Secret-Keeper's Journal

A secret-keeper's journal is a blank notebook that can be enchanted with an arcane lock that allows the notebook's owner to restrict its usage to a small subset of readers and/or writers. Though magical in origin, such a journal allows even non-magic-using owners to control said restrictions upon its acquisition.
Blank secret-keeper's journals can be purchased from an arcanist's shop, commercial mage's tower, or specialized stationary shop in most large or mid-sized cities on the continent. There are no cultural taboos against selling them, and the set of enchantments required to make one is relatively simple. The typical selling price for a secret-keeper's journal (pre-enchantment) is 20 gp.
Upon purchase from any reputable dealer, the owner of a secret-keeper's journal personally marks the book with either a thumbprint or a handwriting sample. That mark makes the book always accessible to the original owner, no matter the future enchantment placed upon it. It also functions as the key component allowing the owner to change the access protocol for the journal.
When the owner of a secret-keeper's journal wishes to allow another user's access to the book, one of two components is required: a sliver of putty containing the thumbprint of the new user, or a sheet of paper featuring both the new user's handwriting and a special passcode written by the owner. If someone who already has access permissions to the journal (most likely the journal's owner) places either within the covers of an unlocked secret-keeper's journal and closes the cover for more than ten seconds, it will become a permanent unlocking method to the journal.
Most secret-keeper's journals are sold with a design on the cover indicating a standard place for a thumbprint (centers of flowers or eyes of famous mythological figures are common patterns if no such place is designated, any edge of the book typically works.
In the case of handwriting samples and written passcodes, slight variants are usually acceptable. Handwriting is usually a less-common method of unlocking a journal, as it is more easily forged than a thumbprint.
In the event that someone tries to open a secret-keeper's journal without either providing the correct thumbprint or writing the correct passcode (in the correct handwriting) on the first page, it will appear as a blank notebook. However, any messages written in it will disappear as soon as the cover is closed.

Item type

Book / Document