"They are one of the most beautiful themes in the song of the world and sacred in Loec's eyes. They are a reflection of all that is good. As they fare, so do we all. If the day should come that our people falter and the last unicorn falls, then Chaos will sweep over all lands and madness shall rule this world until its end. It is no accident that their purity can hold evil enchantments at bay, nor chance alone that leads some of our most honoured maidens to ride them into battle."
A majestic unicorn
Unicorns are magical horses of great intelligence who possess a single horn growing out of their foreheads. They are renowned in the stories and songs of the Known World for their elegance and grace.
They are sometimes used as mounts by the most morally pure and righteous mortal female magic-users of the High Elves of Ulthuan, the Wood Elves of Athel Loren and the Grail Damsels of Bretonnia.
Role
"Whatever you might believe, Unicorns are not dumb animals. They simply deem other creatures to be unworthy of their time and attention, and thus do not converse with them."
- —The late Bonnaudo, famed Bretonnian explorer[4a]
The unicorn Silvaron, mount of the Bretonnian Fay Enchantress, as rendered for Total War: Warhammer.
The unicorn is an innately magical creature, but its selfish nature means that it tends to feel no kinship with creatures that were summoned or created through sorcerous means, despite their common origins. If anything, it pities such beings for their misfortune at having been created as anything other than a unicorn.[1a]
Unicorn ivory is a much sought-after prize in certain corners of Bretonnian society, and many a gallant knight has met his end pursuing a unicorn deep into the magical forest of Athel Loren.[1a] Just as the brave warrior thinks he has cornered his prize, the creature disappears without warning, conveniently within a few paces of a swarm of vengeful spites or vigilant Waywatchers.[1a][3]
Curiously, unicorns are drawn to female wizards as moths to a flame, and find the taste of magic intoxicating. Most Spellsingers and Grail Damsels find this an acceptable situation, as a tame unicorn makes for an excellent steed. Furthermore, the beast's nature protects its rider against hostile magics, with a devastating spell often resulting in little more than a slightly inebriated and emboldened steed.[1a][3]
Notable Unicorns
- Arsil, the Prince of Unicorns - A great unicorn lord, Arsil had an unfortunate encounter with Ghorros Warhoof in a moonlit glade centuries ago. His broken skull now decorates Ghorros' scalp, and still harbours some protective magic.
- Silvaron - Silvaron is the unicorn mount of the Bretonnian Fay Enchantress Morgiana.
- Ariandir - The muscular Unicorn mount of Lady Élisse Duchaard.
Trivia
Arsil's name is likely a truncation of Narsil, King Elendil's sword that was used by his son Isildur to sever the One Ring from the Dark Lord Sauron's hand in The Lord of the Rings.
Sources
- 1: Warhammer Armies: Wood Elves (8th Edition)
- 1a: pg. 42
- 2: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Old World Bestiary (RPG)
- 2a: pg. 33
- 3: Total War: Warhammer (PC Game)
- 4: Storm of Magic (8th Edition)
- 4a: pg. 97
Gallery
