(I'm not sure if this is the correct place for this... but I was sent over here... so if this is wrong, blame eru )

In Murel, the phoenix and gryphons gave the people knowledge in basic technologies soon after the fall. One of these technologies was writing. However, ink is not readily available and they don't have the technology for making paper. The solution? A substitute of course.

I haven't made a final decision on what I'll use for ink or paper yet, but I do know I want the substitute ink to be the blood of an animal.

So what are your suggestions? What do you use for your writing in your world?

(And on a side note please PM me if you know the physics behind ink and blood and their usefulness in writing.)

In my world they've had ink and paper-making since the beginning (since the initial settlers were colonists from other, long-established places), but in our own world papyrus (a reedy plant) and animal skins were used as writing surfaces until cloth- or wood-based substitutes (including, eventually, paper) were developed to the point that they were usable and cheaper than the earlier equivalents.

Also note that ink-and-paper (where by "paper" I mean "paper or parchment or papyrus or skin or ...") isn't the only writing method that they could use. Clay or wax tablets are one example from our history (clay for permanent records, wax for a reusable surface), and I'm sure there are others.

*nods* Good thoughts.
I've been considering animal skins as the substitute for paper, but I want to explore all my options first.

Kingjon's suggestions are good ideas. Also, it wouldn't be too hard to create something new, I'm sure. After all, that's what writers do best!

I find the idea of using blood for ink very interesting! It sounds...Hmm...I never can find the right word I want. Anyway, I was thinking, what if all their writing components were derived from some simple animal product? After all, if they're going ahead and "extracting" (by which I mean, killing the animal or whatever to get the blood) blood, what would keep them from using more of the animal? Say, the skin as a parchment of some sort, and specially shaped bone for a pen? Just some thoughts.

~M.M.

*nods* I agree.

I'm planning on doing the things you two have suggested, but before I finalize anything I want to find out what the physics/chemistry/biology of blood in relation to writing is so I know what would be best for me to alter in my made up animals anatomy/physics.

Sounds like a plan to me!

*chuckles*

Moving this to Technology.

Thanks, Seer!

I imagine blood would rapidly deteriorate and fade, leaving only faint stains which would likely be about the same color as the aged paper itself (whatever it ends up being). It is also a precious thing and hard to get. Dramatic, but impractical.

Making ink from berries is easy, natural, practical, and obvious for any primitive people. It is also far more permanent, easy to read, and easy to use. Herbs and minerals also can be made into even better inks once it is discovered how (not too hard).

As for paper, animal hides make great writing surfaces (that's what parchment is), but they are very expensive and laborious to make practical.

Papyrus-type surfaces are more commonly made and used, since leaves are generally rather common. But clay and stone tablets and bark are far more frequent and practical.

Interesting.

*will have to use those things*

It might be nice to still find out how to modify the blood in a certain yet-to-be-made-up animal. Then my evil creatures could use it.

* chuckles * That's the glory of fantasy.

*grins *

Would you happen to know anyone who knows the science behind ink and blood?