The Press of Diar

Some people think the museum is a crusty place. But I like it. It may not have the prestige of a library or the romance of an adventurer's tent, but its restraint and simplicity mean that I can relax. And the number of interesting things here keeps me for hours at a time. I'm a regular here, and the museum staff know me well. So well, in fact, that when I asked to see the Press they asked no questions and led me down to the basement.
The Press of Diar is legendary - the first object that allowed mass printing of texts. Seized upon by royals and peasants alike, it allowed dissemination of texts with one word missing - by adding the missing word, the text's effects would occur once more. Limitations were of course found - visual texts and those of exceptional quality were unable to be reproduced in this manner. But Diar paved the way for the widespread use of Ailmentwrits, the ability of a peasant in a hard year to finish writing Carõn's Portrait of a Sheep and provide bread for himself and his family to tide them over.
The press was large and imposing, but otherwise unimpressive - no decoration, no inscriptions, just a simple, functional, object. Diar did not know what he had unleashed. But in the end, he made something that saved thousands of lives.

Mechanics & Inner Workings

The press is standard for the world of Mythia. It is operated by a lever, which presses down the plate onto a sheet of paper held in the tray below it. This is then lowered by means of a screw and replaced with a fresh sheet of paper, before being placed on or hung from the drying racks at either end.

Significance

The Press of Diar was the first press ever made in Mythia. It allowed mass-production of texts, which meant that spell effects could be easily replicated rather than having to create a new original text or painstakingly copy out one by hand. It meant that spells became more accessible even to those with no spellwriting talent. The subsequent changes to society were felt for more than 100 years, as the calligraphy guilds tried to suppress its use and those who supported the use of the press fought back. Its discovery is closely linked to the beginning of the Agriwrit War.

Item type

Unique Artifact

Weight

120kgs

Dimensions

1.2mx0.8m