Fíochán (Fee-oh-kawn)

Cicada

The Fíochán is a beautifully intricate cicada, its delicate form bearing the patterns and colors of misty forest leaves and dewy rocks. With wings like stained glass in hues of pale green and brown, it flutters with quiet precision through the highland canopies of Tír na nÓg. Fíocháin are known not just for their beauty but for the gentle hum they emit—less a call than a breath, one that seems to ripple through the trees in subtle harmony with the wind. Their presence is not loud or invasive, but contemplative, like the soft pulse of time passing.
Native to the rocky highlands and temperate groves, the Fíochán’s lifecycle is marked by patience and purpose. They spend long years beneath the soil in slumber-like development, drawing on the realm’s subtle magic, only to emerge in brief, luminous cycles where their short-lived presence feels more like a visitation than a season. Their emergence is considered a quiet celebration, often associated with reflection, memory, and transitions. Many inhabitants of Tír na nÓg mark major life changes by seeking out a newly emerged Fíochán—hoping to hear its gentle tone and feel aligned with time's quieter rhythms.
The Fíochán’s anatomy is compact and protective, with a layered exoskeleton that gleams faintly in moonlight. Its pale wings, veined with threads of silver and green, fold tightly to its back when at rest, mimicking moss or bark. Despite its fragile appearance, the cicada’s design is one of resilience. Its senses are highly attuned—responding to fluctuations in air pressure, seasonal cycles, and even emotional states in nearby sapient beings. Their colors shift subtly depending on their surroundings, aiding their camouflage and creating a chameleon-like presence in motion.
These cicadas are not social in the conventional sense, but they gather for brief, ritualized congregations during peak emergence. These gatherings are wordless but not without connection—wingbeats synchronized into ambient music, their bodies forming patterns upon trunks and branches. It is believed that Fíocháin sense one another through subtle harmonic resonance, forming momentary symphonies before parting to continue their quiet lives. They are revered by scholars, musicians, and contemplatives alike as symbols of ephemeral truth and inner harmony.
Interspecies interactions are rare but deeply felt. Animals often pause when a Fíochán lands nearby, as if instinctively recognizing the creature’s role as a temporal anchor. To encounter one is to feel slightly outside time—lifted from urgency and rooted in stillness. Though they ask nothing of the world, their presence enriches it. In Tír na nÓg, a Fíochán’s hum is not a call—it is a benediction.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Fíochán has a robust body with a protective exoskeleton adorned with tiny, golden spots. It has four transparent wings that are intricately veined and emit a soft, harp-like sound. Its legs are sturdy and adapted for gripping the rocky surfaces of its habitat, and it has long, sensitive antennae for navigating its environment.

Biological Traits

This cicada species is primarily active during the late afternoon. It produces its harp-like music using specialized structures called tymbals located on its abdomen. The sound serves as a form of communication and enhances the tranquil atmosphere of its rocky highland habitat.

Genetics and Reproduction

Fíochán cicadas reproduce through sexual reproduction, with females laying eggs in crevices of rocks and tree bark. The eggs hatch into nymphs, which burrow into the ground and live off root sap for several years before emerging as adults.

Ecology and Habitats

Fíochán cicadas are typically found in rocky highlands and mountainous regions, where they inhabit crevices and rocky outcrops. These environments provide them with protection and ample space to produce their harmonious songs.

Dietary Needs and Habits

As nymphs, Fíochán cicadas feed on the sap of plant roots. Adults primarily feed on plant fluids, using their piercing-sucking mouthparts to extract sap from various plants and trees.

Biological Cycle

The life cycle of the Fíochán 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

Fíochán cicadas are known for their peaceful and harmonious nature. They spend much of their time resting on rocky surfaces and tree branches, producing their gentle, harp-like songs. These songs are a form of communication used to attract mates and signal their presence, contributing to the serene and tranquil atmosphere of their highland habitats.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Beastiary: Mortal Fauna

Scientific Name

Ainmhí; Nádúrtha; Globalis fíochán

Origin/Ancestry

The Fíochán cicada is native to the rocky highlands and mountainous regions of Tir na nOg. Its ancestors developed unique adaptations to survive and thrive in these elevated terrains, using their melodic songs to communicate and establish their presence i

Average Length

The Fíochán typically measures between 5 to 7 centimeters in length.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Its body features a blend of pale greens and blues with gold accents, mimicking the colors of its rocky surroundings. The wings are transparent with intricate, lace-like venation, adding to its delicate and ornate appearance. Large, turquoise eyes give it a striking and otherworldly look.