Headcanon Discussions: Eras in Equestria · 1:41pm Apr 26th, 2015
Welcome one, welcome all to today's episode of Headcanon Discussions! Today, we'll be talking about how the years are kept track of in our favourite pony world, and what events signify the changes into the new eras.
Headcanon Discussions
Eras in Equestria
How Equestria judges it's years have always been a hard thing to keep tabs on, considering there's no official calendar or year system. Many people just don't care, others keep it on track with Earth years, some use an epoch system like humanity has used in the past (B.C. and A.D.), one of the most common being 100X ANM (ANM = After Nightmare Moon)
However, I personally prefer a system of eras, where significant events and changes in pony history mark a new time of living, an example being the end of the Oblivion Crisis in The Elder Scrolls IV, marking the end of the Third Era.
Now, let's dive into history and try to pinpoint what events meant the change of an era.
First Era, the Age of Creation
Faust creates the world of Equus. This is the longest era, lasting somewhere around 2,500 years. I can't come up with anything here.
Second Era, the Age of Conflict
This age was born when Faust left Equus to it's own devices, and the three tribes and many racespromptly delved into conflict. After 1,200 years, the tribes, after many treaties and much neutral intervention by the two alicorns, Lunoris and Solaris, a treaty was signed declaring peace between the tribes, and naming the land they resided on as Equestria. With much persuasion, the two alicorns took the throne as Equestria's first rulers. However, they had to create another treaty with the Griffon, Dragon, and Changeling races. Known as The Pact, it gave each race a portion of Equestria's land that the races saw fit to reside in. The Griffons got the Mountains of the East, the Dragons received the Dead Lands, and the Changelings received the lush plains to the south of the country.
Third Era, the Age of the Sun and Moon
This age was born after The Pact was signed, and peace truly resided over Equestria. They had two daughters, Celestia and Luna, who, after the King and Queen's 900-year reign, took the throne when they departed for Elysium. Very shortly afterwards, clouds of cotton candy and chocolate rain plagued Equestria, and so rose Discord, the Lord of Chaos.
Fourth Era; the Age of Chaos
This age was born when Discord rose to power. This was the shortest age, lasting only 50 years, but his reign wreaked enough havoc and destruction to change the face of Equus forever. The Griffon lands and the Dragon lands were ripped from the mainland of Equestria and pushed across the Dark Sea; and the Changeling lands were blasted with a powerful magic, scarring the lands and making them nigh-inhabitable. The north, home of the Crystal Empire, was made frozen and almost inhospitable. Discord also corrupted King Sombra, who was once a kind and caring ruler. In his corrupted haze, Sombra hid the empire from everyone to reign in silence for centuries. To the rest of the world, it was thought to be lost.
Fifth Era; the Age of Harmony
This age was born when Celestia and Luna sealed Discord in stone with the Elements of Harmony, and lasted around 500 years. This was a not only a time of peace and harmony in Equestria, but also a time of recovery. For another 10 years, the land had to be gradually repaired with the power of the Elements, and ponies had to adapt to a non-discordian life. Sadly, the damage done to the Griffon, Dragon, and Changeling lands could never be repaired. Eventually, the Elements vanished. Near the end of the era, Sombra's enchantment over the Crystal Empire faded, and it appeared to the rest of the world once more. His armies of the undead and slaves marched on the north border of Equestria, but were quickly dispatched. Celestia and Luna took him down shortly afterwards, but not before he banished himself and his entire empire to the shadows. Nine months later, Nightmare Moon appeared, and the Nightmare War began.
Sixth Era; the Age of the Lost Princess
This age was born when the Nightmare War ended. Although only seemingly lasting a short time in the show and without a name, it actually lasted for about three months before Celestia was able to find the Elements of Harmony again, and she was able to stop it, but at the cost of losing her sister and fellow diarch, Luna. The events of the series as we know it until the end of Season 4 consists of the remainder of the Sixth Era.
Seventh Era; the Age of Magic
This age began once Tirek was defeated, and progresses until now.
So with all that said, the current year in Equestria is 7E 1
I hope this makes sense, and that I didn't miss too much. Right now, I just can't be bothered to write anything else. My fingers hurt, yo.
Mugoloo out.
+1, thats all I can add at the moment. :3
3107391
Thanks, I'm going to be going in-depth on these eras in later blog posts. I wrote all that in one sitting and my fingers did hurt.
3109300
That struggle is real. I understand from first-hand experience. ;D
I'm actually trying to type out more than one Chapter of my series. Although, I'm doing my best to write out the current standing of being 50 years before Nightmare returns. I'm setting it up so that there is a reason why Chrysalis attacks Canterlot... because in the show it just does not make sense. I mean, yeah, they are starving and she wanted to feed her children... but why reveal when you could of easily stayed hidden. Fed on individuals that were less of a political issues until stronger, then rise up. *Shakes head* That has... bugged me...
For far too long. 
I Look forward to your blog discussion(s) and back-story development. Also, would you mind if I used some of it in a story? Not sure which one yet... but one in the future. I'll cite you for creative assistance and such as well. After-all, give credit where credit is due. :3
HeavensRaptor
3111425 Sure, sure. Be careful about using my calendar ideas if you do, I'm still really skeptical about it and might just re-do it all entirely, lol.