Expedition Report #3: The Old World
For The Council's View Only
CLASSIFIED INFORMATION, FOR THE COUNCIL'S EYES ONLY
This archived journal contains heavily classified material relating to an expedition carried out on [REDACTED] to the 'Old World'. Unauthorized viewing, copying or otherwise spreading of the information contained within will result in a fine of upwards $200,000 bits, and an immediate sentence of treason with no trial. You have been warned.
Dear United Tribes Council,
The reunification of the three pony groups has been a tremendous boon for many fields, though I imagine unicorn trappers may disagree with this assertion. The past few weeks alone have been a flurry of activity, especially with the creation of the Council, and I personally have been witness to the birth of many new fields of study, such as magic and the historical sub-class of old world history, the latter of which I find myself a proud part of. I've had the great joy of working with pegasi and unicorn scholars in the shared goal of understanding our history, and learned much more about our world in a few months than I imagine many historians have learned in their lifetimes.
However, as we unravel our shared history, tracing the trail further and further back like tracking fresh animal prints in falling snow, we've come upon a conclusion that is too obvious to ignore, yet too fantastical to believe. You see, we didn't always live on the plains, valleys and mountains we now call home. In fact, quite the contrary. Archaeological evidence suggests the earliest settlers kept close to the oceans and shores, moving inwards sometime in the last a thousand years. What's more, the settlements these artifacts have been found in seem to all originate in the western sections of our world.
There's plenty of reasons, my colleagues have said, for such a strange occurrence. Perhaps the objects were simply preserved better on that coast. Perhaps some of our ancestors repurposed and refurbished the items they used so much it deteriorated, or otherwise became unrecognizable. Maybe the artifacts are still waiting, deposited neatly under a layer of earth we have yet to dig up. Yet still I wonder.
The objects we dug up hint at a story we have yet to fully understand. The technologies these civilizations had are far past the capabilities of the modern day, as they rely on magic to function. This is critical, you see, as the western sea has longer been uncross able, due to rampaging storms and tales of sea monsters. These finds, however, would suggest that our distant ancestors did just that; they crossed the western sea.
Such a conclusion is already widely accepted in archaeological and historical fields, however mostly only believe that our ancestors ventured into the western sea. But such absurd, advanced, catered technology to me suggests something different entirely. What if our ancestors originated from across the western sea? Such a theory is laughable at best to my colleagues. Surely there is nothing to the western sea but death and misery. In fact, many are so certain of this fact that the sea is quite literally called the "Dead Sea". Then again, we wouldn't be learning any of this at all if someone hadn't dared go against the status quo, hadn't looked at the old myths and asked "Why?" or "How?".
I have been in contact with a friend of mine, Dr. Windbreaker, regarding one such of these ancient finds. A boat, likely built to transport goods or people, or even both. According to him, the craft was built with pine, a naturally absorbent wood. The craft was, however, covered in an array of complex spells, allowing it to remain above the water for some decades unattended before it sunk. They've reverse-engineered these spells, and have had success in applying them to boats and structures alongside the coast.
I propose then, in the interest of discoveries, knowledge, and old myths about lavender princesses and an old utopian land, an expedition across the Dead Sea. I believe it could lead to the most important discoveries of the centuries for all ponies that now live under the United Tribes territories. The discoveries that lie beyond the western sea must be deemed of utmost importance.
I eagerly await your response,
Blue Tones.
The proposed expedition within has been
APPROVED
By the United Tribes Council.
The information within these pages is the personal account of Blue Tones, earth pony historian and expedition leader of the Old World Expedition. The account contained within is unverified, and many details border on the impossible.
In the interests of the public, and in line with the freedom of information, this journal has been "borrowed", annotated, and otherwise altered and translated by Feather Quill. Definitions, annotations, and otherwise important reader information has been included at the bottom of this text.
Author's Note
.....
I was tipped off by an informant of an interesting addition to the archives in which I mange, a journal containing a restricted account so bizarre, so outlandish, that I didn't believe them. Such discoveries, such theories would have made quick rounds, and yet there wasn't a single word. For all I know, it might be an elaborate work of fiction. I've never heard of this Blue Tones, and isn't Dr. Windbreaker retired? But for the sake of knowledge, I find we must consider every possibility, otherwise we'd be poor scientists.
- Feather Quill.
.....
DEFINITIONS
United Tribes Territories : After the reunification of the three pony species, the territories that make up the land were merged under one umbrella, divided by territories of claimed land.
United Tribes Council : A council formed by the leaders of each species, able to make important decisions, such as approve expeditions.
The Old World, "old utopian land" : In old myths, it is rumored that the land used to be united between all species. That there were no wars, no famine, nor grief.
"lavender princesses" : Likely in reference to a princess of old myth, the ruler of the Old World, Princess Twilight Sparkle.
Expedition Report #3: The Old World
My expedition has been approved, alongside a sizeable amount of funding. We depart on the [REDACTED], aboard one of Dr. Windbreaker's finest. It was costly on our budget, but we manage enough left over for supplies. The Council let me have a pick of potential members on the expedition, though they have the final say. That's alright with me.
- Blue Tones
The following members have been
APPROVED
for Expedition #243, equestrian-historical Expedition #3, by the United Tribes Council.
Blue Tones // EXPEDITION LEADER // Earth Pony
My past in management certainly lends itself to the idea of leadership, but I feel with my wider grasp of history and just what we might be getting ourselves into, I'm a good fit to lead such an expedition. Not that I believe the Council has seen it this way, rather the reason I've found myself in charge is simple: a captain must go down with his ship. I should live and die by my idea, should it not return what the Council seeks.
Ebony Windbreaker // MAGE AND SCHOLAR // Pegasus
Dr. Windbreaker is an exception in almost every regard. One of the most talented mages in his field despite being a pegasus, he has led the charge on many scientific pursuits. I've heard several nicknames for him float around, but the most accurate to me seems to be "the octopus", stretched out to encompass every aspect of his field at once. Though his special interest lies within Old World magic. If he was talented at regular magic, he is practically gifted when it comes to Old World magic.
Emerald "Emmie" Plains // BIOLOGIST // Earth Pony
Dr. Plains is somehow a mix of shy and out-going, introverted and extroverted all at once. I'm told, however, that she works quickly and efficiently under pressure, and is one of the best Biologists in her field. I hope to see her come out of her shell before we leave, the inability to communicate could break this expedition before it even begins.
Hayward Shores // MERCENARY // Unicorn
Mr. Shores is an interesting character. Cocky, definitely, and absolutely smug. Unlike the rest of our crew, Mr. Shores seems to motivated by the money of the discovery alone. That's not a crime, no, but it concerns me on his level of commitment. If anything, Mr. Shores' special talent seems to be annoying his teammates. Still, he is highly skilled in his field when it comes to protecting clients.
Pine Scout // HAULER AND MEDIC // Earth Pony
My introduction with Mr. Scout was rather intimidating. How is it possible for a pony to kick through such dense rock? Mr. Scout tells me he used to be a miner. I asked him whether the other miners used him to mine the ores. He just laughed. For such a large, muscular stallion, Mr. Scout can be surprisingly deft and gentle when need be, which makes him an exceptional medic.
[REDACTED] // EQUINEPOLOGIST AND OBJECTIVE OBSERVER // Pegasus
In understanding our past actions, from as simple as the tools we used to the way we behaved, there is no one better than [REDACTED]. They're also relatively disconnected from the rest of the group, and seem to prefer to observe rather than interact. For that reason I've elected [REDACTED] as our objective observer, to counter my biased accounts that I will record here.
[REDACTED], Day -3
An update to the assembling of our little team. Everyone seems to have meshed well. They understand the journey and are fully aware of the dangers. I have utmost faith in them, of course. Did I not, I would cancel the expedition, as heart breaking would be.
Our equipment will arrive tomorrow morning, and we will go over our route then. In three days time, we will set sail for the Dead Sea. I'm frightened, yet excited.
Blue Tones,
Author's Note
.....
Whoever redacted this did both an amazing and poor job. They pressed their pencil so hard I can see what they wrote underneath the black marker, but all they wrote is either '[REDACTED]' or '[EXPUNGED]'. I've included those here, though I doubt they will lead to anything.
- Feather Quill
.....
DEFINITIONS
Equinepologist : The study of Equine cultures, norms, and behaviors. A relatively small field.
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