karlatrarak

Karlatrarak is a term from the fictional Karnath language describing a rare crystalline artifact used in ceremonial illumination and celestial navigation. It is valued for its luminescent properties and symbolic significance in Karnath culture. Within the constructed scholarly record of this setting, Karlatrarak is treated as an ancient technology that predates metal instruments and many early navigational tools.

The name derives from karla- meaning light and tararak meaning eye or observer, roughly translating as "eye of light." In Karnath translations it is sometimes called the light-eye.

Physically, Karlatrarak is a prismatic, translucent crystal roughly fist-sized, colorless to pale blue, with internal fractures that create iridescence. It often occurs in limestone caverns in the northern highlands, where it lies embedded in seepage veins and cave crust.

Historically, it was used by navigators to determine directions at night and by priests to enact rites marking the ascent of the sun. When activated by touch or by moonlight, Karlatrarak emits a steady glow sufficient to read maps and star charts without open flame.

Modern scholarship treats Karlatrarak as a valuable artifact for understanding Karnath metallurgy, trade routes, and ritual practice. Excavations emphasize cultural sensitivity, given its ceremonial significance and the limited provenance of many finds.

In contemporary fantasy literature and games, Karlatrarak frequently appears as a plot device or a power source, appearing in folklore, art, and festival traditions that celebrate light and observation.