Equestria

**Equestria** is the homeland of the Pony species and the main setting of  A New Generation. Notably, Equestria also served as the setting of Friendship is Magic.

## History

#### Pre-Equestria

Equestria was once a collection of farms and pastures, with each of the three Pony tribes living separately, caring only for themselves. The Pegasi controlled the weather, the Unicorns raised the sun and moon, and the Earth ponies grew food. When an intense blizzard blanketed the land, the Ponies evaded famine by venturing to untouched lands, but found themselves arguing over who would lay claim to it. Upon realizing that friendship allowed them to survive and stave off the blizzard, the Pony tribes set aside their feud and decided to share the land, naming it "Equestria".

#### Ancient Equestria

For over a thousand years, Equestria was ruled by Alicorns, who represented the unity of the three Pony tribes who lived together in harmony. There was a period in which one of the ruling princesses was banished to the moon, but returned and was purified by the Elements of Harmony. The revival of the Elements of Harmony allowed Twilight Sparkle and the Guardians of Harmony to preserve peace and unity throughout the land. Eventually, Twilight Sparkle became an Alicorn and ascended the throne, becoming the ruler of Equestria. In this position, she and the Guardians of Harmony continued to spread friendship and harmony throughout the land.

At some point during Twilight's reign, a mysterious Alicorn appeared in Ponyville. She bullied and duped a number of its residents, creating the impression that different Pony species were responsible for her crimes. Across Equestria, she sewed distrust and resentment amongst the Ponies, awakening old wounds once exploited by the villainous Chrysalis, Lord Tirek and Cozy Glow. This steadily drove the nation apart, until only the Mane 6 and their close friends remained united. Through a yet unexplored battle, the mysterious Alicorn was temporarily defeated, but the damage she had set out to cause had already been inflicted. It was then that Twilight gathered all of the world's magic into three crystals, which would only preserve magic in Equestria so long as friendship persisted among the Ponies.

#### Modern Equestria

Prior to the events of  A New Generation, friendship and harmony have faded and been replaced by paranoia and mistrust. The three Pony tribes live separated from one another, with the Pegasi in Zephyr Heights, Unicorns in Bridlewood, and Earth Ponies in Maretime Bay. Each tribe has its own form of leadership, differing from the single seat of power of Ancient Equestria. Magic has long disappeared, and the three species fear and distrust one another.

During the events of  A New Generation, magic was returned to the land. Thanks to the efforts of Sunny Starscout and her friends, three ancient crystals were brought together, and the unification of the Pegasi, Unicorns, and Earth Ponies sparked the return of magic. Realizing the fear and paranoia they once held did more harm than good, the three tribes came together to embrace an era of friendship and love.

## Locations

* Zephyr Heights - home of the pegasi
* Bridlewood - home of the unicorns
* Maretime Bay - home of the earth ponies
* Canterlot - former capital, currently abandoned
* Ponyville - seen in flashbacks, current status unknown
* Cloudsdale - seen on map, current status unknown