Baurnai

Baurnai is a fictional creature appearing in the fantasy novel "The Whispering Woods" by author Elara Meadowlight. Within the narrative, Baurnai are described as solitary, nocturnal beings inhabiting the deepest, most ancient parts of the forest. Physically, they are depicted as having a stout, bipedal form, covered in rough, bark-like skin that aids in camouflage against tree trunks. Their eyes are large and reflective, allowing them to see in low light conditions, and they possess long, sensitive ears that can detect the faintest sounds.

Baurnai are often portrayed as guardians of forgotten natural places. They are not inherently malicious but are fiercely protective of their territory and the delicate balance of the ecosystem they inhabit. Their diet consists primarily of rare fungi and luminescent mosses found only in their secluded habitats. Communication among Baurnai is believed to be through a series of low hums and rustling sounds, mimicking the natural noises of the forest. They are rarely seen by outsiders, and encounters are often fleeting glimpses, leading to many legends and folklore surrounding their existence. The novel suggests they possess a deep, almost instinctual understanding of the forest's magic.