Author's Note

Edit at currently the 03.02.2024

Slightly improved chapter quality and added lore!
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Chapter 11.5 - The calm before a bloody storm 3/7

'Gray the Necromancer - The beginning'

Written by: Black--Soul

Chapter 11.5 - The calm before a bloody storm 3/7

There was a not to silent protest about Stone Walls suggesting that the new male Predator should join the defensive measures. A male in general and especially when new to the Community, should give more a chance to bear a foal. Furthermore would everyone agree that Stone Walls destain for the predator male was obviously to them all. He himself always made it clear that male had to be battle ready, but only act on it if all lines of defense where breached.

Stone Wall was at least honest enough to acknowledge his hypocritical behavior and withdraw his proposal of the predator helping in the front lines. He still insisted that Gray should defend before the foals where threatened.

Again was a lot of mares about to protest, but Gabriel made a fake coughing sound and with Pinkie Pie help agree on Stone Walls proposal.
Everypony was surprised.

Pinkie Pie translated that Gabriel while not actively seeking out danger unprepared, would never let foals come to harm if he could have defended them. No matter who's foal it was.

Many mares heart raced how the gray predator seem to see all foals worth of putting before himself. A very rare attribute for any male.
He would get many breeding requests indeed once the headmare would have selected his secondary mares. They would enjoy a placement in the inner defense circeling instead of front line defenses. Especially once pregnancy was accomplished.

The Author checked his notes, he did not find the detail about the human getting his metaphorical balls upgraded. He had to keep his main character in view more often. A dead hero isn't very productive after the fact...

There current date was the year 4000 of the word calendar. Starlight Glimmer turned a lot paler in color hearing this. Her spell not just misfired slightly, but did so overcharged impossible strong. How it managed to go back into the past so far? Impossible! She would never life to see the future that was per own past! Equestria and Griffonia wasn't even founded as of yet. Matter of factly was the royal familie still around.
As in the founders!
This changed everything...

Gabriel Gray learned that the current planet wide accepted year was 4000.
Alicorns Faust Stellar Galaxy & Solar Nova Exterminaty had in legend take over the two suns and two moons orbital control with eatch guiding one of the suns and moons.
If this was true? He would have really to meet them one day.

This give the Author a few ideas and he would pen them in his to do list. Fate and Destiny would have to work slightly overtime for that to happen though...

The soon to be first Necromancer Gabriel Gray learned further that this world had mindblowing many sapient races in it. The human wondered if earth history books needed a overhaul. Impossible that he would know most of the races from myths by complet accident.
Currently did most races seem to be in a war with one another. But it was running so low that almost everycreature was down to the bow and spear era, if not even stone age!

The following still existing races included even if some where on the brink of the extinction edge:

》Ponys - With more than 10 subraces.

》Mountan Rams - Territorial frontal attack focused warriors. As sturdy as a Yak at physical toughness, just faster but lesser in strength. While Yaks could survive in areas uninhabitable to others like iced over areas. Mountan Ram while very cold resistant are more going towards simply cold areas with hills, having excellent wall climbing. With them being able to scale 89° walls in the most extreme cases.

》Minatours - The 'go to' race for milk production in general very well digested by any species in Equestria. Further did they specialize in metal smiting of the massive and most sturdy war gear im general up to specific heavy but rough enchantable glyph armor.

》Harpys - Dependant on who they mated with, they are basically sub par avian races that enjoy additional magic abilities from who ever they mated with. They even surpassing the ponies in numbers of sheer variations.
Almost every race has a Harpy variation at some place in time on the planet.

》Griffons - The feathered very versatile predators of the sky. Beside the Dragons, they are the dominant predator air worth species to fear.
The lack the ponies affinity for magic with exceptionwhat the share with the Pegasus to a lesser degree, but usually surpass the physical aspect. For example did a air Griffon can't be outlasted be a Pegasus in general, even if Pegasus are usually more nimble and fast short term.

》Zebras - So if anyone can give you a verbal challenge or show you true mastery of the alchemy arts of the world, it will be a Zebra.
They are also uniquely well connected with the afterlife. They have a neck for spiritual topics that mixes well with there affinity for Alchemy.

》Deers - They are similar like Earthponys very good in growing plants. They prefer more wild areas and are rumored to be able to bend sapient beasts to their will. If a Timberwolf pack ever ignored or even protected some race specifically, it would be the Deer folk.

》Sphinxes - Big as a house, the most deadly and magical creatures flying trough the sky. Even more rare than Dragons. Rumored to be natural immortal, but they breed apparently so rarely that noone knows how many are really existing at any time. For all everypony knows they are on the brink of extinction, unless they have a well hidden underground city somewhere.

》Dragons - Unless one counts the extreamly rare found Sphinx, this Lizard with wings is what everyone truly has to fear. They become incredibly old and big. Known to depending on their sub race, master one element like noone else. For example are fire dragons practically immune to heat with exception to other fire dragon breath attacks. While a Ice dragon can even rival a Wendigo in ignoring unbelievable cold areas to life in.
While Earth Dragons have no wings, but have the abilities to swim through earth like water, once they survived through their metamorphosis.

》Abesinians - A purrrfect race to trade with. They are known to travel the world and are the race one thinks of when trading within or outside ones nation. Noone truly can mimicking their success in trading good of all kinds. Especially the ones noone should have in their possession.
Unfortunately are they also known for having a problem with 'sticky paws' unless one is a usually welcome seen trading associated partner of theirs.

》Gemstone Dogs - If anyone outside the Dragons know how to get to Gem deposits and actually is willing to trade openly with it, than a Gemstone Dog is the perfect race to get pretty looking rare stones. They can tell their worth in magical affinity even better than unicorns with their fancy magic detection spells.
Magicaly enchantable stones are their mainly traded good with others. Ores are probably the second one. If someone needs a race that dominated the mining markets, it is them.
They have a subrace called 'Diamond Dogs', but they are more a label for outlaws and criminals than a actually legitimate sub race.

》Seaponys - They dominate everything below the water surfaces of the oceans and rivers of the world. Nocreature knows mutch about them, with them being rather secretive in general.
Except that they are not to be messed with if one values the seatrade or sea/ocean near village's and city's safety. The breed water based wildlife to keep the waters of the world rich with meat to hunt for all races that fish. Their other focus is in cleaning the water masses of the world, water quality is air quality for them, punishing anyone that casually contaminated bigger water masses. Beware if you try disposal in their waters!
The retaliation is never worth it.
Their trading outside water based meats are pearls and other riches below the water surfaces of the world.

》Breezees - Mostly unknown race as of yet. But they seem to love to help with damaged teeth removal and bones. They even pay for that service in return of keeping the afflicted tooth or bone.
Being able to enchanted artefacts that let someone actually regrow bones with exception of the skull and the spine.

》Changelings - A mysterious race. They are everywhere and nowhere to find. They seem to facilitate communication through out the world. Legends state they actually keep the multi species translation spells usable on the world active through special emotions charged stones and gems.
They are highly valued as Ambassadors, politicians, trade partners and many more occupations that would have them use their emotivore natureto their fullest potencial.
Very strangely are there prices in worldly riches rather low. They are highly valued in many respects, but also feared. War never pays for anyone, when Changelings denied a race having been at war up to 50 years all services they usually provide.
They aggressively avoid any military involvement with anyone, usually having other fight for them in exchange of special services provided.
Also they surprisingly are always the first helping in discovering criminal activities and if a nation provide tribute, houses criminals up to a lifetime for the right price of a unwanted individual.
The criminal realm of Tarterus is their alone to walk freely.

》Giraffes - Living siege machines of nature. Their neck and head are extremely dangerous resistant, but if they are allowed to heal naturally can even recover from a broken neck. Any attempts to replicate that natural used ability failed to this day.
They are average in intelligence, but noone is better in using their head to win a argument.
Though blunt force resistant, they seem to recover from cutting wounds poorly.
In one instance a adult has his cut up neck so scared over that it was unable to use even half of its general mobility.
They are usually either pacifist or full on beserkers, the in between is surprisingly rare... they usually pair up with Zebra or Abesinian tribes for their individual strengths to be utilized more profitable. Be it collecting hard to reach herbs or transportation of goods, they are rather versatile in these fields.

》Hyenas - These predatory scavengers are quite unique in their culture and physical aspects.
Every philosophy that exist has a tribe present here or there, though they are not far away when ever war breaks out.
Their nature given general healing is redicules effective and helped developing all basic and advanced healing spells ponykind ever made.
They are immune to fungus poisoning in slightly rotten food and even brew wines and meads with honey and milk/cheese, partially tradable to other species.
They are skilled warriors in general, others rumored them to be very proficient in poisen assasination.
But in general they are the go to guard detail of any trade caravan of all races and a generally always welcome, unless they earned a bad reputation individually.
As famous as their guard quality is, the more infamous ate the pirate and barbarian tribes are near water places.
Hyenas and seapony seem to have a general bad relationship towards another.
Though the exception of this rule resulted in a few interesting sub races that are to this day not officially named.

》Yak - Trade inside cold environments is their strongest side besides smashing shit to pieces and cooking surprisingly various meal for every creatures tastes.
The are in general the leading race in low intelligence and are aggressive more often than not in culture, but their mindblowing cooking and trading of receipts of any food base with exception of emotional charged foods are very high in popularity.
Yaks natural enemies due to their apparent delicious meat are officially listed as:
- Dragons
- Griffons
- Hyenas
- Sphinxes
- Breezees

》Baffalo - Isolation is all this days they are known for. There up to very hostile demonology towards almost all races has made them fair game for many races. They thrive even in the most hot and dry deserted climate areas.
They are officially by their own doing the only official sapient race to be hunted openly outside their designated living territory that are secured by trading in their dead bodies freely as commodity.
Be it to spare their territorys wasted space due to graveyards or because of some religious reason.
Though their economy seem strangely to flourish under that particular aspect.

And more, but Gabriel Gray could not possible remember more in one lore dump at once.

In the meantime did Starlight Glimmer contemplation was if she should dump this community as soon as it was feasible and try to meet the legendary Faust.
Than she remembered how incredible illegal time magic was. She rather not be reduced to ash, forgotten by time. Alicorns Faust Stellar Galaxy and Solar Nova Exterminaty might there for better never learn of her existence.

The Author had a evil idea, a beautiful evil idea that Starlight Glimmer just give him.
They would indeed meet, just in different circumstances than she had in mind.
This was going to be so mutch fun... though not necessarily for Starlight Glimmer specifically.

So after Silver Glide give them a lot of informations to chew on, the decision was made how to proceed in the near future. Many mares would try keep the gray male under observation to study his tongue spoken and teach him over time theirs. Many would be voluntary be doing it 15/7 all night, twilight and day long. But mainly to get closer to the bipedal stud and not to learn new stuff. But it would eventually work out in the end. One way or another they would certainly make it work.

Unfortunately was it's pack unaccounted for, they would probably not find a camp worth of salt licks of bipedal studs unfortunately. But if existing nearby would be observed and enticed into joining the mega herd.

That breeding tactic never had failed on ponies and since the 'human' joined them, they might get more males that way. More than they ever managed before.

Fate and Destiny pity the megaherd community, since the human come all alone. Murphy would still make it work somehow. But he would have to dig d-eeeee-p into his hat trick arsenal to manage that.
The Necromancer abilitys soon coming towards Gabriel might help unexpectedly.

Red Spark was the one of the very few stallions in the community and he made the first move on Gabriel. The unicorn Thestral with a horn for offensive shields uses had two daughters beside him and offered them to him as Herd mates.
But Faithful Wings rebuffed his offer. Nocreature would be joining without her saying so.

Gabriel was about to protest, than he remembered the Batpony mare that got mule kicked to the head for making his Alpha mare angry and he nodded in a moment of self preservation.

'Red Spark' would come back with his offer later. The least he managed was arranging a training plan for next week. Once the new stallion was 'lived in' the community, would all stallions get the hierarchy worked out between them. With a hoove to fist bump, did Red Spark departed to his place a few meters away.

Next was 'Free Wings' that showed proficiency in flying even in tight spaces very controlled. He give the predator a hoove to fist bump and wished them both good luck this breeding season. Gabriel was thankful for the verbal support, but he really started to dread the coming heat wave of the mares.

As last of today was 'Solid Thunder', the youngest stallion in breeding age that would breed this year for the first time. He would probably stand or lay next to the bipedal Stallion as the mares would have their way with them.
He booped his fellow male on the nose and got booped in return. After a shared laugh did their short meeting face to face ended.

The other stallions preferred to keep to their places in the tent. The human would have to wait for them to accept him.
Their mares in turn could not wait for a chance to accept him most intimately, what might be the reason for the remainder of the stallions to dislike the new bipedal rival.

While the ponies and the human had their meeting did the crew compiled of the Author, Murphy, Fate and finaly Destiny meet for breakfast and conversely made suggestions how to break in the bipedal human to his Necromancer powers.

After a small hangover slowed down conversation was unanimously decided that he would get it the hard way.
He would get swarmed by Blood Bunnys. Or rather the community he was going to life in.
They just had yet to decide how to make him go into offense, since him just going in Doomguy style naked would probably in
'Gray the Necromancer - The beginning, but actually he dies and end the story before it can take off'.

To avoid this embarrassing early end they might have to red shirt a pony or two. The rip and tear doomguy path over a lost bunny, would be over a lost pony instead. But who to possibly red shirt for Gray to care enough to blow all his fuses...

When the Author made a suggestion that fit rather well, did everyone sharing breakfast with him wanted to kick him after giving him the
'go ahead'.

This was going to be a brutal end for one pony, but the start of a very messy rise for the human.
Still getting only to level one in all his gained abilities would most certainly limit his big outcoming Necromancer introduction event.

After some of the more reserved stallion asking the Pink mares of the gray predator males side about the most peaceful booping war in history ever yesterday, did it basically go down that it was a silly was to bleed tension and build enough good will to one another or mutual faith in one another to show that he wasn't a threat if not threatened before.

Gabriel admitted that one of his biggest concerns was about him getting cold once the weather would get worse. So he really hoped for a peacefully reached non aggression pact. With him not having any hair to his body, he would have needed something to protect himself. Mayhap so he hoped, they have something for him to wear if the weather would get colder. Without a coat of his own, it would be difficult to keep warm and he admitted that while his skin was sturdier than he expected not long ago, he would need protection for his 'feet, hands and groin area'.

The mares dreaded him covering up, but understand it's necessarily once sommer was up.
Than again it was the start of summer and they have good weather for a time and a heat season before the new salt lick of the Community needed this coverings for weather and way to avoid unnecessary injuries. Enough time to make memorable moments with him in the time before they had to regret not having free view at his goods anymore.

The stallions all collectively had a laugh when Gabriel admitted that Faithful Wings feather was only pinned behind his ears because he thought at the time it would make a nice decoration piece. He had only learned moments bfore the meeting from Pinkie Pie that the pinned behind his ear feather was a claim of the mare to a stallion. Or his claim on her, since he take one of her feathers to mark himself.

Gabriel was quite embarrassed that he had marked himself with Faithful Wings feather as her mate by accident. But he was very happy that she in turn had accepted him.
Faithful Wing basked in the courage she had apparently demonstrated beforehoove.

Lucky mare would of course never correct that misunderstanding. The Brave and the foolish sometimes simply where lucky enough to fake it, until they make it.
She guessed their Creator had mercy that day with them.

The Author would accept her praise even if it wasn't earned according to his script as planned. Sometimes things just worked out.

The meeting had reached a hour length, mutch was learned and yet more was to come.
They explained that the current birth rates where ten mares to one stallion. A rather cruel inbalance in Prey species in their opinion, but they would make it work.

All of them hoped that grays foals have in the future a colt birthrate higher than that. Predators seem to have rather male offspring for some reason as often observed previously with Griffons or Gemstone Dogs.

Gabriel was wondering how well they would mix, if at all... With humans being a race of predator in their eyes would a roughly 50-50 split in birthrate indeed be heavenly.

They would have to see how many of his offspring would to be male, matter of factly did 'Faithful Wings' and the other mares hope to see a female Griffon birthrate.
If yes, could predator and prey fix there birthrates? If they can interbreed than it might just work.

The Author go back to writing after breakfast and in that moment a swarm of Blood Bunnys started as if guided by a higher will, to move in a never before observed migration. Who ever would be in their way, was about to have a baaad day coming towards them.

One of the stallions bring to attention that Gabriel Gray had marked his alpha mare, just like she had him marked. But both pink mares had only a mark of one another on them.
So he openly ask if they minded if he himself had them marked with his scent after officaly adding them to his herd. They where the most exotic colored mares he had seen in his life, they would make for excellent breeding mares in his opinion.

Pinkie Pie and Starlight Glimmer turned this stallions offer politely down. Neither was ready to bear a foal in the near future or even plan to do so.

The mares where jealous and confused about a stallion getting rejected by a mare, unless another stallion had their eyes on them.
Many mares in the Tent had a dreadful premonition of the openings of 'the Interspecies Herd' closing to fast for comfort.

The stallion rejected would continue to propose the exotic mares joining him. Especially the one smelling after a fruit that was unknown to him, so he had to have her as spare consultant prize instead.

Pinkie Pie had a bad feeling about this. She remembered this stallion to be the one wanting to take advantage of Starlight Glimmer, when she was out cold. This had to be addressed rather sooner than later. Probably this night before bed time.

What bring them out if there individual thoughts, be it stallions fighting verbally over exotic mares or the next mating season in general was rather embarrassing.

Quick Shot remarking on the absolute revolting smell not to long ago...
Starlight Glimmer changed from pink to red and Pinkie Pie hoovepalmed auditable.

Gabriel Gray take one for the team and told everypony in the tent he had apperently eaten something he should have not, but with the help of his new herd he would find out what to avoid eating in the future.

Further came up that they would secure him a meat eating opportunity, since they needed him at his peak performance with breeding season being rather demanding on stallions.

When even 'Stone Wall' winced at that remark, a wall of pure muscle afraid? Gabriel would really get a brutal workout, when the mares break him in as breeding stud...

While the Author would not wincing in sympathy for the human, did Murphy really contemplated to cut the men some slack. The mares sure would make more than up for it...

After a few minutes of explanation did Faithful Wings and Gray trough Starlight Glimmer managed to release the foul stench of the Tent before it could sattle and would force the Ponies to burn it...

'Quick Shot' was happy to hear the Tent was fine. It was his and that of his headmare, hopefully soon other mares as well. If things where going to his vague plans at least.

Starlight did hope everycreature agree without a word to never speak of this again, some events just better end up forgotten.

Next point 'Faithful Wings' bring to the attention of the tribes union leadership was that she ask the two mares to join in her herd with her bipedal Stallion. Since them seemingly to be able to actually speak with him without problems. It was only natural that they are ask by her to join them.

She than had offered them currently water and wild growing food and a herd defense pact with the community backing it up. This includes membershipment with this community that focuses on medical Alchemy thanks to 'Quick Shot'.
Also a overall good guard system composed from all Pony races at Day, Twilight and Night.

Since Gabriel Gray ask nicely to continue this meeting to tomorrow since he actually wanted to retain all he learned today was the meeting finaly come to a end.

Somehow the human Protagonist suffered one hell of a muscle cramp in his legs. He had no idea what he did to deserve that happening.

The rest of the day 'Faithful Wings' had to keep energetic mares at bay and remind them who his alpha mare was. This day some more mares of all subraces in their community joined a certain Thestral mare in cooling their brused coconut on the cold Riverbed.