Valke

The valke is a cephalopod found only in high-pressure depths of Earth's oceans, closely resembling a squid about the size of a golf ball. Its ink is bioluminescent. It has an involuntary reflex that responds to physical touch, producing ink in a certain pattern.
Valkes had long been kept by Oaschi because of their "printing" ability. When touched, the valke arranges its arms in a different way depending on which of its pressure points is touched, and ink is produced. The Oaschi discovered that valkes have 47 different pressure points, and that the pattern of ink produced could be predicted by which was touched. If in contact with a surface or material at the time, a luminescent and water-resistant impression is left behind.
The Oaschi based their writing system on these 47 patterns, and used valkes as a living writing tool for centuries, until the invention of the valke printing press led to protests made on the basis of animal cruelty. The press itself was outlawed, and debate began on the use of valkes for writing at all.
While the argument was made that valkes felt no pain in the process--on the contrary; research suggested it was a pleasurable sensation for them--the fact was that the animals were too vulnerable to abuse, especially by large organisations who produced a lot of written documents. The debate ended when an artificial luminescent ink and mechanical printing press were invented, which led to them being outlawed as a writing tool, despite some opposition on the grounds that these tools were more expensive.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The valke has a triangular-like head and eight arms lined with microscopic suckers. Ink is produced in the centre of the suckers.

Conservation Status

Valkes were never an endangered species, but laws were put in place by the Oaschi to protect them after reports of abuse. They are permitted to be kept as pets, but only by adults, and using them for writing is no longer legal.