Finesmithing
The introduction of the Sto Lat Artificers' Academy saw a new craft activity being introduced: Finesmithing. This is creating fine items from metals at the forge in the academy.
It has later been expanded with the introduction of the gemcutting workshop in Slippery Hollow that brought new pattern books and patterns with slots where cut gems could be set.
Contents
Skills used
- crafts.smithing.gold
- crafts.smithing.silver
- crafts.smithing.black.tools
- crafts.arts.design
- crafts.arts.sculpture
Where it is done
The forging step can be done in any smithy or workshop that has a goldsmithing workbench, while the sculpting and polishing steps can be done anywhere. Currently known locations for forging are:
- Smithy on the third floor of the Academy of Artificers in Sto Lat
- Gemcutting workshop in Slippery Hollow
- Temple of Chefet in Ephebe
Metal bars, pattern books and tools can be bought from Master Weestone in the Academy of Artificers smithy or from Jeromee in the gemcutting workshop.
- In the Copperhead mines (if you survive) you can find metal bars from stockpile rooms, gems from glinting rooms and gem fragments from rubble.
How it is done
To start you need a goldsmith's pattern book for &&&&&&&&&&+19200 A$48 or any other pattern book. On page one of this book is a short description on what to do and a list of the items you can forge.
And of course you need a metal bar to work with. Metal bars come in different sizes and you can choose different metals too.
The size determines the price for the bar and what item you can forge - e.g. you can't forge a tankard from a tiny bar. It is possible though to use larger bars, any surplus quantity will vanish - e.g. you can forge an oak leaf ring from a medium bar, but you won't end up with the ring and a smaller than medium bar.
The material also influences the price and it determines what skill (crafts.smithing.gold or crafts.smithing.silver) is used in the following steps.
Apart from the bars that Master Weestone has on offer you can order any size and any material from him. Say 'order' to start this. You can then choose between white gold, black gold, rose gold, red gold, electrum, platinum, silver, bronze, copper, pewter, brass and gold. After that you need to choose a size from medium-sized, very small, small, large and tiny. If you confirm the order you can collect your bar a few minutes later (say 'collect' to Master Weestone).
Forging
Once you have the book and a bar you need to open the book to the desired pattern. You can then forge that item:
forge item from <pattern> using <metal> on <workbench>
This step uses your skill crafts.smithing.gold or crafts.smithing.silver and costs 20 crafts GP. Crafts.arts.design is also used. This is the only step you have to do in Master Weestones smithy. All other steps can be done anywhere.
Sculpting
For the next step, the sculpting, you need a roll of jeweller's files that can also be bought from Master Weestone for &&&&&&&&&&&&+800 A$2.
sculpt <workpiece> with <files> using <pattern>
This step uses crafts.arts.sculpture, possibly smithing and crafts.arts.design as well. Failing this step sometimes still does damage to your item.
Warning: attempting to sculpt from a pattern held inside a container will result in the destruction of your metal bar. The error message will appear like this: "You seem to have misplaced your pattern." Use of a formerly valid "IN <container>" syntax is no longer accepted.
Polishing
After succeeding with the sculpting you may choose to polish the item:
polish <workpiece> with <files>
This mainly uses your skills in crafts.smithing.black.tools and costs 50 crafts GP. But unlike the skills in cr.sm.gold or silver in the first two steps you don't need extremely high skills to make a good item. If your skills are too low you will only damage the item slightly and will have to fix it again. Even if you don't damage the item, you may have to make several attempts before you succeed. The larger the item the more effort you have to put into this step.
Finally you may choose to polish your item with a jeweller's polishing cloth (&&&&&&&&&&&+1000 A$2.50), this costs 15 crafts GP.
The quality of the item is mainly determined in the first two steps and your skills in crafts.smithing.gold or crafts.smithing.silver have the largest influence. Those skills can never be too high. For the skills in crafts.smithing.gold a bonus of 200 should be more than enough. Even with 150 it might work. The same seems to be true for crafts.arts.design.
Metals
Metal | Associated Skill | Cost |
---|---|---|
copper | crafts.smithing.silver | &&&&&&&&&&&&+200 50p |
brass | crafts.smithing.silver | &&&&&&&&&&&&+300 75p |
pewter | crafts.smithing.silver | &&&&&&&&&&&&+300 75p |
bronze | crafts.smithing.silver | &&&&&&&&&&&&+400 $1.00 |
tin | crafts.smithing.silver | &&&&&&&&&&&&+400 $1.00 |
silver | crafts.smithing.silver | &&&&&&&&&&&&+500 $1.25 |
gold | crafts.smithing.gold | &&&&&&&&&&&+1000 $2.50 |
electrum | crafts.smithing.gold | &&&&&&&&&&&+1500 $3.75 |
red gold | crafts.smithing.gold | &&&&&&&&&&&+1500 $3.75 |
white gold | crafts.smithing.gold | &&&&&&&&&&&+1500 $3.75 |
rose gold | crafts.smithing.gold | &&&&&&&&&&&+2000 $5.00 |
black gold | crafts.smithing.gold | &&&&&&&&&&&+4000 $10 |
platinum | crafts.smithing.gold | &&&&&&&&&&&+8000 $20 |
These prices are for tiny bars bought from Master Weestone in the AoA smithy or Jeromee in the gemcutting workshop. Tin bars can not be purchased in any shop but only be found in the Copperhead mines. Ordering metal bars from Master Weestone costs 10% more (i.e. you should multiply the cost by 1.1). A "very small" bar costs twice as much as a tiny bar, a "small" bar costs three times as much as a tiny bar, a "medium-sized" bar costs four times as much as a tiny bar, and a "large" bar costs five times as much as a tiny bar.
Pattern books
Multiple books with finesmithing patterns are available and can be bought from Master Weestone in the AoA smithy or Jeromee in the Slippery Hollow gemcutting workshop. Weestone only sells Finesmithing for Artificers while Jeromee sells all the books.
a well-chewed metalworking book can only be bought from the temple of Chefet in Ephebe.
Title | Author | Short Description | Long Description |
---|---|---|---|
Jewellery Patterns for the Pious | H. O. Lyworshipper | A closed religious jewellery pattern book | A linen-bound book featuring rough screen-printed pictures of religious-themed jewellery on the front cover. |
Finesmithing for Artificers | - | A closed goldsmith's pattern book. | This hefty leather-bound tome has been tooled with images of forge and anvil, and decorated with gold leaf. |
Jewelled Rings for All Occassions | Bashful 'Bonecrusher' Bledrickson | A closed jewelled ring pattern book. | A linen-bound book displaying a single jewelled engagement ring, embossed in gold on the front cover. |
Jewellery from the Hedge-Wizard's Life | - | A closed light green cloth-bound pattern book. | This slim little book has been bound in sturdy dark green book-cloth, and stamped with a title in silver ink. |
An Introduction to Gemcutting | L. Peabody | A gemcutting pattern book. | A linen-bound book featuring rough pictures of rubies, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds screen-printed on the front cover. |
Making Jewellery with Gems | L. B. N. Wiggletoes | A gemmed jewellery pattern book. | This hefty leather-bound tome has been tooled with images of rings, interlocking and bisecting, and is decorated with gold leaf. |
a well-chewed metalworking book | - | a well-chewed metalworking book | This is a small, plainly bound book of papyrus pages. It looks rather as though several dogs have chewed on it. |
Finesmithing patterns
Overview of all currently available finesmithing patterns. Several patterns have sockets for gems created by gemcutting gemcutting.
Book | Item | Slot | Bar Size | Difficulty | Gem Sockets | Weight [g] | Pattern Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
An Introduction to Gemcutting | Friendship Ring | Ring | Tiny | Easy | 2 x Tiny | 8 | A pattern for simple metal ring with settings for two tiny gems and using a tiny metal bar. |
An Introduction to Gemcutting | Lapel Pin | Brooch | Very Small | Easy | 1 x Medium | 16 | A pattern for an elegant lapel pin with a setting for a medium-sized gem and using a very small metal bar. |
An Introduction to Gemcutting | Hipflask | N/A | Medium | Medium | 1 x Large | 200 | A pattern for a capped hipflask with a setting for a large gem and using a medium-sized metal bar. |
An Introduction to Gemcutting | Tiara | TBD | Very Small | Difficult | 1 x Huge, 2 x Large | 24 | A pattern for a tiara with two large gem settings and one huge setting. It uses a very small metal bar. |
An Introduction to Gemcutting | Bracelet | Bracelet | Very Small | Expert | 4 x Small | 16 | A pattern for a delicate bracelet with settings for four small gems and using a very small metal bar. |
Making Jewellery with Gems | Flame Ring | Ring | Tiny | Expert | 1 x Small | 8 | An expert pattern for a ring bearing a likeness of the Undying Flame, famously stolen from the gods by Mazda, made from a tiny metal bar and featuring a single small gem. |
Making Jewellery with Gems | Sword Necklace | Necklace | Very Small | Moderately Difficult | 1 x Medium | 16 | A moderately difficult pattern for a sturdy necklace with a sword dangling from it. The hilt will hold one medium gem. The piece requires a very small metal bar. |
Making Jewellery with Gems | Cat Earrings | Earring | Tiny | Difficult | 2 x Tiny | 8 | A difficult pattern for a pair of earrings, each wrought into the likeness of cat's head and featuring a tiny gem as an eye, using a tiny metal bar. |
Making Jewellery with Gems | Cabbage Earrings | Earring | Tiny | Moderately Difficult | 4 x Tiny | 8 | A moderately difficult pattern for a pair of cabbage earrings, each gazing lovingly at their wearer with tiny gems for eyes. The earrings are made from a tiny metal bar. |
Making Jewellery with Gems | Cat Brooch | Brooch | Very Small | Difficult | 2 x Tiny | 16 | A difficult pattern for a brooch, wrought into the likeness of cat's head and featuring two tiny gems as eyes, using a very small metal bar. |
Making Jewellery with Gems | Cabbage Brooch | Brooch | Very Small | Moderately Difficult | 2 x Tiny | 16 | A moderately difficult pattern for a cabbage brooch, gazing lovingly at its wearer with tiny gems for eyes. The brooch is made from a very small metal bar. |
Making Jewellery with Gems | Wizard Hat Necklace | Necklace | Very Small | Moderately Difficult | 1 x Tiny | 16 | A moderately difficult pattern featuring a tiny wizard hat dangling from a chain of stars, made from a very small metal bar, and featuring a tiny gem as the central star on the hat. |
Making Jewellery with Gems | Filigree Nipple Rings | Nipple Ring | Tiny | Difficult | 2 x Tiny | 10 | This difficult pattern shows a pair of nipple rings decorated with filigree, with a tiny gem set into each ring. It has been crafted from a tiny metal bar. |
Making Jewellery with Gems | Severed Horse Head Necklace | Necklace | Very Small | Difficult | 2 x Medium | 16 | This difficult pattern shows a pendant displaying a stylised horse head with two medium gems for eyes. It has been crafted from a very small metal bar. |
Making Jewellery with Gems | Windmill Necklace | Necklace | Very Small | Difficult | 1x Small | 16 | This difficult pattern is modelled on the windmill at Slippery Hollow, even down to the tatter and decay. The blades of the windmill revolve around a small gem in the centre. The piece requires a very small metal bar. |
Jewelled Rings for All Occassions | Engagement Ring | Ring | Tiny | Easy | 1 x Large | 8 | An easy pattern for an engagement ring with a setting for one large gem and using a tiny metal bar. |
Jewelled Rings for All Occassions | Heart Engagement Ring | Ring | Tiny | Difficult | 1 x Medium | 8 | A difficult pattern for an engagement ring with a setting for one medium-sized gem and using a tiny metal bar. |
Jewelled Rings for All Occassions | Gaudy Ring | Ring | Tiny | Easy | 1 x Huge | 8 | An easy pattern for a gaudy ring of swirls featuring a setting for a huge gem and using a tiny metal bar. |
Jewelled Rings for All Occassions | Cobra Ring | Ring | Tiny | Difficult | 2 x Tiny | 8 | A difficult pattern of a cobra ring with settings for two tiny gems and using a tiny metal bar. |
Jewelled Rings for All Occassions | Viper Ring | Ring | Tiny | Intermediate | 2 x Tiny | 8 | An intermediate level pattern for a viper ring featuring two tiny gems and using a tiny metal bar. |
Jewelled Rings for All Occassions | Black Widow Ring | Ring | Tiny | Expert | 2 x Tiny | 8 | An expert pattern for a black widow ring featuring two tiny gems and using a tiny metal bar. |
Jewelled Rings for All Occassions | Raven Ring | Ring | Tiny | Intermediate | 1 x Tiny, 1 x Medium | 8 | An intermediate level pattern of a raven ring featuring a setting for a tiny gem and another for a medium gem. It uses a tiny metal bar. |
Jewelled Rings for All Occassions | Banded Ring | Ring | Tiny | Easy | 1 x Large | 8 | An easy pattern for a banded ring featuring a setting for a large gem and using a tiny metal bar. |
Jewelled Rings for All Occassions | Scorpion Ring | Ring | Tiny | Difficult | 1 x Tiny | 8 | A difficult pattern for a scorpion ring featuring a setting for a tiny gem and using a tiny metal bar. |
Jewelled Rings for All Occassions | Tree Frog Ring | Ring | Tiny | Difficult | 2 x Tiny | 8 | A difficult pattern for a tree frog ring featuring two tiny gems and using a tiny metal bar. |
Jewellery from the Hedge-Wizard's Life | Crescent Moon Ring | Ring | Tiny | Medium | - | 8 | The pattern is of medium difficulty, and requires a tiny metal bar. |
Jewellery from the Hedge-Wizard's Life | Country Cottage Inkwell | N/A | Small | Very Hard | - | This is a very hard pattern, and requires a small metal bar. | |
Jewellery from the Hedge-Wizard's Life | Sleeping Cat Pendant | Necklace | Very Small | Difficult | - | This is a difficult pattern which requires a very small metal bar. | |
Jewellery from the Hedge-Wizard's Life | Dinner Plate | N/A | Large | Easy | - | The pattern is easy to do, and requires a large metal bar. | |
Jewellery Patterns for the Pious | Raincloud Necklace | Necklace | Very Small | Easy | 3 x Tiny | 16 | An easy pattern for a chain of wisp-shaped links supporting a heavier cloud with three tiny gem settings and using a very small metal bar. |
Jewellery Patterns for the Pious | Corridor Necklace | Necklace | Very Small | Intermediate | 1 x Tiny | 16 | An intermediate pattern for a corridor pendant necklace which has a setting for a tiny gem and uses a very small metal bar. |
Jewellery Patterns for the Pious | Ball of Fluff Necklace | Necklace | Very Small | Moderately Difficult | 2 x Tiny | 16 | A pattern of moderate difficulty for a ball of fluff pendant and necklace with settings for two tiny gems and using a very small metal bar. |
Jewellery Patterns for the Pious | Fishing Rod Brooch | Brooch | Very Small | Expert | 1 x Small | 16 | An expert pattern for a fishing rod brooch with a setting for a small gem and using a very small metal bar. |
Jewellery Patterns for the Pious | Fish Bracelet | Bracelet | Very Small | Expert | 1 x Large | 16 | An expert pattern of a bracelet featuring one large gem and using a very small metal bar. |
Jewellery Patterns for the Pious | Dust Devil Necklace | Necklace | Very Small | Easy | 1 x Tiny | 16 | An easy pattern for a dust devil necklace featuring a tiny gem and using a very small metal bar. |
Jewellery Patterns for the Pious | Vulture Bracelet | Bracelet | Very Small | Intermediate | 2 x Medium | 16 | A pattern of intermediate difficulty for a vulture bracelet featuring two medium-sized gems and using a very small metal bar. |
Jewellery Patterns for the Pious | Coathanger Necklace | Necklace | Very Small | Easy | 4 x Tiny | 16 | An easy pattern for a coathanger necklace featuring four tiny gems and using a very small metal bar. |
Jewellery Patterns for the Pious | Seven Handed Brooch | Brooch | Very Small | Expert | 7 x Tiny | 16 | An expert pattern for a hand brooch featuring seven tiny gems and using a very small metal bar. |
Finesmithing for Artificers | Oak Leaf Ring | Ring | Tiny | Intermediate | - | 8 | A pattern for the intermediate crafter, it requires a tiny metal bar. |
Finesmithing for Artificers | Cabbage Brooch | Brooch | Tiny | Beginner | - | 16 | This pattern is ideal for the beginner finesmither and it uses a tiny metal bar. |
Finesmithing for Artificers | Wise Old Owl Ink Well | N/A | Small | Expert | - | 150 | This pattern, for the expert goldsmither, requires a small metal bar. |
Finesmithing for Artificers | Chain of Stars | Necklace | Very Small | Difficult | - | 16 | This difficult necklace is crafted with a very small metal bar. |
Finesmithing for Artificers | Tankard | N/A | Medium | Moderately Difficult | - | 200 | A pattern of moderate difficulty, it requires a medium-sized metal bar. |
Finesmithing for Artificers | Fountain Pen Nib | N/A | Tiny | Expert | - | 1 | Strictly for the expert, this nib is crafted from a tiny metal bar. |
a well-chewed metalworking book | Ceremonial hammer | N/A | Large | Expert | - | ? | An expert pattern using a large bar, for a ceremonial hammer to be used in the holy rites of Chefet. |
a well-chewed metalworking book | Navel Stud | ? | Tiny | Easy | 1 x Large | 10 | An easy pattern using a tiny bar, for a jewelled navel stud. |
a well-chewed metalworking book | Pendant | Necklace | Very Small | Easy | 1 x Large | 16 | A easy pattern using a very small bar, for a pendant to show off a particularly prized gem. |
a well-chewed metalworking book | Earring | Earring | Tiny | Medium | 1 x Tiny | 4 | A medium-difficulty pattern using a tiny bar, for a jewelled earring. |
a well-chewed metalworking book | Nipple Ring | Nipple Ring | Tiny | Medium | 1 x Small | 10 | A medium-difficulty pattern using a tiny bar, for a jewelled nipple ring. |
a well-chewed metalworking book | Dog brooch | Brooch | Very Small | Difficult | 1 x Small | 16 | A difficult pattern using a very small bar, for a faithful hound brooch. |
a well-chewed metalworking book | Kantharos | N/A | Medium | Difficult | 6 x Small | ? | A difficult pattern using a medium bar, for a traditional Ephebian drinking vessel. |
Workpiece types by difficulty
Many new items can be crafted in the Artificers' Academy.
Item | Required bar size | Difficulty |
---|---|---|
cabbage brooch | tiny | beginner |
oak leaf ring | tiny | intermediate |
tankard | medium | moderate |
chain of stars | very small | difficult |
wise owl ink well | small | expert |
fountain pen nib | tiny | expert |
Workpiece results
Cabbage brooch
- "Possibly intended to be circular, this uneven blob of <metal> features a pattern of lumps and scratches that bring to mind a bowl of congealed porridge."
- "This rough disc of <metal> looks rather like a cabbage, but not a great deal. It's possible it could be a cauliflower."
- "A <metal> disc bears a wreath of cabbage fronds in low relief, evoking memories of the prevalent flora of the Sto Plains."
- "An elegant circle of <metal> bears a pattern of cabbage fronds in low relief, recalling the tasty and loyal denizens of the Sto Plains."
- "An elegant circle of <metal> bears a pattern of cabbage fronds in low relief, recalling the tasty and loyal denizens of the Sto Plains. From beneath a frond at the centre of the disc, a pair of eyes peek shyly out with an affectionate gaze."
- "An elegant <metal> disc has been shaped to resemble a lovingly detailed cabbage, each frond picked out in low relief and a pair of eyes peeking shyly from the centre with an adoring gaze."
- "An elegant <metal> disc has been shaped to resemble a lovingly detailed cabbage, each frond picked out in low relief and a pair of eyes peeking shyly from the centre with an adoring gaze. They almost seem to follow you around the room, and the overall effect is of a piece of jewellery that doesn't need a pin and is held on simply by a pure and overwhelming desire to snuggle up to its wearer."
Chain of stars
- "A half-dozen fairly shapeless <metal> stars dangle from an unfashionably long and rather clumsily made chain."
- "A half-dozen <metal> stars, not too well matched and slightly lumpy, hang from a necklace. The chain is quite well made, even and delicate, however."
- "A half-dozen largish <metal> stars, strung on a necklace, glint like the first stars of the evening sky."
- "A dozen twinkling <metal> stars, strung on a matching necklace, shimmer and draw the eye."
- "A slim, delicate <metal> necklace supports a dozen shimmering, twinkling stars, each the size of a child's fingernail."
- "A slim, delicate <metal> chain supports a dozen shimmering, twinkling stars, the largest no bigger than a child's fingernail. The small movements as they hang from the necklace chain draw the eye, sending the subtlest of glints and twinkles across to anyone watching."
- "A slim, delicate <metal> chain supports a dozen shimmering, twinkling stars, the largest no bigger than a child's fingernail. Each has been lovingly shaped and polished, and the subtle variations in the metal lend each star its own individual magic. The small movements as they hang from the necklace chain draw the eye, sending the subtlest of glints and twinkles across to anyone watching."
Fountain pen nib
- "This is an ugly <metal> italic nib which will probably ruin your handwriting."
- "This is an extremely poorly made <metal> italic nib."
- "This is a rather poorly made <metal> italic nib."
- "This is a well-made <metal> italic nib."
- "This is a very well-made <metal> italic nib."
- "This is a masterfully made <metal> italic nib."
- "This is a beautiful <metal> italic nib."
Oak leaf ring
- "This crudely forged <metal> band bears something vaguely oval that was probably intended to be a leaf."
- "Not entirely circular and not very well polished, a <metal> band bears a recognisable leaf shape at the front."
- "A vaguely circular loop of <metal> seems to have been intended as a ring, but it's terribly uncomfortable to wear. The mess of scratches on one side looks as though it could possibly have been intended to resemble a leaf."
- "A simple, not entirely circular <metal> band wraps around the wearer's finger, bearing a stylised oak leaf as a jewel at the front."
- "This ring is a simple band of <metal>, with a single detailed oak leaf set as a jewel at the front."
- "A deeply incised pattern of oak leaves wraps entirely around the <metal> band of this ring, as though falling endlessly from a tree in the autumn."
- "This heavy, ornate ring consists of a thick band of <metal>, wrought in the form of a dozen oak leaves overlapping around its length. Lovingly detailed as they are, the leaves could have been picked from the ground on an autumn day."
- "This heavy, ornate ring consists of a thick band of <metal>, wrought in the form of a dozen intricately detailed oak leaves overlapping around its length. A single acorn, done in low relief, sits cradled between the leaves in the centre. The leaves look as crisp and fresh as if they'd been plucked just that moment from a flourishing tree in the height of summer."
Tankard
- "Presumably, this <metal> mug is intended to hold liquid, but it looks extremely flimsy and not at all a pleasure to drink from. It looks like the sort of thing a stinking drunk bum would scorn to use as a pisspot."
- "This is a shapeless, ugly <metal> mug, which will probably make the beer taste foul. It almost certainly leaks, too."
- "This simple, serviceable <metal> tankard will do the job it's designed for, holding beer."
- "This <metal> cup, simple and elegant with its sturdy handle, will hold a pint of anyone's favourite liquid."
- "This <metal> tankard is quite tall and slender, with a neatly rounded rim and a solid base."
- "Short and sturdy, with a solid base and a strong handle, this <metal> tankard will hold a full pint safely in even the most drunken grip."
- "Short, sturdy, and smoothly curved, this beautifully crafted <metal> tankard has been forged in the shape of an ale barrel. The grain of the planks has been skilfully brought out, and the handle is shaped like a straining cellarman pushing it along a pub floor."
Wise old owl ink well
- "Short and squat, with a deep well bored into it for ink, this <metal> statuette is clearly intended to resemble an owl, but the flipper-like wings and the wide flat beak give it an unfortunate resemblance to a penguin instead."
- "This squat cylinder might well be intended to represent some sort of owl. Probably one that was struck by a cart and lay in the gutter for a day and a half before being rescued by a passing philanthropic taxidermist with more optimism than sense, and then stood unregarded, un-dusted, and unprotected against moths in the storeroom of a small rural museum for several decades. The inkwell in its head probably leaks too."
- "This little <metal> owl ink well has a simple charm, though the feather detailing is sketchy at best and one folded wing is a little longer than the other. The little hooked beak seems to smile at you."
- "Simple and pretty, this little <metal> owl has a deep well in her head for ink."
- "Simple and elegant, with a wise, affectionate look in her wide round eyes, this decorative <metal> owl statuette has a deep well in her head for ink."
- "This lovingly made <metal> owl statuette has wide round eyes and tufted ears, and every feather has been painstakingly picked out in lifelike detail. A deep well in her head provides the perfect place for ink, and words written with it may well be wise ones."
- "This lovingly made <metal> owl statuette has wide round eyes and tufted ears, and every feather has been painstakingly picked out in lifelike detail. You could almost imagine that her beak would open for a soft hoot of affection and understanding, or a word of comforting wisdom. A deep well in her head provides the perfect place for ink, and words written with it may well be wise ones."
Footnotes