View source for Cairnfang Manor/5122 Papermaking Workshop

As part of the 5122 Solhaven Grand Art Exhibit, [[Phanna]] Green of [[Cairnfang Manor]] led an afternoon presentation and workshop on the art of papermaking.  It included a brief lecture on the history and methods of papermaking, a demonstration of the Papermaker and Flower Power flower press, and a workshop where participants could try their hand at using both devices to make and decorate their very own stationery.

The below information is taken from the presentation, which was held on the afternoon of Saturday, May 7, at Cafe Dumont's outdoor patio.

==A History of Papermaking==

While the Solhaven Grand Art Exhibit has always revolved around the entries submitted by artists across Elanthia, in recent years, it has also tried to bring additional events throughout the week-long showing to help share artwork from other cultures, topics of artistic inspiration, or workshops on how to learn or improve one's craft.  In recent months, there has been a growing interest in the craft of papermaking, thanks in no small part to an ingenious mechanism sold recently at the [[Rings of Lumnis]]' [[Agora Promenade]], which greatly simplifies and expedites this process.

Generally speaking, most scrolls, books, and similar paper objects are made from one of two different base materials:  animal or vegetable.

Paper is made from plants, typically either from softwood trees such as the coniferous fir, pine, and modwir, or from fibrous plants such as cotton or flax.  After mashing bits of the tree or plant with water, the resulting pulp is then pressed and dried into the finished sheet of paper.

Parchment is made from animals, typically the skin of calf, goat, or sheep.  Making it is similar to tanning leather in that all hair and flesh is removed, and the skin is then stretched on a wooden frame.  Unlike standard leather tanning, the animal skin is further processed by a repeated cycle of scraping with a special knife, wetting, and drying, all while still maintaining a precise tautness upon the frame.

Vellum is a type of parchment and is made specifically from calf skin.

The advantage to parchment and vellum is that in their basic form, these materials last much longer than traditional paper.

Of course, a skilled practitioner can apply additional magical preservatives that can extend how long the paper or parchment can last.  While it is a bit more costly, this is regularly employed for any document needing to last several generations or centuries, such as bills of sale and historical records, or if it is expected to be exposed to more extreme environmental conditions, such as magical scrolls bearing spells of combat or even travel journals.

While the terms parchment and vellum most precisely refer to the nature in which they are made - derived from animal skins - there also exists paper parchment and paper vellum, which, like paper itself, is made from tree pulp or other fibrous plants.  A skilled papermaker can craft paper parchment or paper vellum which is nearly indistinguishable from true parchment or vellum.  Fortunately, the Papermaker mechanism is skilled enough to do so!

The basic process of making paper is rather straight forward.  First, material from a plant is collected.  Generally speaking, the larger and thus more fibrous the plant, the more durable the paper will be.  While any part of a plant can be used, some parts are more commonly used or otherwise better suited for papermaking than others.

Grasses and leaves both can be used to make paper.  The resulting paper is not as strong as that made from woody stems or tree pulp, but it is relatively easy and fast, and so is very good for documents that do not need to last beyond a few uses.  In both cases, the longer the grass or leaf, the better.  They can also be dried and bundled if not used immediately to make paper.

Woody stems, tree bark, and even scraps of chopped wood can all also be used to make paper.  Due to trees being much more fibrous than smaller plants, paper made from them tends to last longer, as it is the fiber that gives the resulting paper its strength.  The drawback is that mashing the tree material into a pulp takes substantially more effort and time - if one does not have some manner of useful mechanism to help with this process.

Regardless of the source, the tree or plant material is worked into a pulp.  Traditionally this is done by boiling the material in a pot over a steady fire all the while mashing it with a beater.  Plant ash is often added to help serve as a binding agent, however it is possible to make paper without this step or to use a magical binding agent instead.  The Papermaker omits use of plant ash and presumably uses a magical binding agent as part of its design.

A frame with a woven metal screen serving as a mould is used to hold the pulp, either by pouring the pulp onto it, or by submerging the frame in a larger vat of pulp and then raising it out again.  Excess water is drained off, and the resulting material is then allowed to dry.  Before drying, the pulp in the frame can be further stamped with a heavy press to ensure that the pulp is a uniform thickness.

Some paper is occasionally made with a design woven into the mould with wire.  The resulting design is visible on the finished paper as a faint indentation and is referred to as a watermark.  In addition to a watermark, it is possible to press small leaves, petals, or even whole flowers into the pulp before it dries.  The end result of this is a beautiful decorative floral embellishment that is part of the paper itself.

==Papermaker Primer==

The [[Papermaker]] mechanism debuted at the 2022 [[Rings of Lumnis]] event and was sold for silvers at the [[APShop:In_Print_Condition|In Print Condition]] shop on [[Agora Promenade]].

The mechanism demonstrated at the workshop and referenced here had two vouchers purchased and applied to it to make the mechanism more functional; it was otherwise not been customized since its acquisition.

A standard mechanism is capable of making writing paper out of tree bark.  In addition, it allows the operator to dye the paper any color, so long as they have an appropriate dye to add to it while the bark is still pulped.

Both alchemy dyes and cobbling dyes work with the mechanism to change its color (adjective field, or second 15 of a 15/15/15).  In addition, the dyes purchased from the various dyer shops in cities and towns will also function, however after purchasing a color of dye there, you will need to speak with the shop attendant and to {{boldmono|ORDER}} a {{boldmono|BOTTLE}} of it with the dye in hand.  The attendant will properly prepare the dye to function as a standard alchemy dye.

In Solhaven, the a dyer's shop is located on Changeling Road, in South Haven, which is not too far from the Bathhouse and Pasha's Pavilion.

Upgraded once, the mechanism is capable of making both stationery writing paper and post office mailing paper, which can be dyed any color as with a standard mechanism.  It is possible to further refine the appearance (noun, or last 15 of a 15/15/15) of the paper, in case one wishes to make a pamphlet, a letter, a document, or even a parchment or vellum.  These, of course, are paper parchments and paper vellums - which are nearly indistinguishable from true parchment or vellum made from animal skin.

The resulting letters, documents, and parchments can be further adjusted with a variety of appearances (article field, or first 15 of a 15/15/15), such as appearing antique, gilt-edged, watermarked, or even ink-stained.  A scent from a bottle of perfume or essential oils can also be added, which is a lovely, subtle touch.

A third and final upgrade allows the mechanism to make writing paper, post office mailing paper, and even postcards.  It has the previous options to allow the paper to appear as letters, documents and the like, as well as gilt-edged, pristine or many other customizations.  The paper can also be dyed or perfumed.  In addition to the option for postcards, this third upgrade focuses more on ease of use, allowing the mechanism to be more quickly adjusted to individual options instead of having to fiddle with multiple dials over and over again.

A careful analysis of the mechanism via {{boldmono|ANALYZE}} helps to clarify the various ways to interact with it.

<pre{{log2}}>You analyze your violet haon mechanism and sense that the creator has provided the following information:

The Papermaker was created by the Order of the Lumnasi Viragos on the Isle of Ornath.

The mechanism will create paper if given the proper materials to do so.

Basic Papermaking Instructions
1. Place some kind of foraged bark within the mechanism
2. Pour water into the mechanism (or cast Minor Water or Holy Bolt at the mechanism.)
3. Drop a silver wand in the mechanism to charge it
4. Touch the mechanism to create your paper
5. Push the buttons on the mechanism to retrieve your paper

Additional Steps for Advanced Papermaking
~*~ These instructions are for BEFORE using TOUCH
6. Pour Dye into the mechanism to create colored paper (It will consume no more than 5 doses from a vial.)
7. Spin the dials on the mechanism to change the base type of paper (the noun)
8. Tinker with the toggles on the mechanism to change the paper type to one of three options (Writing Paper, Mailing Paper, or Postcard)
9. Turn the gears on the mechanism to change the beginning decorations of your paper (the article)
10. Pour Perfume into the mechanism to create a single scented piece of paper

Tips for Papermaking
1. Look at the mechanism to see everything set on it
2. Glance over the mechanism to see what you will make
3. Gaze at the mechanism to see base paper options (the noun)
4. Pinch will empty any unwanted perfume out of the mechanism
5. Ponder the mechanism to see beginning paper decorations (the article)
6. Pull will empty any unwanted dye out of the mechanism
7. Whisper allows you to tell the mechanism what you'd like crated (whisper mechanism for more instructions)

The mechanism is tier 3 out of 3.

It has access to the following verbs:  cast (Minor Water or Holy Bolt), gaze (Lists Noun Options), glance (See Design), look, pinch (Purges Perfume), ponder (Lists Article Options), pour (Add Water or Dye), pull (Purges Dye Options), push (Get Created Paper), put (Add Bark or Silver Wand), spin (Cycles through Paper Nouns), touch (Create Paper), tinker (Cycle through Paper Types), turn (Cycles through Paper Articles), and whisper (Shortcut on all Cycling Options)

This mechanism can create writing paper, mailing paper, and postcards.

ANALYZE again in the next 10 seconds for Customization and Alteration Instructions.</pre>

To make a piece of paper, first, tree bark is {{boldmono|PUT IN}}side it.  Internal gears and teeth inside the mechanism quickly masticates the bark into a useable pulp for papermaking.  A single piece of bark is capable of producing four pieces of paper.  It is not possible to add more bark if there is already some stored inside the mechanism.

Most, and possibly all, types of treek bark are compatible with the Papermaker.  As of the workshop's date, testing primarily focused on standard "tree bark" found in the Cairnfang Forest just outside of the city.  Bark scratched off of trees (which utilize the foraged object system) are also fully compatible with the Papermaker.  Normal "tree bark" can be found in the forests of any region, so long as the terrain is condusive to trees growing, such as in Deciduous Forest or Coniferous Forest terrain.

Next, water is {{boldmono|POUR}}ed into the mechanism.  Casting Minor Water or Holy Bolt will also serve the same function.  Water can be typically purchased or acquired free in virtually all towns.

{{boldmono|LOOK}}ing at the mechanism will reveal two glass tubes, in addition to several other useful reference points and settings.  The first tube holds water, so it is easy to tell if it already has some supplied or not.  It will not operate with water, so fortunately you do not need to worry about accidentally breaking it if it runs dry.  A single cast of Minor Water appears to be sufficient to make three sheets of paper.

<pre{{log2}}>>l my mech
Thin and flat, the small machine resembles a slightly oversized cigar box with haon panels on all sides.  On each of the short, flat sides is a plaque with tiny instructions and peacoock feather-shaped label frames, one displaying "an herbaceous" and the other stating "missive."  A third frame on one of the longer sides reads "writing" and sits amid faenor toggles, dials, switches, glowing buttons, a wood pulp-filled window, and two glass tubes; one that is filled with water, while the other is empty.  The final long side has a pull handle of curved that provides access to some sort of drawer, and the lid is decorated with a highly detailed sprawling elven cityscape.</pre>

Next, a silver wand is placed inside the mechanism to charge it and serve as a power source.  All charges in the wand will be transferred to the mechanism, and the depleted wand is automatically returned to your hand.  It is not possible to add excessive charges to the device, however like with water, it will not function if it runs out of charges.  If you attempt to add a fresh wand to it while it still has charges, you will not be able to, but you will get a precise idea of how many charges are remaining.

At this point, one should take a quick {{boldmono|GLANCE}} at the mechanism to see roughly what the end paper item will look like as well as its precise function, whether it is writing paper, postal office mailing paper, or a postcard.  It can then be made exactly as expected from this quick glance by a light {{boldmono|TOUCH}}, or it can be further adjusted with dyes, perfumes, and additional customizations from its various dials.

If completing the paper as is, after touching the mechanism, it is as simple as {{boldmono|PUSH}}ing a button on the side to retrieve the piece of paper made.  Paper is made one sheet at a time, though any previously configured dial settings will remain in effect, and any materials leftover will be applied to the next sheet.

If, instead, I wish to further customize the paper, now is the time to do so.

Of the options, adding a dye to color the paper is able to be done with even the most basic mechanism sold off the shelf in the shop.  Much like with water, a suitable dye is {{boldmono|POUR}}ed into the mechanism.

Mentioned earlier, taking a closer {{boldmono|LOOK}} at it will reveal two tubes, with the first holding the required water.  The second tube holds optional dye, and the color of the dye as it will apply to the paper is apparent once it has been poured into the mechanism.  If there is no dye currently added, the second tube will be empty.

If you have added the incorrect dye, or you found that you do not like the previewed color after all, you may {{boldmono|PULL}} it from the mechanism to empty it.  Any emptied dye will not be useable after emptying it onto the ground.  Absent a dye, writing paper and mailing paper will both have an off-white color while postcards will be painted.

When pouring a dye into the mechanism, keep in mind that you can only pour dye in if the mechanism is entirely empty.  The mechanism can take up to five uses of a dye.  So if your bottle of dye has two uses, it will take both uses, leaving you with nothing leftover.  But if your bottle of dye has six uses, it will take five uses, leaving you with a single pour leftover.  Even if the dye you are holding is the exact same dye you poured into the mechanism, you cannot pour additional dye into it to top it off, even if the mechanism has fewer than five uses of dye in it.

Each paper made will require a single use of dye.

Now, to further perfect how your resulting paper will look and function, you have several options.

For the purposes of this document, the example made will be a lovely-looking writing paper with a subtle dye and perfume.

<pre{{log2}}>>glance my mech
Glancing at a glossy violet haon mechanism, you notice that there is enough bark pulp to create 3 pieces of writing paper.  Based on the current settings, you will create an herbaceous off-white missive.</pre>

If the mechanism is not already set to make writing paper - which can be verifed by a quick {{boldmono|GLANCE}} at it - all it takes is a simple {{boldmono|TINKER}} to adjust it between writing, mailing, and postcard options.  For this example, you can also {{boldmono|WHISPER MY MECHANISM WRITING}} to it directly instead of tinkering with it, due to having applied both of the optional vouchers.  {{boldmono|WHISPER MY MECHANISM MAILING}} and {{boldmono|WHISPER MY MECHANISM POSTCARD}} also apply in this case.

<pre{{log2}}>>tinker my mech
Tinkering with some of the toggles on the side of your violet haon mechanism, you see a small window on the side change from "writing" to "mailing".
>tinker my mech
Tinkering with some of the toggles on the side of your violet haon mechanism, you see a small window on the side change from "mailing" to "postcard".
>tinker my mech
Tinkering with some of the toggles on the side of your violet haon mechanism, you see a small window on the side change from "postcard" to "writing".</pre>

Once the functional use of the paper has been set, you can {{boldmono|SPIN}} a dial on the mechanism to adjust its noun from paper to sheet to to brochure and so on until you have determined the type of paper noun desired.  If you {{boldmono|GAZE}} at the mechanism, you can easily reference a list of available options on one side of it.

<pre{{log2}}>>gaze my mech
You gaze at the mechanism, trying to decide what kind of paper you should create.  Tilting the mechanism to one side, you read the list posted there:


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~  Papermaker Noun Options ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 
|  1.  agreement     9.  flyer          17.  message       25.  paper          |
|  2.  brochure     10.  invoice        18.  missive       26.  papyrus        |
|  3.  card         11.  leaflet        19.  note          27.  parchment      |
|  4.  charter      12.  letter         20.  notecard      28.  proclamation   |
|  5.  contract     13.  letterhead     21.  notice        29.  receipt        |
|  6.  debenture    14.  license        22.  page          30.  sheet          |
|  7.  document     15.  manifest       23.  palimpsest    31.  stationery     |
|  8.  docket       16.  memorandum     24.  pamphlet      32.  vellum         |
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


You can SPIN the mechanism to cycle through the options.</pre>

Due to it being fully unlocked, with this specific mechanism, you can also simply {{boldmono|WHISPER}} to it the {{boldmono|NOUN}} and corresponding number from that list.

<pre{{log2}}>>whisp my mechan noun 16
Whispering quietly to the violet haon mechanism, you notice a small window on the side change from "missive" to "memorandum" as the device complies with your wishes.</pre>

Now you can take a moment by {{boldmono|TURN}}ing another dial to further adjust the settings for how you wish customizations (articles) to compliment the paper's dye color, such as changing it from antique white paper to glossy white paper or gilt-edged white paper.  If you {{boldmono|PONDER}} the mechanism, you can more easily reference another list on its side for available options.

<pre{{log2}}>>pon my mech
You ponder the mechanism, trying to decide what kind of paper you should create.  Tilting the mechanism to one side, you read the list posted there:


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*  Papermaker Article Options *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
|  1. an antique        13. an embossed     25.  a hand-torn    37. a rich           49. a stamped        |
|  2. an austere        14. an expensive    26. an herbaceous   38. a rigid          50. a stiff          |
|  3.  a blood-soaked   15.  a fancy        27. an ink-stained  39. a rough          51. a textured       |
|  4.  a bloodstained   16.  a fibrous      28.  a leaf-framed  40. a round-edged    52. a thick          |
|  5.  a coarse         17.  a fine         29.  a moth-eaten   41. a rust-stained   53. a translucent    |
|  6.  a copper-gilted  18.  a flimsy       30.  a nondescript  42. a salt-stained   54. a velvety        |
|  7.  a crinkled       19.  a flora-cut    31. an ordinary     43. a scallop-edged  55. a waterlogged    |
|  8.  a crisp          20.  a foil-edged   32. an oversized    44. a scribbled      56. a watermarked    |
|  9.  a crumpled       21.  a foxed        33.  a piece of     45. a seed-riddled   57. a water-stained  |
| 10.  a dog-eared      22.  a gilt-edged   34.  a pristine     46. a silver-gilted  58. a waxy           |
| 11.  a doodle-edged   23.  a glossy       35.  a quality      47. a smooth         59. a weathered      |
| 12. an elegant        24.  a gold-gilted  36.  a ragged       48. a soggy          60. a wrinkled       |
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


You can TURN the mechanism to cycle through the options.</pre>

As before, with this specific fully unlocked mechanism, you can also simply {{boldmono|WHISPER}} to it the {{boldmono|ARTICLE}} and corresponding number from that list.

<pre{{log2}}>>whisp my mechan article 13
Whispering quietly to the violet haon mechanism, you notice a small window on the side change from "an herbaceous" to "an embossed" as the device complies with your wishes.</pre>

The various options for paper function, type, and customized appearances which are set by dial will remain exactly as set until you adjust them again.

If you haven't already added your dye, you can of course do so now or at any time up until you make the paper itself - just as you can {{boldmono|GLANCE}} at it to confirm its current settings.

<pre{{log2}}>>pour dye in my mechan
Removing a screen from within a glossy violet haon mechanism, you pour a sunny yellow vial of dye all over the screen and then quickly stick it back in the mechanism before spilling a drop.
>glanc my mechan
Glancing at a glossy violet haon mechanism, you notice that there is enough bark pulp to create 3 pieces of writing paper.  Based on the current settings, you will create an embossed sunny yellow memorandum.</pre>

Now that you are satisfied with how your paper is going to look, you can now take a few extra moments to make it truly unique by applying a scent.  This is as simple as {{boldmono|POUR}}ing a single drop of your favorite perfume, cologne or essential oil into the mechanism while the paper is still a pulp.  A quick {{boldmono|GLANCE}} will help you determine if a perfume is already applied, as well as to give you a good idea of what the paper will smell like when finished.

<pre{{log2}}>>pour my bot in my mechan
With measured practice, you dispense a single dose of dark garnet bottle into your violet haon mechanism.  The scent of incense and exotic spices, redolent and ineffable, layered in an intoxicating haze over the sensual press of lily, rose, amber, and plum musk rises in the air.</pre>

Perfumes must be applied for each individual sheet, even if you have ample doses in your bottle.  One drop of perfume is all that is needed for a single sheet of paper.  In all cases, the "short" version of a perfume (which is determined by {{boldmono|SMELL}}ing the bottle) is used as opposed to the "long" version of it.  All perfumes have a brief "short" version associated with them that consists only of a few descriptors.

If for some reason you decide you do not like the idea of this scent on your paper, you can always {{boldmono|PINCH}} the mechanism, and it will drain out the added scent, which, like purged dyes, is not further usable.

With all that done, a quick {{boldmono|GLANCE}} at this mechanism helps to confirm that the end product will be..

s>glanc my mechan
Glancing at a glossy violet haon mechanism, you notice that there is enough bark pulp to create 3 pieces of writing paper.  Based on the current settings, you will create an embossed sunny yellow memorandum laced in the scent of incense and exotic spices, redolent and ineffable, layered in an intoxicating haze over the sensual press of lily, rose, amber, and plum musk.

... an embossed sunny yellow memorandum laced in the scent of incense and exotic spices, redolent and ineffable, layered in an intoxicating haze over the sensual press of lily, rose, amber, and plum musk.

With a simple {{boldmono|TOUCH}}, it completes the pressing and drying, and then you simply {{boldmono|PUSH}} a button on the side to retrieve the new piece of paper.

<pre{{log2}}>>touch my mech
You tap on a glossy violet haon mechanism, causing it to chug and whirr with a loud mechanical sound.  A little flash of heat and the discharge of static electricity lets you know that you have created an embossed sunny yellow memorandum.
>push my mechan
You depress a button on the side of your violet haon mechanism, causing an embossed sunny yellow memorandum to slip out and into your waiting hand.
>vote my memo
You indicate the sunny yellow memorandum as a possible option.</pre>

The mechanism can store up to 10 pieces of paper made before they must be emptied from it.  These papers do not have to be identical, fortunately.

Be aware that if you set your paper to function as a postcard, the end result will always be a painted postcard of the location where it is made.  No matter what dyes you pour in or what dials you spin or turn, it will only ever appear thusly.  Any dye in the mechanism will not be used for that postcard's creation.

In this case, made in town at Cafe Dumont, it will only ever be "a painted Solhaven postcard".

One other thing to keep in mind when making your paper is that stationery writing paper, post office mailing paper, and postcards all have unique functions (and scripts) that make each best for different scenarios.  Some sample pieces of paper that were made for the workshop are as follows:

<pre{{log2}}>>tap flyer
You tap a flora-cut robin's egg blue flyer.
>read flyer
In the Common language, it reads:

Mailing paper, capable of holding up to 15 blocks of 900 characters each.  Can NOT have previously written text adjusted in any way.  Can NOT be placed on the ground or in an un-worn container once written upon.

Made from:
1. mailing paper function (TINKER or WHISPER MY MECHANISM MAILING)
2. flyer base paper option (SPIN or WHISPER MY MECHANISM NOUN 9)
3. robin's egg blue color from a crystalline vial of robin's egg blue dye (cobbling dye sold at Rings of Lumnis' Agora Promenade, stored and then removed from a Dye-n-ator 2000 contraption)
4. flora-cut paper decoration option (TURN or WHISPER MY MECHANISM ARTICLE 19)
5. scent of acrid ink and parchment paper, balanced with warm amber (Library Aies perfume, sold most recently at Poiret and Company at Rumor Woods last year)
</pre>

<pre{{log2}}>>tap missive
You tap an herbaceous verdant green missive.
>read missive
The page, written in Common, reads as follows:

Writing paper, capable of holding 511 characters. Made from:

1. writing paper function (TINKER or WHISPER MY MECHANISM WRITING)
2. missive base paper option (SPIN or WHISPER MY MECHANISM NOUN 18)
3. verdant green dye (Solhaven Dyer's shop, converted to alchemy dye via ORDER BOTTLE)
4. gilt-edged paper decoration option (TURN or WHISPER MY MECHANISM ARTICLE 26)
5. scent of cinnamon, accented with a touch of nutmeg, cloves, and orange zest (Autumn Breeze perfume, from Mist Harbor's Crystal Lotus shop)
</pre>

<pre{{log2}}>>tap postcard
You tap a painted Solhaven postcard.
>read postcard
Crisp letters stretch across the front of the postcard...

"Greetings from Solhaven!"


Briefly flipping the postcard over, you see a penned message that reads:

Postcard, capable of holding 510 characters.  Made from:

1. postcard function (TINKER or WHISPER MY MECHANISM WRITING)
2. made in the city of Solhaven
3. scent of honeysuckle, clove bud, cedarwood, and black tea infused with peach (Gilded Cage perfume, sold at B. Witching at Ebon Gate five years ago)
4. base paper option, paper decoration option, and dye will NOT apply when making a postcard



Along the bottom is Phanna's mark.
</pre>

As you experiment with the Papermaker, have no fear, for you will not damage the mechanism if you attempt to make paper and it is missing bark, water, or a silver wand charge.  You simply will not be able to make the final product.

==Flower Power flower press Primer==

As mentioned earlier, in traditional papermaking, it is possible to dry flowers or leaves nestled against the pulp.  While the Papermaker mechanism is not capable of doing this due to how it greatly expedites the pressing and drying process, there is a separate device called a flower press that can prepare a foraged flower or leaf so that it can be applied to pre-made paper, whether it is purchased from a store or made from the mechanism.

The [[Flower Power flower press]] was first sold for raikhen in 2021 at [[RWShop:ImPressions|ImPressions]], a shop at [[Rumor Woods]].

This type of flower press has two different stock ways that it can display a preserved flower or leaf on a sheet of paper.  A careful analysis of the press via {{boldmono|ANALYZE}} will further detail how those two options look.

A single press is capable of storing up to ten additional custom patterns to work with any foraged plant.  Some general merchants are willing to work with flower presses to add additional patterns, typically one service at a time.  Sadie is also capable of working with the designs.

To prepare a flower, you simply have to {{boldmono|PUT}} it inside the press.

<pre{{log2}}>You carefully place your stalk of bluebells onto the small platform at the end of your flower press.</pre>

After that, it takes just a simple {{boldmono|TURN}} of a dial to toggle which design you wish to use.  The design will be very apparent when you turn it.

<pre{{log2}}>>turn my press
You turn the dial at the base of your flower press, switching its ability to paint a design on a piece of stationery from "Colorful depictions of (foraged item plural noun) trail down the left-hand side of the (paper), which also has bold whorls twisting throughout the design." to "Decorative calligraphy strokes grace the (stationary noun), while heavy lines and delicate pigments create (foraged item plural noun) design in each of the four corners.".</pre>

Lastly, you {{boldmono|PINCH}} the flower press shut over your foraged item, and it completes the preparation process.

<pre{{log2}}>>pinch my press
Closing the ebonwood lid, you carefully twist down each of the ebonwood bolts in the four corners of your flower press before activating the indigo rune in the middle.  A dry heat emanates from the device as the crimson outline of bluebells slowly illuminates on the lid.  It only takes a few moments before the light and heat fade away, allowing you to quickly untwist each silver bolt and open the ebonwood lid.</pre>

You can {{boldmono|TURN}} between patterns both before and after you have placed a foraged item inside the press, however once {{boldmono|PINCH}}ed shut, the pattern will be permanently applied to your plant."

<pre{{log2}}>>get blueb from my press
You pluck a dried and pressed bluebells from off of the platform in your flower press.</pre>

At this point, you simply have to remove the pressed item, which will appear slightly different than before it was dried and prepared by the flower press, and then apply it to your paper of choice by {{boldmono|POINT}}ing the preserved flower or leaf at the paper.  If you forget precisely what you have to do with your dried and pressed plant, a close analysis of it will help remind you - just in case you have a locker full of them from some months ago!"

<pre{{log2}}>>point my blueb at my memo
You lay your pressed bluebells upon an embossed sunny yellow memorandum, which instantly responds by transforming the bluebells into a fine mist that slowly settles into the memorandum.</pre>

Once applied to a piece of paper, the design made is visible if you {{boldmono|LOOK}} carefully at it.

<pre{{log2}}>>l memo
Decorative calligraphy strokes grace the memorandum, while heavy lines and delicate pigments create a stalk of bluebells design in each of the four corners.</pre> 

Keep in mind, the dried flowers made by this type of flower press are capable of working with writing or mailing paper.  They do not work with postcards, as postcards have a painting one side while the back has very limited space to write.