More questions for readers · 4:36pm Feb 5th, 2015
Hey guys, me again. Glad you liked the last chapter so much and my attempt at comedy. The next chapter is being done, but I'm also helping out with two crossovers and making the next chapter for "I Just Want a Quiet Life."
In the meantime, I want your opinions and ideas on several things.
1. I've decided to add the reindeers as another species. However, they are the only species I'm adding. I've yet to choose their society yet, but I want your idea on their magic (because I have decided they have their own version) and their naming system. I have some ideas for the former and none for the latter.
2. On the subject of naming systems I also need to come up with some for the Zebras and the horses. I've decided on the Griffons (English/European names) and changelings and I think there's enough information to work one out for the Daimond Dogs, the Minotaurs, and the Dragons, though I may need help for the mules.
3. I mentioned I would be doing hippogriffs as a hybrid species. Being part Pony, do you think they get cutie marks? And if so, is their naming system different from the rest of the Griffins? My own opinion on this is "no" to both, but I want to hear what you think.
4. Speaking of biology, let's come back to the changelings. Though I've already decided how their hivemind works I've yet to decide on how their shifting Magic works. Is it an illusion, or do they actually change their bodies? In addition, how do you think their reproductive system works? Is the Queen the only one that can lay eggs, or can drones make their own children. And if they can, are there hybrids or do they mimic the DNA of what they mate with? Also, changelings need love, but do they also need food or do they just eat for taste?
5. Alicorns: are they immortal by default, or does it just make it easier for them to become immortal? I myself am in the latter category.
I know that's a lot to chew on, but I hope to hear back from you guys. Also, if you could, don't just tell me your choices, tell me why you think them.
1) Go with German names, so you can have one named Rudlof!
2) I would generally go with African names for the Zebras and Middle Eastern names for the Horses. As for mules, it looks like pony names and donkey names are similar enough to be interchangeable.
3) Hippogryphs would probably be named either with a pony name or a gryphon name depending on which they were raised amongst.
4) I've always seen it as a full transformation. Which means that for any hybridization to occur, the deed would have to be done while in changeling form. Otherwise, the DNA contributed would be purely whatever the changeling was transformed into. As for eating, I've always thought that they eat normally, but that feeding on love just gave them a huge magic boost. But if you're going with the "sustained on love" angle, I'd say that they only eat for the taste and to maintain their disguise. As for reproduction, I've never liked the whole, "the queen is the only one to reproduce" theory. I've always thought that that would leave her bloated and useless for combat. Personally, I'd say that they have certain drones set aside specifically for breading.
5) Ah, the alicorn immortality question. The most satisfying answer I've seen for this is that if an alicorn is born, it's immortal. If a pony ascends, they aren't.
These are just my personal thoughts on these matters. Write what you want!
Looking forward to the next chapter!
The reindeer should be Russian.
The hippogriffs in my head live more in the griffin kingdom than Equestria.
Changelings make sense that it's illusion magic, their reproductive sys. Go with the queen is the only egg layer most insect hives do that.
in the subject of magic for the deers i imagine their magic to be like druids, mature based, healing and using/manipulatin plants for attack and defence.
1. As for Reindeer magic, I agree they should have it. Given normal pony magic is basically European, maybe look more into Swedish, Danish, Siberian, Inuit, etc. etc. types of magic. More northern types. Maybe something to do with the northern lights? As for culture, Russian could work, but everyone and their mother uses Russian for something. Also look at other northern countries and their culture. Maybe a hodgepodge?
2. From what I remember of the only episode with a mule, which is very, very little, I think they had relatively plain earth names, like Matilda or I can't remember the other one. Look into what culture(s) Matilda's from, that should be helpful.
3. Hippogriffs... You could argue they have a pony hindquarters, and thus they should have a cutie mark, but you could also argue the interbreeding waters down the "magic" of the mark, and they don't get one. Mules don't seem to have one, but as said, I know very little of that episode, so if they do, Hippogriffs do too. I do like the idea of them taking the naming scheme of what they were raised in, though.
4. You don't have to go the full nine yards for "illusion" versus "true transformation." They could, like in one story I read that I forgot, create an illusion and a secondary force field giving it touch. I'd recommend against pure illusion, that seems like it'd just be terrible to hide amongst the very physical ponies.
5. I'm going to agree with Show Stopper here. That seems most likely. Of course, you could also go the other way around, and say that ascended ones have a certain somethin' somethin' that makes them immortal (which would mean Celestia and Luna either have some other form of immortality or are ascended) while born ones don't... (maybe the experiences of being a regular pony race? I dunno.) Or you could just go with the "easier to become immortal." I'd recommend against giving them all blanket immortality. Even if they aren't immortal, though, they should have much longer lifespans.
1. Norwegian names, or words in Norwegian languages could be interesting. As for magic, I'm stumped, I guess it all just depends on what you want their role to be. Are they going to be badass reindeer or cutesy reindeer? Wait, magic circles or mystic type magic might be cool, maybe a mix between this:
theangelsguild.weebly.com/uploads/4/5/8/9/4589694/629276426.png
And this:
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As for what their magic can do, maybe some sort of passive magic, like lingering spectral armor, lingering healing spells, and permanent enchantments. And their offensive magic could consist of battle field wide frost enchantments that slow the enemy and other similar feats, just a thought.
2. Zebras probably need names to have a African base, such as... Akachi (God's hand((both guy and girl's name)), Ashanti (Aggresive, warlike((Girl's name)), Kanye (Freedom((guy's name)), Jabari and Jelani, (Full or courage and full or strength, respectivly((Both guy's names)), And Makena, (Delighted((Both Guy and girl's name))
I found these names at this website, check it out if you want. I'll probably be posting more soon.
In another story I'm writing, one of the not LOHAV ones, I was going to go Nordic for the Reindeer, with runic magic of three types. I'd explain further, but that would spoil the story.
1) Reindeer magic makes me think of this fanfic, where they are basically Scanidavian and have rune- and sight-based magic.
2) There are many African names that you can use for the zebras - some of the ones I've seen have pretty awesome meanings.
4) Well, you could go with something that physically alters their exterior, wings included, but might not change their insides. It's been done in a Dexter's Lab/MLP crossover where a medical analysis machine managed to detect changelings.
5) Personally, I go for the 'easier to become' part. Or you could go for the 'being a Bearer' or 'having the Rainbow Power' angles to gain immortality...
Reindeer should be Norway/Sweden/Finland stuff or Siberian tribes. Names would vary depending on placement and magic Nordic or shaman style. Zebra's Sub-Saharan African names, horse's Muslim.
Hippogryphs, I honestly don't see a proud griffon giving a pony name to their child. But given family circumstances, a pony name could be given as a nickname by the pony side of the family. Or say if something happened to the parents and the pony side gets the kids there could be a name change. Cutie marks, I'd say it depends on genetics. A pegasis/griffon I see getting a mark as their weather magics would strengthen each other instead of dilute. Earth pony 50/50 depending on which parent is dominant, but I don't see a unicorn/griffon getting a mark. I've never seen a hippogryph with a horn, so there's a chance griffon DNA is dominant.
Unless you invent a hippogryph with a horn, maybe a residual one the gryph could hide in his hair and can do basic unicorn stuff but only reveals it in emergencies.
Not sure what to think about all the other topics, but I do have a belief regarding the Alicorns. I simply can't picture Alicorns as being fully immortal. I believe that they are only ageless, or semi-immortal.