Got to make this as I let my mind wander on the species post. What I'm writing down now is the character equipment progression in the story is going to look like. So item rarity grades, merchants, craftsponies and areas that are relevant.

First off, I'm gonna propose a rarity system that would be unspoken in the story but would dictate when and what does the gang organise.
Grade 1 - the improvised things we use in the first fights. We scavage anything to take down to first pack of timberwolves and it involves REALY bad weapons and armour, like cardboard shelds and a stone+broom="spear". Magic level of this stuff: Sweetie Belle.
Grade 2 - this is the stuff we get for the first escapade. It isn't impresive but it actually reasembles normal civilian-grade weapons, like grandpa'e rusty sword, some daggers and can host basic magic Lyra throws on it, because only she is so insane to enchant this scrap.
Grade 3 - Here we have the proper military items, mage-grade magic and stuff that is literally deigned for Equestrian soldiers and guards. Also some minor ancient artifacts are here. I think Moondancer could provide this stuff.
Grade 4 - This tier is actual relics from the times Ponies actually gone for war and things elite militarists get in Equestria. Like Shining Armours armour or artifacts Trixie could sport. In this catergory falls, for example the Alicorn Amulet
Grade 5 - Highest grade items that are unique, like the Elements of Harmony. This stuff will be top tier and only a handfull of items will ever on this level.

Items would also require attencion, the more the higher the level: they can break, need to be constantly fixed, sharpened, the enchantments need to be re-filled with magic, ancient magic needs to be re-awakened first, parts of elder weapons would need re-forging and even unique weapons can have personality that will show in their irregular performance. So keep your Grade5 spear happy and cleaned if you want her to be more stabby-stabby.

The next idea is the the Elements of Harmony: if the crew would ever be granted them, they would be a whole new set. I image they could be granted mid-game by the tree of harmony, and besides beeing G5+++ items they would gradually increase in their power due to the psycological progression of the players who slowly get more in sync with their elements.
They would work much in the way like the mane6 ones with the exeption of their lack of Magic among them to concentrate the power. In the case of the gang - any one of them is able to conduct the energy and each of them beeing the channeler will relise the magic in a diffrent way - a beam, a wave, a buff to the gang itself, etc.

Last we have areas of economical intrest:
-Ponyville - I imagine it to be our starting location. The place where we make our stuff ourselves, get old weapons, enchant them at Lyra the maniac and smear with Everfree plant juices.
-Canterlot - when we appear at Canterlot, we at first are allowed into he lower districs where we can get only standard-issue military stuff and some self-made contraband from the smugglers, and the good stuff form the guard's smiths when we are allowed into upper Canterlot where the bezt Archmages can enchant our stuff. Beside that - proper enhancements, poisions and such. I can also see here two dungeons in form of Canterlot Sewers and Canterhorn Caves.
-Manehuttan - I imagine it to sell the best poisions/oils and have random stock due to always stepping into a new shop.
-The Frontier - Appleloosa and the Badlands. Crazy, western-styled items, like firearms, whips and sabres. They have superior craftspones that can help with upping the performance of non-magical items and modyfying them in a way unavable anywhere else.
-Crystal Empire - You get the best raw-magic stuff here as well the best materials. For making quests here you can get splitters of the Crystal Heart that is the best possible addition to weaponry.
It essencially works so: first Ponyville that lets you buy the basic stuff and gets you started, then go to lower Canterlot where you buy the proper stuff you can effectively kill things. Next are specialised vendors where you go to buy or perform the best things of one dyscypline: Upper Canterlot - Enchantments, Manehuttan - addonal ingridients(like poisions), Crystal Empire - materials and the Frontier for the best Craftsponies to help you forge all those parts into awesome gear.

I think that's it.

5179633
I like your grade idea, but I think number one is a bit off. Why do I say this, it's because I'm an amateur in improvised weapon making. I'd say I'm decent, and can make us some gear that can both give and take a hard beating.

Your idea with the "Elements of Harmony" is a good idea to, in fact I made a set some time ago that I think we may use. Their called the "Elements of Righteousness", and they are called; Truth, Justice, Freedom, Trust, Peace and Strength. Strength is like magic, but its strength in will power where as the sprite of friend ship is magic.

-The Frontier - Appleloosa and the Badlands. Crazy, western-styled items, like firearms, whips and sabres. They have superior craftspones that can help with upping the performance of non-magical items and modyfying them in a way unavable anywhere else.

Eh, I don't believe so, remember what I said in the tech thread about there being anti patenting laws and restrictions on monopolizing? Well, home town craftsponies and inventors gained from this, along with traveling peddlers who buy from them and sell it in another town. so basically you got them all over the place, not just in the frontier. And also I'v studied and have a gun smith manual, and was thinking that with the help of time turner (Hes an inventor in this world, not the doctor.) I may just make some sodbuster six chamber ratchet shot guns for us stallions in are group. And maybe something else along those lines, it depends on what I got and can do.

S.W.B.

5180741 That's kindda the point. The first grade is essencially shrott we'll throwing out after the first mission. Hell, we might even use some tree branches for that.

That are good ideas. If we were to add more due to more players, I'd like to add Forgiveness and Redemption.

I said that the areas specialise in one kind of stuff what is the best only in one location but they will also host the equipment of other kinds, but it will be weak or so specialised, that it wont be practical to use. And the Appleloosian craftsponies are the best in the country but there still are craftsponies in evry village.

5180792
Yes, I believe we may have use of those elements, as for craftsponies; I now believe that I'l be the mane craftspony to the group.

S.W.B.

5180805 We are making or re-forging stuff ourselves. The resident craftponies are there to teach us the craft, assist with legendary items and let us use their forges.

5180812
True, we may need to set up a base or two to work out of.

S.W.B.

5180814 Twilight's castle cellar dungeons would be fitting after we save a few ponies and the town will want us to be to help around.

5180833
That could be one yes, but I think we also need one that is hiding; like say the castle in the everfree forest?

S.W.B.

5180835 Aren't dungeons a secret place? They can -for example- host a tunnel to our actual hideout. Like Pinkie's Cave.

Besides, after we proven useful in keeping the beasts out we propably would be granted an apartament in all the important places and would be treated as a mercenary guild once we're advanced enough. Like a tower at the Castle in Canterlot once we help out Celestia at a few descrete problems, like -I dunno- teenage dragon at the Canterpot Caves or recruiting of addonal bakers for Cakelestia's kitchens...

5180838
Well, I'm just thinking of not keeping all are eggs in one basket, sort of speak. and yes, we may be treated as a mercenary guild latter on.

S.W.B.

5180841 Splitting up the party on 2 or 3 teams sounds reasonable when you have to be at a few places at once.

5180844
Yes it does.

S.W.B.

5180845 What abaut new recruits appearing sometime in the fututre? What if... Discord getting us some recruits? Now that's an idea. And beside his chaos dimenction I also want to visit the dream real because we have to battle Nightmare Moon somewhere where the cirkumstances make sence.

5180851

What abaut new recruits appearing sometime in the fututre?

I'l be getting to that in another thread.

we have to battle Nightmare Moon somewhere where the cirkumstances make sence.

We may do that sometime, if the story line permits it of coarse.

S.W.B.

5183821 I hope Luna throws us into the dream dimension. It's the perfect place to fight ala. Matix...

5183986
As I said, it depends.

S.W.B.

5184059 I smell Yakyakistan. It want to kill my nose...

5184092
Oh you have no idea.

S.W.B.

5184105 In fact, I think I have...

5184158
he he he Will see, will see.

S.W.B.

5179633 For simplisity's sake, check the spelling of Canon items and names. Ex. Manehattan.
5180741 I have to agree on this point, the items has to add something, or they will simply be in the way.
This does sound like a much better idea. If we go by your name, you don't mix them up with the originals, which we will never see.
From the idea I had, I would enjoy the Freedom, unless someone else have a better option as that is time.
Your mentioned example does stand, and tas you said; there are likely to be more out there. While it may be easier to say that a certain item or expert is easier and much more likely to find in a specific place.
5180792 The tree-branch sounds like a first improviced weapon. Something one may actually pick up on the short end.
5180805 Good, the crafts-pony has been chosen.
5180812 If one of us lear the craft, we can make these items at the nearest convenience. We would be less reliant on outside support, and it would save bits on our end.
5180814 Building up a secondary base, close to a set of tasks would be convenient as we move too far from the original base. Of course, if there is a return ticet, or any new items coming through, these would be most likelyu at the original drop point.
5180841 Mercenary, as in working for pay or helping oput of a measure of Honour? Sounds like what we originally stated.
5180844 We don't need to go out with the entire group, unless it is requirted by the intent we set out to do. Covering more ground and getting things done require splitting up in more efficient groups from time to time.
5184092 Yak, I smell a Yack. *giggles* I guess that would make for an adventure, just to go there alone.
5184225 Isn't that why were are here in the first place? To see.

5184330 I was sleepy back then.

There is only so much you can do on you knee somewhere in the wildness without an anvil. But propably Celestia would let us use the royal ones in upper Canterlot, once we helped her out in a few problems.

I'm thinking we'll be having 3 bases at least: Canterlot, Crystal Empire and Everfree.

Mercenary, as in working for pay or helping oput of a measure of Honour?

I'm thinking of both. You help out because it would be the thing you do and thenour reputation would get us profits, as well as payment from who we were the job given. You're doing it out of honour but you still retrive pay - a part of your reason.

>>Getting more done
>>Time to party with Pinkie XD

Yakyakistan is the only plae filled with sentient beeings willing to fight. Like Mordor.

5184330
Thank you and you might become freedom, it all depends on how the story line will go and how well you fit it. yes I'l be the crafts-pony, I know my tools and have experienced first hoof on home construction; having helped build the house I live in at the moment with my dad who has all theses wood tools and no time to use them... You get the picture

S.W.B.

5185047 You did say that this was about ponified versions of us, right? From that point, you have the connection to the trade.
With equal qualification, I guess first request would take priority?
Since none of us can have experience in actually being a Pony, Equestrian or otherwise. While some of us have more experience with Ponies than others. Unless there is one with actual experience of leadership and fighting, would you take that role? You did after all start up the gang in the first place.
5184965 You do need the tools and materials, so forging may not be much worth in the wilderness.
She would be happy to extend as grattitude for services. I imagine others would have the same sentiments.
Canterlot and Empire looks like central and usefull bases to have. May consider a base up south later on.
Of course, once we reach Ponyville, she will insist on throwing a party for us in welcome. It is who she is.
They are the first readily expressing the sentiment. While I imagine the Buffalos and the Griffons may be willing to, if provoked. Didn't the Buffalos actually attack Appalloosa?

5185548 It's cheaper and more practical than to make our own crafting rooms in our bases, not to mentation it would make an awesome opportunity to introduce new characters.
I imagine we would have a few bases that we would use when we are in the area in which the base is located. Furhtermore I belive that we should make our first one in Twilight's basement. Because the Timberwolves would try to end us if we would immedenty start to house at the ruined castle.
Ah yes, the unfamous applepie conflict...

You know what guys - I think we should change the setting a little bit, because the world and times of MLP are too cute to get our adventure into full swing. I want to propose a change in the timeline, where we are much into the future where Equestria has fallen and it needs proffesionals who will help it rise back from the ashes or one of the apocalypic visions Twilight saw during Starlight's finale. Think abaut Desteny and the Witcher world, maybe with a hint of Darkest Dungeon or Warhammer to it. In terms of the apokaliptic vision I would pick the Flim-Flam world where their actions made Nature rebel against ponies and unleash her wrath upon Equestria, and we were the ones to protect Equinkind.

5185606 People doesn't set up shop, unless they have a business or are investing enough into it. And that is assuming they have the resopurses to invest in the first place.
Since we established that we are having secondary bases, we would have to buy multiple sets of tools, or return to the first in order to craft these items?
I like to imagine the castle is in fairly fine order. This would take a small effort to establish ourselves nonetheless.

With a few minor tweaks to the original time-line, we could make for a very interesting game. We only see the cozy and cuddly part of town in the show, while the commics has been shoing a bit more colourfull interaction, as I have heard.
The first items could be simple, like running errand in Ponyville. Then we could help out in increasingly more agressive manners, from one base to the next.
On that note, you could have a problem with the Everfree in Ponyville. Violent criminals in Canterlot and Manehattan. Then you have the frontiers to deal with.

5185765 ...And six guys aren't gonna carry an anvil to the middle of Everfree. I could convince Pinkie Pie to do it through.
It would be a gradual process to add new ideas of utility rooms, like a forge or an armoury. At the end we will have portal rooms to teleport between bases.
I like to imagine a lot of work to carve out a few rooms to occupy.

I could find some dark 'n muddy stories in my faves we could drive inspiration from. We could even reference that stuff.

5185832 Very few Ponies would be strong enough to carry an anvile around all that far.
Once you have the base secured, you get bed rooms. After that I would go with armory and such.
If you have a good Unicorn in the group, I guess we could do that a few times.
Depending on your local, that could be a very heavy job to perform, while I guess it may depend on the use of the room you had in mind.

You should post that gate in the tech department threads.

If you read stories on the site, these are openly available here, while I guess mature is slightly harder to get.

5185895 I think we would secure a few towers and set evrything up only in them. Maybe with time we would clean up most of the castle and other ponies would move in to revive the castle as a settlement. I bet scholars who like to get low and dirty would settle the place like flies cover an old corpse.
Nah, we only have to build up the portals and get Twilight to do the magical part of it.

I'm thinking of using the ammount of darkness like we see in "Night Shift" and "Monsters" duology.

5185922 Towers are naturally strong defences and comes with a good look-out point in all directions. We just pick them out one by one as we need more space. While it would be prudent to make a first line by securing the outer walls of the castle.
Once secured, you could invite hoards of Schoolars to the library. I could imagine some even helping up cleaning up and generally help out, at this point. This was the first Royal castle and library we know of. Who know what trreasures are hidden within the tomes stored here?

The Unicorn would go to places before the gate had been established. Once we have built up a reputation, and earned the favour, we could ask her helping us with the gates.

I haven't seen these, but I have seen Dark Man, Which Blade, Robo Cop, Eagon and a few others.

5185987 The towes as well as some rooms from where they divide from the main building. We would propably take the number of rooms so that we would have to barricade as little entrances as it will mean fewer work.

That would mean that the Star Spider automaticly becomes the most favoured pet in the sceintyfic crickles of Equestria.
I think Celestia stores there a bottle of 400% bourbon in the cellar, guarded by Cuthulu.

Have you watched Judge Dredd?

5186001 There is bound to be rooms in the towers. We could have our beds on top of these. If needed, we pair up with the next pony that compliment us most for mutual protection of worse came to worse.

Oh yeah, these Star Spiders. At least, they were never shown as a Menace so we may enjoy seeing them once we get used to them. Who knows what they are, and what they are good for?

I don't know what the liquer names caome form or what they mean, but unless they are canon, we should be very carefull with applying them.
As to the matter of that part, it sounds silly more than anything to assign that high a value to it. Going by how the show makes it safe for children to watch the original show, these items seems a bit off.

I can't recall what it is about, if I have evn really seen the 'show' If it has relevance to the discussion, feel free to enlighten me along with anyone on the group who is lacking in the respict?

5188721 I also figured that if we wouldn't be able to make portals, we could have Maud making a tunnel network between the bases.

I want a colony of pet star spiders. We may want them around to keep out the mosquitos as there is propably a lot of them suring the night and a swamp is nearby.I know what I'm saing I live near a swamp and the mosquitos are swarming when the sun starts to set.

Nevermind. I was giving examples of how much dark stuff apply to the story.

5185548
At this point, I'm still working on the idea to that; at the moment I know that I'm a semi-leader and may end up in commend.

5185606 5185765 5185832 5185895 5185922 5185987 5186001 5188721 5189654
Hmm, looks like we have some good ideas running about, I'l try to keep up on it batter.

S.W.B.

5189801 So long as you write the story, it makes it much easier for you to write as it limit your need for constantly asking us for every last detail.

Having separet threads for every subject and dedicating some for the conclusions may help?
5189654 I guess Maud could dig tunnels for us, but digging all the way from Ponyville to both Manehattan and Canterlot alone is no small feat.

Spiders are commonly known to consume buggs, so this could be an interesting idea.
They would be interesting research and possibly fun pets as well.

Pets seems common in Equestria, but as you said, Drinking isn't likely to be featured. The only "Known" drunk is Berry Punch, and I think that is more Fanon Headcanon than anything. On that matter, exactly what does 400 proof even mean, and how is it translated? You can't have 400& alcohol in a mix in any case.

5191162
Right

S.W.B.

We would have to make a ridiculous load of threads in that case and they would be relatively short.
5191162 I think the Underground Network would connect to Canterlot as the middle point. This way it would mean less work.

Eather way - I want a colony in my tower. Off course I will live on top, because wings. And I dubt we'll have pegasi in the group as evryone is eather fixed to be as stong as possible or use magic.

So, wait - you want to make a story where we essencially hunt down beasts and propably kill them but you don't want to include at least a hangover section. I would ask what is wrong with you but I get your point.
400% alkohol is a reference to a comic where Twilight goes to the castle of the two sisters and Celestia gives her the location of a bottle of 400% "vodka" which isn't intended to be drunk unless immortal. It's effecively a joke.

5192066 Once a thread has outrlived its usefulnes, it could be summarized into the thread in which its conclusion would fit into.
The discussion is only useful until you have reached a consensus on the matter at hoof, after all.

On the matter of said Spiders, I have the impression you would have a problem if you tried to evict them. From that persopective the entire castle is infested by them, it is as it were their home. While I guess you could entice a small collony to take up position in specific places of the tower in which you have your bed. Most Spiders eat insect of one variety or the other, while none of which I have heard would eat a Pony or anything close to the size. Unless provoked you could be perfectly safe from any and all spiders.

If we live in the castle in the Everfree forest, we are bound to slay a few beasts. Then we help Ponies with any manner of problems, including hunting down both Beasts and Ponies for what ever acceptable causes. If it pays and is the right thing to do, we accept the deal. Just like in the show "the A-Team", as I recall it.

We do have several canonical beverages, including Cider and Punch to enjoy. Then you have Juice, Milk and Water as well.
Anything above 40% should not be intended to drink as is, while you could use it in drinks or as detergent(degreasing).

On the note of important taskes to handle early, to have beds for the entire gang, since I doubt we got them across the border. They are sure to sell them in Ponyville.
5191995 Of cpourse, you are free to ask us anything relevant about our character in the process of writing the story.
You could have finished the first chapter by now, if you wrote everything by yourself. Sometimes it is just more fun to make a co-lab efort out of an idea.

5192080 You also forgot there is only 3 of us talking. The rest can have diffrent wiews. We must give them a wake up call to join in the talks.

Actually, there is a catch. I would be a griffon. Both cats and birds don't suffer from arachnophobia as both eat insects and some species of both types do sometimes enter a symbiosis with insects. Crows and lynxes for example tend to take sand baths in anthills, so the ants would go between the fur/feathers and clean them up from whatever got between them during a walk throught the forest.

I will still make some vodka. If death is a thing so is getting drunk. I will take classes in alchemy then and take the branch of alkomancy as my own! XD Do you think carving out a small potato field next to the castle would work?

So now we have the squad's main mage and alchemist.

5192097 I think I have seen Nr's 4 and 5 somewhere. The latest I saw was White Hat, but I will not guess as of why they are not taking part.
There is the posibility of not being very active, or agreeing.

The Griffon is Canon, so there shouldn't be too much problem with that. That kind of relation isn't exactly unheared of. We just tend to ignore the notion, which probably is either lacyness or ignorance.

I certainly isn't the local expert on either Birds or Cats, so I guess you can have that crown. I am more on the field of Ponies.

Regardless of what your mane interest in your Potatoes may be, I could probably help you with tending the crop. I may not recall seeing them mentioned in the show, but they are excelent Pony food. We probably could grow enough Potatoes to please the entire group.

You could enjoy your beverage of choice, at least so long as you don't compromise yourself or the group.

As an Achemist, you probably could increase the yield of your crop of Potatoes and the like as well.

I guess our group is slowly clearing up and developing.

5192130 Okay, so there is only one guy out of discussion.

I just now realise how much benefits would such a colony make - produce silk for armour, clean my feathers, keep the bugs out, you can play card with them... or at least boldly try.

You know what that means. Tactical spider colony as a suit. Sliken Defence with regeneration and reactive defence. Lol!

Well, I don't know much abaut horses to be honest.

Meh, I can also cook a bit and the traditional polish kitchen revolves around potatoes, pea, dough and meat. The last one I could swap for soya meat for the rest of the squad but still. The only thing we would need to constantly buy is grain.

You know, use alkohol to make myself berserk is a good idea, considering I'm a gryffon that would go down if targeted by an offensive wizard or bucked to the face by an earth pony. Earth Ponies are scary.

I think I would produce potions for the team, like combat drugs, as well some weak utility bombs [smokes, flashbangs, hypnotic] and produce the medicaments for the team's medic.

Yeah. I think I have my general picture already.

5192197

I just now realise how much benefits would such a colony make - produce silk for armour, clean my feathers, keep the bugs out, you can play card with them... or at least boldly try.

There are a few interesting and very good uses of your colony, right there. Most of which rely on how well you managed to implement them. The Spider Silk certainly is interesting. If you need your feathers and fur preened up, talking the spiders into doing it seems like a great idea. While you sleep, eat or just is relaxing would be time saving on your end.

Well, I don't know much abaut horses to be honest.

Only need one expect, so your expertice is on other fields, I take it. If you choose a character other than a Pony, that makes it even more convenient.

Meh, I can also cook a bit and the traditional polish kitchen revolves around potatoes, pea, dough and meat. The last one I could swap for soya meat for the rest of the squad but still. The only thing we would need to constantly buy is grain.

Unless anyone objects, maybe we could designate you the Head chef in the group? While we will have to adjust to the new diet and dietary needs for our new characters.

You know, use alkohol to make myself berserk is a good idea, considering I'm a gryffon that would go down if targeted by an offensive wizard or bucked to the face by an earth pony. Earth Ponies are scary.

Alcohol could be very useful, but that is not the better use. If we don't have a Potion at hoof, it could be used to clean up a wond and in cleaning it up before dressing it.

I think I would produce potions for the team, like combat drugs, as well some weak utility bombs [smokes, flashbangs, hypnotic] and produce the medicaments for the team's medic.

I guess we could make use of a selection of potions for these and other items as we go. While you may consider posting a thread on the exact extent of these uses?

Yeah. I think I have my general picture already.

5195431 The spiders are pretty big, so taking three would be reasonable. Which is sad, as the thought of getting a couple tens of them in one web and getting in the field covered by it as armour was an extremely amusing idea.

The only thing I can really say abaut horses are their hooves, and even this isn't that much.

At later stages I would propably start to use alkahest to better the reults.

You too? That looked like you wanted to add something there.

5192080
It's kinda hard for me to writ something if I don't have all the facts straight, that's why I'm waiting till the world building is done.

5192097
I'v grown potato's before, having filled half of my Irish heritage; just need to get to full on drunk some day.

5192197
I hear by name thee, Howling Mad Murdoch!. Get your goggles every one, he's gonna take us flying.

S.W.B.

5196288 Initate vodka charge, comrades!

5196326
Good one

S.W.B.

5196346 I know, right? Let's return to the ponysona topic, shall we?

5196221 Big spiders are not exactly unheard of, while they are fairly rare. The question is in who and what they are. Do they actively group up in a community or can they cooperate with us? Aside from that, they are likely to be found all over the Castle we were choocsing for our first and primrary base.

Horses eat grass and enjoy apples, carrots and potatioes, while they drink water. They live in herds, like families and sweat to keep cool.

5196288 Always better to have your detailes all lined up before writing, or you end up forced to change most everything as you go along.
Growing Potatoes is pretty easy, and a worthwile effort. I have grown a few in pots on my balcony, that is how easy it is. Besides, you see which to pot as the season comes in, by picking the once with growing out.

5197253 Well, they didn't try to kill each other on sight. That means most of those is true. If they don't try to each other on sight it means they will also acnowlegde the whole colony as their collective web and repair it together. We just have to step it and domesticate them, granted - not all will want to but we'll get enought to cover a few towers in spiders.

XD

5197253
Indeed, it's always good to know what's what.
Beside's mushroom's, my mom and dad did this big garden a few year's back, (and now as well) in which we have done bed's of potato's 30/40 feet long; with between three to six bed's.

S.W.B.