Friendship is Card Games: Convocation of the Creatures · 12:56pm Jan 6th, 2019
Your creatures can help you cast these comics. Wait, sorry, no, wrong kind of convocation. These comics can help you get a glimpse of Equestrian geopoltiics.
Not sure if that’s any better…
I quite like the hybrid crest on the royal airship. (Also, I have to think the princesses commissioned after the Storm King demonstrated the importance of air superiority.)
Kibitz can pilot an airship. Neat.
Huh. The nations of the world haven’t met for centuries? I wonder what broke up the meeting. (At the very least, I hope that isn't the usual gap between these events.) I assume the Bearers’ efforts, both against the Storm King and elsewhere, helped reunify the planet.
Lovely spread as the various delegations meet. And it’s always good to see more batponies, even if certain others may disagree with me. (Hi, PP. 
)
I will never get tired of seeing unicorn horns used as memo spikes, intentionally or not.
Yeah, probably best not to bring Flurry Heart to a sensitive political summit. Not unless you want to cause several high-profile diplomatic incidents and/or assassinations.
Oh my. This page is a lot to take in. Let’s take it in steps:
• A pair of bat pony delegates are clinging to the rafters.
• Amira, the Saddle Arabian mare from “Maigc Duel” is trotting past them.
• A cockatiel harpy is apparently conversing with a sapient gorilla in a fez and Hawaiian shirt.
• The Derpy spider from the first comic storyline is here for some reason.
• The Observer is present, because Andy Price.
• The Diamond Dogs, David Bowwow included, are already in a standoff with the king and queen of Abyssinia (the former of whom has gotten his crown replaced.)
• Ember, Rutherford, and Chief Thunderhooves all brought friends, or at least secretaries. (And dare I ask how the yaks and buffalo even got here?)
• Giraffe in a bowtie, further raising questions about the sapience of the one in “Fluttershy Leans In.”
• Donkey with a bowtie and a bubble pipe, implying a nation thereof and superior classiness to literally everyone else here.
• Lunar guardstallion and deer, including Aspen, glaring suspiciously at Thorax and the skittlebug contingent.
As I said, a lot to take in. I always appreciate Andy Price’s love of fitting in as many background details as he can get away with.
Speaking of which, interesting to see that Ziggy Stardachshund doesn’t get along with Celestia either. I imagine the whole “attempted enslavement of the Bearer of Generosity” thing is but one of many grievances.
On the other hand, Aspen has at least pulled his antlers out of his rear enough to be courteous to the sun mare.
Interesting to see that even Novo isn’t sure how to classify her people. A shame Terramar never discussed his dilemma with his aunt. After, if anyone could sympathize with not being able to choose between land and sea, it’s the one who has to try to govern both simultaneously.
Nice touch with Ember having no idea what she’s doing here. She can’t exactly burn her way out of this problem, nor enforce her will via magical scepter compulsions.
Also, that sulfur seltzer raises the question of just how many different diets the Convocation has to cater towards. If you thought watching out for food allergies was bad…
Rutherford’s just happy to be here. The king of Abyssinia would be happy to breathe.
Ooh, giraffe in a tux. Classy.
A trade pact between breezies and buffalo… what would they even offer each other? And how would it get from one to the other?
Okay, what in the name of sanity is Longhorn, one of the cattle rustlers, doing here? He is the exact opposite of a lawful ruler, unless you’re telling me that all cattle who don’t live with ponies are lawless wandering bandits. Iron Will has more right to be here than him. The derpantula has more right to be here than him!
I do appreciate both the batpony drinking ketchup and the comic-only legitimate rulers commiserating over being ambiguously canon.
The stained glass is quite nice, though some species seem to get better window than others. Also, nice to see some degree of minotaur representation beyond banned businessbulls. Twilight being a tiny purple blob in comparison really sells the sheer scale of the place.
Dang. Haven’t seen a library this ludicrous since Negima! Though I can’t imagine those tree roots are good for the books.
Also, I have to appreciate Twilight shouting about the library in a panel with no fewer than three admonitions to keep quiet.
What did become of the gem-eyed ponies? I still like the idea of them becoming the crystal ponies in time. Also, G1 Applejack’s remorseless wizard-slaying just became semicanon for G4.
I do appreciate Twilight shutting down Blacktip. You’re not impressing the Princess of Friends in High Places, buddy.
Aww, it’s bureaucrat Gabby.
Sorry, Raven. This is Twilight Sparkle we’re talking about. Trying to chase her off by brandishing paperwork is like trying to disgust cockroaches out of your home by deliberately not picking up after yourself.
Heh. Yeah, even we aren’t sure what Griffonstone’s political situation is.
So… are the bushwoolie fritters made by bushwoolies, or… 
Very interesting to see the minotaurs discussing matters of global economics. The species as a whole seems a lot more financially minded than I would've guessed, though that can go hand in hand—pun intended—with their role in some fan continuities as this world's best inventors and manufacturers.
“Mule muffins” don’t sound at all appetizing, putting aside the question of how fertile Equestrian mules even are.
Heh. Ponies apparently love dragon cuisine. At least, Raven and Cadence do.
Odd. You’d think cat-birds would enjoy fish pops.
The Ponytones! Wonderful to see someone remember they exist. And seeing Fluttershy perform for a crowd of all nations is especially fantastic.
And there’s our conflict for the arc: A debt unpaid and forgotten. One that, technically speaking, no one had to actually mention… though discovering it later would’ve likely led to even greater trouble. Though I do have to wonder how that land came into griffon possession in the first place… though going by the Hearth’s Warming fable, it could just be a matter of them being there first.
Good to get some sense of Griffonstone’s governance, even if it isn’t held up by the show later.
I quite like Raven greasing the wheels and ensuring the Bearers’ efforts really do lead to happy endings. I half expect Dotted Line to show up at some point.
Hmm. I’m not sure how to feel about Equestria being responsible for gem imports to the Dragonlands. On the one hand, it makes sense—that has been one proposed purpose for rock farms—but dragons basically depending on another nation just to feed themselves feels off. Still, it feels very Celestia to disincentivize regular raids on other nearby nations through trade and diplomacy, and the dragons aren't going to say no to people just giving them gems with no effort on their part.
Huh. Well, this went from zero to sixty in a heartbeat. We go from a four-page research binge to the villain executing his sudden but inevitable betrayal in less than one. Credit to the archivists for not sticking around for his monologue and explanation of all the reasons why he’s in the wrong.
Speaking of those reasons, once the group's in the mingling area, why doesn’t Twilight just amplify her voice and say “The debt is paid! Lord Goldstone is trying to stop us!”? This is a fun chase scene, but she could sink his entire reputation and get hundreds of reinforcements in one fell swoop. Heck, why is no one questioning the clearly active griffon soldiers in all of this?
That being said, definite points for style with Raven’s landing.
In all, this was a lot of fantastic window dressing arranged around a rather thin plot. The contract dispute feels more like an excuse for world building than anything. And honestly? I’m okay with that. While there were a number of other stories to tell—Ember’s anxiety, Thorax’s determination to prove himself, Novo reestablishing her people in the global arena, and so forth—it was still fun to watch the spectacle unfold, and to see Raven enjoy the spotlight a bit. All told, this felt like a two-part Friends Forever comic between her and Twilight, and even with the wonky pacing and questionable focus, I quite enjoyed it for the many useful components it offers.
And on that note, let’s see what I can build with them:
Abyssinian Masseuse 1W
Creature — Cat Citizen
W, T: Untap another target creature. That creature gets +0/+1 until end of turn.
Cats naturally exist in an almost liquid state. A blend of pressure points and subsonic purrs can share that gift with other creatures.
1/1
Royal Vanguard 2W
Creature — Pegasus Soldier
Kicker 1B (You may pay an additional 1B as you cast this spell.)
Flying
When Royal Vanguard enters the battlefield, if it was kicked, create a 2/2 black Bat Pegasus Soldier creature token with flying.
2/2
Goldstone’s Enforcers 3WW
Creature — Griffin Soldier
Flying
Extort (Whenever you cast a spell, you may pay (wb). If you do, each opponent loses 1 life and you gain that much life.)
“Of course it’s legal. I say it is.”
—Lord Goldstone
3/3
Breezie Spritecharmer 2U
Creature — Pony Faerie Rogue
Flying
Whenever Breezie Spritecharmer becomes the target of a spell or ability, create a 0/1 blue Pest creature token with flying unless that spell or ability’s controller pays 2. You may change the target of that spell or ability to that token (if it was created).
2/1
Changeling Librarian 2U
Creature — Shapeshifter Advisor
Whenever you draw a card, you may reveal that card. If you reveal a creature card this way, Changeling Librarian becomes a copy of that card until your next turn.
To truly understand your research, walk a mile in its shape.
0/3
Oxenford Education 2U
Enchantment — Aura
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature gets +2/+2 and has “Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, draw a card.”
“Ah, my dear alma mater. The friends, the research, the boffyball… Good times.”
—Horwitz, Yakyakistani historian
Harpy Mimic 3U
Creature — Harpy Wizard
Whenever an opponent activates an activated ability of a creature, untap Harpy Mimic. It gains that ability until end of turn.
You may spend blue mana as though it were mana of any type to pay the activation costs of Harpy Mimic’s abilities.
2/3
Lengthy Discourse 4U
Instant
Tap all creatures you don’t control.
Addendum — If you cast this spell during your main phase, those creatures don’t untap during their controllers’ next untap steps.
A lot of politics boils down to a lot of talking.
Slaver Wizard 2B
Creature — Human Wizard
When Slaver Wizard dies, target opponent creates two 2/2 green Pony creature tokens.
“Ponies were bred to work in mines. I’m simply putting them to their intended use.”
4/4
Chiropteron Aristocrat 2BB
Creature — Bat Pegasus Warrior
Flying, lifelink, menace
Few bat-winged ponies call Equestria home. Many made homes in darker, stranger lands after Nightmare Moon’s banishment. Some never left those lands to begin with, their ancestral holdings rich with centuries of tradition.
3/2
Dragon Cuisine 1R
Sorcery
As an additional cost to cast this spell, sacrifice a creature.
Add an amount of R equal to the sacrificed creature’s power.
Draw a card.
”It’s got a real kick to it.”
—Cadence, Princess of Serenity
Fencing Instructor 2R
Creature — Harpy Pirate
1R: Target creature gains first strike until end of turn.
2R, T, Exert Fencing Instructor: Creatures you control gain first strike until end of turn. (An exerted creature won’t untap during your next untap step.)
“Step one: This is the pointy end.”
2/1
Dracologist 3RR
Creature — Dragon Advisor
Flying
When Dracologist enters the battlefield, discard up to X cards, where X is the number of Dragons you control, then draw that many cards.
He specializes in the only field worthy of his time.
3/3
Draconic Flamescribe 3RR
Creature — Dragon Wizard
Kicker 2R
Flying
When Draconic Flamescribe enters the battlefield, if it was kicked, you may cast target instant or sorcery card from a graveyard without paying its mana cost. If that card would be put into a graveyard this turn, exile it instead.
4/3
Yakyakistani Historian 3GG
Creature — Ox Advisor
When Yakyakistani Historian enters the battlefield, return target permanent card from your graveyard to your hand.
Those who learn the strange arts of un-smashing are afforded great respect among the yaks.
3/3
Arachnid Delegate 4G
Creature — Spider Advisor
Reach
Council’s dilemma — When Arachnid Delegate enters the battlefield, starting with you, each player votes for smooth or sticky. Put a +1/+1 counter on Arachnid Delegate for each smooth vote. It deals 1 damage to each creature with flying for each sticky vote.
1/3
Yakyakistani Line Dancers 4GG
Creature — Ox Band
Finale — Whenever you sacrifice a Song, all creatures able to block Yakyakistani Line Dancers this turn do so.
It’s impossible to ignore a performing yak.
4/5
Poet’s Bust 2
Artifact
T: Add C.
1, T: Put a verse counter on target Song.
A favorite perch of both ravens and depressed lyricists.
Royal Airship 4
Artifact — Vehicle
Flying
Whenever you crew Royal Airship with one or more creatures with alicorn, Royal Airship gets +2/+2 and gains indestructible until end of turn.
Crew 2 (Tap any number of creatures you control with power 2 or more: This Vehicle becomes an artifact creature until end of turn.)
4/3
Unity Archives 5
Artifact
Creatures you control have “2, T: Draw a card.”
Everything, by everyone.
Griffin Archivist 1WU
Creature — Griffin Advisor
Flying
When Griffin Archivist enters the battlefield, if you control another creature with flying, draw a card.
Even griffins have to appreciate a scribe who supplies her own quills.
2/2
Lord Goldstone 2WB
Legendary Creature — Griffin Rogue
Flying
Whenever an opponent loses life, you gain that much life.
Naked ambition is less obvious in a world with no nudity taboos.
2/3
Enthusiastic Welcome 3RG
Enchantment
Whenever a creature enters the battlefield, its controller may have it fight target creature that player doesn’t control of their choice.
Most creatures’ first impression of Prince Rutherford is a bellowed greeting and a bone-crushing embrace.
Mount Metazoa
Legendary Land
T: Add one mana of any color. Spend this mana only to cast a creature spell.
Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, if it shares no creature types with other creatures you control, untap Mount Metazoa.
The peak of neutrality.
I rushed back here to mention the Doglin King but you already noticed. I'm just in love with that spread of characters and creatures.
Twilight's expression to Queen Novo's transformation is basically my expression whenever something cool happens
This is awesome!
I remain convinced that Harpies are actually dinosaur people.
It’s interesting that Equus lost its international relations. Ordinarily I’d blame Discord, and the chaos of his reign and the aftermath can’t have helped, but if we’re talking centuries instead of millennia he was a statue at the time.
It’s not just the other races either. Ponies have gotten xenophobic and isolationist as anyone else.
Maybe it’s just an effect of fairly regular attacks by nigh-unstoppable demigod things? Tirek alone is a walking national scale disaster. And it’s not like he’s the only one of that threat level out there. The lings can’t have helped either, depending on how long they were active, though Chrysallis going for open invasion seemed new. So basically Equus is a scary place and the nations have turned inward to deal with their own problems, which is natural but the opposite of helpful.
And that implies that heroes like our mane cast are having an impact on the world far beyond stopping individual problems. Between the friendship school fostering international relations, dealing with threats effectively so others can relax a bit, and the good will that generates? We may yet see a unified Equus in Twilight’s time.
Chrysalis ate them.
aw I liked the kirin derpy
To be fair, it's not that unheard of for nations to be dependent on food imports from abroad. In real life, nations that export more food than they import are actually in something of a minority. Depending on how big the Dragon Lands are and how many dragons live there in permanence, it might be reasonably inferred that there are not enough gems there to keep everywyrm fed.
On another note, I feel like Goldstone was setting himself up for disaster either way. Griffonstone, a single city, taking over half of a large, heavily settled nation whose inhabitants have been proud citizens of for over a millennium? That was never realistically going to work. For all his talk of the locals having to move, there are at least three or four cities on the eastern side of the nation as large as or larger than Griffonstone -- to paraphrase the old saying, with what army did Goldstone plan on making them move when there are likely more people in Manehattan or Canterlot alone than in all of Griffonstone?
4992198
Plus sometimes absurdities just happen for economic reasons. During the gold rush they were shipping clothes to Hawaii for laundry. Nowadays fish may stop in three or more countries across the world for different processing steps before getting delivered.
Yeah, this was an enjoyable enough of a story arc. Seeing so many different creatures and learning about their cultures was a lot of fun, and seeing the bonding Twilight did with the other archivists was a nice way of showing the world's growing connections with one another. I honestly think the plot is the weakest part of the arc, as the "greedy bastard trying to exploit a land grab" conflict just feels like its there to provide some kind of tangible tension. This feels like the kind of story where some kind of lower-stakes conflict would be more appropriate, as it'd be contrasting the large decisions of the nations' representatives with that of the daily grind of the lowly archivists.
But it's still a fun story, and definitely an interesting example of world-building.