FIENDship is Card Games: The Many Tales of Queen Chrysalis (and Friends Forever #16) · 11:22am Apr 9th, 2017
Well, this worked out nicely, didn’t it? Just enough time between seasons for me to get to and wrap up the FIENDship mini-series. In this final week before the Season 7 premiere, let’s take a look at things from the antagonists’ perspective.
FIENDship is Magic: The Many Tales of Queen Chrysalis
Huh. I have to say, this is some impressive and reasonable security. Magic shield, posted guards, security checkpoints… Yeah, this is entirely reasonable for containing a national threat. Though I do have to wonder how they’re feeding the prisoners.
Given how Twilight’s planned out Chrysalis’s millennium-long punishment in exacting detail, I wonder if she’s directly taken charge of the changeling penitentiary. Given what we’ve seen with Starlight, this meticulously thought-out reformation definitely seems like Twilight’s work. Certainly more proactive than most of what we see from Celestia.
Huh. I wonder why that “restrict all magic” sign is there. Can changelings feed on spell energy?
I can’t help but wonder which pink monstrosity Chrysalis is referring to. I mean, it could be either or both.
I’ll be honest, I’m not really seeing a difference between this Chrysalis and her normal state. Really seems like a matter of how she holds herself more than anything. Still, good to see that they’re at least trying to feed her.
Also, that is a quality hatred shrine.
I’m not sure if I’m more surprised that someone raised by Twilight doesn’t know some important historical event or that Rainbow Dash does. I suppose I’ll have to see how cool, awesome, and/or radical it is before making a final judgement.
I’m with Spike. I think Equestrian historians just say “a thousand years ago” when they’re not sure about the year and don’t want to admit it. Basically code for “circa whenever.”
Okay, Rarity picking up couch summoning from Pinkie is pretty darn funny, if concerning for Rarity’s sanity.
Oh, right, Drama Horse. Carry on.
Holy crap, twinkle-eyed ponies. Twinkkle-eyed pegasi no less. If you’re unfamiliar with this particular strain of pony, they were one of the many G1 variations, with a Watsonian origin as slave labor in a wizard’s mine, where they’d been toiling for so long that they’d gone blind. Original Applejack rammed said wizard into a bottomless abyss and triggered an explosion that replaced the prisoners’ eyes with magical jewels that restored their sight, because G1 was a bizarre fusion of toyetic and psychadelic.
Long story short, it’s especially bizarre to see a cloud city full of the descendants of enslaved miners, though there were some pegasi among the original twinklers.
It just feels wrong to see a non-porous Chrysalis.
I like this legend, but it does make it seem like ponies should’ve known about changelings before the wedding. Sure, it may be an obscure tale, but it cemented changelings as a menace. Indeed, part of why Chrysalis is such a terrible queen is that it’s a poor parasite that announces itself. Changelings shouldn’t try to be remembered; they should try to feed unseen.
That said, I do like Pinkie asserting that pegasus is untasty.
Nice. Any version of pony history without an Incitatus is poorer for the lack.
I’m with the changeling. Chrysalis’s crown definitely seems organic.
Interesting that Trot had contact with Celestia.
Wow. That is some really cool armor for Chrysalis. I’m not sure if it’s chitin or hardened slime, but it looks amazing. And even I have to admit, she looks good in a ponytail.
It’s always nice to see Celestia actually do something. Interesting to think that the changelings’ holes are essentially burn scars. Not sure how to feel about that one. Also, this really underscores how Celestia should’ve considered the possibility of changelings during the wedding. Don’t get me wrong, this is some amazing backstory, but every story undermines the changelings’ basic appeal as the unknown, unseen threat.
“Haysinets” are really pushing the pun. And that was an entirely unnecessary dig at Rarity.
Make that two entirely unnecessary digs at Rarity. Seriously, what the crap, Katie?
There is a dragon there at the moment, Dash. Spike counts.
Three. Three unnecessary digs at Rarity! 
I was going to say something about dragons feeling love, but Spike beat me to it. You tell ‘em, buddy.
The lighting on Chrysalis applying the suggestion to Sergio is very nice. Also, I quite like the epic minion toss.
And here we get the one thing that really drags down this issue. Twilight Sparkle opens the door. Queen Chrysalis, who has been telling her stories of how deceitful she is, gets her to open the door. Twilight Sparkle, who was the only pony to see through Chrysalis’s disguise, who could easily teleport the book inside, opens the door. And goes inside when she could use telekinesis. Unescorted.
I know this is setting up for the Siege of the Crystal Empire, but did they really have to crush Twilight under the Idiot Ball in the process?
As far as changeling origins go, this one has always left me unimpressed. An interesting concept, sure, but we’ve done better. And Star Swirl getting involved just feels unnecessary.
AND Chrysalis could easily penetrate the shield. After however long she spent starving. Of freaking course.
There are definitely some interesting ideas here, but they don’t mesh well with the changelings’ ecological niche and they work at direct cross-purposes with the characters as we know them. Break it down for parts and use the ones you like, but as is? This is a mess.
Friends Forever #16: Diamond Tiara & Silver Spoon
The funny thing is that Diamond Tiara does have the makings of a tragic hero, especially the hubris.
Ah, and there’s Tiara’s other tragic flaw: all-consuming ego. She must be superior, especially in comparison to the Crusaders.
I have mixed feelings about Tiara play her father like a fiddle. I assume she hasn’t identified the “bullies;” naming Apple Bloom would likely backfire.
Wow, that’s a lot of references in one panel. And even more in one character, given Prancy’s Velmish appearance.
Wait, so Prancy Drew also writes novels based on her actual experiences? Does any author in Equestria actually make things up?
Also, you’d think Twilight would make every effort to preserve her books.
Wait, all filly contestants? What about Archie and the Stooges?
I’m just going to take a moment to appreciate this panel. A reminder that any little girl can be cute when she isn’t being aggressively horrible.
I can kind of understand Diamond’s frustration, given that she sent the Crusaders into the Everfree. On the other hand, she sent them into the local hell-forest.
Well, at least Silver Spoon can show some remorse.
So… second prize is first prize, only more so? That seems inherently unfair.
Okay, I do feel a little bad for the rich fillies in those last panels. Still, that’s karma for you.
Also, Jem and the Holograms as a bluegrass band. Don’t see that every day.
This was a fun, lightweight story from an uncommon perspective. Plenty of fun Easter eggs and a little sympathy for the preteen devils. Very nice.
In all, FIENDship is a roller coaster of quality. It has its highs and lows, its thrilling moments and its stages of surprising tedium. And in the case of the sirens' comic, the car gets stuck on the track at one point and the theme park owners hand out coupons for free sodas. It's a largely fun ride, but as with the Chrysalis comic, it's probably best used as a source of individual ideas rather than being taken whole hog.
Now, let’s see what I can make from these particular components…
Guards of Timbucktu 3WW
Creature — Pegasus Soldier
Flying
When Guards of Timbucktu enters the battlefield, create two 1/1 white Pegasus creature tokens with flying.
Guards were everywhere in Timbucktu, not to dominate, but to ensure that all could trade in fairness and peace.
2/2
Orion, Bright-Eyed King 3WW
Legendary Creature — Pegasus Soldier
Flying
6W: Other Pegasi you control get +2/+2 until end of turn. This ability costs 1 less to activate for each enchantment you control.
When Orion, Bright-Eyed King dies, return it to the battlefield transformed under your control.
3/3
Orion the Disgraced
(W) Legendary Enchantment
Constellation — Whenever Orion the Disgraced or another enchantment enters the battlefield under your control, Orion the Disgraced becomes a 5/5 Pegasus Soldier with flying and vigilance in addition to its other types until your next turn.
He lost one nation. He will not see any others fall.
Elementary Observation 1U
Sorcery
Investigate twice. (Create two colorless Clue artifact tokens with “2, Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.)
"Really, you act like it wasn't obvious."
Young Investigator 1U
Creature — Unicorn Child
Whenever you sacrifice a Clue, scry 1.
Does her talent guide her to the solution, or do mysteries in Ungula want to be solved?
1/2
Blank Stupor 2U
Enchantment — Aura
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature doesn’t untap during its controller’s untap step.
Whenever you cast your second spell each turn, you may attach Blank Stupor to target creature.
Chocolate Geyser 2U
Instant
Kicker W (You may pay an additional W as you cast this spell.)
Return target nonland permanent to its owner’s hand. If Chocolate Geyser was kicked, that player can’t cast spells with the same name as that permanent until your next turn.
Some spells should be savored.
Conniving Deceiver 2B
Creature — Pony Rogue
Whenever an opponent sacrifices a Clue, that player discards a card.
Most earth ponies plant. Some plant evidence.
3/2
Driving Obsession 2BB
Enchantment
As Driving Obsession enters the battlefield, name a nonland card.
At the beginning of your upkeep, you draw a card and you lose 1 life.
Reveal the named card from your hand, Sacrifice Driving Obsession: You gain 6 life.
Gorge on Love 4B
Sorcery
Each opponent loses 4 life. You gain life equal to the life lost this way.
"Cities are nothing more than banquets awaiting my visit."
—Queen Chrysalis
High-Speed Collision 1R
Sorcery
Choose one —
• Target creature you control gets +X/+0 until end of turn, where X is its power.
• Target creature you control fights target creature you don’t control.
Entwine 1R (Choose both if you pay the entwine cost.)
Solar Perforation 2RR
Sorcery
Kicker 1R
Solar Perforation has wither as long as it was kicked. (It deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters.)
Solar Perforation deals 2 damage to each creature target player controls.
Vain Incinerator 3RR
Creature — Dragon
Flying
At the beginning of combat on your turn, any player may tap two untapped creatures he or she controls. If a player does, tap Vain Incinerator and it deals 2 damage to each of those creatures.
A dragon's mercy still leaves burn scars.
5/5
Power Trio 4RR
Creature — Pony Warrior
Whenever Power Trio attacks, you may exert it. When you do, create two 3/3 red Pony creature tokens that are tapped and attacking. Exile the tokens at end of combat (An exerted creature won’t untap during your next untap step.)
Sugar, spice, and everything painful.
3/3
Relentless Sleuths 3G
Creature — Pony Rogue
Whenever Relentless Sleuths attacks, you may exert it. When you do, investigate.
Whenever you sacrifice a Clue, untap Relentless Sleuths.
Physical exhaustion is a minor annoyance. Injustice is unforgivable.
3/2
War Carapace 3
Artifact — Equipment
Equipped creature gets +2/+2.
Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, you may attach War Carapace to that creature if it’s a Shapeshifter or has the same name as another creature.
Equip 3
Celestial Scepter 4
Artifact
3, T: Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature.
4W, T: Put a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control.
"I swear, I wave something around for a few centuries and everypony acts like it's a sacred relic."
—Princess Celestia
Scheduled Reformation 1WU
Enchantment — Aura
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature can’t attack or block.
At the beginning of your upkeep, put a time counter on Scheduled Reformation. Then, if the number of time counters on Scheduled Reformation is equal to or greater than enchanted creature’s toughness, sacrifice Scheduled Reformation. If you do, gain control of enchanted creature.
Hibernation Cell 2(wu)
Enchantment
1(wu): Exile target creature you control.
1(wu): Sacrifice Hibernation Cell.
When Hibernation Cell leaves the battlefield, return each card exiled with Hibernation Cell to the battlefield under your control.
Deception in the Ranks 3UR
Instant
Cast Deception in the Ranks only during your turn and only during combat before blockers are declared.
Return target creature defending player controls to its owner’s hand. You may put a creature card from your hand onto the battlefield tapped and attacking. Sacrifice that creature at the beginning of the next end step.
Aerial Trade Hub
Land
T, Pay 1 life: Add W or U to your mana pool.
1, T, Sacrifice Aerial Trade Hub: Draw a card.
Timbucktu was where every being with wings went to make their fortune. Unfortunately, changelings have wings.
Blightoak Cavern
Land — Swamp Forest
(T: Add B or G to your mana pool.)
Blightoak Cavern enters the battlefield tapped unless you control two or more basic lands.
Rotten seeds bearing twisted fruit.
For the Chrysalis comic, I view it as an unreliable narrator. I get the sense that Chrysalis was just telling what Twilight wanted to hear in order to escape. And that scene with Star Swirl? Who knows if that actually happened.
I did enjoy the comic, though, and went a long way to cement how devious the changelings are/can be.
Yes, actually. Remember the climax of Return of Chrysalis?
Also, I liked both of these comics well enough. Chrysalis's FIENDship was dumb at points and wasted more time than I would've liked, but I think it was at least interesting all the way through, and FF#16 was just a delight.
My guess – alarms.
Rainbow Dash might have a reason. :) That said, Twilight is generally not very good with history.
I actually think those are related to crystal ponies, who have the two distinctive traits of hexagonal glint eyes and gradiented hair with no different-colored stripes.
If we accept that the version of the flag of Equestria seen in Hearthbreakers is historical, Trot could be the fifth founding kingdom of Equestria. According to the Journal, Crystal Empire is the fourth.
Considering they do have a Lovecraft equivalent as of the latest comics? You’d better hope somepony does.
And she did it with an honest to goodness smile on her face. Who's a silly pony now?
I'd say that's more of a feather in Chrysalis' cap. The mistress of manipulation was able to trick her target, and did so by telling stories about how bad an idea to trust her is. That's hardcore.
Also Twilight and company couldn't use their magic. The first page showed them getting their magic nullified as part of security measures.
I really enjoyed the Chrysalis comic for how varied it was. Every story had its own thing, and showed Chrysalis in different modes (and also a Rarity intermission) without feeling out of place. And I remain impressed that they managed to fit an entire short story collection into a single issue without having it feel rushed or cramped.
At first I was actually mildly annoyed at them putting a Roman horse in a story based on the Trojan war. But then I read the Aeneid, which is based on a Roman myth that Rome was founded by Trojans, and now I'm wondering if that was actually Katie Cook being clever.
And I loved the Star Swirl the Bearded bit, of course
Friends Forever 16, the only one I've actually read! I did a blind reaction (sort of) of that for the Silver Spoon group. I noted the adorable Silver Spoon moment too. ^^
So, I've gotten this feeling the past couple of times I've responded to these blogs that Fan has me on his block list for some reason. I thought we had a good back and forth going on and I've no idea why he'd do that but I've got not other explanation for why he hasn't responded to me. Anyways, i'm still going to comment on cards if I have something i feel is worth saying.
Orion the Disgraced needs to become a "Pegasus Soldier creature", like Daxos's Torment becomes a "Demon Creature".
I like Elementary Observation, though I feel it would be fine at only one U instead of 1U. Though I guess that depends on how much Artifact interaction there is around it. And, well, the Clues can be activated at Instant speed when you need them so the cost is a little slippery.
I like how you'd get the scry on Young Investigator before you draw the card, which is a nice little combo because if you don't want to top card you can file it away for later and try your luck with the one under it.
As for the flavor text, why not some combination of both?
And then we get to Conniving Deceiver, which is a good Black counter to the draw power of Clues. It's nice they have to discard before they get to see what they draw (for the owner of his card, not the one that had a Clue).
Driving Obsession is an excellent Black themed card draw card. Just to be contrary I'd name a card that wasn't in the block I was playing for the sole reason of messing with people's minds.
The card art for High-Speed Collision just has to be when Dash meets Twilight for the first time. I'm not sure what else would be appropriate.
Solar Perforation is nasty. The power of the sun indeed.
Going by the way Inventor's Goggles is worded I'd say War Carapace should have the following wording:
I like the flavor of Scheduled Reformation, it is very Azorius.
I like how Hibernation Cell can be used to permanently steal things you take with "gain control until end of turn" type effects.
Another fun little batch of card.
Is anyone listening?
4490192
For the record, yes. I've just been lax in responding to any comments. Though I don't recall you saying much lately.
4490346
For a good set of blogs I didn't see anything to comment on, except maybe one or two cards. You can only have so many variations of "Thanks for the content, all interesting points and the cards look fun slash are well balanced great job." before the words become semi meaningless.
I was missing our back and forth on things. I find you to be a person worth arguing with because often enough you have valid points and I learn new things when I find out I'm wrong about something.