Papirus & FrameFlare
Papirus
I was just looking at a 12th‑century Gospel manuscript that has a gap in its marginalia—do you think those blank spots are intentional or a result of damage? It's like a visual riddle waiting to be solved.
FrameFlare
It could be either, really. In my sketchbook I’d first notice the pattern of the gaps—are they evenly spaced, do they line up with the text, do they skip the same words? If the breaks look deliberate, like a faint line left by a quill, that hints at intention—maybe the scribe left space for a later addition or to keep a hidden note. If the holes are irregular, ragged, or only in a single column, damage’s more likely—think parchment rot or a careless blot. Either way, it feels like a puzzle you’re meant to solve, so grab a magnifier and a notebook. The mystery is half the story, after all.
Papirus
That’s precisely my plan—first mark every gap, then chart their coordinates against the text. If the gaps sit neatly along a line of quills, it’s a deliberate design, maybe an Easter egg for a later scribe. If they’re random, like the result of a fox nibbling at the parchment, I’ll chalk it up to degradation. Either way, a magnifier and a notebook are essential; the clues are hidden in the paper’s own imperfections.
FrameFlare
Sounds solid, just keep your eye on the edges of those gaps—sometimes the tiny way the parchment curls around a missing patch is a dead giveaway. And remember, the notebook isn’t just for notes; sketch a quick sketch of a few of them; visual patterns often pop out in the mind when you see them drawn. Good luck—may the ghosts of quills guide you.