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WARNING: This page will contain some series spoilers. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Equestria, land of the ponies! EQUESTRIA (Click me for a larger size!^) Equestria is a beautiful, fertile, magical land ruled by two alicorn sisters in a form of royal diarchy. The two sisters are also charged with raising the celestial bodies each day and night. The elder sister is the gentle Princess Celestia, alicorn of the sun; the younger is the fierce Princess Luna, alicorn of the moon. The sisters - or at least Princess Celestia - have ruled Equestria consistently for over one thousand years from the mountainside city of Canterlot. Princess Luna only recently returned to Equestria and to her duties as a princess after a long, moon-based sabbatical that she would generally prefer not to dwell on too much, thank you very much. Though Princess Celestia is considered the most powerful pony in existence, she is not, in fact, the most powerful force on Equestria. That distinction belongs to six magical talismans known as the Elements of Harmony, which can only be harnessed by those special ponies who exhibit the qualities needed to access their powers. Loyalty, Kindness, Laughter, Honesty, Generosity, and the most important of all, the Magic to bring the others to life. These are kept by the newest alicorn, Twilight Sparkle, in Ponyville, where she and her friends can use them if need be. Aside from Canterlot, Ponyville, and the weather-controlling aeropolis of Cloudsdale (no, really, it is a floating city on clouds) newcomers will find that many of the cities in Equestria are, in fact, parallel to cities they might be familiar with, albeit with ponified portmanteaus for names. Some of the major cities mentioned by name include Manehattan, Baltimare, Los Pegasus, and Fillydelphia. Its basically like pony North America. Or...perhaps we should say North Amareica? ;) Interestingly enough, the celebrations of the ponies are also quite similar to those familiar to many humans. The most important celebration occurs when Princess Celestia raises the sun on the summer Equinox; this is called the Summer Sun Celebration and ponies from all over Equestria stay up all night just to be up to see the raising. Other celebrations include Nightmare Night (which is the pony equivalent to Halloween); Hearth’s Warming Day (pony equivalent of Christmas); Hearts and Hooves Day (Valentine’s Day); and a spring equinox “cleaning” celebration primarily exclusive to Ponyville, the Winter Wrap-Up. To the north of Equestria proper is the Frozen North, home region of the Crystal Empire. This land of crystalline earth ponies, once ruled by the harsh and evil King Sombra, recently reappeared after a thousand year curse was lifted by the Elements of Harmony. Currently it is ruled by Princess Cadance, alicorn of love, and her husband Shining Armor, on behalf of Princess Celestia; it is also the future host of the 2020 Equestria Games (when we're going by Earth years, of course). Also to the northwest, in between Equestria and the Crystal Empire, is the Tenochtitlan Basin, a treacherous rainforest filled with countless hidden treasures from ancient civilizations long past. It is here the famous stories of Daring Do take place, though few ponies are privy to the fact that Daring Do actually exists, serving as the region's archeology-savvy guardian against the dastardly cat army of Ahuizotl. To the south is the Badlands, long considered the traditional domain of dragons and the destination of their traditional Great Migration, though dragons are also known to live in various places throughout Equestria. Griffons, half-eagle, half-lion chimeras, generally inhabit cloud cities over the eastern oceans, their main homeland being the rocky Griffaltar. And changelings...well, who knows where their kingdom is when they're not trying to invade Canterlot and Equestria. Perhaps its best not to dwell on it. A "new" - if somewhat unofficial - addition to the Equestrian landscape is not even on the planet proper. Recently it was revealed that the moon was home to a tribe of ponies who live in technological splendor on its dark side. Descended from crystal ponies stranded there Discord's reign of chaos and protected by Princess Luna from invaders, the moon ponies maintain a cool relationship towards Equestria, as well as the tourists that have inevitably come as a result of them opening up their doors. Other countries, many familiar-sounding to those who know of Earth, are also known to the ponies of Equestria. The aforementioned Griffaltar, as well as Saddle Arabia, Neighponī, Germaney, and Galloxia are a few of the lands thus far mentioned as laying outside the boundaries of Celestia's lands. As mentioned before, the capital of Equestria is Canterlot, where the princesses rule from a great castle, with a general open-door policy extended to their subjects while they are in residence. However it should be cautioned that Princess Celestia tends to be a very frequent and involved traveler throughout her kingdom, so it can be difficult at times to reach her. Certain gatherings in the palace, such as the annual Grand Galloping Gala thrown by the princesses, are also by invite only. Food and drink in Equestria are similar to anything found on any other planet, with one notable exception: ponies are not known to eat any meat, and are thus technically vegetarians, though they do eat animal by-products such as milk and eggs. Oat, hay, corn, potatoes and wheat are all staple foods throughout Equestria, and a variety of fruits, vegetables and plants both recognizable to other worlds and native to Equestria are also part of the pony diet. Ponies also tend to make and eat a great deal of treats and sweets, such as cakes, cupcakes and candies. Other notable exceptions include dragons, who primarily eat gems, and changelings, who feed on the emotion of love. Technology in Equestria can be a bit uneven, but the best way to sum it up is that just about anything that existed before the advent of television (with the exception of airplanes) exists, including mostly-unused cars. The main mode of transportation is currently trains, outside of flying by pegasus, dragon, or hot-air balloon. While television has been invented since the arrival of the newcomers, its not been perfected, and any newer technology is generally much more difficult to achieve and perfect in general, as magic is used in its place. The currency of Equestria is the bit, which comes in gold and silver. For the sake of consistency, one gold bit is equal to 1 dollar and one silver bit is equal to 25 cents. PONYVILLE Ponyville is a small town nearly right smack dab in the middle of Equestria. Its got several claims to fame, including being the municipality closest to Canterlot (indeed, it is visible to the north from nearly all points of the town), as well as being the home of the current keepers of the Elements of Harmony. Its also the home of Princess Twilight Sparkle, the newest alicorn in Equestria. Despite its location near Canterlot, Ponyville is surprisingly provincial and is surrounded by farmland on nearly all side, except to the south, where Everfree Forest lies. More importantly with regards to the plot, Ponyville is where characters first arrive, and it is also every arriving characters' official address as far as Princess Celestia is concerned. As such, the chances of characters spending a great deal of time in Ponyville is very high, and its important to know a few landmarks in this little town to get your characters by. These include: TOWN SQUARE/TOWN HALL The town square is the area where all characters arrive upon their mysterious arrival into Equestria - right in front of the town hall. The town hall also doubles as Ponyville's seat of government, and as a meeting place when the situation calls for it. Many of the main businesses and homes in town are also thankfully centered at, or located near, the town square for easy locating. GOLDEN OAKS LIBRARY The Ponyville town library. It is at the end of the town opposite to the Town Square. There are many books and scrolls on a variety of different subjects housed here - including, yes, Equestrian history and magic, though these will not be much help in regards to how one can leave Equestria. More important is that the library doubles as the primary residence of Princess Twilight Sparkle and her assistant, Spike; many of the rarer books in the library come from the alicorn's own personal collection. SUGARCUBE CORNER If Equestria had Cupcake Wars, well, Sugarcube Corner would be a succulent superpower. Its a confectionery shop run by the Cake family, and is well known for their sweets and treats, serving no less a patron than Princess Celestia herself when she visits. For those looking for Pinkie Pie as well, look no further; she is not only an employee and test-taster, she also lives as a renter on the second floor of the shop. CAROUSEL BOUTIQUE This fashion house is near the Town Square, right on the other side of a stream which flows to the north of the Town Hall. Ponyville's supreme fashionista, Rarity, lives with her sister in this posh building - which happens to be right near Ponyville's day spa. She also owns and works at this boutique, bringing her own special brand of haute couture to Equestria. Characters, be warned - should you visit, you may find yourself an unwitting dress-up dummy for Rarity's newest designs and ideas for the afternoon. PONYVILLE SCHOOLHOUSE Reading, writing, arithmetic, and cutie marks. The schoolhouse on the outskirts of Ponyville tends to the minds and bodies of Ponyville's young, primarily those of elementary school age. Children (or teaching adults) who end up here will find that among the young minds that are there to be molded include the Ponyville branch of the Cutie Mark Crusaders - along with their chief tormentors. SWEET APPLE ACRES Sweet Apple Acres is one of the largest and most prosperous farms in Equestria, run by the Apple family for three generations and counting. Their lands lie to the west-southwest of the town proper. Their main export is, naturally, apples, of various types. Sweet Apple Acres also make and sell apple-based treats, some which vary by season, including zap apple jam and apple cider. Applejack is a proud worker and resident at Sweet Apple Acres. It is also home to the Cutie Mark Crusaders' clubhouse. FLUTTERSHY'S COTTAGE Fluttershy's isolated house is the house furthest away from the town, and oddly enough, the closest residence to Everfree Forest. It is a hollowed-out tree, refurbished as a two-story residence; it is not only Fluttershy's home, but the home of the many animals that Fluttershy takes care of when they are sick, hurt or frightened. It is also the home of Fluttershy's temperamental pet, Angel; characters unfamiliar to him may find themselves talking to a door is he answers it. THE DIAMOND MINES This is an area inhabited largely by Diamond Dogs. There is an Underground Lake that's large, clear, and supporting some colorless fish for life. The cavern it's house in is enormous and features glowing crystals that the Diamond Dogs mine as light sources. These crystals are scattered throughout the mines and come in a variety of colors. There are also gems studding the walls, though there are areas around the Diamond Dog Main Home Cavern that are more obviously decorated with gemstones in patterns. The upper levels of the mine are fairly safe, if a little prone to changing thanks to tunnel collapse and the Diamond Dogs shifting tunnels for their mining. Going deeper will lead to strange and dangerous mushrooms, pools with peculiar properties, and possibly even monsters. All of that is to say, IT'S UP TO YOUR DISCRETION. As long as characters aren't causing major havoc, you can play around with this new 'dungeon,' though you won't find any power-up treasures there like the Canterlot basement. There still might be the chance for short-term Equestrian magical effects, though. Maybe there's a pool down there that turns your legs to jelly for a while! Or a mushroom that makes you have to walk backwards. Main NPCs for request in this area if you want them: RUBY - Irish setter-esque Diamond Dog who's a little more trusting and guiltily obligated toward ponies than most other Diamond Dogs. She considers herself a friend and advocate for the ponies with other Dogs. She likes singing and will be particularly helpful in directing you if you bring her biscuits. ALPHA - St. Bernard-esque Diamond Dog who is the leader of his people. He's an arrogant fellow and tends to look down on those who aren't Dogs. If you're rude to him, you'll get kicked out of the nicer areas of the tunnels, even if you won't get kicked out of the mines completely. Tread carefully if your character is a hot-shot. He doesn't forget insults easily and the new truce with the above-ground creatures is a fragile one. EVERFREE FOREST The mysterious forest to the south of Ponyville. It is a spooky, strange place which many ponies consider "wrong". Many weather patterns, animals, and plants beyond the control and comprehension of even the most knowledgeable of ponies, making it a dangerous and unpredictable environment. Dragons, timberwolves, manticores, cockatrices, parasprites and other legendary and ferocious beasts live here. Also deep within this forest is the ruins of an ancient castle where Celestia and Luna once lived, - currently not-so-ruined, thanks to one of the new off-world arrivals - and even deeper than that is a giant boulder which seems to block a hole - if you know where to find it, of course. Beyond either the castle, the forest becomes so thick that going deeper is currently impossible. The only known current native resident is Zecora, who generally uses the plants in the forest for medicinal purposes. Aside from visiting Zecora, most ponies are otherwise advised to not enter the forest without good reason. TARTARUS The mysterious, craggy and desolate Underworld of Equestria. Guarded by the fearsome three-headed dog, Cerberus, it is best described as a magical "supermax", where the most dangerous creatures and ponies are taken and confined when captured, be it by cage or by chain, for eternity. The main entrance to Tartarus is bounded by chaotic magic of unknown origin, and thus its earthly location can change at any given moment. The length of time the door is in any place is also forever-changing - it can be in a given area for five hours, five days, or five seconds, with no set pattern. This is partly to discourage any potential and determined troublemaker to waltz to a single, easily accessed permanent location and Release the Kraken(TM) on Equestria. Those who are ghosts, or otherwise just dead, feel a "pull" which can draw them to the entrance of Tartarus, and if they deign to follow the "pull" they will be able to find the entrance to the Underworld easily, no matter where it might be at any given time. They will also be unhindered going in by Cerberus. However, anypony going there will need to be careful not to make Cerberus mad. Or to run afoul of the monsters in Tartarus. Or to inadvertently cause one of the monsters trapped there to be unleashed. Or, well, just try hard not to do anything to any monsters or other unknown dangers that are in the vicinity of Tartarus in general, really. Unless somepony is into doing that, then, well... More information about Equestria, Ponyville and the world of the ponies can be found here.