Griffonia Basics
Hakazin
Serpent Admirer
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Alright. The holidays are done, I'm nice and relaxed, let's get back to-
...
Horsefeathers
Yeah. The mod updated about a week ago, and from a quick check the savegame is not cooperating. At all. So, let's consider this a good excuse to put together a primer for Griffonia.
Equestria is, if nothing else, a land united. With Celestia and Luna protecting them, with bonds on unity uniting them, the ponies have thrived. Although the nights were dark and full of terrors, an Equestrian could be reasonably assured that they could lead a long and prosperous life, safe from any real harm.
This was not the case across the sea.
The history of the Griffons was not one of friendship and harmony; it was a history of iron, in which an iron spirit and an iron will was needed the griffons to survive. Not that iron ever did them any good, of course. Griffonia was divided between many kingdoms, all of them constantly fighting with one another. One would occasionally rise to a pre-eminent position above the others, only to be brought down by internal squabbles or the temporary unification of their enemies. That was the status quo, until 300 years ago. Until Grover of Griffonstone.
King Grover of Griffonstone had discovered an artifact called the Idol of Boreas. The idol granted him incredible power, which he leveraged to defeat and conquer the Kingdoms of Wingbardy and Aquilea. Grover, now crowned Emperor of Griffonia, founded the modern Imperial dynasty and, in theory, had unified Griffonia for all time.
However, it was not to last. The Idol refused to grant its powers to Grover's son, creatively named Grover II, forcing the Empire to be held together by purely mortal means. A patently impossible task at the time, the Empire began to wither, though it did not manage to collapse outright until almost 40 years ago.
The Griffonian Empire barely stands, the Sick Bird of Griffonia down but not quite out. The loss of the Idol of Boreas combined with an overlong regency council for the sickly Emperor Grover V, hamstrung the already stretched Empire, with things coming to a head in 978. A massive horde of dissatisfied peasants and malcontents assaulted the capital, and a enterprising young general named Kemerskai seized control in a bloody coup. Kemerskai attempted to found a new, Republican state on the ruins of the Empire, but a counter-revolution toppled his regime, re-installing Grover to the throne. The armies of the Griffonian Republic marched north, seeking to eventually return to Griffenheim, and many of the outlying duchies and kingdoms declared independence in the chaos.
Even the nobility that remained loyal still bucks at the reins. Most notable of these is the Grand Duchy of Fethasia, a traditionally autonomous and prosperous part of the empire, and the Free City of Romau, home to one of the three Archons of the Griffonian faith. In addition, the Sunstriker Clan of bandits remain as nominal vassals in the north, although they are likely to break free the moment they see an opportunity.
To the immediate south lies the Kingdom of Aquileia, wracked by revolution and chaos. The incompetent Discret family, despite managing to put down a successful Revolution, have failed to entirely snuff out the flames of liberty. The Skyfall Trade Federation lies on the northern coast, a merchant 'republic' secured by their control of the former imperial navy, yet crippled by a lack of popular support. Between these countries and the Empire lies Griefwald, a small country well aware of their precarious position and seeking to secure it.
Further to the south, you find what were formerly richest lands in the Empire. The Kingdom of Wingbardy had seceded from the Empire even before its collapse, and is now faced with a massive economic crisis caused by the collapse of their former overlords. The crisis is also affecting the Equestrian colony of New Mareland, where an increasingly large independence movement is making gains.
The southeast, meanwhile, is still beset by chaos. The Griffon Liberation Army fights to liberate the Griffon workers from the depredations of the Kingdom of Brodfeld, with Blackrock's Bandits and the Gryphian Host raiding and causing chaos to both parties. It looks unlikely the region will settle down any time soon.
In the east, we have the Ponies of Griffonia. The River Coalition, in theory a unified alliance of the pony nations against the Griffons, is more a general agreement to fight against invaders and generally not get in each others' way. However, many riverpony politicians dream of potential unification. The two most likely candidates for forming any such River Federation are the River Republic, currently recovering from an election that is still being contested by the socialists, and Lake City, an unstable republic still nursing a grudge against the Griffons.
And nurse they should. The Knightly Orders of Hellquill and Longsword, founded by Grover II with the express purpose of conquering the Ponies of the East, still look to the Riverlands. Of particular note is the recently founded Reformisten movement, which seeks the outright conquest of the ponies in a glorious crusade. Also of note is Diamond Mountain, ruled by the tyrannical King Rover and still reeling from a massive Griffon raid, and Nimbusia, a pegasus-dominated oligarchy and the strongest military power in the River Coalition.
Finally, in the North, we have the least-populated area of Griffonia. Mostly controlled by small, isolated tribes of ponies, the most notable settlement is that of Farbrook. As they become increasingly aware of the world, Farbrook begins to consider the idea of reaching out, most likely to the River Coalition. That is not to say they are friendless, of course. In fact, they boast a close relationship with the Changelings of Greneclyf, with whom they have shared in friendship since time immemorial, and who's Queen has also become interested in the idea of closer ties with the outside world.
And, of course, there is the Arcturian Order and the Dread League. Locked in eternal battle, the knights of the Order have defended the world from the necromancers of the League for over a millennium. Although the Order has become increasingly relaxed in recent centuries, as the threat from the north has waned, they must still keep up their guard. Rumours have spread south of a new necromancer, one who could unite the League and lead their armies south in a second Black Crusade…
...
Horsefeathers
Yeah. The mod updated about a week ago, and from a quick check the savegame is not cooperating. At all. So, let's consider this a good excuse to put together a primer for Griffonia.
Equestria is, if nothing else, a land united. With Celestia and Luna protecting them, with bonds on unity uniting them, the ponies have thrived. Although the nights were dark and full of terrors, an Equestrian could be reasonably assured that they could lead a long and prosperous life, safe from any real harm.
This was not the case across the sea.
The history of the Griffons was not one of friendship and harmony; it was a history of iron, in which an iron spirit and an iron will was needed the griffons to survive. Not that iron ever did them any good, of course. Griffonia was divided between many kingdoms, all of them constantly fighting with one another. One would occasionally rise to a pre-eminent position above the others, only to be brought down by internal squabbles or the temporary unification of their enemies. That was the status quo, until 300 years ago. Until Grover of Griffonstone.
King Grover of Griffonstone had discovered an artifact called the Idol of Boreas. The idol granted him incredible power, which he leveraged to defeat and conquer the Kingdoms of Wingbardy and Aquilea. Grover, now crowned Emperor of Griffonia, founded the modern Imperial dynasty and, in theory, had unified Griffonia for all time.
However, it was not to last. The Idol refused to grant its powers to Grover's son, creatively named Grover II, forcing the Empire to be held together by purely mortal means. A patently impossible task at the time, the Empire began to wither, though it did not manage to collapse outright until almost 40 years ago.
The Griffonian Empire barely stands, the Sick Bird of Griffonia down but not quite out. The loss of the Idol of Boreas combined with an overlong regency council for the sickly Emperor Grover V, hamstrung the already stretched Empire, with things coming to a head in 978. A massive horde of dissatisfied peasants and malcontents assaulted the capital, and a enterprising young general named Kemerskai seized control in a bloody coup. Kemerskai attempted to found a new, Republican state on the ruins of the Empire, but a counter-revolution toppled his regime, re-installing Grover to the throne. The armies of the Griffonian Republic marched north, seeking to eventually return to Griffenheim, and many of the outlying duchies and kingdoms declared independence in the chaos.
Even the nobility that remained loyal still bucks at the reins. Most notable of these is the Grand Duchy of Fethasia, a traditionally autonomous and prosperous part of the empire, and the Free City of Romau, home to one of the three Archons of the Griffonian faith. In addition, the Sunstriker Clan of bandits remain as nominal vassals in the north, although they are likely to break free the moment they see an opportunity.
To the immediate south lies the Kingdom of Aquileia, wracked by revolution and chaos. The incompetent Discret family, despite managing to put down a successful Revolution, have failed to entirely snuff out the flames of liberty. The Skyfall Trade Federation lies on the northern coast, a merchant 'republic' secured by their control of the former imperial navy, yet crippled by a lack of popular support. Between these countries and the Empire lies Griefwald, a small country well aware of their precarious position and seeking to secure it.
Further to the south, you find what were formerly richest lands in the Empire. The Kingdom of Wingbardy had seceded from the Empire even before its collapse, and is now faced with a massive economic crisis caused by the collapse of their former overlords. The crisis is also affecting the Equestrian colony of New Mareland, where an increasingly large independence movement is making gains.
The southeast, meanwhile, is still beset by chaos. The Griffon Liberation Army fights to liberate the Griffon workers from the depredations of the Kingdom of Brodfeld, with Blackrock's Bandits and the Gryphian Host raiding and causing chaos to both parties. It looks unlikely the region will settle down any time soon.
In the east, we have the Ponies of Griffonia. The River Coalition, in theory a unified alliance of the pony nations against the Griffons, is more a general agreement to fight against invaders and generally not get in each others' way. However, many riverpony politicians dream of potential unification. The two most likely candidates for forming any such River Federation are the River Republic, currently recovering from an election that is still being contested by the socialists, and Lake City, an unstable republic still nursing a grudge against the Griffons.
And nurse they should. The Knightly Orders of Hellquill and Longsword, founded by Grover II with the express purpose of conquering the Ponies of the East, still look to the Riverlands. Of particular note is the recently founded Reformisten movement, which seeks the outright conquest of the ponies in a glorious crusade. Also of note is Diamond Mountain, ruled by the tyrannical King Rover and still reeling from a massive Griffon raid, and Nimbusia, a pegasus-dominated oligarchy and the strongest military power in the River Coalition.
Finally, in the North, we have the least-populated area of Griffonia. Mostly controlled by small, isolated tribes of ponies, the most notable settlement is that of Farbrook. As they become increasingly aware of the world, Farbrook begins to consider the idea of reaching out, most likely to the River Coalition. That is not to say they are friendless, of course. In fact, they boast a close relationship with the Changelings of Greneclyf, with whom they have shared in friendship since time immemorial, and who's Queen has also become interested in the idea of closer ties with the outside world.
And, of course, there is the Arcturian Order and the Dread League. Locked in eternal battle, the knights of the Order have defended the world from the necromancers of the League for over a millennium. Although the Order has become increasingly relaxed in recent centuries, as the threat from the north has waned, they must still keep up their guard. Rumours have spread south of a new necromancer, one who could unite the League and lead their armies south in a second Black Crusade…
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