Seal of the Fourth Flame — Keeper of Tides

This seal belonged to the high priest of the Fourth Temple, who administered the state pearl monopoly inherited from the Vorrashi. It is the only artifact that directly links the Kethari religious hierarchy to economic control of the pearl trade.

Inscription

Kov-an keth-shal vor meren thal-un

/kov.an keθ.ʃal voɾ meɾen θal.un/

Translation

“Sovereign keeper of waters, craftsman of the Seven Flame-Temples”

Interlinear Analysis(click to expand)

Form	Gloss	POS
kov-an	seven-GEN	numeral
keth-shal	flame-temple	noun
vor	water/flow	noun
meren	great/sovereign	adjective
thal-un	craft-AGENT	noun

Script: top-to-bottom, right-to-left

Description

A cylindrical obsidian seal engraved with the emblem of the Fourth Flame — the Sea Flame — depicted as a coiled wave consuming itself. The flat stamping surface bears a complex logographic inscription identifying the holder as "Voice of the Fourth, Guardian of the Pearl Tribute." Rolling the seal across wet clay produces a continuous band of wave-and-flame motifs interlocked in a repeating pattern. Traces of beeswax in the engraved channels suggest the seal was periodically filled to produce positive impressions on leather documents.

Scholarly Analysis(click to expand)

The seal inscription is critical evidence in the Pearl Monopoly debate. Dr. Tanaka-Reeves argues the title "Guardian of the Pearl Tribute" proves centralized economic extraction, not spiritual custodianship. Dr. Okonjo counters that "tribute" is a mistranslation of a Kethari religious term closer to "offering." The obsidian is traced to the Serath Obsidian Shelf. Copper inlay shows 11% tin — consistent with peak-era Kethari bronze production.

Provenance(click to expand)

discoverer: Graduate student Priya Anand
discovery date: 2023-07-12
condition notes: Minor chipping on stamping face. Copper inlay partially corroded. Beeswax residue preserved in deep channels.
excavation team: Ashenmere Institute Field Team 3
discovery location: Fourth Temple administrative annex, Kethport, Stratum IV