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Post by Red Charge on May 22, 2014 9:23:20 GMT -5
Kelpie Government
The Kelpie Government is a monarchy, much like the pony Kingdom. The monarchy has both a King and a Queen and both are capable of independent rule should the other one perish. In addition to the king and queen, the Kelpies affairs are also run by the Kelpie Pantheons. Places of worship for the sea dragons in order to keep their favor. These pantheons are very involved in the day to day life of Kelpies and is used as a court, a social gathering place and a place of worship. Each city has their own Avatar, their Dragon's kelpie representative in their city, the avatars supplement the monarchy and serve as governors in their own cities, as well as an acting higher council for kingdom affairs.
The Three Tribes
Much like ponies (and as a very strong piece of evidence of the link between ponies and kelpies), Kelpies divide into three species - Octopus Kelpies, Shark Kelpies and Whale Kelpies in resemblance of their three patrons.
Octopus Kelpies are the undersea equivalent of earth ponies, capable of great strength and with a connection to the sea floor and flora. Their patron is the Octopus Dragon Kraken.
Shark Kelpies are the equivalents of Pegasi, cutting through the water at high speeds and differing altitudes, capable of controlling thermal pockets and currents to ensure a stable environment for the Kelpie cities. Their patron is the shark dragon Megalodon.
Whale Kelpies are the equivalents of unicorns, equipped with a narwhal horn, they are capable of manipulating the ether in the water around them to cast spells. This aids in every aspect of day to day life in the Kelpie society. Their patron is the whale dragon Leviathan.
Kelpie Transformations
It is widely known that above ground, Kelpies change their physical form from the backside of their type, to a complete pony. The only give away would be their kelp-like manes and tails as well as the posture and agility problems that come from living in the sea all of their lives. Though octopus kelpies and shark kelpies appear the same, whale kelpies retain their narwhal horn even above water, though it has just as much difficulty casting spells in the air as ponies have casting spells underwater.
Dragon Worship
Ever since the Kelpies united into a kingdom they have always been under the protection of the three great sea dragons. The Kelpies pay their respect to these dragons by worshiping them as deities. Every Kelpie city has a pantheon to its patron dragon and often times many kelpies aspire to achieve the qualities of their patron dragon. These pantheons are an inseparable part of the kelpie municipality and day to day. Many of these pantheons contain parts of the dragon patrons such as Leviathan's shed scales, a tip of Kraken's regenerating tentacles, of even one of Megalodon's powerful teeth.
Each city has its own Avatar - an Avatar is the Kelpie representative of a dragon, the effective governor of a city and the only accepted way to communicate with the dragons for a common Kelpie. Avatars are chosen by their patron dragons out of the archons in the temple and are even blessed with dragon powers. Avatars also represent their cities in the high council of the Kelpie Kingdom and often their words are heeded even by the King and Queen themselves.
Upon being selected, an avatar must relinquish any connection to the physical world, dedicating their life in full to their duties. This includes their name, their property and their family. An Avatar is only known by that which makes him so - the role of an Avatar. They live in spartan conditions, every waking moment of their life is dedicated to the benefit of their city and the word of their patrons.
The Stillwater Kelpies
Stillwater Kelpies, also known as "Sirens", are an entirely different story. These Kelpies have fallen into corruption and are no longer allowed to reside in the oceans. These Kelpies are twisted representation of what they once were, the Kelpie equivalent of a Nightmare, or a Chimera. Above ground, they might sometimes seem beautiful and tantalizing, but below the surface of water their true, hideous form is revealed. Stillwater Kelpies almost always grow a taste for meat to the point where eating fish is simply no longer enough.
As the Sea Dragons rule the oceans, these corrupted hippocampi are forced to the surface, to wander the lands until they are either redeemed, or destroyed. Many of those fearsome creatures wander into inland swamps or lakes to seek refuge from the dangers above ground. There they lure unlucky travelers to the lake to drown and consume them. Many legends tell of Kelpies who have pretended to graze on a lakeside or in a swamp to draw and fascinate others with their unique appearance, then attacking and stealing away anyone who dared draw near. Under dragon decree, any good Kelpie must always do his utmost to harm a Stillwater Kelpie as much as he is able unto death, if possible.
One famous Siren is the infamous Lady of the Lake in the Griffon Kingdom (See: Kelpie Notable Persons), whose legend has thrived for centuries and has become a part of Griffon folklore.
The Abyss
One of the reason experts assume Kelpies live on sunken continents is the altitude difference between their kingdoms and the bottom of the ocean. Once one swims out of the boundaries of one's continent, a great abyss opens up below them. This abyss is impossible to penetrate with any light and none, including the Sea Dragons dare to dive into it. None who have ever challenged the darkness have returned, any machinery or equipment ever lowered was quickly yanked out of any apparatus and was never salvaged. Kelpie legends tell of monster-deities from before time slumbering in the depths, one day to awaken and rise from the oceans.
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