ponymeisters | (no subject)

Alicorn ponies are the rarest of all ponies in Equestria. Alicorns possess both a horn and wings, and many are larger in size than the average pony. All known alicorns are ranked as royalty in Equestria, and generally have specific roles in Equestrian society. Alicorns are also the most powerful ponies, capable of utilizing untold levels of magic to change reality, almost a force of nature unto themselves. They are also implied to be immortal, or at least long-living. The right to become an alicorn, however, is generally earned within Equestria; no one is born one.

How does my character become an alicorn?
In canon, and in the Equestria of My Little Jamjar, as mentioned alicorn status is currently a right that must be earned by ponies. Potential alicorn candidates much show certain qualities in order to ascend, including the ability to personify an element or concept most suited to them and their cutie mark, and give said concept to the world around them for its benefit. More importantly, they must have a capacity to learn, grow and change, and must also exhibit, on some level, qualities that would be found or noticed by the Elements of Harmony.

Because of this, a character who is to be considered for alicorn ascension must go through an alicorn ascension plot. In order to be considered for an alicorn ascension plot, your character must first show significant character growth from the time they first arrived in Equestria. One very important mechanic in singling out potential alicorn candidates in the game for ascension is the Elements of Harmony themselves - when the Elements of Harmony start to resonate in a character log, post, or otherwise, its a sign that the character who triggered it has gotten the attention of the powers that be, and they are a potential alicorn.

The Elements of Harmony activating is something that either the mods can do when they spot a significant moment of character growth, or when a player brings it to the mods' attention for consideration (which the mods will then respond to said moment if they find it is, indeed, significant). Sending a private message or plurk to the mods, or a screened comment in the alicorn ascension post in the mod journal (which we will be putting up), will generally do the trick, if the mods haven't spotted it on their own.

Once your character has activated the Elements of Harmony, they are officially in consideration for alicornhood. You don't have to have your character become an alicorn, even if they're up for consideration. There are pros and cons to having your character ascend to one, and part of it is modplot-related. If you don't think your character is a good fit for being an alicorn at all, or want to postpone being an alicorn, then that's fine. Becoming an alicorn is optional.

The event which will trigger alicorn ascension if you decided to have your character go through with it, however, is something that must be discussed with the mods beforehand, both for plot and game pacing reasons. Also, while the development towards this moment can - and obviously, should - happen throughout the game regardless of plot (and the longer the development the better!), the end of an alicorn ascension plot must occur during a modplot. Said modplot doesn't necessarily need to be anything huge or game-changing, but it does need to be something can shows both the character's growth and the character's ability to solve a problem related to that growth. After that, the character will magically disappear into the mysterious space where they will, at last, become an alicorn.

What are the benefits to being an alicorn?
An alicorn is significantly more powerful than a normal pony. For a character who becomes an alicorn, they will find that their body has changed. If your character didn't have wings, they do now, and can fly. If they didn't have a horn, they now do and can access unicorn magic. They are also taller and physically stronger and resilient, capable of resisting disease and illness, and aging slower than normal ponies.

Characters will also notice that their powers are stronger, especially ones relating to their cutie marks, and that they also have abilities they didn't have before, especially if they were not previously an alicorn. Namely, if there is a magical spell that can be cast, chances are, your character can now cast it, up to and including moving the sun and moon. The potential of what your character can do is seemingly limitless. However, players with alicorns must continue to adhere to the 50% power cap, regardless of how much stronger your character becomes with the boost in power.

Outside of magic and strength, there are other advantages to being an alicorn. Because they are rulers of Equestria, alicorns are always allocated rooms in the Canterlot Palace and the Crystal Kingdom Palace, and they no longer have to worry about finances, no matter where they go and what they do - the Equestrian government pays for their expenses. They are also allocated their own royal guard and household, and for potential CR, can hoofpick who they want on board if they want. They can also rule in the stead of Princess Celestia, and issue royal orders and edicts, at least within reason and if its not blatantly illegal. And they get a stained glass window commemorating their coronation. Needless to say, being a princess (or prince, if you're a guy) has a lot of perks.

That sounds amazing! But...knowing you guys, there's got to be a catch, isn't there.
A couple, actually. The biggest is that there is a lot of work. From cutting ribbon ceremonies to actively negotiating with foreign governments, its not all fun, and not everypony appreciates who you are and what you do. Just as your character will find those bowing at their presence with respect, they'll find those who yell at them and call them names. They have to deal with diplomats and politicians who don't always like or want to work with them (and if you're an off-worlder, they'll like you even less because, how dare you, you took that alicorn slot away from a native!), and that's just talking about the ponies. Several governments are currently on the outs with Equestria due to a myriad of events, both in and out of Equestria, that will give whoever comes to talk to them as much trouble as they can. There's also travel with little rest to deal with problems that require your character's input, and less time to spend with friends. And of course, ~~Hoovesweek~~ Quarterhorse Quarterly is more than happy to exacerbate that royal headache of your character's!

Speaking of royal headaches, there's also the little matter of the recent revelation regarding a voice in every alicorn's head...

My character isn't a pony, but they made the Elements of Harmony resonate! When can I expect my character's alicorn ascension plot?
Unfortunately, only pony characters can qualify to become an alicorn, so all your dragons and rabbits and dragonequuses and breezies won't be getting sparkly wings and horns. That isn't to say that a non-pony character making the Elements resonate isn't important - it is...for various reasons as explained here.

Any questions, comments, thoughts things you think we should add to this? Comment here!