Illia

Illia

Part-time person, Full-time Unicorn
Weaver
Character Profile
Profile
Age  22.
Gender  Female.
Origin  The Silmorael forests.
Occupation  None; thief, begger, justice-bringer to the lesser.



Appearance

Height  5ft 3".
Build  Skinny, gaining weight. (Updated)
Hair  Soft white curls that reach just beyond her shoulders.
Eyes  Cyan-blue, with square-ish, equine pupils.



🦄 True form- Unicorn: a chimeric monster that is part horse, goat, and lion. Taller than the tallest horse yet far more elegant and thin in build, most unicorns are a picture of grace-- Illia is somewhat there, but it is painfully evident that she is thin. Pure unicorns will have entirely straight hair and hoof-feathering as well as a straight horn, whilst hers tumbles over her shoulders like water, and her horn is the shape of a crescent moon. These imperfections tell other Unicorn's straight away that she is not genetically pure.

👸 Disguised form- 'Human'. This form is not complete. While normal unicorns can fully integrate with the common-kind as mere humans, her tainted blood means that she is unable to achieve a full transformation. With a visable horn, two peculiar long ears (which as usually hidden beneath a cloak hood) and a winding tail, she passes as some sort of Devahni, and pretends to be as such if asked, despite knowing only the bare bones of information about their kind. Her pupils are square/rectangular, like other equines.

Personality


[ Just | Naive | Helpful | Bold | Observant ] but, [ Blunt | Expressionless | Elitist | Aloof | Murderous ]


Unicorn’s are not known to be unfriendly, but they are not friendly, either.

Unaware of how people are supposed to act, the most prominent feature of Illia’s being is her entirely neutral expression. Magical horses don’t emote, and many of them never learn, even when in human form-- as such, it is most common to find her with an entirely blank expression, even when entirely emotional scenarios are unfolding right before her eyes. Sometimes she cares. Sometimes she doesn’t. It will be hard to know, because nothing about her voice or face will lean in a concrete direction.

As a being that feels slighted by her own kind, Illia is on a personal mission to punish as many ‘evil-doers’ as she can in the world, with the definition of ‘evil’ being entirely in her own hands. She roams around Khurun like a spectre, finding murderers or bandits to ‘punish’ (see: kill). It is, of course, ok for her to steal because she is starving, but others might get a stern telling-off-- effectively the woman just inserts herself into scenarios that didn’t need her intervention and… well, intervenes. Because she is a Unicorn her core belief is that what is ‘good’ and ‘bad’ should not be decided by other races, as it is her kinds reason for existence; she will always think she knows better than any other race when it comes to what is morally (not socially) acceptable.

This moral elitism is balanced by her unhelpable naivety to social-norms within the world, and a willingness to see little sparkles of good within others. She will fall for scams and traps easily. She was once arrested for being bare-chested in a market. She doesn’t know how to read and can, in fact, be a little bit horse-brained when it comes to situations that don’t require people to go in all guns blazing. If someone is in dire need of help she will not hesitate regardless of the nuance of the scene, because Illia believes it is her ‘right’ as a Unicorn to do as such.

When she isn’t trying to get herself killed she can be found toying with people's emotions, to see if she can dig out a reason to go and be the hero of a story she wasn’t invited to. It is not done with any malicious intent-- far from it-- but the woman does not understand there are limits to ‘helping’ because she is too determined to show the rest of her species that she is ‘worth’ something. This makes her a very good listener, someone who will actively hear your woes and help you find resolution, but be careful-- if your story has a villain that doesn’t deserve death, they might just find it at the end of her horn.

She cannot be convinced to kill people who she does not feel are deserving of death (the justice is down to her, not you). In her free time she is attempting to learn how to be more ‘human’ (to which, she should probably learn to look like the race she actually resembles... ) and thus, spends a lot of time people-watching in markets or crowded places. Sometimes she begs for coin, just because men are good at giving money to pretty young ladies, even if they are Stained. Illia has literally no talents, but she hopes to have one one day.

Because Unicorn’s believe themselves above all, all other races are lumped together below her. She will not treat an orc any different to an elf.


A quick look;
  • She is very fond of turnips.
  • Just because she can't read, doesn't mean she does not pretend.
  • She spends her money on getting her cloaks repaired, or, honestly, on turnips. Also, apples. And sweet potato.
  • She can eat meat (being part human), but doesn't because 'pure' Unicorn's dont.
  • She acts wiser than her age, not because she's wise, but because shes a Unicorn and they all do.
  • Because Unicorn's have long lives (that are usually cut short by others), to other Unicorn's, she is practically a filly (baby).
  • Her current kill count is seven.
  • The scars on her body are not from blades or magic; they are by other Unicorn's bullying her. One almost took her eye out.
  • Talks like she belongs at a high court somewhere (this is the norm for her species).
  • She may seem like she has a therpist-like personality, but honestly her advice can be very sus.
  • It's important to remember she is a magical horse and not a 'person'.


Skills


🌟 Light Will Be The Blade Of The Blessed.

Unicorns use light magic, also called Lumomancy. They use this magic to contruct, to blind, or to light magickal fires that are hard to cross (if they need to escape). They are born with this connection to the Weave, making them one of the few natural Shroudweavers on Khurun; and as such, they are incredibly attuned to nature.
The downside to using this magicks is that there is a time limit; the stronger the light, the less time it can be used for before it starts to burn the user. To burn in this light is to feel like your whole body is catching fire from the inside out... it is not pleasant and can/will lead to death if too severe.

  • Light blades, spears and shields are the strongest, but they can only be used for fifteen minutes before they start to burn. After 20 minutes, the user is badly hurt.
  • Light beams and illusions are of medium strength, and they can be used for twenty minutes before they start to burn. Limit is 30 minutes.
  • Casting/manipulating light hat already exists or blinding are weak spells, and can safely be used for fourty minutes; after an hour, they burn.
The blood of a Unicorn can be poured onto a lethal wound to completely heal it, making it a very valuable resource for hunters. This, of course, means that the beast in question has to loose blood; the concequences of this are obvious. Fainting, dizziness, or death if bled too hard can all occur. Because her blood is not entirely pure, she has to lose a little more of it to heal someone-- and due to her personality... she might not even judge the dying worthy of it.


🐎 Physical attributes ;

Unicorns heal faster than people (by about half the rate) and are strong, large, magical creatures. This is balanced in a very special way; in her unicorn form, Illia may be powerful, but in her human disguise she is weak. Not only can she be killed like any mortal creature when walking as a human, but her magicks tolerance is also halved, meaning she has way less to defend herself. She cannot use her true form as she wishes, because exposing herself as a Unicorn in a public space would mean she would most definately be hunted down-- she can only be her actual self in solitude, or around people she trusts.

When you think of a Unicorn, think of a horse, but taller (more leggy, more elegant, thinner). So... (this is in reference to humans, and should be adjusted based on a characters physical state and race): normal horses can kill a human with a single kick and break bones with a step or bite. They can out-run many creatures, and are very good at throwing things around like they weigh nothing. This all applies to Unicorns and then some, who are physically stronger and more resilient than regular horseys! Their skin is harder to pierce, they have far more intelligence and awareness, and these reasons are the only reason (along with their ability to flee and not be seen by bad people) that this magickal beast hasn't been completely wiped out.

Plus they, uh, have a blade on their head.

Getting impaled by that thing is no joke.

Art Credit:  It's all mine.

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CHAPTER I ; Unicorns, the Tainted, and the way of the Just.


For as long as magic has woven itself into the fabrics of Khurun, there have been Unicorns.

Many believe they were a splinter of the first Devahni, those who were bound by an oath of loyalty to the forests to deliver a wickedness from the world, and that their forms were blessed to them as a way to swiftly travel the land. Some believe them to be lost horses fallen in acts of bravery and given a new life of valor, to which the ethereal whiteness of their coat is a reminder that their mortal days are done. Some do not believe in them at all. Rare, sparsely populated, and almost never in contact with any other creature of any kind, Unicorns might as well be a myth.

But they do, in fact, walk among the other races-- and these elusive beasts exist for one single purpose; to find the cruel and wicked and to drag them to their senses, via words or bloodshed. This is known as ‘The way of the Just’, and it is a dangerous occupation, the reason why there are so few left. Unicorn’s hide as humans during times of migration or famine in their native areas, and in their true forms, only those pure of heart are even able to get within glimpsing distance of them before they flee like shadows into the night.

Unicorn’s have an innate ability to sense evil, and their magicks is born of light. Whether it is to illuminate the darkest corners or wield it as a blade, they are the grass-land comets, the stars of the trees. They blind with their brilliance, they shield themselves with its gleam, manipulate the brightness around them; but it is not their strongest asset. The blood of the unicorn can heal even the gravest wounds. Even to this day, fool-hardy adventurers believe that they can obtain and sell this power, and many have died trying, but lots of fakes still exist on the market, spurring on the desire to capture one of these illusionary creatures.

It is often believed that they are beings of pure goodness, but over the many years, it seems their dwindling numbers have turned even the most ancient of creatures into fearful but skewed versions of their prior selves. The line between evil and ‘bad’ are blurred, who should die and who should live has become too complex, and law-makers of the numerous other races have taken it all into their own, corrupt hands… with their purpose stripped from them, many no longer practice The Way of the Just at all, preferring simply to live.

‘The Tainted’ have done nothing to aid their falling numbers. Unicorn’s who fall in love with humankind and choose instead to remain with them are believed to be ‘tainted of the heart’, and in turn, produce half-breeds that are wholly and universally not accepted by herds of pure-blooded beasts (who refer to themselves as Pure, or The pure). They are shunned and bullied… and so they formed their own herd, away from the abuse. Nine hybrids and their foolish lovers.

This is the herd that Illia was born into.
 
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CHAPTER II ; The path of the Stained, and History.


To be ‘Stained’ is to be born into the world as anything other than a Unicorn.

To put it bluntly, they believe that every other creature has a marked soul that allows them to commit the evils that Unicorn’s could not; these ‘stains’ grow bigger or smaller depending on the person. It is a word used as a sort of slur towards the other races; ‘how could you know any better, you are Stained.’ ‘Your problems happened to you because you are Stained.’ ‘The Stained have been here, I can feel it.’

Walking the path of the Stained is a declaration that you no longer wish to live as a Unicorn, or want to follow the Way of the Just. It is spoken aloud in front of the herd, to which that individual is banished, never to return to their former life. There is safety in a herd, and most who do this do so because they have fallen in love with someone Stained; they exchange that safety and seclusion for a life that the majority of Unicorn’s never get to live, a life of freedom and adventure… but even if their loved one was to leave they would have to remain that way.

Illia found a way of avoiding such a declaration, yet still lives among the free world…


HISTORY ; or, how one little filly decided to simply choose her own path.

Born to a Unicorn mother and a half-Unicorn father, the rest of her Tainted herd were pleased to welcome a new addition into the fold amongst the lush, evergreen forests of Suldaza’s north. Like all of her kind they spent their days roaming and frolicking and banishing those who sought to murder them by the way of steel and arrow-- but all in all, it was a pretty normal life. The forests were dense and there was no reason to leave them, for there was nothing good in store for mortals that ventured from wandering into woodland that clearly crackled with the might of the Shroud… they were not surprised at the form their enemies came in, but not thrilled, either.

Circled by a band of five of the Pure, the Tainted herd spent a good amount of time avoiding the thrum of full-blooded equines that shared their space with them. Meetings were rare, maybe even only once a year, but they were enough. Usually they were the subject of insults and mockery anytime they crossed paths, but this time… it felt a little different. Their voices were a little more barbed, their sneers a little more deep. When their leader locked horns with her father Illia knew for certain that this would not be like the other tongue-lashings, for the young stallion fought with such a hatred for her kind that it shone in the whites of his eyes. Unicorn’s did not kill their fellow brothers and sisters regardless of blood purity, but that did not mean they could not wound each other in duels of pride.

It was barely a scuffle. A few jabs here and there, limited blood-shed-- but Illia, having grown up looked down upon by the cold glares of those who looked like she did, had had enough. She broke the rules. The heads of herds and their jousting had ended, with each begrudgingly bowing to the other, but in a strike of fury the young filly bore herself upon the intruding male. Blood painted the brilliant white of his coat. It was just a few drops, but it was enough. Unicorn are naturally beholden to their own laws and Illia had incited a duel. As the male turned his horn on her the rest of the Tainted were forced to stand by and watch as a little, awkward foal dueled against the stranger… and she had no hopes of winning.

Her horn shattered like moonlight falling to the earth, cracked and misshapen, her face and flank dripping the same colour as his horn. As the Pure laughed and left, surrounded by her herd, Illia decided then and there that she would no longer stand for their own brand of personal judgement. She waited. Her horn regrew curved which only invited more insults, for many of the Tainted had curved, forked, or branched horns… and now she looked even less like the Pure. Bitter and closed off, she grew distant with her own family. Everyone knew she would leave eventually, but she did not leave as a Unicorn should; stating that they were walking ‘The path of the Stained’, banishing themselves from their way of life forever. She simply left.

It was very on brand for the idiotic youth.

Ever since then, Illia has been wandering the world with one goal in mind; to prove herself better than those who had dared to shatter her horn that night. She would still practise the way of the Just in her own way, and she would out-show them at their own purpose. It has not been easy. Finding food can be hard, and she has found herself very, very thin as a result, but the mare would rather die trying in the name of pride than go back to her loving, toting family, because she was more than them, too. If they wanted to live and die in shame, then they could. She would not.

The Celestials above would know she was worthy.

 
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