Fabulous. For anyone wondering, the saurian mentioned in the post will be our transportation for the duration of the journey (and no, he isn't based on Armand).Imperfectionist Member
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Fabulous. For anyone wondering, the saurian mentioned in the post will be our transportation for the duration of the journey (and no, he isn't based on Armand).And, it didn't turn out exactly as I was planning, but whatever. :) It's up.
Most of you can choose whether you were made aware of your placement in Team Clipper beforehand (Aster and Floret have been in personal contact with Twilight, so they definitely already knew - Flicker might as well, but that's up to Wernher), and I look forward to seeing your posts!
Most of you can choose whether you were made aware of your placement in Team Clipper beforehand (Aster and Floret have been in personal contact with Twilight, so they definitely already knew - Flicker might as well, but that's up to Wernher), and I look forward to seeing your posts!
Ponyville, just before dawn.
Light was slowly beginning to creep into the sky, and Princess Twilight Sparkle was sitting in front of her library, staring up at the receding stars. There was a small smile on her face, as she pondered her namesake, like countless nights before. Twilight. The in-between time, neither day nor night, when nothing is certain... She liked it, and dawn especially. There was always an atmosphere of... potential. A lack of borders, of the restrictions imposed upon the world by the sun and the moon.
“Can’t sleep either, Rosie?”
It was completely out of the blue, and the princess didn’t even look away from the stars as she said it. Obediently, the dark-feathered griffon stepped out from the shadow of the library’s entrance. Smiling a bit, she said “Your ears are getting sharper, your highness. I, ah, thought you might like some company.” Twilight simply patted the grass beside her with a hoof. Rosie walked up, and sat in the spot, turning her face to the sky as well. The brightest stars still shone, but one by one their weaker siblings were winking out, replaced by the oncoming blue of day. “-sigh-” The princess’ face gradually grew darker as they sat, in contrast to the horizon.
The smile was gone, replaced by the expression she had been wearing most of the night, the one that made her look sick to her stomach. “I can’t shake it, Rosie. I still have this feeling, this… apprehension. I think about tomorrow, and all that comes to mind…” She trailed off, and slowly lowered her head, until her purple eyes were fixed on the griffon’s auburn ones. “Am I sending our hundreds of Explorers to their deaths?”
There was silence for a long moment, and the world around them continued to grow imperceptibly brighter. Another moment closer to the day, and everything that meant. “Your highness…” The Guard finally began. “Your highness, this venture is important, and you know it. After all, it was you who argued that mass exploration was the first step towards making the world a better, friendlier place. Yes, the risk is great, but the reward… We’ll be laying the groundwork for the greatest diplomatic acts in history, and providing the first true possibility of an interconnected world...” She looked into those deep purple orbs, reflecting the faded light of the stars, and said “I’m willing to die to make that happen.”
Once again, there was silence, as they studied one another’s faces. Commander Red’s was hard-set, determined, her eyes straight and honest. There was no doubting her words. Twilight looked away, the ghost of a smile on her lips, and said “Fine, you’ve convinced me, Commander. I can only hope the rest of the League shares your enthusiasm.”
“They’d better,” was the growled response. As they made their way back towards the library, the first rays of the rising sun falling on their backs, the princess said “In any case, we’ve been over the security arrangements dozens of time, and all of us have seen them as adequate. Every team is well-equipped to handle anything they might face… It’s down to luck, and that’s something we just can’t control.” She took a deep breath as they reached the doors, looked back at the tiny sliver of sun that had just risen, and finished with “Let’s get a few hours of sleep. Today’s a big day.”
“That it is, your highness,” Rosie muttered under her breath. “That it is.”
Later.
The various and sundry forms of Explorers were slowly filling Ponyville Square, and Rosie was sitting on a low cloud above them, musing. The members of her Team were all down there somewhere, she thought, and went through the list in her head. The dossiers were rather basic, not much on personality, but they would have plenty of time to get to know each other along the way. No, they mostly detailed skills, possible conflicts, and the like. Clipper Team, as they would be called, was small, one of the smaller Exploration Teams, but even so had no shortage of interesting and unique members. Even a changeling, for Sister’s sake! She was pretty sure the princess had a hand in their placement, considering the Team’s specific mission. Members of several non-pony races, a saurian, a deer, a zebra, the changeling, herself, made up over half the Team, rounded out by two Earth ponies and two unicorns, giving any group they came in contact with a subtle microcosm: all of these very different beings working harmoniously towards a higher goal. It was quite clever, in Rosie’s opinion.
The high, clear notes of a trumpeter rang out over the town, signaling the arrival of the princess, and before long the entire square was respectfully quiet, Twilight had taken the stage, and all of the Guards that would be in command of each Team were standing at attention in a row behind her. She needed no microphone, and called out clearly over the hundreds of heads, instantly silencing the small murmurs that had begun to build. “Explorers! You have all applied, and been chosen, to be a part of the greatest set of expeditions in Equestria’s long history. You are courageous and skilled, be you pony, deer, or griffon. Saurian, zebra, or buffalo. You know the dangers, and are prepared to face whatever challenges may find you, out in this magnificent world of ours. Most of all, you are determined! Determined to bring the world together, to make the future of all of your races a better one! A brighter one! A friendlier one! I am only one pony. I can only do so much. But to see you all here, to see your faces, no matter the shape, no matter if they are scaled, or feathered, or furred… It makes me proud. Proud that I was the one to bring together such a group. Proud to be the one that sends them on their way.”
“I, Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria, officially declare this Explorer’s League operational! Good luck to you all, and may the Sisters, the trees, the swamps and the spirits watch over you forevermore. Now, I leave you in the more-than-capable hooves of my officers, who will guide and command you for the duration of your expeditions. They will inform you of the Teams you have been placed in, if you do not know already, and within the week your journeys will begin. Lieutenant Bud?” A muscular gray-coated unicorn came forward from the line of Guards, and began clearly listing the members of each Team, in alphabetical order by Team name. Clipper Team was third, after Amble and Bray, and the list went on for quite a while after that, as there were over three-hundred Explorers in all.
After her Team was called, Commander Red left the stage by wing, unable to hide her enthusiasm, and flew the short distance to their meeting-place (called out along with the members): the library. Smiling broadly as she approached the great tree, she passed the spot where she and the princess had been sitting early that morning, went inside, and made herself comfortable, waiting patiently for her small Team to assemble.
Light was slowly beginning to creep into the sky, and Princess Twilight Sparkle was sitting in front of her library, staring up at the receding stars. There was a small smile on her face, as she pondered her namesake, like countless nights before. Twilight. The in-between time, neither day nor night, when nothing is certain... She liked it, and dawn especially. There was always an atmosphere of... potential. A lack of borders, of the restrictions imposed upon the world by the sun and the moon.
“Can’t sleep either, Rosie?”
It was completely out of the blue, and the princess didn’t even look away from the stars as she said it. Obediently, the dark-feathered griffon stepped out from the shadow of the library’s entrance. Smiling a bit, she said “Your ears are getting sharper, your highness. I, ah, thought you might like some company.” Twilight simply patted the grass beside her with a hoof. Rosie walked up, and sat in the spot, turning her face to the sky as well. The brightest stars still shone, but one by one their weaker siblings were winking out, replaced by the oncoming blue of day. “-sigh-” The princess’ face gradually grew darker as they sat, in contrast to the horizon.
The smile was gone, replaced by the expression she had been wearing most of the night, the one that made her look sick to her stomach. “I can’t shake it, Rosie. I still have this feeling, this… apprehension. I think about tomorrow, and all that comes to mind…” She trailed off, and slowly lowered her head, until her purple eyes were fixed on the griffon’s auburn ones. “Am I sending our hundreds of Explorers to their deaths?”
There was silence for a long moment, and the world around them continued to grow imperceptibly brighter. Another moment closer to the day, and everything that meant. “Your highness…” The Guard finally began. “Your highness, this venture is important, and you know it. After all, it was you who argued that mass exploration was the first step towards making the world a better, friendlier place. Yes, the risk is great, but the reward… We’ll be laying the groundwork for the greatest diplomatic acts in history, and providing the first true possibility of an interconnected world...” She looked into those deep purple orbs, reflecting the faded light of the stars, and said “I’m willing to die to make that happen.”
Once again, there was silence, as they studied one another’s faces. Commander Red’s was hard-set, determined, her eyes straight and honest. There was no doubting her words. Twilight looked away, the ghost of a smile on her lips, and said “Fine, you’ve convinced me, Commander. I can only hope the rest of the League shares your enthusiasm.”
“They’d better,” was the growled response. As they made their way back towards the library, the first rays of the rising sun falling on their backs, the princess said “In any case, we’ve been over the security arrangements dozens of time, and all of us have seen them as adequate. Every team is well-equipped to handle anything they might face… It’s down to luck, and that’s something we just can’t control.” She took a deep breath as they reached the doors, looked back at the tiny sliver of sun that had just risen, and finished with “Let’s get a few hours of sleep. Today’s a big day.”
“That it is, your highness,” Rosie muttered under her breath. “That it is.”
Later.
The various and sundry forms of Explorers were slowly filling Ponyville Square, and Rosie was sitting on a low cloud above them, musing. The members of her Team were all down there somewhere, she thought, and went through the list in her head. The dossiers were rather basic, not much on personality, but they would have plenty of time to get to know each other along the way. No, they mostly detailed skills, possible conflicts, and the like. Clipper Team, as they would be called, was small, one of the smaller Exploration Teams, but even so had no shortage of interesting and unique members. Even a changeling, for Sister’s sake! She was pretty sure the princess had a hand in their placement, considering the Team’s specific mission. Members of several non-pony races, a saurian, a deer, a zebra, the changeling, herself, made up over half the Team, rounded out by two Earth ponies and two unicorns, giving any group they came in contact with a subtle microcosm: all of these very different beings working harmoniously towards a higher goal. It was quite clever, in Rosie’s opinion.
The high, clear notes of a trumpeter rang out over the town, signaling the arrival of the princess, and before long the entire square was respectfully quiet, Twilight had taken the stage, and all of the Guards that would be in command of each Team were standing at attention in a row behind her. She needed no microphone, and called out clearly over the hundreds of heads, instantly silencing the small murmurs that had begun to build. “Explorers! You have all applied, and been chosen, to be a part of the greatest set of expeditions in Equestria’s long history. You are courageous and skilled, be you pony, deer, or griffon. Saurian, zebra, or buffalo. You know the dangers, and are prepared to face whatever challenges may find you, out in this magnificent world of ours. Most of all, you are determined! Determined to bring the world together, to make the future of all of your races a better one! A brighter one! A friendlier one! I am only one pony. I can only do so much. But to see you all here, to see your faces, no matter the shape, no matter if they are scaled, or feathered, or furred… It makes me proud. Proud that I was the one to bring together such a group. Proud to be the one that sends them on their way.”
“I, Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria, officially declare this Explorer’s League operational! Good luck to you all, and may the Sisters, the trees, the swamps and the spirits watch over you forevermore. Now, I leave you in the more-than-capable hooves of my officers, who will guide and command you for the duration of your expeditions. They will inform you of the Teams you have been placed in, if you do not know already, and within the week your journeys will begin. Lieutenant Bud?” A muscular gray-coated unicorn came forward from the line of Guards, and began clearly listing the members of each Team, in alphabetical order by Team name. Clipper Team was third, after Amble and Bray, and the list went on for quite a while after that, as there were over three-hundred Explorers in all.
After her Team was called, Commander Red left the stage by wing, unable to hide her enthusiasm, and flew the short distance to their meeting-place (called out along with the members): the library. Smiling broadly as she approached the great tree, she passed the spot where she and the princess had been sitting early that morning, went inside, and made herself comfortable, waiting patiently for her small Team to assemble.
:) I like him. Alright, the cast is complete for now, and I'm going to try to get us started within the next few days... Already have about half of it written, but now I can finish the more personalized sections, for each character.
I had the same thought. Hopefully that isn't her least favorite of the choices.(I'm sorry, Wernher, I seem to be remembering that you're a girl, but I could be wrong)
Double said
Expanded on Dawn's backstory. By that I mean I actually gave him more motivation and a proper goal in life.
-nods- Good stuff, I like it.
As for your three, Wernher, I'm definitely liking number two. :) There is a lack of mages on the team, and having both a sharp young unicorn and a wise deer shaman will make us very well rounded (and, to be perfectly honest, I'm not a fan of asshole characters).
EDIT: If you decide to roll with #2, I'll PM you some of my ideas for magic they'll come across that she/he might have already studied, or at least heard of. We'll discuss.
:) Very well. Welcome to the team. I'm still working on the intro post, everyone, so bear with me.
Seems like the type that would be drawn to an adventure like this. Just don't expect everyone's characters to fawn over him as a "hero". They can if they like, of course, but don't be disappointed when they don't.
Anyway, I don't see any problems, per se, but about the swords... Well, I would like to have it on a sliding scale, with at least a bit of realism. When he's using all three rapiers (or two, or one) against a single target, sure, he can be really good at it, but as soon as he has to divide his attention among not just the swords but the movements of multiple opponents as well, that effectiveness will have to lower. For example, if he's fighting off three opponents, using all three swords, pretty much reactive, defensive moves only, until he can incapacitate one of the three. You see what I mean? The happy medium (without losing effectiveness) would generally be two swords against one or two opponents, or three swords against one (if necessary). Any more than two opponents, and effectiveness begins to (realistically) drop.
:) Obviously, abstract this out as much as you need, I just want to avoid him taking on small armies by himself (ahem, seven swords, ahem). Unless its an incredibly dramatic moment, and he has some kind of blistering, once-in-a-lifetime rage (you know, his true love is fed to the tigers or something), let's keep to the above paragraph.
If you can accept that, then I can accept him.
Anyway, I don't see any problems, per se, but about the swords... Well, I would like to have it on a sliding scale, with at least a bit of realism. When he's using all three rapiers (or two, or one) against a single target, sure, he can be really good at it, but as soon as he has to divide his attention among not just the swords but the movements of multiple opponents as well, that effectiveness will have to lower. For example, if he's fighting off three opponents, using all three swords, pretty much reactive, defensive moves only, until he can incapacitate one of the three. You see what I mean? The happy medium (without losing effectiveness) would generally be two swords against one or two opponents, or three swords against one (if necessary). Any more than two opponents, and effectiveness begins to (realistically) drop.
:) Obviously, abstract this out as much as you need, I just want to avoid him taking on small armies by himself (ahem, seven swords, ahem). Unless its an incredibly dramatic moment, and he has some kind of blistering, once-in-a-lifetime rage (you know, his true love is fed to the tigers or something), let's keep to the above paragraph.
If you can accept that, then I can accept him.
I think I understand where you're going with that, but again, the area south of the Griffon Kingdoms is half a world away from the setting of this game, on an entirely different continent. The whole line of reasoning makes no sense.
EDIT: Come up with anything you like, but foreknowledge is off-limits. That's all I'm saying here.
EDIT: Come up with anything you like, but foreknowledge is off-limits. That's all I'm saying here.
:( The problem is, I'd rather not have that as a plot device. Besides, Equestria is never going to annex the Elkwood. It doesn't make any sense. They're opening diplomatic relations, not conquering or establishing colonies. The whole impetus for his exploration is a misconception...
This is what I'll do. Alright, the misconception was that the ponies were invading the Elkwood (you do know that Equestria is on an entirely different continent, right?), and so he tried to invade it first. Here's my alternative:
Basically, instead of exploration, Magnus would have decided to secure his place as Sovereign by subjugating the defiant deer on the ground below. He gathered up his best fighters, and began a brutal campaign against the most powerful deer clans. Unfortunately, in true griffon style he underestimated his foes, and after years of hard fighting, his griffons were handily defeated. Magnus himself was afflicted by a disease the deer shamans released among his soldiers, and only barely made it out of the Elkwood alive, with (as you said) a handful of soldiers, compared to the hundreds that left to fight. Disgraced by his loss to the deer, crippled by the Swamp Rot, and defeated in a duel by his own son, Magnus was exiled to Equestria.
It's basically the same outcome, just different circumstances. He would join the Explorers in an attempt to regain his honor, or some such. So, he can still be an arrogant, asshole exiled griffon prince, just not one with knowledge of the unexplored regions of the Western Continent (the continent w/Equestria on it. The Elkwood is across the sea, on the Eastern Continent).
If that doesn't work for you, or if the foreknowledge was what you wanted out of the character, then I'm sorry, but I can't accept him.
This is what I'll do. Alright, the misconception was that the ponies were invading the Elkwood (you do know that Equestria is on an entirely different continent, right?), and so he tried to invade it first. Here's my alternative:
Basically, instead of exploration, Magnus would have decided to secure his place as Sovereign by subjugating the defiant deer on the ground below. He gathered up his best fighters, and began a brutal campaign against the most powerful deer clans. Unfortunately, in true griffon style he underestimated his foes, and after years of hard fighting, his griffons were handily defeated. Magnus himself was afflicted by a disease the deer shamans released among his soldiers, and only barely made it out of the Elkwood alive, with (as you said) a handful of soldiers, compared to the hundreds that left to fight. Disgraced by his loss to the deer, crippled by the Swamp Rot, and defeated in a duel by his own son, Magnus was exiled to Equestria.
It's basically the same outcome, just different circumstances. He would join the Explorers in an attempt to regain his honor, or some such. So, he can still be an arrogant, asshole exiled griffon prince, just not one with knowledge of the unexplored regions of the Western Continent (the continent w/Equestria on it. The Elkwood is across the sea, on the Eastern Continent).
If that doesn't work for you, or if the foreknowledge was what you wanted out of the character, then I'm sorry, but I can't accept him.
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