TCB Rhapsody: Mythological Roles [1]

Alicorn Edition

So, rather than be a good little writer and finish the true chapter one tonight, I have decided to analyze some of the characters that are already in the story. After chapter one is released I will do another blog entry with some of the humans.

I'm fond of Homestuck, that's probably obvious to several people because my icon was a homestuck aspect for awhile. Specifically, I like the class system. I enjoy the presence of Mythological Roles and how the different characters personify each. If you don't know what I am talking about, and would like to read up on it a little, you can look at this: Link

Disclaimer: It's fine if you are also a fan of this Class/Aspect system, and don't agree with me. This is just meant to offer some insight on the roles these characters will play in Rhapsody.

Name: Celestia - Role: Witch of Breath

Explanation: Witches are a class that focuses on the manipulation of their element. Compared to Sylphs, Witches are the more active class. Celestia is definitely the more active individual between Luna and herself. This makes sense considering the sun is typically considered a more active force than the moon. The sun actively shines with its own light. The Moon shines passively, accepting the gifts of others.

The Aspect of Breath is one of change. It's the first breath of an infant, the deep breath before a plunge, the inhale before one actively exhales into a pinwheel. Celestia actively manipulates her environment constantly, usually by pushing those around her forward. She placed Twilight Sparkle on the path to becoming an alicorn, and actively pushed her forward. In this respect Breath can appear passive, but a passive hero of breath would have compelled Twilight without letters or missions at all. For further reading, if it interests you, look here.

Name: Luna - Role: Sylph of Heart

Explanation: Sylphs are considered the Passive counterpart to Witches, but they also manipulate their element. Heart is considered Synonymous with the Soul, the essence of being. Heroes of Heart are on a journey of Self. They tend to adopt multiple personas, whether through roleplaying or just day to day activities.

Luna is a Sylph of Heart, she puts her soul into her own activities in the hopes that her endeavors will not go unrecognized, and that others will take heed. When this doesn't happen, and she sees her older more active sister reaping the rewards for their joint labors, she adopts the persona of Nightmare Moon. There are other factors involved, but they are exclusive to my story and about as far from canon as it is possible to be. Then again so is transforming humans into magical horses with purple potions.

An important part of her journey involves realizing that she is not her sister, she is not an Active Role. Nightmare Moon is a shard of her self, but not the sum. Speaking of shards, Luna also splinters herself off into the dreams of her subjects, typically to protect them and heal any inconsistencies with their innermost selves. Healing is also an aspect of the Sylph role, and a hero of Heart often splinters, but never breaks.

Name: Twilight Sparkle - Role: Mage of Light

Explanation: A Mage is an ardent disciple, one who engineers and creates through their Aspect. Light is the Aspect of Knowledge, Fortune, and Fate.

Twilight Sparkle is about as ardent a disciple for knowledge itself as one can get. She creates new magic via the knowledge she gleamed through friendship, she discovers knew truths through her work and passions.

For somepony who cares so much about rational truth, she spends a lot of time researching legends and prophecies, which allowed her to learn of Nightmare Moon's return in advance. Though arguably Celestia probably acted on her Breath aspect to push Twilight in that direction. Research aside, Twilight has a deep connection with the fate of others. When the prophecy of Nightmare Moon came to pass, she was there. When the Crystal Empire returned, she was there. (admittedly with the push of Celestia) She was directly responsible for scrambling the fate of her friends, and then used her Light related talents to repair them, and create something new in the process.

PS - I hate the blog entry BBCode, or lack thereof. I also hate those ugly little boxes it keeps placing around my transparent images.