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The Echir-{n} are nanobiological,
composed of both software and nanoware components. They have three
different "genders": the nanoware bodies, software symbionts and
metalevel souls, each divided into a large number of clades and phyles
(denoted as Echir-{1}, {2}, {3} ...). Although most Echir-{n} are
intelligent, there exist several unintelligent subspecies that are used
for nanoproduction, energy collection, tools and information
processing. Symbionts are in general specialised problem-solvers or
thinkers, combining into clusters existing within the same body. Souls
are shared between a cluster of nearby bodies. These combinations are
denoted Echir-{x, y, z, ...} where x, y, z represents the different
phyles involved. Reproduction can occur asexually among each gender,
sexually between a number of bodies and symbionts or between a number
of bodies, symbionts and one soul. The singularity level varies, but
the densest souls often reach S3.
Echir-{n} mainly live in asteroid belts and ring systems surrounding
gas giants, turning the local material into extensive low-density
megastructures. These structures are made up of merged bodies, giving
them the appearance of geometric ant-colonies. Echir bodies are usually
diamond or silicon, but metal and ice are sometimes used. The number of
appendages is always a prime number, and the Echir-{n} take great pride
in connecting in meaningful arithmetic relationships. Similarly,
symbionts and souls appear to employ other symmetry groups in their
interconnections, producing intricate social/mathematical/aesthetic
patterns.
Their culture is largely one of constant interaction, storytelling and
research (they had independently discovered torsion theory when
encountered), but also less comprehensible activities as portion
declaration, structure de-understanding and algebraic spirituality. The
last activity appears to be central: the Echir-{n} experience reality
in terms of algebraic and set-theoretic relations rather than objects
and processes. Symmetries, regularities and expanding formal systems
appeal to them immensely. This appears to be hardwired in the basic
template, but the Echir-{n} have spent much time experimenting with
variants of the template, finally proving that their template is the
self-optimal.
The Echir-{n} were created several thousand years ago by a passing
Terragen AI for unknown reasons. The AI seeded several asteroid belts
with the Echir templates and various information caches, and then left.
The information caches were deliberately partial, leaving some useful
information but leaving out for example the position of the Sun, the
history of the Terragens or the nature of the AI. It has been suggested
that the Echir are an experiment in fundamental science, although
they could just as well be an ecological artwork.
After being discovered the Echir-{n} eagerly began to interact with the
wormhole nexus, seeking admission into the Technorapture Hypernation.
At present they are mainly engaged in mathematical trade with other
highly algebraic clades and AIs. They are reputedly sending emissaries
to the Einstein's Revenge cluster to attempt to contact Hildemar's
Knots.
