Unicorn tale

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Do not always believe in legends…
A story of a false unicorn, true virgin, band of orcs and a party of adventurers on a hunt for the emperorÃ?Â´s zoo

Emperor Falserin will marry in a month and a gift is in order - the adventurerÂ´s are hired to bring in the city the fabled unicorn to augment the prestige of emperorÂ´s zoo. By chance, rumors of sighting of this fabled beast have resurfaced in a deep forest near a small village…
Armed with the knowledge that only a virgin can tame the unicorn, the party can go on… the reward should be truly exceptional.

In the village the sightings are confirmed in an ancient glade/stone circle, villagers are really sympathetic and helpful, but will not wander too deep in the forest.

First problem - Find a virgin (young daughter of the villager who shelters the adventurerÂ´s is one and she falls in love with one of the party - seduced by the prospect of extraordianaly life of adventure as opposed to the boring one in the village.

Second problem - There is a band of orcs, sighted by villagers that established a camp in ancient ruins nearby - villagers believe they are hunting the unicorn.

Third problem - Virgin must be alone or watched from a safe distance so that the unicorn comes to her - he can be easily afraid. The unicorn will come only at night.

Fourth problem - The unicorn is not one, but a Ki-Lin (Rolemaster term) - undistinguishable from a unicorn, except for an evil sparkle in the eyes, but thouroughly evil. The orcs are not hunting the unicorn but worshipping the Ki-Lin. Any virgin wanting to tame a Ki-Lin meets with a rather gruesome death.

“Classic” story flow would be as follows - the party finds the village, hopefully finds the virgin, protects the glade and the unicorn from orcs to find the horrible truth… Then it is up to them - follow the Ki-lin to avenge the girl, wipe the orcs who will not let Ki-Lin be killed easily, explain all this to the villagers and face their employer explaining that they could really not bring back the unicorn alive (maybe a trophy on the wall?)

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Comments ( 16 )

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CaptainPenguin
August 29, 2003, 18:34

0xp

What is a "Rolemaster Term"?

Ki-Lin? Don't you mean Ki-Rin? The noble celestial unicorn creature of Chinese mythology?

MoonHunter
August 30, 2003, 1:25

Ki-Rin is the mythological critter.

Barbarian Horde
August 30, 2003, 6:44

Cautious when I first read it and hooked when I hit the end. Your classic obvious fairy tale type adventure with a couple kicks. My group usually avoids the more mainstream fantasy expectations like this but the added twists give enough to be a true player!!

Agar
August 30, 2003, 15:13

I really don't think the noble Ki-Rin would take well to being worshiped by orcs or would take pleasure in slaughtering virgins. I like this plot as a way to throw the players off balance.

I saw a similar, but less subtle, version of the bad unicorn in Earthdawn. I think they were black, flesh eating, and had saw teeth on their horn.

Barbarian Horde
August 31, 2003, 16:37

I have invented the evil unicorn already. In my version of Warhammer Fantasy world, all unicorns are evil and extremely bloodthirsty creatures, much like catoblebas. The fact that they are so rarely seen has created the myths such as virgin affliction etc. Looking to see my group of players get faced by one of these horrors.

Agar
September 1, 2003, 0:04

I think everything good has had an evil conterpart considered for it by many people. Angel, fallen angels, fairies, imps, palidins, anti-palidins, etc. If you want to put up your version of the evil unicorn, we'd like to see it.

manfred
September 3, 2003, 9:08

So in essence you make your PCs killers. They could not know, sure. But still, THEY found the girl, they presented her to the beast, and it is likely when they realised they shall help, it was too late. What will the people from that village think, if the maidens corpse is returned mutilated, from the Unicorn?! What will they say to the world about the heroes?

And what will the heroes (and players) think? Will they assume the GM wanted to brand them as killers, as some further plot twist they need to solve? Or was the girl not so pure after all? The Evil Unicorn could actually claim this, if asked. "Fine, let's get another virgin..." I can well imagine some groups could do this.

manfred
September 5, 2003, 7:10

Alternatively, we could present some proud facet of the Evil Unicorn's personality. So it does not simply run at every chance to defeat good. It may have dark purposes of its own. It may be too proud to be worshipped from some dirty Orcs. But to have a few human worshippers... hmmm.

manfred
September 5, 2003, 7:15

Wait, Emperor did you say?!

Could the beast stay masked, and unveil its true bloodthirsty identity when it is shown to the Emperor and his bride? It may need a way out of its cage, but if it charmed one member of the party...

Ylorea
September 11, 2003, 6:35

what shall I say?

If possible, this is the next large scale adventure for my players... Now I can only hope they do not read this comment here...

Cheka Man
September 8, 2005, 22:48

I love this Evil Unicorn plot. 5/5

Dragon Lord
September 9, 2005, 8:58

Me, I LIKE the whole â€œturn the classic myth aroundâ€ concept â€“ great for keeping the players on their toes

A agree with manfred â€“ would be much more interesting if the fake unicorn had a plan of itsâ€™ own (and youâ€™re right fillip, this would be a different story) â€“ doesnâ€™t have to have anything to do with the upcoming royal wedding (loads of confusion)

Pretty good idea â€“ 4/5

Monument
September 9, 2005, 19:11

Agreed with Dragon Lord. This is something I would DEFINITELY love to spring on my players. 5/5

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Unicorn tale

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