Page 1654 - Dungeons & Ponies, Part 29
19th Feb 2022, 6:00 AM in Intermission 15

Author: GreatDinn

Guest Author’s Note: “This was what I was hinting at last time. The transformation sequence from Merlin to Venger is really well done, and I had to at least try and capture it a little bit in this comic. They managed to make it look imposing with an excellent use of a Dutch angle on the shot composition to make him seem even larger and more intimidating than he already is.

Personally, I’m always conflicted when it comes to confronting a big bad of any kind. Not because I don’t want to do it, but I’m always on that line of “Do I wait to react, because I really want to hear them break out into a spiel about their motivations and plans…” and “Has the DM actually prepared that speech, or am I forcing them to improvise and potentially ruin the buildup to this fight?”

This is one of the many reasons I like DMing! I get to write the speeches and not worry about whether I’m imposing on someone. (That said, improvised speeches can both be really good and/or extremely funny. All that buildup over the course of a game to ‘Um…I just don’t really like you. Please die.’)”

DM: You find Merlin waiting for you in the heart of the castle.
Rainbow Dash: Merlin! Something’s gone horribly wrong!
DM: Huh? You’re not confronting him?
Rainbow Dash: I know that Merlin tricked me, but I don’t think Presto does. Plus, I kind of want to hear the evil monologue.
DM: Oh, uh, okay…
Merlin: For centuries, I have bided my time. That blasted Merlin may have prevented me from ever casting my spell of vengeance…But it was so easy to find a fool to cast it for me.
Rainbow Dash: Wait. Aren’t you Merlin?
Merlin(?): Imbecile! I am not Merlin!
Merlin(?): I
Merlin(?): AM
Venger: VENGER!
Rainbow Dash: Pfff.
Venger: …What?
Rainbow Dash: Hehe, it’s nothing, it’s nothing.
Rainbow Dash: Just having a good time. Don’t let me distract you from being the big scary monster.