agirions

Agirions are a fictional species of aquatic, intelligent beings described in speculative fiction and worldbuilding discourse. They exist as gelatinous, semi-transparent colonies that reach several decimeters in diameter. Individual agirions act as autonomous units within a broader holobiont, but cognition is distributed across the colony through bioelectrical signals and bioluminescent communication. They typically inhabit temperate estuaries and coastal caves, where tidal flows provide energy and nutrients.

The name agirion derives from the colonial term agir, reportedly meaning 'to act together' in the species’ reconstructed language. In fiction and game sources they are placed in a taxonomic grouping within a broader class of sentient aquatic life, sometimes described as a 'holoid' or 'hive mind' lineage, though taxonomic placement varies by author.

Physically they are gelatinous, with a hydrogel matrix and internal mineralized supports. They reproduce primarily by fragmentation and budding, enabling rapid colony growth after disturbance. Some populations host endosymbiotic algae that provide energy through photosynthesis, linking nutrition to light availability.

Culturally, agirions emphasize cooperative problem solving and ecological stewardship. They construct modular, reef-like structures that grow in response to current patterns, using acoustic and optical signals for long-range communication. Their technology emphasizes energy efficiency, with devices powered by tidal and hydrothermal sources and designed to operate with minimal environmental impact.

First contact narratives place humans at odds and then cooperation as scientists learn to interpret their signal language. In various works, agirions are explored as a mirror of collective intelligence and as a vehicle for themes such as interspecies collaboration and the ethics of ecosystem engineering.