[Well, this is unusual. The scroll comes on, revealing a middle-aged, stocky green stallion, with slicked back dark brown hair and a pencil mustache. He would seem tobe an otherwise normal pony - nothing outwardly odd or ominous. For those who deigned to go to the movie premiere, however, there is no doubt who this is.

This is Tom Shanks.

And he's beaming.]

Howdy, my friends! That's how Ponyville talks nowadays, right? Well, in any case, this is Tom Shanks, owner of Placeton and Quarterhorse Quarterly, with a special announcement! We're expanding again!

[Why does he look so happy. Why is he telling the off-worlders.]

And we've found the perfect place to do so. See, I've wanted to expand my business to the smaller towns, spread the truth and beauty I've come to find recently, but I just can't seem to do it without a significant presence. So, I've decided to buy up some lands that were in lien - don't worry yourselves about what that means, by the way - to make a brand new production lot right here in Ponyville!

[Waving his hoof, he moved aside, revealing a curtain. An unlucky assistant pulled it, revealing a large sign with a before and after picture. The after picture is a sprawling mecca of buildings, studios, and even a mini theme park clearly designed with Quest for Canterlot in mind. Its, for pony standards, impressive and advanced?

The before side?...looks...an awful lot like Satyagraha Farm.]

We'll have the legal niceties wrapped up by the end of the week. I've already put a bid on the place, and I believe I'll be able to bring my dream of truth to Ponyville at long last.

[A pleased, deep breath of contentment. Then he comes back to the scroll again, his voice flat as he stares.]

Oh, also, to the squatters on my land? You have a week to pack up and leave before I start razing. Nothing personal, just progress.

Is on, Alpha! [Someone calls from out of the frame of the shot that shows a massive, St. Bernard-esque Diamond Dog sitting atop a stone and crystal throne. His collar is studded with intricate gem patterns, and his green and much less ratty than the ones that the average Diamond Dog might be seen in. He lifts his snout regally before speaking.]

I, Alpha, extend greetings from the Kingdom of the Diamond Dogs to all of Equestrian ponies. Many years we have lived beneath the lands, minded its gems, worked hard to tunnel and explore and build our culture. But maybe we stay too far from the sunlight. Is long time coming, but We have talked with the pony princesses, all pony princesses, and arrange for diplomacy. Dogs trade gems and goods, allowed to travel safe above ground, and ponieses are safe below where we call home.

I say thank you to all ponies for help with sleeping sickness. But thank you most to Luna, Captain Celestia, Wondrous Bolt, Littlepip, and Pyrrha. Will always be friends to Diamond Dogs and are welcome to call on Alpha at all times.

As ambassadog, I name Ruby. [He makes a come-hither motion and a grinning Irish setter-esque Diamond Dog appears. Her collar is, helpfully, studded with rubies for identification purposes.] If ponies come to mines and have questions or want things, Ruby gives directions and helps. All Dogs will help if they can, but some maybe are not enthusiastic like Ruby. [Ruby's tail is wagging as she waves.] It takes long time to build bridges over deep ravines. We will try, though. And hope that all is well. Ponieses have Dogs to call on as allies in fight against anyone, especially the one who makes Dogs disappear in rainbows.

[Ruby's enthusiastic waving halts along with her wagging tail. She droops a bit and Alpha seems very solemn.]

Good luck to all.


((OOC: Please see this post for more information on what's going on with the Diamond Dogs and Mines.))

[Good morning Equestrians! The sun is shining, the leaves are on the ground, the cool air abounds - it must be fall now!

And what better way to celebrate fall than to have someone randomly set up a carnival with stands outside town? No? That's not enough to get you excited? Well, then, how about a dozen horse drawn carriages with giant kegs in them? How about all the polka and accordion music in the air? How about if the stallions were wearing this and the mares were wearing these and all of the ponies in this group have heavy Germane accents and jaunty traditional Tirolerhüte hats?]

Ah, wilkommen, little ponies!

[If you hadn't guessed yet what is going on, the large chestnut pony who is the leader is now running through town, announcing themselves.]

Everypony, Ve ver going to travel to ze Manhatten, from Mulenich, Bavannia, Germaney. But ve vere in Canterlot during ze battle! Sehr gut! It vas sehr gut! Ve decide to come back here, ja? And ve decide to name the newest cider after your valiant efforts!

Behold! Ze Pale Pony Lager! Come have some! Come one, come all! Let us celebrate again die Zweisen!

IT'S OKTOBER!!

((OOC: And its our 18 month anniversary! Wow, we made it this long? And we have another proper Oktoberfest for the rest of the week! Eat, drink but not too much, Mulenich Oktoberfest ciders are legendary for their high ABV, ride rides, and be merry! Dress up in traditional clothing and put on jaunty hats! Its all up to you guys and its all totally optional! This is our little way of saying thank you for supporting us, and here's to another year and a half for great fun for everyone!))

Communication is the key to any relationship, even friendships! Griffaltar might be closed to visitors, but there is still mail that passes between Equestria and the Griffon stronghold. No one is silly enough to try to stop that. Anything you'd like to touch base on?

[[OOC: This is a catch-all log for those who wish to exchange letter correspondence with the Cloudy With a Chance of Griffon NPCs. You may have your character send a letter to any of the griffons, though letters addressed to Ironclaw or Stormy Skies will receive replies your characters may not like. The time for these correspondences is nebulous. These can be back-dated, in the present, or in the future. Whatever would be most convenient for your character.

Please put the name of the griffon (Ironclaw, Sunshine, Stormy Skies, or Cerulean) your character is addressing in the subject line of your post. If it is multiple griffons, please put all of their names.

You may also even address a letter to Easy Lift if you want to break the monotony of her prison life!]]

[It's odd that Yukiko turns on the scroll unless something was wrong. But this time, it's to pose a question. One that...has been bugging her for a bit.]

Hi everyone, I've been thinking about something for a bit and it sounds really odd. But haven't you noticed that more newcomers come and we seem to repeat everything over and over about the world and events that have happened? But then I was thinking: why not we make something like a guide?

We can put down the general information about Equestria and what's been going on and maybe something about helping them out like that fund one of the ponies mentioned. I'm not too good at planning something like that but I couldn't help but think about it.

So...what do you think?

MY FELLOW EQUESTRIANS!

[Good morning! Princess Luna is on the scrolls, and she seems to be in Celestia's room. Its...very bright and golden, with several wall-sized bright mirrors behind the moon princess reflecting the light of the rising golden sun.

The room is also quite spotless, and everything is in order - including Celestia's crown, sitting very neatly on her bed pillows.]

It appears our sister has made a rather grievous mistake. Several days ago, she left a note for us, stating she was had to leave expeditiously, and was thus spending time with the Element bearers as part of an urgent, much-needed vacation. But it appears that in her haste to leave, she forgot something very important: her toothbrush and toothpaste!

[At this, a gold-plated mechanical toothbrush floated up into view.]

I know it is possible that she may have bought a travel toothbrush. And also a travel crown and clothing since she left those here too. Also her scroll since that is what we're using right now. And...actually, I don't think she bothered to pack anything. HOWEVER, travel clothing is easily obtained, and she perhaps wishes to be incognito, so leaving her crown makes sense. But travel toothbrushes are not as effective as regular toothbrushes!

This really cannot be stressed enough! Plus, it is oddly unlike her to forget such a basic essential as her toothbrush which cleans between her tooth crevasses so efficiently! And not cleaning them efficiently causes dreadful cavities! We doubt our sister would want to explain to her dentist that she ended up with such because she forgot to use her regular toothbrush for an extended period of time, correct?

If it is at all possible, would someone please relay this message of worry to our sister, in whatever guise she's decided on, so she might get a proper toothbrush? We...er, I'd greatly appreciate that.

[When the scroll flares to life this time, it's Ironclaw with a surly-looking Easy Lift at his side who are on the screen. The mare's wings have been pinned by a harness and Ironclaw has hold of a length of rope that's attached to said harness. He's keeping the mare on a tight leash, but other than looking annoyed, Easy Lift appears unharmed.]

I wished to extend a thank you and farewell to all who assisted in our efforts to retrieve our weather gem. You are friends of Griffaltar. I am leaving Ms. Lift in Equestrian custody for politicians and bureaucrats to fight out what extradition there might be. I trust she'll be enjoying a very long prison term, wherever she might end up. I-

[Easy Lift interrupts.]

They're bullies! They're liars, and they're cheats. Do you know why I stole that gem? It was to watch them twist. Griffon weather magic? You can't manage anything without the magic of the pegasi! I've heard the zebra tales, traveled to their lands. Now all of Equestria knows that griffons don't have any real magic of their own. You just play at it. And that's all you'll ever do!

[Ironclaw lets her rant, staring on passively. Clearly, he has no problem with the pegasus having her say in matters.]

This has been a very educational visit, if nothing else. We will be departing in a few hours, first to help the pegasi return Cloudsdale to its rightful place, then on to Griffaltar. For all those who helped, I trust you'll notify my government, should they come asking, that I was as recalcitrant and unhelpful as possible. I would appreciate that very much.

My officers and I will be handing back these scrolls in a little while, but we'll be available for a short while, should you wish to reach us.

[[OOC: This will be the last scroll post with the griffons. Please put the name of the griffon you'd like to talk to in the subject line if it is someone other than Ironclaw. He will be available along with Easy Lift for one last round of chatter, of course!]]

[When the scroll flares to life, it's Ironclaw once more. His expression is grim.]

We have completed our search of the Griffaltar weather factory without success. There are several ponies we still intend to question, but there were a number of ponies offering to investigate alongside us. I was hoping, perhaps, that you might have uncovered something in your own hunts while my officers were more heavily focused elsewhere.

[[OOC: This is a post for information sharing. PLEASE feel free to threadjack, start a conversation among multiple characters, theorize. Several ponies have valuable information. Let's try to piece it together to identify the most likely suspects!]]

[From the Night Market, the zebra addresses the scroll in solemn tones. No chance for imagery and visual trickery today, not when the scrolls portray it so poorly. This would be better addressed in person, but for that there is little time or opportunity.]

A tale passed down through countless years
Now needs to reach your willing ears.
Listen, my friends, for I shall tell
A story that is a lesson as well.

In ancient times before any you know
Thousand of years, perhaps ten thousands ago
Before the term 'country' was even coined
The lands we know were all together joined.
Unlike modern times, where division is the norm
The land was not divided by type or by form.
On any day you'd meet any manner of creature
And so common was this, you'd find it no strange feature.

Then, as now, the pegasi
Controlled the weather with swift wing and keen eye.

The day then came when a great earthquake
Caused the land to shatter, to smash and to break!
The various pieces of earth shifted
And slowly but surely, separately they drifted.

At first this was no great tragedy.
Wings and a will could cross the small seas.
But day after day and year after year
They separated, going to far from near.
With pegasi no longer able to fly
Across the great expanses of sky
The weather in other lands grew quite unstable,
Uncontrolled as it was, for none others were able.
The pegasi tried
(That cannot be denied)
But the distance from their kin
Wore them out, did them in.

So the pegasi scholars sought to devise
A better solution to tame the skies.
The answer came from the wise, twisted brain
Of a pegasus, legend tells, named Windward Rain.
This ingenious mare had two pony comrades
Who helped her, inadvertently, with one of their fads.
Crazy Eights, a unicorn, had used her power
On the gems Emerald Miner, the earth pony, could shower
Upon her, thanks to the riches of her mines.
These gems could hold spellcraft, in runes or in lines!
Even pegasi or earth ponies could then cast that small spell.
The idea is clear, but still I shall tell
That Windward Rain took this thought
Back to the scholars, and not
Without tireless effort
(And perhaps a little sport)
Did they at last create
Three gems they deemed great!

They gave two of the three
To Griffaltar, to be
A symbol of faith and trust
To the griffons, who must
Now use its power to tend
The weather, where their friend
Pegasi weren't present
And help keep it pleasant.

The third, I add as a matter of course
Went to the zebras, whose magical force
Could draw out the spell
As equally well.

I trust you will find this tale helps keep you abreast
Of the history behind events of local interest.

[When the scroll flares to life, it reveals a dour-looking griffon with black feathers, green eyes, and a blue-gray body. He is pacing, looking up occasionally at the scroll. Even from the limited view, it's clear he has a limp. It becomes apparent why a moment later when he moves farther away, sits down on his haunches and glares at the scroll viewer. From just below his elbow down, his right foreleg is missing. In its place is an iron rod with spikes at the end.]

Good afternoon.

[The way he says this sounds more like an indictment of this particular afternoon and its quality rather than a greeting.]

My name is Detective Inspector Ironclaw. As has likely been made clear already, Cloudsdale is now over Ponyville. Myself and my contingent of griffons attempted to move it over the course of the night to neutral territory. We were waylaid by a rabble rouser.

[He glances off-screen for a moment, expression going somehow more stony.]

After extensive negotiations with the Pegasi Council and the Princesses Celestia and Luna this morning, we have agreed to release him as a show of good faith. In return, we are to have the full and unconditional cooperation of all Equestrian citizens in the search for our weather gem. It is a large, blue sapphire infused with our weather magic. It was stolen approximately nine months ago from our factory in Griffaltar. We have made due with the remaining one, but it is being over-taxed and the lands beyond Equestria's boarders have been experiencing severe drought as we have struggled to supply necessary weather.

We know the thief must have been a pegasus. No unicorn or Earth pony would even be able to reach the gem given our enchantments over the area. And no griffon would steal it. We intend to search Cloudsdale.

We also require the new pony known as Efraim Gatsby, Visitor 2-4-6-0-1 to the Griffaltar Weather Factory, to step forward for questioning in connection with the theft. If he will not come forward, we will use what force may be necessary to compel him.

We have no wish to remain here longer than we must. We ask for your cooperation and have been assured that measures will be taken by the Pegasi Council to ensure it.

[Hello, folks! And look who it is - Discord! He's just put the finishing touches on a photo album, it seems. Pictures of him and Granny Smith riding a bicycle together, riding a ferris wheel, having a picnic--]

Well~! This was such a lovely time, but...alas. I think we've all learned our lesson. Right?

And if any of you ponies out there haven't, that's not my problem.

So~!

[SNAP! Remember that strange ka-clik from before, and the flash? Well, that's happening again.]

You're all welcome, by the-

[WHAP. Broom to the face!]

..I deserved that.

[Cue Granny Smith's voice.]

Yer darn tootin' right ye do! I want that giant stuffed pony ye won for me at the fair! So're ye gonna give it 'er not?!

((OOC: And thus ends the very special Discord plot! Have fun~ Characters affected/aged/de-aged have the choice to remember the past week!))