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MLP:EiM: Big Dreams, Bigger City
Manehattan
South Square, 6:00 AM
The city of Manehattan bustles with activity even as the sun creeps over the horizon. The city never sleeps, it seems, and a new day begins without much fanfare save for the steadily rising background noise.
In one of the city's many squares, a staging area has been set. It is mostly empty at the moment, save for a few crates of miscellaneous odds and ends, and a fence keeping it's boundary clear. It is one of many such blocks in the city, set up by eight prospective explorer's who plan to traverse the rough wilderness of Equestria and create a new town of their own.
The locals avoid the area like the plague, hoping that the expansion industry would just die already so all of these weirdos would stop showing up to town. Meanwhile, the more enterprising among them have flocked to the various streets nearest the strangers - setting up more temporary food stands and specialty stores than any city could possible need, and making a killing.
As the staging areas around you fill with explorers - wearing professional gear and seeming to know exactly what they're doing - you can't help but feel a certain level of anxiety. You barely know the seven ponies who have formed this expedition with you, and as a whole you seem to lack everything the other groups have in spades.
Still, every great craftsman had to start as an unskilled child, and so to will your great city start off as eight strangers with little to no experience.
Spoiler
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So begins our great adventure! As it happens, my plan is for this to be totally open-ended campaign - but because it's hard to start with absolutely nothing, I'm going to list a few potential quest lines for you guys to get started on until you're familiar enough with the system and each other to drive the storyline yourselves. Let's start off easy with a basic goal: team name! What should it be?
Mane Quest: Getting Under Way
-The first order of business is, obviously, to come up with an awesome team name - you can't be "those eight ponies over there" forever, can you?
-You should also get to know each other. I don't remember anyponies' backgrounds being linked, so you're all strangers at the moment.
Once everypony knows each other, you can move on to the difficult questions, like how the hay are we going to pay for this expedition.
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Re: MLP:EiM: Big Dreams, Bigger City
(Should we give a description of our characters first? Thats what I'm going to do.)
In the middle of the staging area, a tough-looking pony is working hard moving crates and supplies. He is an outside, a shetland pony from the lands up north. He looks tough as nails, lean and muscley, his cutie mark an axe superimposed over a snowflake. He give the crowds a wide berth, although wary of their presence. A medium boat sits nearby, with Jormund's Speed visible on the prow.
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Re: MLP:EiM: Big Dreams, Bigger City
A small (vertically at least...) black unicorn with white streaks in his mane and tail and billowing green clouds on his flanks moves purposefully thought the crowd, craning his neck to look for "a large white pony with a blue-flame cutie-mark". He face hoofs, and puts his badge-lanyard in his saddle-bags before anypony from the group he is looking for can see it, so as to ensure he makes the CORRECT first impression on the instigator of this particular expedition.
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Re: MLP:EiM: Big Dreams, Bigger City
From the rooftops, a grey pegasus with a black mane glides down, but hovers inches off the ground instead. His red eyes, though they make him seem malevolent, allow a visible feeling of kindness to those who look. His cutie mark, a wing ending in a lightning bolt, is clearly visible on either flank, as if he were trying to get it noticed. A falcon comes from the same direction a few seconds later, and lands on his head.
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Re: MLP:EiM: Big Dreams, Bigger City
A yellow pegasus with orange spots and wings and brown mane and tail hovers fair bit above the ground. While a small brown bird with orange throat circle her, her cutie mark being a similar bird chasing some kind of bug.
Seeing the black pony with a badge she says "Ernie, come here." Then slowly flying down to the ground, giving a wide berth around the other pegasi.
She lands to the right of the black pony and the bird sits down in her mane.
Greetings officer, i'm Mayfly and this here is Ernie. She reaches out with her right hoof, the little bird chitters some kind of greeting.
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Re: MLP:EiM: Big Dreams, Bigger City
The Black skunk pony hoof-shakes. "You saw that did you? Well, I suppose there is no harm done, just... well, you probably done even know the pony I am looking for, it isn't like you can scare him unnecessarily, now is it? Anyway, the name is Mister Bounder."
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Re: MLP:EiM: Big Dreams, Bigger City
Who are you looking for Mr Bounder, the boss of this here thing? I would looove too know who that is, I really have no clue of what to do. First time i really do something like this, unless of course you count when I left cloudsdale, but then atleast I knew where i was going, now I'm just clueless and this is all so exciting too who knows what i'll get too see and meet, oh maybe parrots or bustards, oh palilas, Or Ostriches so big an... The little bird pecks on her head. Oh right that means Ernie thinks i'm babbling, why are you not proud of that shiny badge anyways officer Bounder.
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Re: MLP:EiM: Big Dreams, Bigger City
"I don't think there IS a boss of this whole thing. I think each group has its own system of leadership. I am looking for an Earth Pony by the name of Snow Ball, big white fellow with a blue flame for a cutie-mark. I am not ashamed of my badge, it is just that it would set the wrong tone for my meeting with him."
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Re: MLP:EiM: Big Dreams, Bigger City
Sven, seeing the gathering of other explorers, trots over. Ah, good. Is right place then? Good, good. Name is Sven, Ja? Good to meet you.
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Re: MLP:EiM: Big Dreams, Bigger City
A rather short green Earth Pony with a bright red mane was walking through the staging area, looking at all the explorers and trying to find the boss of the expedition. With the given description of a "White pony with a blue flame cutie mark", you'd think he'd be easy to spot.
That was when she passed a oddly motley crew also talking about the leader. "If you guys are looking for Snow Ball, I guess that makes me your medic. The name's Juno, glad to meet y'all. I hope I don't have to see y'all guys in my tent too often, now. Not 'cause I don't like my job, but y'all don't be hurtin' yourselves."
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Re: MLP:EiM: Big Dreams, Bigger City
Ah, white pony, don't think I saw him any where. No didn't see him. You saw him Ernie? The little bird shakes his head. Guess I'll follow you then, you seem like you know things!
Oh, hi Sven, Hi Juno. I'm Mayfly and his here's Ernie. The bird chirps. Medic, hurting myself I better hope not that would be horrible. Sure hope this wont be that kind of expedition. Also before i forget Sven... you talk funny where you from? Does everypony there say good that often? How are the birds up there?
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Re: MLP:EiM: Big Dreams, Bigger City
"Am from up north. Very far, very cold. Not many birds, mostly small, hard to find. Sorry for the strange speakings, am nervous. Is start of new journey, and many things must be done, to make good journey."
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Flying over, the grey colt asks "You all looking for Snow Ball too?"
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"I suppose we are," the medical pony asked the newcomer. "You know, I've gotta wonder what sort of skills y'all have here. I'm guessin' Mayfly and Ernie's our nature experts, but I can't guess the rest of y'all."
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"I am STRONG! If something moves but shouldn't, I stop it! If it should move but doesn't, I MAKE IT MOVE!"
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"I'll just put this simply: I go fast. Ace here can veryify that." the grey pegasus responds, indicating the falcon on his head.
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Ernie immediatly hides in Mayflys mane. While she jumps into a defensive posture and glares at the grey pegasi.
GET THAT MONSTER AWAY FROM ERNIE!
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"Now, now, Mayfly, I am sure the raptor is properly influenced or he would have a hood and/or an ankle-leash on it.", Mr Bounder then turns to the grey pegasus and says, "Right?"
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Re: MLP:EiM: Big Dreams, Bigger City
"He already ate today, and he prefers wild food anyway. From what I gather, he likes the challenge." the pegasus shrugs. "I'm Steel Zephyr, by the way."
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For an average sized, red coat unicorn, whom sided a touch on the shorter side, Robyn found herself wandering aimlessly through Manehattan. Although she did have a map of the region--only perfected by herself in the minute details--it didn't help that she found herself completely, and utterly lost. The little pony remembered she would have assistants, but knew not on how they would look. So she tried one group that was already forming.
"Excuse me," her voice soft in her shyness. "This the exploration group for outside of Manehattan's borders?"
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Re: MLP:EiM: Big Dreams, Bigger City
A-ate today... wild.. challENGE. M-M-MONSTER, KILLER, you killed it a living breathing birdy, just for AMUSEMENT... While she talks she flies up and completely ignoring Zephyr and points a hoof in aces "face".
Just to catch the poor little thing, rip it apart, swallow the pieces...
She looks down on the ground Calm down may, calm down. just natural order of things, birds eat other b-birds...wrong still wrong. Don't hurt others...just natural, has to be.
Her monologe stops and she looks back up on the falcon. I don't like you. You kill others to live, not good. But I will have to put up with you. She closes in her muzzle just an inch from the beak. But if you EVER touch Ernie or any other living being in my presence i will pluck every single one of your feathers myself.
Got That?
As she snaps out of it she looks down on Zephyr. I'm Mayfly nice meeting you Zephyr.
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Re: MLP:EiM: Big Dreams, Bigger City
"Well, it's not always a bird. As you may know, birds are hard to catch. Ace usually goes for things like mice and other ground based fauna. I'm fairly certain that Ernie is safe." Zephyr replies.
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A bright and cheerful unicorn filly wandered down the street, eyes wide and searching for a group of ponies that was to be her expedition. Star Blossom had been to big towns before, but Manehattan beat them all, by sheer size and bustle if nothing else. Everypony looked so successful, so busy, and as such the gathering in front of her was rather easy to pick out because they weren't in a hurry to go anywhere.
Striding up to the group, she said "Hello everypony! I'm Star Blossom, and this is the explorer group right? So happy to meet you all!"
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Re: MLP:EiM: Big Dreams, Bigger City
Mayfly flies back down to the ground next to the new arrivals. Yes, It does appear that you came to the right place! I'm Mayfly and this here's Ernie. Nice to meet you! A small birds head pops out of her mane and Mayfly holds out both her front hoofs, one to each newcomer, using her wings to keep standing.
Think we found everypony but Snowball. Maybe we should decidee what to do now, and hope he shows up?
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"Hello Mayfly, it's nice to meet you! Oh, here, let me check something..."
Star Blossom pulled a list out of her saddlebag. It had all the ponies' names and pictures on it, and Star Blossom went around to everyone checking off the box next to their entry.
"So does anypony know exactly where we're headed? I think I may have a map of Equestria in here somewhere, with the border expansions marked..."
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Re: MLP:EiM: Big Dreams, Bigger City
"Where we are going? Not I. I was just ordered to join the group that included Snow Ball since I think he may be the one who had the idea."
Mr Bounder makes a mental note to make sure adequate provisions are made to ensure the safety of both birds, both for their own sakes, and for the sake of the Harmony of the group.
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Oh, guess we do have to wait then, bummer. Can't we do the rest though? We need seeds and building stuff, right?
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Re: MLP:EiM: Big Dreams, Bigger City
"Seeds? Eventually, and depending on where we are going, we might need them now. For all I know we might only be going a day or two's travel past some place where we could purchase such. Building materials? We might be able to acquire those on site, depending. I'm certainly no lumberjack or carpenter, let alone stone-mason. Sven, does that axe on your flank have anything to do with turning trees into houses?"
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As the party decides what to do with Snow Ball missing, they come across some notes among the crates left behind by somepony. These notes give various information relating to the exploration industry and the city of Manehattan, and appear to have been written just earlier today (judging by the freshness of the parchment).
Mane Quest
First Steps
-Meet your fellow ponies.
-Decide on team name.
-Gather supplies for expedition.
What follows is an EXTENSIVE list of items, some listed as optional and others not. As you review the list, it becomes apparent that the minimum this expedition will cost is in the neighborhood of 5,000 bits - and that's if you skip all of the safety and specialty equipment and buy everything else secondhand. More likely you'll want to spend 10k on everything, and if you want top-quality you're looking at 20k all together.
One of the pages of notes, however, has noted the most common methods that expeditions like this are funded. They are:
a) Royal Grant. Apply at City Hall for a grant, and Celestia may give you one. You'll be an official envoy of Equestria, with all of the prestige and responsibilities that carries with it (read: Special Missions!).
b) Partnership. Certain families around Manehattan are interested in turning a profit from the exploration industry, you could get in on that. It means finding a sponsor and doing what they say, but it's proven quite lucrative for those that are good at it (read: Competition!)
c) Private. It's difficult, but some expeditions manage to raise funds on their own and set out with no strings attached. You'll have to figure out ways to make money quickly in the city (read: Side Quests!).
Whichever path you choose (or, better yet, if you choose to split up and try all three to improve your chances of success), you will doubtlessly be put to the test.
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"What? I thought the funding was already handled... oh dear... Well, since I am already in the service of the Sisters (Luna's more-so than Celestia's) and am at least somewhat used to settling disputes both before and after the kicking starts, the first option seems like something we should at least look into. On the other hand I have known people better than me at diplomacy in the guard, and... well if we want to be ready for diplomacy to go bad, you are each going to need one of these ideally."
He then takes "this" out of the carrying case hung around his neck, shows it to everyone, and puts it back.
"Two Hundred bits each for something reliable... not much to say either way on the other two options."
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"Axe? Yes, can use axe. Good for trees and monsters. Axe is good."
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What founding, oh no this is getting complicated. If it is any help i got about 400 bits, guess that is not enough though. But it did say the princess might help? That would be a good way to do it we might even get to meet her in person! I've head she's got a pheonix pet, oh now that is a wonderfull bird. Bright fiery feathers that look almost like their made out of fire, and they live forever! For what i've heard it's just POOF! and they go up in flames, but then they ride on up again from the ashes. Oh, oh, oh how i would like to see one, such magnificient and smart birds. Nothing like ernie here though no he's still my bestest little birdie in all of Equestria.
If we are to seek aid at the city hall we must look professional. She digs around in her saddle bag and finds what she's looknig for, a pith helmet which she puts on her head.
But that's just what i want... partnership might be fun too who knows what rich businessponies might want from it. Hmm, what might a rich businesspony want from us? Sounds much better to be officialy on Celestias mission. I do think we should do one of those two though just to be safe. I know i'm not very good with money! I might accidently donate everything to the manehattan zoos aviary department. The little bird peck on her head again. Okay, okay i'll stop rambling Ernie.
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Re: MLP:EiM: Big Dreams, Bigger City
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Gobbothegreen
If we are to seek aid at the city hall we must look professional. She digs around in her saddle bag and finds what she's looknig for, a
pith helmet which she puts on her head.
*snicker* Alright alright, you made me laugh.
Element of Laughter: Mayfly Earns One Benny
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Re: MLP:EiM: Big Dreams, Bigger City
"I'm with Mayfly in asking the Princess about a royal grant," Juno said, "When my dad was in the guard, he said that Celestia is a kind and fair leader, but she enjoys making her trusted subjects go through small trials to keep them on their toes. If we show that we're willing to work hard for the grant, we should be able to get some help from her."
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Re: MLP:EiM: Big Dreams, Bigger City
((Tiny but critical edit made to my previous post. Shows he considers Luna his commander-in-chief. Repeating in the following spoiler so people don't have to jump back a page.))
Spoiler
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
DracoDei
"What? I thought the funding was already handled... oh dear... Well, since I am already in the service of the Sisters (Luna's more-so than Celestia's) and am at least somewhat used to settling disputes both before and after the kicking starts, the first option seems like something we should at least look into. On the other hand I have known people better than me at diplomacy in the guard, and... well if we want to be ready for diplomacy to go bad, you are each going to need one of these ideally."
He then takes "this" out of the carrying case hung around his neck, shows it to everyone, and puts it back.
"Two Hundred bits each for something reliable... not much to say either way on the other two options."
(But... ONWARD! To new dialogue!)
"Or occasionally not so small, but always in proportion to the abilities of the individuals in question. Quite frankly the general level of competency I am seeing here, including in myself, leads me to suspect that we can expect less than Dream Valley-ish trials from her. I mean... we aren't exactly looking like paragons of unflagging competence and mental stability and fearless fortitude like the Elements of Harmony, now are we?"
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Re: MLP:EiM: Big Dreams, Bigger City
So to the city hall then! Mayfly jumps into the sky then suddenly stops and looks down.
Unless not looking like parawhatevers is bad, or somepony dislikes trials... Hmm and that Snoweball, wasn't he supposed to know more and meet us here? Maybe i should wait for him while you visit city hall. But what if he doesn't show and i miss the city hall for no reason, note yes, leave a note for him. But thats unpolite,maybe a really polite note. Yes, that works. Still i can wait here for him while you all go on, really w...
Ok, ok Ernie I get it, they got it.
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Re: MLP:EiM: Big Dreams, Bigger City
General Knowledge Update
Spoiler
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-There is no "Solar Empire" vs "Luna Republic" or anything like that. As far as most Equestrians are concerned, Luna's return hasn't effected their lives at all. Since this is before S2, Luna's upcoming episode will not effect this ruling :P .
As those interested in the royal grant begin setting off for City Hall, somepony (I'm looking at you) knocks over one of the boxes set near the edge of the staging area, knocking it into the street where it bursts open, spilling raisins every which way. A passing city pegasus facehoofs and starts sweeping them up (where did that broom come from? She wasn't holding it a second ago), turning to Mayfly as she does.
"Are you going to want these dirty raisins, or should I just throw them out?"
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Re: MLP:EiM: Big Dreams, Bigger City
Sven looks them over. "They should be good still, We wash them, is all. Good trail food."
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Re: MLP:EiM: Big Dreams, Bigger City
Oh, I am terribly sorry about that, but throwing away perfectly edible raisins, you know how many little birdies could be fed by those !Dirty" raisins? ALOT, that is! Right Ernie? So if you feel they're just garbage now i can just as well take them and give them to the birds. You know a good relaxing meal is just what most birds need, it gets terribly straining hunting and scavenging for your food every day. Oh, I'm sorry Erne seems to think i'm boring you know. Sorry again, but remember you can do alot better with trash than throwing it away!
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The fallen crate and its contents served as an unintended distraction to the addition of another pony into the square. Easily one of the tallest ponies in Manehattan, Snow Ball approached the lot area where his small shipment should be. His steps were neither rushed nor slow, despite the impending time. Around the area was a gathering of eight ponies, including the one with the broom, and they appeared fixed on some other points of focus.
Due to the angle of his hooves the towering pony made an approach in from behind the majority of the group. His coat was pure white while his mane was the color of a mid-day sky. His eyes were a cool waters' blue and on the front of his face, between nostrils and eyes, was a scratch which appeared unattended. However, a very large and thick blanket of Foul Weather Gear draped over his back and around all four sides of his legs. The hood of the brown garment was thrown back to permit light.
In a firm, strong, and confident voice Snow Ball pitched an address into the septet of ponies. "Good morning. You seven must be looking for somepony."