I need an object.
It's 1875. It's carried by man (Spaniard). It has some significance to him. It has to last in the open, in a tropical climate, for at least 3 months. When it is found, it will be a key to identifying that the man had been in that place--meaning it's unique or rare.
What could it be?
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Saipanwriter
http://saipanwriter.blogspot.com
50,107 / 50,000
Nov 27, 2008 - 23 54
How about a religious item? Like a rosary that's identifiable as his or a St. Christopher's medal? That could be quite chilling, considering the quotation that Wikipedia says in on the Spanish medals: "Si en San Cristóbal confías, de accidente no morirás" ("If you trust St. Christopher, you won't die in an accident"). I mean, assuming he's gonna kick it after he drops the medal.
The other option could be something like a pocketwatch with his name or a message from the person who gave it to him engraved on it.
Those can all be made completely or partially of metal, so they'd last quite a while in the elements.
----------“Women desire six things: They want their husbands to be brave, wise, rich, generous, obedient to wife, and lively in bed.” -- Geoffrey Chaucer
“There's no workman, whatsoever he be, That may both work well and hastily.” -- Geoffrey Chaucer
82,895 / 50,000
Nov 28, 2008 - 00 33
An engraved pocket watch - given by a loved to mark an event like 21st birthday which therefore gives details of donor, recipient, dates etc..
107,359 / 50,000
Nov 28, 2008 - 01 18
A sword?
If he's rich enough to afford a decent steel one it will survive very nicely.
----------*Hugs*
Lottie
ML for Europe::England:: Cambridge
http://www.nanowrimo.org/mlcontact
2005: Dreaming of Jack - 83k+; 2006: An Ordinary World - 84k+; 2007: Rising Angels, Falling Apes - 121k; 2008 - White Shadows - ??.
56,377 / 50,000
Nov 28, 2008 - 03 00
Any item of jewelry. Rings are my fav for this kind of thing - people gave rings as signs of love, loyalty, in reward for loyalty or as family heirlooms (a family crest or a signet) - something his father gave him as he left home, or a ring with a lock of his beloved's hair... Rings are also quite easy to lose if you lose weight or (from terrible personal experience) are prone to play with them.
----------A postmodernist delusion: I'm just a figment of my sick imagination.
51,986 / 50,000
Nov 28, 2008 - 21 24
Thanks for the suggestions.
All I had thought of was the engraved pocket watch. I'm glad I asked. The ring or St. Christopher's medal may work. I have't yet gotten to the discovery, so I guess I'll find out what it is when I get there. ;-)
EDIT: The mystery thread suggested I use somethig that brings to mind the missing man's background. He was from Cartagena, a port city. Famous for its relationship to the Spanish Navy.
So SHIP buffs and others here--any more object ideas? I think perhpas he has an old ship tool (but small enough to carry around?) that was his father's. Somethig odd eough that my FMC will pick it up as a curiosity and the missing man's friend will see it and know what it is, and that it belonged to the missing man.
----------Saipanwriter
http://saipanwriter.blogspot.com
51,986 / 50,000
Nov 28, 2008 - 21 45
Okay. Thanks. The brain has kicked into gear.
After a bit of research (all of 20 minutes), I found what I need. An inscribed, brass "demi pied de Roi"--that's a folding tee square. Brass will be durable enough for my time period, it's nautical, and the inscription will be esoteric and identifying.
Thanks to all who helped.
----------Saipanwriter
http://saipanwriter.blogspot.com