Raoan Qilin

## **Overview**

In the midst of Impoloish Conflict where either side sought means to gain an edge over each other many would look to the everadapting struggle of the natural world. Here the Umbosu would befriend their first giants and rangle their beasts to arms. The Rao sought different means of achieving such a feat, meticulous planning and a generational mindset set forth an idea, a theory to tame the untamable. Through years upon years of selective breeding the Rao would attempt the feat of channeling the most legendary beasts within their borders, though they proved unsuccessful with almost every creature they tried with. Many could simply not handle the pressure of an ever watching and ever planning force seeking to bend the unbendable to form, so they broke. Years past and little changed as the Rao began to drift away from such ideas. Until they happened upon the most unlikely of creatures. The Qilin, not fish nor mammal would be their shining exception, the creature that defied the rule of nature and split to join the ranks of the Raoan people as one of their staple animals. Whether by means of transportation, warfare or a supply of much needed alchemical resources, the Qilin acts as the generalistic best friend to a Rao Drows side.

## Raoan Qilin

A Qilin running through the Raoan Forests.

### Life Expectancy

25~ years

The Qilin is a member of the Pseudo-Draconidae like that of the wyvern or drake though is dwarfed by either of them in size, rivalling horses or zebras in stature. Like their equine look alikes they possess thick muscles around their legs and torso, allowing them to reach speeds comparable to such animals in that regard. Where they differ comes in with their mode of breathing. Sprouting from both the tail and the sides of the jaw sets of fan-like organs seep oxygen through vast networks of blood vessels to ease off the heart, allowing the Qilin to maintain its speeds for significantly longer than the common horse to the extent where it rivals sled dogs or perhaps even humans in overall endurance. This is further emphasized by an almost clawed hoof, allowing it to further grapple onto uneven terrain to pull itself forward.

To defend themselves the Qilin employ several adaptations to avoid predation, beginning at the most easy to recognize. From head to tail scales run down the duration of the body, roughly crocodile-like in thickness to provide protection from stinging injuries such as nettles or thorns frequently found in Rao Homeland but also small projectiles like darts. What might be considered ‘hair’ by some is actually a hyperextension of particular glands running along the spine, secreting a substance which will be further described in the duration of this entry. These glands are razor sharp and would easily cut through skin if made contact with, preventing the Qilin from being conventionally ridden. Moving up to the head of the Qilin, it's fair to see that it has several clear differences to other animals. One such difference is the set of horns which jut up and down from either side of the head, sprouting from the nasal region and the chin for an imposing pair of tusks. When swung these horns may go straight through more moderate armor like leather or chainmail but will merely dent off thicker armor like plate. As for the frills they employ their secondary use. Like all draconids the Qilin possesses some magical properties, one such place would be the aforementioned frills. Whilst articulated to face forward the Qilin may channel a bright flash of light from its luminous frilled neck, blinding and temporarily stunning its adversaries. This blinding effect will disorientate its opponents for roughly half a minute, allowing for continued assault by either the Qilin itself or other allied units on the front.

Finally we come to the final practical use of the Qilin, its secretions. Produced from the previously mentioned glands running down its spine the Qilin secretes a reddish purple substance with a similar consistency to olive oil. This substance typically coats the animal, giving it a glossy appearance. The substance now known by the term Qilin Gel, possesses two noteworthy properties. The first and less notable property comes into play when exposed to water as the Gel is hydrophobic, repelling water and preventing anything covered in it from being submerged, allowing anyone or anything adorning it to remain dry even in heavy rainfall or to remain afloat and above the surface of pooled water (e.g rivers and lakes). Its primarily purpose which links it to the first is to act as an adhesive. Like a Swa’mare’s slime Qilin Gel will stick to just about anything. However, while on the skin of a Qilin the enzymes in and on top of the animal prevent the secondary phase of the gel to commence, letting it stay fluid. Once removed from a Qilin however it quickly begins to harden into a thick white mass, thickening to an almost glue-like level. The utility this could provide is obvious in quick repairs or sealing the open wounds of the recently attacked, letting the Qilin act as a mobile repair unit on the front to support ground infantry.

Qilin are omnivorous by design, capable of eating both plant material as well as almost all forms of meat save for carrion or decaying matter. That said the Qilin prefers a more frugivorous diet, with mangos and other such rich fruits being a particular favorite across the entire species. The reason for this preference is currently unknown though it seems that Qilin who lack this dietary requirement cease to produce their Gel, suggesting that such fruits may contain enzymes important to the Qilins survival overall. A healthy Qilin will typically lay eggs once every year or so, spawning roughly five infants per clutch. Infants typically are more soft-bodied than their adult counterparts, sliding along the ground like an amphibious newt.

## **Psychology**

Qilin are often considered elegant pristine animals, preferring the openness of a mountainous jungle than a stable where a commoner's horse may lie. Such thoughts are often misleading as the Qilin are some of the most aggressive and intolerant animals ever domesticated by a humanoid race in Azura. They feel no trust or loyalty beyond the first person who imprints on them and will refuse to follow the command of anyone other than their original master. Qilin frequently heckle both each other and their owners with clear signs of injury being a relatively common sight upon older individuals within any particular group.