Selkie

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Description

Selkies (also spelled silkie, selchie) are a Fae race. They live as seals in the sea, but can shed their seal skin to take on a human appearance. The pelt is the only thing that allows a selkie to switch back and forth between appearing as a seal and as a human. A selkie's pelt is their most cherished possession, and they will protect it fiercely. It is said that a selkie's pelt is a part of their soul, and if someone were to steal the selkie's pelt they gain some control over the selkie.

Selkies are inherently wild creatures. They are often unversed in the details of human life and some have a hard time fitting in. Others assimilate quite well into human cultures and can travel unnoticed among humans. Like most fae, Selkies have a certain fascination with human cultures, but refuse to be tamed or bounded by them.

Despite their fae nature, Selkies have very little control over magic or glamour, and only manage small magics when needed. They can disguise their homes to avoid detection, and will often disguise their pelts when wandering among other races on land. Though Selkies are strongly tied to the sea and prefer not to stray too far from the coast, they can wander anywhere they choose so long as they have their pelt. However, should they be separated from their pelt, their strength and will fades the further and further they get from the sea.

Selkies tend to be more benevolent than others among the Fae. They usually keep to themselves, but have been known to rescue drowning sailors. However, it is said that Selkies were not always such gentle spirits of the sea, and may have had a darker history. Indeed, even today some Selkies harbor no love for other races and will actively lead sailors astray or sometimes even to their deaths given the opportunity. Rumors circulate that some Selkies actively abduct humans from the shoreline, though for what reason no one can say for sure.

Many Selkies are skilled navigators and astronomers. Far out to sea, the only way to navigate is by the stars, leading Selkies to learn much about the night sky and how to travel by it. Selkies also have a great love of music and singing.

Racial Traits and Signifiers

Selkies are almost indistinguishable from humans. However, key traits to look for in identifying a Selkie are the presence of a seal pelt and possible facial markings. Bear in mind, Selkies try to avoid detection when possible, and so may have disguised their pelt as a coat or some innocuous item of clothing.

Religion

Pending

Populations

• Eastern Sea Selkies
  
• Frozen Sea Selkies
  
• Lake Selkies
  

Eastern Sea Selkies

Not to be confused with Lake Selkies, Eastern Sea Selkies have moved inland. Driven out of their native homeland by overfishing, seal hunters, war, and fishermen wanting to add Selkie blood to the family tree, the Selkies of the Eastern Sea left to find a better and safer home elsewhere. After a long and hard voyage, they found alpine lakes not yet marred by humans. They settled in small colonies in different lakes, and protected their new homes with fae magic. No humans could ever find the lakes, and that meant that the Selkies were safe in their new home.

Living inland proved a much different life for the Eastern Sea Selkies. While they missed their home, they knew it was safer to live in the mountain lakes. Along with the change in location came a large change in lifestyle. The Selkies began spending more and more of their time in their human forms, and learned to incorporate more than just fish into their diet.

Frozen Sea Selkies

Arguably the scariest of the known Selkie races, Frozen Sea Selkies are larger and fiercer than their smaller, northern cousins. They fit in well with the leopard seals of the southern seas, and do not tend to be disturbed by humans or many other races in their frozen home. Yes, they eat penguins.

Lake Selkies

No one really knows how the Lake Selkies came to be where they are, but they are the only truly freshwater Selkie. While Eastern Sea Selkies moved inland, Lake Selkies have always lived in freshwater. As far as anyone knows, they are restricted to one large, inland lake. Few races seem to bother the Selkies themselves, but overfishing has proven to be a recent threat to their livelihood.

Known Selkies

Emeldir Talrein

Misconceptions

Many people harbor several misconceptions about Selkies and how they work. This is not a complete list of misconceptions, but is an effort to try and address a few of the largest ones.

• Selkies do not turn into seals upon getting wet. The amount of water you douse a Selkie with does not matter. The pelt is the only thing that enables a Selkie to change between human and seal form.
• Selkies do not turn into seals when they sleep. See above point about pelts