Tulenegs

Tulenegs is a term used in speculative fiction to refer to a class of flame-based beings or energy constructs. Depending on the work, tulenegs may be living entities, artificial intelligences, or hybrid organisms, and there is no single canonical definition. The term is a neologism coined for worldbuilding and has varied etymologies across different authors; it is generally treated as combining a fire-related root with a suffix denoting sentience or agency.

In appearance, tulenegs are depicted in diverse forms. Some portrayals show ember-like humanoids with radiating heat auras; others present semi-transparent plasma or light beings. They are typically associated with heat, light, and high-temperature environments, and may possess body heat, glow, or radiant energy as part of their biology or technology.

Abilities attributed to tulenegs also vary. They may manipulate thermal energy, generate protective shields of fire, or interface with heat-producing machinery. Their habitats range from volcanic regions and geothermal networks to starship reactors and plasma fields, reflecting their affinity for high-energy settings.

In fiction, tulenegs function as a faction, a species, or an environmental phenomenon. Some narratives cast them as antagonists with destructive capabilities, others as enigmatic mentors or guardians of ancient heat-based knowledge. The ambiguity and flexibility of the concept make tulenegs a common tool in worldbuilding for exploring themes of energy, transformation, and boundary between living beings and machines.

See also fire elemental, energy being, plasma creature.