Prompt #200: "The Crystal Restoration" by Ginger Grackle
Excerpt from Bluff’s Guide to the Northern Realms’ Chapter on the Crystal Empire
In the past two hundred years, the Crystal Empire has come a very long ways in terms of both modernization and reclaiming her position on the world stage. Though perhaps still some twenty years behind Equestria and the other nations of the Central Regions in some areas, the Crystal Empire has become an economic powerhouse, despite her isolated position in the arctic north. While still only possessing one major railway connecting to the rest of the world, the Crystal Empire was a pioneer in adopting the telegraph, and boasts one of the world’s first ground-based weather factories, an innovation made necessary by its lack of a substantial Pegasus population.
Most historians and political theorists attribute the success of the Crystal Empire to two major factors: First and foremost was Princess Celestia and Princess Luna’s decision to install Princess Cadance I, their relative by custom if not by blood, to the Crystal Throne, while simultaneously giving her a free hand in the Empire’s governance. The former sent a clear message to other nations about the likely response to any opportunistic aggression against the Empire. The latter gave the Empire the necessary sovereignty to deal with the business ventures which came stampeding to their doors shortly after the Return on solid footing, without having to give preferential treatment to Equestrian capital.
The other factor is undoubtedly the shrewd bargaining skill and unwavering dedication of the Crystal Viceroy, the first and last official to hold the title. Legend has it that “Old Granite” (as the Viceroy is affectionately termed) was a scholar whom not even King Sombra could break, and who was appointed Viceroy by Princess Cadance I. She was tasked with handling all matters of interior development and exterior trade, as well as the modernization of the Empire. Another popular legend has it that she was the first Crystal Pony to venture abroad post-Return, and that she personally hauled a cartload of modern treatises on technology and politics back to the Empire. She was so acclaimed in her work as Viceroy, that the position was retired when she finally stepped down, and its duties divvied up amidst several ministries.
Curious travelers can find a memorial to the Viceroy at the entrance of the library which bears her title, and which is said to be based on that cartload of books she brought back those two centuries ago. The Viceroy is carved into the granite* foundation of the Library, sitting at a desk piled with books and scrolls, a cup of tea neglected to the side, with a scroll at hoof and a quill clenched between her teeth. Her expression looks for all the world like you just barged into her office in the middle of some very important, and if you didn’t have a very good reason for doing, she would toss you out on your ear personally.* The Viceroy’s Library itself is now one of the largest in the world, due in no small part to the frequent additions the Viceroy made to the collection, and a very large bequest given to the institution by the Royal Princesses upon her death.
While the Crystal Empire made great strides towards modernization in those early years, it would not be until a full century after The Return that she made her mark politically—and militarily—upon the world stage...
*Some outside observers have questioned why Crystal Empire sculpture does not make use of gemstones in its construction to achieve a more life-like appearance and capture the color and luster of the subject. Such questions are met with expressions of horror by the Crystal Ponies, as though you had just asked them why they didn't have a taxidermist stuff the pony after death for display.
*Princess Cadance I is said to have remarked “I couldn’t have ask for a better likeness.” This facial expression is likely the reason for the Viceroy’s other nickname: “Old Hardnose.” Crystal Ponies consider this nickname reserved for themselves alone, and take exception to travelers using it.
Obselescence ses:
I like this! It's a neat little piece of worldbuilding that expands on the background of the Crystal Empire, and has quite a few bits in there that make it enjoyable to read on its own. Particularly liked the bit about why they didn't use gemstones to recreate the Viceroy's likeness.
