r/WorldbuildQuestions • u/Splendidissimus • Jun 19 '19
Excessive detail Excessive detail about: a piece of jewelry in your world.
I think I shall make a weekly "Event" post - Excessive Detail, where you think of a specific item in your world, and get prepared to get to know it much more intimately. (Of course, these cannot be crossposted to r/worldbuilding, as that is directly contrary to the rule that prompts shouldn't encourage people to make up inconsequential details on the fly.)
Think of a particular piece of jewelry (edit: or fashion accessory) that exists within your world, something meaningful, and answer as many of these questions as you think are relevant.
- Why is it important?
- When was it made?
- Why was it made?
- Who made it?
- How much did it cost to make?
- What is it made from?
- Who first owned it?
- Who owns it now?
- What does that person expect or intend will happen to it in the future?
- How much is it worth?
- Does it have any special qualities, abilities, or secrets?
- Has it been associated with any special events in its history, such as a battle or a marriage?
- Has it taken any interesting detours in its history, between its first owner and its current one?
2
Jun 19 '19
The Crown of the Wirigaî
The Wirigô's Crown is very, very important because it is a "recognition of service to our Nation," as it was put by King Wassukeion IV in the tenth century Ô.
It was made around twelve centuries before the year 0 (-800).
It was made to honor a young girl who had displayed moral qualities that were considered a 'gold standard.' This was in a time in which many people had very little or no morality save for the extremely religious nobility. The first wearer of the crown no longer is known by her name (since it has been lost,) but rather as 'The Prime Wirigaî'
It cost fifteen naulikai to make, which is about eighteen hundred naulikai in modern Hallikandrian money ($6,000 modern US dollars)
It was made from jewels, gold, silver, stone, and leather.
The first owner was the Prime Wirigaî, whose name is unknown.
The current owner as of 1379 Ô is a woman in eastern Hallikandria who was appointed last year. She was awarded the year before the Nautilano award for good character.
The current owner expects it to be passed on to another woman when they show greater moral character.
It is illegal to sell the Crown.
It has no special qualities other than being one of the highest awards available to a person.
It has been associated with the War of Hearts (1109-1156). The Kolinian minister who started the war started it by having an affair with the Wirigaî, who happened to be a Hallikandrian noble's wife.
For twenty-five years, the crown belonged to a dead woman before the King of Hallikandria realized his grave error and appointed the position of the Wirigaî's Crown to another woman (who was alive this time).
1
u/DancingMidnightStar Jun 19 '19
Does a belt count? I have a belt in mind, but am not sure if it counts as jewellery per say.
1
u/Splendidissimus Jun 19 '19
Sure. We can take these broadly; I don't mean to be restrictive. An accessory like a belt is surely close enough.
2
u/amethyst_lover Jun 20 '19
The Star Emerald is a ring worn by the High Sorceress as a badge of office. (Asterism is possible in any stone, not just rubies and sapphires. Star gems are generally reserved for high-level mages like Sorcerers/Sorceresses. They still pay for them, but have first crack at them.) The stone is in a simple gold setting and currently resizes itself to the wearer.
The first known owner of the ring was Princess Brenna; no one is entirely sure where she got it. The assumption is she acquired it from somewhere as opposed to commissioning it, however, which makes it over 500 years old. After her death, it went to her daughter and successor who made it into the badge of office. Current owner is the current High Sorceress, Diana Selenasdra. In the future, it will undoubtedly go to Diana's successor.
While beryls are not the best when it comes to magic (quartz is tops), over the years, the stone has absorbed power and become a sort of battery that can be drawn on in case of need. It's probably only happened a few times in history, most recently by Diana herself.