Sun Pony

== General==
The perfect image of Celestia hidden away in the western jungles, the sun ponies are cultists that call one of Equestria's floating islands home. Extreme and unforgiving, the will of Helesta will be carried through by any means necessary. 
==Sun Pony Creation Guide==
The information listed below is integral to making a sun pony character. We ask you to prioritize our worldbuilding, these facts must be kept in mind even when deviating from societal norms.
===Appearance===
Despite having short and slender builds, sun ponies are hardly frail. They share many features with their antelope neighbors such as thin faces, curved horns, cloven hooves, and their tail shape. Unlike antelopes, they have manes like most other pony species and two pairs of wings that are completely useless. Attempting flight is uncomfortable as their wings will collide, smacking into each other instead of creating lift. These wings are heavy and often lifted in full display rather than folded at their sides, making swayback (a dip in the horse's spine) a common development for sun ponies.
==== Kirinous Sun Ponies ====
Not all sun ponies are small, many stand taller than unicorns by a good margin. This taller breed of sun pony is near identical in features save for three things, their faces, wings, and tails. The face shape of a kirinous sun pony is most often broader, with a stronger brow, resembling that of a kirin's. Their tails are something between that of a zebra and a unicorn's. They have a third set of wings, having all the issues a standard size sun pony would have, if not more intensely given the added weight and set of bones.
===Naming Scheme===
Sun ponies do not speak the common tongue of Equestria. Because of this, any sun pony named in English will be a translation of their actual name. While not the actual language of the sun ponies, Latin has been the most consistent stand in. That being said, a sun pony name could be complete gibberish in the real world and still make sense within Equestria. They may be named anything so long as it doesn't relate to Luna in any manner. This takes all mentions of the moon, the rain, winter, or the ocean off the table.
===Cutiemarks and Capabilities===
Sun ponies do not receive cutiemarks. They do not have spellcasting or the ability to fly. They also have no internal magic.
=== Diet and Wakefulness ===
Sun ponies are diurnal herbivores, exclusively diurnal as they have very strict curfews.
== Society==
The information found below is also very important to the character creation process, it is everything your OC would have been exposed to throughout their lives, it's what they know best, whether or not they fit that societal norm.
===Values and Demeanor===
Bravery is key in sun pony society. Fears are fine to have, healthy even. They mean you're alive. But fears should be faced, embraced. Foals get the bulk of this rhetoric, being denied comfort when faced with things they find scary, told only to be scared, to lean into it and push through it. To face it head on, like a warrior would. Sun pony children are often expected to advocate for themselves, to challenge their parents within reason, — Questioning their society, religion, or anything related, is shut down quickly. They are scolded for it, reprimanded for their "wavering faith" — and to defend others when its the right thing to do. This establishes a pecking order quickly, one sun ponies reference in casual conversation and spend their lives trying to advance in. Curiosity is not an encouraged trait, rather, it's actively discouraged. If it's not something that can be directly observed or isn't shared from someone of higher social standing, it is irrelevant and best left ignored.
The sun pony social hierarchy has two centers. Kirinous sun ponies are put on a pedestal, their sheer size makes them stronger by default and their tails more resemble Celestia's more than the antelope tails donned by their smaller brethren. The other way to be appreciated in sun pony society is to come from a family with many law enforcers. Law enforcement is the most respectable work force a sun pony can get into. Jailors may be the lowest rung on this social ladder but are still a step above the everyday sun pony but guards? Executioners? They are treated like royalty, executioners even becoming somewhat of celebrities to their local ponies. No mere town guard or military personnel could reach the reverence that comes with being one of the Golden General's personally selected castle guards. These special regimen are dubbed the title of "Saints" and heed Celestia's every whim. They rarely get time alone as most of their off time is spent in the castle barracks with their fellow Saints. They are closely monitored to ensure they are every bit loyal as they have sworn, on the Goddess, to be. No mortal is worshipped more by the sun ponies than the Golden General themself. They rule the dominion with an iron hoof, frigid demeanor and are watched more than any pony within it. 
See, the thing about sun ponies is that they're paranoid. Deeply, resoundingly paranoid. This paranoia leads to rumor mills and secrets sent down grape vines, if one is anything but a paragon of Celestia, blackmail will be collected and seeds will be planted. Accusing someone of being unfaithful to Celestia is a big deal, and a near futile endeavor for ponies in well known families as they are quick to vouch for their loved ones. The closer one is to the island — and the less societal buffer through respected family they have in their corner — the more likely that this accusation will be met with an execution. Heretics are not handled kindly.
Heresy comes in more forms than just lacking faith. Petty crimes on the island are an easy death sentence, but the majority of the dominion is less harsh. The worst thing a sun pony can do, though, is leave. Sun ponies are forbidden to leave their borders, locked in the dominion for the whole of their lives. The only sun ponies permitted to leave are the Golden General and a small group of Saints that they choose to accompany them. They, in fact, have a wall dedicated to the separation of the dominion from the rest of Equestria. This wall is old though, old as Celestia herself by some, less than verifiable, accounts, and has more than enough gaps to let things slip through. Should that happen, the escapee will be hunted down by antelope bounty hunters. There will be no mercy shown, if they're brought back to the dominion alive, they will be executed. 
This one-way border is hardly a one-way situation, no other species are allowed in. There are exceptions to this rule, though, should someone "blessed by Celestia" request entry they will be assessed by a sun pony guard at the embassy. Most are turned away, they lack urgency and intent. Curiosity is not a valid reason of entry. Alicorns, however, are almost always granted access. While forbidden from ever preforming the ritual themselves, sun ponies respect and revere alicorns and see it only fair that they get access to the Celestial holy lands. 
===Religion and Traditions===
Sun ponies see themselves as perfect mortal replicas of Celestia — or Helesta as they call her — and prefer not to cover themselves in garments. They more often choose to wear golden jewelry and colorful beadery. The exception to this being weddings and galas, when the time to show off more than just their sun-blessed figures, like their status and wealth, for one, and show off they do. Getting dressed together before an event is a common tradition of family bonding as it's difficult for sun ponies to clothe themselves. High ranking members of law enforcement get specially customized armor. Armor, both in general and customized, is not to be worn without an explicit reason like being on duty or attending a special event where coverings are expected, not just permitted. 
Executions are public affairs, they are events, hosted for entertainment. Gory and unpleasant, most details will be saved for the "lore tidbits" channel in the Discord server. Those in charge of the execution often spare no expense, everything from the stage to the executioner's armor is extravagant, especially the one on the island. There is music, applause, cheering, and often prayers in Celestia's name chanted through city streets. There is no quiet to be found when an execution is being preformed.
When sun ponies get engaged, they decorate their fiancé head to hoof with body paint (typically white and/or red), complicated and often meaningful designs. They then wear that out and soak up quite a bit of attention. These newly betrothed sun ponies get to spend the day detailing their partner and their future together. On the wedding day, they paint one another again, changing the designs to match, incorporating things from both ponies to celebrate their newly forged bond. 
Sun pony prayer is unique, while many of their prayers are verbal like much of Celestia's faithful, most of their connection to Celestia comes in heated moments. They feel most connected with her when their adrenaline is rushing, it's why executioners are so respected, they are the sun pony equivalents to high priests. When one's adrenaline is rushing, all thoughts and instincts are said to be Celestia's will coursing through them, guiding them through dangerous and high stakes situations. They believe that they are the only ones who have access to this "special phenomenon", that no other species can enter that rushed state of instincts. They are mistaken. 
There is a belief that, one day in the "near" future, the sky will burn brighter than it ever has. On this day, Celestia will call for all the unfaithful and unworthy to be done away with. When that is complete, she will descend, guiding sun ponies in a purge of the world's sinners. Most officials on the island swear that this doesn't mean all non-sun ponies but do little to quell that very popular belief. 
===Politics and History===
The Golden General is the complete ruler of the whole dominion. There are no other leaders guiding smaller villages off-island, it is the job of the law enforcement to keep the peace and the order intact. The title of the Golden General is not a pretty one to earn, the current general may be challenged by anyone, at any time. Those who aren't a saint or a storied executioner stand little chance. The Golden General is always alert, they are always ready, and almost always armed. Their saints may choose to defend them if they think their leadership is worth protecting. These challenges always lead to a death, whoever remains will lead the sun ponies. After a new general takes their place in command, it is customary for many challengers to approach as a way of testing their new ruler. These are hardly taken seriously enough to kill the challenger should they win, as this is just natural settling of the pecking order.