thingols

Thingols are ancient memory artifacts in the fantasy world of Alara. They are portable circular discs used as archives for text, images, and short recordings, serving as personal records, legal instruments, and ceremonial tokens.

Form and inscription: Thingols typically measure 5 to 8 centimeters in diameter and are made from bronze, copper, or fired ceramic. Surfaces are etched with runes in concentric bands and sealed with resin. Some discs include a small compartment or crystal shard to power basic recording.

Origins and use: The earliest thingols appear with the Scribes of the Silent Archive in the late Mist War era. They were designed to preserve laws, treaties, and genealogies against upheaval. People carried thingols to prove legitimacy or store accounts; access required a word or ceremonial touch.

Variants and limits: Basic thingols store text; Voice thingols hold short audio; sealed types resist tampering and unlock with a Lockword. Contents can fade or become corrupted with heat, moisture, or age.

Cultural role: Thingols are valued custodial objects. Major libraries and temples house collections, and many lineages maintain family thingols. Notable examples include the Charter Disc of Meridian and the Covenant Disk of the River Court.