searching MLP Empires: Clash of Cultures (Diplomacy,Trade & War)

[Anneal 2,197]

Name: Imperial Hetiandi (和天地國), Liao Dynasty (廖朝)

Government Type: Absolute Monarchy

Flag:

Emperor/Empress: Yuanliang, 6th Empress of Liao

Category: Rational

Environment: The land of the Liao Dynasty is vast and varying, though it is fairly organized. The western parts of the dynasty are mostly plains filled with rivers and forests. The northern plains are colder, but is generally where the trading ports and cities are, with the southern plains being mostly farmland with beautiful hills and waterfalls. The more exotic animals could be found in the South, along with most of the country's resources.

 

The central area of the plains is where the current capital, Qinjie (慶結市) is, and where most of the politics and economics go on. This land tends to be less populated than the northern plains, but has far milder temperatures and a mix of the best of both ends of the plains.

 

The eastern lands are far more sparsely populated, covering two-fifths of the land with less than 10% of the population. Here is where more of the minority groups and tribes are, and are generally more autonomous and less connected with the mainland's culture and traditions.

 

Two Abundant Resources:

Food — The Liao Dynasty is mostly agricultural and filled with fertile land – rice, wheat, and soy beans are common crops, and the farm has been a significant enough symbol for their calendar to be based off of farming seasons.

Aluminum / Bauxite – A very common ore in the Liao, it is relatively easy to mine and process in mass amounts, and is often used in construction, reinforcement, or coinage (along with copper, iron, and nickel, which are too valuable or not as common to use in pure form).

Two Scarce Resources:

Gold – Due to a lack of gold, the Liao Dynasty often uses silver to back up its currency. Even nobles prefer to conserve its amount, pounding it into flat leaves and hanging it only on the most valuable of decorations.

Coal – While coal is lacking in the Liao, many ponies quickly find alternatives, processing wood to make charcoal and basic tar for road-building, fuel, and filtration.

Religion: The majority of ponies in the Liao do not promote or refute the existence of a god, but they believe in the legendary "Heavenly Emperors" that supposedly ruled the first dynasty of He (合朝) – hence the country's name to commemorate them. They also follow the philosophy of Zhuangjian (莊見), a philosopher more than two thousand years ago who set the belief of respect for family, friends, and authority, and the relationships between them, as well as the "ideal pony" who was full of virtue and followed those beliefs.

 

Besides the "Heavenly Emperor" religion (天帝教), there are also minor religions, most of which originate from the eastern tribes or slight outside influences.

 

General Race Compostion: The Liao Dynasty's population is about 23.55 million – 48.5% are earth ponies (about 11.42 million), 32.6% are pegasi (about 7.68 million), 14.6% are unicorns (about 3.44 million), with the remaining 4.3% as other minority races.

 

General Race Description: Zhuangjian's philosophy is enforced and commonly followed even in appearance and clothing. Save for minority groups and tribes, ponies aren't allowed to shave any part of their mane, though they are allowed to tie it and place it inside headgear. They generally do not dress in heavy clothing, preferring robes in various bright colors (with yellow and purple restricted only to royalty) that go down to their rear hooves; anything above the base of the rear hoof suggests promiscuity, and a shaved mane suggests being a criminal. 

 

Government officials will have their surname written on their sleeve, along with a small picture to suggest his or her rank. Some bear ceremonial weapons that often connects to their family line.

 

Two Primary Nation Traits: Collected and studious

Two Nation Values: Respectfulness and honor

Culture and Description: While there isn't one definite culture that can be used to symbolize the Liao Dynasty and the dynasties before it, there is a few things each dynasty does have in common — they follow the teachings of Zhuangjian, and are a mix of the old cultural values from the new study-focused one, which offers a strange balance between individuality and collectivism.

Buildings: Almost all buildings in the Liao are a mix of wood, clay bricks, and stone, and are colorful and decorative – inland residencies tend to be more wooden. Roofs are curved and bright, and some larger residences are built in the quadrangle or in the three-sided variation – they must always face south with the entrance at a corner.

 

Buildings like these are also prone to fires – basic fire-pony stations are strategically placed in certain areas in cities to respond quickly to fire outbreaks. Firebreak barriers are usually placed around larger residencies to limit damage, and well-off civilians use stone on their fireplaces and kitchens as precautions as well.

 

Foreign Policy: After a dynasty change and a minor war against the tribes, the Liao have turned from isolationist to being somewhat more willing to search for whatever was out there, and are more willing to improve relations and make friends rather than go to war. They are interested in trade and will prefer to stay neutral out of any wars that don't involve them.

 

History: The history of Hetiandi is a long one, filled with ages of peace and chaos spanning from dynasty to dynasty. It is generally agreed that the first dynasty ever created, however, was the Hou Dynasty (候朝) more than 3500 years ago, started by an alleged ancestor of the Heavenly Emperors, the semi-legendary Ming (瞑) who ruled for 44 years before passing it down to his relatives, and was a virtuous emperor who served his people and controlled the floods, giving farmland to everyone. 

 

After 600 years, however, the Hou Dynasty fell into collapse after the semi-legendary tyrant, Mo (磨), who cruelly treated his people and enslaved many others, was defeated Jue (絕), beginning the Fang Dynasty (方朝). At the same time, the Dynastic Commandant (朝令) was written down, initially on clay slabs, that set the conditions for the establishment of a new dynasty – if the emperor of a dynasty was corrupt, the equines had a right to overthrow that dynasty and establish a new one, and it was possible for the new emperor to be anywhere from a commoner to a warlord.

 

The first 1500 years of apparent dynastic rule is rather unclear, which included the Hou, Fang, and early Hong Dynasty (洪朝) – most scripts have been written on clay slabs or melted through copper plates, and were very inaccurate – even to the present day, scholars and historians have been unable to figure out most of their written words, as they were written based off of pictorial form, and had many ways to write each certain letter.

 

Historically there was a long warring period between multiple states after the first half of the period of Eastern Hong (also called the "Dynasty of Philosophy", as philosophy from ponies like Zhuangjian developed and flourished), which lead to the first unified dynasty of Hetiandi, the Lian Dynasty (廉朝). The Lian was short lived, however, as after the death of First Emperor Zhenqi (政起), there were fights over her throne of succession, which caused the dynasty to collapse after 38 years of rule.

 

The Lian was followed by the Jiang Dynasty (姜朝), which lasted for another 500 years, and saw significant development to Hetiandi in astronomy, mathematics, and technology; paper-making was made possible, the invention of the ship rudder, negative and imaginary number mathematics, improved armillary spheres, seismometers, and so on. The end of the dynasty was followed again by war, however, in the famous Four-Dynasty period that lasted for another hundred years.

 

After that, it was followed by several decades of dynasties that came and went – the Shao Dynasty (紹朝) and Liang Dynasty (梁朝) were short lived in unifying the land and quickly splintered. The next long-lived dynasty was the Zong Dynasty (宗朝), which was considered the Dynasty of Culture – many famous poets, painters, and calligraphers were from this era, and the Zong was relatively widespread in terms of influence, having many colonies who paid tribute. The dynasty controlled the trade routes of the south almost entirely and introduced new political thought. If current ponies could trace most of it's more recent philosophies, inventions, and beliefs, it will go back to the Zong.

 

The previous dynasty, or rather two co-existing dynasties, were the Zhen and Lu Dynasty (甄呂朝), though the Zhen was far more influential while Lu focused more on expansion, and the Zhen had invented the compass, gunpowder, and woodblock printing (it only became practical in the current Liao Dynasty, however, managing to find a way to print the massive amounts of characters by using common character-segments). The imperial examination was improved at this time, and the monarchy shifted toward a meritocratic style where anyone who was at least literate could potentially rule.

 

Unfortunately, the two dynasties ended up in a war that lasted three decades, called the North-South Dynastic War (南北朝之戰). It was at this time the new and current Liao Dynasty was born. The warlord Jianzhang (建彰) was an intellectual strategist who used the chaos caused by the two dynasties to quickly take a piece of land for himself and declare independence, and effectively crushed the weakened dynasties to make one of his own, the Liao Dynasty.

 

The Liao Dynasty is where ponies became increasingly more interested as northerners came down to their lands, albeit in small amounts, beginning a strong connection between the northern lands and the southern. It is then where the current dynasty lies – curious of the world above them.

 

Quality of Life: The warmer climates in the south allow for a better quality of life than many other places – there's still the poor, the middle-class, and the rich, but almost certainly no one is hungry, and famines are almost unheard of. The lower classes tend to be the minority groups and tribes, who have mostly fallen behind on the developments of the Liao. Having a more balanced ethnicity ratio, the pony races tolerate each other, and problems are worked together by family and friends.

 

Military Power: The Liao Dynasty has mostly stayed away from fighting – unlike the previous dynasty there is no longer conscription. They currently have 220,000 soldiers in service with less than 100,000 in reserve, mostly just to patrol around the country and keep the peace – they also have a 100 to 110 ships, most of them junk-schooners and junk-frigates with very few large wooden "treasure" ships. In the case of an enemy attack from sea or from land, however, the Imperial Liao is able to mobilize with great speed with irregulars.

[Lordav 3,427]

I will be making a map from zero once i get potoshop workin....

@Sealand, 

 

Approved...

 

Much detail again... me like a lot <3

 

 

Opium wars?

@KingFl@me1990, @Gentleman Cruki,@Gentleman Blaze, @Gloomfury, @Once In A Blue Moon, @Stormgiggle, @CrimsonWeb,@Durandal, @EquestrianScholar,@The Pixelated Pony, @Sealand,      

 

Here is a rushed map... this is still a work in progress.... but just for an idea.

 

[GreyScholar 1,584]

@@Lordav,

Issue with the map, the Great Equestrian Flock centers in Cloudsdale, which is within Equestria itself. 

[Lordav 3,427]

@@Lordav,

Issue with the map, the Great Equestrian Flock centers in Cloudsdale, which is within Equestria itself. 

Most members COME from Cloudsdale.... not live around cloudsdale...

[GreyScholar 1,584]

@@Lordav,

Ah I must have missed that... wait why call it the Great Equestrian Flock if it isn't in Equestria? Also, are those in Cloudsdale who join still Equestrian citizens?

[Lordav 3,427]

@@Lordav,

Ah I must have missed that... wait why call it the Great Equestrian Flock if it isn't in Equestria? Also, are those in Cloudsdale who join still Equestrian citizens?

He said its called equestrian since most of its citizens originate from EQ, also, lets just say theyre not equestrian citizens anymore.... cuz... thatll be a s*** tonne of paperwork XD

[GreyScholar 1,584]

@@Lordav,

I am okay with that... as long as it is understood that Cloudsdale is still an Equestrian city and as a whole still under the jurisdiction of  the Equestrian government. I don't think it fair that I just up and give up a city, especially since there is no roleplaying to explain or justify such, just like that.

Edited November 8, 2015 by EquestrianScholar

[Lordav 3,427]

@@Lordav,

I am okay with that... as long as it is understood that Cloudsdale is still an Equestrian city and as a whole still under the jurisdiction of  the Equestrian government. I don't think it fair that I just up and give up a city, especially since there is no roleplaying to explain or justify such, just like that.

Of course its part of EQ, only cuz ponies are leaving from there... doesnt mean theyre taking the city XD

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

 

 

Here is a rushed map... this is still a work in progress.... but just for an idea.

 

If you don't mind, I would like to produce a supplement map just for the Shetlands - adding a few key features and whatnot. I can run it past you for approval first, if you like.

[Lordav 3,427]

If you don't mind, I would like to produce a supplement map just for the Shetlands - adding a few key features and whatnot. I can run it past you for approval first, if you like.

Sure, PM it to me... i can also add it to ur Misc nation section ^^

[GreyScholar 1,584]

@@Lordav,

Well there is that issue of how you can't live in Cloudsdale unless you're a member of the Flock, meaning they have some/quite a bit of power there.

[Lordav 3,427]

@@Lordav,

Well there is that issue of how you can't live in Cloudsdale unless you're a member of the Flock, meaning they have some/quite a bit of power there.

Where did he say that? That cant be possible.... Its like emigration, the ponies that left broke all connections to equestria and cloudsdale... It doesnt have any control in there.

[GreyScholar 1,584]

Name: The Great Flock of Equestria

Religion: Celestism

Culture and Description: As the saying goes "Birds of a feather flock together" this saying is taken to heart and is known as the "Winged Rule" by members of the flock. the "Winged Rule" is often plastered around cloudsdale whether it be by signs, posters, billboards the message is virtually everywhere. if one should forget the Rule then the individual would suffer grave consequences , Treason is punishable by death in the flock as its considered the pentacle of cowardice and spineless behavior, Also rejecting to be branded can also lead to though it doesn't occur often. The members of the flock believe Celestia to be a divine being. The flock believes in equal rights for pegasi, griffons and its allies (Earth ponies and Unicorn's can join as honorary members) and work to free winged slave around equestria. they shun those not affiliated with the flock.  Members of the flock are very close and will fight for the protection of there winged brethren with a berserker like mentality 

 

@,

I would see Princess Celestia showing disapproval to some things involving the Great Flock. That they would put to death those who turn away from the faction and more seemingly force others to become members... seems a bit too militant and forceful to allow their activities to go unchecked without complain.

 

What if one living in Cloudsdale doesn't want to join the Great Flock, are they killed or forced to leave, or made to join against their will?

 

If someone living in cloudsdale weren't apart of the flock they probably be asked to leave and if they refuse to leave the pony would be jailed or forced to leave, In cases that said pony showed aggression to the Flock(attacking its members, Challenging the government Etc). then the pony would be put to death.

@,

So pretty much you would have Cloudsdale be a 'special club' setup? Unless you are a member you aren't allow to stay in the city. What if a pegasus just want to live peacefully as a citizen of Equestria and not want to join the Great Flock, and wanted to stay in Cloudsdale... I could seem some conflict here politically and socially.

 

Princess Celestia would be concerned, but unless her little ponies were being harmed or discriminated against she may leave it be. Given from what has been say that may be the problem. Though perhaps I am overthinking this.

 

It will be interesting to see the relationship with the Flock and Celestia, Since The Flock sees Princess Celestia as divine I wonder what they would feel about there savior disapproving of some the stuff they do.

Here is the conversation that lead me to believe that is what was intended.

[Lordav 3,427]

Here is the conversation that lead me to believe that is what was intended.

I see what you mean...

 

Here i use my magical GM powers... The city is only under EQ influence =)

[Anneal 2,197]

@@EquestrianScholar, 

 

I will be making a map from zero once i get potoshop workin....

@, 

 

Approved...

 

Much detail again... me like a lot <3

 

 

Opium wars?

@, @,@, @@Gloomfury, @@Once In A Blue Moon, @, @@CrimsonWeb,@@Durandal, @@EquestrianScholar, @@The Pixelated Pony, @,      

 

Here is a rushed map... this is still a work in progress.... but just for an idea.

 

Untitled-1.jpg

 

Its 3071 x 1831

Major flaws in this map. The Rational nations are far too close to the Scientific ones, first of all, yet you said on the seventh page that the Rationals have no knowledge of the Scientific...which is contradictory as Rationals still have Age of Exploration tech to go a moderate distance and notice these nations; it'll only take a few weeks, and they can likely tell if they're seeing foreign ships in the water.

 

Also, for countries that supposedly knows the Rational nations, it's way too far off and blocked by the Scientific and Magical. And in this case, the Traditional's navy is medivial tech and won't be able to go very far.

 

So I recommend that the Traditional nations (I think there's one) should be placed east of Hetaindi, Scynthrae be placed south of both the Traditional nations and Hetiandi, and the whole landmass be moved further south.

 

That way, the geography of our landmass would be more correct (western plains with swamps further south, some jungle in the southeast, the Traditional badlands in the northeast (Scynthrae would have a bit of it). And there would be enough room to add a peninsula!

 

Woodbourgh, I don't know. Its culture is vastly different from the three nations (it could be like the Dutch's Formosa in the late Ming Dynasty, though), but I'll say place it some distance south of the pirate islands. And Hetiandi has a lot of food and water, so exporting them to Woodbourgh would take less than a few weeks (except you still got to have some freshwater source or a smaller nation...for a nation that just got ships I doubt they could mass-desalinize their water). On the other hand, though, if Woodbourgh is relying so heavily on Hetiandi's exports, then its likely to be set as a tribute colony...

[GreyScholar 1,584]

@@Lordav,

Now recruitment and sponsorship could still take place in Cloudsdale, as to much of the Flock's membership, it just always bothered me how much control the Flock seem to have over Cloudsdale while being a city of Equestria.

[Lordav 3,427]

@@Lordav,

Now recruitment and sponsorship could still take place in Cloudsdale, as to much of the Flock's membership, it just always bothered me how much control the Flock seem to have over Cloudsdale while being a city of Equestria.

They can recruit... i mean they have no real influence in the area (so no baishing non-members and such)

[Flamestreak1990 1,172]

@@Lordav,

Now recruitment and sponsorship could still take place in Cloudsdale, as to much of the Flock's membership, it just always bothered me how much control the Flock seem to have over Cloudsdale while being a city of Equestria.

 

They can recruit... i mean they have no real influence in the area (so no baishing non-members and such)

Do ya'll want me to change my application?

[Lordav 3,427]

Do ya'll want me to change my application?

Nah, i mean you dont make that clear in the app... You recruit from Cloudsdale... but cant have THAT big of an influence... It can be something like, a emigration pool for u. Posters and banners are fine... But non-members in cloudsdale being beaten etc is not =)

 

@, 

 

As i said its a work in progress, i just threw them on there for a general idea of the area. I agree to all ze points.... except the scientific-rational distance... that sea is always cold and few would venture there. Rationals would have no reason to travel that much up north. Also, scientific nations just came out of isolationism, so their ships would only now start to appear.

 

Medieval tech navies could travel on the coast... and i dont see how their blocked... all scientifics are up in a corner... and the only magical is medeis... i dont see how their blocking each other... could you:

 

 

 

Scynthrae has to be immidiately south of EQ and the badlands arent nearly large enough to be split...

The 2 traditionals are the flock and pruine... I dont really get what u mean tbh. I can do the moving landmass down though. Also moving woodbo... woddboro.... the islands is fine by me =p

[Flamestreak1990 1,172]

Nah, i mean you dont make that clear in the app... You recruit from Cloudsdale... but cant have THAT big of an influence... It can be something like, a emigration pool for u. Posters and banners are fine... But non-members in cloudsdale being beaten etc is not =)

Ok I understand also how far are we in the RP? 

[GreyScholar 1,584]

Second page... and I have yet to make a post.

[Lordav 3,427]

Ok I understand also how far are we in the RP? 

Not far at all.... I have just made contact with gloom and the shetlands.... Medeis and the woodbourough (damn that name) are going at it... Dragons waiting for equestria... 

 

You could start interactions wih Pruine... ur neighbours =)

[GreyScholar 1,584]

Sighs, I may need someone to take control of Equestria.

 

I think I went in over my head in taking on another roleplay when I already have so many. I have been debating this while thinking of a first post to make, but more and more I realize I already have too much on my plate for me to put something else on it.

Edit: Hmm... Lordav has suggested I try for one post a week before leaving the roleplay, saying I don't have to be super active like others. I worry that may be a bit unfair for any who interacts with Equestria, the waiting, but I am willing to give it a try.

Edited November 8, 2015 by EquestrianScholar

[Gatekeeper Giggle 2,902]

 

 

Sighs, I may need someone to take control of Equestria.   I think I went in over my head in taking on another roleplay when I already have so many. I have been debating this while thinking of a first post to make, but more and more I realize I already have too much on my plate for me to put something else on it.

Oh, okay. I was really looking forward to RPing with you, and I hope I get a chance to do so someday. Bye!

 

 

 

Edit: Hmm... Lordav has suggested I try for one post a week before leaving the roleplay, saying I don't have to be super active like others. I worry that may be a bit unfair for any who interacts with Equestria, the waiting, but I am willing to give it a try.

Nah, I don't mind waiting at all! Welcome back! 

[Lordav 3,427]

Oh, okay. I was really looking forward to RPing with you, and I hope I get a chance to do so someday. Bye!

 

 

 

Nah, I don't mind waiting at all! Welcome back! 

... bye... 5sec...welcome...lolz