Read command
| Display the writing on a readable item, such as a sign, note, letter, label, shop catalog, book, scroll, spellbook or crafting logbook. On an item with pages, it shows the page or chapter the item is currently turned to. |
| READ You see: What do you want to read? READ <item> READ <written material> READ <book> READ <spellbook> READ PAGE <number> READ <logbook> READ <item> (nothing is written on it) READ <item> (item must be held) |
Syntax
- READ
- Ask what to read. Nothing else happens.
- READ <item>
- Display the writing on the item. An item with pages shows whichever page or chapter it is currently TURNED to, so reading the same item repeatedly after turning it is how its full contents are worked through.
- READ PAGE <number>
- READ <item> PAGE <number>
- Jump straight to a numbered page of an item that has one. The short form applies to the readable item most recently handled, and both forms produce identical output.
Many readable items must be held in a hand before they will respond, and a few must be OPENED first. A few readable items carry a brief roundtime; most do not.
Books and Journals
Books, journals and folios are read one page at a time. TURN the book to move between pages or chapters, then READ it again to see the new location. A book that has been WRITTEN in shows the writing along with the utensil it was made with.
> read book You read page 1 of your orange book... Written in charcoal are the words "hello"
Crafting Books
A crafting book holds an index of chapters, each listing the items that can be made from it. READ shows the chapter or page the book is turned to; STUDY then begins work on the item the book is open to.
- ANALYZE <book> — instructions for using the book.
- TURN <book> TO INDEX — return to the index.
- TURN <book> TO CHAPTER <number> — move to a chapter or page.
- READ <book> — show the current chapter or page.
- STUDY <book> — begin crafting the item shown.
Logbooks
Reading a crafting logbook shows the work order it currently holds — the item, its difficulty, the quantity and quality required — followed by a tally of the work orders that logbook has been used to complete.
Spellbooks and Scrolls
A closed spellbook can be read for its cover title and its owner's name. An open one reads out the page it is turned to, whether that is a table of contents or a spell. Reading a spell scroll reveals its title and the description of the spell it holds, provided Arcana is sufficient; a scroll must have been read before it can be SCRIBED into a spellbook.
Written Materials
Parchment, vellum and the other materials used with the Mail system are read back in the language they were WRITTEN in, so a reader who does not know that language will not understand the text. Painted and sketched materials are viewed with LOOK rather than read.
Shop Catalogs
Shops frequently keep a catalog, menu, ledger or sign describing their stock and prices. READ CATALOG and READ MENU are the usual ways to see what a shop offers when its wares are not on open display. Reading the catalog itself lists its pages; reading a page lists the goods on it.
> read catalog You take a few moments to glance through the catalog. It would appear to be Berolt's listings, with pages for every kind of item he carries. Included in the catalog are the following pages: Page 1 - Luggage and Carry-alls Page 2 - Weapon sheaths Page 3 - Traveler's Necessities Page 4 - Provisions and Miscellany Page 5 - Color Chart A short note at the bottom advises you to read the individual pages before placing an order.
> read page 3 You open the book up to page 3 and notice Traveler's Necessities wooden torch portable stove heavy rope small spade trowel ice pick bundling rope
See Also