And we already have our personal DaVinci! We just need the Borgia family an-Wait a moment! We now have a piety option because of our new religion...oh God if we decide to promote the Imperial Cult we will become the 40k/MLP version of the Borgia family.
And we already have our personal DaVinci! We just need the Borgia family an-Wait a moment! We now have a piety option because of our new religion...oh God if we decide to promote the Imperial Cult we will become the 40k/MLP version of the Borgia family.
[X] State Influence: While you don't really like the idea of the government having direct control over religious institutions, it's clear that there needs to be some kind of authority to prevent sectarian conflict between the different faiths that exist within your Empire. As such, while you shan't have full control over the various religious institutions, you will exert some influence and control whenever it becomes necessary to do so, using your authority as Emperor.
[X] Do Nothing about the Imperial Cult: Maybe you're of two minds about your most fanatically loyal subjects. Perhaps you don't want to risk being misunderstood or accused of manipulating such vulnerable people. Or maybe you just want to see how things play out without your influence. Regardless of your motives, you'll leave the Cult to its own devices for now, neither encouraging nor discouraging it.
Hello there... Gentlemen/women/unidentifiable gender pronoun you liked to be called, I see we have to a consensus.
We are Italy and Germany combined... The only time this happened to a ridiculous degree?
H.R.E.- Holy Roman Empire
Now we want France annexed in order to become... Charlemagne/Karl the Great's HRE.
After that our goal will be... Creatione Imperious Romanus*
To succeed in our Final Goal. We need to have everything higher than our enemies in order to push for that goal.
We need to be superior...
In Allies.
Land.
Resources.
Technology.
Soldiers.
Magic.
And Unity.
For Our True Goal is the Dominationis Mundi** of all of MLP.
PS: But I don't know if this quest will last long enough for us to have THE galactic empire. ~\[!-!]/~
Edit: If you guys are as uncultured as I think you are... And you guys think me uncultured... Yeah, yeah, laugh it all up, we all had to look up the translations of what we write if we want to be cool. Ok?
*Creatione Imperius Romanus- (Rough Translation) Creation of the Roman Empire
** Dominationis Mundi- (Rough Translation) Domination of the World
Gawain knocked on the door of the manor house, giving himself a quick once over to ensure that he was presentable. He'd decided to forgo his more obvious royal accoutrements, opting for a much more casual appearance. He was going to dinner with a friend, not attending the Imperial Court. Sure, he would probably still be recognized upon closer inspection, but people on the street wouldn't give him a second look. To a casual observer, he'd be just another young noble in a city full of them.
A servant answered the door, eyeing the young Griffon with confusion. This was a good sign. If a person couldn't recognize him when they were standing face to face, there'd be no chance of a passerby doing so.
The servant's beak opened, doubtlessly about to ask him who he was and what he was doing here, before his eyes focused on a point behind Gawain. The servant blinked, eyes widening as he looked back at Gawain, connecting the dots and swiftly prostrating himself before the crown prince.
Gawain sighed and cast a withering glare over his shoulder at the two knights assigned to his protective detail, still fully dressed in the gilded armor announcing their status as guardians of the royal household. He'd asked them to keep their distance, to not hover over him all night. They'd reluctantly complied, but insisted on keeping an eye on him from a distance. Which in this case meant standing just outside the gates of the Brissette manor, casting an intimidating and obvious silhouette that was easily visible to its inhabitants.
The servant apologized profusely, not once looking up at Gawain as he scrambled back inside to fetch the Brissette heiress. The heir to the Empire sighed. Hopefully this would be the low point of the night and it would all be smooth sailing from here.
Any thoughts left his mind however, when he finally caught sight of his companion for the evening. She was bedecked in all the finery one would expect of a young hen attending an Imperial function, her dress seeming to sparkle in the light of the moon. For the first time, Gawain was thankful that Isabelle was the shy type, her gaze directed down towards the ground...it meant she didn't see him pick his jaw up off the floor.
Gawain mentally stumbled. He'd had a response ready when he'd come to the door, but he couldn't think of it now. He put on a friendly smile and tried to look casual. He'd have to improvise.
He mentally winced. Crap, maybe he shouldn't have said beautiful. That might have sounded creepy.
Isabelle blushed, her soft voice like the tinkling of bells.
"Th-thank you. You look...nice."
Gawain tugged at his collar. He suddenly felt very underdressed.
"I know it's not royal finery but I wanted to try and avoid drawing attention tonight."
He cast another glare over his shoulder.
"Unfortunately, my bodyguards are proving a bit of a hindrance in that regard."
He swore he saw one of them smirk. Isabelle shook her head.
"Oh no, that's fine! I-I'm just happy to get to spend time with you..."
Her gaze fell.
"Though I don't think your hopes to avoid attention will work with me around...everyone knows my family."
She started as Gawain gently placed a reassuring talon upon her shoulder, her eyes meeting his as he gave her a gentle grin.
"I thought of that...and I think I found a way around that little problem...you're not claustrophobic are you?"
—————————————————————————————
The two heirs of royalty stood upon a cliff, a ceiling of rock above their heads, peering over the edge at the sight beneath them.
Isabelle stared open mouthed at the subterranean town, rows of houses carved into the cave walls, lanterns and torches illuminating the vast cavern. From this distance, she could just barely make out the moving shapes of Diamond Dogs on the streets and alleys below. Gawain smiled.
"Pretty cool eh? Diamondtown is a heck of a place. When the first packs pledged their fealty to my father, many set up their dwellings underneath the capitol. Over the years it's turned into a big settlement, almost a city unto itself."
The Noble heiress stared at the prince.
"How...how have I never seen this before?"
Gawain shrugged.
"It's existence isn't a secret, it's just that most Griffons don't go down here...owing to our racial inclination towards claustrophobia."
The male Griffon gestured behind them, indicating the tunnel they'd walked through to enter the massive artificial cave system.
"Tunnels and entrances like that are scattered all across the upper city. It's how the dogs commute to work on the surface. But since they were built in the days when the dogs were still paranoid about Griffon persecution, most of the entrances were hidden in out of the way places, or camouflaged with boulders and plant life."
Isabelle opened and closed her beak, spluttering.
"B-but...why are they still hidden? The Diamond dogs are an integral part of the Empire, equal to Griffons in almost every way!"
Gawain shrugged.
"Force of habit? Lack of necessity? A lingering paranoia about threats besides us? Who can say? A few of the less tolerant members of the nobility have raised the issue with my father, but he's never done anything about it. He says that if it makes the dogs feel safe, he sees no reason to take action, especially seeing as how all the entrances and exits are known to the government. They still need to file construction and excavation permits after all."
Isabelle returned her gaze to the glittering lights of the underground town before looking back to Gawain.
"Why here though?"
Her eyes widened, a blush breaking across her face as she seemed to realize what she'd just said.
"Not that I don't want to be here, I-it's a beautiful place b-but...why did you choose to take me here?"
Gawain smiled, a coy look in his eyes.
"You said you were worried about being recognized."
He extended a wing, pointing to the shapes of the Diamond Dogs beneath them.
"I guarantee you, not one of them will see you as anything more than a young Noble lady."
His eyes darted to the side, staring at one particular building, it's lights easily visible even from far away.
"I also know a great place to eat that I know you'll love. Come on, I've reserved us a table."
And with that, the Prince took off, followed shortly thereafter by a flustered but smiling Isabelle Brissette...and a pair of knights that still steadfastly refused to let their charge out of their sight.
———————————————————————————————
The two Griffons land in front of the entrance to a large brick building, music and chatter echoing out the open doorway and into the street. A carved wooden sign just above the entryway proclaimed the building as "Big Mama's".
Brissette looked at the sign, then at Gawain with a raised eye ridge. Gawain chuckled.
"I had the same reaction when I first saw that. I know it's not what you'd expect from a fine dining establishment, but trust me, this place serves some of the best food in the Empire."
The prince gently took Isabelle's talon in his own, not noticing how the gesture made her blush as he led her through the doorway.
"Come on, I'll show you."
The duo enter the restaurant, the noise within washing over them as Gawain confidently leads the way to a table on the far side of the restaurant. Some of the patrons give the two Griffons a curious glance, particularly Isabelle and her fanciful dress, but none stare for more than a moment before returning to their meals and conversation. True to Gawain's word, none of the subterranean canines see the Brissette heiress as anything more than a young lady of nobility. There are no suspicious gazes, no whispered accusations, no disdainful dismissals. She's just another face in the crowd.
The table was set for two, a fine tablecloth and polished silverware sitting atop it. Mere minutes after placing their orders, a massive Diamond Dog female walked out carrying two plates stacked high with steaming food.
"Eat up now children! You let momma know if you need anything!"
Isabelle stared after the Alpha Female. Gawain chuckled.
"She's quite a character isn't she?"
Isabelle nodded.
"Why do they call her big mamma?"
Gawain smirked.
"Aside from the obvious? ....It's her demeanor. She treats everyone, and I mean everyone, like family. Doesn't matter your age or your race, everyone's welcome at Big Momma's house."
Isabelle didn't know how to respond to that, mutely taking a bite of her food. Her eyes lit up. Gawain was right, this was very good food.
———————————————————————————————
Almost an hour later, the two young Griffons walked out the same door they'd entered, moving a bit more slowly than they had before. Big Mamma's cooking may have tasted delicious, but it also settled like a lead weight in one's gut.
The two knights on the rooftop across the street watched their charges slowly flap their wings and, after a very brief window where it seemed like the two had been grounded by the contents of their stomachs, lift off into the sky.
Moments later, they followed.
—————————————————————————————
The two landed back at the Brissette Manor, both breathing just a bit more heavily than they normally would. Gawain smiled.
"I had a wonderful time tonight. Thanks for going out with me."
Isabelle blushed.
"I-I had a nice time as well...thank you."
Isabelle nervously gripped the material of her dress, scrunching it up as she gathered her courage.
"C-could we...do this again sometime?"
Gawain's smile widened, nodding his head.
"Of course! I'm always happy to spend time with you."
Isabelle smiled back, her blush strengthening....then quickly leaned forward, planting a kiss on the Prince's cheek before dashing inside faster than Gawain could react.
As a somewhat shocked Gawain stood confused before the closed door of the manor house, one of his bodyguards held out an outstretched talon to the other.
"Pay up."
I am terrible at writing stuff like this...I promise that the next post won't take as long as this one did.
Gawain knocked on the door of the manor house, giving himself a quick once over to ensure that he was presentable. He'd decided to forgo his more obvious royal accoutrements, opting for a much more casual appearance. He was going to dinner with a friend, not attending the Imperial Court. Sure, he would probably still be recognized upon closer inspection, but people on the street wouldn't give him a second look. To a casual observer, he'd be just another young noble in a city full of them.
A servant answered the door, eyeing the young Griffon with confusion. This was a good sign. If a person couldn't recognize him when they were standing face to face, there'd be no chance of a passerby doing so.
The servant's beak opened, doubtlessly about to ask him who he was and what he was doing here, before his eyes focused on a point behind Gawain. The servant blinked, eyes widening as he looked back at Gawain, connecting the dots and swiftly prostrating himself before the crown prince.
Gawain sighed and cast a withering glare over his shoulder at the two knights assigned to his protective detail, still fully dressed in the gilded armor announcing their status as guardians of the royal household. He'd asked them to keep their distance, to not hover over him all night. They'd reluctantly complied, but insisted on keeping an eye on him from a distance. Which in this case meant standing just outside the gates of the Brissette manor, casting an intimidating and obvious silhouette that was easily visible to its inhabitants.
The servant apologized profusely, not once looking up at Gawain as he scrambled back inside to fetch the Brissette heiress. The heir to the Empire sighed. Hopefully this would be the low point of the night and it would all be smooth sailing from here.
Any thoughts left his mind however, when he finally caught sight of his companion for the evening. She was bedecked in all the finery one would expect of a young hen attending an Imperial function, her dress seeming to sparkle in the light of the moon. For the first time, Gawain was thankful that Isabelle was the shy type, her gaze directed down towards the ground...it meant she didn't see him pick his jaw up off the floor.
Gawain mentally stumbled. He'd had a response ready when he'd come to the door, but he couldn't think of it now. He put on a friendly smile and tried to look casual. He'd have to improvise.
He mentally winced. Crap, maybe he shouldn't have said beautiful. That might have sounded creepy.
Isabelle blushed, her soft voice like the tinkling of bells.
"Th-thank you. You look...nice."
Gawain tugged at his collar. He suddenly felt very underdressed.
"I know it's not royal finery but I wanted to try and avoid drawing attention tonight."
He cast another glare over his shoulder.
"Unfortunately, my bodyguards are proving a bit of a hindrance in that regard."
He swore he saw one of them smirk. Isabelle shook her head.
"Oh no, that's fine! I-I'm just happy to get to spend time with you..."
Her gaze fell.
"Though I don't think your hopes to avoid attention will work with me around...everyone knows my family."
She started as Gawain gently placed a reassuring talon upon her shoulder, her eyes meeting his as he gave her a gentle grin.
"I thought of that...and I think I found a way around that little problem...you're not claustrophobic are you?"
———————————————————————————————
The two heirs of royalty stood upon a cliff, a ceiling of rock above their heads, peering over the edge at the sight beneath them.
Isabelle stared open mouthed at the subterranean town, rows of houses carved into the cave walls, lanterns and torches illuminating the vast cavern. From this distance, she could just barely make out the moving shapes of Diamond Dogs on the streets and alleys below. Gawain smiled.
"Pretty cool eh? Diamondtown is a heck of a place. When the first packs pledged their fealty to my father, many set up their dwellings underneath the capitol. Over the years it's turned into a big settlement
The Noble heiress stared at the prince.
"How...how have I never seen this before?"
Gawain shrugged.
"It's existence isn't a secret, it's just that most Griffons don't go down here...owing to our racial inclination towards claustrophobia."
The male Griffon gestured behind them, indicating the tunnel they'd walked through to enter the massive artificial cave system.
"Tunnels and entrances like that are scattered all across the upper city. It's how the dogs commute to work on the surface. But since they were built in the days when the dogs were still paranoid about Griffon persecution, most of the entrances were hidden in out of the way places, or camouflaged with boulders and plant life."
Isabelle opened and closed her beak, spluttering.
"B-but...why are they still hidden? The Diamond dogs are an integral part of the Empire, equal to Griffons in almost every way!"
Gawain shrugged.
"Force of habit? Lack of necessity? A lingering paranoia about threats besides us? Who can say? A few of the less tolerant members of the nobility have raised the issue with my father, but he's never done anything about it. He says that if it makes the dogs feel safe, he sees no reason to take action, especially seeing as how all the entrances and exits are known to the government. They still need to file construction and excavation permits after all."
Isabelle returned her gaze to the glittering lights of the underground town before looking back to Gawain.
"Why here though?"
Her eyes widened, a blush breaking across her face as she seemed to realize what she'd just said.
"Not that I don't want to be here, I-it's a beautiful place b-but...why did you choose to take me here?"
Gawain smiled, a coy look in his eyes.
"You said you were worried about being recognized."
He extended a wing, pointing to the shapes of the Diamond Dogs beneath them.
"I guarantee you, not one of them will see you as anything more than a young Noble lady."
His eyes darted to the side, staring at one particular building, it's lights easily visible even from far away.
"I also know a great place to eat that I know you'll love. Come on, I've reserved us a table."
And with that, the Prince took off, followed shortly thereafter by a flustered but smiling Isabelle Brissette...and a pair of knights that still steadfastly refused to let their charge out of their sight.
———————————————————————————————
The two Griffons land in front of the entrance to a large brick building, music and chatter echoing out the open doorway and into the street. A carved wooden sign just above the entryway proclaimed the building as "Big Mama's".
Brissette looked at the sign, then at Gawain with a raised eye ridge. Gawain chuckled.
"I had the same reaction when I first saw that. I know it's not what you'd expect from a fine dining establishment, but trust me, this place serves some of the best food in the Empire."
The prince gently took Isabelle's talon in his own, not noticing how the gesture made her blush as he led her through the doorway.
"Come on, I'll show you."
The duo enter the restaurant, the noise within washing over them as Gawain confidently leads the way to a table on the far side of the restaurant. Some of the patrons give the two Griffons a curious glance, particularly Isabelle and her fanciful dress, but none stare for more than a moment before returning to their meals and conversation. True to Gawain's word, none of the subterranean canines see the Brissette heiress as anything more than a young lady of nobility. There are no suspicious gazes, no whispered accusations, no disdainful dismissals. She's just another face in the crowd.
The table was set for two, a fine tablecloth and polished silverware sitting atop it. Mere minutes after placing their orders, a massive Diamond Dog female walked out carrying two plates stacked high with steaming food.
"Eat up now children! You let momma know if you need anything!"
Isabelle stared after the Alpha Female. Gawain chuckled.
"She's quite a character isn't she?"
Isabelle nodded.
"Why do they call her big mamma?"
Gawain smirked.
"Aside from the obvious? ....It's her demeanor. She treats everyone, and I mean everyone, like family. Doesn't matter your age or your race, everyone's welcome at Big Momma's house."
Isabelle didn't know how to respond to that, mutely taking a bite of her food. Her eyes lit up. Gawain was right, this was very good food.
———————————————————————————————
Almost an hour later, the two young Griffons walked out the same door they'd entered, moving a bit more slowly than they had before. Big Mamma's cooking may have tasted delicious, but it also settled like a lead weight in one's gut.
The two knights on the rooftop across the street watched their charges slowly flap their wings and, after a very brief window where it seemed like the two had been grounded by the contents of their stomachs, lift off into the sky.
Moments later, they followed.
—————————————————————————————
The two landed back at the Brissette Manor, both breathing just a bit more heavily than they normally would. Gawain smiled.
"I had a wonderful time tonight. Thanks for going out with me."
Isabelle blushed.
"I-I had a nice time as well...thank you."
Isabelle nervously gripped the material of her dress, scrunching it up as she gathered her courage.
"C-could we...do this again sometime?"
Gawain's smile widened, nodding his head.
"Of course! I'm always happy to spend time with you."
Isabelle smiled back, her blush strengthening....then quickly leaned forward, planting a kiss on the Prince's cheek before dashing inside faster than Gawain could react.
As a somewhat shocked Gawain stood confused before the closed door of the manor house, one of his bodyguards held out an outstretched talon to the other.
"Pay up."
I am terrible at writing stuff like this...I promise that the next post won't take as long as this one did.
I feel like each subset is going to have its own mini city within griffin stone
not as large as Diamondtown obviously but like just a a few streets decorated in the fashion of the crystal empire
Maybe just on an artificiall island like this
I feel like each subset is going to have its own mini city within griffin stone
not as large as Diamondtown obviously but like just a a few streets decorated in the fashion of the crystal empire
Hopefully we'll be able to get a Qilin in the family next generation then (assuming the quest doesn't die), since it doesn't seem like it will happen this generation.
Also like seeing the diamond dog's home. It's nice seeing other cultures mix with our own. Bet their's a town built on a mountain somewhere that will be hollowed out by the diamond dogs to turn the thing into a mega city with the griffons living on the peak, the diamond dogs living inside, and whatever other races move in living near the base or the plains surrounding the mountain.
Hopefully we'll be able to get a Qilin in the family next generation then (assuming the quest doesn't die), since it doesn't seem like it will happen this generation.
I mean, I could understand a pony (Hippogrifs are a thing) but I am unsure if they could continue the line.... Maybe our daughter (Second in line) might end up marrying one or our pony daughter might end up doing so but our first in line should probably be able to produce an heir.
I mean, I could understand a pony (Hippogrifs are a thing) but I am unsure if they could continue the line.... Maybe our daughter (Second in line) might end up marrying one or our pony daughter might end up doing so but our first in line should probably be able to produce an heir.
Also, those others are highly unlikely to ever actually inherit the throne without a tragedy, hence why I said I will just have to wait for the next generation.
Ophion had been cautious at first, with the Crystal Ponies moving into the Empire and all but now that he had tasted their food and seen their culture he could happily say that he may not have been entirely correct (After all who admits their wrong?). Of course he hadn't actually been to the crystal protectorate but the crystal district did help it gave the Griffons a place to see the ponies in action and the Ponies a place to practice their traditions. He would even remember his first visit there...
---
"Come onnnnn Ophi there's this wonderful new shop over here" Cooed Rose his ever present sister
"Coming Coming gee why did you drag me out here?"
"Because Ophi I have a new friend for you to meet!"
"Where are we even?"
"The crystal district i know its a little odd but the food here is amazing!"
"Fine"
---
After that his sister had dragged him off to carry her bags for her, to eat with her and finally to meet her friend…
---
"Wait right here Ophi I'm going to go get her!" Her? What self respecting hen would be caught with the bouncing ball that was Rose?
"Im going im going" cried a strangely high pitched voice.
"Here she is!" yelled Rose Gesturing towards a crystal pony with a strikingly red mane and a Rose cutie mark.
"Hi i'm Ruby Dream…"
---
And now here he stood with his wife next to him cradling their first child
a beautiful young.
---
A/N I did a thing about cultural merging
Also, those others are highly unlikely to ever actually inherit the throne without a tragedy, hence why I said I will just have to wait for the next generation.
Speaking of hybrids, it will be interesting to see whether the various sentient species actually are cross-fertile or not. We are beginning to integrate multiple species under one banner and will likely continue to do so, so we might see new species appear as the years pass if they do prove compatible.
Also, those others are highly unlikely to ever actually inherit the throne without a tragedy, hence why I said I will just have to wait for the next generation.
I know what you were trying to say. I was saying you missed my point so I was clarifying that it doesn't meet my goals of both getting Qilin blood on the throne and tying us closer to Neighpon by simply creating an off-branch of the family.
I know what you were trying to say. I was saying you missed my point so I was clarifying that it doesn't meet my goals of both getting Qilin blood on the throne and tying us closer to Neighpon by simply creating an off-branch of the family.
It actually does. In fact it was more common to bond alliances by marrying off the others to bind alliances.
Also IF THEY CANNOT HAVE CHILDREN (AKA PRODUCE AN HEIR) THEN A BRANCH FAMILY IS NOT POSSIBLE.
Look, if a Quilin and a Griffon cannot produce viable offspring (what would you even CALL the produced race?! A quarter unicorn, dragon, lion, and eagle.... Sounds almost like an offbrand draconequus) then that specific branch would die off the moment they do as they would not be able to continue it.
While having our other children marry other races sounds nice (and I am all for it if it plays out that way) it is not likely to produce any heirs and would likely lead to the bloodline dying off.
