Pony supremacy is the only truth. As the most beautiful most friendly most magical race, Ponies rightfully hold dominion over all nature.
Ponies are adorable equine quadrupeds; they are usually cuter and more attractive than other species. Ponies have horselike anatomy, though there are many important differences. There are three common castes of ponies. Unicorns have a magical telekinetic horn, pegasi have wings for flight, and earth ponies have neither. Most Ponies consider these three castes to be equal in worth.
The extremely rare fourth caste, the long-lived alicorns who possess both a horn and wings, are usually considered to be divinities.
Ponies have stylish manes and tails, which are made of soft hair. Ponies have soft fur all over their bodies, creating an irresistible sensation against one's touch. Pony fur, hair, and for pegasi feathers, come in a wide variety of colours. On each flank the fur is magically coloured to display a cutie mark, a distinctive symbol that represents the unique talent and essence of that individual pony. Ponies also have very large eyes.
Ponies have a single hoof on each of their four legs. Despite a lack of hands, ponies are remarkably resourceful, finding creative ways to onglipulate objects with their mouths and hooves. Pony hooves are hard, but sensitive, and able to hold any objects like a magnet. Unicorns often use telekinesis instead.
Like most mammals, male ponies have XY chromosomes while female ponies have XX chromosomes. Female ponies possess two inguinal teats, which produce milk.
An adult female pony is called a "mare". An adult male pony is called a "stallion". A young female pony is called a "filly". A young male pony is called a "colt".
Unicorns have a horn which allow them to use telekinesis. Their horns glow with an ethereal light when they utilize their telekinetic powers, allowing them to move objects without physical contact. They are often nobles and scholars. Unicorns are known for their love of literature and storytelling. Most unicorns can cast a few spells related to their special talent. A very small minority of unicorns have more extensive magical abilities, making them great and powerful spellcasters.
Pegasi have two feathered wings on their back, giving them the ability to fly. Pegasi can walk on clouds. Pegasi are somewhat isolated from the other castes, often living in flying buildings made from clouds. Pegasi have unique stratocratic traditions; they are all members of the Grand Pegasus Enclave, and can be summoned for weather-control duties. They can produce gentle breezes with their wings, or powerful winds when they work together.
Earth ponies are the "base model". They are strong and hardworking. Many earth ponies are peasants; they are important as they grow all of the food. Earth Ponies have an exceptional talent for growing all kinds of crops, from fruits and vegetables to herbs and grains. Their strength allows them to till the land and pull heavy carts loaded with their harvests for trade or storage.
Alicorns are VERY RARE. They have both unicorn horn and pegasus wings. They can fly. They are generally skilled in the most powerful magic, as well as the terrible dark magic. It is widely believed that alicorns are immortal, but nopony knows for sure. In addition to their magical prowess, alicorns are gifted with unparalleled intuition and wisdom. Their rarity gives them an air of mysticism and divinity, making them revered figures in Equestrian society. There are currently only 18 alicorns in the known world.
The offspring of two ponies from different castes will belong to one of their parents castes; there are no hybrid castes.
The vast and venerable Principality of Equestria is a Pony nation-state which controls most of the western continent of our world. In Equestria, the three Pony castes (unicorns, pegasi, earth ponies) have, with a few exceptions, lived together in peace and harmony for millennia. Equestria's form of government is an autocratic alicorn diarchy; it is ruled by the immortal alicorn sisters Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Equestria is home to approximately 100 million Ponies, and about 1 million residents of non-pony race. The largest city is Fillydelphia, but the capital is in the mountain city of Canterlot.
Equestria's score on the REGIMEN index is -2, putting it in the "Closed Anocracy" category. Equestria is a developed country, ranked first in the world by GPDI (Generalised Pony Development Index).
Equestria's currency is the Bit, which is based on a gold standard. Equestrian Bits are the most commonly used currency in international trade.
The historical calendar of Equestria is usually divided into three broad eras: PCE (Pre-Classical Era), CE (Classical Era), and ALB (After Luna's Banishment). The Pre-Classical Era is the time after Ponies first arrived on the western continent but before the Principality of Equestria was established; it ended with a long and violent interregnum known as the Discord. The Classical Era is the time when Princess Celestia and Princess Luna ruled together; it ended with the Equestrian Civil War (1651 CE : 1657 CE). The current era is After Luna's Banishment, also commonly referred to as Modernity. Recently, in 1000 ALB, Princess Luna has returned from her banishment, so Equestria is a diarchy once again.
The landscapes of Equestria are beautiful and highly diverse. Because of pegasus weather control, the weather is usually very comfortable.
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| Thalior Starwave's Original Flag (1 CE) | Current State Flag (512 ALB) |
The national flag of Equestria is light blue. The middle of the flag represents our alicorn rulers; it depicts the Moon cutie mark of Princess Luna superimposed on the Sun cutie mark of Princess Celestia. In the top left corner of the flag, there is also a small white six-pointed star, which represents the magic of friendship. When Celestia and Luna overthrew the Discord and established the Principality of Equestria, the unicorn Thalior Starwave designed the flag, which was enthusiastically adopted by the new government. At the time of writing, the flag has flown over Equestria for 3,659 years. Because of this, small variations in the design and colours are common.
Equestria's official motto is "Ex Equinitate Harmonia Amicitiaque". This is often shortened to "Harmony and Friendship".
The Principality of Equestria is an absolute diarchy, with the reigns firmly held by the immortal sisters, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. They are together referred to, in Equestrian law, as the "Princesses Regnant of the Principality of Equestria". Their rule, though absolute, does not deter the land from thriving in its governance, as it is guided by wisdom and a deep understanding of their subjects' needs. The two princesses hold sway over Equestria's political landscape with an iron horseshoe, ensuring harmony across their principality, even amidst the political games played out at the highest levels.
The princesses have a central place in Equestria, that goes well beyond their role as the simple heads of state.
They also use their powerful magic to raise the Sun every morning and the Moon every night. They are directly worshipped in many Equestrian religions; and their names are often used in vain when swearing.
Long live Princess Celestia! Long live Princess Luna! May their glory bless our nation for all time. Uraaa!
Princess Celestia is the radiant ruler of Equestria. She is a divine alicorn pony, who raises the Sun into the sky every morning.From the Sun comes light. From the Sun comes power. It's the Sun up high in the sky, that makes the flowers flower. As a 2,826 year old immortal, Princess Celestia possesses an air of wisdom and majesty that commands respect from all who encounter her. She has soft white fur, while her mane and tail are a regal kaleidoscope of pink, green, and blue hues. Like all of the uncommon alicorn ponies, she has strong wings and a magical unicorn horn; they are white to match her body. Her cutie mark is the Sun. About 2,659 years ago, Princess Celestia and her sister Princess Luna overthrew the Discord. They founded a new Principality of Equestria and ruled together over a golden age known as the Classical Era. When Luna betrayed her and started the Equestrian Civil War, Princess Celestia made the difficult decision to banish her sister to the moon for one thousand years. During that time Princess Celestia ruled alone, and brought peace and harmony to Equestria. In the thousandth year, Princess Luna returned to Equestria, and the two sisters agreed to again rule over this nation together. Princess Celestia has shown an unwavering commitment to her subjects well-being over her long reign. As she watches over her subjects with gentleness and love, her subjects reciprocate with adoration and loyalty. However ponies also fear Princess Celestia, for she alone bears the grim authority to enact the death penalty. Beyond her political prowess, Princess Celestia is also breathtakingly beautiful, more than any sunny day that graces the sky above. She usually wears the following golden regalia: a tiara, a peytral, and four shoes. She rules Equestria from her magnificent castle in Canterlot. Princess Celestia has a pet phoenix named Philomena. Beyond her stated values of "harmony and friendship", Celestia's top priorities are peace, stability, and education. Her personal student is Twilight Sparkle. |
Princess Luna Nightmaremoon is the mysterious younger sister of Princess Celestia; her current age is 2,770. She is an immortal alicorn pony with soft dark blue fur. Her mane and tail are like the vast starscape. She has dark blue wings and a unicorn horn. She has teal eyes. Her cutie mark is the Moon, because she raises the Moon into the sky every evening. About 2,659 years ago, Princess Celestia and her sister Princess Luna overthrew the Discord. They founded a new Principality of Equestria and ruled together over an age of peace and prosperity known as the Classical Era. Once, just over a thousand years ago, she betrayed her sister out of envy, and started the Equestrian Civil War. Luna was banished by Celestia to the moon for a thousand years. After returning from her banishment, she has made peace with her sister. However, adjusting to a world that has changed over a thousand years is a challenge. Luna has a special connection to the Everfree Forest, and in ancient times she had her personal castle there; however much of the castle was destroyed during the Civil War and it was abandoned. Princess Luna can walk in ponies dreams. She is a wise pony, whose speech includes many archaic words like "thou". She smells like lavender. She is more beautiful than the night sky. She presently resides in Canterlot. |
The princesses can grant the title of "palfrey" to their most dependable subjects.
The palfrey Raven Inkwell is a unicorn mare, and Princess Celestia's reliable secretary.
Origins of the Pony race?
Queen Majesty? Twilight Mist? And other Ponies.
One famous unicorn was Gusty the Great, whose battlemages defeated the father of monsters, Emperor Grogar of Tambelon. Even though the influence of Grogar was washed away in most of Equestria, there is one region where his influence has outlasted him. Even in defeat, he cursed the city of Tambelon to resist the rightful pony dominion over the world. It became an unnatural mirkwood where malevolent plants grow, strange animals care for themselves, and the clouds move all on their own. It is now known as the Everfree Forest.
The Discord was a long and violent interregnum.
It is poorly known to modern historians, but art from this period often depicts a strange monster called a draconequus, which has the head of a pony and a body made up of all sorts of things.
The Discord was overthrown by two majestic alicorns, the sisters Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. In this way, the Principality of Equestria was established. At that time Princess Celestia was 167 and Princess Luna was 111.
Princess Celestia and Princess Luna ruled together for many centuries, in what is known as the Classical Era. Each sister chose a location for her main castle. Celestia's main castle was built in the capital city of Canterlot, while Luna chose to build her main castle near the ruins of Tambelon in the fearsome Everfree Forest. The Classical Era, under the rule of both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna was a time of peace and prosperity when Equestria's culture reached its greatest heights.
One of the most unusual events of the Classical Era was the arrival of two monstrous brothers, Tirek and Scorpan, during the year 375 CE. They came to Equestria from a distant land, intending to steal Equestria's magic. But Scorpan soon came to appreciate the ways of Equestria, befriending several Ponies including a young unicorn wizard. Scorpan then urged his brother to abandon their plans. When Tirek refused, Scorpan alerted Princess Celestia and Princess Luna to Tirek's intentions. Tirek was sent to Tartarus for his crimes. After a couple more years, Scorpan returned to his own country.
Eventually, Celestia and Luna’s reign began to show cracks under the weight of public opinion. This led to a deep divide between the sisters, a schism that threatened to tear Equestria apart entirely. Princess Luna became envious of the affection the public had for her older sister. In the year 1651 CE, Luna gathered her forces, and betrayed her sister Celestia by launching the Equestrian Civil War. Her intention was to claim sole control of Equestria and bring about an eternal night.
The moon, photographed by "emkay-mlp".Desperate to end the Equestrian Civil War, Celestia used the Elements of Harmony to banish her sister Luna to the moon. The Civil War ended in 1657 CE, which is considered the end of the Classical Era
Celestia began her thousand year solo reign. Because of the recent conflict, the perfect reputation of the diarchy had been lost. However, after a few centuries of her peaceful reign, Princess Celestia regained her perfect reputation.
In 22 ALB, forces backed by the merchant class established republics in Manehattan, Baltimare, and Fillydelphia. In 67 ALB, the Republic of Fillydelphia was abolished, becoming Ponyland Fillydelphia again. The merchant republics in Manehattan and Baltimare had a different fate, however. They became influential in exploration, forming trade routes with the eastern continent and the southern continent. The rivalry between these two republics was intense, as they competed for these opportunities. Occasionally they even hired privateers to attack the other republic's ships. In the end, Manehattan became the wealthier and more powerful. However, Baltimare began the importing to Equestria of coal from the zebra lands in exchange for the gemstones that are common in Equestria; this would become the basis of Equestria's industrialisation.
But there was also another challenge; many well-respected leaders from the pegasus caste had established the Grand Pegasus Enclave. For years, the Enclave functioned as an independent state. But thanks to Celestia's compassion and skills of negotiation, the Enclave agreed to rejoin Equestria, receiving extensive autonomy in exchange for commitments to defend Equestria and onglipulate the weather. A "Pact of Eternal Friendship between The Grand Pegasus Enclave and The Principality of Equestria" was signed in 76 ALB. In 128 ALB, the leaders of the Enclave swore fealty to Princess Celestia, and became a de jure part of Equestria again.
Thanks to the invention of the simple alphabet in 140 ALB and the printing press in 155 ALB, literacy in Equestria has become basically universal, and literature has taken on a prominent position in Equestrian culture.
Between 239 ALB and 264 ALB, the Grand Pegasus Enclave built the Weather Factory, founding the mobile cloud city of Cloudsdale to service it. After this, the Enclave gradually became focused on weather control instead of military defence, except for a small but elite Airhorse which is permanently under the command of the Princesses Regnant of Equestria.
In 799 ALB, Princess Celestia and the Equumenical Council passed the Industrialisation of State Revenue Act, which established major state-owned corporations for the purposes of generating revenue for the Equestrian state and developing infrastructure and modern heavy industrial production. In 854 ALB, Princess Celestia passed the Working Class Organisation Act, which legalised trade unions in industry owned by nobles and merchants, overruling objections from the Equumenical Council.
According to legends, "the Mare in the Moon, myth from olden pony times. A powerful pony who wanted to rule Equestria, defeated by the Elements of Harmony and imprisoned in the moon. Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about nighttime eternal." In the year 1000 ALB, exactly as was prophesised, the exiled Princess Luna was returned to Equestria by unknowable cosmic forces, after a thousand years of banishment. In a twist that none had foreseen, Twilight Sparkle and her friends wielded the Elements of Harmony, freeing Princess Luna from her envious intent and taking away some of her dark powers. Princess Luna then reunited with her sister Celestia. Together they forged a new path forward, one that would see their diarchy restored and harmony once more reigning over their beloved land.
Equestria has lived in Harmony for over a millennium under the guidance of Princess Celestia. With the help of brave ponies like Twilight Sparkle and her friends, and using the magical power of friendship and forgiveness, the nation of Equestria has recently triumphed over many minor threats. However, circumstances seem to be changing, as Equestria's enemies have roused themselves and are now a credible threat. The peace-loving nation of ponies finds itself in a new world with foes at their borders, but also among themselves. How will Equestria approach the troubling times ahead? And even if Friendship and Harmony still save the day, what forms will they take in an age of conflict?
In administrative divisions, the Principality of Equestria is mostly divided into ponylands.
There are also two "republics", the Republic of Manehattan and the Republic of Baltimare, and one "enclave", the Grand Pegasus Enclave.
| Olenia | - | - | - | Ponyland Whinnypeg | Ponyland Crystalatvia | - | - | - | Ponyland Stalliongrad | - | - |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Ponyland Neighjing | - | - | Ponyland Trottingham |
| - | Ponyland Whitetail | - | Ponyland Gauchevale | - | - | Ponyland Unicornia | - | - | Republic of Manehattan | - | - |
| - | Ponyland Vanhoover | - | Ponyland Paardenstal | - | Ponyland Canterlot | - | Ponyland Fillydelphia | - | - | - | - |
| - | - | - | - | - | Ponyland Applewood | Everfree Forest | Ponyland Prancesylvania | - | - | - | - |
| - | Ponyland Coltifornia | - | Ponyland Somnambula | - | - | - | Ponyland Hoofington | - | - | - | - |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Republic of Baltimare | - | - |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Major cities include Fillydelphia and Manehattan. The capital is in Canterlot.
The Equumenical Council, an assembly of ponies who are more concerned with fancy galas and tea parties than actual governance, is Equestria's unicameral parliament.
Equestria uses an incomprehensible mix of direct and indirect systems to elect deputies to the Equumenical Council.
The general public is often apathetic towards politics, suggesting a lack of drive for major ideological shifts.
| Equumenical Council | |
|---|---|
| Conservative Harmony Alliance | |
| seats |  House FancypantsLoyalty: ★★★★★ Ideology: Pony Supremacy, Alicorn Autocracy des des des |
| seats | Magocratic-Hippocratic Party Loyalty: ★★★★★ Ideology: Pony Supremacy, Alicorn Autocracy des des des |
| seats | Baltimare Mercantilist Party Loyalty: ★★★★★ Ideology: Pony Supremacy, Alicorn Autocracy des des des |
| seats | Agrarian Party Loyalty: ★★★★★ Ideology: Pony Supremacy, Alicorn Autocracy des des des |
| Other Major Factions | |
| seats | House Blueblood Loyalty: ★★★ Ideology: Pony Supremacy, Alicorn Autocracy des des des |
| seats | Manehattan Friendship Party Loyalty: ★★★ Ideology: Pony Supremacy, Alicorn Autocracy des des des |
| seats | Communist Party of Equestria Loyalty: ★★★★ Ideology: Pony Supremacy, Alicorn Autocracy des des des |
| seats | Grand Pegasus Enclave Loyalty: ★★★★ Ideology: Pony Supremacy, Alicorn Autocracy, Pegasus Interests des des des |
| Minor Factions and Independents | |
| seats | |
Government
The criminal justice system in Equestria is principally rehabilitative. Those wrongdoers who make an effort to rejoin society as law-abiding subjects are supported, receiving no punishment. Those wrongdoers who refuse to change their ways receive harsh punishments. Most are locked away in Tartarus, a tenebrous underworld. The gates of Tartarus are guarded by the giant three-headed dog Cerberus.
Those who commit the most heinous crimes receive the death penalty. The only legal means of execution is magical annihilation. Princess Celestia casts the spell herself, giving up her innocence to protect the innocence of her subjects. On average, there is about one execution every 12-18 years.
Equestria also has secret agencies. S.M.I.L.E. is the Secret Monster Intelligence League of Equestria which is responsible for domestic intelligence; it's motto is "We're everywhere and we're nowhere." Its mission includes monitoring the movements of magical creatures, dissidents, cultists, and changeling shapeshifters. S.M.I.L.E. answers directly to the princesses.
The currency of Equestria is the Equestrian Bit, which is based on the gold standard.
As it is solid gold, and backed by the powerful nation of Equestria, the Equestrian Bit is commonly accepted even in far away foreign countries.
Equestria's economic system is a rather unique combination of four modes of production.
The oldest base of Equestria's economy is a system of agricultural feudalism, where unicorn nobles own farmland that is worked by earth pony peasants known as "sumpters". There are also independent earth pony peasants who own their own land; these are known as "rounceys". The peasants are the unsung heroes of Equestria - keeping the economy running smoothly while the other classes play unproductive power games. Peasants, and earth ponies generally, have all the legal rights of any other Equestrian subject.
The second mode is a free-market mercantilism dominated by the merchant class. Beyond the massive internal market, imports and exports are also important. The Republic of Manehattan is very wealthy as the centre of trade with the eastern continent. However, the Republic of Baltimare's importing of coal from the zebra lands is the basis of all Equestrian industry.
The third mode is state mercantilism; corporations owned by the Equestrian state build heavy industry. The profit from these is revenue for the state, allowing funding of public services without placing excessive tax burdens on the nobles, merchants, and general public.
Therefore, the major classes in Equestria's economy are the nobles (usually unicorns), the merchants, the intellectuals, the peasants (usually earth ponies),
and the proletarians (who work in factories owned by the nobles, the merchants, and the state).
The fourth mode is pegasus weather control which operates as an aspect of centrally planned command economy.
Pegasi, as members of the egalitarian Grand Pegasus Enclave, often feel that they are (literally) above the class divisions among the other castes.
Equestria is the world leader in Arcane Science, which is the systematic study of magic. Magic can be defined as the way in which symbolic correspondences on the esoteric level are able to influence many mental and physical phenomena. The most obvious forms of magic include telekinesis and spellcasting, which are the basic functions of the horn of a unicorn pony. However, there are also many other forms of magic in our world.
Unicorns who contribute to research in arcane science earn the title of "wizardess" or "wizard". Ponies who contribute to research in any field of science earn the title "scientist".
Equestria is generally at an "early industrial" level of technology. Modern coal-powered factories exist, but most Ponies still live by medieval technology and traditions, at least in part.
Electrification is rare in Equestria; dams on some rivers make most of Equestria's small supply of electricity.
Long journeys are usually made by train; Equestria has an impressive railway network connecting all major cities, and many other places as well. While Equestria's railroad network is extensive and covers the entire country, other infrastructure is usually quite undeveloped outside of the major cities.
Horseless carriages and other automobiles are extremely rare in Equestria. I'll let you figure out why a nation of equines would be hostile to that technology.
Equestrian typewriters have a simple layout, with only two keys and a bar. Characters are typed by entering six-bit binary codes.
This book was approved for mass distribution by the ??? of Information and Propaganda.
Printed in Canterlot, Equestria. During the year 1002 ALB.