Page 1048 — Crime Seen

I'm not a big fan of withholding information when an inconvenient knowledge check is rolled, even if they roll low. But I don't want a player following a red herring down a rabbit hole, nor do I want to accidentally give them the answer too early. This is where we get the art of the non-clue clue – an answer that feels rewarding and satisfying and will make sense when the full answer is revealed, but doesn't make players spiral out into trying to guess the full answer for ten minutes.

As it turns out, constructing even minor mysteries is tough.

Pinkie Pie: Ugh, fine. Can I take a bit of choco-cotto to go?
DM: I mean, there's nothing stopping you. But there may be risks–
Pinkie Pie: Good. Do ponies have tupperware?
Twilight Sparkle: Well, that's the majority of the crises averted.
Applejack: The crops are still all messed up. Any plans for those?
Rarity: I think we get the sense that we can't be putting out fires all day.
Twilight Sparkle: We can get the townsfolk to collect the popcorn and big apples.
Applejack: <sigh> Which takes care of general short-term food needs. Ah get it.
Twilight Sparkle: Safe to say my Arcana isn't high enough to try reverting things, even one by one.
DM: You don't even have to roll to know this is VERY powerful magic.
Twilight Sparkle: Can I make a roll to determine the type of magic? <roll> 26.
DM: It's no orthodox school you've ever studied.
Twilight Sparkle: Really? Not Enchantment or Transmutation?
DM: Those effects don't have any of the markers of such spells.
Twilight Sparkle: Ah, I see. Magical forensics. Very interesting!
DM: Then Spike lets out a sudden belch of green flame, materializing a royally sealed scroll.
Rainbow Dash: Eugh. Right. Forgot he could do that…