klieni

Klieni is a term used in the fictional universe of Aranath to denote ceremonial light sculptures and the social practices surrounding them. The word derives from the Aranathi root klien, meaning light, and refers to both the objects and their accompanying rituals.

Physically, a klieni is a portable sculpture 25–40 centimeters tall, assembled from interlocking polyhedral panels of basaltized glass and translucent resin. Each piece contains a micro-LED array powered by a thin solar skin, and its color and glow are calibrated by a master craftsman.

Manufacture occurs in craft guild workshops along the Aranath coast. Each klieni is hand-assembled from a standardized kit of parts, then refined with patination and polishing. Materials are locally sourced and traded, making klieni a symbol of intercity exchange.

During the Night of Dawn, klieni are lit and hung on ceremonial poles at communal gatherings. They illuminate decision-making assemblies and symbolize transparency and accountability. Gifting a klieni marks trust, and inheritance often follows strict lines of succession.

Historically, mentions of klieni appear in late antique cartularies and maritime chronicles, suggesting development during a period of intensified coastal trade. Today they are regarded as cultural heritage, featured in festivals and regional museums, with modern variants appearing in fiction.

In the present, klieni are studied by anthropologists and art historians within Aranath's disciplines, and they appear in tourism and craft education. Reproductions and digital models allow outsiders to explore their form without handling the originals.