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The unicorn has been coverted through the ages
for its magical powers, especially the powers of its alicorn,
but often this has brought
about its downfall. The alicorn is said to purify water and air, and cure illnesses. If a unicorn dipped his horn into poisoned waters, the waters would become purified
allowing other animals to drink it.
" To this day, it is said, malicious animals poison this water after sundown, so that
none can thereupon drink it. But early in the morning, as soon as the sun rises, a
unicorn comes out of the ocean, dips his horn into the water to expel the
venom from it so
that other animals may drink thereof during the day. This as I describe it. I
saw it with my own eyes " Johannes van Hesse of
Utrecht, 1389
Alicorn was in great demand in medieval times, the medieval pharmacists strongly believed
in its powers as a medicine and the unicorn became the apothecaries symbol. Ground alicorn
was said to be a cure for a host of ailments from plague and fever to epilepsy and rabies. It was said to be so expensive that only kings and emperors could afford to buy a
whole one and they would often place it on their table to protect them against poisonous
food and drink. It was such a lucrative trade that alicorn was often faked and other
horn was substituted such as bull's horn, goat horn, dogs bones, and the horn of
the narwhal
Tests were devised to determine the authenticity of the alicorn.
These included: Place scorpions under a dish containing a piece of
alicorn.If the scorpions died within a few hours, the alicorn is real.
Feed arsenic to pigeons followed by a dose of alicorn. If the pigeons lived, the alicorn is genuine.
Draw a ring on the floor using a piece of horn. If a spider cannot cross the ring, the alicorn is genuine.
Place the horn in cold
water. If the water bubbles but remains cold, the alicorn is real
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Music
'the Town of Witchwoode' composed by
Bjorn Lynne and used with his permission, thankyou
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