Reading & Writing

The reading and writing systems not only allows you to read books and write on different surfaces with a variety of implements, but also let you fold paper and parchment, seal and stamp missives, stack and glue writing materials into books, and much more. To be able to read and write, you will need to have at least one point invested in the Education skill. You also need to have some understanding of the language in which a document is written to be able to read it, or have a good command of a language in order to write in it.

Basics

Most reading materials you find will have at least two "pages", a front and a back. Books, pamphlets, manuscripts, and the like will have additional pages. To turn pages, you can TURN the object to go to the next page, TURN BACK to go to the previous page, or FLIP to a specific page number. To read the page you are on, simply READ the object. You can also read writing around you in the world, such as signs or inscriptions.

• READ <object>
• TURN <object>
  
• TURN BACK <object>
  
• FLIP <object> TO <page number as 1, 2, 3, etc>

Pages can be navigated the same way when writing. You can write on the current page up until it is full. Each time you use the WRITE command, it will add a new paragraph to the page. You will need to have in hand a quill dipped in ink or other writing tools in order to write, and you will write in whatever language you are currently speaking.

• DIP <quill> IN <ink>
  
• WRITE <object> <written paragraph>

Sometimes it may happen that you wish to erase what you have written. You can cross out just a paragraph on a page, or clean the whole page. Erasing just one paragraph will show that it has been erased, but it will not require you to rewrite the entire page.

• ERASE <object>
• ERASE paragraph <number> <object>

Writing Surfaces

There are a number of different materials in the game that you can write on. Parchment and paper are the most common, but papyrus, vellum, and different kinds of specialty paper may also be bought or crafted.

Artwork

You can also use the [Paint command|PAINT] or [Sketch command|SKETCH]] commands to describe art that has been created on a page. This will take into account your Art skill rather than your education.

• PAINT | SKETCH <object> <art description>

Art is independent of the writing on a page, and there can be writing along with art. Art can be seen at a look, and doesn't need to be read. As with writing you will need supplies in order to make art, such as paint or a dipped quill.