Page 1655 - Dungeons & Ponies, Part 30
22nd Feb 2022, 6:00 AM in Intermission 15

Author: GreatDinn

Guest Author’s Note: “
toll verb (3)
ˈtōl
variants: or tole
tolled or toled; tolling or toling
transitive verb
1 : allure, entice
2a : to entice (game) to approach
b : to attract (fish) with scattered bait
c : to lead or attract (domestic animals) to a desired point

D&D plans change all the time, thanks to the billion variables in play. But sometimes, despite everything, a DM can get lucky, and players will totally buy that it was all planned. Run with it.

(This was honestly the longest part of writing that sonnet on page 10. Since the original ‘riddle’ was ‘You’ll know Venger by his white hare.’ a trick that works well when spoken aloud, but terribly when written out, I had to find something new. The problem being: it has to be both a homophone and a homonym, because we know the characters are speaking to each other here, while also being vague enough to “trick” the reader. It also had to fit the very limited images I had to work with. I settled on toll, but there might have been a better choice out there.)”

DM: The enormous man stretches a clawed hand over your skull…
DM: And plucks off your hat.
Rainbow Dash: That’s it?
DM: Would you rather he just try to kill you?
Rainbow Dash: Noted.
Venger: I find you amusing, young wizard. Observe tonight’s festivities from the parapet. When they end, so shall your life.
DM: And I think we’ll cut there for the others to jump in.
DM: Okay, everyone ready?
Twilight Sparkle: I thought Rainbow Dash wasn’t going to sit in on this part?
Rainbow Dash: Spike changed plans. There are…reasons.
Twilight Sparkle: Already speaking like your mentor, I see!
Twilight Sparkle: So, have the locals noticed anything out of the ordinary?
DM: Everyone just seems to be enjoying the festival. The mayor says you’re welcome to inspect things if you’re worried.
DM: It’s the thousand year anniversary, so things have been too hectic for him to look over.
Twilight Sparkle: Ahh, that brings back memories.
DM: …huh?
Applejack: A thousand years, a party, an inspection, loomin’ danger…
DM: …dang it.
Fluttershy: I want to play festival games with Uni, if that’s okay.
Rarity: That’s fine, dearie. We can handle the search.
Twilight Sparkle: Since I have his ear, I would like to ask the mayor some more questions. I want to know more about that alarm bell Merlin mentioned.
Mayor: Ahh, a find piece of magic that was. It was a sad day when we replaced it. But I guess any day you bury a hero is a sad one.
Twilight Sparkle: Merlin’s dead? Then who did we…That doesn’t make any sense…unless…
Applejack: What?
Rarity: Padronne-moi?
Pinkie Pie: Huh?
Fluttershy: Oh no.
DM: So, I know it doesn’t fit what I said-
Twilight Sparkle: That was clever, using such an old definition of toll!
Pinkie Pie: Oh, that explains the bait thing!
DM: That wasn’t-
Rainbow Dash: Yup! Spike’s plan fooled us all.
Pinkie Pie: Rats! I thought Merlin was just a red herring.
DM: Thanks.
Rainbow Dash: No problem. So when do we tell them about the dragons?
Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, & Twilight Sparkle: The what!?
Rainbow Dash: I think I see the appeal of being the Dungeon Master.