//------------------------------// // Appendices // Story: The Age of Wings and Steel // by DSNesmith //------------------------------// APPENDIX A: A Brief Timeline of the War of Whitetail, its Participants, and Equestrian-Gryphan Relations during the Late Middle Ages (Excerpt from "A Brief Military History of Equestria", by Quillweave Inkwell) 346 AS: After nearly fifty years of fighting, the Great War ends with the Treaty of Everfree. 340 AS: Construction of Whitewall City is completed. 158 AS: Gryphandria is struck by a massive earthquake, severely denting the griffon population. 0 AC: The Anno Sorori period ends with the fall of Nightmare Moon. Celestia now assumes the responsibility of raising the moon, beginning the thousand-year Anno Celesti period. 56 AC: A force of three thousand griffons attempts to enter Southlund; they are repelled by the army garrisoned at Sel-Paloth under Duke Fendrake Belle I. 211 AC: Grypha begins to remilitarize under King Aelianus, in direct violation of the Treaty of Everfree. 245 AC: Under the command of a young Pyrus Shrikefeather, Grypha begins a short campaign to capture several of the southern protectorates. Equestria adopts a policy of appeasement. 261 AC: Grypha begins the second campaign in the protectorates, seizing all territory south of the Equestrian border. Equestria threatens harsh trade sanctions, but Aelianus issues formal apologies and swears griffon expansion is at an end. 283 AC: The dragon styling himself as Phileostryx the Gray rises to power, causing a major shift in the division of territory in Wyrmgand. Many smaller or older dragons flee to other lands, including Grypha. 300 AC: Plans for a major invasion are now underway. Mandatory enlistment ensures that nearly a quarter of Grypha's population has been militarized. Through shadowy trade bargains and various proxy buyers, large stocks of iron are obtained from Equestria for forging weapons and armor. 306 AC: Windstreak Firemane is born. 312 AC: Inger Dragonslayer is born. 314 AC: The Dragonslayer joins the order of the Firewings. He soon takes part in the Battle of Trottingham. 315 AC: The final Fillydelphia rebellions are put down by Duke Emmet Blueblood I. Cranberry Sugar is born in Canterlot. 316 AC: The Southlund Conflict erupts when an army of two thousand griffons marches into Equestrian territory. The army of Whitetail, under the command of Celerity Belle, fends off the invaders. 317 AC: A fierce blizzard hits Canterlot, leaving hundreds dead. 322 AC: The War of Whitetail begins. -October, 322 AC: The Gryphan Army invades Southlund, commandeers Sel-Paloth to use as a staging base. Celerity Belle responds by fortifying the bridge at Trellow. Inger Dragonslayer begins his journey to Sleipnord. Gryphan and Whitetail forces meet at the Battle of Trellow, where the Equestrians are soundly defeated. -November, 322 AC: The remnants of Belle's army flee north to Whitewall, burning the southern plains behind them. The griffons continue advancing north, conquering most of southern Whitetail, as well as eastern Rivermeet. In mid-November, a strike force led by Pyrus Shrikefeather captures Cloudsdale and begins converting the city into a flying fortress. In the north, Clement Blueblood leads Norhart on a short but successful campaign in Norlund, capturing the northern crossroads. -December, 322 AC: Whitewall is attacked by a task force of griffons and the dragon Viera. Thanks to the aid of Clement Blueblood, the city resists the assault. The griffons continue their conquest in the south, spilling into Breton and the Delta. Westermin falls under Gryphan occupation on December 13th, eliminating the need for lengthy supply lines. The griffons begin pushing northward once more. In Sleipnord, the Dragonslayer recovers the Kingshammer and unites the northern clans. 323 AC: The War of Whitetail continues. -January, 323 AC: The new year brings several important battles, as the griffon army now spreads throughout the southern half of Equestria. Greenway soon falls, followed by the Lake Country and Norlund. Griffons are seen as far north as Helmfast and Easthill, though no major offensives take place in these provinces. The main griffon army reaches Canterlot on January 5th, Diem Sanguinis Fundit Sole, the Day of the Bleeding Sun. The Second Battle of Canterlot (for the First Battle of Canterlot, see the section on the Great War) results in massive losses on both sides, but in the end Equestrian and Sleipnordic forces are victorious, and the griffon invasion is finally stalled. The Treaty of 323 signals the formal end of the War of Whitetail. -March, 323 AC: The Riverlands are retaken by the forces of Lord Helmfast and Duke Blueblood. -May, 323 AC: Windstreak Strudel retires, gives command of the Firewings to Inger Dragonslayer. -June, 323 AC: Cranberry Sugar and Inger Dragonslayer are wed in Canterlot. -March, 324 AC: The final remnants of the griffon invasion are cleared from eastern Equestria with the death of the warlord Lionsclaw. Scattered groups will still trouble the plains for decades, but no organized griffon force will ever rise again in the south. 327 AC: The Sel-Paloth memorial is completed, and construction begins on the Celerity Bridge. The Golden Isles crisis is resolved. 328 AC: Under the Gryphan Trade Act of 328, Equestria begins sending annual shipments of grain to Grypha. 391 AC: The Equestrian council, led by Duke Inger Blueblood II, passes the Equestrian Immigration Reform Act, permitting griffons to become legal Equestrian citizens. 474 AC: Drought and famine cause a vast exodus from the Saladi desert into Equestria and the lands east of the Jotur mountains. Many griffons travel across the distant eastern ocean to what will become modern Gryphrance. The last traces of griffon culture from the days of the Gryphan Empire begin to fade. The dominant language among former Gryphan citizens is now Equestrian. APPENDIX B: Major and Minor Participants in the War of Whitetail in Order of Importance (Excerpt from "A Brief Military History of Equestria", by Quillfeather Inkwell) Princess Celestia - Age Unknown Celestia was, and remains, the immortal and divine ruler of the Kingdom of Equestria. After the fall of her sister and goddess of the moon, Luna, she took up the duty of raising both the sun and the moon to begin the days and nights. She would do so for a thousand years, until her sister escaped imprisonment and was subsequently redeemed. At the time of the War of Whitetail, Celestia still maintained a ruling council to handle the kingdom's affairs, but the war caused the political anarchy that was the first in many steps to the eventual dissolution of the council in 584 AC. In modern times, the sisters rule more or less directly over the provinces, but with most specific jurisdiction given to local town governments. Inger Dragonslayer - 10 (312 AC - 350 AC) The most famous hero of the War of Whitetail, the Dragonslayer's origins were humble. He was born in Canterlot to unknown parentage, but rose above his status and joined the Firewings (a precursor to the modern royal guard) at a young age. The Dragonslayer participated in many minor battles during his career among the Firewings, including the Battle of Trottingham in 314 AC. At the beginning of the War, Princess Celestia sent the Dragonslayer north to Sleipnord to call together an army under the terms of the Treaty of Everfree. His most famous achievement is undoubtedly the defeat of the red dragon Merys in the Second Battle of Canterlot at the end of the War of Whitetail in 323 AC, where he wielded the long-lost Kingshammer. For the full account of the Dragonslayer's journey north, including his meeting of Cranberry Sugar and the finding of the Kingshammer, see "The War of Whitetail" by Strawberry Shine, "The Life of the Dragonslayer" by Daffodil Petal, "Quest for the Kingshammer" by Tulip Sparkle, and "Wings and Steel" by Dusty Sparks. Captain Windstreak Firemane Strudel - 16 (306 AC - 344 AC) Windstreak Firemane was the longest-serving and most accomplished captain in the history of the Firewings. She remained the most honored member of that order until its eventual disbandment in 422 AC. Firemane is famous for her participation in numerous battles, including the Battle of Fillydelphia, the Battle of Trottingham, the First Battle of Sel-Paloth, the Second Battle of Canterlot, and most instrumentally in the Battle of Whitewall. It was at Whitewall that the Firewings and the last remnants of the army of Whitetail killed the green dragon Viera, signaling the turn of the war in the Equestrians' favor. Though she briefly assumed command of Whitetail's armies as a Brevet-General, Firemane never accepted an official promotion past the rank of Captain, setting what would become standard practice amongst the Firewings. In the final days of the War of Whitetail, Firemane suffered serious injuries. While she survived and eventually recovered, she soon retired from the military. She would spend the rest of her days happily running the Strudel bakery together with her husband, Apricot. A more in-depth account of the career, life, and family of Windstreak Firemane Strudel can be found in "Firemane", by Wheatie Specklestraw. Duchess Celerity Augustine Belle - 23 (299 AC - 322 AC) Celerity Belle is perhaps the most polarizing figure of the War of Whitetail. Some call her a hero, others a tyrant. Both parties agree, however, that she was the pivotal entity of the war. Without her week-long defense of the bridge at Trellow, a heroic feat given the disparity between the griffons' army and her own, many historians judge it likely that the war would have lasted mere weeks instead of months, and that the griffons would easily have conquered the entire country. In life, Duchess Belle was one of the most proactive nobles of her day. She was responsible for repairing the southern reaches of the Great Road, commissioning new highways to connect the east and the west provinces of southern Equestria, and for the vast majority of the garrison at Sel-Paloth. Duchess Belle raised taxes and levies frequently, to the displeasure of many, but she managed to justify her harsh measures by repelling minor griffon incursions throughout the decade of 310 AC. She was killed at the Battle of Trellow in 323 AC, and her line was carried on through her distant cousin Tymeo Bellemont. Even today, many families still bear the white coat and violet mane that signify distant Belle lineage. Lord Clement Marverion Blueblood - 9 (313 AC - 323 AC) Born just before the strife of the Fillydelphia rebellions, Lord Blueblood was a key figure in the War of Whitetail. He was given command of the main armies of Norhart, which he led on a brief but successful campaign against the capital to capture Norlund. When Lord Blueblood received a plea for help from his cousin, Duke Bellemont, he had a change of heart, and marched his forces south to take part in the Battle of Whitewall. His forces arrived just in time to save the city from destruction, but his father, furious at Lord Blueblood's betrayal, disowned him and officially stripped him of command. The army, however, remained loyal to Clement, marching with him under the command of Windstreak Firemane. Eventually, the young lord and his father reconciled, and together they joined the army of united Equestrians in the last battle against the army of Pyrus Shrikefeather on the fields of Canterlot. While in battle, Lord Blueblood faced Shrikefeather in single combat. They dueled, and eventually the young lord was slain. Lord Clement was hailed as a hero by both Norhart and Whitetail. He would become a symbol of the conflict, and the lost generation of young warriors who gave their lives to defend Equestria against the invasion. Many statues and monuments still bear his likeness today, a solemn reminder of the cost of war. General Pyrus Shrikefeather - 106 (216 AC - 323 AC) Pyrus Shrikefeather was the leader of the invading force during the War of Whitetail, scoring several key victories throughout the war. His lightning-fast seizure of Cloudsdale is still studied in military academies across the world. Little is known of his personal life. Some sources say that the General was irritable and wroth, others say he was urbane and genial. Whatever the truth, he was feared and respected by both sides of the conflict. He was killed in the final days of the war by the Firewing, Wheatie Specklestraw. Cranberry Sugar - 7 (315 AC - 356 AC) Widely known as Lady Dragonslayer, Cranberry Sugar was the traveling companion and eventual wife of Inger Dragonslayer. She traveled with the Dragonslayer to Sleipnord on his quest for the Kingshammer, where her knowledge of the northern culture proved invaluable. They fell in love during the journey and were married in the summer of 323 AC. Sugar is notable for her fluency in at least six languages, having three doctorates in Equestrian and foreign history, and her work in archeological excavation and preservation. In later life, Professor Sugar would donate large collections of artifacts and relics to the Equestrian National Museum, where her third son, Rye Sugar, served as curator. Lieutenant Grayzden Bergeron - 18 (304 AC - 322 AC) Bergeron is perhaps the most overlooked of the Firewings present during the War of Whitetail. He served beside Windstreak Firemane for nearly a decade before the war, during the Fillydelphia rebellions and the First Battle of Sel-Paloth. He was killed at the Battle of Whitewall, where he helped to bring down the green dragon, Viera. Commander Wheatie Specklestraw - 8 (314 AC - 360 AC) A junior member of the Firewings during the war, Specklestraw is credited with delivering the killing blow to General Pyrus Shrikefeather at the Second Battle of Canterlot. Specklestraw remained in the Firewings for another twelve years, serving with distinction in the retaking of Rivermeet and Breton. He would go on to become one of Princess Celestia's most trusted agents, frequently sent with diplomats on various missions to other nations, most notably in the Golden Isles Crisis of 327 AC. He eventually retired and wrote the bestselling biography, "Firemane". Duke Emmet Tybalt Blueblood - 27 (285 AC - 336 AC) Duke Emmet Blueblood, one of the more maligned nobles of the time, inheirited a ruined economy and an underfunded military from his father. Shortly after receiving the title of Duke, Emmet was forced to put down a large series of rebellions in the coastal city of Fillydelphia. During the War of Whitetail, he and his son led a brief campaign against the forces of Canterlot in the north. Despite this, he joined the forces of Equestria at the Second Battle of Canterlot alongside his son, who was killed in the fighting. Galvanized by his son's death, Blueblood became a key participant in peace talks with Grypha, and would exert all his influence to prevent another war. He was often quoted as saying, "Grypha and Equestria have been at war for nearly a millennium, in one way or another. We have thrown away our resources, our soldiers, and our futures again and again. It has to end, and we must be the ones to end it, for it is our children who will pay the price if we cannot." Duke Blueblood's line was carried on through his cousin Frederic, and members of the Blueblood family are still a part of the modern Canterlot court. Duke Tymeo Callowden Bellemont - 8 (314 AC - 352 AC) Duke Bellemont rose to power in the midst of the War of Whitetail, inheriting the duchy's debt and impending invasion from Celerity Belle. With the aid of Windstreak Firemane and the army of Whitetail, Duke Bellemont organized the successful defense of Whitewall City against the dragon Viera. After the war, Duke Bellemont was a key participant in reconstruction, funding projects like the Celerity Bridge over the Grumar and the rebuilding of Whitewall. He became one of the most distinguished members of the Equestrian court, securing a great deal of land for his family during the postwar period. His descendents would rule Whitetail for over a century, and his second daughter, Windstreak Bellemont, would eventually become the Countess of Weatherforge. Eberhardt Snowmane - 11 (311 AC - 361 AC) Snowmane was the first King of Sleipnord to be chosen since antiquity. He reigned from 323 AC - 361 AC, finally bringing to an end the constant wars over the farmland in the southern part of Sleipnord. He was a mighty warrior, skilled in the use of the sword, and was briefly a companion of the Dragonslayer when they sought the Kingshammer. It was Snowmane who organized and united the warring factions of Sleipnord into a single army, which he led in battle at Canterlot in the final days of the war. Colonel Cinnabar Shrikefeather - 63 (259 AC - 392 AC) Cinnabar Shrikefeather, the nephew of General Pyrus Shrikefeather, had the dubious honor of taking command of the Gryphan army just in time to handle the surrender to the forces of Equestria. Under the terms of the treaty, he was tried for war crimes, but was exonerated. He would go on to head Grypha's ministry of security until his retirement. Sergeant Daisy Plumline - 14 (308 AC - 322 AC) Plumline was a member of the garrison at Sel-Paloth during the initial days of the War of Whitetail. She was the sole survivor of the griffons' first attack, bringing the news back to Equestria at large. She was later killed in the Battle of Whitewall. Apricot Strudel - 17 (303 AC - 329 AC) Apricot Strudel was the husband of Windstreak Firemane, and a famous baker in Canterlot during the war period. He remained relatively uninvolved in the war, donating use of his bakery to quartering of wounded soldiers after the Second Battle of Canterlot. Rye Strudel - 7 (315 AC - 352 AC) Rye Strudel was the only son of Windstreak Firemane and Apricot Strudel. He played an important, yet oft-forgotten role in the Dragonslayer's journey, by delivering the original message that sent the Dragonslayer into the north. After the war, probably due to his mother's service, he was given a position as an ambassador in the royal court. He would prove a capable diplomat, especially during the Golden Isles Crisis in 327 AC. (Curiously, some primary sources, including his mother's biography, suggest that the ambassador may in fact have been a pegacorn, but most historians argue the unlikelihood of a mixed-breed ascending to such a position in the court no matter his parentage. They attribute the mentions of the ambassador as a pegacorn to libel directed at his mother. For more information, see "Firemane", by Wheatie Specklestraw.)