The Púca (also called Pooka, plica, phuca, pwwka, puka, and phookha) is a mythological creature from Celtic legend, whose name was derived from the Irish word 'puca', meaning, 'ghost'. Phookas are nocturnal, and are usually seen causing mischief in the dead of night, which is one reason for its feared reputation.
Powers and Abilities[]
The phooka is a shapeshifter, able to take the form of whatever it so chooses. it is usually seen, though, as being a dog, goat, horse, goblin, rabbit, or even an old man or woman. Traditionally, the phooka is depicted as an eerie dark horse with long, flowing mane and luminescent golden eyes. Phookas have the power of human speech and, when inclined, make great sport of those they talk to, as they like to embellish the truth.
Temperaments[]
Phookas are seen as neither evil nor good, as they can prove to be a help of hindrance to local farming communities. In Ireland, the Púca seems to be the most feared Faerie possibly because it appears only at night and enjoys creating havoc and mischief; though some feel this is doing the Pooka an injustice, because there are no recorded incidences of a Pooka actually causing a human any harm.
Locations[]
Phookas can mainly be found in rural areas. they like open, mountainous areas as well, where they can run feely while in equine form. Many small mountainous lakes and springs in Ireland are called ‘Pooka Pools’ or ‘Pollaphuca’, which means Pooka or Demon hole. Some of these are found at the sources of major Irish rivers such as the river Liffey that runs through Dublin City or the River Bann, which is the longest river in the north of Ireland, that runs through the town of Coleraine.
Habits[]
When in equine form, a phooka will have fun by inviting a human to sit on it's back; this usually happens when the rider in question is drunk, and is making his way home from a night at the pub. Then starts the wildest trip the rider will ever know, for the Pooka loves to terrify the rider with its great prowess, jumping over hedges and rocks and making death-defying leaps. Come dawn, the rider is thrown off the horses back and left trembling on the ground, but none the worse from the night’s events to find his own way home. Phookas also love to talk, and will happily stop to chat with you, sometimes giving great advice, others spouting exceptional prophecies. The odd thing about conversing with a Pooka is that you may have sat and chatted to him an hour but suddenly he disappears, without saying good-bye. you will be left wondering if the past hour was real. They’ll never leave any sign that they were ever there.