//------------------------------// // Journal of Clyde Dumpher // Story: The Resurfacing of Monsters named Mann // by Timemaster //------------------------------// The Inseparable Historians' Guild of Gyrphonia Journal of Mann History Lead Researcher, Clyde Dumpher Year One, Month Two, Day Five After having half of the Griffon army charge through to reclaim the base once lead by the now-deceased Nomad Leader (by exterminating every Mann we saw in an amazing trap I'll detail tomorrow) and a few days of scouting, we griffons of the Historians' Guild were allowed to come in. As it turns out, in the camps of the Manns, there were odd documents in a weird language. I am the lead researcher of the species called "Mann", but I had never laid eyes on this. The documents were made of paper, something that is quite advanced, so it is quite exciting! I mean, these beings that look like brutes somehow have an invention that wasn't around until Saddle Arabia had its small enlightenment. In my claws, I hold the document. I understand some words, for I had deciphered them from the armor and tablets brought back through the year-long, and still ongoing, war. So far, I have found that this paper is some sort of message, but not any message. This seems to be a military-type message detailing co-ordinates. Co-ordinates? Why would a species, locked in a confined space for a thousand or so years, need something like that? I don't know, but I want to know. While the army is off killing these glorious beings, I of the Historians' Guild will try to decipher their language entirely. The reason why is not just of my LOVE of the fact we have a new species to study, but also because I am getting paid more than any other griffon in Gryphonia's middle class, even the army themselves, because our Lord wished it to be. I do not know why he is paying me so much to just decipher words of a language of a species that we will inevitably eradicate, but I do not (and cannot) question him. I have realized I should never publish this book until I am deader than dead. From what I can tell with my current observations, and those of some other historians who came, is that we can conclude, without a shadow of a doubt, that the Manns are about on our technological level—minus the flying vehicles and canons... I hope. Signed, Clyde D. The Inseparable Historians' Guild of Gyrphonia Journal of Mann History Lead Researcher, Clyde Dumpher Year One, Month Two, Day Six Alright, nothing much happened today other than some more decoding. So far, the other historians and I have decoded a location of one of the Manns bases, but it doesn't mean much. I mean, it took an army of us to surround and kill off only 100-200 Manns. You see, the army had set a trap and the Manns took the bait. The trap activated a bright light, which effectively blinded the one-eyed beasts, and then a whole legion of crossbowgriffons wiped out the Mann groups. It wasn't really that spectacular, or so the army says because I was not there, but the griffons who were there said that, even in their number, they felt fear chill up and down their spines repeatedly after the slaughter. They said something about the eyes terrified them. One of the scouts on the beach also uncovered the journal of Jables while I was asleep, and it was interesting to read. I mean, why did this intelligent captain suddenly go mad for a second then go back to sanity in a span of a few seconds? Was it the Manns who did such a thing to his mind? More Quesitions, less answers, more deciphering, everyday. I will go to sleep now, for I have cleaning duty tomorrow. Signed, Clyde D. ☺ The Inseparable Historians' Guild of Gyrphonia Journal of Mann History Lead Researcher, Clyde Dumpher Year One, Month Two, Day Eight I am not used to this weather. Even now, in my 'warm' bed, my beak hardens and my feathers freeze at the roots in a painful manner. I did not accomplish any decoding, but my friends have decoded an important name from the paper. The name, of either a person or a weapon, was the equivalent of "Mann-Lord Flames". Odd name, even of a weapon, but this is an alienated species, so it should not be that surprising. (Green Smudge) Dangit. I sneezed in my bloody journal! Ugh, I guess I will sign off. Signed, A sickly historian. The Inseparable Historians' Guild of Gyrphonia Journal of Mann History Lead Researcher, Clyde Dumpher Year One, Month Two, Day Ten Alright. I am better now, my friends, so let us continue on documenting my daily journey in this land of Mann. Well, it seems that we have nearly decoded the entire document. It does reveal that the name we mentioned earlier was one of a living being, but not a Mann. Usually a Mann's name includes a symbol signifying their position in their clan, or group, but there is none for this particular character. "Mann-Lord Flames" is quite a peculiar and powerful name to give to a non-Mann, so us historians are wondering if this was a deity. In the same document, though, it acts as if Flames is a currently living being. Perhaps it is an emperor or something? That'd be cool to study. I mean, we already know they have a military hierarchy of sorts, I wonder if they have a government or are just tribal? Oooh so much to learn! Signed, A healthy historian. The Inseparable Historians' Guild of Gyrphonia Journal of Mann History Lead Researcher, Clyde Dumpher Year One, Month Two, Day Twelve Yesterday was a mess. It turns out that the construction on the newest wing of the base was planned for next month, but was put on the wrong date—yesterday. It took us a lot of effort to try and get the darn things in storage for the constructors to use next month. It was like playing that videogame that I loved as a lad, except even more anger-inducing. Also, today, a scout found something interesting. The scout found a decorated cave, but for some reason, it was deserted. He said that it contained artifacts so heavy, he could only carry one. What he brought back was a staff, but it had some magical residue on it, as if it was used by a caster. Does this mean that the Manns have magic? I really hope not, but just the fact that they MAY have magic is scaring me. I am inside a heavily upgraded (since the last group) compound, with walls nearly impenetrable, even by cannon, but I am utterly horrified, but intrigued. Maybe they used the magic to escape their prison? Maybe. It seems many of my friendly historians agree that this, this place we are in, is becoming more and more insecure by the day. I mean, after reading about how easily the Nomad squad fell, with their crossbowgriffons being shot down easily, I thought the Manns were just brutes skilled at hunting things—but now they have magic? How? I have asked many of my friends, but every hypothesis we gave just gave us more things to fear. I don't know if I am completely safe anymore. Signed, Clyde Dumpher The Inseparable Historians' Guild of Gyrphonia Journal of Mann History Lead Researcher, Clyde Dumpher Year One, Month Two, Day Thirteen A scout found the boat that probably killed the Nomad leader today. Although his body was never found, the book did have a speck of blood on it. The army had flown off in mass, hoping to destroy the vessel. The scout was shot at, but oddly, they let him live. How do I know they let him live? He said that the sky was clear, there was no strong winds, and they were looking straight at him with deep, blue eyes. But that is not the frightening part. The scout said that one of the Manns was holding a staff akin to the one we own, except it glowed the moment he was near. That is freaky. I guess it is nightmares for me, then. Signed, Scardy Cat Clyde Dumpher The Inseparable Historians' Guild of Gyrphonia Journal of Mann History Lead Researcher, Clyde Dumpher Year One, Month Two, Day Fourteen The scouts found a party of ten humans closing in on our location. Like the last scout from the Nomad's group, they let him live. He lost a talon, though, which is disheartening. He said that the look in their big, pronounced, blue eyes felt odd. He felt like the beings had absolutely no fear, surprise, or any bad emotion of him being there—as if they knew. Did they spot the scout first, just waiting for them to arrive? He also talked about their armor. They wore plated white and grey armor, their helmets like a knights. He also stated that four carried large battle-axes on their front and javelins on their back, while the rest were crossbowmanns, but he said that one of them had an odd shaped javelin. Last time a scout found something, it was bad news to the griffons here... I am leaving this place tomorrow. I am going to start packing. I- I just couldn't handle even being in a building knowing Manns were arriving before defenses were made. Yes, they haven't even finished the damned defenses. They only have a few crossbowgriffons, an alchemist, and a few speargriffons. This place is so dead, but sadly, the evacuation blimp is broken due to a piece of hail slamming against something, i dunno. I guess I will have to fly away on my own power, tomorrow. Signed, Clyde Dumpher The Journal of Me Year Two, Month One, Day One My talons hurt, so I don't want to write, although, this situation makes me want to write. I mean, It is freaky to find the book of a long-dead griffon at the bottom of a slaver's ship that hit the rocks off our coast, especially after reading what was going on during that time, right? Kind of saddening that he did not make it, no? Happily, I can report that he is, indeed, dead and not a slave. Although that is not true for my brother... Me and my friends have been excavating these lands for quite some time, and we needed something to write down our adventures, so why not this nearly-empty journal? We have found many valuable metals that can be used for our casters, crossbows, and battle-axes that we may be awarded a lot from our leader! Sadly, more our enemy is closing in. A whole party of rebellious Manns of the Cergat tribe across the river has caused us much harm these last few days. They got my brother last month, and I want him back. Sadly, though, I am not a good caster yet. Happy I am to report, though, that the army of Gryphonia has conquered about half of the Cergat's land. That means they are weak, and can easily fall to me. Oh, I did not even put my description in the journal, silly me. I am Me Gerge, of the Gerge tribe, and we are griffon-hunters. In fact, we have attached some of their sharp, oddly durable, claws onto our own fingers! Sadly, as I said before, my talons are weakening... Oh, the leader is coming! I wonder what he has to say? Aww, he told me to throw away the journal, for only true casters should write. Damn him and his awesome, piercing, red eyes that intimidate me so... if only I could blast him with his own twisted staff. Welp, I will put this journal in an indentation on the Equestrian ship that we stole quite some time ago (that was nearly lost countless times). Hopefully someone else who has re-learned Equestrian writing will read this journal. Signed, Me (true name not disclosed in order to not die) ☺