There's lots of interesting possibilities for religion, I just hope it makes sense with what's been established so far. For instance, it would make no sense whatsoever if the worship of the old gods of the Empire portrayed griffons as inherently superior and encouraged xenophobic behavior.
Still the process uses a lot of magic from what I've seen so it's still unlikely that anyone of our griffons will ascend short of finding a very powerful magical artifact or a powerful magical being.
*looks at Crystal Heart*
*looks back at Garrick and Gabriella*
*looks at hordes of crystal ponies practically worshipping Garrick*
Well, that explains some things.
*looks at Crystal Heart*
*looks back at Garrick and Gabriella*
*looks at hordes of crystal ponies practically worshipping Garrick*
Well, that explains some things.
Screw the Elements of Harmony!
We'll make our own Elements!
With Blackjack!
And Hookers!
And Alcohol!
And Guns!
And Steel!
And Orichalcum!
Together they form crippling addictions and crippling guns!
There's lots of interesting possibilities for religion, I just hope it makes sense with what's been established so far. For instance, it would make no sense whatsoever if the worship of the old gods of the Empire portrayed griffons as inherently superior and encouraged xenophobic behavior.
Screw the Elements of Harmony!
We'll make our own Elements!
With Blackjack!
And Hookers!
And Alcohol!
And Guns!
And Steel!
And Orichalcum!
Together they form crippling addictions and crippling guns!
Hmmm... that might be an issue. Can't just straight up enchant orichalcum, after all. Could make an "orichalcum paint" but thats no doubt dangerous to work with. Maybe make a small magical engine, like a tiny crystal heart, and have it power normal steel actuators and pistons on the inside? Yeah, that might work, and then have a shell of orichalcum. cause a full orichalcum golem wouldn't work. But that might take a bit to get working correctly. and would probably be uncontrollable, since magic wouldn't affect it from the outside.
Unless your golem is actually a gun, and the instructions given to the heart are "function as gun" :lol
Griffon: "The Equestrians ascribed sapience to a Crystal Tree and blindly follow orders given by a magic map that may or may not be an extension of said tree. So yeah, sure, why not?"
Griffon: "The Equestrians ascribed sapience to a Crystal Tree and blindly follow orders given by a magic map that may or may not be an extension of said tree. So yeah, sure, why not?"
I mean to be fair the tree gives you crazy trips, bro.
Those kids in the recent seasons have been just going near it and seeing things, man!
They said the tree turned into the Princess of Friendship and talked to them! Baloney!
Griffon: "The Equestrians ascribed sapience to a Crystal Tree and blindly follow orders given by a magic map that may or may not be an extension of said tree. So yeah, sure, why not?"
On a completely unrelated note... Very important question! Would you say Hardbeak would be able to slice a room/building in half? Like, I'm sure peak earth pony could do it, but could the equivalent of peak griffon do it too? Because right now I'm leaning on 'rule of cool' for Hardbeak, being if it's cool, he can probably pull it off. As an example for the closest I could find on short notice:
On a completely unrelated note... Very important question! Would you say Hardbeak would be able to slice a room/building in half? Like, I'm sure peak earth pony could do it, but could the equivalent of peak griffon do it too? Because right now I'm leaning on 'rule of cool' for Hardbeak, being if it's cool, he can probably pull it off. As an example for the closest I could find on short notice:
Poor Hardbeak he goes fighting the various enemies of the Empire and their allies and when he finally dies he thinks he will get his rest. But nope he was worshiped so hard he became a god even in death he serves.
Poor Hardbeak he goes fighting the various enemies of the Empire and their allies and when he finally dies he thinks he will get his rest. But nope he was worshiped so hard he became a god even in death he serves.
Poor Hardbeak he goes fighting the various enemies of the Empire and their allies and when he finally dies he thinks he will get his rest. But nope he was worshiped so hard he became a god even in death he serves.
It began with odd reports from your Southwest border. Military patrols and the odd pioneer sight flashes of colored light and Equine shapes in the distance, only to find nothing in the area upon further investigation. Initially, you and your advisors suspect Maretonia is probing your borders for a potential attack. But before you can even finish drafting a letter of protest to Queen Mareia and her government, a harried courier flies in to your palace bearing news from one of the border forts.
Over a hundred Ponies of all three races have crossed the border, and they're flying a banner none of your people have ever seen before.
As you and your council hastily assemble for an emergency meeting and begin drafting orders to mobilize an armed response to this apparent raid, another, less frantic courier arrives with a more composed and less alarming message. The foreigners are here to talk, not fight. Much like the Neighponese before them, the ruler of a far-away kingdom has chosen to travel beyond their homeland to speak with you directly, accompanied by a sizable complement of bodyguards.
Now somewhat reassured, you give tentative approval for the strangers to traverse through your nation, along a pre-determined, monitored route. You and your advisors hurry to coordinate a response for these new arrivals, assembling a series of tents outside the city walls and gathering a team of diplomats and linguists to assist with any negotiations even as you alert numerous military commanders of the situation, just in case things take a turn for the worse.
Sooner than you'd expected, the strangers arrive upon the plains beneath Mt. Gryphus, and you get your first glimpse of these unknown ponies with your own eyes.
Well, they're not Maretonians. That much is made obvious by their manner of dress, the lack of any slaves in their column, and the presence of so many armed Earth Ponies amongst them (a scant rarity amongst the Maretonian military). As the collection of colorfully barded equines draws closer, marching and flying in perfect formation, you spy two individuals at the center of the group that stand out from their fellows; clearly these are the VIPs that have sought an audience with you.
As the foreigners draw closer, the soldiers begin to take up positions in what you vaguely recognize as parade rest, coming to a smooth halt in stages, the airborne Pegasi landing in sequence alongside their ground-bound comrades. Eventually, a gap is left between your diplomatic party and the Equines, both sides silently watching the other. The gap is bridged by the two VIPS, the Female Unicorn and Male Earth Pony striding out into the open and away from the safety of their companions. Their heads are held high, their every move exuding the grace and authority one would expect to see from royalty. After a moments consideration, you step forwards yourself, motioning for a member of the Diplomatic Corps to accompany you into the void between groups, meeting the dignitaries halfway, two Griffons meeting two Ponies in a sort of no-mare's land.
After a tense and somewhat awkward silence, the newcomers seeming to size you up, the Unicorn mare with a gleaming white coat and mane speaks. In Gryphonese. Out of the corner of your vision, you can see your interpreter visibly deflate in disappointment. Once again, his skills and the skills of those like him are rendered redundant. Still, he composes himself and tries to at least look like he deserves to be here. You, meanwhile, turn your attention back to the strange mare, who bows her head in greeting as she speaks, her male counterpart standing ramrod straight alongside her.
"Greetings, Emperor of the North. I bid thee thanks for your gracious hospitality, and your willingness to speak with us."
She raises her crowned head, her gaze seeming to pierce through you, her eyes brimming with what you suspect is magical power. Were you not significantly larger than her and bearing a crown of your own, you have no doubt you'd feel a bit intimidated."
"I am Queen Chevaline, Monarch of the Kingdom of Canterbury, Seer of the Waters and Voice of the Lady of the Lakes."
She gestures to her male companion, who silently bends a knee in greeting before resuming his disciplined stance.
"This is Calard Bohemond, Lord Protector, Knight of the Grail, Duke of Bastonne...and my Royal Consort."
The Queen returns her gaze to you.
"We greet thee in the spirit of peace and goodwill."
Her eyes narrow as her gaze drifts away from you, her eyes darting South.
"We hath heard mention of thine people's...encounters with the knaves and rogues of Maretonia. My own subjects are sadly well acquainted with their barbarous ways and deceitful conduct."
She returns her attention to you.
"By the Lady's Wisdom, I wish to know thee as neighbors, and as allies against the machinations of such a den of villainy, that both our peoples may prosper."
The White Mare pauses, her gaze flicking to the tents behind you.
"I am certain you have many questions for us, and I you. If I may entreat thee as to extend thine hospitality further, we shall do all we can to enlighten thee, in hopes of learning more of thysekf and thine own people."
You nod cautiously, gesturing the two royal guests towards the gilded tent erected for just such a purpose.
This was looking to be yet another momentous milestone in your Empire's history.
New Nation Encountered: Kingdom of Canterbury
Relationship: 7/10 (Allies of Convenience)
What Questions do you ask?
[ ] Write-Ins
Writers Block is a Bitch.
Another day, another first contact Dialogue. As before, you get to ask five questions, though if I see a lot of really good questions I might expand the number. Any relevant lore or valuable information not covered in the coming update will be made available as the result of future Diplomacy and Intrigue Actions.
[] Question Plan - To the Point
-[] Can you tell me a little about your nation and its history?
-[] What are your country's relations with Maretonia like?
-[] Does your nation practice slavery?
-[] Once we have extracted our people and begun to wage war against Maretonia to end their support of slavery, will you aid us, and in what manner will you be able to aid us?
-[] Would you be interested in trade with our country?
So first question who is the lady of the lakes,maybe how long they been in contact with Maretonia, Is she aware/in contact with any other civilization and that's all I got.
Huh. Heavy brettonia vibes from this one but... something is off. @Questor can you tell me how many of the party were mares as opposed to Stallions? And Was the Consort in any way... off or muzzled in someway?
