Puni Orb

The Puni Orb is an orange ball that, when activated, causes Punies to enter a trance-like state. In Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, the Puni Elder gives Mario this item to help transport the Punies and keep them safe. In many rooms of The Great Tree, there are black and white pedestals where the Puni Orb can be placed. When activated, a square of light will appear on the floor, and the Punies will be instantly attracted to it. They'll gather inside the lit area and stay there until the Orb is taken out. Some pedestals also have a screen to show how many Punies are in the light. This makes controlling the Punies much easier when in puzzles or dangerous areas.

Trivia

 * Although it is unknown exactly why the Punies as a whole are so attracted to the Puni Orb, a certain non-playable Puni states that he enjoys its presence because it is squishy (and it therefore makes him wish to "squish it"), which is ironically how most other characters describe the Punies themselves.
 * The Puni Orb resembles the sun.