The Quill of Sethania

"Kalia, dear, let me tell you a story. Have you been keeping up with your readings for the academy? Do you know the tale of Sethania's Quill?

"Sethania, that genius of instructive literature, was said to have incredible powers when she spellwrote. Some believed that these were due to her skill in writing and doubtless she had this in abundance. But tales also abounded that her quill had been imbued with the power to improve as she wrote. Some said that this was Sethania's work, and that she was a powerful yet lazy Proseweaver who wanted to be able to write her spells and other works without having to expend too much effort. Others said that the quill was given her by a powerful mentor, and that within it it contained some of their writing talent.

"Many attempts were made to access the quill, but Sethania kept it hidden away at all costs. When she wrote in public with it, she was surrounded by guards who kept people away from the quill and the table where she sat. It was on one of these occasions when the Notorious Kales struck. Sethania was writing in a great, high-roofed hall. Although she had placed guards around her and on the balconies above, Kales was too clever. They had positioned themselves on the roof of the hall and, with the writing of a quick transportation spell, transported themselves through the roof along with a piece of rope. They fell down, plucked the quill out of Sethania's hand, and departed, before the guards could even blink. The crowds around Sethania gasped, and the guards chased out the swinging door after Kales. Sethania stood, tipped over her inkpot on the manuscript she was writing (giving rise to the famous "blotted script" held by the Library of Slake), and left the building via a side door.

"Needless to say, the Notorious Kales was not caught. Sethania continued to write, but it became less inspired and her spellwriting became less effective. On the day of her death, she wrote her ending spell: it caused an image of a quill to rise above her bed, with the words "To Whomsoever Shall Find Me; I Shall Bring Fame Evermore".

"The Notorious Kales was seen many times since, but after a prolonged absence they were assumed dead by the writing community, with little remorse. But, in all their crimes they were seen to have the quill in their hair. Adventurers search tirelessly for the lair of the Notorious Kales, and their place of death, hoping against hope to be the one to claim Sethania's Quill. Perhaps, my child, it shall be you."

Summary

The myth tells of Sethania's lost quill, and the mysterious circumstances surrounding its perceived properties. Tied up closely with the Legend of the Notorious Kales, it is often included in anthologies of the works surrounding that individual. Each telling never fails to mention Kales, nor the fact that Sethania's ending spell made reference to the quill, and follows a reasonably set format of prologue-stealing act-consequence-imperative. It is always told to aspiring writers, oftentimes those who cannot write well but desire to, as a way to show them that they could become great if they tried or indeed got lucky.

Historical Basis

Sethania was a renowned writer, and accounts written at the time suggest that she used some of her spellwriting craft for her own benefits. They tell of fantastical structures in her private properties, and strange creatures that she kept as pets. Clearly, she had the ability to create objects using her spellwriting, something that is attainable only by the most talented of Proseweavers. It is not impossible that Sethania imbued her quill with the power to improve her writing - although this has been tried and failed by several Proseweavers since, Sethania's genius in the field of writing on the crafts of penmanship and quillcraft have arguably never been surpassed.
The myth is dated reasonably well to the 3rd century, at which point critics declare Sethania's work noticeably declines in quality, corroborating the events of the myth. However, there are no ratifications of the Notorious Kales stealing the quill, and each telling varies so much on the place at which the quill was stolen that it is impossible to draw a consensus on the matter.

Spread

The tale of Sethania's Quill is often told around the halls of aspiring Prosweavers and Poets alike, and it is an approved bedtime story for children. Many people have heard the story and many more shall.

Variations & Mutation

Nearly every telling puts the act of the Notorious Kales stealing from Sethania in a different place, often one where the teller or listener has background. The method of the heist is changed also, from spellwriting to stealth to simple brute force. Notable versions tell of the Notorious Kales disguising themselves before requesting a signing and taking the quill by adding the final word to a sleight-of-hand spell with a microquill.

Cultural Reception

Adventurers are typically very devout regarding the legend of Sethania's Quill, and treat it as a holy grail of adventure - not only because whoever found it would become powerful, but also because it represents the Notorious Kales' treasure trove and hideout, a find that would ensure any adventurer's name would be set in stone for all time. Most literary scholars and critics think that the tale was put out by Sethania herself in order to lend a mystic aura to her as she fell from grace, and tend to disregard it as unimportant in the scheme of things.

In Literature

Due to the involvement of the Notorious Kales, it is often included in various anthologies. However, the tale itself is of no particular literary merit and thus finding written versions of only it is very uncommon, and they are often removed to be replaced with texts of greater worth.

In Art

The events described by the myth are shown in the famous tapestry "Explots da Kales" by the weaver Carina. Little other record in the art world is made of it.

Date of First Recording

Early-Mid 3rd Century, c.340

Date of Setting

Early 3rd Century, c.320 BC