Danger: ★★☆☆☆
Rarity: ★★★★☆
Trading Value:
[Appearance]
It is an irregular semi-circle, with two metal synapses on the inner side of the apex of the curve. There are also several buttons along the curve, but some buttons do not respond to input. Their functions are unknown.
[Description]
This object was discovered by our regular customer, Conrad. It was found in a place with some other small ancient relics, which I presume were mostly Old World households or personal objects. In terms of value, they won't make you rich overnight, but they're quite valuable.
Conrad pointed out that its shape was strange, even the great Miner's Lamp had trouble identifying it. The Old World is full of strange objects, but this object doesn't even come close to being the strangest. With a little thought, I can try analyzing it.
As usual, we'll start by analyzing its structure.
With how neat the arc is, I'm inclined to believe that it was designed that way, rather than being forced into this shape by "an external force." The bulk of the weight is concentrated at the center, so the sides appear to supportive. The arc interior is a concave surface...
Don't think my words are too profound. When I appraise ancient relics, I must use professional and precise words. If it was like your intra-family chit-chat, then I might as well take down the "Miner's Lamp" sign, close my business, and make you pay for my storytelling.
I'm only kidding. Let's continue the appraisal.
The most striking thing about the exterior is the two curved pieces of metal. I've seen this before.
This is similar to something that I had appraised before. When the switch was flipped, two metal pieces made a crackling sound. I quickly shut it down for fear of what would happen. It smelled like something was burning, You wonder what it was? The man who brought the object to me put his hands directly on it. I'll just say, bless Ol' Man Copper that my hands aren't fast. You see, the key to identifying ancient relics is better safe than sorry. This philosophy has gotten me out of trouble many times.
So, I assume the metal parts are an electrode, which is the same as that thing. Wasn't it easy to deduce the function of this strangely shaped object?
The key to identifying ancient relics is knowledge. That will come naturally with experience.
Didn't you mention the key is supposed to be "better safe than sorry"? There are so many crucial factors to consider that it is hard to know them all. Why else would I be doing this line of business, and not you?
I went through manuscripts and magazines from the Old World. I found some similarly shaped handicrafts made from cloth. The magazines say that They were worn from the back of the neck. No wonder it was shaped like an arc! However, I was afraid of what would happen, so I called over Conrad and put the thing around his neck. And what do you know? It was a perfect fit. If someone from the Old World saw it, he would have said it's worn around the neck as well.
Conrad was overjoyed at how well it fit. He said the two pieces of metal fit comfortably on the nape of his neck and wondered what they were for. When I told him it was a torture device, he was so frightened that he took it off immediately. He lifted my chair and beat me hard. I was wronged! First of all, it wasn't powered. Secondly, I didn't even press the switch. Honestly!
Since I have not seen another ancient relic like it so far, its rarity is temporarily set at four stars. Although it is a torture device, its effect is mild compared to the relics that can heat up and explode. Therefore, its danger level has been temporarily set at two stars.