Ceoláni (Kyo-lawn)

Cicada

The Ceoláni is a jewel-toned cicada species often referred to as the Musician of the Forest. Delicate in build but rich in presence, it creates a soothing backdrop to the warm daylight hours of Tír na nÓg. Its song—a melodious, flute-like tone—resonates gently through shaded glades and old-growth trees, never sharp or jarring, but woven into the living rhythm of its environment. When it sings, animals quiet themselves, and even the breeze seems to pause and listen.
These cicadas thrive in temperate and tropical forest regions, especially among ancient trees whose hollow branches amplify their music. Their preferred spaces are shaded, serene, and damp with memory, as if the Ceoláni’s tones help echo the thoughts of the woods themselves. Though often solitary, they congregate in small numbers during mating season, their harmonies weaving together like a natural orchestra designed to calm, not conquer.
Their anatomy reflects both beauty and purpose. The Ceoláni’s exoskeleton gleams in soft pastels—greens, blues, and golds—speckled with metallic flecks like drops of light. Transparent wings, veined like fine crystal, shimmer when in motion, and their long, hook-tipped legs grip bark with surprising agility. Compound amber eyes and long antennae give them a constantly alert expression, tuned to the subtlest vibration in air and earth.
Each Ceoláni possesses tymbals—thin, membrane-like structures on their abdomens—that they use to generate sound. Their music isn’t just communication, but ambiance; it radiates emotional presence into the forest, influencing nearby fauna into states of peace or reflection. Many believe their tone heightens the magic of the region itself, enhancing memory and emotional clarity for those nearby.
Though non-sapient, the Ceoláni is treasured among scholars, artists, and seers as a kind of natural empath. Some dream of their song before hearing it. To find one singing near your resting place is seen as a spiritual alignment—that your soul’s resonance matches the forest’s own.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Ceoláni has a robust body with a hard exoskeleton that provides protection and structural support. It possesses clear, intricately veined wings that are used to produce its characteristic musical sound. The legs are strong, with tiny hooks for gripping tree bark, and the head features prominent compound eyes and long, sensitive antennae.

Biological Traits

This cicada species is diurnal, primarily active during the day. It produces its melodious, flute-like music using specialized structures called tymbals located on its abdomen. This sound serves as both a mating call and a way to maintain the peaceful ambiance of its surroundings.

Genetics and Reproduction

Ceoláni cicadas reproduce through sexual reproduction, with females laying eggs in slits they create in tree bark. The eggs hatch into nymphs, which fall to the ground and burrow into the soil. They live underground for several years, feeding on root sap before emerging as adults to continue the cycle.

Ecology and Habitats

Ceoláni cicadas inhabit temperate and tropical forests, thriving in areas with abundant old-growth trees that provide both food and suitable nesting sites. They are found in peaceful, shaded areas where their songs can resonate throughout the forest.

Dietary Needs and Habits

As nymphs, Ceoláni cicadas feed on the sap of tree roots. Adults primarily feed on plant fluids, using their piercing-sucking mouthparts to extract sap from tree branches and leaves.

Biological Cycle

The life cycle of the Ceoláni includes four stages: egg, nymph, pupa, and adult. Nymphs live underground for several years, emerging synchronously to molt into adults and begin the cycle anew. The entire process can span multiple years, ensuring a constant presence of singing cicadas each season.

Behaviour

Ceoláni cicadas are known for their peaceful and harmonious nature. They spend most of their time perched on tree branches, producing their gentle, flute-like songs that contribute to the tranquil atmosphere of the forest. They are solitary but come together during the mating season, using their songs to attract mates and communicate with one another.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Beastiary: Mortal Fauna

Scientific Name

Ainmhí; Nádúrtha; Globalis ceoláni

Origin/Ancestry

The Ceoláni cicada originates from the ancient woodlands of Tir na nOg. It has a long lineage, with ancestors that have been singing their peaceful songs for generations.

Average Length

The Ceolán typically measures between 4 to 5 centimeters in length.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Its body is a mix of soft, pastel shades of green, blue, and gold, adorned with intricate patterns and markings. The exoskeleton is dotted with metallic-like spots, giving it a jewel-like appearance. Its large, expressive eyes are a light amber color.