Page 644 – The Dream Job, Part 5

What sometimes makes pacing difficult during an in-person game is that most tabletop RPGs are complicated board games, and complicated board games have a long setup phase.

Pinkie Pie: Whee! We’re on the MOON! It’s been ages since I had a character here! The tightrope was completely new, though!

Fluttershy: But it broke… We had to float the rest of the way.

Spike: It was still awesome!

Rainbow Dash: Meh. Could have been way cooler.

Spike: I’ve got it all planned out. We save Rarity, I give her this gem, and…

Pinkie Pie: …then wait another dozen years!

Fluttershy: The thought counts…

Spike: You laugh, but just wait! I’ll finally be her loyal knight!

Twilight Sparkle: Continuing to ignore that. Besides, we have bigger problems.

Applejack: You noticed too…?

Twilight Sparkle: Yeah. The tokens.

DM: I can’t set up ONE combat encounter…

Applejack: Uh… Wow, that’s a lot. Lessee… Some of ‘em look like critters… Can Fluttershy charm ‘em?

Fluttershy: I think the red eyes mean no.

Applejack: That’s it. Alertness and Evade Ambush.

DM:

<sigh> Sure. You avoid falling asleep in the nightmare fog now that you’re aware of it.<br/>
Twilight Sparkle: Do we roll for Initiative now?<br/>
Pinkie Pie: Against all that?<br/>
Applejack: Maybe one of us can try Diplomacy?<br/>
Fluttershy: We don’t have anything to bargain with…<br/>
Rainbow Dash: Intimidate, then! <roll> Hey, back off, buncha flimsy ghosts!<br/>
Shadowfright: Ohoho! They pretend they’re not afraid. What about you, Nightmare Moon? Or is it “Luna” now?<br/>
Princess Luna: Ah. Larry. Finally achieved middle manager status?