MYTHOLOGY OF THE KELPIE, WATER HORSE
Mythology Article Written and Sourced by Eric Edwards (Wordpress) link contains sources
In the Scottish highlands the water-horse, or Each Uisge, is a supernatural water spirit in mythology and folklore. There is a tradition of water horses in some sixty of the thousands of lochans and lochs of Scotland (Watson, 2011). The mythical water-horse is also known as the Capaill Uisce or the Manx Cabyll-ushtey, the Ceffyl dwr in Wales, as well as often being confused with the Kelpie. It is one considered opinion that such mythical creatures appear in Scottish tales because “…the fierceness of the sea is characterised as a powerful and preternatural hage whose form…embody aspects of a stormy sea.” (Harris, 2009), the female described as the Muileartach.
Some authors regard the kelpie as being synonymous with the water-horse. The name was bestowed originally on the kelpie which allegedly resembled the horse-like hippocamp of classical myth and antiquity. The confusion can be cleared by the fact that the water-horse haunts only lakes lochs and never rivers (Green, 1992), whereas the kelpie inhabits torrents, waterfalls, and fjords. The shores and banks are the home of the glaistigs whereas the raw’ga are the revenants of seals. Water-horses, kelpies, and glaistigs have a much greater folkloric ambiguity when compared to mermaids, sea hags and dragons.
Resembling a long-necked seal in appearance, the water-horse has a long neck supporting a small head, a horse’s mane, and two sets of flippers. It is always considered a dangerous encounter with a creature, apparently measuring some 50 to 60 feet in length, with a tail 70 feet long, despite the fact that mortals can achieve power over the animal (Harris, 2009).
The water-horse known as the Each-uisge in Scotland, each-uisce in Ireland, is often mistaken for the kelpie. In Ireland the term has been Anglicised ‘anghisky’. The mischievous or at worst malevolent Kelpie has its origin in the Scottish Gaelic tradition (Drever, H. 1937).The shape-shifting Each-uisge can appear as a horse, a pony, or as a handsome man. It is a mammal of acquatic habit resembling a horse that lives in fresh water lochs, sea lochs, and the sea itself.
A nickname applied to the lake monsters of Scotland is the kelpie, such as the Each-uisge, the Morag of Loch Morar, and Lizzie of Loch Lomond. Another supernatural water-horse, or kelpie, is the glaistig which haunts Scottish waters and is “…associated mainly with domesticated animals and with the agricultural mode of life, and is attached to certain families, but has a similar sinister aspect as a river fury.” (Harris, 2009). The Kelpie is usually to be found beside or in isolated and fast moving streams where she, in common with the Ceffyn dwr, lures travellers to ride on her back into deep pools where they are drowned and consumed (McKillop, 1998; Coleman, 2007). In terms of mythology and folk-tale the kelpie is described as a sky-blue and white horse of strong physique that can shapeshift into beautiful women. Artists have portrayed the kelpie in this way as a seductive and languorous maiden seated on a riverside rock or beside a pool. However, the kelpie was also feared as a cannibalistic and foul-tempered water sprite with webbed feet and tail and mane of a horse.
There are a number of regional variations of the water-horse and the kelpie and similar mythological creatures. These include the Each uisge, the Neck (a water spirit) and the Nix. In Scandinavia the Norwegians have the brook horse other wise called the Backahasten, which is also called the nokken. For Faroe islanders there is the Nykur and in Iceland it is known as the Nykur or the nennir. In Orkney there is the Nuggle or Nuggie, with the Shetland Islands the home of Tangi, the Shoopiltee, and the Njogel. The Manx Gaelic for water-horse is the Cabbyl-ushtey and the Irish have their Capall uisce (also known as theGlashtin). The Irish had their Eisges or Fuath alongside the Shoney of Cornwall derived from the Norse name Sjofn meaning ‘Goddess of the Sea’.
The Ceffyl Dwr of Welsh folktale is a shape-shifting killer of travellers, with flying ability, that lives in mountain pools and pools, as well as capable of disappearing into the mists (Rose, 2001). In one form it leaps from the waters and kills travellers, but in another tale it gets the unwary to ride on its back. TheGlashtyn, also known as the glashan, the glaistiyn, or the glastyn and believed derived from the old Irish Celtic words glais, glaise, or glas meaning the sea and also stream.
In the mythology of the British Isles the oldest Celtic goddesses and nymphs are those connected with rivers and waters. For example the glashtin is regarded as a goblin that is believed to appear of its watery habitat, and in other words a ‘water-horse’. Historically many pre-Christian names of rivers are named after female deities. Examples include Ness from the Picts and which is the name of the mother of Conchobar (Henderson, 2008). The term Nigra Dea means the Black Goddess of Adamnan with lochy or loch-diae the ‘lake of the black goddess’ (Hull, 1928). Affric, originally Aithbrecc means ‘nymph of the river and Aberdeen is derived from the goddess of the mouth of or river of Devona. Scottish glens are often believed inhabited by river spirits, river hags, and half horse half human water-horses. The Cuachag lives in Glen Cuachag and Etag inhabits Glen Etive.
Some authors regard the kelpie as being synonymous with the water-horse. The name was bestowed originally on the kelpie which allegedly resembled the horse-like hippocamp of classical myth and antiquity. The confusion can be cleared by the fact that the water-horse haunts only lakes lochs and never rivers (Green, 1992), whereas the kelpie inhabits torrents, waterfalls, and fjords. The shores and banks are the home of the glaistigs whereas the raw’ga are the revenants of seals. Water-horses, kelpies, and glaistigs have a much greater folkloric ambiguity when compared to mermaids, sea hags and dragons.
Resembling a long-necked seal in appearance, the water-horse has a long neck supporting a small head, a horse’s mane, and two sets of flippers. It is always considered a dangerous encounter with a creature, apparently measuring some 50 to 60 feet in length, with a tail 70 feet long, despite the fact that mortals can achieve power over the animal (Harris, 2009).
The water-horse known as the Each-uisge in Scotland, each-uisce in Ireland, is often mistaken for the kelpie. In Ireland the term has been Anglicised ‘anghisky’. The mischievous or at worst malevolent Kelpie has its origin in the Scottish Gaelic tradition (Drever, H. 1937).The shape-shifting Each-uisge can appear as a horse, a pony, or as a handsome man. It is a mammal of acquatic habit resembling a horse that lives in fresh water lochs, sea lochs, and the sea itself.
A nickname applied to the lake monsters of Scotland is the kelpie, such as the Each-uisge, the Morag of Loch Morar, and Lizzie of Loch Lomond. Another supernatural water-horse, or kelpie, is the glaistig which haunts Scottish waters and is “…associated mainly with domesticated animals and with the agricultural mode of life, and is attached to certain families, but has a similar sinister aspect as a river fury.” (Harris, 2009). The Kelpie is usually to be found beside or in isolated and fast moving streams where she, in common with the Ceffyn dwr, lures travellers to ride on her back into deep pools where they are drowned and consumed (McKillop, 1998; Coleman, 2007). In terms of mythology and folk-tale the kelpie is described as a sky-blue and white horse of strong physique that can shapeshift into beautiful women. Artists have portrayed the kelpie in this way as a seductive and languorous maiden seated on a riverside rock or beside a pool. However, the kelpie was also feared as a cannibalistic and foul-tempered water sprite with webbed feet and tail and mane of a horse.
There are a number of regional variations of the water-horse and the kelpie and similar mythological creatures. These include the Each uisge, the Neck (a water spirit) and the Nix. In Scandinavia the Norwegians have the brook horse other wise called the Backahasten, which is also called the nokken. For Faroe islanders there is the Nykur and in Iceland it is known as the Nykur or the nennir. In Orkney there is the Nuggle or Nuggie, with the Shetland Islands the home of Tangi, the Shoopiltee, and the Njogel. The Manx Gaelic for water-horse is the Cabbyl-ushtey and the Irish have their Capall uisce (also known as theGlashtin). The Irish had their Eisges or Fuath alongside the Shoney of Cornwall derived from the Norse name Sjofn meaning ‘Goddess of the Sea’.
The Ceffyl Dwr of Welsh folktale is a shape-shifting killer of travellers, with flying ability, that lives in mountain pools and pools, as well as capable of disappearing into the mists (Rose, 2001). In one form it leaps from the waters and kills travellers, but in another tale it gets the unwary to ride on its back. TheGlashtyn, also known as the glashan, the glaistiyn, or the glastyn and believed derived from the old Irish Celtic words glais, glaise, or glas meaning the sea and also stream.
In the mythology of the British Isles the oldest Celtic goddesses and nymphs are those connected with rivers and waters. For example the glashtin is regarded as a goblin that is believed to appear of its watery habitat, and in other words a ‘water-horse’. Historically many pre-Christian names of rivers are named after female deities. Examples include Ness from the Picts and which is the name of the mother of Conchobar (Henderson, 2008). The term Nigra Dea means the Black Goddess of Adamnan with lochy or loch-diae the ‘lake of the black goddess’ (Hull, 1928). Affric, originally Aithbrecc means ‘nymph of the river and Aberdeen is derived from the goddess of the mouth of or river of Devona. Scottish glens are often believed inhabited by river spirits, river hags, and half horse half human water-horses. The Cuachag lives in Glen Cuachag and Etag inhabits Glen Etive.
ABOUT KELPIES, WATER HORSES
When speaking of Kelpies, or the Water Horse, most refer to them synonymously. In regards to spirit work and companionship, most that work with the ‘kelpies’ are either a mixture of the two in mythology or mainly water horses. The reason for continuing to use the name Kelpie within this encyclopedia, is that the ones that Eternus Amici works with specifically, are a mixture of the two in regards to dwelling places. According to mythology, written above, the water horse dwells mainly in lochs and lakes, while the Kelpie remains in rivers.
For informational purposes, the name Kelpie will be used for this section of the Pedia page. Please keep in mind that the information contained within this Pedia other than the mythology is based upon spirit work experiences and shop UPG.
For informational purposes, the name Kelpie will be used for this section of the Pedia page. Please keep in mind that the information contained within this Pedia other than the mythology is based upon spirit work experiences and shop UPG.
General
Kelpies are quite well known for one thing: vicious water dwelling creatures that lure in children and travelers to the river before dragging them down to drown. Just as the mythology speaks of, Kelpies can be extremely aggressive, territorial, and have bloodlust. Unlike most horse-like creatures, Kelpies are carnivores, though dietary inclinations will be spoken of in more detail later on.
Physically, Kelpies appear to have a few variables in common when it comes to appearances, both UPG and mythology based. Most can attest that they see a horse with a campus tail (like mermaids), webbed feet, and extremely sharp teeth. Colors can vary, but again, tend to be either black or a black green color. Kelpies are covered or dripping with water and only venture outside of the actual water when there is a potential prey nearby. They do bask within the sunlight and can shapeshift into other forms, one such being an incredibly beautiful human. Males tend to be vastly larger than females, their musculature overriding the normal anorexic appearance. Females are much smaller and are half the size of an adolescent stallion. The older that a female is, or if they are brought up in a particular vicious environment, outliers that are as large as males can and do happen.
Kelpies can be found near water sources, which they claim as part of their territory. Kelpies are solitary creatures, unless they have mated with another or remain within the family. This is the only case of community or group gathering that will occur, is if there is a large enough area for them or they are still within their family group. This territory is usually defined by borders of natural occurring landmarks, such as trees and boulders.
There is not one single leader or royalty like some cultures, same with councils. Kelpies are territorial by nature and even moreso when they are searching for a territory that is unclaimed. Most Male Kelpies will venture to find their own, but if they are unable, they will fight for dominance of a preoccupied area that they desire. Usually this fight for dominance ends in the death of the other Kelpie. When the territory is sufficiently Marked as theirs, which is rubbing against these natural landmarks until a hair, fur, or scent is transferred, they will display the skeleton or the skull of the previous Kelpie to show their strength. Normally, these are hidden to the eyes of humans, but others can see them.
The Kelpies themselves usually are located all around the world, and are located on the plane that is just above our own. Kelpies reside alongside the rest of us, though only those that work with Spirits are able to sense them properly.
Kelpies, like in the lore, are extremely vicious and aggressive. Although, their kind can have gentler outliers. Kelpies are very in tune with those that are around them, much like a predator is very aware of which prey is the best target. This is why travelers and children are the usual victims, because they are the easiest to lure. Kelpies absolutely hate when one tries to ride them unless it is to drown them, but even then, they are likely to guide them to the water through other means. Kelpie adolescent males are so dominant and territorial that even females of their own kind cannot be near their own territory unless give proper warning or offerings.
Normally protective, Kelpies have very intense personalities and temperament. They usually require those that are submissive in energy or very calm demeanors. If they work with someone more experience, so long as the companion or spirit worker is aware of the danger, they could have more dominant personality. When working with other spirits, it is advisable that they be slowly introduced to the others, but be aware that dominance and top dominant fights may occur. A non-experienced companion or worker is best advised to alter their spirits of the incoming addition and possible changes to the hierarchy of the family. Spending time with the Kelpie before introducing will help them transition easier into a larger family. They are loners, so workers may find that a Kelpie will not be around when others are gathered near.
Physically, Kelpies appear to have a few variables in common when it comes to appearances, both UPG and mythology based. Most can attest that they see a horse with a campus tail (like mermaids), webbed feet, and extremely sharp teeth. Colors can vary, but again, tend to be either black or a black green color. Kelpies are covered or dripping with water and only venture outside of the actual water when there is a potential prey nearby. They do bask within the sunlight and can shapeshift into other forms, one such being an incredibly beautiful human. Males tend to be vastly larger than females, their musculature overriding the normal anorexic appearance. Females are much smaller and are half the size of an adolescent stallion. The older that a female is, or if they are brought up in a particular vicious environment, outliers that are as large as males can and do happen.
Kelpies can be found near water sources, which they claim as part of their territory. Kelpies are solitary creatures, unless they have mated with another or remain within the family. This is the only case of community or group gathering that will occur, is if there is a large enough area for them or they are still within their family group. This territory is usually defined by borders of natural occurring landmarks, such as trees and boulders.
There is not one single leader or royalty like some cultures, same with councils. Kelpies are territorial by nature and even moreso when they are searching for a territory that is unclaimed. Most Male Kelpies will venture to find their own, but if they are unable, they will fight for dominance of a preoccupied area that they desire. Usually this fight for dominance ends in the death of the other Kelpie. When the territory is sufficiently Marked as theirs, which is rubbing against these natural landmarks until a hair, fur, or scent is transferred, they will display the skeleton or the skull of the previous Kelpie to show their strength. Normally, these are hidden to the eyes of humans, but others can see them.
The Kelpies themselves usually are located all around the world, and are located on the plane that is just above our own. Kelpies reside alongside the rest of us, though only those that work with Spirits are able to sense them properly.
Kelpies, like in the lore, are extremely vicious and aggressive. Although, their kind can have gentler outliers. Kelpies are very in tune with those that are around them, much like a predator is very aware of which prey is the best target. This is why travelers and children are the usual victims, because they are the easiest to lure. Kelpies absolutely hate when one tries to ride them unless it is to drown them, but even then, they are likely to guide them to the water through other means. Kelpie adolescent males are so dominant and territorial that even females of their own kind cannot be near their own territory unless give proper warning or offerings.
Normally protective, Kelpies have very intense personalities and temperament. They usually require those that are submissive in energy or very calm demeanors. If they work with someone more experience, so long as the companion or spirit worker is aware of the danger, they could have more dominant personality. When working with other spirits, it is advisable that they be slowly introduced to the others, but be aware that dominance and top dominant fights may occur. A non-experienced companion or worker is best advised to alter their spirits of the incoming addition and possible changes to the hierarchy of the family. Spending time with the Kelpie before introducing will help them transition easier into a larger family. They are loners, so workers may find that a Kelpie will not be around when others are gathered near.
Birth & Children
A female Kelpie can become pregnant when they reach the adolescent stage, which is around 30 years of age. This is the reason why the matings are violent and fast, as children and mating is a rare occurrence. When this occurs, it is almost guaranteed that the coupling will result in a foal or the even rarer, twins. A female can carry the foal up to 2 years, where she will give birth on the bank of a river. The First Test that a foal must complete, is to get themselves to water. This act is what gives the Kelpies their connection to water that runs much deeper than with their own blood family. When the foal is submerged, the mother joins the foal, teaching them how to survive until they reach the age of 30.
Children are cherished in the Kelpie’s culture, even though they are brutal when messed with. If a wandering stallion or mare stumbles upon the territory of the family, they would be immediately challenged by the territory’s stallion that is now the protector of the family. If the wandering stallion is champion, the mare of the foal is killed, but the child would not be. The wandering Stallion would then become responsible for the raising of the child, though more harshly than the parents would.
If they were to have twin foals, then when they reached the age of 10, which is about our equivalent of 5, the twins must battle each other. if the loser has not been killed and eaten by the sibling, then it is chased off to learn to survive on their own. Usually this is the reason that some of the defeated Kelpies are more bloodthirsty than the others that were not cast out, or become well known in an area that humans know. Usually the age of 10 is when they are taught how to hone their skills of hunting and fighting, which is why the defeated foal would become more feral, as they were not taught the ways of the Kelpie. Most of the foal that are casted out, do not survive past the age of 15 or 20. Another Stallion would have killed them off by then.
Children are cherished in the Kelpie’s culture, even though they are brutal when messed with. If a wandering stallion or mare stumbles upon the territory of the family, they would be immediately challenged by the territory’s stallion that is now the protector of the family. If the wandering stallion is champion, the mare of the foal is killed, but the child would not be. The wandering Stallion would then become responsible for the raising of the child, though more harshly than the parents would.
If they were to have twin foals, then when they reached the age of 10, which is about our equivalent of 5, the twins must battle each other. if the loser has not been killed and eaten by the sibling, then it is chased off to learn to survive on their own. Usually this is the reason that some of the defeated Kelpies are more bloodthirsty than the others that were not cast out, or become well known in an area that humans know. Usually the age of 10 is when they are taught how to hone their skills of hunting and fighting, which is why the defeated foal would become more feral, as they were not taught the ways of the Kelpie. Most of the foal that are casted out, do not survive past the age of 15 or 20. Another Stallion would have killed them off by then.
Childhood to Adulthood
As briefly mentioned, the starting age for developing skills starts after the Kelpie turns 10. When Kelpies hit the age of 10, they are brought into a more proactive work of hunting and learning. When they hit the age of 5, it is when they become old enough to help hunt. They start to learn how to fend for themselves. As previously mentioned, children are cherished and they will be taught more harshly when it is a stallion that has killed the mother and taken the child as their own. Some do partake in the tradition of leaving the children to hunt for them or leaving them to fend for themselves for a few days. During this time, if another stallion comes by the area, while unlikely, an attack can still happen to take over the area. The chances are reduced greatly if they are under the age of 15.
The age of 15 marks the start of their transition into “young adult”, where they are given more of a political learning. While their culture is not heavy with politics, this is where they are taught about fighting and keeping their territory. Females are taught at a lesser scale, mainly focused on how to maintain an area safe for young and raising their young, protecting them from stallions that wander to the area. The politics mainly focuses on keeping a territory safe, learning to create barriers to make it harder to others to find, marking territories. It also can extend to allies of other races to help protect or enhance their area, as well as establishing dominance over any incoming intruders.
Once the age of 20 hits, this is the time where they are permitted old enough to learn the magics and energies of their race. Each Kelpie may discover that they have a separate, unusual skill, but most of them learn only the skills that their “parent” or “caretaker” has learned. This usually limits them to the single skill or a handful of skills that are interlinked together. Most decide to work in the area of water, but there are a few that choose psychopomp and death work. Those will be spoken more about on the section about Specialties.
Once the 30 year mark hits, the stallion or mare is chased from the territory to find their own way. When this happens, they usually are either forced out or they run before they turn the 30. The stallion of the territory that helped protect/raise them, will attack if they do not leave, some have died this way. Most prefer to leave before they turn that age.
The age of 15 marks the start of their transition into “young adult”, where they are given more of a political learning. While their culture is not heavy with politics, this is where they are taught about fighting and keeping their territory. Females are taught at a lesser scale, mainly focused on how to maintain an area safe for young and raising their young, protecting them from stallions that wander to the area. The politics mainly focuses on keeping a territory safe, learning to create barriers to make it harder to others to find, marking territories. It also can extend to allies of other races to help protect or enhance their area, as well as establishing dominance over any incoming intruders.
Once the age of 20 hits, this is the time where they are permitted old enough to learn the magics and energies of their race. Each Kelpie may discover that they have a separate, unusual skill, but most of them learn only the skills that their “parent” or “caretaker” has learned. This usually limits them to the single skill or a handful of skills that are interlinked together. Most decide to work in the area of water, but there are a few that choose psychopomp and death work. Those will be spoken more about on the section about Specialties.
Once the 30 year mark hits, the stallion or mare is chased from the territory to find their own way. When this happens, they usually are either forced out or they run before they turn the 30. The stallion of the territory that helped protect/raise them, will attack if they do not leave, some have died this way. Most prefer to leave before they turn that age.
Lifespan
The average Kelpie, usually lives to be 150 to 200 human years, if they are not in continuous fights with others. The oldest that they can live to is about 300 human years. Living on the Astral, their ages slow down and they will live much longer. Some can expand it to be more than a couple thousand years. Most Kelpies choose to live on the Earth plane, residing on a plane right above the physical one humans dwell on.
As per with the mythology, Kelpies live upon the diet of flesh and meat. Usually they do prefer to prey on those that they view as low risk or vulnerable. Mythology aside, as companions, they do require an experienced hand. Not only can they get very territorial, they can get extremely aggressive and volatile. This can be due to others that they feel are a threat to their territory and those they protect, or those that they deem untrustworthy. Giving them raw meat will help, or even jerky if someone is strapped for cash or if the convenience is suited to their needs. In cases of working with Kelpies, unless it is a female that has mothered a child or is much older in her age, it would be wise to keep a Kelpie (especially a stallion), away from children.
It can be a touchy subject when it comes to illnesses and mental illness within their kind. It’s not handled more delicately like some cultures do. Much like the animal kingdom that dwells on our plane, creatures and animals alike can sense when their offspring is unwell. When the Kelpies birth a young that is either sick or mentally ill, they will kill their young. If the young is sick, they will drag the body to another area outside their territory so any other wont get sick, but with anything else, the Kelpies will kill and devour the young. It can be harsh and unforgiving in their culture. Those that are not young, but older, usually find themselves dying from territory fights that they cannot protect against.
As per with the mythology, Kelpies live upon the diet of flesh and meat. Usually they do prefer to prey on those that they view as low risk or vulnerable. Mythology aside, as companions, they do require an experienced hand. Not only can they get very territorial, they can get extremely aggressive and volatile. This can be due to others that they feel are a threat to their territory and those they protect, or those that they deem untrustworthy. Giving them raw meat will help, or even jerky if someone is strapped for cash or if the convenience is suited to their needs. In cases of working with Kelpies, unless it is a female that has mothered a child or is much older in her age, it would be wise to keep a Kelpie (especially a stallion), away from children.
It can be a touchy subject when it comes to illnesses and mental illness within their kind. It’s not handled more delicately like some cultures do. Much like the animal kingdom that dwells on our plane, creatures and animals alike can sense when their offspring is unwell. When the Kelpies birth a young that is either sick or mentally ill, they will kill their young. If the young is sick, they will drag the body to another area outside their territory so any other wont get sick, but with anything else, the Kelpies will kill and devour the young. It can be harsh and unforgiving in their culture. Those that are not young, but older, usually find themselves dying from territory fights that they cannot protect against.
THE COMMUNITY
Mating & Relationships
It takes awhile for Kelpies to mate with another, as it can be a violent act in of itself. It takes a lot for a male to find a female as they never leave their territory, so a female must come upon them. As this process is not a common one, usually the first female to be drawn into the male’s territory becomes subject to a violent mating by the male, due to the possibility of the female leaving before they can couple. When the couple do have intercourse, the female waits for a week, in which she is continuously coupled with the male in order to achieve the chance of having a foal. At the week's end, the female usually knows if the coupling was successful. If it was, the female stays with the male until the child is born and becomes 30. If not, the female has the right to walk away without retribution or attack, the male no longer having coupling rights to her.
There are not any known coupling rituals or the belief of soul mates. They are mated for the 30 years and the female has the choice to leave with the child or to stay and try for another. Usually females stay with the male if their child survives past age 10 to 15, if they are longer, the females tend to stay permanently.
There are not any known coupling rituals or the belief of soul mates. They are mated for the 30 years and the female has the choice to leave with the child or to stay and try for another. Usually females stay with the male if their child survives past age 10 to 15, if they are longer, the females tend to stay permanently.
THE SOCIAL
Structure & Politics
Structure of the Kelpies rely on territory, the size of the territory, and how strong they are. Usually a male will wander on their own when they reach the age of maturity or adulthood, 30. These males have no dominance and it can be shown by the clean and sleek coat they bear. Most males that are "feared" by their kind or have high respect won brawls and battles. In their culture, the more scars that one has, or the more distinguishing factors that litter the territory, tells of the prowess. The more skulls, the better. It takes years and years for a stallion, or even a mare, to be considered for the top.
Though mostly loners, there are definite cases of Kelpies dwelling together in one area. There is a specific location close to EA's location that has about 10-15 if not 20 Kelpies residing in a lake that is maybe 500-600 feet wide. They all co-exists peacefully and manage to drag cars into their waters frequently. The case of there being more than three or so that are not family related or mated, would be that they are there for the hunt. Allies work much better together than singular.
Though mostly loners, there are definite cases of Kelpies dwelling together in one area. There is a specific location close to EA's location that has about 10-15 if not 20 Kelpies residing in a lake that is maybe 500-600 feet wide. They all co-exists peacefully and manage to drag cars into their waters frequently. The case of there being more than three or so that are not family related or mated, would be that they are there for the hunt. Allies work much better together than singular.
Earth dwelling Kelpies versus Astral dwelling Kelpies
It was recently asked about how Kelpies react and work with not only humans but also other spirits. If the ones dwelling on Astral plane have a different lifestyle than the ones that dwell on a plane just above the Earth/Physical one. The answer is: yes.
The Kelpies that dwell on the Earth have long since developed much like the mythology indicates, as well as most of the section that I have written on, as a more animalistic but intelligent race. The Astral is very different and develops differently than ours. Kelpies are much less temperamental and tend to live in the large community style that their Earthen cousins abhor. Their political structure is much more in tune with a group of the strongest that must fight every so often to keep their place, but they give the decisions of the race as a whole. They are much more tolerant of other races and creatures that they come across, instead of viewing everything as a threat.
When it comes to Mates, this is where it varies much differently. These Kelpies can and do tend to take their human forms and do take human mates. They can switch back and forth between forms at will and their partners may find that they are granted the ability to shift into a Kelpie type or horse like form when traveling the astral, if the Kelpie receives Council permission to grant such a gift.
The Kelpies that dwell on the Earth have long since developed much like the mythology indicates, as well as most of the section that I have written on, as a more animalistic but intelligent race. The Astral is very different and develops differently than ours. Kelpies are much less temperamental and tend to live in the large community style that their Earthen cousins abhor. Their political structure is much more in tune with a group of the strongest that must fight every so often to keep their place, but they give the decisions of the race as a whole. They are much more tolerant of other races and creatures that they come across, instead of viewing everything as a threat.
When it comes to Mates, this is where it varies much differently. These Kelpies can and do tend to take their human forms and do take human mates. They can switch back and forth between forms at will and their partners may find that they are granted the ability to shift into a Kelpie type or horse like form when traveling the astral, if the Kelpie receives Council permission to grant such a gift.
SPECIALTIES
Specialties
Most Kelpies specialize in water type magics and energies. Some do work with land, as that is their hunting grounds. Although there are a fair few that do tend to work in other areas than just those two elements.
- Crossing Over, Psychopomp - due to their victims drowning and the cross from land to water, this creates a portal or a limbo effect when they die. They can be skilled in crossing over using portals or reflected images as portals, and water.
- Astral Travel - This is in due to the above, with them transitioning from the land to their underwater haven, this can be an easier way to travel as well.
- Scrying, Divination - same reason as above, it is linked with water magics.
- Nightmares/Dream Work - Fear is a key part of the reason for their hunting and as a darker aligned energy and ethics/morals, this is a fantastic way for them to lure others into their traps.