Felfinnning

Felfinnning is a neologism with no single universally accepted definition. In online glossaries, fan wikis, and speculative-fiction discussions, it is used to denote a fictional process that involves manipulating a hypothetical energy field (often referred to as “fel”) with specialized devices or techniques (“finns”). Because the term circulates across different works and communities, its precise meaning can vary from one context to another.

Etymology and usage often reflect a blend of concepts. The word appears to combine a root such as fel (suggesting energy, field, or felted material) with finning (the act of shaping, refining, or extracting). In practice, felfinnning may describe a ritual practice that grants access to hidden knowledge, a technical method for converting energy into a usable form, or a narrative mechanism that drives transformation within a story. In role-playing games and collaborative fiction, authors may establish their own rules or definitions, leading to divergent interpretations.

In culture and media, felfinnning serves as a worldbuilding shorthand for a specialized discipline within a fictional setting. Its flexible usage allows writers to imply advanced technique, mystique, or risk without prescribing a single canonical explanation. As a niche term, it often appears most prominently within fan-created content and is used to explore themes related to power, knowledge, and the boundaries of a fictional world.

See also: finning, energy manipulation in fiction, neologism, worldbuilding.