Bicorns
A race of 2-horned unicorns who often sport decorative wings across their bodies. They acclimate and adapt easily, having settlements across the furthest reaches of land and sea.
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Bicorns are an open species. Anyone is welcome to make their own.
While the above images depict a standard male and female,
bicorns can be any sex, gender, or lack thereof.
Species Info
Social
Because Bicorns have formed communities all over the world, there are few "standard practices" when it comes to customs. Religion, gender roles, courtship, and child rearing are all approached differently depending on local tradition.
For the most part, however, Bicorns are social creatures, never too far from the company of others. Entire families tend to stay in one area for generations, and even those who travel away from home typically do so in a group, accompanied by close friends or a mentor.
Physiology
Hooves & Legs
Bicorns have powerful legs which allow them to maintain a steady pace for hours at a time, or gallop at full speed for nearly 3 miles (4.8km) before requiring rest. Strong legs and sturdy hooves also make standing effortless, and so they will often remain on their feet even when relaxing, eating, or reading.
Horns
While unicorn magic is said to come from the horn, Bicorns do not possess innate magic of their own and instead, must study it themselves and draw from magical ley lines in order to fuel any spellcasting. That being said, their horns serve as a sort of "homing device," allowing Bicorns to detect founts of magic with ease. Because of this, most of their cities are built upon the most powerful of ley lines.
Wings
The decorative wings that adorn their bodies serve no particular purpose but are simply cosmetic traits that vary from one individual to the next. Like any other limb, they can be flexed and stretched at will. Strong emotional reactions may cause the wings to flare or droop, and they can also be flattened flush against the skin or order to keep them out of the way. Bicorn wings are usually, but not always, symmetrical.
Languages
Sylvan: A rhythmic language with long vowels and soft, airy consonants.
Selkic: Similar to Sylvan, but with a slower cadence and further emphasis on the vowels.
Physical Traits
Horns
The main horn protrudes from just beneath the hairline, while a smaller horn grows below it. These horns come in a variety of shapes and sizes, can vary thematically, even between the top and bottom horn.
Tails
Tails are another diverse trait, ranging from short and puffy, to long and whiplike. Those with "horse" tails usually find that the tail hair matches the colour and texture of the hair on their heads.
Hoof Shapes
Hooves must be regularly cared for, with trimmings required every ~3 months. Cracks, while infrequent, require treatment and rest. Salons often include farriers who tend to hooves, sanding them down and polishing them up.
Hoof caps, like shoes, can provide extra protection against the elements, or serve as an aesthetic enhancement.
Ear Shapes
Ears come in three varieties, the most common of which is the Beast type. Ear shapes associated with Ungulates, or hooved animals, are the predominant style. There is a wide range within this division, including perky horse ears, droopy nubian goat ears, and soft, fluffy elk ears. Even hippopotamus and giraffe ears can fall under this category.
Truly, though, there are no hard and fast restrictions on bestial ear shapes. Rabbit, bear, fennec fox, papillon, and so on; if it exists in the animal kingdom, it can exist on a bicorn.
Wings
Another notable trait of Bicorns are the various wings that sprout from head to hoof. Most Bicorns display at least one set of wings.
Hip Wings
These decorative wings sit near the hip bone on either side of the body. They are similar to ears and tails in that they help convey emotion - flaring out when startled or angered, drooping when sad, and flapping gleefully when they are excited.
Wing Ears
Wing ears are just as capable as their beastial counterpart in regards to both hearing and movement. The ear canal is situated at the base of the wing, near the skull, and specialized muscles in the ears allow the wings to stretch and flap.
Wrist Wings
Wings can grow on the wrists of Bicorns as well, either on the "radial styloid” (thumb side,) the “ulnar styloid” (pinky side,) or on both sides of each wrist.
Most wrist wings are capable of folding down flat or wrapping around the wrist to make wearing clothes and working with one's hands easier. On the other hand (ha) they may also be adorned with jewelry and ribbons
Ankle Wings
These wings form on one or both sides of the ankles. Medial wings grow on the inner ankle bone, while lateral wings grow on the outer ankle.
They, too, can be folded down or positioned in such a way as to not obstruct daily life.
Back Wings
Finally, the most obvious place for wings: the back. As ever, the styles and sizes of these wings run a wide range, and even the placement and number can vary:
Upper wings, whose base rests near the shoulder blades, are usually the largest pair of wings, especially when accompanied by a second or third set.
Middle wings are rarely seen on their own, instead accentuating the upper or lower set. This is where the hindwing of the Butterfly, Beetle, and Fae style can be found.
Lower wings are found closer towards the spine, sprouting near the base of the tail.
Tragically, these wings are also purely decorative, as bicorn bodies are much too heavy to achieve flight. That being said, with the aid of air or levitation magic, a bicorn could certainly make it seem as though they were flying.
Regional Traits
Regional Variations
Bicorn traits are hereditary, but different climates have played a role in their evolutionary paths. For example: Those living in the snowy mountains insulate themselves with thick, dense fur, and cloven hooves, like elk, while those hailing from desert regions will have shorter fur and large ears to vent heat. Subterranean bicorns will have eyes better adapted for the dark, and oceanic bicorns are known to sprout fins and barbels.
Kelpies
Kelpies are mermaid-esque bicorns who make their home in the vast ocean. While they are not "creatures of myth," having plenty of contact with their terrestrial cousins, the simple matter of living beneath the sea keeps them relatively cut off from land folk.
Even within their kingdoms, Kelpies are somewhat isolated from one another, as it is difficult for them to live comfortably out of their element. Tropical Kelpies, for example, would be cold and miserable in the far north, while Abyssal Kelpies would struggle to adapt to the bright and colourful reefs.
Tropical Kelpies make their homes in warmer waters, near the coral reefs. As such, they are often just as vibrant and colourful as their surroundings.
Meanwhile, Arctic Kelpies trend towards muted colours, and are typically more plump to keep them insulated against the frigid waters.
Lastly, the Abyssal Kelpies are darker in colour and are dotted in bioluminescent markings that give off an eerie glow.
Travel & Communication
While it's true that Bicorns and the individual Kelpie kingdoms rarely intermingle, there are still envoys, couriers, traveling Kelpie caravans, and Bicorn fleets who ensure goods are exchanged and news is delivered throughout the land and sea.
Sylvan (Bicorn) and Selkic (Kelpie) share the same root language and, as such, it would be more apt to consider them regional dialects, with about a ~95% overlap in vocabulary and sentence structure.
Generally speaking, Bicorns find Kelpie accents to be melodic and somewhat drawn out, akin to whalesong. Kelpies, meanwhile, describe Bicorn speech as having a brogue accent and rhythmic lilt.
Kelpie Traits
Webbing
Webbed fingers are very common amongst kelpies, allowing them additional propulsion and maneuverability under water.
Teeth
With a diet consisting primarily of fish and crustaceans, Kelpie teeth have evolved to be much sharper than that of your average bicorn.
Fin Ears
Finned ears are primarily found on Kelpies and oceanic Bicorns but can appear even on purely terrestrial individuals. Kelpie ears, specifically, are fine tuned for life under the sea. What would sound muffled to land dwellers is clear as day to them.
Tails
The tailfins of Kelpies are nigh infinite, seemingly taking inspiration from every living thing beneath the waves. The tail can be one long, singular appendage, such as an eel or leviathan, or sprout into multiple tentacles, like that of an octopus or a jellyfish. The fins can also range from slick, dolphin-esque tails, to ruffled betta fish fins. Even seahorse and shrimp tails are a regular appearance.
All fins are capable of underwater propulsion, though some provide more maneuverability than others.
Hip Fins
Akin to the hip wing of Bicorns, Kelpies can have hip decorations of their own. Fins are more common than wings, but either may be present.
Larger, fanned fins can potentially aid in movement, but most are purely for looks. Tentacles can serve as an extra pair of hands when they're not getting themselves tangled up.
Oceanic Bicorns
& Kelpies
& Kelpies
Though they cannot breathe under water or effortlessly traverse the seas as Kelpies do, Oceanic Bicorns are still perfectly capable of taking to the waters, swimming alongside their mer cousins.
Fins are the primary ear and "wing" type, and their fingers are often webbed, allowing them better navigation underwater. Coupled with their increased lung capacity, these Bicorns can cover considerable distances while fully submerged.
At the end of the day, however, they must return to land in order to eat and sleep.
Two notable tribes exist, with one spread out across a series of small islands, and the other hidden away in the saltwater swamps.
