• Member Since 29th Jun, 2013
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Eagle


To represent everything it stands for.

More Blog Posts49

  • 57 weeks
    On the Story

    This is a quick word for whoever wants to read it, just to say thanks for sticking with this so long and my dearest apologies for not updating the story more often. Excuse is about the same, life is busy, very busy, not a bad busy but it's the 'this stuff is more important' type of work. As I've said I'm never cancelling the story, but I felt like I owed you guys something. I do wish I could get

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    2 comments · 193 views
  • 165 weeks
    A Word on Updates

    Figured I would let people know so they don't have to worry. It may be a while before you get another chapter update. I know it's been a few months but things have been busy and getting busier. It's certainly not canceled, not at all, but it might be a while longer before another chapter since I haven't been able to write much. Hope you all can continue being patient, thank you

    2 comments · 234 views
  • 264 weeks
    A Couple Things

    Yes I know it's been a while since I used this blog thing but I found it kinda useless, doesn't really matter much and I literally care only about the story itself more than a blog or my own user page. But I figured I'd use it for some important updates, so I'll just be direct with them.

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    0 comments · 485 views
  • 315 weeks
    A word on the feedback of readers

    I'll keep this short so as not to take up anyone's time. The new batch is up and I hope everyone enjoys it; next one should be relatively sooner than last.

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    1 comments · 400 views
  • 331 weeks
    The worries of writing

    Well, now that the war's finally started I hope you all are still interested.

    Read More

    4 comments · 448 views
Jan
1st
2016

SITREP: Nations of the Arcaian Continent · 12:05am Jan 1st, 2016

So, good news is that the latest chapter is done at around 10,000 words, so that's good; though I still must complete the second before the next publication, which should be shorter.

But in working on the details of the story itself, I've kind of entered an odd place for this. To put it basically, the story itself is more about the war overall and is told through the viewpoints of multiple characters, rather than a story about several characters themselves taking part in a war, if that makes any sense. But at the same time, it seems a good deal like the latter, as well. Either way, there's plenty of work to do, and since this is going to be showing the war on a greater scale, I cooked something up to give the readers an understanding and feel for things. Basically, it's a bit of worldbuilding for the land that's been created; not the most detailed, but it gives the important stuff. Hope you all find it interesting.

Here is a list of the nations on Arcaia:

Kingdom of Equestria
Being the largest country on the continent, Equestria takes up about half of Arcaia alone, holding most of the eastern sphere, partially thanks to its successful unification of tribes early in its history. The western border runs along several nations, and the country stretches east to the ocean, holding the coastlines around it and consequently being the closest country to the United States. It has long since played a role in moderating affairs on Arcaia until the Shadow Empire’s return.

It also has the most diverse landscape of all nations. Much of the western land is covered in forests, hills, and spaces of grasslands. This differing biomes increase on the journey west, running into the major urban centers, great mountain ranges soaring into the sky, and rivers twist through the land. The forests and grasslands continue to dominate, with some bogs and a few swamps being spotted about the land. Continuing from Equestria’s center, the land changes from lush to arid quickly as the grasslands turn to plains and then deserts, such as the San Palomino near Las Pegasus, take dominance, save for the Hayseed Swamps that cover most of the north. Farther on past the Macintosh Hills and the uninhabitable Badlands, the landscape transforms into vast plains that stretch for some ways before it returns to lands of hills and forests again as the coast is reached, which begins to give off a slight tropical feel, though this is largely enhanced for vocational purposes, as several coastal towns are popular among the citizens for this reason.

Much of the Equestrian citizenry falls in with their leaders, and have a tradition of attempting to find peaceful resolutions, though the latest losses have crippled this theory. Even so, most non-military ponies, while beginning more and more to agree on aggressive actions, still hold a belief in kind actions at heart. Beyond the Equestrians, the nation has seen an influx of refugees from the fallen nations that swell its population. It also holds a large number of exiled Shadow ponies from before the empire’s banishment that have since reformed to such teachings, and mostly live in the southeastern port of Cozumane.

Equestria also has a large military in the form of the Royal Guard, but it is in dire need of reorganization, retraining, and re-equipping to meet the needs of a modern war.

Crystal Empire
The second largest nation on the continent, the Crystal Empire is a landlocked country in the heart of Arcaia. It also serves as the most immediate threat to the Shadow Empire. Having been liberated once from Sombra’s gaze, they are not happy to be occupied completely by his army.

Most of the land is flat and grassy, with some hills and forest, among other terrain features, dotting the landscape. Several rivers also move through the lands.

Following a long, ultimately doomed battle, the Crystal military evacuated to Equestria, along with its ruling Prince and Princess, and a good portion of its population. The Crystal military makes up the largest portion of the exiled forces, adding up to six Divisions in a full army Corps, and as the Arcaian militaries begin receiving their own new equipment, are outfitted largely with French equipment, while their squadron in the Exiled Air Forces is of older American A-6s.

Karalian Republic
South of the Crystal Empire lies the most powerful military nation in the land. The Karalian Republic, despite its moderate size, has a long history that focuses on military matters; indeed, most of its society is centered on the military. Over its history, it has been through several wars; one against Crystal Empire, fought to a draw, one against the Zerbas, ending in victory, and two against the Union, one ending in victory and a corridor to the southern ocean, and a final one ending as a draw. This does not count the multiple wars with the Changelings to their west, which have been numerous and almost continuous; indeed, Karalia gained a reputation, alongside the Union, of keeping most Changelings at bay in their country. Thanks to this history and culture, Karalia has developed a large, powerful military that became the strongest force on the continent before the return of the Shadow Empire and the formation of the Bloc.

Demographically, the nation is made up of two types of ponies: Cyrandelli and Mycenae. The Mycenae are the same type of ponies as the Equestrians, and are generally the same except for less-talented unicorns. The Cyrandelli, which make up 70% of the population, are ponies more native to the land, being very small with the average full-grown male being about as big as an Equestrian mare, as well as having a more rounded snout and overall bearing more resemblance to one. There are also a moderate number of Zebran and Griffon immigrants, and a small number of Union ponies.

Despite the great advantages, the landfall of their entire world onto Earth caused a great deal of shock amongst the nation, as was common across all nations, and heavy disorganization and panic, with the massive Changeling invasion to coincide with it catching them off guard. Despite their advantages and causing heavy casualties, the Changeling blitz conquered most of the nation, forcing an exodus like so many other nations. However, thanks to the excellence of the soldiers and the military-based culture, the Karalians managed to not only evacuate a good portion of their armed forces intact, but also was able to rebuild some of it, as many refugees signed into the exiled forces. It makes up the second largest contributing nation to the exiled forces, with an army corps consisting of five legions, their equivalent of divisions, all of which are well trained and largely scheduled to be outfitted with German equipment. Part of their Navy survived to man a few ships, while they are able to use a squadron of F/A-18s.


The Union of the Two Lands
Usually referred to only as ‘The Union’, this nation came into existence after long periods of fighting between two similar cultures of different nations. Following a simultaneous crisis in the monarch governments of both nations, the two fell into states of revolution and outright anarchy whilst still fighting with each-other. Before long, the ponies of the area were steadily united under an aspiring pony, a son of parents from both nations, and began a campaign that ended with the unification of the two countries into a single, powerful, entity, hence where the nation received its name. Much of the land in this coastal southern nation is covered in jungle, though there are some parts with grasslands and mountains sporadically popping up in some areas.

Culturally, the ponies here are somewhat cut off, preferring to keep to themselves, though not isolating themselves from the world. They are also a powerful military force, placing heavy emphasis on superior soldiers and a warrior code. Indeed, the ideal of honor is a primary philosophy for the culture. Once the Changelings invaded, they put up a ferocious defense that caused heavy casualties, but much of their military fell in their positions or went underground. Their exile forces in Equestria make up two divisions, one of mechanized infantry and one of largely armor. Their equipment overall varies, but is mostly Japanese in design. They are also one of the few nations that escaped with a good sum of their treasury and, rather than accept older aircraft from the United States like most others, bought their own squadron of F-2As.

Zerba Republic
Being rather peaceful and spaced-out, the Zebras have usually had little reason to worry. Much of their business is usually based in spell-works and other activities. They do still have a military, as they have been to war with the nations next to them before, but were not prepared for the full weight of the Changeling invasion, with only a few troops being able to withdraw after a brief defense, making up a slightly below-strength, mixed and untrained infantry division and a squadron of F-111s. However, this is an active guerilla force in the nation, like many other occupied ones, that ties down a larger number of Changeling troops than needed for the tiny country. Most of the land is dense jungle, swamps, mountains, and valleys with rivers and streams running through them. As much of the population is spread amongst the countryside, there are only a few cities. The nation itself is small and lies on the southern coast, bordered by Equestria, the Union, and The Karalian Republic.

United Commonwealth of Duchies
This northern nation is usually known as the U.C.D. or The Duchies, with its citizens affectionately calling themselves ‘Commoners’. As the name implies, the U.C.D. is a united nation of three small kingdoms that, after some brief period of warring, joined into one nation to better their peace and prosperity. The largest reason for this is to better battle their northwestern foe, Prance, more effectively. After a series of inconclusive wars, the two settled down to a long era of personal peace, which lasted until the Griffon Army overran them in the recent years. With the exception of Prance, the U.C.D. is a largely peaceful with their neighbors and subsequently has a military that, while efficient, is not made for intervention or foreign affairs as much as self-defense. Even after the changing of worlds and the return of Sombra, the Griffon’s invasions in the far west seemed a good deal away until they realized they were marching on The Duchies’ doorstep after crossing the deserts.

Despite some greater investment on defense in the more recent years, it was not at all enough to stop the Griffons from taking over the sleepy farmland and necessitating an evacuation to its eastern neighbor. As such, the Commoners make up a single division, though unlike the Zebras it is somewhat oversized for a division and rather well-trained after its reorganization. Despite being labeled a Mechanized division, the recently renamed ‘12th Division of Fusiliers’ largely incorporates all the surviving elements of the Duchies Defense Force, containing units of infantry, armor, special forces, marines, paratroopers, and the like, which is set to be outfitted with British equipment. Much of their venerable Navy escaped and is retrained to crew five new destroyers, a cruiser, and three submarines, while operating a squadron of Jaguars.

Republic of Prance
Over its history, Prance spent much of its time focused on internal matters. Some wars were waged, mainly between The Duchies and in establishing some colonies in the deserts to the west. However, as the nation of Saddle Arabia conquered most of these colonies, and the wars with the Commoners began to end worse and worse, it changed to focus more on personal defense and more domestic progress. Since then it has become, like others around it, a nation of great culture and progress. It was assumed at first the Griffon military would be too beaten by the vast deserts of Saddle Arabia to invade, but the acquisition of modern technology by the Griffons made the sands no problem, nor in dealing with the Prench armed forces. Like with The Duchies’ unit, the ‘2nd Chaussers Division’ is an amalgamation of all surviving units, though this is made up more of infantry and of normal size, and trains with French equipment. They also provide crews for a destroyer, and fly a light squadron of American F-5E Tiger IIs.

Buffalo Confederation
After long periods of warring with both outside nations as well as each-other, with the exception of some tribes within Equestria, most tribes of Buffalo now settle in a small chunk of land that they can now call their home. Most all of the country is desert with a single long mountain range running across it, with much of the former territory being seized by its neighbors of Prance, The Crystal Empire, Equestria, and The Duchies in older times. First view is deceptive, however, as the land is rich in natural resources and minerals, allowing the Confederation to turn into a prosperous economic power in more modern times.

As a confederation, the country is mostly a loose association of the tribes of Buffalo, only coming together as a full state in dire times that affect the whole area. As such, the loose organization made it easy for the Griffon army to overrun the small nation. The remaining Buffalo add up to about regiment strength, using American equipment and a squadron of F-4G Wild Weasels performing SEAD missions.


Saddle Arabia
This nation controls most of the great northern desert on Arcaia, which it has long since populated and used for its defense. However, the Griffon Army has proved that, with great determination, this is no longer a reasonable assumption. Despite a stout defense in many towns, much of the nation slowly fell bit-by-bit to the invaders. Nevertheless, the royal family and many officials managed to escape, along with about most of the country’s wealth and some aspects of the military. They are able to form a large brigade of two regiments, one armored and one infantry, along with the crewing of a destroyer. Due to their average size being rather large, they cannot fit into most fighter aircraft, but have been outfitted with a squadron of the venerable F-105 Thunderchiefs.

Republic of Koniknarod
Usually characterized as rugged and stubborn, the Koniks of the far western nation have a long history of rivalry with the Griffons. Formerly a large kingdom founded on the forests and flat grasslands carved into by rivers, an invasion by Griffons seized a sizable chunk of the western sphere of the nation, which they annexed into their own kingdom. Despite heavy fighting, they were unable to regain this land, and eventually were forced to worry over their own nation’s defense. Afterwards, the Minotaurs entered into the conflict with the Griffons and retook some of the land. Part of it was returned to Koniknarod, while much of the rest was retained by the Minotaurs, cutting off the nation from its enemy and former lands.

Over time, this came to be accepted, though the animosity remained. After the shifting of Arcaia to Earth, Koniknarod quickly fell to the might of the resurged Griffon military. However, part of its military was able to escape, forming up into three divisions, two infantry and one armored using British weapons, the latter of which is the best tank formation in the Exiled Forces. They also man two destroyers and a fighter squadron of F-106 Delta Darts.

Minotaur Federation
Spending most of its history as a quiet, farming and merchant nation on the northwestern coast, the Minotaur Federation moved onto a greater world scene when it went to war with the aggressive Griffon Kingdom and won, seizing most of the land along its western border, much of it consisting of forests and grasslands. Since then, the Minotaurs have had the reputation and unofficial duty of keeping the Griffons at bay, locked in their ruined kingdom. They were finally defeated and occupied following the large shock of the world teleportation and put under the Griffon’s boot. What forces escaped make up an oversized brigade with American equipment, and a squadron of F-4 Phantom IIs.

Yayakistan
Located in a mountainous region west of the Crystal Empire, the Yaks lived a normally peaceful life, making their nation out of part of the habitable land that once belonged to Sombra before his banishment. They lived here for years until the resurgence of the Shadow Empire, and found their small nation squeezed in between the Shadow and newly hostile Griffon nations, and a small border with the Crystals. Being so close, they were the first nation to fall to the Bloc, and put up little defense. Only a handful of Yaks escaped, and as such do not have enough to contribute a true military force.

Griffon Kingdom
Usually very proud and aggressive, the Griffon Kingdom has a history built in expansion. The largest of this was the seizure of much of the Kingdom of Koniknarod’s western half, which containted many populations of both ponies and Griffons of similar culture, though exiling most of the ponies. After their defeat and lock-in by the Minotaurs and heavy rejection by other nations, the Kingdom fell into harsh times of ruin and shambles. Despite holding a great deal of spite, locked in the broken, hilly land, the Griffons maintained a strong military that is a serious threat. Now, they have the chance to enact their ancient dreams of holding a vast empire that dominates the northern half of the continent.
It is also worth noting there are two types of Griffons: the traditional ones of the center and west, and the more eastern Griffons in the former Konik territory who act under a much different culture. Despite holding it as their land, most traditional Griffons do not like their eastern counterparts, and there is a clear cultural difference and some tension due to this. The Griffons are, however, the most open Bloc nation to the outside world, though this is not saying much. Still, they have a moderate immigrant community of humans, and receive a good deal of culture from the outside.

Changeling Empire
Usually locked within their country of mountains, the Changelings have always been seen to hold some devious intent. Their wishes are simple as they are brutal, a bloody conquest of the southern lands and exploiting them to feed their own needs. With a hunger that is about as unquenchable as a dragon’s, they have no limits to how much they wish to take and will sometimes come into arguments with their own allies over cooperation issues. They are also the most xenophobic of the Bloc, holding a dislike of outsiders, particularly humans, who are a rarity within the Empire.

Shadow Empire
The Empire of Sombra was one of the oldest rivals of Equestria. With Sombra’s banishment, most of the Shadow ponies that followed his philosophy were also banished; those that did not were forced to live secluded in the frozen wastes. A good number did leave and migrate to Equestria, and these are largely seen as traitors. With their return, Sombra and the Shadows are eager to enact their revenge upon the Crystal Empire and, later Equestria.

Despite being an uninhabitable frozen waste, the changes to the continent have turned the land into a rather beautiful one of hills and valleys, with forests and some mountains spotting around, rivers running through it, and a large plateau in the center of the nation, while the coastal region holds a more Mediterranean-esque biome. It is deceptively beautiful for the dangers of the country.

It is somewhat accepting to outsiders, with some immigrants, and holds an odd city with the continent’s largest human population right on the border with their Griffon allies. Still, these humans are put under heavy restrictions within the lands. There are also reports of a number of Night ponies, those who follow the teachings of Nightmare Moon, but the information on this is sketchy at best.

That's all for now, give me some feedback and let me know what you all think!

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