peikar

Peikar is a term used in speculative fiction and worldbuilding to denote a ceremonial artifact and the rituals that accompany it within a fictional culture. The object is described as a portable item carried by leaders or initiates during gatherings, rites of passage, or deliberations. Its form varies: a circular metal disk, a carved wooden tablet, or a stone shard, often inscribed with genealogies, vows, or historical summaries.

Etymology and usage: In-world languages attribute different origins to the word; commonly, Peikar is linked to a fictional language, meaning roughly "gaze," "reflection," or "memory," underscoring its role as a mnemonic focus.

Cultural role: Peikars symbolize legitimacy, memory, and communal responsibility. In ceremonies, participants may touch or pass the artifact, recount oaths, or consult it to resolve disputes or validate leadership.

Construction and variants: Materials include bronze, obsidian, ceramic, or polished wood. Some variants incorporate a lens or reflective surface to literalize the meaning of reflection, while others function as a mere inscriptional tablet.

History and reception: In-world histories trace Peikars to early urban centers and their political rituals. Contemporary writers use the object to explore themes of authority, heritage, and collective memory.

See also: ritual object, totem, talisman, oath.