Unicorns

The unicorns which travel the forests should not be taken lightly. Few creatures think it wise to hunt one, and those who do are often more suitable for the task than some human in a shiny coat with a sharp metal stick. Follow their example.

— Ravara Holimion, Elven lifecrafter

Not many living people on Erisdaire have met a unicorn, as they are reclusive and wild creatures. Ordinarily living in the realm known as "the Faeweald", they occasionally walk the wild places of the world. It is said they resemble horses with a long horn growing from between its eyes, and are frightfully intelligent beings with inscrutable motives. What is known about the unicorns is rooted in how the stories are told about them. The elves speak of them with caution, the dwarves with quiet respect, and the tieflings with bile and venom. Most tend to use the same word in their languages, through the others: purity.

Unicorns are stewards of the wild places of the world, intent on keeping them "pure". How they pursue this goal is left to the individual, but they all follow similar impulses. Some unicorns are known become devoted followers of a God, acting as a harbinger of Their will. But they do not tend to congregate together, instead drawing other living things into their presence and beseeching aid. For this reason, it is not recommended to seek conflict with a unicorn - you will never fight one on its own.

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Basic Information

Anatomy

Unicorns are an ungulate animal with four legs, and while their bodies evoke the image of a horse they are built far slighter than equines. They have cloven hooves and agility more in common with cervines, but have a tail similar to a horse. The defining characteristic, however, is the horn itself. It extends at least two feet from the skull, with a subtle spiral fluting to it. The horn is similar to an antler in nature, being much tougher than it looks yet also prone to being shed by a unicorn after certain events. Occasionally there are unusual unicorns whose horns have more than one point, but these are exceptionally rare.

Much like horses or deer, the teeth of a unicorn are reflective of a diet of plants. However, no unicorns have been observed to eat so it is unknown what exactly their diet is. As mentioned, they have cloven hooves, but the material which comprises those hooves is strong enough to break stone and show no damage. Lastly, the neck of a unicorn is quite flexible for the form and makes it possible for the horn (or jaws) to be brought to bear on anyone thinking to strike at its flanks. Similar to horses, mules, or deer, it is not advised to approach a unicorn from behind.

Unicorn Horns

The horn of a unicorn is considered a prized trophy for those with arcane pursuits in mind, but a few words of warning should be spoken of first. While the unicorn does shed its horn periodically, it is not known why one does so. Furthermore, shed horns rapidly degenerate into a fine glittering powder which the wind disperses quickly. Cutting the horn from a dead unicorn does not seem to have this problem, but it also exhibits no unusual properties beyond being a firm length of material. A unicorn's horn must be given freely in order to possess the properties many seek out, and it is very rare for an individual to have such a gift bestowed upon them. These horns have the special quality of purifying any water they are dipped into, rendering even muddy pond-water potable. Similarly, touching one to a vessel will remove any poisons or other contaminants from the contents. Lastly, and most astonishingly, piercing the skin of a sick person with the end of the horn will draw out the illness at the cost of the horn; it will decay into the same glittering powder, which exhibits no unusual attributes at all. But such applications are certain to bring a person back from the brink of death, if applied soon enough.

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Civilization and Culture

Common Etiquette Rules

More moody than a unicorn.

— Dwarven expression, meaning "haughty"

It is highly recommended not to approach a unicorn found in the wild, as they are quite intelligent and capable of reason. A unicorn should only be approached if a person is invited to, and when doing so it is of absolute importance to do so without malice. Any unicorn has means of communicating, though the exact methods have never been detailed. Of the few encounters set down in records, there are three other rules of conduct which should not be broken.

• Speak only when spoken to. A unicorn has little patience for those who think themselves clever or witty. They are creatures not comfortable with civilization, by choice, and only seek conversation when it is necessary. Thus, to prolong the conversation and keep a unicorn longer than they indented is considered quite rude. This is why it is always recommended for a person to wait for a unicorn to speak first,
• Answer direct questions completely, but succinctly. In a similar vein to the previous point, unicorns ask questions only when they cannot be sure of the answer. It is a common thing to want to give all the details of an answer, but it is far more important for a unicorn to receive only the details it finds important. Rambling is a quick way to exhaust their patience, and chance an unfavorable end to the conversation.
• Make no demands. While this is a common point of polite discourse, unicorns are more sensitive to what might be thought as "requests" by others. According to records of the ones who spoke with unicorns for extended periods, the difference between a demand and a request is whether or not something is offered in exchange. Therefore, there are some recommendations of bringing gifts mentioned in a few accounts. This is, perhaps, missing the mark; as a creature of both magic and the wild, a unicorn has no need of what a civilized person might value. Rather, they might require something which is not tangible in exchange for something.

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History

Even we do not know from whence the first unicorns came, aside from what we are told the Gods say. What we do know is how tightly these beings are intertwined with the wild places of the world. I think, perhaps, that is all we need to know.

— Anonymous Elven Scholar

For as long as civilizations have been on Erisdaire, there are accounts of unicorns roaming the wild kept by all cultures. Yet the details of their history are not well-known, with the tales holding such being obvious flights of fantasy. What is much easier to understand is how the unicorns are known to interact with cultures throughout history. These stories vary in certain aspects, but all come to a similar conclusion: unicorns are not native to Erisdaire, yet keep close watch over certain regions.

The elves are one of the oldest people to still be willing to socialize, and their varied cultures tell similar stories about unicorns. According to the elven nobility, they were once messengers from the Gods who would converse with the elven highborn. However, after the Fall, such visitations have ceased and people receive no such special gifts any longer. The so-called 'wood elves' who dwell in forests both on Erisdaire and in the Faeweald caution against hunting or interfering with a unicorn's chosen habitat. Doing so is not only a way to affront a magical creature, but the Gods. Recently, other accounts from elven sources suggest there might have been a time when unicorns were sought for more than their horns - but there hasn't been much more detail found.

The dwarves see unicorns in a less reverent way, since dwarves tend to alter whatever areas they settle in to suit their tastes. For this reason, many accounts made by dwarves suggest they are a sign not to bother an area. Unlike the elves who see it as a place to be preserved, dwarves have likened it to trying to brace a wall with a stick instead of timbers. Taming such wild areas can be done, but the effort of doing so is far more cumbersome than the potential good outcomes.

As a people marked by the circumstances of their past, tieflings are used to being seen in a bad light. However, their accounts of unicorns seem to be of two types. The first type, which is rarer, describes unicorns quickly leaving and avoiding all direct content while making it clear the tieflings are not welcome in the area. The more common sort of tales are of the unicorn "summoning nature's wrath" and chasing tieflings from the territories being protected. These accounts seem to center on those who have arcane pursuits in their past, suggesting unicorns are not overly fond of arcane magic-wielders.

Humanity has a broad spectrum of accounts, even within the Rhyliss Imperium. Adherents of belief in the Twelve Gods believe them to be messengers of the Green Mother, an omen left for the worthy to be warned by. Priests of Rosaly Arbora are more forthcoming, saying there are a number of places which are known to be protected by a unicorn and considered 'hallowed ground' of the Goddess. The scriptures passed down generations speak of the "Herd of Seasons" - unicorns specifically acting in accordance with the guidance of the Green Mother, Herself.

Regardless of the place in history or legend, unicorns are obviously parts of the world which refuse to be removed. Even with the death of a unicorn, hallowed ground or not, the stories all suggest there are new places which become the demesne of a unicorn if a previous one is defiled. Eventually, more stories may yield greater insight as to their origins and purpose. However, even scholars are inclined to suggest it to be a project only a fool would undertake.

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