Lorelis

Lorelis is a term used in speculative fiction to denote a distributed biological network that also functions as a body of knowledge. In most portrayals, Lorelis refers to luminous, fungus-like organisms that span forest canopies and soils, forming interconnected communities.

Etymology and usage: The name Lorelis is used across different works as an in-universe term; there is no single canonical origin. Writers typically pair it with "lore" to emphasize knowledge, or with the idea of light or signaling.

Biology and ecology: Lorelis comprises multiple species that engage in mycorrhizal-like associations with plants and with each other. They transmit information through bioluminescent pulses and chemical signals, producing a visible glow across habitats. The network is resilient to disruption and can coordinate responses to environmental stress.

Cultural and fictional significance: In stories, lorelis networks are sources of legends, procedural knowledge, and historical memory, accessible to those who can interpret light-language or chemical cues. They sometimes serve as guardians of ecological or ancestral knowledge.

Variants and reception: Because lorelis appears in different settings, depictions vary widely from semi-sentient to non-sentient networks. The term remains a flexible concept used to explore themes of collective intelligence, memory, and the interface between biology and information.