Page 1541 — Nothing is Ruined
1st Jun 2021, 6:00 AM in Magical Mystery Cure

It's a pretty common trope at this point. A sudden upswing of good fortune just feels suspicious to us. We've all been trained through experience to believe our happiness must be earned through blood, sweat, and tears, and everything getting better is a nigh impossibility. Sorry, what were we talking about? Oh, ponies, right.

No Spudventures again this week — I guess we're on a short hiatus after wrapping up two campaigns in a row. I was thinking of running a mini-campaign of Lancer, but in prep I came to the depressing realization that I just kinda hate managing map-based games — sourcing assets, designing interesting spaces for combat and exploration — and those plans kind of fell apart. Ah well.

Twilight Sparkle: But seriously, is this even going to be a good spot to test our friendship? In a Ponyville where everything's fine?
DM: That's a valid question. Roll whatever you like to find some clues.
Rarity: Insight, then. <roll> How do the townsfolk look?
Applejack: Perception. <roll> What're we not seein'?
Pinkie Pie: Streetwise! <roll> I'm gonna check on all my contacts!
Fluttershy: ^Nature...? <roll>^
Twilight Sparkle: I'll roll Arcana to see if there's anything magical in the air, as it were. <roll>
Rainbow Dash: Athletics. <roll> I'll do a lap around the town.
DM: Pretty solid rolls, all. Here's what you collectively find out: Everypony seems a bit TOO happy. It's a little unnatural. Like everypony is an actor and a musical number is about to break out at any moment.
Twilight Sparkle: Knew it.
DM: There's no present danger, but there's the unmistakable charge of Discord's magic in the shadows, waiting to strike and upset this idyllic status quo.
Twilight Sparkle: So basically, it's a Ponyville designed to lull us into a false sense of security before disaster strikes. At least we know in advance!
DM: Let's face it; we're all too jaded to be surprised by this.
Fluttershy: ^I'm not...^