othersand

Othersand is a fictional granular material used in speculative fiction, tabletop role-playing games, and worldbuilding discussions. The term denotes sand-like grains that differ from ordinary sand in one or more anomalous properties, such as unusual optical behavior, adaptive cohesion, or variable composition, allowing writers to depict landscapes and artifacts with distinctive behavior.

In-world descriptions of othersand vary, but it is commonly described as a composite of silicate grains with organic or metallic inclusions that enable phenomena such as refractive color changes, light absorption, or self-healing of minor damage to structures built from it. The grains may rearrange in response to wind, heat, sound, or magnetic fields, creating dynamic dune fields or glyph-like patterns when moved in combination.

Uses and symbolism: Othersand serves as a plot device or worldbuilding element in fiction and games, signaling alien or frontier environments, ancient technologies, or markets adapted to exotic materials. It can influence architecture, instrumentation, or ritual practice within a narrative, offering practical challenges and opportunities for resource management, engineering, and aesthetics.

Origin and reception: The coinage combines 'other' and 'sand,' highlighting its status as a non-standard material. While widely used in fan-fiction and game settings, othersand is not part of established scientific terminology and exists primarily as a fictional concept in creative communities.