Page 530 — Social Subterfuge
Fishing a little bit with this Story Time: Using underhanded or elaborate tactics to accomplish a relatively mundane thing in a roleplaying game?
Transcript:Princess Luna: Luna goes to hug Fluttershy. “THANK YOU SO MUCH! OUR NEW SPEAKING VOLUME WILL SURELY HELP US WIN THE HEARTS OF YOUR FELLOW VILLAGERS!”
Twilight Sparkle: Woah, wait. I thought we just solved the voice problem.
Princess Luna: Luna is… a little excitable.
Fluttershy: Um, at this point, Fluttershy’s just kind of overwhelmed, so…
DM: She just flops around in Luna’s grasp?
Fluttershy: Something like that, I guess.
Pinkie Pie: Hey! Wouldn’t now be a perfect time for Pinkie and the kids to show up?
DM: Uh, why would she…?
Pinkie Pie: Maybe she convinced the kids that hiding out at Fluttershy’s place would be super-safe!
DM: …Makes enough sense. Sure. That happens. But as you approach and see Luna hugging a limp Fluttershy, you hear:
???: Watch out! Nightmare Moon stole Fluttershy’s voice! That way she can’t scream when she GOBBLES HER UP!
Pinkie Pie: AGAIN?! WHO’S SAYING THAT?!
Applejack: Everypony who’s there, roll Perception!
Twilight Sparkle: <roll> 19.
Princess Luna: <roll> 11.
Fluttershy: Um… <roll> 10.
Pinkie Pie: <roll> 25!
DM: Pinkie Pie, you’re able to tell that it’s the same stallion’s voice as before. But you barely catch the slightest glimpse of a shadow among the trees, and then nothing.
Applejack: Really? On a 25?
DM: Yep.
Applejack: Ohhh dear.
DM: The kids start screaming and running away again.
Pinkie Pie: <siiiigh> I follow.
Princess Luna: WAIT, CHILDREN, WAIT! …Er, I mean… No… Wait… Come back…
Twilight Sparkle: Well, at least we learned one thing.
Princess Luna: I’m terrible with foals?
Twilight Sparkle: A super-stealthy lone operative is trying to ruin your first Nightmare Night. And I think I can guess who’s involved.
Applejack: Freakin’ Thieves Guild…