Avalanche Software’sHogwarts Legacyis nearing release, and the studio continues to reveal more snippets of the upcoming game. Players will be able to explore every nook of Hogwarts Castle, uncovering its many mysteries as they attend classes and hone their wizarding skills. There will also be plenty of magical creatures around, and there have been dragons, centaurs, and other fantastic beasts shown off. A recentHogwarts Legacyleak detailing the contents of each of the game editions listed a “Kelpie Robe” as one of the available extras, suggesting that kelpies might make an appearance.
Like many creatures in the wizarding world, kelpies are taken from mythology, and they have a fascinating backstory. Though they are not too prominent inHarry Potter, they strongly resemble their mythological counterparts, and they are described as beautiful yet very dangerous creatures. Hopefully, kelpies play a larger role inHogwarts Legacy, as they are one of the more intriguingfantastic beasts.
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What Are Kelpies?
JK Rowlingborrowed heavily from Western mythology when craftingHarry Potter, so it is unsurprising that kelpies have their basis in European folklore. Kelpies originate in Scottish folklore where they are described as shape-shifting spirits that usually take the form of a horse-like creature, although they are sometimes said to take a human form, too. Typically, kelpies are found around lakes, and though they are beautiful, they are also highly dangerous, as legends claim that kelpies drag humans to their underwater doom and devour them. Kelpies are almost impossible to deal with, so they are best avoided altogether, though they can be killed with a silver bullet.
InHarry Potter, kelpies are also water creatures that take a horse-like form, and their hair can be used as wand cores, though kelpie hair is regarded as substandard material for wandmaking. Kelpies are mentioned a few times in the novels, such as inChamber of Secretswhen Gilderoy Lockhart advises Hagrid on how to get kelpies out of a well. They are mentioned again inHalf-Blood Princewhen Harry andAlbus Dumbledoreare crossing the lake in the Horcrux cave, and Harry worries that there may be kelpies lurking in the waters.
How Could Kelpies Factor in Hogwarts Legacy?
If theHogwarts Legacyleaksare true, players could be able to put on kelpie robes, which would be an easy way to stand out from the average student. There may also be other forms of kelpie clothing, as well as wands with kelpie hair cores. Perhaps the most interesting way kelpies could feature is through lessons at Hogwarts. It has already been revealed that players will attend classes, which include Care of Magical Creatures where players will learn about the magical beasts that inhabit the wizarding world. It could be here where players uncover more about kelpies and, perhaps, even encounter one. With marvelous monsters such as dragons already shown off, it is not too farfetched to imagine that kelpies could be found in Hogwart’s Great Lake.
Hogwarts Legacystrives to be an immersive representation of the wizarding world, allowing players to experience life as magical students. In addition to havingwitch and wizard companions, players will also be able to interact with the various magical creatures that have been discovered. It appears that the upcoming game acknowledges kelpies, though it remains to be seen what role they play and to what degree players will get to interact with them.
Hogwarts Legacyis scheduled to release in 2022 on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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