While the major factions of the Sky are constantly at odds with each other, there are a few things they have at one point managed to agree on. One of these are the units most major factions use for measurements. Most are derived from another in some way, such that there are as few core standards as possible. As the Skylar numbering system is duodecimal, the units follow suit. As our standard is decimal, most notation will be in decimal as well, unless shown otherwise with a subscript 12 like such X12. Many of these orders of magnitude also have colloquial names, though as these vary between languages and regions, these will not be specified here.
Distance
There are two basic measurements of distance commonly used. These are the
Bar (b) and the
Haul(H). The Bar is almost exactly equivalent to 1.5 meters, or just around 5 feet. It is used to measure common distances, and defined by a physical metal rod, which is kept in Gailesburgh. The Haul is used to measure distances traversed on
Paths, where physical space contracts. It is defined by the distance covered by a
Skyship propelled by a sail exactly 12b wide and 12b long in a period of 12 hours downstream on a particular path near the
Greater Ring.
Time
Unlike distance, time measurements tend to vary a lot between regions, as different planets have differing day lengths, year lengths, moon phases, or a wide variety of other natural cycles which form a basis for timekeeping. However a standard time has nonetheless been defined, and in order to not derive from one timekeeping system, it used the duodecimal orders of magnitude for its standard units as well. The
Semmic(s) is roughly the same as two seconds. The
Hour(h) is close enough to our own being around 57.3 real life minutes. In the Sky, it is defined as 12
3 Semmics. Continuing the trend, a Skylar
Date(D) is 12 hours, a
Bide is 12 dates. Strangely, there is a departure from the preestablished pattern, as 4 Bides make a
Turning(T). It then returns to the regular base 12 for the skylar
Year(Y), which has 12 turnings. Although the skylar year has more Dates than our own year has days at 576, is shorter as not only do its days contain only half as many hours, but those hours are also shorter which adds up over time. As such a Skylar year is around 276.5 real life days long.
Volume and Mass
The standard unit for volume is the
Fora(df). It is equivalent to 0.001
12 b
3, and roughly 1.95 litres. The standard unit for mass, the
Cara(c) is equivalent to the mass of one Fora of water, same as the Liter. As such one Cara is the same as 1.95 kg. Interestingly, the metal rod used to trace the Bar weighs exactly one Cara as well.
Temperature
Temperature is measured in
Titanaugh(t). It is defined by two points; 0t being the triple point of water, and 100
12t being the boiling point. As such, one t is around 0.7 °C. Absolute 0 is around -393 t.
Asa
Asa, at least its effect on the physical, is measured in
Syon Potential(SP). Out of all the standard units, this is the one that is the least well defined, due to the unpredictability of Asa. It was originally traceable by the typical amount of Asa siphonable by an untrained human without an open anchor.
Other Measurements
Other measurements are not strictly defined. Either they are deemed unimportant or the factions involved returned to conflict before they could be standardised. When such units are necessary, real world ones will be used in the articles found here.
