Unicorns
By Kay
Singular - Unicorn
Plural - Unicorns Group - Virtue of Unicorns Communication - Mindspeech Size Ranges – 5ft at shoulder average Colorations – Any; some rank specifications Naming Convention -- None |
General Information
When the people of Pern first migrated to Teragia, they were fortunate if they could catch the barest glimpst of these elusive creatures. It was their dragons, you see, whom the unicorns feared were like the dragons native to the world and that regularly hunted them. But when they actually got close enough to discover that these strange, new dragons were not only as intelligent as the ones they were familiar with, but also of a much more genial nature, greeted the new inhabitants and soon were bonding to them. Unicorns are graceful, peaceful equines with a single spiral horn emerging from the middle of their foreheads. Their manes are lush and silky, with tails that vary between equally silky like a horse’s and slender with tufted ends like a lion’s, their hooves vary between solid like a horse’s and cloven as in old folktales, and their bodies lithe but strong. At the shoulder they stand on average of five feet tall, though there are some variations between the ranks, and other than the Purity and Mercy ranks come in a variety of colors, from natural shades to more fantastical colors. Occasionally you will also find markings such as patches, socks, blazes, and the like usually in darker or lighter shades of the main coat color, though these are very rare amongst all the ranks. Males will oftentimes grow a silky beard as well, when they are of adulthood age. Teragia unicorns are epitomes of virtue, in fact each ranking embodying one specific virtue from which their rank name it taken. Overwhelmingly good at heart, they are both noble and proud without being arrogant, for their behavior reflects on the virtue they profess. Unicorns mindspeak perfectly, as well as are able to read and understand any language they are taught (a task that never takes long). Depending on rank, a unicorn will also have a magic power that they can use at will, though for some the more severe the use, the more their energy is drained. Mating Information When a unicorn is ready to mate, he or she (either gender may start a chase) will travel to some place that they feel strongly ties into their specific virtue. For example a Purity, this may be a shrine or other holy place; a Justice may find a ruin of a long-lost courthouse, and a Mercy a hospice garden. Once the place is chosen they will strike their horns upon something firm, be it a stone, a wall, or their forehoof, causing a single clarion tone to ring out to summon suitors. Those that heed the call will find themselves put to a series of questions by the summoner, seeking the one that is most attuned with their chosen virtue, or the one that most compliments their own spirit. these suitors can be of either gender, for across all ranks unicorns cherish the ideal of love, as long as it is pure. When the ideal suitor is chosen, the rest will peacefully disperse to leave the pair to go on their way to a more secluded place. There has never been a recorded incident of a rejected suitor resorting to aggression to retaliate. Bonding Information Unicorn foals are deemed ready to bond within a couple of weeks of being born, once they are able to stand on their own and are able to speak somewhat coherently. If able, both parents will be on hand to witness the bonding and ensure that their young are met by only those they deem worthy, though this does not mean a potential bonded will be sent away if they are less than pure of heart. Unicorns are wise enough to know that even the darkest of heart may hide a spark of goodness and virtue that they can stoke into a blazing inferno. Young unicorns will question those presented to them, learning of their personalities and ideals before a decision is made by touching the person with their horn. Ranks Purity 10* Male or Female Purities are the queens of unicorns, elegant, soft-spoken creatures who carry themselves with poise and a regal bearing that leaves their status unquestioned, if their golden horns and hooves weren't telling enough. The color of untouched snow, Purities are perhaps more naive than many would consider a queen rank to be, though they are far from stupid. More they believe in the inner goodness in all beings and look for it, even when others will claim none is there. They are steadfast companions. With a touch of their horns, these Unicorns can cleanse poisons from people, creatures, and even objects like food and drink. After mating female members bear between three and five young. Justice 9* Judicious and wise even beyond their senior queens, Justices are also typically viewed as the most strict of the unicorn ranks. Law and order are their guiding virtues, and one could no more break a law than the PIF not turn a day upside down. Possessing perfect eidetic memories and a knack for quickly recalling just the right law needed for a situation, they often turn up as mediators in disputes both in a Virtue and amongst others, with their counsel having final authority. Pewter of horn and hoof, they have the power to touch a person with their horn and command them to speak the truth for a time. After mating, female Justices bear two to four foals. Nobility 8* Lords of the unicorns, Nobilities' personalities reflect their virtue as they always carry themselves with dignity. Proud almost to the point of arrogance, they speak in grand, regal tones and are always immaculately groomed. Born diplomats and courtiers, a Nobility possesses a mind that is well-suited to navigating both the intrigue of a royal hall or living with a houseful of rambunctious shinies, able to read motives and deduct how to respond accordingly. Above all, though, they are brilliant tacticians, masters of games such as chess and natural leaders on any battlefield. With a commanding shout and a flash of light off of their platinum horns, they can order allies to the attack, or enemies to give way. Female nobility have a history of difficult childbearing, and birth no more than two at a time. Mercy 6* Mercy are quite lesser lords who tend to the sick or injured with gentle voices and a soft touch. Although they cannot physically manipulate the tools used in healing, like bandages and poultices, and their power does not encompass healing magics, their mere presence puts the mind and body at ease, lessening pain and comforting fears. Tending to linger around houses of healing and easily identifiable by their pure ebony black pelts, manes and tails, Mercy unicorns are held in high respect by other unicorns for their knowledge of the healing arts, and also with a degree of sorrow for what task often befalls them. Sometimes, the Mercy knows, there is no healing, no respite from pain and suffering that medicine cannot cure. It is then that mercy comes at a high cost: with a touch of their steel horn, a Mercy can still the heart and silence the breath, without discomfort to the receiver. Thus, oftentimes, a Mercy's eyes will have a hint of sorrow within their otherwise clear depths, for they have seen the fading of the light. Many female Mercy Unicorns feel it almost a duty to bear offspring to hopefully bring more Mercies into the world, though they can birth any rank of Unicorn, and suitably birth up to five at a time. Valor 4* Valors carry themselves with poise and confidence, like a knight and displaying all the behaviors associated with chivalry. With shining platinum horns and hooves polished to a mirror-like finish and perfectly well-groomed, you will never find them unkempt, always speaking with utter politeness. These males will never, ever lie nor offer an insincere word. Amongst all unicorn kind, they are the most likely to leap into battle, especially if they are doing so to defend another's honor. With a loud shout and a flash of light from their horns, they can create a dome of force to shield another from assault, though the longer they maintain this the more energy it takes from them. Female Valors bear up to three young at a time. Charity 4* Beautiful creatures for all that they are common (if anyone could call a unicorn 'common'), Charity unicorns are the most outgoing and openly friendly of their species. Generous to a fault, Charities rarely own anything of their own, and take great delight in giving to others, even to strangers that they do not know. Should they find out that someone is in need, there are very few lengths a Charity will not go to help them, be it participating in a long, drawn-out series of trades or offering physical labor, even if most might consider such (like pulling a plow) to be below a unicorn's status. The bright shine of their opal horns and hooves are almost as bright as their perpetual smiles and should they direct the point at a person and concentrate, they can always tell what that person truly needs in a given situation, whether they are trying to hide it or even know it themselves! If anyone ever wants to repay their kindness, all they will be told is to pay it forward (and what's more will sometimes give small nudges to places where such help may be welcome)! When they bear foals, it is never more than two, but usually just one. Compassion 4* Another quite populous rank, Compassion unicorns are the mental counterpart to their Mercy superiors. These unicorns are very empathic individuals, drawn to comfort those who are emotionally distressed or sorrowing, sharing their burdens to help bear the load. Sometimes referred to as 'Confession Unicorns,' they never hesitate to answer a call, bright of day or dead of night, to hear another's troubles and offer words of comfort and advice. What they are told is never forgotten and never shared, held in highest confidence and to ask a unicorn to reveal such is a grave insult. If they are told something that makes them fear for the well-being of the speaker, however, they will try to do whatever is within their power to get the person help, be it by alerting friends to a potential for trouble or taking a more active hoof themselves while trying to maintain the confession they have been given in secret. Their rose gold horns seem to glow from within with a warm light, and at a touch they can bring feelings of peace and happiness, to the point of laughter if they expend enough power. Female Compassion Unicorns bear between two or three foals happily and rejoice in their birth. |