Elven Quill

These quills are made from carefully nurtured leaves of trees selected for their meaning or significance. The leaves themselves are large and exceptional specimens. In particular, their stems are thicker and more resilient. After collection, they are subjected to a prolonged curing process followed by carving to create a well-balanced writing quill with a durable nib. During the crafting process, elven quillmakers sing spells of purpose into them. Many kinds of specialized quills are produced this way. Some are further enhanced with inlays of precious metals along the shank. Master quillmakers weave their songs and inlays to imbue their quills with power to prevent untruths from being written with them or to help a writer find eloquent or persuasive words. Such quills are highly prized and not necessarily for wholesome use. Many a demagogue have moved crowds to action by a speech written with an elven quill. Forgers have used their persuasive power to hide the real truth. Inquisitors have used the threat of the quills to coerce confessions as the accused might find themselves unable to write the falsehood that is being demanded of them. This failure being seen as proof the accusation is true despite their innocence. For important documents like treaties, it is not uncommon for the crafting of a quill to be commissioned. This quill would be used to both write the treaty and be used to sign it by all the parties named on it. Frequently such a quill will not let ink flow when a signature is attempted by someone who has no intention of honoring the treaty. Sometimes a true account must be sent by courier. It could be written with an elven quill and sent with the scroll. Such a letter will defy alteration, the ink repairing itself. When given to its proper recipient the document and the quill could be tested and accepted the same as a personally sworn oath. Most quills are retained by the elves for their own use, generally for the keeping of records or writing the exquisite ballads they weave into their crafts.