Fionns

Fionns are a fictional humanoid species described in the fantasy setting of Eldoria. The term is derived from the Old Irish fionn, meaning “white” or “fair-haired,” reflecting common hair coloration and certain mythic associations within the in-world lore. In Eldoria, the label groups coastal and island communities sharing cultural and genetic traits.

Biology: Fionns typically stand about 1.70 to 1.90 meters tall and exhibit hair colors ranging from pale blond to light brown. Their eyes are commonly blue or gray. They have webbed toes for swimming and lungs adapted to damp, briny air. Lifespans are generally around 80 to 120 years, and they display a lean, athletic build suited to seamanship and outdoor life.

Society and culture: Fionn society is organized around kin-based clans with elder councils. Social life centers on seafaring, craftwork, and oral storytelling. They are renowned shipwrights and woodcarvers, and their music features wind-instrument melodies. They maintain trade networks along the western coast and across island communities, emphasizing hospitality and mutual aid during voyages and storms.

Language and names: The Fionn language is part of the Western-Eldorian language family, featuring distinctive poetic forms. Personal names often incorporate the root “Fionn” or variants such as Fin and Fionna, reflecting hair color or ancestral legend, and sometimes signaling clan affiliation.

History and reception: Within the Eldoria canon, Fionns trace origins to ancient seafaring tribes and are frequently depicted as allies of coastal humans and dwarves. In-fiction scholarship notes their adaptations to maritime life and their role in regional trade networks, contributing to cultural exchange along the sea routes.