Adult Female
Name: Cascade
Species: Lethe Kelpie
Birthday: Sunday, June 5, 2011
Owner: XTashX
Element: Water
When winter comes around, most kelpies leave for unknown waters, to escape the freezing water. Those who remain behind recede beneath the surface of the lake, far under the ice. As soon as the ice begins to thaw, the kelpies will reappear, despite the castle still being covered in a thick blanket of snow. These horses do not seem to mind being cold, but they cannot survive without moving water. No one knows what they eat, if they even do. When they grow bored, kelpies drift along the shores, looking for someone to keep them company. Other creatures avoid them as much as possible, despite them being companions. It is fairly often that a magi is surprised on a walk by a kelpie, as they blend in perfectly with their surroundings.These radiant companions have two different colors, both equally lovely. The more violent kelpies are called lethes, while their lighter brethren are named struana. The darker lethe kelpies have deep blue skin and dark manes, all the better to hide them in murky waters. A series of light spots follow the curve of their spines, and their eyes gleam red. Struana kelpies are colored a vibrant teal, with lighter stripes around the neck, with a bright yellow mane and tail. The teal kelpies tend to be gentler, and easier to train, while the dark blue kelpies have crueler natures. Kelpies are thought to be spirits of the drowned, fated forever to haunt the waters where they died. The magi do not believe these myths, but there has always been something disturbing about these creatures.
Though extremely beautiful, kelpies are malicious creatures, and not to be trusted. Their eggs are kept hidden beneath rocks, or buried under sand. Though a koi could easily find them, all animals stay away from the kelpies. These horses sometimes leave their waters to haunt the shores, trying to entice humans into pursuing them. Anyone who attempts to catch one of these ethereal horses will never be seen again, their fate unknown. If angered, kelpies are extremely vindictive, and use their powers to wreak vengeance. Anyone who touches the coat of a kelpie will become stuck to it, and nothing will free them. Their strange manes will suddenly move as if alive, and wrap around their prey in a grip that is impossible to break. Then the wild horse will drag their victim beneath the cold waters, to a cruel fate. The person will quickly drown, their body washed away as if they never were. All village children know to stay away from them, and no one approaches them. Even the tame kelpies, who have been raised to be more kind, frighten the commoners. Of course, if these creatures are companions, they tend not to be so malignant. If raised properly from birth, a kelpie will be somewhat affectionate towards their magi, and allow their human to touch them. If a kelpie so wishes, its flesh will not become a horrible trap, and the human remains free. Their coats are constantly wet, even when the horse is not below water, and their manes are always dripping. Kelpies are frightening creatures, and touching them is quite unnerving; no heat radiates from them, and they are as cold as ice.
Sprite art: GlassWalker/Umbreonage (adult) | Description: Damien