Talk:Star Swirl the Bearded/@comment-4677215-20141025000044

Okay, seriously, how old was this guy when he presumably died? We know he was Clover the Clever's mentor before the founding of Equestria, but he clearly wasn't dead by the time Celestia and Luna became the Princesses of Equestria. Celestia and Luna clearly knew him and respected him as either a valued subject or even an equal. But wait - let's not forget that before C&L became the rulers of Equestria, Discord was the ruler there. Of course, we have no idea when his reign of terror began and how long it lasted, but I have a feeling it all happened in a relatively short time. Celestia and Luna were grown mares when they defeated Discord and I doubt Discord would have allowed two alicorns to grow up if he had ruled over Equestria for centuries. (Of course, we don't know when C&L were born and where they lived before they saved Equestria from Discord. I guess it's possible they were sent to the physical pony world just for that sole purpose - they are gods, after all, or very nearly so.) Anyway, after Discord was defeated, Star Swirl must have still been alive because Tirek and Scorpan showed up at some point and Star Swirl befriended Scorpan. But this is where it gets weird - Celestia (or Luna, I'm not sure) said that Scorpan befriended a young unicorn wizard. YOUNG. WTF. The dude had been old enough to be called "Bearded" and acted as a teacher to a unicorn king's daughter's advisor BEFORE the founding of Equestria and had lived through the unknown number of years/decades during which Discord took over Equestria and got defeated and Celestia and Luna became the new rulers. Tirek and Scorpan must have arrived in Equestria VERY soon after Discord's defeat (which actually makes sense, since Tirek seemed to know Discord and his reputation so well) and Discord must have reigned over Equestria for quite a short time indeed if Star Swirl could still be called "young" at that point in his life. How long do most ponies live, anyway? Perhaps highly magical unicorns live longer/age slower than regular ponies, just like wizards in Harry Potter live longer than Muggles. I don't see any other good explanation for that "young" remark.

Please note that I'm completely ignoring the comics here, because I have never read them. I also chose not to mention the Sirens from Rainbow Rocks, because it seems obvious to me that Star Swirl banished them way before the founding of Equestria. (Although he apparently already had quite an impressive white beard in those days as well. Ugh.)

I'd be grateful if someone helped me figure this whole thing out.