RazDelacroix
2015-08-17, 08:39 PM
This is a birthday gift for my 10 year-old niece.
My Little Ponies, Friendship is D&D
Pony
Veit Brawnheart sat there by the campfire trying not to grumble. The latest, and colorful, additions to this quest did not at first glance look to be the warrior sorts he needed. Goblins and orcs were tough and vicious foes after all. And these ponies...
One dark blue mare with wings was sleeping, though she'd argue it as meditation, upon a low-floating cloud. A brown stallion, far smaller than any horse had a right to be and called strong, was in a hoof-arm wrestling contest with the goliath. Then there was the one-horned-mare that whose features were hidden beneath darkness and robes. Only indication that Veit had that she was even real were the glowing blue eyes and the blue wisps of magic that was being used currently to give the dwarf a surprisingly proper beard braiding.
Perhaps they should stay for awhile. Test the waters, so to speak. It had absolutely nothing to do with how Veit missed a good braiding session...
Ponies are a race of equines gifted with sapience and grand helpings of magic. Throughout the ages, there have been those ponies whom have felt the call to adventure and thusly left their tranquil lands in search of new experiences and new friends. The fact that quite a large number of these adventurous sorts do not quite fit in with the rest of their harmonious society does nothing to dampen their willingness to fight against any threat to their old friends, families, and homes.
Not Quite a Horse
Though equine in form, a pony is vastly different from their larger and distant cousins. It is sometimes astonishing for outsiders to see just how wide a range of body-types exist for ponies. Ranging in height anywhere from three feet at the shoulder to just over six feet. Builds can range from plump to fit, twigs to massive brick-privy houses of muscle, with the more idealized beauties being tall and slender in form.
Being quadrupeds, ponies are adept at using their fore-hooves and mouths in advanced tool-use that is notoriously unbelievable until seen in action. Unlike their larger cousins, ponies have more flexible joints in their bones in addition to subtle finesse with their fore-hooves. A history of running from predators has made runners of the lot.
To the awe and grumbling of many, the fur coat of ponies covers a brilliant spectrum. While many have more 'natural' hues and coat patterns, a good deal as well have fantastically bright pallets. This trend extends to their manes and tails which can be solid or multi-hued in colors.
A Place in Harmony
The life of a pony is one spent either knowing where their place is in life, or looking to make it. As a pony matures, they come to realize a talent that helps to cement their personal identity. When this happens, usually in foalhood or at the onset of adolescence, a 'Cutie Mark' appears upon their flanks as a result of an innate magical property. If a pony should use arcane mark or some other magical identification spell, the cutie mark unerringly appears.
How an individual pony applies themselves and their talent will be just as varied as their coat colors, though more often than not the idea of being malicious in nature is outright abnormal. Friends and families that are happy make for better neighbors in general, and so too do they apply that idea to their adventurous comrades.
Wild Nature is Wyrd
Give a pony a plot of land, they will eventually live in harmony with it. Even if they have to make a schedule for when the rains come, pay a pegasus for weather management, bargain with the rabbits on carrot prices, and send a sternly worded request to the realm's king about this shoddily handled sun.
Given some time, a pony may acclimate to the idea that most of the world's natural lands run on 'automatic' or divine will. Until then, expect eye twitching and a lot of inquiries as to how those dwarves have been managing their allocated avalanche allowances.
Pony Names
At birth, a pony is bestowed a name by their mother. How a mother so unerringly equates the foal's name with their destiny and/or inclinations in life is an unfathomable mystery. Or the result of a Faustian Bargain hell-bent on puns and irony. Take your pick.
Male Names: Shining Armor, Spike, Grease Lightning, Carrot Cake, Big Macintosh, Impending Apocalypse, Burn Notice, Soarin, Bulk Bicep, Starswirl, Cheapskate, Valiant, Snips, Button Mash, Quill Sofa, Driveling Galoot
Female Names: Twilight Sparkle, Applebloom, Celestia, Dread Knocks, Clear Skies, Sunny, Pinkamena Diane Pie, Mi Amore Cadenza, Aloe, Fluttershy, Fury Scorn, Nevermore, Maud, Bodice Ripper, Zecora
Pony Traits
Your pony character has a variety of natural abilities, the result of one man's attempt at creating a semi-balanced failure to entice a niece into playing Dungeons & Dragons.
Age. Ponies mature at approximately the same rate humans do, with a lifespan about on par with humans as well barring Ascendancy.
Alignment. Ponies are quite often good, in part due to an idea that being a benevolent neighbor means having another pony to watch your tail. Ethical temperaments run the gamut between law and chaos. Ponies with relaxed moral stances tend to remain neutral and indifferent as a means of practicality. An actually evil pony is one with either grand self-delusions regarding their goodness, or an outright villain with ambitions.
Size. Ponies, as stated above, generally grow anywhere from 3 to 6 feet and average 120-190 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 35 feet.
Gallop. You may use a bonus action to take the Dash action.
Cutie Mark. Ponies develop a talent that they hone to a significant degree. Select either a skill or tool. When making an ability check concerning your choice, you have Advantage.
Quadruped. Ponies have four hooves and a tendency to carry what they want on their back. Calling for pony rides, however, is bad form.
Carrying Capacity. Your carrying capacity is your Strength score multiplied by 20. This is the weight (in pounds) that you can carry without having to worry about it.
Push, Drag, or Lift. You can push, drag, or lift a weight in pounds up to twice your carrying capacity. When pulling a carriage, cart, chariot, sled, or wagon; a pony can move up to 5 times their base capacity.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Equish. The Equish language is composed of a mash of flowing words and sounds that a horse can make. Though teachable to other races, Equish has been known to strain less flexible vocal cords.
Subrace. Three subraces of ponies are commonly encountered among the populace of the world: earth, pegasus, or unicorn. Choose one of these to belong to, or another if I decide to write them up as well.
Earth Pony
As an earth pony, you have a natural connection with the ground and the plants that dwell upon it. This connection has granted you a subtle strength and endurance as well as a quiet commune with the land. Earth ponies tend to be hard working and driven to build upon the foundations laid by ancestors.
Ability Score Increase. Select either Strength or Constitution, that ability increases by 2.
Earthcunning. Whenever you make an Intelligence (Nature) check related to terrain, natural cycles, or plants, you can add twice your proficiency bonus, instead of any proficiency bonus you normally apply.
Mold Earth. You know the mold earth cantrip. If anyone asks for any reason as to what your spellcasting trait for this is, it's Strength. Because reasons.
Buck. Earth ponies are notorious for the strength of their kicks. When making an Strength (Athletics) check to Shove a target, an Earth pony adds their Proficiency bonus to this check if they do not already do so. Additionally, earth ponies are proficient in unarmed strikes.
Sterner Stuff. You have Advantage whenever you would make a Constitution saving throw against exhaustion inducing effects and poison effects.
Work Horse. Your carrying capacity is your Strength score multiplied by 25.
Pegasus Pony
As a pegasus pony, you possess a rather direct connection with the sky. Beyond the blatant wings, you have the ability to manipulate the weather by physically wrangling clouds with the same ease as a farmer works their fields. Pegasi emotions tend to be as turbulent as the weather they work with.
Ability Score Increase. Select either Dexterity or Wisdom, that ability increases by 2.
Flight. You have a flying speed of 35 feet. To use this speed, you cannot be wearing medium or heavy armor
Gust. With a beat of your wings, you can use the gust cantrip. Wisdom is your spellcasting trait for this spell.
Sky Magic. Through your innate sky magic, you can manipulate clouds in the following ways.
Cloud-walk. You can stand on clouds as easily as on the ground. The DM can rule that a cloud is too thin and brittle to reliably stand upon (such as a cirrus), and call for appropriate Ability checks to prevent breaking through the cloud as well as other possible hazards and difficult terrain.
Cloud-works. You can, with sufficient cloud material, craft simple non-magical objects as if using the fabricate spell. Possessing proficiency with appropriate artisan tools grants a wider range of objects that can be created. These objects are permanent until destroyed or undone by a pegasus. Cloud weapons do not inflict damage on their own, and are often used by pegasi squires and militia as training aids.
Skycunning. Whenever you make an Intelligence (Nature) check related to weather phenomena, you can add twice your proficiency bonus instead of any proficiency bonus you normally apply.
Unicorn Pony
As a unicorn pony, you have an innate grasp on raw magic. Now try not to parade your proud little horn through the streets while leading a battalion of brooms in a musical number that culminates in a flood. Look, if you read this far in, I think we all know how a unicorn can act.
Ability Score Increase. Select either Intelligence or Charisma, that ability increases by 2.
Horn Spells. By manipulating magical power through your horn, you can perform the following spells. Intelligence is your spellcasting trait for these spells.
Horn Focus. Your horn acts as an arcane focus. Using your horn in this manner will emit a noticeable glow.
Light. You know the light cantrip.
Magic Grip. You know the mage hand cantrip, though with the following changes. Instead of a hand, your horn emits a glow that wraps around whatever object you manipulate.
You may manipulate any number of objects this way, though you can only use your normal amount of actions in any given round.
Your carrying capacity is based on your Intelligence score while you use your magic grip.
While this ability is active, you may substitute Strength (Athletics) ability checks with Intelligence (Arcana) for certain activities such as forcing open a lock, breaking free of bonds, tipping over a statue, grappling, or keeping a boulder from rolling.
You may make melee attacks against opponents within 10 feet.
You use your Intelligence modifier for your melee attack and damage rolls while this ability is active.
Starcunning. Whenever you make an Intelligence (Nature) check related to astronomical phenomena (meteors, comets, constellations, etc.), you can add twice your proficiency bonus instead of any proficiency bonus you would normally apply. Unicorns usually use this trait to tell time (sunlight position against north-facing horn), and night-time navigation.
Uncommon Subraces
These two subraces of ponies are not as often found adventuring into the wider world as their more common cousins.
Hippocampus Pony (Sea Pony)
As a hippocampus pony, you have a somewhat different physiology from your land-bound cousins. Hippocampi possess thick tails akin to that of dolphins or whales in lieu of ones made of hair, large flippers instead of hind-hooves, noticeable canines give truth to an omnivorous diet, and even gills in addition to lungs. A hippocampus' colors are as wildly varied and patterned as any other sea life.
Ability Score Increase. Select either Constitution or Charisma, that ability increases by 1. Select either Strength or Dexterity, that ability increases by 1.
Amphibious. You can breath air and water.
Bite. You are proficient in unarmed strikes. Your bite deals 1d4 Piercing damage.
Swim. You have a swimming speed of 40 feet. Your land speed, however, is 25 feet.
Seacunning. Whenever you make an Intelligence (Nature) check related to aquatic phenomena (currents, drinkability, aquatic-life, etc), you add twice your proficiency bonus instead of any proficiency bonus you would normally apply. Hippocampi often use this trait to navigate oceans and find safe havens as well as their next dinner.
Flutter Pony
As a flutter pony, you have a physiology warped by your kind's extensive history of living in the Feywild. Flutter ponies possess wings that can resemble any manner of insect with the most prolific leaning towards resembling butterflies or bees. The body is covered in a mix of soft chitin and fur, topped by a pair of antennae. A flutter pony's eyes are typically composed of two or more hues for the iris alongside a complementing color that replaces the whites of the eye. Flutter ponies speak with a slight buzzing or dual-tone to their voice, which gets remarkable if driven to sing. This may not detract from the horror of the fact they have fangs. Flutter ponies can produce a ridiculous amount of adhesive phlegm that they use in their everyday lives. The stickiness, transparency, and force of expactoration all play into a weird method of communication of how much they may favor/hate another.
Ability Score Increase. Select either Dexterity or Charisma, that ability increases by 2.
Flight. Flutter ponies are lazy fliers as a whole. You have a fly speed of 20 feet.
Breath Weapon. When you use your breath weapon, any creature in a 15ft cone must make a Dexterity save or be Restrained. The DC for this saving throw equals 8 + your Constitution modifier + your proficiency bonus. A creature restrained by your phlegm can use its action to make a Strength check against your save DC. If it succeeds, it is no longer restrained.
Once you have used your breath weapon, you cannot use it again until you complete a short or long rest.
Nature's Glue. You know the mending cantrip and may cast it without material components.
Craftcunning. Whenever you make an Intelligence check to craft a building or an object, you add twice your proficiency bonus so long as you are trained in the tools required. The amount of time required to create is halved.
My Little Ponies, Friendship is D&D
Pony
Veit Brawnheart sat there by the campfire trying not to grumble. The latest, and colorful, additions to this quest did not at first glance look to be the warrior sorts he needed. Goblins and orcs were tough and vicious foes after all. And these ponies...
One dark blue mare with wings was sleeping, though she'd argue it as meditation, upon a low-floating cloud. A brown stallion, far smaller than any horse had a right to be and called strong, was in a hoof-arm wrestling contest with the goliath. Then there was the one-horned-mare that whose features were hidden beneath darkness and robes. Only indication that Veit had that she was even real were the glowing blue eyes and the blue wisps of magic that was being used currently to give the dwarf a surprisingly proper beard braiding.
Perhaps they should stay for awhile. Test the waters, so to speak. It had absolutely nothing to do with how Veit missed a good braiding session...
Ponies are a race of equines gifted with sapience and grand helpings of magic. Throughout the ages, there have been those ponies whom have felt the call to adventure and thusly left their tranquil lands in search of new experiences and new friends. The fact that quite a large number of these adventurous sorts do not quite fit in with the rest of their harmonious society does nothing to dampen their willingness to fight against any threat to their old friends, families, and homes.
Not Quite a Horse
Though equine in form, a pony is vastly different from their larger and distant cousins. It is sometimes astonishing for outsiders to see just how wide a range of body-types exist for ponies. Ranging in height anywhere from three feet at the shoulder to just over six feet. Builds can range from plump to fit, twigs to massive brick-privy houses of muscle, with the more idealized beauties being tall and slender in form.
Being quadrupeds, ponies are adept at using their fore-hooves and mouths in advanced tool-use that is notoriously unbelievable until seen in action. Unlike their larger cousins, ponies have more flexible joints in their bones in addition to subtle finesse with their fore-hooves. A history of running from predators has made runners of the lot.
To the awe and grumbling of many, the fur coat of ponies covers a brilliant spectrum. While many have more 'natural' hues and coat patterns, a good deal as well have fantastically bright pallets. This trend extends to their manes and tails which can be solid or multi-hued in colors.
A Place in Harmony
The life of a pony is one spent either knowing where their place is in life, or looking to make it. As a pony matures, they come to realize a talent that helps to cement their personal identity. When this happens, usually in foalhood or at the onset of adolescence, a 'Cutie Mark' appears upon their flanks as a result of an innate magical property. If a pony should use arcane mark or some other magical identification spell, the cutie mark unerringly appears.
How an individual pony applies themselves and their talent will be just as varied as their coat colors, though more often than not the idea of being malicious in nature is outright abnormal. Friends and families that are happy make for better neighbors in general, and so too do they apply that idea to their adventurous comrades.
Wild Nature is Wyrd
Give a pony a plot of land, they will eventually live in harmony with it. Even if they have to make a schedule for when the rains come, pay a pegasus for weather management, bargain with the rabbits on carrot prices, and send a sternly worded request to the realm's king about this shoddily handled sun.
Given some time, a pony may acclimate to the idea that most of the world's natural lands run on 'automatic' or divine will. Until then, expect eye twitching and a lot of inquiries as to how those dwarves have been managing their allocated avalanche allowances.
Pony Names
At birth, a pony is bestowed a name by their mother. How a mother so unerringly equates the foal's name with their destiny and/or inclinations in life is an unfathomable mystery. Or the result of a Faustian Bargain hell-bent on puns and irony. Take your pick.
Male Names: Shining Armor, Spike, Grease Lightning, Carrot Cake, Big Macintosh, Impending Apocalypse, Burn Notice, Soarin, Bulk Bicep, Starswirl, Cheapskate, Valiant, Snips, Button Mash, Quill Sofa, Driveling Galoot
Female Names: Twilight Sparkle, Applebloom, Celestia, Dread Knocks, Clear Skies, Sunny, Pinkamena Diane Pie, Mi Amore Cadenza, Aloe, Fluttershy, Fury Scorn, Nevermore, Maud, Bodice Ripper, Zecora
Pony Traits
Your pony character has a variety of natural abilities, the result of one man's attempt at creating a semi-balanced failure to entice a niece into playing Dungeons & Dragons.
Age. Ponies mature at approximately the same rate humans do, with a lifespan about on par with humans as well barring Ascendancy.
Alignment. Ponies are quite often good, in part due to an idea that being a benevolent neighbor means having another pony to watch your tail. Ethical temperaments run the gamut between law and chaos. Ponies with relaxed moral stances tend to remain neutral and indifferent as a means of practicality. An actually evil pony is one with either grand self-delusions regarding their goodness, or an outright villain with ambitions.
Size. Ponies, as stated above, generally grow anywhere from 3 to 6 feet and average 120-190 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 35 feet.
Gallop. You may use a bonus action to take the Dash action.
Cutie Mark. Ponies develop a talent that they hone to a significant degree. Select either a skill or tool. When making an ability check concerning your choice, you have Advantage.
Quadruped. Ponies have four hooves and a tendency to carry what they want on their back. Calling for pony rides, however, is bad form.
Carrying Capacity. Your carrying capacity is your Strength score multiplied by 20. This is the weight (in pounds) that you can carry without having to worry about it.
Push, Drag, or Lift. You can push, drag, or lift a weight in pounds up to twice your carrying capacity. When pulling a carriage, cart, chariot, sled, or wagon; a pony can move up to 5 times their base capacity.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Equish. The Equish language is composed of a mash of flowing words and sounds that a horse can make. Though teachable to other races, Equish has been known to strain less flexible vocal cords.
Subrace. Three subraces of ponies are commonly encountered among the populace of the world: earth, pegasus, or unicorn. Choose one of these to belong to, or another if I decide to write them up as well.
Earth Pony
As an earth pony, you have a natural connection with the ground and the plants that dwell upon it. This connection has granted you a subtle strength and endurance as well as a quiet commune with the land. Earth ponies tend to be hard working and driven to build upon the foundations laid by ancestors.
Ability Score Increase. Select either Strength or Constitution, that ability increases by 2.
Earthcunning. Whenever you make an Intelligence (Nature) check related to terrain, natural cycles, or plants, you can add twice your proficiency bonus, instead of any proficiency bonus you normally apply.
Mold Earth. You know the mold earth cantrip. If anyone asks for any reason as to what your spellcasting trait for this is, it's Strength. Because reasons.
Buck. Earth ponies are notorious for the strength of their kicks. When making an Strength (Athletics) check to Shove a target, an Earth pony adds their Proficiency bonus to this check if they do not already do so. Additionally, earth ponies are proficient in unarmed strikes.
Sterner Stuff. You have Advantage whenever you would make a Constitution saving throw against exhaustion inducing effects and poison effects.
Work Horse. Your carrying capacity is your Strength score multiplied by 25.
Pegasus Pony
As a pegasus pony, you possess a rather direct connection with the sky. Beyond the blatant wings, you have the ability to manipulate the weather by physically wrangling clouds with the same ease as a farmer works their fields. Pegasi emotions tend to be as turbulent as the weather they work with.
Ability Score Increase. Select either Dexterity or Wisdom, that ability increases by 2.
Flight. You have a flying speed of 35 feet. To use this speed, you cannot be wearing medium or heavy armor
Gust. With a beat of your wings, you can use the gust cantrip. Wisdom is your spellcasting trait for this spell.
Sky Magic. Through your innate sky magic, you can manipulate clouds in the following ways.
Cloud-walk. You can stand on clouds as easily as on the ground. The DM can rule that a cloud is too thin and brittle to reliably stand upon (such as a cirrus), and call for appropriate Ability checks to prevent breaking through the cloud as well as other possible hazards and difficult terrain.
Cloud-works. You can, with sufficient cloud material, craft simple non-magical objects as if using the fabricate spell. Possessing proficiency with appropriate artisan tools grants a wider range of objects that can be created. These objects are permanent until destroyed or undone by a pegasus. Cloud weapons do not inflict damage on their own, and are often used by pegasi squires and militia as training aids.
Skycunning. Whenever you make an Intelligence (Nature) check related to weather phenomena, you can add twice your proficiency bonus instead of any proficiency bonus you normally apply.
Unicorn Pony
As a unicorn pony, you have an innate grasp on raw magic. Now try not to parade your proud little horn through the streets while leading a battalion of brooms in a musical number that culminates in a flood. Look, if you read this far in, I think we all know how a unicorn can act.
Ability Score Increase. Select either Intelligence or Charisma, that ability increases by 2.
Horn Spells. By manipulating magical power through your horn, you can perform the following spells. Intelligence is your spellcasting trait for these spells.
Horn Focus. Your horn acts as an arcane focus. Using your horn in this manner will emit a noticeable glow.
Light. You know the light cantrip.
Magic Grip. You know the mage hand cantrip, though with the following changes. Instead of a hand, your horn emits a glow that wraps around whatever object you manipulate.
You may manipulate any number of objects this way, though you can only use your normal amount of actions in any given round.
Your carrying capacity is based on your Intelligence score while you use your magic grip.
While this ability is active, you may substitute Strength (Athletics) ability checks with Intelligence (Arcana) for certain activities such as forcing open a lock, breaking free of bonds, tipping over a statue, grappling, or keeping a boulder from rolling.
You may make melee attacks against opponents within 10 feet.
You use your Intelligence modifier for your melee attack and damage rolls while this ability is active.
Starcunning. Whenever you make an Intelligence (Nature) check related to astronomical phenomena (meteors, comets, constellations, etc.), you can add twice your proficiency bonus instead of any proficiency bonus you would normally apply. Unicorns usually use this trait to tell time (sunlight position against north-facing horn), and night-time navigation.
Uncommon Subraces
These two subraces of ponies are not as often found adventuring into the wider world as their more common cousins.
Hippocampus Pony (Sea Pony)
As a hippocampus pony, you have a somewhat different physiology from your land-bound cousins. Hippocampi possess thick tails akin to that of dolphins or whales in lieu of ones made of hair, large flippers instead of hind-hooves, noticeable canines give truth to an omnivorous diet, and even gills in addition to lungs. A hippocampus' colors are as wildly varied and patterned as any other sea life.
Ability Score Increase. Select either Constitution or Charisma, that ability increases by 1. Select either Strength or Dexterity, that ability increases by 1.
Amphibious. You can breath air and water.
Bite. You are proficient in unarmed strikes. Your bite deals 1d4 Piercing damage.
Swim. You have a swimming speed of 40 feet. Your land speed, however, is 25 feet.
Seacunning. Whenever you make an Intelligence (Nature) check related to aquatic phenomena (currents, drinkability, aquatic-life, etc), you add twice your proficiency bonus instead of any proficiency bonus you would normally apply. Hippocampi often use this trait to navigate oceans and find safe havens as well as their next dinner.
Flutter Pony
As a flutter pony, you have a physiology warped by your kind's extensive history of living in the Feywild. Flutter ponies possess wings that can resemble any manner of insect with the most prolific leaning towards resembling butterflies or bees. The body is covered in a mix of soft chitin and fur, topped by a pair of antennae. A flutter pony's eyes are typically composed of two or more hues for the iris alongside a complementing color that replaces the whites of the eye. Flutter ponies speak with a slight buzzing or dual-tone to their voice, which gets remarkable if driven to sing. This may not detract from the horror of the fact they have fangs. Flutter ponies can produce a ridiculous amount of adhesive phlegm that they use in their everyday lives. The stickiness, transparency, and force of expactoration all play into a weird method of communication of how much they may favor/hate another.
Ability Score Increase. Select either Dexterity or Charisma, that ability increases by 2.
Flight. Flutter ponies are lazy fliers as a whole. You have a fly speed of 20 feet.
Breath Weapon. When you use your breath weapon, any creature in a 15ft cone must make a Dexterity save or be Restrained. The DC for this saving throw equals 8 + your Constitution modifier + your proficiency bonus. A creature restrained by your phlegm can use its action to make a Strength check against your save DC. If it succeeds, it is no longer restrained.
Once you have used your breath weapon, you cannot use it again until you complete a short or long rest.
Nature's Glue. You know the mending cantrip and may cast it without material components.
Craftcunning. Whenever you make an Intelligence check to craft a building or an object, you add twice your proficiency bonus so long as you are trained in the tools required. The amount of time required to create is halved.