The Unicorn in Captivity by Unknown Artist

“How can anything that is going to die be real? How can it truly be beautiful?” - Peter S. Beagle, The Last Unicorn

Unicorn

The unicorn is an equine creature between horse and goat, sporting a coat of silver-white, dark cloven hooves, and a singular, spiralling horn sprouting from its head—this, the alicorn, is at the centre of most stories of the unicorn, a centuries-old allure. Some say it was a gift from the fey, a spiralling horn filled with arcane power, that transformed a humble horse into the unicorn. Others say even the fey couldn't make a creature so pure, so elegant, nor could nature: instead, it must be a Fable, supernatural from birth, however it came to be. As legend goes, the unicorn has the innate power to cure all matter of illness and disease: the consumption of its innards cleanses oneself of sickness; the wearing of its hide wards from ill intent; the sprinkle of its ground up horn purifies poisoned food. Indeed, for such an innocent creature, the means to use it are… gory. But there are the other claims, too: that the unicorn itself seeks out those pure of heart, laying its head in their lap to bestow its power.

It's hard to know how real a unicorn is. First-hand sightings are sometimes claimed, but what is often more easily encountered is, instead, evidence of their existence. Equine skulls bearing a horn, alicorn dust or even the alicorn itself, and sometimes live specimens. Horses, goats—cows?—paraded from one town to the next, with an out-of-place horn on their head. Sometimes the evidence is convincing. But, is it ever real?

Its coat is said to have a colour so pure that it even rivals the moon and stars. It almost shimmers, and is only ever described as soft and comforting to the touch. Between a unicorn's beady black eyes grows a long horn with grooves spiralling up its length, as pure in colour as its coat. And, a shaggy, goat-like mane surrounds its neck, along with a tuft at the end of a long tail. Should the unicorn bleed, its blood is black and oily with a brilliant sheen. Their cries are most similar to an elk's, if not made eerier by the supernatural echo that accompany them; some say it's a shrill sound, one that strikes fear in the heart; others characterize it as strange, but certainly not something to fear.

Unicorns have an uncanny gait, with grace that would give even the most steeled veteran pause. Moreover, they are curious and kind, best characterized as benevolent, and supremely intelligent. These creatures know a person's intent: those they sense as being pure of heart, in dire need, or bearing no ill intent are graced by their presence. The unicorn readily trots to meet them, even bestowing them the honour of laying its head in their lap, should they accept. Should those with an unworthy, soiled heart, selfish desire, or ill intent approach the unicorn, it becomes defensively aggressive, pointing its horn and stamping its hooves in threatening display. Accompanied are eerie, unkind, and harrowing calls.

It is unclear how exactly a unicorn imparts health—and perhaps, immortality—to mortals. Yet, the claim is so strongly believed that the creature has been the fixation for centuries upon centuries, often sought out by desperate souls seeking any solution to dire health. Royal courts frequently use the unicorn in heraldry, drawing on its themes of immortality and purity to tie a sense of legitimacy and stability to their rule. Hunting a unicorn has been the pastime of many a prince and king, and yet it's unclear which courts' claims of capturing one were true and which were fabricated.

 Only Lore Staff may DM this creature.

Written by electric and Ropefish