View source for Writing

You can write on [[paper]], [[books]], and some other things with various writing implements.

==Syntax==
<pre>write with <object> on <object> in <language>
write on <object> with <object> in <language>
write with <object> on <object>
write on <object> with <object></pre>
The "write" command will drop you into your chosen [[Special_interfaces#Editors|editor]] to write on the item.  You'll finish writing when you save--if you quit without saving, you won't actually write anything.

<pre>scribble <message> on <object> with <object>
scribble <message> in <language> on <object> with <object></pre>
The "scribble" command lets you write one line on the item, immediately.

<pre>sign <object> with <object></pre>
The "sign" command adds a signature to the item.  It looks like this:
<pre>Written in cursive <ink> is the authentic and attested signature of <your name>:
<your name including title></pre>

==Language==
Unless you otherwise specify the [[language]] you want to write in, you will write in the language you are currently speaking.  This is true for all of the writing commands.

When reading something in your native language, the writing looks like this:
<pre>Written in <ink>:</pre>
If it's in a language other than your native one, it looks like this:
<pre>Written in <ink> in <language>:</pre>
Signatures also have the "in <language>" bit added to them.

If you write something in a language you don't have a high enough level of written in, it may be partially unreadable even by someone with 100 levels of written in that language.  That is, parts of it may not translate properly.

==Writing instruments==
Some writing instruments need [[ink]]. For these, you need to get a bottle of ink, then "dip <writing implement> {in|into} <ink well>" before you can write with them. This does not consume any ink from the well, and the ink will remain indefinitely on the writing implement. You can "wipe <writing implement>" to remove the ink from it (this is necessary to change colours).

When a pen, quill, or brush needs ink, the appearance of the writing will include "<colour>"--with the colour being, of course, the colour of the ink the writing instrument was dipped in.

When the appearance of the ink has a "<description>" as part of it, this means that there's an adjective there that varies depending on your [[crafts.arts.calligraphy]] skill.  Some skill-based adjectives it's possible to get include:
* messy
* untidy
* simple
* neat
* elegant
* beautiful

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Item || Source || Appearance of ink or other || Weight <ref>Only exact measurements, please!</ref> || Notes
|-
| {{abbr|<colour> crayon|This is a blunt looking <colour> crayon made from soap.  You could probably write on people with it.}} || {{Itemdb|4727}} || <colour> crayon || {{G|5}} || Can only be used to write on people; the writing washes off with water (causing bubbles).  They run out after being used a certain amount.
|-
| {{abbr|<colour> wax crayon|This is a lovely wax crayon, really bright and shiny, just perfect for writing anything you like!  It's been wrapped in neat white paper to keep your hands clean while you use it.  Well, slightly grubby and tattered greyish paper, really.  But the thought is there.}} || {{Itemdb|2122}} || <colour> crayon || || Can be used in colouring books as well as for writing.
|-
| {{abbrl|ancient kauri pen|Ancient kauri is a type of wood found only in the swamps of Howondaland, where it is presumed to have been buried for thousands of years.  Now it has been excavated and turned into this straight pen.  The conditions of the swamp have preserved the wood perfectly, while adding a glimmer to the grain as it catches the light.  Perhaps the words written down with it will find it easier to enlighten the reader.  It features a crisp italic nib, making it suitable for writing in chancery hand.}} || Brookless calligraphy shop || <description> <color> chancery hand || {{G|16}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|antique silver fountain pen|This is a slim, nicely balanced silver fountain pen, colourfully enamelled with a motif featuring harvest vegetables. It's a little worn, but it's clearly been well looked after during its lifetime, and entirely serviceable.}} || {{Itemdb|77}} || <colour> ink || {{weightkey|3/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|bamboo reed pen|This thin hollow length of bamboo reed has been sharpened to a point at one end and filled with ink.  You could probably write on things with it.}} || {{Itemdb|1353}} || rusty black ink || {{weightkey|3/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|barbed quill|Wicked-looking barbs jut from the shaft of this long quill, placed just right to pierce the user's hand.  The nib is wickedly sharp, and the three inches of feather remaining at the top are a bright, bloody scarlet.}} || {{Itemdb|5122}} || blood || {{weightkey|3/9}} || Does a small amount of damage to you when held; uses [[faith.items.scroll]] to hold.
|-
| {{abbrl|black fountain pen|An elegant fountain pen lacquered in a pitch black.  The thin, delicate shaft is decorated, in delicate gold filigree with a sketch of a headless horse, and the italic nib is forged from gleaming gold.}} || {{Itemdb|8110}} || <description> <color> italics || {{weightkey|6/9}} ||
|-
| {{abbrl|bloodwood oblique pen|Most of the body of this pen is made from bloodwood, a dense wood of reddish brown gradients.  A close-up examination reveals grain which looks like thousands of tiny cuts were made diagonally on the pen before it was polished.  The wood in the midsection, however, is a light brown with dark, irregular stripes down its length, and is surrounded by two subtle ebony accent rings.  The pen features a semi flexible pointed nib, attached at an angle to ease slanted writing, used for writing in roundhand.}} || Brookless calligraphy shop || <description> <color> roundhand || {{G|20}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|bone stylus|Carved out of bone, the stylus has a pointy end for writing and an ornamental hippopotamus head carving at the other. You could probably write on things with it.}} || {{Itemdb|3772}} || scratches || {{weightkey|3/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|buckeye burl oblique pen|Most of this pen has been made from a single piece of buckeye burl.  While buckeye is normally yellow, this piece of burl came out in shades of grey so dark it often seems black.  The tail is a straight piece of black walnut ending in an elegant finial to offset the weight of the burl.  On the widened part where the pen rests between the thumb and the index finger, a single spot of brown forms a circle around the black, reminiscent of the eye of the storm watching you as you write.  It has been fitted with a semi flexible pointed nib, used for writing in ladies' hand.}} || Brookless calligraphy shop || <description> <color> ladies' hand || {{G|16}} ||
|-
| {{abbrl|clerk's quill|Formed to precisely the most comfortable curve for a writer's hand, with a short tuft of plain pale-grey feathering at the top, this is most certainly the implement of choice for someone who spends a great deal of their time writing.  The neat, almost fussy curve of the nib reflects the amount of care such a writer puts into their work, and the precisely chosen character of their words.
It is clean and dry.}}
| {{Itemdb|7012}} || <colour> ink || {{weightkey|1/9}} ||
|-
| {{abbrl|deep blue fountain pen|An elegant fountain pen lacquered in a dark, deep blue. The thin, delicate shaft is decorated, in delicate gold filigree, with the Assassins' Guild coat of arms, and the italic nib is forged from gleaming gold.}} || {{Itemdb|5963}} || <description> <color> italics || {{weightkey|6/9}} ||
|-
| {{abbrl|ebony fountain pen|An elegant fountain pen crafted from the finest ebony. It has a gold nib and is decorated, in delicate gold filigree, with the Assassins' Guild coat of arms.}} || {{Itemdb|5512}} || <colour> ink || {{weightkey|3/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|ebony pen|This is a straight, no-nonsense pen made from a single piece of ebony.  No decoration of any kind was put on it; its beauty comes from its simplicity and the very subtle curves which make it fit the hand better.  The grain of the wood seems to come alive under the polish as one writes with it.  It features a straight nib, used for writing in heavy gothic script.}} || Brookless calligraphy shop || <description> <color> heavy gothic script || {{G|16}} ||
|-
| {{abbrl|elegant black fountain pen|An elegant fountain pen lacquered in midnight black.  The surprisingly heavy shaft is decorated, in delicate gold filigree, with the Assassins' Guild coat of arms, but the sharp nib is forged from Klatchian steel.  The unusual balance would probably require a little more skill and care in one's handwriting, but it does seem as though it would be perfect for throwing.
It is clean and dry.}}
| {{Itemdb|5985}} || <description> <colour> ink handwriting || {{weightkey|6/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|elegant golden plume|Clearly made from a Ramtops eagle's tail feather, this long, slim plume is a bright, vivid gold along its length, tipped with a deep, warm cinnamon brown.  The lower third of the shaft has been trimmed smooth for a good grip, and a small brass reservoir sits just above the gold nib.}} || {{Itemdb|4718}} || warm cinnamon-coloured ink || {{weightkey|1/9}} ||  
|-
| {{abbrl|enamelled calligraphy brush|A long, slender shaft of pure gold, tipped with a tiny statuette of a snarling tiger, this brush has been painstakingly enamelled with harmonious vine and leaf forms in a rich auspicious red. Surely no calligrapher anxious to improve their artistry and to obtain the divine mandate of Shoji, Goddess of Bureaucracy, would neglect the undoubted advantage such a peerless writing implement would bring.}} || {{Itemdb|2933}} || <description> <colour> ink calligraphy  || {{weightkey|4/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|expensive ebony calligraphy brush|The handle of this paintbrush is made of dark ebony wood of exceptional quality, featuring a gleaming silver collar to ensure that the deep black bristles stay in place. The bristles themselves don't seem to belong to any recognisable animal and are incredibly fine in texture. They are held in place by a shining silver collar that complements the darkness of the wood perfectly. This brush looks like it would be excellent when performing intricate, detailed work.}} || {{Itemdb|5604}} || <description> <colour> ink calligraphy || {{weightkey|1/9}} || You can also "paint" words on blank paper with this brush (which does not require ink).<ref>This requires around 36-58 crafts gp, and the result looks like "Written in <size>, <description> calligraphy in Agatean".  It can only be done in Agatean and if your skills are too low you may get a garbled result.</ref>
|-
| {{abbrl|fountain pen|This is a simple fountain pen with a black-lacquered wooden shaft and a steel nib.}} || Felicity Avenue Stationers || <colour> ink || {{G|30}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|gold nib pen|This beautiful gold dip pen features intricate spiral engraving and floral outlay in exquisite detail along its length and cap. The nib itself is made of simple gold, the lack of engraving allowing for smooth writing without distracting from the pure class of the pen.}} || {{Itemdb|1699}} || <colour> ink || {{weightkey|4/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|golden quill pen|The shaft and plume glimmer enticingly, reflecting glints of butter-soft light into the eyes of anyone observing the writer's movements too closely.  The shaft curves in a gentle, sinuous sway, and the short, broad nib forms bold confident letters. Words spoken with this pen's golden tongue are surely golden ones themselves.  
It is clean and dry.}}
| {{Itemdb|7027}} || <colour> ink || {{weightkey|1/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|green glass stylus|Carefully polished smooth, this hand-long piece of bubbly green glass, recovered from the mysterious circular glass fields near the reputed site of the aeons-lost cities of Fielleran and Gehellin, has a gently pointed tip to leave marks on papyrus or wax.
A faintly greasy, green-tinged octarine light crawls across its surface.}}
| {{Itemdb|2754}} || subtly green-tinted indentations || {{weightkey|2/9}} ||
|-
| {{abbrl|grey goose quill|At first glance, this seems to be an ordinary grey goose quill, a flight primary from the right wing, the curve sitting perfectly in a writer's hand. On a closer examination, though, the shaft is made from fine ivory and the barbs are finely woven silk, artfully damasked for a perfect semblance of life.}} || {{Itemdb|7028}} || <colour> ink || {{weightkey|1/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|holly clockwork pen|For this pen to be made, three things had to be cut or dismantled.  First, a piece of beige holly, which forms the length of the pen.  Second, some Klatchian ebony, to make the decorative rings around the curious midsection, elegantly contrasting the pale holly.  And third, an old pocket watch, for its tiny brass gears.  The gears were then bent to match the curvature of the pen and inlaid in its midsection.  While this prevents them from telling time, now they catch the light and twinkle under the polish as the diligent penman works.  The pen features a firm italic nib, used for writing in italics.}} || Brookless calligraphy shop || <description> <color> italics || {{G|16}} || This gives off chats.
|-
| {{abbrl|humble wooden calligraphy brush|A simple straight stick, with a bundle of dark wolf-hair bound to one end, this is the sword that won an Empire and the mattock that built it.
It is clean and dry.}}
| {{Itemdb|2932}} || <description> <colour> ink calligraphy || {{weightkey|2/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|Hwel quill|This is a fine quill pen that was apparently once used by Hwel himself.  Now you too can write your own works of incredible genius!}} || stall in Thespians' Yard || messy, scratchy black ink || {{weightkey|3/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|jaunty crimson plume|Doubtless obtained from some exotic Howondalandish bird, this long, fluffy, curling feather is a bright, vivid crimson, shot through with swirling patterns of darker red.  The lower third of the shaft has been trimmed smooth for a good grip, and a small brass reservoir sits just above the gold nib.}} || {{Itemdb|6841}} || crimson ink || {{weightkey|1/9}} ||  
|-
| {{abbrl|lacquered calligraphy brush|Subtle strokes suggest long grass along the lacquered shaft of this delicate brush, and near the ferrule a single brilliant green grasshopper hides, almost concealed.}} || {{Itemdb|5376}} || ? || {{weightkey|2/9}} || ?
|-
| {{abbrl|longtail oblique pen|This work of art looks more like a wizard's wand than a pen.  Its foot is made of ivory-white holly, separated by a black and a white accent ring from the midsection.  The midsection is made of burl, which gives it a natural complexity of swirling patterns in shades of pale, reddish and dark brown.  Three more accent rings continue the white-black-white pattern before the warm brown tail.  The tail is long and thin, leaving you no choice but to treat the pen delicately, lest you snap it.  It features a flexible pointed nib, attached at an angle to ease slanted writing, used for writing in ornamental script.}} || Brookless calligraphy shop || <description> <color> ornamental script || {{G|14}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|midnight black quill pen|This long, nicely-balanced quill was cut from the right wing of a black swan, and cut to a businesslike nib. The barbs have been trimmed back to the last few inches, where a broad plume of silky black waves and nods with the writer's motions, perfect for emphasising a gesture or adding that touch of theatricality to an official document.}} || {{Itemdb|5968}} || <description> <colour> ink secretary hand  || {{weightkey|3/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|old leaky quill|Trimmed back to the shaft apart from a lonely tuft of feather at the top, this quill is slightly bent and discoloured from years of use.  The brass nib is battered and crossed, and there's a small split surrounded by a blue stain where it meets the shaft.}} || {{Itemdb|82}} || messy, splotchy dark blue ink || {{weightkey|1/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|ornate silver fountain pen|This is an elegant silver fountain pen, light and responsive in the hand, with a pure gold nib and gold tracery forming Klatchian arabesques across the shaft in the distinctive fluid, looping style of Eritor.  A discreet lever on the side indicates that it could probably be dipped into an ink well.}} || {{Itemdb|3770}} || <colour> ink || {{weightkey|3/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|pink glitter-filled pen|Gaudy, pink and distracting, this glitter filled pen is the exact writing implement that most parents will buy their teenage daughter for her first day of middle school.  Made from a thin tube of clear glass, and filled with an unknown liquid through which the glitter moves and swirls, the pen is not especially light or all that easy to write with.  It does, however, have a fake silk flower's blossom glued on the top that smells vaguely of bubblegum.  The pen has a semi flexible pointed nib, used for writing in ladies' hand.}} || [https://dw.daftjunk.com/items/index.php?shop=217 An exciting toy shop] || <description> <colour> ladies' hand || {{weightkey|1/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|quill|This is a nice, long, feathery quill.  You could write on things with it.}} || {{Itemdb|81}} || ink || {{weightkey|3/9}}|| 
|-
| {{abbrl|rainbird quill|The feathery tuft on this long, slim quill is a soft bluish grey, like a cloud early some soft warm morning in spring.  Pregnant with words as the cloud is with the gentle blessing of rain, ink flows freely and smoothly from the slanted nib.
It is clean and dry.}}
| {{Itemdb|7010}} || <colour> ink || {{weightkey|1/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|rose-coloured glass italic pen|The shimmering glass of this hand-blown pen curves out in voluptuous layers, looking almost like the petals of an elongated rose bud, and shaping it wonderfully to the hand.}} || {{Itemdb|75}} || <description> <colour> handwriting || {{weightkey|2/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|seagull feather quill|This is a nice, long quill, made from the grey and white feather of a seagull.  You could probably write on things with it.}} || {{Itemdb|1352}} || sepia ink || {{weightkey|3/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|shimmering blue iris pen|The shimmering glass of this hand-blown pen curves out in voluptuous layers like the calyx and petals of a long, slim iris blossom. Ripples of all the colours in the rainbow dance around the curved petals of the finial at the top and run along the shaft to the elegantly slanted nib.}} || {{Itemdb|6485}} || <description> <colour> handwriting || {{weightkey|2/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|silver dragon fountain pen|Long and slim, this fine silver pen is shaped to resemble an extremely lifelike dragon, open jaws clutching a glittering crystal. The folded wings sit just above the writer's hand, and the scale-engraved spiny tail stretches down to end in a fine nib.}} || {{Itemdb|5377}} || <colour> ink || {{weightkey|4/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|silver fountain pen|This polished silver pen sits comfortably in the hand, and the nib is shaped for a flowing, easy to read copperplate. Just above the nib, the shaft has been decorated with a small rainbow.  The nib glistens with <colour> ink.}}<ref>Those who can see in octarine see: This polished silver pen sits comfortably in the hand, and the nib is shaped for a flowing, easy to read copperplate.  Just above the nib, the shaft has been decorated with a small rainbow, including the eighth colour of the spectrum, octarine.  The nib glistens with <colour> ink.
The pen shimmers with an octarine rainbow of colourful potentiality.</ref>
| {{Itemdb|6842}} || <colour> ink || {{weightkey|1/9}} || Does not need to be dipped in ink: the ink is part of the pen, but changes colour; see [[silver fountain pen]] for details.  The current colour is apparent in the description.
|-
| {{abbrl|silver scrollwork fountain pen|From its handcrafted cap and barrel to the elegant Queen Ptraci leaf design engraved on sterling silver, this instrument is as impressive to gaze upon as it is comfortable to write with. The nib has been inlaid with eighteen carat gold, then plated with palladium to allow for uniquely flexible and smooth writing.}} || {{Itemdb|1698}} || <colour> ink || {{weightkey|4/9}} ||
|-
| {{abbrl|sleek black plume|Made from a flight feather cast off by one of the Tower of Art's ravens, subtle blue and purple glints can be made out in the deep black surface. The lower third of the shaft has been trimmed smooth for a good grip, and a small brass reservoir sits just above the gold nib.
Faint swirls of octarine light blow across its surface.}}
| {{Itemdb|6840}} || rich black ink flecked with silver || {{weightkey|1/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|slim black fountain pen|An elegant fountain pen lacquered in midnight black. The thin, delicate shaft is decorated, in delicate gold filigree, with the Assassins' Guild coat of arms, and the italic nib is forged from gleaming gold.}} || {{Itemdb|5964}} || <description> <color> italics || {{weightkey|6/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|slim ivory calligraphy brush|This is an elegant ivory handled paintbrush, used primarily for calligraphy. The long bristles are of wolf-hair, and are excellent at painting precise, clear strokes.}} || {{Itemdb|5357}} || <description> <colour> ink calligraphy || || You can also "paint" words on blank paper with this brush (which does not require ink).<ref>This requires around 36-58 crafts gp, and the result looks like "Written in <size>, <description> calligraphy in Agatean".  It can only be done in Agatean and if your skills are too low you may get a garbled result.</ref>
|-
| {{abbrl|souvenir fountain pen|A black fountain pen with a silver nib.  Written in silver filigree down the side are the words "The Royal Art Museum - Ankh-Morpork".
It is clean and dry.}}
| {{Itemdb|7074}} || <colour> ink || {{weightkey|2/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|small neat quill|Short, slim, and an unpretentious grey, this plain goose quill seems ideal for the kind of person who cares about neatness, elegance, respect, and having everything in its proper place.}} || {{Itemdb|6839}} || fussy green ink || {{weightkey|1/9}} ||  
|-
| {{abbrl|stormy petrel quill|}} || {{Itemdb|7015}} || <colour> ink || {{weightkey|1/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|sturdy purple plume|Thicker and sturdier than a normal feather, this plume looks as though it could quite possibly double as a weapon in an emergency.  Such as, for instance, when someone else has just grabbed the last copy of a textbook you wanted.  The lower third of the shaft has been trimmed smooth for a good grip, and a small brass reservoir sits just above the gold nib.}} || {{Itemdb|6838}} || rich purple ink || {{weightkey|3/9}} ||  
|-
| {{abbrl|swan's wing plume|Long and gleaming white, with a slight but very graceful curve, this feather could have come from no other bird.  The lower third of the shaft has been trimmed smooth for a good grip, and a small brass reservoir sits just above the gold nib.}} || {{Itemdb|6837}} || elegant black ink || {{weightkey|1/9}} ||  
|-
| {{abbrl|swansdown quill|This quill is small and delicate, its upper half shrouded in a soft fuzz of down. Looking at the tiny threads, stirring with every breath from the writer's lips, one could almost believe that nothing hurtful or bad could ever pass to paper from the tiny, artfully curved nib.}} || {{Itemdb|7020}} || <colour> ink || {{weightkey|1/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbr|typewriter|This is a device that allows people to put legible texts on paper quickly, even if their handwriting is terrible.  A series of keys display the letters of the alphabet.  When one is hit, a metal arm hits a small harassed looking imp, who is sitting in the centre of the device, on the head.  The imp then checks the position of the key and neatly prints the correct letter on the paper put into the device.}} || {{Itemdb|1701}} || typed characters || || "Put" a piece of paper in it, then "type on typewriter".
|-
| {{abbrl|vulture feather quill|Snaggly, scraggly, and oily black, this quill pen has a decidedly malign air about it, as if not even the writer could ever predict what odd, wonderful, evil, unexpected words might scratch their way onto the paper.  The nib looks rather crooked and spiky, but writes quite well for all that.
It is clean and dry.}}
| {{Itemdb|7011}} || <colour> ink || {{weightkey|1/9}} || 
|-
| {{abbrl|wooden pencil|A small, straight stick has been smoothed down along the outside, hollowed, filled with a length of plumbago and sharpened to a point at one end.  You could probably write on things with it.}} || {{Itemdb|80}} || pencil || {{weightkey|3/9}} ||  
|-
| {{abbrl|zebrawood oblique pen|The prominent feature of this pen is its playful midsection.  It is made out of holly and dyed in swirling shades of green.  The tail and the foot section surrounding it are made of brown wood with darker stripes along its length, which give it the name of zebrawood.  The pen is light and small, suitable for long hours of work without cramping your hand.  It features a very flexible pointed nib, attached at an angle to ease slanted writing, used for writing in copperplate.}} || Brookless calligraphy shop || <description> <color> copperplate || {{G|11}} || 
|}

==Writing boxes==
{{:Writing boxes}}

==See also==
*[[Books]]
*[[Paper]]
*[[Engraving]]
*[[Print shop]]
*[[The Assassins' Guild Library]]

==Footnotes==
<references/>


[[Category:Concepts]]
[[Category:Communication]]