This creature is a shapeshifting water spirit that is described as a powerful and beautiful black horse inhabiting the deep pools of rivers and streams. Once a person passes by their waters, the kelpie will emerge from it, transforming itself into what it thinks would most charm the wanderer. If the person approaches and attempts to touch the kelpie's skin, they will immediately be stuck and the kelpie will then proceed to pull them underwater, drowining and then eating them.

​

To prevent running into such a situation, there are a few details one has to keep in mind to be able to tell apart a kelpie from a normal person. They carry water weeds in their mane and tail, which stays in it even when they transform. Many kelpies even have eyes that are clearly to tell apart from a sentient's. Some look like those of a witless goat, others are purely white and even weirdly shaped irides and slitted pupils have been reported.

When not transformed, a kelpie has mostly been seen as a black horse, but also reports of white equines that turned out to be kelpies have been made. It can be assumed that black is the most common colour while white is more rare. Maybe white kelpies are albinos, but this is just an assumption and has not been proven yet. The meaning of each colouration is still a mystery. No colours other than black or white have been reported as a coat or mane colour. When not in their transformed form, kelpies can also be identified by a constantly dripping mane and skin, which is like a seal's but cold to the touch. This skin is extremely sticky so that anything that is dry will stick to a kelpie and never come off. This is why they usually never leave the security of their water. If they do wander further than a few meters away from their water, then only when it is raining, so that they do not accidently get something stuck on them.

​

Kelpies are solitary creatures. They inhabit waters of their choosing as loners and regard them as their personal territory. Anyone who dares to swim there or comes near, is destined to be attacked and often even killed by the kelpie.

​

Progeny resulting from a mating between a kelpie and a normal horse are said to be unable to drown and can be recognized by their shorter than normal ears. Other than that they will look mortal and nothing like a kelpie. They also lack the ability to shapeshift.

​

It is said, that if one manages to put a bridle made of silver on the kelpie, it must become obedient to one. Mostly it is used for labour work because of its incredible strength. But woe betide you should it slip the harness!

​

When it comes to magic powers, then kelpies can do what most other fae also can do: reading minds and being able to excessively manipulate their prey. They are also said to be able to summon up a flood in order to sweep a traveller away to a watery grave.

​

If you are near a water and hear a wailing or howling, then be careful! It might be a kelpie warning of an approaching storm. While it is still not know why, they are said to so. Something that is often mistaken for the wail of a banshee, a water-loving spirit that wails before tragedies occur.