>Equestria the land of harmony.
>What woes have devastated this place?
>You step onto the road headed to town, your trusty buckler still clasped to your forearm.
>You check stock before deciding to set foot into the infamous Ponyville.
>Your short sword stays holstered on your hip, a rugged club latched onto your back.
>Two health potions are locked tightly on your belt as well as your parcel of gold, carrying about a hundred bits.
>It’s not much to live on, but in these dark times anything is better than nothing.
 
>Your steps echo through the desolate streets of Ponyville.
>You enter one of the many ravaged homes, boards stripped and materials swiped.
>The creaking of windows sends a slight chill down your spine.
>Is this place as dead as they say?
>You were told a few still struggled, but were here nonetheless.
>Another wild goose chase. Never trust a pony on his fifth cup of ale.
>You might as well continue your search while you’re here.
 
>The cries of crows loom above, likely seeing you as a meal opportunity.
>They can wait all they want; you won’t be going down quite so soon.
>The gloomy town rests under the sunless day, dark clouds covering the sky.
>After several minutes of searching you come across a familiar land, a tavern.
>The Tavern of the Rising Sun. The irony pains you.
>Light seeps from under its doorway, a fiery glow seen through its intact windows.
>Life seems to still be kicking after all.
>You undo the latch and enter the tavern, hoping to find some answers.
 
>The warmth invites you; soaking through the strips of cloth you call clothing.
“Hello! Anyone here?” you bellow making your presence known.
>”I’ll be with you in a second!” a voice replies from upstairs.
>It sounds familiar, but you can’t quite put your finger on where you recall it.
>You shake it off, just glad to hear the voice of another living being.
>You’ve had no one to talk to since your army was disbanded from Westmare.
>Taking a seat at the bar you take a load off, your feet thanking you immediately.
 
>The bar shows signs of wear, the wood splintering at anything more than mug.
>”Sorry about the wait. I was just cleaning the rooms after another break in.”
“It’s no problem,” you say turning around to meet your hostess.
>She’s a pony, cyan in color and sporting a rainbow colored mane.
>Her cerise eyes seem darkened, not at all what you remembered them as.
“Rainbow Dash?”
>A smile grows across her face when she recognizes you, latching onto you with vigor.
>”Anon! Thank goodness you’ve returned!”
 
>You return the embrace eagerly, happy to see your friend alive and kicking.
“It’s great to see you again.”
>”You as well. Much as changed since you last visited, my friend.”
“I can see that. What happened? This place was thriving when I last stopped here.”
>The look in her eye darkens once more as she pulls away from you.
>”All was peaceful until the dark riders came and destroyed our town.” She shivers, the memories more vivid than she’d like.
>”Many were cut down where they stood, and those who took up arms were slain or dragged away to become slaves- or worse…”
 
>The dark riders huh? They sound like Rich’s personal guard to you.
“Why would Rich do that to his own people? It’s not like him.”
>”He’s been acting strange lately, you know that. His war with Westmare proves that much.”
>She has a point. After Filthy Rich became mayor he’d been a kind ruler, but his war was out of character.
>He’d contracted you as a mercenary, his desperation deeper than you thought.
“What else?”
>She recedes deeper into her despair, cowing weakly before you.
 
>“The town hall in the center of Ponyville has been desecrated, and is being used for dark rituals.”
“How do you know?”
>She shudders, “The screams that echo in the night and inpony, but some of our townsfolk may yet survive.”
>The more she explains the clearer things become. Turns out that drunk was speaking the truth after all.
>”Not many of us are left, most have fled or disappeared.”
>You go where work needs doing, and this place is no exception.
 
“Tell me how to get there.”
>”Follow that path that lies between my tavern and the blacksmith shop to find the church and please, save who you can.”
“It’ll be cleared by day’s end.”
>”Please wait. Talk to the others who are left, they’re close by and will be coming out any time now.”
“I’ll do that. Anything else?”
>She shakes her head, “Perhaps I can tell you more when we speak again. Good luck.”
>You nod and head out the door, another pony standing just outside by a well.
 
>She’s a unicorn, intellectual by the look of her.
>She’s a mellow purple, her hair matching with a shaded tone.
>You immediately attract her attention, likely the only stranger she’s seen for a while.
>”Hello, nice to meet you,” she says as you approach. “I’m Twilight, who might you be?”
“The name’s Anon. Pleasure to meet you Ms. Twilight.”
>”What brings you to our little abode?”
>You explain how you’ve been looking for work since you were discharged and came to Ponyville on a rumor.
 
>”Well they’re true alright. Not many seek to come to such a devastated locale, not even heroes such as yourself.”
“I’m no hero, just a man looking for a job.”
>”Whatever you call yourself is no matter, the people of Ponyville welcome you with open arms.”
“Anything you can tell me then? Gossip maybe?”
>”The zebra Zecora is an anomaly here in Tristram. She arrived shortly after the town hall had been desecrated.”
“I haven’t seen her yet. Where is she?”
 
>”She had a small hut constructed at the edge of town, seemingly overnight, and has access to many strange and arcane artifacts and tomes of knowledge that even I have never seen before.”
“I’d never been good with magic and the like, but I’ll see her if I find myself her way.”
>The grinding of metal brings your attention to the building beside you, a metal fence screeching open.
>”Mornin der Twilight, get much rest?”
>”As much as I ever do, have you met our newest arrival?”
 
>The pony steps out from the shadows, her orange skin contrasting with the dull surroundings.
>She has a ten gallon hat with her mane and tail tied back.
>Her leg is in some kind of splint, a scar stretching down her leg.
>”Well I’ll be, ain’t many come ‘round these parts. Come on inside so I can introduce myself.”
>You accept her invitation, giving a brief goodbye to Twilight as you head inside the workshop.
>A pulsing heat hits you as you enter, multiple workstations and tools scattered about.
 
>”Hiya, I’m Applejack, the blacksmith around these here parts.”
>You shake her good hoof, the other shaking slightly.
“I’m Anon. I’ve been told you had a disturbance here, so I’m going to solve it for you.”
>”That’s awfully kind of ya, though if you’re going to battle you might need some better equipment.”
>You’re not exactly the most prepared or qualified, but you’re the only one there.
>”I might be able to fix something up for ya later, need some time to adjust the metals and all. Smithing isn’t my token trade after all.”
 
“You did something other than this before?”
>”Sure did. Ya might have noticed that field of trees over yonder.”
>You nod. You passed through there on your way here.
>”Well that used to be Sweet Apple Acres, best apples in Equestria I tell ya.”
“So what happened?”
>”Drought. Famine. Disease. Everything that coulda gone wrong did. Had to abandon it before we fell as well.”
“Why didn’t the Pegasi just divert the weather like they always do?”
 
>”Couldn’t. Something ‘bout the clouds bein unnatural. They tried, but some things can’t be changed with strength of wings.”
“Sorry to hear. Is there anything you can tell me about this place? Gossip maybe?”
>She peaks her head towards the entrance and ponders something before continuing in a hushed voice.
>”That lad of Twilight’s, Spike, is going to get himself into some real trouble… or should I say again.”
“Who’s Spike?”
>”Twilight’s old dragon assistant, and a friend to the rest of us at one point. I've tried to interest him in working here and learning an honest trade, but he prefers the high profits of dealing in goods of dubious origin.”
 
“Sounds like a little punk to me.”
>“I can’t hold that against him after what happened to him, but I do wish he would at least be careful.”
>You learn that he ventured into the town hall, only to come back a shell of his former self.
>He’d grown greedy from what Applejack tells you, hording large amounts of gold and items whenever he can, only selling them for exorbitant sums.
>Seems you guessed correctly, though he might turn out to be useful.
 
>You say your goodbyes and walk out of the smithy, running into a yellow Pegasus.
>She doesn’t stop to chat, circling you and examining your person.
>”Yo- You seem to be alright.” Her cheeks grow red with embarrassment, “I’ll be going now.”
>You follow her as she flaps over to a nearby house, several bottles hanging out the window.
>She notices you when she reaches the house, deepening her blush, “Oh, did you need something?”
“Just wanted to introduce myself. I’m Anon.”
 
>She seems a bit nervous at first, but your demeanor calms her nerves.
>”I’m Fluttershy. Are you here about the town hall as well?”
>As well? What does she mean by that?
“Were there others?”
>”Yes, a few others came by buying some of my potions and ventured into that place.”
>You don’t need clarification to know they didn’t come back.
“Potions you say? They wouldn’t happen to be like these would they?”
>You pull out one of your health potions, Fluttershy nodding at the sight.
 
>Interesting, you’ll be seeing more of her. Not many have the skill to make such a brew.
“Is there anything you can tell me about this place? Gossip perhaps?”
>You’re starting to sound like a broken record asking the same question over and over again.
>”I really don't understand why Rainbow Dash stays here in Ponyville. Besides her condition, she’s a capable and determined Pegasus who would do very well wherever she went.”
>She never spoke to you of a condition, but you’ll have time to talk to her about that later.
 
>”I’m glad she’s with us nonetheless, her stores of food and water have kept us afloat during these harsh times.”
>You say your goodbyes and head on your way, stumbling through one of Ponyville’s darkened alleys.
>You trip through the alley, stumbling but staying upwards all the same.
>”Can’t a mare drink in peace?” a voice says in a slurred manner.
“Excuse me?”
 
>A pink pony emerges from under a pile of paper and bottles, her hair straightened.
>Her head twitches as she adjusts to look at you.
>”If I was you... and I ain't... but if I was, I'd sell all that stuff you got and get out of here.”
>You can smell the ale on her breathe, the putrid scent of vomit lingering as well.
>”That boy out there... He's always got somethin good, but you gotta give him some gold or he won't even show you what he's got.”
>You keep walking as the bumbling mare tries to keep talking, only to face plant back into a slumber.
 
>You decide to head straight for the town hall, not wanting to waste anymore time with the locals.
>A door opens ahead of you, another unicorn popping out.
>Seriously, you look and you can’t find them, but the second you stop trying to find them they’re dropping from the sky.
>”Oh, I didn’t see you there,” she calls out hesitantly.
>She’s quite calm for someone who’s looking at an anonymous beast cloaked in shadow.
>You step into the torch light, introducing yourself to her.
 
>”Anon. Ah yes, Rainbow Dash has spoken of you to me on occasion. Please come in.”
>You kindly refuse stating your purpose to enter the town hall.
>”Do be careful, those who returned were never quite the same.”
“I’ll be fine.”
>”Many said the same thing, and they were the ones who didn’t come back. Applejack was one of the lucky ones.”
“Did you enter the hall?”
>”Heavens no. I do not have the time or skill. I leave tasks of that to those like Applejack, she’s a great hero of Ponyville. Just ask Twilight.”
 
>You might just do that; it might explain why she’s wearing that splint.
>Regardless, this girl leaves a bad taste in your mouth, though you’re not sure why.
>Maybe you know here as a stuck up bitch from a past life, but that’s beside the point.
>You courteously exit, moving towards the town hall.
>It stands ominously at the center of town, broken and in disrepair.
>The surrounding buildings, or what’s left of them, are minute in comparison.
>A red glow shines through the doorway, successfully shaking your resolve.
 
>You take out your twenty-sided die and roll it onto the dirt.
>Natural twenty! You persevere and deem to move towards the light, regardless of the danger.
>As you approach, a corpse appears at the side of the entrance, surrounded in a pool of his own blood.
>You kneel next to the body, his wounds too old for a health potion to cure.
>You perform a few rites for the soul, opening your eyes to see him staring back at you.
>”Please listen to me…”
 
>You stumble backwards, the jump-scare catching you off guard.
>”The Archbishop Trixie… she led us down there to find the lost child. The bitch led us into a trap! Now everyone is dead...killed by a demon she called the Butcher.”
>His eyes begin to fade as he says his dying words.
>”Avenge us! Find this Butcher and slay him so that our souls may finally rest...”
>His hoof falls to the ground, his blood seeping through his coat.
>You stand up. He waited for you, for anyone to come by. He hung on despite all his injuries.
“Your death will be avenged.”
 
>You enter the room, the source of the red glow unknown.
>The room seems abandoned, chairs and tables shattered, parchment thrown wildly.
>You don’t sense any hostility here, but you have the unmistakable feeling that you aren’t alone.
>A shuffling brings your thoughts to light as you draw your sword, the creature fleeing in shadow.
>You chase the beast down, it disappearing down a hidden stairwell.
>You take a step down, the stench of blood of decay welcoming you to your grave.
 
>You bring your foot upon the brown stones of the floor, the tap cascading throughout the level.
>The scent is weaker than you thought, though the mere presence of it does not inspire confidence.
>The walls are well constructed for their creators; ponies aren’t well-versed in such a craft.
>The grey walls arch delicately, though failing to give peace in such an environment.
>You can’t find any sign of the creature you were chasing, though a small chest lies before you.
 
>You kneel down, observing the tiny box.
>There doesn’t appear to be any danger about, so you decide to open the chest.
>A satisfying click sounds as you lift the lid, a small shimmer appearing within.
>You find ten gold pieces within, quickly stashing them with the rest of your goodies.
>The shuffling returns as you face the culprit, the creature letting off a few guttural noises.
>You find the creature to be smaller and… not a creature at all.
>Is that a filly?
 
>You’re stunned momentarily. Why is a child down here?
“You should really head back up to town. It isn’t safe here.”
>The child doesn’t respond, though steps out of the shadows giving you a good look at him.
>If you could call that a him anymore.
>His skin is mottled black, mane gone, and those eyes…
>The holds of his darkened eyes reveal nothing but anger and blood lust.
>This may have been a filly once, but not anymore…
 
>The fallen filly stands on its rear hooves, tendrils breaking through its hooves.
>It picks up a sword from the floor, balancing itself with the weight.
>Once it’s ready it lets out an array of war cries and charges you.
>You hold your ground, ready to slay the abomination.
>A filly is one thing, a monster is another.
>Using your reach you slash at the fallen filly as it gets within range.
>It drops like a sack of potatoes, all bark with no bite it seems.
 
>You leave the creature as it is, approaching a door just opposite from the stairs.
>Inside is a shrine, the sun’s symbol etched on the top.
>You approach the structure, though it gives off a creepy vibe.
>Engraved below the symbol lies a simple phrase.
>”Strength is bolstered by heavenly faith.”
>You wonder what that means.
>A groan from outside the door catches you by surprise as you twirl around, leaning back against the shrine.
 
>A ding emits from the shrine giving you a second heart attack as you back away from it.
>The symbol falls off the wall, a stone horse head jutting forth.
>It’s toothy grin is chilling, though managing to be wacky at the same time.
>You don’t know how it got there, but you have more pressing matters to attend to…
>A rush in your muscles distracts you as you feel a bit… better.
>Stronger even. You feel like you’ve been enhanced in some way.
>Maybe that shrine’s message actually meant something.
 
>Regardless, you step out the room and follow the groans as you are led deeper into the construct.
>The groans lead you to a small area, a metallic fence cutting off some of the exits.
>Inside you find the source of the groans, another pony, though substantially bigger than most.
>It comes up to at least your chest in height and doesn’t seem to notice you yet.
>This creature is just as corrupt as the others you’ve seen. You can feel it.
>A hiss comes from beneath the creature, alerting the pony to your presence.
 
>A bug-like creature scurries underneath the creature, bearing its fangs and a scorpionesque tail.
>It reminds you of the parasprites that inhabit the Everfree Forest, but this one is just as corrupt as the others.
>It lunges at you, your superior reach striking it down before it could get close.
>The pony turns firmly, a nearby torch illuminating its corrupted, or should you say decayed features.
>It lumbers over towards you, its movements sluggish and inconsistent.
>A bead of drool rolls out of its mouth, pieces of flesh stuck between its rotten teeth.
 
>You move forward to end him, your blade cutting deep into its neck like a knife through scrib jelly.
>Its body collapses soon after its disembodied head reaches the floor, reuniting the two.
>You look over the body, wondering what sort of evil could corrupt these beings so.
>Mental manipulation was an aspect you were familiar with, but forcibly morphing both the body and mind?
>There’s no force on this earth that has that type of power.
>This Butcher must be the source. Once he’s gone you can leave this mess behind you.
 
>A tapping catches your ear all too late.
>Something smashes into your right, thankfully striking only your buckler while you were distracted.
>Instinctively, you lash back, the cracking of bones sounding off.
>You slash again, this time ending your mysterious foe.
>You catch your breathe from the surprise attack, looking down at the pile of bones before you.
>Only bones? Where’s the rest of him?
>More tapping comes your way, as you march forth to meet them.
 
>You turn the corner, getting a full-on view of your foe.
>It has the form of a pony, but its flesh has long since abandoned its body.
>Its eyes are hollow and the pungent smell of evil pours from his form.
>Its forehooves have been sharpened to a fine point on one leg, and carved for slashing on the other.
>You approach the skeletal pony shield first, not wanting to get taken by surprise again.
>It goes straight for the front, swinging its improvised blade with little strategy.
>You merely sidestep and slash, the skeleton crumbling beneath you.
 
>You inspect the body, a small gold pouch with six bits still strapped onto its carrier.
>You snag them and move along, finding a couple wooden barrels.
>Barrels are brown? Cut them down.
>You smash the first two, nothing of substance within them.
>You cleave the second in two, a skeleton bursting from within.
>A parasprite and zombie p0ny come in from your sides, ambushing you.
>You try to back off, but the skeleton manages to swipe you, cutting your chest lightly.
 
>You release a flurry of swipes tearing the enemies apart.
>You spot a health potion, double the size of yours, and snag it.
>More skeletal ponies approach you, your presence drawing them in.
>You strike low, taking them both out, but only after taking another hit.
>It doesn’t do much, but just being hit is enough to cause worry.
>A zombie scurries away, but you manage to cut it down before he gets too far.
>You find a scroll on his corpse, it detailing a few methods for finding an item’s hidden qualities.
 
>It could be useful, so you stash it and move to another set of barrels.
>As your sword cuts into the wood, an explosion blasts from within, detonating the next few barrels.
>What the fuck!? They weren’t even red!
>At least it didn’t manage to hurt you, so you move into the center of the room.
>You cut down a few more of the fallen fillies, feeling a rush take hold of you.
>It’s similar to what you felt at the shrine, but you feel tougher and a light quicker.
>All you know is that you like the feeling, the origin isn’t as important.
 
>A fenced off wall stands at one side of the room, a door on the adjacent one.
>You head through the door, taking on a filly and zombie, neither putting up much of a fight.
>You search the room, finding a sarcophagus and large chest.
>You find about twenty gold pieces and a club that radiates strangely in your hand.
>Is this what the scroll meant by hidden qualities?
>You keep working your way down, finding another shrine, two skeletons guarding it.
>You make short work of them, looking back to the shrine.
 
>”Salvation comes at the cost of wisdom.”
>What a stupid saying. You touch the symbol, a surge of energy shooting through you.
>Like before, the symbol crashes into the ground as the horse head juts outwards.
>You don’t feel any stronger, might have been a fluke this time.
>You head out of the next doorway, a couple skeletons and parasprites coming towards you.
>They’re turning out to be merely a nuisance, something you scrape off the bottom of your shoe.
>You taunt them with your hand, a tingle shooting into your arm.
 
>A blue bolt shoots outwards, missing them by a mile.
>The event shocks you, though it doesn’t save the attackers.
>You look at your arm which appears to be normal.
>You raise your arm and try again, the tingle returning.
>It fizzles away however, leaving nothing to be seen.
>Maybe you need to recharge or something.
>Who fucking knows? Magic is shitty like that.
 
>You find a strange blue potion among the bodies along with another radiating dagger.
>You can feel fatigue beginning to set in as you continue through the level.
>Your wounds aren’t fatal, but still annoy you enough to need some rest.
>A sarcophagus opens with a violent snap, the sound not coming from the stone tomb.
>A skeleton springs forth from within, readying a slash.
>You raise your shield, only to hear a crack befall the skeletal p0ny.
>You find an arrow lodged in its skull, the dark energy unable to keep it together.
 
>The snap must have been some sort of trap, and the pony was just unlucky enough to get hit.
>If it hadn’t been there… you don’t want to think about it.
>You keep moving throughout the level, doubling back to the fenced wall and finding an entrance.
>You find a room with a small gathering of pony skeletons surrounding a tome.
>Using the element of surprise you vanquish the clueless p0nies and take the tome for yourself.
 
>Upon inspection you find it’s a book of healing, but the incantations are too difficult for you to cast.
>The rush returns, this time your vitality increasing substantially, while you feel a little stronger and faster.
>The walls seem to be familiar as you continue onwards, the rooms seeming to blend together.
>You enter the last open chamber, a staircase resting at the far side leading down.
>Another level? Yeah, fuck that.
 
>You loot the rest of the room, snagging a couple sabers and some book of ‘Holy Bolt,’ whatever that is.
>You use your two new scrolls of identification on the sabers, one of which turns out to allow you to attack faster.
>You equip this new weapon and move over to the staircase, a dead zombie by its side.
>The zombified p0ny appears to be wearing some sort of rags, while they aren’t the most fashionable they do appear to be sturdier than your normal clothes.
>You slip them on, the smell of death heavy about you.
 
>The staircase leads down to another level, the familiar scent of decay a bit heavier.
>The Butcher is likely to have to be down there somewhere, and you will not let him go free.
>But for now, you need to rest. Rainbow Dash will be able to hook you up with a room, and you might talk to some of them about this mysterious Butcher.
>With your loot heavy on your back, pockets heavy with newly acquired gold, you work your way back to the entrance.