Occupied Equestria is an RP campaign set in a post-Equestria Equestria, where the princesses are gone, as are the Elements of Harmony. Gone, temporarily at least, but not by any means forgotten.
New players are welcome.
Fantasy Play has a few "kitties" to cuddle with
Brie has a Changeling Queen to negotiate with
Iron has some gangsters to beat
Silver has some follow up to do
Amber is exploring her new home
Spark is either looking for forest demons, or negotiating the fate of a tribe of Wolves
Midnight has more cultists to kill
Onyx has a colt to look after
Dark Star has some communists to kill
/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal
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1930 replies and 57 files omitted.
>>132037
Silver nods.
"I figured we would get permission from you, first. We are not here to rob you, after all."
Silver nods.
"I figured we would get permission from you, first. We are not here to rob you, after all."
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>>132038
"You may as well take it. What else do you want?"
>>132039
The guide takes her through a hardwood door frame nearer the end of the room that enters into a hallway with a clock on the side, a statue that seems to be a smaller model of the statue to victory in the Canterlot gardens. They pass along a very long rug covered in purple and orange dyes with designs of unicorns and other creatures, towards an open door at the end of the hall. Through open doorways, Amber can see what must be grand living rooms, a hall leading to some other stairway, and the edges of a dining table. At last, at the end of the hallway, they enter through a doorway that opens to what must be a room taking up much, perhaps all, of the smaller rectangle that attaches to the side of the main rectangular structure of the building. There are grand book shelves, small moving ladders, and a table or two beneath the high ceiling of the room
"You may as well take it. What else do you want?"
>>132039
The guide takes her through a hardwood door frame nearer the end of the room that enters into a hallway with a clock on the side, a statue that seems to be a smaller model of the statue to victory in the Canterlot gardens. They pass along a very long rug covered in purple and orange dyes with designs of unicorns and other creatures, towards an open door at the end of the hall. Through open doorways, Amber can see what must be grand living rooms, a hall leading to some other stairway, and the edges of a dining table. At last, at the end of the hallway, they enter through a doorway that opens to what must be a room taking up much, perhaps all, of the smaller rectangle that attaches to the side of the main rectangular structure of the building. There are grand book shelves, small moving ladders, and a table or two beneath the high ceiling of the room
>>132041
Session tomorrow, perhaps?
Amber is glad she wiped her hooves before she entered the house, and as she follows she glances at all these varied rooms.
When they reach the doorway to the library, however, she stands in place with her mouth hanging loosely. After a few seconds she looks back to her guide as if for confirmation this is real.
Session tomorrow, perhaps?
Amber is glad she wiped her hooves before she entered the house, and as she follows she glances at all these varied rooms.
When they reach the doorway to the library, however, she stands in place with her mouth hanging loosely. After a few seconds she looks back to her guide as if for confirmation this is real.
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>>132042
It seems to be, at least. The ceiling seems to the roof level, or near enough to it. Though there are no skylights, there are large paneled windows extending up perhaps 18 feet, and grand bookshelves, with even a second level on each end. Amber can't read the book binds at this distance, but she can see brown leather binds, green cloth binds, tan colors, white, yellow, and red. Some binds are used and bent, some brand new. Some books are small, and some are massive. It's not as big as the public library in the town center, but it is as big as a wing of the same, and there is more decoration on the ceiling and wood paneling.
More windows in the walls than in pic related
It seems to be, at least. The ceiling seems to the roof level, or near enough to it. Though there are no skylights, there are large paneled windows extending up perhaps 18 feet, and grand bookshelves, with even a second level on each end. Amber can't read the book binds at this distance, but she can see brown leather binds, green cloth binds, tan colors, white, yellow, and red. Some binds are used and bent, some brand new. Some books are small, and some are massive. It's not as big as the public library in the town center, but it is as big as a wing of the same, and there is more decoration on the ceiling and wood paneling.
More windows in the walls than in pic related
>>132041
"Well, there is one thing if you would be willing to obilge me before we part. I would like to hear your story. Why you got into Navy, how you became smuggler...what events made you into you?"
"Well, there is one thing if you would be willing to obilge me before we part. I would like to hear your story. Why you got into Navy, how you became smuggler...what events made you into you?"
>>132103
[1d3 = 3]
Makade replies
"How could they provide us, exactly? We need ammunition, mortars, medicine, or best of all peace with the Doubles."
[1d3 = 3]
Makade replies
"How could they provide us, exactly? We need ammunition, mortars, medicine, or best of all peace with the Doubles."
>>132104
"They can provide all but the last one. That last one is up to me and my friends. Wars don't end overnight. It will take some time. I think you will find the supplies worth it in the meanwhile."
"They can provide all but the last one. That last one is up to me and my friends. Wars don't end overnight. It will take some time. I think you will find the supplies worth it in the meanwhile."
>>132105
He pauses for a moment. An ear twitches, and he lowers his head
"It's worth considering... But I am still not sure I trust you, or ponies generally for that matter. I need to get back to patrol."
[1d3 = 3]
He pauses for a moment. An ear twitches, and he lowers his head
"It's worth considering... But I am still not sure I trust you, or ponies generally for that matter. I need to get back to patrol."
[1d3 = 3]
>>132106
"I think you will find ponies more trustworthy than changelings, and a better source of supplies for that matter."
Spark follows.
"I think you will find ponies more trustworthy than changelings, and a better source of supplies for that matter."
Spark follows.
>>132107
Waabashki says,
"I think I need to go back to Miskobag for lessons. I do not think he will be able to teach me much longer."
Waabashki says,
"I think I need to go back to Miskobag for lessons. I do not think he will be able to teach me much longer."
>>132108
Spark turns around.
"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. Will he want to be alone, or may I come listen in?"
Spark turns around.
"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. Will he want to be alone, or may I come listen in?"
>>132111
"Perhaps if you earn his trust - our trust - he may teach you something. The rights of the mediwin are secret even to the Ma'iingan... but he may be willing to teach you something yet"
"Perhaps if you earn his trust - our trust - he may teach you something. The rights of the mediwin are secret even to the Ma'iingan... but he may be willing to teach you something yet"
>>132113
"For the mediwin? That has never happened. But few wolves become mediwin. Trust for Harmony.... There have been many ponies through this land, and for a long time. Travellers, adventurers, merchants, outdoors ponies... According to legend there was even a great pony sorcerer who used magic to control the lands, and invaded ours with his troops. It was brutal, until he retreated and was sucked into his own creation. All of this before my time. But I do remember an occasion when I was younger. Not that many years ago..."
"For the mediwin? That has never happened. But few wolves become mediwin. Trust for Harmony.... There have been many ponies through this land, and for a long time. Travellers, adventurers, merchants, outdoors ponies... According to legend there was even a great pony sorcerer who used magic to control the lands, and invaded ours with his troops. It was brutal, until he retreated and was sucked into his own creation. All of this before my time. But I do remember an occasion when I was younger. Not that many years ago..."
poni is still here
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Good news! I managed to get Hearts of Iron 4 and by extension EaW working by changing the permissions of my folders. It runs better than expected though of course not superbly.
The weather system is borked though. In the afternoon on the 1st of January it's 23ºC in Baltimare. For reference it's basically the weather of Cuba. I know this is not intentional because going one province from Hayseed Swamps to Lesie is a drop of 15 degrees, and it's similar along the "border" of southeast Equestria. I know you're not a climate expert but I hope you have a better headcanon.
Autism incoming:
Equestria is absolutely colossal, not really the equivalent of the U.S.A. but rather all of North America combined. Even if the diarchy is somewhat minarchist other than with army and navy, how is this all coordinated with so many different cultures? At least Russia has most of its population concentrated in the West. I'm guessing that Equestria would have a great deal of autonomy for geographical sections and smaller provinces, but I'm sad this doesn't seem to be explored, and politics is more like classic enlightened despotism.
The weather system is borked though. In the afternoon on the 1st of January it's 23ºC in Baltimare. For reference it's basically the weather of Cuba. I know this is not intentional because going one province from Hayseed Swamps to Lesie is a drop of 15 degrees, and it's similar along the "border" of southeast Equestria. I know you're not a climate expert but I hope you have a better headcanon.
Autism incoming:
Equestria is absolutely colossal, not really the equivalent of the U.S.A. but rather all of North America combined. Even if the diarchy is somewhat minarchist other than with army and navy, how is this all coordinated with so many different cultures? At least Russia has most of its population concentrated in the West. I'm guessing that Equestria would have a great deal of autonomy for geographical sections and smaller provinces, but I'm sad this doesn't seem to be explored, and politics is more like classic enlightened despotism.
>>132140
Okay, so this is something I've put a decent bit of autism into.
I did a test of the size of Equestria using the speed of naval vessels (since they maintain a consistent speed) from Village Up North to the Spa Islands, and from the Spa Islands to Trotsas. I got dimensions of equestria that I cannot precisely remember, but I think it was something around nearly exactly 1000 miles wide and ~1700 miles North to South, for a land area of about 1.7 million miles for all of Equestria, Stalliongrad, and the Crystal Empire put together. I did another test using the range of aircraft (assuming that "range" listed is twice the radius of the circle appearing on the map because the planes have to make a return trip on the same fuel), and it came out to about the same numbers. Of course any test using land units gives a much higher estimate for the size of Equestria. Either it's because the land units have a much less consistent speed, or the size of the land area actually is vastly greater than the size of the naval and/or air map. I will admit that tests using land units give pretty much the estimate you give. If the 1.7 million square mile area is acccurate, then there's a population of 80 million ponies living in an area just over half the size of the continental US. The population of the US in 1940 was 120 million, so that would mean a higher population density than the US at that time. Of course if the actual size of Equestria is greater than all of North America, that's a much lower population density.
As for climate, I'm a bit less apologetic about that one. Looking at a map of Equestria, there's a large section that is clearly modeled on the US eastern seaboard, and a section south of that that includes jungles modeled on those of Mexico, and desert-like "badlands." Baltimare is located immediately next to the Hayseed swamps (which seems to be based more or less on the Louisiana swamps), and not very far at all north of dense rain-forest. To be sure, it's slightly further north, and of course ocean circulation will alter the climate significantly in one direction or the other, but I see no reason at all to assume that Baltimare isn't a subtropical coastal city like Houston or Jacksonville. Maybe not Cuba climate levels, but it seems like a location that experiences no more than a week of temperatures below freezing a year, and probably even less than that.
As for cultures, autonomy, and politics, well, I know at least what I am operating with in Occupied Equestria. In this presentation of Equestria, Equestria was formerly a confederation of culturally distinct tribes that through a long and labored process of cultural assimilation because a single, unified, nation-state with one culture, a shared language and values. (Of course, Severyana, the Tenochtitlan Basin, the Crystal Empire, and Sonambula’s homeland never underwent this process completely). Equestria has gone from many distinct tribes that were historical enemies and only reigned in by the alicorns, into a single nation with a common identity that has inertia after the loss of the Alicorn sisters. Look to France, and perhaps Spain, for a historical example of a similar set of disparate cultures that were forged into a single cultural unit over time, mostly by means of a few strong willed political leaders.
I am not sure if this is what is actually going on in the cannon. Certainly when we see the Equestria of a thousand years ago in Hearths Warming Eve, and in the episodes featuring the Pillars of Equestria, it looks more diverse and multi-cultural than the Equestria of the episodes we see based in the present. To be sure, the Equestria of the present is somewhat diverse, in the same way the United States (minus immigrant populations) is diverse – we see Ponyville, Canterlot, Manehattan, and places like the Smoky Mountains in the Hooffields and McColts – but it’s not nearly as diverse as the Japanese, Scottish, Egyptian, Greek, and Louisianan milieu we see with the Pillars, or even the French, German, and Greek inspired cultural differences we see in Hearths Warming Eve. So maybe Equestria has become more culturally homogeneous over the years in cannon. Or maybe we’re just seeing wider and further away parts of Equestria for the first time in those episodes. I don’t know.
Regardless, I’m going with a historical progression from confederation of diverse tribes to a nation-state until the graces of an absolute(?) monarch for a simple thematic reason: the history of Equestria is a gestalt for both Particularist (Nationalist) and Universalist (Globalist) schools of morality to read into what they want to read into. For the Universalists, the principles of Harmony a morality above race, cultural and history that successfully caused diverse groups to come together in harmony as one people. The current situation is no different, in that perspective, than the situation in the first Hearths Warming, and all of the races may be unified under Harmony. Under a different perspective, the principles of Harmony are hardly above culture, they are a part of culture, sometimes forced upon an unwilling populous. Though the three tribes of ponies may have succeeded in uniting as one, they were all from related cultural groups, they were all ponies, the process took the better part of a millennium, and resulted in an extinction of languages and cultures that would be lamented if it took place in the present day. Equestria’s unification isn’t a refutation of the idea of the nation, but an example of how a single nation is made, and the only lesson history provides for the current situation is that Equestria’s ponies and cultural are worth preserving.
Okay, so this is something I've put a decent bit of autism into.
I did a test of the size of Equestria using the speed of naval vessels (since they maintain a consistent speed) from Village Up North to the Spa Islands, and from the Spa Islands to Trotsas. I got dimensions of equestria that I cannot precisely remember, but I think it was something around nearly exactly 1000 miles wide and ~1700 miles North to South, for a land area of about 1.7 million miles for all of Equestria, Stalliongrad, and the Crystal Empire put together. I did another test using the range of aircraft (assuming that "range" listed is twice the radius of the circle appearing on the map because the planes have to make a return trip on the same fuel), and it came out to about the same numbers. Of course any test using land units gives a much higher estimate for the size of Equestria. Either it's because the land units have a much less consistent speed, or the size of the land area actually is vastly greater than the size of the naval and/or air map. I will admit that tests using land units give pretty much the estimate you give. If the 1.7 million square mile area is acccurate, then there's a population of 80 million ponies living in an area just over half the size of the continental US. The population of the US in 1940 was 120 million, so that would mean a higher population density than the US at that time. Of course if the actual size of Equestria is greater than all of North America, that's a much lower population density.
As for climate, I'm a bit less apologetic about that one. Looking at a map of Equestria, there's a large section that is clearly modeled on the US eastern seaboard, and a section south of that that includes jungles modeled on those of Mexico, and desert-like "badlands." Baltimare is located immediately next to the Hayseed swamps (which seems to be based more or less on the Louisiana swamps), and not very far at all north of dense rain-forest. To be sure, it's slightly further north, and of course ocean circulation will alter the climate significantly in one direction or the other, but I see no reason at all to assume that Baltimare isn't a subtropical coastal city like Houston or Jacksonville. Maybe not Cuba climate levels, but it seems like a location that experiences no more than a week of temperatures below freezing a year, and probably even less than that.
As for cultures, autonomy, and politics, well, I know at least what I am operating with in Occupied Equestria. In this presentation of Equestria, Equestria was formerly a confederation of culturally distinct tribes that through a long and labored process of cultural assimilation because a single, unified, nation-state with one culture, a shared language and values. (Of course, Severyana, the Tenochtitlan Basin, the Crystal Empire, and Sonambula’s homeland never underwent this process completely). Equestria has gone from many distinct tribes that were historical enemies and only reigned in by the alicorns, into a single nation with a common identity that has inertia after the loss of the Alicorn sisters. Look to France, and perhaps Spain, for a historical example of a similar set of disparate cultures that were forged into a single cultural unit over time, mostly by means of a few strong willed political leaders.
I am not sure if this is what is actually going on in the cannon. Certainly when we see the Equestria of a thousand years ago in Hearths Warming Eve, and in the episodes featuring the Pillars of Equestria, it looks more diverse and multi-cultural than the Equestria of the episodes we see based in the present. To be sure, the Equestria of the present is somewhat diverse, in the same way the United States (minus immigrant populations) is diverse – we see Ponyville, Canterlot, Manehattan, and places like the Smoky Mountains in the Hooffields and McColts – but it’s not nearly as diverse as the Japanese, Scottish, Egyptian, Greek, and Louisianan milieu we see with the Pillars, or even the French, German, and Greek inspired cultural differences we see in Hearths Warming Eve. So maybe Equestria has become more culturally homogeneous over the years in cannon. Or maybe we’re just seeing wider and further away parts of Equestria for the first time in those episodes. I don’t know.
Regardless, I’m going with a historical progression from confederation of diverse tribes to a nation-state until the graces of an absolute(?) monarch for a simple thematic reason: the history of Equestria is a gestalt for both Particularist (Nationalist) and Universalist (Globalist) schools of morality to read into what they want to read into. For the Universalists, the principles of Harmony a morality above race, cultural and history that successfully caused diverse groups to come together in harmony as one people. The current situation is no different, in that perspective, than the situation in the first Hearths Warming, and all of the races may be unified under Harmony. Under a different perspective, the principles of Harmony are hardly above culture, they are a part of culture, sometimes forced upon an unwilling populous. Though the three tribes of ponies may have succeeded in uniting as one, they were all from related cultural groups, they were all ponies, the process took the better part of a millennium, and resulted in an extinction of languages and cultures that would be lamented if it took place in the present day. Equestria’s unification isn’t a refutation of the idea of the nation, but an example of how a single nation is made, and the only lesson history provides for the current situation is that Equestria’s ponies and cultural are worth preserving.
>>132140
Yay! More ponies that are playing EaW! Maybe we can all play one big game someday. They attempted to show that there is divide in the kingdom with Stalliongrad and if you trigger the civil war, several states are broken off that are typically rather independent or far enough away from the capital. But as far as the majority of the loyalty is concerned, the monarchs have the mane six to do PR friendship stunts, which stories of are spread across the kingdom to ensure loyalty. Then there are the different celebrations and games that take place in Equestria and the Crystal Empire. Perhaps not perfect answers, but I like to think it isn't completely unreasonable.
>>132141
Damn. I thought I knew this game well...
Yay! More ponies that are playing EaW! Maybe we can all play one big game someday. They attempted to show that there is divide in the kingdom with Stalliongrad and if you trigger the civil war, several states are broken off that are typically rather independent or far enough away from the capital. But as far as the majority of the loyalty is concerned, the monarchs have the mane six to do PR friendship stunts, which stories of are spread across the kingdom to ensure loyalty. Then there are the different celebrations and games that take place in Equestria and the Crystal Empire. Perhaps not perfect answers, but I like to think it isn't completely unreasonable.
>>132141
Damn. I thought I knew this game well...
If you don't want to tell Maakie's story, that's okay. I'd rather play and not hear his story than not play and not hear his story.
>>132047
Maakie answers:
"You want to know my story? Now? After all of this." He seems to grimace. "Heh! Very well. I shall tell you. Whether it can replace the story you've made for me in your mind, that is for you to decide. I was born second son of a cobbler. Not an aristocrat, not landed money... but a cobbler. In the city there were griffins who walks around with ivory canes, top hats and finely tailored suits. They lived in grander homes and ran with better circles, while I was left in an apartment we shared with my uncle, and I wore the half wooden clogs my father made. At least until the alcohol hindered him in my adolescent years. Already, I knew that not every griffin who achieved power or wealth achieved it from luck. Some made their own. Skyfall was always an entrepot harbor, and the fall of the Empire just added a new layer of tariffs. Some griffs made fortunes by running through those.
Back then there was a mandatory military service for the Republic. I suppose there still is, but it was known to be quite easy to get out of. Those attending college, those who paid a fee, took a government job, or who apprenticed in a certain trade, for instance, never had to serve. But I did not have the money for college or for some deferment fee, and I did not care to follow in my father’s wooden clogs. Not that he was in much of a position to take an apprentice then anyways. No, I had a great grandfather who achieved distinction in the Imperial Navy. I wanted to follow him. So I joined the Republican Navy. Now, I did not want to stay holed up in harbor in grand, aging Imperial battleship. I knew where I wanted to be. I requested assignment with a frigate, and I was granted it. I spent years as an ensign chasing the wake of Hauklander corsairs. One night we disguised ourselves as a merchant ship, and a corsair vessel was foolish enough to approach. We boarded, and I fought in that battle. In that fight I distinguished myself, and not long after was made non-commissioned officer. A year passed, and another night we boarded a merchant vessel for inspection. We were set upon by corsairs, and the ship was overrun. I myself was kept at sword point by a Hauklander pirate, but he decided to leave me be. That moment never left me, and the Navy accepted my request to go to the naval school. It was hardly a true “Academy” experience, but after a couple years I was accepted as a navigator and commissioned officer on ships that patrol for pirates in the Feathesian Indies, or for slavers outside Colthage.
Now, I knew why I joined the Navy, and it wasn’t to hunt down pirates, or to become some great captain. No, I made careful note of every practice I saw among the merchant ships, how the corsairs disguised themselves as trawlers to hide from us in broad daylight. I talked to every captain I could in Sicameon, Colthage, and the Indies. More than one captured sailor was spared designation as “pirate,” because I felt they were more use alive than hanged.” He stops to smile at this point.
“I was not promoted, my commission ran out and I was discharged. I got to work immediately with a contact I made in Fereza, and then moved to shipping exotic freight from Equestria to Skyfall. This earned me wealth and let me carry the ivory cane, before being shut down. But it was what I learned from the traders in Colthage that became my greatest success. Creatures will pay greatly to move from one point to another, and where they don’t have money, will gladly sell themselves into indentured servitude. I won’t bother you with the full details, suffice it to say my success attracted the attention of more than one government. I left Skyfall for good and set up in Fereza and Nova Griffonia. But Equestria… Equestria is so desired as an end point for creatures, but it can be a hard environment to work with. Organized crime has so much of a hold over labor in the cities, and unions and city councils do where they do not. It can be hard to keep indentured servants in Equestrian cities… until I found a location nearly built for the purpose, here in Baltimare. And of my trials and troubles since then… well, you know at least the basics of that.”
He looks up at Silver with an almost smug smile. His wings – black and smoky tips ending long, white feathers – are halfway folded.
Maakie answers:
"You want to know my story? Now? After all of this." He seems to grimace. "Heh! Very well. I shall tell you. Whether it can replace the story you've made for me in your mind, that is for you to decide. I was born second son of a cobbler. Not an aristocrat, not landed money... but a cobbler. In the city there were griffins who walks around with ivory canes, top hats and finely tailored suits. They lived in grander homes and ran with better circles, while I was left in an apartment we shared with my uncle, and I wore the half wooden clogs my father made. At least until the alcohol hindered him in my adolescent years. Already, I knew that not every griffin who achieved power or wealth achieved it from luck. Some made their own. Skyfall was always an entrepot harbor, and the fall of the Empire just added a new layer of tariffs. Some griffs made fortunes by running through those.
Back then there was a mandatory military service for the Republic. I suppose there still is, but it was known to be quite easy to get out of. Those attending college, those who paid a fee, took a government job, or who apprenticed in a certain trade, for instance, never had to serve. But I did not have the money for college or for some deferment fee, and I did not care to follow in my father’s wooden clogs. Not that he was in much of a position to take an apprentice then anyways. No, I had a great grandfather who achieved distinction in the Imperial Navy. I wanted to follow him. So I joined the Republican Navy. Now, I did not want to stay holed up in harbor in grand, aging Imperial battleship. I knew where I wanted to be. I requested assignment with a frigate, and I was granted it. I spent years as an ensign chasing the wake of Hauklander corsairs. One night we disguised ourselves as a merchant ship, and a corsair vessel was foolish enough to approach. We boarded, and I fought in that battle. In that fight I distinguished myself, and not long after was made non-commissioned officer. A year passed, and another night we boarded a merchant vessel for inspection. We were set upon by corsairs, and the ship was overrun. I myself was kept at sword point by a Hauklander pirate, but he decided to leave me be. That moment never left me, and the Navy accepted my request to go to the naval school. It was hardly a true “Academy” experience, but after a couple years I was accepted as a navigator and commissioned officer on ships that patrol for pirates in the Feathesian Indies, or for slavers outside Colthage.
Now, I knew why I joined the Navy, and it wasn’t to hunt down pirates, or to become some great captain. No, I made careful note of every practice I saw among the merchant ships, how the corsairs disguised themselves as trawlers to hide from us in broad daylight. I talked to every captain I could in Sicameon, Colthage, and the Indies. More than one captured sailor was spared designation as “pirate,” because I felt they were more use alive than hanged.” He stops to smile at this point.
“I was not promoted, my commission ran out and I was discharged. I got to work immediately with a contact I made in Fereza, and then moved to shipping exotic freight from Equestria to Skyfall. This earned me wealth and let me carry the ivory cane, before being shut down. But it was what I learned from the traders in Colthage that became my greatest success. Creatures will pay greatly to move from one point to another, and where they don’t have money, will gladly sell themselves into indentured servitude. I won’t bother you with the full details, suffice it to say my success attracted the attention of more than one government. I left Skyfall for good and set up in Fereza and Nova Griffonia. But Equestria… Equestria is so desired as an end point for creatures, but it can be a hard environment to work with. Organized crime has so much of a hold over labor in the cities, and unions and city councils do where they do not. It can be hard to keep indentured servants in Equestrian cities… until I found a location nearly built for the purpose, here in Baltimare. And of my trials and troubles since then… well, you know at least the basics of that.”
He looks up at Silver with an almost smug smile. His wings – black and smoky tips ending long, white feathers – are halfway folded.
>>132122
Waabishki does a small nod, and answers
"Yes. When I was an adolescent. The ponies came in south of our lands, in forests we used to hunt, and tore out the ground with machines. They tore down trees, removed the soil, and piled dirt high, so that when it rained the dirt flowed into the lakes and streams and killed the fish. This caused the forest great pain and angered the spirits. So we retaliated, and started to skirmish with the ponies. Some huts and and cabins were burned. My father had to go further north to hunt because there were fewer fish in the lakes here, and was kicked in the face by a moose. This was very bad, as he could no longer hunt or even eat well.
That is when they came. It was two mares only, unarmed. They came into the village to talk. I could not understand them well, but I do remember the yellow one. She walked up to me and looked at me. Then she turned her hoof upside down, and a butterfly landed on it. She moved her hoof to my snout, and the butterfly moved onto my snout. I stared at the butterfly on the end of my nose, and the bluejays joined in chorus. It was incredible to see a pony in tune with nature in that way. My father was impressed by them in a different way. They offered to give him false teeth, made of metal, that would let him continue to eat. He was very grateful, and he told our band that he had learned something new from the ponies. He said that their way of using technology was good, because it allowed creatures to live in a way that is less harsh than what nature alone could provide. It was not against nature, but a new way of living in harmony with it. And to the extent that it is not in harmony with nature, the benefits it provides to our lives is worth it. That is what he said, anyways.
The ponies never stopped tearing down forest or ripping up the soil. But the orange pony helped move the dirt, and built berms so that the rains would not wash it into the river. The fish came back, and my father decided for closer cooperation with the ponies. The ponies sent us more medicine, and he decided to provide a tutor for me to learn ponish. Miskobag took a part time job helping to build houses in the pony town south of here, and my father even brought in a wolf who was raised in a pony school and family to be his replacement as captain of the hunt. That is how things were with the ponies, until the doubles came."
Waabishki does a small nod, and answers
"Yes. When I was an adolescent. The ponies came in south of our lands, in forests we used to hunt, and tore out the ground with machines. They tore down trees, removed the soil, and piled dirt high, so that when it rained the dirt flowed into the lakes and streams and killed the fish. This caused the forest great pain and angered the spirits. So we retaliated, and started to skirmish with the ponies. Some huts and and cabins were burned. My father had to go further north to hunt because there were fewer fish in the lakes here, and was kicked in the face by a moose. This was very bad, as he could no longer hunt or even eat well.
That is when they came. It was two mares only, unarmed. They came into the village to talk. I could not understand them well, but I do remember the yellow one. She walked up to me and looked at me. Then she turned her hoof upside down, and a butterfly landed on it. She moved her hoof to my snout, and the butterfly moved onto my snout. I stared at the butterfly on the end of my nose, and the bluejays joined in chorus. It was incredible to see a pony in tune with nature in that way. My father was impressed by them in a different way. They offered to give him false teeth, made of metal, that would let him continue to eat. He was very grateful, and he told our band that he had learned something new from the ponies. He said that their way of using technology was good, because it allowed creatures to live in a way that is less harsh than what nature alone could provide. It was not against nature, but a new way of living in harmony with it. And to the extent that it is not in harmony with nature, the benefits it provides to our lives is worth it. That is what he said, anyways.
The ponies never stopped tearing down forest or ripping up the soil. But the orange pony helped move the dirt, and built berms so that the rains would not wash it into the river. The fish came back, and my father decided for closer cooperation with the ponies. The ponies sent us more medicine, and he decided to provide a tutor for me to learn ponish. Miskobag took a part time job helping to build houses in the pony town south of here, and my father even brought in a wolf who was raised in a pony school and family to be his replacement as captain of the hunt. That is how things were with the ponies, until the doubles came."
>>132154
Silver nods after being quiet during Maakie's story, only speaking once he's done.
"I suppose I know basics, yes. I can see why you would become smuggler and trafficker. I do wonder, is there anything you have done before you regret? Choices made, paths left untravelled?"
Silver nods after being quiet during Maakie's story, only speaking once he's done.
"I suppose I know basics, yes. I can see why you would become smuggler and trafficker. I do wonder, is there anything you have done before you regret? Choices made, paths left untravelled?"
>>132155
"The relationship with changelings will not be as smooth as with ponies I am afraid. I will have my work cut out for me."
"The relationship with changelings will not be as smooth as with ponies I am afraid. I will have my work cut out for me."
>>132157
"So it is. I am not so sure about the path my father took with the ponies. To me it seems the pony way of life brings as many pains as comforts. I do not think the sickness that is consuming Miskobag came from the forest, and he is too young to be as ill as he is. It seems the Iron and metal of the ponies has not improved their lot, as they have fallen to the doubles all the same, why we who live with and in the forest have evaded them. My father has set up as his apparent successor a wolf who is clever, strong willed and a natural leader,"
She comes a little closer and tries to whisper the next part. She speaks through her rows of teeth
"but who has little knowledge of or respect for our people, our customs and culture, and who was selected mostly for exogamy"
She resumes speaking normally, pulling a little further away
"But that is how it is now."
>>132156
"Yes. I should have never tried to moor the Kleine Terreur outside the Prachtig Bos mangroves. I should have shot Klaus Grindel when I had the chance, and should have never trusted that damned accountant. I should have seen to it myself that that the work tables were secure that day in '07, I should have remained in Weter and let that she-hyena take care of things in Baltimare, and I am wondering if the deal I made with Anhänger Altewege was ever worth it. So many things, big and small. Those are only the beginning.
But in another sort of way, I do not regret anything. Those of us not born fortunate have to roll the dice ourselves. You take an action, and you learn the consequences later. Sometimes you don't even know what the consequences mean. I poured my heart into two different grifs, and even now I do not know if that was good or bad. I don't think I could have known how things would end before I acted. Not really anyways. And life only ever ends in death, whatever choices you make."
"So it is. I am not so sure about the path my father took with the ponies. To me it seems the pony way of life brings as many pains as comforts. I do not think the sickness that is consuming Miskobag came from the forest, and he is too young to be as ill as he is. It seems the Iron and metal of the ponies has not improved their lot, as they have fallen to the doubles all the same, why we who live with and in the forest have evaded them. My father has set up as his apparent successor a wolf who is clever, strong willed and a natural leader,"
She comes a little closer and tries to whisper the next part. She speaks through her rows of teeth
"but who has little knowledge of or respect for our people, our customs and culture, and who was selected mostly for exogamy"
She resumes speaking normally, pulling a little further away
"But that is how it is now."
>>132156
"Yes. I should have never tried to moor the Kleine Terreur outside the Prachtig Bos mangroves. I should have shot Klaus Grindel when I had the chance, and should have never trusted that damned accountant. I should have seen to it myself that that the work tables were secure that day in '07, I should have remained in Weter and let that she-hyena take care of things in Baltimare, and I am wondering if the deal I made with Anhänger Altewege was ever worth it. So many things, big and small. Those are only the beginning.
But in another sort of way, I do not regret anything. Those of us not born fortunate have to roll the dice ourselves. You take an action, and you learn the consequences later. Sometimes you don't even know what the consequences mean. I poured my heart into two different grifs, and even now I do not know if that was good or bad. I don't think I could have known how things would end before I acted. Not really anyways. And life only ever ends in death, whatever choices you make."
>>132158
"Hmm... perhaps you can fix both problems however. If your father is treated for his illness, then he could change the appointed successor, or at least the successor can be taught to respect your ways."
"Hmm... perhaps you can fix both problems however. If your father is treated for his illness, then he could change the appointed successor, or at least the successor can be taught to respect your ways."
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