Unicorns
Elegant, lithe, and naturally talented in magic, unicorns are certainly the strangest sentient species on Icarus. If one were to see them from a distance, they might at first think they're simply short horse creatures, at least until they begin to speak. Even with their strange appearance, though, unicorns are a common sight among the various nations of Icarus.
I remember when I first saw a unicorn. I was certainly surprised, that's for sure. I asked my mother why a small horse was walking around town, and how it had gotten loose. My mother shushed me, telling me to pin my tongue and not be rude, but a few people overheard and laughed at my ignorance. I was 5 after all, and the Unicorn in question understood this as she came over to us. My mother profusely appologized, hoping that her young child's outburst had not offended this random stranger. The unicorn, Talia was her name, simply smiled and bent down to my height, telling me she was a unicorn, and that there were many just like her not only all over town, but all over the world. I remember staring at her horn, mesmerized, and understanding my curiosity, Talia allowed me to touch it. It was smooth, covered in a soft fuzz that felt like one of my toys that I had at the time. But I could also feel the magic surging through Talia's horn, how naturally she weaved the energies of the world around her. Later on in my life, Talia Windweaver would be my first magic instructor, and if not for her, I would not be the mage I am today. -From the writings of Ruth Gorgeus, Royal Mage of theArthurian Court (Circa 5067)
Basic Information
Anatomy
On average, unicorns are quite short, resembling a thin horse standing no taller than Telkhines. Their four legs are thin and bony and end in cloven hooves, and they have a lion-like tail that ends in a tuft of hair. Their most striking feature is the horn in the middle of their forehead, curved and wickedly sharp, it can reach up to nearly 8 inches in length and is normally covered in a layer of soft velvet. These horns are actually made of keratin, and behave much like fingernails and claws on other species than they do traditional, vein and blood-filled horns. Some unicorns will also develop scaly, hard patches of skin on their snout, backs, or legs, yet this is most common in Kirin . Most unicorns have fairly short coats, with the exception of Hoarfrost Unicorns, although all unicorns have long tufts of hair running from their fetlocks. Unicorn manes are much more like hair would be on other species, often being combed and styled regularly, and most unicorns, male and female, will grow long goat-like beards from the bottom of their chins.
Genetics and Reproduction
Female unicorns give birth to 1-2 foals at a time, gestating for 11 months before they are born.
Growth Rate & Stages
A newborn unicorn is much plumper than a fully grown unicorn, with their horn only being a small rounded nub on their forehead. Within a few hours of birth, a unicorn foal will be able to walk, albeit unsteadily, but within a few weeks will have their motor skills much more developed. Their horn will begin to slowly start growing within a month, and at that time they will also begin to develop their telekinesis skill. They'll also start to develop their speech skills at this time and will continue to develop over their lifetime. From this point, unicorns will age far slower, staying a foal for up to 12 more years, and developing from juvenile to a fully grown adult by the time they turn 18. Their minds will still continue to develop until they're 20, however, and their horns will continue to grow throughout their lifetime. Because of this, broken horns are common to see on older unicorns, and some unicorns will even get their horns filed down to a length they feel comfortable with throughout their lifetime.
"And you say he's only two?" "Yes. Got quite the horn-eye coordination, what with that ball he's throwing in the air." "Astounding." "Eh, I've seen better. This is quite normal for unicorns." "I wish my two-year-old was that smart. Would make things much easier." -Transcript of a recorded conversation between a pair of Kreosan soldiers, circa 5078
Dietary Needs and Habits
Despite what many people think, unicorns are omnivores, capable of digesting a whole range of plants and animal products, including meat. The diets of some unicorns, such as the northern dwelling Hoarfrost Unicorns, rely much more heavily on meat and what plants can be gathered rather than farmed. Other unicorns, such as the Chevalese Unicorns who tend to dwell in much more temperate climates, rely more on a plant-based diet. Regardless, unicorn stomachs are hardy enough to survive on nearly anything, a trait they share with other species such as Humans and Orcs.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
The most notable power that unicorns possess is their innate telekinesis, which usually emanates from their horns via a soft colorful glow yet can also emanate from their hooves. This glow is usually the same color as their eyes but is sometimes the color of the stripes on their backs or a completely unrelated color. This telekinesis also acts as a sense in itself, letting unicorns feel the environment around them in a myriad of ways. Not only can they "touch" things with their telekinesis, but can also sense moving objects not immediately in their field of view. This "blindsense" can warn unicorns of incoming threats long before they happen, and can even work in complete darkness, making unicorns on of the most perceptive species on Icarus.
I will never stop being amazed by unicorn senses. No matter what seems to happen around them, they percieve it all. For example, my friend Ulyssess, a unicorn I've known for much of my time as king, a wonderful member of my parliment to boot. I've watched him weave around chunks of masonry and duck underneath oncoming beams of wood being carried by laborors while seemingly focusing all his attention on me. I've watched him hop over puddles of muck and slime in the streets on our walks, never once misstepping or fumbling. I've watched him clambor over rocks and over fountains while carrying on a conversation as if nothing were happening. But do you want to know the most amazing part about Ulyssess? He's blind. -From a letter between King Darius of Ferrum to Duchess Sigund of Vicar, circa 5080
Genetic Descendants
Lifespan
80-90 years
Average Height
4 Feet
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Unicorns come in a variety of colors, from tan to brown, to grey, to black. One constant among unicorns however is a series of brightly colored horizontal stripes running from the top of their neck to the tip of their tail. The colors of the stripes vary, but they are always a bright, neon color, such as blue, green, purple, yellow, red, and various other colors. Their manes and the tuft of fur on their tails are usually the same color as their stripes, and sometimes their fur has a pearlescent sheen to it.
Related Organizations
Related Ethnicities
Related Myths