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.
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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.