Archi the Atmomancer

Best dream sequence ever! 11/10, would dream again.

Lord Inquisitor Archi. I don't enjoy burning witches as such but the title is so awesome.

Impetus - Solar Empire @@Demirari, @@Windbreaker, At Angelic Wisp's suggestion, Impetus raised a sceptical eyebrow "How much stone do you think the Solar Empire has to spare, Lieutenant?" he asked "For your plan to be effective, we would have to forsake any plans for the building of forts and probably quarry this very castle for the stone required." He looked up at the Princess to his right before continuing "Princess, walls do not hold ground; stallions do. I propose that, rather than squandering resources on static defence, we establish outposts at key routes to Canterlot in a layer system. For example..." Impetus took a pencil in his mouth and marked several spots on the map. They were placed by roads into Canterlot and valleys that the enemy might think to travel through. By the time he had finished, there were two rings of outposts around Canterlot. As Impetus dropped the pencil he was acutely aware of being an Earth Pony amongst Unicorns. He wondered how the rest of the Council saw him. What was he to them? Was he a worthy comrade, deserving of his position and respect? Or was he nothing more than an upstart peasant who should still be in the field, forever kept from the castle's hallowed halls? Regardless of his concerns, he still had to explain his proposition "This layered defence allows us to respond more appropriately to threats, and allows us to adapt to new developments with more ease than building forts and walls. The inner layer of outposts can despatch reinforcements to the outer perimeter, or if the situation is too much to handle perimeter forces can retreat to the inner circle to regroup and reinforce with other inner layer forces and the Canterlot Guard." "In short, structuring our defence in this manner will allow us to concentrate our forces as needed, and makes us more adaptable than if we were to adopt a doctrine of static defence with fortifications and the like."

Impetus - Solar Empire @@Demirari, Impetus smiled at the Princess's thanks "You are most welcome, Your Highness," he said, before trotting over to his chair, which was adjacent to the Princess's. However, for now he remained standing. He looked over the members of the council that were present, hoping that he might start immediately, but it was too much to ask; the chairs of the two generals were unoccupied. Probably engaged in some petty squabble, no doubt, thought Impetus with disdain. If the Empire's two most senior military staff could not muster the respect to be punctual, then Impetus saw little point waiting for them. The Lunar Republic and Crystal Empire would not wait for them to finish talking before making their move. "All rise for the swearing of the Sunsteel Oath," began Impetus, placing a hoof over his chest. Impetus would have liked to say that the Oath was ancient tradition, but it had only been implemented fairly recently as a successor to the Grey Oath sworn by military personnel before the schism between the four princesses. That oath had been sworn to both Celestia and Luna. Understandably, Luna now has no place in the Oath, which was sworn solely to the Princess of the Sun. "With the Princess as my witness, as the light of the sun shines upon Equestria, I do solemnly swear that all that I say and do within the confines of this room will be dedicated to the furthering of the Solar Empire and her allies. Within these hallowed halls I shall utter the truth and nothing but the truth." "Long live Celestia, the First of her Name, Princess of the Sun and of Equestria, Guardian of Unicorn, Pegasus and Earth Pony. Let all true stallions declare their allegiance to her. May her reign be long, peaceful and prosperous." There was a silence in the aftermath of the Oath as the rest of the Council awaited the Princess's approval.

Nice entry. I find myself agreeing increasingly frequently with the idea that Rarity is the most developed of the Mane 6. We rarely see much internal conflict in the other characters such as the Id vs Superego example you gave above, and it would be nice for this sort of thing to be extended to other characters.

Impetus - The Solar Empire @@Demirari, Impetus nodded at the Princess's assertion that nothing was amiss. "As you say, Your Majesty," he said, and decided to leave it at that for the time being. As he spoke they came to the Gilded Hall, the castle's monument to all of Equestria's great heroes. The stained glass windows here were relics of a bygone age, an age of heroes; an age of harmony; an age of friendship. Many of the windows depicted a purple pony, who in some windows was a unicorn and in others was an alicorn princess. Silently, Impetus thanked Princess Twilight Sparkle for her deeds in the defence of Equestria. Impetus certainly had no love for the opposing republics and empires, but he also bore no hatred for Twilight. In his mind, her treason was not as severe as that of Luna and Cadence. Luna and Cadence were forces of chaos, violence and unending war; Twilight, arguably the weakest of the Princesses, was merely trying to save as many ponies as possible, or so it seemed. Perhaps, before the war escalated beyond repair, a deal could be struck between the Republic of Magic and the Solar Empire. However, now was not the time to look to the past. The security of the Empire had to be ensured, and now was the time to do so. While he was lost in thought, the Princess had replied. Impetus cleared his throat as he snapped back to reality "Perhaps you are correct, Your Majesty. However, I believe that what you ask is harder than you think. Regardless, if that is your will, so shall it be done." @@Windbreaker, @@Swinton, By now they had arrived at the entrance to the Military Council Chambers. Into the fray, thought Impetus, as he pushed the door open for the Princess.

Hm... Forming my own country? They aren't cheap, you know...

Um, I'd say never. Because devaluing someone on the basis that they've never kissed someone is abhorrent and shallow.