Sep
1st
2014
1st live Character Q. & A. · 6:23pm Sep 1st, 2014
This is here so you can have the opportunity to ask the cast of The Unity Pact 1 and 2 any question you have. The cast will answer in character and please try to limit questions to one per posting, but feel free to post as many times as you want. I will be LIVE posting from my phone (which is how I write the story too) from 4 P.M. - 11 P.M. Eastern Standard Time on Monday, September 1st. Hope to see you here!
Alex Ludwig wanders out onto a wooden stage in front of a giant red curtain and spots a countdown timer hanging ominously in mid air,
"Aha! The Countdown!" he turns to the rest of the cast behind the curtain on the stage, "Alright everybody, get ready. He's finally doing this. We have an hour and twenty minutes till showtime and I want to see everybody give it their best."
A more general question, rather then to anyone specific.
How exactly are the houses being built/divided up at first? The comments in the last chapter made me a bit curious to see how the current town layout is developing.
2420126 Author steps out from behind the red curtain, "The buildings of New Humansville are all divided up with the streets between buildings in the shape of the strands of a circular spider web. There are sixteen streets which branch outward from the Town Hall and Town Square and the buildings are built outward on the blocks. Does that answer your question?
I was meaning more how there deciding who gets what really, outside of the functional buildings. but that still gives me a idea thanks!
Alex Ludwig pokes his head out from behind the red curtain,
"Hey!" he whispers, "We aren't supposed to start for another twenty minutes. What gives?"
The author looks over his shoulder,
"A come on Alex, they have questions and it's our job to provide the answers. Let's get this ball rolling." author turns back to the seating in front of the stage, "Queue the game show music." jaunty game show music starts, "Hello and welcome to the very first LIVE Question and Answer session for The Unity Pact!" canned applause plays loudly, "Alright it's time to get this thing going! We've already had our first question of the day, thank you azarath. Now for the next question. Who is it going to be?"
2420174 Author looks back at azarath, "Who gets what?" he scratches his chin, "Well I'm afraid I'm going to need you to be a bit more specific there. Do you mean to ask who gets which houses or places of business?"
Author,
"Hello? Is anyone there? Did I forget to mention this is LIVE?" author hangs his head, "Damnit."
Only other question I can think of for the moment is for Discord. How do you feel about finally having a species in equestria that has a natural chaotic bent?
2420314 Discord appears on a flash of light,
"You love me! You really love me!" he clears his throat, "Ahem, yes while the newest species on this mind-numbingly dull little chunk of dirt is somewhat similar to my handsome self, it pains me to say that they also have quite a lot in common with the Ponies. As to my personal feelings, I LOVE it! These Homosapiens are wonderfully chaotic! They are an ever swirling mixture of Harmony and chaos. Their two sides are constantly battling to maintain equilibrium. Even in their attempts at harmonic balance they are chaotic. You have no idea how long I've waited to meet others who aren't . . . well let's just say that what Tia has stuffed up her plot must not be so comfortable."
Another question for Discord, earlier when you met with crash course, you implied hes giving off chaos, and hes not using it. Does this make chaos its own thing different from unicorn magic? And humans also give it off with a chance of learning to do something with it? Or just how you felt saying things at that moment?
2420495 Discord pulls at his goatee absentmindedly, "Chaos is vastly different from Chaos Magic. Humans are chaotic by nature," he lowers his voice, "Thank the heavens," Then returns back to his normal volume, "Their nature is chaotic, but they do not natively seem to have much Chaos Magic." Discord crosses his arms, "More's the pity." he shakes his head and snapps his fingers as a pair of professor's glasses appear on his snout, "Unicorn Magic has nothing to do with Chaos Magic but in fact the two are nearly one and the same. Unicorn Magic is drawn from their own Magerium through the Screfula. Chaos Magic has the same source but it originates through yours truly. The chaotic nature of, we'll me, distorts it somewhat and changes it enough to be considered it's own type of magic. That is why Celestia and Luna can barely touch me." Discord snaps his fingers again as the glasses vanish and leers mischeviously at azarath, "Confused yet?"
Sorry if this one is nasty, but all of Celestia's conversations with Dan, and Luna, in UP1 really pissed me off.
My first question is for Queenie Sunbutt.
Your ponies live in a climate controlled utopia. A literal Sun-Goddess has protected them, from their enemies for the last 1,000 years. Magic provides easy solutions to all the hard moral choices. Their character is so rarely tested by life and death decisions.
The humans come from a world where all resources are scarce, and nature compels everything to kill the competition, or be killed. Despite this, as a whole, humans have always slowly but steadily progressed towards civilization, and learned to tame their darker impulses. Impulses like the ones that took your sister away from you, for 1,000 years.
In contrast, your royal guards, arguably your best trained ponies, when faced with a true test of their character, turned to mass murder, over wounded pride, the moment your gaze was no longer upon them. They weren't starving, freezing, threatened, or cut off from everyone and everything they know and love. It took all of that, plus a month of bitterness and living in constant fear, to make a group of humans sink to the same depths.
My question is this. Knowing all that you do about both species, why do you cling to the idea that humans are the ones who need to be trained, in self control, by ponies?
2420685 Princess Celestia steps out from behind the red curtain while Discord retreats. She listens to Iron Sky fully before replying,
"I believe you misunderstand me. I have no intention of training the Humans in self control. I do however believe the Humans can learn much from Ponies as a whole and self control would be one of those areas where there could be some improvement. I completely agree that the Massacre is going to be in the history books as a horrendous tragedy, but the actions of a few should not necessarily be considered indicative of the mindsets of the whole. Now, on the opposite end of that same spectrum I also believe that Ponies have a great deal to learn from Humans. Just to clarify, if you think I or my sister are under the impression that Humans are the 'lesser' people, I am glad to say you are mistaken. In regard to my E.P.U. Guards, and not merely my Guards, but one of MY Officers as being the instigator, ring leader, and perpetrator of The Massacre, once I found out I was horrified, saddened, and angered beyond words. Had Luna not offered to deal with the murderers," she lowers her eyes sadly, "My own subjects, murderers," she raises her head and straightens, "Had Luna not stepped in, I would have likely been sending many more families comforting letters and folded Equestrian flags. Now," she leans toward Iron Sky in a whisper, "I do often act in one odd way or another in order to guide others to making discoveries themselves and I will admit that I do so often, besides careful maneuvering and word play can be an absolute hoot, but only if it is done for the somebody's betterment." she raises her head back up, "Does that answer your question?"
Author,
"Feel free to ask as many question as you wish. There isn't anybody else on right now."
Next question is for Cessily Richardson.
After your passive mind ability helped you learn Velensovth, in a week, do you worry that you may inadvertently absorb dangerous magical knowledge, before you're ready for it, when you study under the unicorn volunteers?
2420790 Cessily emerges from the red curtain as Celestia retreats,
"Heck no! It's not like I'm always reading somebody's mind. Catalyst gave me a few hints here during a couple of tutoring sessions. We had to fiddle with it a bit but, we figured out that I can actually ignore it most of the time. I can't exactly force my way into somebody's head. All I can really do is form a type of two directions mental link. The first couple of times I did it, all I got was an impression, but then again a mental link doesn't function on words, but notions, thoughts, colors, smells, every sense. That's how I picked up Velensovth so quickly. I actually understand exactly what somebody means when they try to teach. Like how no two people see the same color green, we'll I do." she smiles and plants her fists on her hips, "Got any more questions sir?"
Next question is for Mario LeBlanch, assuming he survived the Diamond Dog battle.
So what have you been up to, since we saw you last?
2420893 All eyes turn toward the shadowy figure leaning against the back wall of the area behind the curtain. The shadowy figure pulls a twig out of his teeth and spits it out on the floor before making his way through the red curtain. Mario looks wiry thin, but muscled,
"Yeah, I survived that shit. Ain't no fuckin' way those rabid bitches was gonna git me, an' they ain't gettin' nobody else either if I got anythin' to say bout it. Course I made it through dat shit. I been watchin' erething jus like my boy Spectre. I got to keep my peeps safe round this bitch. Fuckin' Ponies an' shit. They ain't so sweet. They may look like it but they ain't so perfect neither. Some o' them ain't too bad, but I got a bad feelin' bout a couple. Heard my boys got theyselves a bit o' that voodoo shit goin' on, guess what, so do I. I gotta learn my shit the hard way." a low growl echoes from behind the red curtain and Mario yells at it,, "I told you to stay. I don't wanna hear no shit from yo ass." Mario turns back to Iron Sky, "We good?"
Next Question is for Luna.
That spell, or combination of spells you used to reshape, and harden metal could eliminate the need for the humans to reinvent centuries worth of metallurgy, and manufacturing equipment.
Have any of the humans, so far, showed the right nouns and verbs at high enough levels, to potentially learn to do that?
2420989 Luna steps widely around Mario as she moves through the red curtain and the thin, angry man steps back,
"A few of them have shown a measure of talent for metallurgy. I am hoping that the Humans' scientific methods of shaping metal might be merged with our own. What I did with the weapons and armor was extremely complex and difficult. It taxed my a great deal. Physical metallurgy is generally considered preferable to its magical counterpart. The experience, power, and finesse needed to properly shape metals for the best weapons and armor is thankfully rare and likewise rarely needed. I have a gathering of no less than two hundred Unicorn enchanters, nearly every one in Equestria, working on weapons and armor for the C.W.G. I feel that we, as a species, and even myself, still owe the Humans. My mistake with Christopher was a . . . how do the Humans say it . . . a wake up call. My sister and I intend to ensure that our newest subjects have what they need and more."
might be a bit of an oddball question, but how about a nice summary of what has happened so far?
2421042 Author glances to the new arrival,
"With the whole story, or here in the Q&A?"
Of the story my friend! just something short to refresh my memory
2421076 Author shrugs,
"Alright then. In Chapter 1 Artex learned that Big Macintosh, his adopted brother was soon to be romantically involved, Granny Smith ribbed our bumbling Human . . . "
An angry shout echoes out from behind the curtain,
"I'm not bumbling. I'm unlucky."
Author rolls his eyes,
"Oh quit whining you big wus. Anyway Granny Smith ribbed Artex for not having eyes for any mares since he no longer could, as she said, 'plow and plant his seed' in any soil except that of a Kavim. In Chapter 2 Artex met Discord. In Chapter 3 Arch Magister Catalyst, the Unicorn volunteers, and Princess Luna arrive in New Humansville and the Unicorns blanch when Luna reveals she is in possession of artifacts called a'dam, which negates the wearer's magic and was considered a type of slavery by modern Ponies. In Chapter 4 it is discovered that R.J. Brinsin has magic which nearly makes him a Pegasus. In Chapter 5 the Humans are introduced to magic. In Chapter 6 Chris Vacca is found to have the highest possible level of magic possible for the Noun Space. Luna panics . . . "
"FOOLISHLY OVERREACTED! WE DID NOT PANIC!" Luna hollers from behind the curtain.
Author sighs heavily,
"Luna overreacts and puts the a'dam on Chris then telleported away. In Chapter 6, 7, and 8 Luna leaves Chris in her chambers while Mike Joyner is about ready to play connect the dots and rip her ass to her van unless she brings back Chris. Meanwhile Chris escapes from the a'dam and ends up meeting Luna's pet echidna then sleeping on her bed. Celestia and Luna teleport into the room, Chris trolls Luna and since she wronged him, he had the chance to decide what her punishment would be. He put a collar on her that she has to wear for a year. In Chapter 9 there is an explanation about how Humans cast spells. In Chapter 10 we learn more about how Humans cast spells and that there are still problems to be dealt with in New Humansville because some Humans have been reported to be practicing magic illegally. In Chapter 10 you meet these Sorcerers for the first time, but their situation is complex and now the readers get to decide how the C.W.G. rectify the situation. "
Next question is for Catalyst.
How much do you weigh?
2421204 The Arch Magister trots out from behind the red curtain,
"Pardon me!?" she asks angrily before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, "Calm down, he may not know." she opens her eyes and takes another deep breath, "You may not be aware, but in our society it is considered very rude to ask about a mare's weight. However if you must know, I pride myself on keeping a trim figure and weigh a mere nine stones, roughly 126 lbs."
"Ooh, ooh me next! Me next!" Pinkie Pie pokes her head out of the curtain.
Author pinches the bridge of his nose,
"Pinkie, you are barely in the story. With this story I'm trying to stick mostly with an original cast. Go back to hanging out with Dr. Mend in my other story. This is for The Unity Pact."
Pinkie blinks rapidly,
"Ooooohhhhh. Okie doing lokie."
Author sighs,
"Sorry about that interruption. Now, back to the questions."
Question, el numero uno, Discord, what did it fell like to be level 11? The way it was framed, I'm imagining something like drinking a gargleblaster
Question # 2, Spearman (R.I.P.), what would your Nouns, and Verbs have been?
2421263 Discord reappears in a flash of light,
"It was indescribable." he says wistfully, "Imagine everything, not just the world or the universe, everything just laid out before you. Every speck of dust floating in space, every molecule of every flower perfect in its simplicity, every thought of every being that ever lived all assaulting your every sense an innumerable number of times every pico second . . . it sucked." with a snap of his fingers he disappears again.
And Question-a number-a 3, for Mike, how do you feel having 'the battle standard' as a passive ability?
2421280 Mike Spearman steps out from behind the curtain,
"Thank you sir. It is peaceful. To answer your question, I actually asked a similar one to the big guy upstairs. He said my passive was Sustain at level 1 and Spirit at level 2. I had a second passive of Change at level 2 and Flesh at level 3. I was blind to Create and Comprehend, I had a 2 in Repair, 1 in Control, and 1 in Destroy. For my Nouns I was blind to all except for Illusion at a 4, Water at a 2, and Mind of 6."
Very weird comment, or suggestion really not sure what it would be. After the village is all setup, and knowing I personally at least would love it. Would the village ask discord to host a discord day celebration, sort of like a carnival where anyone can go in and enjoy a day of discord brand chaos. I honestly see it like the ultimate carnival show, scary wild, crazy, and fun since you know its just a day, and can leave when you have to?
2421280 Mike Joyner steps out from behind the red curtain and hugs Spearman,
"Sorry you had to go brother. We miss you." he turns and clears his throat, "It's a burden honestly and I think it's a bit of a foregone conclusion that eventually the secret will get out. I will say this though, I cannot think of a better incentive for any commanding officer to be on the front line as it were, with his subordinates. I watch out for them and they'll hopefully have my back once random Unicorns start trying to kidnap me or something. It's definitely useful for my friends, but if an enemy gets too close, we'll we're probably in some trouble. Honestly it scares me."
2421308 Author perks up,
"Hmmmmm, not a bad idea." mumbles to himself, "Why didn't I think of that?"
2421335 Glad I could offer something! And think its a way for discord to have chaos, have a species that would probably enjoy it as a yearly thing! And have a year they can just relax and enjoy the madness if they want to! All around a win for everyone, cept the ponies who will look on the carnival and wonder where all the crazy came from.
2421343 Author,
"Celestia nearly said the same thing in Chapter 7."
Question for D' Author, the storm that sent all the humans to Equestria, its still technically active? or was I just misreading that?
A question for the author.
The fact that humans seemed to have dormant screfula organs that slowly became active, when they were exposed to magic, could have some interesting implications. Did you intend that as a hint that there used to be magic on Earth, in the distant past, or maybe that Earth was connected to another magical world, at some point?
2421365 Author,
"The storm is still active. And it is moving."
2421366 Author,
"Neither actually. The Screfula developed from nothing except the Latent Unrefined Natural Magic that the Humans were taking in by breathing, eating, and drinking. Natural Magic is questionably sentient and works in mysterious ways. Also for the record, since one reader seemed irate about it, the reason Artex lost so much weight was because he was vomiting up liquid magic, which his doctor had never seen before, and she was under the impression that she was overfeeding him. She cut back on his intake in hopes of keeping him healthy."
2421370 That bodes ill, and well for all humanity.
2421377 Author,
"It does, doesn't it."
One last question, (even though time is up), Does MLP:FiM exist in the human world of Unity Pact?
If so...ALL THE BRONies, and pegasisters.
Question for the humans in general.
Celestia promised everyone a boon, when the Unity Pact was signed. I figure that after making do with so little, most of the people would ask for something purely practical, like one of Dan's tools, but people wouldn't be people if someone didn't say something stupid. Did anyone ask for something awesomely ridiculous, like, "I want to ride the horsey queen?"
2421382 Author,
"Nope. It never did."
2421386
for them, anyway
2421384 Eduardo Ortega,
"Nah ese we going to save those for after the Ponies supply us. After they are done giving, we make the Princesses give a bit more. I got one that's solid gold." Eduardo smiles an evil smile.
Author,
"I'm going to extend this till midnight."
Unnamed earth pony mare, blue coat, rust colored mane, circular saw blade mark.
You felled a tree by headbutting it. That was so awesome it made the Apple family look like a bunch of pussies. Are you coming back?