Bistrians
The Bistrians are a fictional ethnic group featured in the science fiction novel "A Fire Upon the Deep" by Vernor Vinge. They are a sapient species native to the Tines World, a planet characterized by a harsh environment. Bistrians are notable for their unique biology and social structure. They are silicon-based lifeforms, possessing crystalline bodies that can withstand extreme temperatures and pressures. This biological difference sets them apart from many other species encountered in the novel.
A key aspect of Bistrian society is their communal consciousness. Individual Bistrians are not fully independent