Suggested Music: 01 For a United Equestria (Vocals By EileMonty) - Pony Empires Complete
Ponies are a race of adorable equine quadrupeds, indubitably the master race of our world. Ponies have horselike anatomy, but there are important differences. 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. Ponies have very large eyes, giving them binocular vision of what is in front of them, and peripheral vision over most things that aren't directly behind them. Ponies always have a cute and expressive face. As in horses, the position of a pony's ears reflect her mood and emotions. 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 are usually cuter and more attractive than other species.
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".
There are four 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 alicorns, have both a horn and wings.
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 have powerful magic, including dark magic and time 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 mystique and reverence, making them revered figures in Equestrian society.
The offspring of two ponies from different castes will belong to one of their parents castes; there are no hybrid castes.
Equestria is a vast country. Its beautiful cities and landscapes are home to a population that is almost entirely comprised of ponies.
The current population of Equestria is about 99 million ponies, and about 1 million residents from other non-pony races.
As a land guided by the principles of harmony and friendship, magic is common in Equestria.
The terrain of Equestria is highly diverse, with the majority of Central and Northern Equestria being dominated by plains and rivers. The mountain range traces downward from near Vanhoover to Fillydelphia, only being interrupted by various mountain passes, the largest of which being where the city of Canterlot is situated. Outside of the cities, Equestria has a idyllic farms and pristine natural landscapes. The most bizarre and unnatural location in Equestria is the Everfree Forest, a terrible mirkwood, and a remnant of the world as it was before the age of ponies. Further in the Southwest, a vast desert covers most of the region being partially surrounded by mountains, and the Southeast is primarily dense jungles and mountains surrounding the Badlands.
The Principality of Equestria is a peaceful ponyland, ruled by two immortal alicorns, our autocrat Princess Celestia and her sister Princess Luna. It is a vast country, a regional superpower which dominates the western continent of our world. Equestria's score on the REGIMEN index is -2, putting it in the "Closed Anocracy" category. Its form of government can be called a benevolent autocratic alicorn diarchy.
Equestria has two official mottos. "Harmony and Friendship" and "Pony Supremacy is the only Truth".
Equestria's capital city is Canterlot, and its largest city is Manehattan. Equestria is a developed country, ranked first in the world by GPDI (Generalised Pony Development Index). Its currency is the Bit, and it has a strong real economy. Equestria's only official language is Ponish.
Equestria is a venerable nation cautiously ambling into some form of modernity. The nation has lived in Harmony for over a millennium under the guidance of Princess Celestia. It has faced many minor threats recently, but has prevailed with the power of friendship and forgiveness. 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 will Friendship and Harmony still save the day?
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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 2,659 years. Because of this, small variations in the design and colours are common.
Suggested Music: 14 Sun (Vocals By MEMJ) - Pony Empires Complete
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.
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 that had destroyed the Republic of Equestria. 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 subject 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 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 that had destroyed the Republic of Equestria. 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. 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. 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. 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. Lives 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.
Security at Canterlot Castle is demonstrated by the formidable stallions of Princess Celestia's Royal Guard. Being a destrier in the Royal Guard is probably the most prestigious position available to a stallion with martial abilities. Shining Armor is a unicorn stallion and destrier. He is the current captain of Princess Celestia's Royal Guard.
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.
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 Grand Pegasus Enclave is the semi-independent state-within-a-state that controls the Equestrian airspace. It is a nation entirely governed by pegasi, existing in harmony above Equestria.
All pegasi are members of the Enclave, and can be summoned for weather control duties. In exchange for their vast autonomy, the Enclave provides Equestria with weather control services (and occasionally military defense). The Enclave ongletains a network of weather stations in pony settlements, for to control the local weather there. The enclave carefully plans the rain in Equestria, ensuring optimal water levels for the earth ponies to grow food. The Enclave has a seperate school system where young pegasi learn about meteorology, aerodynamics, and other subjects essential to their role in Equestrian weather control. The Enclave also pays for the healthcare of all pegasi. The leaders of the Enclave are elected by the leaders of local weather control teams and the other flight teams as well.
The best flyers in the Enclave form a team known as the Wonderbolts; the Wonderbolts perform stunt shows to impress the Equestrian public while always being ready to respond to any threats to airspace security. The current captain is the mare Spitfire. Other current members include Soarin, Fleetfoot, Misty Fly, and Surprise.
Another important flying team is the Storm Chasers, who prevent hurricanes and other wild weather from outside from entering Equestria.
Nestled high up in the sky, Cloudsdale soars majestically above Equestria's ground. Its cityscape is a marvel to behold - an intricate maze of columned cloudcrete architecture that seamlessly blends with its fluffy cloud surroundings. The Weather Factory stands tall at the heart of the city, casting massive shadows over bustling pegasus communities who call this place home. A sense of pride and ownership beams from every pair of wings as only pegasi are able to walk on these clouds. Cloudsdale's ethereal beauty is not just in its composition but also in the ever-changing dance it performs with the sky below, a sight that leaves all who witness it in awe. Cloudsdale is also the headquarters of the Grand Pegasus Enclave.
Suggested Music: Jyc Row - Conflict in the Sky
Equestria's political culture can not be described as strictly left-wing or right-wing. Authoritarian, conservative and liberal elements are often syncretised. The general public is often apathetic towards politics, suggesting a lack of drive for major ideological shifts.
| Government | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autocratic Alicorn Diarchy | ||
| Princess | Princess | Chancellor |
| Celestia | Luna | Dewdrop Dazzle |
| Equumenical Council | ||
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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. It is made of 200 deputies, elected either directly or indirectly. Amidst this, certain key figures hold sway in the political landscape. Among these are the eloquent Chancellor Dewdrop Dazzle, the chivalrous Fancypants, and the arrogant Blueblood. These notable nobles wield considerable influence despite the current government's apparent focus on frivolous affairs. The world of Equestrian politics is rife with gridlocks and filibusters; all the factions constantly sabotage each other's law projects. Princess Celestia has the absolute power to pass any legislation she deems necessary, keeping the country running smoothly amidst all these political shenanigans. Hopefully, while the ruling classes are busy playing useless political games in the dysfunctional parliament, they're placated enough to not cause as many problems for the ordinary ponies. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna do not visit the Equumenical Council during its normal plenary sessions. They do give speeches at the opening of a new parliamentary season, however.
Major factions receive certain privileges during parliamentary proceedings. To be recognised as a major faction, a party must hold ten seats in the Equumenical Council. There are currently six major factions: the Conservative Harmony Alliance (48 seats), the Friendship Party (39 seats), the Grand Pegasus Enclave (26 seats), the Magocratic-Hippocratic Party (22 seats), the Communist Party (16 seats), and the Agrarian Party (11 seats). There are also 38 seats held by deputies not from any of the major factions.
Major factions in the Equumenical Council are:
the aristocratic Conservative Harmony Alliance, a big-tent conservative party of the nobility, consider themselves a revival of the ancient Pillars of Equestria,
the Conservative Harmony Alliance is divided between two subfactions, Fancypants and the other paternalists, and Blueblood and the other elitists,
the bourgeois Friendship Party, liberal, well-funded but has particularly bad relations with the other parties,
the state-within-a-state Grand Pegasus Enclave, defends the autonomy of the pegasus caste,
the doctiloquent Magocratic-Hippocratic Party, represents "middle-class" unicorns and the intelligentsia,
the proletarian Communist Party, represents factory workers, closely linked to trade unions,
and the peasant Agrarian Party, seeks to defend traditional earth pony farms from marketeer encroachment.
Chancellor Dewdrop Dazzle is currently the mortal with the highest de jure position, as Equestria's nominal head of government. She is a unicorn mare with soft aqua fur, and pink and yellow in her mane and tail. She has purple eyes. She is highly educated and articulate. Her cutie mark is an umbrella, and she really enjoys rainy weather. She is a member of the Magocratic-Hippocratic Party.
“Sorry, we can’t pass a budget until the scones are served, darling!” - Chancellor Dewdrop Dazzle
Fancypants is Equestria's Minister of something. He is a noble unicorn stallion who has white fur and blue mane and tail and moustache. His eyes are blue. His cutie mark is three tiaras. He often wears an expensive suit and a monocle. He is a member of the Conservative Harmony Alliance faction in the Equumenical Council. He is confident in his elite position, and is willing to treat commoners with kindness. Noblesse oblige. Lives in Canterlot with his wife, the supermodel Fleur de Lis.
Blueblood is Equestria's Minister of something. He is a noble unicorn stallion with white fur and a golden mane and tail. He has light blue eyes. His cutie mark is a compass rose. He is a member of the Conservative Harmony Alliance faction in the Equumenical Council. He is a total snob; supercilious and full of himself. However, he takes his responsibilities as a minister very seriously. He lives in Canterlot.
The wizardess Starlight Glimmer exists. She is a unicorn mare with abilities in the casting of powerful magic spells. She has pink fur, and her mane and tail are purple with aqua streaks. Her cutie mark is a purple and white star with aqua streams. She is the daughter of the stallion Firelight, and was born in Sire's Hollow, which is a village in Unicornia. During adolescence, she was in the death metal subculture. She then got an advanced education in magic and other arcane sciences, excelling in her studies. She dated the unicorn stallion and scholar of magic Sunburst, and the unicorn mare and travelling stage magician Trixie Lulamoon. Neither relationship worked out. After completing her advanced education, Starlight moved to Prancesylvania, where she founded an antisocial cult that took over a small village. Starlight has little respect for the free will of other ponies; she uses heavy brainwashing techniques and occasionally even experimented with direct magical mind control to mixed results. Starlight enjoys flying kites. Starlight, what are you doing in this chapter?
The currency of Equestria is the Bit, which is based on the gold standard. From a Marxist perspective, Equestria's economy resembles a modified form of feudalism with capitalist elements. Electrification is rare in Equestria; dams on some rivers make most of Equestria's small supply of electricity. While Equestria's railroad network is extensive and covers the entire country, infrastructure is limited outside of major cities. Factories are also used to produce goods. Stalliongrad has more factories than any other city.
Wow, Canterlot nobility, huh? You know you’ve made it in Equestria when you have a castle, a fancy title, and a unicorn horn that’s shinier than a diamond-encrusted tiara.
But let’s be real, those nobles can be a little snooty, am I right?
Nobles call those without a noble rank "lowborn". The wealthiest of the lowborn form the capitalist class. They partly imitate the nobility, and partly isolate themselves in avant-garde ideology.
Even though most nobles are unicorns and most lowborn are earth ponies, noble earth ponies and lowborn unicorns do exist.
But then there’s the peasantry. There are two types of peasants, the rounceys are landed peasants who own their own land while the sumpters work on land owned by a noble (or occasionally in recent centuries, a capitalist). The peasants are the everyday ponies just trying to make a living and stay out of the drama. They’re the unsung heroes of Equestria - keeping the economy running smoothly while the nobles and government play their power games. Peasants, and earth ponies generally, have all the legal rights of any other Equestrian subject. It's just that their connection to their land is traditional; it's not solely based on the profit motive like in capitalist farming. Their limited presence in politics is mostly because they just don't like dealing with that kind of nonsense.
Pegasi, as members of the egalitarian Grand Pegasus Enclave, often feel that they are (literally) above the class divisions among the other castes.
Even though there is no blanket ban on slavery in Equestria, in practice most instances of slavery would be illegal by more specific laws. Firstly, it is always illegal to keep a pony as a slave. At the same time, it is illegal to import slaves from outside of Equestria. And there are other laws restricting slavery as well. Also, the few slaveowners are held responsible for the well-being of their slave. Slaves in Equestria are usually domestic servants at the manors of the rural nobility. Slavery has never been a major part of Equestria's economy; out of about a million non-ponies in Equestria, only 838 are currently enslaved. That means that more than 99% of non-ponies who live in Equestria are free residents.
Suggested Music: Art of the Industry (Rarity IS Industry)
In administrative divisions, Equestria is made of five provinces which contain 29 counties. The provinces are Prancesylvania, Unicornia, Whitetail, Horseshoe Bay, and Macintosh. The addition of a seperate capital county around Canterlot brings the total to 30 counties. The pegasus city of Cloudsdale is controlled by the Grand Pegasus Enclave, and its exact location changes regularly.
| Whitetail | Unicornia | Prancesylvania |
| Macintosh | Horseshoe Bay | |
Canterlot, the magnificent capital city of Equestria, is perched high atop a grand mountain that pierces through the heart of Equestria. Its majestic buildings are carved directly into the mountain's sides, creating an awe-inspiring urban landscape. The grandiose architecture is as much a testament to the city's noble inhabitants as it is to their deep-rooted love for displaying wealth and extravagance. Unicorns form the majority of its population, their elegant forms strutting along cobblestone streets framed by opulent storefronts and stately homes. The city is alive with the constant hum of sophisticated conversations, punctuated by the occasional neigh or trot from some of the more well-bred ponies.
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| aerial view of Canterlot as depicted by artist "plainoasis" | Canterlot as depicted by artist "devinian" |
At night, the city transforms into a dazzling display of starlight reflected off polished marble and gold accents, casting an enchanting spell over its inhabitants and visitors alike. The most magnificent structure in Canterlot is Canterlot Castle, the home of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Canterlot Castle also hosts many prestigious events.
Manehattan, the largest city in Equestria, sprawls along the eastern coast. Its bustling streets are lined with grandiose buildings adorned in opulent architectural designs. A hub for big business and cutting-edge trends, Manehattan is where the upper class gathers to indulge in their love for luxury and culture. The city's vibrant energy can be felt in every corner as theatre performances captivate audiences at packed venues, while elite boutiques showcase the latest fashions from renowned designers. At night, the city comes alive with neon lights reflecting off the wet streets after a refreshing misty rain showers down on its impressive skyline.
In the frigid northeastern corner of Equestria, the city of Stalliongrad stands as a stark contrast to its more glamorous counterparts. Its primary focus on industry gives it a gritty and hard-working demeanor. Towering factories billow smoke into the cold air while workers - earth ponies and others from more humble backgrounds - trudge through snow-covered streets to their jobs at the various manufacturing plants. The city's architecture may not be as grand or eye-catching, but it is functional and practical, offering a home for those who share its values of perseverance and teamwork. Despite the cold climate, Stalliongrad vibrates with life and determination, proving that even in the most trying conditions, spirit can never be truly quelled. Many trade unions and other working class organisations have headquarters here.
Trottingham is a city on an island to the east of Equestria.
Marechester is a city on an island to the east of Equestria.
Winterhold is the coldest city in Equestria.
Rainbow Falls is a small city. The nearby waterfalls have a distinct rainbow colour.
Whinnypeg is a city in northern Equestria.
Neighjing is a city in northern Equestria.
Dirtville is also a city. It was the first earth pony settlement in Equestria.
Tambelon is an ancient city with a uniquely long history. It was the capital of the monster Grogar's empire, until he was overthrown by the pony cavalry led by unicorn Gusty the Great. This city is famous for its ancient ruins, many of which were built before ponies even arrived in Equestria.
Starsign is a city.
Applewood is a small city.
Pegasopolis is also a city. It used to be the largest pegasus city, until Cloudsdale was built to replace it.
Vanhoover is a bustling coastal city on Equestria's west coast. Its port handles trade with Coltifornia and Olenia, making it an essential hub for commerce in the region. The architecture of the city is diverse, featuring a mix of earth pony-built brick structures and unicorn-constructed glass and crystal buildings. Vanhoover has a lively atmosphere, filled with the sounds of seagulls, crashing waves, and the distant sound of ships' horns. Its salty sea air carries scents of fresh seafood, seaweed, and briny ocean mist. The city is also surrounded by lush green forests, making it an attractive destination for nature-loving ponies.
Hope Hollow is a small city.
Gauchevale is a small city.
Hornwall is also a city.
Paardenstal is a small city.
East of Canterlot stretches the vibrant metropolis of Fillydelphia. A city that pulsates with life and activity, it bustles with energy not unlike its western neighbor, but with an altogether different character. Its buildings reach skyward, a testament to Fillydelphia's ambition and forward-thinking spirit. The city is home to numerous businesses and enterprises - you can feel the buzz of commerce in every corner. Yet, there is a warmth and welcoming charm that pervades this bustling hub; it invites one and all to partake in its excitement. A place where tradition and progress harmoniously coexist, Fillydelphia is truly a city like no other.
Sitting pretty along the southeastern coastline of Equestria, you will find the charming city of Baltimare. It's a place where the sea breeze carries with it the salt-tinged air and the comforting scent of briny waters. The architecture here is a unique mix of coastal practicality and rustic charm, reflecting the city's love for its maritime heritage. Cobblestone streets weave their way through cozy neighborhoods filled with quaint cottages and cozy cafes that spill out onto bustling market squares. Life moves at a leisurely pace in Baltimare, where every day seems like a holiday and the horizon always teems with possibilities of adventure or relaxation by the water's edge.
Hoofington is also a city.
Puerto Caballo is also a city on the coast.
Shadowmere is also a city.
Raneigh is a small city.
Somnambula, built around a beautiful oasis, is the oldest and largest city in the southwestern desert. It is named after an ancient pegasus; the city's large statue of Somnambula is a symbol of hope in their harsh desert environment. Somnambula is famous for its massive pointed pyramids; this type of structure is not known to exist anywhere else in the world.
San Palomino is a city.
Appleloosa is a small city.
Phoenix is a small city.
Bloomberg is a small city.
While Equestria is a powerful nation with an advanced economy, it has a hard time leveraging that into military might. The peaceful nature of pony culture and the stagnation in Equestria's political system have kept Equestria's regular cavalry underdeveloped. Unicorns who are capable of learning anything beyond the most basic combat spells are extremely rare. The Grand Pegasus Enclave is only capable of providing partial defense of Equestria's airspace. Equestria does have many regular divisions, but they are all underequipped and inexperienced. Equestria has very few tanks, and they are quite primitive designs. Equestria has a large naval fleet, but the design of the ships is critically outdated. If forced to mobilise by a powerful invader, the military situation could turn around for Equestria. Mobilised ponies would have the potential to form powerful divisions of magical infantry, with the small number of skilled battlemages supporting many ponies who wield enchanted rifles, all while Enclave pegasi prevent enemy aircraft from approaching. Such a war would devestate Equestria and permanently scar our peaceful culture, but we would almost certainly win.
| ♥︎ Military Ranks ♥ | ||
|---|---|---|
| Commander Princess | ||
| ♥ Cavalry ♥ | ♥ Airhorse ♥ | ♥ Naval Fleet ♥ |
| Field Marshal | Air Marshal | Admiral |
| General | Vice Marshal | Vice Admiral |
| Destrier | Courser | Commodore |
| Colonel | Colonel | Captain |
| Major | Major | Corvette Captain |
| Captain | Captain | Lieutenant |
| Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Ensign |
| Sergeant | ||
| Private | ||
Field Marshal Bowtie is currently the leader of Equestria's cavalry. She is an earth pony mare. She has blue fur, and she always wears ribbon bows in her pink mane and tail. She has a courageous personality.
Fizzlepop Berrytwist, usually known by the nom de guerre Tempest Shadow, is a unicorn mare with unique experience. A severe fillyhood injury to her horn caused uncontrollable releases of magic, frightening other ponies and leaving her isolated. Eventually, she left Equestria altogether, becoming a mercenary. She worked and fought for many of the tyrants on the southern continent. One such tyrant eventually tried to go to Equestria as a conqueror, but once there he was killed in battle. Tempest was then offered a place in Equestria's military, where real world combat experience is in short supply. She is disabled, i.e. cannot use telekinesis or magic.
The Grand Pegasus Enclave's Airhorse, since the agreements of 76 ALB, has been permanently placed under the command of the Princesses Regnant of the Principality of Equestria.
Air Marshal Skywishes is currently the leader of the Grand Pegasus Enclave's Airhorse. She is a pegasus mare. When off duty, she enjoys flying kites.
Admiral Cynosura is currently the leader of Equestria's Naval Fleet. She is a pegasus mare with white fur and blue mane and tail. She is a masterful commander of ships; operations she has planned have brought many pirates and smugglers to justice. She also excels in war games. However, it remains to be seen whether she would be able to stand against the fleet of a hostile nation.
Suggested Music: Evening Star - Octavia
Ponies control the changing seasons, and their calendar and holidays revolve around this.
Dates are given in years CE (Classical Era) or years ALB (After Luna's Banishment).
Holidays:
New Years (also known as Winter Solstice)
Hearth's Warming (big winter holiday, exchange gifts, and put on plays about the founding of Equestria when the unicorns and pegasi and earth ponies joined together)
Winter Wrap Up (ponies work together to clean up all the snow, melt all the ice, wake the hibernating animals, plant the new year's crops and begin the season of spring)
Hearts and Hooves Day (exchanging cards, spending time with your special somepony)
Spring Equinox
Summer Dawn (beginning of summer)
Summer Sun Celebration (also known as Summer Solstice, celebration of Celestia's role as the Princess of the Sun)
Summer Harvest
Autumn Onset (beginning of autumn)
Nightmare Night (dressing up in costumes, lots of candy, telling scary stories, this holiday originates from myths around Princess Luna's banishment)
Autumn Equinox
Winter Beginning ("running of the leaves", followed by the first snow)
Ponies appearing in public without clothes is common and unremarkable, but ponies may wear clothes for comfort or fashion. Clothes are especially common during the colder months.
The saddle is a common traditional outfit among the peasantry.
Ponies can choose to have horseshoes attached to their hooves to protect them from wear. This service is provided by farriers.
Horseshoes are usually coloured to match the pony, but they may sometimes be left in a bare metal appearance.
Equestria has diverse cuisine, but the basic staple food is hay. Fresh grass, oats, flowers, vegetables and fruit are common in food as well. The most common fruit is apples. The most popular fast food item is the hayburger. The most popular breakfast is pancakes. Ponies also eat huge amounts of sugar, including candy, cakes, doughnuts, and other sweet baked goods. The main alcoholic beverage in Equestria is cider.
The most popular soda brand in Equestria is Sparkle-Cola.
Drink the new Sparkle-Cola Rad. It's like a buck to the face! With radishes!
Music is popular in Equestria, with a wide variety of genres. Most homes own a phonograph.
Ponies sometimes break into impromptu musical numbers.
In sports, pony races are very popular; betting on these is one of most common forms of gambling. The most common team sport in Equestria is hoofball, which has several regional variants, and two continent-wide leagues which use very different equipment and rules; these are the EHL (Equestrian Hoofball League) and the WCHA (Western Contintent Hoofball Association). Hockey is popular in winter; its top league is the HHL (Horse Hockey League). Among earth pony peasants, rodeo competitions are extremely popular. Unicorns often enjoy telekinetic fencing, or for the more skilled spellcasters, magic duels. For pegasi, there are a variety of airborne sports, as well as impressive stunt flying. The most important multi-sport event is the Equestria Games, which take place every two and a half years. Ponies from each county compete for the prestigious gold medals.
Ponies generally get their news from the newspapers. The official newspaper of the government is The Canterlot Times. The most respected national newspaper is Equestria Daily. Every municipality has at least one local newspaper as well.
There are also a small number of radio stations, broadcasting news, radio dramas, and music.
Ponies with physical disabilities are treated well in Equestria. Ponies with missing legs can obtain prostheses, while those with paralysis can obtain wheeled mobility aids. For blind ponies, the eyes are impaled with enchanted gemstones. This makes them able to see normally, but the inorganic jewels in their eyes cause them to be known as "twinkle-eyed ponies". More mild vision deficiencies can be treated with glasses. Unicorns who can't use telekinesis and pegasi who can't fly are also considered to be disabled; there is little that can be done for them at our current level of technology.
Because of their dominion over nature, ponies practice religion less often than other races do. This is especially true for ponies in Equestria, because of the corporeal presence of our divine princesses. However, there is one inevitability that ponies do not have dominion over: death. Because the common religion in Equestria is usually only for funerals, it has a sombre tone which one may not expect from a nation of pastel-coloured ponies. Religious minorities are usually allowed to practice their faith in peace. However, cults which are hostile to the Equestrian state are suppressed.
In demographics, 72% of ponies are followers of the Church of the Two Sisters, which is closely linked to Equestria's government. Sun religions are followed by 11%, night religions are followed by 9%, theist religions are followed by 4%, foreign religions are followed by 3%. About 1% of ponies are affiliated with antisocial cults.
All Equestrian religions agree that respect for the dead is important. Necromancy and necrohippoflagellation are illegal in Equestria.
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.
It is common for fillies and colts to collect brushable toys of famous or historically significant ponies.
The fur on a pony's flanks is magically coloured to display a cutie mark, a distinctive symbol that represents the unique talent and essence of that individual pony. Ponies are not born with their cutie mark; discovering who one is and getting one's cutie mark is a major milestone for young ponies. They also recieve a mandatory eight years of education. There are no high schools in Equestria.
Ponish is the only official language of Equestria. Together, Ponish and Coltifornian constitute the West Thulean language family. The West Thulean languages are very distantly related to the East Thulean languages spoken by some (but not all) ponies on the eastern continent. Ponish texts often contain horse-related puns. Nobles and capitalists use many Coltifornian loanwords when speaking among themselves, but otherwise Ponish is a purist language.
Varieties:
Traditionally, Ponish is written in a complex hieroglyphic system. However, in recent centuries, an alphabet has become more common. The alphabet has made literacy universal, but many well educated unicorns still prefer the hieroglyphic system. Considering books published in the past fifty years: 60% are in neo-classical with alphabet, 10% are in neo-classical with hieroglyphs, 10% are in classical, 10% are in the pegasus dialect, and 10% are in other varieties.
Much of the grammar of the Ponish language is based on a distinction between three animacy-genders. They can be roughly translated as "somepony", "someone", and "something".
Suggested Music: Impressions of Celestial Origins
The first ponies lived in ancient Thule, a mythical realm long lost to the northern ice. When a global cooling event rendered that region uninhabitable, the ponies were forced to conquer more southern territories. According to mythology, the global cooling was caused by windigos, winter spirits that feed off fighting and hatred. Some abandoned the journey after a short distance. They established the vast Crystal Empire. A magical Crystal Heart was carefully enchanted, for to protect their new home against the terrible blizzards. The Crystal Empire’s innovative buildings gradually became a triumph of architecture, its gleaming spires piercing the heavens like shards of frozen ambition. Translucent crystals carved in intricate designs were the norm.
Other ponies continued their journey south. Some reached the southwest coast, where they established the Kingdom of Coltifornia. Its capital was in Dream Valley. The most powerful and wise unicorn wizardess in that realm was the mysterious Twilight Mist. She became an important advisor to the queens of Coltifornia, and an especially close friend to Queen Majesty whose loving but ruthless style of governance would later be a major influence on Princess Celestia.
However the ponies that arrived in what is now Equestria, fell into mistrust and hostility. During this frightful age, each of the three castes cared not for what befell the other castes, but only for their own welfare. In those troubled times, the pegasi were mighty warriors as well as the stewards of the weather. An airhorse led by Commander Firefly made a war of aggression against Olenia, and conquered the province of Whitetail. In this way, was founded the city of Pegasopolis. But the pegasi demanded something from the earth ponies as well: treasures and food that only they could produce. The unicorns demanded treasures and food as well, becoming feudal lords in exchange for magically bringing forth day and night. 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. This unnatural region where malevolent plants grow, strange animals care for themselves, and the clouds move all on their own, is known as the Everfree Forest. Nopony knows why this region is able to resist the rightful pony dominion over the natural world. Anyway, this period of conquest established ponies as the dominant race on the western continent.
Gradually, the three pony castes became interdependent. This led to the creation of a unified federative state which they called the Republic of Equestria. After fierce debates, the unicorn Clover the Clever, the pegasus Private Pansy, and the earth pony Smart Cookie drafted a republican constitution, before presenting it to their respective leaders. The new constitution was reluctantly signed by Princess Platinum leader of the unicorns, Commander Hurricane leader of the pegasi, and Chancellor Puddinghead leader of the earth ponies. They chose the mountain of Canterlot as location to build a new capital city. It had been a simple unicorn gem mine, but the mountain was chosen for its central location and the symbolism of unity between pegasi in the sky and other ponies on the ground. By the united power of its ponies, their republic quickly became a beacon of hope for all who wished to see harmony restored to their fractured world. The Republic of Equestria prospered for a while despite some continuing tensions.
An evil unicorn known as King Sombra then occupied the Crystal Empire's capital city. King Sombra transformed the once-magnificent city into a twisted shadow; one where he kept many ponies as slaves. King Sombra neglected territories other than the capital city and his magical crystal mines, and did nothing to stop them from joining Equestria. His obsession with crystals was probably related to his attempts to discover a magical way to make himself immortal. Subjects in the capital city who angered King Sombra would be blinded. Eventually, his reign of terror was ended when the silly earth pony Applejack (not to be confused with later ponies named after her) assassinated King Sombra by defenestrating him from the seemingly unassailable crystal castle at the centre of the city. All of Sombra's slaves were freed, and the many ponies he had blinded were made into "twinkle-eyed ponies". This Applejack became known as a hero. The Crystal Empire, now only the capital city as a rump state, has continued to exist since then. However, Sombra's body was not found after his literal downfall. The fear that King Sombra has only temporarily disappeared into the shadows, and will some day return, is to this day a major trauma in the culture of the Crystal Empire.
The later years of the Republic of Equestria are described in the book "Decline and Fall of the Equestrian Republic", considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Equestrian non-fiction. Eventually, the Republic fell into discord. This period 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. As the world shifted and changed, so too did the priorities of those who dwell in the heavens. The discord was overthrown by two majestic alicorns, the sisters Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Starswirl the Bearded was a unicorn wizard from this time. He created the amniomorphic spell, but he is not famous to the general public. But, among his other accomplishments, he established the Pillars of Equestria, Equestria's first political party which swore fealty to the new alicorn rulers. 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 in the fearsome Everfree Forest. Starswirl the Bearded seems to have mysteriously vanished during this time; did he simply die of old age despite his mastery of magic? 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. At that time, each of Equestria's five provinces was governed by two presidents who acted as representatives of the alicorn rulers.
One of the most unusual events of the Classical Era was the arrival of two monstrous brothers, Tirek and Scorpan. They came to Equestria from a distant land, intending to steal Equestria's magic. But Scorpan soon came to appreciate the ways of Equestria, even befriending 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.
In the later part of the Classical Era, Equestrian explorers mapped the coastlines of the other continents. Famous explorers include the pegasi North Star and Lofty. 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 for sole control of Equestria. Princess Luna sought to bring about an eternal night. Those who supported Celestia called Luna "Nightmare Moon" and this myth gradually became the holiday of Nightmare Night, a celebration of everything dark and eerie. 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. However, because of the recent conflict, the perfect reputation of the diarchy had been lost. But there was also another challenge; many well-respected members of the pegasus caste had established the Grand Pegasus Enclave. In the Equumenical Council, the previous unity was lost, as the nobility formed a large number of distinct political parties.
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 22 ALB. In 76 ALB, the leaders of the enclave swore fealty to Princess Celestia, and became a de jure part of Equestria again. Over the centuries of her peaceful reign, Princess Celestia regained her perfect reputation.
A new capitalist class began to encroach on Equestria's feudal economy. Threatened by new class-based political parties in the Equumenical Council, especially the bourgeois Friendship Party, most of the parties of the nobility merged into the one Conservative Harmony Alliance. Meanwhile the Enclave built the Weather Factory, and the city of Cloudsdale to service it. The Enclave gradually became mostly focused on weather control instead of military defence.
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 order for a description to adequately express the magical experience of the nation of Equestria, it must rigorously apply the methodology of arcane science.
The most fundamental of the arcane sciences is xenophysics. Xenophysics explains how ponies are able to hold objects with their hooves, and it explains how pegasus ponies can walk on clouds and onglipulate the weather.
Unicorn telekinesis is also simply a result of the physical properties of the unicorn horn.
The study of magic itself is the most complex of the arcane sciences. Magic is based on principle of symbolic correspondences on the esoteric level.
There are five basic types of magic, all of which can be used by pony spellcasters.
Starlore is the oldest of the arcane sciences. Unicorns have observed the stars, calling upon their power and guidance, since time immemorial. This science is closely linked to unknowable magic.
Enchantment is the study and application of magic in matter. This can include any of the types of magic. Even though any object or place can be enchanted, some objects are easier to enchant than others. Some gemstones are especially easy to enchant. Enchanted artifacts are somewhat common in Equestria.
The most dangerous artifact is the indestructible Alicorn Amulet. It grants its user immense power, but it also takes near total control of the user's mind, making them an agent of its malevolent will. The current location of the Alicorn Amulet is unknown. If you find it, DO NOT USE IT! Keep it secret. Keep it safe.
Alchemy is the use of matter to achieve magical effects. This often takes the form of the brewing of potions; this science is most advanced among zebras, but ponies do use it as well.
Unicorns who contribute to research in arcane science earn the title of "wizardess" or "wizard". Ponies who contribute to research in science earn the title "scientist".
Suggested Music: Evening Star - Friendship is Magic (Orchestral Arrangement)
Ponyville is a charming little village in County Applewood, found just to the south of Canterlot. Its origin as a humble earth pony settlement are still evident today through the many earth pony traditions that remain alive and well within its borders. The village is home to a diverse array of ponies from different castes, all living together in harmony amidst the picturesque landscape. Despite being surrounded by larger, more bustling cities like Canterlot, Ponyville ongletains a cozy, small-town atmosphere that has earned it a special place in the hearts of many who call it home. Important locations in Ponyville include the Golden Oak Library which is a library inside a large hollow tree, Carousel Boutique which is the shop of a fancy dressmaker, and Sugarcube Corner which is a bakery and gathering place. There is also a large town hall building in the centre of town, and beautiful parks further from the centre. There is the shop "Quills and Sofas" which only sells two things. Ponyville also has a spa. There are many houses, most are rustic with thatched roofs, and heart-shape designs carved in the wood. Dutch doors are very common. Outside of town are many earth pony farms, including the Apple family's home in the Sweet Apple Acres apple orchard.
Twilight Sparkle is a 19-year-old pony mare from Canterlot, but she now lives in Ponyville. As a highly intelligent unicorn, she has the rank and title of a palfrey and a wizardess. She has soft purple fur. She has a dark blue mane and tail with pink and purple streaks. Her eyes are purple. Her cutie mark is magic stars. She lives at the Golden Oak Library in Ponyville, where she also works as the librarian. She spends a lot of time reading. She studies many topics, but her main focus is magic. She also reads a lot of poetry and fiction, including fantastic fiction like the "Daring Do" series. Despite her intelligence, she occasionally struggles with understanding the emotions of others due to her extensive focus on logic and academic studies. She greatly values her friends and the time she spends with them, but she also spends a lot of time alone with old books. She is excessively organised, and often makes checklists. She is the student of Princess Celestia, to whom she regularly writes letters. Twilight is the element of magic. She is a very powerful spellcaster. Twilight smells like dusty books. The baby dragon Spike is her number-one assistant, slave, and adopted little brother. Twilight's family still live in Canterlot; they love her and are very proud of her. Her mother, Twilight Velvet, is an adventurous unicorn mare. Her father, Night Light, is an unexciting unicorn stallion who enjoys putting numbers into spreadsheets. Her older brother, Shining Armor, is a unicorn stallion and the captain of Princess Celestia's Royal Guard.
Rarity is a ladylike 19-year-old pony mare from Ponyville. She is a beautiful unicorn with soft white fur. She has a stylish purple mane and tail. Her eyes are blue. Her cutie mark is three diamonds. To sound like a noble lady, she always speaks with a fake Canterlot accent, only breaking from her fake accent when under extreme stress. Rarity has an innate appreciation for beauty and elegance, whether it’s found in art or nature. She is knowledgable about fashion, as she runs the Carousel Boutique where she designs fabulous dresses. Her love for all things luxurious is evident in the high-quality materials she uses in her clothing line. Rarity has amazing attention to detail; she uses this in her design work, but she also enjoys reading detective stories like the "Shadow Spade" series. Rarity smells like expensive floral perfume. Rarity is dramatic, and can cry over very minor things, but she has the strength and intelligence to get through actual adversities. Rarity can be adventurous, as long as it doesn’t compromise her sense of style. She is the element of generosity. Sweetie Belle is her little sister. Rarity has a pet, a white cat named Opalescence or simply Opal. Even though Rarity fantasises about joining the elites in Canterlot or Manehattan, her true destiny is to bring some of that sophistication and haute couture to her smalltown home. Rarity's personality can be irritating to a pony who only wants to get things done.
Rainbow Dash is an impulsive 19-year-old pony mare from Cloudsdale, but she now lives in Ponyville. She is an aerodynamic pegasus with soft light blue fur. She has a rainbow mane and tail. Her eyes are magenta. Her cutie mark is a lightning bolt. She can be abrasive and tactless. She is competitive and athletic. She is a fast and agile flyer, and she wants to become a Wonderbolt. However, for now she is the manager of Weather Control Team in Ponyville. She has a drinking problem, so her friends try to keep the cider away from her. She is the element of loyalty. Rainbow has no siblings.
Fluttershy is a caring and sweet 20-year-old pony mare from Cloudsdale, but she now lives in Ponyville. She is an impossibly attractive pegasus with soft yellow fur. She has a long soft pink mane and a long soft pink tail. Her eyes are cyan. Her cutie mark is three butterflies. She takes care of many animals, including her willful pet rabbit named Angel. As she has a special connection to animals, Fluttershy relocated to a cottage on the ground, near the forest at the edge of Ponyville. Fluttershy is pretty enough to be a supermodel, but she is shy, and doesn't want the attention. Fluttershy often underestimates herself due to a lack of confidence. This has caused her to be seen as a weak flyer. Fluttershy is able to perform The Stare, a powerful technique against an opponent's willpower, as a stern glare of disappointment from her beautiful eyes is unbearable to most creatures. She is the element of kindness. Fluttershy has one brother, Zephyr Breeze.
Pinkie Pie is an energetic 19-year-old pony mare who now lives in Ponyville. She is a bouncy earth pony with soft pink fur. She has curly pink mane and tail. Her eyes are blue. Her cutie mark is three balloons. Her day job is working at the Sugarcube Corner bakery. Pinkie Pie loves to plan parties for everypony. Silly, hyper, easily distracted; but not dumb. She smells like vanilla cake. She is the element of laughter. Pinkie's official full name is Pinkamena Diane Pie. Pinkie's traditionalist parents raised her on a rock farm alongside her three sisters: the rock scientist Maud Pie, the angry Limestone Pie, the mute Marble Pie.
Applejack is a hardworking 19-year-old pony mare from Ponyville. She is a peasant earth pony with soft orange fur. She has braided blonde mane and blonde tail. She runs the local apple orchard. She has strong muscles. She is competitive and athletic. She is stubborn and doesn't like asking for help. She speaks with a rustic southern accent. She is the element of honesty. Very loyal to her family. Granny Smith is her paternal grandmother; Big Mac is her big brother; Apple Bloom is her little sister. Her parents are dead.
Equestria is a vast country which dominates the western continent of our world.
Other countries that border Equestria on the western continent include:
Beyond ponies, there are also many other races in our world. Most are different species, and they cannot breed with each other. One important exception is ponies and donkeys, who can produce the infertile hybrids known as "mules". Mules are considered ugly, and are often the butt of jokes. Because of this, relations between ponies and donkeys are uniquely frowned upon.
Deer are another race native to the northwestern regions of the western continent.
One other important race in our world, which tends to be migratory, is the terrible dragons. Dragons are fearsome fire-breathing monsters. They are lithovores that collect massive piles of gemstones which serve as their food. They are also compulsive hoarders in general. As they are too scary to study up close, ponies know surprisingly little about dragons.
The eastern continent is home to the griffons, and a few ponies. Griffons are a race with a lionesque body and hindquarters and an avian head, wings and talons. The history of the griffons, as it is known in Equestria, is described in the book "Bygone Griffons of Greatness". In ancient times, griffons were known to be as greedy as dragons, always hoarding their bits and other treasures. But all that changed when King Grover of Griffonstone found the mysterious golden Idol of Boreas. Legend says the Idol of Boreas was made from the dust of golden sunsets, blown across the mountains by the north winds. Possessing the Idol of Boreas filled the griffons' hearts with pride. Griffonstone went from being a small kingdom near the Hyperborean Mountains to the capital of a vast Griffonian Empire under the rule of Emperor Grover I. It's said that that one great treasure is responsible for making the Griffonian Empire into the most majestic empire in the history of the east. "Bygone Griffons of Greatness" was written a long time ago, and it ends with the coronation of the fourteenth emperor of the griffons, Emperor Guto. During the reign of Guto, the monster Arimaspi stole the Idol of Boreas, but when he tried to escape, he lost the idol and his life by falling into the Abysmal Abyss. They say when the griffons treasure fell, their dignity fell with it. And the griffons have lived in miserable infighting ever since. The current de jure emperor in Griffonstone is the weak and elderly Grover V. If you visit the eastern continent, be sure to bring plenty of bits; nothing's better than gold to a griffon.
The great archipelago which is located northwest from the southern continent is home to the hippogriffs. These are a debatably equine race with a pony-like body and hindquarters and a griffon-like avian beak, wings and talons. The hippogriffs are masters of seafaring, and have the world's most advanced fleet of ships, including the mysterious submarines that are able to hide under the water. Despite spending much time elsewhere, their homeland around Mount Aris is still considered sacred to them.
The southern continent is home to many other species, including zebras and kirin.
Equestria is mostly autarkic, but Equestria has some trade with most countries. Equestria even trades with the distant zebra lands; Equestria offers enchantable gemstones, while the zebras offer the coal that Equestria's trains and factories depend on.
Kirin are a debatably equine race with a large curved horn, a scaly face and back, a lionesque mane and tail, sharp fangs, and cloven hooves. When kirin are angered they may experience temporary spontaneous combustion. Kirin lack the sexual dimorphism found in other races; those from other races often fail to recognise the difference between male and female kirin. Regardless of sex, the shape of a kirin's face resembles that of a female pony.
Equestria does not practice mass migration. Borders are mostly defended by oceans and harsh terrain.
There are always guard ponies stationed along the border with Olenia.
Non-pony residents of Equestria are treated with a sort of distant friendship by the pony majority;
in general, they have largely undisturbed lives in partly isolated communities.
This book was approved for mass distribution by the Department of Information and Propaganda.
Printed in Canterlot, Equestria. During the year 1002 ALB.
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