Publishing (sage study)

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Publishing is a sage study in the field of Humanities, representing the mastery of written communication and the means by which knowledge, art and magical inscriptions are preserved and disseminated. In the world of 1650, publishing is an arduous and highly specialised craft, limited by the necessity of hand-copying texts or, where available, the painstaking process of movable type printing. Beyond the mundane dissemination of literature, this study extends into the realm of magical transcription, allowing those who master it to transcribe spells, wards and enchanted writings with precision.

At its foundation, publishing provides an unparalleled literacy, ensuring that the written word is not only accurate but conveys meaning beyond the surface of ink and parchment. A skilled publisher's hand ensures that a document's intent is as clear as its content, removing ambiguity and preserving knowledge across generations. This ability proves invaluable not only in mundane scholarship but in the preservation of arcane knowledge, allowing magical texts to be copied without loss of potency.

As knowledge deepens, the study expands into the comprehension of magical script, including the ability to decipher ancient or encoded magical writings, glyphs and sigils. The practiced scholar can recognise and transcribe magical symbols with exacting care, ensuring that spells are recorded without flaw. This expertise makes the publisher indispensable in the creation of magical scrolls, tomes and spellbooks, providing spellcasters with a means of storing and sharing magic beyond spoken incantation.

At its highest levels, publishing grants the ability to imbue written words with magic itself, weaving power into symbols and inscriptions that can store, trigger or even reshape reality. This level of mastery allows for the creation of potent magical documents, including scrolls of great power, arcane contracts and books capable of transmitting magic to those who merely read them. In the hands of a true master, publishing is not merely a tool for preserving knowledge — it is a method of extending influence, shaping thought and wielding magic through the written word.

Sage Abilities

The sage abilities below are those acquired by a character through the study, according to status.

Amateur Status

  • Book Stitching: allows possession of rudimentary knowledge in the sewing and binding of books by hand, using thread, cord and glue to secure pages into a durable volume. The character can assemble simple folios, repair loose bindings and stitch together parchment or vellum sheets into a readable form. Though their work is crude and lacks refinement, it ensures that documents can be preserved and transported without falling apart.
  • Printer's Devil: allows possession of rudimentary knowledge of printing and manuscript preparation, including basic typesetting, common ink preparation and page layout. Though their work is slow and prone to minor errors, they understand how to operate a printing press (if available) or assist in hand-copying documents efficiently. They can recognise common letterforms, scripts and symbols, making them useful in basic printing.
  • Read & Write: provides a functional literacy sufficient for managing everyday tasks, engaging in personal correspondence and maintaining basic records. Allows the comprehension of books, pamphlets and printed materials, with ability to comprehend increasing as knowledge points accumulate.

Authority Status

  • Cartography: enables the character to draw accurate maps, sufficient for others to use in navigation or making their way to a precise location. The character possesses knowledge of scale, symbols and topographical representation, ensuring that distances, landmarks and natural barriers are recorded with precision. Maps created by the character are reliable for military, exploratory or commercial purposes, improving travel efficiency and reducing the risk of getting lost.
  • Editorialise: allows the character to refine, correct and enhance written works for clarity, impact and coherence. The character can craft powerful editorials, challenging authority, exposing corruption and swaying public opinion through well-argued, incisive critiques designed to confront and destabilise those in power.
  • Printer: allows mastery of the printing press, enabling the character to efficiently set type, mix ink and produce clear, legible copies of text and woodcut images. The character understands how to maintain and repair printing equipment, ensuring consistent quality in published materials. Skilled in layout and spacing, they can format books, pamphlets and broadsheets with professional precision.


See also,
Illusionist Sage Abilities
Mage Sage Abilities