Kelpie

Medium fey, chaotic evil

Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 27 (5d8 + 5)
Speed 30 ft., swim 40 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
16 (+3)	15 (+2)	12 (+1)	13 (+1)	16 (+3)	12 (+1)

Skills Perception +5
Damage Resistances cold, poison
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages Common, Sylvan
Challenge 2 (450 XP)

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Amphibious. The kelpie can breathe air or water.
• Magic Resistance. The kelpie has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
• Mounting Challenges. The kelpie can be tamed briefly. A humanoid must make a successful DC 15 Animal Handling check. If successful, the humanoid can command the kelpie for 1 minute. However, the fey will not take any action that would harm itself.
• Shapechange. The kelpie can use a bonus action to polymorph into a Large riding horse or back into its true humanoid form. Its statistics, other than its size, are the same in either from. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. It reverts back to its humanoid form if it dies.
• Slippery. The kelpie has advantage on ability checks and saving throws made to escape a grapple.

ACTIONS

• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage.
• Hooves (Horse Form). Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) bludgeoning damage.
• Drown. The kelpie can choose to grapple (escape DC 13) a target they hit with a bite attack and drag it underwater.

ABOUT

One of the most unusual creatures to encounter in a lake or river is the kelpie. This dark horse appears harmless at first glance. However, the nasty fey will attempt to drown anyone who gets close. Its true form is a fey humanoid that appears quite human.

Soaked to the Bone. When in horse form it always appears wet. In addition, the humanoid form of the kelpie has smooth, wet, and cold skin. These are clues that point to the creature’s true nature.

Bridled Rage. Some humanoids will attempt to ride these fey. This is a challenging task and can result in the rider being drowned. If a kelpie is successfully tamed, it only lasts for a brief period of time.

Water Horses. Horses born from the mating of kelpies and horses can breathe underwater.