Diving Kelpie

The legend of the kelpie and how a kelpie "works" depends heavily on who you ask. The legend varies a lot by region or by time period, but certain elements always remain the same: It is a shape-shifting water spirit that usually takes the form of a horse, and it's always a man-eater. Some legends say the kelpie is pure white, others solid black, others grey, and some Irish legends speak of brown and white patched "water horses."

They are said to also take the form of sea-serpents, and occasionally either the form of a beautiful woman or a handsome man to lure young men and women to a watery grave. The kelpie is said to have adhesive skin, so that if you touch the horse or climb on its back, you will be unable to escape from it as it plunges back into the loch to drown and devour you.

Making the sign of the cross may induce a kelpie to release you before it's too late. A kelpie is said to have a magic bridle, if you take hold of it, you can control the kelpie. Other legends say a bridle in general will control a kelpie if you can manage to get it on the creature without being killed first.

The enslaved kelpie is a diligent and tireless worker who can work much longer and run much faster than a typical horse, and when bred to other horses its foals will have golden hooves and be the finest horses anywhere. There is a catch, however, the kelpie demands a diet of human flesh for its hard work and it may level a deadly curse against an unwary master.