Shared memories
"Shared memories" are the name given to various devices within the Kingdom of Sky with the purpose of externalizing one's memories, experiences, and/or wisdom. This includes recording someone or something's actions, recreating locations of importance, or fabricating magical scenarios. To make a shared memory, it requires at least 2 things: a medium to store information and light, and a spell to project and visualize that information.
ID: A drawing of a normal and artisinal memory candle, both with fine markings on their wax. The artisinal candle is modelled off a flower. Artisinal memory candles are less practical than their plain cousins, but the sense of customization still made them desirable to have.
The earliest form of shared memories came in the form of candles. The ancestors would carve information into the wax of the candle and, once imbued with magic and lit, the candle would start displaying the desired memory. Candle memories had many flaws. For one, memories could only be played once, as the candle memory would destroy itself as the wax melted. It would be possible to pause a candle memory by extinguishing it, however there is no ability to "go backward" in the memory, only forward. Candles were also limited in how much information they could display. Storage could be increased by making the candle wider or taller, but it would take impractically large candles to recreate the fidelity and length later shared memory devices are capable of. Despite their drawbacks, use of candle memories remained popular amongst common folk even has better technologies were uncovered. Candle memories are relatively inexpensive to produce, as one can create candle molds and mass produce the same memories over and over, which is not true for later technologies. Because candles have no particular magical properties, enchanting many candles at once with a single spell was also easier than other mediums.
ID: A drawing displaying the 2 main methods of etching crystals, spells and tools. Using a spell is akin to laser etching something, producing really fine details but being limited to those who can use magic. The etching tools resemble very pointy sticks.
When the ancestors discovered darkstone, how it could be used seeped into all pockets of life, including the production of shared memories. The simplest form of darkstone memory takes the form of a single crystal. Like candle memories, details about what one wants to project is etched into the sides of the crystal, but because minerals are harder than wax, either some specialized tools or spell is needed. For ease of execution, crystals with flat sides are also preferred. Darkstone crystals take extra effort to enchant due to their light-absorbing properties, but once properly enchanted, the end result is a memory device which outshines many candle memories. Crystal memories on their own boast higher durability and capabilities, being able to be played over and over if the light to fuel the projection spell is supplied. The level of projected detail can also depend on the etching method. Hand-etched memories tend to be less detailed while spell-etched memories boast the highest detail, with the hair-thin details being well supported by the hard mineral surface as opposed to soft wax.
The current pinnacle of shared memory technology came in the form of memory lanterns. Typical memory lanterns consist of a stone housing with multiple darkstone crystals embedded in it, which allows for the best fidelity and length. Memory lanterns are seen all throughout the Vault of Knowledge, as their ability to display sound and visuals offers a little more accessibility to those who cannot use books. In the Vault, the lanterns are used to store information on more formal subjects, like a textbook, but in the twilight years of the Kingdom the ancestors used them for more personal reasons. They recorded aspects of daily life, their loved ones, their memories, so that in some form or another they could live forever.
ID: A drawing of a lone memory lantern laying on the floor. It is activated, projecting an ancient memory of 3 spirits posing together as if they were taking their picture.