maretonia [Lore] Hippostion

[RarityDash]

Hippostion - A Den of Pirates and Thieves

 

Known mainly to Equestrians as a common setting in swashbuckling adventure stories, the Maretonian city of Hippostion certainly does not lack for character or excitement. Ponies vacationing by sea would do best not to plan on docking in this city lightly, however. A hotspot for criminal enterprise, Hippostion is consistently marked in all Equestrian travel guides as one of the most dangerous foreign locales for a pony to ever consider visiting. You may not put your life in danger if you visit Hippostion, but its almost a certainty that you'll leave with bits missing.

 

Hippostion sits on the southern end of a narrow island emerging from the northeast of the Maretonian continent, straight across the south Reintight sea from Aquelia's Soggalong Swamp. The island terrain is craggy and barren while the warm waters immediately around the city are choppy and rough year round, making the city difficult to reach by ship for any but experienced sailors. Travellers approaching the city will find themselves faced with a stark and unfriendly visage, and they would do well to trust it and turn back unless they have specific business in the city.

 

In terms of features, the city of Hippostion defies organization. It is best described as a haphazard bunching of neutral taverns and lodges, guild halls and often small and worn homes for the unfortunate ponies who make permanent residence in the city. The landscape is otherwise dominated by the large docks for both sea and airships to land by.

 

The reputation of Hippostion is of a lawless city of thieves, and this is not such an exaggeration. Overrun with mercenaries, thieves and pirates, any attempts to keep peace in the city have long since been abandoned. Some believe that, in the place of an effective government, money alone is the law in Hippostion, but this is something of a misnomer as the frequency of the robbing and swindling in the city makes money alone fairly meaningless there. Any semblance of order instead comes in the shape of the guilds which operate out of the city. These powerful organizations deal with one another for resources and influence. A pony who has made a name for his or herself in a guild will find for him or herself respect and authority in Hippostion. It is only such individuals who can expect to keep what they come to Hippostion with when they leave. Guild leaders are the ones who make the call when any high profile disagreement transpires in the city. Though there has been dispute and even conflict between guilds, violence between them is uncommon as the leaders of the major guilds respect one another and prefer to sort things out as amiably as they can.

 

Historically, Hippostion was mainly known an earth pony city, but the nature of the city and how it has evolved has lead to diversity and widespread acceptance for all species. Though the greatest population is still earth pony, pegasi and unicorns are not uncommon and the proximity of the city to Aquelia has seen rise to a significant griffon population. Zebras, Saddle Arabians and even caribou all the way from Whitescar come to the city to consort with the guilds and protect their interests. Most Hippostion guilds are pleased to welcome one and all, so long as they are able to prove themselves worthy of their respect.

-Beyond Equestria: A Traveler's Guide to Mysteries and Wonders of Maretonia, Whitescar and More