Object

Ceremonial Bronze Sundial-Astrolabe (Assembly Hall)

A large, weathered bronze instrument mounted on a low plinth outside the assembly hall: a hybrid sundial and astrolabe with engraved horizon rings, a toothed equatorial arc, and a slim sighting rod capped by a patinated pin. Its surface gleams in sunlight where hands have polished it; verdigris darkens recessed inscriptions. Villagers approach it to take formal sightings — fingers trace calibrations while eyes follow the sighting rod. Oji steps up to the instrument, aligns the rod, and reads the distant landscape through its calibrated aperture, the device transforming a ceremonial gesture into a precise observational act.

2 appearances

Purpose

To provide communal, ceremonial astronomical and terrestrial sightings — a large-scale instrument for orienting the community, taking ritualized observations of the sky and distant landmarks.

Significance

Functions as the story's inciting instrument: Oji's ceremonial sighting on the astrolabe reveals a shimmering duck blind on the hillside, converting ritual observation into a catalyst for investigation, first contact, and cultural rupture. It marks Oji's new role as recordkeeper and bridges communal ritual with disruptive discovery.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments

S3E4 · Who Watches the Watchers

Dawn of the Recordkeeper

The ceremonial bronze sundial-astrolabe is the ritual-technical instrument that defines Oji's new duty; it is referenced as the object she has 'read hundreds of times' and as the tool she will use to take precise measurements when the sun is at zenith, materially anchoring the rite of passage.

Before: Mounted outside the assembly hall, polished where hands touch, in regular ceremonial use and well cared for by the community.

After: Remains in place and ready for measurement; its status is unchanged in this quiet handover, still the focal point of Oji's impending task.

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S3E4 · Who Watches the Watchers

Oji's Zenith Obligation Splits the Pursuit

The ceremonial bronze sundial-astrolabe is the implied instrument Oji intends to use to record the sun's zenith. Her announcement makes the object the practical anchor for ritual timing, converting an astronomical cue into an actionable duty that separates her from the pursuing party.

Before: Mounted outside the assembly hall, polished and ready for formal observations, accessible to Oji as the recordkeeper.

After: Targeted by Oji's immediate movement—she rushes back toward it to take the measurement, placing it into active use as the scene fragments.

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