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Description
Here's my original take on Swedens water-horse. If you wonder why a fairy that's supposed to look like a alluringly normal horse instead looks like a Bosch-ian Abomination, I have several reasons for these design choices including inspirations from water-horses of other countries. First, I take advantage of the water-horses nature as shapeshifters; they can stretch their bodies to accomodate more riders and even appear as other beings such as humans or fish. Some folklore describe water-horses with more monstrous forms; Iceland and Scotland even have variants with twelve legs. I have also emphasized the Brook Horse's conflation with the Näcken, another shapeshifting predatory water spirit, making both the same character. My water-horse has motifs including water lilies, violins and poisonous bite because these are common characteristics of the Näcken. I imagine this to be the being’s 'true' form.

Description
Here's my original take on Swedens water-horse. If you wonder why a fairy that's supposed to look like a alluringly normal horse instead looks like a Bosch-ian Abomination, I have several reasons for these design choices including inspirations from water-horses of other countries. First, I take advantage of the water-horses nature as shapeshifters; they can stretch their bodies to accomodate more riders and even appear as other beings such as humans or fish. Some folklore describe water-horses with more monstrous forms; Iceland and Scotland even have variants with twelve legs. I have also emphasized the Brook Horse's conflation with the Näcken, another shapeshifting predatory water spirit, making both the same character. My water-horse has motifs including water lilies, violins and poisonous bite because these are common characteristics of the Näcken. I imagine this to be the being’s 'true' form.