In the early days of the newly formed Equestrian Empire there was still turmoil between the three races. Generations of war and unfair trade deals left the three races in an uneasy state. Though they knew in time the wounds would heal, the newly crowned Princesses sought to remedy the situation. Though, through different means.

Princess Luna chose Silver Blood, a young disciple of her night court, as her champion. Her reason for her choice were that of his heritage. The Bat Ponies of Equestria were new to the world and she believed a new perspective would assist in the changing times. Though his attempts were valiant, they would eventually lead to the Lunar Uprising. An event that would cause distrust and persecution for the Bat ponies.

Celestia’s champion was a young Unicorn from the militaristic city state of Roam. Starswirl the Bearded. A young upstart, he was a natural magician and had already made a name for himself as a master spell crafter. Celestia also noted a certain spark for truth and knowledge in the mage. This Spark had earned him such titles as King Iron Hoofs Praetorian, Champion of Dragons, and the Aether Wielder.

Each Champion was summoned to the old castle, early in its construction. They were tasked with their missions together. Seek out the ponies of Equestria. End the distrust and chaos amongst the equines, and let Friendship and Harmony rule the land. They were elevated to the titles of thane, granted the full rights of knighthood, and promised large tracts of land as their reward.

Starswirl’s journey would take him throughout all of Equestria. From the frozen tundra of the Crystal Empire, to the dense jungles of the Caballian Matriachy of the south, to the war clans of the western skies, and the city states within the east. He would speak from village to village and seek out the true nature of all equines. All while learning of different cultures and traditions of each group he could come across.

After eight years of searching, he began his work. He compiled some of the earliest writing of Pre-Discord Equestria, as well as the most extensive. Some would chastise his work. Claiming that his writings were overtly simplistic to the nuances of the different peoples. But with his work done, he made his presentation to the Princesses.

They were not pleased.

His claim was that there was no natural way to force ponies to be more friendly. Time was the easiest answer. But if they truly wanted an accelerated answer he surmised that he could formulate the spell necessary to force Friendship and Harmony to all people. But to do so, he would need a source of tremendous power. He would need the Elements of Harmony.

Being born from the city state of Roam, Starswirl was too aware of the Elements, and their powerful potential. This all took place shortly after the fall of Discord. He had ruled the land in Chaos and Solitude; letting madness form the land. He claimed to be the Ascension of Chaos. The living personification of Solitude. A god. The Roman ponies had the answer to the riddle, the key to his defeat. The Elements of Harmony.

King Iron Hoof ordained that only an Alicorn could wield their power. But Starswirl thought otherwise. He surmised that anypony could wield them. He theorised that they weren’t for those that embodied Harmony, but that they brought out that which made you closest to Harmony. They were made to amplify oneself to a greater understanding of their own mind, and that would unlock their true potential. But without enough evidence to support his claim, he was not allowed to utilize them.

His plan was to set a spell over the land. A curse learned from all of the ponies of Equestria, as well as Discord. His curse would bring the true unification of all species and bring on a new era of peace and prosperity.

The Princesses immediately denounced him. For conspiring with Discord,he was stripped of all his titles, removed from all courts and guilds, and casted out from the land for five years. While being dragged from the Old Castle grounds, he swore that he would complete his spell and force the land into Harmony.

Some say he never completed his spell. That it’s a set of extraordinary circumstances that align with superstition.

But, then there are those that say that Starswirl snuck back into the Old Castle, stole the Elements, and casted his curse upon the land. But that it did not do what he set out for. Something went wrong. Ashamed, he hid himself from the public for the remainder of his life. Only to answer to those that claimed to be his Doctor.

Players within Ponyrun may chose to exploit Starswirl’s Curse. Simply sing a song that remedies a situation and roleplay out the results.

As an example: If you wish to march to a distant town but do not want to roll for random encounters, sing to pass the time. ‘We ponies march two by two, ho-rah! Ho-rah!’

So long as the song is within reasonable meaning, the gm may narrate around certain obstacles or situations. But, the GM also has the right to refute the song. If there is an opponent to the first song, the GM may sing for the NPC to battle for the outcome. It is up to role play to determine the outcome. Though tread carefully. What you sing is important, and may have undesired consequences.

There is a bit of hidden lore within this piece of lore. The first one to call it out wins a special prize. Comment below what you think it is. It's a real dozy though

Brony on!

Well there's a few tidbits to gleam here. Starswirl was blessed by the dragons, probably had the main books. He probably could use soul magic or dream magic considering he could wield Aeather. But the hidden lore... some how I feel it had to do with Silver Blood. I feel like that name should mean something but I can't remember if it was in the story or at Bluebloods manor.

Btw Love the shout out to the song so wrote.

6090431 Close, but not quite.

Brony on!