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Journal System
Added by Fanfare
Added by Fanfare Basic Overview 
Edit
Journals are the basic communication device given to every resident upon arrival.
What do journals look like? Edit
The journals are ordinary, run-of-the-mill hardcover books with black binding. There is nothing on the cover or spine, and no indication of what's inside. On the first page they have the resident’s name embossed, and every page after that is full of handwriting, in literally over one thousand different styles. The last page is always blank; if you fill it, there’s still a blank last page behind that. They are about 6” x 8.5”, but they seem to change size when put into pockets or bags that wouldn’t normally fit that.
What do journals sound like? Edit
Some people record themselves, rather than write. It sounds like a cellphone or radio, but with perfect sound quality. Oddly enough, sometimes it picks up things in the background, and sometimes it doesn’t.
Anything said is transcribed in text, so past recorded records can still be read, although the person may not be speaking anymore.
The journal may also translate text into audio for characters who have impaired vision.
How are the journals connected? Edit
Journals are connected in a magical, wireless way. Whatever is put in one appears in every other journal. Or, alternately, anything “filtered”, or written specifically to another resident or group of residents, will appear to only the people filtered to.
What else can come through the journals? Edit
Almost anything liquid imprinted on the surface of the journal can be “mistaken” as ink and seep through to the other books. Glitter pens, blood, spilled drinks, and other such things will go through the pages. To give an example, a resident once slobbered barbeque sauce from his chicken wings all over the pages, treating the rest of the castle to a sticky mess.
What if a character cannot speak or write/is a telepath? Edit
If a character is unable to speak or write and their only form of communication is telepathy, then the journal will pick it up and transcribe it for them. Likewise for animal residents, the journal will pick up their thoughts and transcribe them onto the page.
Are the journals alive? Edit
The journals are not animate, but they seem to be “alive” in some way; perhaps it’s the magic. They tend to slip into bags and pockets unnoticed, or blow open without even the slightest breeze around. If something big is happening, there is usually a journal around, even if no one notices it. Sometimes they are used as recording devices –– residents can set them up to record and filter to a single room or location and use it for their own reference.
When people first arrive in the castle, the journal is usually open to record their shock. However, on some occasions, the journal is closed, leaving the person to make their own introduction to the castle.
What if a character loses their journal? Edit
It is very difficult to lose a journal, but it happens on occasion. If they lose their journal it will probably just appear at some convenient time, as if it had never been lost at all.
What if a journal is destroyed? Edit
The same as above! A new journal will appear sooner or later.
What happens if a character gets ahold of another’s journal? Can they see filters they wouldn’t through their own journal? Edit
No. Each journal is identical to every other, in contact. If a character is writing a filter to a friend, someone looking over their shoulder still wouldn’t be able to see it. However, characters can alter their own filters to open them up to other people, though they cannot alter other people’s filters.
What about removing things from the journal? Edit
Things can be removed from the journal by scratching them out, burning them out, or doing other such things to the surface of the journal. A last resort is to rip the page out entirely, but the castle will replace/repair the page if it feels it is not justified.
What about “icons”? Edit
Any icon you use on the journal cannot be seen by the characters. Icons are merely for the mun’s use, to better gage the tone/voice the character is using.
How specific are filters? Edit
Generally, a filter is as easy as writing another resident's name, or "people who like the colour blue", or "room filter". However, on the off chance that two characters share a name, or a nickname, anyone it applies to will be able to see. Any Lucy can see a filter simply titled "Lucy", regardless of which one it is intended for.
Filters need to be very specific to be completely effective.
