Kelpies

"Few creatures are as feared and hated as the Kelpies found in the Ceilic Region. If nymphs can show mortals the beauty of nature, then a Kelpie has the ability to show us the inherent cruelty and brutality of it" ~Church Paratir, Grand Archivist of the Authenian Archives.

Kelpies are malevolent nature spirits that inhabit the Ceilic Region, taking on the appearance of black horses, damp with water. Whilst they act as normal, tame lost horses at first glance, they are anything but mundane, and are far from tame.
Kelpies wait for people to find them and try to ride them. Once the passenger is atop the Kelpie, the Kelpie dashes off at a blinding speed, and will dive into a lake in order to drown the would-be rider.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Kelpies usually take the appearance of a black horse, and are always slightly wet. They are always rather slim, some even have their ribs visible. The best way to differentiate between a kelpie and an actual horse is by looking at their hooves, as they often have a few small flecks of blood on them.
Kelpies have the ability to shapeshift, and often use this ability to tempt mortals into stepping into lakes so that they can be drowned. Sometimes they take on the appearance of a beautiful lady and ask a passer-by to take a swim with them, sometimes they take on the appearance of a dashing knight calling for help as they are drowning in the lake thanks to the weight of his armour.
Despite Kelpies being able to shapeshift into many different forms, their horse form remains their favourite.

Biological Traits

The exact size and weight of a Kelpie is entirely dependant on whatever form they are taking.
Kelpies have no gender, they can take the appearance of either sex whenever they shapeshift.
Kelpies are unaging, and require no food, water or sleep in order to stay alive. Kelpies also seem to be unable to feel pain, as they have no reaction upon being injured.

Genetics and Reproduction

Kelpies do not reproduce. They were created thousands of years ago by Gaia as one of her many punishments for those that damaged the natural world. It is said that the first Kelpies sprang from the lakes, born from Gaia's rage and desire to inflict pain.

Ecology and Habitats

"A Kelpie without a lake is like an archer with no arrows" ~Drest Ennihide, Archdruid of Gaia.

Kelpies only live near bodies of water, be it a rive, lake or the sea. Without these bodies of water, Kelpies are harmless and unable to perform their true purpose. While Kelpies do leave their lakes from time to time, they never stray too far, and refuse to stay away for too long.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Kelpies are nature spirits, and as such they do not require food. They do not kill mortals out of a need for food, but about of a sadistic urge mixed with the desire to defend the nature world.

Biological Cycle

Kelpie hibernate whenever their lakes become frozen over, indicating that their ties to their lake are deeper and more significant than most assume. During this time, Kelpies are completely harmless, often taking on a mortal form and sleeping on the edge of their frozen lake.

Behaviour

"Apart from nymphs, most nature spirits cannot be reasoned with. They are closer to the constructs of Hephaestus than they are to mortals. They perform their purpose and cannot be swayed from their duty." ~ Archimedes Church, Director of the Authenian Arcane Committee.

While Kelpies are certainly intelligent, they are single minded. They hold no greater motivation other than drowning mortals that wander too close to their lake. Very few Kelpies are capable of fighting their nature and obtaining their own motives, though some historical accounts do describe some Kelpies as being able to self-determinate.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Kelpies can only be found near bodies of water within the Ceilic Region. Is is theorized that due to the fact that they are nature spirits, they are bound to the land, unable or unwilling to leave it.

Average Intelligence

Kelpies are cunning and cruel spirits. If not for their trickery, they would be almost harmless. They rely on their deception in order to drown mortals. Kelpies are rather intelligent, though not supernaturally so. They can speak most languages, are familiar with history, philosophy and the natural world.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Kelpies can sense the presence of any mortal coming close to their lake or pond, giving them time to change into the form they wish to use to coax the mortal into entering their body of water. The phrase "I have the ears of a Kelpie", is used in the Ceilic Region, despite sound not affecting their ability to detect nearby mortals.

Lifespan

Immortal

Geographic Distribution

• Fuatha Dún