Lumen Script

A Bit of Light Reading

“It’s not about making it look good. It’s about making sure it can be read. Most people don’t get that at first.”

— Seline Aris, stage performer

Lumen Script is a simple and practical spell that allows a caster to produce lines of light directly from their movement. By tracing a finger or tool across a surface, the caster creates clear, glowing markings without the need for ink, chalk, or any physical medium. The light follows the motion exactly, producing writing, symbols, or basic drawings that are immediately visible in low-light conditions.

The spell is most commonly used for communication and marking. It allows individuals to leave instructions, warnings, or notes in places where traditional materials would be inconvenient or too slow to apply. Because the markings produce light, they can also serve as a temporary illumination source, making them useful in enclosed or dark environments where visibility is limited.

Its temporary nature is one of its defining characteristics. The markings last only for a short time and leave no physical trace once they fade. This makes the spell particularly useful in situations where permanence is undesirable, such as marking routes during exploration, coordinating movement in unfamiliar areas, or communicating information that should not remain accessible after it has been used.

The spell requires a steady hand and deliberate movement to use effectively. The resulting markings reflect the exact motion of the caster, with no correction or refinement after the fact. Those who rely on it regularly develop a level of control that allows them to produce clear and consistent results, while less practiced users often leave uneven or difficult to read markings.

Although it is simple in function, Lumen Script has found a wide range of applications across different professions. It is used in logistics, fieldwork, performance, and investigation, where its speed, clarity, and lack of physical residue make it a reliable tool for short term communication.

“If you need something to last, you use ink. If you just need someone to see it and understand it, this does the job faster.”

— Pel Marrin, courier dispatcher

Unknown Shores

Lumen Script

0-level (Cantrip) Transmutation

Casting Time: 1 action

Range/Area: Touch

Components: Verbal, Somatic

Duration: 1 hour

You trace your finger or a tool you hold across a solid, inanimate surface, leaving behind lines of softly glowing light that follow your motion.
You create simple symbols, writing, or non-detailed drawings covering an area no larger than a 5-foot square. The markings shed dim light in a 10-foot radius. You choose the color of the light when you cast the spell.
The markings last for the duration or until you dismiss them as an action.
The light has no physical substance and can’t obscure vision, block sight, or otherwise interact with objects or creatures. The spell has no effect on liquids.

Available for: Artificer, Bard, Wizard