The Document of PGS: Character Sheet (Updated!) · 6:35am Sep 23rd, 2016
Years and years ago, because I am doomed to write Horsepionage for the rest of my life, I posted a character sheet that listed the most important characters in PGS at the time of publication. I've since updated that list to add characters who've cropped up since 2012, as well as to elaborate on the preexisting cast of characters.
You can find that here (sorry in advance for the aliasing in the header), or, if you'd like, you can read a partial list below the page break, featuring the named/speaking characters who have been introduced to the story since chapter eight (or so). This includes canon as well as original characters. Canon characters/locations/concepts are in pink, non-canon in purple.
I have one last gift for you to make up for failing to deliver a chapter this month. You'll see that in the coming days/weeks/eventually.
Needless to say, this list contains spoilers for the story thus far, so be warned.
Ponyville
A town in central Equestria whose residents enjoy a life of peace, quiet, and anonymity… barring the odd encounter with monsters, swarms of things, and ancient villains, of course. Home to the six Bearers of the Elements of Harmony.
Isolated by the efforts of Pegasus Wings, and incapable of reaching out for aid.
"Big" McIntosh
Eldest of the current generation of Apples. Silent, sage, and deeper than he lets on. Cares strongly for his family, especially for his younger siblings, whom he is loathe to put in danger.
The first pony to encounter Snake, he was tranquilized and left unconscious in his barn, along with his dog, Winona. Quietly nurses a grudge against Snake for this.
Mayor Mare
Holder of the highest executive office in town. Perennially a shoe-in for the position. A good administrator with a tight focus on budget and town security.
Though clearly concerned about the human threat, she insists on keeping the details under wraps so as not to panic her constituents. Nevertheless, she is quietly preparing contingencies for whatever may arise.
Dr. Dark Roast
An acerbic, middle-aged physician who comes from a long line of coffee aficionados. Skilled in the inaccurately named practice of "accelerated healing," he counts Rainbow Dash and Solid Snake both as satisfied patients.
Stovetop
Longtime train engineer who brooks no backsass.
Lost in Dodge and presumed dead.
Pegasus Wings
A PMC founded by remnants of Zanzibar Land, Big Boss's second attempt at coup d'etat against the Patriots. Though not yet destitute, their star has waned as the War Economy has grown, and it is all they can do to simply stay afloat.
Hired by Macbeth to help him depose Celestia. How, exactly, this arrangement came to be brokered is currently unknown.
XMG IRVING-00
The first in a line of prototype war machines, twenty-five in all, developed by AT Corp. A multi-purpose platform that can mount multiple weapon systems. Comes standard with an integrated flame thrower; can eject and detonate its fuel tanks as a last resort. Features the latest advances in synthetic muscle tissue and nanotechnology; it can gradually heal even crippling injuries, and can self-repair minor damage to its mechanical components.
Its on-board AI system is highly intelligent and capable of independent thought and action, but is also unstable. AT Corp. retired the prototype line for this reason.
Acquired by Pegasus Wings for the Equestrian campaign, it faced off against the Element Bearers and Solid Snake, nearly defeating them before finally being crippled and sent plummeting to the bottom of a ravine. It survived, limped to Ponyville in pursuit of its targets, and collapsed in a field of white flowers, catastrophically damaged. Is currently under the care of Fluttershy.
Identifies Snake as "Jack" and is preoccupied with being killed by him.
Canterlot
Capital city of Equestria, and a bastion of culture and high society. Princess Celestia rules from here, alongside her younger sister, Luna.
Princess Celestia
Beloved ruler of Equestria for over a thousand years. Skilled at negotiating the foibles of politics, both internal and external. Humble, down-to-earth, and approachable, she regrets the deific reverence which her subjects ascribe to her. Her status means that she has few intimate friends, and she treasures the ones she does have.
She blames herself for the recent changeling attack, and has grown cautious and withdrawn in the months since, preferring to approach new threats with subtlety and discretion. Alarmed by the human presence, but preoccupied with other worries, including the impending fulfillment of Twilight Sparkle's destiny, and the existence of a malign spirit which only she seems capable of sensing.
Princess Luna
The recently reformed Princess of the Night. Can come across as dry and standoffish, but beneath the surface is a warm soul and a playful sense of humor. Beloved in Ponyville as "scary, but fun," she is little known and less well-liked in the rest of Equestria. Has a shaky relationship with the Canterlot nobility. Harbors a strong inferiority complex, even after her redemption, and carries out what she sees as a never-ending quest to right the wrongs she committed as Nightmare Moon.
Discovered the presence of humans in Equestria, along with evidence of an unknown spiritual entity which she cannot sense directly. Is frustrated with Celestia's cautious approach toward these threats, and would prefer to take more proactive measures. Interrogated Discord in preparation for the inevitable confrontation with humanity.
Shining Armor
Captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard. Recently (and happily) married to Princess Cadance. Youthful, headstrong, and loyal to his friends and subordinates. A hard worker, and something of an overachiever.
Discord
The physical manifestation of chaos itself, born at the start of creation in opposition to the Elements of Harmony. At times a trickster, at others an outright villain, he plagued Equestria for centuries sowing disharmony before eventually conquering it directly. Overthrown twice, first by Celestia and Luna, and then by Twilight Sparkle and her friends. Traveled to the human world in ancient times, and developed a less than positive impression of them.
Conversed with an unnamed human at some point during his brief escape from imprisonment. Later interrogated by Luna regarding the existence and nature of humanity.
Frontier Expeditionary Force
A five-hundred-strong detachment of the Canterlot Royal Guard, dispatched with instructions to locate and expel the changelings from Equestrian territory by any means necessary. A mixed group of pegasi (two hundred), earth ponies (two hundred) and unicorns (one hundred), comprising nearly a third of the Royal Guard's total strength. The aerial contingent is currently detached from the ground contingent, which has been dispatched to Appleloosa to fortify the town against potential attack. Said detachment has been humbly dubbed "Killjoy Company" by the expeditionary force's commanding officer.
Killjoy
Commanding officer of the expeditionary force, breveted captain for the duration of the assignment. A lifelong underachiever, she is talented, yet unmotivated, and plagued with self-doubt. Compensates with a showy, devil-may-care attitude. Though she considers herself a paper tiger, this facade has earned the respect of her detachment.
A close friend of Shining Armor's for years, her command of the expeditionary force has led to rumblings of nepotism among the Guard's officer corp. Questions about her competence abound, especially in light of a hidden, though worsening, problem with alcohol abuse.
Made a romantic overture toward fellow guardspony Flash Sentry at Shining Armor's wedding, but was gently rebuffed. Her attempts at rebounding with Twilight have been likewise unsuccessful.
Steel Wool
Perennial pessimist assigned to I-Squad. Lazy, fatalistic, and morose, often responding to Killjoy's instructions with ironic wit. Lives by the motto "hope for the best, but prepare for the worst," and is beloved by his comrades for it, who seem him as the yin to their collective optimistic yang.
Jinglebell
J-Squad's medic, and the sole pegasus medic in the expeditionary force. A competent and perseverant physician who takes pride in the quality of his medical care. Has ambitions of a civilian private practice after his tenure in the guard is up.
Goosefeathers
Commander of G-Squad. A tough, by-the-book guardsmare whose taciturn attitude is the polar opposite of Killjoy's. Needless to say, the two are close friends both on and off duty. Highly capable, but lacking in creativity or flexibility. Friends and comrades call her "Goose" for short.
The Penumbra
An ancient office about which little is known. Scraps of historical documents reference it as a figure (or a group of figures, depending on who's doing the telling) who clandestinely seeks out and suppresses existential threats to Equestria. The precise origin and significance of the name is unknown.
"The Operator"
Self-described "problem solver" answering directly to Celestia. His actions and existence are officially unacknowledged by Equestria's government, and few are even aware of his existence. A hodgepodge of different creatures, with canine, feline, and equine physical attributes. Despised by Luna and Celestia both, although Celestia begrudgingly acknowledges the need for him.
Cast his lot with Twilight Sparkle and Solid Snake in Dodge Junction, after the actions of the latter two left him trapped in Dodge's saloon – an atypical act of indiscretion for someone whose job requires secrecy. Egotistical and obfuscatory, he knows far more than he lets on, and doesn't mind flaunting that fact.
Dislikes the title "Penumbra," finding it pompous. Was intrigued by the term "operator" after meeting Solid Snake, and has since taken it as a nom de guerre.
Dodge Junction
A frontier town along a largely unused stretch of railway. The establishment of Appleloosa to the southwest has robbed Dodge of whatever significance it once held as a frontier outpost, and the town has largely withered on the vine because of it. Sustained by trade with nearby settlements and outlying homesteads, and by the prosperity of Cherry Hill Ranch.
Its population has been decimated by an apparent changeling attack.
Cherry Jubilee
Upbeat, generous mare, and current owner of Cherry Hill Ranch, which has been in her family for generations. A friend to Applejack, who was briefly in her employ.
The sole survivor of the Dodge Junction massacre. Though severed from the hypnosis-induced hive mind that ensnared the rest of the town, her brief connection to it resulted in her mind being parasitized by the thoughts and personalities of her friends and neighbors. Worse, a trace of that connection still remains, enough for Chrysalis to assume control over her body should she ever lose consciousness. Deeply traumatized by these experiences, and fearing for her life, she hid in her basement for three days with little food and water, and no sleep.
A relative of "Old" Hickory Switch, a pre-Pax military legend, whose beloved minotaur shotgun she inherited.
The Changeling Hive
Shape-shifting, insect-like creatures who feed on love, be it platonic, romantic, or familial.
Have apparently been bled to the last by their queen for reasons too horrible to fathom.
Queen Chrysalis
Ruler of the changeling hive. Impersonated Princess Cadance and fed off the love between her and Shining Armor, amassing enough power to overcome Princess Celestia in single combat. Defeated by the combined efforts of Cadance and Shining Armor. Has recently resurfaced in the frontier, having apparently acquired knowledge of soul magic, as well as the ability to use it.
Vain and ostentatious, Chrysalis delights in taunting Twilight, who was partially responsible for foiling her coup. Yet her erratic behavior, coupled with her inexplicable insight into Snake's history, has raised several questions.
This makes for excellent reading.
Oh, really now? Flash Sentry? That's what you're gonna tell 'em?
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
4222731 Killjoy had a busy night.