Redhat's journal

11th Hematite, 269

Annnnnd here I am, walking and walking and walking and occasionally flying my way to a little spot in the middle nowhere. The annoying stallion over in the capital (who convinced me this wasn't going to be a trip to my own demise) promised me this would be an opportunity at a better existence in society, a new chance at life and to go on an adventure! Well... I suppose he'd make a half decent salesstallion... the ever so "exciting" adventure has just been me and another 8 ponies walking and walking and walking and occasionally flying for miles on end, not to mention the little foal spends half his time being annoying and asking "Are we there yet?" I've had to sleep in the dirt every day, and we don't even get up at an appropriated time. What kind of pony wants to wake before the sun is even done rising? If I could head back to the nice inn at the capital, I would... also it seems our food is starting to run out. Maybe if we're lucky whoever is running this caravan will actually be competent enough at navigation to get us to our destination before we're locked in mortal combat over who eats who. Well... at least that would be "exciting".

15th Malachite, 269

We finally made it! My best outfit may be ruined from sleeping in the dirt one too many times on the way here, and I've gone two days without breakfast or dinner, but we're here! There are only a few buildings up, though it seems things are getting done in a timely fashion around these parts, though that doesn't detract from being stuck sleeping in these bloody community dorms.... if I have to sleep in a bed next to another sweaty stallion who smells of rotten tomatoes I will seriously pull out my own mane;At least things could be worse I suppose. a bed is nicer than the dirt, and my old best set of clothes could attest to that.  

As for the management in this place, the big word going about is that he's related to some baroness, or thane or grand poobah in some spot off in the middle of nowhere that's slightly more "established" than this random assortment of wooden shacks. Apparently his only credential for being in charge of protecting the lives of others is that his sister is qualified in the running a town. I swear if could have talked to the stallion who convinced me coming out here was a fine idea I'd have slapped him across the face.

1st Galena, 269

So houses are finally being erected, but seeing how I wasn't exactly among the first "pioneers" to come to this spot in the middle of nowhere, I'm close to the bottom of a relatively long waiting list. Well, at least I was among the third wave of ponies ready to throw their lives away, as more are expected to show, so I guess I could be in a less desirable spot on the list. Also i'd like to note whoever invented the tomato juice and peanut-butter sandwich is brilliant. whoever was daring enough to put these two together on a sandwich and serve them is a genius of the highest caliber. not to mention it tastes perfect (to my surprise).

28th Galena, 269

I think I'll try to join the militia. anything would be better than staying outside all day moving about logs to the stockpiles. I've spent some time working with a spear before, so I expect my assistance will be desirable in the militia. Also i heard stabbing things was a good way to release stress.

4th Limestone, 269

Gods, today I watched a pony get stabbed, possibly crippled, another pony lose all his equinity in a primal rage and then another pony beaten into a pile of bloody red mush. I've looked at my last few past entries, and I knew this wasn't going to a walk in the park, but I hadn't expected this. I thought moving away from the big city for a change would finally put an end on the amount of senseless violence, but then again no "adventure", as that salesstallion called it, would be complete without a good bit of bloodshed. Seeing something kill in cold blood... it makes me grow sick of the world around me. I feel out of place almost. and for somepony to gain such bloodlust at the sight of an enemy... the act of killing is something should do with a certain amount of formality and a great bit of reason as to how you justify the act of bringing about the end of another being's mortal existence. Though, too often something like this happens, some idiot walks into a village and tries to rush up to some pony and remove it's legs, only to be pummeled into a mush by a half pony half berserker. The amount of chaos in this world is in this world is simply disgusting.

~Maize's thoughts~ 3rd Hematite, 269

Temperance talked with me some today. I'm starting to wish I had done more than just brush off his questions, but... I don't know anymore. Father was always right... but now I'm not so sure. Next time somebody talks to me, I'll try saying something, and maybe it'll all work out.

13th Hematite

Our first crops are now harvested! It's only wheat, but it's better than naught at all, and it gave me something to do. I had to work closely with Cream Puff, but it wasn't really uncomfortable like I thought it would be. I even tried talking a little bit.

15th Malachite

More ponies. It's going to be very cramped in the dorm, and house-building seems to be slow going. Looks like I'll be sleeping in the dirt that much longer. I'll have to tell Temperance that he can put me back in line for a room so someone else can have a bed to sleep in.

1st Galena

Cream Puff is a really good cook. I wish Father had let me cook, if all cooking is half this good it would have been so much better than having to eat grass and wild garlic all day. Maybe if I talk to Cream Puff enough, she'll teach me.

4th Limestone

Nopony said anything about badger ponies...

One of the new ponies, a farmer like me, was working in the fields when it came... I wanted to stop it... I wanted to leap in and take it so that poor pony didn't have to get hurt... but I couldn't. The military ponies- I mean, the first ones, the Commander and the markspony, stopped it, though. They destroyed it. I'm thankful we have such powerful warriors to protect us. I rushed out to the mare and snatched her up, brought her to the first bed I could get to. Her back legs were torn to shreds... that monster... I hope it suffered as much as Father...

Father…

Woodchip's Journal

The handwriting here is somewhat neat, but blocky and rather hastly-written

Entry 1: So I am going to the Hills of Worry. Apparently some duchess's cousin or whatever has decided to survive a few weeks up there, and theres a good chance the place might actualy survive.

For the record, my name is Wood Chips. I chip wood. Realy well, apparently, considering ponies think that I do it for bits.

Entry 2: So, it's been a week with my fellow settlers. I only knew Venee out of all of them, good colt with a good head on him, but at the very least the ponies here are toleratable. Mostly. Holly is our little tree-cutter, and she hardly looks like one. Case Study is a odd one, same with Temperance, our little duchessesdaughter cousin. Those two look like they could snap at any moment. Flamberge and Crosshair, surprise surprise, are not married, but going by how that rapscallion looks at her in flight it's only a matter of time. I personaly dislike Holly, however. She's annoying, frankly.

But let me tell you about Smoothblock.

She's short, fat, smokes, and drinks. She's everything I should not see in a mare, probably. If that's so, why am I....

Entry 3: Well, I keep getting told I am doing a good job with making beds. Hardly. Stop, Temperance. Stop. I am doing my job. If anything, Holly is working too slow.

Also, I need to talk to Flamberge. Crosshair looks like a nice lass, and in a place like these friends are a dime a dozen.

Entry 4: More bloody praise by the local duchess brother.

Also, Maize has issues. Scary little bugger. Started bawling after little miss F&L complimented her. Bah, daddy issues are a dime a dozen in places like this.

Also, considering everypony was doing it, I chatted with our Yak today. Funny bugger, at that, but lonely. Also, our camel has a brother down south who lives with the zebras. Who knew?

Entry 5: So we have a bunch of new ponies.

Also, Flamberge went nutso on a monster who was mauling on of them. Saved the mares life. Blast it all, I am getting the stallion a drink if it's the last thing I do!

Cream Puff's Diary

Hematite 5

It's one of those boring, in-between times, Diary.  It feels like I've put something impressive in the oven and have to wait for it, understand?  Crosshair and Flamberge are getting on like a house on fire, which is good.  Flamberge seems like a rather stable stallion, I think Crosshair could use somepony like that in her life.  I really should get to know him, too.  Another friend is always good.

Speaking of new friends, I keep talking to Maize, and I think I might be finally getting to her.  She doesn't just smile and nod any more, at least.  She told me the wheat harvest should be ready in about a week, which had me very excited.  Wheat means Flour!  With milk and eggs, I can actually get some real cooking done, instead of just sandwiches.  

Hematite 13

Yes, we have wheat!  I've been working on milling into flour and daydreaming about everything I can make with it!  I hate to admit it, but sandwiches are probably going to continue to be a staple in our diets, but at least it'll be on fresh bread from now on.  I wonder if we have any syrup hidden around here.  It'd be nice to surprise everypony with some pancakes for breakfast.

Malachite 15

Migrants!  A bunch of them, too: eight new faces to feed and meet.  I haven't introduced myself yet, but two of them carry themselves a lot like Flamberge, so they're probably soldiers like him.  Seems weird to me that we'd get more martial ponies around here, though.  Despite my initial misgivings about the area, Duskfields is pretty serene.  Still, better safe than sorry, I suppose.

Galena 20

Made egg sammiches for everypony for breakfast today, and they came out perfect!  Even better, Holly came back with a sunflower head in the afternoon.  I like to eat the seeds toasted, but they can also be pressed for cooking oil.  Hopefully Maize can get us a crop of them going soon.

Limestone 4

And here I thought we had managed to escape the badgerponies.  Poor Morning Dew was jumped by one today, and it cut up her legs pretty bad.  Crosshair and Flamberge were on him pretty quickly, though, and probably saved her life!  Even more surprising, they had hardly dealt with the brute before Maize rushed up and carried her fellow farmer to a bed for rest and care by Case Study.  He says infection is her biggest danger right now, though it'll probably be a bit before she can walk.

I really should commend Maize when I see her next.  It was really brave to grab Dew like that.  Everypony was too stunned to do anything, but she just knew there was a pony in danger.

Ad Amici 1.1

Praetorian to Dapper Blade, commander of the guard, and all of my former comrades, may the blessings of the gods be upon you.

I give thanks to Amug and Nokzam, for they have protected me and this group through this travel to Duskfields, the newest part of the Meandering Gloss. I thank them too for your comradeship through my service with the guard, both at home and abroad.

I had thought that my leaving would trouble you greatly, for there seemed no reason for me to leave the city - indeed, with Star Treasure, the weight would seem to be on staying there - but so I did. I write this letter, therefore, to explain my reasons.

My reasons for leaving are two. Firstly, I have always felt a call to serve where I can help ponies the most. At home, though, the chance of my defending a pony with spear and shield are limited.

My second reason is a private affair, and I would ask that you keep it to yourself. Star Treasure - the mare I loved - has been taking up with another stallion. It was my fault, I suppose. I was always too busy with work. To whatever happiness she can find, I leave her.

Enough of that, however. There are far more pressing needs. On my trip here, I witnessed an attack on a Rainbow caravan by badger ponies, which gave me an example. The badgers were well motivated, skilled, and equipped. The Rainbows took close formations to shield themselves from the badger crossbows, but when they did, other badgers were upon them in a rush, striking some down and scattering the others. When they extended their formation to avoid this, they would be struck by the bolts.

To this end, I suggest a new strategy be devised - in a similar situation, our heavy troops would be as helpless. Light skirmishers integrated into the ranks could prove a useful supplement.

To my replacement, in particular, I can recommend the inn on Quaint Dove Street, as the innkeeper is a veteran. Tell him that Praetorian can vouch for you.

Dapper, tell Silver Boulder I've arrived when you see him next.

May Babin give us his gifts in plenty.

Ad Amici 1.2

Praetorian to Lightning Tumble, professional flier. If you are well, I am glad.

I had thought, given our mutual regard and the friendship that existed between us, that I was not likely to be harmed and held up to ridicule for your sake, nor my own lover seduced by you. If her own noble rank was not a sufficient protection for her, then either my own loyalty to Coupledye or the friendship that existed between us ought to have been sufficient to stop it.

As it is I see that she has been predated on and I abandoned by the last pony in the world who ought to have done so. I am accordingly in sorrow and wearing mourning dress, while actually in travel to my next assignment. And seeing that your conduct in this affair has neither been reasonable nor in accordance with the milder methods of old times, you must not be surprised if you live to repent it. I did not expect to find you so fickle towards me and mine.

For myself, meanwhile, neither my sorrow nor ill-treatment by any individual shall withdraw me from the service of the state.

Ad Amici 1.3

Praetorian to Munifex, his brother. May all the blessings of Nokzam be with you.

It is good to write to you, for I am now at my destination. This camp here is disorganised in the extreme. It is somewhat strange to be assigned to a group of civilians, rather than the soldiers I am used to dealing with. They've been out here six months nearly, and they haven't even got a full wall built. Not even dorms, so at least I've been able to sleep under the stars again.

There are two other soldiers here, as well as the other militarily-inclined pony I was assigned here with. Their names are Flamberge and Crosshair. Crosshair's a pegasus mare, uses a crossbow. Flamberge is a pegasus stallion, uses a sword. That makes four military ponies for fifteen civilians. We could certainly use some more militia ponies. A full maniple would be nice, but I suppose we can't have everything.

The important civilian here is Temperance. He is the leader of this group, and seems to be tolerably well-suited to that role. Aside from that, they're the typical civilian stock.

Pass my greetings onto father and mother.

May the blessing of the Gods be upon you.

Written by my own hoof, this 15th of Malachite 269.

Ad Amici 1.4

Praetorian to Dapper Blade, commander of the guard, may the gods bless and keep you this day.

Truly Babin has blessed me, for at last I have been properly assigned to my new squad. I have been given command of this small unit, consisting of myself and the military pony who traveled with me. Of course we have no full squads, but perhaps this will change with time.

It seems there are about nineteen ponies here. We have four soldiers to fifteen civilians. Our first priority is, of course, to get a wall up. If we can get one of those up, we have a better chance of holding off an attack. I have made this suggestion to the militia leader here, a sensible pegasus pony named Flamberge. Hopefully it will be done.

Much still awaits being done. We do not have beds for everypony to sleep in, and armour is still rare. This place is chaotic. We have little organisation, and things are being done haphazardly. But if we can build a wall, then we might have a chance at getting this place suitable for living in.

Tell Silver Boulder that I will write him soon, and congratulate him on his finding a mare.

Written by my own hoof, this 15th of Galena.

Nokzam be with you all.

Ad Amici 1.5

Praetorian to Silver Boulder, architect and mason, may Gasis' blessing be with you this day.

Praise be to Nokzam above, for she has protected us. We were attacked today by a badger pony, and though one of the civilians was hurt, it didn't seem to be too bad of an injury.

It seemed that the civilian, a farmer I believe, was out in the fields tending the plants when the badger pony stabbed her in the legs. It seems the pain immobilised her - do you remember Tribune? - but Flamberge, the head militia pony here, saved her by drawing the badger pony away. Crosshair, another militia pony, joined in the fight while another civilian pony - I cannot remember her name - brought back the wounded pony. At least there's another civilian with a modicum of courage. Perhaps the ones here are not all bad after all - though I do know one (not here, at least) that if I saw again, I would gut without a second thought.

I heard of your mare. I wish you luck with this relationship, and perhaps it will turn out better than mine.

Write to Duskfields, and your letter will find me.

Written by my own hoof, this 4th of Limestone.

May Gasis' keep you and your love safe.

Commander Flamberge Field Journal 13th Hematite, 269

Finally was given permission to work with the steel bars we were given, I did what I could, but I'm no craftspony, still, nopony else even knew where to start.

Commander Flamberge Field Journal 1th Malachite, 269

New civies have arrived, fortunately the soldiers I was expecting came with them. Praetorian and Redhat, spearponies. I had a quick talk with each of them, and decided to put Praetorian in charge of the spear squad, as it's captain, as he seemed a bit more disciplined then his fellow.

Commander Flamberge Field Journal 4th Limestone,269

A honey badger pony attacked a farmer today. I can't recall anything after that until Crosshair was pulling me away from the creature's completely pulverized corpse.

I have gathered that we set upon it, and I killed it with my bare hooves, and I did not stop once it was dead, and kept striking it until she intervened.

I have made inquires and the farmer, Morning Dew, is stable. Her right legs were injured but Dr. Case Study believes she will recover as long as she doesn't get an infection. That is good to hear. Apparently miss Maize was the one to pull her away from the combat. I thought she was just a timid little mare, but I suppose there is more to her than I thought, I should commend her on her bravery when I next see her.

Journal of Dr. Serenity, Doctor of Equine Psychology, Coupledye Univ.

1st of Malachite, 269

We arrived at our destination this morning. Truth be told, when Dutchess Virtue told me of this new settlement - which I've learned has been christened 'Duskfields' - I was expecting accomodations to be quite spartan, but the sparseness of this place is still quite striking. A mere few steps in any direction, and one finds oneself entirely engulfed by untamed wilderness - admittedly quite a liberating experience for a mare who had never before set hoof outside the city's walls.

But I haven't the time to commune with nature right now. I should locate the leader of this venture - a unicorn stallion, one Temperance - and inquire about setting to work. Hard labor and isolation can cause undue stress, and it would do well to begin addressing that before it becomes a major issue.

4th of Limestone, 269

I think I will be postponing my long walks in the woods for the forseeable future.

A badger pony came out of the forest today, and assaulted one of the farmers. I didn't see the attack in progress, and thankfully the local militia was able to contain the situation before anypony else was injured. As I understand, miss Morning Dew is expected to recover quickly, thanks to our resident doctor. However, it's likely those cuts on her legs aren't the only wounds she sustained. I should see about speaking to her later.

Ad Amici 1.6

Praetorian, captain of the hastiferi stationed at Duskfields, to Dapper Blade, commander of the Guard in Coupledye, may all the gods abundantly bless you this day and always.

I thank Nokzam when I think of you, for you have done great things for me by your training and comradeship through the years. In the battle of Mareway, your actions led to my survival, and glory to the both of us.

Today I write to you for two reasons. The first is more pleasant. We had a badger pony attack at the fort. Though one civilian, a farmer, was injured, another (by the name of Maize) rescued her while the fight was still going on (another military pony, named Flamberge, my current commander, had engaged the badger pony). Maize seems to have saved the wounded pony's life, carrying her to the sawbones for treatment.

The second is a less happy one. Though I am in nominal command here, the sole pony over which I am captain is ill-disciplined, defeatist, and seems to see no difference between a soldier and a common murderer. I have no idea why he joined up, given as he appears to have no care for his fellow ponies, nor anything besides himself.

I can tell you, Dapper, that if we were serving in a full squad, I'd have had him hanged as an example to the rest. As it is, there's little I can do. He claims experience with a spear, and if this place is as dangerous as ponies say it is, I have no choice but to keep him.

To my replacement, I have another suggestion. Wine is good, but it loosens stallions' tongues. Keep it in moderation.

The blessings of the gods be upon you all.

Wood Chip's Journal

Entry 6:

Blarg,I feel lonely.

......

Well, I havent had the time to hang out with anyone. Luckaly, it seems like the fort is mostly complete, structure-wise, so that opens up a lot of free time. I suppose it's only fair that I say who I wish to see.

The new solder, Praetorian looks decent-ish. I thought at first he was a wine-guzzling twit that got sent up from the warmer southern coasts, but he's a genuine solder, along with Flamberge. Religious, too. Reminds me of my great-uncle.

Speaking of those two, I was thinking about setting up a party. I have some spare drinks with me, and it's not like we can't use a cheering up. Something for the ponies who have been here for awhile, or just important.

Guest List:

Temperance (Want to see him drunk.)      

Flamberge&Crosshair (Pick out a single table for them, with something mind-altering on it.)        

Case Study ( Need to know him better, probably.Never hurts to know your doctor in the mining buisness)      

Holly      

Smoothblock (Going to put a move on her, Swamp Whisky in tow. Ramol help me.)

Cream Puff (She looks like a fun drunk, anyway)  

Veneer      

Maize (Girl needs a drink in her system)      

Praetorian (Again, looks like a decent fellow)