Republic of Gepona

> *Gepona has the unique distinction of having a very mixed population of Ponies and Griffons. To say that it has caused problems in the past would be an understatement, and while some would say that our city has managed to move on, I know there's still many Griffons who... resent the past conflict and its 'outcome' between Equestria and Griffonstone...*
>
> Ambassador Avis Witherwings, 221 AH, The Festival of Oranje

## Location

Gepona, highlighted relative to the rest of Equestria and Griffonstone

## Basic Facts

### Language

Equestrian (Eastern Equestrian and Griffon Dialects), Griffonic

### Religion

Equestrian Harmonism (Officially), Neutral Harmonism (Unofficially), Zororaptoranism (Unofficially)

The **Republic of Gepona**, commonly known as **Gepona**, is the southernmost polity of the Exalted Equestrian Empire, sharing a border with the Demilitarized Zone established between Equestria and the Griffon Kingdom. It shares its northern border with three polities and it is bordered on its East and West coast by the Marediterranean, giving it one of the longest non contiguous coastlines in Equestria.

Gepona is an oligarchic merchant republic. The Poge, Glinda Grimfeathers, has reigned since 220 AH. The capital is Gepona, a port city and financial center with an urban area population of an estimated 650 thousand. Gepona formerly consisted of several overseas colonies as well, but has long since relinquished its ownership of them in favor of focusing on financial and industrial endeavors. Currently, Gepona consists solely of its home territory, the capital and eponymous city, as well as several smaller settlements of mixed Griffon or Equestrian origin, with the constituent settlements having their own devolved governments, each with varying powers.

Gepona has evolved from a synthesis of the original Republic of New Geneigha and the several Griffon tribes which fell under Equestrian rule following the Treaty of Mount Aris in 179 AH. Following the steady decentralization of power in the Equestrian Empire, as well as the growing acceptance and economic power of the native Griffons, a council convened of the wealthiest Equestrian and Griffon families declared a transition towards the Republic of Gepona, and voted on a Poge from their ranks to represent the new government.

Sitting along the Apponnyines, Gepona has one of the largest gem-mining economies in Equestria, and its capital contains the largest Equestrian port open to the Western Marediterranean. It is also the second largest financial center in Southern Equestria.

## History

The southernmost portion of the Swabitan region has been inhabited since at least the second or third millennium BH by prehistoric griffonic tribes, making the Geponan region one of the longest continually inhabited areas under Equestrian rule. In the 3rd century BH, the largest griffin tribes were found along the Guto river which connected those tribes back to Griffonstone itself. In Griffonic, the region is known as Winguria, and it was considered prime pastoral land thanks to the climate and steep, mountainous valleys.

In 310 BH the Geneighan exploratory ship *Clover the Clever*, which was looking for a quicker sea route to the Qilin, ran aground on the northern edge of the Basalt beach. The Equestrian explorers were rescued by the Grimfeather tribe and given shelter and aid. After signaling a passing Neighpolian ship, the Geneighans were able to secure passage back home, but during their time amongst the Griffon tribes one of the Geneighan explorers, Sipone Blackmuzzle, was the son of a Geneighan prospector, and uncovered evidence of gold and gem veins running through Mt. Aris and the surrounding valleys during a hike up the lone mountain.

In 308 BH Sipone Blackmuzzle returned to Basalt beach along with a small flotilla of colonist ships, which together would form the foundations of the modern center of Gepona as a trade port city and mining town.