The Calamus of Correspondence (kal-uh-muhs)

The Calamus of Correspondence is a magical quill that when activated will listen to it's owner and write what is said as long as paper and ink are supplied. While no one seems to know who first invented this magical quill, it has been duplicated many times over and is a highly prized possession amongst those wealthy enough or fortunate enough to possess one.

Mechanics & Inner Workings

As long as the Calamus of Correspondence has a supply of ink within a few feet, and paper to write on then it will continue writing until the owner deactivates it.  It can not move more than a foot or so from where it is activated, so it can not follow the owner around, even on something like a wagon or a floating disk, it will fail to operate. The owner, or someone else, must change or move the paper when it becomes full, otherwise the Calamus will return to the top of the sheet and continue writing over the previous words recorded. The Calamus writes in whatever language the owner speaks at the time of activation.

Manufacturing process

The Calamus is is made from a tail feather of a Cockatrice, that was living when the feather was plucked. After the feather is retrieved, it needs to soak in the blood of a Mimic for thirty days, during which time a Magic Mouth spell and a Comprehend Languages spell is cast on it each day. After the thirty days, the feather is removed from the blood, and rinsed in the waters from a Nymph's lair. It is then ready to be attuned to an owner and used.

Item type

Magical

Rarity

This item is very rare outside of certain magical circles.  It is very rarely for sale, although it can sometimes be found in old monasteries, or wizard's towers.  it is highly prized among those that copy books and scrolls for a living, and amongst those who need to take careful notes in real time.

Weight

Negligible

Dimensions

12" long by 1.5" wide at it's widest.

Base Price

1000 gp

Raw materials & Components

• Cockatrice tail feather
• Mimic's blood
• Nymph water