Appearance

Selkies possess both a human and a seal form, though they exist primarily in the latter. As seals the species ranges vastly in appearance, from walrus-like to those like fur seals; for every pinniped, there is at least one pod of similar selkies existing in the oceans of Antarsia. Their colors are always those natural to the particular sub-species they are part of, usually brown or monochromatic with eyes that appear almost black.

Generally speaking, their human form takes after their seal form, where seals who are light in coloration have fair skin and blonde hair and those who are darker have a more olive appearance and auburn or black hair. As such, a selkie whose seal form is light with black patches will likely be fair-skinned with dark hair as a human. In this secondary form they are considered incredibly beautiful by most humanoid species and can have eyes of any color, independent of their hue while they are a seal.

Rarely, Selkies come in other varieties of sea mammals, like whales, dolphins, and otters.

Abilities

The use of magic in a selkie is a rare occurrence. Usually, they are restricted to their removable skin that allows them to shift between forms. When a selkie does have possession over a true magic, it is usually no more than two elements, though exceptions to this rule exist. They are generally unable to stay on land for long periods of time, due to their longing for the sea, and if their skin is stolen they will search for it relentlessly, even after many years have passed. Without this they cannot return to the ocean, and being submerged in water fills them with such an intense grief and yearning that they will enter a deep and often deadly depression. Even those who have a great love for their partner and land-bound children will immediately return to the sea should their skin be found.

Should a selkie's skin be burned they will become completely human. However, even when this occurs they still retain their love of the sea, and many will swim whenever possible, never straying far from ocean towns. As seals they are able to speak in both their own language that of other species, generally learning from birth. Male selkies also have great powers of seduction over females, particularly humanoid ones, and for this reason are less likely to be victims of having their skin stolen.

Culture

Very social creatures, Selkies live in large pods with others of their particular sub-species, and generally do not stray far from their family group. They spend most of their time as a seal and are able to easily recognize others of their species even while in this form, happily playing and conversing with others even if they are complete strangers, due to their peaceable nature.

Once per year the pods come together in a huge gathering where stories are shared and weddings and other celebrations take place. It is an especially important time for the young, recently matured selkies, as they often find mates and begin courting during this period. They have a deep love for the sea and when trapped on land will commonly be caught staring out at sea, longing for the day when they can return home. It is not uncommon for them to have a human partner as well as one of their own species, especially amongst females. It is rare that they will stay long ashore with this partner, unless their skin is stolen or burned. Should a selkie have children with a man or woman of another species, they will lure them to the sea to visit them there, and will often take them away if the child is born with a skin.

To summon a Selkie partner from the sea, one must cry exactly three tears into the sea on a full moon.

History

It all started with a tear, or that’s how the story goes.

Long ago, when the sea was still traversed by ships brave enough to enter the domain of the sea dragons, many a sailor lost their lives. One woman, whose husband had just died in a wreck, wept into the sea. The seals came to her, and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“My husband died at sea,” she replied.

“We can help,” said the seals. “We’ll rescue sailors.”

The seals did just that, but found it difficult to save the men and women stranded at sea. As people drowned around them, the seals wept to Feaya, goddess of the sea, pleading for her help.

Distraught by her subject’s tears, Feaya reached out to Nialle, goddess of magic. Together, the two turned the drowning sailors into seals. Able to swim the long distance to shore, the sailors found themselves able to remove their seal skins to once again walk freely among the land. Now forever bound to the sea by their skins, these sailors became the first Selkies. Many chose to never return to the shore.