wyliei

Wyliei is a fictional concept used in speculative fiction and collaborative worldbuilding to denote a shapeshifting guardian associated with memory, time, and the health of environments. The name originated in online writing communities in the late 2010s and has since appeared in several independent works and fan-made games.

In most portrayals, a wyliei is a sentient, non-human entity that can assume multiple forms, ranging from natural phenomena (fog, wind, a tree) to humanoid avatars. Its core role is to preserve and reveal memory—both of landscapes and of people—acting as a mediator between past and present. Wyliei often interacts with protagonists as a mentor, test, or neutral observer, guiding ethical choices rather than dictating outcomes.

The abilities attributed to wyliei vary by work but commonly include perception of long-term consequences, limited manipulation of local terrain, and the ability to access, store, or transmit memories. Some depictions frame the wyliei as guardian of sacred sites or as a custodian of ancestral knowledge.

In usage, wyliei serves as a flexible storytelling device to explore themes of memory, environmental stewardship, and responsibility toward history. It has also influenced role-playing game mechanics in fan-made supplements, where the entity provides unique terrain-based powers or memory-related quests.

See also: worldbuilding, mythopoeia, fantasy creatures.