.I was currently in a library, a very large one for that matter.
It was a trove of information, stacked with literature to the brim. Instead of crumbling books which I had expected, it was a pleasant surprise that each one was intact, if a little dusty.
Since the diary of Celestia was not immediately obvious, I guessed it was likely hidden, a rulers personal thoughts would unlikely be stored in a library, even if this is her personal one. I am rather surprised that Prophet said it was here, why would she leave it behind?
I managed to narrow down that this was the previous place of rule of the two sisters before Luna was corrupted, with help from all the entities hints and 'the castle of the two sisters'. Leaving behind anything of value seems strange.
And half of the castle is even destroyed in some places, this was not simply wear and tear, I don't know why it would get like this. And why in the middle of the Everfree forest? Seems strange to place it in such a place.
I paused from my train of thought to lock onto a lone book on one shelf, I pushed against the side of it to try and slide it to the end of the shelf, but it didn't budge. I took a hold of the binding and pulled from the wall, a click, and a whirl, several gears going off inside of the walls, I looked over at the stone wall that slid out of place to reveal a iron gate.
Past the gate was a dark pathway leading up to a stand, where a ominous book sat.
I briefly wondered if my world really was a book as Voidwalker described it, it would explain the tragically obvious foreshadowing that this is an evil or dangerous item of power.
Dear Scry Fortune
For the first artifact of greater value mentioned by Prophet I believe it may play a role in the future of the timeline in your world and as such it would be best to ask Machina about it. If it doesn't then I would be willing to give an Alchemists Unending Flask. This flask can reproduce the last potion placed in it every 24 hours until a new potion is placed inside it.
Well if it plays a role in the future, you can be assured I'll be taking it out of the equation, it is obvious looking at it with my alternate eyes that it is harboring a corrupting influence, items of power are usually like that, great magic in exchange for loss of sanity.
But if it is that important... I will hold onto it until Machina gets back to me, until then I will be keeping it, make sure to send a courier in the future anyway Killjoy, I want to keep my options open.
I went up to the gate and glared at the small lock, wondering what was the point in adding a secret passage if somep- someone could easily force it open, if it had any security spells there is no evidence it would have been much of one considering how flimsy this door is. I rummaged through my pack pondering what to exactly use.
I made my decision when a deceivingly warm and smooth bottle came into view, inside the black tar like liquid bubbled and popped in enthusiasm. I held my breath, and twisted off the cork, a small brush was attached to the bottom of it, coated in the same potion. With careful movements, I applied a thin layer or it onto the lock, making sure to have it completely covered.
I put the cork back on and put the bottle in my back, I took a deep breath, and blew a breath onto the potion covered lock, the results were immediate.
A sizzling sound was first present, and then a burning, and a fizzling, eventually the lump of metal didn't resemble anything like it was before, the dripping slag eventually became a puddle on the ground, before hardening immediately.
Opening the gate I carefully craned my neck at the surroundings, it was very dark, but I could tell that the stairs were not stable.
Testing it with a hoof, it creaked ominously.
...
"Smokey?" I slithering sound, and out from the dark recesses of one of the book shelves the lizard made itself seen, "Collect the book if you please."
With a slight not, he dissolved again, only to appear in the dark gloom behind the book, he took a hold of it, and pulled it behind the stand, where he appeared again exactly from where I spotted him on the bookshelves.
"Thank you." I took the offered book and stared at it cautiously, it was a very grounded spirit, with likely very specific instructions in order to escape it's confines. I opened the book slightly and looked at the text, the spirit struggled inside trying to set itself free. But it couldn't move an inch, maybe it was limited by how open it's pages are, or maybe this magic can only be learned by unicorns, 'bringing imagination to reality' certainly seems like something a unicorn spell weaver would create, a dark one given the bound and corrupting spirit, but a unicorn none the less.
I packed it away in my inventory and nodded at the familiar who dissolved back into the shadows, likely going back to my home.
As for the second as much as i would love to get a hold of that compass I would suggest you keep it for now as I believe you will need it in the future if my hunch is correct.
Thank you, I will be sure to make good use of it, I have no doubt of the important events those six will find themselves it, now... where would that diary be? With the likely special devices hiding it in passages...
I looked around the room, another being a book would have to be tried another time, for now I pulled carefully at the torches, stamped on a jutting out piece of floor, and it wasn't until I found myself pulling at the chairs did one open up another, this time to a much smaller library.
On a pedestal, there was a much better looking one, on it was the recognizable visage of the two Princesses.
'The Journal of the Two Sisters' A quick flick through the book managed to confirm my suspicion of it being personal, nothing to do with Luna's problems with her sisters rule, or any anxieties in the slightest. It did detail a number of different things they had added to the castle, as well as several rooms.
And the third... judging by its location i doubt its of a kind nature and will gladly take it off your hooves. In return I will part with a Cloak of Baldarian which allows the wearer to assume the form of a wolf at will. I'll even form a clasp that makes it so only you and those you wish can use it.
'The Pony of Shadows' is name that sounds like it was made to scare colts and fillies, 'Nightmare Moon' was the scariest one I remember within these halls.
as for the smaller artifacts ill give a list.
For the one in Luna's old room ill give Elune's Tear (the amulet i mentioned earlier).
For the ones in the Celestia's room Solarion's faith (The counterpart to Elune's tear in that it increases magic regeneration and protects against physical attacks. It is strongest when Elune's tear is weakest aka during the new moon and vice versa) and Solarion's Sightstone (allows the wearer to see an object or persons true nature when held close to the users heart. Unfortunately due to Solarion being a solar deity it has a reduced range to about 5 meters at night.)
As for the ones in the treasury I can trade a number of rings, pendants and gemstones that can reproduce a spell that was used on them up to three times before needing another spell to be applied.
Hmm, seems like a fair number to trade, however the last one may be a problem, do you mean spells as in Unicorn magic? Because if so then it will be a problem for me as I don't have such close associates. Now if I could apply a charm is could be a little more useful, but since those are continuous magic applied to have an effect, it would likely not be apply to be used with the charms like a single use spell can.
Good Luck
Professor Killjoy
P.S. I am familiar with Voidwalker's brand of necromancy and I do believe he can be trusted to do what he says...at least for the bringing you back part. Also I will keep an eye out for these dangerous entities he has mentioned and try to ward off as many of them as i can for you.
I appreciate the help, I need as much of it as I can.
Thankfully it seems that they can only affect the world as much as you can, brought on by the View Brew no doubt, it will become a problem as long as they have the connection... I can only hope that the things they can manipulate will be easy enough to deal with.
Hope is becoming an unreliable quality.
Professor Killjoy is correct the first item can indeed play a role in the future. However, even if this item is taken the events that I believe Professor Killjoy is referring to will still happen with or without it. But it is your choice to make dear do what you feel will benefit you the most.
Now time for the promised riddle.
With thieves I consort, With the vilest, in short, I'm quite at ease in depravity; Yet all divines use me, And savants can't lose me, For I am the centre of gravity! What am I?
Yours sincerely Prophet
Hmm, thank you for the advice then, I don't see how events could transpire without this powerful artifact.
Hmm... it isn't a physical object I can say that much, the clear overuse of the letter 'V' is quite a lot.
And 'In the center of gravity' was the biggest tip-off, I'll be sure to send the message to you once I get home.
Right now, I was examining the several large wine barrels that took up the space in the cellar, it was all rather grand. Looking inside the sisters book, a small part was written by Luna, in a regal midnight blue ink, of a passage way she had built into the large wine casket in the back left. The instructions were simple to puzzle out, two turns left, three turns right on the squeaky tap and it popped open.
The room, was black, dark velvet drapes hung from the ceiling, carpets of great extravagance were lining the floor.
And a satin black bed... the color was certainly being drilled into ones head wasn't it?
A quick 'look' and I managed to locate the devices in question, in a small chest there lay a black and white set of daggers, the common insignia of the sun being eclipsed by the moon present.
This was likely made during Nightmare Moon's identity came in, this 'Pony of Shadows' was likely an assassin hired by the alter ego. Why Luna would write where this place was is a theory, perhaps some part of her was fighting the control.
Too little, too late.
The effects... hmm, one could say they were linked, but have different effects, I couldn't see exactly what it was, both show with power in the amount of perspectives I look at them with.
It's hard to say.
For now I put them into my bag and move on, the day was already running thin on me, and so it is time to investigate the Princesses rooms.
"Hmm... well, I must say the princess certainly was well dressed..." The artifact in Celestia's room was a helmet, one which wouldn't look out of place on a set of battle armor, bearing resemblance to Royal Guard armor from what I observed of Equestrian's military. Only a lot more regal and... powerful than a normal gold set.
It was clear this was made for the user, tapping directly into the affinity of Celestia it is meant to... enhance her visually, don't know exactly how.
The other was a sword, but it certainly wasn't used much, and a great deal longer and heavier than the normal pony can use. It didn't have anything besides a long running 'never dull' spell, and can harness the power of Celestia quite nicely.
Both useless to me.
In Luna's room there was a l locket of some sort, with a half moon that had a face, beads made up the necklace, I was unsure of what it did... but it was clear that it had a fading connection to the moon. If focused just right it would likely be able to move it.
With all of those settled, I made my way to the treasury.
Well, I find optimism to be a good way to keep one's sanity when faced with a vast wasteland of nothing but darkness and decay, but to each their own I suppose. Still, I believe Zecora could be a great friend to you.
Good for you, I wish we could switch places, then I wouldn't have to deal with poni- people.
Speaking of the stripey one, I noticed that quite a few of the others are asking for a certain flower in exchange for various thing, the one called 'poison joke'. And yet none of them thought to give you a description of it, nor a wa--ing of its e----s.
What? I didn't get that last part.
I suppose I may as well then. The flower known as Poison Joke is a breed of lily, its stem is a dark blue, it's leaves are light blue, a vein of a blue the same as the stem running down the center of them and its bulb stalks sharing the coloring of the leaves.
Sorry, go back a little, I think some of the message skipped.
As for its effects, as far as I ca--------th it causes a magical ---------hat affects t------- value the most. I suspect the r------those that touch it is that its m-----------ollen, please don't take my word for it though, a---------nal botanist, scholar of magic, nor even from Equestria.
Great, and just when I thought your messages were useful, this happens.
And a--------ws the recipe------- of its eff-------aturals: Natural Remedies and -----er' a copy of which is in the G------s library.
I caught library, and recipe, that means it can be brewed at the very least.
But back to witches. My condolences for your ancestors, as well as the other innocents, that suffered similarly to the witches of my home without cause. That aside, our water tests seems to be very similar from the little you mentioned, the minor details may differ, but the basis is that the accused is thrown into a lake, should they float they're innocent, if they sink they're left to drown as a witch, the same for if they start smoking and dissolve. Though I've heard that elsewhere the process was reversed, which seems incredibly silly as the one being accused would die either way.
As I said, they were very backwards, I managed to escape by chewing through my ropes and confusing them by shouting 'what if one of you were the magic user, who didn't tie my ropes straight', you can imagine relationships went sour.
I can assume that the link with out messages became frayed somehow...
As for another point of yours, the raw magic detection method you mentioned, well, it's moot. In my world magic resides in its own plane, when it's drawn out without direction it returns to where it came from immediately, immediately being unfortunately literal in this case.
Hmm... fair enough, I suppose with such difficult magic fields it is not easy to draw magic on ones own accord.
And as for the things beyond the veil that want you dead. I apologize, I'd offer my help, but I'm kind of... Stuck, at the moment.
But on to happier things. Like a crown! Which is actually more of a helmet with a face and a crown set onto it, but in anycase please keep an eye out for an ornate full headed mask with a crown on it, it could prove useful to one of your... profession. I promise I'll tell you the story behind it later.
~Daideo
I appreciate the thought, and I will make sure to look into the 'crown' when I can.
With the last few trinkets gathered, mostly a cup that holds twice its amount of water, and some set of soul mate wedding bracelets, I was finished with my looting of the castle... nearly.
I put away the diary, and was about to leave when, I found the place the elements were used.
Pieces of Nightmare Moon's armor were left, so I took them with me, only a few shards were left but it seemed appropriate to gather pieces of a soul anchor, they can come in useful later on. I was back on the trip to the forest when the next message came.
Hello Mouse having some fun I see. Word of advice when it comes to the library look all you wish but take nothing much within that are linked to Twilight and her friends. I can not speak on the others but I don't see my self as any better off than you or any other entity, I'm just happy when I can lend a helping paw.
The Cheshire Cat
I will be sure to, I don't dare take something that looks like I'm researching them.
Another long one came, and the familiar style I recognized.
Of course I will keep my words on bringing someone back from the death dear Killjoy.
"Voidwalker..."
And it happens automatically so I don't have to monitor all the time. As for the entities. Well, you might want to use something with 'crowd control' ability. These entities are not dangerous because of their power...after all, they have to influence. Unlike the more dangerous ones who can directly alter certain aspects which I have to deal with before and let me tell you, they are a pain to deal with. But, what make them a danger in the first place were their numbers...As of this moment, I have put up a...universe shield with the ability to remove those with...unsavory intentions from existence.
So, the worst ones aren't likely to bother me, but the subtle and crafty ones are. That's a delight to know, why not take out all the dead lions and leave vampire jackalopes to run into my door.
And to you miss Fortune...You don't have to worry much about me you adorable little thing .
What is with you entities and using that insufferable pink mares face?
You can expect me to comment here and there but nothing too...Huh? Oh, you can shut your mouths you xenophobic fanatic zealots Inquisition. You call me an abomination for using necromancy while you done very immoral things. And you! Your soul is mine!Oh! where was I?
Apparently, claiming souls.
Ahem, so you can expect me to comment here and there but nothing too much...Think of me as a reader who will probably comment on things as the story progress.
I've been told this before, only in the context of letters.
The price of a life was like that because honestly, you cannot give me anything that I don't already have...Those were just some ingredients that when combine with MY magic, will help create a new life for you. Though that 1000 bits were actually to pay Death...He can get pissy when you bring someone back from his realm. Oh? I can bring you back from the death without those ingredients...But, I want you to make a little bit of effort in getting them. It show your acceptance.
Acceptance? You are getting more and more words that make me feel uncomfortable to use. Acceptance as in the inevitability I will use your powers? Makes you seem sure of my death.
You don't really need to trust me like I am your Guardian Angel or lover...I am after all, an outsider that 'read' the stories from many realms...like yours...It help make my immortal life less dull.
Best regard, Voidwalker.
... Just because your immortal, does not mean mortals can't have boring days.
A quick message pops up and somehow, I am able to recognize this as Killjoy.
I have more then a few ways to control large numbers and I'm also gonna call in a favor that Cthulu owes me since I helped out his wife and daughter 5 years ago.
... Ignoring that.
And with that final message of the day, I returned home, eager to rest, it was approaching noon already as I exited the forest with my items inside my bags or slung around my back...
And it was then i noticed a large amount of smog from far off in the mountains, it's taste slightly spicy as it drifted slightly to the ground.
"... It's official, when it isn't gods it's griffins, when it's not griffins it's Ursa, when it's not Ursa it's dragons." I breath a long sigh, "I'm just going to sleep and hope it doesn't decide to rain fire and brimstone later one..."
And THAT, was the end of my day, that's it, went to sleep.