This article is written in the style of the old Dragon Magazine articles known as the *Bazaar of the Bizarre* which highlighted new magical items or magical item concepts. In this instance, the article describes a magical version of a "quipu," which is a series of knotted cotton strings, sometimes attached to a wooden base. Quipus relay large amounts of information based on the number and placement of the knots.
Quipu has its origins in our own world arguably most well known in its use by the Incan people of South America, but likely developed by earlier civilizations. It was primarily used for collecting data and keeping records. The number of cotton strings of a quipu could be a few or number in the thousands.
The broad term “mystical quipu” refers to any quipu that has a form of enchantment placed upon it. Two of these, the spell quipu and quipu of the amaru can be found in the Lopango Campaign Guide, but many more can be found within the pages of this article.
- from the publisher's blurb