# Sovereignty Module: Rise in Rings

## Complete Advanced Coil Building: From Foundation to Monumental Vessels

Coil building allows construction of vessels far larger than any wheel can throw. This campaign covers advanced coil techniques, large vessel construction, surface treatment, and structural engineering.

### Chapter 1: Coil Building Fundamentals

| Technique | Coil Size | Wall Thickness | Vessel Size | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic coil | 1/2 inch diameter | 3/8 inch | Small (under 12 inches) | Moderate |
| Fat coil | 1 inch diameter | 1/2-3/4 inch | Medium (12-24 inches) | Fast |
| Slab coil | 1 inch wide flat strips | 3/8-1/2 inch | Large (24-48 inches) | Moderate |
| Pinch and coil | Varied | 1/4-3/8 inch | Small to medium | Slow |
| Paddle and coil | Fat coils + paddle | 3/8 inch (compressed) | Large | Fast |

### Chapter 2: Large Vessel Construction

Building sequence: 1) Start with thick base slab (3/8-1/2 inch). 2) Score and slip base edge. 3) Apply first coil ring. 4) Blend coil into base on inside. 5) Add 3-4 coil rings. 6) Blend inside joints (leave outside textured or blend). 7) Allow to firm up (15-30 minutes). 8) Add 3-4 more coil rings. 9) Repeat: build, firm, build. 10) Large vessels may take 2-3 days to build (allowing firming between sessions).

| Vessel Height | Build Sessions | Firming Time Between | Total Build Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 12 inches | 1 session | None needed | 1-2 hours |
| 12-24 inches | 2-3 sessions | 1-2 hours | 1 day |
| 24-36 inches | 3-5 sessions | 2-4 hours | 2 days |
| 36-48 inches | 5-8 sessions | 4-8 hours | 3-5 days |
| Over 48 inches | 8+ sessions | Overnight | 1-2 weeks |

### Chapter 3: Structural Techniques

| Technique | Purpose | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Buttressing | Prevent bulging | Add thick coil on inside at stress points |
| Tapering walls | Reduce weight at top | Gradually thinner coils as height increases |
| Corrugating | Add strength | Leave coils visible (corrugated surface) |
| Paddle compressing | Densify walls | Beat walls with paddle after coiling |
| Internal ribs | Prevent collapse | Add thick coil ribs on inside |
| Slow drying | Prevent cracking | Cover with plastic between sessions |

Paddle and anvil: 1) After coiling, hold smooth stone (anvil) inside vessel. 2) Beat outside with wooden paddle. 3) This compresses and thins the wall. 4) Compressed walls are stronger and more uniform. 5) Paddle marks can be decorative or smoothed away. 6) This technique is used worldwide for large storage vessels.

### Chapter 4: Surface Treatment

| Treatment | Stage | Tool | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smoothing | Leather-hard | Rib, scraper | Smooth, uniform surface |
| Burnishing | Leather-hard | Smooth stone | Semi-glossy, sealed surface |
| Texturing | Soft to leather-hard | Stamps, tools, fingers | Decorative texture |
| Slip coating | Leather-hard | Brush, pour | Colored surface |
| Carving | Leather-hard | Loop tools, knives | Relief decoration |
| Corrugated (left as-is) | During building | None (natural coil texture) | Rustic, textured |

### Chapter 5: Drying and Firing Large Vessels

| Challenge | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Cracking during drying | Uneven drying | Dry very slowly, cover loosely |
| Cracking during firing | Trapped moisture | Bone dry before firing, slow ramp |
| Warping | Uneven wall thickness | Consistent coil size and blending |
| Collapse during firing | Walls too thin for size | Adequate wall thickness, slow firing |
| Thermal shock | Rapid temperature change | Very slow heating (50°F/hour to 500°F) |

Firing schedule for large vessels: 1) Ensure completely bone dry (may take 2-4 weeks for large vessels). 2) Fire very slowly: 50°F per hour to 500°F (water smoking). 3) 100°F per hour from 500°F to 1000°F (quartz inversion). 4) 150°F per hour from 1000°F to target temperature. 5) Hold at target temperature for 1-2 hours (heat soak). 6) Cool slowly: do not open kiln until below 300°F.

### Reference Card

1. Build in stages, allow firming between (large coil-built vessels cannot be built in one session; the weight of upper coils will collapse lower walls that are still soft; allow each section to firm before adding more). 2. Paddle and anvil compresses and strengthens (beating coiled walls with a paddle while supporting from inside with a stone densifies the clay, thins the walls evenly, and dramatically increases strength). 3. Consistent coil size produces even walls (roll all coils to the same diameter before building; inconsistent coils produce uneven walls that crack and warp during drying and firing). 4. Score and slip every joint (the bond between coils must be strong; scoring both surfaces and applying slip before joining ensures a solid connection that will not separate during drying or firing). 5. Dry very slowly (large vessels have thick walls that dry unevenly; the outside dries and shrinks before the inside, creating stress that causes cracks; cover loosely and dry over weeks, not days). 6. Fire very slowly (large vessels contain more moisture and have more thermal mass; rapid firing causes steam explosions and thermal shock; fire at 50°F per hour through the critical early stages). 7. Coil building has no size limit (unlike wheel throwing, which is limited by the potter's reach and the clay's strength, coil building can produce vessels of any size; ancient storage jars exceeded 6 feet in height). 8. Coil building is humanity's oldest pottery technique (before the wheel was invented, all pottery was coil-built; this technique connects modern potters to 10,000 years of ceramic tradition).