"Everyday Life With Guardsmares" by The Man From Another Time themanfromanothertime@gmail.com Written for the Royal Guard Mare thread on /mlp/ Character art: http://imgur.com/a/IEcnJ (characters in order of appearance; possible spoiler warning) FAQ & Character/Location List ==== FAQ ==== Q: What's in this story? A: This is an adventure story in the vein of "The Flashman Papers" or the Aubrey-Maturin series ("Master & Commander"). There's some action, some character development, some world-building, some feels, and some adult content of not-so-explicit and yes-so-explicit kinds. Q: I've never read anything in the Royal Guard Mare Thread of /mlp/; will I have a problem understanding this story? A: Nope! There's no continuity between this story and any other. All you need to know is that there are Royal Guards and that some of them are mares. Q: Is this story based on something else? A: Nope! I mean, all the bits and pieces are ripped off of somewhere or another, but it's not based on any one single other story. Q: When did you start writing this greentext? A: June 2017 Q: How often do you update? A: For the first year I tried to put out 2 scenes a week, sometimes 3. Currently I'm down to 1 per week due to personal commitments at home. Q: How long does each update take you? A: About 4-6 hours. Q: What do you use to write this greentext? A: Notepad++ with a spell-checker plugin and custom syntax highlighting to do >greentext. Q: Have you served in the military? A: Nope. I get my references from conducting general research and from comedy sites like 'Terminal Lance'. Q: What is Sgt. Ebonshield's accent? A: Castilian Spanish. In this story, batponies are Spaniards. Q: Why do batponies speak Spanish? A: Originally, I intended them to have British accents and an archaic vocabulary, since most ponies on the show speak with American accents. However, when I had Sergeant Ebonshield use the word 'majordomo' during her second scene, some readers saw it in the context of a very common Spanish honorific, and believed she was Spanish. When I explained what I was trying to do, they then persuaded me to switch to Spanish, and upon reflection it seemed to work with the ideas I had for batponies, so I went back and altered some of the descriptive text and Ebonshield's language to make it more explicit. Be advised that when batponies are speaking 'Equestrian' (i.e., English), they may make errors such as mis-ordering words (e.g., 'times uncertain' instead of 'uncertain times'), failing to use contractions (do not -> don't), assigning gender to inanimate objects ('the moon, she is bright'), or excessively prefixing nouns with determinants like 'the'. These are all common mistakes that native Spanish speakers make with English. Q: Do you speak Spanish or have Spanish heritage? A: I speak only a few words of Spanish and have no Spanish heritage. I do, however, speak fluent French, another Romance language with gendered nouns. That, plus some research, plus imagining David Suchet as Hercule Poirot, plus a little Google Translate, is how I'm composing the semi-broken English spoken (and narrated) by Ebonshield and other batponies. Q: Why do griffons speak Russian? A: Because I needed a foreign language and it seemed like the best one. It also kinda fits with the Victorian theme I'm going for. Like Griffonstone, Russia was in a weird place during the mid/late-Victorian era, being able to easily overpower its minor neighbours, but still operating with a backwards social order, having little industry to speak of, and suffering from frequent revolts & uprisings. Britain & France joined forces to keep it in check later, as well. Also, although I'm trying not to make the griffons gopnik (look it up) caricatures, I do like the art people have made of griffons squatting around in caps drinking vodka. Q: Do you speak Russian or have Russian heritage? A: I don't speak any Russian beyond what I picked up from STALKER and other Internet memes. I have put in a little research and also used my experience listening to thickly-accented Slavic friends speak. Q: So if Batponies are Spanish and Griffons are Russian, what the hell are Dragons going to be? A: I dunno, I'll let you know when one has a speaking role. Q: Where the hell is Prance/France? Why do people reference Prench/French? A: The show started this mess so I'm going to let them figure it out. Until then 'Prance' remains cheerfully nebulous. ************** SPOILERS ALERT ************** EVERYTHING BELOW THIS LINE POTENTIALLY CONTAINS SPOILERS UP TO (BUT NOT BEYOND) THE CURRENT LATEST STORY UPDATE. I strongly advise against reading past here until you're completely up to date with the story. ============ Locations ============ Canon locations are not included in this list. ~~~~ Settlements ~~~~ * Berry * Small town north of Canterlot. Spc. Sparkshower's hometown. * Newcastle-Upon-Mare * Village outside of Canterlot. HQ for the 1st Battalion 'Peregrines' of the Princess-Cadenza's Regiment of Auxiliaries. * Night Guard Rookery * A barracks and supporting village of Night Guard batponies, located underneath Canterlot mountain. * El Monte Esbelto, the 'Slender Mountain' * A mountain on the near side of the moon, the temple-fortress of the Temple of the Shining Stellar Dance. ~~~~ Vendors ~~~~ * Bridle Path Clothiers * Bespoke coltswear store, Canterlot, Poole Street. * Sardinia Theatre * Light operatic show venue, Canterlot. * The Stables * Nightclub, Canterlot, Thin Street, near Pachyderm & Palace Circle * Eliza's Efflorescences * Flower shop, Canterlot, Floral Street. * Bronzehorn Arms & Armour * Smithy, Newcastle-Upon-Mare. * Hackney Trot * Luxury retail outlet area, Canterlot. * Spa Dalecarlia * Public spa, Canterlot. * Horchateria José * Refreshments stand, Night Guard Rookery, Canterlot. * Earthquake * Nightclub, Canterlot. * Louis Valise * High-end fashion & leather goods shop, Canterlot, The Strand. * The House of Cards * High-end jewellery shop, Canterlot. ~~~~ Other Locations ~~~~ * Fort Horseshoe Bend * Royal Guard training facility, or 'horseshoe camp'. * Schola Magia * Equestria's premier arcane university, located in Canterlot. * Blue Chamber * Meeting room of Equestria's privy council, Canterlot Palace. So named because the walls of the chamber are decorated in blue. Also a colloquial term for the members of the privacy council themselves. * Champions' Hall * Location where the Royal Guard's military trophies, medals, plaques, etc. are on display. Houses the artifacts of the MXP Games. * Cave of Pillars * Natural cave consisting of hexagonal basalt columns, Night Guard Rookery, Canterlot * Grand Hall of Stars * Battle arena, Night Guard Rookery, Canterlot * Royal Eastern Cottage Racetrack * Oval race track, Royal Palace grounds, Canterlot. ============ Characters/Organizations ============ Canon characters & organizations are not included in this list. ~~~~ Main Characters ~~~~ * Anonymous * Human. By Appointment to Their Majesties Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, The Royal Engineer of Equestria. * Specialist Artemis 'Sparks' Sparkshower * Pegasus guardsmare in heavy armour. Serves as one of Anonymous' bodyguards. Cream coat, golden-yellow mane. Crayola-Blue eyes. Cutie mark: Two overlapping puffy white clouds raining golden sparkles. * Specialist Lily 'Lil' Glamerspear * Unicorn guardsmare specializing in anti-aircraft fire. Serves as one of Anonymous' bodyguards. French-pink coat, teal-and-cyan mane. Cyan eyes. Cutie mark: Glittering emerald-green spear-tip with large white lily-flower at base. * Corporal Honour Bound * Earth Pony guardsmare from the infantry. Serves as one of Anonymous' bodyguards. Beaver-brown coat, chocolate-brown mane. Brown eyes. Cutie mark: 'Cross moline' in black, surrounded by ring of bronze chain. * Sergeant First Class Purity 'Eb' Ebonshield [Pureza Ébanoscudo] * Batpony guardsmare from the Night Guard's School of the Shining Stellar Dance. Serves as one of Anonymous' bodyguards. Dark purple coat, white-streaked midnight-blue mane. Deep-lilac eyes. Cutie mark: 'Heater' shield in black surrounded by white glow. ~~~~ Supporting Characters ~~~~ * Lieutenant Temper 'Vi' Violetta * Earth Pony guardsmare, in charge of one of the CPMO VIP bodyguard service platoons which includes Anonymous' bodyguards. From the Canterlot noble house of Violetta, a cadet branch of the Rosettas. Holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from Canterlot University, with a major in history and a minor in musical theatre. * Private First Class Featherhooves * Griffon guardshen, Princess-Cadenza's Regiment of Auxiliaries, 1st Battalion 'Peregrines'. Head plumage resembles that of the laughing falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laughing_falcon ~~~~ Equestrian Government ~~~~ * Purse Strings * Chancellor of the Exchequer. ~~~~ Equestrian Royal Guard ~~~~ * Captain Montgomery Mailedhoof * Unicorn guardscolt. Commander of one of the palace guard companies. Becomes the salt-lick of Spc. Glamerspear. Silver mane and moustache. * Lieutenant Valiant 'Icepone' Kilfeather * Pegasus guardscolt. Leader of the 1st Air Wing of the 1st Canterlot Air Division, commonly known as the '1st Canterlot Air Superiority Wing'. Duelled Spc. Glamerspear at the Battle of Newstirrup Bridge. White coat and brilliant blue mane. * Lieutenant 'Joker' * Pegasus guardscolt. Kilfeather's right-hoof colt. Duelled Spc. Sparkshower at the Battle of Newstirrup Bridge. Purple coat and green mane. * Lieutenant Junior Grade 'Duck' * Pegasus guardscolt. Member of Kilfeather's 1st Air Superiority Wing. Duelled Cpl. Bound at the Battle of Newstirrup Bridge. Salmon-red coat and blonde mane. * Lieutenant Junior Grade 'Reiner' * Pegasus guardscolt. Member of Kilfeather's 1st Air Superiority Wing. * Lieutenant Junior Grade 'Wolfpony' * Pegasus guardscolt. Member of Kilfeather's 1st Air Superiority Wing. * Lieutenant Junior Grade 'Applewood' * Pegasus guardscolt. Member of Kilfeather's 1st Air Superiority Wing. Blonde-maned with a moustache. * Major-General Georgia Hoofstrong * Pegasus guardsmare. Commander, 1st Canterlot Air Division. Signed the papers authorizing Kilfeather's Pas-de-Sabots. In charge of Canterlot sector airspace control. Previously, Commander 1st Air Superiority Squadron (as Col.). Previous to that, Commander, 27th Air Superiority Wing (as Lt. Col). Originally enlisted as private, became officer by promotion from Sergeant. From the minor Cloudsdale noble house of Hoofstrong. Scarlet-red coat and stark white mane. Sky-blue eyes. * Sergeant Mareline Tandem * Earth pony guardsmare. One of Spc. Sparkshower's drill sergeants in Armoured Corps training. * Lieutenant-Colonel Belle * Chief of Staff of the Judge Advocate General's Office. * Private 'Snuffy' Snafu * Diamond Dog guardsdog, Princess-Cadenza's Regiment of Auxiliaries. Posted at the gate when Sparkshower first arrived. The shorter one. * Private 'Dilly' Dilbert * Diamond Dog guardsdog, Princess-Cadenza's Regiment of Auxiliaries. Posted at the gate when Sparkshower first arrived. The taller one. * Lieutenant-Colonel Countess Bashara Percheron * Earth Pony guardsmare. Commander of the 1st Battalion 'Peregrines' of the Princess Mi Amore Cadenza's Regiment of Auxiliaries. Aunt of Lt. Woodhouse. * Lieutenant Bertram 'Bertie' Woodhouse * Earth Pony guardscolt, Princess-Cadenza's Regiment of Auxiliaries, 1st Battalion 'Peregrines'. Officer in charge of a platoon of Diamond Dogs. Nephew of Lt-Col. Percheron. * Lieutenant Cheesewright * Earth Pony guardscolt, Princess-Cadenza's Regiment of Auxiliaries, 1st Battalion 'Peregrines'. * First Sergeant Gercog * Griffon guardscock, Princess-Cadenza's Regiment of Auxiliaries, 1st Battalion 'Peregrines'. * Major Bloodnok * Earth Pony guardscolt, Princess-Cadenza's Regiment of Auxiliaries, 1st Battalion 'Peregrines'. * Sergeant Alexander Castlerook * Earth pony guardscolt, 186th Fillydelphia Volunteer Regiment. Old friend of Cpl. Bound. Dark grey colt with liberty-blue mane and tea-green eyes. * Lieutenant Rounds Rapid * Unicorn guardscolt, Royal Guard Military Ponice, Royal Undermountain Constabulary. * Captain Bute * Earth pony guardscolt. Commander of the VIP company, Canterlot Palace Military Office. * Major Amberline Growler * Pegasus guardsmare. Commander of the 3rd Armoured battalion 'Valkyries', an all-female force. Noblepony. * Lieutenant Cloudhunter * Pegasus guardscolt. ADC to Maj-Gen. Hoofstrong. * Captain Goldenfoil * Pegasus guardsmare. Valkyrie under Maj. Growler. * Sergeant-Major Morgan Treechopper * Pegasus guardsmare. Valkyrie under Maj. Growler & Cpt. Goldenfoil ~~~~ Royal Guard Divisions ~~~~ * 1st Air Division * Responsible for defence of the 'central sector' around Cloudsdale, Canterlot, and Ponyville. Commander: Maj-Gen. Hoofstrong (ADC: Lt. Cloudhunter) HQ: The Watchtower, Canterlot - 1st Air Wing: Lt. Kilfeather. HQ: Canterlot Palace - 3rd Armoured Battalion 'Valkyries': Maj. Growler - Royal Hussars: ? * Princess Mi Amore Cadenza's Regiment of Auxiliaries * Regiment accepting non-ponies and non-citizens as enlisted troops. Service guarantees citizenship. Commander: ? - 1st Battalion 'Peregrines': Lt.-Col. Percheron (HQ: Fort Newcastle-Upon-Mare) * Household Division* Responsible for the personal defence of the sovereign Princesses of Equestria, garrisoning the palace, and providing escorts for diplomatic visitors to Equestria. The commander of the Household Division is traditionally referred to as "the" Captain of the Guard. Commander: ? (Formerly: Maj. Shining Armour, brevet Lt. Col.) HQ: Canterlot Palace, Canterlot - Household Cavalry: ? - Canterlot Palace Military Office (CPMO): ? - VIP Section: Cpt. Bute * 186th Fillydelphia Volunteer Regiment * HQ: For Mifflin, Fillydelphia Cpl. Honour Bound's old regiment. * 1st (Pegasus) Infantry Division * Responsible for defence of the lowlands extending north from Cloudsdale. Commander: ? HQ: ? (North of Cloudsdale). Motto: 'No Mission Too Difficult, No Sacrifice Too Great. Duty First'. - 4th Armoured Regiment: ?. Motto: 'Prepared and Loyal' ~~~~ Night Guard ~~~~ * Marcos Ebonshield * Batpony guardscolt. Brother of Sgt. Ebonshield. * València Fierropezuña * Batpony guardsmare. Commands a platoon of Righteous Hatchets. * Águila * Batpony mare. Initiate of the School of the Shining Stellar Dance. * Carto * Batpony colt. Initiate of the School of the Shining Stellar Dance. ~~~~ Batpony Temples/Schools of the Stars ~~~~ * Temple of the Righteous Hatchets, 'los Hachadores' * Town watch & border-guards. * Temple of the Shining Stellar Dance, 'los Estelares' * Assassins. Order founded by Maestro Romá de Balj. * Temple of the Howling Wolves, 'los Lobos' * Elite soldiers. Luna's personal bodyguard among the batponies. ~~~~ Other Batponies ~~~~ * Ignacio Blazon * Eclipse phase, Balladeer of Ghosts. Plays a 'gralla' double-reed instrument. * Reverend Mother Superior Carmen Ebonshield * Lunar phase, religious leader of the Canterlot Rookery. * Tonino * Rock phase, music-director of the band attached to the Grand Hall of Stars, Canterlot Rookery. * Toledo Esautomático * Rock phase, leader of the Guild of Forgers & Blacksmiths in the Canterlot Rookery. * José (Joseph) Alcazar * Rock phase, operates 'Horchateria José' (Joseph's Horchateria). Formerly a Star-Phase Colonel of the Lobos Lunares (Lunar Wolves); demoted to Rock-phase after the failure of the Reconquest. ~~~~ Industry ~~~~ * Martingale-Locksteed * Manufacturer of advanced military equipment. * J. P. Mustang * Earth Pony colt. Wealthy investor from Manehattan. Endorsed Anonymous. Helped Bitsmount's grandfather establish Bitsmount mine. Dresses his bodyguards like Manehattan bellhops. * Galloway Bitsmount, Esquire * Earth Pony gentlecolt. Owner of Bitsmount silver mine, which has had several recent collapses requiring expensive unicorn rescue operations. * Phillip Songwell * Earth Pony colt. Foremost teamster of Bitsmount silver mine. * Henry Fortstable & Co. * Carriage-builder, Canterlot. * Henry Fortstable * Unicorn colt. President of Henry Fortstable & Co., carriage-builders in Canterlot. ~~~~ Entertainment ~~~~ * W.S. Gallop & Arthur Stallion, commonly "Gallop & Stallion" * Authors of light comedic operas for the Sardinia Theatre. * "Gala" * Unicorn masseuse, Spa Dalecarlia. * Nina Pogranichova * Griffon masseuse, Spa Dalecarlia. * James Broadbarrel * Colt opera singer (baritone), Sardinia Theatre ~~~~ Bodyguards ~~~~ * George Zerofear * Earth Pony colt. Bodyguard to J. P. Mustang. * Gustav * Earth Pony colt. Bodyguard to J. P. Mustang. * Isabelle Coquette * Earth Pony mare. Bodyguard to Galloway Bitsmount. ~~~~ Other/Unaffiliated ~~~~ * Huckleberry Pudding * Earth Pony colt. Spc. Sparkshower's long-distance coltfriend in Berry. Grassy-green coat, pumpkin-orange mane, and typically dresses in blue overalls. * 'Isfet' * Unicorn colt. Black-market merchant of illicit magical goods. * 'Granny Nag' * Earth Pony mare. Associate of 'Ifset'. * The Shortcakes * Strawberry-farming family in Berry. Employers of Huckleberry Pudding. * Gunther Bronzehorn * Minotaur bull. Blacksmith, Bronzehorn Arms & Armour. Husband to Brunhilde. * Brunhilde Bronzehorn * Minotaur cow. Blacksmith, Bronzehorn Arms & Armour. Wife to Gunther. * Gilbert Lionheart * Unicorn colt. Freshcolt attending the Schola Magia. Member of Rho Gamma Mu fraternity. Current beau of Sgt. Ebonshield. * Chad Thunderhorn* Unicorn colt. Graduating senior attending the Schola Magia. Member of Rho Gamma Mu fraternity. * Order of the Ram * The Royal Guard's highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy. Its medal design is an ancient-style helmet with a pair of ram's horns curling out from the front. Has four ranks: Decurion, Centurion, Tribune, Legate, and Imperator. The rank of 'Centurion', indicated by a silver medal on a white-and-blue ribbon, is the highest rank available to common-born Equestrians. 'Legate' is the highest rank available to anypony bar the sovereigns of Equestria. ~~ Historical Figures ~~ * Maestro Romà de Balj * Batpony colt. Founder of the School of the Shining Stellar Dance. * Barclay 'Blondie' Growler * Pegasus colt. Formerly of the Royal Guard's Dragoons, after being wounded and discharged, founded the 'Dragoon' brewery in Cloudsdale, which brews the popular 'Dragoon Pale Ale'. * Griselda 'Ginny' Growler * Pegasus mare. Founder of the mares-only 'Valkyries' battalion. * Bradamante Growler * Pegasus mare. Owner of a Theolonicus lance. * Anthony Theolonicus * Unicorn colt. Famous maker of weapons circa 300 years before present day. ============ Objects & Terminology ============ Notable objects or terms invented for the story. * Saltine * A kept mare (or colt), a relatively long-term mistress (or paramour) of a wealthy patron, who supports them financially and expects them to provide companionship services upon demand. A sugar-baby. * Salt-Lick * Somepony who keeps a Saltine (see above). Salt-licks are often married themselves, but not always. The extramarital relationship is usually known among the Salt-lick's friends, but is sometimes even known to their spouse. A few married couples, bored or tired of each others' company, both keep saltines and remain married in name only. A sugar-momma or sugar-daddy. * Horseshoe Camp (or, 'shoe camp) * Royal Guard military training. i.e., boot camp. * WC-40 Manoeuvre * Unicorn procedure, common in the Royal Guard, of instantly expelling all water from one's coat by means of a forceful telekinetic blast. Requires some practice to master; acquired the name when Water Closet #40 at Fort Horseshoe Bend was destroyed during a failed attempt. * Corn Field * Royal Guard colloquialism for an all-unicorn group (regiment, battalion, etc.). * Horn Juice * Royal Guard unicorn colloquialism for mana suppressant potions. * DPICM * Dual-Purpose Illusory/Conjured Munition. * MXP Games * 'Most Extreme Pony Challenge', modern 'hip' branding for the event formerly known as the 'Grand Tournament of Canterlot'. Annual competitive combat games for members of the Equestrian military. Held in the summer. * MXP Totem * Magical artifact used for the MXP Games. Competitors who touch the totem and speak their names will be protected from permanent injuries during their fight. Activation is accompanied with a small static charge that sets coats on end. * De Magia Unicornis * Ancient tome on unicorn magic, written by Titus Wealthwisher. * Rho Gamma Mu * Fraternity at the Schola Magia. ============ Gag List ============ Explanations for some of the gag names in the story (those which aren't completely obvious, at least). Sorted roughly in order of appearance. ~~~~ Characters ~~~~ Spc. Glamerspear 'Glamer' is an archaic word for an illusory effect. It also rhymes with 'Glamour'. Lt. Temper Violetta 'Temper Vi' is a reference to 'Semper Fi', Latin for 'Always Faithful', the motto of the U.S. Marine Corps. Lt. Valiant 'Icepone' Kilfeather 'Iceman', Val Kilmer's character in 'Top Gun' Lt. 'Joker' 'Jester', Michael Ironside's character in 'Top Gun'. Lt. JG 'Duck' 'Goose', Anthony Edwards' character in 'Top Gun' Lt. JG 'Reiner' 'Slider', Rick Rossovich's character in 'Top Gun'. 'Reining' is cowboy show riding, and this name also references the cowboy hat worn by 'Wolfman', Barry Tubb's character. Lt. JG 'Wolfpony' 'Wolfman', Barry' Tubb's character in 'Top Gun'. Lt. JG 'Applewood' 'Hollywood', Whip Hubley's character in 'Top Gun'. Maj-Gen Georgia Georgia Hoofstrong George Armstrong Custer, US Army Phillip Songwell Literal translation of Phillipe Hennebeau, owner of the mine in Emile Zola's novel 'Germinal' Galloway Bitsmount Named for the mine he owns (see below). A Galloway was also a breed of Scottish ponies. J.P. Mustang John Pierpont (J.P.) Morgan, American financier. George Zerofear Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy from 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'. Gustav Monsieur Gustave H, the concierge from 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'. Isabelle Coquette Isabelle, the promiscuous pirate from 'Dragon Age: Origins'. 'Coquette' literally means flirt or tart in French. Huckleberry Pudding Huckleberry Pie from 'Strawberry Shortcake' Granny Nag 'Granny Rags', from 'Dishonored'. A 'Nag' is an old, useless horse. Isfet Isfet is the ancient Egyptian embodiment of chaos and injustice. Marcos Ebonshield Marcos is the Spanish of Marcus, from 'Mars', the Roman God of War. Pvt. 'Snuffy' Snafu 'Private SNAFU' is the titular character of a series of WW2-era training cartoons. Pvt. 'Dilly' Dilbert Aviator 'Dilbert Groundloop', the titular character of a series of WW2-era training manuals for US Navy pilots. Lt.-Col. Countess Bashara Percheron 'Percheron' is a breed of cold-blooded French horses. Lt. Bertram 'Bertie' Woodhouse Bertie Wooster, the main character in the 'Jeeves' stories by P.G. Wodehouse. 1SGT Gercog Gercog (герцог) literally means 'Duke' in Russian, from the German 'Herzog'. Maj. Bloodnok Hapless comedic character of the same name portrayed by Peter Sellers in 1950s-era radio comedy series, 'The Goon Show'. The Shortcakes Strawberry Shortcake, titular character of 'Strawberry Shortcake'. Nina Pogranichovna Nurse Nina from 'Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel'. 'Pogranichovna' is bastard Russian for 'daughter [-ovna] of the border [pogranich]'. Lt. Rounds Rapid From the expression 'Five Rounds Rapid'. Cpt. Bute Bute is short for Phenylbutazone, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for the short-term treatment of pain and fever, often administered to horses. València Fierropezuña 'València' means 'Strength' or 'Valour' in Latin, also the name of a city in Spain. 'Fierropezuña' literally means 'Ironhoof' Águila Spanish for 'Eagle', after the various protagonists of the "Assassin's Creed" series which are also named 'Eagle' (Altaïr = The Eagle, in Arabic; 'Ezio' = Eagle, in Italian) Carto Spanish for 'Map', after 'Chizo' (Japanese for 'Map'), the assassin from Stan Sakai's "Usagi Yojimbo". Ignacio Blazon Literally 'fire shield', named for the Spanish Jesuit character in Robertson Davies' "Fifth Business" novels. The 'Gralla' he plays is an actual Catalan double-reed instrument. Carmen Ebonshield 'Carmen' is the classical Spanish name both religious in origin (from Hebrew 'karmel', 'God's Vineyard') as well as the name of the titular character in Bizet's opera, Carmen, the classic tale of a 'femme fatale'. Music Director Tonino Tonino Baliardo, from the Gypsy Kings. Maestro Romà de Balj After Rumi ('from Rûm', i.e. from Roman Anatolia), of Balkh, Afghanistan (for which the Spanish name is 'Balj'), founder of the Whirling Dervishes. Toledo Esautomático Toledo is a city in Spain famous in medieval times for its steel. Esautomátix is the Spanish name for the blacksmith in the 'Asterix & Obelix' series of comics, here further Spanishized. Gilbert Lionheart Anthony Edwards' character 'Gilbert Lowe', from 'Revenge of the Nerds' [1984]. Chad Thunderhorn Of course the senior alpha male of the Rho Gamma Mu fraternity is going to be named Chad. And of course his last name will be Thunderhorn. Henry Fortstable Lord Henry Brougham, for whom the Brougham carriage is named. 'Brougham' is formed from 'Burh' (fortified) + 'ham' (homestead), hence fort + stable = Fortstable. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brougham_(carriage) http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Brougham Maj. Amberline Growler A 'growler' is a kind of jug used for beer, and 'Amberline' comes from 'Amber', which is the typical colour of pale ale. Cpt. Goldenfoil 'Foil' as in the fencing blade, from Chrysaor, 'he who has a golden sword', the brother of Pegasus in Greek mythology. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysaor Sgt.-Maj. Morgan Treechopper After David Morgan-Hewitt, the subject of the original 'absolute unit' meme tweet. 'Hewitt' is a diminutive form of 'hew', which means to chop. https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/absolute-unit Barclay 'Blondie' Growler A 'Blonde' is a kind of pale ale. Griselda 'Ginny' Growler Gin is a kind of alcohol. Anthony Theolonicus Antonio Stradivari, famed maker of violins, cellos, etc. 'Stradivari' means 'toll-man' in the Lombard language, and 'Theoloneo' is 'toll' in Latin. Bradamante Growler Bradamante, fictional female knight of Renaissance poems, said to wield a magical lance that could unhorse anyone it touched. ~~~~ Places, Organizations, & Objects ~~~~ Martingale-Locksteed Lockheed-Martin, American defence contractor. Fort Horseshoe Bend Fort Jackson, US Army boot camp. Andrew Jackson famously fought at the battle of Horseshoe bend. Sardinia Theatre Savoy Theatre, London. Famous for Gilbert & Sullivan's 'Savoy Operas' light comedies etc. Gallop & Stallion Gilbert & Sullivan, Victorian-era light opera duo. Bridle Path Clothiers, Poole Street Street is named for Henry Poole & Co, a famous bespoke menswear store in London. The Bridle Path is also neighbourhood in Toronto, Canada, with a considerable number of large-property mansions. Bitsmount Literal translation of 'Montsou' [penny mountain], the mine in Emile Zola's novel 'Germinal'. Blue Chamber Star Chamber, the Westminster Palace room housing the British monarch's Privacy Council during the 15th to 17th centuries. So named because the ceiling was decorated with gilt stars. The Stables, Thin Street, Pachyderm & Palace Circle The Ministry of Sound, London. Although the name itself isn't a direct reference, the actual night club is in Gaunt Street, (Gaunt=Thin, get it?) and is near Elephant & Castle, a road junction and area of London. Earthquake nightclub 'Volcano' nightclub in Glasgow, Scotland, as featured in the 1996 film 'Trainspotting'. De Magia Unicornis, by Titus Wealthwisher. De Rerum Natura ('On the nature of things'), a classical philosophical treatise written by Titus Lucretius Carus. The name 'Lucretius' is derived from 'Lucrum' ('profit', 'wealth'). Newcastle-Upon-Mare Nogent-sure-Marne, the town with the closest French Foreign Legion fort (Fort de Nogent) to Paris. Princess Mi Amore Cadenza's Regiment of Auxiliaries The name refers to Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Regiment. In form, however, it is the French Foreign Legion. 1st Battalion 'Peregrines' A 'Peregrine' falcon is of course a kind of bird, appropriate for a battalion with many griffons, but the word 'Peregrines' comes from 'Perigrinus', Latin for free non-Roman subjects, which also describes the members of the Regiment of Auxiliaries. Eliza's Efflorescences, Floral Street Eliza Doolitle is the main character of 'My Fair Lady', and is a flower-seller. At the beginning of the musical, she's selling them just outside the London Opera House. Floral Street is the actual name of a street behind the London Opera House. Louis Valise Louis Vuitton Mailletier. Mailletier is literally French for 'luggage-maker', and 'valise' is French for a suitcase. Hackney Trot Hackney Walk in East London, a retail outlet mall. Fort Mifflin, Fillydelphia Fort Mifflin, Philadelphia 186th Fillydelphia Volunteer Regiment 186th Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment, actual US Civil War regiment HQ'd at Fort Mifflin. Spa Dalecarlia Dalecarlia is a region in Sweden, famous for its red 'Dalecarlian Horse', a national icon. Royal Undermountain Constabulary Royal Ulster Constabulary, the militarized police force of Northern Ireland during 'the Troubles'. The Strand, Canterlot Actual street in London, England. The location of London's Savoy Theatre. Rho Gamma Mu Greek letters 'R', 'G', and 'M'. As in Royal Guard Mares. 'Little Ludwig' Number 2, Model D Leica II model D. 'Leitz', the name of the founder of the Leica company, is a variation on Lutz, a diminutive of Ludwig. Einsiedler cheese Swiss cheese. The Einsiedler (or 'Swiss Warmblood') is a Swiss horse breed. ~~~~ Other ~~~~ Airborne Weather And Climate Service (AWACS) Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS), aka the Boeing E-3 Sentry radar plane. Dual-Purpose Illusory/Conjured Munition (DPICM) Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (DPICM). A cluster artillery round used by the US military since the 1950s. Centurion of the Ram C-RAM Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar, e.g. the Phalanx CIWS radar-controlled minigun turret. WC-40 Manoeuvre WD-40, the penetrating oil.