Word Of GM. It's so here and Griffons can't do it.
Who Needs Harmony?: An MLP Empire Quest
- Thread starter Questor
- Start date
lockingbane
If you're crazy and you know it clap your hands!
- Location
- Waxahachie tx
Could you quote it please?
- Location
- I think somewhere. I might be nowhere though
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Well this was a long quest to catch up on. Quite an exciting one though, and I still have to read the sidestories.
Question: how come renovating and resettling Griffonstone never appeared as an option during the chapters? It was stated to be the birthplace of the last empire, so it clearly has symbolic importance. Even if it was obviously low priority and voters probably wouldn't pick it, you would think the idea would have occurred in-quest for the possibility of a government-led program to revitalize the area.
I am aware that the city is now revitalized anyways by the memorial pilgrimages. I am just curious.
Question: how come renovating and resettling Griffonstone never appeared as an option during the chapters? It was stated to be the birthplace of the last empire, so it clearly has symbolic importance. Even if it was obviously low priority and voters probably wouldn't pick it, you would think the idea would have occurred in-quest for the possibility of a government-led program to revitalize the area.
I am aware that the city is now revitalized anyways by the memorial pilgrimages. I am just curious.
- Location
- The state of Paranoia
Welcome to the quest!
I don't know, personally it never occurred to me, but I haven't been here since the beginning so maybe someone else knows if it was considered.
Omake: Of Names and Packs
- Location
- Hell, or at least the closest place to it
AN: Freedom. Yay. "Is slapped back into work pile"
Indeed, it would seem that more often than not, the Empire itself puts more personality in naming particularly famous Diamond Dog than their own culture. Figures like Captain Kaboom are often given their names for their preferences, or through their deeds, as is often the case. Indeed, the many Diamond Dogs who work the Empires mines, scout for the Army, and other tasks often seem to have simple, one word names, like the aforementioned Boulder, or Crusher, or Shorty.
However, one should not assume that such simplicity is the truth. Indeed, much like the perceived like of piety often seen in Griffonkind, and has been discussed in the previous chapters, the Kins way of life and culture is far more complicated than one would expect. As such, I shall endeavor, to the best of my ability, and with aid of Elder Softstone of the Bright-Stones, to explain the many naming conventions and concepts of individual Kin, and of the Pack as a whole. We will start, of course, at the Beginning.
When a Litter is born, the parents, and a presiding Elder of the Pack, or in some rare, unfortunate cases, the litters surviving kin, will inspect the pups when they are strong enough. They will look for defining features, such as eye color, fur color or patterns, teeth shape, body definition, and will name them based on these findings. In cases where the parents have already decided on names, the process will usually be skipped in favor of the parents decision. However, in cases where the parents have no preference, or the pups are orphans, the ritual will commence post haste.
In my fifth month amongst the Kin, I was privileged enough to be invited to observe one such ritual. The parents, both Diamond Dogs, had only prepared names for a few of the litter, having not expected most to survive the few months since the birth. The Elder had explained to me, much to my shock, that prior to the many Packs joining of the empire, 3/4s of all litters were expected to die in the first few months, either from starvation, the cold of the tunnels and mountains, or afflicted by the illness the Kin call Moon Madness, and abandoned. Since then, the Packs have experienced something of a population boom, with a few cross species couples in the mix as well.
Kin are referred to by their birth names at all occasions, and will continue to be until they have earned their True Names. True Names are the names that the Kin gain once they have earned adulthood. To do this, a Kin must have a distinguishing trait, personality or concept about them, or a exemplary deed in their life. Until then, these Kin are considered children, and are not allowed to leave the Pack or mate until they do so, and will not be allowed to feast with the adults at gatherings or fight in battle.
This can take years and decades in some cases. I have heard stories of Elders who have never earned their true names, dying old and alone, unable to achieve their adulthood. These Kin are Pariahs, unable to grow up, and unable to act like children, made into laborers or banished. Some go mad, or lose the will to live. These cases are rare though, as most earn their names within 20 years of life, and even rarer now, since much of the Packs joined the Empire.
Much like how we Griffons name ourselves, these can be simple and short to complex and long. One Kin, introduced to me as simply Hard Rock, told me that his full name was Long-Fured-Bird-Sight-Dense-Stone-Iron-Breaker-Bright-Stone. As my readers can see, such names can be long , drawn out affairs. When I asked why he told me it was simply Hard Rock, however, the Kin laughed and said that it was the sum of his being, and trying to explain it the way they saw it would be like me trying to explain what the color purple is to a blind Kin, or understand what sunlight tastes like to a flower. That last one especially confused me, but he only laughed.
Most Kin carry their pack names throughout their lives, though they are not usually included in the full name, as most Kin can apparently tell by smell or sight which Pack is which. Some packs will intermix, forming new Packs from two entirely different cultures. Others may have kin form offshoots Packs from the main, gaining new names or changing old ones in some way. Outsiders can be inducted into Packs, including Griffons and Crystal Ponies, and I have heard a few stories of some Packs essentially adopting entirely towns or cites as a part of their pack.
Having lived with the Kin for so long, I have grown to appreciate the seeming simplicity of their names. Their simple nature is deceptive, and can contain a wealth of information about how they view us, and change how we view them as Citizens of the Empire. Indeed, as we will discover in the next chapter, their seeming simplicity is quite deceptive, especially in their relationships with others. Join me, dear readers, as we delve into inter species romance between the Kin and other species, and how it is view by them at large.
AN: I has no more fingers. @Questor take my suffering.
Of Names and Packs
Excerpted from 'A Dive with Diamond Dogs, or My Year with the Bright-Stone Kin
By Aquila Longstrider'
Chapter 7
Having covered the Oral History of the Bright-Stone Pack, and it's origins, I feel that it would be appropriate to address a particular issue that has frequently come up in my previous books, and other works about the Kin. Many of my readers will have noticed, in dealings with their Kin or those associated with the Kin, that many of them refer to themselves in, to put it mildly, basic terms. Names like Boulder, Iron, Gemhunter, Cruncher, Breaker and Brighteye are seemingly very basic names, and would seem to indicate a very basic naming structure. Excerpted from 'A Dive with Diamond Dogs, or My Year with the Bright-Stone Kin
By Aquila Longstrider'
Chapter 7
Indeed, it would seem that more often than not, the Empire itself puts more personality in naming particularly famous Diamond Dog than their own culture. Figures like Captain Kaboom are often given their names for their preferences, or through their deeds, as is often the case. Indeed, the many Diamond Dogs who work the Empires mines, scout for the Army, and other tasks often seem to have simple, one word names, like the aforementioned Boulder, or Crusher, or Shorty.
However, one should not assume that such simplicity is the truth. Indeed, much like the perceived like of piety often seen in Griffonkind, and has been discussed in the previous chapters, the Kins way of life and culture is far more complicated than one would expect. As such, I shall endeavor, to the best of my ability, and with aid of Elder Softstone of the Bright-Stones, to explain the many naming conventions and concepts of individual Kin, and of the Pack as a whole. We will start, of course, at the Beginning.
Birthnames
When a Litter is born, the parents, and a presiding Elder of the Pack, or in some rare, unfortunate cases, the litters surviving kin, will inspect the pups when they are strong enough. They will look for defining features, such as eye color, fur color or patterns, teeth shape, body definition, and will name them based on these findings. In cases where the parents have already decided on names, the process will usually be skipped in favor of the parents decision. However, in cases where the parents have no preference, or the pups are orphans, the ritual will commence post haste.
In my fifth month amongst the Kin, I was privileged enough to be invited to observe one such ritual. The parents, both Diamond Dogs, had only prepared names for a few of the litter, having not expected most to survive the few months since the birth. The Elder had explained to me, much to my shock, that prior to the many Packs joining of the empire, 3/4s of all litters were expected to die in the first few months, either from starvation, the cold of the tunnels and mountains, or afflicted by the illness the Kin call Moon Madness, and abandoned. Since then, the Packs have experienced something of a population boom, with a few cross species couples in the mix as well.
Kin are referred to by their birth names at all occasions, and will continue to be until they have earned their True Names. True Names are the names that the Kin gain once they have earned adulthood. To do this, a Kin must have a distinguishing trait, personality or concept about them, or a exemplary deed in their life. Until then, these Kin are considered children, and are not allowed to leave the Pack or mate until they do so, and will not be allowed to feast with the adults at gatherings or fight in battle.
This can take years and decades in some cases. I have heard stories of Elders who have never earned their true names, dying old and alone, unable to achieve their adulthood. These Kin are Pariahs, unable to grow up, and unable to act like children, made into laborers or banished. Some go mad, or lose the will to live. These cases are rare though, as most earn their names within 20 years of life, and even rarer now, since much of the Packs joined the Empire.
True Names
True Names are, as described by Elder Softstone, the sum of a Kins being. Who they are in life, what they do for a living, what makes them tick, how others perceive them. A Kin who loves to mine, to dig, to finds Gems or Gold, can be called Shine-Hunter, or Bright-Heart, or any other combination. Likewise, a Kin who has sharp hearing or a keen sense of smell, may be named accordingly after that trait. The same goes for Kin who like to fight, or hunt well, or are particularly strong, or tall.
Much like how we Griffons name ourselves, these can be simple and short to complex and long. One Kin, introduced to me as simply Hard Rock, told me that his full name was Long-Fured-Bird-Sight-Dense-Stone-Iron-Breaker-Bright-Stone. As my readers can see, such names can be long , drawn out affairs. When I asked why he told me it was simply Hard Rock, however, the Kin laughed and said that it was the sum of his being, and trying to explain it the way they saw it would be like me trying to explain what the color purple is to a blind Kin, or understand what sunlight tastes like to a flower. That last one especially confused me, but he only laughed.
Pack Names
Pack names are traits that each of the kin in the Pack have in common with each other. This can range from preferred locations of living, to the preferred ways of mining, or what they mine, or how they fight, or a distinguishing trait amongst the kin, like Blue eyes, white stripes, or personality. The Bright-Stones were named such because of where they dig, inside gem mountains and ore filled tunnels, and the fact that they likely mine and harvest such metals and gems. Many of the Pack, as such, work in the Empires mines, or spend most of their lives digging underground, though a fair few kin have gone to live on the surface, and serve in the Empires armies.
Most Kin carry their pack names throughout their lives, though they are not usually included in the full name, as most Kin can apparently tell by smell or sight which Pack is which. Some packs will intermix, forming new Packs from two entirely different cultures. Others may have kin form offshoots Packs from the main, gaining new names or changing old ones in some way. Outsiders can be inducted into Packs, including Griffons and Crystal Ponies, and I have heard a few stories of some Packs essentially adopting entirely towns or cites as a part of their pack.
Having lived with the Kin for so long, I have grown to appreciate the seeming simplicity of their names. Their simple nature is deceptive, and can contain a wealth of information about how they view us, and change how we view them as Citizens of the Empire. Indeed, as we will discover in the next chapter, their seeming simplicity is quite deceptive, especially in their relationships with others. Join me, dear readers, as we delve into inter species romance between the Kin and other species, and how it is view by them at large.
AN: I has no more fingers. @Questor take my suffering.
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lockingbane
If you're crazy and you know it clap your hands!
- Location
- Waxahachie tx
Wow, that sounds pretty.... And expensive...
- Location
- Moncton New Brunswick
question the above is how far ive read but anyway are we going by standard ck2 rules? cause im wondering if our character should die either from natural causes or otherwise we can continue as our heir
lockingbane
If you're crazy and you know it clap your hands!
- Location
- Waxahachie tx
I am pretty sure that is the case. We have made multiple comments on how our son would make a good successor.
- Location
- Italy
Well, there is still some hope about some alicorn ascension equivalent for our dear emperor (ok, it's probably mostly me
), but if things proceed as they seem to be doing, we might consider retiring Garrick in a decade or two, maybe make him an advisor, let him rest a bit and enjoy life (and possibly his grandchildren) Our son is about 16 right now, in a few years he'll be ready in case Garrick dies (once he loses his age maluses he has better stats in everything!), otherwise we'll probably abdicate whenever we have a few years of peace to smooth the transition
lockingbane
If you're crazy and you know it clap your hands!
- Location
- Waxahachie tx
I am hoping to have us retire and become an advisor when our son loses the age maluses.Well, there is still some hope about some alicorn ascension equivalent for our dear emperor (ok, it's probably mostly me
Garrick deserves a nice retirement playing with his grandkids and living peacefully.
You know considering Questors sheer speed in updating at least once a week and the fact it's now been over two weeks, I am now imagining that we either rolled so high or low on the piety option that either a religious schism has formed in the empire or we have just become a god and Questor is having to rework his rules to take into account divine influence
- Location
- Rapidly approaching your location.
- Pronouns
- Any/Morb
Or Questor might be busy. It is summer, after all.You know considering Questors sheer speed in updating at least once a week and the fact it's now been over two weeks, I am now imagining that we either rolled so high or low on the piety option that either a religious schism has formed in the empire or we have just become a god and Questor is having to rework his rules to take into account divine influence
- Location
- Hell, or at least the closest place to it
Shhh. Logic has no place here. Let the God Emperor flourish in the hearts of his people.
- Location
- Germany
- Location
- Rapidly approaching your location.
- Pronouns
- Any/Morb
Yeah @azereath sadly we didn't do the piety option D: would have enjoyed voting for an Imperial Cult.
- Location
- Rapidly approaching your location.
- Pronouns
- Any/Morb
It's obvious to most people that Questor is actually writing an autobiography with this quest, and was merely taking time off from ruling his empire on the other side of the portal to write quests on SV.
He's probably gone back to his Empire to take care of some urgent business.
He's probably gone back to his Empire to take care of some urgent business.
- Location
- Moncton New Brunswick
The Peregrines expedition left with almost a hundred Griffons and Diamond Dogs. Only five return alive.
The survivors are nearly mad with fear. They speak of a frozen wasteland, desecrated by foul magicks, the land itself seeming to be actively hostile as the members of the expedition died one by one, swallowed by crevasses, stabbed by crystalline growths, struck down by sudden lightning or flayed alive by unnatural blizzards.
Then they mention how they came upon a dark city, somehow shielded from the ice and snow, great spires of hallowed out crystal tinged black by some malevolent force, a bizarre feeling of mental oppression emanating from it and driving all who beheld it to fear and madness.
As the scouts finally decided to turn back and leave this cursed land behind them, they were set upon by what could only have been the ruler of this realm of nightmares. A quadrupedal horned Equine seemingly made of living shadow, his mere gaze sending grizzled warriors into fits of primal terror.
He personally slew all but a handful of the expedition, and the survivors believe they escaped only because he allowed them to, that he wished for them to tell all they met of what fate awaited them.
You were tempted to merely dismiss their reports as the ravings of half-starved lunatics. But the unseasonable frost slowly creeping over the mountains into your southern provinces tells you otherwise, as does the massive, unnatural blizzard originating from the South, slowly but inexorably making its way north towards the Empire. Almost as if it was...walking towards you.
Discovered "Crystal Empire".
Invasion Imminent.
You rolled a 1. To all those people who were talking about going to war: wish granted. You're fighting Unicorn Sauron now.
aw sweet merciful celestia not him anypony but him!
lockingbane
If you're crazy and you know it clap your hands!
- Location
- Waxahachie tx
Dont worry, it becomes epic.
- Location
- Italy
Behold the result of a nat 1!
Our first true villain!
Second if you count Brochard.
Without spoiling anything, I'll say our conflict with Sombra is VERY interesting to read. Very entertaining.
This is where legends are born!
- Location
- I think somewhere. I might be nowhere though
- Pronouns
- He/Him
This is why I love nat. 1's and other low rolls. You can't have a great story without a great conflict!
Ozymandias
I HATE
That "Emperor-worshipping imperial cult" stuff was funny as a joke (despite some people doing their best to drive it into the ground).
It would've been an insufferable power-tripping shark-jump in the actual story.
It would've been an insufferable power-tripping shark-jump in the actual story.
- Location
- Rapidly approaching your location.
- Pronouns
- Any/Morb
I mean yeah, it was mainly a joke. Even Garrick's opinion of the cult was a bit wary and bewildered in the story.
- Location
- I think somewhere. I might be nowhere though
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Sounds funny and in any other situation, I would say to encourage it. As it is though, that doesn't really fit the course of the story.
- Location
- Moncton New Brunswick
hmm just got to the part where we have anti magic metal.....which was I believe first seen in the fic the assassination of twilight sparkle where said metal is the only thing that can kill an alicorn