tidels

Tidels are a fictional class of bioluminescent invertebrates commonly described in speculative fiction and folklore. The term refers to small, glow-emitting organisms said to inhabit wetlands and coastal zones. Because tidels are a fictional construct, there is no scientific taxonomy or consensus about their biology.

Most depictions describe tidels as 1.5–4 cm long, soft-bodied, with translucent exoskeletons and luminescent organs along the body. Light is bioluminescent and can change color from pale blue to emerald. Some stories portray a tail or filament that concentrates light.

Tidels are typically nocturnal, emerging at night to feed on microalgae, detritus, or small plankton, often in shallow brackish water. They are described as forming aggregations that glow in rhythmic patterns, sometimes called tides of light. They are portrayed as sensitive to pollution and habitat disturbance in modern fiction.

Cultural presence: Tidels appear in novels, games, and online folklore as symbols of guidance, memory, or lost time. In some narratives, they guide sailors by leaving light trails; in others, they exist as guardians of marsh ecosystems. The concept has been adapted by various creators, leading to multiple regional variations.

Origins and usage: The earliest attestations of tidels appear in 21st-century fan fiction and web-based folklore. The term likely derives from tidal or tide-related imagery plus el, a common suffix in creature names. There is no canonical source; tidels function as a flexible element used to explore themes of illumination, navigation, and environmental interconnectedness.