Kelpie

By Colin Chapman (col.chapman@virgin.net)

Description

'Tired from the revel, Cullyn Murdoch strolled in the light of Luna. Steam rose from his fur in the cool night air as his form twisted to that of man. Naked, he rejoiced in the cool caress of the eve's breeze and brushed his thick black mane back from his sweating brow. He let out a howl of jubilant joy, torn from his lungs at the beauty of Luna's shimmering reflection in the loch's black waters. Surely no Galliard had felt such joy?! Parched with thirst, he knelt to sip of the waters. He barely had time to scream...

The terrifying Kelpie (Ech-Ushkya in Gaelic) is an ages old horror of Scotland, the evil and twisted water-horse, render of flesh. They live in the bogs and fens, lochs and rivers, waiting for likely prey. Devious shape-shifters, they favour two ploys:

Appearing as a splendid young horse they can lure the curious near, allowing them to mount, and springing the trap. The hapless victim will be firmly held, unable to dismount as the victorious kelpie dashes into the water, drowning the poor soul and tearing her flesh.

Sometimes the form of a human suits their needs, and they lurk in cover or fein distress. They pounce when the prey is near, crushing them in a deadly grip and dragging them underwater...

Territorial and aggressive, only one kelpie is present in any single stretch of water or loch. Kelpies revel in storms, wailing loudly and galloping across the waters surface.

Statistics (Spirit)

Willpower: 7
Rage: 7
Gnosis: 7
Power: 30

Charms: Materialise (Power Cost: 20; Str 6, Dex 3, Sta 5, Alertness 3, Brawl 4, Stealth 5) Reform, Shapeshift, Surface Attunement (as the gift), Hold

Statistics (Chimera)

Glamour: 7
Willpower: 5

Attributes: Str 6, Dex 3, Sta 5, Int 2, Per 3, Wits 3

Health: OK, OK, -1, -1, -2, -2, -5, -5

Abilities: Alertness 3, Brawl 4, Stealth 5

Powers:

Shapechange: Can assume the form of a hairy human for 1 Glamour point.

Water Walk: Can run across the surface of water, and is equally capable underwater as above.