Moisture Siphon
It is a tool used by the nomadic desert tribes of Novak to siphon water from the environment.
Appearance and Design
The Moisture Siphon is a compact, lightweight contraption crafted from materials that the tribe can easily find in their environment made of either bone or hardened leather, and hollowed-out cactus stems or dried reeds. The siphon is essentially a series of flexible tubes that connect to a central chamber.
The central chamber could be fashioned from a sun-bleached bone or a sturdy airtight vessel like a sealed wooden box, that’s small enough to be carried on a belt. Attached to it are two flexible, elongated pipes one end of each is submerged into the ground or a water source, while the other end connects to a small, spherical bladder or a leather pouch designed to store water.
Cultural Significance
For the tribe’s, the Moisture Siphon is not just a tool, it is a symbol of their resourcefulness. For some tribes, it is even be a rite of passage for a young member of the tribe to craft their own siphon. Once they come of age, marking their step into adulthood. Mastery of the siphon is seen as a highly respected skill, and those who are particularly gifted might even hold the title of "Siphon Keeper."
Mechanics & Inner Workings
The Moisture Siphon is designed for efficiency and portability, allowing the tribe to access groundwater or small, hidden water reservoirs beneath the sand.
- Submersion: The tribe would first locate a potential water source, maybe a hidden well beneath the sand or a dried-up riverbed where the water sits deep below the surface.
- Insertion of the Siphon: One end of the siphon is inserted into the ground, either directly into the water or just near it. The second tube can be attached to a small clay or bone funnel, which helps direct the siphon deeper.
- Suction and Extraction: The siphon uses a primitive valve or suction mechanism made from dried leather, which allows the user to create a vacuum by either sucking air out or pumping it via foot pedals or a hand pump. This would cause the water to rise through the tube. (most often it is a hand pump made out of bladder and or intestines.)
- Storage: Once the water is pulled up into the flexible tube, it’s directed into the bladder or pouch, where it can be sealed and stored. The bladder is often reinforced with layers of tough hide to ensure it doesn’t burst under the pressure.
The siphon may have a few intricate details depending on the tribe's current status amongst the others, or the choice of the maker.
Desert Adaptation: Since desert tribes are masters of survival, their siphons might have small, built-in filtration systems like charcoal or sand layers in the tubes to purify the water as it’s being siphoned.
Camouflage: To keep their tools from being stolen or lost, they might decorate the siphon with sand coloured dyes or etchings, making it blend seamlessly into the desert landscape.
Bone or hardened leather, and hollowed-out cactus stems or dried reeds
the central chamber is usually made out of sun-bleached bone or a sealed wooden box.
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