Tormance

Tormance is a fictional planet featured in the science fiction novel "A Fire Upon the Deep" by Vernor Vinge. It is a significant location within the Nine-Mile, a region of space where the laws of physics are notably different from the rest of the galaxy. Tormance is characterized by its unique environment and the advanced civilization that inhabits it.

The planet is home to the Tormans, an alien species who have achieved a high level of technological and societal development. They are known for their complex social structures and their deep understanding of the peculiar physics of the Nine-Mile. The Tormans have developed technologies that are tailored to their unique cosmic environment, allowing them to thrive in conditions that would be impossible elsewhere.

A key aspect of Tormance is its role in the novel's plot, particularly concerning the emergence of a superintelligence known as the Blight. The Tormans play a crucial part in the efforts to understand and combat this existential threat. The planet serves as a backdrop for much of the novel's exploration of advanced AI, galactic civilizations, and the fundamental nature of reality. Vinge uses Tormance to illustrate the diversity of life and intelligence that can exist in a galaxy with varying physical laws.