Ionok

Ionok is a fictional planet featured in the science fiction novel "A Fire Upon the Deep" by Vernor Vinge. The planet is a world inhabited by the Tines, a species of six-legged, dog-like creatures that communicate through scent and body language. Ionok is described as a harsh and desolate world, with a thin atmosphere and extreme temperature fluctuations.

The Tines are a deeply communal species, living in large packs and sharing a collective consciousness. They are highly intelligent and have developed a sophisticated society, though their technology is largely organic and based on biotechnology rather than mechanical engineering. Ionok itself is a source of unique biological resources that are vital to the Tines' survival and their culture.

In the narrative of "A Fire Upon the Deep," Ionok serves as the homeworld of Jefri, one of the main characters. Jefri is an outcast from his pack, exiled for his unusual curiosity and his desire to explore beyond the confines of his species' traditional ways. His journey and the secrets of his homeworld are central to the plot. The planet's harsh environment and the Tines' unique biology are explored as Jefri encounters other species and technologies in the wider galaxy. Ionok represents a contrast to the more advanced civilizations within Vinge's fictional universe, highlighting the diversity of life and intelligence.