In Darkness, a Light

Welcome, Director! I’m glad you came on such short notice, but I think what we found will interest you. We mailed the report to the Council of Antiquities this morning, so it’s likely passed you heading the other way. I’m Daring Do, and no, obviously not the fictional character my great-great-grandmother invented, though maybe it’s inevitable I’d work in this field.

Ahem. As the report states, we rediscovered this prison last week. Nearly two centuries ago, after the mysterious purple alicorn and young dragon briefly appeared by that map table in the forest, General Rainbow Dash left her post and started a rebellion that overthrew Nightmare Moon. From the records we found inside, it housed political prisoners, but most only stayed here briefly before being relocated or executed. Nightmare Moon carved it from the naturally magic-nullifying rock of the Changeling hive. If you’ll come with me, this way, ma’am.

Sorry if I lapse into docent mode, but we plan to open this to the public, and I want to make sure I’ve got my talk down. Though… I’ll ask you a bit later. There are parts that I’m not sure we should show. Like the interrogation room, or at least warn ponies ahead of time.

As with many prisons, ponies scratched things on the walls, though here, that could only be done on the wooden doors—watch your step, ma’am. The rock is similar to obsidian and fractures with very sharp edges. Note that the cells are arranged so the window slits would have all looked at the full moon. Despite the dry climate, it was fairly humid underground, and mushrooms grew well here, making the facility self-sustaining on feeding the prisoners. Some of the larger chambers we’re now passing were designed for that purpose.

We’ll look at this one. Since the door’s open, no archaeologists are inside. Go on in and swing the door closed behind you. Heh, don’t worry, it won’t lock. It’s typical of the kinds of scrawls in most of the cells. Take a moment, and when you’ve read them, come back outside.