Marine Papyrus
Marine Papyrus is a writing and drawing sheet created using plant-life that either grows in the seas, or is washed up by them. This typically includes seabed grasses and weeds. Different batches of Marine Papyrus tend to have different textures due to the unpredictable nature of what will and won't be delivered by Nature.
Sometimes other components (or "ingredients") find their way into the mix - such as cloth fibres or fine wood-shards, which may float in from a sea wreckage. While it could be sturdy, it did not have the durability of paper, which was far more costly to create.
Temporarily Free
The City of Shevezz has a "temporarily free" system of giving Marine Papyrus away. Any giver usually kept a record of who they gifted it to and a number of days they had agreed on. The idea of this system was of greatest benefit to researchers who did not wish to waste true paper, but needed to write more than a large slate would allow. Marine Papyrus could be freely obtained, written or drawn on and, once that information had been transferred to another medium, could be returned and remade into new sheets of Marine Papyrus at almost zero loss of material.Shard Paper
One development from Marine Papyrus benefited the woodworking businesses. When coupled with sand - or as was later discovered, distilled sea-salt - Marine Papyrus created an abrasive surface to smooth even the roughest of wood. While useful in any context, the inventors and developing scientists discovered that it was particularly good at smoothing wood which had had extended time in water. It was soon created intentionally rather than by chance, and "Shard Paper" or "Sandy Papyrus" was made for and sold to shipwrights, independent boatmen, fishers and others. Shevezz themselves used it on their docks and in the construction of the original Hex-Alc.Not a New Technology
Its origin dates back to before the founding of Qal'ath, though it is not merely functional any more. It was developed by the Queendom of Shevezz as a cheap-to-make material to ensure those utilising libraries or educational faculties had what they needed in their studies. This was part of a systemic principle that education was a universal right (within the Queendom) so, where feasible, those from poorer backgrounds, or others struggling financially were not closed off from the scholar's life. The "Temporarily Free" system was introduced alongside other measures to ensure as little of nature's resources were wasted as possible.Decorative Papyrus
While Papyrus itself was not uncommon, Shevezz was the first nation known to produce the luxury of "Decorative Papyrus". As a realm that attempted to waste nothing in nature, they learned to extract colour pigments from plants and even rocks that had been used for other purposes, such as remedies or weapon-forging. These colours were then used in a wide variety of applications, including Decorative Papyrus. Due to each batch being, by definition unique, high-quality Marine Papyrus was dyed and re-dried (if not dyed during the original fabrication). This was then used as writing paper, nature-friendly street decorations for celebrations and even jewellery.For Rich and Poor
While it is true that pre-made batches were expensive, the production process did lead to a certain level of unused material. This was mulched together at the end of a day which created a slightly-faded but just as sturdy material, which was sold at a discount to native Shevezzi or those with Shevezzi Citizenship, with no restriction. Being in Shevezz it had to have a classification (else it did not exist, which would lead to a gap in material tracking), so was defined as "Low Papy". Thus, even nature's leftovers became potential income-earners for the poorer citizens. And, while it has never been recorded, it is understood that even if money does not change hands, "Low Papy" products are used at times to barter for other needs like food, clothing repairs and cleaning soaps.
Article Sections
- Shard Paper
- Decorative Papyrus
- Low Papy
Type
Textile
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