A theory on Earth-Pony magic · 1:36pm Feb 5th, 2014
So, I was thinking about the three major pony races and what makes them special. Each has an innate magical core and that is projected outwards in three common ways.
Pegasus magic is focused into their wings, giving them air/weather manipulation effects. Thus the reason that even though their wings are generally small in proportion to their bodies, they are able to fly with agility and speed. So it's less about being able to fly and more about effecting the element of air itself through natural magic.
Unicorns magic is projected outward, taking thought and manipulating reality itself. Because of the broad scope of what exists in the world, unicorns often specialize in an area of magic, or reality shifting. Be it multi-tasking, gem carving, music. Therefore, the more imaginative a unicorn is, the greater potential for being powerful.
Earth-Pony magic is a little tricky. Many in the fandom do not take Earth-Pony OCs because they don't see what makes them special when compared to the other two. So what makes them stand out? I thought about it in relation to what we're shown in the show and their general occupations and came to a conclusion. Earth-Ponies project their magic into the things they do. For example: A Unicorn and EP are both candy makers. While the Uni candy tastes fine, the EP candy seems a little sweeter, or more fulfilling. A lot of the crafters in the MLP-show are EPs and I think this is because their products are naturally imbedded with their personal magic. How about two chair makers? It's quite possible the EP's chairs are a little more comfortable and more durable.
Going off this concept, Earth-Pony magic is used in anything a pony enjoys doing. In essence, literally putting their heart and soul into what they do. Be it growing apples or baking a cake. Their products are superior because it's who they are.
Just food for thought and I'll start integrating this concept into To Love the Moon. Share this idea with others and perhaps we'll see more Earth-Pony love out there.
I've always had a head canon about earth pony magic being very strong. I always liked to think about their combat magic as being more focused on defense. Like in It's A Dangerous business, they can connect with the earth and "stand fast," becoming basically immovable and invincible. My headcannon says that when a properly trained EP Mage does this, the very earth bends around them: blades of grass, shrubs and trees all bend towards them, like they are helping to take the damage. Even thought of if done strongly enough, vines and stuff would sprout around them. This also leads to their massive strength and durability, as earth ponies like Applejack can kick a tree and the tree bends, not them.
Also, they can channel that into their bodies and charge with incridble strength, impacting with the power of something many times their size. An earth pony guard did this in my story, Finding Your Place, and knocked a full-grown dragon of his feet. Hell, I even had ideas for a war fic about the pre-Hearthswarming era, where EP mages could cause trees to sprout and deflect artillery and lightning.
I thought about the combat EPs and how my theory relates. Basically, same principle. They love their job and their innate magic is shifted towards it. Be it durability, strength, constitution, etc. They are more at 'one' with themselves and the world around them than the other two races. Pinkie's 'sense' is her tapping into the world itself.
I just wanted to present an idea of why Earth-Ponies shouldn't be looked down on as a 'lesser-race'. That they may not fly or cast fancy spells, but are still just as powerful in their own way. Even if it's not usually combat related.
Mhm, now just think what that means about Alicorns
And no, I have ponysona's of every race.
So... while Unicorns and Pegasi get special abilities, Earth ponies get bonuses to their skills?
1799248
You misunderstand. Earth-pony's special ability is being able to put a part of themselves into everything they do. This includes jobs that do not create things. For example, guards, guides, merchants. Hell, look at Pinkie Pie. I think one of the reasons ponies enjoy her parties so much is because of natural EP magic she infuses them with. Attending ponies get a dose of her joy and excitement. She is putting her magic literally into helping others have a good time.
Guard ponies are more durable, perceptive, stronger. Merchants are perhaps silver-tongued or boost their negotiations.
In short, their special ability is being able to share their love of something with others. Parties, cakes, protection, tour-guide, gem-cutter, whatever.
1799246
Exactly. Larger wings, longer horn, bigger bodies. They are a fountain of magic for all three race types. I believe Celestia's Earth ability is to inspire and bring hope to others. She warms their hearts just with her presence. Certainly that could be considered magical.
1799274
Luna's EP ability seems to be giving a persisting boner, lol!
1799303
hah. No. I think her EP is serenity and reflection.
1799358 Figures. I was just making a joke about that chapter...
Don't forget Earth Pony stamina and durability
1799557
Aye, though I think the scale of that depends on their special talent. ie: Mrs. Cake vs Applejack. Or Big Mac vs Filthy Rich. I suppose the question is, does their body adapt due to their magical focus? Or simply natural?
I also think this is why the other two races needed the Earth-ponies to grow the crops pre-Hearthwarming. EP food probably lasted longer, grew faster and tasted better due to them infusing the food with natural magics.
I've never liked people's avoidance of giving Earth Ponies worthwhile magic. And it really is just that. If authors put a little more effort into it they would realise that there are many cool things you can do with the currently-accepted forms of Earth Pony magic.
Strength (similar to Applejack's) - being able to kick a thing and very accurately knock off very specific pieces. Think sculpting in marble through kicking it.
Durability - I've always imagined that a trained Earth Pony with the right special talents could just shrug off spells. Imagine a line of charging ponies, throwing fireballs at them, having Earth Ponies jump out in front to take the hits, and the spells just not affecting them.
Etc.
1799596
It's why I include so many earth-pony guards and make passing referances to their magical resistance and strength. They're not defenseless, they just dont outwardly show their magical gift as much as the other two types.
1799596 I think they'd still take damage just not as much... or be able to ignore it better. Imagine hitting a line of Earth Pony soldiers with fireballs and they just keep going.... only to drop dead after the battle due to injuries
Really neat idea. I've always thought of EP being good with their hooves, but this sounds better
1799599
I don't really like that as a more general thing because it would still place Earth Pony battle losses at unacceptable levels regardless of outcome. Plus then a very valid tactic would be to have unicorns or pegasi bombard an area, leave, and come back an hour later. Before the tribes merged Earth Ponies would have been hard-pressed to win anything. It still marginalizes their effectiveness.
1799663 Well they were living in serfdom to both the unicorns AND Pegasi.
1799663
Keep in mind that the Earth-Ponies seemed to be looked down on by the other two. Pegasi were more militant and Unicorns clearly didn't see them as a threat. I don't believe there was full scale war between the tribes, perhaps skirmishes. EPs really just wanted to be left alone and were forced to rely on the other two for Sun/Rain. I'll actually be exploring this in the story with the spirit-sisters and their past.
And very soon you'll see my ideas for how the three tribes now work together in conflicts, each with their own strengths. But again, this post was less about the military aspect and more about what makes them special to begin with. Putting their magic into the things they love.
I don't think earth ponies have any magic at all, they are just plain physically stronger and that is pretty much it.
Earth Ponies are basically the work-power of Equestria, Since they always had been involved in work that uses their hoofs that is why they are better at making Cakes and what-nots (Practice makes perfect)
But they do have a Green-"Thumb" because they were the only ones that could grow crops (IMO it's just once again because they are stronger, They can dig bigger holes for the tree, maneuver the farming contraptions faster but that doesn't necessarily mean they are all good at things, Take Pinkie Pie for example ... couldn't farm apples even if her life depended on it (S3E13) )
Yeah, from what I've taken from several other writer's headcannons about internal earth pony magic, I've sort of hodge-podged my own idea.
Like you said in your post about unicorns projecting their will outward and pegasi being able to project their will both inward (into their wings) and outward (cloud-shaping and cloud-walking, for instance.) I have earth ponies standing on the other end of the scale projecting their magic inward into themselves or objects (their creations. Food, candy, party cannons, etc.).
I've imagined something similar to what Army Jake posted earlier about being able to project intense physical effort through magical 'boosting' if you will. My personal favorite concept though was the idea of an earth pony infusing their will into their tools or bodies, sort of 'enchanting' it. From hardening their bodies against magical assault to something as simple as making a hammer as light as a feather.
I've always liked earth ponies the most simply because of the amount of untouched ground when it comes to their abilities. They could be anything really.