Here's the post, and the edit. =3
NAME OF CREATURE/SPECIES: Arctic Sea Pony (Arctos Hippocampus)
DESCRIPTION OF HOW IT LOOKS: The ASP is of a bulky, yet sleek shape, looking like a rather large sea pony. Their size is due to the cold conditions they must endure; they store a great deal of blubber on their bodies during the wintertimes, and even have some blubber during the summer. They tend to be very muscular. Those born of a small size usually die very quickly; or are culled by the head of their Tribe. ASPs are very shaggy. Their fur is special in that it produces a type of wax that repels water to a degree and stores warmth, enabling them to live in the coldest of climates. One might consider them the Clydesdale of sea ponies, in that they are large, and shaggy. Their manes arn't long or beautiful, but instead stick straight up in bristles, (like a zebra) and usually are of a solid color. Their coat patterns are perhaps their most beautiful aspect. All are born with shocking, zig zaggy stripes akin to that of a zebra (or colorswirl) covering their entire body. Their muzzles, tips of fins, tips of ears, and manes are all usually the same color of their stripes. They don't have a wide range of colors; usually born with blacks and greys. Dark blues, greens, purples, reds, and other dark colors are also seen. However, colors other than those seen in their typical home are a rarity. Babies born with a color considered 'taboo' are usually culled instantly. No pony's pattern of stripes is the same. However, there are certain patterns that show up on occasion, they are assigned different meanings. (a dot under the eye, for example, is considered a sign that the pony has a 'great destiny' before them. More on this further down.) Their body structure is that of the typical sea pony, with the tiny fins, and long curling tail.
PLACE(S) WHERE IT LIVES: Far, far to the North of the island of Ponyland; where no well-respecting sea pony has ever ventured, lies a tiny island, completely made of ice, and anchored to the depths of the sea. Around and inside this island live the various Tribes of Arctic Sea Ponies. Atop the island lies mounds of snow, complete with tall, craggy peaks of ice, creating a desolate mountainscape. A few species survive on the land. These consist of penguins, the arctic fox, the lemming, the arctic hare, the polar bear, seals, and a few other species. However, as soon as one drops below the water level, one enters a magical, crystal world. The ice continues down to the bottom of the sea (where not even the Tribe Leaders venture), but it is mostly the upper levels that are inhabited. The ice of the island is riddled with holes, tunnels, and caverns, all underwater. Here, the Tribes make their homes, in a palace of underwater ice. They farm kelp from off of an underwater pleateu that is located about three minute's swim to the west of the island. Some tribes hunt fish. Their hunting grounds consist of the waters to the east of the island.
The island consists of four levels.
Wasteland: The word for the part of the island that is above water. The Tribes do not communicate with any species that live on land, nor do they study anything about the land. It is merely known to the Sea Ponies as inhabitable. Mothers tell their young that monsters from the Wasteland will come and eat them if they misbehave. These stories hold a note of truth; Polar Bears will, on occasion, hunt young ASPs, though they usually prey only on seals.
Heart of the Mother Ice: Usually just called the 'Heart'. This is the level just below the Wasteland. It ranges from a few meters below the water, down to where the light begins to dim. There is no exact borderline between this level and Middleground. It's just usually an inbred sense, one 'knows' when they've crossed the boundary. This level is the most inhabited level. It consists of all the accepted Tribes. The facets of the ice capture the light that permeates these waters, making the Ice seem to glow constantly. It is a beautiful place to live.
Middleground: Where the water gets dark, and it becomes hard to see, though there is still a little bit of lighting. Since there is little light to capture, the facets of Ice reflect little light, and glow only dimly, with a spooky sort of light. This is where the 'miscreants' and 'outcasts' live, the ponies that have done something not grave enough to earn death, but grave enough to be cast out of their Tribe. The ponies that live here are far more intelligent and independent. Most of them have been cast out merely for questioning the Elder's way of doing things. However, there are quite a few 'evil' ponies that lurk down there, those whom have been sent down on charges of physical harassment, theft, or something else as equally unwanted. It's dangerous for young ponies. Mothers warn their children against going down there. Young, headstrong ponies looking to prove themselves often take a dare of swimming down and touching the ice of the top of the Middlegrounds.
Forbidden Darkness: None dare venture to this level; and those that do, never come back. This level begins where light can no longer reach the depths. The ice does not glow, but other things do... And the things that do glow usually prey upon ponies. It is completely pitch black, penatrated only on occasion by a sort of creature that emits it's own light. The pressure is emmense, a pony could only go into this level so far before the pressure becomes to great and they 'pop'. Only one pony has ever dared this level; and made it back out alive. However, he was screamingly insane, ranting about 'the big one' and 'giant mouth'. He caused quite a stir of unrest among the ponies of the Heart, and the Elders had him 'mercifully executed'.
CONNECTION(S) TO OTHER EOD SPECIES (if any): None, so far. The Tribes of the ASPs tend to be hostile, and any sea pony who's ventured this far north would, in all likelihood, have been put to death immideately. The Tribes are unaware of any sort of species beside themselves. The Tribe Elders, however, have pieced together information of an island far to the south of their home, with ponies that are brightly colored, and walk about freely on the land... However, their information is all outdated, and mostly based on suspicion, rather than fact. They keep any information partaining to the ponies of the south to themselves. Any unlucky Tribe member found asking too many questions about the colored ponies, or spreading stories about them, is put to death on account of 'High Treason'.
POWERS (If any): The ASPs have an amazing endurance for the cold. They've developed an imperviousness to freezing. Also, it seems that they are immune to attacks of ice and coldness generated by other ponies. eg. If you're an Weathermage concentrating on Ice, you can't do anything to them with you're attacks. Also, they have a unique talent for beautiful singing of all kinds. Their vocal cords have developed slightly differently from other ponies, and as such, they can produce sounds that no other ponies can produce. ASPs can sing notes so low/high, that other ponies (those not trained to hear these noises, eg. non-ASPs) can't hear them. These noises can also be used in an offensive manner, as some of them, though unheard, revibrate through the nerves of the system. A talented Singer can knock a fully grown Polar Bear unconcious for hours. They use these songs for many different things, depending on their Tribe, personality, or desire. Some use the song to help the kelp grow, others to herd or kill fish, some to find their way through uncharted waters. All together, song is a VERY important part of life for the ASPs. A pony who cannot sing is as good as dead to the Tribes. Their voices are a deviation of echolocation. They've developed their own language based off of this, which is a rough deviation of regular Sea Pony language. Their language is limited, because their knowledge is limited. For example, they don't have a sound for 'mushroom'. They do, however, have seventeen different sounds for ice, all with a slightly different meaning.
In terms for magical powers, all ASPs are born with an inherent ability for 'weaving'. 'Weaving' is the bringing together and binding of magical threads through the power of song. These threads are invisible, but all ASPs can 'feel' them, aka. sense where another has laid magic. They have high magical perception; including spells wrought by other types of ponies too.
ASPs songs are sort of like a PODs individual inherited powers. No power is typically the same unless it's inherited through family bloodlines, and one can feel free to get rather creative with the different sorts of powers. The most common ability would be the ability to wield ice or water-based attacks/defenses/ect. Another ability would be to charm animals. Another to control the growth of plants, which could also be used in an offensive or defensive manner. The same limitations apply to ASPs as to PODs, one can't have an overly-excessive amount of powers, and one's power can't be overly omniponent. ASPs typically are born with ONE vocal power. If a pony who can summon ice sung a song for calming fish, nothing would happen; and vice versa. On rare occasion, ponies are born with more than one vocal power. On even RARER occasion comes a 'Singer of All Songs'; one who can LEARN more than one power. These usually end up as the next Tribe Elder, or killed by the current Tribe Elder, who doesn't want any competition.
With their larger mass, ASPs tend to be much stronger than regular sea ponies. They're also hardier in general, but this can also depend on the personality of a pony.
LIMITATIONS/WEAKNESSES(must have at least one): Though they are excellent with the cold, they're horrible with heat. When encountering warmer temperatures, most would become rather sick and queasy; potentially dying from heatstroke. They consider Arctic summers hot. During the Arctic summer, they tend to keep away from the surface. They relocate to the lower section of the 'Heart' in order to keep as cool as possible. While it would be possible for one of these ponies to live in the waters of Ponyland, it would take them quite a while to adapt. However, even a fully adapted ASP would still be incredibly weak against fire and heat.
As for powers, the ASPs have lower magical capability in some areas, but higher in others. The areas they wouldn't be able to learn magic in would be fire elemental, lightning elemental, and MOST LIKELY druid, depending on how long they've been under the influence of their home culture.
Since their diets have consisted purely of kelp, or occasionally fish, they would get sick when first encountering food variations. Their bodies are designed to run only on these kinds of foods, and they'd go into toxic shock if they consumed too much rich food if they've never eaten it before.
Though they are stronger, ASPs arn't as fast as the typical sea pony. They can be quick, but in a short-distance race, they don't stand a chance.
Another ill trait (though it can be overcome) would be the culture shock. The ASPs are rather primitive and strict. Strict rules are needed for their harsh way of life, and as such, when introduced to a slightly looser society, they'd be rather confused. They can come off as rude, arrogant, and impolite. They tend to have quick tempers, and don't hesitate to jump into a fight. Once again, this is a general approximation. Personalities can deviate.
OTHER: The ASPs also engage in a form of dancing; which involves swimming downwards, then rocketing upwards towards the surface at a fast pace in a corkscrewing motion, twining their bodies about gracefully. The dance's peak is when the pony breaks the surface, which is usually accopmanied by a flip, trick, or triumphant burst of song. Once they hit the water again, they merely allow themselves to slowly sink; then dart downwards and repeat the whole process. The whole thing is usually accompanied by different kinds of song. Ponies can dance solos, but this form of dancing is usually done in groups, usually in ones Tribe. A duet is also popular, and a way of courtship. The male and female corkscrew around each other as they go upwards, singing their love for their mate. This duet is usually seen in the Spring season, which is Courting season for the ASPs. Tribe dances can be done at anytime. Often, the Tribe will take a break in the middle of each day to dance with each other. This dancing is a form of game. The dance in general can appear in many different forms, depending on the song sung with it. It can be for fun, for love, for formality, to mourn, to celebrate, the list goes on. Once a year, all the Tribes gather together under the Tribe Elder and perform one giant dance, which lasts all day. This is a joyous festivity, celebrated with an abundance of food, song, and laughter.
A solo dance deviates from the typical dance. It involves slow, graceful swaying and twirling, twisting ones body in elegant ways and allowing oneself to imitate the ocean. It is quite a sight to see, and other ASPs watch in awed silence; the only sound being the sole voice of the dancer. This dance can make one feel many different emotions, and differs, depending on what the dancer is dancing for. There is usually a peak, in which the dancer typically will make a leap out of the water, though it is much more soulfully done than the wild leaps of Tribe dancing. Typically, females are the only ponies whom indulge in solo dancing. Solo dancing is quite often used as a form of seduction for the female to attract the male she wishes to have as her mate; though it is also used as an art form, and for mourning, and so on. A good solo dancer is valued highly among the Tribes, and often given a position of power admist the individual Tribe.
Document Submission-Place/Area/Group
NAME OF AREA/GROUP: Arctic Sea Pony Tribes
WHERE IS IT (OR THEY) LOCATED: Faaar faar to the north of Ponyland. A place called 'Ice Island'.
ORGANIZATION
TYPE OF GOVERNMENT: Pateriarchal Society, Communist-ish.
DESCRIPTION OF GOVERNMENT (rules of play, how the government works etc.): A Tribe would be a small grouping, consisting of families, bound by blood or marriage. Tribes are usually composed of females, their young, the mates of the females, and the Tribe Leader. The largest Tribe would consist of about fifteen ponies, not including the young'uns. Baby ponies are raised in their Tribe until they reach the age of 11, when they are considered an adult. They can then attend Tribe Meetings and such. Usually, once they reach adulthood, males will leave their Tribe. They then become loners, and typically band with other males in bachlor pods. Once they reach the age of 13, they usually split up, seek a mate, and form their own Tribe. The female usually leaves her Tribe and joins the male's, though exceptions do occur. Ponies always marry out of their Tribe to prevent inbreeding. There is no such thing as an arranged marriage. The male typically courts the female for a period of time. If she doesn't wish to court back, the male is driven off by the Tribe Leader of the female's Tribe. If she does return his affection, they'll usually be mated after a year of courtship. Each Tribe has a Tribe Leader, whom is always the strongest male. Tribe Leadership either is passed on from father to son, from father to next male heir, or by battle. If a male wishes to challenge another for his right as Tribe Leader, they fight to the death. The winner becomes the Tribe Leader, and also inherits the mate of the previous Tribe Leader. If the previous Tribe Leader has any young children, they are culled if he so wishes. However, if the male challenging the Tribe Leader already has a mate (which rarely happens; challenges are usually issued by young, headstrong mateless males), the mate of the former Tribe Leader becomes a widow, and her children are allowed to live on as part of the tribe. Tribes do different things, depending on the way they were raised. Some Tribes farm kelp. Some hunt fish. Some are trained in combat, for protecting the other Tribes. All together, the Tribes work to benefit the greater good of all the Tribes combined. At the end of the day, all those of the Tribe old enough to do their chosen profession (eg. farm/hunt/fight) meet in the 'Central Cavern' of the 'Heart'. There, the Tribes socialize and eat. After everyone has fed, the Tribes all go to their assigned sections of the 'Central Cavern' and wait quietly. The Tribe Elder; who presides over all the Tribes (his word is law) then speaks to all the Tribes. His speech varies depending on circumstances, but is usually encouragement and a grave lecture about avoiding the temptations of sin. After he's (Tribe Elder is always a male) finished his speech, all the Tribe Leaders take the central dais one by one, and report on the activities for their Tribe for that particular day. This includes births, deaths, how many fish they caught, how well the kelp is growing, ect. After this, all the Tribe Leaders and the Tribe Elder go to the 'Council Room' to receive instruction from the Tribe Elder. The Tribes stay in the 'Central Cavern' and socialize some more. This can range from polite chat about work to challenges- when two sea ponies disagree. They publicly announce their disagreement, then duke it out one on one in the central dais. This fight is not to the death, and usually only results in some cuts and bruised pride. After the Tribe Elder is done meeting with the Leaders, the Leaders go to their respective Tribes and lead them to their sleeping quarters. The Tribes all sleep together in one room, curled about one another for warmth. Before going to bed, the Tribe Leader tells the Tribe a basis of what the Tribe Elder has said they must work on amongst the Tribe. They wake up early in the morning, and repeat their day.
While ASPs mate for life, the Tribe Elder is entitled to any unmated female of his choosing. He can have as many mates as he wants, on the principle that the Tribe Elder will produce excellent blood. He doesn't have to court the female, all he needs to do is give the word and she belongs to him. The position of Tribe Elder is passed down from Elder to Elder. If the Tribe Elder notices a youth with the qualities of an Elder, he will adopt the youth (the parents must give up any claims on their son) and begin training him in the ways of becoming the next Tribe Elder. When the standing Tribe Elder dies, the next one takes over. Since the Tribe Elders are usually well cared for, an Elder in training will not usually become Tribe Elder until he is quite old; hence the name 'Elder'. As such, the current Tribe Elder has reigned for many, many years. The Elder's word is law, and he has the power to do whatever he wants. This power has ingrained a sense of corruption into the ASPs, and the current government is quite corrupt.
There are small rogue pods that occasionally roam the outskirts of the Norther Ocean or the Middlegrounds. These consist of ponies who have been cast out from the Tribes. They are looked down upon, and not talked of. Once they have been banned from the Tribes, they no longer exist.
LAWS (if any): The following are the current set of laws. Laws tend to change, from Tribe Elder to Tribe Elder, but usually follow a basic outline.
1. Your Tribe Elder's word is law.
2. Kill or be killed.
3. Weakness is not tolerated.
4. The good of one's Tribe before the good of oneself.
5. Strive to promote the Greater Good.
6. Do not enter the Forbidden Darkness.
7. Do not associate with Outcasts- they only seek to harm and corrupt.
8. Indulge not in sin. (A generalized statement- it basically expands to include the unwritten rules.)
9. Protect and respect the Mother Ice.
10. Be truthful to your Tribe Leader and Elder.
11. Kill those born into evil. (Those born with negative birthmarks. Explained further down.)
CULTURAL DISTINCTIONS (language, holidays, taboos..etc.):
Birthmarks are extremely important to the ASPs. There are a set list of birthmarks, all with positive or negative supersticions attatched to them. Babies born with good birthmarks are loved and spoiled, those with negative birthmarks are either banished, looked down upon, or killed.
*NOTE: Babies born with any of the following traits; positive and negative; are RARE. There is not a myriad of solid blue ponies swimming about killing fish. *3*
Positives
Black/White/not color of stripes or base Dot under both eyes: The pony born with this mark is supposedly fated to do something important and great- it is a foreteller of destiny, according to the beliefs of the ASPs. Babies born this way are publicly announced and blessed by the Tribe Elder, then passed around the Tribes to be admired. The parents are given high honor, and recieve gifts and praise. This is the highest honored mark. Regardless of Tribe, a baby born this way is instantly given to the Tribe Elder to raise. If the baby is a male, the Tribe Elder raises him as his next sucessor. If the baby is female, the Tribe Elder raises her to be his number one mate.
Muzzle/fin/mane of a different color than stripes: Babies born with a mane/muzzle/fin that is a different color than the stripes or base color they have are considered to be lucky. It is believed that they will spread their luck around them, and their Tribe will be lucky henceforth as well.
Solid Color (no stripes); White: Babies born without any stripes, and with a base color of white are believed to be prophets. It is believed that a greater being smiles upon them, and that they will grow up to be both wise and powerful. Babies born this way are publicly announced and blessed by the Tribe Elder, then passed around the Tribes to be admired, then returned to the proud parents; whom are showered with gifts and praise.
Solid Color; Blue: Babies born without any stripes and with a base color of blue are believed to grow up to be good hunters. Babies born this way are usually given to a hunting Tribe to be raised.
Solid Color; Green: These ponies are considered to be excellent farmers. They are usually given to a farming Tribe to be raised.
Solid Color White; Blue Eyes: Babies with a solid color of white with blue eyes are considered to be holy. Regardless of Tribe, a baby born this way is instantly given to the Tribe Elder to raise. If the baby is a male, the Tribe Elder raises him as his next sucessor. If the baby is female, the Tribe Elder raises her to be his mate. THIS IS INCREDIBLY RARE. Blue eyes are unheard of among the ASPs, period. There is only one recorded case of a baby being born with blue eyes, that baby became the third Tribal Elder; and was coincidentally white. He proclaimed his colorization to be incredibly holy, and any babies born henceforth should also be treated as such.
Blue Eyes: Blue eyes are considered to be a sign of intelligence and leadership in a pony. Once again, this was started by the third Tribe Elder. Babies born with blue eyes are to be publicly announced by the current Tribe Elder.
Negative
Cross Marks: When two stripes on any part of the body intersect, forming an 'X'. This is considered to be a sign of badness, which varies in intensity, depending on the location of the cross.
Head
A cross on any part of the head is considered to be extremely unlucky. The baby is either abandoned, or raised rather quickly, then cast out as soon as they reach an age where they can fend for themselves. On occasion, a Tribe will keep the baby, but this is frowned upon by other Tribes.
Tail
A cross on any section of the tail of the Sea Pony supposedly means the child will grow up to be lazy and weak. The child will be raised harshly, and cast out as quickly as possible if they don't pull their weight. Tribes are much stricter with a pony bearing this marking. They don't get second chances.
Chest
This is the worst of all. If a child has two large stripes forming a cross directly in the center of their chest, they are considered to be evil. It is believed that those born with this marking have no heart, and are instead empty shells, posessed and manipulated by a demon of some sort. It is considered 'merciful' to 'save' the child from it's miserable life as a demonic slave. The only way to free the child is to kill it. The body is then cast down into the Forbidden Darkness as a sacrifice to ward off more evil.
Solid Body; Black: A baby born solidly black is considered to be unlucky to the extreme. They are a sign of bad things to come; bringing 'doom' upon all those close to the baby. The baby will immideately killed, and the mother and father of the baby will be looked down upon and demoted in rank. In extreme cases, the father and mother may be banished; killed; or casterated so that they can never bear/father children again.
Bright Stripes: A baby born with stripes other than that of black, white, grey, or other dark colors is considered a mutation, or a form of disease. It is believed that during the conception process, an evil spirit somehow poisoned the growing baby. Babies born with these are pitied and killed; because bright stripes supposedly mean the baby will bring death and sickness into the Tribe. In the recorded history of the ASPs (which goes back a LOOONG time), there have only been six cases of this.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CHARACTER RESTRICTIONS (if any):
I don't want a huuuuge amount of these ponies yet... Remember, they havn't even heard of the regular ponies. They think the entire world consists of water and their island of ice. It would be dumb if suddenly a huge group of them stumbled upon Ponyland. I was thinking a new RP board could be created for them? A deviation of Ponyland, perhaps, or somewhere else. And then maybe one or two outcasts could stumble upon Ponyland or Rainbow Dreams or something... Or maybe the other way around, maybe an adventurous Sea Pony could swim north and meet up with some outcasts! In any case, lets keep the pony/ASP interaction low for now? Eventually, of course, they can be discovered and we can let the resulting political chaos insue... But for now, it's an undiscovered nation?
If this gets accepted, I already have a character all planned out... ^.^;;
OTHER (anything else):
Let's hear some suggestions/ideas on this! I wanna know what people think... Would anyone be willing to RP a character from this nation?
NAME OF CREATURE/SPECIES: Arctic Sea Pony (Arctos Hippocampus)
DESCRIPTION OF HOW IT LOOKS: The ASP is of a bulky, yet sleek shape, looking like a rather large sea pony. Their size is due to the cold conditions they must endure; they store a great deal of blubber on their bodies during the wintertimes, and even have some blubber during the summer. They tend to be very muscular. Those born of a small size usually die very quickly; or are culled by the head of their Tribe. ASPs are very shaggy. Their fur is special in that it produces a type of wax that repels water to a degree and stores warmth, enabling them to live in the coldest of climates. One might consider them the Clydesdale of sea ponies, in that they are large, and shaggy. Their manes arn't long or beautiful, but instead stick straight up in bristles, (like a zebra) and usually are of a solid color. Their coat patterns are perhaps their most beautiful aspect. All are born with shocking, zig zaggy stripes akin to that of a zebra (or colorswirl) covering their entire body. Their muzzles, tips of fins, tips of ears, and manes are all usually the same color of their stripes. They don't have a wide range of colors; usually born with blacks and greys. Dark blues, greens, purples, reds, and other dark colors are also seen. However, colors other than those seen in their typical home are a rarity. Babies born with a color considered 'taboo' are usually culled instantly. No pony's pattern of stripes is the same. However, there are certain patterns that show up on occasion, they are assigned different meanings. (a dot under the eye, for example, is considered a sign that the pony has a 'great destiny' before them. More on this further down.) Their body structure is that of the typical sea pony, with the tiny fins, and long curling tail.
PLACE(S) WHERE IT LIVES: Far, far to the North of the island of Ponyland; where no well-respecting sea pony has ever ventured, lies a tiny island, completely made of ice, and anchored to the depths of the sea. Around and inside this island live the various Tribes of Arctic Sea Ponies. Atop the island lies mounds of snow, complete with tall, craggy peaks of ice, creating a desolate mountainscape. A few species survive on the land. These consist of penguins, the arctic fox, the lemming, the arctic hare, the polar bear, seals, and a few other species. However, as soon as one drops below the water level, one enters a magical, crystal world. The ice continues down to the bottom of the sea (where not even the Tribe Leaders venture), but it is mostly the upper levels that are inhabited. The ice of the island is riddled with holes, tunnels, and caverns, all underwater. Here, the Tribes make their homes, in a palace of underwater ice. They farm kelp from off of an underwater pleateu that is located about three minute's swim to the west of the island. Some tribes hunt fish. Their hunting grounds consist of the waters to the east of the island.
The island consists of four levels.
Wasteland: The word for the part of the island that is above water. The Tribes do not communicate with any species that live on land, nor do they study anything about the land. It is merely known to the Sea Ponies as inhabitable. Mothers tell their young that monsters from the Wasteland will come and eat them if they misbehave. These stories hold a note of truth; Polar Bears will, on occasion, hunt young ASPs, though they usually prey only on seals.
Heart of the Mother Ice: Usually just called the 'Heart'. This is the level just below the Wasteland. It ranges from a few meters below the water, down to where the light begins to dim. There is no exact borderline between this level and Middleground. It's just usually an inbred sense, one 'knows' when they've crossed the boundary. This level is the most inhabited level. It consists of all the accepted Tribes. The facets of the ice capture the light that permeates these waters, making the Ice seem to glow constantly. It is a beautiful place to live.
Middleground: Where the water gets dark, and it becomes hard to see, though there is still a little bit of lighting. Since there is little light to capture, the facets of Ice reflect little light, and glow only dimly, with a spooky sort of light. This is where the 'miscreants' and 'outcasts' live, the ponies that have done something not grave enough to earn death, but grave enough to be cast out of their Tribe. The ponies that live here are far more intelligent and independent. Most of them have been cast out merely for questioning the Elder's way of doing things. However, there are quite a few 'evil' ponies that lurk down there, those whom have been sent down on charges of physical harassment, theft, or something else as equally unwanted. It's dangerous for young ponies. Mothers warn their children against going down there. Young, headstrong ponies looking to prove themselves often take a dare of swimming down and touching the ice of the top of the Middlegrounds.
Forbidden Darkness: None dare venture to this level; and those that do, never come back. This level begins where light can no longer reach the depths. The ice does not glow, but other things do... And the things that do glow usually prey upon ponies. It is completely pitch black, penatrated only on occasion by a sort of creature that emits it's own light. The pressure is emmense, a pony could only go into this level so far before the pressure becomes to great and they 'pop'. Only one pony has ever dared this level; and made it back out alive. However, he was screamingly insane, ranting about 'the big one' and 'giant mouth'. He caused quite a stir of unrest among the ponies of the Heart, and the Elders had him 'mercifully executed'.
CONNECTION(S) TO OTHER EOD SPECIES (if any): None, so far. The Tribes of the ASPs tend to be hostile, and any sea pony who's ventured this far north would, in all likelihood, have been put to death immideately. The Tribes are unaware of any sort of species beside themselves. The Tribe Elders, however, have pieced together information of an island far to the south of their home, with ponies that are brightly colored, and walk about freely on the land... However, their information is all outdated, and mostly based on suspicion, rather than fact. They keep any information partaining to the ponies of the south to themselves. Any unlucky Tribe member found asking too many questions about the colored ponies, or spreading stories about them, is put to death on account of 'High Treason'.
POWERS (If any): The ASPs have an amazing endurance for the cold. They've developed an imperviousness to freezing. Also, it seems that they are immune to attacks of ice and coldness generated by other ponies. eg. If you're an Weathermage concentrating on Ice, you can't do anything to them with you're attacks. Also, they have a unique talent for beautiful singing of all kinds. Their vocal cords have developed slightly differently from other ponies, and as such, they can produce sounds that no other ponies can produce. ASPs can sing notes so low/high, that other ponies (those not trained to hear these noises, eg. non-ASPs) can't hear them. These noises can also be used in an offensive manner, as some of them, though unheard, revibrate through the nerves of the system. A talented Singer can knock a fully grown Polar Bear unconcious for hours. They use these songs for many different things, depending on their Tribe, personality, or desire. Some use the song to help the kelp grow, others to herd or kill fish, some to find their way through uncharted waters. All together, song is a VERY important part of life for the ASPs. A pony who cannot sing is as good as dead to the Tribes. Their voices are a deviation of echolocation. They've developed their own language based off of this, which is a rough deviation of regular Sea Pony language. Their language is limited, because their knowledge is limited. For example, they don't have a sound for 'mushroom'. They do, however, have seventeen different sounds for ice, all with a slightly different meaning.
In terms for magical powers, all ASPs are born with an inherent ability for 'weaving'. 'Weaving' is the bringing together and binding of magical threads through the power of song. These threads are invisible, but all ASPs can 'feel' them, aka. sense where another has laid magic. They have high magical perception; including spells wrought by other types of ponies too.
ASPs songs are sort of like a PODs individual inherited powers. No power is typically the same unless it's inherited through family bloodlines, and one can feel free to get rather creative with the different sorts of powers. The most common ability would be the ability to wield ice or water-based attacks/defenses/ect. Another ability would be to charm animals. Another to control the growth of plants, which could also be used in an offensive or defensive manner. The same limitations apply to ASPs as to PODs, one can't have an overly-excessive amount of powers, and one's power can't be overly omniponent. ASPs typically are born with ONE vocal power. If a pony who can summon ice sung a song for calming fish, nothing would happen; and vice versa. On rare occasion, ponies are born with more than one vocal power. On even RARER occasion comes a 'Singer of All Songs'; one who can LEARN more than one power. These usually end up as the next Tribe Elder, or killed by the current Tribe Elder, who doesn't want any competition.
With their larger mass, ASPs tend to be much stronger than regular sea ponies. They're also hardier in general, but this can also depend on the personality of a pony.
LIMITATIONS/WEAKNESSES(must have at least one): Though they are excellent with the cold, they're horrible with heat. When encountering warmer temperatures, most would become rather sick and queasy; potentially dying from heatstroke. They consider Arctic summers hot. During the Arctic summer, they tend to keep away from the surface. They relocate to the lower section of the 'Heart' in order to keep as cool as possible. While it would be possible for one of these ponies to live in the waters of Ponyland, it would take them quite a while to adapt. However, even a fully adapted ASP would still be incredibly weak against fire and heat.
As for powers, the ASPs have lower magical capability in some areas, but higher in others. The areas they wouldn't be able to learn magic in would be fire elemental, lightning elemental, and MOST LIKELY druid, depending on how long they've been under the influence of their home culture.
Since their diets have consisted purely of kelp, or occasionally fish, they would get sick when first encountering food variations. Their bodies are designed to run only on these kinds of foods, and they'd go into toxic shock if they consumed too much rich food if they've never eaten it before.
Though they are stronger, ASPs arn't as fast as the typical sea pony. They can be quick, but in a short-distance race, they don't stand a chance.
Another ill trait (though it can be overcome) would be the culture shock. The ASPs are rather primitive and strict. Strict rules are needed for their harsh way of life, and as such, when introduced to a slightly looser society, they'd be rather confused. They can come off as rude, arrogant, and impolite. They tend to have quick tempers, and don't hesitate to jump into a fight. Once again, this is a general approximation. Personalities can deviate.
OTHER: The ASPs also engage in a form of dancing; which involves swimming downwards, then rocketing upwards towards the surface at a fast pace in a corkscrewing motion, twining their bodies about gracefully. The dance's peak is when the pony breaks the surface, which is usually accopmanied by a flip, trick, or triumphant burst of song. Once they hit the water again, they merely allow themselves to slowly sink; then dart downwards and repeat the whole process. The whole thing is usually accompanied by different kinds of song. Ponies can dance solos, but this form of dancing is usually done in groups, usually in ones Tribe. A duet is also popular, and a way of courtship. The male and female corkscrew around each other as they go upwards, singing their love for their mate. This duet is usually seen in the Spring season, which is Courting season for the ASPs. Tribe dances can be done at anytime. Often, the Tribe will take a break in the middle of each day to dance with each other. This dancing is a form of game. The dance in general can appear in many different forms, depending on the song sung with it. It can be for fun, for love, for formality, to mourn, to celebrate, the list goes on. Once a year, all the Tribes gather together under the Tribe Elder and perform one giant dance, which lasts all day. This is a joyous festivity, celebrated with an abundance of food, song, and laughter.
A solo dance deviates from the typical dance. It involves slow, graceful swaying and twirling, twisting ones body in elegant ways and allowing oneself to imitate the ocean. It is quite a sight to see, and other ASPs watch in awed silence; the only sound being the sole voice of the dancer. This dance can make one feel many different emotions, and differs, depending on what the dancer is dancing for. There is usually a peak, in which the dancer typically will make a leap out of the water, though it is much more soulfully done than the wild leaps of Tribe dancing. Typically, females are the only ponies whom indulge in solo dancing. Solo dancing is quite often used as a form of seduction for the female to attract the male she wishes to have as her mate; though it is also used as an art form, and for mourning, and so on. A good solo dancer is valued highly among the Tribes, and often given a position of power admist the individual Tribe.
Document Submission-Place/Area/Group
NAME OF AREA/GROUP: Arctic Sea Pony Tribes
WHERE IS IT (OR THEY) LOCATED: Faaar faar to the north of Ponyland. A place called 'Ice Island'.
ORGANIZATION
TYPE OF GOVERNMENT: Pateriarchal Society, Communist-ish.
DESCRIPTION OF GOVERNMENT (rules of play, how the government works etc.): A Tribe would be a small grouping, consisting of families, bound by blood or marriage. Tribes are usually composed of females, their young, the mates of the females, and the Tribe Leader. The largest Tribe would consist of about fifteen ponies, not including the young'uns. Baby ponies are raised in their Tribe until they reach the age of 11, when they are considered an adult. They can then attend Tribe Meetings and such. Usually, once they reach adulthood, males will leave their Tribe. They then become loners, and typically band with other males in bachlor pods. Once they reach the age of 13, they usually split up, seek a mate, and form their own Tribe. The female usually leaves her Tribe and joins the male's, though exceptions do occur. Ponies always marry out of their Tribe to prevent inbreeding. There is no such thing as an arranged marriage. The male typically courts the female for a period of time. If she doesn't wish to court back, the male is driven off by the Tribe Leader of the female's Tribe. If she does return his affection, they'll usually be mated after a year of courtship. Each Tribe has a Tribe Leader, whom is always the strongest male. Tribe Leadership either is passed on from father to son, from father to next male heir, or by battle. If a male wishes to challenge another for his right as Tribe Leader, they fight to the death. The winner becomes the Tribe Leader, and also inherits the mate of the previous Tribe Leader. If the previous Tribe Leader has any young children, they are culled if he so wishes. However, if the male challenging the Tribe Leader already has a mate (which rarely happens; challenges are usually issued by young, headstrong mateless males), the mate of the former Tribe Leader becomes a widow, and her children are allowed to live on as part of the tribe. Tribes do different things, depending on the way they were raised. Some Tribes farm kelp. Some hunt fish. Some are trained in combat, for protecting the other Tribes. All together, the Tribes work to benefit the greater good of all the Tribes combined. At the end of the day, all those of the Tribe old enough to do their chosen profession (eg. farm/hunt/fight) meet in the 'Central Cavern' of the 'Heart'. There, the Tribes socialize and eat. After everyone has fed, the Tribes all go to their assigned sections of the 'Central Cavern' and wait quietly. The Tribe Elder; who presides over all the Tribes (his word is law) then speaks to all the Tribes. His speech varies depending on circumstances, but is usually encouragement and a grave lecture about avoiding the temptations of sin. After he's (Tribe Elder is always a male) finished his speech, all the Tribe Leaders take the central dais one by one, and report on the activities for their Tribe for that particular day. This includes births, deaths, how many fish they caught, how well the kelp is growing, ect. After this, all the Tribe Leaders and the Tribe Elder go to the 'Council Room' to receive instruction from the Tribe Elder. The Tribes stay in the 'Central Cavern' and socialize some more. This can range from polite chat about work to challenges- when two sea ponies disagree. They publicly announce their disagreement, then duke it out one on one in the central dais. This fight is not to the death, and usually only results in some cuts and bruised pride. After the Tribe Elder is done meeting with the Leaders, the Leaders go to their respective Tribes and lead them to their sleeping quarters. The Tribes all sleep together in one room, curled about one another for warmth. Before going to bed, the Tribe Leader tells the Tribe a basis of what the Tribe Elder has said they must work on amongst the Tribe. They wake up early in the morning, and repeat their day.
While ASPs mate for life, the Tribe Elder is entitled to any unmated female of his choosing. He can have as many mates as he wants, on the principle that the Tribe Elder will produce excellent blood. He doesn't have to court the female, all he needs to do is give the word and she belongs to him. The position of Tribe Elder is passed down from Elder to Elder. If the Tribe Elder notices a youth with the qualities of an Elder, he will adopt the youth (the parents must give up any claims on their son) and begin training him in the ways of becoming the next Tribe Elder. When the standing Tribe Elder dies, the next one takes over. Since the Tribe Elders are usually well cared for, an Elder in training will not usually become Tribe Elder until he is quite old; hence the name 'Elder'. As such, the current Tribe Elder has reigned for many, many years. The Elder's word is law, and he has the power to do whatever he wants. This power has ingrained a sense of corruption into the ASPs, and the current government is quite corrupt.
There are small rogue pods that occasionally roam the outskirts of the Norther Ocean or the Middlegrounds. These consist of ponies who have been cast out from the Tribes. They are looked down upon, and not talked of. Once they have been banned from the Tribes, they no longer exist.
LAWS (if any): The following are the current set of laws. Laws tend to change, from Tribe Elder to Tribe Elder, but usually follow a basic outline.
1. Your Tribe Elder's word is law.
2. Kill or be killed.
3. Weakness is not tolerated.
4. The good of one's Tribe before the good of oneself.
5. Strive to promote the Greater Good.
6. Do not enter the Forbidden Darkness.
7. Do not associate with Outcasts- they only seek to harm and corrupt.
8. Indulge not in sin. (A generalized statement- it basically expands to include the unwritten rules.)
9. Protect and respect the Mother Ice.
10. Be truthful to your Tribe Leader and Elder.
11. Kill those born into evil. (Those born with negative birthmarks. Explained further down.)
CULTURAL DISTINCTIONS (language, holidays, taboos..etc.):
Birthmarks are extremely important to the ASPs. There are a set list of birthmarks, all with positive or negative supersticions attatched to them. Babies born with good birthmarks are loved and spoiled, those with negative birthmarks are either banished, looked down upon, or killed.
*NOTE: Babies born with any of the following traits; positive and negative; are RARE. There is not a myriad of solid blue ponies swimming about killing fish. *3*
Positives
Black/White/not color of stripes or base Dot under both eyes: The pony born with this mark is supposedly fated to do something important and great- it is a foreteller of destiny, according to the beliefs of the ASPs. Babies born this way are publicly announced and blessed by the Tribe Elder, then passed around the Tribes to be admired. The parents are given high honor, and recieve gifts and praise. This is the highest honored mark. Regardless of Tribe, a baby born this way is instantly given to the Tribe Elder to raise. If the baby is a male, the Tribe Elder raises him as his next sucessor. If the baby is female, the Tribe Elder raises her to be his number one mate.
Muzzle/fin/mane of a different color than stripes: Babies born with a mane/muzzle/fin that is a different color than the stripes or base color they have are considered to be lucky. It is believed that they will spread their luck around them, and their Tribe will be lucky henceforth as well.
Solid Color (no stripes); White: Babies born without any stripes, and with a base color of white are believed to be prophets. It is believed that a greater being smiles upon them, and that they will grow up to be both wise and powerful. Babies born this way are publicly announced and blessed by the Tribe Elder, then passed around the Tribes to be admired, then returned to the proud parents; whom are showered with gifts and praise.
Solid Color; Blue: Babies born without any stripes and with a base color of blue are believed to grow up to be good hunters. Babies born this way are usually given to a hunting Tribe to be raised.
Solid Color; Green: These ponies are considered to be excellent farmers. They are usually given to a farming Tribe to be raised.
Solid Color White; Blue Eyes: Babies with a solid color of white with blue eyes are considered to be holy. Regardless of Tribe, a baby born this way is instantly given to the Tribe Elder to raise. If the baby is a male, the Tribe Elder raises him as his next sucessor. If the baby is female, the Tribe Elder raises her to be his mate. THIS IS INCREDIBLY RARE. Blue eyes are unheard of among the ASPs, period. There is only one recorded case of a baby being born with blue eyes, that baby became the third Tribal Elder; and was coincidentally white. He proclaimed his colorization to be incredibly holy, and any babies born henceforth should also be treated as such.
Blue Eyes: Blue eyes are considered to be a sign of intelligence and leadership in a pony. Once again, this was started by the third Tribe Elder. Babies born with blue eyes are to be publicly announced by the current Tribe Elder.
Negative
Cross Marks: When two stripes on any part of the body intersect, forming an 'X'. This is considered to be a sign of badness, which varies in intensity, depending on the location of the cross.
Head
A cross on any part of the head is considered to be extremely unlucky. The baby is either abandoned, or raised rather quickly, then cast out as soon as they reach an age where they can fend for themselves. On occasion, a Tribe will keep the baby, but this is frowned upon by other Tribes.
Tail
A cross on any section of the tail of the Sea Pony supposedly means the child will grow up to be lazy and weak. The child will be raised harshly, and cast out as quickly as possible if they don't pull their weight. Tribes are much stricter with a pony bearing this marking. They don't get second chances.
Chest
This is the worst of all. If a child has two large stripes forming a cross directly in the center of their chest, they are considered to be evil. It is believed that those born with this marking have no heart, and are instead empty shells, posessed and manipulated by a demon of some sort. It is considered 'merciful' to 'save' the child from it's miserable life as a demonic slave. The only way to free the child is to kill it. The body is then cast down into the Forbidden Darkness as a sacrifice to ward off more evil.
Solid Body; Black: A baby born solidly black is considered to be unlucky to the extreme. They are a sign of bad things to come; bringing 'doom' upon all those close to the baby. The baby will immideately killed, and the mother and father of the baby will be looked down upon and demoted in rank. In extreme cases, the father and mother may be banished; killed; or casterated so that they can never bear/father children again.
Bright Stripes: A baby born with stripes other than that of black, white, grey, or other dark colors is considered a mutation, or a form of disease. It is believed that during the conception process, an evil spirit somehow poisoned the growing baby. Babies born with these are pitied and killed; because bright stripes supposedly mean the baby will bring death and sickness into the Tribe. In the recorded history of the ASPs (which goes back a LOOONG time), there have only been six cases of this.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CHARACTER RESTRICTIONS (if any):
I don't want a huuuuge amount of these ponies yet... Remember, they havn't even heard of the regular ponies. They think the entire world consists of water and their island of ice. It would be dumb if suddenly a huge group of them stumbled upon Ponyland. I was thinking a new RP board could be created for them? A deviation of Ponyland, perhaps, or somewhere else. And then maybe one or two outcasts could stumble upon Ponyland or Rainbow Dreams or something... Or maybe the other way around, maybe an adventurous Sea Pony could swim north and meet up with some outcasts! In any case, lets keep the pony/ASP interaction low for now? Eventually, of course, they can be discovered and we can let the resulting political chaos insue... But for now, it's an undiscovered nation?
If this gets accepted, I already have a character all planned out... ^.^;;
OTHER (anything else):
Let's hear some suggestions/ideas on this! I wanna know what people think... Would anyone be willing to RP a character from this nation?
![mlpeod/jawdrop.gif](http://9.<a href="http://www.forumer.com">forumer</a>.com/html/emoticons/mlpeod/jawdrop.gif)
This is AMAZING! ![mlpeod/smilie-new.gif](http://9.<a href="http://www.forumer.com">forumer</a>.com/html/emoticons/mlpeod/smilie-new.gif)
![mlpeod/wink.gif](http://9.<a href="http://www.forumer.com">forumer</a>.com/html/emoticons/mlpeod/wink.gif)
![mlpeod/teeth.gif](http://9.<a href="http://www.forumer.com">forumer</a>.com/html/emoticons/mlpeod/teeth.gif)
![mlpeod/unsure.gif](http://9.<a href="http://www.forumer.com">forumer</a>.com/html/emoticons/mlpeod/unsure.gif)
