A supernatural water horse found near the lochs and sea shores of Scotland and parts of Ireland. Similar to the kelpie, but much more savage.

In its true form it appears as a creature with the torso of a human, the teeth of a lion, and the head and hind legs of a horse. It is always male and stands around 8 feet tall. The torso and arms are well muscled and seem human except for the hands which are webbed and end in long, razor sharp claws.

Since it is a shapeshifter it may also appear in the form of a horse, a human, or a giant bird.

As a horse it appears docile and attractive. Its shiny black or gray coat is tinged with iridescent blue-green and it may be lavishly saddled and bridled with gold. It takes this form in order to feed.

Near the waters edge it pretends to graze as it waits for passers-by. Few humans are able to resist the desire to mount this elegantly adorned creature. Unfortunately, once mounted, the rider becomes fixed in place and is unable to dismount.

The each uisge then reverts to its true form and returns to the water where it tears the rider to shreds and consumes all but certain innards. Later, the innards may wash ashore.

In the form of a well dressed man it enters populated areas and attempts to impregnate as many women as possible; then it returns to the water and waits for the children to be born.

The female offspring pass for human but often have malformed hands and are sterile. It is not interested in these.

The male offspring, which will become each uisges, are located and abducted shortly after birth. They are taken below the surface and do not appear again until they are fully grown. Any male offspring left behind will wither and die.

Should you encounter this creature, do not approach it or attempt to observe or photograph it. Instead, immediately leave the area and do not return. This is recommended in any situation where an unknown horse, human male, or giant bird is observed near the waters edge anywhere in Scotland or Ireland.

The each uisge prefers to lure its victims rather than actively pursue them. However, on occasion, it may give chase. If this occurs, you should run. To increase your chances of escape try to locate and cross over standing water such as a puddle or a swamp. This should drive the each uisge back, or at least force it to go around the water, giving you more time to get away.

To destroy an each uisge, draw it out of the water with the smell of roasting meat and administer a trance inducing poison from a distance by dart. Watch for the poison to take effect, then muzzle the creature and transport it inland.

Once inland the each uisge remains dangerous, but grows weaker each day until it finally dissolves into a puddle of clear gelatinous goo. Only now is it no longer considered a threat.

(The above method of destruction often produces undesirable results and should not be attempted by anyone.)

May be a harbinger of death by drowning and its howling predicts fowl weather.

In its true form its hands sometimes have three or four fingers instead of five.

The innards most commonly found washed ashore are the liver, heart, kidneys, or lungs. These are thought to be poisonous to the creature.

In the form of a man it can be identified by the water weeds that it must always display in a prominent place such as its lapel and it may have damp spots on its clothing.

The trance inducing poison should be a coup poudre obtained from a Bokor. Other potions and poisons produce unpredictable results and should not be used.

Its bridle and saddle are prized for their supernatural qualities.

Also known as aughisky and water-horse.

See Also: Creatures by Type: Horses, Sea Monsters, Shapeshifters