tLoE VIII: The Structure of Character

Hello once again readers! A quick note I should add before beginning this post, I apologize for posting it so late here, and while yes I do post every Thursday it's typically extremely late, so anyone reading would probably have to read it Friday. There've been a lot of things going on, and I'm not exactly the best person at juggling multiple tasks, so once again, I apologize.

But enough about that, Let's get right to the topic this week!

So, Equestrian Society, and all of the City states that compose it would be nothing without this...it's one of the most recognizable aspects of any town...and it often reflects something about the area, or inhabitants, nearby. This major Societal component? Infrastructure! More specifically, the buildings in Equestria. So, below, we'll be looking into a few specific examples of infrastructure's important role in Equestria.

I believe one of the most notable, and interesting, examples would have to be the Crystal empire. Being entirely composed of crystalline buildings and roads makes for a very unique and identifiable city (not to mention a nicely symmetrical one), but one has to wonder how difficult to build such things would be. Looking into examples, however, it may actually be fairly simple. Much like the Kryptonians, (best example of this was in the "Superman Returns" movie), the crystal ponies seem to literally grow large structures from smaller crystals. Now, the only major examples we've seen of this are Sombra's manipulation of Crystals (Season 3 Premier), and Twilight's Castle (Season 4 Finale), but until evidence is shown countering this claim, it appears most likely to be the case. Now, that being said, repair of structures must also be fairly simple, by growing Crystals into cracks or damaged parts, the Empire probably has a fairly simple maintenance program. The symmetry and order of the Crystal Empire also shows just how organized and precise they are, and being a fairly militarized and fortified state, it makes quite a lot of sense. But how about a more familiar state? One that's a bit more mysterious.

I speak of Cloudsdale, who's cloud masonry is a bit of a puzzle. A strong material that retains it's shape and is solid, yet can rest atop a cloud. With no problem. Their Roman-style architecture seems to be almost entirely composed of this material, which I could best describe as "blue marble" based on the looks of it. Other buildings in Cloudsdale are built entirely of Clouds, compacted into walls and roofs, much like Rainbow Dash's house. This makes sense, especially for a city who's main export is clouds, but It could make for some issues (in the most recent episode, Pinkie Pie literally walked nonchalantly through a wall). As for other structures in Cloudsdale, it seems to follow no major organizational pattern (granted we haven't see too much of the city), but does seem to model itself after Ancient Rome, as mentioned before.

But how about some familiar structures? Ones we all know best, he infrastructure of Ponyville. Now aside from hype Ponyville dam (Shown in "It's about Time" and "The Mysterious Mare Do Well), there seems to be no major stonework in the town. Most structures in Ponyville are composed of simple wood and glass, which properly represents the simple farming State that it is. But what about the Mane 6's homes? Rainbow, as mentioned, lives in a cloud home, representing both her original home and her love of the air. Fluttershy's Cottage however, shows nothing of her old home, but rather focuses on her animal friends and simple lifestyle, which matches very much with both her job and kind nature. Sugarcube corner is the place people go for party catering, so it's only fitting that the party pony herself inhabit it, but looking at all the decorations and the gingerbread look of the building, it very much represents Pinkie's attitude, and job, much like the other's. Applejack lives on the farm, in a fairly simple barn, which portrays her love of the country, and her job (seeing the pattern here?). Rarity is no different. Her round boutique (aptly named the Carrousel Boutique given it's appearance) is nice and orderly. Trimmed and fashionable, much like it's primary inhabitant. Notice how it's also uniquely painted, different from the others...one may call that a...
...Structure that stands out. (you were expecting me to say "Rarity", were't you?). And finally, Twilight's old home, the library, both representing how she branched out quite a bit over time, and her love for knowledge, her home is one that really grew on us all...and then absolutely shocked us out of our ever-loving minds when it was destroyed. Why? Simple, look at all the other examples. All of these structures are unique and identifiable, like their inhabitants...so, losing that tree was like losing a part of a beloved character.... Never thought infrastructure could be so emotional eh?

It's tl:dr time everyone!
-Infrastructure often represents the person/people in/around it
-T he Crystal empire GROWS buildings (cool).
-Cloudsdale is made up of clouds (shocker) and mysterious "Blue Marble".
-Each of the main Character's homes represent who they are quite well.
- We all miss the Golden Oaks Library.

As always, do what you do best, and until next time,

I'm Ironsmith, Invent on!