Eidolona

Eidolona is a term used in the fantasy setting of Lyranthia to describe a semi-corporeal, luminescent species known for their ability to manipulate light and sound. They are described as insubstantial beings that can shift form and travel between locations without physical transport. In lore, Eidolona are guardians of memory and history, often found near sites of cultural significance.

Etymology: The name derives from eidolon, a Greek term for an image or phantom. In Lyranthian texts, Eidolona is used to refer to the plural collective of these beings, though individual Eidolona may be named or addressed by title rather than by a personal name.

Biology and habitat: Eidolona inhabit glimmering caves, high forest canopies, and astral rifts where memories are strongest. They exist as energy-forms with color and pattern changes that reflect their emotional states. They reproduce not by biological means but through the sharing and embedding of memories, creating temporary alignments with other beings, from which new Eidolona may emerge.

Culture and society: They organize in elder councils called the Vision, led by keepers who guide memory rites. Their primary function is to preserve oral history, songs, and ancestral events. They interact with human communities through mediators, offering guidance during reverence rituals and assisting in preserving artifacts.

In contemporary fiction and games, Eidolona are used as motifs for memory, identity, and the pale boundary between person and image. They are typically portrayed as benevolent yet enigmatic beings.