Puslede

Puslede is a fictional ceremonial disc used in ritual gatherings in the imagined culture of Verdanis. Typically five to seven centimeters in diameter and about two millimeters thick, a puslede is fashioned from fused silica glass with mineral pigment inclusions and is often finished with a slight iridescence.

The term derives from Verdanian roots interpreted by scholars as pusl- meaning light and ede meaning disc, a combination often glossed as “light disc.” The object is described in early Verdani manuscripts and remains a touchstone of craftsmanship in contemporary depictions.

Puslede are produced by glassmakers who heat silica sands in a sealed furnace, then allow the glass to cool slowly to avoid internal stress. Inscriptions or glyphs are incised with a stylus while the surface is warm; some discs carry raised reliefs or inlaid pigments that shift color with the viewer’s angle.

In ritual use, the puslede sits on a palm, table, or cloth during ceremonies. Participants breathe in unison and focus attention on the disc, which is believed to act as a focal point for communal memory and for blessing or guidance from ancestors. The passing of a puslede between participants is a symbolic transfer of responsibility or memory within a group.

In modern times, puslede are collected as art objects as well as ritual artifacts. Museums and private collections display exemplary discs, and contemporary Verdani artisans produce glassworks inspired by traditional forms.