Journey from Old Field to New Canterlot: Gradually, the land grows a bit greener. You see evidence of inhabitation and agriculture, and the roads are well-maintained and provided with navigational signs.

<Shadow> Dear Saltclaw: I write to update you on my progress. The news I bear is both promising and forboding. I believe I have gained the trust of my party, even that of the more distrustful. However, <Shadow> it seems that our fear of changeling infiltration has come to pass: New Canterlot has been infested, and even now political figures are being replaced. I do not know <Shadow> how to handle such a situation--you are far wiser in these matters than I. Any guidance you could offer would be much needed and appreciated. <Shadow> Sincerely, Shadow Wing. <Shadow> P.S. Please give my family my love and my friends my regards.

New canterlot engravings: A superlative stained glass window containing an image of two alicorn mares and a draconequus. The draconequus is making a plaintive gesture. This commemorates the stoning of the draconequus Discord by Princesses Celestia and Luna in 425.

A magnificent marble statue of little ponies surrounding an alicorn mare. The artwork relates to the ascension of Meridian to the throne of New Equestria in 3295.

An engraving of Megan, a mythological figure of Ponyland, with a group of little ponies. Megan's left hand is raised in a benedictive gesture, and her right hand rests on the withers of a unicorn pony.

A fine stained-glass window containing an image of a unicorn glazier making a stained glass window. This commemorates the three-thousandth anniversary of the Royal Guild of Stained Glass Artisans in 3011.

A painting of a unicorn stallion in New Canterlot. He is surrounded by little ponies. This artwork relates to the celebration of Bluestar the Brilliant's eka-Irridium jubilee in 2580.

An engraving in the polished stone wall depicts a unicorn archmage and a crowd of Equestrian refugees gathered in front of a crenelated tower. The unicorn is casting a spell. The artwork commemorates the founding of New Canterlot by Bluestar the Brilliant in 2074 AE.

It is a very clear day, with no trace of dust storms in the air. From the hills at the edge of Hackmore parish, you get your first view of the Lake Parish of New Equestria. It is astoundingly verdant by the standards of the Dusts; rays of vegetation splay outward from a huge lake, by far the most water any of you have ever seen in one place before. It shimmers beautifully with the light of the late afternoon sun. There are cities on the shores of the lake, the largest of which is your destination, New Canterlot. Before you, the road descends hills onto a level plain containing the lake and surrounding countryside - it will be easy traveling. (sight distance 138 km, relative elevation +1.5km)

There is an inn at the bottom of the hills, on the road to New Canterlot. The inn has a sign saying, "Royal Inn". In smaller letters below, the sign explains: "The overnight use of this inn is provided to all travelers as a gift of Her Majesty Queen Meridian." Unremarkable stay in the inn. Horseshoe (black/brown, silver horseshoe with a red edge) and Thistle (brown/yellow/thorn with a green drop) are there. (A pair of pegasus mares sitting in the corner of the common room, one polishing, or perhaps sharpening horseshoes. Horseshoe is a right prick and may pick a fight with them, especially with the more timid characters. )

The road beyond the inn is paved with hewn stone.

New Canterlot looks all the more magnificent at close range. It is a walled city, with stone ramparts and metal gates. The immediate vicinity is conspicuously free of suburbs.

(The cloister originally prevented settlement there, and after it fell, it was decided to preserve the area as a park.)

The walls are decorated with carvings, of abstract designs and historical images.

Many of the buildings are stone or brick, with metal roofs, but a number of structures display handsome timber-framed roofs.

Officials may take them to the court..

Court: A stone building, built of local granite but whitewashed, and, in places, chiseled and polished smooth. From the rear of the building rises a cylindrical tower with a crenelated parapet

Prince Daybreak(Pegasus, grey-blue coat, black mane), presiding. Daybreak will acknowledge the authenticity of the letters, but sadly admit that his sister is "not well" recently. There is no trove of precatastrophic artifacts. Daybreak will honor the promises made to Akasha and Discolor (although there is no general physician shortage - they could use more but there is no pressing need.) He offers the hospitality of the court.

Daybreak will deny requests to see his sister. One of her retainers, Jade's father Jasper Jubilee, will talk to the players in secret.

The throne of New Equestria is wooden. It is made from the wood of the ship that carried the first of the Equestrian refugees to Bluestar's tower.

WALDO IS A BROKEN/DEGENERATE CHANGELING

WORK ON CONTACTING PARTY Jasper. Mistress wants to see them. May speak distrustfully of Tall Tome.

Meridian went insane from divination. Daybreak wants to end using it, obviously. He became regent. Nightfall sneakily used it anyway (lacustrine keep approach amulet) Jasper is suspicious of Tall Tome.

The party needs to find a way to get to meridian since tall tome is now monopolizing her and her faithful retainers can't get to her. Jasper does know of the amulet, though.

In pie st: Housing project. A tradesmare (Plum Bob) acquaintance of Jasper's is here. Other conspirator: Diamond Dust, f, Lady-in-waiting of the princess; Fine Print, princesses' attorney; Stirling Specs, a unicorn engineer working on university, the only one who has been allowed to see the princess. (With Tall Tome's supervision.) He smuggled out the approach amulet.

Jasper knows Meridian was divining but will not volunteer to the party. JJ knows M and D had argument in the lacustrine keep and that a precious artifact belonging to M (according to her) was lost. She is despondent over its loss. M gave SS the amulet so that he could go recover it.

stuff from jelle

Name: The Mounted Stallion

Business: Brothel

Owner: Cherry Picker

Location: Old Town

Description: A wooden building with red lanterns hanging from the porches and draped in vines and flowers. Though located in the poorer part of the city, the vicinity is relatively safe from crime. It caters to poorer residents and the guards for all their companionship needs.

Name: Rejuvenation Retreat

Business: Spa

Owner: Sparkling Dew

Location: Royal Heights

Description: A stone and marble building with its own inner courtyard. The spa caters to upper class clientele and is in good standing with the royal family. A wide variety of services and treatments are provided by the specialist staff. The special massages are done in the secluded rooms of the spa, and particularly in demand with some regular customers.

Name: Boutique le Mare

Business: Tailor

Owner: Dandy Dresses

Location: Royal Heights

Description: A brick and tiled business both clean and aesthetic. It sells fashionable clothing to the upper middle class citizens to let them fit in with the elite of New Canterlot without charging outrageous prices.

Name: The Den

Business: Drug den

Owner: "Valerian"

Location: Foreign Quarter

Description: Located beneath a zebra temple and run by a zony called Valerian (likely his pseudonym), The Den sells teas, wines, tobacco and all sorts of alcoholic or narcotic substances. The air is often thick with smoke, with all sorts of distinct but unspecified scents. The 'denizens' as its client refer to themselves behave oddly and are frequently engaged in very strange conversations. The temple above burns a lot of incense and scented candles, masking the odours wafting up from below.

Name: Temple of En-Netsusep

Business: Religious building

Owner:

Location: Foreign Quarter

Description: A place of worship for followers of En-Netsusep of the Dread Pantheon. It is a fairly small stone building. Inside are the altar and idol of the nine headed dragon god. Although not widely practiced in New Equestria, it is open to travellers from throughout the Dusts who adhere to its creed or wish to take advantage of its hospitality.

Name: Portly Porter Tradehouse

Business: Shop and mail

Owner: Portly Peddler

Location: Wharf District

Description: A family business located on the edge of the harbour near the great lake, the Portly Porter will handle shipping and handling to locations inside and outside New Equestria. The metal walls and roofs belie the vast amount of storage of the building. The family has a reputation for being honest, though a bit unreliable at times. They also import vast amounts of travelling supplies and adventuring gear, since their own couriers have much need for it and it has become a profitable side business in the wake of bandits attacks along the outer regions of New Equestria.