The Chaparral Roam is the largest shrub steppe on the continent, and home to a wide variety of rare and unusual creatures. Among these, one of the rarest and most elusive is the rose unicorn, colloquially referred to as “the pink pony.” In this Creature Report, we’ll be covering the biology, ecology, and cultural significance of the rose unicorn.

Description

While similar in general body plan to the more common alabaster unicorn, the rose unicorn is much smaller and stockier, averaging about 750 pounds (340 kg). This size would be an issue, as other wild horses of the Roam benefit greatly from the greater height and longer legs necessary to both spot and outrun predators, but as a unicorn, its inbuilt magical defenses are more than up to the task of self-defense.

As the name implies, the rose unicorn’s coat is a gentle pink, whose countershading pulls it to nearly white across the stomach and almost reddish at the top of its back. Albino and melanistic rose unicorns are incredibly rare, but credible reports of both have been made over the decades. Albino rose unicorns could be mistaken for a dwarf alabaster unicorn, with the lack of pigmentation in the eyes being the only clue. Melanistic specimens, meanwhile, are unique in that their coloration is commonly a bold red, although pure black members are not entirely unheard of.

Ecology

Rose unicorns are solitary animals under most circumstances, rarely coming together except to mate. Both parents stay with the children until they’re old enough to go off on their own (usually three to five years), at which point the entire family unit dissolves. Herds of rose unicorns are exceedingly rare, but not entirely unheard of (see the Great Unicorn Migrations of 589 and 615, when war in the Roam removed a valuable component of the pink pony’s diet).

Like other unicorns, the rose unicorn primarily subsists on grasses and shrubs, with required dietary supplementation from the presence of positive emotions. The pink pony’s positive emotion of choice is joy, whose presence it can amplify using its magical aura. Happy whistling in the town square is frequently a sign of a nearby pink pony. This effect is amplified when pink ponies form herds: during the Great Unicorn Migration of 589, reports were made of towns up to three miles away from the herd erupting into spontaneous song and dance.

Rose unicorns will occasionally join a herd of wild horses, although unlike alabaster unicorns, they will not take leadership of the herd. Instead, they seem to be content to be with the herd for as long as they please, until one day they just go their own way again.

Cultural significance

The rose unicorn is a symbol of happiness and frolic, and its effigies are common in springtime festivals all across the Roam. Capture and poaching do, of course, happen, but are both considered incredibly serious violations of the social mores of nearly every culture in the Roam. Anyone caught doing such is subject to exile at best, but most end up the victims of ranger justice instead.

Stat block

This stat block is compatible with Ikaros, a Fate-family game of fantasy, sacrifice, and pushing your luck.

Rose Unicorn

Monster¹

Also known as the pink pony, this magical creature wanders all up and down the Chaparral Roam, spreading joy wherever it goes.

Trait: Magical pony that spreads joy and needs joy to live.
Skills: Athletics +3, Empathy +3, Might +2, Noticing +2, Survival +1, Willpower +1
Talents: Comforting Presence, Pack Mule, Spell-like Ability (Soothe)
Resilience: 22
Armor: 2
Weapons: Goring horn (1d2+1 / 3d3+1), hammering kick (1d3+2 / 2d3+1, armor reduction: 2)

Footnotes

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