Alterpedia: Selkies

In the Alters’ World (and the series of books found here), creatures of legend reveal themselves to the world. Born through genetic abnormalities, defects and mutations, the Alters have lived for centuries as outcasts of human society, hiding their true nature from the world while colorful stories have been written by many to describe what they’ve seen. How are these creatures different from what was described in the stories? What relationship do they have with humanity? Every entry of the Alterpedia will delve into a new creature from around the world. This week we cover:

Selkies

Though not as well known as their Merfolk cousins, the Selkies, seals that may take human form, are prevalent in the area surrounding the British Isles. Though identified as shape-shifters by some, they’re really masters of disguise and are known to simply remove their seal skins as they walk onto the beach. And, despite being a seductive sea creature like some others, the Selkie is often not harmful to humans, rather often being taken as husbands, wives, or amusing zoo attractions.

So are all of the seals really people in disguise? Or is this myth trumped up to explain the adorably talented trained seals we’ve all come to know and love? Let’s take a look.

Talents

Mythology

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Selkies are supposedly shape-shifters who live the majority of their lives in the ocean under the guise of seals. They have all of the natural swimming talent of the seals as a result and are known primarily for this one trait. When a Selkie removes this seal skin and takes the form of a human they sacrifice the abilities they have of this form, preventing them from returning to the sea, as no normal human could live in the same environment as a seal.

In some variations of the stories, it has even been indicated that Selkies are capable of leading humans astray and luring them into the seas through their sheer beauty. They may, in fact, be closer related to Sirens than appearances would suggest as they are also apparently capable of not just luring people to a life at sea but, in rare instances, to their very doom.

Alters

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Selkies are not shape-shifters. However, they are specifically adapted for long periods of time in the water, allowing them to be able to live much as seals and other marine mammals do. One of these adaptations relates to their muscle density and strategic fat deposits, allowing them to be both buoyant without losing their strength in the water, giving the appearance of very little fat at all.

Despite key pockets meant for staying warm in their native environment

They are known to have powerful legs and arms with an elegant motion that allows them to cut through water at high speeds.

While also having the lung capacity to be submerged for great deals of time.

Because of this, it is true Selkies are ideally suited to marine environments.

However, they are not known to actually be capable of luring anyone to the sea as in the stories. Though they may have many suitors who would be interested in living with them, most deaths caused by Selkies have been the result of bar bets involving long stretches of water and intoxicated humans trying to out-swim their Selkie friends.

Appearance

Mythology

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Selkies are beautiful people who happen to be capable of living in the sea and take the form of seals through the use of magical seal skins. Their seal form was said to be exactly that of a seal, with more emphasis in folklore actually placed on the beauty of the human form they presented.

The human form of a Selkie was a seductive draw, leading many women to wander into the sea and leading to a rather unhealthy obsession with imprisoning Selkie females on land by human men. They were taken as spouses, often producing children with their human mates, and were of such appeal that it was literally worth stealing the clothes off their back to be with them.

Alters

Selkies don’t actually turn into seals, they just dress up to look very much like them. The fact of the matter is that Selkies are predominantly known to wear seal skin because it was the most available form of clothing during the ancient times and has taken a sacred status among their people. Many Selkie will wear this skin at all times when with their own kind and will only remove it in the presence of humans for the sake of blending in. Though it is not a perfect disguise, in the water and from a distance, they will often appear to be a natural seal, leading to the impression that a human just stepped out of a seal skin when they disrobe on the beach.

Physically they are very well adapted to the water with a strong swimmer’s physique. They are lean but muscular with a sometimes ungraceful look on land due to their strong evolutionary tie to another environment. Though they are far less clumsy than other sea dwelling Alters, this does lead a few of them to be more impressive physically in the water or in water-appropriate attire than when they are attempting to blend in with people.

Behavior

Mythology

Legend has it that Selkies can be found dancing on the shores in their human forms, only to don their seal skins and swim away to the ocean once again. But during this time they can have their seal skins stolen, forcing them to stay on the land with whoever happens to take it. This is often the way that “Seal Wives” were obtained by people in olden times, as the Selkie could not return to the sea without being returned to their seal form.

But while this is usually the case for such stories, there have been instances where the Selkie is anything but the victim of what is essentially a kidnapping. Should a woman cry on the shores and allow seven of her tears to fall into the water, a male Selkie would be said to come to her and sweep her away from her unhappy marriage, taking her as his own.

But, in more sinister stories, were a Selkie to be angered, they have also been known to take vengeance not only on those who have wronged them, but also on those who may know or be related to that person. In essence, Selkies are the mail order spouses of folklore and they can also be the epitome of the vengeful ex after a divorce.

Alters

Selkies’ seal skins aren’t mystical in nature. Rather, their seal skins are a sacred item among their people that would be shameful to return home without. Male and female Selkies treasure them and keep them as family heirlooms, symbols of honor among their clans which, upon marriage, are exchanged from one family to the next. The act of having the seal-skin of a Selkie is essentially half the process of marrying them.

However, abusing this system is frowned upon, with many humans facing dire consequences as powerful people from the sea would take revenge on those who would try to force their women into marrying the land-dwellers. With their impressive strength and stamina, combat with Selkies is an undesirable event.

Under normal conditions, this is not much of a problem. Selkies are friendly and well adjusted, usually having great fun and enjoying employment on the surface in many fashions. Often, due to their impressive disguises, the humans they encounter rarely realize who’s providing them entertainment.