It was leading to rabbit holes of character arguments that spiraled into hellish domains where finding a feasible 'out' for Sunset grew dire indeed. After several attempts I've decided to just rip out the rootThe 50 Things Wagon Train! · 6:47am Apr 12th, 2014
I see other people (Okay, it was Cast-Iron Caryatid) have done this, and figured, 'Why Not?'. Answers are tailored to Myths, naturally.
1. How old are Celestia and Luna?
An easy one! At the start of Myths Celestia is 1763, and Luna is 1762 (or 762, depending on if you don't count being trapped inside Selene for a thousand years in a perpetual dream-state and mostly unaware of the passage of time). They were born in 200 B.E, and 199 B.E.
2. How old is Cadance?
Cadence (yes, I use that spelling) is 1024 years old. She was born in 539 Equestria Reckoning.
3. Were Celestia and Luna always alicorns, or did they ascend?
Complicated... They were born alicorns, and then had their Earth and Pegasus traits bound through the Fostering ritual. They then grew up as unicorns inside one of the noble Houses of the era. On their 21st birthdays they regained their Earth and Pegasus magic through the Awakening.
4. Are Cadence and Twilight immortal?
Yes. They are Immortal. That, however, doesn't mean they can't die, just that they are not Mortals, and will not travel to Elysium or Tartarus should they die. Alicorn deaths are... complicated affairs inside Myths... >.<
5. Have there been other alicorns in the past?
Hahahahahahahahah oh... hold on, need to catch my breath.... HAHAHAHAH. Yes. Lots. Pantheons of them. Pluralization of 'Pantheon' is not an accident. There are a lot of Alicorns out there among the cosmos.
6. How much authority do Celestia and Luna have in Equestria?
They are the heads of an Absolute Monarchy. They have absolute authority. Not that the nobles aren't always trying to erode it.
7. Does Shining Armour rule The Crystal Empire along side of Cadance?
There is no Crystal Empire. The Crystal City is a semi-independent (its complicated because Cadence is the heir to the Lunar Throne of Equestria again having previously abdicated ascending to the throne after her mother was trapped inside the moon) city-state on a peninsula to Equestria's north. On top of that, the matriarchal nature of society precludes him from ruling. Basically, he's moral support and a dutiful husband, looks good at the ceremonies in a uniform, but has about as much power as any spouse of a powerful leader.
8. Other than Twilight, Luna, and Cadence, what relationships have been important to Celestia in her lifetime (students, close friends, lovers, family)?
Star Swirl, Clover the Clever, Sombra all play an important roll when she was younger (look for that in an upcoming story!). There would have been many important ponies in her long life. She tries to keep a close friendship with her seneschal, though they don't always co-operate. Such is the case with the current seneschal; Chronicle.
9. Are there still cultural differences between earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns, or is the culture homogeneous by the time shown in canon? Are there cultural stereotypes (positive or negative)?
Far from homogeneous. Each has their own familial structures (Unicorns have Houses, Pegasi have Legions, and Earth Ponies their Clans) that they maintain. Especially among the nobility, which is almost entirely unicorn. Stereo-types are not unheard-of, though most don't even consider it an issue. Class plays a bigger role than Race for stereo-types. Ie, Noble, Commoner, Soldier, Sailor, etc etc etc.
10. Are there foods or items native to Cloudsdale that are uncommon on the ground? Are there foods or items on the ground that are uncommon in Cloudsdale?
There is no food native to Cloudsdale. How would it grow for Pete's sake!? The region Cloudsdale originated, however, yes. Oranges. Cloudsdale was founded near a large area of oranges, and the ancient pegasi and their earth pony partners/serfs took seeds with them whenever they moved the city.
11. Can all unicorns learn all spells, given the time and effort spent practicing them, or is magical talent usually limited in some way?
They could learn the formula, but casting the spell would be another matter.
12. Earth pony magic: Does it exist? What is it?
Yes! It does exist! It is more internal in nature. Earth Ponies are hardier, with more endurance and strength then their size or musculature would otherwise indicate. Earth Ponies can also learn to cast spells through their hooves or the use of a medium such as a properly attuned staff (such as Zecora and Zubu use). It's just much more difficult than for unicorns or pegasi, and Earth Pony Wizards haven't existed since the Pre-Classical Era.
13. Some pony families we’ve seen seem to have naming conventions (the Apples, Twilight’s family) and others don’t appear to (Rarity’s family, Pinkie’s family), which is more common? Are there reasons for one or the other?
The Namegiver, Faust Invictus. She guides soon-to-be mothers to the Weave where the names of their foal(s) are revealed to them.
14. How much formal schooling is an average, middle class pony expected to complete?
The average? About Grade 8 for most, with nobility or the wealthy receiving longer at private schools. Once a pony discovers her or his cutie mark they go for specialised apprenticeship programs with mentors in their chosen fields, or embark on self-education paths. For example, in the story the Bellerophon has several youngsters aboard as mid-shipmares, serving as junior officers while also being schooled by the captain in navigation, writing, mathematics, and everything else they'll need to know within the navy.
15. What’s the average lifespan for a pony? At what age is a pony expected to be independent of their parents?
Lifespan varies by societal class, naturally, and by age. At birth, the average pony has a life expectancy of about 40. This is because infant death is /high/. At age 10, the expectancy jumps to 60. Disease is a big culprit, with several as-yet unmentioned diseases that periodically sweep through the populace. One such plague is responsible for the deaths of a lot of working class ponies several years before the start of the story. Victims include Applejack's parents, as well as Pinkie's. The Cake's took Pinkie in as clan-members, while Pinkie's sisters (being older) inherited the rock farm.
16. Are there roughly an equal number of male and female ponies?
No. Among ponies the ratio is roughly 3:1 Female to Male. Other races have more equity, and this is only on Ioka. Iridia skews things without being aware she's doing it.
17. How informed are most ponies about things that happen in other parts of Equestria? What about other parts of the world?
News travels slowly. It does travel, and since trains are being built its getting around faster, especially with the print media. But, on the whole, most ponies don't worry about what happens beyond their county or the nearest big town unless things like Sol not rising to bring the day is going on. Then they flip their manes and hide under the bed until everything blows over.
18. How old are the Mane Six? Spike? The CMC?
Twilight and Pinkie are the youngest at 21, with Applejack and Rarity the eldest of the group at 24. Fluttershy and Rainbow are in-between. Spike is 9. The CMC are a little older, being 11.
19. Did Fluttershy remain on the ground after getting her cutie mark? Were she and Rainbow Dash friends all along, or did they drift apart for a while?
She returned to Cloudsdale for a time, and remained friends with Rainbow.
20. Rarity and Applejack both seem to have grown up in Ponyville. What were their interactions like before the show?
Rarity didn't spend all that much time in Ponyville, her mother being a bucaneer and serving off-and-on with various pirate crews until getting her own ship around the time Rarity got her mark. AJ stayed pretty much on the farm, except her brief stint in Manehatten with her cousins. She didn't spend much time in school, her help being needed in the fields after her parents passed away. Needless to say, AJ and Rarity didn't interact much.
21. What do Twilight and Spike consider their relationship to be?
Siblings
22. When did Pinkie move in with the Cakes? Is she a worker who rents a room, an apprentice, or is there some other relationship?
I sort of answered this above, but after her parents passed away. Since finding her mark she's become as much an apprentice as a surrogate daughter.
23. Who among the Mane Six had the best parents growing up? The worst parents?
Best parents? ... Eh, hard to say. Twilight, for both Best and Worst. Glitterdust for Best. Iridia for Worst. Velvet did a good job, but was a titch too consumed with House affairs as a Baroness.
24. Why didn’t the CMC hang out more/know each other before Call of the Cutie?
They go to class together! Of course they knew each other for crying out loud!
25. Is Scootaloo an orphan? Will she ever be able to fly?
NO!!!! There is no Orphanloo in Myths. Yes, she will be able to fly.
26. Will Apple Bloom’s cutie mark involve an apple in some way, even if it’s unrelated to farming or baking?
Yes. And it isn't related to farming or baking, but alchemy.
27. How is Sweetie Belle’s relationship with their parents different than Rarity’s was?
It's not all that different. Just like Rarity, Sweetie doesn't see their mother for long stretches at a time and instead knows her through long letters that they exchange. Their father is pretty much a single-dad as a result, his second wife having died when she was hit over the head by a falling block during a storm at sea.
28. Is Mr. Cake the father of the Cake twins or not?
Eh, I've never bothered allotting head-cannon space for that as it has no effect on the story or setting. Gut check says: Yes. But that's subject to change if needed in the future. Pinch of salt, and all that.
29. Are Big Mac and Cheerilee an item, romantically?
Not at the moment.
30. How did Prince Blueblood get his title?
Because he is the Great-Great(-Great?)-Grandson of one of Cadence's previous husbands and she keeps giving the children the title. He's the last Blueblood, however, and the title will end with him as he's marrying a commoner (Sapphire Shores).
31. Is Silver Spoon equally as bad as Diamond Tiara?
No, and she does often genuinely feel bad. But she's weak, and is easily lead by Diamond Tiara.
32. Is Zecora’s magic common among zebras?
Yes and No. All zebras have magic, just as all ponies do. Hers is just stronger and she's spent decades training and honing her craft. She's one of the three most powerful living zebras as a result, and not somezebra to cross.
33. Why does Daring Do publish her stories as fiction?
Complicated and Spoiler territory to a story I plan to publish within the next few weeks.
34. Do you have a strong headcanon for any non-speaking or one line background ponies that you want to share?
Derpy. She's the second-eldest daughter for the Commander of a kestril Legion in the Marelantians. When she was young she got pregnant with Sparkler, the father being an unnamed naval officer. She was cast out by her family and disowned, forced to leave her island home. Derpy settled in ponyville, where she had Sparkler, met Time Turner and Carrot Top, and married into their herd. She's since had Dinky, and is pregnant with another foal. Her flight 'problems' aren't because of her eyes so much as she's never fully adjusted to the differences in ambient magic inland compared to the islands she grew up on. She's an excellent and dedicated mother, and gives Applejack wise council during the story.
35. Does Equestria differentiate between speaking and non-speaking species, in terms of respect, rights and legal responsibilities? Is there some other line or scale used? (For example, how are cows classified? Diamond Dogs? A chimera?)
Yes. But none of it is fleshed out enough to discuss.
36. Do other speaking species form their own nations, or are all nations largely integrated, with some having larger populations of a species than others?
They tend to form their own nations, but population groups for many of the races can be found in most places.
37. Are minotaurs related to cows at all?
Yes.
38. Do all zebras rhyme?
No. That is a trait specific to Zecora due to her training.
39. Do zebra cutie marks work the same way as pony cutie marks?
Yes and No. Same underlying basics of magic, but they don't show talents with the same specificity, or effects, rather they show 'Guiding Forces'. Zecora is guided by the Sun.
40. Do any species have types of magic, other than ponies and zebras?
Not too sure about this question. Other races do have their own magical traditions.
41. Is the lack of buffalo presence in Equestria cultural, or simply because most pony towns aren’t built to accommodate a full grown buffalo?
Cultural.
42. Do you consider official sources other than the show (comics, card game text, movies, novels, etc.) to be canon?
No. Heck, I haven't even watched the 4th season yet.
43. Do you have one headcanon that you always use, or do you switch depending on projects?
Depends on the story. Everything discussed here is Myths specific.
44. Can you easily accept the headcanons of different writers? Do you prefer when stories match your headcanon?
Some things bother me, but generally I am willing to go with the flow.
45. Is there a part of your headcanon that you wish was more popular among writers?
Nope! In fact, this is all mine! No touchies! Hiss hiss! Stay away from my headcanon! ITS MINE I TELLS YA!! *waves a stick around wildly*
46. Is there a popular piece of headcanon that other writers use that you dislike?
Not off the top of my head.
47. Have you ever written a story or blogpost just to explain some part of your headcanon (other than this one)?
. . .
Maybe...? *hides the blogs on Appendixes*
48. Does your headcanon influence things like your favorite pony, ship, or episode?
Yep! Luna is Best Pony! Why can't the show's writers see that simple truth? ;_; And Fleur too... >.>
49. Would it bother you if the show proved part of your headcanon wrong? Any specific piece that would really bother you to lose?
I stopped watching specifically for this reason. Its stupid and silly, but I need to stay as focused as I can without my headcanon being put under more preassure than it already is.
50. Is there something that wasn't asked about here, but you feel like you need to explain to everyone?
Nope!
.....................
Well, that was fun. Got me to think in a couple places about stuff I'd shuffled aside under the label 'Worry About Later If Needed'.
Wrong 50 questions.
2002758
I don't think so... I lifted them directly from Cast-Iron Caryatid's blog. And even if so... Meh. These were the ones I answered.
Here is my list of 50 HCs, found as a comment on The Princess Rarity's blog from yesterday morning:
The thought just occurred to me. How did Twilight get her name? Iridia couldn't have gone through the naming ritual at the temple (unless she somehow disguised her presence). I'm guessing either Iridia named her herself, or Velvet did.
Informative! I like that you really put thought into Derpy and her family, and that it more or less matches my own headcanon! Derpy is best pony! I am a bit surprised at the short life spans of your average pony though. It makes sense given the ancient greek/nordic theme of the fic I suppose however. Medicene just wouldn't be too advanced. Looking forward to the next chapter!
Thanks for the interesting answers. I'm intrigued to see what you have in mind for daring Do. I've never had a problem with her also being an author. Archaeologists are usually funded by institutions such as universities (a la Professor Jones), but DD funds herself through fictionalized versions of her real-life adventures. Considering the equivalent income of J.K. Rowling, I think she does pretty well, and it allows her to pursue whatever most interests her at the time rather than compromise with a sponsor.
2002772
Iridia probably knows the secret to contacting Faust and therefore does not need a priestess.
I always assumed this to be the reverse, at least when it comes to Apple Bloom who is absent from Applejack's flashbacks in Cutie Mark Chronicles. I'd put the age difference between Spike and Twilight (she did hatch him the same day as her cutie mark) is somewhere between 4 and 9 years.
I might look stupid for asking this, but is the technological level of Myths somewhere between the Napoleonic War era and early Industrial era?
I like this, it was highly informative. A few comments I have to make:
1.) apparently you and I agree on Celestia and Luna's age. My head cannon placed them around the 1500-1600 mark (what's a century or two among immortals?)
2.) In response to 45...well crap, guess I'm dumping part of my headcanon for alicorns. (just kidding, though your terminology did influence my ideas when I developed my own theory on alicorns, their lifecycle, and their magic.)
I think it's awesome you took the time to do this (I don't have enough readers/followers to pull this off, but I'm mostly ok with that.) I think it's fantastic that you have put so much time and heart into world-builiding this Equestria. (When my friends ask me who I use as a prime example of world-building, I point to this universe.)
-C.Storm
2002772
Twilight was named in a complicated process that involved a spinning wheel, a bottle of tequila, and the hour within which she was discovered on the doorstep.
This may or may not be headcanon or a joke on my part.
2003183
Yes, though it doesn't precisely calibrate to the early industrial revolution. They are a bit all over the place, tech wise.
2003009
Spike is... tough. I don't particularly care for him, as his sparse appearances within Myths no doubt shows. This is in part because I can't quite get the head-canon to work in regards to his age, maturity, and why he follows Twilight around like a loyal puppy. Best answer I have is the 'He's a Dragon, and Dragons are magical creatures and there-for not necessarily subject to standard growth and maturity norms' hand-wave.
2002803
Daring Do features very prominently in an upcoming story I've been writing off and on for over a year now. She and Y.K. Yearling are not the same pony within Myths. I also should point out I've still not watched any episodes from season 4.
Also, you might have a slight shock at this, but in my headcanon both Celestia and Luna are around 3,000 years old and were born as Earth ponies in separate herds 650 years before Equestria's founding.
2003589
Paradise?
Will you ever do something else like this?
2003630
Sure. I don't see why not. Actually, if people have questions, all little question-answer blog might be fun.
Dude, you are missing some awesome episodes. I feel sorry for you.
2003677
I'll watch them eventually. I'm just worried about impacting Myths too much. Perhaps a silly and stupid worry, but there it is.
2003614 Inspired by it, but nowhere similar. I made the Earth ponies more Celt-like and the Pegasi Roman.
2003723 Don't worry too much about that. Myths was already mostly an AU even before MMC.
2003470 Well I'm considering it canon
I am pretty sure it said somewhere in Myths that Luna grew up as an Earth pony. Though that part may have been removed in the rewrite.
2008037
Did it? Oh bother...