“Yeeg,” Twilight said, tapping her pointing stick on her hoof. “I was honestly hoping this topic would lose, but, well, here we are, I guess. The problem is that, well, um, this topic is rather…”
“Complicated,” Applejack interjected. “There’s no way ya can say ‘ponies think this way’ or ‘ponies think that way’ when it comes ta bein’ spiritual. It’d be like sayin’ ‘ponies are orange.’”
Twilight rubbed her head. “Yeah, that about covers it. There is no one church or school of thought when it comes to ponies and religion. Our spiritual beliefs, especially the details, tend to be highly, highly local. There are, however, a few things I can say. One is that we do not have a set, single god like the gryphons or even a universal pantheon like the Zebra or Minotaurs. Another is that an awful lot of ponies have their beliefs tied to the seasons in some way, especially earth ponies.”
Applejack tilted her hat a bit. “Eeyup. Seasons are a big thing for ponies. Especially earth pony farmers. Each season feels different, and we can sense it in our hearts. Can move a pony ta tears if’n they think about it deep enough.”
“Right. I’ve attended some of the general celebrations they have in Ponyville with them, like Winter Wrap Up. The government-sponsored ones have to remain neutral with regards to the spiritual aspects, but local governments and Duchies are generally allowed to create holidays around more non-religious themes, like Hearts and Hooves Day. I’ve also read that many earth pony towns, especially small ones, will also have beliefs tied to local legends and spirits in particular. I found it all fascinating, as unicorns, especially those in large cities, tend to have a rather different view on things.”
Applejack chuckled a bit. “Kind of a fancy way of saying you’ve got your noses pointing in the air all the time.”
Twilight lifted a hoof up to her chest. “Applejack, I’m surprised at you! We aren’t all like that, and just because we regard the heavens as… Wait, you were making a joke on… Ah.”
The two ponies stared at each other for a while, with the farmer grinning like a cat and the mage looking like she’d just tossed an extremely itchy sweater in a corner and decided it was worthy of a glare.
“Took ya long enough ta get—OW!”
A small crack went through the air from the pointing stick hitting an earth pony skull. Neither were damaged, though one was at least a little embarrassed.
“No making awful jokes in my educational segments, Applejack. That’s my job.” She cleared her throat. “Ahem. Anyway, what my assistant was so poorly alluding to is that what unicorns that do have a spiritual side tend to look up at the sky for their inspiration. We see the cosmos itself as our ‘ultimate reality.’ Everything that is and is not, the sum total of the mysteries of our magical universe. And if you put two unicorns in a room and have them talk about it, you’re basically guaranteed to find some kind of disagreement or conflict within two minutes, even in a best-case scenario.”
Applejack rubbed her head where the stick had struck it. “Ow. Ow ow ow. Yer gettin’ strong with that, Twi. And I honestly can’t get how ya’ll can get that much meanin’ out of astrology. I mean, it’s pretty and all, but…”
“Astronomy, Applejack,” Twilight corrected her. “I study astronomy. That’s the study of the universe, not trying to divine meaning from the positioning of constellations. Although I will say you do bring up a good point, which is that unicorns are a bit more likely to believe in astrology and fate than other tribes. Exceptions, of course, abound, and many earth ponies and pegasi have their own superstitions. On top of that, there is a fairly large subset of unicorns in Shanghay, Marelaysia, and Neighpon that not only go for such things but include an even stronger focus on spirits than many earth ponies do. They’re also a bit more organized than many other ‘religions’ we ponies have.
“That said, I do not believe in such superstitions unless they’re attached to Pinkie Pie. Now, as for pegasi…”
“Speaking of pegasi," Applejack said. “Where’s Rainbow? Wasn’t she supposed to be here fer this?”
Twilight shook her head. “I asked her, but she turned it down pretty adamantly. I’m not really sure why, and she didn’t want to get into it, so I decided against pushing harder. Anyway, pegasi have a tendency to find even more meaning from their ancestry than unicorn nobles do, and unlike the other tribes, don’t tie much of their faith to seasons. Prayers are often said to dead forebearers, asking for guidance from an older generation rather than a specific deity or non-pony spirit, and will sometimes keep small mementos from them as a sort of good luck charm.
“One theory is that since pegasi live somewhat aggressively, and since their lifespans aren’t as long, the idea that those who have passed can protect the living is particularly appealing. Something to help keep calm in the face of greater dangers. I don’t know how much I buy into that, but I don’t have hard evidence to refute it either.”
Applejack shuddered a bit. “Let me guess. Since ya just talked about the ponies passing away, next up is the afterlife.”
Twilight nodded. “Yes. If you were coming from a perspective devoid of magic, one might think we’d have some kind of answer of what happens to our being after we die. But, the truth is, we just don’t truly know. Some have beliefs, but that doesn’t mean we have anything approaching hard evidence. Unlike the rest of our spiritual beliefs, though, this one has a common thread across tribal barriers, and Princess Celestia says the legend is even older than she is.”
Applejack swallowed. “The Summerlands. Endless grasses and water. No pain, no suffering. Never gettin’ frail or fallin’ ill. Room to run forever as part of the Eternal Herd. Peace everlastin’.”
Twilight took a deep, sharp breath, and slowly exhaled before continuing. “Right. It’s sometimes also called ‘The Eternal Meadow.’ I remember that when I first started studying under the Princess, I asked about it. She told me that nopony, not even she, ultimately knew if there was life after death. It’s still a mystery and one that we may never solve.”
“Well, I for one hope it’s true.” Applejack took off her hat and held it to her chest. “I have to. And it seems to me that if we’re all thinking the same thing, we might be onto something.”
“I hope so too, AJ. Well everybody, that about covers it for this installment. I’ll put up the voting board again and—”
“Wait a minute, there, sugarcube. Aren’t you going to talk about alicorns and—”
“No!” Twilight dropped her pointing stick, fumbling with it in her hooves a little. “I mean, not yet. That would come later and in a separate topic, thank Celest… Argh!”
Applejack smirked. “Heh.”
NEW TOPIC IN HIGHER POWER REVEALED!
NEW THREAD UNLOCKED! (Equestrian Politics)
==Pony Genetics==Stock Ponies and Draft Ponies
Tribe Hybrids
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==Magic Items==
Enchanted Objects
Cored Artifacts
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==Royal Guard Overview==
Senechals [LOCKED UNTIL: SOMETIME IN BLOCK 4]
Royal Guard [LOCKED UNTIL: SOMETIME IN BLOCK 4]
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==Equestrian Politics==
***** The Inner Council NOW UNLOCKED *****
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==Wings==
Wing types overview
Flight characteristics
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==Culture==
Languages
Technology Level
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==Higher Power==Pony spirituality
***** Alicorn worship [NOW REVEALED AND UNLOCKED!] *****
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Looking good as always, Cv! And my vote has changed to 'Enchanted Objects.' Because reasons.
Wings, cuz I wanna kick you flank about that
3957246
Cheater
Oh, such a hard choice. Magic items, because I really really want to know about Cored Artifacts and we need to get enchanted items out of the way first? Or Higher Power again for Alicorn-worship.
...
AAAAAAGH fine, I'll vote for Higher Power.
3957255
How am I a cheater?! I just happened to have some sort of magical insight and uber fast reading abilities! No cheats. I swear.
I cast my vote.
Well, "Alicorn worship" was what I wanted to hear about in this topic, so I guess that's my choice for the follow up.
3957263
You tripped my trap card! Alicornification! I multiply my vote times 20!
3957299
*Psst!* I want to read wing types too. I just like voting for things I know haven't been written. Just don't tell Cv that.
Alicorn worship!
This definitely has potential to be hilarious.
Tribe hybrids because... I'm different.
I wanted wings, but now I'm curious about alicorn worship, so...WINGS, please?
3957361
Your train of thought.. I like it!
3957343 I too, am curious about Tribal Hybrids. I would assume that this would include Cadance...
3957406 What with her being a winged unicorn and all, you should be correct. I'm also interested because of *classified* being *classified* and I want to know how it works.
Hmm... Languages would be an interesting concept
this^
Cv I have to level with ya, I laughed so hard I almost hurt myself at that line. As for my vote I wish to see Twilight squirm more it amuses me greatly, so that being said I vote for Alicorn worship! >=3
I'd like to see tribe hybrids next.
3957299 Not so Fast Conan I activate my Spell card Sandvich Spy! Now all of your votes are belonging to me!!!
I'll take flight characteristics for 500 please.
3957544 Wings thread, then? The topmost topic has to be covered first.
I'm honestly stunned people aren't voting for the Council one.
3957587
As interesting as that might be the chances for hilarious antics/embarrassment in some of the other threads likely make them more interesting and entertaining.
Cored Objects.
Languages, because I wanna see Technology Level. Though I am curious what reason you think zebras have to rhyme.
3957587
I think most of us are a bit drained re. political threads right now.
I vote for alicorn worship.
Regarding hybrids, and to a lesser extent wings, be prepared to deploy "Because Magic" as an excuse, because I know I'm not the only one who'll nitpick a handwaved-science explanation.
Alicorn worship!
Higher Power! I think we're all here because we like and/or are fascinated by alicorns. It's too big a carrot to pass up.
Aussi, c'est "allez". Impératif, deuxième personne pluriel.
3957972 For that typo, I blame how tired I was when I wrote it X)
I choose you tribe hybrids!
Alicorn worship would be interesting.
I shall vote for Enchanted Items
Alicorn worship! I must know more!
Technology Level would be my vote.
I also have to say that it feels like I just accomplished something in a video game after I read what was unlocked and so on.
I see a lot of votes for specific things but I was under the impression we were only voting for the category...
==Pony Genetics==
Alicorn worship because it makes Twilight “No!”
Still voting for Tribe Hybrids. Wanna see how their DNA works.
Tribe Hybrids. I wanna see how Cadence works.
Yeah, as entertaining as the alicorn worship should be, let's go with hybrids.
Then you shouldn't have offered it, silly filly. Oh well, you can always blame your author.
In any case, I like this take on pony spirituality. It's a personal thing, whether one finds inspiration in ancestors, seasons, stars, or something else. I'm honestly not surprised that Dash would opt out of this one, though it does make me wonder about the specific reason...
Regardless, let's go with Culture. That should be enlightening.
Hybrids with a side dish of alicorn worship for me, please.
Best parts
And my vote is for Languages, 'cause I want technological levels soon...
I'm going to put my vote in for Politics. I'm quite curious to see what this "Inner Council" is about.
And might I say that I think this idea here is a simply phenomenal method of audience interaction, as it strikes a great balance between audience-driven and author-driven topics.
AAAAALLLLicorn Worship.
.
..
...
Praise Celestia!
My vote is Higher Power / Alicorn Worship. Enjoyed this little update too!
Alicorn Worship
Alicorn worship. You should have known better than to avoid the topic, Twilight. Murphy is a wonderful shot, and you just painted a target on yourself.
3959230
Praise!
3958581
You leveled up!
3958735
And we technically are only voting for the category; some people just have specific things they want to learn about in whatever category, so they keep voting for that until such time as it's achieved.
I am deeply curious about Hybrids and Cadance, but I think I'm going to have to follow the majority and vote for the sure to be hilarious alicorn worship