Changes: World Map and Geography

Revision as of 20:44, 23 January 2021

Equus

Northern Equus

The frigid and mountainous north of Equus is an inhospitable landscape, but hardy races have lived there for a long time. Yaks, polar bears and penguins have adapted to the cold temperatures, yet more recently waves of griffon settlers arrived in the region. Legends also say how ponies once lived here, back when the climate was warmer, but now only ruins remain after all the ponies migrated south.

The yaks were until recently united in the isolationist kingdom of Yakyakistan, but as Equestrian influence continued to grow in the region, the more conservative yaks of the Jaki-Clan rebelled. A brutal war followed, but neither side was able to overcome the other so a temporary peace treaty was signed. Further north, there are the Polar Bear Communities which were founded only some years before. Polar bears are used to being divided, so only time will tell if the newborn nation can survive for long. On the northeastern shores, the venerable Kingdom of Pingland is facing a succession crisis as their old king is at death's door. South of them is the industrialized griffon colony of Nova Griffonia, left stranded as their colonial overlords in the east have utterly collapsed. Now the independent griffons must determine their role on the world stage and learn to live by themselves. Meanwhile their small autonomous territory, the Griffon Frontier, is far too busy dealing with bandits and worse. Without Nova Griffonia's support, they will likely collapse.

Northern Equus Terrain — The mountainous terrain of the north provides natural defensive lines.

The northern nations are free, but for how long? The great powers of the south see them as little more than useful pawns for the upcoming battles. They are relatively weak and underdeveloped, and thus remain vulnerable for now. The mountainous terrain makes defence easier, but unless the north manages to unite one way or another, they do not stand a chance against the south.

Southern Equus

Because the nations south of the northern mountains in Equus are so large, the entire half of the continent is regarded as a single region. As the area is so vast, there is a huge variety of climate and terrain, ranging from the cold marshes of the north to the hot deserts of the south. Three races dominate the region: Ponies, changeling and deer. There are also insignificant minorities of buffalo, dragons and griffons. The ponies live on flat plains, arid drylands and sparse woodlands, the home of the deer is in boreal forests, tall mountains and swamps, while the changelings inhabit dark forests and marshlands. Each of the major races of the south have nations of their own. Equestria is by far the largest and most industrialized nation in the world, regarded as the haven of ponykind. Under principles of harmony, they have remained peaceful and prosperous for a millenium. Other pony nations on Equus are Crystal Empire, a close ally of Equestria which recently broke free from King Sombra's curse, Stalliongrad, a breakaway Equestrian province and the cradle of communism, as well as tiny Starlight Town, a city-state which is recovering from the rule of a mad cult. In the northwest, the deer live under the rule of the Kingdom of Olenia and its corrupt King, while the Changeling Lands were recently united and now seek to assert their dominance on the continent. Aside from these larger countries, there are the small Buffalo Chiefdom, a tribal enclave within Equestria, as well as the United Dragon Tribes, which recently had a pro-Equestrian ruler come to power.

Southern Equus used to be peaceful, but recent times have changed that. Stalliongrad revolted, Changeling Lands attempted to seize control of Equestria, and Olenia had a dramatic change of rulership. Now tensions remain high between the major nations. The changelings are building up for war while their rivals seem ill-prepared, as Olenia is weakened by internal instability and Equestria clings onto its pacifism. The smaller nations wait and watch, some of them deciding whose side to take in the upcoming conflict. Worse still, the major nations are among the most technologically advanced and industrialized nations in the world, so any wars between them would turn into carnage on an unprecedented scale. Some pray for tensions to dissipate and for peace to return, but as dark clouds gather, war seems inevitable.

Griffonia

Northern Griffonia

The cold lands of northern Griffonia have long been sparsely populated, as unlike in northern Equus arctic races did not settle the region. Instead, there were hardy griffons and ponies who migrated from west and south. Griffons settled the marshy valleys south of the Whitetail Mountains, while ponies arrived across the gulf to the frozen forests of the northern shores. Most ponies kept going, trying to find a better place to settle. Some remained and have adapted to the cold over the centuries.

These ponies are known as the Northern Tribes, and lived in isolation until griffon revolutionaries crossed the mountains and carved out their own nation in Skynavia. The Kingdom of Vedina has long stood independent, remaining autonomous during the Empire's reign, yet its distance from the griffon heartland means its inhabitants retain their traditions. Further east, the Duchy of Cloudbury fell after the remnants of the Griffonian Republic fled there. The revolutionaries now live in exile, hoping to one day return to Griffenheim. In the Whitetail Mountains themselves, there is the savage Sunstriker Clan, nominally loyal to the Empire but likely to break free when the opportunity presents itself. In the northeast are the Arcturian Order and the Dread League, ancient foes stuck in the past due to their extreme isolation.

The griffons of the north were once subjects of the Empire, yet became independent after it fell. If the Empire were to rise from the ashes, their freedom would soon be threatened, and due to the poor and underdeveloped lands of the north, they have little strength to resist their might. Out of all of them, the Griffonian Republic is the strongest, but alone they stand no chance. Beyond the mountains, Skynavia and Northern Tribes are locked in bitter conflict as ponies try to push out the invaders while the griffons try to spread the light of communism to the dark north. Northeast, the Dread League is gathering its strength to crush the Order once and for all. After that, nothing will stand in their way.

Central Griffonia

While the authority of the Griffonian Empire collapsed everywhere else, it still exists in central Griffonia, albeit in a greatly weakened form. It is here, in the fertile plains around the mighty Griffking River, where Emperor Grover I established his capital of Griffenheim, and where the capital has been ever since. The region is densely populated by griffons, while diamond dogs inhabit the Bronze Mountains to the north. In the east, the magical Scheißwald forest has been a near insurmountable obstacle for griffon settlers for centuries, while the great Lake Rumare and the mountains of Blackhollow make up the southern boundary of the region.

After the Republican Revolution, the region became greatly fractured. In Herzland, the Empire exists as a small rump state around Griffenheim, surrounded by nominal vassals who are part of the Reichspakt. Further south, the Duchy of Verenia has been torn asunder by civil war between rival houses. The Kingdom of Griffonstone, left without its greatest benefactor, is stranded. The small barony of Rumare now has a chance to save its dying culture, while Blackhollow in the east has been overrun by Blackrock's Bandits.

While the Empire is weak for now, it may yet recover its strength. Should that happen, the vassals are in danger of losing their autonomy, and most of them will refuse to give it up without a fight. Unfortunately, Herzland can only be reunited through conflict. The same is not true for Verenia, where the civil war may yet find a peaceful solution. In the south, Rumare may seek to reclaim its claimed lands from Griffonstone, while Blackrock may have ambitions in the east - or be overthrown. All of these states have to be wary if the Empire reunites Herzland, for it may then seek to bring all former Imperial lands back to the fold. Aquileia and Wingbardy, too, may seek to expand their influence in the region, thus possibly sowing the seeds for a conflict between them and the Empire. It is hard to predict the future, but one thing is certain: There will be blood.

Eastern Griffonia

East Griffonia Terrain — East Griffonia has been aptly called the Riverlands.

The region of eastern Griffonia is defined less by strict geography and more by the region's historical lack of influence by the Griffonian Empire. As such, it covers a large part of the Griffonian continent, and other races besides griffons live in these lands. Eastern Griffonia is traditionally divided into three sub-regions: Evi Valley in the south where griffons live along the Evi river and its many tributaries, Riverlands, a mountainous region populated primarily by ponies but also by diamond dogs and griffons, and lastly Beorgfordas, also known as Hill-land, home of the secluded hillponies. The source of the mighty Griffking river is in the mountains of the Riverlands. It flows westward, almost splitting the continent into two. Another notable feature in the region is the magical Eygsic Forest, rumoured to be home to giant spiders.

Overall, the nations of the region are more underdeveloped than in the west, primarily due to how far away it is from Equestria and other advanced nations. Out of the three sub-regions, the Riverlands are the most developed. Here, seven pony nations and, more recently, Diamond Mountain, are united by a defensive alliance known as the River Coalition. In western Riverlands, there are two griffon nations outside the Coalition: Hellquill and Longsword, remnants of the grand crusades of Emperor Grover II. The southern coast of the Riverlands has three nations which sprung up after law and order deteriorated in the region, with a diverse populace of ponies, zebras, deer and griffons. The Evi Valley south of the Riverlands is more backwards than Riverlands, its griffons clinging strongly to their traditions. Some, however, want change, and already Brodfeld is engulfed in a brutal civil war against the communists of the Griffon Liberation Army. In the north, the hillponies have no such desire to embrace modernity. Their tribes are like a time capsule of a bygone age, with tribal chieftains holding to power under the protection of the River Coalition. Off the coast, there is the island of Greneclyf, home of changelings who so far have remained isolated from the outside world.

The collapse of the Empire brought many changes to the region. The main antagonist of the River Coalition is gone, and it must now redefine its identity. Some push for federalization while others want the Coalition to be a thing of the past. The Evi Valley broke free from the rule of the Empire, but suffer from instability themselves. If reforms are not made soon, the backwards griffon nations will collapse in on themselves, and a red star will rise from the ashes of old. The hillpony nations are less oppressive, but even then some ponies push for embracement of modernity. The wind of change is blowing in the east, but none can yet say what kind of change it is bringing.

Southern Griffonia

The southern coast of Griffonia is the warmest part of the continent, with the southermost areas even having humid jungles. Most of the region has arid plains and hills, with many islands and a few mountain ranges. It is populated primarily by griffons, yet there are also a sizeable number of ponies in the west and minotaurs in the east, living on numerous islands, the largest of which is Kainourgio Spiti. The northern boundary of the region is made up by Lake Rumare and the Blackhollow Mountains.

The ponies inhabit New Mareland, an overseas dominion of Equestria established by ambitious colonists who bought the monster-infested land from the Duchy of Talouse centuries ago and cleared it for settlement. After the collapse of the Griffonian Empire, Talouse as well as other minor nations in the region joined the Karthinian Pact, led by the mighty Kingdom of Wingbardy. Falcor, their old rival, did not join, and was then devastated in a war against Wingbardy where they lost their capital. The parishes of Sicameon distrust the western and northern monarchies and are a beacon of liberty in the south, alongside the minotaurs of Asterion, their close allies. The minotaurs seek to liberate their kin from the oppressive rule of Cyanolisia and its griffons.

Southern Griffonia — Wingbardy leads the Karthinian Pact, and often expands quickly.

Wingbardy is by far the strongest nation in the region and dominates its politics. However, they suffer from political and economic instability which may result in a radical change of government. Such a change will likely affect the entire region, not just the other Pact members. Meanwhile, New Mareland has so far remained loyal to Equestria, but the economic depression has made some ponies demand patriation and full independence. In the east, Asterion is preparing for war against Cyanolisia, and Sicameon is likely to support them. And while the nations of the south bicker, the Empire might rise in the north. Despite being so far away from Griffenheim, they may not escape the wrath of a resurgent Empire.

Western Griffonia

The Griffonian west has traditionally had closer ties to Equus due to its proximity. It has many natural harbours, and the interior is mostly hilly and thickly forested, so population and development are concentrated near the coast. Majority of the populace consists of griffons, though the southwest has a pony minority that has integrated into local culture. Off the coast, there are the islands of Haukland which lie near major trans-continental trade routes.

For most of its history, the west was dominated by the Crown of Aquileia, albeit it was conquered by the Griffonian Empire and, after its collapse and independence, suffered from a republican revolution, counter-revolution and subsequent decentralization. Now the Kingdom is divided into many parts, all nominally under the rule of the King. North of Aquileia is the Periphery, the frontier region of the Kingdom now ruled by many small statelets. Northwest is the Skyfall Trade Federation once the most prosperous part of the Empire, and now an independent nation and a naval powerhouse. The islands of Haukland are also independent, ruled by deserters, pirates and other outlaws.

Unlike in the Empire, Aquileia's revolutionaries did not flee, they hid. And now they are preparing to strike again and topple the monarchy for good. The King and his vassals are trying their best to crush the uprising before it even begins, but things are unlikely to go as planned. While Aquileia is busy with internal issues, the small nations of the periphery seek to establish themselves as proper states while clashing with each other. Eventually, Aquileia will go north and seek to reclaim their former territory, so they must prepare. Skyfall remains relatively stable, but their leader is very old and likely to pass away soon, forcing a change in power. The Hauklanders do as Hauklanders please, with no one to intervene in their affairs. However, heartland of the Griffonian Empire is close, and the old superpower may yet recover its strength. Should this happen, the Empire will likely turn its gaze to the rich lands of the west. Aquileia has long hated the Empire, but hate alone will do nothing if they do not prepare themselves for the storm.

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 ===Northern Equus===
 [[File:Northern_Equus.png||thumb|320x158px|left|The Northern Nations.]]
+The frigid and mountainous north of Equus is an inhospitable landscape, but hardy races have lived there for a long time. Yaks, polar bears and penguins have adapted to the cold temperatures, yet more recently waves of griffon settlers arrived in the region. Legends also say how ponies once lived here, back when the climate was warmer, but now only ruins remain after all the ponies migrated south.
-The northern parts of Equus are dominated by cold temperatures and mountainous terrain. Because of this, the region suffers from a deliberating lack of infrastructure, making logistics a challenging task. The countries in the north of Equus are notably weaker than their neighbours in the south, and require a substantial amount of buildup to launch a successful attack on these foes. Politically and economically, Nova Griffonia starts out as the strongest nation in the north, though it is not quite a regional hegemon, and can be overpowered by other countries.
+The yaks were until recently united in the isolationist kingdom of Yakyakistan, but as Equestrian influence continued to grow in the region, the more conservative yaks of the Jaki-Clan rebelled. A brutal war followed, but neither side was able to overcome the other so a temporary peace treaty was signed. Further north, there are the Polar Bear Communities which were founded only some years before. Polar bears are used to being divided, so only time will tell if the newborn nation can survive for long. On the northeastern shores, the venerable Kingdom of Pingland is facing a succession crisis as their old king is at death's door. South of them is the industrialized griffon colony of Nova Griffonia, left stranded as their colonial overlords in the east have utterly collapsed. Now the independent griffons must determine their role on the world stage and learn to live by themselves. Meanwhile their small autonomous territory, the Griffon Frontier, is far too busy dealing with bandits and worse. Without Nova Griffonia's support, they will likely collapse. [[File:Northern_Equus_Terrain.png||thumb|320x161px|right|The mountainous terrain of the north provides natural defensive lines.]]The northern nations are free, but for how long? The great powers of the south see them as little more than useful pawns for the upcoming battles. They are relatively weak and underdeveloped, and thus remain vulnerable for now. The mountainous terrain makes defence easier, but unless the north manages to unite one way or another, they do not stand a chance against the south.
-[[File:Northern_Equus_Terrain.png||thumb|320x161px|right|The mountainous terrain of the north provides natural defensive lines.]]
-The north has to worry most about their better developed neighbours to the south, namely the Changelings, Stalliongrad, and Equestria. Their underdeveloped industrial capacity leaves them very vulnerable to attacks from these powers. That said, the harsh, mountainous environment of the locale does favor the defender. The north offers a region with challenging terrain and tough starting conditions; one must bide their time and exploit their neighbours to make further expansion outside the region possible.
 ===Southern Equus===
+[[File:Southern_Equus_Terrain.png||thumb|320x180px|left|The Equestrian South is marked by deserts, jungles, and badlands, and is lacking in development.]] Because the nations south of the northern mountains in Equus are so large, the entire half of the continent is regarded as a single region. As the area is so vast, there is a huge variety of climate and terrain, ranging from the cold marshes of the north to the hot deserts of the south. Three races dominate the region: Ponies, changeling and deer. There are also insignificant minorities of buffalo, dragons and griffons. The ponies live on flat plains, arid drylands and sparse woodlands, the home of the deer is in boreal forests, tall mountains and swamps, while the changelings inhabit dark forests and marshlands. Each of the major races of the south have nations of their own.
-Western and southern Equus feature a variety of different landscapes, ranging from mountain chains and jungles to snowy forests and flat grassland. Due to the varying sorts of terrain, the level of infrastructure can vary a lot between different states. [[File:Southern_Equus.png||thumb|320x232px|right|Equestria dominates the South.]] This region also features a long coastline, most of which is controlled by Equestria at the start of the game. Most southern nations start the game with a relatively large amount of divisions and/or industry. This makes them big threats to outsiders, though the political landscape of most countries prevents them from breaching out into different regions of the world for a long time. Politically, this region is largely dominated by Equestria, which has the possibility of exerting further influence if they so choose. Equestria starts out as a disarmed nation, unlike their main rival and opponent, the Changeling Lands. They, unlike their Harmonic neighbour, start out with a bigger and more capable army, and aren't as peace-loving either. It is noteworthy that this region usually grows with tension, until the Changelings declare war on their rival, as part of the Great War. [[File:Southern_Equus_Terrain.png||thumb|320x180px|left|The Equestrian South is marked by deserts, jungles, and badlands, and is lacking in development.]] The usual strategy of most countries in this region revolves around a massive industrial and military buildup during the early game, resulting in a great, region-wide war during the midgame, and finally ending in the victory of one side, who will then be in a prime position for global supremacy. Generally speaking, if one wishes to compete in this struggle for power, they would need to be on the winning side during the Great War. Equus features a large variety of terrain with varying levels of infrastructure, and some of the most powerful nations in the world. The gameplay is largely based around the central conflict between Equestria and the Changeling Lands, which most of this region will be involved in.
+Equestria is by far the largest and most industrialized nation in the world, regarded as the haven of ponykind. Under principles of harmony, they have remained peaceful and prosperous for a millenium. Other pony nations on Equus are Crystal Empire, a close ally of Equestria which recently broke free from King Sombra's curse, Stalliongrad, a breakaway Equestrian province and the cradle of communism, as well as tiny Starlight Town, a city-state which is recovering from the rule of a mad cult. In the northwest, the deer live under the rule of the Kingdom of Olenia and its corrupt King, while the Changeling Lands were recently united and now seek to assert their dominance on the continent. Aside from these larger countries, there are the small Buffalo Chiefdom, a tribal enclave within Equestria, as well as the United Dragon Tribes, which recently had a pro-Equestrian ruler come to power.[[File:Southern_Equus.png||thumb|320x232px|right|Equestria dominates the South.]]Southern Equus used to be peaceful, but recent times have changed that. Stalliongrad revolted, Changeling Lands attempted to seize control of Equestria, and Olenia had a dramatic change of rulership. Now tensions remain high between the major nations. The changelings are building up for war while their rivals seem ill-prepared, as Olenia is weakened by internal instability and Equestria clings onto its pacifism. The smaller nations wait and watch, some of them deciding whose side to take in the upcoming conflict. Worse still, the major nations are among the most technologically advanced and industrialized nations in the world, so any wars between them would turn into carnage on an unprecedented scale. Some pray for tensions to dissipate and for peace to return, but as dark clouds gather, war seems inevitable.
 == Griffonia ==
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 ===Northern Griffonia===
 [[File:Northern_Griffonia.jpg||left|thumb|320x147px|The nations of the north are underdeveloped and lack proper infrastructure.]]
+The cold lands of northern Griffonia have long been sparsely populated, as unlike in northern Equus arctic races did not settle the region. Instead, there were hardy griffons and ponies who migrated from west and south. Griffons settled the marshy valleys south of the Whitetail Mountains, while ponies arrived across the gulf to the frozen forests of the northern shores. Most ponies kept going, trying to find a better place to settle. Some remained and have adapted to the cold over the centuries.
-Northern Griffonia is a mixture of flatland and mountains, with a very low level of infrastructure and industrial development. This, factored with the harsh weather, can make it a challenge to supply your troops efficiently. These nations have a very hard time expanding beyond the borders of their own region, and require a lot of time to build up and conquer other smaller nations around them. Nations to the east or south could, if they so wished, easily overpower any of the northern nations through industrial and military might, something northern nations would have a hard time catching up on. The strongest nation in northern Griffonia is the Griffonian Republic, which starts with the most units and strongest industry of the north. However, they usually do not pose a threat to any of the other northern nations due to internal struggles. As such, smaller nations can attempt to conquer other, weaker ones without intervention. However, they must do so quickly and prepare a solid defense, because their time is limited.
-[[File:Northern_Griffonia_Terrain.jpeg||right|thumb|320x152px|]] The north of Griffonia will see itself invaded through the early midgame by the Griffonian Empire. They will be among the first to be targeted by the Empire, and as such do not have as much time to build up and grow stronger as other nations in different regions of Griffonia do. Because of this, the north usually stands with a very poor chance of defeating the Empire, and it requires a lot of skill (and a fair bit of luck) to defeat the behemoth that is the Griffonian Empire. The north is a relatively empty, undeveloped chain of mountains, hills and flatland that lacks noteworthy industry. The nations of the north are very weak at the start of the game, and must acquire strength quickly to avoid conquest at the claws of the Griffonian Empire.
+These ponies are known as the Northern Tribes, and lived in isolation until griffon revolutionaries crossed the mountains and carved out their own nation in Skynavia. The Kingdom of Vedina has long stood independent, remaining autonomous during the Empire's reign, yet its distance from the griffon heartland means its inhabitants retain their traditions. Further east, the Duchy of Cloudbury fell after the remnants of the Griffonian Republic fled there. The revolutionaries now live in exile, hoping to one day return to Griffenheim. In the Whitetail Mountains themselves, there is the savage Sunstriker Clan, nominally loyal to the Empire but likely to break free when the opportunity presents itself. In the northeast are the Arcturian Order and the Dread League, ancient foes stuck in the past due to their extreme isolation.
+[[File:Northern_Griffonia_Terrain.jpeg||right|thumb|320x152px|]]The griffons of the north were once subjects of the Empire, yet became independent after it fell. If the Empire were to rise from the ashes, their freedom would soon be threatened, and due to the poor and underdeveloped lands of the north, they have little strength to resist their might. Out of all of them, the Griffonian Republic is the strongest, but alone they stand no chance. Beyond the mountains, Skynavia and Northern Tribes are locked in bitter conflict as ponies try to push out the invaders while the griffons try to spread the light of communism to the dark north. Northeast, the Dread League is gathering its strength to crush the Order once and for all. After that, nothing will stand in their way.
 ===Central Griffonia===
+[[File:Central_Griffonia.jpg||right|thumb|293x240px|The heartlands of the Empire]] While the authority of the Griffonian Empire collapsed everywhere else, it still exists in central Griffonia, albeit in a greatly weakened form. It is here, in the fertile plains around the mighty Griffking River, where Emperor Grover I established his capital of Griffenheim, and where the capital has been ever since. The region is densely populated by griffons, while diamond dogs inhabit the Bronze Mountains to the north. In the east, the magical Scheißwald forest has been a near insurmountable obstacle for griffon settlers for centuries, while the great Lake Rumare and the mountains of Blackhollow make up the southern boundary of the region.
-Central Griffonia encompasses relatively flat grassland, but also incorporates some small mountain ranges. The region has a generally moderate, if not high amount of infrastructure, which makes the supplying and transportation of troops easy. Central Griffonia begins with a disunified cluster of nations, all having a small to decent industrial base. The area is, in almost every way, dominated by the Griffonian Empire. [[File:Central_Griffonia.jpg||right|thumb|293x240px|The heartlands of the Empire]] They start the game with several vassals under their control, most of which will eventually leave them. The Empire can quickly reclaim and conquer these vassals, however, only to unify most of central Griffonia and become a powerhouse of military and industry. As a vassal of the realm, it is hard to avoid being crushed by the Empire, though other nations in central Griffonia are given until the midgame to prepare for the Empire's forces. The generally flat terrain and good infrastructure of central Griffonia provides a great spot for military expansion, but nations will find themselves at great risk, as they are dangerously close to the Griffonian Empire.
+After the Republican Revolution, the region became greatly fractured. In Herzland, the Empire exists as a small rump state around Griffenheim, surrounded by nominal vassals who are part of the Reichspakt. Further south, the Duchy of Verenia has been torn asunder by civil war between rival houses. The Kingdom of Griffonstone, left without its greatest benefactor, is stranded. The small barony of Rumare now has a chance to save its dying culture, while Blackhollow in the east has been overrun by Blackrock's Bandits.
+While the Empire is weak for now, it may yet recover its strength. Should that happen, the vassals are in danger of losing their autonomy, and most of them will refuse to give it up without a fight. Unfortunately, Herzland can only be reunited through conflict. The same is not true for Verenia, where the civil war may yet find a peaceful solution. In the south, Rumare may seek to reclaim its claimed lands from Griffonstone, while Blackrock may have ambitions in the east - or be overthrown. All of these states have to be wary if the Empire reunites Herzland, for it may then seek to bring all former Imperial lands back to the fold. Aquileia and Wingbardy, too, may seek to expand their influence in the region, thus possibly sowing the seeds for a conflict between them and the Empire. It is hard to predict the future, but one thing is certain: There will be blood.
 ===Eastern Griffonia===
+[[File:East_Griffonia_Terrain.jpg||left|thumb|274x240px|East Griffonia has been aptly called the Riverlands.]] The region of eastern Griffonia is defined less by strict geography and more by the region's historical lack of influence by the Griffonian Empire. As such, it covers a large part of the Griffonian continent, and other races besides griffons live in these lands. Eastern Griffonia is traditionally divided into three sub-regions: Evi Valley in the south where griffons live along the Evi river and its many tributaries, Riverlands, a mountainous region populated primarily by ponies but also by diamond dogs and griffons, and lastly Beorgfordas, also known as Hill-land, home of the secluded hillponies. The source of the mighty Griffking river is in the mountains of the Riverlands. It flows westward, almost splitting the continent into two. Another notable feature in the region is the magical Eygsic Forest, rumoured to be home to giant spiders. [[File:Eastern_Griffonia.jpg||right|thumb|280x240px|The members of the River Coalition hold much of the region.]] Overall, the nations of the region are more underdeveloped than in the west, primarily due to how far away it is from Equestria and other advanced nations. Out of the three sub-regions, the Riverlands are the most developed. Here, seven pony nations and, more recently, Diamond Mountain, are united by a defensive alliance known as the River Coalition. In western Riverlands, there are two griffon nations outside the Coalition: Hellquill and Longsword, remnants of the grand crusades of Emperor Grover II. The southern coast of the Riverlands has three nations which sprung up after law and order deteriorated in the region, with a diverse populace of ponies, zebras, deer and griffons. The Evi Valley south of the Riverlands is more backwards than Riverlands, its griffons clinging strongly to their traditions. Some, however, want change, and already Brodfeld is engulfed in a brutal civil war against the communists of the Griffon Liberation Army. In the north, the hillponies have no such desire to embrace modernity. Their tribes are like a time capsule of a bygone age, with tribal chieftains holding to power under the protection of the River Coalition. Off the coast, there is the island of Greneclyf, home of changelings who so far have remained isolated from the outside world.
-Eastern Griffonia features a large variety of terrain, ranging from long, deep rivers and grassland, to mountains and forests. The majority of the region features moderately developed infrastructure, though this can vary from one country to another. [[File:East_Griffonia_Terrain.jpg||left|thumb|274x240px|East Griffonia has been aptly called the Riverlands.]] The east begins with relatively small industry, but this can build up to a decent and eventually large size over time. There are two big contenders for power in the region, the Griffon Revolutionary Army, and the River Coalition. The Griffon Revolutionary Army is located further to the south and can grow very rapidly through conquest. The River Coalition is a loose net of primarily pony nations that aim to protect against outside threats, namely the griffons, and particularly the Empire. Throughout the game, various nations within this alliance will strive towards unifying the coalition into a single nation-state under their own control, the River Federation, though any members may decide to forgo this and cut ties with the coalition to set off on their own, separate path. Any other surrounding nation would be best off preventing unification, as a unified Riverlands can easily overpower most neighbouring nations. The east, due to the deterrence of the River Coalition, finds itself largely protected from outside threats, even from the Griffonian Empire. [[File:Eastern_Griffonia.jpg||right|thumb|280x240px|The members of the River Coalition hold much of the region.]] This offers much needed safety to eastern nations, giving them extra time to build up and acquire territory. Eastern Griffonia encompasses long mountain ranges, deep rivers, and flat grassland, and offers a safe haven from the Griffonian Empire and other griffon invaders, resulting in a sometimes more relaxed but certainly not peaceful playthrough. The ultimate goal of the east is to either prevent or strive for the unification of the River Federation, depending on the choice of nation.
+The collapse of the Empire brought many changes to the region. The main antagonist of the River Coalition is gone, and it must now redefine its identity. Some push for federalization while others want the Coalition to be a thing of the past. The Evi Valley broke free from the rule of the Empire, but suffer from instability themselves. If reforms are not made soon, the backwards griffon nations will collapse in on themselves, and a red star will rise from the ashes of old. The hillpony nations are less oppressive, but even then some ponies push for embracement of modernity. The wind of change is blowing in the east, but none can yet say what kind of change it is bringing.
 ===Southern Griffonia===
+The southern coast of Griffonia is the warmest part of the continent, with the southermost areas even having humid jungles. Most of the region has arid plains and hills, with many islands and a few mountain ranges. It is populated primarily by griffons, yet there are also a sizeable number of ponies in the west and minotaurs in the east, living on numerous islands, the largest of which is Kainourgio Spiti. The northern boundary of the region is made up by Lake Rumare and the Blackhollow Mountains. [[File:Southern_Griffonia_Terrain.jpg||left|thumb|320x180px|The long, developed coastlines of southern Griffonia can help to support larger navies.]]
-Southern Griffonia encompasses a variety of terrain, with flatlands to the west and mountains to the east, splitting the region's infrastructure levels in half. Countries in the southwest of Griffonia such as Wingbardy have a much higher infrastructure level and an easier time supplying troops than the mountainous nations to the southeast, like Sicameon, do. This region offers access to the sea, though very few nations possess a capable navy at game start. [[File:Southern_Griffonia_Terrain.jpg||left|thumb|320x180px|The long, developed coastlines of southern Griffonia can help to support larger navies.]] The south features a moderate amount of industry, and rapid industrialisation can give a nation the edge it needs over less developed neighbours. The landscape is politically and militarily dominated by the Kingdom of Wingbardy at the start of the game. They feature a much stronger industry than any other southern nation, to supplement their very strong military. In addition to this, they are the leader of a powerful faction, the 'Karthinian Pact', which can act as a roadblock for smaller nations trying to grow in power within the region. Wingbardy typically chooses a radical political path, and you should thus expect them to be wanting to expand at best, and, at worst, wanting to annex you. A good defense against them is thus a well-taken recommendation. The Commonwealth of New Mareland is also a noteworthy mention for this region, as they are the second most developed nation in the south and are a subject of the major power of Equestria. Attacking them can be very dangerous, though if they strive for independence, they may be left very vulnerable. With the start of the late-game, the Griffonian Empire will most likely be knocking on the door of the south, ready to conquer the entire region. [[File:Southern_Griffonia.jpg||right|thumb|320x240px|Wingbardy leads the Karthinian Pact, and often expands quickly.]] As a nation in the south, it is ultimately your task to survive this onslaught and defeat the Empire, though this is very challenging indeed, seeing as how the Empire will have incorporated most of its territories back into its realm by the time it strikes the south. The mix of flat and mountainous terrain in the south makes it a moderately difficult area to traverse, and nations such as Wingbardy and, ultimately, the Griffonian Empire, will attempt to wreak havoc in the region. A nation must play their cards right in order to successfully expand without walking into certain doom.
+The ponies inhabit New Mareland, an overseas dominion of Equestria established by ambitious colonists who bought the monster-infested land from the Duchy of Talouse centuries ago and cleared it for settlement. After the collapse of the Griffonian Empire, Talouse as well as other minor nations in the region joined the Karthinian Pact, led by the mighty Kingdom of Wingbardy. Falcor, their old rival, did not join, and was then devastated in a war against Wingbardy where they lost their capital. The parishes of Sicameon distrust the western and northern monarchies and are a beacon of liberty in the south, alongside the minotaurs of Asterion, their close allies. The minotaurs seek to liberate their kin from the oppressive rule of Cyanolisia and its griffons. [[File:Southern_Griffonia.jpg||right|thumb|320x240px|Wingbardy leads the Karthinian Pact, and often expands quickly.]]
+Wingbardy is by far the strongest nation in the region and dominates its politics. However, they suffer from political and economic instability which may result in a radical change of government. Such a change will likely affect the entire region, not just the other Pact members. Meanwhile, New Mareland has so far remained loyal to Equestria, but the economic depression has made some ponies demand patriation and full independence. In the east, Asterion is preparing for war against Cyanolisia, and Sicameon is likely to support them. And while the nations of the south bicker, the Empire might rise in the north. Despite being so far away from Griffenheim, they may not escape the wrath of a resurgent Empire.
 ===Western Griffonia===
+The Griffonian west has traditionally had closer ties to Equus due to its proximity. It has many natural harbours, and the interior is mostly hilly and thickly forested, so population and development are concentrated near the coast. Majority of the populace consists of griffons, though the southwest has a pony minority that has integrated into local culture. Off the coast, there are the islands of Haukland which lie near major trans-continental trade routes.[[File:Western_Griffonia.jpg||left|thumb|320x332px|The Aquileian Kingdom is the Griffonian Empire's main foe in the region.]]
-Western Griffonia is a mostly flat and hilly region, with very few mountains. Despite this, the infrastructure across the region can vary largely, though it is usually moderately developed. This land offers access to sea and houses a great naval power, the Skyfall Trade Federation. The industrial capacities of the various nations in the west vary, though they usually feature an adequate, if not good industrial capacity. With these varying levels of infrastructure, it is an easy task for the stronger nations to conquer smaller, weaker ones before dealing with more dangerous enemies. Western Griffonia is visibly dominated by the Kingdom of Aquileia and its various vassals. It incorporates a good, strong early-game industry with a healthy amount of divisions.[[File:Western_Griffonia.jpg||left|thumb|320x332px|The Aquileian Kingdom is the Griffonian Empire's main foe in the region.]] Aquileia could easily overrun smaller opponents, but their political choices might distract them for long enough to keep oneself standing as a smaller nation and acquire more strength in the meantime. Through the midgame, western Griffonia will be put to the ultimate test, as the Griffonian Empire makes it way to reclaim its former territories, which includes all of the west. A player will find that even a strong Aquileia will usually end up crushed under the Empire's heel, leaving the rest of the region ripe for the taking. The flat and hilly landscape of the west, combined with the decent amount of infrastructure, provides nations with the terrain that they need to wage quick wars and supply troops. Aquileia is the regional power that one would need to protect themselves against, but in order to last throughout the midgame, a nation has to prepare and defend against the Griffonian Empire. The west offers a challenging experience, and a race against time.
+For most of its history, the west was dominated by the Crown of Aquileia, albeit it was conquered by the Griffonian Empire and, after its collapse and independence, suffered from a republican revolution, counter-revolution and subsequent decentralization. Now the Kingdom is divided into many parts, all nominally under the rule of the King. North of Aquileia is the Periphery, the frontier region of the Kingdom now ruled by many small statelets. Northwest is the Skyfall Trade Federation once the most prosperous part of the Empire, and now an independent nation and a naval powerhouse. The islands of Haukland are also independent, ruled by deserters, pirates and other outlaws.
+Unlike in the Empire, Aquileia's revolutionaries did not flee, they hid. And now they are preparing to strike again and topple the monarchy for good. The King and his vassals are trying their best to crush the uprising before it even begins, but things are unlikely to go as planned. While Aquileia is busy with internal issues, the small nations of the periphery seek to establish themselves as proper states while clashing with each other. Eventually, Aquileia will go north and seek to reclaim their former territory, so they must prepare. Skyfall remains relatively stable, but their leader is very old and likely to pass away soon, forcing a change in power. The Hauklanders do as Hauklanders please, with no one to intervene in their affairs. However, heartland of the Griffonian Empire is close, and the old superpower may yet recover its strength. Should this happen, the Empire will likely turn its gaze to the rich lands of the west. Aquileia has long hated the Empire, but hate alone will do nothing if they do not prepare themselves for the storm.
 [[Category:Background Info]]
+[[ru:Карта мира и география]]