Page 294 - D&D Bestiary

Sacred Horns. A unicorn's horn is the focus of its
UNICORN
power, a shard of divine magic wrought in spiraling
Unicorns dwell in enchanted forests. Unrelated to the ivory. Wands of unicorn horn channel powerful magic,
horses it resembles, a unicorn is a celestial creature while unicorn horn weapons strike with divine force.
that wanders sylvan realms, its white form glimmering Wizards can work powdered unicorn horn into potent
like starlight. potions and scroll ink, or use it as a component in
A unicorn's brow sports a single spiraling horn eldritch rituals. However, any creature that takes a role,
of ivory whose magical touch can heal the sick and no matter how small, in slaying a unicorn is likely to
the injured. Its ears catch the words and whispers become the target of divine retribution. '
of the creatures that share its domain, and it knows Blessed Mounts. When darkness and evil threaten
the tongues of elves and sylvan folk. Unicorns allow to overwhelm the mortal world, the gods sometimes
good-hearted creatures to enter their woods to hunt or see fit to pair a unicorn mount with a champion. A
gather food, but they hold evil ever at bay. Foul-hearted paladin astride a unicorn is a sign of the gods' direct
creatures seldom leave a unicorn's domain alive. intervention in the affairs of the mortal realm. It is a
Divine Guardians. Good deities placed unicorns on holy alliance made to cleave the heads from demons and
the Material Plane to ward away evil and preserve and banish devils back to the Nine Hells.
protect sacred places. Most unicorns protect a bounded As long as the troubled times of darkness persist,
realm such as an enchanted forest. However, the gods the unicorn stays by the champion, its horn shining
sometimes send a unicorn to guard sacred artifacts or brightly to drive back the night. However, if the gods'
protect specific creatures. When the forces of darkness champion falls from grace or turns from the cause
strike against an individual the gods wish to protect, of righteousness and good, the unicorn departs,
they might send that individual to a unicorn's forest, never to return.
where evil creatures pursue at their peril.
Unicorns most often serve deities of the forest and A UNICORN's LAIR
woodlands, including the gods of benevolent fey.
A unicorn's lair might be an ancient ruin overgrown
Although all unicorns have natural healing power,
with vines, a misty clearing surrounded by mighty oaks,
some serve the gods in greater capacities, performing
a flower-covered hilltop alive with butterflies, or some
miracles normally reserved for high priests.
other serene woodland location.
Forest Lords. A unicorn's forest is a celestial realm
where nothing that occurs beneath the sun-dappled
REGIONAL EFFECTS
leaves escapes the creature's notice. A unicorn hears
Transformed by the creature's celestial presence, the
each breathy tune sung by the elves that reside amid domain of a unicorn might include any of the following
the treetops. It senses where every caterpillar spins magical effects:
its cocoon, each leaf and branch upon which a bright
butterfly rests its tired wings. • Open flames of a non magical nature are extinguished
In a unicorn's forest, a sense of calm pervades. From within the unicorn's domain. Torches and campfires
wolves and foxes to birds, squirrels, and tiny insects, refuse to burn, but closed lanterns are unaffected.
the creatures of a unicorn's domain seem quite tame. Creatures native to the unicorn's domain have an eas-
Pixies, sprites, satyrs, dryads, and other normally ier time hiding; they have advantage on all Dexterity
mercurial fey loyally serve a unicorn when they (Stealth) checks made to hide.
dwell within its woods. Under a unicorn's protection, • When a good-aligned creature casts a spell or uses
creatures feel safe from the threat of encroaching a magical effect that causes another good-aligned
civilization and the insidious spread of evil. creature to regain hit points, the target regains the
maximum number of hit points possible for the
A unicorn roams its domain constantly, moving ever
so carefully so as not to disturb other denizens. A spell or effect.
creature might catch a passing glimpse of the unicorn Curses affecting any good-aligned creature
then suddenly see nothing but the wild woods. are suppressed.
If the unicorn dies, these effects end immediately.

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