Every culture has its own myths and stories, its heroes and monsters. Enter the Buffalo Legends, where mighty heroes like Broad Hoof, Quick Star, and Clever Horns perform feats of daring and courage, where tricksters like Star Dog wreak havoc and cause mischief, and where the Spirits of old come to life once again. These stories, told by an unnamed buffalo elder, have been passed down since time immemorial, and now they are being passed down to you.
Each chapter is a separate, mostly stand-alone fable. Unless stated in the Author's Note as adaptions of existing legends (and this won't happen very often), all chapters are original.
Chapters (1)
What a cool idea. I'm assuming you just took the plot for this (and other planned stories) from various Native American cultures, but still, it's a cool adaptation!
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Actually, I made this one up off the top of my head. If I do adapt an existing legend, I'll make sure to put it in the Author's Note
1334939 Really? Spectacular work, then! It totally has the feel of a traditional native fabel!
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Yayyy! *claps hooves* That's wonderful, because I've always loved Native stories and other myths and legends. I mean, I grew up listening to Kipling's Just So Stories, so that probably influenced the style. 
Thank you, and I really hope you enjoy my writing!
1335078 Checked your profile page... You mentioned the Local Natives... Well now I'm obligated to become a fan
Seriously though, I'm now filled with an innate desire to read Fall of the Alicorn, even though I have only the vaguest idea of what it's about.
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Heehee, music has benefited me once again!
It's looking to be an insanely long story that covers the history of Equestria, as seen through the eyes of one character to give it a focal point. The best way to get an idea of where it's going is to look up Cosmicunicorn on Deviantart and read her comic/story Discordantly. That's a basic outline of what I'm going for.
As for the Buffalo Legends, if enough people like it, I'm going to do some follow-up stories. I think a series of Zebra legends that mirror the African Anansi fables is next. Then pony/Northwest pioneer tales (Like Paul Bunyan, Bloody Bones, etc)? Who knows
Thank you sosososooooo much for the watch and favorites. It really means a lot to me!
1335332 The whole cowboys and Indians thing is part of what got me to read this - I'm writing a fic of my own that has a lot of speculation on buffalo culture, and wanted to see how another person would spin it. I think it's weird how much you've written and still you only have a handful of followers. I'm now putting all your other stories on my read later list, once again on general principle. Lawl. Anyways, can't wait to see what they've all got in store for me. On the morrow, my dear sir/ma'am, on the morrow!
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On the morrow indeed! I'm glad to hear you're writing a buffalo- based story; I feel like they don't get nearly enough love. As for my followers... Well, it's hard to get noticed. All I can do is keep on pluggin' along until I get there! I'm definitely going to check out your story when you finish it. Or right now. Probably now.
(I'm a dear madam, to avoid future confusion
)
1335488 Agreed, it's an underrepresented theme on this site. The story's right here if you want to check it out! But no rush - it's not going anywhere
Anyhow. You may have just gotten really unlucky. It happens. One time I submitted a fic, and it was posted at around 5AM Eastern time, and was off the front page before anyone in Morth America had woken up. It got like 2 thumbs up at the time. But hey - now it has 17! Just gotta keep promoting xD
So what I'm getting from this is that the Buffalo are racist against Diamond Dogs?
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If that's what you're getting, then it's certainly a different message than the story was written to impart. It's focused on the individual, the Coyote-esque trickster spirit Star Dog. Racism really doesn't play into it at all. The other three spirits shown here (Phoenix, Old Mountain Dragon, and First Pony) are all aggressive towards him because of his past misdeeds- some of which may be revealed in future installments. The Diamond Dogs themselves are just another race of Equestrian creatures, with a history and culture of their own. This wasn't written to show prejudice, this is a creation myth in the Native American style. Perhaps you should look up some legends involving Coyote or Anansi; I'm sure they'll give you some insight into the story.
I find folklore absolutely fascinating and world building tales like this are some of my favorite pieces of work. Once again your work astounds me, and I once again applaud your fabulous writing skills.
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It's both, technically. I've read a lot of Coyote stories; I wrote a thesis on Coyote as a figure like Epimetheus, who does without thinking then is forced to think a lot about what he has done. The thing about myths is they are far from mere stories. They occupy the same space as sacred literature and fables. On some level they are meant to instruct listeners on important subjects (like the consequences of thoughtlessness) and to support the culture that creates them. They bind up and display all the hopes, fears, loves and hates of their culture like bouquets. You teach the young who to love and who to hate, and say exactly how smart, dumb, noble or vile they are. Other nations are often literally monsters, and the creation of foreigners emphasizes alienness. The takeaway lesson is twofold: Star Dog was foolish, don't do things thoughtlessly; Diamond Dogs may not literally be diamond-hearted brutes (or maybe they believe they are; magic means stuff can happen like that, like Foresworn Briarhearts) but never do business with them, talk to them or interact with them.
Don't get me wrong. I am favoriting this and upthumbing and all of that. It's about the Buffalo and they don't get enough attention. Plus, you really captured the actual core of sacred myths, a litany of jingoism, self-aggrandizement, social order and prejudice. It's a rare skill.
(I'm serious, just read some myths and see how the sacred or exalted characters emphasize and proselytize the sacred and social doctrines of their land and emphatically mistrust outsiders. Greek myths take great pains to emphasize piety and social decorum, to the point of harshly punishing transgressors like Sisyphus. The Divine Comedy is a socio-politico-religious work that uses punishment of ancient and modern figures as a way of propping up the moral system of the time. Fairy tales are all about obedience, deference to monarchs and emphasizing proper action. My favorite, though, is Gawain and the Green Knight.)
Wonderful job you did on this story.
This is an amazing story. I've read my fair share of Greek, Chinese, Japanese and Middle-Eastern mythology, but this one would not be out of place in Native-American myths.