Equestria Mass Effect Codex Entries

[Queen Cassie 3,058]

I'm not sure if I mentioned it on this forum before, but I've been planning for a while to do something a little different writing wise, to take advantage of my seeming talent for essay-style writing. Those of you familiar with the Mass Effect series are well aware of the Codex within the games. Those who are not, it's basically something like an encyclopedia that gives you background on all sorts of aspects of the Mass Effect Universe. It can be easily seen here:

 

http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Codex

 

Anyway, my project is to basically see if I can integrate Equestria into the Mass Effect universe. To that end I will be writing a series of short articles in an attempt to emulate the Codex entry style that will fill in a large picture of how I see Equestria could work in the Mass Effect universe. So far I only have one several actually written, but I have plans for a large number of articles from articles on the individual species of Equestria, to Equestrian civilization, major figures amongst the Equestrians(including a possible future for the Mane Six) and other things along those lines.

 

Thus we begin.

 

Main Entry: Equestria - 2183

 

Equestria is one of the largest mysteries of the galaxy. A rogue planet just a few light years from the Sol System, Equestria is populated by an unusually large number of sapient species and sustained by a relatively small artificial satellite that serves as its Sun. The primary species that rules the planet, which is also the most numerous, are the various ponies, ruled by the monarch Princess Celestia in an unusual mixture of constitutional republicanism and an absolute diarchy alongside Princess Luna. The ponies themselves are comprised primarily of three castes: Earth Ponies, Pegasi, and Unicorns. In addition the planet is populated by sapient Gryphons, River Serpents, Dragons, cows, donkeys, minotaurs, and a great many other species, mythological or otherwise, that originate on Earth. The plant life of Equestria also greatly resembles that of Earth, leading many of Earth's scientists to conclude that at some point in Earth's past, an alien species, possibly the Protheans, visited Earth and collected various samples to use in genetic experiments. The fact that the genetic history of Equestria is only a few millenia old supports this hypothesis, though it is unknown what species could possibly have the capacity to genetically engineer on such a large scale, as this would have occurred many thousands of years after the fall of the Prothean Empire.

 

The planet itself is remarkable for having one of the largest concentrations of Element Zero on an inhabited planet in the known galaxy. Not even Thessia matches the level of Element Zero within Equestria's soil. The planet also bears a number of unusual similarities with Earth, bearing an almost identical mass, diameter, surface gravity, atmospheric makeup, and surface temperature. In addition the planet has approximately the same land/ocean ratio of Earth, at approximately 22% to 78%. The life of Equestria is adapted, most probably through genetic engineering, to make use of biotics to make up for the lack of hand-like appendages, resulting in civilization building on a scale that would otherwise be impossible even with their sapient intelligence. Though technologically similar to Earth's early twentieth century prior to discovery, the Equestrians have rapidly assimilated galactic technology and are now technologically on par with most other races.

 

Equestria escaped noticed by the galaxy at large not only because it was hidden behind the frozen Charon relay, but also because it and its sun and moon were surrounded by a small artificial veil of reflecting mirrors and other bits of technology that prevented light and other radiation from leaving the system. Equestria could observe the galaxy at large but was unable to be observed. This veil was accidentally destroyed when Equestria was discovered by the Systems Alliance in 2152. Because this discovery occurred prior to humanity's first contact with the Council races, humanity lacked an appropriate policy to deal with a discovery of sapient life practically on Earth's doorstep. As such early relations between the Equestrians and humanity were rocky at best, though the Equestrians eventually became something of a client race for the Systems Alliance. This arrangement is considered by nearly all parties to be temporary at best, and it is expected that at some point within the next couple of centuries Equestria will surpass humanity to become a major player in galactic affairs.

Main Entry: Equidae/Equinigh - 2183 VERY MUCH ROUGH DRAFT

 

Equidae is the local name for the artificial satellite that serves as Equestria's sun. Smaller than the planet it warms, the mechanics of how Equidae actually functions are poorly understood. What is known is that a large outer shell of hydrogen and helium, much like a typical G-type star, surrounds an inner core of some sort of interior construction that appears to provide fuel, like a massive scale version of a starship fusion reactor. Most bizarrely is the fact that Equidae itself is under the direct control of the two Alicorn sisters Celestia and Luna, in that its rotation and orientation in line with Equestria can be altered or shifted. In essence, the two sisters are able to raise and lower the sun, in a roundabout way. The exact nature of this control and how it is possible is unknown, though the most popular theory is that the Alicorns have a unique genetic connection to a computer contained within the core of Equidae that they can tap into through some sort of biotic connection similar to that of the Rachni telepathy.

 

Equinigh is the name of Equestria's moon, though it is usually referred to colloquially by the populace as "Luna's Moon" much like how Equidae is referred to as "Celestia's Sun." Unlike most moons orbiting inner system planets it has a high concentration of various useful rare metals such as platinum and palladium, as well as large amounts of iron, copper, and nickle. The surface is littered with various mining colonies managed by the Equestrians. Deep within, near the core of the moon, is a massive artificial cavern kilometers in height and width dominated by large banks of computer databases of a form unrecognizable to galactic civilization at large. At present date the data within these computers has yet to be successfully accessed, though Equestrians and humans alike are constantly attempting new ways to plunder its valuable information.

The term Equidae was originally coined by Rainbow Sparkle.

 

Main Entry: Pony Biology

 

Though they resemble the ponies and horses of Earth, the Equestrian Ponies are quite different biologically. The shape of an Equestrian skull, for example, is much rounder, more like a human skull, with very short muzzles only a few centimeters long. These muzzles are rounded on females and somewhat boxy on males. The shape of the jaw allows for a surprising amount of mobility with the mouth, enabling some ponies to use their mouth to perform complex tasks, including writing. They possess binocular vision with eyes set forward, approximately 72 mm in diameter. Though the eye size would suggest nocturnal behavior, in truth it appears to be mostly cosmetic, as ponies are typically diurnal and possess eye sight and sensitivity comperable to humans. Most ponies are able to exercise control over their tails to such a degree that they can function as limbs, allowing for tasks such as throwing a lasso or even carrying a heavy box.

 

One unusual fact about pony biology is the vast variety of coat and mane colors. Their coats and manes can be almost any color imaginable. Although most ponies possess single colored manes, some ponies can have up to two or three mixed colors, with some even able to go so far as to duplicate the entire spectrum of the rainbow. These manes can often grow in a variety of styles naturally, requiring much less grooming and shaping than a human might expect. Though clearly the result of genetic engineering, the actual use for this wide variety of color is unknown. Most biologists believe it is ultimately just cosmetic.

 

Most unusual, however, is the odd tattoo-like symbols known colloquially amongst the ponies as Cutie Marks. Allegedly appearing when a pony discovers their "special talent," these marks appear to denote their place in society. It is unknown amongst biologists if the Cutie Marks are preset genetically from birth and simply appear when the pony has begun puberty, or if environmental factors can alter and change the Cutie Mark that appears. No Equestrian to date has been willing to undergo the necessary experiments that would determine the answer to this question. As for the actual purpose to these marks, it is speculated that they were designed specifically to promote cooperation and peaceful coexistance amongst the ponies.

 

All Equestrian Ponies, like all other sapient races of Equestria, possess biotic talents, though the different castes of ponies manipulate biotics in different ways. This innate biotic control allows the ponies to use their hooves in ways that would otherwise be impossible, holding up and manipulating objects as though the hooves were more like hands. Their biotic talents also connect everypony with a unique bond. Between individual ponies, this bond strengthens when the two like each other and form emotional ties of friendship or even romantic partnership, allowing both ponies to strengthen their control over their biotic abilities. This bond is held up by some biologists as the reason for the pony philosophy and belief in the "magic of friendship." This bond cannot form with other sapient species of Equestria, though why this may be is unknown.

Supplemental Entry: Earth Ponies

 

Earth Ponies are the most common of the three castes of Equestrian Ponies, though despite the name they have nothing to do with the planet Earth. Rather, they are named for being considered grounded, or "down to Earth" relative to the Pegasi and Unicorns. Their biotic abilities are not quite as strong as those of the Pegasi and Unicorns. Instead they are channeled more directly into applications of physical strength and other prowess. For example, an Earth Pony can buck an apple tree to shake down all the apples without causing undue stress on the tree, due to the way the Earth Ponies channel their biotics through touch. This can also allow an Earth Pony to handle objects much more deftly than they might otherwise appear to be capable of. Earth Ponies have been witnessed using fencing sabers and handling guns with their hooves alone, for example, a feat usually too difficult for a Pegasi or a Unicorn to match.

 

 

Supplemental Entry: Pegasi

 

Pegasi are one of several Equestrian sapient species capable of flight, through the use of applied biotics. Though under more normal conditions their wingspans are far too small to allow a Pegasi to take flight, on Equestria itself a Pegasi can fly at enormous heights and at speeds that can often challenge traditional winged aircraft. Some Pegasi are even capable of a feat known as a Sonic Rainboom, where the Pegasi flies fast enough to not only exceed the speed of sound, but cause a dramatic rainbow illusion that makes it appear as though they have shattered the light spectrum itself. They are also able to manipulate the clouds that form in Equestria's atmosphere, not only to push them around, but to outright manipulate them, lay upon them, and elicit lightning bolts from even the smallest of storm clouds. Unfortunately for Pegasi these abilities are limited purely to the engineered Equestria, as they are completely unable to fly outside of Equestria's atmosphere and it is impossible for them to manipulate the clouds of other planets.

 

 

Supplemental Entry: Unicorns

 

Unicorns are powerful biotics even amongst the Equestrians. Most are able to effortlessly levitate several objects of varying weight at once, allowing them to perform a variety of tasks at a blindingly fast rate. Some are capable of setting other objects on fire, while still others can throw or warp objects with a skill usually expected only from the strongest of Asari biotics. Some of the most powerful Unicorns are even capable of feats of teleportation over small distances or any number of other effects that could arguably be described as pure magic. However, the Unicorns are built far more spindly than Earth Ponies or even Pegasi, leaving them somewhat frail and more easily subjectable to physical injury.

Edited March 29, 2012 by Kyronea