Hmm, I'd say Classical (Pre-Discord) Equestria would be a great setting, although Pre-Nightmare Moon works fine too.

Pagetopper!

That could be fitted in

edited 5th Feb '12 1:05:05 PM by AceOfScarabs

If you start the game as a kid, there could be a quest line related to each potential CM, and at the completion of it...it's a bit like a Pokemon evolving...you get a little cue saying 'hey, what's that on your side?'

If you accept the mark, you the mark of the quest in your own choice...if you decline, the cue goes Opp, never mind, it's nothing.

But...that potential mark is now always there, and you can change your mind if you want by selecting it...but once you've chosen it...that's it.

This would encourage players to 'shop around for a mark'.

And some quest ideas:

The cooking quest starts with you learning to cook, and ends with you making dinner for an important visiting relative.

The sports quest starts with you getting brought into a team to cover for an injury, and ends with you playing in the final.

The fighting quest starts with you defending a kid, and ends with you taking on the bully.

Of course the problem is who would pick any other option?

edited 5th Feb '12 1:10:32 PM by Badwolfwho

Hm....Unicorns start out in Canterlot, Pegasi in Cloudsdale....E Ps in Fillydelphia? (Aa Ponyvile wasnt founed yet?)

edited 5th Feb '12 1:13:19 PM by LMage

that might require a lot of work...

You could just make them all start in the Everfree Castle. It might have varied races living there.

Alternatively, two options. Everfree, the seat of Luna's power or Canterlot the seat of Celestia's power.

edited 5th Feb '12 1:14:59 PM by Badwolfwho

You might be able to choose your start in the game, and each starting zone has its benefits.

In addition to the CM quests...there could be the Race quest...Pegasi learn to fly...Unicorns learn their Telekenisis...E Ps learn the lasso?

That has been my headcannon for a long time (along with the Everfree having been mich larger then it is today, which "Family Aprecation Day" more or less proved)

edited 5th Feb '12 1:18:08 PM by LMage

Do you mean the Everfree forest was bigger or that the Everfree castle was bigger? My personal theory is that the Everfree became unbound was because of the clash between Nightmare Moon and Celestia, so there wasn't a huge forest there back then.

The Everfree Forest is massive anyway.

edited 5th Feb '12 1:22:03 PM by Badwolfwho

One of the factors that could influence your Cutie Mark is how much you grind your skills up, because skillgrinding obviously means you like something.

I always figured that BOTH sisters used to live in that castle in the middle of the everfree forest. and Celestia moved out due to the painful memories of the NM incident. From there she took up residence in Canterlot

edited 5th Feb '12 1:26:44 PM by gingerninja666

Everfree is clearly a sign that nature can work without ponies in some areas, but in others the lands have suffered so much cataclysmic damage only manual terraforming can keep the ecosystem afloat.

I liked the part of that theory that Celestia just moved to a bare mountain not really wanting to be the ruler any more and ponies just followed her and built Canterlot around her eventually convincing her in their devotion to take up the reins of governing again.

edited 5th Feb '12 1:29:26 PM by Badwolfwho

Good point!

So, can't take up a quest until you the skill level needed?

Edit:

Ah, I got it! Grind your skills, then when you get it up to a certain level, a pony will come to you and this will start the quest.

edited 5th Feb '12 1:32:56 PM by ApplelightLimited

I mean the Everfree forest itself has gotten smaller and smaller since Luna's Fall. Also...I always imagined Celestia as living in Canterlot myself.

But it is currently massive isn't it?

edited 5th Feb '12 1:35:31 PM by Badwolfwho

Instead of using level restrictions, we could use skill restrictions instead, because Master Experience level is not as important as your native skills. Also learning Flying and Magic are a must for Pegasi and Unicorns. Chances are most players will sink lots of points into those skills so they end up with less skillpoints for diversification.

I just don't think the sister's would want to stay apart. That's just me though

edited 5th Feb '12 1:36:02 PM by gingerninja666

Maybe them being apart contributed to Luna's jealousy. Like at the beginning of their rule they thought that it would make more sense for them to hold separate cities since it would be easier for ponies to come to them with problems. But as time went by less and less ponies went to Luna for help and instead went to Celestia.

edited 5th Feb '12 1:39:51 PM by Badwolfwho

That was more or less my reasoning, it made Luna more lonely that pepole perfered not just the day but her Sister's land to her's.

I just don't like it. Don't know why. I simply can't stand the idea.

Plus, them being together might actually spawn MORE jealousy. becuase loads of subjects seeking assistance would pass RIGHT by Luna everyday to seek Celestia's counsul instead. She'd SEE her subjects neglecting her everyday.

edited 5th Feb '12 1:42:52 PM by gingerninja666

Luna getting disgruntled back in the day becausenopony made use of the Night Court, perhaps?

@ Ace

Yeah that makes sense.

I love for a pony to start doing things related to their highest skills if left idle...fighting ponies will do the boxing stance, singing ponies will do vocal exercises etc.

I could honestly go either way.

That's the common belief as well as ponies not being awake at night.

Of course I'm certain that Luna would have had the support of a few nobles and at least as many guards as Celestia.

Maybe have different idles be unlocked based on different prerequisites, not just skills.

edited 5th Feb '12 1:46:02 PM by Badwolfwho