Current state of affairs in Equestria

3) Current state of affairs in Equestria

Amaterasu

Equestria and Amaterasu has long been historical partners. Contact with Amaterasu was established in 8000 BB from Equestrian expeditions and with improved sailing techniques throughout the centuries Equestria and Amaterasu would be unlikely friends in the world stage. Amaterasu has directly assisted Equestria in the Griffonian-Equestrian war and later in the Yak Invasion of Equestria, but despite continuous cooperation, the problem of distance still plagued both nations, until recently it is very hard for Equestrian diplomats to talk foreign policy in Chuoko because of the distance involved and the lack of any reliable waterways to traverse in.

This all changed just 50 years ago with the invention of the Steam Engine, the first Equestrian paddleships set sail to Amaterasu in 975 AB and now both states are able to reliably communicate for the first time, the displacement of France also made it easier for Equestrians to travel to Amaterasu as it means that they would have a place to stop by roughly halfway to either Equestria or Amaterasu

Recently in cooperation with the French, Equestria is planning to launch a record number of trade missions to Amaterasu with hope that full on trade could be established with both nations. As part of the Great Barrier policy, Equestrian and Amaterasan political, economic and military cooperation is projected to receive a boost in the next decade. Equestria is planning to buy a record 20,000 matchlock muskets from Amaterasu (they did try to buy modern French arms of similar quantity but couldn’t pay the price), 5000 12 pounder cannons, and some 2000 raider carbine muskets. In exchange Equestria would help Amaterasu in modernizing the nation and would establish a direct dragonfire connection between Princess Celestia and Empress Otsune.

Griffonstone

Historically Griffons and Ponies have never been really good partners. Ever since the second founding of Equestria under Princess Celestia and Princess Luna Griffons have always tried to harrass the Eastern Equestrian coast, this resulted in multiple skirmishes and some notable sea battles as well, like the battle of Horseshoe Bay which ended in an Equestrian victory and the battle of the Grittish Isles which ended inconclusively.

This constant skirmishing between Equestria and the then Griffon Empire would then escalate into the Griffonian-Equestrian war in 200 BB, in which Emperor Steel Talon, frustrated by the constant skirmishing between Griffon Corsairs and Equestrian Privateers officially declared war by sending in a letter with his own signature in blood. Immediately the Princess ordered a general mobilization but by then the Griffons were already boarding their ships to properly invade Manehattan, Fillydelphia and Baltimare.

The Griffons advanced rapidly once they have reached the eastern cities but was stopped by an Equestrian counterattack in the Battle of the Neighagara. With Amaterasan reinforcements arriving, this would be the mark where the tide turns and would eventually lead to the collapse of the Griffon Empire.

The collapse of the Griffon Empire was one of the most important events to happen before Princess Luna’s banishment, the Empire is thousands of years old and the fact that the Empire was destroyed in only a single war had massive repercussions throughout the region. The Saddle Arabians got an influx of refugees which would develop into the current Griffon Community in Saddle Arabia, the region surrounding the Empire fell into petty kingdoms with the Kingdom of Griffonstone being the most prominent, and the Celestial Sea becoming an Equestrian territory at that point.

Currently, as part of the Great Barrier policy. Equestria has been trying to get into contact with the now petty kingdom of Griffonstone. The Kingdom has kept to themselves for over 1000 years and we can look forward to some potential diplomatic adventures and possibly friction between Equestria and Griffonstone. Recommend supporting Equestria in case diplomatic talks between Equestria and Griffonstone breaks down as Equestria is our primary ally in this world.

Zebrica

Officially called the High Chiefdom of Zebrica, Equestria and Zebrica has been constant friends but never full fledged allies until recently. Historically these two states are physically separated by the great band of tropical jungle spanning throughout the Equator of the Equestrian continent, this jungle (officially called the ’Jungle of Barriers’) prevented any direct contact between Equestria and Zebrica despite the fact that they inhabit the same continent, only advances in seafaring techniques did trade blossom between Equestria and Zebrica and currently these two states are about to enter into an era of cooperation with Equestria aiming for Zebrica to be the country’s next major ally alongside France and Amaterasu.

The country is structured similarly to Equestria, with the High Chief holding a position of near absolute power with the landed nobility being the few people that can influence the High Chief. The introduction of France though have spread the idea of democracy and is currently causing some friction within Zebrican society, although the High Chief does like the idea of a parliamentary monarchy, the nobility is not very happy having their historical rights revoked. We might see future unrests in Zebrica and French military intervention might be considered within 20 years time.

The main Equestrian ports serving Zebrica are the ports of Las Pegasus and Baltimare. From here equestrian trade ships travel into either the port of Hagos on the west coast or the port of Zebribar on the east coast. The main Zebrican export into Equestria is natural resources such as Iron, Gold and tropical hardwood while the main Equestrian export to Zebrica is processed foodstuffs, tools for construction and raw materials for potion making. As part of the Great Barrier foreign policy, just like France, Amaterasu and Griffonstone. Equestria has been sending in diplomats to discuss an alliance with Zebrica and plans for future military, economic and political cooperation (no specifics because their foreign policy is practically in it’s infancy) between both nations.

Yakyakistan

Highly recommended for France to staunchly support Equestria in the event of a war between Equestria and Yakyakistan. Deployment of French troops can be deemed necessary if the situation in the Frozen North spirals out of control.

Equestria and Yakyakistan has not been on the best terms ever since the creation of the state, in conjuncture with Griffon Corsairs, Equestria is also plagued by Yak raiding parties taking in slaves and looting the local settlements near the Frozen North. This situation was kept in check by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna but after Princess Luna’s banishment, the raids done by Yakyakistan became so intense that full all out war was declared as Yakyakistan formally invades Equestria in 500 AB. This war was by far the costliest in Equestrian history. Demanding full participation of Princess Celestia in pivotal battles such as the Battle of the Northern Plains, the Battle of Neighagara Falls and the destruction of the Gates of Yakyakistan.

The current situation between Equestria and Yakyakistan is frozen but tensions could blow up again if the Crystal Empire returns. Princess Mi’amore Cadenza is the formal heir of the Crystal Empire and Yakyakistan will not take lightly to a Pony Princess being on the throne of the Empire. Expect skirmishes to be committed between Equestria, the Crystal Empire and Yakyakistan if the Crystal Empire does return in this decade.

Crystal Empire

Warning!! Recommend immediate forward deployment of rapid response brigades in the borders of the Frozen North, the Crystal Empire MUST be retaken as quickly as possible in the event of it’s return.

Formerly an Equestrian protectorate, the Crystal Empire was overtaken by a tyrant called ‘King Sombra’ judging from records in the Canterlot Archives and a battle was waged between Princesses Celestia and Luna against the king in 3000 BB. The King was defeated but he managed to conjure up a massive spell engulfing the city and essentially banished the entirety of the Empire until his return. While the spell imprisoning King Sombra was indeed powerful, the spell has just reached it’s half life by 800 AB and has been rapidly decaying ever since. King Sombra and the Crystal Empire is scheduled to return around 2018 to 2019 by the Gregorian calendar and as a sovereign Equestrian protectorate, must be retaken immediately after it’s reuturn.

The Crystal Empire was a sovereign state before and after the second founding of Equestria. But circumstances outside of the Crystal Empire’s control essentially forced the then Empress Pearl to sign a treaty with Princess Celestia and Luna ceding Crystal Empire as a formal Equestrian Protectorate in 5000 BB. Yak raiding parties, the poor geographical positioning of the Empire and over realiance on trade with Equestria were the major factors resulting in the Crystal Empire becoming a protectorate.

2000 years later, the chemist known as Sombra had managed to synthesize Magical Crystals but was unfortunately driven mad by a subsequent lab test. He overthrew the then Empreror Heart Stone and triggered the Crystal Crisis in which the Crystal Empire formally rebelled against Canterlot and Equestria. The war lasted for 10 years and resulted in Sombra’s banishment and the Crystal Empire’s dissaprearance.

In the event of a return of the Crystal Empire. It is highly recommended that France alongside Equestria should move rapidly into the Empire and fortify the capital against the incoming attack by King Sombra. We frankly don’t know how long this attack will be but the Crystal Empire is too big for Equestria to simply be another independent state.

Other States

The first section covers all the major relationships Equestria has with it’s neighbors. In regards to far off neighbors. They are deemed as of minimal risk and too far away to do some serious damage to Equestria and or France. If you want more information about entities like Saddle Arabia, the Dragonlands, the realms of Dong Fang and Keun San, and the Pirate Islands of the Mareditbreanan. Please contact the Foreign Ministry and we will submit a new report regarding states outside of major concern.

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