Provincial Governor's Iron Signet Ring

Power made wearable. Each provincial governor wore a ring like this — the flame marking central authority, the mountain identifying the province. The seal it produced authorized tax collection, troop levies, and judicial sentences across the governor's territory.

Inscription

Ferkum gladus, kremum servus Serat

/feɾkum gladus kɾemum seɾvus seɾat/

Translation

“Iron blade, burning servant of Serath”

Interlinear Analysis(click to expand)

Form	Gloss	POS
ferkum	iron/ADJ	adjective
gladus	sword/NOM	noun
kremum	burning/ADJ	adjective
servus	servant/NOM	noun
Serat	volcano.god/NOM	noun

Script: left-to-right

Description

A heavy iron signet ring bearing the single flame of Serath surmounted by a provincial mountain symbol inlaid in gold. The thick band features angular geometric cross-hatching characteristic of Ascendancy decorative arts. A volcanic glass cabochon is set into the inner band — possibly an identifier or talisman. The bezel face, when pressed into wax, produces a clear seal combining the Ash-King's authority with provincial identity.

Scholarly Analysis(click to expand)

Only 4 of the 24 provincial governor rings have been recovered. This specimen, from the Northern Province, is the best preserved. The gold inlay technique — hammering gold wire into iron channels — is unique to Ascendancy jewelers. Dr. Vasquez-Mori notes the volcanic glass cabochon matches summit-grade Serath glass, the most prestigious source. The ring size corresponds to an unusually large hand, consistent with military aristocracy selection for physical stature.

Provenance(click to expand)

discoverer: Graduate student Amara Osei
discovery date: 2025-06-22
condition notes: Light surface oxidation on iron. Gold inlay intact. Volcanic glass cabochon slightly scratched. Bezel face well-preserved — seal impression still sharp.
excavation team: Royal Archaeological Society Field Team
discovery location: Provincial governor's residence ruins, Northern Province capital