Palantir

Palantiri are polished crystal spheres fitted into arcane metal cradles, designed to project hovering holograms of light, sound, and illusion. They function much like television sets, but powered entirely through Magitech channels rather than electronics. When active, a Palantir emits a soft hum and displays a floating image above its surface - often a few feet wide - allowing viewers to watch live broadcasts, replay recorded programs, or place long-distance calls across planetary and interplanetary networks.   Within the Eternal Empire, Palantiri are a standard fixture in most affluent households, government buildings, and military installations. Imperial broadcasts dominate their usage: news cycles, political messaging, public announcements, and curated entertainment designed to reinforce loyalty and unity. Because the Empire controls the arcane relay network, every transmission is filtered through Imperial oversight, making Palantiri one of the most effective tools of mass communication - and propaganda - in the system.   In the United Colonies, Palantiri are still common but considered a luxury item. Wealthier citizens, officials, and merchants use them as their primary link to the Empire’s information network. For many colonists, especially those living far from Avalon's core worlds, a Palantir is their main window into Imperial culture, fashion, politics, and major events. Even though the United Colonies maintain their own local news systems, Imperial broadcasts are so widespread that it’s difficult to avoid them; they shape opinions, reinforce Imperial authority, and often drown out dissenting voices.   Palantiri are also used for private communication. With the right relay codes, a person can contact another Palantir anywhere in the system, enabling real-time holographic conversations. To the average citizen, a Palantir is equal parts convenience, luxury, and reminder of the Empire’s reach. To dissidents and rebels, it is a constantly watching eye - a symbol of how far Imperial influence stretches, even in the farthest corners of the United Colonies.