Khenal's Autobiography
Hmm, that sounds a bit pretentious, what do you think Book? Things have settled into a comforting routine: I start my day training with Captain Starkey, have lunch and do whatever odd jobs need doing, and then finish with a short patrol of the surface. I got to train a war dog over the last few days, though I don't know how much "war" it actually has in it. I like to call him Lil' Urist.
Khenal's Debrief
Honeybadger Pegasi. The Captain, Otik, Lil' Urist and myself rushed out to meet them. Oh, Lil' Urist. The badger pegasi tore him limb from limb. When I saw them covered in his blood, something clicked in my head. All the training the Captain had been trying to drill into me suddenly made perfect sense and time seemed to slow. I could see everything. Teeth, going for my throat; pivot left and set spear. Straight in and out, don't want it getting stuck. Duck under the hooves coming for my head, spear in the exposed stomach and slash out; no bones to obstruct it. I could see the Captain and Otik fighting as well, and they were having no trouble. Back to my foes. When it all was said and done, I had accounted for five of the invaders and had only a chipped hoof for my troubles. Charity told me to have it checked in the hospital, but I wanted to get this written before anything else. The Captain says debriefs should be done asap.
Friesden's journal
My plan is coming together as we speak! Khenal came in for a battered hoof, sustained during the battle. I've anaesthetised him, and as we write, we are dragging him to a nearby cliff. I've affixed his new extensions, and am about to toss him off... Here goes nothing!
Khenal's Book
Something odd is going on. When I asked Thunder Splinter about the wing extensions, she felt they were a lost cause. She suggested painting them and setting them somewhere as decoration, and I think I'll try my hoof at that if we ever get paint. However, after seeing Dr. Friesden for my hoof, I had this strange dream. I dreamed I was falling, which is silly. I spread my wings and glided, though I couldn't seem to gain any altitude. I drifted down and came to a soft landing and just looked around, and then I noticed my wings. The extensions were back. Rather, new ones were attached to my wings. These looked like they had been more carefully crafted, though they still chafe. Yes, chafe; present tense. When I awoke in my bed, those extensions from my dream were there in reality. I took them off and sat confused for a while. Who would make these things? Who could make these things? Why? I think I'll ask Thunder Splinter about them when I next see her, maybe she made them?
Khenal's Book
I think I like simply calling you my book, Book. It's so relaxingly informal. The caravan arrived today and I got to try cooking. The recipe I found looked odd, but we had the ingredients easily at hoof so I tried it. I thought cupcakes needed flour, but they apparently can work with tallow*1. Who knew? I don't think they turned out bad, they looked like the picture at least. Charity sent them out with the caravan as a gift to the princess. Are princesses allergic to puppy tallow?
From the Diary of ThunderSplinter.
Well. This is just getting curiouser and curiouser. Khenal came into my workshop wearing yet another set of absurd wing extensions, and the very fact that he could not get them off without considerable help tells me that he could not have installed them in the first place. Add his equally bizarre story of waking up with them after a freaky dream just makes me shiver. I did get an opportunity to examine how they were attached, thinking perhaps that it was some practical joke by an engineer, but that seems unlikely with the way the extensions were attached by cave spider silk thread and some knots I have no knowledge of - I do not know who to ask about knots....hmmm, this is a quandary that will require some further investigation.
In unrelated news: the theft of wood continues, although the other woodcraftponies seem to recall an order for crutches to be made, but, when I asked the bookkeeper, no orders for crutches could be found. I will take matters into my own hooves and sleep near the wood stockpile to see if I can catch the wood-lifter in the act.
Signing off for now,
ThunderSplinter.
Charity's Journal 11th Granite, 95
Today Friesden came to me, said she needed some traction benches for holding patients still while bones mend. A reasonable request, but something about the look in her eye makes me feel uncomfortable. Unfortunately for her, we have no mechanics here. She looked upset, and later I found her carving rocks into mechanisms in the alcove by my office.
Charity's Journal 16th Granite, 95
Now Friesden is burning wooden logs into ash, she claims it's for making soap. But I don't know if I believe that. I know ash is component in making soap, but something seems fishy with that pony.
Charity's Secret Diary 19th Granite, 95
The day has finally, come. Today, Cryptson and I will be married*2 in the Meeting Hall in front of everypony. Then we will celebrate with dwarven beers and wines and cupcakes and party until morning. I'm so excited! This is the happiest day of my life, even if we are banished out here to the jungle, we can still make a decent life for ourselves.
Charity's Journal 27th Granite, 95
A huge wave of ponies has just arrived at our gates. New members of our band of exiles, enough to double our population. Apparently, the merchants story of how we've succeeded here has reached even the prison population, and more are considering coming here as an option instead of assuming it to be as good as a death sentence. Now I have to try and organize these 21 new ponies.
Male Earthpony Doctor. Sending this one down to help Friesden, and to keep an eye on her extracurricular activities.
Male Earthpony Farmer
Female Unicorn Seamstress
Male Unicorn Spearpony (going in Starkey's ground squad)
Female Unicorn Lasher (ground squad)
Female Earth Pony thresher and mechanic
Male Unicorn Engraver
Male Pegasus Stoneworker
Female Pegasus Cheesemaker, uh, I mean airborne squadron recruit
Female Earthpony farmer/beekeeper
Male Earthpony Carpenter/woodcutter. Thundersplinter needed some assistants.
Feamale Earthpony peasant married to above carpenter and mother of two. Guess she can help move things around.
Male Unicorn foal, around 3 years old
Female Royal Pony foal, 1 year old. (how is it that these two earthponies can have a unicorn and a royal as their children.)
Male Pegasus chef
Male Pegasus Fisherpony
Female Pegasus woodcutter with minor military experience. Said she used a mace before, well now she's going to learn to shoot a crossbow.
Male Pegasus Blacksmith
Male Unicorn Siege Operator
Male Unicorn weaver
Male Earthpony hunter.
This many new ponies will overcrowd our dormitories. In the morning, Cryptson is going to start digging out individual rooms for everypony. Starting with ours. Thundersplinter is going to have to take a break from the pile of wooden blocks she's been working on, says she wants to build a wooden tower on the surface, and start building some more beds for everypony.
Khenal's Book
Charity and Cryptson were married today! They both looked so happy, I think it's the first time I've seen Cryptson actually smile. There was a great reception after the ceremony, and everypony had fun. I made sure I didn't drink too much, passing out would likely see me in wing extensions again. I still have no idea who made them, Thunder Splinter looked just as surprised as me when she saw me in them after my hospital visit a while ago.
More of Khenal's Book
Huh. Now that I've settled on what to call you, I need a way to differentiate these writings, my Book. A whole bunch of ponies immigrated to Glitterglen, and with new faces came the return of the awkward looks when I work. Well, the others came to accept me, so I'll just try to ignore the uncomfortable moments until these new ponies adjust. Cryptson has been busy digging out rooms for everypony and Thunder is busy making beds. I wonder if she needs any help?
Charit's Journal 23rd Slate, 95
Bokbon Razotstertar, our broker and bone carver, has been distant, recently. I tried to talk to her but she ignored me. It's almost as if...
Addendum
That crazy pony ran off and barricaded herself in her workshop*3. She then ran off and grabbed an entire Water Buffalo Calf's skeleton, and a stack of logs from the kapok tree. She continues to work secretly and hasn't yet come back out.
27th Slate, 95
Bokbon finally came out of her workshop today, she seems to have made the finest door I have ever seen. She calls it Crazywax. It's made of bone and wood, all worked as if by a master. She claims to have had the idea for it several days ago, and needed to see if she could do it. And by the gods she has. I think this will do nicely as the door to Cryptson and mine's new room.
11th Felsite, 95
I've heard that Khenal's been asking Thundersplinter if he can help out with the carpentry work. We set up a second carpenter's workshop, but Thundersplinter just has him turning out wooden blocks. Say's Khenal isn't ready to make anything more complicated, but I think Thundersplinter is just trying to get another pony to help her with her dream of a wooden tower/landing pad.
11th Felsite, 95 addendum
Ironya gave birth today, to a bouncing baby Pegasus boy. I haven't heard what the parents are going to name him, but Friesden says the child is healthy and that's what's most important.
18th Felsite, 95
A filthy Keshi*4, foal snatcher snuck into the fortress today. Thank the gods they were spotted before they got to any of the children. According to the ponies that saw it, it was wearing the symbols of 'The Bearded Devil' a Diomedian pony civilization, known to operate in the Failed Jungles. It ran off as the militia chased after him. One of our marksponies in training was the only one to engage the thief, but was unsuccessful in harming him, most likely because he ran out with his quiver empty and attempted to bash the thief's head in with his -honey badger pegasi bone crossbow- to no effect. In fact the only injury sustained by anypony was a cut to the right rear leg of the charging 'markspony.' I've asked Starkey to have a talk with him about how he isn't in the melee squad any more and should learn to stop acting like it, once he gets out of the hospital that is.
Regardless, the Diomedian ponies definitely know we're here now. I went out and stood on the wall later. Thundersplinter and that other woodcutter have clear cut a lot of jungle around our walls. I think an archer tower or two could be helpful, as they would have a clear line of sight over a large area. Knowing that Thundersplinter has long desired a tower of wood, I told her I will allow her to begin construction if she submits to allowing for fortifications to be placed in the second and third floors.
21st Felsite, 95
Another Snatcher came today, this one didn't get as far as she was spotted by Shasad as they were cutting trees. The militia was called up, but were unable to catch him. Khenal got just close enough to be disappointed in losing his trail. Two thieves have come and two have escaped, this paints a poor image of our defenses. I worry that they might decide to start sending out their twisted ponies in greater numbers. Cinderspark is working to outfit our troops with bronze armor but we just don't have enough copper or tin, we only got a little from the caravan. Thus, our dwindling leather supply is being used to try and patch the holes left by our lack of metal, as are the bones and shells being worked by Bokbon. However, neither leather nor unicorn magic worked bone will protect a pony from the iron blades of the Diomedians.
From the diary of ThunderSplinter.
That bothersome pony, Khenal, who seems to delight in wasting my time and annoying me with endless inanities, has finally been put to work in the secondary carpenter's workshop. I don't trust him with any real tools, or projects for that matter, so he's slowly kicking out wooden blocks. Slowly because he charges off every now and then, probably chasing horseflies or butterpegasi, feckless colt - wouldn't know what a real day's work involved.
Anyway, so many migrant ponies arrived. I've got orders for beds that will take me weeks to put together, I will have to move my own bed near the workshop just to save time. Then there will be a whole raft of barrels for alcohol, maybe I should suggest to Khenal that he go and bother the brewer instead. He might redeem himself if he makes some decent midnight berry wine for me.
Signing off for now,
ThunderSplinter.
Khenal's Book, Chapter 1
I figure chapters are as good a way as marking entries in you as anything, Book. Huh, I guess everything before this counts as a prologue. There was another party today as Ironya had a baby! Ironya is our main weaponsmith, and she's married to FireLordSky. I think he's the one I helped with farming a few times? There's getting to be so many ponies I'm having trouble keeping up.
Chapter 2
The Diomedians know we're here. There have been at least two foalnappers spotted in the last few days. Neither seems to have been able to get close to the little ones, but it's very worrying. I almost caught one, but I lost him in the dense jungle that borders us. I really hope we don't see any more of them, our foals deserve to live without the fear of being taken.
I've also been helping Thunder Splinter with the woodworking. I'm not very good, so she just has me making blocks while she makes beautiful beds. It's nice, working with wood. I've never had a chance to actually make anything before, even just blocks. There's getting to be enough ponies that odd jobs are dwindling, I should probably settle into a civilian profession soon. I really like the military, and will stick with it, but I should at least have something to do between shifts instead of just sitting around. Maybe I'll apply for a carpentry job? Or maybe try brewing first, Thunder Splinter seems to think I'd be good at that. Wont know unless I try!
Charity's Journal 20th Hematite, 95
Construction has officially began upon Thundersplinter's tower. We will hopefully finish it by the end of the year. It is difficult to give a specific time-frame, though many ponies are helping out with actual construction. Khenal has been assigned as a permanent secondary carpenter during his down time between training. Although Starkey hasn't given him much time to do anything other than eat, sleep, and train, and that time which he does have, he almost exclusively spends on training on his own. One has to admire his discipline.
Charity's Journal 10th Malachite, 95
New immigrants. 11 of them, Better order more beds from Thundersplinter, don't think she'll like that.
Quick summary of the new guys: We got a Unicorn Ranger, she has a very pretty voice. An earth spearpony, sending her right off to Starkey. A pegasus fisherpony, not much else to say about her. Pegasus stone-worker, we don't really need any more stone workers, but he does look pretty tough. I sent him to Otik, he'll learn to shoot quick enough. He's also married to a unicorn who's never done a day's work in her life, don't know what I'll do with her. Female pegasus weaver, don't really need another weaver, guess she can learn to shoot too. She's married to an earthpony lasher, and blacksmith, whom I'm sending to Starkey. Pegasus farmer, she seemed a little paranoid when I was interviewing her. Another pegasus with no noteworthy skills, told him to report to training with Otik in the morning. An earthpony metalcrafter, not that we have any metal for him to work with.
And finally, a Royal pony. Unfortunately, he also lacks any useful skills, he's apparently worked as a wood burner, and cut his own wood when he did so. He's also a decent stone carver, but we don't really have much need for more of those skills. I'm tempted to just have him report to Starkey or Otik for training. I'll think it over, in the meanwhile he can help clear more of the jungle.
Charity's Journal 11th Malachite, 95
That idiot who got cut by the first snatcher is finally about to leave the hospital. Unfortunately, Freisden says he's going to need a crutch in order to walk around. The bastard should thank his stars that he's got wings, at least this will hopefully teach him to grab some bolts before running off to a fight.
From the diary of ThunderSplinter,
Early Malachite:
I had not even finished the last work order for beds, when Charity came into check up on Khenal's progress and inform us that more migrants had arrived. She chatted for a while and as she was leaving left a new work order for more beds! She also told me that the tower is under way, we will finally be able to get those fliers under some sort of control - I don't want to have another 'incident' like the last one. I am still plagued by bad dreams even after all these years.
No time for a lengthy entry, lots of ponies demanding comfy beds for their rooms, and it sounds like Khenal has broken another chisel. He's lucky that he is getting better at making the blocks or I'd ask Charity to re-assign him to a workshop where he can't break tools - and I'm still looking for the mallet he lost last week.
ThunderSplinter.
Friesden's diary
We have nearly done it, we have! The trap is nearly completed. Now to send that earth pony the mayor saddled us with away and we can lure our prey into our trap. Soon we shall be able to extend Khenal's wings properly. Haha. HaHa. AHAHAHAHAhahahahaAHAHAHA. Our precious will be more useful. HAHAHAHAHAHAHHA.
PS. HAHAHAHA!!!!
Friesden.
Khenal's Book, Chapter 3
I am most certainly not cut out to be a brewer. I have no idea what to call what's inside that barrel other than... I don't know! I chiseled "Do not open Ever!" into the side as a precaution so nopony would try to drink it before it can be disposed of. Hopefully it'll get dropped into magma or something. Even worse, I managed to somehow snap the handle of the mallet I used when I missed the chisel. I've gotten better at the very basics of woodworking, but I clearly need more practice before I can graduate from blocks. I told Thunder Splinter I had lost the mallet and I plan to replace it. More accurately, I plan to pay for the replacement. It's not like I have the skill to actually make a new one.
There were a bunch of new arrivals recently, and several of them have joined the military! There's even another alicorn around! Well, another full grown alicorn. One of the families that immigrated a while ago had an alicorn foal. I didn't think genetics worked that way*5, but I am obviously wrong.
The new recruits (though they look pretty experienced to me) looked surprised that I was in the military. I was so excited to learn that one of them also used a spear! There was the usual period of awkwardness of ponies who don't know me, but we seemed to get through it quickly; Starkey's training sessions are too exhausting to allow for that. We traded tired smiles with eachother when Captain Starkey dismissed us for the day.
Charity's Journal 16th Malachite 95
A flock of Honey Badger Pegasi have been spotted south of the wall. They haven't shown any hostilities toward our settlement, yet. Starkey has decided that dealing with them will be an excellent training opportunity for our new recruits, and I have decided to allow this little hunting trip of his.
Charity's Journal 17th Malachite 95
The ever increasing pile of Honey Badger pony/pegasi corpses has been taking up all of our butchers time up*6. They are butchering them slower than we are acquiring more of them, most are rotten before they even get to the chopping block, perhaps we should set up a second butchers so two butchers can work at the same time.
Charity's Journal 18th Galena 95
A caravan of traders has been spotted in the jungle making their way towards us. Hopefully they will have metals to trade us. I'm sending Starkey's squad to escort them in, while stationing the First Airborne Squadron on the walls. It would be unfortunate if the Diomedian's were to strike now, and I will not be caught unawares.
Charity's Journal 19th Galena 95
While no ambushes*7 were spotted before the traders arrived, our Unicorn Ranger reported seeing a tentacle pony (a scout? or another snatcher?) while she was returning from hunting. She chased it off and hit it once in the leg with a bolt, but it managed to escape as well.
Charity's Journal 8th Limestone 95
Another Diomedian foal snatcher got all the way inside our walls and down the stairs, but bumped into Starkey as he was leaving the barracks to get a drink. It managed to get a few hits in on some of our less experienced recruits, though nothing life threatening, before it was killed just inside the foundations of the wooden tower. I'm lead to believe that it was Khenal who finished the thing off with a stab to the head with his new Steel Spear. He should thank Ironya for her craftponyship, and Cindy for that copper peytrel that saved him from a bronze dagger to the heart. Only injuries worth reporting was from one of the recruits from the Markspony squad that got too close. He's in the hospital with a cut on his hoof, looks like we'll have another limping Pegasus.
Charity's Journal 22nd Limestone 95
Strange, our stockpiles seem to be missing certain materials, including: a clear glass window I was planning on installing in the dinning room, three high quality stone mechanisms, and the copper spear Khenal used to use. I've asked around and nopony knows where they've been placed. I had a talk with the haulers about proper procedures and hopefully this sort of misplacement won't happen again.
Charity's Journal 27th Limestone 95
Now we have a missing pony. Nopony has seen Efim the fisherpegasus since early yesterday. We assume he met something unfortunate while fishing, but strangely nopony saw him leave. He was last seen heading down toward the inside of the fort. Regardless, I'm sending the airborne squadron out on patrol. Maybe they can find him, or what's left of him.
Charity's Journal 12th Sandstone 95
We've decided to add a public shower to the lower dining hall. Unfortunately, Ironya and her husband Firelordsky have moved into the room directly above where we want it to go, so the water is going to be flowing through half of their room. Hope they don't mind, their room was over-sized anyway. We'll be tapping into that aquifer*8, (glad to get something positive out of the thing) and draining the water into the cavern lake. It seems to flow a long way away from here so it shouldn't flood the caves.
Charity's Secret Jounal 12th Sandstone 95
Cryptson, that wonderful stallion, has dug off a second small tunnel from the main water route. This is in order to redirect some of it to our room, for our own private shower. It's good to be the Overseer*9.
Charity's Journal 2nd Timber 95
More ponies have arrived. Only eight this time. Pegasus brewer, although I think she'll do better in the crossbow squad. An earthpony High Master Armorer, I wonder what Cindy will think about this. First Ironya shows up and makes better weapons, and now a Master Armorer shows up. He's also married to an earthpony knife-fighter, sending her off to see Starkey for assignment. Another earthpony metal crafter, but with less experience than those we already have. He's a bit of a tough looking guy though, so we're drafting him too. An earthpony butcher, an earthpony tanner, and an earthpony dyer. And a pegasus fisher pony.
Addendum
Speaking of pegasus fisherponies, Efim has not been found yet, dead or alive.
Friesden's diary
They all suspect us. Do you suspect us, diary? Do you? DO YOU? I can't abide traitors in our search for greatness. Now to clean the wings from the pegasus. We're good enough as a surgeon to attach them fully to Khenal....just have to wait until he's injured. Waitwait. We must seal off the trap. After removing the body. At night, when the pegasus patrol is asleep, we must dump the body, without the wings of course ;) and let the badgers eat it. We must find the next badger pegasus swarm and lure them to the body.
Khenal will be so happy with the wings! Now he'll be able to lift off from the wall. We can't wait till he's injured. We must dose the alcohol again, while they're off patrolling. They wouldn't understand us. We must do this... WE MUST!
PS. We know you don't trust us, Diary, but we wouldn't hurt you! We promise!
Love, Friesden! XOXOX
From the diary of ThunderSplinter,
Early Limestone.
"Snatcher!" The alert sent a chill through me, and it had sounded close. Khenal was out on training with Starkey so I had to fend for myself if the foalsnatcher made the mistake of heading my way. Thankfully, the all-clear was sounded soon after and Khenal was prancing around with his still blood-stained spear. Despite his attitude, a lot of ponies are grateful for his growing skills in combat.
Late Limestone.
Almost everypony has been asked to keep an eye out for one of new migrants. We're getting so many ambushes lately, it wouldn't surprise me if the fisherpony is in a Diomedian cooking pot somewhere, but I hope the searchers find him.
Early Timber.
Finally. All the beds on order have been finished and I can now relax with a good drink and some cupcakes - absolutely nothing could ruin this moment, not even the sound of Khenal breaking yet another chisel. (Fortunately he's in combat training so the workshops are blissfully quiet)
Addendum.
Spoke to soon, diary. I was just settling down with a second serving of cupcakes when Charity informed me that we have more migrants. She didn't even have to tell me to get back to work making more beds. Sometimes, only rarely mind, I wish Khenal could be trusted to tackle more complicated projects without constant supervision - I wonder how Starkey copes with him?
ThunderSplinter.
Venture's Book
Hi book! My name is Venture!
My Mommy gave you to me today cause she says I'm so special for learning too wright so young and stuff. I didn't know what to wright so Daddy said to wright about how we got to new home. We walk a really, really REALLY far with a bunch of other ponies to get here. My legs were SO tired and I don't know how to fly but mommy says there are pegisusses that can teach me in new home so it's OK. There's another pony here that looks like me with wings and a horn so I got really scared. Even more scared then in the hot scary forest cause I thought he was going to take me away from mommy and daddy again like the other ponies with horns and wing that got all loud at daddy, but mommy says that pony is OK so Im not so scared now. Daddy says that we had to leave old home because the other ponies with wings and horns were angry that mommy and daddy were earth ponies but that’s stupid so we went away one night with a bunch of other ponies so we can go be a family together because that important and I don't want go away from mommy and daddy and my brother forever.
I don't like new home very much. The forest is really scary and hot and wet and there are all sort of scary things inside it. All the ponies live in the ground witch is really funny because ponies should live In houses not in the ground! Me and my brother want to play outside but mommy and daddy say it's not safe so we have to stay in the ground all the time. It's really super boring in the ground cause there’s nothing to do and me and my brother can't go into most of the tunnels cause were not old engulf yet and daddy and mommy are always working and stuff so we just got to sit and be bored and stuff. Some times we can play tag or catch with rocks but the adults tell us to stop running so that sucks too. Some times the Adults yell SNATCHER and then we have to go hide until the mommy or daddy find us so that’s fun except that there always crying wen they find us but I don't know why.
I have to go book, somepony just yelled SNATCHER so I have to hide again.
Bye!
Khenal's Book, Chapter 4
I don't like badgerpegasi. Apparently, neither does Captain Starkey. He had us hunting them for training for the last few days. Moving as a squad took getting used to, but we've killed several of them. The bodies are waiting for the butcher. I think I'll stick to fruits and veggies for a while. It just feels weird to eat badgerpegasus meat.
Chapter 5
The caravan was spotted today, and we were dispatched to escort them in. Everypony was on edge worrying about a possible Diomedian attack on the caravan. Happily, all was quiet. I think the caravan brought a lot of metal, we've been getting new equipment. I really like this new spear. I'd love if it never had to be used, but I know it will help protect Glitterglen.
Chapter 6
Snatchers have returned. One was spotted early and chased off. The other, however, actually made it down almost past the barracks! Captain Starkey spotted the would-be foalnapper and yelled the warning before giving chase. He had it cornered and we finished it off. I christened my new spear with Diomedian blood and brains. The others are giving me credit for the kill, but I think the Captain had given it a mortal wound already. All I did was make it stop moving. I'm just glad the Captain was the one to spot it. I didn't notice until later that night, but the Diomedian had given my new copper armor a good gash. If anypony but the Captain had found it, I fear somepony would have gotten that dagger in their heart.
I noticed something else concerning that night: my old spear was gone. At first, I thought it was simply melted to be used as something else, maybe even my new armor. But the other old equipment was still in the armory. I hope I'm just being paranoid, but I can't help but be concerned. I don't know why, but it's disappearance reminds me of the strange business of those wooden wing extensions. I really hope it's nothing. After all, it's been a long time since I've woken up with anything weird on my wings.
Friesden's Diary
Now to dye these wings we have, yes yes! We must order dye...but what justification can we gi- We've got it! We need proper uniforms so that if some bad stuff happens the blood won't be seen! Red dye will be ours!hahahahahaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
PS. We know you're reading! Look behind you!
PPS. Hahahahaha! Got you! Hahahaha! Actually, there is something behind you now. Just close your eyes, it'll all be over soon....HAHAHAHAA! GOT YOU AGAIN!
PPPS. Did you really think we'd do it? Hahahaha! We only do it to useless pegasi...are you a useless pegasi? No? Then you don't need to fear us! HAHAHAHAHAHA!
Love, Friesden.
Venture's Book
Hi again book! It's me Venture!
I just remembered that I forgot to tell you about my family! Sorry about that, I can be really forgetful sometimes. Well first there's my mommy and daddy. Daddy is the best carpenter EVER! He use to make really pretty bed and doors and all sorts of stuff back home. I mean old home, sorry book. Mommy used to sing and dance for the noble ponies back home because she was so pretty and was the best singer in the whole town and even teaches me how to sing really good too. Some times she would come home really late at night crying or hurt or both after dancing for the nobles and daddy would get super angry at them and start saying lots of bad words about them and taking out his ax but mommy would always say that there was nothing they could do and it was just how things were, and then they would both start crying and hugging and ----
Sorry book, I wanna wright about something else now.
Then there's my brother who is a unicorn so he has a horn but no wings like me. His name is Peytrel, like the armor thing. He's older than me and some times he can be SUPER MEAN!! Like when he uses his magic to carry icky gross spiders and chase me around with them like a jerk, or when he wants to play adventurer and bandit and I'm ALWAYS the bandit! He hits way too hard with his stick and he can use magic but I cant so hes way better! He says he has to hit hard so he can learn to be a soldier some day but I tell him he's too pudgy to be a soldire and then we get into a huge fight and we both get sent to time out and it was so not my fault! Other times he can be nice too, like how he tell's me bead-time stories when mommy and daddy are too busy with work and how he is always the first pony to come when I have my wired bad dreams and the one time he bucked one of those big mean ponies when they were trying to take me away because I have wings and a horn. He is a really brave pony and I don't say it, but I think he will be the best most super brave soldier ever!
New home has lotsa other ponies too. There's the big green pony that's like me. His name is Khenal and he is super nice and strong and nice. He has been doing lots of jobs around the fort but he said that if he has time he would teach me some magic! He has a book too that he calls "his Book", so that's why I call you book. He is so Awsum!
There's no other foals like me in new home but there is this little Pegasus newborn that is SO CUTIE! With his little tail and tinny wings and his soooo adorable laugh! I can't remember his name but I like to call him "Bubbly" because of his laughing.
There's also Ms. Charity and Mr. Cryptson. Ms. Charity is bossy and Mr. Cyptson is kinda creepy so I stay away from them.
Starkey is the milita comsti commisi comisar boss pony. He always wheres this shiny armor and is a great fighter! My brother is always trying to talk to him and folwos him around sometimes. I don't think he even notice's him, but my brother is stubborn as a mule and he'll keep going until he dose notice him. Ms. ThunderSplinter says she is the best carpenter here but I know my daddy is way better! She wants to build a big wood tower that sounds super cool! Dr. Friesden is the midcal medical pony and has this funny eye twitch.
There's lots of others like Theropod and Benoni and Pillomino and... some others I can't remember but I'm running out of room so I'll stop now.
Goodnight book!
**************
Author's Notes
*1 Cooking simply allows for mixing ingredients and then assigns a name based on how many ingredients were used. Cupcakes are a fairly basic dish, and can be made without flour.
*2 Ponies will actually make relationships and eventually get married in game, without any help from the player.
*3 Occasionally, a pony will get the urge to build something and will stop at nothing to do so. If they are unable to find an appropriate workshop, or unable to get all the materials they decide they need, they will eventually go insane and either starve to death or go berserk. Sometimes, they will gain legendary skill in whatever skill they used to make the artifact, and sometimes they won't remember anything about it, apart from knowing they made it.
*4 one of the Diomedian castes. Keshi ponies are corrupted earth ponies. The other castes are tentacle ponies (Corrupted unicorns with a tentacle instead of a horn on their forehead) and shadowbolts (bat-winged pegasi with vampiric tendencies).
*5 Caste is not genetic. Each has a set percentage of the population that they make up, and foals are born randomly from those percents. Alicorns make up only about 1 in 60 ponies, while earth ponies, unicorns and pegasi are roughly equally represented.
*6 Typically, animal ponies will not be butchered for food, but a little modding of the ethics in the game allows for them to become food. They can also be modded to allow for full cannibalism or simply eating of anyone who isn't in their civilization. Glitterglen has been modded to consider Diomedians fair game as far as food is concerned. Cupcakes, anyone?
*7 As a fortress makes more valuables, invaders will step up their game in trying to destroy you. Snatchers and thieves are first, followed by ambushes and eventually full blown sieges are what every fort has to deal with.
*8 Aquifers are layers where mined out spaces will continually fill with water. This can be used to create as much water as one desires, but can also totally flood a fort that isn't properly designed.
*9 Term from way back in the beginnings of community games of Dwarf Fortress. Positions like Mayor, Barron, etc are filled by the game, but there is always someone who is actually directing everything, and they are the overseer. It is not an actual position in game.