Dark Unicorn? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Dark Unicorn? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Realmswalker
03-18-07, 11:59 AM Was just thinking of the next piece I'm having done from an artist friend of mine and the image of a Dark Unicorn entered my mind as something that might make for interesting subject matter.

As a 20 year fan of the realms (reading for 20 years) I started thinking back wondering if I had ever read of one in any of the books, but as far as I can think there has never been one. The most prominent use of a Unicorn was probably in the Moonshae Trilogy, but that was a pure creature.

Has anyone ever come across the use of a corrupted or demonized Unicorn on Toril? I know it might be a stretch of lore to say that one could be corrupted, but I'm sure someone could find a loophole..such as a possession or shapeshift. For instance if the Darkwalker had assumed the form of a 'Dark Unicorn'.

I think it makes for some sweet mind-candy to imagine such a beast. Most fantasy readers already have a strong image of the good Unicorn in their minds, it would be an easy transition to imagine a similar creature of opposite nature.

So that's basically why I'm asking.. after thinking about the painting I realized I'd love to read about one.
rolig
03-18-07, 12:08 PM Haha... correct me if im wrong but you can find stats for the dark unicorn in monster manual II ;)
GothicDan
03-18-07, 12:33 PM There was a Black Unicorn in 2E. On Toril, they were created by the Red Wizards of Thay, and ridden by priestesses of Cyric. :)
Zanan
03-18-07, 01:48 PM There was a Black Unicorn in 2E. On Toril, they were created by the Red Wizards of Thay, and ridden by priestesses of Cyric. :)

Well ... almost. Spellbound (the AD&D boxed set on Thay) as well as Monster Manual Appendix: Monsters of Faerūn (3,0E) tell us that these vile beasts are indeed often in the service of evil lords, many if not all in Thay. There, the zulkir ruling from Bezantur, Aznar Thrul actually has a substantial force of black unicorns in his service. These creatures only allow themselves to be ridden by evil females, in this case humans and drow - after some sort of petition to the black unicorn.
Why drow? Well, Bezantur is one of the few places that even features a temple of Lolth on the surface - and even acknowledged human worshippers of the Spider Queen. Aznar Thrul's force, also called Sisters of Cyric, are indeed priestesses of Cyric though.
GothicDan
03-18-07, 02:53 PM Well, traditionally in other sources, true unicorns only allowed themselves to be ridden by good human or ELVEN females. So, black unicorns (created by mixing demonic blood with true unicorns'), would logically only be ridden by evil females and Drow. :) I don't think it's anything specific to where they're located.
createvmind
03-18-07, 03:15 PM I thought only a (good) virgin could ride or even get near a unicorn, is that King Arthur lore roaming around in my head?
Realmswalker
03-18-07, 05:11 PM These Unicorns in Bezantur, have they been used in any novels?
I don't play much in the Realms, the group I game with like to run Eberron and other odd compaigns.. I wish they'd run Realms but a few have problems with over-powered spells or something..
Anyway, I'm more of reader myself, and actually enjoy reading the worlds more than I do playing in them.
Zanan
03-19-07, 04:39 AM These Unicorns in Bezantur, have they been used in any novels?

They would have, if my Maiden of Pain entry had been chosen. ;) But no, while there are several novel going on in Thay, none features the black unicorns.
Stigger
03-19-07, 04:56 AM I thought only a (good) virgin could ride or even get near a unicorn, is that King Arthur lore roaming around in my head?

As far as I know, that's the supposed lore from medieval Europe, not the Realms, which seems to have a considerably more lax view of sexuality than its European analog. There was an all-female ranger order dedicated to Mielikki (I think at least) that took vows of chastity, but I got the impression that was power through sacrifice more than any concept of it sullying the person spiritually. Don't recall the details offhand, but I'm pretty sure they appeared in Warriors and Priests of the Realms for 2e.
Old Sage
03-19-07, 07:46 AM You're referring to the Treespeakers of Mielikki -- from Warriors and Priests of the Realms.
MsMarvelDuckie
04-17-07, 12:08 AM Yes, there was a Black unicorn in the MM annual. Though most were found in Thay, it's possible they could be found anywhere there are evil priests or wizards willing to use them. The Fey'ri come to mind...
The_Shaman
04-17-07, 08:48 AM Hmm, so an eeevil non-drow elven female could not ride a black unicorn? Interesting.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Realmswalker 03-18-07, 11:59 AM	Was just thinking of the next piece I'm having done from an artist friend of mine and the image of a Dark Unicorn entered my mind as something that might make for interesting subject matter. As a 20 year fan of the realms (reading for 20 years) I started thinking back wondering if I had ever read of one in any of the books, but as far as I can think there has never been one. The most prominent use of a Unicorn was probably in the Moonshae Trilogy, but that was a pure creature. Has anyone ever come across the use of a corrupted or demonized Unicorn on Toril? I know it might be a stretch of lore to say that one could be corrupted, but I'm sure someone could find a loophole..such as a possession or shapeshift. For instance if the Darkwalker had assumed the form of a 'Dark Unicorn'. I think it makes for some sweet mind-candy to imagine such a beast. Most fantasy readers already have a strong image of the good Unicorn in their minds, it would be an easy transition to imagine a similar creature of opposite nature. So that's basically why I'm asking.. after thinking about the painting I realized I'd love to read about one.
rolig 03-18-07, 12:08 PM	Haha... correct me if im wrong but you can find stats for the dark unicorn in monster manual II ;)
GothicDan 03-18-07, 12:33 PM	There was a Black Unicorn in 2E. On Toril, they were created by the Red Wizards of Thay, and ridden by priestesses of Cyric. :)
Zanan 03-18-07, 01:48 PM	There was a Black Unicorn in 2E. On Toril, they were created by the Red Wizards of Thay, and ridden by priestesses of Cyric. :) Well ... almost. Spellbound (the AD&D boxed set on Thay) as well as Monster Manual Appendix: Monsters of Faerūn (3,0E) tell us that these vile beasts are indeed often in the service of evil lords, many if not all in Thay. There, the zulkir ruling from Bezantur, Aznar Thrul actually has a substantial force of black unicorns in his service. These creatures only allow themselves to be ridden by evil females, in this case humans and drow - after some sort of petition to the black unicorn. Why drow? Well, Bezantur is one of the few places that even features a temple of Lolth on the surface - and even acknowledged human worshippers of the Spider Queen. Aznar Thrul's force, also called Sisters of Cyric, are indeed priestesses of Cyric though.
GothicDan 03-18-07, 02:53 PM	Well, traditionally in other sources, true unicorns only allowed themselves to be ridden by good human or ELVEN females. So, black unicorns (created by mixing demonic blood with true unicorns'), would logically only be ridden by evil females and Drow. :) I don't think it's anything specific to where they're located.
createvmind 03-18-07, 03:15 PM	I thought only a (good) virgin could ride or even get near a unicorn, is that King Arthur lore roaming around in my head?
Realmswalker 03-18-07, 05:11 PM	These Unicorns in Bezantur, have they been used in any novels? I don't play much in the Realms, the group I game with like to run Eberron and other odd compaigns.. I wish they'd run Realms but a few have problems with over-powered spells or something.. Anyway, I'm more of reader myself, and actually enjoy reading the worlds more than I do playing in them.
Zanan 03-19-07, 04:39 AM	These Unicorns in Bezantur, have they been used in any novels? They would have, if my Maiden of Pain entry had been chosen. ;) But no, while there are several novel going on in Thay, none features the black unicorns.
Stigger 03-19-07, 04:56 AM	I thought only a (good) virgin could ride or even get near a unicorn, is that King Arthur lore roaming around in my head? As far as I know, that's the supposed lore from medieval Europe, not the Realms, which seems to have a considerably more lax view of sexuality than its European analog. There was an all-female ranger order dedicated to Mielikki (I think at least) that took vows of chastity, but I got the impression that was power through sacrifice more than any concept of it sullying the person spiritually. Don't recall the details offhand, but I'm pretty sure they appeared in Warriors and Priests of the Realms for 2e.
Old Sage 03-19-07, 07:46 AM	You're referring to the Treespeakers of Mielikki -- from Warriors and Priests of the Realms.
MsMarvelDuckie 04-17-07, 12:08 AM	Yes, there was a Black unicorn in the MM annual. Though most were found in Thay, it's possible they could be found anywhere there are evil priests or wizards willing to use them. The Fey'ri come to mind...
The_Shaman 04-17-07, 08:48 AM	Hmm, so an eeevil non-drow elven female could not ride a black unicorn? Interesting.