Blisterpen

Blisterpens are a family of niche and somewhat rare magical writing implement that is of special interest to intelligent species who are blind, or those who live in the underdark (or both.) A wide variety of methods have been devised, but the basic principal remains the same: a blisterpen leaves raised bumps or lines on whatever surface they write on, making them useful for people who are unable to see, or for cultures that exist in the dark conditions of the underdark. Even with darkvision, it can be very difficult to make out conventional writing if the contrast isn't extremely high and crisp or if the writing isn't textured like a carving, hence the Blisterpen.
The original Blisterpens were clunky devices of Abrekuzan design, as an attempt to allow for easier stone relief work. The device transmogrified stone scraps from carvings into the shapes indicated and adhered directly onto a surface. The pens were fairly easy to produce, but unpopular due to only working on stone, requiring a supply of stone as "ink" and not blending the texture of the writing into the texture of the writing surface.
This prototype though, led the Dorian Clan mages to develop a version that did not require a supply of stone, and instead conjured the stone directly from the plane of earth.
Across the ocean, in Jushane, a version has been developed recently which instead creates permanent creases in paper, vellum or papyrus.  This version is spreading rapidly both above the surface and in the Underdark, as it has increased applications for art and stationary, as well as for more pragmatic uses.
Finally, the Drow developed a version that worked with leather or similar materials, which created pockets of air or liquid just beneath the surface.  This version is, unfortunately, the source of the name that all of these pens go by, gaining the name from the eerie similarity the writing has to blisters.  While the original design has been known to be used as a Drowish torture device, some enterprising mages are attempting to modify the design to allow for pain free tattoos.

Item type

Tool