Masse
build: light
height: 14 & 1/2 hh - 15 hh
hooves: cloven
horn: solid, slightly curved
mane: none
tail: leonine, sometimes with feathering on the dock
feathering: on backs of legs or ankles
coloration: tricolored, with patterns possible; see 'other' for details
aging: matures at 5, lives to be about 55, mares can give birth until they are about 35, they are physically youthful until about 45
power: Masse have the ability to manipulate the earth: at its mildest, this means they can sense coming earthquakes and send messages by creating tremors in the earth. At a stronger level of focus, a Masse can create earthquakes and manipulate the earth around them, sometimes even being able to fling rocks into the air at foes (but not making them hover, or anything of that sort), or create shapes or hills out of the earth. An insanely powerful Masse can even create an earthquake when there would be one. Their powers are sometimes more difficult to handle on less-than-solid-earth surfaces.
other: they always have no less than three colors, with one color dominating the legs, another for the head, and a third for the rest of the body
Due to their nature as a warrior culture, Masse are very strong in battle, and a common Masse stereotype presents them as hot-headed and aggressive (and many Masse would agree with that stereotype, actually). A Masse warrior, however, is expected to put him-or-her-self out there, usually through the process of elaborate boasting.
Masse are, for the most part, monogamous. The exception is a mare's first breeding, when she mates with the herd's King before she formally mates with her stallion, who has to allow the King to do this. This is the part of the social glue that holds the otherwise strong-willed and stubborn Masse society together, along with mate-devotion. A mare who refuses to do this ritual, a stallion who refuses to allow this, or a king who fails to take a mare is considered weak or disloyal and is usually removed, either from their position or the herd. After that she will take a mate for life -- complete love and devotion are expected between couples, who should see eachother as their greatest partner in battle. If her partner should die or vanish, she will have no other stallion but the King to breed with. Breeding is a private, secluded affair, with the pair making little contact with the herd before finding a place to breed. Mating between same-sex pairs is strongly frowned upon within Masse society, with unicorns showing signs of homosexuality quietly paired up with different-sex partners.
The worth of a male is determined by his battle-cunning, and how well the colors in his tri-colored coat coordinate, usually preffering different colors that go well than single shades of a single color. Unique and beautiful coats are highly valued, and mares will often vie for the attentions of a stallion with these qualities.
The worth of a female is determined by the shapeliness of her horn and body. Mares with strong-but-sleek builds and graceful bearings are highly esteemed.
The Masse breed believe in a warrior god named Kael, creator of the world and special protector of the breed. Kael takes the form of a tree or sleeps in the earth when he does not wear his true form as a Masse. He is said to help guide them in battle, because he too was once a grand warrior, who died in battle. Worship is conducted in small groups within the herd, taking place at the base of a large tree consecrated for this purpose in the hope to be closer to Kael in spirit and physical form.
It is said that after death, Kael will wrap you in his mighty roots and take you to be a member of his herd forevermore.
A King and Queen lead a herd equally, and are addressed as your Majesty by the rest of the herd. They are not merely figureheads, but are the strongest and most useful pair in battle. In combat a herd's entire defense center around them. They make their battle plans with the aid of a stallion known as the chief, who commands the troops on the battlefield. Should some misfortune befall the monarchs, he will assume their status with his mate as Queen, and another warrior will be elected to take his position.
The highest non-ruling class is the warriors, both mares and stallions. They are chosen by their skills with their powers, and are very strong and fierce. Below them come the Edgewalkers. 'Edges', as they are casually known, are responsible for keeping watch over the lands during time of battle, relaying messages to other herds, and occasionally for gathering information on enemy forces.
At the bottom tier of herd life are the common workers of the herd, and then the positionless mares, stallions, and foals. They are protected by those of higher ranking.
A hello is expressed by bobbing their heads and nickering. The shriller the nicker, the more happy they are to see the other unicorn. If coming upon a family member, mate, or dear friend, Masse unicorns will often nudge at the other unicorn’s neck or sides. Affection is often expressed when the pair rub muzzles together gently on the tips, or lip at the tip of their muzzles.
Kael’s name or body (including, of course, elements of his tree aspect) are generally invoked as expletives by Masse.
