Glitterglen

Chapters

Strike the Earth!
Getting Started
Adjusting to the new town
The ponies start making plans
CMC Fortress Foals, yay!
Friesden's Fracture
CSI Equestria
Prelude to Madness
Glimpses of Darkness
What games the Gods play
We are not alone in the jungle

Strike the Earth!

Sitting in a wagon, traveling through the wilderness, rode a depressed looking Unicorn named Charity. At a glance it wasn't hard to see why she might have been depressed; for a unicorn she was quite unattractive, downright ugly in fact. She was broad and fat, her purple eyes stood out in an unnatural way from her boring beige coat, now caked with mud from the jungle. Her hair, a multitude of colors, none of which had any business being nearby each other, was terribly unkempt. However, she, like most unicorns, was convinced of her own perfection. No, her source of pain laid elsewhere, specifically the events of the last few weeks.

Charity had been born into a wealthy noble family in the Town of Tailentranced, the capital of The Shells of Dance. She had lived a very happy life there, as a production manager, determining who did what and when. She was always more comfortable telling others what to do, than doing it herself.

All was good for Charity until one day she was accused of stealing thousands of bits worth of masterwork goods from the treasury. She had pleaded innocent, claimed she had been framed, but the Princess, a Pegasus named Dizesh Hugwax was unimpressed and sentenced her to exile. Her previous status was not totally forgotten however, and she was given a chance to regain her good name. Charity was given a small pile of supplies, and few beasts of burden, and six ponies, convicted of mostly minor crimes, who chose to go with her instead of stay in prison. Together they made up The Vermin of Twilight (a name chosen by the General Dostob Desserttaper) and the 7 of them were tasked with building a thriving colony in the middle of The Failed Jungles.

The Failed Jungles covers nearly a fifth of the entire known world. It is filled to the brim with the most horrific creatures imaginable. To send 7 ponies into here without the benefit of a military escort, right into the center of the forest, was pure suicide.

On the way there Charity had quickly introduced herself to the 6 convicts. Names had come and gone too fast for her to catch but she had noticed one thing. She was the only unicorn. She had gotten that the female earth pony was a carpenter, and the male one a miner. Also, we had a tough looking boy Pegasus, and smaller pretty pegasus with a long braided mane, who apparently had medical training, and another Pegasus whom she new from the capital as one of the Smith's apprentices. She had shown promise, a shame to be sent on such a likely deadly mission.

Looking over the workers she had Charity was concerned by the lack of anyone in the food industry, but was comforted by the fact that their supplies would last them for a while, and that the Princess had promised to send more “workers” to help out soon.

'Surely one will be an earth pony that we can use to raise some crops.'

After days of travel, she had arrived at the spot the princess had commanded. It was hot, and humid. The sound of a stream could be heard nearby, and according to the map the stream was called Bleachedroot the Pranks of Coincidence. The area was thick with plant life, and heavily forested with trees that looked unnatural, it seemed as if the very forest itself was hostile to the presence of the few terrified ponies. Charity decided that they would name the new fortress something happy, something to show that it was a shining point of civilization inside the harsh and unforgiving jungle. And so it was decided that this would be Glitterglen, Strike the Earth!

Getting Started

Charity's journal 1st Granite 94

That was a close call. We had just decided that this place would be known as Glitterglen, when a flock of deadly Honey Badger Pegasi descended from the sky with murder in their eyes. I made the call to arms and we fought them off together, I even managed to kill one of the bastards myself. Stomped him in the head and smashed it's skull open, but that's nothing compared to that Earth Pony Miner, Cryptson I think his name was. He killed three of them with his bare hoofs, he's been awfully silent too. I think I'll be keeping my distance from him. But now I'm covered in blood, I wish we had some soap for nice bubbly bath.

Fortunately, there are no serious injuries from the attack. The Nurse and the carpenter took a bruising, but I've been assured their injuries are minor and that they will recover with no need for bed rest. Good, since we don't yet have any beds to rest in.

Charity's journal 1st Granite 94 addendum:

We tore up the wagon and used the wood to make a space for our carpenter. She made a wooden axe and has gone of chopping trees. That mason Pegasus has started building a couple of furnaces. When she's done our metalworker can make Cryptson a pick and he can get started digging out our new home, hopefully before something worse than a flying flock of Honey Badgers shows up.

Charity's journal 12th Granite 94

The pick is forged, and Crypton has taken to digging out what will be a space for us to move our goods to underground. I have also ordered the construction of a few bits of furniture that will make our new home a bit more livable.

Charity's journal 25th Granite 94

Crypton has finally finished the storeroom, and without missing a beat has gone off to dig out the dormitory area. The rest of us will have our hooves full moving the few supplies we have underground.

3rd Slate 94

Living quarters have been dug out. We moved a few tables and chairs in there, and are in the process of putting a few beds in as well. Now that I've got some space to work, I'm going to take an inventory of all the supplies we brought with us.

Cryptson came to me today, he seemed down, but no worse than usual. Told me he'd struck an aquifer and he thinks it's quite deep. He said we won't be able to get any stone until we find a way past it. This won't be easy.

14th Slate 94

Praise Gadan!* We took a chance, and it payed off. A little exploratory mining has netted us a way around the aquifer to the stone below. It is a bit of a walk down the new hallway to reach the staircase down, but it will save us months of work trying to breach the aquifer. This will do just fine for now. Now I have to tell Cryptson to stop hanging around the meeting hall with those Pegasus girls and to start digging out some workshop spaces. He's going to be in work for a long time.

8th Felsite 94

Not much has happened over the past month. Our metalworker, Cinderspark, has been keeping busy by constructing our last bit of copper ore into a suit of armor for Starkey, the Pegasus to wear, and a couple of weapons. Starkey seems content with the plate and his new axe.

I had Pillomino fly over to the river and construct a bridge, as I don't know from where our reinforcements will be coming from, and I don't want them stranded on the other side of the river.

We now also have the space to move our carpentry shop underground, along with a pile of wood. Additionally other work spaces are beginning to take form.

11th Felsite 94

How adorable, I noticed that cat we brought along to deal with pests seems to have taken a liking to Cryptson, it's been following him around for awhile while he works. I think he's gotten attached to the little thing, because I overheard him talking to it when he thought he was alone, he's apparently named it Rorul Larebsur. Maybe the little guy will cheer him up some. I know he gets lonely down in those tunnels.

4th Malachite 94

Cryptson and Rorul have broken through into a vast underground cavern. According to what I heard, they nearly fell in while digging out a new downward stair way when they hit the ceiling of the cavern. We will patch up this hole, in case of cave swallows, and then dig through one of the many columns in the cavern. Looking around through our tiny hole we have been able to see that the cavern has rich deposits of Cobaltite, along with gemstones lining the walls, and a small underground lake. I might order a well to draw from the lake. Just in case.

5th Malachite 94

A new batch of convicts and criminals approaches. I've been sorting them and here's what we've got: a male earth pony with no skills, hope he learns fast cause he gets the privilege of maintaining our fields now, he should enjoy that. Earth ponies like playing in the dirt. A unicorn bone carver, she also claims to be trained in setting broken bones, a worrying combination I feel. Another unicorn claims to be a damned legend back home, says she can glaze pottery better than anyone else. I told her that I hope she can carry stone half a well as she glazes them because that's likely all the work she's going to get here. We also, got a female Craftpegasus, a female unicorn weaponsmith, and most interesting of all a Royal pony**. He hasn't had to do a days work in his life and has no combat experience, however, he'll learn quick. Those Royal Ponies are damn clever, and I'm sure we can find some worthy task for him.

*************************

Author's Notes

On the bottom here I'll be putting in various little bits of information as they are needed. For example, the deity that Charity mentioned. Note will be done with asterisks, so that information can be easily organized.

* Gadan the Virtue of Angels is a deity of The Shells of Dance. Gadan most often takes the form of a male unicorn pony and is associated with happiness.

** Royal ponies are a rare caste in the pony fortress mod, and are alicorns.

Adjusting to the new town

Charity's Journal 7th Malachite 94

A cry came from the surface this day, I think it was Thundersplinter. I knew she should have stayed inside, but she wouldn't hear it. The cry called out one word: "STRANGLERS!" Starkey knew it was his moment to shine, grabbed the copper battle axe, and ran for the surface.

Starkey charged the multi-armed beast and hacked it to bits in seconds. Turning, he ran toward it's mate. It was chasing one of our beasts of burden around the riverside, a water buffalo I believe. He cut it in two with two skillful chops of his axe, if the story he tells is true. Regardless, he dealt with the threat expertly.

19th Malachite 94

A herd, no a pride, or is it troop, or...Dammit, a WHOLE BUNCH, of Honey Badger Ponies* started harassing Thundersplinter and our grazers today. I sent Starkey to hunt them all down. Haven't heard back from him yet.

1st Galena 94

Starkey returned from the surface. He's been chasing down every Honey Badger Pony in the area, his -copper high boots-** are covered with dried badger pony blood. He requested that I draft more soldiers, says he can teach them how to fight if I can't find any experienced recruits. I told him I'd think about it. We certainly need a larger militia, but I'm not sure who to spare.

8th Galena 94

Keeping track of our constantly changing stocks has come to take up most of my time. Thus, I need an assistant to manage the workers. Unfortunately no one here has a lick of managerial experience. I've decided to let that Royal, Khenal, help me out for a while until I find a more permanent assistant. That Khenal, I can tell he's trying; he helped the new earth pony, whatshisname, plow the fields. I didn't expect to see him getting dirty, he surprised me there. He's also been helping our food supplies by fishing whenever he isn't busy helping carry stone out of the tunnels to the pile by the Mason's work area. He still hasn't found a proper place to fit in yet, but he's trying.

27th Galena 94

Today is day of great auspiciousness. In search of deep metal, Cryptson struck the great magma sea***. He tells me that that can only mean that Raw Adamantine**** is nearby. That would be a great find, though if even a fraction of the legends surrounding that mysterious metal are true, then mining for it could be too hazardous. However, he tells me there are some established methods of extracting it from the earth. Something about making tiny windows. He's the miner, I'll trust he knows what he's talking about but it doesn't matter just yet as he has plenty of other work to do without worrying about blue metal.

I have decided that we should make use of the magic of magma and build a few magma powered smelters and furnaces. Using the clay from the surface, and baking it in the heat of the magma, we can have all the pottery we could ever need. Hmm, maybe we could use that glazing legend after all.

27th Galena 94 ammendum;

I seem to forgotten to mention in my journal, last week, that the area designated as the future hospital and well have been dug out. Only need to furnish them now.

Khenal's Diary

Hmm, I'm not sure if "Diary" is the right word. I'll try a new one later. Anyway, I can't believe I've been banished to this Gliterglen place. How was I supposed to know that ambassador was allergic to peanuts? Oh well, it's not like I really felt like I fit in at home. Maybe ponies can treat me like a regular pony and not bow all the time, that'd be nice.

Khenal's Journal

This place isn't so bad, though it's really, really hot here. Nopony seems to know what I should do, so I've been just doing what I can to help where it seems like we need it. Fishing was interesting and relaxing, though topside seems a tad dangerous. I also helped a little with the farms, those farmer ponies have serious work! After helping plant a few things, I started simply hauling stuff. It's not bad work, hauling. I enjoy it. The others have finally relaxed and don't stand slack-jawed when they see me doing something..."common"? Unroyal? I dunno, but I like doing this stuff.

Khenal's Log

Ugh, I've been assigned as the manager. I was worried that the bowing and scraping was rearing it's ugly head again, but it turned out that nopony else knew anything about managing work orders. I think Charity saw my sour expression when she gave me the news. Well, I'll try my best. At least it doesn't seem to take too long to do this stupid paperwork. I'd hate to sit in an office all day, it's nice to actually get out and do real work.

Charity's Journal 20th Limestone 94

Our Mason Pillomino, along with a few assistants, has put together a stone wall around our entrance. It won't keep a proper siege out, but it will be enough for the local wildlife. Friesden, that Pegasus filly, has taken a look over the Hospital area and has drawn up a list of things she'll need. It's a quite reasonable list of demands; mostly she needs tables, for surgery, and storage space.

26th Limestone 94

More Honey Badge Ponies have been spotted upon the surface. We sent Starkey to take care of them. He did so in a beautiful dance of blood and copper blades. However, upon returning home, I noticed he had several bruises, all along his body, wings, and spine. Clearly, our need for more soldiers is growing, we can't keep relying on Starkey alone. I know this.

I asked Starkey for his recommendations, and he seems to want to create two squads: one for close combat, and one composed entirely of pegasi with crossbows, to move quickly to wherever they are needed.

I agree with his assessment. However, even if I were to draft some ponies under him, we have no metal for weapons or armor. The next supply caravan can't come soon enough.

3rd Sandstone 94

A fresh group of "migrants." Three of them. First one, a Pegasus, worked as a presser in the city, but he's got a bit of medical training as well. Though he seems too lazy to be trusted with anything as important as our medical needs. I think he's going to go in Starkey's crossbow squad when that get's set up. Second, we got a pair of Unicorn stallions. One, named Nicolta Tesla is an gem cutter, and the other, who's name I forget, is a gem setter.

addendum

Looks like we're going to be able to start that crossbow squad now, that Pegasus craftspony came to me, and she admitted she'd been hiding the fact that she was a veteran from the military back home. She offered to help out Starkey, but I've decided to let her command the new squad, and her first recruit is that new pegasus.

4th Sandstone 94

I thought I had been doing Khenal a favor by making him the manager. I thought it the best way to allow him to be useful but not have to dirty his hooves with "common" jobs. However, he seemed unhappy in this position. He still spent his time doing other jobs. I've talked to him about it and it seems he'd rather help the town in a more direct manner, and doesn't want any special treatment. We talked some more and when the possibility of the military came up, he seemed genuinely interested in it. So, I'm officially replacing him as manager with one of the unicorns and assigning him as Starkey's new recruit. Starkey's going to begin training him and hopefully before long he'll be a respectable warrior.

18th Sandstone 94

Perhaps I misjudged poor Lolum. That was the name of the Pegasus I described as lazy before, who I had drafted into the archery squad. He has certainly proven himself this day. Due to a mistake in design, a magma crab***** made it's way into our lowest levels, trapping three defenseless ponies between it and miles of solid stone. When brave Lolum leaped on the creature with nothing more than his plain clothing to protect him from the heat, smoke enveloped the battle. The onlookers couldn't tell exactly what happened. All we know is that the Crab is dead. Killed by this pony, and that Lolum delivered the final strike while his hair and his skin were burning off.

He has fallen but will be remembered. Cryptson will dig out a small tomb near where he fell, and I'm instructing Nicolta Tesla to smooth the stone inside of it.

In retelling of the story the ponies have named the Magma Crab Zuglaroslan.

Starkey is being sent down to stop any more that might come up, before the hole can be patched.

**********************
Author's Notes

* A mixture of a pony and a honey badger. They can fly into a rage at the drop of a hat and can be quite dangerous. They also come in unicorn and pegasus varieties, with the pegasus ones being particularly dangerous with their ability to fly.

** The hyphens indicate the quality of his boots. In this case, they are well-crafted.

*** Basically what it says on the tin. In Dwarf Fortress, there is a sea of magma once you dig deep enough. This can be used for a myriad of things and generally makes a metal industry much easier.

**** Spoilers. Oops. Best metal in Dwarf fortress, exceptionally light and very, very sharp.

***** Lives in the magma sea, and typically not dangerous. Unless it decides to breathe fire on ponies.

The ponies start making plans

Khenal's Account

I am such a foal! I was returning from fishing with a rather nice mussel and I decided to stop for a moment on the retaining wall. I never facehooved so hard as when I realized I didn't have enough room for takeoff!* Luckily, the others noticed and helped me down. I've never been so embarrassed in all my life.

Khenal's Testament

Bleh, "testament" is defiantly not the word for this book. Charity came by to ask how the managing was going. I tried to play nonchalant, but she could see right through me. We talked for a while and I told her how I just wanted to be treated like everypony else. She still seems a bit unsure of this, but was kind enough to assign somepony else to managing the work orders and asked me to talk with Starkey about military training.

Starkey, there's one scary pony. He's the main martial pony around here, with several kills to his name. He's a bit gruff, and a tough teacher, but it makes sense. I mean, this is a deadly serious profession he's trying to get through my thick skull. He's gotta be hard so I don't just panic when ponies need protecting, and I appreciate that I get no special treatment from him. After training, I try to help with other tasks around also, but I'm usually even more exhausted than when I helped with the farming! It's a good exhausted, though.

Khenal's Record

Deadly serious profession indeed. A magma crab managed to get into the fortress and had several ponies trapped! Lolum, a recruit from the other squad, was the closest military pony and didn't hesitate to come to the defense of those ponies. Details of the fight are sparse, the witnesses say there was a lot of smoke and fire. Lolum defeated the magma crab and saved those ponies, though it cost him his life. Everypony is doing what they can to honor him, setting up his tomb and beautifying it. Me, I'm doing my best to live up to his legacy: to do my best to protect those ponies of Glitterglen, no matter the personal cost.

Friesden's journal

New plan. Pegasi have a short runway requirement. What if I were to make the wings larger? I'll try the first experiment on Khenal....just need a donor for the wings....That craftspony doesn't look like she's doing anything important. How to arrange an... 'unfortunate' accident, though?

The diary of Nicolta Tesla

3rd Sandstone, 94

Today I arrived at Glitterglen with two other ponies. The overseer asked me what jobs I could do, so I started telling her about my current death-ray project. She seemed glassy-eyed until I began explaining the work I had been doing on cutting gem lenses. At this point she interrupted me, saying she was glad the fort finally had a gem cutter, and galloped off.

The journal of Cap'n Starkey:

26th Limestone, 94

Well, our badger-pony problem doesn't appear to be getting better anytime soon. Not that they're much more than a nuisance, really - I made short work of this batch. It's actually quite the thrill, getting up close and personal with the enemy. I've been thinking I might hold off on taking up the crossbow again, stay down on the ground for awhile.

When I got back, Miss Charity took one look at me and told me to see Doc Friesden straight away. I told her I felt fine, but she insisted. I get that she worries about us, being our leader and all. But I'm a big colt and a soldier besides, I think I can take a few hard knocks.

Just got back from a visit with the good doctor. I take back what I said about Miss Charity.

And the badgerponies.

And the crossbow. We could do with our own little Skyguard out here, and I told Miss Charity as much. She agreed, and said she'd see what she can do.

I wonder how hard it would be to put an axe on a crossbow? Or maybe a sword, swords are nice too...

*the rest of the page is filled with doodles of pegasi dealing death to badgerponies with a variety of crossbow-hybrid weapons*

3rd Sandstone, 94

Miss Charity introduced me to a couple of prospective recruits for our Skyguard: a filly I vaguely remember meeting in basic back home, and some new colt who just showed up this morning. I set her up as my first squadron leader, with the new kid - Lolum's his name - on her wing. Not much else we can do until we get some weapons and ammunition.

4th Sandstone, 94

Miss Charity is either exorbitantly overprotective, or she's got a thing for me. She sent me another rookie today, and this one's a doozy: a royal pony, direct descendant of the Goddesses. I spoke with this Khenal kid, and turns out he's the one who got stuck up on the wall the other day. I asked him how a pony with wings gets stuck on top of anything, and he told me he didn't have room to take off. Asked him if he knew how to hover, and he gave me a blank stare.

Yeah, you're with the ground squad, kid.

Or maybe not? God-kin can fly and use magic. I wonder how many crossbows he can levitate? Oooh, maybe he can carry a ballista like ol' Primrose used to do back home?

18th Sandstone 94

I guess this was bound to happen sooner or later.

Lolum went after a magma crab that cornered some ponies in the underground. Not sure how it went down exactly, but I saw him as they were rushing him up to the hospital. Poor kid was scarred up and bleeding all over, his mane and tail were burned clean off. Found out later he didn't make it. His wingleader took it real hard. She said she'd never lost anypony before, told her it happens to us all eventually. Asked me how I got over it, I told her I still haven't.

We said a little prayer to Kulet for him together, and I guess that made her feel better. I'd write a poem, but neither of us is any good at poetry. I hope Lolum doesn't mind.

Friesden's Diary

Well, somepony seems to be keeping an eye on the craftspony. Can't find any simple methods for tricking her into amputating her wings.

Wait. New idea. Poison the booze. She'll have to drink from the well, and will 'accidentally' fall in! It can't fail! Time to do it right away!

Friesden's diary

The booze is poisoned. Only have to wait for our plans to succeed....wait...idea! Let's chop off the horn of a unicorn and attach it to a pegasus! What could go wrong with that? Who to cause an unfortunate accident for? That's the question....

Khenal's Diary

Wait, did I use diary already? Ah well, this booze is awesome and everyone needs to know about it! I have to compliment the brewer, usually it takes sunshine** to even make me feel anything, woo!

From the diary of ThunderSplinter,

Circa late Limestone***:

I've examined the wall where Khenal became stuck when returning from fishing and it seems obvious that he needs to lose weight; in the meantime, I'll suggest to Charity that we install some simple ramps.

Early Sandstone:

Pony migrants! A new pegasus presser makes 5 of us now. Might have to nominate the most qualified as our air traffic controller and designate proper landing areas - and make sure that Khenal knows how to use them. Even royals need to follow the basic rules of flight.

Mid Sandstone:

Our first casualty....... Lolum will be missed, but his selfless bravery certainly saved several others. If only we had had more time to get to know him so we could honor him properly. This area we have settled needs to be tamed, so I am going to volunteer my axe for service and defend our burgeoning colony.

Signing off for now,
ThunderSplinter.

Khenal's Ugh

Is this what a hangover is? I woke up with Feiesden giving me this strange look, and my horn is sore. In fact, my everything is sore. What did I do last night? Oh clop, my training! Starkey is going to give me hell!

Friesden's Journal

Success! I've not managed (yet) to get another pegasus' wings to extend onto Khenal's, nor a horn to create another royal pony....but I've stolen some wood and used it to make additions onto Khenal's wings while he was knocked out by the alcohol. Now to arrange for that unicorn's unfortunate accident....hahahaha....AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!

Sincerely, Friesden

The Journal of Cap'n Starkey:

Private Khenal never showed up for practice today. I didn't see him until late this afternoon. I would've scolded the lad for skipping out, if I had been able to stop laughing at the ridiculous wooden shit tacked onto his wings. Oh goddesses, he looked like a bucking peacock, it was just grand. I imagine the hangover, plus the trouble of getting those damn things off will be punishment enough. Dammit, why didn't anyone tell me we threw those kinds of parties here?

Khenal's Tragedy

What? Tragedy is a valid thing to call you, my book. My life lately has certainly felt like the tragic tales of long ago. I had never been hung over before, and through the haze I didn't notice these...things on my wings! I had expected Captain Starkey to make me do 100 laps of the walls, or 2000 push ups, but he just laughed. I was confused, until he managed to say "wings" while gasping for air. And I thought the wall incident was embarrassing.

Khenal's Report

It's been a few days since the peacock incident, and things are going well. In hindsight, it was a good prank. I even kept the things, they might make a good silly costume later. I think I might ask Thunder Splinter about woodworking, see if I can make the things easier to wear. Right now they are pretty rough, I had to pick several splinters out of my wings after getting them off.

Friesden's diary

Curses! And we would have gotten away with it too, if it hadn't been for that meddling pony! Good news is that the patient is trying the experiment himself, too. We can observe his results and improve on them ourselves! Now, to try our next experiment: Dropping him from a cliff and seeing if he can fly!

From the diary of ThunderSplinter.

I've heard some daft ideas in my time but the latest ....um....idea (? if you can call it that) from Khenal takes the cupcake: working wooden extensions to his wings! Has he not considered the extra effort that will be required to take-off with all that extra weight - even now he has difficulties taking off from a wall with his existing wings.

Seriously, Khenal, paint them in pretty colors and put them over the lintel of the gatehouse so that everyone knows this is a flier friendly area.

In possibly unrelated news, whoever is stealing my wooden logs, knock it off! There are much more important projects for that wood than whatever you are up to.

Signing off for now,
ThunderSplinter.

There is a small unassuming brown leather bound book, worn down with age and use. This book is kept by our overseerer Charity, and she is never parted from it, always hidden under the journal she normally keeps records in. She can be seen scribbling in it when she thinks nopony can see her, and has never let anypony see it. Inside the book is, among other things, the following entries.

Charity's Secret Diary 15th Malachite 94

That earth pony Cryptson came down to my working area in the dining room during his break today. He tried to start up a conversation with me. I told him I was busy but he kept trying to talk anyway, so I took my break early and chatted with him some. He's pretty smart, for an earth pony. We talked about our lives back in Tailentranced before Princess Dizesh Hugwax sent us to this gods forsaken land. I enjoyed talking to him, I hope he comes back to talk again soon.

Charity's Secret Diary 17th Malachite 94

Crypston came back to visit me again today. I hadn't noticed before how blue his coat is, and how pretty his eyes are. If only he weren't an earth pony...

Chairity's Secret Diary 14th 94

Gods what's happening to me? Cryptson keeps visiting with me, and I think I'm falling in love with him. The way he carries himself, the way his beautiful violet coat shimmers in the candle light. The way he acts. Back home he would be considered a legend as strong a miner as he is, and yet he's as modest as they come. He is a good man, I know my father wouldn't approve, me a daughter of the Kindplays family, and he a common earth pony, of a common profession, but I love him all the same.

Charity's Journal 21st Opal 94

Our magma forges are properly up and running now. Ironya and Cinderspark are ecstatic. They can't wait to get to work, as soon as we have some proper materials imported. I have made sure that precautions are taken to avoid another Magma crab climbing into our (A line streaks across the page as if the book had suddenly been ripped from the hooves of the writer.)

Lolum Abrasenshal and Zuglarolan. Lolum Abrasenshal and Zuglarolan. Lolum Abrasenshal and Zuglarolan. Lolum Abrasenshal and Zuglarolan. Lolum Abrasenshal and Zuglarolan. Lolum Abrasenshal and Zuglarolan. Lolum Abrasenshal and Zuglarolan. Lolum Abrasenshal and Zuglarolan. Lolum Abrasenshal and Zuglarolan. Lolum Abrasenshal and Zuglarolan. Lolum Abrasenshal and Zuglarolan. Lolum Abrasenshal and Zuglarolan. Lolum Abrasenshal and Zuglarolan. Lolum Abrasenshal and Zuglarolan. Lolum Abrasenshal and Zuglarolan. Lolum Abrasenshal and Zuglarolan.

(On the next page)

A frightening thing just happened. My book was torn from my hooves and thrown across the room. Upon investigating, I saw that the words in red on the previous page had appeared. It seems as if Lolum is unhappy with the speed at which we are setting up his resting place****. I will go down personally and make sure that burial is achieved right away, hopefully that will be enough.

Charity's Journal 6th Obsidian 94

No additional sign of the apparition that visited me has been seen since we finished the tomb of Lolum. I hope this means he is gone for good. The supplies we were promised have not yet arrived. We were promised them by the end of winter, and while they are not technically late yet, I would have expected them by now. I hope for our sake that they have not run into misfortune. The jungle is a dangerous place, full of creatures capable of killing anypony wandering around carelessly. Or they might have been ambushed by Diomedian***** ponies. Cryptson says I'm just being paranoid. I hope he's right.

10th Obsidian 94

Avan Loelfotthor, that earth pony farmer, spotted a flock of Honey Badger Pegasi. Starkey, Khenal, and Otik ran to deal with the problem. Almost immediately, a war dog that Khenal had trained was struck down. Khenal took a blow to his left front leg at the start, but then he displayed a level of ability I would not have expected from a raw recruit in his first real battle.******

According to the others, Khenal killed 5 of the flying bastards himself. Afterwords the battlefield was soaked in blood.

That spear Ironya forged for him is truly exceptional. I'd love to see what she could do with some proper steel.

14th Obsidian 94

I am relieved. The caravan of supplies has finally arrived. I'm having them deliver a special package to the Princess for me: a statue of me carved by my dear friend Pillomino and a pair of puppy tallow cupcakes, the first attempt Khenal made in the kitchen. I hope she chokes on them.

Trading went fairly well overall. Traded most of Pillomino's statues for a pair of Apple Ents*******, one red delicious and one golden. Also, got a stray grizzly bear in a cage. Will discuss with Starkey how best to weaponize it.

I requested more metal bars/objects/anythings for next year, along with a few other odds and ends.

1st Granite 95

Hard to believe we've been here an entire year. I've filled up my journal, I'll have to get a new one. Looking back this first year here has been more successful than I could have ever hoped. We've set up a functioning community, have three of the bravest ponies I've ever seen watching over us, and I've met my love Cryptson. Praise Igest.*8

Here's hoping the coming year will go as smoothly.

******************
Author's Notes

* Flier pathing in Dwarf Fortress has an interesting flaw in it: Fliers can get stuck on walls. Basically, they only try to go somewhere than can walk to, but will take a route over walls since they can fly. If they stop to consider their path while on a wall with no ramp down, fliers will get stuck.

** Sunshine is a particularly rare, potent and expensive alcohol.

*** The months are named after various types of rock.

**** If you take too long to bury any dead, they may come back as ghosts. These vary from fairly benign to absolutely deadly, depending on how the pony was feeling before they died.

*****Based on the legend of Diomedes, these are evil and twisted versions of the ponies in the show.

***** Units in battle can occasionally enter a martial trance, granting them unparalleled prowess in battle. It is temporary and depends on the training of each particular pony.

******* Livestock that act like trees. Actual fruit bearing trees aren't in the game, so the ents were made in an effort to get things like apples in game.

*8 One of the deities generated for this world. Ingest is a deity of love and is typically depicted as a male earth pony.

From here on out, I'll be labeling the notes as *number, instead of tacking more asterisks on. I didn't expect to need this many notes in one chapter before.

CMC Fortress Foals, yay!

Venture's Book*1

Book, something really scary happened today.
When I was down in the tunnels way below the ground I heard these wired sounds. I got scared because it was weird and I didn't know what it was, but then I thought that it might be a pony in trouble, trapped under a rock or something, so I ran towards the sound as fast a I could but when I got there it wasn't a pony at all! It was a HUGE ENORMOUS SPIDER THAT WAS ON FIRE!!!

I screamed and ran away as fast as I could but it chased me and was so fast that it almost got me! I ran for a long time and got lost cause no other pony was around and I ran into the tome of some pony named Lolum that Khenal had told me about. I though that I was donefor for sure, but then some big strong pony with grey wings yelled at the giant fire spider to leave me alone. The spider charged at him and there was this huge awssome battle as he fought the spider! He was like Raaaaaggaaa!! and kicking it a bunch of times and it was all like SKAWWWKAKAKWKAWAAA!! and it snapped at him and spit fire at him it was so cool i wish my brother was there he would have really liked it so COOL!!! But the the spider hit him agenst the wall super hard and was going to stab him with its claw when he SHOT MAGIC RAINBOW FIRE OUT OF HIS MOUTH AND BURNED IT TO A SMALL PILE OF ASHES!!!! It. Was. Awesome!

Afterward he came up to me and asked me if I was OK. He was really happy I was and made me promise not to play in the tunnels anymore but before I could say thank you he disapired! Then my brother and daddy and a bunch of other ponies came running in and blamed ME for knocking over the sarcofigufus and other stuff in the tomb. I told them about the big fight and the spider and stuff but they didn't believe me. I got spanked a lot and got sent to bed with no supper AND I have to wash all the floors all by myself!

You believe me though, don't you Book?

The Journal of Cap'n Starkey

That little shadow of mine, Peytrel, came running up today babbling something about his little sister and some great flaming spider or somesuch. I put it off as a game of pretend - hells, I had quite the imagination as a colt - until Miss Charity came in right after him about the same thing. We found her in Lolum's tomb, with no trace of the beast.

The weird thing is this: the filly claims she saw... well, she said a pegasus with grey wings came in and slew the beast by burning it to ash. Miss Charity and the filly's parents blew it off as an overactive imagination, and she got in trouble for disturbing Lolum's tomb. I don't buy that.

I went back to his tomb today, and I found a pile of ash and chitin in the corner. The seal on his sarcophagus is broken too. I told his old wingleader, and she agrees.

Good job son. I'm proud of you, and I'm sorry.

PS: remember to tell Khenal about Friesden. I've noticed how she watches him, lingering on his wings and... flanks, but I don't think he even sees her. Between training, guard duty, and carpentry, the kid needs something besides work to take up his time.

Khenal's Book, Chapter 7

I read through you and realized something, my Book: I haven't really written anything happy in you. Like any book, you should give a good impression of what's going on, and I've done you wrong. I haven't mentioned how happy I am here, how so much better life is here than at the Capital. I don't know a whole lot of ponies personally here, but everyone is friendly. The few foals around Glitterglen are adorable. Past adorable. Like diabetes and a heart attack from cuteness.

Huh. I am not a poet, that's a terrible analogy.

Venture and Peytrel, the little alicorn and unicorn respectively, really bring life to this place. Peytrel wants to join the military when he grows up and is constantly trying to get tips from Captain Starkey. Venture noticed me writing in you, my Book, and asked what I was doing. I explained about you and she seemed almost awestruck. The next day, I saw her carrying around a little book of her own. She's also asked me to teach her magic. I'm nothing special when it comes to magic, though I do know that alicorn magic is different from unicorn magic. I'll try my best, but I think she needs to be a bit older before she'll be able to do much.

Chapter 8

Lolum still watches and protects us. Nopony was too worried when Venture couldnt be found, at least at first. She's quite energetic and her and Peytrel are often off exploring the depths of the fortress. When her brother asked where she was, then we worried. Diomedian snatchers always came in twos, never threes. Right?

Please?

Crashing sounds from Lolum's tomb had us all galloping as fast as our hooves would take us. Inside, we found little Venture. When she saw us, she started gushing excitedly about a pony with gray wings that saved her. At first I thought the Captain had found her, until she said it breathed rainbow fire and incinerated the fire spider(?) and saved her. Nopony else believed her, I don't think they noticed the little pile of ashes.

How could they not notice those scorch marks, though?! Then I thought of something: Lolum didn't want them to see. Or maybe they really couldn't see them. I thought back to my first fight with the badgerpegasi. I haven't been that collected in a fight since. I think Lolum helped me, lent me his skill against the enemies of Glitterglen. Even beyond the grave, he is doing his part to protect these ponies. How can I do anything less?

I think I'll try showing Venture some mental exercises. She may be too young to actually channel her magic, but I can help her learn to focus and concentrate. A good foundation is important.

Friesden's Diary

We need time off. The precious does not get injured. Nopony is fighting. This frustrates us! We must ensure that something allows us to attach the precious' wing extensions to the precious soon. It will happen soon, precious, don't you worry!

I n meantime, we must make sure nopony gets hurt. Is boring at the moment. Nothing to do. Nopony to practice on. Must find new goal.

PS. I don't have anything to put in my PS today.

Love, Friesden

Charity's Journal 14th Timber 95

Gods above what is that horrendous smell? I was just heading up to the surface to check on how the additions to the walls are coming along, and there is this ungodly odor pouring from the underground farms. Everypony around seems to be bothered by it as well*2

Upon reaching the surface walls I was pleasantly surprised to see a caravan of cave ponies coming, their beasts of burden heavily laden with goods. Time to trade.

The smell is gone now. No pony seems to know what it was. Someone cleaned it up I guess? Maybe a peahen egg rolled away somewhere and rotted? Or something from the Kitchen perhaps? Whatever it was it's gone now.

Charity's Journal 24th Timber 95

The Cave ponies have been quite unreasonable. They came with only one bar of steel and one bar of billion (a worthless metal, we can't even make arms or armor from it) but they had many crafts made from steel or iron or copper or bronze. Naturally, they overcharged us for their trinkets that we only intended to melt down. Afterward, we lacked the goods to trade for the cloth and leather that we also needed. So, I sent Starkey and Khenal to take it from them, by force if necessary. Despite taking a few bins, free of charge, they still left with a profit of several thousand bits. They should be thankful for that.

Khenal's Book, Chapter 9

Another caravan today, though this one is different; it's a cave pony caravan. Apparently, they overcharged severely for their metallic wares and Mrs. Charity asked me and Captain Starkey to "renegotiate the terms of our trade agreement." I think the Captain brought me along more for my being an alicorn than my willingness to fight these ponies. I think the Captain would have been willing to show the cave ponies the error of their greed, but I was most certainly bluffing. In the end, we procured several bins of cloth and leather from the merchants and they still obviously made a profit. I'm glad they didn't call my bluff. I would back the Captain if it actually came to blows, but I'd prefer to never stain my spear with the blood of ponies who came in peace. Even if they are ornery.

The Journal of Cap'n Starkey

24th Timber, 95

Insubordination. Assaulting a superior officer. And now banditry.

Sure, I can tell myself that Glitterglen needs those goods far more than they do. Or that they still walked away with a tidy pile of bits for their troubles. But that still doesn't make it sit any better in my stomach.

I'll go along with it this time. Hells, if it had come to blows I'd have laid them all low without a second thought. But next time Miss Charity wants to pull a stunt like this, she can find somepony else.

Charity's Journal 28th Timber 95*3

Osal Habithare, one of our young military recruits, has been awfully withdrawn lately, or at least that's what his captain has told me, best to keep an eye on him I think..

Charity's Journal 4th Moonstone 95

Today Osal, came galloping out of the bowyer's shop, holding the finest looking crossbow I have ever seen in my lifetime. He held it aloft and declared that It's name would be his, and from now on they would be inseparable. While I'd rather see that magnificent bow in the hands of someone who knows what there doing like Captian Otik, I admit that he did make and deserves the right to use it, especially if he can make more similar to it for the other marksponies.

The Journal of Cap'n Starkey

4th Moonstone, 95

Private Osal showed up at the range today with the most gorgeous piece of hardware I've ever laid eyes on. If he can make a few more of those, I might just consider taking up marksponyship again.

Friesden's diary.

Having watched our great leader authorise the theft of several objects from the cave pony caravan...nope, we've got nothing. Meh. Soon our precious will be ready for the addition of the precious.

PS. Why is it PS? Tell me or suffer!

Love, Friesden.

Excerps from the diary of ThunderSplinter;

Late Timber:

Finally finished building all the beds on order and I've decided to take some time off. I'm sitting on the topmost level of the Air Traffic Tower looking at the view - quite spectacular really - while I collect and record my thoughts. Also, I've just painted my hooves with the latest batch of hoofpolish that I've been helping Ironya develop. I collect and boil down sawdust from a few select trees - the most resinous ones, of course - then Ironya mixes the resin with a few powders and some filings from her work, then we mix in some of the wood spirit the brewer makes for us - that thins it out and makes it suitable for painting with a brush. We are still experimenting with brushes, the ones we have at the moment paint on the polish a bit thick, so we might have to consult with an artist of some description.

There is a lot of shouting downstairs, but I don't want to chip the polish on my hooves before it sets, so, where was I? Yes. I think there is still room for experimentation, Ironya wants to add Bismuthinite to get a type of pearlescent effect, but I think I might get some fish scales from the fishery and grind them up.... I must ask Charity if we have a mortar and pestle.

That shouting downstairs is getting really loud....

Anyway, if we can get the pearlescent effect right, I will suggest to Ironya that we try for some bioluminescent hoofpolish....don't know why, or even who would want it, but, you know, its important to have a wide selection, and an expanding selection of hoofpolish would be a high priority.

If they don't still the ruckus down there, I will have some stern words with them, and if my hoofpolish gets chipped, I will be quite angry.....and yes, I think I hear Khenal's voice, why am I not surprised? Why is he always the lodestone for trouble?

Fish-scales......What do I keep them in until I have enough of them to add to the next batch of hoofpolish? Obviously glass. I'll put together a list of options and then go down to the stores, but first, I must wait a few more minutes for the polish to set.

And its suddenly gone quiet, couldn't have been all that important or the warning bell would have been sounded. In that case, sitting here in the sun for the next hour is much more important than wondering what the boys are getting all rowdy about.

I might even have a nap.
ThunderSplinter.

Venture's Book

Hey book. It's me.

Sorry if I sound sad or something, but I missed out on seeing something supper cool. We were visited by cave ponies today! I was so exited because I never seen a cave pony before and I heard they have all lots of legs and glowing eyes and tentacles and other cool stuff! They live underground and since we live underground too I thought we could be friends and stuff. Maybe they could come and live with us bring there kid's and then me and my brother would have somepony to play with!

I ran down to the trade depot to see them and say hello and stuff but Mr. Benoni put a hoof in front of me and said I couldn't go. I saw Mr. Captain Starkey (why is he a captain when we got no boats?) and Mr. Khenal go in and then there was a lot of yelling and cursing before they came out again. I asked Mr. Khenal what happened and he said that they just a a disergement with the cave ponies.

You think it's because they don't like that we live in caves too book?

Hi book!

I had a fun day today! Mr. Khenal and me did some magic stuff. You know, I thought magic would be more exciting, but Khenal just showed me something called "meditating". That's when we both just sit there and close our eyes and not think of anything at all. It's a lot harder then it sounds and I almost fell asleep. After that we played where he put a ball under a cup and shuffled it around with two other cups. He said it helps with concentration, but it's fun too even if I'm not too good at it.

We got interrupted when some other pony came running into the dinning room yelling about how he mad a crossbow and that it's the best crossbow ever. Peytrel said that it was super awesome so I guess it was. I though it could use some gems or something but I never really liked wepons and stuff like that much. After that Ms. Ironya let me play with little Bubbly! We had super fun playing nighttime-daytime! He is just so CUTE!!! I also wanted to ask if I could have some of that pretty hoof polish she made with Ms. ThunderSplinter but she said I would have to ask her but she's busy working on her tower so I'll ask tomorrow or something.

I have to go book, mommy said that I have to wash up before supper. I wish the showers weren't so cold all the time.

Charity's Journal

I've overheard that a lot of ponies don't approve of my decision to take the cloth and leather from the caveies. And I understand their mixed feelings, especially since Glitterglen was originally founded by banished criminals: we don't want to send the image of us being "Bandits hiding in the Jungle." However, I hope the militia at least will change their tune when they see that the materials are being used mostly to help them in their duties. Our leather workers are producing a pile of quivers, water-skins, backpacks, cloaks, and bandannas for our brave warriors. And silk cloth is being used to create new silk shirts, trousers, and socks to wear under their armor. Meanwhile, the plant cloth is being turned into bags we badly need to store all our dyes, and flours, and sugar. I explained this to Starkey, I think he understood why I had to order the seizure, but asked that I have somepony else do it next time. I told him I hope there won't be a next time.

Charity's Journal 13th Moonstone 95*4

A worrying thing. The slab depicting the death of Zuglaroslan was removed from Lolum's tomb, and no pony knows why, or who did it. It was just sitting in the furniture stockpile this morning. I know not what this could mean, but maybe there is some truth to what that foal Venture was saying. Could the "fire spider" been a magma crab? Perhaps the ghost of Zuglaroslan? Regardless, I had the slab replaced. I hope nothing supernatural is going going on down there, that tends to mean bad things to come. Damn, we need a priest, or an exorcist, or a god-damned paladin out here.

19th Moonstone 95

More bloody honey badger pegasi. The airborne squadron is chasing them away from our woodcutters as I write. Don't think they've actually hit anything yet. Don't know why they won't use that archery range we've set up for them. Maybe if they did they could hit something.

Confound those Horseflies*5. They chased the flying badgers for hours, and then they gave up on shooting and decided to bash their heads in with their crossbows. They won. Two, Osal and another recruit, are bruised and beaten but nothing serious. I called Otik in to explain this tactical disaster, and the best explanation he could afford was that the trees were too thick. They couldn't get a clear shot, so they had to close to melee.

Charity's Journal 24th Moonstone 95

Raw Adamantine! Praise to Cryptson. Cryptson, while mining for marble, near the magma sea, struck adamantine, the metal of the gods. This is truly auspicious. However, care must be taken, many legends surround this metal, and if even a fraction of them are true, it could mean the end of us all. For all our sakes, not a single stone will be taken from the blue metal until the vein is fully mapped out.

Charity's Journal 28th Moonstone 95

The adamant has been mapped out, at least of this floor. A little can safety gotten, but a lot can't be mined without flooding the area with magma. There is an underground lake, directly above it. (Literally 1 z-level up) Perhaps, we could use that to somehow help us get at the adamant, by cooling the surrounding molten stone, will look into it. Additionally, Cryptson, is going to start digging deeper, and try to follow how deep the vein goes.

Khenal's Book, Chapter 10

Today is my day off, and I am kinda bored. I'd go train on my own, but the Captain said that day off means DAY OFF! I can't even go to the carpentry shop to work, Thunder Splinter says she wants to be able to work without me underhoof for a while. I wonder if it has to do with the hoof polish her and the other mares have taken to wearing? I'll probably try to find Venture and continue tutoring her in magic. She's been doing very well in the exercises we've been doing, I might have her try to actually channel a spell today. Levitation, I think, would be best. Have her try to lift a little pebble or a feather.

Hmm, but that will only take an hour or two at most. I could just wander around the fort, looking at Nicolta Tesla's and Theropod Watcher's engravings. Maybe I'll try to talk to Dr. Friesden. Captain Starkey thinks she likes me. I don't know about that, but she certainly seems lonely to me. I'm hardly a center of social activity, but I don't think Dr. Friesden has many friends. Who knows, maybe that will change.

Charity's Journal 1st Opal, 95

Every birth in the fortress is a blessing, and Bebmal, the mother of Venture and Peytrel, has just given birth to her third child. A pegasus boy, this time. What's up with that family's genetics?

Charity's Journal 4th Opal, 95

Well, we know now that Efim is truly dead: his ghost has been spotted wandering around the bone pile. We still have not found his body. Perhaps we should create a small memorial, but our mason's are so busy right now, and the ghost doesn't seem violent, I think well just let him be, until he becomes a problem.

Charity's Journal 6th Opal, 95

Every birth in the fortress is a blessing, and Charity, overseer and bookkeeper has just given birth to her first child. A earth pony boy.

Charity's Secret Journal 6th Opal, 95

My first child was born today. He's an earthpony like his father, and he looks just like my Cryptson. We're going to name him Adamant, after the blue metal, and we hope he grows up strong and healthy like his namesake. I guess I'll send a letter to his grandfather letting him know that he has a grandson now. Though I doubt he'll accept an earthpony as a member of his family, he always was a unicorn supremacist.

On the 13th of Opal, 95 the following notice is posted in both dining halls.

Memo to all citizen's of Glitterglen.

From the desk of Mrs. Charity Conventtulip, Overseer of Glitterglen, and chief record keeper.

Please take note, that as of today, the showers are now functioning and available to all in the stone hall. Please be informed that, in the unlikely case of flooding, the lever to disable the flow of water is located inside my office, three floors up, first door on the left. Meanwhile, please enjoy the new water system that has been provided for you.

Charity Conventtulip

12th Obsidian

A rainbow pony caravan and a caravan from our own people, along with the outpost liaison, have arrived together. Trade went fairly well, we acquired a good deal of metal from both caravans. Along with more leather and a caged tamed raccoon. Looks like it might be good to eat. But we got plenty of food already, and it's pretty scrawny. Maybe someone would like it as a pet?

16th Obsidian 95

A pair of brave or very foolish Keishi thieves tried to rob the caravan. The first was spotted by our High Master Armorer, who got a knife in his hoof for the trouble. He's being taken to Friesden for treatment, but the thief didn't take more than three more steps before a rainbow guard, the Commander, and a stray black bear*6 descended upon the thief.

The second was then spotted and tried to run for it. He might have got away but he ran straight into our lovely Unicorn ranger while she was hunting. She put a bolt in his leg, allowing the militia to catch up and finish him, while she shot him a few more times, just to be sure.

I'm putting the militia on high alert until we can be sure that no more ambushes are waiting for us. In the meantime, I'm going to go drag Nicolta away from engraving his bed room and make him get his ass to setting up those traps he promised me.

Thrice damn it. Now he's just said he's going on break*7, and ran off to the dining hall, lazy ass.

The following is posted in both dining rooms.

Memo to all citizen's of Glitterglen.

From the desk of Mrs. Charity Conventtulip, Overseer of Glitterglen, and chief record keeper.

In response to the increased snatcher activity, a pair of traps have been placed outside the entrances to the fortress. So, if you need to leave the safety of the a walls for any reason, and don't desire a hoof with a wooden spike through it, you may ask Nicolta Tesla about proper procedures for bypassing his traps.

Additional note to all parents. Children are not allowed outside the walls without adult supervision. The jungle is a dangerous place, and not just because of snatchers.

Charity Conventtulip

Charity's Journal 3rd Granite 96

*the page is covered with detailed sketches of a weapon rack*

I got a great idea. I...I... Be right back book, don't go any where.

And so Charity, skipping as she and little Adamant went, hurried up to the mason's shop where Pillomino had been trying to work on a lovely weapon rack for the barracks, difficult with the ghost of Efim constantly looking over her shoulder, when Charity, laughing with glee, threw her from the room.

She then proceeded to gather material, she started with Pillomino's partially constructed rack, then she grabbed a lump of cobaltite, some rough indigo tourmalines, the same color of her husband's coat, a bar of copper metal, snatched from the hoofs of Cindersparks before she could smelt it with the newly acquired tin, a roll of Llama wool cloth, her favorite, and a piece of Llama leather. And then she began to work furiously.

However as she worked, the ghost looked on and watched, and during the construction the ghost said to her. "You aren't allowed to use that stone." Charity panicked. Confused, she sat for days unable to work, before she suddenly renewed construction with a glint in her eye, and, while nopony saw how she did it, when she was done, she had created Foldbored the Fair Dimples, an iron weapon rack. Yes, an iron rack, despite the complete lack of iron in the room for her to work with. No pony saw iron go in, but undoubtedly iron came out, truly, this is some sort of magic.*8

Charity's Journal 10th Granite, 96

I've just created the finest weapon rack the world has ever seen. It's truly beautiful. I can't remember what magic I used to create Iron from nothing, though if I could just somehow learn that... Regardless, I do now have more knowledge of stone working in my head than I've ever even known there was to know. I guess I should try to use it to help out Pillomino with her work.

Venture's Book

Book, I had one of my bad dreams again.

It was last night right after the party we had for Mr. Cryptson on finding that adiiniani...amun...aluminum... blue metal stuff way down in the lower mines. I was horrible. Way worse than when that scarey human king came to visit and that was the worse ever! It was all fire and burning and hurt. So much pain. So much hate. So much hate. I saw a burning fortress, the stones themselves ablaze in the fire of madness. All burn... I saw blood running in rivers to the deaths of the earth, falling into themselves forever. I saw death unending, the two great ones fighting with no hope for salvation, fighting to bring pain to others. HolisticDetective HolisticDetective HolisticDetective HolisticDetective*9 I saw madness consume creatures whole, casting them into a darkness where Nightmares fear to treed. I saw the whole world burning in a fire that gives no light. I saw love ones bring death and suffering to each other with smiles and hope for death. I saw twisted creatures, trapped, pained, and and angered. So desperate to be free. So tortured by there own unending existence. So much hate. So Much Hate.

Sorry book that... happens sometimes.

All the time I saw that blue mettal. It was there protecting me. Shielding me. We souldn't touch it. It's important. It was placed there by gods older than the two sisters. A god of blood holds the way for it is blood it holds back. It was placed for a reason. It must...

Sorry, happened again. I don't remember even having red ink though.

Then I saw the one pegasus from before, the one with the grey wings. He grabbed me and pulled me out. He said it would be all right. When I woke up, it was my big brother that was holding me. I guess he heard me screaming and stuff. He's always the first one here when I have my bad dreams. We hugged for a long time, and then mommy and daddy came in and we all hugged some more until I stopped crying and went to sleep again. I had a better dream after that. I was in a town called ponyville and it was bright and sunny and there were all sorts of friendly ponies there. A pink earth pony started this big party and there was games and dancing and all sorts of yummy food like cake and cup cakes and muffins and all sorts of stuff! It was so supper fun!

Do you think that's what heaven is like book? I hope so.

I HAVE A LITTLE BROTHER!!

I'm so exited i cant right so gud! Sorry book, just so exited! Mommy was really big for a long time now. She said that I would have a brother or sister soon. I was kinda hoping for a little sister, but this is OK too. It odd, but I think I knew it was going to be my brother for a few da---

Have to go book, daddy says I can go see my little brother now! O, almost forgot, his name is DaringSky. (wish my name was that cool)

I saw that one pegasus with grey wings talking to Mr. Efim today down in some of the lower levels while me and Peytrel were playing Hide and Hunt. They were really hard to see, like they were smudged or something. Mr. Efim looked upset about some thing I couldn't hear, but that other pegasus was calming him down. I didn't really pay attention.
Also, Ms. Charity had a little foal today! He's a little cutie! He's kinda clumsy and chubby too, It's so funny! Sky and him really like each other too! I don't like his name though. Adamant is a bad name. Adamantine is a bad metal. We must not...

Sorry, that's been happening a lot recently. Anyways I just call that little cutie Andy!

Ms. Charity finished her weapon thing today.

She was really exited and told everypony that there would be a party to celibate! I hope daddy lets me drink too much wine again, it was fun even if I woke up with a bad headache the next morning. Ms. Charity has been working on her thing for a long time now, I hope she gives credit to Mr. Efim and Mr. GeyWings (don't know his real name) for helping. I wanted to ask where they found those iron bars they brought to her but there really hard to find sometimes.

Ive been learning magic from Mr. Khenal is teaching me real magic and not just focus games and stuff! We worked on lifting little things of the table like sticks and pebbles and feather and stuff. I kinda messed up on one of the feathers and crushed it into a little ball. I was really embarrassed and sad but Mr Khenal said that it was Ok and that it was because I was trying too hard. We don't do a lot of magic, and I think it's because he's a little afraid of my last bad dream. I hope thats not true, I don't want to scare anypony like I did back in old home and have to stay home all day.

Your not scared of me too are you book?

Yay! I knew you wouldn't be!

********************
Author's Notes

1 While I've been doing minor editing for clarity for the entries of the other ponies, I've been leaving Venture's book almost untouched. She's a young filly, and her writing helps bring her perspective into view, spelling errors and all.

2 This would be miasma. When anything starts to rot, it will produce clouds of miasma and generate bad thoughts in anyone unlucky enough to be in the cloud. A Refuse pile in an outdoor space is the best way to combat miasma, as things will not produce the clouds if they are outside.

3 Astute readers will recall that I said the months are named after rocks, and that timber is not a rock. Oops.

4 This note is going to be copy/pasted from KingStrongBeard, who is the one actually playing the fort while we run around and rp. From KingStrongBeard: Strange thing. I just looked over at Lolum's tomb and the engraved slab of Zuglaroslan was not there. I was sure I had already put it in. But it was still sitting in some stockpile. I was sure I had put it in.

5 Derogatory term for pegasi

6 Yes, Glitterglen has pet bears.

7 Ponies will go on breaks and do absolutely nothing until they decide they are done. I'm pretty sure the timing is always random, but ponies always seem to go on break right when you decide something important needs to be done.

8 Various materials can be forbidden from use for various reasons, even while ponies are working on them. If you do this to a pony working on an artifact, weird things can happen. This can be exploited to make an artifact with far more materials than it should have, or it can do other odd things. Like making an iron weapon rack without and iron whatsoever.

9 This is a reference to another famous community fortress, with actual dwarves. If you want to know details, ask your favorite search engine about Syrupleaf and Headshoots.

Friesden's Fracture

Friesdens' Diary

Our precious is entering our parlour, said the spiders to the fly. Now to attach the precious to our precious!

Diary of Nicolta Tesla

21st Moonstone, 95

Several ponies have been complimenting me about my engravings. It appears that they have mistaken the various diagrams of death machines I have drawn on the walls for artwork. Perhaps I could use this to earn some more bits for my project.

16th Obsidian, 95

Charity told me to build some traps to defend us against the Diomedian ponies. I went to the dining room to start planning the giant magnifying glass I was going to use immolate intruders. It was there that I met Friesden, who told me to use spike traps instead as they leave the limbs unscathed. Normally, I would have ignored such a suggestion, but I am interested in possibly working on a joint project with her in the future. She's the only other pony here who cares about the advancement of ‼Science‼*1 after all.

The sound of an argument fills the air above the normal sound of hard working ponies. The sound comes from the mid-levels around the mason's shop.

"Why would you make this Pillomino!?" Shouted Charity.

"It shows the truth! Don't pretend it doesn't! Lolum was a weakling, killed by a magma crab of all things! And a fool, wrestling one with his bare hoofs without even the littlest amount of armor." Defended Pillomino.

"Lolum, was a god-damned hero. He scarified himself for those trapped ponies. And then you would dishonor his memory with this, this thing." replied Charity, anger in her voice.

"You are being idealistic! You just want to build him up into some great champion to further your own agenda! You are the one dishonoring his death by making him out to be something he is not." Yelled Pillomino.

The two ponies separated. "To think I once called her my friend." mumbled Charity before shouting at the nearest other pony. "Throw that abomination in the magma sea, get Cryptson to dig a hole and just toss it in!"*2

Pillomino was upset about the loss of one of her masterpieces, but she had many others to keep her placated, so, after a good stiff drink, and a wonderful meal, she had practically forgotten about the entire ordeal.

Charity's Journal 27th Granite 96

Well at least we know Nicolta's traps work. A snatcher tried to get in the south entrance, and after getting stabbed several times by the first trap, proceeded to try and escape out the north entrance and triggered the second trap. When the first militia pony arrived on the scene, our earth pony lasher Langgud, all he had to do was put the bastard out of his misery with a silver whip*3 strike to the head, killing him instantly.

25th Slate 96

An ambush. It was always only a matter of time. The pegasi squad is being sent to the walls, the north entrance will be closed, the south will be left open so that they can come right into the waiting ground squad. The one to first spot them was Erib the unicorn ranger. Instead of running for the safety of the walls, she lead them away, into the jungle. We were confused as to why when out of the jungle, in the opposite direction came a huge group of migrants. It seems she knew they were coming and sacrificed herself to distract the diomedians while the innocent ponies made a run for the walls.

The following ponies managed to get inside to safety: One, a male pegasus macepony/fisherman, who was immediately pressed into service. Two, a female earthpony armorer. Three, a little unicorn boy, about Venture's age. Four, a female earthpony glassmaker/carpenter. Five, female unicorn siege engineer. Six the mother of that unicorn boy, an earthpony stonecrafter. A female bone doctor and artist.

After those got in, a spearpony recruit by the name of Ramol ran out*4 to fight the enemy alone, save for his faithful pet grizzly bear. He charged a darkbolt with a crossbow, knocking a flying silver bolt away with his spear as he unleashed his battle cry. The dark bolt evades his weapon, another bolt, this one copper strikes him in the upper body, but seems to get stuck in his cloak (told Starkey we needed that cloth). He then stabs the dark bolt three times, the final blow strikes his chanform and cuts through the iron and bone, and pierces his brain. He turns and attacks a keishi pony archer, blocking another bolt with his spear. He bucks the archer in the chest and then stabs it repeatedly. At this point seeing as how he was actually holding his own, Starkey called for a charge. The airborne squad flew, under Otik orders, toward the ridge overlooking the battle, while the ground squad charged to help their comrade in arms. As his friends rushed in to help him, Ramol changed targets and stabbed, bit, and kicked the other Keishi. The other Diomodians fled for their lives, chased by his loyal bear, who limped on after them his leg bleeding from a wound, clearly in extreme pain. Khenal chases down the wounded Diomedian, dodges a copper bolt from his target, and finishes the pitiful creature. And the others scattered to the wind.

This bought precious time allowing the rest of the migrants to get inside. They included: a spear unicorn fresh from basic training, a pegasan thresher, who apparently forgot he could fly and walked around the walls. An earthpony butcher, a mace pony/cook, a pegasan siege engineer. Earthpony thresher, pegasan lye maker, Unicorn weapon-smith apprentice, another female unicorn ranger, unicorn butcher, unicorn potter, Legendary female Unicorn Glassmaker, earthpony fisher.

Charity's Journal End of Slate 96

Ramol's actions during the ambush may have been fool hardy, but no pony can doubt his results: he routed the whole group on his own. The others merely helped him mop up the already broken enemy. For his actions, he deserves some sort of reward. Perhaps he can be given better accommodations, but first, Thundersplinter needs to make a couple dozen more beds.

Excerps from the diary of ThunderSplinter:

Late Slate;

Watching the battle from the topmost part of the tower and urging the migrants to safety while watching the brave/foolhardy Ramol charge the foul Diomedians. Never before have I witnessed such selflessness - it is inspiring to say the least and deserving of reward; the very next masterwork bed I make should be his. Of course, that does mean, with all these new migrants, more beds need to be made. Fortunately, I am not alone in the carpentry workshops now, another pony works quietly in the second workshop. I haven't had much to do with him as he is a dedicated father and spends most of his free time with his family, and making more ponies as a consequence, heh.

Nicolta has demonstrated that the trap defenses are worth the effort to install them, perhaps they need to be expanded though. Maybe Charity will permit the carving of half a dozen enormous wooden corkscrews to bolster the initial defenses. I wonder if Nicolta needs assistance in the construction of traps? The business of making mechanisms does intrigue me and the air traffic tower might need some defenses from the rabid honey badger pegasi, something else that needs to be brought to Charity's attention. Should I just go ahead and do it myself? Yes, perhaps that's a better idea, shouldn't bother her with such trivial matters, what with her new foal, husband and ever-growing responsibilities.

ThunderSplinter.

Khenal's Book, Chapter 11

Last week, Cryptson discovered Adamantine! There are all kinds of legends about the metal, and the prospect of adamantine armor really excited me, then. I'm not so sure, now. Little Venture told me about a bad dream she had, and apparently her bad dreams aren't uncommon. Her dealings with Lolum make me want to take her dreams seriously. I suspect she is predisposed to magics of divination and awareness. I'll definitely need to put even more emphasis on control and concentration in our lessens. Madness is a real danger to ponies with abilities like hers.

Oh, I almost forgot: Dr. Friesden and I seem well on our way to becoming friends. Dropping in on her seems to have been a good idea. She was a little jumpy and odd at first, and she still is eccentric, but she did seem happy to have somepony to talk to. Almost all of her medical talk goes over my head, but her passion for it is plain to see.

Chapter 12

Nicolta Tesla recently finished setting up some traps at the entrances to Glitter Glen, and they've even stopped a few Diomedians. Unfortunately, they decided to attack in force today. Erib, one of our rangers, sent up the shout and lead them away from the fort. She saw the wave of migrants at the same time she spotted the ambush, and sacrificed herself to ensure their safety. A hooffull of migrants were able to dash inside while the Diomedians were distracted, but many more were still out in the jungle. One of the new spear ponies, Ramol, broke ranks and charged the Diomedians before Captain Starkey could order the charge.

My heart sank, I was certain we would witness his death in short order. However, he fell on those Diomedians like a pony possessed. The Captain ordered the charge and the Diomedians broke and fled. I finished one that Ramol had wounded, though several got away. Ramol is the hero of the day, though I think Captain Starkey is annoyed that he broke ranks and charged on his own. I'm just glad that so few ponies were hurt. Ramol broke the will of the Diomedians, but we must not forget Erib's sacrifice to ensure the safety of others.

The Journal of Cap'n Starkey

26th Slate, '96

Oh-ho-ho, so the Diomedians grew a pair, did they?

They came with a medium-sized raiding party, not an army - for which I am secretly grateful. Because if there had been many more of the bastards, Private Ramol's, ah, enthusiasm probably would've cost him his life. The moment the gate swung open to let some newcomers seek refuge, he was out the door and charging towards the Diomedian force at full gallop. It was all I could do to stop myself from ordering the charge early to save his sorry flank, but much to my surprise - and I'll admit, more than a little pride - the lad held his own just fine without us. By the time the rest of us got there, he had practically routed the raiders on his own!

I'll let Doc Friesden give Ramol the once-over just to be sure, then he gets first pick of new equipment when he gets back.

...which he will have the honor of wearing while he makes fifteen laps around the fortress walls. This fortress needs heroes son, not martyrs!

30th Slate, '96

Nothing happening today. Nothing much at all has happened since the attack a few days ago.

Last week, Head Miner Cryptson ran into an Adamantine pillar. I've had a little experience with the stuff: back in my city guard days, I got a small spool of woven adamantine thread from a curio shop, cost me most of a week's wages. I used the stuff to re-string my crossbow, and it was a wonder. I could crank her back as far as she would go, and the stuff wouldn't snap. Goddess, I had fun with that. Shame they confiscated it when - well, none of that matters anymore. All the same, It'll be nice to see what our smiths can do with the miracle metal.

Of course, there have been more than a few murmurs of concerns - apparently, my father wasn't the only one who liked to frighten little foals with old ponytales. Most worrisome is Khenal's diagnosis of the little filly Venture. Apparently she has been plagued by vivid nightmares as of late, but he believes them to be something much deeper than that. After the incident with Lolum's spirit, I'm inclined to agree with him.

Of course, now he intends to take her under his wing as his magical student or somesuch. As if he needed more work. I love the lad to death, I really do, and I trust his judgment completely, especially when it comes to the supernatural. But damn, does that boy need a marefriend. I see he took my advice about the good doctor, and they seem to be getting along well.

Friesden's diary.

Well, diary, what's happened now is quite strange. I seem to be getting along quite well with two ponies now: Nicolta Tesla and Khenal. Strange. I've got some strange memories. I think I need to rest. Night!

Friesden

WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING TO US?! We have the precious and our precious, why do we not fix them! We have the technology! We must do it now!

PS. Silly Friesden, trying to get back! You no can have body!

Love, Friesden!

Theropod Watcher's Journal

Entry 1

Hello Journal. I recently made a massive decision; I moved. While I loathe change, it was such a great opportunity for some quiet and peaceful engraving.

This place is called Glitterglen, and its smack dab in the middle of a hot, and miserably humid, rainforest. Luckily, my job keeps me deep in the cool and somber rock, allowing for deep thought. The more I thought, the better my art has become.

Its not all great though, we have been attacked by diomedians, and some ponies have died. There has also been talk of ghosts and spirits, I do hope the pony in charge doesn't go crazy with so called "Exorcists" like they did back home; those con artists brought such misery to those who were proclaimed "possessed".

I'm getting too worked up now, I'll go engrave some waves.*5

Theropod Watcher

Charity's Journal 11th Felsite, 96

Therleth, one of the recruits, has had a foal. and it's an adorable little unicorn filly.

I also noticed little Bubel, Ironya's first, isn't quite as little anymore. I saw him and Venture, Shigos (the unicorn pony foal from the last wave) and Peytral, playing in the water in the dinning room. Bubel's pretty quick for his size, but seemed to tire quickly and go back to mommy before the other kids where done playing, but it's good that Venture has a few ponies to play with that are closer to her own age. I latter spotted Peytral playing with Starkey's axe that he found lying in the barracks, Starkey must have been really tired to have left that lying around, he's never apart from it. I scolded him for playing with the militia's weapons and sent him home, but he didn't really seem to listen to me. Oh well.

15th Felsite 96

One of our fisherponies spotted a giant tiger while out bringing some wood to Thunder. Fortunately, no pony was hurt. I'd hate to harm such a majestic creature, perhaps Nicolta Tesla has some ideas about ways to catch it unharmed? I'll ask him over a nice pint of pegasan ale.

26th Hematite, 96

A pony by the name of Tunur Buzatadril has been made Mayor of Glitterglen. He's one of our best armorers and with our lack of materials apparently had the time to run for office while I was busy actually running this place. Damnit, I can't believe they voted for that mud pony over me. This is unacceptable, I'm going to have to do something about this.

And here comes the power trip, he's making demands already.*6

...He's just demanding the production of steel items!? We had already sent a work order for more steel arms and armor to the forges! See this is why you don't vote for some stupid mud pony, they don't even know what's going on in their own fortress!

3rd Malachite, 96

The Giant Tiger from before hasn't been seen since, but a few cage traps have been set up. Maybe we'll get lucky and it'll trigger one if it returns. If not, our militia can easily take care of it if it becomes dangerous.

5th Malachite, 96

Another group of migrants has arrived, about nine of them this time, lets see. That brings Glitterglen up to a population of 89, counting all the babies and children. Considering when we started out back in the spring of 94, we were just 7 outcasts we've really grown, I wonder if the government will try to claim us as a proper territory soon. But if they do, they'll probably start demanding we pay taxes to the princess.

Anyway 9 new ponies: one earth pony hunter, an eathpony metal crafter, an earthpony soldier, a unicorn wound dresser, A male Royal Pony architect/stonemason. A professional pegasan cook, and father of two kids, the mother didn't come with them, don't know the story there, probably don't want to ask. The kids are a pegasan boy nearly full grown, and his sister two years his younger who is an earth pony. A mechaninc, who is also a rather talented axe pony.

6th Malachite, 96

Ironya was surrounded by a strange purple glowing light today, as she was carrying some of her handy work upstairs to show the troops. She immediately dropped what she was carrying, ran downstairs, knocked the armor smith out of the forge room, grabbed a single bar of Adamantine and began to work.*7

9th Malachite, 96

Ironya has finished her work, the light has vanished, and she doesn't recall any of the experience. All she has to show for it is a large dagger, which she says is called Goodsnarled the Principle of Slowing. It is a very fine blade, and I'm sure our soldiers will all be fighting over who get's to carry it.

11th Malachite, 96

An unfortunate discovery has been made today: Cryptson, following a vein of cobalt, found a hollow area. Digging into it he found a room, connected to the fort through a crudely dug tunnel, hidden from sight behind a locked, unassuming door. In the room he saw a clear window, likely the one that went missing months before, and on the other side was a body. It seemed to be that of a male pegasus, Efim most likely, complete save for it's wings, which are missing. The body was impaled upon a copper spear, jutting out from the ground. The victim seemed to have been stabbed many times before falling. The spearing mechanism was connected to the lever in the room that Cryptson hit.

This was obviously some sort of murder, but what pony would/could do such a thing. Cryptson came to me first and together we told the mayor what he found. The three of us agreed to keep it quiet, at least until we know a little more about it. I think we need somepony in charge of protecting us from ourselves, somepony to track down and deal with criminals. I've told the mayor, and he asked me to appoint a captain of the guard, and possibly a few ponies under him, and I think I know just the pony for the job.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Charity calls Khenal into her office, and upon his arrival she explains to him the situation with the murder.

"Khenal, you are one of the most loyal, trustworthy, dedicated ponies that I know. Even Commander Starkey says almost nothing but good things about you. However, you are not fit to be a warrior; you lack the killer instinct for that. You, Khenal, are a protector, and I would trust you to protect any or all of the lives in Glitterglen, including myself. So Khenal, what do you say to the title, and rank, of Captain of the Guard of the Great Fortress Glitterglen?"

Venture's Book

Hi book. I saw Mr greywings today.

It was when we got that new ponies today. I heard that they were trapped behind some of those scarry looking ponies. I found him in the top dinning hall just leaning on the wall. I asked him if he was going to help those poor ponies, but he just shook his head and said 'nope, don't need too'. I was confused but then Private Ramol ran past to the gate super fast! He totally saved the day book! I didn't see it, but I hear it was supper awesome and stuff. Then Mr greywings said that he had to leave, and that he had stayed around for too long already. I said that I would miss him a lot, but he said that it was alright. He walked into some door I never saw before with Mr. Efim a really scared and confused looking pegasus and a cupple of other ponies I don't recognize and there was a bright light and...

They were gone.

I'm not as sad as I thought I would be. Actually, I'm sorta happy.

Sorry I haven't written in you for a long time book, so much stuff has been happing these days!

There's lots of new fillies and colts around now a days and it's super fun! We play all sorts of games and have adventures and all sorts of fun things. I never had this meany friends back at the town I use to live in! There are so many ponies hear! My family has to all share beads, but that's OK.

Mr. Tunur Was elected mayor too! I don't know what that means but there was a party and stuff so I guess it's a good thing. Ms. Charity wasn't happy though, but Andys' mom is always a sour puss.

Mr. Khenal has been teaching me magic, but weave been doing more boring control stuff again. He said we would try some other spells in this book he got from the last group of traders! That sounds supper cool!

Mr. Khenal has me doing a spell today!

It's called the 'floating illusion spell' or something. You just think of something and a shimmering image appears in the air. A lot of story tellers use it. Were starting small Khenal said, I just have to do a blue dagger. It's a hard spell, But I'm trying as hard as I can!

I know I can do it!

Blue Dagger Blue Dagger Blue Dagger Blue Dagger Blue Dagger Blue Dagger Blue Dagger Blue Dagger Blue Dagger Blue Dagger Blue Dagger Blue Dagger Blue Dagger Blue Dagger Blue Dagger Blue Dagger Blue Dagger Blue Dagger Blue Dagger Blue Dagger Blue Dagger

* The rest of the page is made up of blue color drawings of a long dagger *

I don't think this is working book. I won't give up though! Goodness this is going really slowly!

Khenal's Book, Chapter 13

I bought another book today. No, not another Book, just a magic book. I'm not great with magic, and Venture is fast approaching the limits of my knowledge of the arcane arts. I asked the caravan to bring more books on magic the next time they came, so hopefully this one will last till then. Maybe the other caravans will have some books as well?

Chapter 14

One of the armorers apparently ran for mayor and won. Personally, I don't pay much attention to politics. I don't see why we need a mayor while we have Charity as our overseer. What does a mayor actually do? Eh, probably does paperwork so Mrs. Charity can do important things. I heard her grumbling something about steel production and right hooves and left hooves. I really should do something to let her know we all appreciate her. I wonder if Nicolta Tesla or Theropod Watcher accept commissions for engravings?

Chapter 15

Ironya just finished what is possibly the best dagger in all existence. It's made from Adamantine and is, well, perfect.

I've also seen it before.

Earlier this week, Venture and I were practicing illusion spells and she was working on making a blue dagger. I'm not sure if it's her talents in precognition or if she somehow influenced Ironya accidentally. If it's just her talent, then I think the work in concentration and control is paying off. She hasn't told me of any nightmares lately at least, which I take as a good sign. However, if she influenced Ironya, this could be very bad. I need to test this. I remember we got a caged raccoon a while ago, I wonder if it's been claimed yet? I'll try showing it to her and ask her to try to get it to dance. I really hope she fails to get it dancing; power like that is very dangerous. Not just to others, but herself as well.

Chapter 16

Mrs. Charity called me into her office today. I didn't know why. I mean, I like to think she's a friend, but being called to her office means official Glitterglen business. Maybe I did something wrong and didn't realize it? After the door was closed, she told me about a murder. I was horrified! How could anypony murder somepony? She also told me she didn't think I was cut out to be on the front lines of battle, either. I wanted to argue that point, but she wasn't finished. She said I was a protector, and there are official positions for protectors: Guards. And she wanted me to be the Captain of the Guard.

I just stared at her, dumbstruck, for a while. Then I started thinking of the various ponies in Glitterglen: Cryptson and Charity, Thunder Splinter, Dr. Friesden, Venture, Peytrel. From the founders to the ponies that immigrated just last week, all of them working hard to make Glitterglen all it can be. Commander Starkey and the rest of the military, working to protect us from foreign threats. But what about domestic threats? What about threats that come from below? Commander Starkey is the first line, but what if something get through? He can't be everywhere at once.

I told her I don't think much of the title and rank, but I'd take the position anyway. She's right about me, I'm no warrior. But I will do my best to ensure the safety of these ponies and capture the murderer. I just hope there isn't too much paperwork involved.

Friesden's Diary

Something strange is happening to me. Some times I black out. And then bad things happen. I don't remember why or how. I've got to do something.

I don't know why, but the other pegasi scare me. Khenal scares me more. I feel most comfortable with the earth ponies. Goddesses help me. It's coming again. I can feel it. Just finish this and lock my door again.

Friesden.

Friesden's diary.

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH I WILL BE FREE I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE I WILL HAVE MY PRECIOUS AND MY PRECIOUS WILL HAVE THE PRECIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!

Venture's Book

Hey book, I just got a supper idea today.

I remember how Mr. Khenal told me that he had a pair of wood wings, and Shigos always wondered how having wings is like. It's the perfect plan! Mr. Khenal said he left them with Ms. Friesden, so we went to her office to ask her. She looked really nervous when we asked her, but she said we could borrow them. They were so cool! They didn't even look wooden or anything! And they had real feathers on them all colored red and stuff. They smelled a little odd but still, so cool! A little string and they sit right on Shigos back! Then Ms. Friesden said she would teach us how to fly! She led us up to the surface and told us to go over to a hill out away from the fortress while she got some thing she forgot. I hope she come's back soon, I can't wait! You know sometimes when I look at her, I think I can see-

"Ello? Whats this?"
The two fillys look back in shock at the appearance of at the new pony. Venture quickly stuffs her book into her saddlebag. Before them stands a strange new pony.

"Dva malenky pegiez out and about I viddy*8. No, you got horns on your gullivers don't you?"

"Ummm..." The two fillies shift under the gaze of the frightening pony before them.

"Well, Beg your pardoon magntesy." The sikly colored pony preforms a mock bow to the frightened fillies. Venture finally speaks up.

"Were not suppose to talk to strangers an-"

"Me eemyas SkrillCoal. Guss I'm not a stranger-danger now am I?"

"Well, ya I guess but-"

"Say!" The pony walks closer to the two. "How would you like something to munch? My droogs and me are having a git-to-get over the way, would you like to join?"

"No thanks we-"

"Come now, I insist!"

A short scream comes from behind Venture as a shadowbolt grabbs Shigos by her newfoud wings. The pony, now revealed as a keshi, approaches the little helpless filly. In her desperation, the filly shouts out.
"Stop!"

Much to everyponies surprise, and against all reason, it actually works. The keshi stopps in in his tracks. Seeing the effectiveness of her statement, she decides to go for broke.

"Now, you, um... you leave us alone right now!"

The keshi gives a blank stare for a few moments before turning to his compatriot.

"Oy! Lets itty. These malenky sods ain't worth the trubble, lets get-gone."

Needless to say, this confuses the shadowbolt to no end, a confusion compounded by the filly in his mouth shedding it's wings and running off. The two Diomedian ponies, too confused by the whole turn of events, fail to give chase. Said foals manage to quickly make it to the safety of the fort, only to face another, far more frightening foe: A very angry looking Commander Starkey.

Charity's Journal 12th Malachite, 96

Khenal accepted the position of Captain of the Guard. I've also assigned a few ponies to work under him, including the unicorn mare ranger, and the other hunter; both are pretty good shots. Also, three others who have had very basic weapon training, in axes, hammers, and hooves respectfully. Khenal will have his work cut out for him turning them into competent guards, but I trust him. We are going to start digging out a small office for Khenal, and a little prison cell, for our murderer.

With the fate of Efim now known, I've decided to make a small memorial for him. I don't want to disturb the body just yet. Khenal will probably still want to look it over for any clues he can find.

14th Malachite, 96

Disaster, a complete disaster. As our engravers where digging little windows into the adamant, to check for the beasts of legend that supposedly live underneath the blue metal, a mistake was made and the great magma sea was breached. Three lumps of raw adamant were covered in deep magma, and a lot that could have been mined is now unsafe. Fortunately, no pony was hurt. However, this is still very disappointing. It might be possible to use magma pumps to clear the area, but it won't be easy.

Addendum:

I've had a request come across my desk for the production of a half dozen enormous wooden corkscrews to bolster our trap defenses. I've decided to allow it and will have the manager fill out the appropriate paperwork for a rush job.

17th Malachite, 96

Tislam, one of the farmers, just had a little girl. Such a cute little unicorn.

19th Malachite, 96

Khenal's office is coming along splendidly; once it's smoothed, it might even be better than mine. We decided the room needed a few statues, Pillomino made one of herself carving a cabinet. Not wanting to be outdone by her, I crafted a beautiful statue of myself, showing the day I was chosen as Overseer. Khenal seemed uncomfortable with this selection of statues for his office, but I can't imagine why? Cryptson decided to dig out five different cells, and a private barracks for the Town Guard. In each of the cells we will place a single zinc chain, a bed, a table, a chair, and two barrels, one for food, and the other for drink.

Khenal's Book Chapter 17

Ugh, the position does come with paperwork duties. Gotta suck it up, but it doesn't mean I have to like the stuff. The murder scene was a huge mess. The body was almost totally bones, which I was thankful for. After all, bones don't really have much odor to them. Death looked to have come from multiple stab wounds from my old copper spear. Damnit, I knew I should have made sure it was accounted for! The amount of blood everywhere, along with a multitude of gashes in the bones says it took poor Efim a while to die.

His wings are missing. How they were removed is a mystery. They could have been simply ripped off or removed with great care, there aren't any nicks in the bones around where the wings should have been attached. The window and lever to actuate the spear indicate we are dealing with one sick pony. Whoever they are, they watched as Efim was repeatedly impaled. Grr, I'm too angry to continue right now, my Book. I'm going to go train, hopefully work this off before meeting the rest of the guard for the first time as their captain.

Chapter 18

Goodness, was I this terrible when I first signed up for martial training? The two rangers are doing quite well, but the other recruits need serious work. I'm gonna ask Commander Starkey for advice, and to see if he can still help me in my personal training. I also need to ask the Captain of the ranged squad for advice on how to train the rangers.

The Adamantine mining area suffered a huge blow recently. Apparently, they sprung a small magma leak, and couldn't stop it before the area flooded. The blue metal still makes me uneasy, but it's hard to argue against mining the stuff. Afterall, that dagger is truly a thing of beauty.

Chapter 19

Dr. Friesden has been even odder than usual lately. She practically jumped out of her skin when I greeted her in the hall earlier today. Maybe she's worried about the murderer? I asked her to examine what was left of the body, so she knows about it. She made a whole bunch of detailed observations about the body and also the potential state-of-mind of the murderer. Most of what she said went over my head, but she did say that the wings were carefully removed. If they were ripped off, there would have been damage to the surrounding bones as well.

The new jail is coming along quite well; five cells and a barracks for the Guard. Speaking of jails, my office is coming along quickly as well. The statues are...interesting. The one depicting Mrs. Charity becoming the overseer makes sense, but the other one is just plain odd. I appreciate that it must have been a good cabinet, but does it really need a statue commemorating it's construction?

Chapter 20

Thunder Splinter spotted a wounded badgerpegasus, so the Guard was called to put it out of it's misery. That reminded me of the hunting Commander Starkey had us do to help us learn tactics and teamwork. I asked Mrs. Charity to allow me to take the Guard hunting, and she agreed. To the hunt!

Exceprt from the diary of ThunderSplinter;

Early Galena:

While checking the stability of the Air Control Tower - I am quite pleased with progress, and it just needs a few more levels to be acceptable - I noticed a wounded honey badger pony struggling away from one of Nicolta's traps, and the bored Fortress Guard was easily stirred into action.

After that bit of excitement, and installing a few more wooden blocks, I received confirmation to build wooden corkscrews which I hope will secure the fortress from invasion.

In other news, the experiment with ground up fish scales did not go well. The effect was interesting, but was more like iridescent glitter than the pearleascence I was aiming for, plus the fact that it still ponged like fish, and the fisherpony gladly supplied some dried fish, but the scales lost most of their iridescence and grinding them up just made a really fine powder that smelled like fish. Might have to abandon that avenue for a while and go with Ironya's suggestion of powdering some metal, the miners have located small depsotis of cobaltite which we might be able to make into something worthwhile.
After some tweaking in the carpentry shop, I was able to construct a passable brush by using the tail hairs of the latest batch of honey badger ponies, they have been a source of inspiration as well as filling the pantry. Speaking of which, time for some cupcakes and midnight berry wine.

ThunderSplinter.

Friesden's diary

By all the gods, goddesses, demigods, heroes and any other deities you can think of!

Some pony has -killed- another here! Watched them BLEED TO DEATH AS THEY WERE STABBED REPEATEDLY IN FRONT OF THEM LIKE THE STOP IT! Or I'll get Khenal! YOU WOULDN'T DARE, YOU COWARD! YOU DON'T HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO I said stop it! I won't warn you again! HA! I KNOW WHO KILLED THE PONY AND SO DO YOU! I'M YOUR ONLY CHANCE OF SURVIVAL. No, you're not! Khenal would help me! NO HE WOULDN'T. HE'S JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHERS, HATING EVERYPONY BUT THEMSELVES. BUT I CARE ABOUT YOU no you don't! You just want to do your experiments on them! But I'm telling you HE KNOWS, YOU KNOW, AND I KNOW. ONLY ONE OPTION, EH? I won't kill Khenal! No matter what, I'd rather die than kill a pony! I'LL DO IT FOR YOU, THEN. WE NEED THOSE WINGS BACK SO WE CAN FRAME HIM FOR THE CRIME I told you no! We're not killing anyone else! It'll die down soon, then I'll deal with you properly.

Charity's Journal 3rd Galena, 96

Thundersplinter called out, from the top of her tower that she's still working diligently on, that a Honey Badger Pony had been injured by the traps leading into the fortress. The Fortress Guard put the creature out of it's misery. Knowing where there is one of those things their is more, Khenal lead his squad on a merry little hunt, killed about 6 more of them. Great, more Badger Pony pie.

Addendum:

As the the ponies where returning from the hunt, and we were bringing in the badger carcasses. Something shown brightly upon the Horizon.

Gods save us all.*9

*******************
Author's Notes

1 The exclamation points indicate that the science is on fire. Anyone who has played Dwarf Fortress knows that any science applied is almost certain to involve something bursting into flames. I could go on about ‼SCIENCE‼, but I wont. If you wish more information, df.magmawiki.com should have more than you want.

2 Masons can make statues, and will often depict things of historical significance. As you can see from the image, they are not always the most flattering. Additionally, they can receive unhappy thoughts if any of their masterworks are stolen/destroyed.

3 A silver whip might not sound like much of a weapon, but a quirk of damage calculations makes it very deadly. Whips are very fast, the crack they make is actually a small sonic boom. Silver is very dense. Combine something very heavy going very fast with the small contact area of a whip, and you suddenly have a very potent weapon. A potent weapon that makes physics weep. See ‼SCIENCE‼ above.

4 This may have been less an act of heroism and more an act of greed. At this point, the unicorn ranger is dead. When somebody dies, their stuff is up for grabs. Dwarves (or in this case, ponies) will often rush out in the middle of a battle to claim their new sock from the foot of the fallen.

5 Similar to masons and statues, Stone detailers will often carve things of importance to the fort. If they don't feel like recording history, or nothing interesting has happened, they will carve things like waves, squares, trees and animals.

6 The various actual nobles will make demands depending on their likes. These demands and mandates can range from literally impossible to laughably easy. Nobles with difficult/impossible likes tend to have unfortunate accidents. See ‼SCIENCE‼ above.

7 Few things make a player happier than a weaponsmithing mood that works on adamantine. Not only will you get an utterly divine weapon (barring warhammers...), you are likely to have a legendary weaponsmith as well. Unfortunately, Ironya didn't get the skill gain.

8 I have no idea what this means. The Diomedians here speak a dialect of English called Nadsat. I won't be translating anything they say. Partially because I think their speech gives them great character, and partially because these notes can get away from me really easily.

9 Our first Titan! Or is it a Forgotten Beast? I always forget which is which. Bronze Colossi are very bad news; being made of bronze and having no organs makes them very tough. The accepted methods of dealing with one are to either swarm it with melee fighters or apply a cave in. See ‼SCIENCE‼ above.

One final note: How does everypony like the occasional picture from the game? I don't think I'll be adding very many of them, but every so often when I don't feel like typing out the long descriptions they show.

CSI Equestria

The marksponies took up defensive positions upon the walls, fearful that their bone and wooden bolts would be useless against this foe. The melee squad and the rest of the Fortress guard sat in the main courtyard, and waited. The prebattle jitters got to one pony, however: Munest Sodkatdir, a hammerpony assigned to work under Khenal. He disobeyed orders, broke ranks, and charged off on his own toward the beast.

It was a brutal beat down. The brave hammerpony fought valiantly, but his kicks, and hammer strikes glanced away ineffectually.

Standing victorious over the broken pony, the bronze mountainous thing took off once more: toward the walls, toward Glitterglen. The brave ponies held their ground, save for one: Egom Singdumpling, an amateur axepony. He had followed the first out, but upon seeing the death of his comrade had tried to flee back to the walls. He was caught by the gargantuan villain just as the marksponies unleashed their first volley. Egom dodges and counter attacks, though the blow fails to penetrate. The titan attacks, Egom evades. Knowing he would surely fall without help, and not wanting to lose another pony today, Starkey and Khenal, call for a charge.

The help arrived not a moment too soon, for he lay beaten and battered with a broken leg. Egom, knowing the end was about to take him, had been saying one last prayer to Kulet Orblens, the Mindful Watchfulness of Poems. Perhaps the gods were listening this day, because as the Bronze Colossus raised its hand to strike him down, Osal, the Markspony, ran up and hit the Titan with his crossbow. The creature threw Egom where he passed out on the ground. And in a wave, the entire army of Glitterglen descended upon the monstrous thing. Spears flash, axes swing, whips crack, bolts fly. Many attacks glance away, but a few fracture the beast; it can't keep this up for long. But each second that goes by, it strikes somepony, and the militia will tire long before it will.

After a long and tiring fight, the thing falls, defeated. The final strike given from the earth pony Langgud and his silver whip. But the victory belonged not to him, but to all the brave ponies of Glitterglen. Nonub Reignedclobbered, the Cuts of Domination, the bronze colossus, was no more.

Charity's Journal 8th Galena, 96

The fight with the Bronze Colossus was a great success. Only one casualty, and one injured. Well, some had a few bruises, but only one required any time in the hospital. Egom will be out with a broken leg for a while, but overall, it could have been a lot worse. The body of the beast is being set up like a statue*1 inside the barracks of the Fortress Guard, as a constant reminder of why they must train.

Charity's Journal 10th Galena, 96

A double funeral was held today for Efim and Munest. I made a speech about Efim, in which I revealed to the entire fortress the murderer was still lose in the Fortress, and told them to make sure they report any suspicious behavior to our Captain Khenal. Since then, Efim's ghost hasn't been seen.

Khenal's Book, Chapter 21

A bronze colossus. I had only ever heard legends about them, but had thought them just that: Legends. Unfortunately, they are all too real.

It appeared while the Guard and I were out hunting. Thunder Splinter gave the alarm from the (still under construction) tower. I knew the Guard was no match for it, so I ordered a retreat to Glitterglen proper. This was an outside threat, and a major one as well, so I deferred to Commander Starkey's lead. After all, he's the Commander for a reason. We were getting into formation when I noticed two of my guards were absent. Wait, not absent, but charging the Colussus on their own! Munest and Egom, still learning the basics of using their weapons, were surely going to die. Munest was faster than Egom, and reached the colossus with enough time for it to crush him before Egom could even get there.

As the monster closed on Egom and began striking him, I ordered the Guard to charge. Commander Starkey ordered the Army to charge as well. The battle was long and arduous, but we managed to save Egom, though his leg was badly broken.

I... I feel a bit numb. I think it hasn't sunk in yet that Munest is gone. I'm going to talk to Commander Starkey about it, and maybe Dr. Friesden. She's a doctor, maybe she knows about mental trauma as well as physical.

Chapter 22

We buried Efim and Munest today. I'm still a bit unfocused, I forgot that Mrs. Charity was planning to let the fort know of Efim's murder today. I'd rather keep it quiet so as not to make everypony worry, but they do have a right to know about this threat. I doubt anypony can give me any new leads this long after the murder, but I'll hear whatever they have to say. Who knows, it wouldn't be the first time I was wrong.

The Journal of Cap'n Starkey

8th Galena, '96

I have come to a rather alarming conclusion: this entire outpost has been infected by an extremely virulent strain of Sudden Ludicrous Bravado Syndrome. And today, the disease claimed it's fir

That was stupid of me. I have no business joking at a time like this.

We were attacked by some kind of enormous automata today. It was made of solid bronze, too strong for our weapons to cut through. We just had to keep wailing on it 'till the metal turned brittle with fatigue, and shattered. The thing didn't let us go without a few parting gifts, though. The fortress guard took the brunt of it. One of their ponies is in the hospital, nursing a broken leg. Another...

I should go speak with Khenal. He's a strong lad, I can't imagine he'd take it too hard. But just to be sure...

10th Galena, '96

So we have a murderer in Glitterglen. One who likes to kill ponies with insane mechanical contraptions, and relieve pegasi of their wings. Not sure about the death chamber part, but based on the mutilation, I'd be inclined to say this was racially motivated.

But I'm not a guard anymore, I'm a soldier. This is Khenal's task. Doesn't mean I won't give him advice if he asks, but I'll let him act on it himself.

Charity's Journal 12th Galena 96

An interesting thing happened today. Peytrel was watching the militia train again. Seeing as how Peytrel isn't quite the little pony that he used to be, Starkey decided to humor the boy and show him how to do a few basic moves with his axe. But young Peytrel surprised both of them by, cutting a training dummy in two with one swing. A bright light flashed, and then, Peytrel had his cutie-mark*2. It was an axe over a shield. Peytrel is not a child anymore. He is ready for more responsibility, and it seems that he wants to join Starkey's squad more than anything. It will be so.

13th Galena 96

The mayor has passed a law which makes the export of steel, from Glitterglen, punishable by imprisonment. I agree with his decision*3. While I doubt anyone would be foolish enough to sell our limited and precious steel supply to any of the caravans, a little extra incentive not to can't hurt.

14th Galena 96

A zebra pony caravan has arrived. We traded with them for a good deal of metal goods, cloth, leather, and fish that aren't native to this area. Overall we made out well.

28th Limestone 96

Peytral made his first kills today. He was out with the woodcutters as they were cutting trees. I think it was his day off and he was helping carry some timber inside. Regardless, three stranglers attacked. He and one war dog leaped to their defense. The war dog was killed, but Peytral killed all three of them.

Charity's Journal 4th Sandstone 96

Cryptson has been wanting to take an apprentice for a while now. And now that he's a father and husband, that desire has been growing. His work keeps him busy and away from Adamant and me for far to long. Had we more miners anywhere near as skilled as him, he would have more time to spend with his family. So, Starting today he is going to be training the earth pony Grifen in his trade. They're going to start with a simple project: they are going to dig out a huge area of the soil layer to use as both an underground tree farm, and, after some moss grows, a pasture area for our livestock that is safely inside our walls*4. Cryptson tells me that this will be good training for Grifen.

5th Sandstone 96

A new group of ponies has come. A relatively small number this time, probably more banished individuals. Although, I know at least some of our number have come here of their own violation. These could be more thrill seekers, coming to live an exciting life on the fridges of society. If so, they will disappointed.

This time we got: a scrawny looking, male spear pegasus, (sent him to join the guard, Khenal should be able to put some muscle on his frame) a female pegasus jeweler, unfortunately for her, she showed us some of her work and compared to Nicolta's gems they are rank amateur. A female seige operator pegasus, she seemed to complain about the lack of siege weapons making up our defenses. A male pegasus butcher/farmer. A very experienced fisherpony/leatherworker male pegasus. and a male earthpony furnace operator.

14th Sandstone 96

I passed by Khenal's office this afternoon and smelled a horrible smell. I went in the room and found that he left his food sitting out in the middle of the room*5. It had rotted on the floor. What a disgusting slob. I hope he can explain this. It sets a bad example to those who look up to him.

In lighter news, Isos, one of Khenal's recruits, have birth to a little earth pony filly. Uses a knife as her preferred weapon. Pretty skilled with it too, considering she holds it with her mouth. We've been allowing her to use the blue dagger Ironya made awhile back, Goodsnarled the Principle of Slowing, that's what she called it.

Charity's Journal 17th Sandstone 96

Bem dropped his barrel of food in the middle of the food stockpile, and ran down the stairs like a pony possessed. Threw Bokbon out of her craftshop and locked himself in. He then acquired two piles of logs, a roll of pigtail cloth, and a sheet of strangler leather. He's been working ever since. We can hear him muttering Kiroshot, over and over again.

22nd Sandstone 96

Bem has finished his Kiroshot. It's an earring. Now, don't get me wrong, it's a very nice earring. It's just, I mean, did he really need all those logs just to make one. And he destroyed enough leather to make an entire cloak, or shirt, and just made a few little decorations on his wooden earring. It just seems wasteful.

28th Sandstone 96

Kil*6, a unicorn mare that I don't really know well had a little unicorn boy today.

Khenal's Book Chapter 23

I've been in a bad way ever since Munest died. I had gotten myself some food, I don't even remember what it was now. I just sat in my office, thinking about what I could have done to save Munest, but everything I could think of only traded one life for another. Even if I had charged the colossus, I could only hope to have it smash me instead. Forgetting my food, I started wandering the halls. Mrs. Charity confronted me about the stink my neglected meal was creating, told me that far too many ponies looked up to me for me to leave a mess like that.

Do ponies actually look up to me? Even after Munest? It seemed unlikely, but Mrs. Charity isn't one to sugar coat anything. I apologized for the odor and said it wouldn't happen again.

If ponies are going to look up to me, I need to get this murder solved. Every murder has three main ingredients: Means, Motive and Method. Motive appeared to be something to do with the wings, though what is a mystery. Method was the spear trap. Who in this fortress has the Means to create a weapon trap? I know Nicolta Tesla can make traps, his works are currently installed in the main entrance as a first line defense. Wasn't somepony helping him with those? I need to ask Mrs. Charity about this, see if anypony else has the aptitude to create a trap like this.

Chairty's Secret Journal 3rd Timber 96

My second son was born today! My little unicorn. He has the prettiest eyes the color of raw cobalt. Cobalt, yes, I think that's what I'll name him. Cobalt.

Charity's Journal 4th Timber 96

Khenal came and asked me for a list of ponies who are known to be able to work with machines. Specifically those that were already here during the time when Efim vanished. The following is a copy of the list I gave him.

Suspect list

Nicolta Tesla

Istbar Zephyrslap (female earthpony fisher/mechanic)

Friesden (she had been working as our mechanic before Nicolta showed up and replaced her)

There is also another, but he only arrived after the currently believed time of death, and is therefor not a suspect.

These are all the ponies that I know had the mechanics skill at the time of the murder. However, it is possible that others could have been lying about it and hiding their talents, especially if they were already planning this when they arrived.

5th Timber 96

One of the pegasus children, a young friend of Peytrel, has grown up and taken up his first job in the markspony squad.

11th Timber 96

We have successfully dug a tunnel from the underground lake to the entry point of the magma, into our adamantine mining area. Since no more can now get in, I think trying to pump it out into a sealed reservoir our best bet. I'll contact Nicolta about how best to build a magma pump.

13th Timber 96

A cave pony caravan has arrived. Glad to see they aren't too upset about the disagreement we had last year.

25th Timber 96

A little accident happened today. I had asked for some chimpanzees to be moved from one set of cages to another*7. However, during the move the animals rioted. Fortunately, Starkey happened to be walking by as it attacked and quickly put it down.

14th Moonstone 96

Venture's mother, the brewer, gave birth again today: a little pegasus boy.

16th Moonstone 96

The magma is finally being pumped away from the raw adamant. Starkey volunteered to operate the pump. Says, it's good work for building muscles.*8

23rd Moonstone 96

Thanks to Commander Starkey sacrificing his days off to work the pump, the adamantine chamber is now mostly empty. The floor is still molten*9 but is expected to cool soon, and then we can finally get back to the adamant.

Venture's Book

I made a new friend today book.

His name is Munest. He's kind of like Mr. greywings, kinda blurry and hard to see strait. I found him kinda just... wandering around inside the fort. He was trying to talk to some ponies, but I don't think they could hear him. He looked really super scared, so I talked to him. I guess he's a ghost or something, because I told him about the funeral we had, and he remembers getting hit by that big metal statue thing. But I thought that ghosts go away when you have a funeral don't they? I tried to show him to the door the other ghosts used (different place this time, but still found it on the first try), but the door is all covered in these, black, vine, chain, things and it won't budge. He's still super scared, so I let him stay with me until we can figure it out. I hope nopony minds.

Hey Book!

Guss what! My brother got his cutie mark today! Isn't that great! It's an ax too, and hes in the guard now! Its all so exiting! I mean its like all hes dreams are coming true, but, that got me thinking. I don't know what I want to be. I guess I never thought about it before now. But that's not Important, my brother is a stallion today! YAY!

I meet some zebras today book!

They were so cool too. They talked in rhymes and they had a story teller with them! Me and my brothers and all the fillies and colts in the fort went to here her. She told the story of Goddess Luna, and the filly who cried snatcher and all sorts of stories. The best part was that nopony had the black vines on that mammy got me and little sky toys.

Book
I-
My-
The th

I don't have bad dreams anymore. That's good right? Ya, so that balances out the bad stuff that comes next. That's what Munest said. The bad thing is that, the bad stuff is when I'm awake now.

Sometimes, I can see these terrible things on ponies. Like the black vines on the door. And the ponies are different then they were before. There angry, or nevus all the time, or... just bad. The other foals play mean games and hurt little animals. The gurds all brag about killing things slowly so they hurt more. Mr. Khenal is OK though, it's not got him all the way yet.

Some times I can see mommy all covered in cuts and bruises, but then there not there anymore, and some times cutie marks will look different. They start to look terrible. Jagged knives and skulls and blood.

I saw the scary pony from before as a ghost. He was running and crying. The black vines got him, started dragging him into the ground, he was screaming "HELP ME HELP ME HELP ME". Munest ran away, I can't find him. I can hear him, running from the vines too. Ms. Friesden has strings coming out of her, black strings. I can see them now all the time.

There hurting her, I know they are.

I want to tell some pony, I really do, but they will think I'm crazy. I know they will. Khenal is so busy now a days he can't even talk to me. I see him covered in chains sometimes, pulling him down. I don't know what to do.

I'm scared book.

No! I won't eat it it's wrong! It's wrong! They were ponies! They talked, they walked, they were thinking things and it's wrong! I wont eat it! I'll starve before I eat it! I WONT I WONT I WONT DO IT ITS WRONG!!!*10

I have to find little sky! I have too find my baby brother! I have to make sure he's OK! I Have Too!

Khenal's Book, Chapter 24

Three ponies were known to have the skills to create a spear trap at the time of Efim's death: Nicolta Tesla, Dr. Friesden, Istbar Zephyrslap.

...And I'm stumped on how to proceed. I could question them directly, but if one of them really is the murderer, it would only warn them and give them a chance to slip away. I could try talking to their friends/family, but that's also likely to raise suspicions. I've noticed that I'm not the only one to keep a book, so I could theoretically confiscate them as potential evidence, but that's far too extreme. It's also a huge invasion of privacy, especially if the murderer doesn't keep a book. And it also gives the murderer a chance to escape.

Wait, I'm trying to question the wrong ponies. I have ponies with the means now, so maybe I should try finding motive? I'll try talking to Efim's family/friends, see who could have possibly had reason to cause him harm. Apparently, most murders are done by ponies who know the victim.

Chapter 25

When did Peytrel join the army? I only noticed him in uniform when I went out to see what the cave pony caravan brought to trade. They were exceptionally nervous around me, and if they are the same merchants form last year, I don't blame them. I couldn't even bring myself to look them in the eyes from the memories. I bought several tomes on magic and requested they bring more next year if they could. I asked specifically about divination and awareness magic tomes, but any would be appreciated. They charged me through the nose for the books, but I couldn't bring myself to haggle much.

Seeing Peytrel reminded me that I haven't talked to Venture in a while. With the promotion, colossus and the murder investigation, I haven't had time. Not to mention that I had run out of things to teach her. Maybe I'll try talking to her over lunch. I've only been able to stomach what comes from the fields lately. It was only from my funk that I even grabbed the tripe that I forgot about in my room a week ago. I couldn't have hoped to keep something like that down, blech! Hopefully these books will give me something to help her reach her potential safely.

Friesden DOESN'T HAVE A DIARY WE'VE TRICKED YOU 's diary.

Well, today NOTHING HAPPENED. AS USUAL. TALK TALK TALK THAT'S ALL YOU EVER DO. YOU'VE GOT TO I met Khenal again. I don't know.... Anyway, some of the foals were playing again. Venture, I think it was, IS A NOSY FOAL WHO DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO KEEP HER NOSE OUT OF OTHER PEOPLE'S BUSINESS, AND IT PROBABLY WASN'T US WHO DID IT IF HER NOSE GETS CHOPPED OFF was watching me strangely. I'm not sure what happened....

Anyway, I was walking down the WAY THAT HAS MADNESS LYING AFTER IT. HAHAHA corridor, and....I don't know how to say this... I think someponies are hunting me WELL THEY ARE, KHENAL IS THEIR BOSS AND HE WANTS YOU DEAD and I don't know why.

I'm scared. I think I should run away before WE GET TO KILL ANYMORE? ARE YOU INSANE? HAHAHA, TRICK QUESTION, OF COURSE YOU ARE INSANE! they do it. I'm really scared, diary.

I need help.

LOVE, FRIESden.

Charity's Journal 26th Moonstone 96

Ironya had a scare today. While walking outside the walls with her baby boy, her and the others who were outside were attacked by a troop of Mandrills and a single Elephant Pony. Ironya and her baby ran back inside, jumped over the trap and one of the creatures was skewered by enormous wooden screws, wooden bolts, and spikes from the earth. The others ran right into Khenal, responding to the yelling on the surface. Khenal killed the Elephant pony, and then he killed the rest of the filthy apes that tried to escape. Cut one's head clean off. With a spear! I kid you not.

Charity's Secret Journal 11th Opal 96

Oh my little pony isn't so little anymore. Adamant went out to play with the other foals today. It's the first time he's been away from his Mommy for any length of time. I told Venture to look out for him. Strangely, Venture seemed kind of off the entire time I was talking to her. Probably just didn't sleep well, I've heard she suffers from night-terrors. I sympathize with the filly and her parents are always so busy, I wish there was something we could do for her.

Oh Adamant is back now. Seems he tripped and scrapped his chin, sounds like he's was trying to say something about Venture, but I couldn't catch it over the tears, The kids were probably just roughhousing or playing on the stairs again or something.

Charity's Journal 13th Opal 96

The fortress guard has returned from it's little hunting trip. Khenal said he needed some time off to clear his head of the investigation so he could look at it from a fresh perspective, so he took his men out on a hunting trip. They brought back several Mandrills, two silver gibbons, and more Siamangs*11 then I can count. The butchers will be hard pressed to process them all before they rot. Hm. Better have Cryptson and Grifen make a room for a second butchers/tanners. Not that we even need the meat, our entire food industry could take a year off and we'd still all be fat and happy.

Charity's Journal 26th Opal 96

I've been informed that Shasad Spewgerbil our woodcutter/carpenter (And father of Venture) has suddenly taken over one of our craft-shops, disrupting production. His wife seemed upset about the whole thing. Said he's hardly said a word to her or their children in days. I'll have to post somepony to watch him, he could be dangerous.

Addendum

My posted guard has reported back to me that Shasad has grabbed three piles of unprocessed logs and one large granite block, and seems to be building something.

3rd Obsidian 96

Shasad has finally finished what he was building. It's a marvelous wooden door. decorated with spikes of granite. He calls it UnionsArrows. It's very beautiful. I was going to just put it in the dinning room, but he insisted that it was to be a gift to his eldest son, and so it is being put as the entrance to Peytrel's room. Seems a waste to me.

Khenal's Book, Chapter 26

Talking to Efim's family and friends has helped to eliminate Nicolta Tesla as a suspect. They said Efim was working with somepony on a mechanics project, and he felt she was "quite a looker." None of them had met her, though. Nor could they remember any details if Efim ever mentioned them, but at least my suspects are narrowed down to two. Now that there's a mechanic here who isn't a suspect, maybe we can get that trap taken apart carefully. I haven't touched it since the room was discovered for fear of destroying some important clue. I'll ask Mr. Tesla to deconstruct the trap carefully and help me look for any clues in the mechanisms.

Chapter 27

The jungle has some very colorful and very angry monkeys. Several ponies were outside enjoying the nice day when they were set upon by an elephant pony and a group of what Charity tells me are mandrills. Ironya and the others made it inside the walls with the angry animals hot on their hooves. The traps kept the beasts outside, where I engaged them with several of the guard. I need to compliment Ironya on her craftponyship, this spear has an excellent edge on it. I was actually able to decapitate one of the mandrills because of it. The rest of the guard is still pretty green, maybe we should go hunting again. After all, our last trip was interrupted by that colossus.

Charity's Journal 9th Obsidian 96

Khenal and Nicolta Tesla oversaw the deconstruction of the murder weapon today. We also removed the window (Thinking about putting it up someplace, though it might be to much of a sad reminder of the tradgedy) Cryptson even tore down the walls for material. Walking down that hallway now, it's as if that retched hole never existed. I think that's for the best.

16th Obsidian 96

Happy days! The floor of the adamant mine is finally cool. That accident set us back on gathering raw Adamantine for several seasons, but now mining can begin again. Grifen looks positively overjoyed to finally get to dig up some of the blue metal with his own hoofs. We threw a party to celebrate.

At the party I saw Ironya's two kids playing around with the other foals. They grow up so fast, feels like just yesterday that she gave birth to little Itur during the Diomedian raid.

19th Obsidian 96

The caravan from home has arrived. I hope they brought the iron and steel we asked for. As has one from the Rainbow tribe*12.

The leader of the pony carvan had a letter to me barring the seal of the Royal family. The letter was as follows:

Dear Charity Conventtulips Overseer of the town of Glitterglen

Due to your monumental success in claiming a part of the Failed Jungles for our great nation of The Shells of Dance, in my name, I have decided to officially recognize this Glitterglen as a Barony of The Shells of Dance. And since you have done so well as to survive this long, I am promoting you to the position of Baroness. However, as a Barony you now have certain responsibilities to the kingdom at large, specifically: taxes. Starting when the next caravan comes the following year. The town of Glitterglen is to provide goods in value of at least 10,000 bits as an offering to the Royal Family. Naturally, failure to comply with the tax law will lead to Glitterglen being declared a rogue state, and will be dealt with accordingly.

Signed Princess Dizesh Hugwax of The Shells of Dance

Charity's Journal

That bitch. She's trying to make it sound like she planned this all along. She sends us out here to die like animals, and when we survive against the odds, she decides to tax us for the privilege. Unbelievable! Fortunately, the amount is such that our craftsponies should be able to handle it easily. Although I'd bet my life that she's going to raise it next year. Regardless, I best gather the citizens and inform them of what the Princess is doing.

Baroness Charity's Journal 13th Granite 96

Construction is just about finished on my families private dinning room. It has a pair of beautifully worked tables and chairs by Thundersplinter and an amazing clear glass statue of the founding of Glitterglen decorated by several types of native gemstones. Truly a great work of art. Along side a pair of masterfully carved granite cabinets for storing our things. Only thing missing is that the walls are kind of bare. I'll call Theorpod over to see what he thinks would look nice.

18th Granite 96

The traders left late yesterday. We acquired a lot of metal. Enough to outfit several more ponies in full steel and bronze. We traded a lot of our preserved meats to them. Our farms are easily enough to keep us feed and our stockpiles were becoming too full. The traders also had a good deal of sand. Enough to keep our glass-worker busy for a month or two at least.

Addendum:

A swarm of Parasprites has been spotted on the surface. They are harassing our surface workers, who are asking me to deal with the problem. I'll need to think of how best to deal with a swarm of tiny flying things. Maybe the Pegasus squad can herd them away from the town. I'll talk to the militia leaders about the best course of action.

Venture's Book

Book, I don't know what to do.

I was playing with Andy and little Sky today. I was going to show them how to play jumping Janes. The black vines came back. I screamed, closed the door. I can't remember everything that happened. Andy ran away crying, Sky's looking at me like I'm a monster. I don't know what to do! I think I hit Andy, but I don't know why or... I don't know! I don't know!

Peytrel put down the journal, rubbing his temples. He hadn't wanted to believe it. He hated to believe it. Frankly, he should have seen it before now, he was so run up in being a guard that it slipped by. The royals have always hated their family, why would this one be any different. Everything seemed to become clearer when dad had finished that door. It was like he could only think clearly around that door. He finally saw what was happening to Venture, and he knew who was responsible for it, and not just for her.

He had found the books in Khenal's office. Magic books, all based on mind spells. How to get ponies to do what you want to do. His little lessons with Venture... He's relation with Friesden... It all came together now. It was time to stop putting this off, he had to go talk to the Cap'n. He knew who the murderer was. Nopony hurt his family, not even Khenal.

The Journal of Cap'n Starkey

Private Peytrel came to me today. I had figured he was here for more one-on-one training - ever since he enlisted, the lad has really been throwing himself into his work. Instead, he told me he wanted to have a talk about something. Seemed to believe he knew who had killed Efim. Then he gave me the name.

Khenal.

I came very close to knocking the foal's damn teeth out - I'm not proud of that, not one whit - but I kept calm, and asked him for some evidence. He told me he'd broken into the captain's office and found some kind of magic books and scrolls. Not too terribly odd, he always did love to study when he wasn't working, and he's been tutoring Venture as of late. But then he went into some tirade about mind control spells, and Khenal's relationship with the doctor. I'll be honest, it sounded very much like the boy had gone off the deep end, until I heard the next bit.

Peytrel told me the royals had always had it out for his family, always causing them trouble. I asked him where he had gotten a notion like that. He told me about his parents' relationship with the royals, particularly his mother. I... won't put those thoughts to paper. Growing up around that, I can almost forgive him for being suspicious of the godkin. I told Peytrel I had my doubts, but I'd look into it anyways - a lie, I know, but I figured trying to argue with him might make things worse. I think that satisfied the lad, at least enough that he won't do anything rash. But just to be sure, there's something I need to do, and I think I have the perfect excuse to do it.

Miss Charity,

Recent events have brought to my attention a very serious issue: while Glitterglen is well-secured against outside threats, our internal security is severely lacking. With the formation of the fortress guard, at least part of that has been alleviated. However, there is one point I wish to address. As you are well aware, Efim's murderer was able to procure the materials necessary to construct the murder weapon in secret, among those the copper spear which dealt the killing blow. Deadly weaponry lying about unsecured is a significant potential hazard, either through accident, fit of passion, or malice.

To alleviate this, I am proposing that a secure armory be constructed to house all weapons within the fort, including that of the militia and excepting certain less-lethal weapons in use by the guards, at all times when not in use. Barring exceptional circumstances (impending siege, riot, etc.) all those wishing to make use of said weapons must register in writing precisely what was taken, what time it was taken and subsequently returned, and a sufficiently adequate reason for its use. Understand that I believe firmly in the right of all ponies to keep and bear arms, but under the circumstances I believe that we cannot afford to be more lenient.

Captain Starkey, Militia Captain, Glitterglen Militia

Khenal's Book, Chapter 28

What do I do when I can't believe the evidence?

There's a surprising amount of room needed to make a trap and link it to a lever just one room away. Among the gears and chains, and in the crawl space, Nicolta Tesla and I found the last pieces of evidence to solve this case: Amber fur, periwinkle and pearl hairs, a russet feather.

Dr. Friesden.

I didn't tell Mr. Tesla the significance of them, but he's a smart pony. He likely knows precisely who bears these colors, and what their presence in the trap means.

But how could it be her? Physically how? She seems so quiet and nice. But the evidence doesn't lie: Dr. Friesden made that trap. Part of me holds out hope that she made it for somepony else and they threatened her if she told anypony, but I seriously doubt that's the case.

I have to arrest her. Ingest Romancerose and Othud Cherishfair*13 help me, I have to arrest her. I'm going to head to Mrs. Charity's rooms to present my findings and see if she can find any fault in them before I go to Dr. Friesden.

**************************
Author's notes

1 When finally defeated, a Bronze Colossus will leave behind a masterful statue of bronze. This one was of a Capybara Man. This is interesting, as the capybara men have tags that make them not exist in the raws for this mod. Either way, it's still a nice statue.

2 None of the ponies in game actually have a cutie mark. This is due partially to the variety needed, and partially because of how descriptions of creatures work. There is a version of the mod with cutie marks, but it was achieved by adding short object descriptions to color files. This could result in having something wheel-colored. I haven't tried that version of the mod, though. It might work perfectly fine.

3 Just another example of a noble making demands that the player was already going to do.

4 Normally, an open tile of soil underground will not grow anything if it's not a farm. However, after encountering one of the caverns, they will start to grow moss and large mushrooms that behave like trees. Digging out large sections of soil is also one of the fastest ways to train up mining.

5 Occasionally, military ponies will claim food, but not eat it. I don't know the cause for most of them, but KingStrongBeard has a good theory for why this particular meal went uneaten. From KingStrongBeard: Looking at the food on the floor, it looks like Khenal didn't want to finish his Diomedian pony intestines baked bad stuffed with three units of minced blue peafowl tallow. I can't imagine why.

6 Yes, that's her name. Yes, I've often added the extra L when talking about her before. No, she's not in the military. I believe she's a hauler.

7 A single cage can hold as many tame creatures as you like, from cats to elephants. However, care must be made that the animals you assign to the cage are actually tame. If your animal trainer hasn't had a chance to see the creature yet, things like this can happen. It's not so bad when it's just a monkey, but rampaging giant badgers and similar creatures can be very bad news.

8 It is.

9 Magma is a liquid, and all liquids have a depth. In Dwarf Fortress, it goes from 1 to 7, and deeper depths take up multiple z-levels. Pumping out depth 1 magma isn't really an option, but depth 1 of any liquid will eventually evaporate.

10 A good reaction to the "Yum-Sentients" bit of editing of the pony ethics for this fort. Most of the other characters either don't know/care about where some of the meat comes from, or play that they eat what we grow instead.

11 Large, medium and small monkeys respectively, I think. There's more to it than that, but I'm here for quick notes. If you want details, these can be easily searched on your favorite search engine.

12 Rainbow ponies have all the pony castes; Diomedian, Cave and normal ponies. They offer a great grab-bag of options for you to play with if you choose their civ instead of normal ponies.

13 The deities that Khenal worships. They represent love and charity, respectively.

Prelude to Madness

Friesden's Diary

Dear diary

I can feel something tugging on me, like a puppetmaster on..on strings...I need.. i need help now. I need help i need help need help something's connjrhe euitneuh. Stuehuen qyuens. Duuiįrhłæeę glīēœ fheur jjw eiioo loppp fue kirer ba phn'glui mglw'nafh cthulhu r'lyeh wgah'nahl fhtagn firuhe tzeentch nurgle khorne slaanesh loipuy greuil poesd grhettrolling me. I can't trust anyone. I have to hide only the foals are trustworthy i need them to find whos controlling me somepony of them will know oh ingest above i need help something is grabbing me if you find this help me help me help me help me.

Friesden's New Diary*1

Dear new diary

I spoken to the foals he she he said he she he knowed who did it khenal khenal khenal khenal khenal khenal khenal khenal

Charity's Journal 19th Granite 97

Well, Khenal has finally taken action. This morning, he arrested Friesden, charged her with the murder of Efim, and placed her in one of our cells to await trial. She has been officially placed on leave from her position as Chief Medical Pony. Erok Zephyrcresent, our earth pony doctor, will be taking over Friesden's duties, though truthfully he is less experienced. I honestly hope Khenal is proven wrong in this, though the evidence is clearly against Friesden. Now I suppose we will have to organize a trial. Hmm. I guess I need to find somepony to speak as Friesden's defense, unless she wants to speak for herself. I'll make the appropriate inquires.

Charity's Journal 20th Granite 97

Thundersplinter is moving her carpentry shop into her tower, she's setting up on the third floor just above the fortifications.

28th Granite 97

The Parasprite problem is still extant. Otik has been using this as training for his marks squad. Says if they can hit a parasprite out of the sky then they can hit a Diomedian between the eyes. True enough, but this is taking too long and the area around the outside of the walls is covered with arrows now. I'm asking Starkey's squad to help chase away the filthy creatures.

Starkey's group is practically just running laps out there. Starkey and a few of the others with wings can catch a few of the buggers when they land, but for most of them this is just embarrassing to watch. Turns out it isn't easy to get rid of these things.

1st Slate 97

A single lonely migrant arrived today. Said he was part of a greater party that was ambushed by Diomedians in the jungle. He's the only survivor. He seems to taking it hard. His name is Toltot Glimmerfocuses, he's a pegasus and a bit of a Jack of all Trades. He's a Talented carpenter, a Master Mechanic, a competent Record Keeper, an Adequate Engraver, and studies Military Tactics in his free time. Truly an interesting pony. I will have to ask him more about his past, once he feels a little better.

Venture's Book

Hey book.

I'm feeling a little better now. I wanted to go apologies to little Andy, but hes so scared, he just runs away. It's the same for Daringsky too. It's just horrible book! I don't want to be a bad pony! I don't want everypony to be scared of me. I jus- * The rest of the page is covered in small water stains*

Big brother came to visit today.

I hardly ever see him nowadays. Hes always training or on patrol or something. Recently, the guards are all running after these little bug things. It's so funny! They all run after it around and around the fort! I... also saw the black vines again, but big brother was there and he hugged me tight and said everything was going to be all right until they went away. He also said he would make them go away forever soon! His cutiemark looked different for a second when he said it, like it had blood on it. But my big brother is the best, so hes not bad. Not Ever! He said he can help Dr. Friesden too and get rid of the strings! He is the best most brave guard ever!

I made a new friend today.

He's like me book, a pony that wants to be good but has a hard time doing it. He's name is Toltot. At first I thought he was a pegasus, but then I followed him to his room. I didn't get to say hello with everypony else. When I got there, I found him trying to glue some feathers from a bag to his wings. Big, scary bat wings! He was a Shadowbolt! I got supper scared, but he got down on his knees and said he was supper sorry! He begged and said not to tell everypony. He didn't want to leave just after he got here. He said that he want's to be a good pony like us and he's read an learned everything he could just to fit in and be usefull and stuff.

I know mom and dad said never to trust a domidimi pony, but for some reason, I do! I think he just wants to have friend and not be a monster just like everypony!

Just like me.

"Godkin", that's what every pony called them.

Peytrel muttered it under his breath like a curse. It was a curse a far as he was concerned. That's what his captain had called 'them'. They all thought they were the paragons of truth and harmony they said they were, but he knew better. He had seen first hoof how 'good' they can be, and now it was happening again. Dr. Friesden was arrested shortly after they talked. He had told her who was responsible, and now he was going to make all his problems disappear.

Just like they always do.

"Not this time. Not again." If the captain wasn't going to do anything about this, he would just have to take maters into his own hooves. It was time to 'AX' Khenal a question or two.

"Hold on Venture, big bro's going to make it right."

Khenal's Book, Chapter 29

Dr. Friesden is now in a cell awaiting her trial. I didn't have the guts to go and arrest her personally, I had a few of the Guard do it. Honestly, I'm not sure I could do it myself. Seeing her in there when I go to the barracks to train tears me up inside.

But I won't give up on her. Like many of the ponies here, she kept a journal. I never could figure out a motive for her to murder Efim, and her journal could be the piece that proves her innocence. After all, it only takes one piece of evidence to show she wasn't involved. However, it could also be the final nail in her coffin. I'll have a few of the Guards search her room for her journal and anything else that could be evidence of either her guilt or innocence.

Chapter 30

I don't think Peytrel likes me. I complimented him on the excellent door his father made for him, and he just looked angry with me. When I tried to ask how Venture was doing, he glared at me so hard I didn't even finish my sentence. I miss Venture, it's been far too long since we've talked. Well, she shouldn't be lonely, at least. There's several foals about GlitterGlen now, I'm sure she's made friends and is just busy playing and enjoying her foalhood.

Chapter 31

There was a new migrant to GlitterGlen today. Yes, just one. He said his group had been attacked and he was the only survivor, but something seems off about him and his story. I can't quite place my hoof on it, and it may just be that I'm thinking too much about Dr. Friesden, but I know he's hiding something. I don't think he means anypony harm, but I've obviously been wrong before.

Excerps from the diary of ThunderSplinter:

Late Granite;

Finally. This is the first entry in my new diary while I sit in my new workshop in the Air Control Tower. Everything smells so new and fresh, I can't wait to finish ferrying up my tools, blueprints, and personal effects. Have to move my bedroom up here as well. When Charity has time to spare, I will discuss it with her. For now, have to break in the new workshop by kicking out a few dozen blocks.

Ah, the serenity........

Early Slate;

The brewer kicked me out of the still again. He's getting very precious about that old thing, so plans for the new variant resin recipe have been put on hold until he goes to sleep and I can sneak in and work to my heart's content. Ironya's been a little busy lately so progress has all but stopped from her angle as well. Dr. Friesden's participation has also been curtailed, what with her arrest and all. Fortunately, I know what her wine is so I'll make sure she is properly taken care of there. Personally, I don't believe that Friesden is such the monster the guards say she is, even Khenal seems half-convinced she is part-diomedian or something horrendous like that. Well, I refuse to think that she is capable of such a heinous crime - every time she has instructed or assisted me in distilling the tree resin, she has been pleasant and forth-right, not something one expects from a cold-scaled killer.

Something odd, though. A new pony has been doing odd jobs for me of late and has been taking payment in the form of a failed resin I made some time back. Even though it is sticky as pony-snot, it stays soft and flexible - stocks are getting low, it might be prudent to make a few more jars and continue to figure out how to remove the last of the odor; it still smells a bit like a brewery explosion. A big one.

Later;
ThunderSplinter.

Notebook of Ironya. (stained with ash, coal and occasional burned borders.)

Entry 1: Acquired this book and feather and some ink when Charity was busy watching Khenal arresting Friesden. I hope that Charity will not mind. I saw she had a cabinet full of them. She will not notice.

Entry 2: We need more weapons. We always need more weapons. I want shiny weapons.

Entry 3: A single migrantpony has arrived. Peculiar. I also have seen the journal of ThunderSplinter by accident when she was at work. How on Equestria others can write so much. My eyes go ouchie when I see so many letters. Why they write so much instead of working. My eyes are ouchie now too. Time to stop writing and go watch pretty hammer sparkles.

Note to self: Ask somepony about other symbols they use in their journals. Shiny symbols are nice.

Scrawled all across the walls of Friesden's cell is a single word, repeated and varied in size and legibility: Khenal. Hidden in the sea of this single name is one other word, written calmly and scratched out vigorously: Self. Wreathed by insanity, a few sentences stand as an island. They read thusly:

My revenge will be had on you who controlled me. I am free from your will. Forever.

Charity's Journal 7th Felsite 97
*2

Charity's Journal 12th Felsite 97

One of our threshers has been taken by another unusual mood. She's flying right down to the craftshops as I write this. We will keep an eye on her further activities.

Addendum:

She has acquired one stack of logs and has started to work on something. She's being awfully secretive about what she's doing in there.

Charity's Journal 13th Felsite 97

A pair of Tentacle ponies a Keshi and two Shadowbolts were spotted across the river. The lead tentapony has a large battle axe, the others are carrying crossbows.

________________________________________________________________________________

The warning bell sounds from high atop the wooden tower.

*Clang Clang Clang*

The sounds of shouts can be heard. Parents run and find their children, the sounds of crying foals can be heard over the yelling; scared and unsure of what is going on. The brave Commander takes action. Barking orders to his stallions. "Pull the lever! We can strand the grounded ones on the other side of the river! Otik! Get your marksponies to the walls! Everypony else follow me to the courtyard!"

Khenal, hearing the alarm, likewise readies his underlings for battle. Stationing them just inside the fort's entrance for the unlikely case of Starkey's Stallions falling in battle. They are to be the last line of defense.

Meanwhile the Diomedians entertain themselves by taking potshots at a tied down sentry war dog*3, laughing in their own dark way with each shot fired. The dog quickly expires as the metal bolts cut him deeply. After the dogs unfortunate end, the Diomedians make their way towards the bridge. The lever was pulled just in time, as it raises in front of them at the last possible second, stranding all the wingless ones on the wrong side of the river.

The vile force of darkness*4 waits together on the far side. They may be trapped over there, but they're armed with crossbows. However, we have them outnumbered. Otik cautiously moves her archers closer, into a position atop a hill on the fortress side of the river.

A firefight breaks out, missiles of iron, copper, bronze, and bone fly through the air. The first injured. Tecak the markspony, drops to the ground in extreme pain as a bronze bolt chips the bone in his rear right leg.

Too many of our ponies went without sufficient ammunition. They are being overwhelmed as the Diomedian bolts fill the air around them. A retreat is sounded, the marksponies retreat to the walls.

Casualties are: one dead, two injured and still being fired upon. In a desperate attempt to save them, Commander Starkey orders the melee squad to the river, and for the bridge to be extended.

Peytrel and Efim*5 the axeponies are the first to arrive by the downed pegasi. Osal is gravely injured, lying in a pool of his own blood, arrows protruding from every part of his body. His left wing is probably damaged beyond all repair. He lies unconscious, still clutching his legendary bow.

Peytrel jumps in front of Osal, taking two bolts that surely would have ended the pegasi right there. They strike him hard, but his bronze armor holds, though he is bruised and has had the wind knocked from his lungs. Efim begins to charge over the bridge into the waiting enemy lines.

Efim strikes the Keshi thrice with his axe and twice with his bare hooves. The final strike, from the shining steel axe, crushes the invaders helmet and gets momentarily stuck in his skull, before being violently ripped free.

Meanwhile Peytrel kills a Shadowbolt with a single strike to the side of his head. The enemy captain charges the wounded ponies across the bridge, but falls prey to a stray cage trap set to trap wild animals, removing him from the fight.

Only two remain: a tentacle pony bleeding from his tentacle, and another Shadowbolt archer. The tentacle pony lets loose a laugh, fell and terrible*6, dodging Peytrel's imprecise and unskilled swings, before lodging two bolts in the young colt: One in his rear right leg and one in his left front. Peytrel drops to the ground unable to fight any longer. Efim, distracted by the Shadowbolt is unable to help, and the rest of the squad is still lagging behind. The Diomedian Tentacle pony, walks up to Peytrel's form and whispers, "You fought like a little filly." before firing a bronze bolt into the young lad's chest at point blank range. The bolt cuts through his armor and shatters a left true rib.

The tentacle pony then makes his way across the bridge toward Osal's defenseless body. But then Efim finishes the Shadowbolt, severing it's wings and then spilling it's guts, and charges the tenta on the bridge. With the rushing water underneath, the two do battle. They make a circle around each other, putting Efim's back to the fort and the Diomedian's to the jungle. Suddenly a bolt flies over Efim's shoulder. It's captain Otik! The marks squad has returned to defend their fallen fellows! The bolt strikes the Tentacled bastard in his guts, but he merely suffers bruising as the bolt fails to penetrate his armor. Knowing he is definitely outmatched, the Diomedian turns to run. Despite the best efforts of Efim, Otik and Psycho Carrot*7, he is lost in the thick trees. Now is time for the ponies to tend to the wounded.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Charity's Jounal

The battle today has taken it's toll on all of us. One dead. Three badly injured, with no guarantee of survival, (plus one war dog but those are expendable). I just finished helping the injured to the hospital, and now I have the unhappy task of telling Peytrel's family about his injuries. They are quite serious, but not nearly as severe as Osal's.

Charity's Journal 20th Felsite 97

During the battle our thresher finished her object. It is a masterful carving depicting the founding of Glitterglen.

Though her walls are cleaned every evening, they are covered again with writing come morning.

I know you're watching me, Khenal, behind my eyes. But I know you're there now. You may have used me before, but never again. I'll die before I do your dirty work for you.

Peytral said he'd visit me, Khenal. Where is he? Have you killed him too?

I know you're there, Khenal, stop hiding from me. You can't get me again. Never. You'll never succeed again. Never again.

Khenal's Book, Chapter 32

Ingest above! The other guards found Friesden's journal, and I couldn't believe what it contained! The first entries seemed almost manic, exactly what I would expect from a pony who could murder. But, around the middle, the real Dr. Friesden started poking through. Towards the end, it seemed like two ponies were trying to write in the same space, with sentences mashed together and flowing into each other. I think she's either possessed or somepony, or something, is using long-term mind affecting magics on her. I don't know the specifics of what's wrong with her, but I do know this: She needs help.

And I can't give it to her myself.

The last time I passed her cell, I saw she had scrawled my name all over the walls. I don't think she trusts me to try anything magical to help her. Even if she did, I don't think my magic would be up to the task. I'm pretty good at telekinesis, but I am absolutely lacking when it comes to the more subtle magics. Venture has the talent and ability, but I don't know if she has the skill yet. But I fear she may be the only pony who can save Dr. Friesden.

I'll try to find a way to explain the situation to her parents and get their permission to ask Venture to try to save Dr. Friesden. I'll have to be delicate, I've heard rumors her family doesn't like alicorns. If Peytrel is any indication, I'll need to choose my words very carefully.

Chapter 33

Debrief first; always debrief first while the details are still fresh. A small squad of Diomedians was spotted on the far side of the river. Commander Starkey ordered the river bridge raised and the markspony squad into position to pick them off before they could harm anypony. I assembled the Guard inside the walls and tried not to think about what it would mean if we saw any action today.

When the sounds of fighting ceased, we were down another brave pony and had three with serious injuries. Including Peytrel. I have to ask his parents about Venture and Dr. Friesden right now. She's the head medical pony for a very good reason, and I fear her replacement may not have the skill to save all three of the injured.

Yet again, the walls were cleaned. Yet again, writings were there to greet the dawn.

Khenal Godkin, in fealty to the Princesses, our undying ladies, and by the grace of the God Ingest, I call thee diabolis, and in the testimony of thy crimes, I submit this carta. May holy justice account in all balance. The Princesses protect.

Venture's Book

Guss what book! I threw a party today!

It was a birthday party for Toltot. We were talking and I told him about the birthday party we had for my friend Andy and he asked me what a birthday was! Can you believe it book? He didn't even know what day he was even born on! I decided that we were going to have a party right then and there! I got up on the table and told everypony there that it was Toltot's birthday today and that we needed to party. He was so nervous, but once it got started he loved it! He said it was the most fun he had ever had. He even said it was his first party ever! We all had a supper fun time!

Some ponies say that after a battle, a dark graveyard silence descends over the fields, and that there is not a sound to be heard. At the moment this... was most assuredly not true.

"YOU PIG FOOTED, LOUCHY SODS!"

The leader of the Diomedian attack had stumbled into a cage trap during the battle, and during the tending to the wounded, was forgotten in his cage. With his ax knocked out of his reach and his knife lost in a dice game days ago, he was trapped.

"YOU GLOOBY BOTTLES OF CHEAP, STINKING SEWER BREW!"

Having given up on trying to undo the cage lock himself, he instead decided to pass the time showing off his mastery of the traditional royal speaking tone.

"COME BACK AND GET SOME IN DA YARBLES! IF YA GOT ANY YARBLES!"

Nopony in the fortress was particularly eager to collect the raging Diomedian. That is, nopony but one.

"COME ON YOU FLUTTERY LUTTERY LITTLE PISS! I'LL ROOKER YA UP ALL KROVVIER! I'LL... what's this? Horrorshow! If it isn't me new chelloveck. Here to get your droog out of this staja? Real dobby!"

The pony before him stood his ground a few feet from the cage, carefully taking the crossbow from his back.

"Sorry droog, got meself a new way now. Don't want to muky-up."

The caged pony was perplexed at this statement, and voiced his concern.

"What ya mean new way? Whats dat on your flappers? Is that flipy-fluff you got sukky on? Have you gone bezoomny? Your mozg fall out your gulliver! What's that pooshka for?"

The free pony, for his part, seemed to ignore the other as he loaded his crossbow with a salvaged Diomedian bolt.

"Can't have you govoreeting and creeching all me malenky see-me-nots away can I? That would be baddiwad. Very baddiwady."

The bow was raised and aimed towards the imprisoned and soon to be silenced pony.

"Bye-bye me droogy."

The other never got the chance to retort.

He would say it was the one that got away, most likely to get revenge for something or other. Eveypony knew how vile their kind can be. They would believe him. After all, Toltot had proven himself the honorable stallion. Why would he lie about this?*8

Venture's Book

My big brothers hurt! He's hurt super bad book! It's so bad, hes all bloody and he wont wake up! Daddy says the doctor will make him all better but mommy is just crying and... and...

Everything was going so well again. My friends came back and forgave me, we had Toltot's party and...

Why does the bad stuff always come when things are just getting good again! It's not fair!! I just-

got to go Khenal says I can help!

Khenal's Book, Chapter 34

That could have gone better. Venture's Mother was curled up and crying over the news of Peytrel's injuries and her Father looked ready to physically toss me out of their apartment. Before I could try explaining myself further, Venture came rocketing out of her room talking a mile a minute. I only caught Peytrel's name before the little filly almost literally dragged me out.

Well, her parents didn't try to stop us, go that's good, right? I explained to Venture that Dr. Friesden seriously needed her help, and that if she helped her, Dr. Friesden would be able to help her brother. We stopped in my office to grab a few of my relevant books, Venture is reading the spells that I think will help, so I'm using this time to write in you, my Book.

Looks like she's about finished and is ready. It's her show now. I hate to put this much pressure on somepony so young, but there is simply no choice. Time to lead her to Dr. Friesden's cell.*9

****************
Author's Notes

1 Yes, New Diary.

2 Ponies can hold parties at designated meeting areas. Well, some meeting areas. Areas expanded from a table or a statue will allow parties, while zones designated freehand from the zone menu will not have parties. Personally, I use the zones. Parties keep useful ponies from doing useful stuff, and I am apparently a harsh dictator. Huh.

3 An effective, if perhaps cruel, way of spotting ambushes early is to chain animals in key locations about the map. The animal used varies, as they are most often just there as a sacrifice to discover invaders. Chickens and other poultry make excellent sacrificial sentries, since egg-layers reproduce very quickly if given the chance.

4 The alert for a siege tells of a vile force of darkness. This, however, is an ambush, and the phrase is simply used to show the seriousness of this particular ambush.

5 A new Efim, not the murdered fisherpony. I was tempted to mark each instance of his mention with the same note, but decided against it. Also, KingStrongBeard never capitalizes the poor guy's name, not even the old Efim. Efim gets no respect.

6 Your ponies can do this as well, signaling a fell mood. Think "Cupcakes", but they can't make foodstuffs. Here, the Diomedian is just being a jerk.

7 This is The Master's pony. As has been hinted at in the comments, things will be taking a turn for the...interesting very soon.

8 I still have no idea what they are saying, but I love how Thetyler decided to give the DIomedians character with the nadsat talk. I should put the names and characters of the ponies and people rping them into the long description. Expect to see that soon.

9 This marks the point where the thread shifts from mostly doing journal-style posts, and changes into a back-and-forth with responses flying rapid-fire. Consequently, the chapters from here on out will be largely from Khenal's perspective, with occasional perspective changes and/or journal entries from the ponies as needed. Hang on to your seats, it's about to get very interesting.

Glimpses of Darkness

Deep in Gliterglen, a remarkably green alicorn paces in his office. His coat is sea green and his hair jade. His blue wings occasionally flap with unease as his emerald eyes look around nervously. This is Khenal, the Captain of the Guard of Glitterglen, and he's worried.*1

"I hope Venture's doing alright with Friesden. There's a locked cell door between them, at least she'll-" My inner-monologue is interrupted by shouting from the cell block. Several terrifying scenes play rapidly through my mind of what Friesden could do to a little filly, before I break into a gallop towards the cell block.

There is no more shouting as I enter the block. There is, however, an unexpected Pegasus. Heliotrope eyes, tan coat, unkempt dark blue hair and gray wings: he's one of the pegasi in the Skyguard.

"Carrot Something? I'm terrible with names." Venture, the rainbow-maned alicorn filly with the raw umber coat, has backed into a corner and away from Friesden. Thankfully, she's still behind bars. The two pegasi turn to look at me, though they are each entirely different looks. Carrot looks concerned, he's likely just begining to realize how difficult it will be to talk with Friesden. The look from the incarcerated pegasus, however, might kill an unprepared pony.

"Ok, Khenal, you can do this. There's a confused and scared pony in there that needs help. It's time to pony up and talk to her." My mental pep-talk complete, I approach Friesden and Carrot.

"Dr. Friesden? I've read your journal, and I want to help you. Please, talk to me."

"That's a lie, Khenal. You bastard, you did this to me!"

Carrot raises an eyebrow at the accusation, taking it as the rambling of a madpony.

"She just won't listen to reason. I've read her writing as well, and I just can't let her stay in such a state of dismay! I could put on a little air show for her...maybe that would cheer her up? She'd have to leave her cell to see it...What do you think we should do?"

"Not leaving my cell. All that stops you from using me, Khenal."

"Fine then. I guess this means we do this the hard way." says Carrot, advancing on the cell. I place a hoof on his withers to stop him. Violence is not going to be the answer here.

"The writing on the walls is only the tip of the iceberg. Nothing said here leaves this room, I'd rather not have Dr. Friesden's problem spread around."

"I would never do anything to harm you, Friesden. I put you in that cell to protect the ponies of Glitterglen, and I wish with all that I am that I could let you out, but you're dangerous. Or, one of you is dangerous. I know you have company in your head, but please believe me when I say it's not me. And I want to help you get back to yourself."

"Lies. More LIES! YOU controlled me! One of my friends got the evidence, you BASTARD!"

Carrot leans in to whisper to me: "I'm starting to think that you're only traumatizing her further. I recommend you leave now. I have to put her out of her misery. Unless you have a better plan...?" My glare lets him know that his plan is simply not an option. After a few moments, I turn to face Friesden as if Carrot never suggested anything so reprehensible.

"Who said I controlled you?"

"You don't know? Then I won't let you know. You'll never get your hands on him."

"Please, Friesden, let us help you. Several ponies of the militia were just injured in a diomedian attack: Two from the crossbow squad and Peytrel from Commander Starkey's squad. I'm worried that Dr. Erok won't be able to help them in time."

"If you were so worried, why didn't you help them before they got injured?" I flinch a bit at that.

"Protocol and jurisdiction." Sweet Ingest, did that sound as hollow and pathetic as it felt?

"If I could fight all the diomedians myself, I would. If I could have them take me and never bother anypony else, I would. But I can't. You know what those brave ponies go through, you've patched them up before. If you really won't let me help you, let somepony help you. Even if you don't believe me, I really just want you to be well." Friesden laughs humorlessly, continuing to glare at me.

"Yeah, sure. 'Protocol.' And I've got a lovely bridge back home that you can buy for only twenty bits! No, I don't believe you. Why should I?" Carrot answers before I can.

"Please, if you don't trust him, trust me! Just tell me how I can help!" I try to meet Friesden's eyes, but their accusation drives me off. Hanging my head, I whisper:

"I'm sorry I've failed you Friesden."

"What's going on down there?" asks a voice from the stairwell. As he descends into the cell block, I recognize Commander Starkey. His pallet is similar to Carrots, right down to the wings, though his mane is a prismatic splash of color instead of Carrot's dark blue.

"NOT NOW PEASANT!" yells Carrot, unaware of who's interrupting. "We're...ummm...TALKING ABOUT...stuff! COME BACK LATER!"

"... Sargent Carrot?" Starkey gives him a look that promises many laps of the walls for insubordination.

"Commander Starkey? What brings you here?" I ask. It's a rare sight to see him down in the cell block. Starkey shifts his attention to me, before starting to look around the block.

"Khenal, is the filly Venture here with you? Her parents said she left with you earlier." I glance to where she lays huddled in the corner.

"Um, yes, she's here. Come on Venture, lets get you back home. I'm sure your parents are worried." I give the filly as encouraging a smile as I can manage and offer her a hoof to help her stand. She quietly accepts and follows me towards the stairs. As I pass him, Starkey has one last thing to whisper to me.

"You'll find them down in the infirmary. The lad Peytrel's awake, and Doctor Erok wants his family there in case... you know..." It does little to lift my mood.

Khenal's Book, Chapter 35

I've failed her. I've failed everypony.

While Khenal returns Venture to her family, Starkey remains with Psycho Carrot and Friesden in the cell block. He can tell something is happening, and he intends to find out what. With Khenal gone, Friesden relaxes slightly and seems willing to talk.

"Peytral. I must talk to Peytral." Carrot jumps up and hovers in excitement at the demand, happy to have even this small bit of progress.

"SHE'S ASKING FOR SOMEONE!!" Carrot points a hoof at Starkey, forgetting his rank and unaware of the physical exertion Starkey has planned for his future.

"STARKEY! FETCH PEYTRAL NOW!" Starkey shows incredible restraint as he simply gives Carrot a sarcastic look.

"Considering the lad is injured and bed-ridden, I don't see that happening anytime soon. Unless you think you're up for dragging a fully assembled and occupied bed down the stairs all by yourself... Sargent. Now, I see you've been, ah, interrogating the prisoner. What can you tell me so far?"

"100% uncooperative! All she does is scream or babble about how Khenal is controlling her. I recommend we put her down. Uh, sir." Carrot seems to finally remember who he's talking to, and how he tends to assign laps as punishment.

"We are not Diomedians, Sargent. We don't butcher each other and try to pass it off as justice." Starkey approaches the cell, getting a good look at the interior for the first time. Though the walls have been cleaned, the previous writings are still faintly visible.

"What is all this?"

"Can't you see it? It's writing." Though she's more inclined to talk with Starkey and Carrot, she's obviously still not inclined to be polite about it.

"Ah, she writes those during her...episodes...they've been happening longer and more frequently lately now that I think about it." Starkey takes a few moments to read some of the writing. As he does, Carrot tries to strike up more conversation with Friesden.

"Hmm, you seem to be a bit more calm now. Now, PLEASE FOR LOVE OF PONIES EVERYWHERE, tell me how I can help you! I...WE...don't need any more crazy ponies!" Starkey gives Carrot an angry glare before returning to the writings.

"No, I agree that one is plenty enough. Hmm. Khenal, Khenal, Khenal... What about Khenal? 'I call thee diabolis?' What did he do, Miss Friesden?"

"He took control of my MIND!"

"...What? Khenal... took control of your mind? How? When? What... What did he make you do?"

"You don't really believe what she's telling you, right?" whispers Carrot. Starkey ignores him for now, busy with trying to listen to what Friesden has to say.

"I don't know how! All I know is that I've been feeling his voice in my head, and that when I go to sleep I do things! I've had to lock myself in my room at night and hide the key just to stop it from doing anything!"

Behind Starkey, Carrot's eyes go dark as he collapses, thrashing about and mumbling something incomprehensible.

"'it', Miss Friesden? You mean he isn't controlling you directly? He's sending somepony... or something else to - GODDESS DAMN IT SARGENT, I'VE HAD DAMN NEAR ENOUGH OF YOUR ANTICS TODAY!"

"GET IT OUT...HEHEHE...GET IT OUT!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!" Carrot finally goes limp after his yell, unconscious.

"Sargent Psycho Carrot, I'm ordering you to-... Sargent? Sargent!" Friesden continues talking, seeming to not notice Carrot's sudden episode.

"I.. I don't know.... He was using his magic on me. Ask Peytral. He was the one who showed it to me." The mystery of what's happening to Friesden is put on the back-burner as Starkey checks to see if Carrot is alright.

"He... He's still breathing... I think he'll be fine. Kulet damn it, I'm getting to the bottom of this." He walks over to Khenal's office, just on the other side of the cell block, and opens the door. Without pause, Starkey approaches Khenal's desk and begins to rifle through the contents. Inside, he finds mostly boring paperwork, but there are two things that stand out. The first is Friesden's journal, the other is a book on mental magic. The magic book contains precise details on very powerful mind control magics. Khenal has it as a resource for defense against those kinds of spells, but it certainly looks incriminating by itself. He leaves the books and returns to the cells, ready to ask a few more questions.

"Miss Friesden, when did this start? When did you first feel him... controlling you?"

"I... I don't know! I can't REMEMBER!"

"D-do you remember the things he makes you do, afterward? Please, I need to know these things, Miss Friesden!"

"I don't remember most...but he made me kill that pegasus! He made me..." Friesden retches, but doesn't throw up.

"Made me stab him again and again and again oh Ingest..." As she recounts what's happened, Carrot regains consciousness and stands. He seems unharmed, though his eyes are dark.

"Sir. I need to borrow your sword. Now, sir."

"Sargent? I... haven't carried a sword since basic, son. You want my axe? Why?" Friesden has backed to a corner of her cell by now, eyes unfocused as she cowers.

"I can hear the silent voices."

"Sir, GIVE. ME. THE. AXE. NOW." Reiterates Psycho, his eyes twitching.

"Sargent... I really don't think that would be the best idea."

"No no no no...PERHAPS I'M NOT MAKING MYSELF VERY CLEAR! I SAID, GIVE ME THE BUCKING AXE NOW SO I CAN KILL YOU ALL!! Starting with...Venture...AHAHAHAHAHAHHA!! NOW GIVE ME THE AXE, BASTARD!" Despite Carrot's unnatural eyes and obvious insanity, Starkey simply shrugs.

"Alright, fair enough." He calmly draws his axe from his belt and levels a steely gaze on Carrot.

"You want my weapon? Come take it." Carrot's dark eyes flash to blood red as he charges the Commander.

"GIVE ME THE AAA-" Carrot's shout is cut short as Starkey sidesteps the clumsy charge and brings the blunt back of his axe down on the base of Carrot's skull, knocking him out. Starkey returns the axe to his belt, before he hears a startled gasp from the stairwell. Charity stands at the landing, shocked to see Carrot unconscious and Starkey calmly putting away his axe.

"Commander! What is going on here?! I was coming to talk with Khenal and I heard all this yelling! EXPLAIN!" Friesden answers before Starkey can, as his mouth is still full of axe handle while he puts it away.

"Khenal came for him, Charity. Khenal came to kill him. And he nearly succeeded..." Charity tilts her head to the side, still a bit confused as she walks closer to peer in through the bars at Friesden. Noticing the writing on the walls, she pauses quietly to consider what's happening.

"Commander" emphasis is placed upon the title, "I don't know why you knocked out the Sergent, but I trust you can explain it later. Take him to the infirmary, and restrain him in a traction bench if you think he's dangerous." Starkey finishes stowing his axe and gives Charity a salute before gathering Carrot and heading up the stairs to the hospital. Charity nods at him as he leaves, then turns back to the cell and Friesden.

"Friesden, what is with all this writing? Why have you defaced all of Theropod's artwork?*2 And why do you think Khenal is responsible for any of this."

"Peytral told me, miss. That's why I had to record it! Couldn't let it be hidden." Charity starts a bit at this unexpected revelation.

"Peytral? Listen Friesden, I came down here to talk with Khenal because one of the guards told me that they had found your diary. They said that in it you were fighting with, presumably, yourself. Now, I haven't read it myself yet, but if what they told me is true, and if the state of your cell is any indication, I can tell one thing: Friesden, you are very sick. And my dear friend, it pains me to say this, but you may be beyond our ability to help. Khenal is a trustworthy pony, and I trust him with my life. I can't believe he would do this, to you or any pony." Friesden takes this poorly as she stands and glares at her friend through the bars.

"You accuse me of LYING? How DARE YOU! I know Khenal has done this!"

"My friend, please be calm, and look at this from my perspective. What evidence can you show me that Khenal has done anything? We have your diary, in it you admit to the murder! Your walls are covered with graffiti, the likes of which no sane pony would make. You are clearly unhinged, and I don't know how to help you, but we can't keep you locked up forever." Charity begins to tear up, not wanting to believe her friend has gone mad, yet unable to refute the evidence before her eyes.

"I'm sorry Friesden, I promise I'll make up my mind about what to do with you soon. I'm sorry." Charity walks away from the cell toward the stairs, a tear weaving it's way down her face.

"I have to hear out Peytral, and I need to hear Khenal address these claims about him. Then...Then I can pass sentence on her."

*******************
Author's notes

1 I'll be setting scenes in third person, as well as using third person for scenes where Khenal isn't involved. When he is, the perspective will shift to first person from his view point.

2 Theropod Watcher is one of the engravers, and yes, the cells are engraved. Cells can be decorated and often are so as to minimize the impact on the mood of anypony arrested.

What games the Gods play

(This one took a while, heh. Not to play out, dear Lord no, but to transcribe. Anyone looking at the actual thread will see lots of stuff is missing in this section, and this is mostly because a lot of stuff going on in the background makes no real sense by the end of the story. Hopefully my retcon doesn't mess anything up. Also: big thanks to Dsarker for helping edit and keep the nightmarish grammar and spelling to a minimum.)

Friesden's New Diary

I just found a scalpel in my cell. Somepony had attached a tag to it, too: Honour.

Never.

Charity marches towards the hospital to talk with Khenal and Peytral, hoping to figure out just what is happening. Peytral is conscious and seems to be doing well, despite what Starkey said about his condition. His family is there as well, though the young have fallen asleep at this point. Carrot has been strapped to a traction bench not far from Peytral, though he's still unconscious. Khenal waits outside feeling miserable for failing Friesden.

I was waiting outside Peytral's room. After all, I wasn't family and I doubted my presence would help him heal. I had only just started writing in my Book when Mrs. Charity came around the corner. I put it away and tried to compose myself.

"Hello Charity, anything I can help you with?" She walks up to me before speaking quietly.

"Khenal, is Venture inside?" She continues inside without waiting for an answer. "Please, follow me."

"She looks determined to get to the bottom of this. I hope she has better luck than I did." I silently follow her into Peytral's room and quietly take a place out of the way by the wall.

Peytral lay in bed with Daringsky, his younger brother, asleep and curled up to him. Little Venture was also asleep in a little pile of party decorations. It looked like she had tried to throw a party for her brother, only to pass out after tossing some confetti.

Charity approaches the parents and kindly explains: "We are sorry for the intrusion. However, I've been told your son knows something about the murder. You are welcome to stay, while I ask him a few questions." Charity approaches Peytral's bed and sits next to it. "Hey kid, I'm sorry that this had to happen, but I need to ask you a few questions. Friesden said you told her that Khenal was mind controlling her. Did you tell her that? And If so, what evidence do you have of this?"

"Ya, ya I said it. And keep it down too, I don't want to wake them up right now. Hey, hows Oslo?"

"Oslo is is bad shape. All four legs are broken, and numerous lacerations all over the body. I'm not a doctor, but his survival may be in question. If he does live, he owes it entirely to you. But that is not why I'm here. On what do you base your claim that Guard Captain Khenal has done anything wrong? I need to know what evidence you have. Friesden's life may depend on it."

"Wait, wait, hold up. Sorry, I think I'm still a little messed up still. What about Friesden? Wait, no, I know what you're talking about." Peytral glances down at Daringsky, then to his parents, a sad look on his face. "You should take them home. They shouldn't be here for this." They seem reluctant, but do as their son asks.

His mother gathers Venture from the little party-pile while his father gathers Daring. "I'm proud of you, son. Never doubt that." Peytral smiles at his father and the rest of his family as they go

"All right, lets get this over with." Peytral stares daggers at Khenal on the other end of the room. "Tell me, cap-i-tan, why do you think I said what I said."

My eyes stay focused on the floor as I answer him. "I don't know. I truly don't know."

"HEY!" yells Carrot from the traction bench he's been strapped to. "GET ME OUT OF TRACTION!" His eyes begin to glow a faint red again. Charity doesn't even glance his way as she yells at him.

"Shut up Sergeant Carrot! This is important. We will deal with you later! Now Peytral, explain your claim, please."

"Ya, about that. Why the hell is Carrot strapped down to a table?"

"I don't rightly know what exactly happened, but he was yelling down by Friesden's cell and Commander Starkey knocked him unconscious. I told him to take the sergeant to the Doctor's and to restrain him if thought he was dangerous. Since he is tied down, the Commander must feel he needs to be. And for now, that's good enough for me."

"YOU DID THIS TO ME KNENAL! GET AWAY!" Howls Psycho, his eyes now completely blood red. Charity, growing impatient with Carrot's outbursts, yells for the doctor.

"DOCTOR EROK! WOULD YOU KINDLY GAG OR SEDATE PSYCHO CARROT?" Carrot continues shouting like a madpony.

"YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING! LOOK AT ME! HE'S USING US!"

"No! I don't have that kind of magic! And even if I did, I would never do anything like this!"

"SHUT UP! YOU USED MAGIC ON ME WHILE WE WERE TALKING TO FRIESDEN IN HER CELL! FIRST YOU CONTROL HER, NOW ME! WHO'S NEXT? CHARITY?" As quickly as Carrot's episode began, it seems over. He ceases straining at his restraints and appears perfectly calm and collected.

"Ugh...can I have an axe now?"

Friesden's New Diary.

Sorry I can't write longer, Diary. It's too hard.

Charity turns to face Carrot so she can better give him a taste of her wrath.

"WOULD YOU JUST SHUT-" She sees that his eyes are unnaturally red. "Kogsak*1 have mercy on our souls." Charity searches her mind for every bit of magic knowledge she has and finds nothing to help her.

"Captain Khenal! What is going on! What sort of magic is this?"

"Red Eyes? No, please no. Anything but that!"

"HEHEHE...NOBODY LISTENS...HEHEHEEHEHEHHEEHHEEH!!!...WHEN I GET OUT OF TRACTION-" Carrot's eyes shift slightly closer their the original color.

"Grah, make it stop! Somepony help! Somepony is controlling me! I can't resist it...much longer!"

My horn glows brightly as anything in the room that could be used as a restraint is tied about Psycho Carrot. Bed sheets, bandages, anythign that could give any resistance is pulled from it's place and wrapped securely about the possessed pony, including a sturdy gag.

"I may have failed before, but I refuse to fail all of Glitter Glen!"

"There are only a few things that could do this to a pony, and they are all absolutely evil. I think it can be fixed, but it may take more time than we have right now." I turn to Charity

"How skilled are you in magic?"

"MMMMPH! MMMMMMMMPH!!" The gag proves to be no match for the strength of whatever is possessing Carrot. Shreds of it fly as he continues to scream.

"I'LL KILL YOU ALL!!" His eyes begin to turn a demonic red and his bodybody begins to twitch and convulse. Carrot is loosing his battle.

Friesden's New Journal.

I haven't written in you before because they took away my ink.

"I'll do my best, but magic was never my best subject. It appears to be some sort of mind controlling spell. I can try to help you dispel or counter it."

"Then follow my lead. This is very complicated and could be disastrous if anything goes wrong." I notice Carrot starting to shred the mundane bindings.

"On second thought, keep him restrained! This is a possession that we cannot afford to allow to run loose! Never again!" With that, my horn glows brighter than before, becoming uncomfortable to look at directly.

Friesden's new journal.

Hmmm. It appears to cause less pain when I pick at a more recent cut.

Carrot scream reverberates off the walls, causing me, Charity and Peytral to grab for your ears in pain. When we recover, it's plain to see that Carrot's eyes are normal again. He shakes his head and begins to weep.

"I feel horrible...horrible...I'm a monster...kill me!"

"That...was odd." I say, letting my magic bleed away uncast.

"He's...He's back to normal?" asks Charity. "I... I didn't do anything yet. Khenal, did you...?"

"I was about to, but the presence left on it's own? I don't know. We should keep Carrot restrained before he can hurt somepony or hims.." I cut off in mid-sentence. Friesden! Nopony was watching her, and she's almost certainly under the same posession!

"Friesden! I have to check on her!"

"KILL ME BEFORE I KILL YOU!!" wails Carrot from the traction bench, tears streaming down his face. Crisis apparently over, Charity turns back to Peytral.

"Do you still doubt the Captain? I don't know what magic is being worked here but one thing is clear: Khenal is trying to protect us." Doctor Erok slowly walks to the sobbing Carrot, offering soothing words and a sedative to let him sleep.

Friesden's new diary

Wings don't seem to bleed very much, but they don't cause much pain either. There are three types of wounds. Wounds, damned wounds, and suicides. The third sounds good.

"Please be ok please be ok please be ok" I chant to myself as I rush past ponies and down the stairwell. Several jump out of my path, not wanting to get trampled as I speed by. Soon, I burst into the prison block and dash for Friesden's cell.

"Friesden! Are you alright?"

"Hello mind warper! It's a good day for honor!" Friesden stabs herself again in the chest, and as the blood starts coming she raises a quill to dip it in the blood, and she writes. I gape in horror at what she's done to herself. She has a multitude of cuts over every inch of herself. Blood slowly oozes from more than a dozen slashes, and many more have fresh scabs over them. I magic the scalpel from Friesden with all my might, embedding it in the wall behind me.

"She's bleeding from so many wounds, what do I do?"

"I'm sorry Friesden." is all the warning she receives as I magic her unconscious.

"I guess mental magic really isn't past my skills after all. Time to get you to the hospital, before you bleed out."

Khenal's Book, Chapter 36

Maybe I haven't failed them, after all. At least not permanently. I should get the details for what happened today down, it was very busy.

I had sent Venture in to try to help Friesden alone. I heard yelling and ran in to see Sergent Carrot also trying to talk to Friesden, trying to calm her down. Friesden would have nothing to do with me, I appeared to only be making the situation worse. Commander Starkey knocked on the door and asked for Venture. I told him she was here and I'd lead her to her parents. They were apparently in the hospital where Peytral had just regained consciousness. I left, feeling like an utter failure.

I wrote the last chapter in you, my Book, while waiting outside of Peytral's room. I felt I should apologize to her parents for taking off with Venture so suddenly. Mrs. Charity appeared and told me to follow her into Peytral's room. I didn't really hear what Charity and Peytral were talking about, I was feeling too morose. I only came to my senses when Carrot started yelling from the next bed, which he had apparently been strapped to. I hadn't even noticed him being brought in. And then I saw his Red Eyes.

Something absolutely malevolent was trying to take over Sergent Carrot! This is where the details get really fuzzy, my Book. I remember trying to do something with my magic, and saying something, but it's all a blur. I remember seeing Friesden in her cell, bleeding all over, and then I remember handing her to Dr. Erok.

Charity asked me for details, and I can't remember what I said to her. It apparently satisfied her, she didn't call me a liar or accuse me of using magic on her at least.

Last written message in Friesden's new diary

No...no mercy. Weak... They were all weak. Cattle... Cattle to the slaughter.

Charity's Jounal (edit) 20th Felsite 97(/edit)

Today, was, unusual to say the least. It started with a member of the guard knocking on my office door. He told me that Ms. Friesden's Diary had been found, and that it showed a disturbed mind tearing itself apart, and that in it she states that she committed the murder. I went to the prison block to confirm this with Khenal, and then to likely have to banish Friesden, into either the caverns or the jungle.

However, that's when everything went to hell. First, on the way down I heard screaming from the cell block. I galloped down and saw Starkey standing over the unconscious body of sergeant Carrot. I later found out that Carrot had gone berserk and Starkey had restrained him. The commander took him to the doctors and restrained him. I talked with my friend Friesden and it was clear to me that she was unhinged. She's been writing all over her walls like a deranged animal. She said that Khenal had been controlling her and that Peytral had told her so. I gathered Khenal and Peytral and tried to talk to them about these claims.

But then Carrot awoke with fire in his eyes like a pony possessed by the darkest powers. Khenal restrained him and then he and I were about to try and exorcise this influence from the sergeant. But before we could start his eyes and voice returned to normal. The sergeant then seemed to remember what he'd been trying to do, he was terrified and angry and begging to die. Dr. Erok and I subdued the sergeant and sedated him. He's still asleep last I knew.

Khenal ran off to Friesden's side. Peytral asked to talk more tomorrow, as he needed to rest.

Khenal was found carrying Friesden's unmoving and bleeding body to the hospital. She had tried to commit suicide, with a scalpel she had found. Her cell was searched, and the offending scalpel removed, a tag tied to it had the word "Honor" written on it, barely readable under the blood. A gift? From who?

And now that I've recorded everything, Cryptson and I can finally retire to our bed. The waterfall he made for us is so comforting.

Charity's Journal 28th Felsite 97

Summer is officially begun now. Hard to tell the difference, it's always hot and humid in the Failed Jungles. Fortunately nothing unusual has happened since the 20th. Friesden has recovered from her attempted suicide. Her wounds looked worse than they are.

Cryptson's acting depressed and is spending all his time with Grifen digging out more and more underground tree farm space, but it isn't unusual for him to throw himself into his work when somethings bothering him.

Report on injured ponies. Peytral isn't looking good. He's become infected, in all of his wounds, and was to feverish to talk to me when I last visited him. Venture and DaringSky are spending all their time with him. I hope the kid pulls through. He was always such a good boy. Even if I think he's wrong about Khenal.

Tecak's injuries are least severe. He's going to be released as soon as his cast is applied.

Osal isn't looking good though. His wounds are extensive, he'll be down for months even if he does recover, and with two broken wings, one of which is developing an infection. He might not ever fly again.

Doctor Erok and Doctor Alen are doing their best.

Psycho Carrot was released from the hospital today and reported to Captain Otik for training, as he seems to have calmed down enough. Although Starkey had him flying laps instead of the archery practice Otik had planned, something about a peasant remark.

Charity's Journal 9th Hematite 97

Cryptson and mine's tomb was finished this afternoon. It is beautiful. Carved into a layer of solid marble. In the center two gem studded clear glass coffins for him and myself. Surrounded by statues, of the founding of Glitterglen, of the gods, and of many heroes, both of legend, and of Glitterglen herself.

10th Hematite 97

Snatcher! Protect the Children! That was the cry that interrupted an otherwise peaceful morning. An earth pony mechanic had bumped into a keshi, while strolling on the surface. Both ran in opposite directions, the airborne squad flew out, but promptly lost him in the jungle.

19th Hematite 97

The position of mayor came up for reelection. Since I've had so much free time since I was made Baroness, I ran for the office this year, and I won! I think the damage control I had to do during the events of the 20th of Felsite helped in that.

25th Hematite 97

Peytral has been released. His wounds have been sutured, his bones set, and splints applied. The doctors have done all they can for him, now his body just has to fight off that infection on it's own. First thing he did when he was released was get right back to work. He's one tough pony.

The following message is displayed in both dinning halls on 3rd Malachite 97.

Memo to all citizens

From the Desk of Charity Conventtulip, Baroness of the Failed Jungles, Mayor of Glitterglen, Chief record keeper of Glitterglen, and Royally Appointed Overseer of The Vermin of Twilight.

Under recommendation from Commander Starkey, effective immediately, the new armories are to be in use. All weapons, (save ammunition which will continue to be stored near the archery ranges) shall be kept behind locked doors. The keys to which are held by Ironya, our weapon-smith, and each militia captain, along with the captain of the guard and Stelmith Kebulam (our gem setter has access to the masterwork weapons' storeroom for the purpose of her artwork). Anyone needing access to either armory must get permission from either Commander Starkey, Captain Otik, or Guard Captain Khenal and sign out what was taken or stored with our Bookkeeper, currently Charity Conventtulip. Note that this does not change the militia and guard's policies of remaining armed at all times in case of emergency.

Failure to comply will be considered a criminal offense punishable by no less than 3 months imprisonment.

Chairty's Journal 21st Malachite 97

That's her third child, she and Firelordsky have been really busy. Guess it's understandable, with our shortage of metal she winds up with nothing to do most days, short of the occasional spear sharpening (Pun mostly unintended). This one's a little earthpony, just like his dad. Name is Vathem.

24th Malachite 97

Osal was released from the hospital today. It's very fortunate that he has recovered enough to walk around. I will admit though, with the wound dressings on all four legs and both wings, along with wooden splints on each. It's kind of funny to watch him hobble around. It's not nice, I shouldn't laugh, but well, it just looks so damn ridiculous. If I were him, I'd take a few more weeks of bed rest and not have to look like a fool.

25th Malachite 97

A pair of ponies has arrived at our gates. A unicorn mare hammerer (she is excited about joining the guard) and her daughter another unicorn along with her, the foal is just about a year old. No father is with them however.

4th Galena 97

My third child was born this morning. A little unicorn filly. She's got her mother's looks. I'm going to name her Belle.

Charity's Journal 13th Galena 97

A caravan from the Zebra civilization of the Triangular Shell has been spotted in the jungle. I hope they brought Iron. Adamant's hoping they brought a storyteller, as he isn't really old enough to remember the last time, he was less than a year old then, but Venture's been telling him about them and their illusion magics, and he can't wait to see them. I loved those old pony tales when I was little, I might sneak down and hear a few stories with the kids if I have time.

20th Galena 97

I had a brief conversation with the Zebra Diplomat. It would have been a pleasant chat had she not started it with what I'm pretty sure was an insult.

I am not a Dwarf!

28th Galena 97

Fortunately, our little misunderstanding did not affect Bokbon's ability to negotiate a good deal for a lot of metal, raw gems, exotic foods, leather, and cloth.

Additionally, according to my calendar, an import from the capital, today is the first day of Autumn. Hopefully as "Winter" approaches the heat will die down a little.

Friesden's New Diary

Failed.

Friesden's new journal.

Justice.

Let this be the implement of release.

Venture's Book

Hey book.

I couldn't help Dr. Friesden. Those strings were too strong. Way too strong. Like, the spell Khenal showed me wouldn't work. I couldn't do a thing and everypony started yelling and they sent me away.

I got to see my brother though! He was still hurt, but he was OK! And he's a real hero! I ran back to my room to get some party stuff like confetti and some cloth streamers and stuff from Toltot's birthday. I guess I was super tired, because I fell asleep and mommy took me home. I woke up in the hospital again though. I don't know why.

My brother is feeling super sick now book.

The doctor said he has an infection and a fever. I don't know what an infection is, but I had a fever once, and it was terrible, and his is even worse. Me and Sky are right here though, so nothing bad happens! We’re helping Doctor Alen get water and help wash his wounds and stuff. It's really bad doing that cause it hurts him. He’s always mumbling crazy stuff, and sometimes scary stuff too. I tried to tell him that I know Khenal didn't do anything bad, but I don't know if he can even hear me. Mr. Osal is even worse too.

Maybe I can pray to the Sisters to help them, but you have to sacrifice something to ask a god to do something. I don't have anything that a god would like. Please be OK brother.

Big bro’s OK!! Hes up and walking and everything! YAY! I knew praying to the Sisters without something to give would still work. Those royal ponies back home were stupid. I bet Celestia and Luna never even get that stuff.

Big bro listened to me about Khenal. I'm not sure he bevels me for some weird reason, but he said he would talk to Ms. Charity.

Oh, Ms. Charity is the mayor now too! I'm not surprised, she can be bossy and a grump sometimes, but she runs our fort better than anypony else could.

There are a lot of other fillies in the fort nowadays. Even more than before too. Ms. Ironya Had another filly, and there was that big tough looking mare with the unicorn filly. She's fun to play tag with! Also, Ms. Charity has another on the way my mom says.

I want to go see Dr. Friesden and try again, but nopony will let me! I know I could fix her if I try again! I bet that would get rid if the chains on Khenal too!

A caravan of zebras came today. DaringSky was off like an arrow when he heard, chanting 'story teller! story teller!' the whole time! He loves listening to stories about other places, especially the ones about heroes and adventurers. I tell him stories about Greywings and the stuff he did, like how he saved me, and helped the other ghosts and battled the huge cave worm. Yeah, I made some stuff up. Mom's worried that he might run off and be an adventurer some day, but he's too smart to do something like that!

Also, I've been helping Toltot fit in! He had really bad manners and stuff, but I teach him how to be a good pony. He calls be his 'itsy droogy'. He has all sorts of funny words, me and my friends like to use them a lot! It's fun and the adults can't tell what we say! Viddy you marrow book!

Khenal's Book, Chapter 37

Things have started to settle down, but are hardly back to normal yet. I've been trying to talk to Friesden, but she's mostly unresponsive to me. I don't know if she's still under that possession or just really depressed. I just keep telling her I'm here if she needs me. She has the occasional visitor, but for the most part it's just her and her cell walls. I think now, more than ever, she needs a friend.

Chapter 38

Zebra caravan, a favorite of the foals here. The rhyming speech of the zebras make them excellent storytellers, and our merchants love their exotic goods. They also know a lot about magic. I've exhausted my supply of magic tomes and bought more from the zebras, though the book seller gave me a weird look and a cryptic remark. "Nopony can escape their past, a lesson that you should learn fast." At least I got a good deal on the books.

The Diary of Dr. Bubbles 3

Dear Diary

I suppose i should keep one of these things, everypony in this fort also has one.

We released Osal and Peytral today, although both still don't look too good. I was hoping that Doctor Friesden could help, but she's still locked up. Nopony seems to think she's sane. I certainly do, though.

Maybe i should tell Ms. Charity.

I'm really worried about Carrot, he seems to have gone back to normal but that mind control thing someone did on him was REALLY creepy.

Signing off for now,

Bubbles

Journal of Psycho Carrot: entry two

My mind is clear,

The strings have snapped,

I know not what will come for us,

I have seen death,

I have shed blood,

The earth cries out in it's mournful cry,

I feel so weak,

I know who to blame,

The evil tempter will surly die.

Friesden's New Diary.

It has become a bit harder to end this than I had thought it would be.

I keep passing out before it is done.

Honour.

The Diary of Dr. Bubbles

Dear Diary, Entry no.2

Carrot seems to be writing in his journal. I hope he's alright. I think I should read it to be sure what his problem is.

Bubbles

***************************

Author's Notes

1 Kogsak is the deity of mercy, fittingly enough.

2 the game is Dwarf Fortress, after all. This particular thing from traders seems to be hard coded, at least in the version played for Glitterglen. Later versions seem to have figured out how to change this bit of text.

3 This marks the appearance of Dr. Bubbles, formerly Dr. Erok (I think). My fondest memories of this character is his blatant disregard for the well-being of doors.

We are not alone in the jungle

Khenal's Autobiography

Hmm, that sounds a bit pretentious, what do you think Book? Things have settled into a comforting routine: I start my day training with Captain Starkey, have lunch and do whatever odd jobs need doing, and then finish with a short patrol of the surface. I got to train a war dog over the last few days, though I don't know how much "war" it actually has in it. I like to call him Lil' Urist.

Khenal's Debrief

Honeybadger Pegasi. The Captain, Otik, Lil' Urist and myself rushed out to meet them. Oh, Lil' Urist. The badger pegasi tore him limb from limb. When I saw them covered in his blood, something clicked in my head. All the training the Captain had been trying to drill into me suddenly made perfect sense and time seemed to slow. I could see everything. Teeth, going for my throat; pivot left and set spear. Straight in and out, don't want it getting stuck. Duck under the hooves coming for my head, spear in the exposed stomach and slash out; no bones to obstruct it. I could see the Captain and Otik fighting as well, and they were having no trouble. Back to my foes. When it all was said and done, I had accounted for five of the invaders and had only a chipped hoof for my troubles. Charity told me to have it checked in the hospital, but I wanted to get this written before anything else. The Captain says debriefs should be done asap.

Friesden's journal

My plan is coming together as we speak! Khenal came in for a battered hoof, sustained during the battle. I've anaesthetised him, and as we write, we are dragging him to a nearby cliff. I've affixed his new extensions, and am about to toss him off... Here goes nothing!

Khenal's Book

Something odd is going on. When I asked Thunder Splinter about the wing extensions, she felt they were a lost cause. She suggested painting them and setting them somewhere as decoration, and I think I'll try my hoof at that if we ever get paint. However, after seeing Dr. Friesden for my hoof, I had this strange dream. I dreamed I was falling, which is silly. I spread my wings and glided, though I couldn't seem to gain any altitude. I drifted down and came to a soft landing and just looked around, and then I noticed my wings. The extensions were back. Rather, new ones were attached to my wings. These looked like they had been more carefully crafted, though they still chafe. Yes, chafe; present tense. When I awoke in my bed, those extensions from my dream were there in reality. I took them off and sat confused for a while. Who would make these things? Who could make these things? Why? I think I'll ask Thunder Splinter about them when I next see her, maybe she made them?

Khenal's Book

I think I like simply calling you my book, Book. It's so relaxingly informal. The caravan arrived today and I got to try cooking. The recipe I found looked odd, but we had the ingredients easily at hoof so I tried it. I thought cupcakes needed flour, but they apparently can work with tallow*1. Who knew? I don't think they turned out bad, they looked like the picture at least. Charity sent them out with the caravan as a gift to the princess. Are princesses allergic to puppy tallow?

From the Diary of ThunderSplinter.

Well. This is just getting curiouser and curiouser. Khenal came into my workshop wearing yet another set of absurd wing extensions, and the very fact that he could not get them off without considerable help tells me that he could not have installed them in the first place. Add his equally bizarre story of waking up with them after a freaky dream just makes me shiver. I did get an opportunity to examine how they were attached, thinking perhaps that it was some practical joke by an engineer, but that seems unlikely with the way the extensions were attached by cave spider silk thread and some knots I have no knowledge of - I do not know who to ask about knots....hmmm, this is a quandary that will require some further investigation.

In unrelated news: the theft of wood continues, although the other woodcraftponies seem to recall an order for crutches to be made, but, when I asked the bookkeeper, no orders for crutches could be found. I will take matters into my own hooves and sleep near the wood stockpile to see if I can catch the wood-lifter in the act.

Signing off for now,
ThunderSplinter.

Charity's Journal 11th Granite, 95

Today Friesden came to me, said she needed some traction benches for holding patients still while bones mend. A reasonable request, but something about the look in her eye makes me feel uncomfortable. Unfortunately for her, we have no mechanics here. She looked upset, and later I found her carving rocks into mechanisms in the alcove by my office.

Charity's Journal 16th Granite, 95

Now Friesden is burning wooden logs into ash, she claims it's for making soap. But I don't know if I believe that. I know ash is component in making soap, but something seems fishy with that pony.

Charity's Secret Diary 19th Granite, 95

The day has finally, come. Today, Cryptson and I will be married*2 in the Meeting Hall in front of everypony. Then we will celebrate with dwarven beers and wines and cupcakes and party until morning. I'm so excited! This is the happiest day of my life, even if we are banished out here to the jungle, we can still make a decent life for ourselves.

Charity's Journal 27th Granite, 95

A huge wave of ponies has just arrived at our gates. New members of our band of exiles, enough to double our population. Apparently, the merchants story of how we've succeeded here has reached even the prison population, and more are considering coming here as an option instead of assuming it to be as good as a death sentence. Now I have to try and organize these 21 new ponies.

Male Earthpony Doctor. Sending this one down to help Friesden, and to keep an eye on her extracurricular activities.
Male Earthpony Farmer
Female Unicorn Seamstress
Male Unicorn Spearpony (going in Starkey's ground squad)
Female Unicorn Lasher (ground squad)
Female Earth Pony thresher and mechanic
Male Unicorn Engraver
Male Pegasus Stoneworker
Female Pegasus Cheesemaker, uh, I mean airborne squadron recruit
Female Earthpony farmer/beekeeper
Male Earthpony Carpenter/woodcutter. Thundersplinter needed some assistants.
Feamale Earthpony peasant married to above carpenter and mother of two. Guess she can help move things around.
Male Unicorn foal, around 3 years old
Female Royal Pony foal, 1 year old. (how is it that these two earthponies can have a unicorn and a royal as their children.)
Male Pegasus chef
Male Pegasus Fisherpony
Female Pegasus woodcutter with minor military experience. Said she used a mace before, well now she's going to learn to shoot a crossbow.
Male Pegasus Blacksmith
Male Unicorn Siege Operator
Male Unicorn weaver
Male Earthpony hunter.

This many new ponies will overcrowd our dormitories. In the morning, Cryptson is going to start digging out individual rooms for everypony. Starting with ours. Thundersplinter is going to have to take a break from the pile of wooden blocks she's been working on, says she wants to build a wooden tower on the surface, and start building some more beds for everypony.

Khenal's Book

Charity and Cryptson were married today! They both looked so happy, I think it's the first time I've seen Cryptson actually smile. There was a great reception after the ceremony, and everypony had fun. I made sure I didn't drink too much, passing out would likely see me in wing extensions again. I still have no idea who made them, Thunder Splinter looked just as surprised as me when she saw me in them after my hospital visit a while ago.

More of Khenal's Book

Huh. Now that I've settled on what to call you, I need a way to differentiate these writings, my Book. A whole bunch of ponies immigrated to Glitterglen, and with new faces came the return of the awkward looks when I work. Well, the others came to accept me, so I'll just try to ignore the uncomfortable moments until these new ponies adjust. Cryptson has been busy digging out rooms for everypony and Thunder is busy making beds. I wonder if she needs any help?

Charit's Journal 23rd Slate, 95

Bokbon Razotstertar, our broker and bone carver, has been distant, recently. I tried to talk to her but she ignored me. It's almost as if...

Addendum

That crazy pony ran off and barricaded herself in her workshop*3. She then ran off and grabbed an entire Water Buffalo Calf's skeleton, and a stack of logs from the kapok tree. She continues to work secretly and hasn't yet come back out.

27th Slate, 95

Bokbon finally came out of her workshop today, she seems to have made the finest door I have ever seen. She calls it Crazywax. It's made of bone and wood, all worked as if by a master. She claims to have had the idea for it several days ago, and needed to see if she could do it. And by the gods she has. I think this will do nicely as the door to Cryptson and mine's new room.

11th Felsite, 95

I've heard that Khenal's been asking Thundersplinter if he can help out with the carpentry work. We set up a second carpenter's workshop, but Thundersplinter just has him turning out wooden blocks. Say's Khenal isn't ready to make anything more complicated, but I think Thundersplinter is just trying to get another pony to help her with her dream of a wooden tower/landing pad.

11th Felsite, 95 addendum

Ironya gave birth today, to a bouncing baby Pegasus boy. I haven't heard what the parents are going to name him, but Friesden says the child is healthy and that's what's most important.

18th Felsite, 95

A filthy Keshi*4, foal snatcher snuck into the fortress today. Thank the gods they were spotted before they got to any of the children. According to the ponies that saw it, it was wearing the symbols of 'The Bearded Devil' a Diomedian pony civilization, known to operate in the Failed Jungles. It ran off as the militia chased after him. One of our marksponies in training was the only one to engage the thief, but was unsuccessful in harming him, most likely because he ran out with his quiver empty and attempted to bash the thief's head in with his -honey badger pegasi bone crossbow- to no effect. In fact the only injury sustained by anypony was a cut to the right rear leg of the charging 'markspony.' I've asked Starkey to have a talk with him about how he isn't in the melee squad any more and should learn to stop acting like it, once he gets out of the hospital that is.

Regardless, the Diomedian ponies definitely know we're here now. I went out and stood on the wall later. Thundersplinter and that other woodcutter have clear cut a lot of jungle around our walls. I think an archer tower or two could be helpful, as they would have a clear line of sight over a large area. Knowing that Thundersplinter has long desired a tower of wood, I told her I will allow her to begin construction if she submits to allowing for fortifications to be placed in the second and third floors.

21st Felsite, 95

Another Snatcher came today, this one didn't get as far as she was spotted by Shasad as they were cutting trees. The militia was called up, but were unable to catch him. Khenal got just close enough to be disappointed in losing his trail. Two thieves have come and two have escaped, this paints a poor image of our defenses. I worry that they might decide to start sending out their twisted ponies in greater numbers. Cinderspark is working to outfit our troops with bronze armor but we just don't have enough copper or tin, we only got a little from the caravan. Thus, our dwindling leather supply is being used to try and patch the holes left by our lack of metal, as are the bones and shells being worked by Bokbon. However, neither leather nor unicorn magic worked bone will protect a pony from the iron blades of the Diomedians.

From the diary of ThunderSplinter.

That bothersome pony, Khenal, who seems to delight in wasting my time and annoying me with endless inanities, has finally been put to work in the secondary carpenter's workshop. I don't trust him with any real tools, or projects for that matter, so he's slowly kicking out wooden blocks. Slowly because he charges off every now and then, probably chasing horseflies or butterpegasi, feckless colt - wouldn't know what a real day's work involved.

Anyway, so many migrant ponies arrived. I've got orders for beds that will take me weeks to put together, I will have to move my own bed near the workshop just to save time. Then there will be a whole raft of barrels for alcohol, maybe I should suggest to Khenal that he go and bother the brewer instead. He might redeem himself if he makes some decent midnight berry wine for me.

Signing off for now,
ThunderSplinter.

Khenal's Book, Chapter 1

I figure chapters are as good a way as marking entries in you as anything, Book. Huh, I guess everything before this counts as a prologue. There was another party today as Ironya had a baby! Ironya is our main weaponsmith, and she's married to FireLordSky. I think he's the one I helped with farming a few times? There's getting to be so many ponies I'm having trouble keeping up.

Chapter 2

The Diomedians know we're here. There have been at least two foalnappers spotted in the last few days. Neither seems to have been able to get close to the little ones, but it's very worrying. I almost caught one, but I lost him in the dense jungle that borders us. I really hope we don't see any more of them, our foals deserve to live without the fear of being taken.

I've also been helping Thunder Splinter with the woodworking. I'm not very good, so she just has me making blocks while she makes beautiful beds. It's nice, working with wood. I've never had a chance to actually make anything before, even just blocks. There's getting to be enough ponies that odd jobs are dwindling, I should probably settle into a civilian profession soon. I really like the military, and will stick with it, but I should at least have something to do between shifts instead of just sitting around. Maybe I'll apply for a carpentry job? Or maybe try brewing first, Thunder Splinter seems to think I'd be good at that. Wont know unless I try!

Charity's Journal 20th Hematite, 95

Construction has officially began upon Thundersplinter's tower. We will hopefully finish it by the end of the year. It is difficult to give a specific time-frame, though many ponies are helping out with actual construction. Khenal has been assigned as a permanent secondary carpenter during his down time between training. Although Starkey hasn't given him much time to do anything other than eat, sleep, and train, and that time which he does have, he almost exclusively spends on training on his own. One has to admire his discipline.

Charity's Journal 10th Malachite, 95

New immigrants. 11 of them, Better order more beds from Thundersplinter, don't think she'll like that.
Quick summary of the new guys: We got a Unicorn Ranger, she has a very pretty voice. An earth spearpony, sending her right off to Starkey. A pegasus fisherpony, not much else to say about her. Pegasus stone-worker, we don't really need any more stone workers, but he does look pretty tough. I sent him to Otik, he'll learn to shoot quick enough. He's also married to a unicorn who's never done a day's work in her life, don't know what I'll do with her. Female pegasus weaver, don't really need another weaver, guess she can learn to shoot too. She's married to an earthpony lasher, and blacksmith, whom I'm sending to Starkey. Pegasus farmer, she seemed a little paranoid when I was interviewing her. Another pegasus with no noteworthy skills, told him to report to training with Otik in the morning. An earthpony metalcrafter, not that we have any metal for him to work with.

And finally, a Royal pony. Unfortunately, he also lacks any useful skills, he's apparently worked as a wood burner, and cut his own wood when he did so. He's also a decent stone carver, but we don't really have much need for more of those skills. I'm tempted to just have him report to Starkey or Otik for training. I'll think it over, in the meanwhile he can help clear more of the jungle.

Charity's Journal 11th Malachite, 95

That idiot who got cut by the first snatcher is finally about to leave the hospital. Unfortunately, Freisden says he's going to need a crutch in order to walk around. The bastard should thank his stars that he's got wings, at least this will hopefully teach him to grab some bolts before running off to a fight.

From the diary of ThunderSplinter,

Early Malachite:

I had not even finished the last work order for beds, when Charity came into check up on Khenal's progress and inform us that more migrants had arrived. She chatted for a while and as she was leaving left a new work order for more beds! She also told me that the tower is under way, we will finally be able to get those fliers under some sort of control - I don't want to have another 'incident' like the last one. I am still plagued by bad dreams even after all these years.

No time for a lengthy entry, lots of ponies demanding comfy beds for their rooms, and it sounds like Khenal has broken another chisel. He's lucky that he is getting better at making the blocks or I'd ask Charity to re-assign him to a workshop where he can't break tools - and I'm still looking for the mallet he lost last week.

ThunderSplinter.

Friesden's diary

We have nearly done it, we have! The trap is nearly completed. Now to send that earth pony the mayor saddled us with away and we can lure our prey into our trap. Soon we shall be able to extend Khenal's wings properly. Haha. HaHa. AHAHAHAHAhahahahaAHAHAHA. Our precious will be more useful. HAHAHAHAHAHAHHA.

PS. HAHAHAHA!!!!

Friesden.

Khenal's Book, Chapter 3

I am most certainly not cut out to be a brewer. I have no idea what to call what's inside that barrel other than... I don't know! I chiseled "Do not open Ever!" into the side as a precaution so nopony would try to drink it before it can be disposed of. Hopefully it'll get dropped into magma or something. Even worse, I managed to somehow snap the handle of the mallet I used when I missed the chisel. I've gotten better at the very basics of woodworking, but I clearly need more practice before I can graduate from blocks. I told Thunder Splinter I had lost the mallet and I plan to replace it. More accurately, I plan to pay for the replacement. It's not like I have the skill to actually make a new one.

There were a bunch of new arrivals recently, and several of them have joined the military! There's even another alicorn around! Well, another full grown alicorn. One of the families that immigrated a while ago had an alicorn foal. I didn't think genetics worked that way*5, but I am obviously wrong.

The new recruits (though they look pretty experienced to me) looked surprised that I was in the military. I was so excited to learn that one of them also used a spear! There was the usual period of awkwardness of ponies who don't know me, but we seemed to get through it quickly; Starkey's training sessions are too exhausting to allow for that. We traded tired smiles with eachother when Captain Starkey dismissed us for the day.

Charity's Journal 16th Malachite 95

A flock of Honey Badger Pegasi have been spotted south of the wall. They haven't shown any hostilities toward our settlement, yet. Starkey has decided that dealing with them will be an excellent training opportunity for our new recruits, and I have decided to allow this little hunting trip of his.

Charity's Journal 17th Malachite 95

The ever increasing pile of Honey Badger pony/pegasi corpses has been taking up all of our butchers time up*6. They are butchering them slower than we are acquiring more of them, most are rotten before they even get to the chopping block, perhaps we should set up a second butchers so two butchers can work at the same time.

Charity's Journal 18th Galena 95

A caravan of traders has been spotted in the jungle making their way towards us. Hopefully they will have metals to trade us. I'm sending Starkey's squad to escort them in, while stationing the First Airborne Squadron on the walls. It would be unfortunate if the Diomedian's were to strike now, and I will not be caught unawares.

Charity's Journal 19th Galena 95

While no ambushes*7 were spotted before the traders arrived, our Unicorn Ranger reported seeing a tentacle pony (a scout? or another snatcher?) while she was returning from hunting. She chased it off and hit it once in the leg with a bolt, but it managed to escape as well.

Charity's Journal 8th Limestone 95

Another Diomedian foal snatcher got all the way inside our walls and down the stairs, but bumped into Starkey as he was leaving the barracks to get a drink. It managed to get a few hits in on some of our less experienced recruits, though nothing life threatening, before it was killed just inside the foundations of the wooden tower. I'm lead to believe that it was Khenal who finished the thing off with a stab to the head with his new Steel Spear. He should thank Ironya for her craftponyship, and Cindy for that copper peytrel that saved him from a bronze dagger to the heart. Only injuries worth reporting was from one of the recruits from the Markspony squad that got too close. He's in the hospital with a cut on his hoof, looks like we'll have another limping Pegasus.

Charity's Journal 22nd Limestone 95

Strange, our stockpiles seem to be missing certain materials, including: a clear glass window I was planning on installing in the dinning room, three high quality stone mechanisms, and the copper spear Khenal used to use. I've asked around and nopony knows where they've been placed. I had a talk with the haulers about proper procedures and hopefully this sort of misplacement won't happen again.

Charity's Journal 27th Limestone 95

Now we have a missing pony. Nopony has seen Efim the fisherpegasus since early yesterday. We assume he met something unfortunate while fishing, but strangely nopony saw him leave. He was last seen heading down toward the inside of the fort. Regardless, I'm sending the airborne squadron out on patrol. Maybe they can find him, or what's left of him.

Charity's Journal 12th Sandstone 95

We've decided to add a public shower to the lower dining hall. Unfortunately, Ironya and her husband Firelordsky have moved into the room directly above where we want it to go, so the water is going to be flowing through half of their room. Hope they don't mind, their room was over-sized anyway. We'll be tapping into that aquifer*8, (glad to get something positive out of the thing) and draining the water into the cavern lake. It seems to flow a long way away from here so it shouldn't flood the caves.

Charity's Secret Jounal 12th Sandstone 95

Cryptson, that wonderful stallion, has dug off a second small tunnel from the main water route. This is in order to redirect some of it to our room, for our own private shower. It's good to be the Overseer*9.

Charity's Journal 2nd Timber 95

More ponies have arrived. Only eight this time. Pegasus brewer, although I think she'll do better in the crossbow squad. An earthpony High Master Armorer, I wonder what Cindy will think about this. First Ironya shows up and makes better weapons, and now a Master Armorer shows up. He's also married to an earthpony knife-fighter, sending her off to see Starkey for assignment. Another earthpony metal crafter, but with less experience than those we already have. He's a bit of a tough looking guy though, so we're drafting him too. An earthpony butcher, an earthpony tanner, and an earthpony dyer. And a pegasus fisher pony.

Addendum

Speaking of pegasus fisherponies, Efim has not been found yet, dead or alive.

Friesden's diary

They all suspect us. Do you suspect us, diary? Do you? DO YOU? I can't abide traitors in our search for greatness. Now to clean the wings from the pegasus. We're good enough as a surgeon to attach them fully to Khenal....just have to wait until he's injured. Waitwait. We must seal off the trap. After removing the body. At night, when the pegasus patrol is asleep, we must dump the body, without the wings of course ;) and let the badgers eat it. We must find the next badger pegasus swarm and lure them to the body.

Khenal will be so happy with the wings! Now he'll be able to lift off from the wall. We can't wait till he's injured. We must dose the alcohol again, while they're off patrolling. They wouldn't understand us. We must do this... WE MUST!

PS. We know you don't trust us, Diary, but we wouldn't hurt you! We promise!

Love, Friesden! XOXOX

From the diary of ThunderSplinter,

Early Limestone.

"Snatcher!" The alert sent a chill through me, and it had sounded close. Khenal was out on training with Starkey so I had to fend for myself if the foalsnatcher made the mistake of heading my way. Thankfully, the all-clear was sounded soon after and Khenal was prancing around with his still blood-stained spear. Despite his attitude, a lot of ponies are grateful for his growing skills in combat.

Late Limestone.

Almost everypony has been asked to keep an eye out for one of new migrants. We're getting so many ambushes lately, it wouldn't surprise me if the fisherpony is in a Diomedian cooking pot somewhere, but I hope the searchers find him.

Early Timber.

Finally. All the beds on order have been finished and I can now relax with a good drink and some cupcakes - absolutely nothing could ruin this moment, not even the sound of Khenal breaking yet another chisel. (Fortunately he's in combat training so the workshops are blissfully quiet)

Addendum.

Spoke to soon, diary. I was just settling down with a second serving of cupcakes when Charity informed me that we have more migrants. She didn't even have to tell me to get back to work making more beds. Sometimes, only rarely mind, I wish Khenal could be trusted to tackle more complicated projects without constant supervision - I wonder how Starkey copes with him?

ThunderSplinter.

Venture's Book

Hi book! My name is Venture!

My Mommy gave you to me today cause she says I'm so special for learning too wright so young and stuff. I didn't know what to wright so Daddy said to wright about how we got to new home. We walk a really, really REALLY far with a bunch of other ponies to get here. My legs were SO tired and I don't know how to fly but mommy says there are pegisusses that can teach me in new home so it's OK. There's another pony here that looks like me with wings and a horn so I got really scared. Even more scared then in the hot scary forest cause I thought he was going to take me away from mommy and daddy again like the other ponies with horns and wing that got all loud at daddy, but mommy says that pony is OK so Im not so scared now. Daddy says that we had to leave old home because the other ponies with wings and horns were angry that mommy and daddy were earth ponies but that’s stupid so we went away one night with a bunch of other ponies so we can go be a family together because that important and I don't want go away from mommy and daddy and my brother forever.

I don't like new home very much. The forest is really scary and hot and wet and there are all sort of scary things inside it. All the ponies live in the ground witch is really funny because ponies should live In houses not in the ground! Me and my brother want to play outside but mommy and daddy say it's not safe so we have to stay in the ground all the time. It's really super boring in the ground cause there’s nothing to do and me and my brother can't go into most of the tunnels cause were not old engulf yet and daddy and mommy are always working and stuff so we just got to sit and be bored and stuff. Some times we can play tag or catch with rocks but the adults tell us to stop running so that sucks too. Some times the Adults yell SNATCHER and then we have to go hide until the mommy or daddy find us so that’s fun except that there always crying wen they find us but I don't know why.

I have to go book, somepony just yelled SNATCHER so I have to hide again.

Bye!

Khenal's Book, Chapter 4

I don't like badgerpegasi. Apparently, neither does Captain Starkey. He had us hunting them for training for the last few days. Moving as a squad took getting used to, but we've killed several of them. The bodies are waiting for the butcher. I think I'll stick to fruits and veggies for a while. It just feels weird to eat badgerpegasus meat.

Chapter 5

The caravan was spotted today, and we were dispatched to escort them in. Everypony was on edge worrying about a possible Diomedian attack on the caravan. Happily, all was quiet. I think the caravan brought a lot of metal, we've been getting new equipment. I really like this new spear. I'd love if it never had to be used, but I know it will help protect Glitterglen.

Chapter 6

Snatchers have returned. One was spotted early and chased off. The other, however, actually made it down almost past the barracks! Captain Starkey spotted the would-be foalnapper and yelled the warning before giving chase. He had it cornered and we finished it off. I christened my new spear with Diomedian blood and brains. The others are giving me credit for the kill, but I think the Captain had given it a mortal wound already. All I did was make it stop moving. I'm just glad the Captain was the one to spot it. I didn't notice until later that night, but the Diomedian had given my new copper armor a good gash. If anypony but the Captain had found it, I fear somepony would have gotten that dagger in their heart.

I noticed something else concerning that night: my old spear was gone. At first, I thought it was simply melted to be used as something else, maybe even my new armor. But the other old equipment was still in the armory. I hope I'm just being paranoid, but I can't help but be concerned. I don't know why, but it's disappearance reminds me of the strange business of those wooden wing extensions. I really hope it's nothing. After all, it's been a long time since I've woken up with anything weird on my wings.

Friesden's Diary

Now to dye these wings we have, yes yes! We must order dye...but what justification can we gi- We've got it! We need proper uniforms so that if some bad stuff happens the blood won't be seen! Red dye will be ours!hahahahahaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

PS. We know you're reading! Look behind you!
PPS. Hahahahaha! Got you! Hahahaha! Actually, there is something behind you now. Just close your eyes, it'll all be over soon....HAHAHAHAA! GOT YOU AGAIN!
PPPS. Did you really think we'd do it? Hahahaha! We only do it to useless pegasi...are you a useless pegasi? No? Then you don't need to fear us! HAHAHAHAHAHA!

Love, Friesden.

Venture's Book

Hi again book! It's me Venture!

I just remembered that I forgot to tell you about my family! Sorry about that, I can be really forgetful sometimes. Well first there's my mommy and daddy. Daddy is the best carpenter EVER! He use to make really pretty bed and doors and all sorts of stuff back home. I mean old home, sorry book. Mommy used to sing and dance for the noble ponies back home because she was so pretty and was the best singer in the whole town and even teaches me how to sing really good too. Some times she would come home really late at night crying or hurt or both after dancing for the nobles and daddy would get super angry at them and start saying lots of bad words about them and taking out his ax but mommy would always say that there was nothing they could do and it was just how things were, and then they would both start crying and hugging and ----

Sorry book, I wanna wright about something else now.
Then there's my brother who is a unicorn so he has a horn but no wings like me. His name is Peytrel, like the armor thing. He's older than me and some times he can be SUPER MEAN!! Like when he uses his magic to carry icky gross spiders and chase me around with them like a jerk, or when he wants to play adventurer and bandit and I'm ALWAYS the bandit! He hits way too hard with his stick and he can use magic but I cant so hes way better! He says he has to hit hard so he can learn to be a soldier some day but I tell him he's too pudgy to be a soldire and then we get into a huge fight and we both get sent to time out and it was so not my fault! Other times he can be nice too, like how he tell's me bead-time stories when mommy and daddy are too busy with work and how he is always the first pony to come when I have my wired bad dreams and the one time he bucked one of those big mean ponies when they were trying to take me away because I have wings and a horn. He is a really brave pony and I don't say it, but I think he will be the best most super brave soldier ever!

New home has lotsa other ponies too. There's the big green pony that's like me. His name is Khenal and he is super nice and strong and nice. He has been doing lots of jobs around the fort but he said that if he has time he would teach me some magic! He has a book too that he calls "his Book", so that's why I call you book. He is so Awsum!
There's no other foals like me in new home but there is this little Pegasus newborn that is SO CUTIE! With his little tail and tinny wings and his soooo adorable laugh! I can't remember his name but I like to call him "Bubbly" because of his laughing.
There's also Ms. Charity and Mr. Cryptson. Ms. Charity is bossy and Mr. Cyptson is kinda creepy so I stay away from them.
Starkey is the milita comsti commisi comisar boss pony. He always wheres this shiny armor and is a great fighter! My brother is always trying to talk to him and folwos him around sometimes. I don't think he even notice's him, but my brother is stubborn as a mule and he'll keep going until he dose notice him. Ms. ThunderSplinter says she is the best carpenter here but I know my daddy is way better! She wants to build a big wood tower that sounds super cool! Dr. Friesden is the midcal medical pony and has this funny eye twitch.

There's lots of others like Theropod and Benoni and Pillomino and... some others I can't remember but I'm running out of room so I'll stop now.

Goodnight book!

**************
Author's Notes

*1 Cooking simply allows for mixing ingredients and then assigns a name based on how many ingredients were used. Cupcakes are a fairly basic dish, and can be made without flour.

*2 Ponies will actually make relationships and eventually get married in game, without any help from the player.

*3 Occasionally, a pony will get the urge to build something and will stop at nothing to do so. If they are unable to find an appropriate workshop, or unable to get all the materials they decide they need, they will eventually go insane and either starve to death or go berserk. Sometimes, they will gain legendary skill in whatever skill they used to make the artifact, and sometimes they won't remember anything about it, apart from knowing they made it.

*4 one of the Diomedian castes. Keshi ponies are corrupted earth ponies. The other castes are tentacle ponies (Corrupted unicorns with a tentacle instead of a horn on their forehead) and shadowbolts (bat-winged pegasi with vampiric tendencies).

*5 Caste is not genetic. Each has a set percentage of the population that they make up, and foals are born randomly from those percents. Alicorns make up only about 1 in 60 ponies, while earth ponies, unicorns and pegasi are roughly equally represented.

*6 Typically, animal ponies will not be butchered for food, but a little modding of the ethics in the game allows for them to become food. They can also be modded to allow for full cannibalism or simply eating of anyone who isn't in their civilization. Glitterglen has been modded to consider Diomedians fair game as far as food is concerned. Cupcakes, anyone?

*7 As a fortress makes more valuables, invaders will step up their game in trying to destroy you. Snatchers and thieves are first, followed by ambushes and eventually full blown sieges are what every fort has to deal with.

*8 Aquifers are layers where mined out spaces will continually fill with water. This can be used to create as much water as one desires, but can also totally flood a fort that isn't properly designed.

*9 Term from way back in the beginnings of community games of Dwarf Fortress. Positions like Mayor, Barron, etc are filled by the game, but there is always someone who is actually directing everything, and they are the overseer. It is not an actual position in game.