This begun before the cult had been dismantled, ponies gathering in secret.
A settlement had been selected. Resources slowly gathered and pooled away, for when it was possible to slip out of the net.
Once the cult had been dismantled, we slowly spread out, before regrouping on the chosen site.
Once the settlement was completed, we realised, representatives from all known types had been present all along, including a few we knew nothing about.
We had chosen to stay within Equestria, since we knew nothing of what was beyond. We had also chosen to change the system, picking a high Priestess from each, and an Arch Priestess to unite us all.