Selkie

**Overview** Culture

**Selkie**, also commonly referred to as Selkie–Folk, Seal–Folk and Sealwere, are a race of of Mortals that are capable of Therianthropy— the ability to shape-shift— by changing from seal to human by shedding their skin. Though, they are neither human nor seal; being described as *Something in between*.

## biographical information

### Other Names

* silkies
* sylkies
* selchies

## Overview

Selkies are intelligent creatures, seal–like beings, that are capable of ‘Therianthropy’; where they will temporarily shed their skin and take the form of a human. They can assume human form once every seven years, but that is depending on what source of which you read, as it varies massively.

Whilst in this human form they usually have darker hair colours, such as black and brown, but rarely they will have hair colours such as blonde and ginger. Their eyes are usually blue— like that of the ocean of which they come from— or green — like that of emeralds.

Though, their appearance may vary depending on the time they shed their Sealskin, but the most common combination was generally tanned skin with grey or black hair; and a beautiful, feminine face to go along with it.

### Behaviour

* Compared to some aquatic lifeforms, the Selkie are quite passionate and concerned for both the welfare and health of their Environment. They are seen as more easily offended by those surface–dwellers and foreigners who abuse and exploit their homeland; and by extension, the sea life that resides there.
* They are also quite defensive of their kin— The seals; as they are seen as close to the Selkie.
* Though not a behaviour, the Selkie-folk do have to learn Common Speak from those around them. As they do not need to use such as young children; since they do not need to resurface to the surface for as long as their parents.
* Parents leave their ‘seal children’ a few weeks after they have been born, though not abandoning them altogether; for they watch over them meticulously until they have reached adulthood.
* They cannot cook, as they are used to fish that is raw: so they do not need such flavourless dishes.

## Biology

### Seal biology

#### Sealskin

The Sealskin is a primary part of the Selkie, as it helps them change from human to Selkie with ease. This skin when first removed appears to be grey in colour with darker spots speckled on its surface, and the longer it isn’t worn the more transparent the skin becomes.

#### Miscellaneous information

* The Sealskin, unlike any other taxidermied animal skin, is actually quite warm to the touch and almost feels alive: breathing and moving slightly every so often.
* As it is seen as a primary part of the Selkie, the skin should never be separated from its owner (the selkie) as if it is, it can cause the Selkie to fall violently ill and lethargic. In turn, they are also weaker and much more susceptible to infections than normal; they stay like this until they either die from a preventable infection or till they receive their skin back. Which they will do anything to get back.
* The placement of where this skin is worn on the body can cause the Selkie’s seal form to change in appearance. Such as when it is worn on the shoulders the Selkie will be completely disguised as a seal; but when it is wrapped around the waist, it will only cause half the body to become disguised, giving the appearance of a Merfolk.

## Diet

Selkie’s enjoy seafood, and act in a peculiar manner when it comes to eating such, sometimes leading to their unwanted detection from other races. Oddly enough, they also seem enjoy wine to a certain degree, too, and actively seek it out when on the surface; which can also lead to unwanted attention being drawn to them.

They don’t seem to enjoy any other kind of meal, aside from the fish they catch: making them Pescivores.

## Etymology

* The Scottish term ‘Selkie’ is a diminutive for the word ‘Selch’ which means “*Grey Seal*” {*Halichoerus grypus}.* Alternate spellings for the diminutive include; Selky, Seilkie, Sejlki, Silkie, silkey, saelkie, sylkie, etc.