Friendship is Card Games: Not Asking for Trouble · 11:11am Jun 18th, 2017
And so we reach the end of the Canadamantic prophecy. Well, this Canadamantic prophecy, anyway. We’ll see what else the sibyls in their Treehouse have to say later this year.
For now, though, it’s not just our northern neighbors that concern me. Time to return to Yakyakistan.
I do like how Pinkie takes the time to apologize to Applejack for knocking over the baskets. It’s always nice to see her remember that other ponies have concerns beyond being entertained.
Got to love that diplomatic yak language. And Pinkie DDoSing her way into Yikslurbertfest.
Huh. Ponies and yaks have the concept of sanctity. Interesting.
I love how Pinkie insists on Twilight using her princess privileges to their fullest. You’re the Princess of Friendship, Sparkle. Act like it! (I also like how the bookmark/ambassadorial badge has a Mane 6 color palette going. A refugee from Season 4, it seems.)
“I spy with my Official Friendship Eye something that is blue!”
What is blue? How can we know that the blue you and I see are the same hue? Are there any objective properties to any qualia, much less ones for something as conceptually diffuse as color? Can observation and communication carry any meaning when so many layers of perception and misunderstanding lie between us?
And now you know why Gummy never guessed.
I suspect this actually takes place before “Dungeons and Discords.” It’s why the ponies could take the train in that story; the events here convinced the yaks of the necessity of extending the rail line. (Or, as Rutherford would put it, “so ponies can easily come to Yakyakistan and try traditional yak snow omelettes.”) Indeed, given Starlight’s complete absence, I think this one could slot in scant months after “Party Pooped.”
And behind the grand gates of Yakyakistan are… mud huts. Well, there’s that tantalizing mystery ruined by the most mundane reality imaginable. Fortunately, I have an explanation for this, especially in light of other aspects of “Party Pooped.” I’ll get to it in at the end of the reaction/review/analysis/what-have-you portion of the blog.
Yikslurbertfest does say a lot about yak psychology and mentality. Smashing isn’t just how they punish the crime of imperfection. Smashing is their way of life. Also, Pinkie confirmed to enjoy Rauck-Chauv.
I know it’s been a while, but Pinkie did farm rocks when she was a filly. You’d think she’d be a bit more adept at smashing. I suppose she hasn’t been practicing. Or she wanted to start small and work her way up to full size Yikslurbertlogs.
Nice bit of foreshadowing in the eating hut: Look at how much pride Rutherford takes in not having to import vanilla. Yaks don’t even ask for help with their economy if they can help it.
Also, I love his expression of clear respect after Pinkie downs her cake like any true yak.
I’d expect yaks to prefer live music after their reaction to the player piano. I suppose it was the deception more than the recording that angered them. And given all the little differences that can crop up between different live performances, having a single perfect rendition that one can experience at will would certainly appeal to the yaks.
Anyone else want to hear how yaks saved the world? That’s a story prompt if I ever heard one.
“I don’t have a horn!” And then Pinkie ascended to alicornhood specifically so she could get in on the hornbump action.
Huh. I’d expect Gummy to have a harder time in the snow. Reptile and all. Of course, with him, how could you tell?
Pinkie would be excellent at Cinemare Sins.
Okay, the two yak calves talking to one another really highlight the more bothersome tendencies of yak language: They use virtually no proper nouns. Even Rutherford is just Prince Yak. Are we sure that’s not actually his name?
(ETA: Upon review, a yak does say it once. Maybe Rutherford just has no memory for names. Including his own.)
I do love the one yak who keeps eating buildings. And the snow fire. I also love how Pinkie’s imagination is always a much different style than the normal animation, whether that means felt or crayon.
“You know who’d love these snow sandwiches?” Zesty Gourmand?
Ah, isolationist politics.
I love Pinkie’s angry walk out of Yakyakistan. Even the music was straight out of Looney Tunes. All that as missing was an “Of course you realize this means war.”
Gummy was thinking of the concept of enlightenment, Pinkie. Not surprised you didn’t guess it.
Seriously, these yaks are about a day away from open rebellion and revolution.
No, Rarity! It’s not yak fabric! They’ll just destroy it!
At first, I was surprised by Rarity’s apparent lift capacity, but then I realized, those are crystals. Water crystals, yes, but the DM’s still letting the action qualify for the cutie mark bonus.
What? Friendship is Dragons is a fun comic.
I like to think Twilight’s using a hybridization of unicorn and earth pony magic to accelerate the crop growth. That or an age spell.
Huh. They even managed to dig the snow out from under the yaks without waking them.
Prince Rutherford, spin doctor. Not terribly surprising.
I suppose the lesson of the story is “When an allied nation is caught up in its own self-defeating foreign policy, enact some white hat black ops to help them survive while saving face.” Or maybe “Don’t be afraid to stage an intervention to mitigate your friends’ self-destructive behavior.” Not exactly the most applicable lesson.
As for that explanation I promised? I don’t believe that the one village we see is all of Yakyakistan. After all, this would’ve gone to war with all of Equestria? No. If you ask me, this village is Rutherford’s Elba, somewhere where the yak royal family can squirrel him away to minimize the shame he brings to them. Not that he knows that. Sure, it sucks for the yaks who must endure his rule (and without saying anything lest he catch on,) but it’s better than him attempting to rule anything larger than a single mud-hut commune.
In any case, come into communal fanwork hut, where yaks make trading cards:
Frozen Sinkhole WW
Snow Enchantment
You may cast Frozen Sinkhole as though it had flash if you pay S more to cast it. (S can be paid with one mana from a snow source.)
When Frozen Sinkhole enters the battlefield, exile target nonsnow creature until Frozen Sinkhole leaves the battlefield.
Frigid Silence 1U
Snow Enchantment — Song
At the beginning of your upkeep, put a verse counter on Frigid Silence.
Sacrifice Frigid Silence: Put an ice counter on each of up to X target permanents, where X is the number of verse counters on Frigid Silence. Each of those permanents is snow as long as it has an ice counter on it.
Smuggled Supplies 2U
Sorcery
Untap all creatures you control.
Cipher (Then you may exile this spell card encoded on a creature you control. Whenever that creature deals combat damage to a player, its controller may cast a copy of the encoded card without paying its mana cost.)
Dread Boreamancy 1BB
Snow Sorcery
Scry X, then draw X cards and lose X life, where X is the amount of S spent to cast Dread Boreamancy.
Gaze carefully, for the spell freezes the future in whatever form you see.
Starving Calves 2B
Creature — Ox Child
When Starving Calves enters the battlefield, put a -1/-1 counter on target creature you control.
Each creature you control with a -1/-1 counter on it has lifelink.
The children’s desperation convinced Pinkie to help the yaks one way or another.
3/4
Overt Operative 2BB
Creature — Pony Rogue
Menace
Overt Operative gets +2/+2 for each card encoded on it.
Her mission is to keep attention off of other agents as they carry out their missions.
3/3
Ceremonial Fire Pit 1R
Enchantment
1R, Discard a card: Draw a card.
”Second moon sneer at yak, say yak never get back at something so high up. Yak shout mighty battle cry, run off mountain peak, and smash smug moon in stupid face! And that how stars were made.”
Latch Opener 1RR
Creature — Pegasus Rogue
Flying
Whenever Latch Opener attacks, creatures with defender can’t block this turn.
”Yaks haven’t quite figured out the whole ‘ceiling’ thing.”
2/1
Honorary Yak 2R
Creature — Pony Warrior
As long as you control an Ox, Honorary Yak gets +2/+0 and has trample.
”But no horns. Too heavy for weak pony neck.”
—Princes Rutherford
2/3
Retell Past Glories 2R
Sorcery
Raid — Discard a card for each creature you attacked with this turn, then draw a card for each of those creatures.
Every yak fire pit rings with tales of great deeds performed by their ancestors, with the occasional embellishment.
Yikslurbertfest 2R
Tribal Sorcery — Ox
As an additional cost to cast Yikslurbertfest, sacrifice an artifact or Ox.
Yikslurbertfest deals damage equal to the sacrificed permanent’s converted mana cost to each non-Ox creature without flying.
Yaks need to smash something. When out of other options, they’ll readily smash themselves.
Rutherford’s Obstinance 3R
Instant
Cast Rutherford’s Obstinance only during combat after blockers are declared.
Rutherford’s Obstinance deals 3 damage to each creature that isn’t attacking or blocking.
”If pony not with yaks, she is against yaks!”
Shedding Slopes 4RR
Snow Sorcery
Shedding Slopes deals 4 damage to each creature. If S was spent to cast Shedding Slopes, up to four target lands don’t untap during their controllers’ next untap steps.
Yaks live in remote regions, but they still get noise complaints.
Yak Celebrant 5R
Creature — Ox Warrior
Yak Celebrant has tribute X, where X is the number of artifacts your opponents control. (As it enters the battlefield, an opponent of your choice may put X +1/+1 counters on it.)
When Yak Celebrant enters the battlefield, if tribute wasn’t paid, destroy all artifacts.
2/2
Bovineville Preservers 2G
Creature — Ox Druid
T: Untap target land.
T, Exert Bovineville Preservers: Return target land card from your graveyard to the battlefield. (An exerted creature won’t untap during your next untap step.)
“What did Starlight do this time!?”
—Princess Twilight Sparkle
1/3
Patient Yak 3G
Creature — Ox Warrior
1G: Patient Yak gains indestructible until end of turn.
”Soon you get tired. Then yak smash. Until then, yak interested in seeing martial technique.”
3/3
Naktincan Survivors 4G
Creature — Goat Citizen
As long as you control a Desert or there is a Desert card in your graveyard, Naktincan Survivors gets +1/+1 and has vigilance.
Even after the Hekbaa fell, they would not leave their home.
3/5
Yak Courier 5GG
Creature — Ox Scout
Trample
Whenever Yak Courier deals combat damage to a player, you may draw two cards.
”And I thought I had a tough route.”
—Ditzy Doo
5/5
Ambassador’s Badge 3
Artifact — Equipment
Equipped creature gets +1/+1 for each color among permanents you control.
Equip 2
The Diplomatic Friendship Corps began with but a single mare dedicated to enriching the world through cultural exchange.
Probing Question UR
Instant
Target spell’s controller reveals the top card of his or her library. Counter that spell unless that player pays X, where X is the revealed card’s converted mana cost. If a land card is revealed this way, return Probing Question to its owner’s hand.
Hornbump RG
Tribal Instant — Ox
Choose one or both —
• Target Ox gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
• Hornbump deals 2 damage to target non-Ox creature.
Most traditional yak gestures are considered concussion risks for other species.
Rutherford the Proud 5BG
Legendary Creature — Ox Warrior
At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice another creature. If you can’t, sacrifice Rutherford the Proud.
Other creatures you control get +2/+2 and have trample.
You can’t cast non-Ox creature spells.
”Yaks don’t ask for help.”
6/6
Spreading Sands
Land — Desert
T: Add C to your mana pool.
3, T, Sacrifice Spreading Sands: Target player sacrifices a land.
Earth ponies are often uncomfortable in deserts. There is an awareness there, one jealous of richer lands and eager to see their downfall.
Yak game is strange. The only winning move is not to play.
Now that the episode is out, I will try to hammer out my blog about Yak cultural customs. It is not entirely unlike the Macavallan interpretation of Dragon Quest... Only with yaks.
The set's not even out yet!
So.......he's their side's Starlight Glimmer only on purpose? That's a heck of a story prompt.
4574369
It is best that a yak both love and fear smashing.
In all seriousness, I look forward to your analysis.
4574370
Grand Prix Vegas previews are a beautiful, beautiful thing.
4574371
I'm not certain if the other residents of Rutherslovosk (credit to Mitch H for the name) are fellow undesirables, Rutherford's political supporters, or just the hapless saps into whose laps the prince fell. All have potential.
That Gummy bit... PURE WIN!
And yeah going with her tapping into her Earth Pony magic too, it just fits.
The rest, hilarious as always, and yeah this one was a rather fun little story, if nothing amazing, but with a very.... odd moral.
And now we wait.
The Hekbaa...
Well, that's one more post-cataclysm city that slots neatly into the San Palomino Desert.
No pronouns either: they seem to use “yak” for both “I” and “you.” I imagine that would create a lot of confusion.
Yeah, at first I thought she was just using earth pony magic, but then I noticed her magenta aura on the plants. So it's possible that she's using her unicorn magic to amplify her earth pony growth magic / life pulse.
I thought there had to be more to Yakyakistan than just that little village, and your explanation makes as much sense as anything I could've come up with. I guess the other yaks had already told Prince Rutherford that his enclave was completely on its own, or perhaps the other yaks would've sneakily helped them eventually. This can't be the first time the yaks have had to deal with an avalanche.
Am I the only person who saw hints of sparks between Pinkie and Rutherford?
Ouch.
4574375
Philosogummy is one of the greatest gifts "Slice of Life" gave us, right up there with Secret Agent Sweetie Drops.
4574382
I can't tell if this is Fallout: Equestria related or not.
4574426
I've already seen one comparison to the Smurf village. At least they don't primarily eat yakberries.
And yeah, hopefully disaster relief yaks would've been en route when they realized that the crown agents keeping an hair-covered eye on Rutherford had stopped sending reports. Or when reports of the avalanche arrived. Either or.
4574431
I don't ship it, but I'm not going to stop you.
4574437
It's the best explanation I can think of that fits all the evidence.
4574477
It was actually a self-reference to another MtG city transplanted into pony.
4574372
I meant something more along the lines of
"The set's not even out yet and he's already using it for horse (or in this case goat) puns!"
Now I'm trying to figure out how all of this fits (or doesn't!) in with the comic where they send Blueblood (and Shining Armor as a tagalong) to do diplomacy with the yaks.
I approve of this appropriation.
4574506
I'm reminded of the soft places from the Neil Gaiman Sandman comics.
Oh, right. Forgot about that.
4575445
Naktamun and the Hekma were already established in Amonkhet, and it's not hard to guess that a set called Hour of Devastation is going involve some unpleasant things.
4575736
After "A Royal Problem," it's clear the show writers are paying minimal attention to the comics, if any.
4577412
I'm glad you do. Personally, I'm just glad I got this card out before Hope Tender was previewed.
So, what's the design philosophy behind this version of the Rutherford legendary, and the previous one?
4582539
Before, Rutherford just smashed. He was an overgrown child, but a child endowed with incredible authority over his fellow yaks, especially when he sounded a battle cry.
Now? It's unclear how much of Rutherford's go-it-alone philosophy is yak culture and tradition and how much is just wanting to look good in front of the foreign dignitary, but either way, he expects inbovine endurance in the face of obvious looming death. And to his credit, his people will give him what he asks for... up until the moment they collapse from hunger. Best not to ask how he lasts so long. Maybe he just really likes snow sandwiches.