Since the first was so wildly popular, I now present the second in the series.
The Unicorns of Ki
Author's note: This essay refers to the beast, not the orc nation of the same name. That is a subject for another time.
The unicorn of Ki most closely resembles the horse, and has often been mistaken for that animal. Besides the horn that grows from its forehead, there are other ways of telling the two apart.
First, the unicorn is longer of limb, having a longer upper leg for one thing. In addition, while most unicorns have a single hoof that touches the ground, such also have two tiny toes flanking the main one. On occasion a specimen will be born with three functional toes. Among the Unicorn Orcs these animals are known as, "Aides to the Triad". The three main gods of their pantheon.
Second, properly speaking the unicorn is not a mammal. While furred, with external ears and warm blooded, the unicorn is better classified as a reptile like mammal. In a nut shell, the unicorn is a highly advanced cynodont therapsid, retaining reptilian features long lost in true mammals. Among these is a beak which takes the place of a mammal's incisors. Recent paleontological discoveries have found unicorn ancestors with incisors, but those apparently disappeared between then and now.
The beak is a projection of bone from the upper and lower jaws, covered in horn. This is hidden behind a pair of fleshy lips. The beak is used to crop grass and trim browse, and to nibble on people they like.
Then there is the matter of that horn. As with the hoof the unicorn usually has a single horn (thus the animal's popular name). Most of the time there are two tiny, vestigial horns flanking the main one. Rarely do these appear above the animal's fur. On rare occasions the secondary horns do appear above the fur, and on very rare occasions the animal will have three horns, those flanking the central horn growing out at a 20 degree angle. When a unicorn has the three horns it is known as a "Warrior of the Triad". When a specimen has the three horns, and three hoofs, it is called a "Knight of the Triad". Such an animal is highly prized by the Unicorn Orcs, and are always kept for themselves. Anyone not of their nation found with a Knight of the Triad can expect a long, painful, embarrassing, nasty death.
Unicorns as a whole are curious animals, investigating anything new. With patience and a good supply of turnips (Why turnips? I have no idea. All I know is that they love turnips.) it is possible to get one close enough to pet. Domesticated unicorns will crowd around visitors, demanding attention, and turnips. They are certainly not the shy animals legends from distant lands hold them to be. As for the virgin thing. Having seen unicorns in action during the mating season, I assure you virgins hold no attraction for them of any kind. Unless the virgin in question has a bag of fresh turnips in hand.
Unicorns are very much social animals, gathering in herds as large as a couple hundred or so. Most of the time a unicorn herd consists of a single male, 3 or four females, plus young. All the adults are doughty fighters, and know how to use their horns to best effect. In mating fights the males use their horns to "fence" with, otherwise the horn is used to stab an opponent. Makes for a nasty wound.
There is more to be said of the unicorn, but this posting has gotten rather long. You'll be able to see more about unicorns in the wildlife section of Tales of the Wolf Folk Sea
Alan
The Unicorns of Ki
Author's note: This essay refers to the beast, not the orc nation of the same name. That is a subject for another time.
The unicorn of Ki most closely resembles the horse, and has often been mistaken for that animal. Besides the horn that grows from its forehead, there are other ways of telling the two apart.
First, the unicorn is longer of limb, having a longer upper leg for one thing. In addition, while most unicorns have a single hoof that touches the ground, such also have two tiny toes flanking the main one. On occasion a specimen will be born with three functional toes. Among the Unicorn Orcs these animals are known as, "Aides to the Triad". The three main gods of their pantheon.
Second, properly speaking the unicorn is not a mammal. While furred, with external ears and warm blooded, the unicorn is better classified as a reptile like mammal. In a nut shell, the unicorn is a highly advanced cynodont therapsid, retaining reptilian features long lost in true mammals. Among these is a beak which takes the place of a mammal's incisors. Recent paleontological discoveries have found unicorn ancestors with incisors, but those apparently disappeared between then and now.
The beak is a projection of bone from the upper and lower jaws, covered in horn. This is hidden behind a pair of fleshy lips. The beak is used to crop grass and trim browse, and to nibble on people they like.
Then there is the matter of that horn. As with the hoof the unicorn usually has a single horn (thus the animal's popular name). Most of the time there are two tiny, vestigial horns flanking the main one. Rarely do these appear above the animal's fur. On rare occasions the secondary horns do appear above the fur, and on very rare occasions the animal will have three horns, those flanking the central horn growing out at a 20 degree angle. When a unicorn has the three horns it is known as a "Warrior of the Triad". When a specimen has the three horns, and three hoofs, it is called a "Knight of the Triad". Such an animal is highly prized by the Unicorn Orcs, and are always kept for themselves. Anyone not of their nation found with a Knight of the Triad can expect a long, painful, embarrassing, nasty death.
Unicorns as a whole are curious animals, investigating anything new. With patience and a good supply of turnips (Why turnips? I have no idea. All I know is that they love turnips.) it is possible to get one close enough to pet. Domesticated unicorns will crowd around visitors, demanding attention, and turnips. They are certainly not the shy animals legends from distant lands hold them to be. As for the virgin thing. Having seen unicorns in action during the mating season, I assure you virgins hold no attraction for them of any kind. Unless the virgin in question has a bag of fresh turnips in hand.
Unicorns are very much social animals, gathering in herds as large as a couple hundred or so. Most of the time a unicorn herd consists of a single male, 3 or four females, plus young. All the adults are doughty fighters, and know how to use their horns to best effect. In mating fights the males use their horns to "fence" with, otherwise the horn is used to stab an opponent. Makes for a nasty wound.
There is more to be said of the unicorn, but this posting has gotten rather long. You'll be able to see more about unicorns in the wildlife section of Tales of the Wolf Folk Sea
Alan
