Similar to chiroquine and pegasi, unicorns are also magifauna. They live off of magical plants and live in herds for protection. Despite depictions in modern mundane media, unicorns and their cousins the kirin are more closely related to goats and other bovidae – morphologically at least.

From what we have observed, their herds are led by the largest and oldest member of the group. With their minimal sexual dimorphism, it can be difficult to tell, but it does seem like they follow both males and females – so long as they are the oldest able member. Even those with broken horns have been observed to lead.

Sorry for the month long break everyone! I was moving out of my old apartment and then everyone started having birthdays for some reason…

Anyways, these pages are a bit bare bones, just a small look into our Narrator’s living quarters since, like me, Vika was stuck not working and not fully relaxing:

“Summer classes ended last week, and with the studios and lecture halls closing, and students heading home for the break, the library hasn’t seen as much use as before. With my work done for the summer, I’ve been nesting away in my private quarters above the library. I’ve been tense though, there’s something on the horizon, like a fated storm. It’s been making my feathers ruffle more than usual.

The Kikimora have visited a couple times to check in on me. Helpful mouse-like spirits that help keep living areas clean and organized if paid appropriately. Of course, that payment usually comes in the form of snacks and flowers, but who am I to judge what another magical creature enjoys?

Hey all! Sorry for the lack of updates lately. I moved out of my college apartment and then everybody started having birthdays.

I’m currently working on the next page, but it’s gonna be a short while before it gets finished. For now, here’s some layout sketches of the next entry before it gets inked or noted!

The professor in charge of the Greenhouse, Mx Cerka, was kind enough to allow me to sit in on one of the Summer classes. They explained to the students that like any magic, flora (or botany) magic relied heavily on intent and belief. Such that if your intent is not in line with the purpose of the spell, it will not work to its fullest potential.

However, like any other magic, when rituals are used they must be followed lest it break and possibly have unforeseen consequences. For example, one student tried summoning a dryad pixie and instead summoned a djinn pixie because they used the fire activation instead of the plant one.

Mx Cerka also explained to the class that magic was more easily malleable here on Campus due to its being built on both a Well and a tangled knot of Ley Lines. This I knew well, having written my graduating thesis on Nevermore’s odd assortment of magispherical oddities - and was excited to hear about what such young students were learning.

The normally parallel and perpendicular Ley Lines curve inward towards the school in the immediate area, causing the temporal-spacial deformation in the surrounding areas. And being built on such a large Well of Magic gives the area a strong outpouring of mana, so that people are able to use it more freely than they would elsewhere.

After a week of searching, I finally found one of the herds of Kirin that wander the grounds of Nevermore Academy. These elusive creatures have been likened to Unicorns due to their general appearance - equine shape with a singular horn - however they are not closely related.

Somewhat more similar to the Cervidae family of deer and such, the Kirin are able to channel their magic through an antler that sheds annually. Despite going without this focus for part of the year, it seems as though the *strength* their magic is not affected, but rather their area of affect is.

From what I have seen, Kirin use their magic offensively and defensively. They will strike out at foreign Kirin if they get too close with forceful rears as though the offender was mere feet away to be gouged by the single antler on its head. Defensively, I have seen shields appear over their flanks and their children when predators attack.

Antlers however, are not the only thing these magifauna shed. Their backs and haunches are covered in fine protective scales, and these are constantly being shed as new ones grow in. Along their spines are slender quills that rise and fall. I do not know the reason behind them, but they are magical nonetheless.

Heading back to the main campus, we ran into a herd of Chiroquines (commonly known as Thestrals). These winged equines are known for their leathery, bat-like wings, larger ears, and folded noses that allow them to glide, hear farther, and sniff out prey respectively. Much more docile than the Kelpie I wrote about before, these gentle creatures are omnivores and will eat small animals including birds, rabbits, and snakes on top of their usual diet of grass and fruit.

Similarly, there are the Aviaquines (Pegasi) that are feathered and furred, and are known for their wide bird-like wingspan. These equines are primarily herbivorous, but are known to eat eggs and very small rodents and reptiles occasionally.

Like the Kelpie and Griffin, the Thestral and Pegasus are magifauna and rely heavily on their magic for flight. Unlike Kelpies and Griffins, the winged equines are far less likely to attack humans wandering through their territory. Instead, they are more likely to approach, albeit cautiously.

Still exploring the surrounding area, we head south, almost directly across Campus from the Observatory. Here we find the swamplands, though Vika don't know what specific type of environment it is. She doesn't enjoy visiting, as her feathers are not water proof, or even resistant, though she states she appreciates the view from afar:

Though the swamplands are not technically part of campus, the immediate area is open to students, given that they respect the area and its inhabitants. The Headmistress has recently spoken with some of the Fae representatives from the swamplands, and the Agreement has been rehashed so current students are still able to explore and study the flora and fauna.

On the condition that they remain respectful, otherwise the local Fae population have limited range to punish them.

This week's pages are a bit late. I finally got the second vaccine and was feeling sore and tired from it. But I'm feeling better and thought I should post to celebrate!

These notes go more in depth about the Griffin Observatory, mostly about the griffins.

The Observatory itself is large, bigger than you would expect if you approached it without prior knowledge. The interior has been expanded with the aide of Fae magic, to include enough space for the many griffins in the local area. I feel oddly at peace here, and when commenting on it with the Head Falconer, they said it might be because I am an Aven (Avian). The space has some subtle enchantments that allow the Observatory to be a safe, neutral location for any of the visiting griffins.