((Time for a big old fashioned fort update, I hope this one has some fun for us.))
Charity's Journal 4th Hematite, 101
I went into labor this afternoon. I'm too tired now to write much, but the new filly, is an earthpony, like her father, and her name is Cinnamon Diamond.
27th Timber, 101
I can't help but feel responsible for Starkey's death. When we came out here, my orders from the Princess was to make this section of the jungle safe for ponies. I have failed, we have hid underground locked away from the surface, relying on Starkey alone to protect us, for too long. It is my fault he is dead, I don't deserve to rule Glitterglen, but I can't trust anypony else not to make my same mistakes. I'm talking with the other architects and masons. We will expand. We will take back the surface. We will make the Failed Jungles a place were ponies can walk in the sunlight without fear. We will not suffer another failure of this magnitude. I will make Glitterglen safe, or I shall die in the attempt. We shall make a fortress here in the northern lands, that can withstand any siege.
Bebmal, Venture's mother, just had another foal, her eighth, and all while her eldest son is still in the hospital after his brush with death. I can't imagine how she must feel right now. The foal is pegasus filly named Kesh Graveldales.
19th Moonstone, 101
Even though I would like nothing more than to start on the new defenses right away, we do need to finish the roads first. Additionally a large area of trees needs to be cleared out of the way. My guard and I have volunteered to take the guard duty for the workers this month, since the militia squads are either down a few ponies, or guarding the caverns. I'm going with them, I admit I'm more than a bit scared. But Cryptson and Khenal will be right with me the whole time, so I'll be okay.
5th Opal, 101
We returned from guarding the workers, nothing has been spotted recently.
17th Opal, 101
I sat down and talked with Ramol today, I have offered him the position of militia commander. He had to think very hard about it. He respected Starkey greatly, and I don't think he felt good enough to take over, but he eventually accepted the position. He went on to tell me about his suggestions for the militia, he says we should break up the bigger squads into smaller groups that can act independently during battle. I am no great strategist, but he was quite convincing and seemed to know what he was talking about, so I let him make the changes he wanted.
Charity's Journal 2nd Obsidian, 101
A cyclops has been spotted in the jungle, he's been seen making his way toward Glitterglen. While he shouldn't be a threat to the militia, being unarmed and unarmored, he could still hurt an unprepared pony. We have put the fort in lock down and are discussing how best to deal with the titan.
Charity's Journal, 3rd Obsidian, 101
Ramol is a fool. Starkey always said he was too brash. The Cyclopes is outside our walls now. He picked up a watch dog that harassed him and tossed it into a hill side where it broke.
He now sits out there taunting us. Ramol wants to go out and duel it, like Starkey did with the minotaur. But this thing is bigger and stronger than that was, and Ramol is skilled, but he's no Starkey.
Charity's Journal, 4th Obsidian, 101
The cyclops tried to approach our south door today, but was repelled when he couldn't figure out how to get passed Nicolta's old traps. He was only slightly wounded but is taking out his aggressions on an alpaca just outside the walls, it's screams of pain can be heard here in the entrance.
One of our militia member's lost patience and broke ranks, surprisingly it wasn't Commander Ramol, maybe he's more level headed than I thought. No it was private Berath, a young unicorn recruit. It was sad that he would likely go to his death, but I saw the the Cyclopes actually seemed to be fleeing. I felt it must be a trap and gave the order to hold ground. Khenal would not hear of it and also broke ranks to try and save the recruit.
Unfortunately Khenal was too slow, the brute turned and beat the recruit to death before he could get there, but he made the monster pay for that one.
Charity's Journal 28th Obsidian, 101
Ramol has finalized the new organization of the military. He has broken the two large melee squads into four groups of 3. He requested and was allowed, to transfer, Buzzat (lasher) and Kussad (spearpony) from the guard into the militia where their undisputed skill would be of more use. He also, drafted a new earthpony to bolster our hammerers.
The new orgainization is such.
Commander Ramol Weathercook the Sad Evenness of Lathering (MU) leading Privates First Class Kussad (MP) and Second Class Umril (MU) in the spear group.
Lieutenant Commander Rithlut Primmerge the Sensual Breath of Bears (FU) leading Corporal Buzzat Curlpearls the Ill Summit (MU) and Private First Class Azkob (ME) in the lasher squad.
Captain Peytral Secretwaxs the Equal Ways (MU) leading Privates Second Class Heiro and Bebmal in the axe group.
First Lieutenant Kris Pridecat (FU) leading Private First Class Morul (MU), and Private Second Class Toltot (ME) in the hammer group.
Captain Jaxler (MP) continues to lead the Skygaurd, with Privates; Cornbread (FP), Comnith(FP), Akath(FP), Dan(MP), and Nast(MP).
Also today, Stetar our dyer finished the object he was working on, while under supernatural possession.
Charity's Secret Journal 1st Granite 102
Another year, another kitten for Cryptson to adopt. He named this one, Eggut. Honestly.
2nd Granite, 102
We tried to get to a different part of the cavern a week ago, but found that all routes where too overgrown. Since our woodcutters can not cut all the trees we need cut fast enough, our miners are taking up digging out a series of stone pathways that won't clog up with the fungus trees. L. Commander Rithluth has volunteered to watch over them in case of dangerous creatures.
Charity's Journal 5th Granite, 102
Today was one of the most wonderful days in the history of Glitterglen. You won't believe this reader, but I swear by the Sisters it is true, every word. Luna, Princess of the Night, came to my husband, and Captain Khenal, and his wife Friesden, and gave us such a miracle. She returned Starkey and Otik to us, in brand new bodies. We all met in their old cabin home, and there Khenal cast some spell on me and that let me see the ghost of Falcata. It was wonderful. We had such a meal and caught up with everypony. They'd all been there watching over us all since their deaths. It, it was so amazing to be able to talk to Falcata again. I've missed her.
But most interestingly it seems that these words that keep showing up are related to the Sisters. Apparently, it was Starkey's Element, Honesty that gave him a second chance at life, and Falcata gave the chance her Loyalty gave her to Otik, so that she, Falcata, could stay with her husband.
And on top of all the miracles we had even more good news. Kris and Adamant are getting married.
This has been the most wonderful day ever.
Charity's Journal 15th Granite, 102
DaringSky reported that he saw a large contingency of pony troops making their way up the south road while he was out hunting. They are flying the colors of the elite troops of General Dostob Desserttaper. He is coming. Sisters in heaven we aren't ready yet, and
he's coming.
Seeing as the time has come already, I've had to accelerate my plans. I called Khenal [A lot of writing is just drowned out in black ink here] into speak about something I'd been putting off, and after that Starkey and Otik were admitted to my Ducal Guard. The look on Khenal's face when they saluted him and called him captain was priceless. [more writing, quiet a bit, has been censored] They had wanted to continue to serve, but it didn't feel right to just strip Ramol and Jaxler of their previous positions, so I offered them this work instead, they seem quiet happy with it.
The Events of 16th Granite, 102 at noon.
The militia, Skyguard, Ducal Guard, and Fortress guard of Glitterglen are stationed outside the gates in two lines facing each other. Charity stands in the gate house, in her finest robes. And an army is coming, a grand army, all the finest soldiers in the Shells of Dance. At the head of the force riding on a battered old war elephant sat one of the largest strongest earthponies those present had ever seen. His rust colored fur was broken by numerous scars, and his black mane blew in the wind. As the earthpony reached the military's formation, Charity began to walk forward. As the battle scared pony climbed off his great steed she spoke. “General Dostob, what an unexpected pleasure, we are honored by your presence.”
“You may dispense with the pleasantries Duchess, I'm here to put you back on schedule.” the old general snaps, as the two begin to walk down the aisle created by the militia's bodies toward the entrance to Glitterglen.
Charity a twinge of fear in her voice, “I assure you General, my ponies are working as fast as they can.”
With out anything approaching any emotion the general simply replies, “Then perhaps I can find new ways to motivate them.”
Charity stops dead in her tracks, the safety of every worker in Glitterglen could depend on her next words, and she was well aware of that. “I tell you this jungle will be made safe as planned.”
Dostob moves in quite close and says loudly enough for the whole military to hear clearly, while pointing his right fore-hoof into Charity's chest. “The Princess does not share your optimistic appraisal of the situation.”
Charity resists the urge to tremble and simply replies, “But she asks the impossible. I
need more stallions.”
For the first time in this whole conversation the general smiles, “Then perhaps you can tell her that, when she arrives.”
Charity now with genuine fear across her face no longer able to hide it merely stammers out, “The...The Princess is coming here?!”
The general takes a step back, “That is correct Duchess, and she is most displeased with your apparent lack of progress.”
“We shall double our efforts.”
Once again Dostob smiles, “I hope so Duchess, for your sake, the Princess is not as forgiving as I am.”
The two ponies walk into Glitterglen in silence.
Charity's Journal 27th Granite, 102
We have been frantically trying to get things ready for the Princess's arrival, but we are running out of time, Granite and Adamant have been digging out new rooms, as a dozen ponies smooth the stone they leave behind and Forgefire has been working the fires night and day turning our stores of gold, billion, and electrum into fine furniture and statues for her majesty. It won't be ready before her arrival but hopefully she will be understanding.
The General and his troops have been busy as well, they have enlisted the help of the militia and the entire legion has been combing the jungle's to the south of all dangers, so her path here would be clear.
As with the general's arrival the military set up to meet the Princess. As she got out of the carriage that had pulled her this far north, she stood in silence looking over us all. She had such an air of power around her, standing their in her dark dress with her twisted black crown, everypony could feel it.
I was directly in front of her bowing as deeply as I could. While I was down there she merely said that she was disappointed in our progress, she told me to stand and demanded that I show her to her room right away. I did so.
She, introduced me to her guard. The Captain of the Royal Guard is the cruelest looking earthpony mare I have ever seen. She carries a nasty looking silver whip, and her name is Demora.
Also in her guard were two male pegasi named Tor and Pound, along with another earthpony mare, named Thrash. It strikes me as very strange that her guard lacks any sort of magic, but I dared not question her, especially with the way her guards were all eying me, they were quiet intimidating.
Charity's Journal 21st Slate, 102
Finally some good news. Friesden went into labor this morning. It was long and exhausting for her. I've never had triplets, but from the pain of just having one foal, I hope I never will. But there was something strange, the second and third born were two fillies that came out as beautiful little alicorns, which they named after the goddesses, but the colt, their first born, he, he looks like one of those
things. A Dark Prince! I don't know how that could have happened. A remnant from the demonic activity we've dealt with in the past? This colt's name is Terras. Were this anypony else's foal, I would suggest we deal with it like any Diomedian, but I can't bear to suggest to Khenal or Friesden that they should
kill their firstborn, but if he should grow to side with the forces of Discord...Will future generations curse my name for not acting. I don't know what I should do...Perhaps I should take this to the Princess.
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Topic: My Little Fortress. Glitterglen. (Read 287080 times)