January's story aesthetic - kelpie boy...! (Patreon)

I know we've had five extra stories in January already, as part of the Twelve Days of Monstermas, but the regular show must go on! So, your monthly story - for those on the Pixies and Goblins tier and up - will be a kelpie boy, from the Fae Realm universe thing I've been posting about recently. 

Taking inspiration from Bronze Age beliefs that bodies of water are gateways to other worlds (think La Tène), this fae boy is the gatekeeper of a portal to the Fae Realm. He lives in a chilly lake/swamp, and it has been his task for hundreds of years to make the place as uninviting and hostile to the local humans as possible, thus protecting the portal and keeping the humans out. 

He meets his human reader, however, on the night of the Winter Solstice festivities, traditionally held around a bonfire in a clearing in the woods not far from the lake, when he can't resist slinking closer to take a look at the lively humans and their enchanting flames... 

Hope you're keen! It'll be up and posted on here for anyone on the $5 and up tiers in a few days.