Galena 5th
Well, Reasoning with the metal monster failed. The memorial slabs for Euphoria Treaty and Deer Helpleopard are underway. What’s left our friend Lesson is being melted down into a set of tower shields as of writing. Whatever his tactical worth was nulled when he killed those two ponies. Hopefully he’ll be of use to Tarus and his newly christened squad, The Spear’s Tip.
Galena 7th
Our fort is gathering quite a shanty town in front of it. Workshops of all sizes and functions are being built by our steadily growing population. Twenty more ponies have joined our cause. More housing is on the agenda.
Galena 12th
Love is in the air, apparently. Ponies are pairing off left and right, and our priest is working around the clock. I’ve personally attended, What? Eight weddings so far? And the month isn’t even half-over. Why the sudden spike? When things get darkest, we cling to what we still do have, I suppose. What do I know? I'm just an old soldier.
With bedrooms in a precariously short supply, and with marriage making ponies very eager to share them, who am I to stand in the way of true love?
Galena 15th
Military Breakdown
The Spear’s Tip;
Lieutenant: Tarus Dawning
Subordanites;
Cover Dashprofane
Bastion Slimgaze
Bulwark Squidsorcerer
Lark Meetmint
Fog Swallownew
Sky Dissolve
A squad composed of Seven already adept warriors, armed and armored to the teeth with metal mined from the caves. Built to take punishment, they are meant to hold the line at all costs. I expect nothing but the best from these veterans. Though rusty, I’m confident Tarus can get them in shape.
The Wheels of Change
Lieutenant: Jaxler
Sub-Lieutenant: Snow
Subordanites:
Twenty ponies I may not want to get attached to.
The offense, fast and maneuverable, they fight with metal helms and any armor they can find. Weapons are optional. Their job is to funnel the enemy into the Spear’s Tip, run down anyone on the retreat, and rush archers.
I’m sending any buck with a death wish Jaxlers way. He’ll teach them -well not respect- but discipline. He’ll teach them how to survive, teach them the dirty tricks to win.
When used together I think they’ll be stronger than any walls I can build.The walls I am building won’t hurt though.The cave entrance Is sealed off on all sides except south, opening up to a military barracks. Anyone going up or down has to go through the spear’s tip first.
17th
Toast is an incredible cook. She’s working miracles with what we have, which is meager. I need to do something about it, though I’m not sure what....
19th of Galena
There is a ... Caravan covered in skulls outside at the trade depot. They, don’t seem that interested in trading, I hear. They want ... something else. The ‘liaison’ of this group is demanding to see who’s in charge. I Invited him to my ramshackled office, he should be here any moment.
Surefire put down his journal at the sound of a knock at the door. He looked at the door pensively, grinned at himself. After what he’s survived, he’s still worried about first impressions.
He pulled the doorknob with his mouth and let his guest in.
“Greetings, peasant! Greetings from The Oblivion!” A yellow pegasus mare with mauve eyes and butter yellow hair barked loudly.
“Uh, Hello.” Surefire returned. “Would you like a seat? A glass of tactical wine?” He motioned to his desk made of scrap.
She winced in disgust at this whole travesty he called an ‘Office’.
“Hmm, That’s how you greet royalty around here? Very well.” She grumbled.
“So, What do we owe this pleasure? I’m Captain Surefire. Your?” Surefire asked curiously.
“I’m Liaison Bee, of The Oblivion!”
“Oh! The Oblivion!” Surefire said, nodding his head. ”Never heard of you.” He snarked in a deadpan.
“What?” She gasped.
“W-We are the only free state to see the end of the world, and come back stronger for it! Its the only civilization for hundred of miles. We are the new Equestria.”
“Funny, I didn’t know the old one was gone yet.”
“You ... You don’t go outside much, do you?”
“So, you have a trade caravan outside, I’ve heard.”
“No, not a trade caravan, a Collection Caravan.”
“And what do you collect, exactly?”
“Taxes. From the peasants of our great country! Peasants like yourselves... That is why we’re here.”
“Oh?” He stated in surprise. “We’re part of this country, now?”
“You’ve decided to make your homes on her soil, so yes. We come for what’s rightfully ours, peasant. We demand a reasonable five hundred Bits. Or an amount of food of the equivalent sum. That’s all.”
“Hmm...” Surefire leans back in his chair, as if in heavy thought.
“Bee, as in?”
“The insect...”
“Ha, Because you’re yellow. Clever.” Surefire smirked.
“Listen Bee, I don’t like you. I don’t like the fact you act like you own the place. I think you need to work on your negotiating. Outright demands aren’t welcomed very warmly, If you didn’t know, But I see your position. Let me strike a counter-offer; How about you get half of absolutely nothing. How’s that sound?” He said, not humoring her even slightly.
She looked taken aback, leaned closer to him.
“You think you are the only group to refuse our humble demand? By diplomacy or force, The Oblivion always collects its debts.” She assured him. “Who want’s bloodshed over a couple of coins? Nobody. But we, The Oblivion will do what it must to protect its interests. Think about your peasants ... You won't lose them, you’ll still be in charge of the place, We don’t want to take over your...” She looks around, Repulsed “Quaint, underground tunnels. Cooperate and we all rise out of the ashes together. Deny us and we’ll burn the place to the ground and take back the real estate. It's simple, really.”
“See, that’s your second mistake. You assume, because I’m shepherding these ponies through these dark times, I’ll do what's safest, regardless of the price. That I want to lie down from a few empty threats. That fighting isn’t in my nature.”
He slams his hoof on the table.
“Let me announce who we are. We are are a Company of the Celestial Imperial Army. We are not your peasants. We are a contingent of warriors, forty strong, ready and willing to fight.”
“You bluff! T-The Imperial Army is broken.”
Surefire cocks his head.
“I didn’t get the memo. Until I get that in writing from General Sepia Sparkle herself, we are not broken yet.”
She looks nervous, Realizing she’s dealing with something more organized than the usual bunch of refugee rabble.
He leans in inches from her face.
“Here’s the new deal. Before you came in, I ordered my boys to ‘relieve’ your caravan of its goods. Your Caravan is smashed apart, and you’re going to leave here with nothing but your lives. Thank your god of choice i’m not taking them aswell. If The ‘Oblivion’ feels cross about it,Well, we’ll be waiting. Probably with new spears smelted from The ‘Oblivion’s generous donation to our cause.” He smiled.
“You think you’ll get away with this? she shouted.
“It’s forty of us, eight of you, I like my odds.”
“You’ll pay for your Hubris!” She shouted fearfully, backing her way out the door, anxious to see whether Surefire was making good on his words.
“And you’ve already paid for your arrogance.” Surefire said casually.
Surefire returned to his journal.
~ Well, that went better than expected.
Galena 25th
Tarus did it. Tarus fought a Taken and survived. The Taken are Nightmare Moon’s foot soldiers. They are sentient, living shadows that consume the dead, adding another Taken to her ranks. They fight in a very peculiar way. Before they reveal themselves, they make a mental ‘link’ with their attacker. They use their memories against the victim, making them hesitate.Then they strike. Four ponies died that way before Tarus stepped into the caves. He took down all four with his mace before he succumbed to a cut open leg. Though he has bruises all over his body, he’s enjoying his R&R in the hospital. I’m not worried about his physical recovery. I can only Imagine what the Taken put him through mentally.
Galena 27th
Northern Sergal Traders came to our humble little fort today. We traded a few caged animals and an anvil or two for some food crops, some gypsum, and other vital goods. Finally, a solution to the food problem. Underground farms. The sergals assured me the seeds can grow in caverns like ours.
28th
We are fifty-five strong. TileDefense died in a hunting accident. Two of Jaxler’s were injured killing the beast responsible, and a third is dead.