The gyroscope is a new invention in
The Age of Exploration that allowed navigators to have greater confidence navigating the ocean. Previous explorations were limited to navigating by features that were visible with a scope or the eyes to maintain a course. The gyroscope allowed boats to leave the coastline behind and explore the full expanse of Rhina.
The gyroscope functions by stabilizing itself with a series of spinning disks, then a precisely weighted pointer is tuned to True North. To activate the device, a string is pulled setting the disks into motion. As they spin into place, the weighted pointer will swing to North and eventually settle in that direction. When the momentum is used up, the device falls, pointing towards the ground. The string can be wound by a gear on the bottom, although gyroscopes are designed to use the spinning motion of the device to wind the string automatically.
Scientists understand that the gyroscope can only be used to navigate because Rhina itself does not rotate. Sometimes, however, gyroscopes have been observed to randomly change baring or falter prematurely. They hypothesize that this must have something to do with the movement of Rhina through the astral plane, but the exact cause of the anomaly is still hotly debated.
Stationary gyroscopes are easily purchased, although many find them prohibitively expensive. The actual construction of a gyroscope is straightforward, but the calibration of a gyroscope is compared to The Gyroscope for precision. This process leads to the steep price of licensed gyroscopes. A secondary market of uncertified gyroscopes exists. Wise navigators steer clear of these devices as they have lead more than one boat to their assumed deaths, stranded at sea.
Hand-held gyroscopes are rare and experimental and cost a small fortune to obtain. For those who can afford them, though, they gain an impressive piece of technology, and unrivaled navigational confidence.
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