//------------------------------// // Journal of Privateer Daniel // Story: The Resurfacing of Monsters named Mann // by Timemaster //------------------------------// Journal of Privateer Daniel Johnson, the best privateer in Gryphonia, nay, the world! Year Two, Month Five, Day Fifteen—of what I suppose of is, like, a few years after the beginning of this war? I never really paid attention, I just like raiding. I just realized this was red by looking at the pen's side.... Wish I was not color blind (to red only and, for some reason, my mom suffers the same). Well, after ripping apart this long-standing (stolen) vessel, I found this interesting journal. I have already shown the historians this book, and they have made copies, as to prove that Manns do have a written language. I am sure that the original will be included in some history museum somewhere, so why not ensure that I get a piece of eternity myself? As stated above, I am the best privateer ever. No, seriously. I took over this small naval fleet that had amassed over the months, something not even the freaking army could do! In fact, I was granted the title "Great Privateer" by the leader of Gryphonia himself... Maybe I should use that title instead of that long one up there... Oh well. As this is a journal, I will write down some things that happened today, so here we go! I did nothing but sort out goodies! I found quite a few Manna Staffs (which is what the historians jokingly named them) that were used by the Manns to blow up one of my boats. Sadly, though, the moment the Mann carrying it died—the staff itself lost its magic. I guess this means that Manns have magic? Wouldn't be that surprising. ... I don't think much else had happened today. I mean, all I did was sort out valuables, and the scientists are trying to figure out what they are... Nothing much even happens on this boat other than our usual raids (offensive and defenseive), so I guess this may be a quick little journal. Can't wait to give this journal back and get some extra bits to finally buy my wife her own boat—only need 2,000 more bits! (Like that is happening any time soon) Signed, I guess, "Great Privateer" Daniel Johnson Journal of Great Privateer Daniel Johnson Year Two, Month Five, Day Seventeen Finally gonna go sell this thing. Er, not the journal, but this cool little pendent. It is golden, just like the Equestrians make, but it has an odd engraving on the back of it. The pendent's engraving curves in a spiral into the center of the oval-shaped amulet, but on the sides of the spiral lie flags of different sorts. I suspect that it is Mann in origin, and I know from the journal that there is clans of Manns, but there is SEVERAL clan-flags! And guess what is inside the middle of the spiral? Another Flag! The flag in the center of the spiral is highly decorated, and just seemed far more important than the other, smaller, flags on the side. Is this the flag of the ruling clan? I find this so interesting! I mean, even with us being here fore two years, we have not uncovered even the smallest detail of the way the Manns' government works except that they have clans... or... What if they have a feudal society? We have never seen any manors or anything in our flybys (that the scouts lived on), so what kind of feudal system is this? I actually have an answer. This is a kind of republic, where the clan leaders each vote on who becomes the next "King" (or whatever term they may use). Where did I find this answer? I do not know. I mean, I just opened the pendent and suddenly I just KNEW. I tried learning other things this way, but none of done the same as the first opening. I want to know more, much more. I... I just feel compelled to keep this pendent for myself for now, just so I can study it for a little more. Just a little more. Signed, I guess, "Great Privateer" Daniel Johnson Journal of Great Privateer Daniel Johnson Year Two, Month Five, Day Twentyfive I am continuing to study this bloody pendent, but I have made a discovery. When I rubbed the spiral of the pendent in, well, a spiral, I suddenly saw a green beam shoot through the window-less wall without hurting it. I am very intrigued, so I started to fire off more beams. I am beginning to suspect that was a bad idea. Signed, "Great Privateer" Daniel Johnson Journal of Great Privateer Daniel Johnson Year Two, Month Five, DayTwentyseven Nothing muh happened other than a small escape boat was found, but it was empty except with a griffon's corpse. Saddening. Signed, Dan. Journal of Great Privateer Daniel Johnson Year Two, Month Five, Day Twentyeight The docs say that the griffon was eaten. From this journal, I guess you already know what that means. Signed, Dan... Journal of Great Privateer Daniel Johnson Year Two, Month Five, Day Twentynine The pendent glowed today in a red colour. I shoved it into a drawer and locked it, for reasons I do not know. I just don't' want to touch it. Signed, Dan. Oh lords The Pendent is gone. My room is locked, and the ventilation is shut off, but outside I hear the self-destruct signal that only I should know about... I do not have much time before my demise, but before I go, and hide this journal in a water-proof bag somewhere, I must reveal what I had learned. The Manns are too strong for us to beat. Not because of numbers or even their magic, but because of somemann that will arrive one day. That Mann, from my knowledge, will be a king whose ambition would crush our powerless people. But destiny can be changed, I am sure of it. We... you just need to try. I am sure the one who is killing me was a blue-skinned Mann, but that is curious, for the knowledge I saw depicted a blue Mann. Not much time left, for me and my nation. I am going to place this journal into my safety box along with some notes that I wish for you to send to who I specify. Signed, for the last time, The Greatest Privateer, Daniel Johnson P.S. I am beginning to suspect this journal is cursed to kill those involved, be cautious.