Bittybells

BittyBells are tiny globes of grown Coral Glass with complex internal mechanics made from lattices of Crystal uhd, fine metal cogs and other moving parts. They keep in synch with the gravity of the two moons, and are essentially tiny tidal clocks that can be easily held in the hand, or worn as jewellery.
The simplest of them will do nothing more than sound a small chime every 8-Bell, while the more advanced will have different sounds for a full 8-Bell and other shorter durations, while some devices can be set to run silent, or sound an alarm at set times in the future.

Timekeeper Ferner scowled as the air around him filled with the twinkle of chimes cascading like a stream off into the distance, and he shuffled his shoulders uncomfortably in his faded yellow cloak.
That sound set his teeth on edge. It was insipid, vague and everywhere all at once. Not commanding and full of certainty like it should be.

by Midjourney

He'd lost count of the Moons since he'd last heard the Belfry on its own as it should have been - confident, strident, and everyone paying attention. That was back when his own hands had held the rope that told everyone when they should wake, or sleep, or eat.
Back when the golden threads of his cloak had shone bright and the wearing of it had meant something.

The challenge of timekeeping

Across Shadowfire, the many cultures have come up with numerous approaches to the challenge of telling of time in a world where the sun never sets. The many tribes of Goblin Kin such as the Motu observe the slow progression of the two moons and the rise and fall of the tides. However, within those slow cycles, they have a very relaxed approach to timekeeping and nothing that would equate to an hour, or even a day.

The 8-Bell and the Tempus Accord

Within the Protectorates, The Returned keep to a rigid period of sleep cycles determined and prescribed by the College of Tempus in The Academy.
This breaks up the long cycles of the two moons into short periods of sleep, leisure and work which are roughly based on records the Academy has kept from pre-Destruction days and that controlled timekeeping in Refuge. These periods are known as 8-Bells, named after the chiming of the Belfries that are controlled with rigour by the Timekeepers of the Academy within the cities of the Protectorates.

by Midjourney

Traditionally, the Timekeepers were the only group trusted with the keeping of time across the Protectorates, and this gave them the power to enforce the rhythm of public and private lives for all citizens.
The 8-Bell was set as the internationally agreed measure of a 'day' across most of the trading nations as a key part of The Tempus Accord, and since that moment it quickly became apparent in the years following the Accord, that the control of timekeeping was a massive political and economic advantage. The Protectorates and their allies have been far better able to coordinate the activites of their merchants and military forces in their conflicts with the Motu and the Dawncrag Goblins, and even be able to undermine the cooperation of dissidents and agitators within the Protectorates themselves.

Ferner stood at the entrance to Bellworks Street, dreading his next steps. He'd sworn that he'd never come here, but now he had no choice. He scowled again. He shouldn't be wearing His old timekeeper cloak, not here. But the wind was cold in the shadow of the Brightwelds, and he had no other.
The street was a throng of people, and others. Goblins even. All side-by-side and checking their Bittybells as the chimes subsided. Nothing properly synchronised. How could they be trusted with this.

by Midjourney

It was a travesty.

The decentralisation of timekeeping

As part of her ongoing agitation for equal rights for goblinkin, The Lord Protector of Sudengard, Rue du Col wanted to find ways to break the monopoly on timekeeping enjoyed by the Protectorates. She sponsored a lucrative competition for the independent students of Sudengard to develop ways of decentralising the control of timekeeping for the other peoples of Shadowfire.
An enterprising group of Coralgrowers from the Motu, breakaway dissidents from the College of Tempus and engineers from the Stoneforged Assembly collaborated on the first of what became known as BittyBells. The production of BittyBells has exploded across Sudengard, and beyond, and has seen a seismic shift in power as timekeeping has become more and more decentralised as a result.

A fashionable accessory

Since their invention, the production of BittyBells has become a lucrative industry in Sudengard, and the variation of the types available has exploded. Along Bellworks street are dozens of shops, where Motu and Engineers create Bittybells both simple and ornate, many of which are unique works of art.
Despite the Timekeepers of the Academy trying to shut down the industry, they have become a must-have accessory in the courts of New Lafaelle. Many seek ostentatious forms as jewellery - worn as necklaces or bracelets, and less ostentatious Pocket Bells are a common device even among the most prudish in Protectorate society.

Cursing under his breathe, Ferner finally set himeslf into motion, hunched and scuttling across the street. He shoved aside a startled couple as he lurched through the door of the nearest shop, not even paying attenton to the sign. They all sold the same abominations here.

"Can I help you?"
This from a Goblinkin all dressed up in a suit and with glasses like they were a Lord unto themselves. Ferner saw the goblin glance down at the yellow threads of his cloak, it raised its eyebrow. Ferner tried to stand up a bit taller, pulling the front of his cloak straight. He wouldn't look the goblin in the eye. He couldn't.
"I... I..." he couldn't bring himself to say it.
After all these years. The Belfry was closed now. The College had told him he was needed elswhere, and soon. He had to travel and that meant schedules and itineries. Ferner had never wanted one of those infernal devices, it was an insult to a lifetime of service where he'd had the respect and attention of the entire town.

by Midjourney

"Something discrete, Keeper?" This goblin was laughing at him now, "Just a Pocket Bell perhaps?"
Ferner just looked at the floor and nodded.

Written for Amélie's Unofficial Technology Challenge - August 2022.