committed the most heinous crime, short of striking Solstistia herself.
They had harmed Solstistia's good ponies with their lure of fun, and forced exile of so many friends and family. May they forever be shamed.
Now for a slightly different tale. it seems that one day, Vampy noticed Spunky acting, well, more like Spunky than usual. Spunky explained that Solstistia, in her infinite generosity, had given her a mysterious and powerful gift called the Spunky sense. Vampy could not accept that such a thing existed, for though she was intelligent, and had read many books, but she could not understand the wisdom of our Lady, the god empress Solstistia. She tried to story the Spunky sense, but to no avail. Spunky warned them that an attack on Ponyville was imminent by a massive beast.
Thanks to the gifts of Solstistia, there was time to lead the townsponies away. The beast was actually Kerberos! He is the great beast that guards New Jersey. Spunky had enough time to grab a ball and distract it while the others pacified it with kindness befitting emissaries of Solstistia herself. Vampy led it back to Trenton, while an attack came from the Deponified zone, or the DPZ. It was a massive Treebeard. With some clever thinking, Hickey and Squeaky defeated it. Hicky's great strength was of no use, but Squeaky had a secret weapon! Her familiar, Fluffy, destroyed the evil hippie.
Squeaky and Hicky ran back to Ponyville to stop a herd of cows that were stampeding toward Ponyville! Hicky corralled them away, though, and explained that even though they were not of the glorious pony race, they might still serve Solstistia. The cows were happy to hear this, and they swore loyalty to Solstistia. Hicky asked what caused them to to be disobedient, and they said they were running because a ghost had frightened them. They were taken to the Ministry of Friendship to be reeducated on the proper conduct of harmony, and returned to their homes as proper, responsible citizens.
All was peaceful again for a moment, until the bunny rabbits stampeded. The bunnies were given spankings and sent back home for reeducation. then it came to light that they were hunting a troublemaker, an agent of fear, and makes its living by frightening the little ponies. The rangers ran to the bog, where the troublemaker was located, and were attacked by a hydra! They fled from the monster, but Vampy had a clever plan. She used McFang to help distract the hydra to allow the others to escape. Once they were safe, she grabbed McFang and booked it to safety.
When everyone was safe, Vampy escaped to the far side of a gorge, and the evil spirit was captured. All became peaceful once again in our glorious pony's republic.
One day, Token decided to go to Canterlot, the gleaming capitol of our wondrous utopia! There she found a dissenter, and cut his head off. But he was not a dissenter, and she was mistaken. That was okay, because he was not dead, and actually a lich. Liches are also welcome in our glorious lady's eternally merciful republic. The kind lich saw her around the city, and introduced her around. Before long, she was participating in rallies and demonstrations to show her love for our majestic empress!
Token threw a small rally for her friend, Vampy, so that her friends might also participate in loving their most exalted empress. At the same time, she also desired to attend a rally to show her love and admiration for our beloved god empress. However, all was not well. Some loyal subjects were not good with the words of the our lady. They accused Token and her friends of being dissidents, and threatened to throw them all in prison. You seen they had heard the words of Solstistia that dissidents must be punished, but they did not understand that you must have a brief trial before locking anyone away, unless Solstistia so orders it.
However, the lich stepped in, and spoke on behalf of Token and her friends, and now they are all welcome at demonstrations and rallies to show love and support for our glorious leader, God Empress Solstistia! ALL HAIL THE EMPRESS! SHE SHALL REIGN WITH JUSTICE AND MERCY FOREVER!
And that is my story. I must admit, I enjoyed our time together. But then, you couldn't know that just yet. I'll just go on, lounging in the sun, and waiting for my own righteous punishment to be over.
Being a statue is so terribly dull.
For a moment I thought I accidentally clicked on the Fimfiction link.
Jersey represent!
By the way, Raxon, that was wonderful.
By the way, Raxon, that was wonderful.
But there is an error to your retelling.
The foreigners were eradicated in an instant by Vampy, as soon as she laid eyes on them, blinded by the righteous fury of Solastistia, and an understanding born of madness.
From there, Token made use of McFang to hunt for the shiniest of rocks in order to make a proper shrine to Solastistia, one to reflect and refract the infinite glory of her blinding rays. A portable shrine, that one could wear around their own form. But alas, she, and she alone for McFang fled to warn of the danger, was harangued and abducted by a group of domestic terrorists, who lied and denied the wonders of the Empress and all that belongs to her realm. As was their prerogative, the treasonous scum was summarily executed following the arrival of McFang, Vampy, Squeaky, Spunky, Shouty, and Hicky, who discovered that there were more enemies to the Empire than previously considered, and that remaining on constant vigil would be for the best, calling for aid whenever necessary.
Also a banana was involved. Possibly.
Will rectify immediately.
EDIT: The missed section has been added.
...Dang, I knew you said you had something special for today but man did you go all out with this one. I applaud your efforts, good sir. Well played.
...*Sigh* I'll go get the bunker prepared...
I also like the part where the Lich's head got cut off.
Does Discord in the story really believe that Celestia is the leader of a glorious utopia, and he just wants to ruin it, or does he frame it that way to mock her?
No, wait, wrong show. Oh, I know! He could be... the MocKing of Hearts!
No, no, here we go! The MocKing of the World!
No? Feh, whichever.
Now I feel compelled to whip out my best Discord impersonation and record a reading of this. I wish my home studio were set up. I'm still waiting on the one equipment guy to get back to me, so I can get the interface box for my mic. Dangit.
Also, Discord is the archetypical troll. It's in the very fiber of his being. There's no way he's not mocking Celestia to some extent, probably to a large extent.
My heartiest congratulations, Newbiespud! It was this comic that led me to sit down and watch MLP, so I owe you... well, something, given that I'm 37, and even as a child smack in the middle of the G1 demographic ran screaming away from it to play with Hasbro's other big property, GI Joe.
Seriously, this is a great comic, and a great community just to lurk and read. I look forward to many more laughs and good times. The very best to you all.
Seriously, this is a great comic, and a great community just to lurk and read. I look forward to many more laughs and good times. The very best to you all.
Somebody's been playing too much "Papers, Please" lately, hasn't he?
I'm a tad late to the party, but for what it's worth, congrats on the 500 mark post Spud!
The comments, admittedly, are what cemented my weekly returns to this comic, but I also enjoy the comic immensely as well. I find it fun to see how you interpret the MLP show in relation to RPGs, and I love to read & share stories about role-play sessions. I love to share stories because it allows me to relive my quote-unquote "glory days," and I love to read others' stories because they're entertaining, and at times they can even give me new ideas for my own games.
All in all, keep up the good work everyone (Raxon included)!
BTW - And my goodness Raxon, that was some post. I thought I was long-winded! Mind you though, I really liked your names for all the cast, along with your particular interpretation of events.
The comments, admittedly, are what cemented my weekly returns to this comic, but I also enjoy the comic immensely as well. I find it fun to see how you interpret the MLP show in relation to RPGs, and I love to read & share stories about role-play sessions. I love to share stories because it allows me to relive my quote-unquote "glory days," and I love to read others' stories because they're entertaining, and at times they can even give me new ideas for my own games.
All in all, keep up the good work everyone (Raxon included)!
BTW - And my goodness Raxon, that was some post. I thought I was long-winded! Mind you though, I really liked your names for all the cast, along with your particular interpretation of events.
Heehee, 'Dickensian'. XD
One of those "Save versus third grade humor" kind of moments. My old local group just never bothered making the roll. But that was the charm with that group. We could make immature jokes and not be offended because we were mature enough to know we're being immature... uh, I hope that made sense.
One of those "Save versus third grade humor" kind of moments. My old local group just never bothered making the roll. But that was the charm with that group. We could make immature jokes and not be offended because we were mature enough to know we're being immature... uh, I hope that made sense.
Buried though it'll be under Raxon's... spirited retelling, I'd like to thank you for five hundred pages of ponies and polyhedra, Spud. You combined two of my great loves into something far greater than the sum of its parts, and continue to deliver hilarity on a regular basis. Here's to many more. :)
In honor of this event, I'm planning a very special story. Namely, I am going to be summing up the story of my D&D 4E campaign. Yes, the one that is over three years long, and still ongoing. And has at multiple times turned into two groups.
This is probably going to be a full series of posts. Prepair they self readers, for the insanity that is my group. First, let's meet the PCs! In order of appearance:
Davith Grim: Fey Pact Human Warlock. Over the course of the story he went from Batman to Deadpool. Because it made sense in character. Current Apocolypse Count: 3. AL: CG
Ishtari: Controler Wizard/Faithful Cleric Geshtalt Eladrin little girl. Worships the Raven Queen, goddess of death and winter. Current Apocolypse Count: 2, but she wants it higher so that she can be winning. AL: Neutral, horribly Neutral
Honan Battlebeard: Battlerager Fighter Dwarf. Last scion of a lost dwarven kingdom, his name is also a battlecry. His head doubled as a battering ram. AL: LG
Torrin: Draconic Sorcerer Dragonborn. Seeking signs of his lost race. His second highest stat is Str. Was abandoned because player didn't like what they did to magic in 4E, but was later revived for Party B. AL: LN
Lux Thunderborn: Thunderrage Barbarian Goliath. She was outcast after she lost control of her rage. She seeks to conquer the Five Holy Alcohols. She once intimidated a pirate crew to death via intimidate check. She and Davith are dating. AL: NG
Celvis: Acrobatic Rouge Human. Not very bright due to Int dump. Best remembered for having Ishtari steal his pants. Retired to NPC. AL: CN
Dargen: Greatweapon Fighter Human. Not very well roleplayed, no real distinguishing traits. Was retired to try something else. AL: LN
Stride: Stonefist Monk Elf. Often speaks in zen riddles and koan...that "nobody understands" despite them being obvious. Hailing from the mystical Far West. His player has valiantly made no DBZ, Kill Bill, Bruce Lee, Chuck Noris, or Fist of the North Star references. AL: LG
Victor VanDraste: Origionally an NPC, he became a full blown party member for Party B. Victor is from a family that, in my worlds lore, provides 1/3 of the world's paladins. Player actually plays a paladin well. AL: So LG Superman could get an inferiority complex.
Carmen ZanDiego: Illusionist Wizard/Kinetisist Psion Gestalt Changeling. Is a master scholar, sage, and infiltrator, but not the most damaging in combat. She is technically legally dead. She is searching the world for her father, Waldo. AL: N
Aiden: Cunning Warlord Tiefling. Mercenary, uncaring, but not cruel. Has a sense of honor and will keep to contract, even if his client didn't tell the truth or he's offered better pay by the enemy. Is a walking tank. AL: LN
I'm in a PbP Roleplaying is Magic campaign and it's been going on so long that from what started as a group of CMC-age foals we're growing up into teenagers. The horror! XD
Actually it's been a ton of fun and one aspect that made it so successful is that we rotate GMs often. With our characters getting older and going through middle school now, we have been excited to try running episodes about maturing and dating, and adult matters like jobs and moving out. Fun!
Actually it's been a ton of fun and one aspect that made it so successful is that we rotate GMs often. With our characters getting older and going through middle school now, we have been excited to try running episodes about maturing and dating, and adult matters like jobs and moving out. Fun!
There was a joke I'd heard once about Waldo and Carmen, and about how if they're hard to find, their kids will be IMPOSSIBLE to find.
"Congratulations, it's a gi-where'd she go?! Mister Wal- hah? Mrs Dieg...oh, come on!"
"Any idea where our daughter is, my love?"
"Probably hidden in plain sight. Just like her father."
"Congratulations, it's a gi-where'd she go?! Mister Wal- hah? Mrs Dieg...oh, come on!"
"Any idea where our daughter is, my love?"
"Probably hidden in plain sight. Just like her father."
I take it you house ruled in the 9-alignment spectrum? I look forward to reading about these apocalypses!
(Oh, and it's spelled 'confetti.' (Sorry, I tried to say nothing.))
Need lobsters?
http://mylittleponyfinder.wikia.com/wiki/Time_Storm%27s_Cone_of_Lobsters
http://mylittleponyfinder.wikia.com/wiki/Time_Storm%27s_Cone_of_Lobsters
I remember having an NPC years ago that could cast a Cone of Lobsters spell. It was frighteningly effective!
I also put it in my Archivist DMPC's prayerbook, but he seldom cast offensive spells.
Kriss: it was a Giggle Tail, apparently, who suggested the cats-to-the-face attack AND plotted filling water elementals with piranha. On Page 432. (Not many results in Google Advanced Search for Cone of Lobsters limited to Friendship is Dragons. I'd forgotten about my Santa Lich.)
Glad to be of help to your sorcerer! (In my game, it was actually created by my arcanist at level 3, or whenever it was that I made a successful Spellcraft check)
You're the one who started this magic, and while you are thankful for us, we are and always will be just as thankful for this awesome gift you've made for us.
So thanks, Newbiespud, for being a truly awesome and dedicated dude. Keep doing that for another 500 pages, and we'll be there for them.
Honestly though, I really doubt any of my stories were anything special. Won't stop me from eventually finding a good one that everyone will like though, especially with my current group I'm running with now. My time will come...*Cue lightning and ominous music*
I've seen good games, comics, and forums with terrible atmosphere, purely because the guy in charge did things poorly. They inevitably die, because people only put up with that bullcrap for so long. Fuzzbucket did things right.
All serious, jokes aside, I read this comic when it was up to around comic #20 or so, and gave it a miss. I thought it was just another screencap comic, and it certainly had a good chance to be just that. However, the atmosphere exuded by the comments section are what convinced that this place was a community, not a flame war like most places MLP related.
The community Spud fostered here is what brought me here to stay.
...Hey, when I get to be your age, will I get to be as cool as you guys are?
Ok, in all seriousness, this is my first (and only) MLP related comic at all. Still, it has to say something that I haven't felt the need to even bother to look elsewhere for another one.
Heck, it even says more that I'm still here and that I'm still posting here. I have a very nasty case of social anxiety when it comes to the internet so I'm always rather timid when it comes to putting my thoughts out there for fear that I'll be torn to shreds for saying something stupid (It one of the reasons I simply can't will myself to go back through previous comics where I know I've posted in. It's annoying but I'm dealing with it.) It says a lot that I actually feel welcome enough here that Ican just post whatever and not lose any sleep over it.
I guess all that boils down to this: Spud has fostered something good here and I'm happy to be a part of it.
a good community is something shared, not and individual piece. One person can't just CREATE a good community or BE a good community - it has to be accepted by everyone.
So I think it's definitely the "spark" but not Newbiespud.
It's up to Newbiespud to create that spark.
But that leaves the big question . . . if Newbiespud creates the spark of a good community then what causes a good community to happen?
My first thought was "similarities," but . . . I mean, hear we are, as different as people and characters can be, and . . .
...we're getting along.
I can't explain it. it's like ... like...
magic.
So I think it's definitely the "spark" but not Newbiespud.
It's up to Newbiespud to create that spark.
But that leaves the big question . . . if Newbiespud creates the spark of a good community then what causes a good community to happen?
My first thought was "similarities," but . . . I mean, hear we are, as different as people and characters can be, and . . .
...we're getting along.
I can't explain it. it's like ... like...
magic.
He did more than provide a spark. He offered us a place to get together, and pointed us. He has given direction in how he wants this community to function several times.
I recall a time or two where he had to ask me to tone down the perv. Just a little bit. That's all good. Or the time when he said no roleplaying dates with the ponies. I still can't believe that a new rule was made, and I, out of everyone here, was not at fault for its creation.
And as far as magic goes, yeah, that is pretty damn special. almost as magical as these.
May I please have my tea set back now? It's almost time for crumpets.
*Undoes the millions of locks on his closet door and retrieves an odd tea set*
But you only get it back if I can be the Element of Loyalty. I mean, Spike got to be it so I can too right?
Well, I wasn't here for the full 500 pages (by about a few years), so I'm unsure if I should show up tomorrow... but then I would be in a similar situation as Twilight, and unlike Twilight, I could live with saying "Yes." to Pinkie.
Hmm... I will need time to decide.
o.k. Done deciding, I'll be here (whenever I get up).
And until then, let's listen to some tunes, maybe something Insperational, or something Refreshing for the soul, and why not something to Get the blood flowing.
Seriously, now I kinda wish I'd had more stories to tell (maybe if my D&D group started being able to meet again...ever).
Congratulations on hitting the 500 page milestone. That's really something to be proud of.
A large 'thank you, Newbiespud' speech feels appropriate, but I think FoME and Destrustor pretty much covered everything I'd have said.
So I'll be brief: Thanks, Spud, for spending the time and effort to create this comic, for making a home for this wonderful den of madness that we call the comments section (and for putting up with said madness), and thank you for making us laugh, smile, d'aww, and cheer for our little ponies in new ways.
Thank you, NewbieSpud.
(That... wasn't as brief as I'd planned.)
Congratulations on the 500, and dang, it's difficult to believe that I've been following every page update since page 120 or so. Been a long ride.
Thanks to Raxon too. I would've kept reading without him, but he's really kept me an avid comment-reader as well.
Thanks to Raxon too. I would've kept reading without him, but he's really kept me an avid comment-reader as well.
Congratulations on 500 comment sections! (and comics as well, I guess).
I may not have actually shown up here much during that time (2 or 3 times tops), but it's been a great read anyway, and they'll still be plenty of room for that in the next 500. (Whether that will actually happen or not is still to be seen though...)
Anyway, this is to you, Newbiespud. None of this, including the comments, could have happened without you creating the comic that we've all come to love!
I may not have actually shown up here much during that time (2 or 3 times tops), but it's been a great read anyway, and they'll still be plenty of room for that in the next 500. (Whether that will actually happen or not is still to be seen though...)
Anyway, this is to you, Newbiespud. None of this, including the comments, could have happened without you creating the comic that we've all come to love!
Only 500 more to go before you can retire! Or 111, depending on your alignment.
In honor of this occasion, I present: The Kellmore Islands Journal, an in-character log of a Pathfinder adventure I've joined a few months ago, 'written' by the Tiefling bard, Zarhon Witlash.
The story is pretty much oriented on events on the islands (map in the link), and seems to be orienting around fighting necromancers (their activity is pretty much illegal).
Our party consists of:
Myself, a bard Tiefling, modeled to a 'Devil went down to Georgia' theme, with some 'professional orchestral violinist' and 'skirt chaser' added in. He slept with two barmaids over the course of the campaign, utilized a dozen illusions (including that of a tsunami and dragon), and has yet to get a chance to use his ridiculous bluff and intimidate skills. In combat, he's pretty much throwing party buffs, tripping, and using grease spells. He's waiting patiently for a sense-motive boosting performance. 2nd highest diplomacy in the group, repeatedly competing with the sorceress and paladin.
A half-elf paladin of Iomedae, the 'lawful but not nice' kind. He won two drinking contests so far, beating our dwarf both times. He's recently been knighted by his order. The most 'literate' of our party, 3rd highest diplomacy. He's pretty much our main fighter and mobile cover (tower shield).
A half-dragon, draconic bloodline sorceress. Her feats include:
- Botching two different diplomacy attempts with kobolds (once due to curse, other due to identifying as good metallic spawn in presence of a evil chromatic shaman).
- Getting drunk and sleeping with a male exotic dancer, bought to her (in a cake) by me, for her in-game birthday. Enlarge person spells were also cast.
- Getting the whole party exploded on two different occasions - once from botched diplomacy (kobold sorcerer threw a fireball), another due to being mobbed by wolves and using her Fiery Robe with us next to her.
- Buying female slaves from slavers (the laws allowed it, but it was frowned upon), and 'freeing' them into her own service as paid maids with basic human rights. Then promptly losing one of them (the paladin had to chase after her), due to not thinking things through. She also got scolded by our paladin and cleric (both slavery-haters) for effectively boosting the slaver economy.
- Burning things. A lot. Especially when grease was cast by me. Also, a bridge. Especially spiders (arachnophobia).
- Diplomancing everything, due to highest diplomacy.
- Making elaborate plans that the party eventually dismisses (one of them involved a collapsible bathtub, blankets, an super-sturdy plank, and some nails).
A Dwarven warpriest, worshiping a forge-god. The most quiet of us, his feats include getting beat up a lot (and surviving), healing a lot, nuking a butt-load of undead in a keep, punching a flesh golem to death, complaining about our mistakes, losing drinking contests, and repeatedly forging masterwork weaponry on a whim. Currently he's suffering a curse that's making him paranoid at the party, on account of his ring.
A former party member, a rogue. He stole from a noble (and got tracked down later), collaborated with a BBEG, scammed the party into a thieves guild ambush, got a friendly NPC hurt, twice (by accident, though), and other fairly annoying, yet in-character rogue things. His player left after a few sessions, and his character got tragically eaten by wolves (mostly due to abysmal rolls).
Another former member, was fighter with some paladin abilities. He left the game shortly before the rogue, for reasons undisclosed.
We seem to have a knack for acquiring property, as we currently own a manor, and will soon own a keep. We also keep finding fairly expensive treasure when not intended (mirrors of true seeing, dragon teeth...), or by using the 'take everything not bolted down' approach to looting abandoned properties.
Our next session will have us going to investigate/interrogate some novice necromancer causing trouble, as a job that our paladin's boss is giving him.
If you wish to know more details about something in the journal, feel free to ask.
I really wish I had stories to tell, but maybe some day I will; I'm in a Play-by-Post roleplaying group, and memorable things have happened in it.
Anyway, thanks & keep up the great comic!
Anyway, thanks & keep up the great comic!
This strip was a lovely way to mark a milestone. I particularly loved the combination of the awkward pause in the chariot panel.
Thank you for the hospitality, Newbiespud.
Thank you for the hospitality, Newbiespud.
Big congrats, Spud. I stumbled on this comic by accident, and I haven't regretted it one moment since! The comic has been steadily good quality and good humor, you're extra videos you sometimes put out are great to watch, and of course the Fallout is Dragons stuff is gold.
Knowing you as a creator is a real pleasure, and you still feel very down to earth and friendly. :3 makes enjoying your works all the more fun.
Knowing you as a creator is a real pleasure, and you still feel very down to earth and friendly. :3 makes enjoying your works all the more fun.
As soon as I added to the Welch list on previous page, a new page came out!
And now, for this special occasion: Alt-script time!
DM: You see Zecora appear on stage, ready to relay the history of Nightmare Night-
TS: Wait, Zecora? Wasn't she, like, imprisoned or something?
AJ: Probably doing some community service, looks like.
RD: So, the authorities are letting a convicted felon lead children into the woods in the middle of the night. Yeah, that won't end badly.
Spud, I must thank you. I has just getting into DnD when I found a link to your comic on my Facebook feed. If it weren't for you, it would have taken so much longer to learn the joy of watching the real show with my niece. My brother (her dad) and I have been reading the MLPFiM comic books with her. I am even playing the trading card game with some of my friends. And it all thanks to you.
Entire team is baby.
Sadly, not too many houses went all out as far as decorations are concerned, so no spookiness there...though there was the one year that guy dressed up as a severed head on a table and was a little over-zealous in scaring 7 year old me out of the yard. Nearly had a heart attack from it all and never went anywhere near that house for the rest of the year.
(The music above is there because I enjoy it, and to set the ambience that I felt while writing, and is not of my making, enjoy.)
Our author, to many who do not know, just a face of white eyes, outline, and hair. But to us, a humble orator who shares with us stories, created by his own whim.
Even though I was not here from the start, I am however, able to say I am happy to be here now. For I have found many, like I, who have found solace in the joy of being with others. Sharing stories, partake in random activates with no reason, and just having fun (which for I is few and very far between).
Now, being the narcissistic idiot I am, I thought this would be as good as a time of any to thank all of you for showing me how to get on with my life. Thank you
Congrats on reaching 500 pages spud! I know I don't comment very often (hardly at all) but it feels good to know that you care about all of us down here. Here's to another 500!
And to all of you crazies above me, keep up the good work! Your stories are amazing, and usually leave my jaw gaping from sheer awe at the things that happen in your various campaigns.
And to all of you crazies above me, keep up the good work! Your stories are amazing, and usually leave my jaw gaping from sheer awe at the things that happen in your various campaigns.
Congrats on 500! And I loved the Christmas Carol reference. That is one of my all-time favorite works of literature and I always like seeing it adapted or referenced.
Well... almost always. The less said about 'American Carol' the better.
Anyway... who would be the ghosts of Nightmare Night past, present, and future?
I suspect Nightmare Moon/Luna is one (or maybe two), but all of the others I want to toss out are either better for Hearth's Warming (Cadance, Celestia), too evil (Sombra, Tirek), or just plain not suited (Discord).
Well... almost always. The less said about 'American Carol' the better.
Anyway... who would be the ghosts of Nightmare Night past, present, and future?
I suspect Nightmare Moon/Luna is one (or maybe two), but all of the others I want to toss out are either better for Hearth's Warming (Cadance, Celestia), too evil (Sombra, Tirek), or just plain not suited (Discord).
Or the one starring Patrick Stewart, because he is an awesome actor.
Anyway, King Sombra as the ghost of Christmas Future is just too funny of an idea to pass up. But in all honesty, we all know that Discord would be able to pull off all three in his own unique little way...
...Dang it, now I want an episode where they do re-enact the Christmas Carol with Discord playing as all three ghosts.
Congrats on reaching 500, not many of the other comics I've followed made it half that far. Don't know when I started commenting, but I've enjoyed every comic from the first to 500 and look forward to where you go from here.
Although I've only recently started commenting (I just made my account this week), i've been following this comic for the past year, and I can't thank you, or this community, enough for all the joy it's brought me.
*Thinks of elaborate way to appreciate it*
*Comes up with...*
"Yes."
I am honored. I will work hard to bring you more story times.
And Spud, we'd never lynch you! I've had more than my fill of violence today anyway. I may have to take Hatred (Chimera) after all the gore we'll be mopping up after tonight. It actually squicked me out a little bit.
Damn, that was a good video. I do believe there also wasn't much overlap between story-writers for this and the last video, so yay for diversity as well!
Now to start posting stories for the next video...
Now to start posting stories for the next video...
Years later, revisiting this: props on foreshadowing "Heath's Warming Tale" here.
So. 500, huh? Check back here tomorrow, because I've spent the weekend combing over the last 400 pages of comments for a very good reason.
You know, when internet creators hit milestones, the words "all thanks to you guys" can get thrown around a lot. Sure, social media interaction and word of mouth counts for a lot, but when the creative work mainly comes from the creator hitting the milestone, it can seem a bit disingenuous. Perhaps the right kind of disingenuous, but still.
After spending hours and hours reading through pages and pages of comments this weekend, though... Those words are 100% true. From the very beginning and even now, I see people remarking every so often that "Man, the comic's alright, but some of the comments down here are pure gold, too." And it's because you guys are sharing stories so many times a week, talking about the awesome, funny, heartwarming, crazy, and thought-provoking adventures you've had, that we all share as a collective of hobbyists. I don't think this comic would be where it is without all that. Without all you guys. It's really all thanks to you guys. At least, I think so.
I guess what I'm trying to say is: I hope to pay tribute to that again with tomorrow's video. See you then.