The Equestrian Bestiary: An A-Z
Chapter 1: An Introduction
Load Full Story Next ChapterMy dearest Twilight Sparkle.
Happy birthday! I do not have the words to describe how proud I am of the pony I took under my wing all those years ago. Over the two years you have lived in Ponyville, you have brought such happiness to so many others! Together with your friends you have repeatedly demonstrated that friendship is the most powerful force in this world – perhaps even more powerful than I originally thought; Even reuniting me with a sister I long thought lost due to my own foolish mistakes - Something that has placed me forever in your debt.
Enclosed in this parcel is something very precious and very rare, something that I have no doubt you will treasure and protect for me. It is the first edition of a book, entitled “The Equestrian Bestiary: An A-Z”. Only a dozen of these tomes are in existence, due to the rare magic that dwells in its pages – The power of cooperation, hard work and scholarship, something you will no doubt appreciate. I hope that it proves both enlightening and entertaining.
You have grown into a virtuous, kind and loving pony; and one I will forever be proud to not only call my student – but my friend.
With love,
Princess Celestia
P.S You are also invited to the palace this coming Sunday for a meal in your honor. Do not worry about your friends, i have already taken the liberty of inviting them all. I do not think Pinkie Pie would ever forgive me for not inviting her to any party, let alone that of her best friend!
THE EQUESTRIAN BESTIARY: AN A-Z
Contents
About the Authors............... …………(i)
What is the Equestrian Bestiary…..…(ii)
Concerning Classification.................(iii)
The A-Z of Beasts and Creatures……(iv)
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Foreword
By Professor Grey Books
The Equestrian Bestiary is not the product of a single author, but a compilation of entries from a dozen different pony scholars and experts. Each entry within this tome is the result of painstaking – and often dangerous – research that could not have been completed by a single scholar. I am proud to acknowledge these hard working individuals, whose resourcefulness and determination to pursue the truth has left me speechless and amazed at every turn. These ponies are directly responsible for the book you now hold in your hooves. You will find information on these tenacious researchers in the “About the Authors” section, and I am infinitely proud to have worked with them on such a monumental and ambitious project.
It is also worth noting at this point that while the writers of the Equestrian Bestiary have done everything in their power to ensure all information residing in these pages is correct at the time of print, new discoveries are being made every day and the findings within this book may not hold true to the test of time. I do not consider this a fault, far from it – but if you, the loyal reader, discover any inaccuracies within these hallowed pages, please contact my assistant: Professor Black “Spaced” Ink by either mail-mare at the address “16 Waterfall cottages, Manehatten” Or directly via instant PM at this address
I hope you find the Equestrian Bestiary as entertaining and educational to read as we did writing it.
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About the Authors
Professor Grey Books
The unicorn Grey Books was born IE 876. His fascination with biology and magic was encouraged during his studies at the Canterlot University for Gifted Unicorns, where he was tutored under the legendary scholar Star sky. Sky nurtured Books’s talent for understanding life processes by introducing him to many of the creatures he would eventually spend his life studying. Grey Books graduated with a first in the Order of the Sun, Receiving a personal commendation from Princess Celestia herself for his hard work. Grey Books did not remain in Canterlot however, but began travelling around Equestria with his best friend, Black Ink (First in the Order of the Moon.) Over the next ten years, Books and Ink began to compile a small team of researchers in various fields of expertise to further his research into the nature of magical beasts. The bounty of his hard work was the book “The Origin of Equus Ferus” which awarded Books with the title of Professor in IE 902. With his new found resources and connections, Books then went on to compile the Equestrian Bestiary with several other notable authors, historians and researchers. Today, Grey Books lives with his wife in Canterlot, enjoying his well-earned retirement.
Professor Black Ink
Known affectionately as “Spaced” by his peers, Black Ink is the chief researcher of the Equestrian Bestiary, and personally directed the project from its ambitious beginnings to its finale. Black Ink, who studied alongside Grey Books at the Canterlot University for Gifted Unicorns, developed a hunger for ancient mysteries and legendary beasts. His research into the much feared and avoided Slenderpony – which nearly cost him his sanity – rewarded him with a direct doctorate from Princess Celestia. Black Ink has faded from public view since the completion of the Equestrian bestiary, last seen travelling to the Badlands to further understand the Slenderpony, which is currently rumoured to reside within the desert there. There has been no word from Black Ink since.
Born IE 945, Quick Fix made a name for himself after single headedly infiltrating a Changeling nest and witnessing the life of a colony first hand. The earth pony continued to build his reputation for mad exploits when he located and befriended one of the last Seapony villages in the Equestrian oceans, with nothing but a talent for weaving baskets and a piece of string.
Typewriter Error, despite her youth and erratic behaviour, is a highly respected student of the University of Gifted Unicorns. Known for often causing writers to puzzle over her somewhat rare writing technique, She currently lives in the frozen Northeast of Equestria with her collection of sentient typewriters, quills that are on strike or on the run, characters that won’t leave her alone, papers that speak with the souls of dead trees, and movies Starring Vincent Prance. She is an admirer of mythology and the modern classics, which she studies while she attends Celestia’s University for Gifted Unicorns every fall and spring. She is hoping to continue pursuing her Scribework for Princess Celestia after she graduates.
A personal student of Professor Grey Books, Kinky Pie has been acknowledged and commended into her research into reversing Cockatrice stone spells, saving the lives of countless ponies. She is also currently enjoying a burst of popularity with younger ponies for her current series of victories in the team Fortress 2 tournament in Las Pegasus.
Pegasus and all-round celebrity in the Las Pegasus social circle, Atomic is widely known for being the only pony to ever domesticate an Ursa Major without losing any of his body mass. Atomic’s research into Parasprites and the realization of their love for music earned him the Order of the Sun second class in IE 976. Atomic Vortex is currently residing in Ponyville, running several research projects – including a hypothesis for Sonic Rainbooms and their impact on the weather.
A pegasus hailing from the city of Cloudsdale, WolframA is currently on tour promoting his book the “War of the Wings”, which contains extensive research into the Pegasus/griffin war. WolframA still lives in Cloudsdale, but frequently travels to the Griffin capital city, where he is highly respected as an author and historian among the local population.
A celebrity over night for saving the city of Van Hoofer from a Dragon attack in IE 945, Eagle Heart is one of the leading authorities on fire breathing lizards and has published several critically acclaimed novels concerning his adventures with them. Eagle Heart is also one of the few known ponies who has tamed a wild Phoenix, and was awarded the Order of the moon in IE 947 for his contributions to pony welfare when he discovered the healing properties of Phoenix tears.
Born in IE 912, Caged has enjoyed an exceptional career at the Canterlot University since he was promoted to the coveted role of reviewer of the archive, where he maintains some of the rarest and most valuable artefacts and first edition stories in the whole of Equestria. Peregrine’s fascination with ancient legends caused him to become fast friends with Black Ink, who invited him to join the Equestria Bestiary research team. Caged is also famed for her exceptional work into gargoyles, which have remained an enigma in many arcane circles for decades.
Merc has been running with the Buffalo tribes of the Macintosh Hills for several years, and is highly respected as a negotiator between the Buffalo and various Pony communities near-by.
Little is known about this enigmatic pony, and he declined to share much of his past when he joined the Bestiary research team. However, his vast knowledge of the magic of necromancy and Zombies has earned him universal respect from his peers.
An expert in mythology and entomology, Samaru's escapades in the Hayseed Swamps to research the life cycle of the magic eating Cadasavan have earned him a well respected position at the Manehatten university.
Post-humerus contributor. Maestro Di Hoovsie lived 3000 years ago in the pony city state of Roan long before the founding of Equestria. This Renaissance pony, oft referred to as the Father of the Modern Scientific Age. His never before published thesis on the 'Gorgon' species was delivered to Professor Grey Book by an anonymous unicorn mare who identified herself only as 'Loyal to Luna'
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What is the Equestrian Bestiary?
From the dawn of time to the present day, the land of Equestria has been blessed with an ecosystem full of wonders and marvels. The species that inhabit our world can all boast unique behaviorism and mysterious magical abilities that have flummoxed pony scholars and researchers for generations. The Equestrian Bestiary aims to answer some of the questions a common pony may have about the creatures they share the world with, along with a number of recent discoveries heralding from lengthy and (usually dangerous) research. The book in front of you also serves another purpose. While some of the species we share the world with are peaceful and friendly, some are malicious, dangerous and in rare cases - out-right psychopathic. The Equestrian Bestiary is our first attempt at understanding the world a little better, and with understanding, maybe one day we may all put aside our biological differences and live together in harmony.
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Concerning Classification
A cataloging of the creatures of Equestria has never truly been attempted before, and as a research tool for cross referencing and to promote further understanding of the species's individual natures, two different classification scales have been applied to each entry. The MIGHT scale, and the RARITY scale.
The MIGHT scale
Obviously, some species in Equestria are more dangerous then others. One would not compare the complete magical mastery of a Draconequus to the capabilities of a unicorn and declare them both "equal". Nor would one compare the physical capabilities of the sky Leviathan to that of the Pegasus. The MIGHT scale is our attempt to classify the entries into their individual classes of strength on a scale of one to five - As detailed below. It is important to note, that just because a creature is designated as "deadly" does not mean that creature desires to be so. The Alicorn for example, is a level five and is considered to be a kind and (usually) passive species.
1/5 - Essentially harmless. A Creature with a level one on the MIGHT scale has little to no notable magical or physical abilities that could threaten the well-being of a standard pony.
2/5 - Potentially harmful/Pest. A level two creature may boast defenses that may give the standard pony time to pause and consider, but is unable to cause any lasting damage. The Parasprite is a level two.
3/5 - Dangerous. A level three is capable of lasting damage and can boast notable magical abilities. Many of the creatures in this book are considered level three. Ranging from the Pegasi to the Buffalo.
4/5 - Deadly - The level four creatures are not to be trifled with. Each level four is capable of destruction and a strength not to be tested by the uninitiated. level Fours include Cockatrices, sphinxes and Hydras in their esteemed ranks.
5/5 - Godly - The few creatures strong enough to be classed as level five and never to be trifled with. They are a force of nature, and reality itself is just a plaything. The level five is the absolute pinnacle of existence.
The RARITY scale
A simple one to five scale detailing how rare that creature is.
1/5 - Very common. A level one is not considered to be difficult to find and will be seen on a daily basis.
2/5 - Common. A level two can be easily located if one knows where they live and is not considered to be a difficult creature to find.
3/5 - Rare. Requires specialist knowledge to locate or simply good luck. A level three may be spotted once or twice a year in the correct circumstances.
4/5 - Exotic. Unheard of in most social circles, few can boast that they have physically seen a level four creature.
5/5 - One of a kind/legendary - A level five requires years of dedication and study to locate, and then its presence can be fleeting. some level fives are known to exist but have never actually been located for many generations.
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