This is the core story of the Camaraderie-verse.
Reading order:
Camaraderie is Sorcery, Season 1 (Ch. 0:0 - 1:27.4)
Lady of Love
Camaraderie is Sorcery, Season 2 (Ch. 2:0 - 2:27.3)
King in the North
Camaraderie is Sorcery, Season 3 (Ch. 3:0-3:14.3)
The Other Side of the Mirror: Vol. 1
Camaraderie is Sorcery, Season 4 (Ch. 4:0- )
Maps of Equestria
Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
Season 4
What if Equestria wasn't all sunshine and rainbows? What if the lands were wild, untamed, and ruled by powerful (and corrupt) nobles in the names of distant kings and queens? What if magic belonged not to every unicorn, but only to the privileged (and persecuted) few?
Camaraderie is Sorcery is a dark fantasy retelling of the story of Friendship is Magic. In this Equestria, the land is divided into kingdoms hungrily eyeing each others' lands and resources. This is a world where peasants are born, work, suffer, and die without their overseers shedding a tear. It is a world where bandits and monsters occupy both the wild places and the civilized ones (but in different forms). This is the world where Twilight Sparkle lives. Cant'r Laht, a shining city perched on the edge of a mountain with more nobles and mages than it knows what to do with, has been Twilight's home her whole life. Now, as the one thousandth summer solstice of the Fourth Age approaches, she will leave Cant'r Laht and depart for the tiny hamlet of Ponieville, where five companions await her. These Brave Companions, as the ballads will come to commemorate them, are already bound by destiny, though they do not know it yet. For who would ever imagine that a sorceress, a farmer, a Hunter, a blacksmith, a druidess, and a baker would ever become comrades with the strength to stop the end of the world?
Author's Note: I drew inspiration from several dark or realistic fantasy sources for the world of Camaraderie is Sorcery, but the most influential was the world of Andrzej Sapkowski's Witcher novels and CD Projekt RED's video game series of the same name.
Yes I can't wait to read this.:D
AU Dark and with inspiration from Sapkowski's works on the Witcher Series? You just got a new reader!
Wow, intense!
Damn, this Twilight is such a snob!
Good work on this part, I don't seem to see any errors, and the extensive descriptions are a really good thing to read (yes, I love long and wordy stories).
Hope to read the next soon!
7331065
Glad to hear you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
Hmm, interesting. I have to say, I'm excited to see where you'll take this.
Nice to see that the story's back! Very impressive the trials for the mane six.
Ah, how uncharacteristic of Celestia being so bitter and stingy, even towards an egg!
7520471
Thanks, hope I don't disappoint.
7521174
Yeah, I tried to take some more liberties with the story this time. The next chapter should be even more so.
7521185
That's what happens when you have to live in this world for over 1600 years and your own magic is slowly killing you. The Celestia of this universe is much more bitter and vengeful than her MLP:FiM counterpart, as Twilight hinted at when she expressed surprise that Celestia embraced Luna instead of smiting her.
Also, thanks for the comments!
Heh, this episode was funny in the canon show. In this setting it' s hilarious!!!
Whoa, nicely more complex and intriguing!
7827887
Thanks! The next few are nearly completed so hopefully I can get them out in the next couple of weeks.
Whoa, really harsh turn!
Damn! This will bring some problems...
Heh, this Trixie looks more obnoxious than the canon one...
7937607
I may have let some of my personal feelings about Trixie sneak in here...
I am in love with your writing style. That, and the tone you set more than makes it thrilling to read, even though I already know the story. And it really felt like the beginning of an awesome fantasy series. It almost takes me back to middle school.
Honest, I could see myself sitting down in a library reading this over a stack of Harry Potter, Eragon, Redwall, Lord of the Rings, you name it.
Sorry I'm gushing, but this is amazing, and I really hope the rest is as epic. Liked and faved instantly.
8011780
Thanks so much for your praise and fave! It really means a lot to me to hear when someone enjoys my writing and makes all the work of writing worthwhile. Hope you stay invested and enjoy the rest of the story!
Mmmm, intriguing end of the chapter...
Ooh, I've got chills!
Seriously, I cannot express how much I love this story! 
8103312
Thank you so much and thanks also for watching me!
I will enjoy reading this whilst sipping a goblet of blood and wine.
And once again, I'm completely amazed. Too tired to go fanboy mode, but seriously, this fic is criminally underrated.
I hope Hadish stands in for Sombra, and gets the same fate.
Ouch, damn Sunbutt, that's a pretty brutal put-down for your most faithful apprentice. Guess being mortally ill means she never bothers using any tact.
8919223
To be honest, who's going to call her out on it?
I for one cant wait till discord show up in the story
I have just barely started reading this and I am already addicted to it! I absolutely love the creativity and time that you put into this story. To be honest, I kind of wish I had thought of something as cool as this.
I'm looking forward to the future of this! I, for one, can't wait until the Wonderbolts Academy retelling. I really want to see how it works since they're Hunters instead of stunt flyers. Lightning Dust is sure to be interesting with her recklessness too.
Please keep writing! This is great!
8943891
Thank you so much! I hope the story lives up to your expectations.
Yep, really gotta watch out for those stars with steel plate, ya’ know.
I do have a proposal for your translation conundrum, as mentioned a few chapters back - post a blog with a link that readers can follow along with on another page. It could either be a new blog each chapter, or each chapter could have it's own section on the blog. Rather than having to scroll to the end of the chapter to figure out what the characters are saying.
9008493
Interesting thought; I might try that with season 2
Another poison attempt on the immortal I guess?
"Either way I'm apparently dying."
You're a fire breathing dragon, Spike, the heck do you need clothes for? With ponies I can understand because of the cold, but seriously the heck Spike?
The creator of one couldn't have based their legend on the other!
seriously, Occams Razor Twilight, as an intellectual you should know this one. True reality will vindicate you but you don't know that right now!
It's more pretentious and using it makes you sound smarter. There is literally no other point to it if the 'lesser' alternative is easier and conveys the exact same idea. Just move the 'High Equestrian' exclusive words to the 'Low Equestrian' dictionary and make it a uniform language.
I'm pretty sure she knows Spikes handwriting by now Twilight, especially if it's double signed by you already. Seriously, how stupid do you think Celestia is that she needs that indicated to her?
Oh, and Cant’r Laht is so much better a spelling than Ponieville is it? Get your head out of your plot Twilight, you elitist prick.
Canon Twilight? a little antisocial.
This Twilight? An elitist judgmental jerk stopping just short of calling Ponievillians inbred yokals.
By social etiquette or by law? Because one of those paints Celestia in a verrrrrry bad light.
Well at least the town won't be kinda, sorta deprived of its public library. Seriously I have no idea how that works with it being the towns library but her home. Can ponies just walk in and borrow books whenever during business hours? Do they have to knock and hope she's in a good mood? So confusing.
Okay, so since we know for a fact that Applejack can't farm apples in the winter(they rely on their cider sales to get them through the season) it's not freezing out. Why the clothes? To feel more realistic? Because these are talking magical ponies, realism kind of gets shot dead at that premise. Also, a cap? Depriving Applejack of her stetson? How dare.
Was 'soups on' too simplistic for your setting, author? That change was as unnecessary plot wise as it is unnecessary in setting.
So how's she holding that sword with her hoof anyway? Or is it something strapped to her foreleg? In her mouth? It'd be bad for her dental work if that was the case.
Impressive! Oh wait, no, the other thing....oh right! Not impressive! Ponyvilles Rainbow Dash just needed her hooves to do the same job at the same speed. Git gud scrub.
Really? Here I thought you were all about that snob life. You should feel giddy that you've found someone who could potentially be as elitist as you! Rejoice, you've found your people Twi!
What happened to the magic wand on your head? Also google translating that from welsh gives only a partial translation.
You know, author, I know you're making her extremely elitist and entitled so as to make her go through a character arc later on but Yahtzee said it best, and I have to agree. Deliberately annoying is still annoying.
Maybe it was so he'd hear intruders trying to steal his research? Just because it wasn't purpose built for you or your situation doesn't mean it's stupid, Twilight.
Armor's meant to be as impenetrable as possible. The only reason it'd look otherwise would be if it were rusted and tattered. If it's a magical enchantment then wear clothes. They're lighter.
Please, world, take her with you. And that's not a thought any reader should be having about the main character of the story.
Or anything else ever again.
Well that's going to make an easy redemption harder to swallow. She's got a body count now.
Well maybe Cant'r Laht just sucks, did you ever think of that?
Well I know it's not your element then.
Who needs three palaces? That's just excessive.
And now she's killing babies. Sorry Celestia, but I don't think you're going to get a redeemed sister.
Seriously, these ponies are bloodthirsty. I mean I get that these are darker times but yikes, not exactly the most root-forable protagonists I've ever encountered.
Then Galileo comes along and throws a wrench into those works.
Meh, the song lost some of its charm in the George R. R. Martin remake. Seriously, it kind of feels like you're trying to apply Song of Fire and Ice logic to Lord of the Rings and the results are kind of jarring.
I'm afraid I don't follow the logic here. Hair + blood = super armor?
If she's anything like canon Rainbow Dash then she's already objectively better.
Nightmare Moon then realized how stupid it is to let the heroes monologue and impaled Twilight on her horn.
Seriously, you made her a cold blooded killer, deliver on it or don't do it at all.
Ehhhhhhh I'll take it. It'll take some getting used to for you to start liking the new town, but character growth requires baby steps sometimes.
Well fuck you too.
Why not? His mother clearly got away with naming him 'Ingrirtireth', and I promise you that's a much worse crime.
Why not? She clearly understands friendship better than Twilight does, and heck she's an alicorn, usually, that count for nothing? Yeah, that probably counts for nothing.
So it's taken as red that they're going to torture/interrogate Cadance? That's not an agreeable compromise Celestia, that's fuck you, not happening. I know 'the needs of the many' blah blah blah, but that's no excuse to throw away the few! Fucking hell, you're not Celestia, you're Fuckup until you've earned your name back.
Who are you, and what have you done with Applejack?
Element of Trustworthiness. You changed the names remember?
Page, excuse to be lazy, same thing right?
Also, Spike's not the most effective hostage all the way out there. Princess Fuckup's kind of striking again. Especially when we get around to the Gauntlet of Fire.
Not anymore, Luna's back remember? Honestly.
Look, I know Rarity's like the most forgettable pony since Wallflower Blush, but she didn't spring to mind immediately? Or do you lack object permanence? Are they just out of your life the moment you can't see them?
You mean that Spike harvested while you questioned Applejack? Jerk.
No, an informal ball where Sheriff Silver Star will be the only attendee.
Welcome to reality, where your position doesn't mean squat. Enjoy.
We should just be thankful that Twilight didn't take advantage of that 20 lashes decree Celestia put in place. I know it's her friends, but honestly it feels only just out of character for her, and that's unsettling.
So? Send a letter anyway. This is clearly an abuse of power, she might succeed in getting you shipped off but at least she won't get away with it. Fucking hell the ponies in this universe are shit people.
Applejack then realized that Twilight had a vested interest in continuing to be alive, and went about planning to fix the damaged wall.
Geez. And naturally she didn't have her friends lashed because favoritism. If you're going to be a horrible pony at least be consistently horrible.
So...do physics not work in your more realistic dark fantasyverse? Because at best that thing should be digging into the ground.
Hey hey Twilight, hey, you know what'd help Applejacks condition? If you let her fall asleep.
The Order of the Sparrow just taught her how to make farting noises with her mouth.
This Pinkie is unnervingly reserved compared to most others. Makes me wonder what skeletons are hiding in her closet.
You're lucky it's Fluttershy, or you'd probably wake up with venomous cobras biting into you or an ursa major attacking or something. Seriously, nature's a fucking scary thing, don't mess with one of its magical representatives.
All it'll prove is that you're a child who can't handle following protocol.
Weeeeeell given what I've seen of the magic in this world? I'd say the fight would probably go something like this:
If this were season 6 Spike I'd pity the poor griffon Spike'd have to fight, but since this is season 1 Spike this will only end in pain.
No, just heartless enough to send him out to fight a trained warrior over inviting some mercenaries to a fancy get together.
I call shenanigans. Even if Shining Armor did give him a little training she's been living the mercenary life while he's been playing secretary. I'd have accepted 'you fought honorably, and have proven your worth' much easier.
They're already dead.
That's Equestrian magic! Cheater!
Apparently Trix's been delving into the Alicorn Amulet a bit early.
My, but what a tangled web we weave, eh Trixie?
Okay, but what's the ratio of Bu to Raditz?
Heyyyyy, the episode about racism isn't for another couple of episodes! Read the right scripts ponies!
Or it could be a regular dragon doing his own thing. He's not responsible for every dragons actions any more than you're responsible for every ponies.
Between selling her off as a hostage and this I'm starting to get the vague impression that you're not that big a fan of Cadance?
Canon Celestia gets bitchsmacked down every time a threat happens and she's healthy. I get the feeling that this Fuckup's even more of a glass cannon than her.
And, y'know, making sure that your friend is okay.
That would have been the smart thing, yes.
reactiongifs.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/sheepish_aladdin.gif
Edgetastic.
i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/14/08/4751002900000578-5178381-image-a-14_1513241794238.jpg
Hey Centaurs, considering how many chapters are left guess what time it is.
i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/001/023/279/186.png
Geez, Tireks cousins are jerks.
Wait, this is a regular thing?! Hey! Princess Fuckup! Are you going to get up off your lazy ass and do something about this sometime this century?!
So bat ponies aren't Lunas in this one eh? Interesting. Still, I'm expecting some fiery retribution from Princess Fuckup or she's completely dead to me. These are explicitly her ponies after all. In her territory. There is absolutely no excuse for her not to protect them.
I call bull, Rarity, the Apples have to pay land taxes and tariffs and all that just like everyone else, and they own a sizable chunk of land.
Man, Wexel, you gotta step up your king game.
Seriously, is no one in power doing anything about this shit? Seriously, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Applejack are the only non assholes so far, with Twilight on the mend and Rarity taking a huge dive this chapter. I'm bordering on Darkness Induced Audience Apathy here.
Wait, wouldn't the presence of a better 1st council render a 2nd council redundant?
"Have you heard the good news about our Lord and Savior Tirek?"
Challenged you? CHALLENGED YOU?! You're the ones attacking THEM you blithering moron! Unless this is somehow sanctioned by Princess Fuckup as some kind of population cull you're doing something very very hostile, illegal, and earning of a serious bitchslap. Actually, all those things apply regardless.
To be fair, you guys did seem to be going with a theme.
This can only end well.
Silly Twilight, you know what happens when we assume don't you? It makes and ass out of you, and you.
Ponies that follow her into a dangerous monster filled forest? That can only mean she's a witch!
Give them a break, they're in the middle of a monster filled forest tracking down the little sister of one of their friends before she gets cannibalized by what they think is a dangerous woods witch.
prequeladventure.com/this/story1378.gif
As Gaius put it
“There’s a difference between trembling with fear and trembling with reasonable apprehension. Perfectly brave Men Of Action can still tremble with reasonable apprehension, or have recurring, nightly, reasonable-apprehension-inducing nightmares.”
Okay, and I thought the book title 'Suprenaturals' was a dick move to force a misunderstanding. This is Zecora all but stabbing a life like doll of Applebloom in terms of forcing the misunderstanding to boil over.
Geez, no wonder they have such puffed up egos!
Why a semicircle? I mean a circle I could understand, that's practically tradition, but a semicircle? That kind of feels...incomplete.
Why?! There is literally nothing to sneer about!
Why not? It worked well last time.
Probably should have sent the 1st or 3rd then. These guys are assholes.
Eh, I'd argue that who you are is more important than what you can do.
Twilight, at this point you are the common rabble. Just accept it.
I thought magic was reserved for a select few? Please explain this, because as a non magical entity she should have years of experience that Twilight does not in doing things non magically. Unless all unicorns are sorceresses/sorcerers.
I can't keep track. Is it the Red Faith or The One that's been burning the magical people? Because I side with the one not doing that. Also, in a dangerous world like this how dare he have protection? The monster. He deserves whatever comeuppance he gets.
A guy that doesn't believe what we believe existing and talking about his beliefs?! DEATH IS TOO GOOD FOR HIM! TORTURE EVERYONE HE LOVES INTO INSANITY AND STARVE HIM UNTIL HE'S DESPERATE ENOUGH TO CANNIBALIZE THEM!
What? Are priests immune to the law? He should be arrested for inciting an attempted murder!
Margrave Tristan's in cahoots with this invading force and the 'attack' is just to allay suspicion.
Hey, don't shoot the messenger.
Which wouldn't really look like much of anything, being a quadruped and all. The cape would be resting with gravity on his horizontal back. It'd make more sense if this was human or anthro for him to 'flourish his cape'.
Again with the hostage thing, what the hell?
Holy SHIT Princess Fuckup!
Do you kick puppies and steal candy from orphans, you outright murderer?
If only she had a cart.