Bat Ponies/Thestrals in the Trioverse · 10:06pm Sep 18th, 2015
Bat Ponies/Thestrals
Sometimes referred to as ponies of the night, Thestrals are winged/batlike ponies that reside under Equestria. While being very sociable with their fellow ponies, their sensitive eyes and ears have a tendency to make life above ground unpleasant.
Types Abilities:
All thestrals have sharp hearing and eyesight, being able to navigate effortlessly with no light. They're also good fliers; compared to pegasi, they're slower, but more agile. Just as the other types of ponies have inherent magic, so do thestrals, which allows them to communicate with beasts and critters. They use this power to keep such dangerous creatures away/out of Equestria's borders.
Society:
Despite their rarity above ground, they're just as populated as the other types of ponies. Most of them reside in an large underground cavern called the Moonless Lake, living in the large stalactites hanging from the ceiling of the enormous cavern housing this lake.
The Moonless Lake is off limits to non-thestrals, at Princess Luna's order, requiring her signed permission for entry. The stalactites the thestrals call home weren't made with non-fliers in mind, and it's far too dark for a pegasus to fly safely through. The lake resting on the bottom of this vast chamber is also home to some of the largest and most dangerous creatures in all of Equestria.
Despite their cautionary isolation, thestrals still celebrate the same holidays and carry the same customs as the ponies above, and welcome any allowed guests in vibrantly.
Diet / Lifespan:
While fond of mushrooms and underground insects, they also love apples and other sweet fruits imported from the light-touched realm.
They share the same life-spans as any other kind of pony.
Geography:
The Moonless Lake is a large underground lake that stretches between the Smokey Mountain to Neighagra Falls. Specifically, thestrals live in the stalactites on the cavern's ceiling, making it their domain that they share with regular bats.
Their largest town is Perchton, set on a stalactite half a mile thick, hanging not too far from beneath Canterlot Mountain. A tunnel leads between these two destinations, and is the main passageway used for traveling between the lake and the surface.
It's an common thestral belief that all deep caves in Equestria eventually lead to the the lake.
The Moonless Lake is home to a number of large sightless aquatic monsters. There are also small islands scattered through it, and it's often rumored that an ancient pony civilization once called the lake home, in a time long past when the water wasn't as deep.
Relations:
There are other denizens of the Moonless Lake that they associate with, some favorable, others, not so much.
Naturally, they are a part of Equestria, and share the same ties as their surface dwelling cousins.
While a secret to the common thestral, a number in high standing in Perchton are familiar with changelings, and offer secret aid when requested by the changeling queen.
History(as described by Applejack):
“What? Yer askin' me? Well, alright then. Let's see... From what Twilight's told me, them bat-ponies lived in Equestria before it was even founded. Back then, life was just as rough fer them as it was fer everypony else. But, as ya know, with Luna- oh, and Celestia, everything eventually turned out all right fer everypony!”
"...Sorry if ya wanted to know more, pony history isn't really my strong suit."
So, why is the Moonless Lake off limits to the other pony tribes? Or is that something that will be touched upon in anther story. Great job with the Trioverse. I really enjoy when writers take the time the really plan out the worlds they are writing about; it helps to at that extra layer of depth to a story. I like that you are using a lot of the ideas form the show, but your making it your own as well. Enjoying 'The Teal Changeling' so far and I look forward to your future stories as well.
3401781
Mostly 'for your own safety'. At least, that's the reason Luna gives.
3401992
Ah, so something that will be touched upon in the future it is then.
¡Interesting!
I always figured that the thestrals were just regular pegasi under the employ of Princess Luna for the Nightguard. I always figured that their appearance is due to an Unifornglamor (literally a glamour which they have cast over them as part of their uniform) like the glamour the Dayguard use for making them all matching shades of grey and white, which for reasons not clear, does not work on a certain golden pegasusstallion who was transferred to the Crystal Empire in hopes that when the magic from the Crystal Heart goes over the tipping point and changes his appearance, he will match the appearance of the other Royal Guards of the Crystal Empire.
3402949
Honestly, since the only episode any batponies appear in (besides Flutterbat) is a
HalloweenNightmare Night episode. Those guards may have very well been in a glamoured up costume at Luna's order.(throws headcannon out the window)
Then again, I'm more fond of patponies being an actual thing.
3402957
Perhaps.
Even after going crystally, Flash Sentry probable will not blend in with the other Crystal Guards because of his golden color. Maybe, he should start a band.