View source for Kelpie

{{Creature
| image        = 
<gallery>
Kelpie.jpg|3e
Kelpie 2e.png|2e
Kelpie-1e.jpg|1e
</gallery>
| caption2     = Various depictions of kelpies.
| name         = Kelpie
| size5e       = Medium
| type5e       = [[Plant creature|Plant]]
| subtype5e    = 
| alignment5e  = [[Neutral evil]]
| challenge5e  = 4
| refs5e       = <ref name="TftYP5e-p238">{{Cite book/Tales from the Yawning Portal|238}}</ref>
| size4e       = 
| origin4e     = 
| type4e       = 
| subtype4e    = 
| alignment4e  = 
| refs4e       = 
| size3e       = Large
| type3e       = [[Fey]]
| subtype3e    = [[Aquatic]]
| alignment3e  = Always [[chaotic evil]]
| challenge3e  = 10
| refs3e       = <ref name="FF3e-pp114-115">{{Cite book/Fiend Folio 3rd edition|113}}</ref>
| size2e       = Medium
| alignment2e  = [[Neutral evil]]
| refs2e       = <ref name="MCVII">{{Cite book/Monstrous Compendium Volume Two}}</ref>
| size1e       = Medium
| alignment1e  = [[Neutral evil]]
| refs1e       = <ref name="FF1e-p55">{{Cite book/Fiend Folio 1st edition|55}}</ref>
| patron deity = 
| vision       = [[Blindsight]],<ref name="TftYP5e-p238" /> [[low-light vision]]<ref name="FF3e-pp114-115" />
| movement     = Swimming
| activecycle  = 
| diet         = Photosynthesis<ref name="MCVII" />
| lifespan     = 
| location     = 
| language     = [[Common]], [[Sylvan]]<ref name="TftYP5e-p238" /><ref name="FF3e-pp114-115" />
| subraces     = 
| climate      = Temperate or Tropical<ref name="MCVII" /><br />Any<ref name="FF3e-pp114-115" />
| terrain      = Any land, aquatic<ref name="FF3e-pp114-115" />
| height       = {{SIrange|6|7|ft}}<ref name="MCVII" />
| length       = 
| wingspan     = 
| weight       = 
| skincolor    = 
| haircolor    = 
| hairstyles   = 
| feathers     = 
| eyecolor     = 
| build        = 
| distinctions = 
| based        = [[wikipedia:en:Kelpie|Kelpie]] (Scottish)
| first         = [[Fiend Folio 1st edition|''Fiend Folio'' 1{{st}} edition]]
}}
'''Kelpies''' were creatures that resembled a mass of seaweed.<ref name="TftYP5e-p238" />

==Description==
Kelpies could alter their form to appear as either a woman, a [[hippocampus]], or a green [[horse]]. But regardless of what form they took, their substance was still green seaweed and other creatures could often identify this in broad daylight if other [[magic]] wasn't utilized to enhance their deception.<ref name="MCVII" />

==Personality==
Kelpies were often confused when confronted with victims that were immune to or incapable of drowning, but not hostile towards them. Rather than dismissing them, kelpies would welcome the charmed victim's continued protection.<ref name="MCVII" />

==Biology==
These creatures reproduced asexually, increasing in size to {{SI|7|ft}} and then splitting into two or four more kelpies. This could be done once a month so long as they were plentifully fed. Young sprouts were incapable of casting any [[spell]]s. If properly cared for, a sprout could grow into a full-sized kelpie within a month.<ref name="MCVII" />

In either their human or horse form, kelpies could roam about on land for upwards of three hours.<ref name="MCVII" />

==Abilities==
These creatures were capable of casting the [[charm]] spells and could communicate telepathically with any being by embracing them. However, their charm spells were only known to work on [[humanoid]] [[male]]s. The effects of a kelpie's spells would end shortly after its death.<ref name="MCVII" />

Their bodies were largely invisible in the [[infravision|infrared spectrum]]. Due to consistently being drenched in water, [[fire]]-based attacks were often ineffective against them.<ref name="MCVII" />

==Combat==
Kelpies had no straight offensive abilities outside of their shape-shifting and charm humanoid males into thinking they were in trouble and needed rescuing. Upon the person attempting to rescue them, kelpies would grapple their victims and hold them in the water until they drowned. If a kelpie could not reach their victim, then they would lure them into swimming towards them until they drowned. Once a victim had died they would drag the body back to their lair.<ref name="MCVII" />

If attacked, charmed men would fly into a confused rage and attack those who harmed the kelpie.<ref name="MCVII" />

==History==
Between [[-215 DR]] and [[750 DR]], the kelpie population within [[Serôs]] nearly went extinct due to over-harvesting by the realm's [[merfolk]]. Eventually their population recovered along the [[Sea of Fallen Stars]]'s coastal shallows.<ref name="SoFS-p43, 65">{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|43, 65}}</ref>

In [[1361 DR]], the [[illithid]] [[Vestress]] used the [[human]] [[Dagmar]] to plant kelpies in the water in her attempt to conquer the island of [[Ruathym]].<ref name="TW">{{Cite book/Tangled Webs}}</ref>

In the month of [[Calendar of Harptos|Marpenoth]], [[1369 DR]], [[Iakhovas]] used his magic to summon some monstrous elder form of kelpie all around the [[Whamite Isles]]. He used these kelpies to draw the entire population of the Isles into the ocean, drowning and reanimating them into an army of [[sea zombie]]s.<ref name="SoFS-p74">{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|74}}</ref>

==Rumors & Legends==
One legend claimed that kelpies came about because some vengeful [[deity]] of the sea wanted to punish men for being so rash as to sail their domain without giving them proper observance. This legend tried to explain the immunity of women to the charm abilities of kelpies as being because there were so few female sailors at the time of their creation.<ref name="MCVII" />

A less widely-known legend tells of kelpies having been created by the [[archomental]] [[Olhydra]], who made all women immune to their charms out of respect for her sex.<ref name="MCVII" />

==Society==
Kelpies lived largely solitary lives.<ref name="MCVII" />
===Diet===
Being plant creatures, kelpies largely obtained their nutrients by means of photosynthesis. However, they were also known to feed upon the bodies of their victims.<ref name="MCVII" />

===Homelands===
While kelpies could be found in almost any climate,<ref name="FF3e-pp114-115" /> being very adaptable creatures, they most preferred to inhabit the oceans of temperate or tropical regions. They were usually encountered within the first {{SI|100|ft}} depth of the ocean layer. Outside of oceans, they were known to be found underground or even within artificial bodies of water.<ref name="MCVII" />

A rare species of freshwater kelpie was once known to inhabit the waters just below the '''Breaking Steps''' of the [[River Chionthar]], near [[Berdusk]].<ref name="FRA-p79">{{Cite book/Forgotten Realms Adventures|79}}</ref>

Following the [[Twelfth Serôs War]], kelpies were known to be found deep in the ruins of [[Alsyrrt]].<ref name="SoFS-p127">{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|127}}</ref> Some were also known to be found in [[Maztica]],<ref name="MA-p63">{{Cite book/Maztica Campaign Set/Maztica Alive|63}}</ref> the [[River Ashaba]], and [[Dragon Reach]].<ref name="T">{{Cite book/Tantras (adventure)/Random Encounter Tables}}</ref>

Outside of the [[Prime Material plane]], kelpies could be found in [[Draga Salt-Biter]]'s domain of [[Saragoss]] in the [[Domains of Dread]].<ref name="IoT-p50">{{Cite book/Islands of Terror|50}}</ref>

===Relationships===
Other fish and aquatic grazing creatures generally perceived kelpies to be mere seaweed and would eat away at their bodies.<ref name="MCVII" /> In Serôs the kelpies were thought to fill important niche in the sea's ecosystem as their natural scent acted as a repellent to [[shark]]s. Hunters would often seek them out in hopes of gaining some of that protection for themselves.<ref name="SoFS-p43, 65" />

Some kelpies were known to ally themselves with powerful creatures and would act as guardians for submerged treasures.<ref name="MCVII" /> One such example was the [[marid]] [[Kalbari al-Durrat al-Amwaj ibn Jari]], who had kelpie servants in her [[Citadel of Ten Thousand Pearls]].<ref name="SotL.GL-p32">{{Cite book/Secrets of the Lamp/Genie Lore|32}}</ref>

===Use===
Kelpie sprouts generally fetched upwards of around 500 [[gp]].<ref name="MCVII" />

==Appendix==
{{Incomplete}}
===Appearances===
{{Appearances
| adventures = ''[[Tantras (adventure)|Tantras]]'';{{Duapp|79|The Akriloth"}}
| adventure refs = ''[[Storm King's Thunder]]''
| novels = ''[[Tangled Webs]]'';''[[The Sea Devil's Eye]]''
| video game refs = ''[[Baldur's Gate III]]''
| card games = ''[[AD&D Trading Cards]]''
}}

===References===
{{Refs}}
[[Category:Creatures found in Aquallor]]
[[Category:Creatures found in the Domains of Dread]]