kahtlase

Kahtlase is a figure in maritime folklore cited in the stories of coastal communities in the fictional archipelago of Nyr. The term is used to describe a shapeshifting creature that is strongly tied to the sea and to fog, and it is often invoked in tales to explain mysterious happenings at sea or along the shore. Etymologically, kahtlase is said to derive from local words for sea and shadow, reflecting its elusive nature in both water and light.

In the most common renditions, kahtlase appears in two forms. At sea, it is described as a sleek, aquatic being with features ranging from a seal-like body to a more fantastical form with iridescent scales. In land or shallow water, it may assume a humanoid shape with sea-green eyes and hair that flecks like foam. Accounts differ on the details, and some versions emphasize a tail or gills when submerged.

Habitats for kahtlase are coastal and estuarine zones, especially near rocky outcrops and fog-bound shores. The creature is generally wary of villages by day but is occasionally depicted as guiding weary fishermen to safe harbors at night or, conversely, steering ships off course during storms. Moral overtones vary by tale; benevolent kahtlase are said to protect sailors, while temperamental versions warn against greed or disrespect toward the sea.

Culturally, kahtlase functions as a symbol of maritime heritage and the region’s relationship with the ocean. It appears in lullabies, oral histories, and festival lore, and is sometimes used in modern literature and media to evoke mystery and the unknown forces of nature.

See also: selkie, kelpie, selkie-like spirits.