Concretian

As the Lina transistions to Plana by adding points adjacent to its axis, so the Plana evolves into a Concretion by attracting points to form new lines adjacent to the surface area within its perimeter. In this phase of its iteration, the Matholith exists in three dimensions, and its shape can expand in any direction to express the unique energy of its personal frequency. At the beginning of the Rectilinear stage, the edges of a Concretian's shape are simple extrusions of its planar form (e.g., if the Plana was a square, the Concretion becomes a cube or a pyramid). Gradually, as it gains experience and its complex personality develops, its shape becomes an amalgamation of various platonic solids, prisms, cylinders, and cones. Most Concretians try not to accumulate too many angles and sides, but it's difficult to keep them from springing up and outward as their essence expands and their perspectives and opinions gain complexity, structure, and resilience.

Soon after this phase reaches its peak, though, the Matholith begins the regressive transition. The various spikes and facets of its personal frequency (or "ego") begin to either deteriorate or coalesce, and its attachment to extraneous energy and physicality diminishes. The points at its extreme edges begin to slough off, and it eventually enters the Triturative phase, in which its shape consists of bumps and curves rather than sharp edges and angles. This in-between stage, during which the Ashtray's body contains sharp edges as well as organic curves, is the longest of the transitional phases and is often accompanied by personality changes, philosophical quandaries, introspective revelations, brilliant insights, and existential crises.

The excess, free-floating points sloughed off a Concretian's edges may be absorbed again by other Ashtrays. Adopting these points does allow one Ashtray temporary access to random memories and knowledge of its most-recent owner, but as the point is absorbed into the new mass, its frequency quickly attunes to that of the new owner, and all prior information is soon lost.

Now and then, if not re-absorbed right away, a sloughed-off point maintains its previous owner's conscious frequency long enough to develop its own sense of self and become a new Stippli, ready to begin its first iteration.

During the regressive transition, notable Concretions are likely to attract followers who scramble to absorb their recently-ejected points, hoping to share their idol's memories and thoughts, even for a moment. Extremely popular individuals must often sequester themselves away during their transition to avoid being mobbed by their fans.

Some transitioning Concretians employ shavers: specialists who will help them smooth their sharp edges so as to artificially hasten their regressive progression. This tends to be a touchy subject in Ashtray culture, as most consider it cheating, while proponents of the procedure describe it as "therapy." In any case, one must be careful whom one hires to perform the service, as some shavers have been known to remove too many points at once. Now and then, one or another is even accused of forcing their clients' blossoming organic shape to conform to the shaver's personal preferences, rather than complimenting the client's own frequency.

Dimensions:

Three

Geographic Distribution:

The Goddam Desert

Edgy little fellows: Complex thinking, passionate, able to understand (if not accept) many different perspectives

Genetic Ancestor(s)