Page 483 - Digging for Gold

Primary motivations for player characters are weird. Most of the time, the motivation the player has in mind at creation gets sidelined by how they actually play the character once the game gets going. Sometimes the motivation changes through legitimate character development. But even when the player holds onto that initial idea, they’re going to end up waiting for a long time, because it’s not in the DM’s best interest to satisfy that character’s driving desires! It’s just kind of a mess. Not to say that a player shouldn’t have some kind of motivation in mind…

Hmm, I could talk more about this subject, but I don’t want to bloat today’s Author’s Note. Maybe I’ll get back to this in the comments below later.

Rainbow Dash: I got one more thing. Why did you even… <sigh> Don’t take this the wrong way, but what was the POINT of all this?
Rarity: Well, to test out the Dainty Dove persona. It was my secondary reward for the gemstones job, and I had to make sure it was effective. And the test went splendidly, if I do say so myself.
Rainbow Dash: Alright, cool… WHY do you need a secret identity?
Rarity: Because Dainty Dove is a noble. Rarity is not. Between the two, who do you think has a better chance of marrying into royalty?
Twilight Sparkle: Aha! Thought so! She mentioned this back when our characters first met.
Rainbow Dash: Oh, NOW I remember. White marshmallow pony wants to be a pretty pink princess. Riiiight.
Applejack: Or, y’know, get a shot at the royal treasury, heh heh.
Rarity: That IS still technically my Plan B…