“Looks almost like in the book.” Fans recognized Ciri’s favorite in The Witcher 4 demo

During a technical demonstration at State of Unreal, CD Projekt RED showed one of the first glimpses of Witcher 4. Although it is a prototype, one moment triggered a strong reaction: Ciri’s loyal horse, the black mare Kelpie, looks almost exactly as described in Sapkowski’s books.

“I’m reading ‘The Tower of the Swallow’ right now, and Kelpie from the demo looks almost one-to-one as described by Sapkowski. I’m sure it’s her. And the ‘magic bracelet that summons her’ fits the Witcher world perfectly and explains how she always finds Ciri,” wrote user TaxOrnery9501.

In fan discussions, Kelpie is called an essential part of Ciri’s story. 

“Without Kelpie, it’s no longer a game about Ciri,” claims user PaulSimonBarCarloson.

The horse is an important character in the book. Ciri took her after the death of her previous owner, the merchant Hotsporn. The name Kelpie comes from a folkloric sea monster that can take the form of a horse, a woman, or a dolphin. In the books, she wears a magical bracelet that allows the heroine to summon her from afar; this detail could potentially be implemented as an in-game mechanic.

Kelpie’s appearance is not just a pleasant reference, but also a practical gameplay element.

The Witcher 4 will focus on Ciri, and details like her companion only fuel interest in the game. 

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Cover author: CDPR. Cover source: Reddit