Elven Time Measurement, proposed
by Bruce HeardWendar originally devised a system
to measure time using water. A container remains filled at all
times from the water of a nearby source. Water drips from the
container into a small vial, which tips over when full and empties
its contents into a vase. The vase empties itself into a crystal
vat, the vat into an urn which then drains itself at the end of the
day. The vase, the vat, and the urn are graduated to show how full
they are, and thus how much time has elapsed.
Whenever a vase tips over, a chime is sounded. When the vat empties
itself into the urn, a rod gently taps the side of the urn,
producing a crystalline sound. The sound varies with the amount of
water in the vat, which elves can easily discern. The urn is
stricken 5 times in the day. When the urn is full, it tips over to
empty its contents into a drain, and in so doing sounds a
deeper-sounding bell, usually at dawn. The elven "clock" is reset
at every equinox in order for the urn's bell to sound nearer to
dawn. Therefore, elven time measures are as follows:
A Drip (one drop of water from the main container) = 3
seconds
A Vial (20 drops of water) = 1 minute
A Chime (20 vials) = 20 mn
A Bell (12 vases) = 4 hours
A Day (6 vats) = a day
Therefore, what Thyatians call an hour based upon common Thyatis
sundials, elves would say "Three Chimes". Elves tend to consider
their system more convenient since it can operate at any time of
the day. The basic time unit is also more in tune with the elven
point of view (3 seconds instead of one). The Vial tends to be
ignored as merely a mechanical necessity, in favour of the Chime
and the Bell -- which explains why these two are sounded. Thyatians
prefer the sundial because it can't freeze in cold weather and it
can be moved.