Calligraphy Pen

Calligraphy pens are essential for Magi students attempting to learn Calligraphy magic. First year students at Taru International Academy are not encouraged to purchase their first calligraphy pen until at least their second year, as most students take time to find and adapt to a preferred type of pen. While there are five methods of performing magic, calligraphy and calling magic is taught in a slow and less experimental manner, emphasising safety and the need for balance.

Subsets of Calligraphy Pens

The different kinds of calligraphy pen will affect the nature of the magic produced. Some magi's personalities will affect which pen type they feel most comfortable with, though some magi enjoy using a number of different types and may well specialise in calligraphy magic.

Feather pens

Feather pens are very popular with Federation magi, and may be imported for Edgardian and Taruan consumers who enjoy the peculiar feather ascetic. The pen can be 7cm to 15cm tall, with a feather threaded into the light metalwood material. They are recognised as a standard for calligraphy pens and are often marketed for first time beginners in calligraphy, however depending on the exact materials used, the feather pen may be difficult to fully master.

Sail pens

Sail pens are especially popular in Taru and the Southern Isles. They are made through carefully threaded kelp, driftwood and a piece of cloth to hang at the handle that is significant to the owner. The 'cut' of the writing is said to feel very strong, and sail pen users will need a careful grip to write their magic accurately. Sail pens were traditionally given as secret gifts to magi children when they turned fourteen. Now, they can be easily purchased by street sellers.

Web pens

Web pens are a traditional pen that are similar to tree pens, but have multiple points at the end. They are made by wood and can have each point activated at one time, to produce very different versions of calligraphy magic. It is difficult for magi to carefully control which point is activated at which time, and demands a great deal of practice.

Tree pens

Tree pens are made of wood and can be from 6cm to 30cm in length. It is unusual to see a tree pen or a web pen in the Federation. Some are available in Cantari.

Charm pens

Charm pens are seen as a gimmick; a modernised calligraphy pen with little ability and to satisfy consumer demand. They are often made by cheap materials and hold a charm by the handle of the pen, often of a cartoon character or a framed quote. Most calligraphy pen users will not be aware that the tradition of charm pens originated in the Northern Isles, and the charms themselves are thought to boost their magic prowess.

Water Brushpens

Water Brushpens are specialised calligraphy pens that are made of a translucent tube that is filled with water, which is then screwed onto a nib. It is especially made so that it is possible for magi to fill the pen with magic first by infusing magic with the water, then carefully write. The user has control over how much magic is inside the pen, and the 'cut' of the pen is described as watery and gentle. It is best used when expression is especially important, or for the illusion concept.

Significance

Highly practised magi can perform calligraphy magic without the need for a pen, but only after several careful years of practice.

Item type

Tool

Rarity

Due to the public reveal of the magi council in 612 AL, most of common folk in the world of Gaia understand the existence of magic and magi. Calligraphy pens for magic can be purchased in most stores, and some non-magi will purchase them for a decoration or for a gift to a magi friend. Affordable calligraphy pens are available in many countries and nations. Highly refined calligraphy pens can have a hefty price tag.