niputetun

Niputetun is a fictional creature featured in worldbuilding and speculative fiction. In the lore of the fictional archipelago of Endira, niputetun is a nocturnal flying serpent with bioluminescent scales. The name is said to come from Endiran, combining nipu- "moon" and tun "singer," referring to its moonlit calls.

Description: It is typically described as 2–3 meters long, with a sinuous body, a crest of plumage along the head and neck, and broad wings with a wingspan of up to 4 meters. Its scales glow faintly blue-green at night, and some depictions show throat or chest sacs that brighten during calls.

Habitat and behavior: According to Endiran folklore, niputetun inhabits coastal mangrove forests and limestone cliffs; it is nocturnal, feeds on fish and seabirds, and uses high-altitude perches to survey the coast. Its vocalizations are described as melodic, sometimes likened to a flute.

Cultural significance: Niputetun is a common symbol in Endiran art and festival narratives. It is portrayed as a guardian of sailors and a guide through fog; songs, carvings, and myths recount it guiding ships to safe harbors. In modern speculative fiction, niputetun serves as a motif for memory, migration, and the boundary between sea and sky.