Here is all you need to know about the species. If you guys have a better suggestion for the name, please let me know!
Please make a cover using the image I provided above. After, I would like you to design your lines under your cover and then deign ON your lines. Make sure you add me so I can see how I like designing on your lines. I will have friends of mine help me judge, but I will not say names.
Rules!!
1. Signature If you use a signature, please don't make it distracting from the lines. Make it flow with them or put it in the lower right hand corner. Unless your signature is distracting, the placement will have no effect on how I judge your lines.
2. Oekaki Understanding If you can, I would love to see layers for each type of horn (if you're willing to make more than one type), lock alpha, and just general understanding.
3. Neatness When you present the finished product, please make sure it's neat.
To get a step up:
1. Design multiple mane/ tail styles and make manes and tails independent
2. Design multiple horns
3. When you design on your lines, put yourself into the lines
4. Design the Great Unicorn of one of the forests (please note which one)
If you need any information, please let me know!
Unicorn (working title)
Description
- The “Unicorn” has been around for thousands of years, as far as the mythology can tell. The earliest known record of a unicorn is in Greek writings of Ctesias and Aristotle. The legends carried into the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. It was then that the Unicorn was “defined” as a creature of purity. But this was only an illusion. But little did the “founders” of the Unicorn know, the Unicorn was actually a carnivorous beast. They could make themselves appear any way they wanted, and in the face of humans, they would often appear as the projection of Heaven. But were they actually the beasts of Hell?
These “unicorns” would consume small mammals such as rabbits or squirrels, and some plant life as well. As a result, they have the normal dental structure of a horse but with four canines like a human to eat the food they need to survive. They would often feed on remains of the kills of previous animals, and only hunted if absolutely necessary. However, they do have front paws as opposed to hooves for hunting. Males have an extra dew claw, but this is probably just for dominance reasons. Females are more petite than their male counterparts, and they appear to be daintier. Stallions are extremely protective of their mares, and will gather extremely large harems of mares which they will jealously protect. Mates will be chosen, but stallions choose the mare by how she acts around him. Stallions will typically stay far away from other herds because they do not want to lose mares. Should two stallions come too close, and one challenges another, fights will go until one stands down. But because stallion’s egos tend to be inflated, fights will often go to the death.
Colts will never stay in a herd past two, and they are often kicked out by their fathers at about a year and a half. Some will even be forced to leave earlier, it depends on how respectful the colt is of his father. Fillies are often kept until they are at least three, and they are often gently encouraged to leave. Because mares are so valuable, stallions will never be rough with mares, and will be very kind to mares, especially when getting them to join their herd. When it comes to choosing a mate, stallions are extremely kind, and mares tend to hold all the cards.
- The Unicorn lives in any deciduous/ coniferous forest due to the amount of plant and animal life living there. However, the greatest bulk of them is in a forest not commonly known to man. This forest, recently discovered, has no name. The entire area is protected under an anti-hunting act and as a result, the animals may not be harmed. The forest is full of plant and animal life that the Unicorn may feed on, and they do so in such a way that the carrying capacity of their home can be reached in a timely manner. This means that the animals they hunt typically can get their numbers back up very quickly, even if they are commonly hunted. The Unicorn is very smart when it comes to their prey. They are considered opportunistic and feed on whatever is available at any given time. They don't hunt like a wolf or a coyote, they hunt more like a squirrel. They just locate what's available and take advantage. During the winter, they will occasionally hunt like a wolf, but only small prey. They typically eat grass or bark, and try to limit their diet to just that. But, they will eat meat on the occasion.
- The Unicorn looks like a horse, upon first glance. They typically range from fifteen to seventeen hands high. Their front hooves are replaced by paws. Males have an extra dew claw. Females are typically smaller and daintier than the males. Males are large, muscular, bulky, and athletic. They typically have larger heads and their manes and tails tend to appear wilder. They are much more aggressive.
Colors can vary, and follow the typical horse coat rules. Markings are also varied. Paint Unicorns are not common, but paint is considered a characteristic. Appaloosa Unicorns are extremely rare and hardly ever seen. Roans are extremely rare and notoriously hard to find. Eyes can come in any color.
** Black Unicorns are seen as a bad omen, especially if they are all black with no markings. White Unicorns are extremely rare and are seen as good luck. **
Unicorns do have a horn, but styles may vary. Rumors have spread of a Unicorn with stag-like antlers sprouting from behind his ears. It is said that the larger the horns, the more powerful the Unicorn. On females, a large horn symbolizes a strong child-bearer. This makes her a very desirable mare. Unicorns do not break off their horns, and they do not use them as a weapon in battle because they tend to be so sharp. It is considered unethical and a means for banishment from partaking in further activities.
** This breed does follow genetics, and they will be outlined. **
- Unicorns do tend to acquire small herds, but as of late they have been settling down with mates. Unicorns can be banished, which is when they are simply removed from the forest they reside and they must move on. This happens by the Great Unicorn of that particular forest (who is hardly ever seen). He has messengers (who are honored and considered nobility) who are bound to his service for their lifetime. The Great Unicorn is never challenged. He acts as a judge, and is omnipotent (he sees everything that goes on among the Unicorns). There are five known forests within the larger forest they occupy.
- i. ulster
ii. munster
iii. leinster
iv. connacht
v. foraois
** there will be a glossary with this species. **
** largely inspired by celtic/ irish folklore and faerie type **
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