A coming of age tale concerning a pony fan of grotesque Griffin comics, set against the backdrop of the war of the century.

Entry for the Fourth Equestria at War Write Off (2021)
Contest Theme: "A normal being's point of view and life amidst global events."

NOTE: "Equestria at War" is a My Little Pony-based Mod for Hearts of Iron IV, a World War II game. One of its main conflicts is the invasion of Equestria by Changelings with tanks.

Possibly inspired by the rules' first line after the word count stipulations...

Cover Image: I made it... for better or worse.

The Imperial Reich has fallen.

And with it, so has most of Griffonia into a chaotic collection of border disputes, revolutions and petty kings that all wish to commit the same mistakes the Grovers made.

Only a lone griffon, exiled a long way from home, can ever hope to bring true change to Griffonkind.

And maybe carve a new empire along the way...

Takes place in the Equestria at War mod for the game Hearts of Iron 4. Knowledge of said source is recommended albeit not necessary.

The Griffonian Empire groans…

It is March of 1007, and Grover V, emperor of all* griffons, has breathed his last. His empire is broken after secessions and a devastating revolution, his power stolen by schemers in his court, and his only son underage. A regency council, made up of the nobles and clergy of the empire, is being assembled to rule in the stead of four-year-old Grover VI.

Ferdinand Dawnclaw, like many others within the empire, remembers how the last regency went down. Unlike many others, he doesn’t intend to let history repeat itself.

“Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
- Winston Churchill

The worldbuilding, and several persons in the story (including Dawnclaw) are credited to the dev team of Equestria at War, the MLP Hearts of Iron 4 mod.
This story generally adheres to the “canon”, but I have tweaked certain events, added original characters, and maybe slightly tweaked Dawnclaw’s character. This is all done to create a good story, not because the source material is terrible.
Equestria at War Wiki
Griffonian Empire lore

The Dread League's forces in the Far North of Griffonia have wavered, and intelligent undead have escaped their thralldom. One such case is a Dracolich, whose attempts at ending himself or finding a cure have thus far proved unsuccessful or illusive at best.

Though, maybe he could learn to be less miserable about himself. There's not exactly a source that does 20 radiant damage, after all.

An entry for the Ponies at War contest.

Newly-crowned Imperator of Nova Griffonia Erwin Highhill finally has a moment of rest for himself

Important: this takes place in the Equestria At War universe. Equestria At War is a mod for the grand strategy game Hearts of Iron IV, be sure to check out their Discord and Reddit if you're not familiar with it. They also have a group on this site: https://www.fimfiction.net/group/212917/equestria-at-war

Cover art is Erwin's portrait from EAW.

Enraged by the murder of his father, king Garibald Talonuel III declares his kingdom independent from the Griffonian Empire. While Wingbardians are elated by the news, the Empire is not willing to let such a thing pass. Now Talonuel must defend his nation's independence on the fields of politics, espionage, and battle.

Based on the Equestria at War mod

I'm not too pleased by my work, so this will go on a hiatus. I'll try to rewrite it with better quality.

Door studied interior design, she spent four long years, and accidentally got a cutie-mark as a door. This was... Unfortunate to her, but it never stopped her from trying to be an interior designer.
Finally, she graduated today, in 1052. However, speeches are long, and her eyelids are heavy.

This is Exiles at War world. Exiles at War is an alt-history fanfiction project designed by a group of friends, set in the world of Equestria at War mod for Hearts of Iron 4.

The Point of divergence is the Griffonian Revolution partially succeeding, the consequences of which affect every continent; from the River Coalition collapsing into war, to the Changellings losing a War against the Olenians before they could strike Equestria, to the Storm King being defeated by the Chirropterrans before he could plunder much of North Zebrica.

Ost-Griffionia has long been the crossroads where Griffon and Equine kind have met. To the west, the heartland of the once might Griffionian Empire. To the east, the Riverlands, bastion of ponykind on Griffionia.

Here, the plains, forests and swamped are marked by ancient battlefields. Here, history is written in blood, forged in brutal crusades and border raids. Here, two kinds have fought for hundreds of years. Animosity is deeply ingrained in both cultures.

In Longsword, the worst consequences of this long, terrible history are being played out. Ponies treated little better than animals and Griffons reviled as killers and monsters. The whole tragic affair is no doubt soon to escalate and worsen, dragging everyone into an even messier whirlwind.

Yet, even as the country stands at precipice, the good of creatures can still shine through, illuminated under the glowing blue light of the pale moon.
---

Set in the Equestria at War universe, the popular mod for Hearts of Iron 4.

Take this as a (slightly belayed) Christmas story. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a splendid New Years!

Helmi Lehtisaari was one one lucky deer. Born to a family of wealthy fur traders, she was blessed with her own personal corporate fiefdom in the bitter permafrost of the city of Feslott near the Changeling border. She had all the reason in the world to live her life in luxury and peace among her brethren in a city where dawn and dusk melted together.

But underneath it all, she yearned for a blistering noon sun. A place both warmer in heat and hearts than the bone-chilling cold of her home.

Then one day, she ventured forth to fulfil her glimmering dream; fighting both family and her nation, making new friends and maybe escape a continent burning in its own flame.

Her journey would take months, but for Helmi, it all felt like one long day.

Her personal solstice.

This is an entry for the Equestria at War 2023 Writing Contest. Image: https://derpibooru.org/images/3131110?q=deer