Örvandi

Örvandi is a term used in a contemporary fictional folklore to denote a nocturnal, forest-dwelling being. The name is attributed to a constructed language from the northern highlands, with variants in pronunciation and spelling across authors. In most renderings, the örvandi are portrayed as elusive, reclusive creatures linked to the rhythms of night and rain.

Physically, örvandi are typically described as slender and agile, standing about 1.3 to 1.6 meters tall. They have short, dense fur in muted tones such as ash, sepia, or charcoal, and large eyes adapted to low light. Their ears are prominent, and their hands possess mobile, almost prehensile fingers. Some depictions include a faint luminescence along the spine that deepens in darkness.

Habitats include dense woodlands, cave systems, and riverbank groves within temperate zones. Örvandi prefer secluded areas near freshwater and are often associated with fog, moss, and fallen timber. They are generally nocturnal, with a diet described as opportunistic: berries, small vertebrates, insects, and occasional fungi.

In folklore, the örvandi are ambivalent figures. They may guide travelers who respect the forest and warn those who threaten it; they can also mislead careless wanderers. They are not commonly portrayed as malevolent, but as guardians of thresholds—between day and night, wilderness and settlement. In modern media, the örvandi appear in fantasy novels, video games, and role‑playing settings as enigmatic allies or elusive antagonists, depending on the narrative.