outland regions [Lore] Maretonia

[SteelEagle]

MARETONIA - THE END OF THE BEGINNING

 

Few nations inspire such mixed emotions from the nations of the world as Maretonia does. A land of ancient history and scars that still feel as fresh today as they did generations ago, Maretonia is a hardscrabble land of ponies of all types in near constant strife with one another in a harsh echo of the ancient tribal traditions that pre-dated Equestria. The land has seen the trepidations of not only the tribes but of foreign powers, ranging from the ancient dynasties now torn asunder to the modern states of the world as it is now, all of whom fight over the rare resources in the land. From this internal and external conflict a hardy breed has arisen and claimed a land that would break the will of lesser stallions and mares. Maretonia inspires scorn for those who consider it's divisions appalling, pity for the same, arrogance due to supposed weakness, and respect as such a thought has been proven untrue many times in the past. What divides them is stronger than what units them, and it is such a simple difference that their largest break from Equestria is present.

 

Maretonia is a land tied to it's history as much as any other, if not more. It is home to three major pony tribes divided by species, a fact which when combined to poor ancient record keeping and other coincidences leads some to speculate that they are the home of the original pony tribes that would found Equestria. Most scholars believe this a conspiracy but there are a great many similarities in the traditions and histories of the tribes. If they are not the original tribes then they are as descended from them as modern Equestrians are, though they remain tied to these tribal lines while Equestrians have actively separated. Split along pegasi, unicorn, and earth pony tribes and lines, history has not been as kind to Maretonia as it has been to Equestria. Blessed with far less fertile soil, ancient legend tells of a great exodus. The point of contention is whether this was an exodus from Maretonia or to it, whether it was to Equestria or from the mythical homeland of the pony tribes (if it is not Maretonia). In either case, Maretonia has had a rich history of tribal conflict as the unicorns, earth ponies, and pegasi each have vital roles to play and disunity and harmony is common.

 

It isn't uncommon for the tribes to march against one another when times are desperate and specieism is common and in many cases nearly the law of any given city-state. This does not end with ponies and such manners and policies have led to Maretonia having historically poor relations. Saddle Arabian, Equestrian, and Aquelian armies have all at one point fought Mareronian forces in Maretonia. While Maretonians individually are hardy, intelligent, and viciously cunning warriors, the disunity of the tribes and the smaller relative population of the land has led it to far more defeats than victories. Such was the cause of the Aquelian belief that Maretonia could be conquered and added to their burgeoning empire. A multi-generational war took place and while the griffons had the greater deal of the success, they eventually threatened Maretonian independence enough for the tribes to become fully united for the first time in history. Individually talented and now experienced, once forged into an effective army they were able to roll back the talon-feathers and eject them from Maretonia. This unity was short-lived, but the war had the effect of putting the power in the hooves of three large city-states.

 

Kastrot, Hippostion, and Acroneighos are now the three major powers of Maretonia. Each one run differently by a different tribe, they all have slight variations of the older tribal ways. While all three are attempting in their own ways to open their cities up to all species in an attempt to curry favor with the other nations of the world, distrust and specieist beliefs and policies are common even amongst the higher classes and rulers with the exception of near lawless Hippostion. Each city controls a large section of the surrounding land indirectly, but beyond their control remain a collection of villages and smaller city-states that are in a state of flux. Alliances and friendships shift on a seasonal basis as tribal warfare and policies make the inner landmass a confusing mish-mash on any political map. The land is relatively temperate most of the year with ponies in concert being able to farm well, but the massive storms that hit tend to last a great deal of time. It is during these crushing storms that the distrust breeds itself in great fury. Partnerships and alliances fracture and conflict erupts over the basic necessities. They can end just as quickly but a Maretonian knows that the storm, fight for survival, tribal distrust, and attentions of the outside world come and go as the Windigo fly...

~A Journal Between Lovers: My Travels and Travails, by Flowing Stars