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The printing press
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<blockquote data-quote="EP" data-source="post: 3662333" data-attributes="member: 41744"><p>I don't think there's ever been any major reference to a printing press in the game, most written words are done by hand or the same cantrip mentioned for Eberron.</p><p></p><p>If there was a press in D&D, there would be something magical about it. Maybe not at first, but eventually. As for scrolls, it'd be safe to say that someone could produce a tablet for scrolls, but that would only provide the text required - a spellcaster would still have to manually write down the scroll to parchment and say it has something to do with the act of concentration in writing the scroll that embues the magic into it.</p><p></p><p>It doesn't seem that this kind of technology would kill magic because magic is a more substantial force in D&D than old superstititons in real history. If anything, it would be incorporated with magic. Text could be produced with "invisible ink" that allows the sole buyer of the document to view its words and no one else. Information could become more commonplace, but the rules already state that everyone can read but barbarians (and even then it only costs them a single skill point), so only those who could afford to buy such information would actually buy it. Costs may decrease, but I can't see this truly affecting the everyday adventurer to any extent.</p><p></p><p>Lame as this might seem, the first 50 years or so in a D&D world may be rather mundane for a press... but then someone will find a way to weave illusions onto the plate and create newspapers very much like those in Harry Potter. And as much as I'd hate to see something from Harry Potter in my D&D game, that's the only thing I can see. I don't see it having a major social impact like it did in our world (because information is already available through other means), but it can be used to create a more interesting society from the gameplay point of view.</p><p></p><p>CORRECTION: If a rebel organization fighting against a corrupt king were able to get hold of a press, then it could be dramatically different. Perhaps when played out that way, a press could have a huge impact. Would make for an interesting adventure, n'est pas?</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="EP, post: 3662333, member: 41744"] I don't think there's ever been any major reference to a printing press in the game, most written words are done by hand or the same cantrip mentioned for Eberron. If there was a press in D&D, there would be something magical about it. Maybe not at first, but eventually. As for scrolls, it'd be safe to say that someone could produce a tablet for scrolls, but that would only provide the text required - a spellcaster would still have to manually write down the scroll to parchment and say it has something to do with the act of concentration in writing the scroll that embues the magic into it. It doesn't seem that this kind of technology would kill magic because magic is a more substantial force in D&D than old superstititons in real history. If anything, it would be incorporated with magic. Text could be produced with "invisible ink" that allows the sole buyer of the document to view its words and no one else. Information could become more commonplace, but the rules already state that everyone can read but barbarians (and even then it only costs them a single skill point), so only those who could afford to buy such information would actually buy it. Costs may decrease, but I can't see this truly affecting the everyday adventurer to any extent. Lame as this might seem, the first 50 years or so in a D&D world may be rather mundane for a press... but then someone will find a way to weave illusions onto the plate and create newspapers very much like those in Harry Potter. And as much as I'd hate to see something from Harry Potter in my D&D game, that's the only thing I can see. I don't see it having a major social impact like it did in our world (because information is already available through other means), but it can be used to create a more interesting society from the gameplay point of view. CORRECTION: If a rebel organization fighting against a corrupt king were able to get hold of a press, then it could be dramatically different. Perhaps when played out that way, a press could have a huge impact. Would make for an interesting adventure, n'est pas? [/QUOTE]
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