Chapter

Nuckelavee

The tracks on the shore were neither horse, nor cow, nor sheep, yet the beast that made them was clearly a quadruped. For a full yard to either side of the creature’s path, the grass and heather were blackened and blighted. Its path made straight for the seaweed-­burners’ camp, with but one deviation: instead of crossing the small stream that ran down from the loch, the tracks made a long circuit inland and around the spring-­head. It was that which had saved the lives of those who saw the nuckelavee – though some would argue that their reason was not spared by the hideous sight.

— William Stukeley, May 1726

The nuckelavee of the Orkney islands is shaped like a combination of horse and human, with arms long enough to reach the ground. Its head has a single, burning eye, and noxious gas billows from its mouth. The creature’s legs have fins as well as hooves. Even more horrifying is the fact that it has no skin: its sinews, muscles, and organs heave and pulsate as black blood flows between them through yellow veins.

Ritual

There is no specific ritual to get rid of a nuckelavee. If the relevant secret is uncovered (see box), someone with the right skills could entreat the Sea Mother to end its rampage. This course is far from guaranteed to be successful, and will probably see the character making a terrible bargain or incurring a terrible debt.

Hide ritual

Ask your GamemasterClick to reveal if permitted