Chevalese Unicorns
The Chevalese are what most people think of when they hear the word "Unicorn", as they are by far the most populous Unicorn ethnicity, at least upon Latreous. Most live within the Kingdom of Cheval, yet are also found in large populations in the Kingdom of Athuria, the Kingdom of Ferrum
Culture
Shared customary codes and values
"Strive for Excellence." This phrase is the major philosophy behind the Chevalese mindset. No matter what one does in life, it is best spent bettering yourself.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
The Chevalese consider cleanliness to be the center of beauty, and anyone who does not keep up with cleanliness to the utmost degree is looked down upon. The silkiness of one's fur, the smoothness of manes, tails, and fetlocks, and the polished gleam of cloven hooves are the ideal. Most Chevalese will do some grooming themselves but will take regular trips to salons to maintain themselves, sometimes several times a week. These salons are a common sight not only in the Kingdom of Cheval but in many other places where the Chevalese live in large groups. Both patrons and staff will talk and gossip amongst themselves about the latest goings-on in their community, and many will trust their friends over more reputable news sources. In the Chevalese capital of Unateum, there is a common saying: "Never trust the papers over salon-yap, your neighbor probably knows more than the ink-jockeys."
Unfortunately, this Chevalese obsession with cleanliness has been weaponized against the Hoarfrost Unicorns, who have historically been heavily discriminated against by the Chevalese. While the Hoarfrost are just as clean, if not more, than the Chevalese, their thick coats and broad hooves are still perceived as "messy". Many Hoarfrost will have their hair cut while living in Cheval, not only because of the warmer climate but also to fit in with societal norms.
Gender Ideals
Because of their largely matriarchal society, femininity is usually placed higher than masculinity. This does not mean that masculinity is not embraced, far from it, yet the Chevalese definition of masculinity is quite different from many other cultures on Latreous. It encourages embracing emotion, that bottling up your emotions is never good, and that strength comes from more than just physical, but also emotional and mental.
Femininity is also different for the Chevalese, as it is more than being demure and fragile. It is seeing the finer details, experiencing things more quietly, more fully. But it is also leadership, taking charge of the family unit and helping to guide them, but never control. It is stepping in between a fight, finding a compromise if there is one.
Gender is also not strictly attached to biological sex either, as both male and female Chevalese can be as masculine, feminine, or as androgynes as they please. While some more conservative members of Chevalese society may scoff at this idea, the freedom to express gender and identity has taken root enough to be widely accepted.
Diverged ethnicities
Encompassed species
Related Organizations
Related Locations