Kelpie (KEL-pee)

Sea Horse

The Kelpie of Tír na nÓg is a vision of playful grace, a far cry from the cautionary specters whispered about in mortal tales. Here, the creature is not a deceiver, but a dancer—an equine wonder that frolics along the surf, leaving swirling trails of foam and laughter in its wake. With coats that shimmer like moonlight over water and eyes the hue of ancient seas, Kelpies embody the joy of motion itself. Their very presence invites celebration, as if they carry the spirit of a festival wherever their hooves touch down.
Long ago, these beings were born of stories—shape-shifting water spirits said to lure the unwary into the depths. But the Kelpies of Tír na nÓg have shed that shadowed legacy. Having crossed into this realm during an age of mythic migration, they surrendered their need for illusion, choosing instead to live as they truly are: noble, radiant, and free. Now, they gallop not as predators, but as companions to the sea, the land, and the laughter of all who encounter them.
Anatomically, Kelpies retain their equine majesty with notable aquatic adaptations. Their hooves are subtly webbed, allowing seamless transitions between shore and shallows. Their manes ripple and flow as if suspended in water, even when the air is still, and their sleek coats secrete a light, fragrant oil that resists both salt and chill. These coats range from deep kelp-green to pearlescent white, sometimes seeming to glow from within, particularly under starlight or in the mists before dawn.
Kelpies are intensely social, forming fluid family units known as tides. These groups remain tightly bonded, with elders guiding foals through rituals of play and learning that blur the lines between instinct and tradition. While they cannot speak, their body language is richly expressive, and many believe they understand complex emotional cues. A Kelpie will nudge a sorrowful soul with surprising tenderness, or race alongside a laughing child in perfect, joyful rhythm. They are drawn to music, to movement, and above all, to mirth.
Interspecies relationships flourish where Kelpies roam. Dolphins often accompany them in the water, weaving circles and patterns in playful response to the horses’ leaping strides. Some have even been spotted near quiet shores where poets gather, as if drawn to the rhythm of words as much as the tide. Their trust is easily earned by the kind-hearted, and they are known to follow familiar faces from a distance, offering protection not with fierceness, but with steadfast presence and the simple gift of wonder.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Equine form with webbed hooves and a mane that ripples like water, even in still air.

Biological Traits

Coats secrete an oil that repels water and allows them to swim with ease; their mane can retain droplets of water that are sought after for their purity.

Genetics and Reproduction

Breeding occurs once a decade, with foals born during the spring tide, imbued with the essence of the waters they first touch.

Ecology and Habitats

Coastal areas and inland waterways, often seen galloping along the shores or standing serenely in shallow waters.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Herbivorous, with a diet consisting of sea grasses and magical herbs found along riverbanks.

Biological Cycle

Tied to the tidal ebb and flow, with peaks of activity at high tide.

Behaviour

Known for their playful demeanor, they are drawn to laughter and merriment.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Form close-knit family groups known as 'tides', which move together and protect their young.

Facial characteristics

Expressive eyes the color of the sea, with a broad forehead and a snout that seems to always carry a hint of a smile.

Average Intelligence

Possesses a keen survival instinct and a playful cunning in interaction with other species.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Highly attuned to changes in water currents and can sense rainfall from miles away.

Civilization and Culture

Gender Ideals

Fluid, with roles in the 'tide' determined by personality rather than gender.

Relationship Ideals

Bonds are formed based on mutual affection and respect, often lasting a lifetime.

History

Non-sapient, yet exhibits an emotional depth and capacity for joy that resonates with those around them.

Common Myths and Legends

Once feared for luring humans into the water, now celebrated for guiding lost sailors to safety.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Friendly and engaging, they are often accompanied by dolphins and other sea creatures, sharing a harmonious bond with the island's marine life.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Beastiary: Ethereal Creatures

Scientific Name

Ainmhí; Sidheánach; Celticus kelpie

Origin/Ancestry

Stemming from water spirits known for their deceptive nature, now playfully integrated into the island's aquatic ecosystems.

Average Height

4.92ft

Average Weight

881.85 lbs

Average Length

8.2ft

Average Physique

Streamlined and powerful, suitable for both terrestrial locomotion and aquatic agility.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Coats range from deep sea blue to foamy white, often shimmering with a spectral light.