Writing Kit

Surprisingly difficult to write with

"You think it'll be easy, the first time you sit down to try. I can't quite describe how much of an idiot you feel the next day, with chalk all down your front and the knowledge you'll just be doing it again that night."

— Anonymous

Writing Kits are sets of writing implements utlized by the Mag'arna to assist students in learning the more delicate aspects of telekinetic manipulation. The most basic kit, typically made available to any inquiring student residing in The Spire, traditionally contains three separate sets: one of chalk, one of charcoal, and one of styli with wax tablets.

Each set of writing implements is intended to refine a different aspect of telekinetic control. Within a set, individual writing implements are arranged from left to right by increasing difficulty. Students are typically tasked with replicating a specific phrase without damaging either the writing implement or the medium being written on before moving on to the next difficulty level. Which phrase and the language varies by set, and some instructors have been known to set images or designs as target replications instead of written words.

The sets are arranged in a wooden case with the easiest on the top and the most difficult on the bottom. The design of the case itself varies depending on who owns it, with the simplest kits kept for general use in The Spire contained in plain wooden boxes marked with the sigil of the Archmagis. Kits owned by individuals are often housed in more intricate cases, corresponding to the status and wealth of whoever owns it.

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Chalk

The most basic of the three standard sets, the chalk set is used to begin to refine the student's skill with precise telekinetic manipulations. Each piece of chalk within the set is slightly smaller and thinner than the previous one, necessitating increasing control as the size of the object being manipulated decreases. The glyphs and phrase are familiar to most of the students, regardless of origin - an ancient warning written in Common regarding the fate of dishonest merchants. The glyphs are relatively simple, although they do require coordination and control, teaching the student (already, supposedly, familiar with the task of writing by hand) how to apply previously learned mechanical skills in the telekinetic realm. Students often dramatically underestimate the difficulty of the task, with their initial attempts usually resulting in more chalk on their robes than on the tablet before them. The Mag'arna consider the public humiliation associated with the remnant chalk to be essential in motivating the student to improve.

Charcoal

The charcoal set, which traditionally follows the chalk set, is used to refine the student's skill with delicacy. Each piece of charcoal within the set is progressively thinner, and therefore easier to snap, which refines the student's ability to utilize potentially fragile tools via telekinesis. Levitating and moving the peices of charcoal is difficult on it's own, but students must be able to reinforce the stability and integrity of the entire piece while writing in order to prevent the stress introduced by the page from snapping the implement in half.

Stylus

The most difficult set of the standard kit, the stylus set is a collection of wooden styli intended to be used in conjunction with wax tablets to further refine the student's precision. In contrast to the chalk set, the stylus set's phrase is made up of primarilly straight lines and dots which would be simple to replicate by hand with a pen. The complicating factor is the stylus and the wax - competent use requires a 'rocking' motion to create the narrowing lines characteristic of High Arnan. Students learn first with the easiest stylus, which is always precisely balanced and even, and then progress through sequentially less refined styli. By the end of the set, students will have learned to compensate for intentionally unbalanced styli and are capable of precise applications of varying pressures on instruments in motion.

Variations

Apart from the basic kit, custom-made writing kits may contain additional sets. Examples include (but are not limited to) quills, brushes, and ink pens. One set in particular, rumored to be owned by the head of <Error:Name Not Found> House, is said to contain a set of ink pens specially made to train students in multitasking, with the most difficult pen requiring constant telekinetic circulation of the interior ink reserve in order to continue writing. Unlike the other sets, which could technically be used to write by hand, this ink set is dependent on the user having a high degree of skill in telekinesis to operate.

by Peter van der Sluijs

Properties

Item Type: Tool
Dimensions: 30cmx20cmx12.5cm
Rarity: Only available in Arna, and traditionally provided solely to students of The Spire.
Materials: Chalk, charcoal, and wood. Rarely, metals and ink