Tselponts

Tselponts are a fictional class of protective talismans used by the inhabitants of the Tselpon archipelago in worldbuilding and speculative anthropology. They function both as personal protective charms and as tangible markers of social status and kinship within Tselponian society. The term is derived from the Tselponian language, where tsel- denotes warding or protection, and ponts signifies a circular object or amulet, reflecting the common circular shape of the talismans.

Construction and appearance: Tselponts are typically circular discs, 2–6 cm in diameter, carved from shell, bone, or stone, and inlaid with pigments and small beads. Many carry engraved symbols representing family lineage, ancestral spirits, or personal milestones. They are blessed in a formal ritual and then worn on a cord around the neck or wrist.

Acquisition and use: Most individuals inherit tselponts from parents or elders, though skilled artisans may craft them for weddings, graduations, or rites of passage. The exchange of tselponts during ceremonies reinforces social ties and obligations; losing one is often considered a misfortune and may trigger replacement rites.

Regional variation: Different islands of the archipelago favor distinct motifs and materials; some regions prefer organic inlays such as ivory or shell, others use mineral pigments. In some communities, tselponts function as legal witnesses to agreements, with owners obligated to uphold the terms inscribed on the talismans.

Historically, references to tselponts appear in fictional ethnographies and travelogues within the world’s literature, illustrating their centrality to identity and communal memory.