Aeonians, also known as "Unicorns", "Ki'rin", "Anassa" and "One-Horns", are digitigrade humanoids with features that suggest that of a unicorn of myth: tufted leonine tail, deer/equine head (with mane and a single spiraling horn), cloven hooves, and occasionally fetlocks about the hooves and/or forearms. Since true Aeonians are, as a group, long-lived Exiles not born on Sinai, any variation is inherent to the species, and not something to be blamed on "Quantum Uncertainty". Despite myths concerning certain Exiles and "Aeoluns", there are no Aeonian cross-breeds.

Their hands are human-like, and they range in height about the same size as humans. They are not as varied in body build as humans, however, tending to be weaker and more agile, and always slight of build or wiry. Females are never "buxom" or "voluptuous", and neither gender is found with bulging, rippling muscles. Most have hides like "horsehair" or "doeskin", but some have a bit of fluff in the chest/torso region.

Aeonians are especially rare on Sinai, and it is far more likely that one would be known in a community on an individual basis. That there is even a "race" of such creatures might not exactly be a secret, but could well be a surprise to the few communities who even know one of the creatures in the first place. The term "Aeonian" is known mainly to scholars, though the "melting pot" of Rephidim has, over time, attracted an unusual number into society -- and therefore the term is not alien to Rephidim-based discourse. (The situation in Rephidim shouldn't be taken as a measure of how things are on the surface, though.)

Aeonians are long-lived, and it is said that they might even be immortal. So far as anyone can tell, they do not procreate. If the Aeonians know the secrets of Sinai, however, they seem content to keep them to themselves.

Unicorns are commonly aloof and detached. There are tales of some females who have adopted children of other races, but considering how few tales there are of Aeonians (let alone actual Aeonians themselves), this could be marked up in the category of "human child raised by wild beasts" myth. If generalizations may be made, the "average" Aeonian values privacy greatly, has esoteric interests and pursuits, and is not in the least bit amorous. To many, Aeonians are quite likely to be boring, despite all the mystique.

Where there are any rumors to be told of Aeonians, it is sometimes said that the horn of one has magical properties pertaining to the curing of diseases and negation of potions. Some alchemists hold that the horn of a unicorn can create a potent elixir which can cure any poison or ailment -- and some go so far as to claim restoration of youth -- but such claims inevitably require the core of the horn as well, not merely shavings ... and considering that the core of the horn is firmly affixed in the skull of the creature in question, removal of this would most certainly require or cause the death of the "donor". Alchemists have long sought a fabled "Unicorn Graveyard" as the ultimate source for the horns, but it is doubtful the place exists.

Rare legends speak of being able to subdue a Unicorn with a golden bridle (even if the idea of putting a bridle on a bipedal sapient creature may seem absurd), or that the touch of iron -- especially meteoric iron -- is anathema to them.

Notes for Aeonian PCs:
For the sake of keeping a small degree of secrecy around Aeonians, not all of the established details about them or their origins have been included here. Anyone serious about playing an Aeonian character as a PC should ask for additional information. Aeonians are expensive. They initially require a total of 5 points for properties related to Aeonian physiology and longevity, with a -1 disadvantage for certain weaknesses special to Aeonians.

An Aeonian PC will certainly know more about them than is listed here, but will not necessarily know all there is about the origin of this race, or how it came to Sinai.

Back to Section 2.2.01