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Description
The Kelpie
Kelpies are a carnivorous equid that lives within large bodies of water. They reside in oceans, rivers, lakes and ponds, and eat the surrounding wildlife or sometimes, the hapless human. They are highly intelligent, capable of shapeshifting from an early age. They can appear as humans or normal horses to lure in their prey, but their natural form is that of a lithe, horselike creature with webbed feet.

Anatomy
Kelpie form: In general, Kelpie are long necked, graceful looking creatures with the general build of an equine. Their tail is somewhat longer and more expressive than a horse tail, but this is something not easily noticed unless they are hairless. Aside from the mane and tail, the Kelpie has no fur. Instead they have a slick, rubbery skin reminescent to that of a whale, and it is always slick with grease that keeps them waterproof. It is said that Kelpie are always soaking wet, but what one is actually seeing is the greasy excretions that make their manes and tails appear to always be soaking wet. In fact, when a kelpie is overly stressed or excited, this grease will become slightly less viscous and will drip from their bodies like a thick sweat. This makes it impossible to ride on a Kelpie unless they wish to be ridden, because the person and tack will merely slide off.
Their legs are distinctly equine until you get to the wrist and ankle joints, which is where extra fingers sprout to make a webbed foot. The main index toe on each foot is the toe that takes all of the animal's weight much like a hoof, and each one has an ominous claw at the end that it uses to rend its prey.
The head of a Kelpie makes it even more obvious that this animal is not a horse. Though the general structure is equine, the eyes are closer together and forward facing. Their scelera is the same color as the iris, and there is no visible pupil. Common eye colors for Kelpie are black, dark green, and dark blue. Lighter colors are rare. A Kelpie's lips are pliable, and can stretch back to expose their many sharp, seal-like teeth. Their tongue is much like a seal's as well, slightly forked at the end and raspy to lick flesh off of bone. Though they are aquatic, the Kelpie still breathe air. Like a horse, they cannot breathe through their mouth and must instead do so through their nose. During submersion, their nostrils close shut so that they do not drown underwater.
Horse Form: The body type is typically reminescent to the Kelpie form, either light or cobby depending on the individual. Though their coloration can theoretically be whatever they wish in this form, the whole point of this form is to be incognito. Therefore they typically choose a natural horse color and pattern. The most iconic of those of course are solid black or white horses, but it is not a rule.
Human Form Theoretically, a Kelpie can attain a perfect human form of their choosing, but not all of them are adept enough to do so. It is not uncommon for a Kelpie to have sharp teeth, 'Kelpie' eyes. No matter what, a Kelpie will have hair that looks constantly wet because of the oils they excrete.

Social Structure
Kelpie typically share large territories but hunt alone, coming together only for special ocassions or to procreate. Monogamy is common, but life pairing is rare. Typically a Kelpie couple will stay together for five to twenty years before parting ways, long enough to raise a few young. Sometimes, a bored Kelpie wil become interested in humans, taking part of their community and sometimes even taking a human mate. If the mate displeases them however, they are known to either abandon or devour them. During these unions, a majority of the offspring are Kelpie, though sometimes when the mother is the human partner the child can turn out human... though they are rarely normal. It is suggested that the first cannibals were Kelpie offspring.

Because they are carnivorous, territorial and aggressive, the weak sometimes becomes food... for this reason, they are considered ruthless and dangerous. It could be argued that they are mildly sociopathic, but a Kelpie has it's own moral code and rules. These sometimes vary from one individual to another, but one can trust when a Kelpie gives you their word. It is for this reason alone that contracts can be put together for Kelpie to work for and with humans. It is of course important to make sure one's contract is infallible lest they get eaten when the contract is fulfilled...

Creating a Kelpie
Let's face it. I don't own the concept of a 'Kelpie'. I like to think I have put my own spin on it.. went through all this trouble designing special Kelpie feet, Kelpie markings, Kelpie design... I ask that if you want to make a Kelpie character using -my- designs? You follow my rules. Right now, they are NOT officially open because I am still designing them, but I -am- wanting to let people get creative and excited about these guys.

So. Here's how it's gonna go.

Design a Kelpie Contest
Using the basic rules from my markings sheet, come up with your own kelpie. I ask that you not make it neon colored. Keep in mind these colors are to help them blend into their environment. They are not emo sparkleponies. Kind of using what I've come up with as a template, feel free to try a different type of marking. Then, you are going to send me the sta.sh link and I am going to review it. I'll either give it an okay, or ask you to make changes. I feel like this is a nice compromise from charging money or points, or forcing you guys to accept some random import. I want you guys to enjoy them, but I don't want you guys peeing on my ideas either.

Kelpie Markings:

Description
The Kelpie
Kelpies are a carnivorous equid that lives within large bodies of water. They reside in oceans, rivers, lakes and ponds, and eat the surrounding wildlife or sometimes, the hapless human. They are highly intelligent, capable of shapeshifting from an early age. They can appear as humans or normal horses to lure in their prey, but their natural form is that of a lithe, horselike creature with webbed feet.

Anatomy
Kelpie form: In general, Kelpie are long necked, graceful looking creatures with the general build of an equine. Their tail is somewhat longer and more expressive than a horse tail, but this is something not easily noticed unless they are hairless. Aside from the mane and tail, the Kelpie has no fur. Instead they have a slick, rubbery skin reminescent to that of a whale, and it is always slick with grease that keeps them waterproof. It is said that Kelpie are always soaking wet, but what one is actually seeing is the greasy excretions that make their manes and tails appear to always be soaking wet. In fact, when a kelpie is overly stressed or excited, this grease will become slightly less viscous and will drip from their bodies like a thick sweat. This makes it impossible to ride on a Kelpie unless they wish to be ridden, because the person and tack will merely slide off.
Their legs are distinctly equine until you get to the wrist and ankle joints, which is where extra fingers sprout to make a webbed foot. The main index toe on each foot is the toe that takes all of the animal's weight much like a hoof, and each one has an ominous claw at the end that it uses to rend its prey.
The head of a Kelpie makes it even more obvious that this animal is not a horse. Though the general structure is equine, the eyes are closer together and forward facing. Their scelera is the same color as the iris, and there is no visible pupil. Common eye colors for Kelpie are black, dark green, and dark blue. Lighter colors are rare. A Kelpie's lips are pliable, and can stretch back to expose their many sharp, seal-like teeth. Their tongue is much like a seal's as well, slightly forked at the end and raspy to lick flesh off of bone. Though they are aquatic, the Kelpie still breathe air. Like a horse, they cannot breathe through their mouth and must instead do so through their nose. During submersion, their nostrils close shut so that they do not drown underwater.
Horse Form: The body type is typically reminescent to the Kelpie form, either light or cobby depending on the individual. Though their coloration can theoretically be whatever they wish in this form, the whole point of this form is to be incognito. Therefore they typically choose a natural horse color and pattern. The most iconic of those of course are solid black or white horses, but it is not a rule.
Human Form Theoretically, a Kelpie can attain a perfect human form of their choosing, but not all of them are adept enough to do so. It is not uncommon for a Kelpie to have sharp teeth, 'Kelpie' eyes. No matter what, a Kelpie will have hair that looks constantly wet because of the oils they excrete.

Social Structure
Kelpie typically share large territories but hunt alone, coming together only for special ocassions or to procreate. Monogamy is common, but life pairing is rare. Typically a Kelpie couple will stay together for five to twenty years before parting ways, long enough to raise a few young. Sometimes, a bored Kelpie wil become interested in humans, taking part of their community and sometimes even taking a human mate. If the mate displeases them however, they are known to either abandon or devour them. During these unions, a majority of the offspring are Kelpie, though sometimes when the mother is the human partner the child can turn out human... though they are rarely normal. It is suggested that the first cannibals were Kelpie offspring.

Because they are carnivorous, territorial and aggressive, the weak sometimes becomes food... for this reason, they are considered ruthless and dangerous. It could be argued that they are mildly sociopathic, but a Kelpie has it's own moral code and rules. These sometimes vary from one individual to another, but one can trust when a Kelpie gives you their word. It is for this reason alone that contracts can be put together for Kelpie to work for and with humans. It is of course important to make sure one's contract is infallible lest they get eaten when the contract is fulfilled...

Creating a Kelpie
Let's face it. I don't own the concept of a 'Kelpie'. I like to think I have put my own spin on it.. went through all this trouble designing special Kelpie feet, Kelpie markings, Kelpie design... I ask that if you want to make a Kelpie character using -my- designs? You follow my rules. Right now, they are NOT officially open because I am still designing them, but I -am- wanting to let people get creative and excited about these guys.

So. Here's how it's gonna go.

Design a Kelpie Contest
Using the basic rules from my markings sheet, come up with your own kelpie. I ask that you not make it neon colored. Keep in mind these colors are to help them blend into their environment. They are not emo sparkleponies. Kind of using what I've come up with as a template, feel free to try a different type of marking. Then, you are going to send me the sta.sh link and I am going to review it. I'll either give it an okay, or ask you to make changes. I feel like this is a nice compromise from charging money or points, or forcing you guys to accept some random import. I want you guys to enjoy them, but I don't want you guys peeing on my ideas either.

Kelpie Markings: