#duaiune

The Unicorns of Duaiune Part 1: Introduction

The Unicorns of Duaiune are the continent’s largest magical population, and its largest non human population. Though often lumped together, they are of four distinct species:

The Kenshorne are the truest of them. They can be identified by their straight pointed horns and their colors which are often solid and range from black to grey to violet to desaturated blue tones. Kenshel have a high magical affinity and are often born as spirits rather than hybrids. They make strong mages and artificers.

The Kasthorne are the rarest of the four having recently recovered from a near extinction. Sporting a twisted horn, short mane and beard, and light colored coat, they are often considered bicorns rather than true unicorns. They are the smallest species, but also the most outspoken in many cases.

The Unicorns of Duaiune Part 2: The Banners

Unicorn herds organize themselves into eighteen Banners. Member herds of a given banner plan their nomadic routes together and communicate as they travel across the continent independently. Each banner's home land always has at least one member herd present.

Even though the unicorns are constantly moving. Members of a given banner can always be found at a fixed point. While the banner territory is usually very large, it features at least one known meeting place at which anyone wishing to address the banner as a whole may expect to do so. This is for diplomatic reasons, as the banners function much like governments when dealing with humans.

Generally, herds do not stray too distantly from these starting points. Over the course of a year, one heard may travel several thousand miles in circuit, but this is often not enough to traverse the entirety of the continent. All eighteen banners are considered diplomatically neutral and, through treaty, have freedom of travel through any and all territories among other benefits.

The banners themselves often mimic the colors of nearby human nations, or flaunt aspects of regional culture. They are a courtesy to non unicorns in marking meeting places and identifying the loyalties of herds as they pass through a given area.

There is no formal education within the banners beyond mage apprenticeships. Roughly two thirds of unicorns are at least partially illiterate. In herds with little contact with humans, this figure is more significant. The majority speak both Lodo and Cauhai. In the west Hcodai / West Isle Common is spoken as well.

Like all creatures, unicorns are born into a domain. An individual's domain varies depending on time and place of birth as well as ancestry, but the most common among them are Defense, Music, Rhythm, Knowledge, Memory, and Inversion.

Memory Magic is the most prized to hold. Spells of this domain are what allow much of unicorn society to function and those holding it are often trained for positions of authority among The Banners. Memory spells keep the nomads on track in their wanderings without use of maps, signage, or other tools, and allow distant herds to share information and ideas without contact. Further, memory magic drives the economy of favors.

Rather than dealing in any hard currency, unicorns trade goods and services between one another directly as Favors. Memory magic tracks debts of favor, ensuring that the entire banner is aware of an owed debt and socially pressures for repayment. Debts can be repaid through any service to the banner or its members. There is a cultural expectation of continued contribution to the whole which the system codifies and upholds.When dealing with humans, unicorns offer useful magical skills including artificing, enchantment, and quick long distance communication. They also provide information, news, rumors, companionship, and protection on long journeys, as well as procurement of items from afar. The Banners work as a group to fulfill these favors with a humbling efficiency, and, in exchange, expect favors in return. (sometimes with interest)

The details of transactions are remembered by The Banners as a whole, and any unicorn may call in that debt as they please. By the same right, one who is owed a favor may ask it of any unicorn they encounter and expect repayment.

Blank Coins are used as a courtesy for humans, marking the weight of a debt owed in a tangible way that is easier for them to keep track of. The featureless coins are spell bound and summonable for easy manipulation, and change hands both as a catalyst for the memory spell and as a reminder of the deal. Silver blanks represent a debt owed to the herds while coppers represent a credit.

By unicorn standards, nearly anything can be considered a favor. Because of this, many humans avoid speaking with them unless absolutely necessary, as something as simple as asking directions or being told a secret in passing may land them in debt.