Lore of Obsidian-12A

Mission Log · Orbital Survey → Surface Recovery

Obsidian-12A: Field Archive

Prologue: The Anomaly

The records begin in orbit. A reconnaissance vessel charting volcanic moons along the outer rim detected an anomaly: beneath ash-thickened skies, sensors indicated remnants that bore the signature of design, not chance. A descent was authorized. The landing party touched down on a fractured world later designated Site 12A.

What they found defied expectation. Scattered across ridges, craters, and flats were not weapons, tools, or dwellings—but vessels. Dozens upon dozens emerged from the soil as if time itself had arranged them. Some lay fractured, others whole, their surfaces bearing metallic gleam, mineral flow, and scorched earth.

Across the dig sites, one truth became clear: this was no random debris. It was an archive of clay and fire—an entire culture speaking in ceramics long after its people had vanished.

The Civilization of Obsidian-12A

Obsidian-12A is believed to have thrived where fire, water, and barren earth converged. The surviving vessels suggest a people who bound landscape into ritual and craft—utility refined by exposure to heat, erosion, and scarcity.

The Decanter of Unity

Central to the legacy of Obsidian-12A is the Decanter of Unity. It was said to be shaped from clays and minerals gathered from every corner of their world—metallic crust from Vulcan Crater, teal flows from the Caldera Expanse, speckled clays from the Northern Wastes, and sun-baked earth from the Arid Flats.

Layered glazes reflected each terrain, binding the landscapes into a single vessel. The Decanter became a symbol of harmony: many lands, one form. Its breaking marked the beginning of decline. Lore tells that when the Decanter fractured, so too did their unity— fissures across the vessel mirrored fractures in their civilization.

The Broken Decanter Entrusted

The Decanter itself was found at Site 12A—its base cracked, its form incomplete, yet still bearing the signatures of every land. Rather than being sealed away, this fractured vessel will be entrusted to one collector who helps carry its meaning—spreading the word and sharing the lore of Obsidian-12A.

Broken yet enduring, the Decanter remains a living symbol: not of perfection, but of unity remembered and community reborn.

Collector’s Code

      Collector’s Code — Confidential
    
      For those who read beyond the surface: take the first initial of each recovery site in the order listed, then bind them to the site ID.
    
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Survey Findings: The Four Terrains

Surface teams mapped and stabilized the first vessels, grouping them by terrain signatures. Four recovery sites emerged:

Vulcan Crater V

Signature: metallic black & silver vessels—large round forms with select miniatures.
Material feel: obsidian-dark bases with reflective, molten finishes like cooled lava crust.
Interpretation: artifacts from the fiery heart—heat, pressure, and burn as shaping forces.

Caldera Expanse C

Signature: iron, teal, and blue mineral glazes—mugs, a lidded container, a berry bowl, a large bowl.
Material feel: restrained but flowing glaze bands; broad forms like layered sediment and settled pools.
Interpretation: artifacts from a vast basin—erosion and slow mineral movement as shaping forces.

Northern Wastes N

Signature: rough, lighter-speckled black clay—mostly vases with three mini bowls.
Material feel: raw, weathered exteriors; interiors primarily glossy brown or burgundy-black, with occasional light blue/green flows, crystallized beige, and one copper-rimmed red.
Interpretation: artifacts from the desolate margins—barren clay with rare bursts of mineral color.

Arid Flats A

Signature: raw black-clay forms with earthy creams, tans, browns, and red—mugs, tumblers, and a lidded container.
Material feel: grounded, utilitarian silhouettes; surfaces suggest parched earth.
Interpretation: artifacts from the sun-scorched plains—dryness and scarcity as constants.

Site ID 12A

Designation: planetary anomaly marked during orbital survey.
Scope: unifying record that binds all four terrains.
Note: this ID is used throughout cataloging and accession codes; it is the keystone of the archive.

Cataloging & Naming

Once recovered, artifacts were accessioned into the Obsidian-12A catalog. Each vessel is treated as a singular work—individually numbered, never repeated.

Naming Framework

Public Title (example): “Vulcan Crater Vase — Metallic Black/Silver (Large)”
Accession Code Format: [SITE]-[TYPE]-[SEQ]

Codes (single-letter):

SITE: V = Vulcan Crater · C = Caldera Expanse · N = Northern Wastes · A = Arid Flats
TYPE: V = Vase · B = Bowl · M = Mug · T = Tumbler · L = Lidded container · S = Small/Miniature · X = Special/Other
SEQ: 01, 02, 03 … (choose per-site or global sequencing and stay consistent)

Note: Use X (Special) for unique or symbolic forms—e.g., ring holders, the Decanter, experimental shapes.

Examples:

V-V-01 — Vulcan Crater · Vase · 01
C-B-02 — Caldera Expanse · Bowl · 02
N-S-03 — Northern Wastes · Small/Miniature · 03
A-X-04 — Arid Flats · Special/Other · 04

Preservation & Provenance

Each vessel recovered from Site 12A is accessioned as one-of-one—its form and finish unique, its record singular. Artifacts are numbered and logged within the Obsidian-12A catalog, ensuring that no duplicate will ever be issued. Every accession note is tied to its catalog code, recorded in the product details that accompany the piece.

Care & Materials

Stoneware ceramics with artist-mixed glazes. Surfaces may include metallic and mineral effects. Hand wash recommended; avoid microwaving pieces with metallic finishes. All intact pieces in this collection are food safe.

If a piece is listed as broken or carries visible structural cracks, it will be clearly noted in that product’s description. Broken items are not food safe and are offered for decorative use only.

FAQ

Is this a real archaeological site?

No. The story of Obsidian-12A is imagined for context. The pottery is real, handcrafted, and offered for collection.

Are the pieces food safe?

Yes—all intact pieces are food safe. Any broken or structurally cracked items will be clearly noted in their descriptions and are intended for decorative use only.

Will these pieces be made again?

No. Each artifact is one-of-one and will not be repeated. If a piece speaks to you, you can fill out the “Commission This Piece” form and include the URL of the item. While replicas are never made, a new work may be created inspired by the original, with its own unique variations.

Closing Note

From orbit to excavation to preservation, the mission continues. The lore is a lens; the work is the artifact. If a piece calls to you, consider it an accession into your own collection—a fragment of Obsidian-12A preserved in your hands.

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