Sun-Trap

Sun-Traps are a type of object invented by the Koris in order to collect sunlight in a concentrated form for magical purposes.
They consist of a round metal bottom holding up a 'cage' of metal bars with the interior side inset with Atlarite. These may be any shape, but having them made of straight lines forming an angle halfway up is most common. The top is round and contains a hole, and the upper surface of it is lined with large prongs. In some versions, the prongs can be moved to allow the device to be hung up as a lantern.
Within Korisgana, sun-traps of various types are nearly ubiquitous. They are primarily made from metal, and any metal will do, so most metalworkers can make the shell of one. Inlaying the Atlarite is a slightly more delicate task, but is no different in the skills required than any other type of inlay. A simple sun-trap could be easily purchased almost anywhere, and more elaborate or decorative types are common in larger settlements.
Outside of Korisgana, they are somewhat rarer due to lower demand, and most that exist are in fact taken from Korisgana either by those who use Sun Magic or simply as curiosities.

History

Devices to harness the Sun Magic of Korisgana have likely existed for a long time- some records speak of the asuras of Kottir having 'great tanks of light', but the modern sun-trap seems to have developed at some point between the end of asura rule and the Yakapuri invasion of the north, coinciding with great general advances in the use of Sun Magic among the Koris.
These first sun-traps were simple affairs, and most to this day still are, but over time different designs and embelishments to the sun-trap flourished, and during the Harataran Empire it became a common symbol of Koris Identity, with an outline of the device used on the banners of many governmental groups.

Significance

All of the ten regions have a type of magic that inhabitants are extremely likely to have an attunement to, and for Korisgana that is Sun Magic. Though theoretically usable by anyone, only somebody with some skill in Sun Magic could make a sun trap, and somebody without any Sun Magic ability would find little use for one.
Among the Koris though, Sun Magic is an extremely prevelent aspect of culture, used for everyday lighting and heating in some areas, artistic purposes, and as a weapon. For many spells, having a source of concentrated light such as a sun-trap can substantially ease spells (especially for the majority of the populace who only learn a little bit of magic), and some advanced sun spells simply cannot be cast from radiant sunlight and require such devices.

Item type

Power Storage / Generator

Related ethnicities

• Koris