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DoomSp0rk — Applebuck
Published: 2014-01-23 05:17:25 +0000 UTC; Views: 4608; Favourites: 274; Downloads: 142
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Most people don't realize it, but Earth Ponies definitely have their own complex magic system similar to Unicorns and Pegasi. I imagine that the art of applebucking is part of a larger set of (originally) combat-oriented earth magic that uses subtle manipulation of the ground to provide extra leverage, force, and precision. Earthpony magic isn't usually as visible as it is in this piece, and I like to imagine that it is that way because it takes an exceptionally powerful earth mage to create visible spell effects. (Applejack would obviously be one of these, regardless of whether or not she realizes it.)Related content
Comments: 39
My headcanon has the Earth Ponies dealing with:
Geomancy (they give nutrients to the soil)
Petromancy (Maud's abilities)
Biomancy (they speed up plant growth)
Myomancy (muscle power, evident with Big Macintosh and Cherrielee, when she broke out of the Carousel Boutique) and
Capillomancy (hair magic: prehensile manes and tails)
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...in lamers terms, super strength and faster processing within the brain...basically?
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That is some severely leveled-up Earth Pony magic right there! It would be something to see something like this in the show, to give a little more open magic to the Earth Ponies.
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Ooh love your headcanon and the drawing is fantastic!
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From this day forward, all Earth Ponies shall be called "Arions". Arion is the original Earth pony why has given all other ponies agriculture and bestowed them with the ability to speak.
...seriously, look up Arion as a Greek Mythological creature.
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Anatomy..Is...Wrong... *Cheer up Hitla, cheer up... *
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Yeah, Earth Ponies don't get enough love. I think Earth Ponies are pretty cool, and they all get their own logics.
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I've just wait for this. Ever wondered how it works.
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Quite epic, if you ask me!
That dynamic pose adds to it!
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wow, great drawing. Also it looks like you have think a lot about their magic
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I think earth ponies are like monks in classical fiction. In complete control of their bodies, able to stand firm, break bones, and crack the earth. A big pony like Macintosh can even create localized tremors and knock down towers.
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Score 1 for this guy. Earthponies fit Paladin, Cleric, and Monk classes quite literally perfectly.
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Yet another reason you don't want to end up on the receiving end of AJ's powerful hooves.
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It's always been my head canon that they draw their strength from the Earth. Remember the myth of Anteas? He drew his strength from the Earth and as long as he was in contact with the ground not even Herculese could defeat him.
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i have always thought that they had to have some sort of magic. they probably also have magic that helps them grow plants as well as the combat- oriented magic (my opinion)
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Love the idea of Earth-ponies having they're own particular magic.
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Well all ponies have magic, even the Earth Ponies. Though it's not exactly as complex as this. The Earth Ponies have a great affinity for plants, this is why so many of them are farmers. Much like Pegasus ponies, their magic is passive. It's thanks to the Earth Ponies that the plants grow and the leaves fall. Without them nothing in Equestria would grow. They're also great cooks. Things that most see as everyday chores are just what comes naturally to Earth Ponies. That's their kind of magic. Not to bash your idea though.
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What you're saying is true, but I bet DoomSp0rk's idea could still fit in the FiM universe, though probably to a lesser extent than actually manipulating chi or mana or something like that. In any case, I do think the idea sounds promising, but I'd also like to see the more subtle side of a pegasus' magic like that.
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True I was simply throwing my two bits in
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Headcanon Accepted!
I love how you gave background info on your theory. Another example would be during the Iron Pony contest in Season 1; when Applejack beat Rainbow Dash in the bucking competition she not only rang the bell she sent the projectile into orbit (with a one-legged buck no less)! Taking into account physical strength alone I would say that Applejack is only about 1.5x stronger than Rainbow Dash. Taking into account total strength would be like comparing Krillin to Goku.
I'm going to request this for my group
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Makes sense. I always thought it would we very difficult if not impossible to kick a tree with enough force to knock off every single apple on a tree without damaging the tree itself. I bet Earth Pony magic involves some form of chi manipulation; "Natural Magic", if you will.
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While I do think that Earth ponies have access to chi or life-force magic, I imagine that the subset of their magic that deals with manipulation of the planet itself ("Earth" magic, not "earthpony" magic) is more reliant on the magical framework that Equestria the planet is constructed around (Ley lines). Theoretically, this is why Earth magic requires a connection to the ground in order to reach maximum potential.
I suppose that Applebucking may well use life-force magic to increase muscle power and decrease reflex time, but it also definitely relies on some sort of relationship with the ground that the tree in question is planted in -- It takes more than raw power to knock all the apples out of a tree (although I admit that Applejack is apparently just going for raw power in my piece).
At any rate, I would split Earthpony Magic into three distinct subcategories:
[1] -- CHI MAGIC -- Chi magic allows the user to augment and enhance the functions of their own body, giving rise to self-regeneration, Rock-Lee-style muscle augmentation, damage resistance, etc.
[2] -- EARTH MAGIC -- Earth magic allows the user to communicate and interact with the earth itself as well as the organisms that are permanently attached to it (plants, microorganisms, etc). It allows the user to utilize the currents of energy running through the ground to cause major effects, literally avatar-style Earthbending as well as (Naruto universe) Wood-style Jutsu.
[3] -- EMPATHIC MAGIC -- Not only do earth ponies have a connection to the life-force of themselves and the planet, they have an innate connection to and understanding of the life-force of other organisms. This manifests as cross-species communication, near-telepathic levels of empathy, healing magic (healing others, not oneself), and the ability to detect truth. Sound familiar?
By the way, does this mean Fluttershy has earth pony magic? Maybe! There is a theory that in addition to Alicorns and the three "base races" there are actually three other species of ponies comprised of a combination of two of the three base races --
Unicorn/Earthponies (Arcponies, aka Pinkie Pie),
Pegasus/Earthponies (Eraterus, aka Fluttershy),
and Pegasus/Unicorn ponies (Coruscarim, aka Twilight Sparkle).
Yay headcanon lore!
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Oh, man. This is amazing. Kindred spirits, you and I. This is the kind of headcanon I have and am willing to accept any improvements to. :'D
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Interesting headcanon! My wife and I have always agreed that Fluttershy is "a Pegasus with the soul of a Earthpony". I always saw Pinkie, however, as an Earthpony with the soul of a Pegasus. She can't keep her hooves on the ground and is very comfortable strapping on balloons or using a crazy pedal contraption to fly. Rarity is a Unicorn who's gem finding talent is very earth-connected. That's just the way I see them.
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This actually ties in very well with my own theory that each race has its own "ultimate form", or some kind of stage that a pony can sort of evolve to in order to access the strongest latent powers of that race.
For Unicorns, that stage involves access to a bigger range of more powerful magic. (Twilight, Sombra)
For Pegasi, that stage involves finer control over flight and weather manipulation, leading to the ability to create a Sonic Rainboom. (Rainbow Dash)
For Earth Ponies, that stage involves greater physical strength and/or strong empathic ability. (Crystal Ponies)
Fusing both headcanons together creates an almost Super Saiyan-esque evolution path for each pony race to unlock more and more potential until they become an Alicorn.
Yay headcanon lore indeed!
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I just released a journal in which I expand greatly on the subject. If you're interested, I invite you to check it out.
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