Equestrian Valour (Equestrian army project)

[Silverwisp the Bard 2,353]

Soo, I really like drawing ponies in armor and coming up with stuff, so I have decided to create own my version of the Equestrian Army. This will be set in a pre-Discord Equestria (to give me some freedom with canon) and eventually be presented in a style similar to Equestria Divided.
 
What I got so far:

Equestria:

 

 

 
Pegasi (done)

Bulk of the Equestrian army
 
Commander: Leads the army, expected to stand and fight side by side with the ponies under his command.
 
Palatine: The best fighters in the army, tasked with challenging and defeating enemy champions.
 
Sagittari: Young pegasi, not yet deemed ready to go hoof to hoof with the enemy. Do weather stuff, scouting and shoot arrows from a, relatively, safe distance.
 
Hoplites: Rank and file trooper, backbone of any Equestrian force. Tactically very flexible due to high maneuverability and extensive training.
 
Wonderbolts: Elite unit, used primarily against monsters.

 
 
Earth Ponies (done)

 

primarily defensive troops

Pioneers: Clear the way for the earthbound elements of the army, dig ditches, built fortifications and so on.
 
Militia: Normal townguards, merchant guards or shepherds, fitted with armor, slings and axes. Only called upon in dire need, as they have little training.
 
 
Ironclads: The biggest and strongest Earth ponies, wearing the heaviest armor. Usually escort caravans through the more dangerous part of the land.

 
I have a really hard time coming up with Earth pony leaders...
 
Unicorns (done)

specialist units

 

Archmage: Does magic stuff, very powerful wizard.
 

Noble: Tactitian/diplomat

Hospitalers: Field medics. Unarmed and with a strong dislike for violence. Known for aiding the wounded of both sides.
 
Canterlot Spireguard: Unicorn nobles, wearing ornate heavy armor and shooting magical arrows. Notoriously arrogant and hard to deal with, but very effective.

 

Pyromancers: Young mages who throw fireballs and the like

 

Cadre mages: (not sure on the name): Defensive mages, shield allies with forcefields and illusions

 

 

 

Navy: (art is done)

Ship capatain: can be any species

 

Marine: doubles as crew, can be any species

 

Ship Mage: does water magic and whatnot

 

Addditional Units:(art is done)

 

 

Engineer: does engineering things, helps with siege engines

 

Shrike Ballista: Small boltthrower. Can quickly be disassembled and carried by two pegasi.

 

Bucker catapult: A catapult. It bucks when fired

 

Skychariot: For non-pegasi offficers to get a better view

 

Skymage: Cadre mage with gossamer wings. Moves and fights with the pegasi

 

Bard: sings songs to inspire courage and whatnot

 

Everfree Ponies: Ponies that prefer the wild over society. Still help in times of need though. Serve as scouts and pathfinders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chiroptera (batponies)

 

 

City state, allied to Equestria. Prefer nightraids and psychological warfare to pitched bbattles.

 

Ancient: General

 

Legionaires: City Guard, armour similar to Luna's guards', swords

 

Praetorians: Heavy armour, masks, spears. Bodyguard

 

Nightwind: Skirmishers, throw globes containing hallucinogenic gas

 

Claws: Scouts/spies, rarely fight

 

 

 

Griffon Kingdoms (art is done)

 

 

Loose collection of smaller kingdoms, vaguely scandinavian

 

Stormlord: General, leads from the front

 

Gothi: Shaman/priest calls upon the Power of the storm (might or might not be magic)

 

Warriors: very individualistic clothing, weapons

 

Huscarls: elite warriors, serve as the bodyguard for the Stormlord. Winged helmets and capes

 

Rangers (need another name): Archers, seen as somewhat un-griffon-ish by others

 

 

 

 

The Crystal Empire

 

 

allied to Equestria

 

Herald Mage: acts with the authority of the king/queen.

 

Crystal Lancers: Traditional unit, might make them knights

 

Varyags: Griffon mercenary unit

 

Crystal Golems: Not sure about this one.

 

 

 

 

Diamond Dogs (art is done)

 

 

kinda like orcs

 

Boss: A big dog

 

Shaman: A magical dog

 

Diamond Dog Brutes: dogs

 

Muts: small dogs with bows

 

 

 

 

 

Zebra Tribes (art is done)

 

 

think African tribe

 

Chieftain: A big zebra

 

Wise Mare: A shaman/witchdoctor

 

Warriors: warpaint, some wooden armour, stone knife/club

 

Hunters: armed with (poisoned) blowgun

 

Hyena Scavenger: mercenary unit (think southern diamond dogs), not trustworthy

 

 

 

 

Saddle Arabia:

 

 

 

A mix of the Ottoman and Persian Empire, with a bit of 1001 Night.

 

Sheikh: general, usually some sort of decorated veteran or tribe elder.

 

Wizard: Works magic not the way unicorns do, but through communicating with spirits

 

Lancer: Young and with something to prove. Light armor, lance and scimitar. Brave but undisciplined

 

Mameluk: Heavily armoured elite/bodyguard unit

 

Camel cataphracts: Camels in heavy armour. Shock troops.

 

Crossbow Camels (Need better name): Camel with huge crossbow on back. Horse tags alkong and oerates the thing while the camel sits down.

 

Djinn: Like Windigo but on fire.

 

Fying Carpet: Like skychariot

 

 

 

 

Prance:

 

 

Cross between medieval France and Arthurian legend. Lots of knights with colourful cloth. Inhabitants are slightly taller unicorns (based on Fleur de Lis).

 

Duke: A duke that's also a knight

 

Enchantress: female mage, possibly with fae support. Does nature magic

 

Chevaliers: Knights with lance and sword.

 

Ponies at arms: Ponies with armour and halberds

 

Crossbowponies: ponies with crossbows

 

Trebuchet: a trebuchet

 

 

 

 

Each race will have a general page, see below for an example, as well as a page detailing the various leaders and units, along with some flavour text.

 
What I still want to include:
-siege weapons
-Everfree ponies
-skychariot
-musical instruments (one for every race)
 

Edited February 18, 2015 by Silverwisp the Bard

[Silverwisp the Bard 2,353]

I can't stress this enough: ANY input is appreciated: Ideas for new units, critiques of what I already got, little background ideas for the flavour texts, unit quotes, what to put on banners....anything is most welcome.

 

Once I'm done with the Equestrian forces I will also do other armies (griffons, diamond dogs, zebras...), so if you got any ideas fot them, let me know.

Edited August 9, 2013 by Silverwisp the Bard

[Nomadic 210]

Well, I like the idea of making armies for all three pony races, and I was thinking of Musical instruments, so here is what I have for each race for you. I've also tried to keep the theme with your armies intact.

 

Cornicen: The heralds of the Pegasi army. Their call undeniable, and as fierce the storm itself. They act as the tacticians relaying orders across the battlefield in mere seconds to rally their troops.

Additional Note: The Cornu was an actual instrument used by the Roman Legion to rally troops, and Cornicen was the proper term for the soldiers carrying said instrument.

 

Crier: These Earth Ponies carry a large bell around the battlefield acting as messengers between encampments and villages. The clanging of the bell is said to inspire all Earth Ponies who hear it. The bell is mounted onto the armour of an Earth Pony, and often carries a flag emblazoned with the Coat of Arms of whatever Noble House leads the charge. They are seen as a call to arms for any surrounding villages in times of need. They may rarely been seen on the battlefield, but it is said that the toll of a bell is just a prelude to the true battle ahead.

 

Siren: Unlike the other two armies, Unicorn's have found a way to weave spells within the ancient hymns of their people. Their songs are used to debilitate the soldiers of the other armies. Often, causing adverse effects to all who hear their bewitching melody. While outwardly harmless, their chanting is as insidious as of the vilest of poisons. 

Edited August 12, 2013 by Nomadic

[GunDogM60 4]

If you need to know any information on military history, war machines, weapons, etc. you can send me the question and I will do my best to answer.

[Nomadic 210]

I can't stress this enough: ANY input is appreciated: Ideas for new units, critiques of what I already got, little background ideas for the flavour texts, unit quotes, what to put on banners....anything is most welcome.

 

Once I'm done with the Equestrian forces I will also do other armies (griffons, diamond dogs, zebras...), so if you got any ideas fot them, let me know.

 

Hey, I was wondering how far are you into developing the other armies because I have a few ideas for backstory and units for both the Diamond Dog's and Zebra's. *Sigh*, This thread makes me want Warcraft 3 with ponies.

[Silverwisp the Bard 2,353]

So, here's the layout, any opinions?

 

 

 

 

Cornicen: The heralds of the Pegasi army. Their call undeniable, and as fierce the storm itself. They act as the tacticians relaying orders across the battlefield in mere seconds to rally their troops.

I will probably use this for the Ciroptera army (Batponies, the "Rome" to the pegasi's "Sparta"). The Pegasi will get ordinary horns.

 

 

 

Earth Ponies carry a large bell around the battlefield

Carrying around a bell on the battlefield seems a bit too Warhammer-ish, but I'll definitely work the bell into the Earthpony background. Maybe bagpipes instead...

 

 

 

Hey, I was wondering how far are you into developing the other armies because I have a few ideas for backstory and units for both the Diamond Dog's and Zebra's.

Nothing much so far, feel free to lay any ideas you got on me.

 

If you need to know any information on military history, war machines, weapons, etc. you can send me the question and I will do my best to answer.

I'd be grateful for any infos you could give me about African tribes and their military, especially any potential of specialized units.

Edited December 26, 2013 by Silverwisp the Bard

[Silverwisp the Bard 2,353]

And, another page done:

 

I have also finished most of the pictures, so I should be able to somewhat speed up my progress.

[IridscentNionios 1,420]

I want changelings in this! The style of the pictures reminds me of Equestria Divided, but i don't mind.

I could see the changelings using forbidden techniques like necromancy, mind control, and strong transformations. Maybe they would have Mind Archons. For my own RP i had created some sort of same thing as you did. Three disctinct military sections for each fanction of Pony, Zebra/Griffin, and Changelings as i thought of it. But then again that's my idea and i wouldn't like to force it upon you.

I only want to see changelings in this soooo bad.

[Silverwisp the Bard 2,353]

 

 

I want changelings in this! The style of the pictures reminds me of Equestria Divided, but i don't mind.

The plan is to make it Equestria Divided with less GRIMDARK  (that and I can't colour to save my life).

 

As for changelings, I think I'll include them, but not as a fighting force per se. Normal changelings don't seem to be particularly good fighters unless they vastly outnumber their foe and I don't really like the ideas of battle morphs ect.

I'll think they'd mostly be a danger to isolated towns/farms, just swarming in at night and carrying ponies off, stealing foals and leaving changelings in their stead, all that good Fae stuff.

Queens are another cup of tea of course, but I fear they might actually be too powerful for the setting...

[IridscentNionios 1,420]

@@Silverwisp the Bard, Says the guy who gave freaking Pyromancers to the ponies?

[Silverwisp the Bard 2,353]

 

 

Says the guy who gave freaking Pyromancers to the ponies?

There's always room for pyromancers (that's my warface)

[Moonbacon 384]

Dam this is amazing you should make it into a roleplay.

[PsychedelicPony 440]

Maybe there should be a faction in Equestria which is not aligned with them, with like Dark Magicks and the like.

 

Jk just saw Everfree. Maybe Trixie is a General or something, it would make sense she would align with them.

Edited April 12, 2014 by PsychedelicPony

[Trevor Bright 872]

@@Silverwisp the Bard, 

 

If you want help with crystal golems, they could be like special crystals imbued with the power/life of certain fallen soldiers that are surrounded by normal crystal to protect them and give them form?? 

Also, I'd like to say that your unicorn drawings are utterly brilliant! I love them! 

 

 

As for changelings, I think I'll include them, but not as a fighting force per se. Normal changelings don't seem to be particularly good fighters unless they vastly outnumber their foe and I don't really like the ideas of battle morphs ect. I'll think they'd mostly be a danger to isolated towns/farms, just swarming in at night and carrying ponies off, stealing foals and leaving changelings in their stead, all that good Fae stuff. Queens are another cup of tea of course, but I fear they might actually be too powerful for the setting...

 

 

I have a very in depth head cannon for changelings that I would love to share with you if you're interested? I typed some of it out, but my computer derped and erased it. Anyways, just PM me if you're interested. 

[~Flash Brush~ 313]

Oh!!!!!! I really really like this idea!!!!

[Silverwisp the Bard 2,353]

Update: Earth Ponies are done:

 

Next up will some addditional forces for Equestria (navy, war machines, auxiliary).

Art for Griffons, Diamond Dogs and zebras is done as well, just need to get writing.

Also added /changed some rosters in the first post.

 

 

 

Oh!!!!!! I really really like this idea!!!!

 

Thanks

[Trevor Bright 872]

Are you still working on this? Because it's AWESOME!! 

@@Silverwisp the Bard,