species [Lore] Hippocamps

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Hippocamps - Equus Hippocampus

 

 

Physiologically, Hippocamps are a fair bit longer than their terrestrial cousins, though that is mostly due to their long, flexible piscene tails, boasting a chest, forelegs and hooves similar to those of the common pony, as well as a similar neck and cranial structure, though their eyes are generally more sensitive to light, and their ears less capable of mobility than their land-cousins. Many Hippocamps also boast gills along the sides of their necks, allowing them to stay underwater almost indefinitely. However, like their earth and sky-bound relatives, they still boast colorful seal-like coats, manes, and cutie marks.

Hippocamps are largely known to be a vivacious lot, full of playful energy, curiosity and whimsy. Living either in small communities or in families, they roam the oceans as they like, living anywhere that happens to suit their fancy. Though they lack the magical prowess of unicorns, the climate control of the pegasi, or the dexterity of the gryphons, they are nevertheless largely happy and content with their lifestyles - with, of course, the occasional exception. Just as Earth ponies, Pegasi and Unicorns each have their own realm of expertise, Hippocamps have some capacity to both empathize and communicate with other aquatic life. Their voices able to emulate a great many oceanic mammals with practice, and can do so to effectively communicate with each other and with other intelligent sea creatures. It is not uncommon to hear a Hippocamp emulate dolphins, seals, or even whales whenever the mood might strike them.

Being a largely nomadic culture, usually only settling briefly to raise young, most Hippocamps lack access to technology of their distant earth-pony cousins, much less that forged by unicorn or gryphon. As such, the passing of a sea-faring vessel is always cause for more curious Hippocamps to surface and inspect the wonders passing by. Rather than relying on construction, civil services or trade, many instead make their living not by innovation, but by exploration and improvisation. Given their taste for oceanic vegetation, of which great abundance can be found, it is fairly easy for even a lackadaisical, wayward Hippocamp to keep herself fed. Finance and commerce are generally not as important to Hippocamps as they are to their land-bound relatives.

Although the nature of a saltwater habitat isn't particularly easy on items of value, there is still much in the way of art to be found throughout Hippocamp culture. Although paints and parchments are rather fragile and difficult to preserve underwater, the art of mosaics, sculptures, and contained swirls of color still exist. Much of what art exists underwater is vibrant and cheery, there to keep spirits afloat amidst the depths and dark stormy days. Not that all sea-mosaic art must be cheerful, but the majority of it remains so nonetheless. As for music, much of Hippocamp performance relies on percussive instruments. Though a few undersea heat vents allow for the shaping of metals, only a small collection of steel drums, chimes and tubular bells exist, often kept under public ownership by schools and amphibiatheatres. There have been some experimental adaptations of land instruments, but very few have managed to last for more than a few years even with nearly constant maintenance in the salty seawater.

As for Hippocamp history, that remains yet unexplored; not being one of the major land-races of Equestria, their part in history remains largely unwritten in Celestia's historical vaults, or even their own. Hippocamps on the whole don't keep very many records of their history or transactions, having to rely on carving and embossed scrolls in order to keep anything written down for more than a few days. Land-made paper and parchments don't really work underwater, after all, and ink is washed away by seawater over time. However, there are rumors of stashes of history and Hippocamp diaries being hidden away on secret shores. That which is important is carved or carefully assembled by those of talent and patience, but the majority of Hippocamps leave very little writing in their wake, leaving Hippocamp history largely kept by oral storytellers with legends passed from generation to generation.

  ~Richard Canterborough, Blue Planet