Of Kingdoms and Cutie-Marks: Developer Notes Entry 5- The United Kingdoms

Regula, Zebrica and the Ivory Coast, also known as the United Kingdoms, or the Tripartite Unity. They are a unique creation in the world. Three sovereign nations that have bound their fate together into one united political entity.

Zebrica is the kingdom of the zebras, their shamans well known outside of their lands. The zebras don't have many major settlements within their lands, only two large cities as they tend towards a more nomadic lifestyle, following the flow of the seasons.

The most interesting debate surrounding the zebras are their possible connection to the ponies of the world, being the only other species on the planet to express the phenomenon known as cutie-marks. Magic users, historians and anthropologists the world over have searched for some kind of ancient connection between the two races, but so far, nothing has come to light.

Zebrica is ruled over by King Halia, who has just inherited the throne from his father. Young and full of energy he looks towards the future with a sense of idealism.

The Ivory Coast is the smallest of the three nations, and is so named for the elephants and rhinos that call the country home. To creatures outside of the Ivory Coast, coming in, the sheer scale of the buildings can be intimidating at times as elephants are the largest sapient creatures on the planet outside of a fully grown dragon.

Size aside, the residents of the Ivory Coast are known for being slow to anger and somewhat contemplative, by nature. But when roused to anger, an adult bull elephant or male rhino is a scary thing to see, to say the least.

The Ivory Coast is ruled over by King Babar, a wise ruler known for his love of history and fine literature. As such, he recently engaged in a massive public works program to help spread literacy across not just the Ivory Coast, but the rest of the united kingdoms as well.

The last kingdom of the three, and kind of the odd man out, is the Kingdom of Regula, the land of the lions. A strong and centralized country, it is full of national pride and a strong desire to support itself and it's allied nations. The lions take the concept of stewardship and honor very seriously.

The national pride of Regula also manifests itself in a strong desire to record and present their history. Monuments and museums abound in the land.

The secret to the success of the United Kingdoms, comes from what is known as the Tripartite Crown. These ancient artifacts are tied to the land itself, and when powered by an ancient rite their effects spread to all the peoples of their nations.

The lions have gifted their legendary courage to their allied nations. The elephants and rhinos their endurance. The zebras their agility. And the herbivores have gifted to the lions the ability to gain full nutrition from vegetables, so that they may stand with their non predator allies as true equals.

Regula is ruled over by King Regulus, a symbolic title that each king takes on when they ascend the throne, as they swear to put their personal desires behind those of the country. The current King Regulus is the tenth lion to hold the title, and is getting on in years, though regular military training has helped keep him fit and strong; despite his advancing age.

The united armies of the Kingdoms are a truly intimidating sight to behold. Wings of lions and zebras strike at and surround their targets, while the rhinos and elephants charge down the middle. The end result is a unified fighting force that has intimidated just as many foes into submission as they have fought.

They are another strong ally of Equestria and have been since Celestia helped forge the Tripartite Crown in the first place.

Next time: The Republic of Dromedus.