The writing hook
This fine box may have been recovered from an abandoned temple where it was repurposed as a reliquary, given as a “worthless” treasure in reward for a small quest, or simply found in a room or on a body. It is made of whalebone and finely carved with stylized images and runes from a lost language. Although in good repair, any expert could tell you that the box is very old. When the heroes finally decipher it, the runes and pictures on this box tell a tantalising tale of forbidden magic, great wealth and power beyond imagining – at least for those brave and skilled enough to seize it. Even more tempting, you recognise a local landmark in the background of one of the panels…
This beautiful casket, now held in the British Museum, London, dates from about 700AD, and probably originated in Northumberland. It is carved with stories, shown both in picture plaques and runes, in a Christian theme. It is made of whale bone, and was originally stained with colours. It was probably intended to contain a religious book, such as the Gospels or the Psalms. The box is roughly contemporaneous – both in time and place – with the first written record of the Beowulf epic poem.
You can read more about this artefact here: http://www.teachinghistory100.org/objects/about_the_object/anglo_saxon_carved_box
How would you use this writing hook for your writing or roleplaying campaigns? How would you make this writing hook better? Let us know in the comments below!