Match Legacy notebook sparse portrait pages

NOTICE

@@ -6,6 +6,10 @@ It is not an official release of Mystcraft.
 Mystcraft Legacy source: https://github.com/Mystcraft/Mystcraft-Legacy
 Mystcraft Legacy copyright: XCompWiz and contributors
 Mystcraft Legacy license: GNU Lesser General Public License version 3
+The animated ink-vial item texture in this project is copied from Mystcraft
+Legacy's assets/mystcraft/textures/items/ink_vial.png under that license.
+The Notebook page atlas is copied from Legacy's assets/mystcraft/gui/bookui_pagel.png
+under the same license.
 
 The initial build layout is derived from the official NeoForge 1.21.1
 ModDevGradle MDK: https://github.com/NeoForgeMDKs/MDK-1.21.1-ModDevGradle

README.md

@@ -13,8 +13,13 @@ have not been ported yet.
 
 Milestone 4 now includes stackable blank Pages plus server-created symbol,
 unresolved-symbol, and baseline link-panel states. Page visuals follow the
-legacy runtime-composition rules; written-page creation will become available
-through the Writing Desk work that follows.
+legacy runtime-composition rules. Craft an Ink Vial from two black dye, a glass
+bottle, and a water bucket; the bucket is returned. Hold a blank Page in one
+hand and use the Ink Vial in the other to prepare a baseline Link Panel Page.
+Each vial holds 16 ink units, and the default link-panel cost is two units.
+The spent vial returns a glass bottle. Server owners can adjust the symbol-copy
+and link-panel costs in the `writing` section of `rivencraft-server.toml`.
+Symbol-page transcription will become available through the Writing Desk.
 
 ## Linking Book
 

docs/ASSET_PROVENANCE.md

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ project's GNU LGPL v3 license. Rivencraft itself uses the same license.
 | Rivencraft asset | Upstream asset | Upstream revision | Changes |
 | --- | --- | --- | --- |
 | `assets/rivencraft/textures/item/page.png` | `assets/mystcraft/textures/items/page_background.png` | `9bc8ddc061845df0cd5ea47f4fdef773cff786ae` | Namespace/path rename only |
+| `assets/rivencraft/textures/gui/notebook_pages.png` | `assets/mystcraft/gui/bookui_pagel.png` | `9bc8ddc061845df0cd5ea47f4fdef773cff786ae` | Namespace/path rename only; Notebook draws the native 30×40 page at atlas coordinates `(156, 0)` |
 | `assets/rivencraft/textures/item/linking_book_unwritten.png` | `assets/mystcraft/textures/items/unlinked.png` | `9bc8ddc061845df0cd5ea47f4fdef773cff786ae` | Namespace/path rename only |
 | `assets/rivencraft/textures/item/page_link_panel.png` | `page_background.png` and `PageBuilder.BasicPageSprite` | `9bc8ddc061845df0cd5ea47f4fdef773cff786ae` | Reproduces the legacy 160 px scale, black panel at `(25,30)`–`(135,75)`, and 128 px resample |
 | `assets/rivencraft/textures/item/page_symbol*.png` and `page_unresolved.png` | `page_background.png`, `textures/symbolcomponents.png`, `WordData`, `ModSymbols`, and `PageBuilder.PageSprite` | `9bc8ddc061845df0cd5ea47f4fdef773cff786ae` | Static 1.21.1 renditions of the legacy runtime-composed four-word symbol pages; `normal_time` uses the legacy Full Length poem |

docs/WRITING_DATA.md

@@ -64,3 +64,27 @@ identifier. Built-in pages reproduce Mystcraft Legacy's four-word poem
 composition from its page background and symbol-component sheet. Data-pack
 symbols without a bundled resource-pack model use the legacy question-mark
 fallback while keeping their real identifier and display metadata.
+
+The Notebook surface displays pages by their persistent slot index instead of
+packing occupied pages together. Empty positions through the last placed page
+appear darkened. While carrying a Page, all available positions are shown for
+placement. The surface draws the native 30×40 portrait page region from
+Legacy's book UI atlas; symbols are layered at a uniform scale, while the
+square item models remain unchanged in inventories.
+
+## Ink and baseline link panels
+
+An Ink Vial is crafted from two black dye, a glass bottle, and a water bucket.
+The bucket remains after crafting. Each vial holds 16 ink units, stored in a
+persistent, network-synchronized component; only vials with identical remaining
+ink stack together. When depleted, a vial returns a glass bottle that can be
+used to craft another. The animated item texture comes from Mystcraft Legacy.
+
+The server config sets ink costs independently for symbol copying (default one
+unit) and baseline link-panel preparation (default two units). To prepare a
+panel, hold a blank Page in one hand and use an Ink Vial in the other. The
+server checks the held items, blank state, and sufficient ink before consuming
+anything. A stack of blank Pages yields exactly one Link Panel Page per use;
+if the inventory is full, the result is dropped instead of deleted. Symbol
+copying will be implemented by the Writing Desk. Link-property modifiers are
+deferred beyond this baseline flow.

gradle.properties

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ mod_name=Rivencraft
 # The license of the mod. Review your options at https://choosealicense.com/. All Rights Reserved is the default.
 mod_license=LGPL-3.0-or-later
 # The mod version. Rivencraft uses the x.y.z.b policy documented in README.md.
-mod_version=0.3.3.2
+mod_version=0.3.4.2
 immersive_portals_version=6.0.7
 # The group ID for the mod. It is only important when publishing as an artifact to a Maven repository.
 # This should match the base package used for the mod sources.

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/client/screen/NotebookScreen.java

@@ -1,21 +1,19 @@
 package net.dnorberg.rivencraft.client.screen;
 
-import java.util.ArrayList;
-import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Locale;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.Rivencraft;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.item.PageItem;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.menu.NotebookMenu;
-import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.network.RenameNotebookPagePayload;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry.ModItems;
 import net.minecraft.client.gui.GuiGraphics;
 import net.minecraft.client.gui.components.Button;
 import net.minecraft.client.gui.components.EditBox;
-import net.minecraft.client.gui.components.Tooltip;
 import net.minecraft.client.gui.screens.inventory.AbstractContainerScreen;
 import net.minecraft.network.chat.Component;
+import net.minecraft.resources.ResourceLocation;
 import net.minecraft.world.entity.player.Inventory;
 import net.minecraft.world.inventory.ClickType;
 import net.minecraft.world.item.ItemStack;
-import net.neoforged.neoforge.network.PacketDistributor;
 
 /** A page surface modelled on Legacy's folder GUI, backed by the Notebook menu. */
 public final class NotebookScreen extends AbstractContainerScreen<NotebookMenu> {
@@ -27,8 +25,16 @@ public final class NotebookScreen extends AbstractContainerScreen<NotebookMenu>
     private static final int PAGE_STEP_X = 31;
     private static final int PAGE_STEP_Y = 41;
     private static final int PAGE_COLUMNS = 5;
+    private static final ResourceLocation PAGE_ATLAS = texture("gui/notebook_pages");
+    private static final ResourceLocation GENERIC_SYMBOL = texture("item/page_symbol");
+    private static final ResourceLocation UNRESOLVED_SYMBOL = texture("item/page_unresolved");
+    private static final ResourceLocation STANDARD_TERRAIN = texture("item/page_symbol_terrain_standard");
+    private static final ResourceLocation NATIVE_BIOMES = texture("item/page_symbol_biome_native");
+    private static final ResourceLocation NORMAL_LIGHTING = texture("item/page_symbol_lighting_normal");
+    private static final ResourceLocation NORMAL_WEATHER = texture("item/page_symbol_weather_normal");
+    private static final ResourceLocation NORMAL_TIME = texture("item/page_symbol_celestial_normal_time");
+    private static final ResourceLocation CAVES = texture("item/page_symbol_feature_caves");
     private EditBox textInput;
-    private boolean renaming;
     private boolean draggingScrollbar;
     private boolean surfaceClickPendingRelease;
     private int selectedSlot = -1;
@@ -47,47 +53,41 @@ public final class NotebookScreen extends AbstractContainerScreen<NotebookMenu>
         Button sortButton = Button.builder(Component.literal("AZ"), button -> {})
                 .bounds(leftPos, topPos, 18, 18).build();
         Button allButton = Button.builder(Component.literal("ALL"), button -> {})
-                .bounds(leftPos + 20, topPos, 18, 18).build();
+                .bounds(leftPos + 20, topPos, 26, 18).build();
         sortButton.active = false;
         allButton.active = false;
         addRenderableWidget(sortButton);
         addRenderableWidget(allButton);
-        textInput = new EditBox(font, leftPos + 40, topPos, 94, 18,
+        textInput = new EditBox(font, leftPos + 48, topPos, 128, 18,
                 Component.translatable("screen.rivencraft.notebook.search"));
         textInput.setMaxLength(32);
         textInput.setHint(Component.translatable("screen.rivencraft.notebook.search"));
-        textInput.setResponder(value -> {
-            if (!renaming) scroll = 0;
-        });
+        textInput.setResponder(value -> scroll = 0);
         addRenderableWidget(textInput);
-        addRenderableWidget(Button.builder(Component.literal("R"), button -> toggleRename())
-                .bounds(leftPos + 136, topPos, 18, 18)
-                .tooltip(Tooltip.create(Component.translatable("screen.rivencraft.notebook.rename_toggle")))
-                .build());
     }
 
     @Override
     public void render(GuiGraphics graphics, int mouseX, int mouseY, float partialTick) {
         super.render(graphics, mouseX, mouseY, partialTick);
-        List<Integer> pages = visiblePages();
-        scroll = Math.min(scroll, maxScroll(pages.size()));
+        int pageSlots = displayedPageSlots();
+        scroll = Math.min(scroll, maxScroll(pageSlots));
         graphics.enableScissor(leftPos, topPos + SURFACE_TOP, leftPos + SURFACE_RIGHT,
                 topPos + SURFACE_BOTTOM);
-        for (int position = 0; position < pages.size(); position++) {
-            int x = leftPos + (position % PAGE_COLUMNS) * PAGE_STEP_X;
-            int y = topPos + SURFACE_TOP + (position / PAGE_COLUMNS) * PAGE_STEP_Y - scroll;
+        for (int index = 0; index < pageSlots; index++) {
+            int x = leftPos + (index % PAGE_COLUMNS) * PAGE_STEP_X;
+            int y = topPos + SURFACE_TOP + (index / PAGE_COLUMNS) * PAGE_STEP_Y - scroll;
             if (y + PAGE_HEIGHT > topPos + SURFACE_TOP && y < topPos + SURFACE_BOTTOM) {
-                drawPage(graphics, pages.get(position), x, y);
+                drawPage(graphics, index, x, y);
             }
         }
         graphics.disableScissor();
-        drawScrollbar(graphics, pages.size());
-        int hovered = pageAt(mouseX, mouseY, pages);
+        drawScrollbar(graphics, pageSlots);
+        int hovered = pageAt(mouseX, mouseY);
         if (!menu.getCarried().isEmpty() && inSurface(mouseX, mouseY)) {
             graphics.renderItem(menu.getCarried(), mouseX - 8, mouseY - 8);
-        } else if (hovered >= 0) {
+        } else if (hovered >= 0 && !menu.getSlot(hovered).getItem().isEmpty()) {
             ItemStack page = menu.getSlot(hovered).getItem();
-            if (!page.isEmpty() && matchesSearch(page)) graphics.renderTooltip(font, page, mouseX, mouseY);
+            if (matchesSearch(page)) graphics.renderTooltip(font, page, mouseX, mouseY);
         } else {
             renderTooltip(graphics, mouseX, mouseY);
         }
@@ -113,14 +113,16 @@ public final class NotebookScreen extends AbstractContainerScreen<NotebookMenu>
     public boolean mouseClicked(double mouseX, double mouseY, int button) {
         if (inScrollbar(mouseX, mouseY) && button == 0) {
             draggingScrollbar = true;
-            setScrollFromMouse(mouseY, visiblePages().size());
+            setScrollFromMouse(mouseY, displayedPageSlots());
             return true;
         }
-        int index = pageAt(mouseX, mouseY, visiblePages());
+        int index = pageAt(mouseX, mouseY);
         if (index >= 0 && (button == 0 || button == 1)) {
             ItemStack page = menu.getSlot(index).getItem();
-            if (!page.isEmpty() && !matchesSearch(page)) return true;
-            if (renaming) finishRename();
+            if ((!page.isEmpty() && !matchesSearch(page))
+                    || (page.isEmpty() && !menu.getCarried().is(ModItems.PAGE.get()))) {
+                return true;
+            }
             setFocused(null);
             textInput.setFocused(false);
             selectedSlot = index;
@@ -134,7 +136,7 @@ public final class NotebookScreen extends AbstractContainerScreen<NotebookMenu>
     @Override
     public boolean mouseDragged(double mouseX, double mouseY, int button, double dragX, double dragY) {
         if (draggingScrollbar && button == 0) {
-            setScrollFromMouse(mouseY, visiblePages().size());
+            setScrollFromMouse(mouseY, displayedPageSlots());
             return true;
         }
         return super.mouseDragged(mouseX, mouseY, button, dragX, dragY);
@@ -155,7 +157,7 @@ public final class NotebookScreen extends AbstractContainerScreen<NotebookMenu>
     public boolean mouseScrolled(double mouseX, double mouseY, double scrollX, double scrollY) {
         if (inSurface(mouseX, mouseY) || inScrollbar(mouseX, mouseY)) {
             scroll = Math.clamp(scroll - (int)Math.signum(scrollY) * 20,
-                    0, maxScroll(visiblePages().size()));
+                    0, maxScroll(displayedPageSlots()));
             return true;
         }
         return super.mouseScrolled(mouseX, mouseY, scrollX, scrollY);
@@ -163,12 +165,15 @@ public final class NotebookScreen extends AbstractContainerScreen<NotebookMenu>
 
     @Override
     public boolean keyPressed(int keyCode, int scanCode, int modifiers) {
-        if (renaming && textInput.isFocused() && (keyCode == 257 || keyCode == 335)) {
-            finishRename();
-            return true;
-        }
-        if (!textInput.isFocused() && keyCode == 82 && selectedSlot >= 0) {
-            toggleRename();
+        if (textInput.isFocused()) {
+            if (keyCode == 256) {
+                setFocused(null);
+                textInput.setFocused(false);
+            } else {
+                textInput.keyPressed(keyCode, scanCode, modifiers);
+            }
+            // EditBox does not consume ordinary letter key presses; the matching charTyped
+            // event handles text input. Do not pass them to the container's inventory keys.
             return true;
         }
         if (!textInput.isFocused() && selectedSlot >= 0 && (keyCode == 263 || keyCode == 262)) {
@@ -178,44 +183,33 @@ public final class NotebookScreen extends AbstractContainerScreen<NotebookMenu>
         return super.keyPressed(keyCode, scanCode, modifiers);
     }
 
-    @Override
-    public void onClose() {
-        commitRename();
-        super.onClose();
-    }
-
-    private List<Integer> visiblePages() {
-        List<Integer> pages = new ArrayList<>();
-        int firstEmpty = -1;
-        for (int index = 0; index < NotebookMenu.NOTEBOOK_SLOTS; index++) {
-            ItemStack stack = menu.getSlot(index).getItem();
-            if (stack.isEmpty()) {
-                if (firstEmpty < 0) firstEmpty = index;
-            } else {
-                pages.add(index);
+    private int displayedPageSlots() {
+        if (menu.getCarried().is(ModItems.PAGE.get())) {
+            return NotebookMenu.NOTEBOOK_SLOTS;
+        }
+        for (int index = NotebookMenu.NOTEBOOK_SLOTS - 1; index >= 0; index--) {
+            if (!menu.getSlot(index).getItem().isEmpty()) {
+                return index + 1;
             }
         }
-        if (firstEmpty >= 0 && menu.getCarried().is(ModItems.PAGE.get())) {
-            pages.add(firstEmpty);
-        }
-        return pages;
+        return 0;
     }
 
     private boolean matchesSearch(ItemStack page) {
-        return renaming || textInput.getValue().isBlank()
+        return textInput.getValue().isBlank()
                 || page.getHoverName().getString().toLowerCase(Locale.ROOT)
                         .contains(textInput.getValue().toLowerCase(Locale.ROOT));
     }
 
-    private int pageAt(double mouseX, double mouseY, List<Integer> pages) {
+    private int pageAt(double mouseX, double mouseY) {
         if (!inSurface(mouseX, mouseY)) return -1;
         int localX = (int)mouseX - leftPos;
         int localY = (int)mouseY - topPos - SURFACE_TOP + scroll;
         int column = localX / PAGE_STEP_X;
-        int position = (localY / PAGE_STEP_Y) * PAGE_COLUMNS + column;
+        int index = (localY / PAGE_STEP_Y) * PAGE_COLUMNS + column;
         return column < PAGE_COLUMNS && localX % PAGE_STEP_X < PAGE_WIDTH
-                && localY % PAGE_STEP_Y < PAGE_HEIGHT && position < pages.size()
-                ? pages.get(position) : -1;
+                && localY % PAGE_STEP_Y < PAGE_HEIGHT && index < displayedPageSlots()
+                ? index : -1;
     }
 
     private boolean inSurface(double mouseX, double mouseY) {
@@ -257,46 +251,44 @@ public final class NotebookScreen extends AbstractContainerScreen<NotebookMenu>
 
     private void drawPage(GuiGraphics graphics, int index, int x, int y) {
         ItemStack page = menu.getSlot(index).getItem();
-        boolean visible = !page.isEmpty() && matchesSearch(page);
-        graphics.fill(x, y, x + PAGE_WIDTH, y + PAGE_HEIGHT,
-                visible ? 0xFFE5D4A7 : 0x704B4945);
-        graphics.fill(x + 2, y + 2, x + PAGE_WIDTH - 2, y + PAGE_HEIGHT - 2,
-                visible ? 0xFFF4E5C3 : 0x603B3934);
-        graphics.renderOutline(x, y, PAGE_WIDTH, PAGE_HEIGHT,
-                index == selectedSlot ? 0xFFFFD061 : 0xFF564A34);
-        if (visible) {
-            graphics.pose().pushPose();
-            graphics.pose().translate(x + 3, y + 8, 0);
-            graphics.pose().scale(1.5F, 1.5F, 1.0F);
-            graphics.renderItem(page, 0, 0);
-            graphics.pose().popPose();
+        boolean dimmed = page.isEmpty() || !matchesSearch(page);
+        // Legacy's Notebook draws the atlas' native 30x40 page, not a stretched item icon.
+        graphics.blit(PAGE_ATLAS, x, y, PAGE_WIDTH, PAGE_HEIGHT,
+                156, 0, PAGE_WIDTH, PAGE_HEIGHT, 256, 256);
+        if (!page.isEmpty()) {
+            switch (PageItem.content(page).kind()) {
+                case BLANK -> { }
+                case LINK_PANEL -> graphics.fill(x + 5, y + 6, x + 25, y + 20, 0xFF000000);
+                case SYMBOL, UNRESOLVED_SYMBOL -> graphics.blit(symbolTexture(page), x + 1, y + 6,
+                        28, 28, 16, 16, 96, 96, 128, 128);
+            }
+        }
+        if (dimmed) {
+            graphics.fill(x, y, x + PAGE_WIDTH, y + PAGE_HEIGHT, 0xB8000000);
+        }
+        if (index == selectedSlot && !page.isEmpty()) {
+            graphics.renderOutline(x, y, PAGE_WIDTH, PAGE_HEIGHT, 0xFFFFD061);
         }
     }
 
-    private void toggleRename() {
-        if (renaming) {
-            finishRename();
-        } else if (selectedSlot >= 0 && !menu.getSlot(selectedSlot).getItem().isEmpty()) {
-            renaming = true;
-            textInput.setValue(menu.getSlot(selectedSlot).getItem().getHoverName().getString());
-            textInput.setHint(Component.translatable("screen.rivencraft.notebook.rename"));
-            setFocused(textInput);
-            textInput.setFocused(true);
+    private static ResourceLocation symbolTexture(ItemStack page) {
+        var content = PageItem.content(page);
+        if (content.kind() == net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.PageContent.Kind.UNRESOLVED_SYMBOL) {
+            return UNRESOLVED_SYMBOL;
         }
+        return switch (content.symbol().orElseThrow().id().toString()) {
+            case "rivencraft:terrain/standard" -> STANDARD_TERRAIN;
+            case "rivencraft:biome/native" -> NATIVE_BIOMES;
+            case "rivencraft:lighting/normal" -> NORMAL_LIGHTING;
+            case "rivencraft:weather/normal" -> NORMAL_WEATHER;
+            case "rivencraft:celestial/normal_time" -> NORMAL_TIME;
+            case "rivencraft:feature/caves" -> CAVES;
+            default -> GENERIC_SYMBOL;
+        };
     }
 
-    private void finishRename() {
-        commitRename();
-        renaming = false;
-        textInput.setValue("");
-        textInput.setHint(Component.translatable("screen.rivencraft.notebook.search"));
-    }
-
-    private void commitRename() {
-        if (renaming && selectedSlot >= 0 && !menu.getSlot(selectedSlot).getItem().isEmpty()) {
-            PacketDistributor.sendToServer(new RenameNotebookPagePayload(
-                    menu.containerId, selectedSlot, textInput.getValue()));
-        }
+    private static ResourceLocation texture(String path) {
+        return ResourceLocation.fromNamespaceAndPath(Rivencraft.MOD_ID, "textures/" + path + ".png");
     }
 
     private void moveSelected(boolean next) {

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/config/RivencraftConfig.java

@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ public final class RivencraftConfig {
 
     public static final ModConfigSpec SPEC;
     private static final ModConfigSpec.EnumValue<ReturnLinkMode> RETURN_LINK_MODE;
+    private static final ModConfigSpec.IntValue SYMBOL_INK_COST;
+    private static final ModConfigSpec.IntValue LINK_PANEL_INK_COST;
 
     static {
         ModConfigSpec.Builder builder = new ModConfigSpec.Builder();
@@ -25,6 +27,12 @@ public final class RivencraftConfig {
                 )
                 .defineEnum("return_link_mode", ReturnLinkMode.ON_CREATION);
         builder.pop();
+        builder.push("writing");
+        SYMBOL_INK_COST = builder.comment("Ink units consumed when the Writing Desk copies one symbol page.")
+                .defineInRange("symbol_ink_cost", 1, 1, 16);
+        LINK_PANEL_INK_COST = builder.comment("Ink units consumed when preparing one baseline link-panel page.")
+                .defineInRange("link_panel_ink_cost", 2, 1, 16);
+        builder.pop();
         SPEC = builder.build();
     }
 
@@ -34,4 +42,12 @@ public final class RivencraftConfig {
     public static ReturnLinkMode returnLinkMode() {
         return RETURN_LINK_MODE.get();
     }
+
+    public static int symbolInkCost() {
+        return SYMBOL_INK_COST.get();
+    }
+
+    public static int linkPanelInkCost() {
+        return LINK_PANEL_INK_COST.get();
+    }
 }

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/gametest/WritingDataGameTests.java

@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.SymbolReference;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.WritingEntry;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.NotebookContents;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.item.PageItem;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.item.InkVialItem;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.WritingInkService;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry.ModDataComponents;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry.ModItems;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.menu.NotebookMenu;
@@ -22,6 +24,7 @@ import net.minecraft.resources.ResourceLocation;
 import net.minecraft.world.item.ItemStack;
 import net.minecraft.world.item.Items;
 import net.minecraft.world.InteractionHand;
+import net.minecraft.world.inventory.ClickType;
 import net.neoforged.neoforge.gametest.GameTestHolder;
 import net.neoforged.neoforge.gametest.PrefixGameTestTemplate;
 
@@ -150,32 +153,168 @@ public final class WritingDataGameTests {
     }
 
     @GameTest(template = "empty")
-    public static void notebookMenuValidatesInsertionAndPersistsReorderAndRename(GameTestHelper helper) {
+    public static void notebookMenuValidatesInsertionAndPersistsReorder(GameTestHelper helper) {
         var player = helper.makeMockServerPlayerInLevel();
         ItemStack notebook = new ItemStack(ModItems.NOTEBOOK.get());
         player.setItemInHand(InteractionHand.MAIN_HAND, notebook);
         NotebookMenu menu = new NotebookMenu(7, player.getInventory(), InteractionHand.MAIN_HAND);
         ItemStack first = PageItem.createSymbolPage(reference("rivencraft:terrain/standard"));
+        first.set(net.minecraft.core.component.DataComponents.CUSTOM_NAME,
+                net.minecraft.network.chat.Component.literal("Terrain Base"));
         ItemStack second = PageItem.createRecoveredPage(reference("example:removed_symbol"));
 
         helper.assertFalse(menu.getSlot(0).mayPlace(new ItemStack(Items.DIRT)),
                 "Notebook slots must reject non-Page items");
         menu.getSlot(0).set(first);
         menu.getSlot(1).set(second);
-        menu.renamePage(0, "Terrain Base");
         helper.assertTrue(menu.clickMenuButton(player, NotebookMenu.MOVE_NEXT_BASE),
                 "The server menu must accept a valid adjacent reorder");
 
         NotebookContents saved = notebook.get(ModDataComponents.NOTEBOOK_CONTENTS.get());
         helper.assertTrue(saved != null, "Menu changes must persist immediately to the Notebook item");
         helper.assertValueEqual(saved.pages().get(1).getHoverName().getString(), "Terrain Base",
-                "Reordering must preserve the renamed Page stack");
+                "Reordering must preserve existing Page item data");
         helper.assertValueEqual(PageItem.content(saved.pages().get(0)).kind(),
                 PageContent.Kind.UNRESOLVED_SYMBOL,
                 "Reordering must preserve unresolved pages");
         helper.succeed();
     }
 
+    @GameTest(template = "empty")
+    public static void notebookMenuSurvivesInventoryStackReplacementAndClicks(GameTestHelper helper) {
+        var player = helper.makeMockServerPlayerInLevel();
+        player.setItemInHand(InteractionHand.MAIN_HAND, new ItemStack(ModItems.NOTEBOOK.get()));
+        NotebookMenu menu = new NotebookMenu(8, player.getInventory(), InteractionHand.MAIN_HAND);
+
+        // Slot synchronization may replace the ItemStack object while the Notebook remains held.
+        player.setItemInHand(InteractionHand.MAIN_HAND, player.getMainHandItem().copy());
+        helper.assertTrue(menu.stillValid(player),
+                "Replacing the held stack object must not close an open Notebook menu");
+        menu.getSlot(0).set(PageItem.createSymbolPage(reference("rivencraft:terrain/standard")));
+        helper.assertTrue(player.getMainHandItem().has(ModDataComponents.NOTEBOOK_CONTENTS.get()),
+                "Page edits must persist to the current held Notebook stack");
+
+        player.getInventory().setItem(9, new ItemStack(Items.DIRT));
+        menu.clicked(NotebookMenu.NOTEBOOK_SLOTS, 0, ClickType.PICKUP, player);
+        helper.assertTrue(menu.getCarried().is(Items.DIRT),
+                "Clicking a player inventory item must pick it up without closing the Notebook");
+        helper.assertTrue(menu.stillValid(player),
+                "Normal inventory clicks must leave the Notebook menu valid");
+        helper.succeed();
+    }
+
+    @GameTest(template = "empty")
+    public static void notebookMenuPreservesSparsePagePositions(GameTestHelper helper) {
+        var player = helper.makeMockServerPlayerInLevel();
+        player.setItemInHand(InteractionHand.MAIN_HAND, new ItemStack(ModItems.NOTEBOOK.get()));
+        NotebookMenu menu = new NotebookMenu(9, player.getInventory(), InteractionHand.MAIN_HAND);
+        ItemStack page = PageItem.createSymbolPage(reference("rivencraft:terrain/standard"));
+        menu.setCarried(page);
+
+        menu.clicked(9, 0, ClickType.PICKUP, player);
+        helper.assertTrue(menu.getCarried().isEmpty(),
+                "Clicking a distant empty Notebook slot must place the carried Page");
+        NotebookContents saved = player.getMainHandItem().get(ModDataComponents.NOTEBOOK_CONTENTS.get());
+        helper.assertTrue(saved != null && saved.pages().size() > 9,
+                "Notebook persistence must extend through the highest occupied position");
+        for (int index = 0; index < 9; index++) {
+            helper.assertTrue(saved.pages().get(index).isEmpty(),
+                    "Earlier empty page positions must remain empty rather than being packed together");
+        }
+        helper.assertValueEqual(PageItem.content(saved.pages().get(9)).kind(), PageContent.Kind.SYMBOL,
+                "The Page must remain in the selected distant position");
+        helper.succeed();
+    }
+
+    @GameTest(template = "empty")
+    public static void inkVialsPersistAndOnlyStackWithMatchingContents(GameTestHelper helper) {
+        ItemStack vial = new ItemStack(ModItems.INK_VIAL.get());
+        vial.set(ModDataComponents.INK_REMAINING.get(), 7);
+        CompoundTag serialized = (CompoundTag) vial.saveOptional(helper.getLevel().registryAccess());
+        ItemStack restored = ItemStack.parseOptional(helper.getLevel().registryAccess(), serialized);
+        helper.assertValueEqual(InkVialItem.remaining(restored), 7,
+                "Remaining ink must survive ItemStack persistence");
+        helper.assertTrue(ItemStack.isSameItemSameComponents(vial, restored),
+                "Vials with equal ink contents must be eligible to stack");
+        helper.assertFalse(ItemStack.isSameItemSameComponents(vial, new ItemStack(ModItems.INK_VIAL.get())),
+                "Vials with different ink contents must not stack");
+        helper.succeed();
+    }
+
+    @GameTest(template = "empty")
+    public static void linkPanelPreparationConsumesOnePageAndConfiguredInkOnlyOnSuccess(GameTestHelper helper) {
+        var player = helper.makeMockServerPlayerInLevel();
+        ItemStack pages = new ItemStack(ModItems.PAGE.get(), 2);
+        ItemStack vial = new ItemStack(ModItems.INK_VIAL.get());
+        player.setItemInHand(InteractionHand.MAIN_HAND, vial);
+        player.setItemInHand(InteractionHand.OFF_HAND, pages);
+
+        helper.assertTrue(WritingInkService.prepareLinkPanel(player, InteractionHand.MAIN_HAND),
+                "A blank Page and sufficient ink must prepare one link panel");
+        helper.assertValueEqual(pages.getCount(), 1, "Preparation must consume exactly one blank Page");
+        helper.assertValueEqual(InkVialItem.remaining(player.getMainHandItem()),
+                InkVialItem.CAPACITY - WritingInkService.linkPanelCost(),
+                "Preparation must consume exactly the server-configured ink cost");
+        long panels = player.getInventory().items.stream()
+                .filter(stack -> stack.is(ModItems.PAGE.get())
+                        && PageItem.content(stack).kind() == PageContent.Kind.LINK_PANEL)
+                .mapToInt(ItemStack::getCount).sum();
+        helper.assertValueEqual(panels, 1L, "Preparation must output exactly one link panel");
+
+        ItemStack written = PageItem.createSymbolPage(reference("rivencraft:terrain/standard"));
+        player.setItemInHand(InteractionHand.OFF_HAND, written);
+        int inkBefore = InkVialItem.remaining(player.getMainHandItem());
+        helper.assertFalse(WritingInkService.prepareLinkPanel(player, InteractionHand.MAIN_HAND),
+                "A written Page must not be overwritten as a link panel");
+        helper.assertValueEqual(InkVialItem.remaining(player.getMainHandItem()), inkBefore,
+                "Rejected writing must not consume ink");
+        helper.assertValueEqual(PageItem.content(written).kind(), PageContent.Kind.SYMBOL,
+                "Rejected writing must not modify the input Page");
+
+        ItemStack lowInk = new ItemStack(ModItems.INK_VIAL.get());
+        lowInk.set(ModDataComponents.INK_REMAINING.get(), WritingInkService.linkPanelCost() - 1);
+        player.setItemInHand(InteractionHand.MAIN_HAND, lowInk);
+        player.setItemInHand(InteractionHand.OFF_HAND, new ItemStack(ModItems.PAGE.get()));
+        helper.assertFalse(WritingInkService.prepareLinkPanel(player, InteractionHand.MAIN_HAND),
+                "Insufficient ink must reject link-panel preparation");
+        helper.assertValueEqual(InkVialItem.remaining(player.getMainHandItem()),
+                WritingInkService.linkPanelCost() - 1,
+                "Insufficient ink must remain untouched");
+        helper.assertValueEqual(PageItem.content(player.getOffhandItem()).kind(), PageContent.Kind.BLANK,
+                "Insufficient ink must leave the Page blank");
+
+        lowInk.set(ModDataComponents.INK_REMAINING.get(), WritingInkService.linkPanelCost());
+        helper.assertTrue(WritingInkService.prepareLinkPanel(player, InteractionHand.MAIN_HAND),
+                "Exact remaining ink must be usable");
+        helper.assertTrue(player.getMainHandItem().is(Items.GLASS_BOTTLE),
+                "A depleted Ink Vial must return a reusable glass bottle");
+        helper.assertValueEqual(PageItem.content(player.getOffhandItem()).kind(),
+                PageContent.Kind.LINK_PANEL,
+                "A single blank Page must be replaced by one Link Panel Page");
+        helper.succeed();
+    }
+
+    @GameTest(template = "empty")
+    public static void stackedInkVialsSplitWithoutChangingTheOtherVials(GameTestHelper helper) {
+        var player = helper.makeMockServerPlayerInLevel();
+        player.setItemInHand(InteractionHand.MAIN_HAND, new ItemStack(ModItems.INK_VIAL.get(), 2));
+        player.setItemInHand(InteractionHand.OFF_HAND, new ItemStack(ModItems.PAGE.get()));
+
+        helper.assertTrue(WritingInkService.prepareLinkPanel(player, InteractionHand.MAIN_HAND),
+                "A stack of full vials must support preparing one panel");
+        helper.assertValueEqual(player.getMainHandItem().getCount(), 1,
+                "Using one vial must leave the other full vial in hand");
+        helper.assertValueEqual(InkVialItem.remaining(player.getMainHandItem()), InkVialItem.CAPACITY,
+                "The unconsumed vial must remain full");
+        long partialVials = player.getInventory().items.stream()
+                .filter(stack -> stack.is(ModItems.INK_VIAL.get())
+                        && InkVialItem.remaining(stack) == InkVialItem.CAPACITY - WritingInkService.linkPanelCost())
+                .mapToInt(ItemStack::getCount).sum();
+        helper.assertValueEqual(partialVials, 1L,
+                "The used vial must reappear with only its own ink reduced");
+        helper.succeed();
+    }
+
     private static SymbolReference reference(String id) {
         return new SymbolReference(ResourceLocation.parse(id));
     }

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/item/InkVialItem.java

@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+package net.dnorberg.rivencraft.item;
+
+import java.util.List;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry.ModDataComponents;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.WritingInkService;
+import net.minecraft.ChatFormatting;
+import net.minecraft.network.chat.Component;
+import net.minecraft.world.InteractionHand;
+import net.minecraft.world.InteractionResultHolder;
+import net.minecraft.world.entity.player.Player;
+import net.minecraft.world.item.Item;
+import net.minecraft.world.item.ItemStack;
+import net.minecraft.world.item.TooltipFlag;
+import net.minecraft.world.level.Level;
+
+/** A stackable vial; the ink component is per vial, not shared across a stack. */
+public final class InkVialItem extends Item {
+    public static final int CAPACITY = 16;
+
+    public InkVialItem(Properties properties) {
+        super(properties);
+    }
+
+    public static int remaining(ItemStack vial) {
+        return vial.getOrDefault(ModDataComponents.INK_REMAINING.get(), CAPACITY);
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public InteractionResultHolder<ItemStack> use(Level level, Player player, InteractionHand hand) {
+        if (!WritingInkService.canPrepareLinkPanel(player, hand)) {
+            return InteractionResultHolder.pass(player.getItemInHand(hand));
+        }
+        if (!level.isClientSide) {
+            WritingInkService.prepareLinkPanel(player, hand);
+        }
+        return InteractionResultHolder.sidedSuccess(player.getItemInHand(hand), level.isClientSide);
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void appendHoverText(ItemStack stack, TooltipContext context,
+                                List<Component> tooltip, TooltipFlag flag) {
+        tooltip.add(Component.translatable("item.rivencraft.ink_vial.remaining",
+                remaining(stack), CAPACITY).withStyle(ChatFormatting.GRAY));
+        tooltip.add(Component.translatable("item.rivencraft.ink_vial.usage")
+                .withStyle(ChatFormatting.GRAY));
+    }
+}

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/menu/NotebookMenu.java

@@ -6,9 +6,7 @@ import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry.ModItems;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry.ModMenus;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.NotebookContents;
 import net.minecraft.core.NonNullList;
-import net.minecraft.core.component.DataComponents;
 import net.minecraft.network.RegistryFriendlyByteBuf;
-import net.minecraft.network.chat.Component;
 import net.minecraft.world.Container;
 import net.minecraft.world.InteractionHand;
 import net.minecraft.world.SimpleContainer;
@@ -26,7 +24,7 @@ public final class NotebookMenu extends AbstractContainerMenu {
     private static final int PLAYER_INVENTORY_START = NOTEBOOK_SLOTS;
     private final Inventory playerInventory;
     private final InteractionHand hand;
-    private final ItemStack notebook;
+    private final int openedHotbarSlot;
     private final NotebookContainer contents;
 
     public NotebookMenu(int containerId, Inventory inventory, RegistryFriendlyByteBuf data) {
@@ -37,8 +35,8 @@ public final class NotebookMenu extends AbstractContainerMenu {
         super(ModMenus.NOTEBOOK.get(), containerId);
         this.playerInventory = inventory;
         this.hand = hand;
-        this.notebook = inventory.player.getItemInHand(hand);
-        this.contents = new NotebookContainer(notebook);
+        this.openedHotbarSlot = inventory.selected;
+        this.contents = new NotebookContainer(inventory, hand);
 
         for (int row = 0; row < 3; row++) {
             for (int column = 0; column < 9; column++) {
@@ -58,14 +56,16 @@ public final class NotebookMenu extends AbstractContainerMenu {
     }
 
     private Slot playerSlot(int inventoryIndex, int x, int y) {
-        boolean locked = hand == InteractionHand.MAIN_HAND && inventoryIndex == playerInventory.selected;
+        boolean locked = hand == InteractionHand.MAIN_HAND && inventoryIndex == openedHotbarSlot;
         return locked ? new LockedSlot(playerInventory, inventoryIndex, x, y)
                 : new Slot(playerInventory, inventoryIndex, x, y);
     }
 
     @Override
     public boolean stillValid(Player player) {
-        return player.isAlive() && player.getItemInHand(hand) == notebook && notebook.is(ModItems.NOTEBOOK.get());
+        return player.isAlive()
+                && (hand == InteractionHand.OFF_HAND || player.getInventory().selected == openedHotbarSlot)
+                && player.getItemInHand(hand).is(ModItems.NOTEBOOK.get());
     }
 
     @Override
@@ -116,29 +116,18 @@ public final class NotebookMenu extends AbstractContainerMenu {
         return true;
     }
 
-    public void renamePage(int slot, String name) {
-        if (slot < 0 || slot >= NOTEBOOK_SLOTS) {
-            return;
-        }
-        ItemStack page = contents.getItem(slot);
-        if (page.isEmpty() || !page.is(ModItems.PAGE.get())) {
-            return;
-        }
-        if (name.isBlank()) {
-            page.remove(DataComponents.CUSTOM_NAME);
-        } else {
-            page.set(DataComponents.CUSTOM_NAME, Component.literal(name));
-        }
-        contents.setChanged();
-        broadcastChanges();
-    }
-
     @Override
     public void clicked(int slotId, int button, ClickType clickType, Player player) {
-        super.clicked(slotId, button, clickType, player);
         if (!stillValid(player)) {
             player.closeContainer();
+            return;
         }
+        if (clickType == ClickType.SWAP
+                && (button == openedHotbarSlot && hand == InteractionHand.MAIN_HAND
+                        || button == 40 && hand == InteractionHand.OFF_HAND)) {
+            return;
+        }
+        super.clicked(slotId, button, clickType, player);
     }
 
     private static final class PageSlot extends Slot {
@@ -160,12 +149,15 @@ public final class NotebookMenu extends AbstractContainerMenu {
     }
 
     private static final class NotebookContainer extends SimpleContainer {
-        private final ItemStack notebook;
+        private final Inventory inventory;
+        private final InteractionHand hand;
         private boolean loading;
 
-        private NotebookContainer(ItemStack notebook) {
+        private NotebookContainer(Inventory inventory, InteractionHand hand) {
             super(NOTEBOOK_SLOTS);
-            this.notebook = notebook;
+            this.inventory = inventory;
+            this.hand = hand;
+            ItemStack notebook = inventory.player.getItemInHand(hand);
             loading = true;
             List<ItemStack> saved = notebook.getOrDefault(
                     ModDataComponents.NOTEBOOK_CONTENTS.get(), NotebookContents.EMPTY).pages();
@@ -187,7 +179,8 @@ public final class NotebookMenu extends AbstractContainerMenu {
         @Override
         public void setChanged() {
             super.setChanged();
-            if (loading || notebook.isEmpty()) {
+            ItemStack notebook = inventory.player.getItemInHand(hand);
+            if (loading || !notebook.is(ModItems.NOTEBOOK.get())) {
                 return;
             }
             NonNullList<ItemStack> saved = NonNullList.withSize(NOTEBOOK_SLOTS, ItemStack.EMPTY);

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/network/ModNetworking.java

@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.client.ClientAgeCelestialAngles;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.event.AgeCelestialAngleSync;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.item.DescriptiveBookItem;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.item.LinkingBookItem;
-import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.menu.NotebookMenu;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry.ModDataComponents;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry.ModItems;
 import net.minecraft.core.component.DataComponents;
@@ -50,8 +49,6 @@ public final class ModNetworking {
 
     public static void register(RegisterPayloadHandlersEvent event) {
         PayloadRegistrar registrar = event.registrar("10");
-        registrar.playToServer(RenameNotebookPagePayload.TYPE, RenameNotebookPagePayload.STREAM_CODEC,
-                ModNetworking::renameNotebookPage);
         registrar.playToServer(RequestDescriptiveBookScreenPayload.TYPE, RequestDescriptiveBookScreenPayload.STREAM_CODEC,
                 ModNetworking::requestDescriptiveBookScreen);
         registrar.playToClient(OpenDescriptiveBookScreenPayload.TYPE, OpenDescriptiveBookScreenPayload.STREAM_CODEC,
@@ -73,16 +70,6 @@ public final class ModNetworking {
                 ClientAgeCelestialAngles::handle);
     }
 
-    private static void renameNotebookPage(RenameNotebookPagePayload payload, IPayloadContext context) {
-        if (!(context.player() instanceof ServerPlayer player)
-                || !(player.containerMenu instanceof NotebookMenu menu)
-                || menu.containerId != payload.containerId()
-                || payload.name().length() > MAX_BOOK_TITLE_LENGTH) {
-            return;
-        }
-        menu.renamePage(payload.slot(), normalizeTitle(payload.name()));
-    }
-
     private static void requestDescriptiveBookScreen(RequestDescriptiveBookScreenPayload payload, IPayloadContext context) {
         if (!(context.player() instanceof ServerPlayer player)) {
             return;

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/network/RenameNotebookPagePayload.java

@@ -1,20 +0,0 @@
-package net.dnorberg.rivencraft.network;
-
-import io.netty.buffer.ByteBuf;
-import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.Rivencraft;
-import net.minecraft.network.codec.ByteBufCodecs;
-import net.minecraft.network.codec.StreamCodec;
-import net.minecraft.network.protocol.common.custom.CustomPacketPayload;
-import net.minecraft.resources.ResourceLocation;
-
-public record RenameNotebookPagePayload(int containerId, int slot, String name) implements CustomPacketPayload {
-    public static final Type<RenameNotebookPagePayload> TYPE = new Type<>(
-            ResourceLocation.fromNamespaceAndPath(Rivencraft.MOD_ID, "rename_notebook_page"));
-    public static final StreamCodec<ByteBuf, RenameNotebookPagePayload> STREAM_CODEC = StreamCodec.composite(
-            ByteBufCodecs.VAR_INT, RenameNotebookPagePayload::containerId,
-            ByteBufCodecs.VAR_INT, RenameNotebookPagePayload::slot,
-            ByteBufCodecs.STRING_UTF8, RenameNotebookPagePayload::name,
-            RenameNotebookPagePayload::new);
-
-    @Override public Type<? extends CustomPacketPayload> type() { return TYPE; }
-}

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/registry/ModCreativeTabs.java

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry;
 
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.Rivencraft;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.item.PageItem;
 import net.minecraft.core.registries.Registries;
 import net.minecraft.network.chat.Component;
 import net.minecraft.world.item.CreativeModeTab;
@@ -19,8 +20,18 @@ public final class ModCreativeTabs {
                     .displayItems((parameters, output) -> {
                         output.accept(ModItems.DESCRIPTIVE_BOOK.get());
                         output.accept(ModItems.LINKING_BOOK.get());
-                        output.accept(ModItems.PAGE.get());
                         output.accept(ModItems.NOTEBOOK.get());
+                        output.accept(ModItems.INK_VIAL.get());
+                    })
+                    .build());
+
+    public static final DeferredHolder<CreativeModeTab, CreativeModeTab> PAGES =
+            CREATIVE_TABS.register("rivencraft_pages", () -> CreativeModeTab.builder()
+                    .title(Component.translatable("itemGroup.rivencraft.pages"))
+                    .icon(PageItem::createLinkPanelPage)
+                    .displayItems((parameters, output) -> {
+                        output.accept(ModItems.PAGE.get());
+                        output.accept(PageItem.createLinkPanelPage());
                     })
                     .build());
 

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/registry/ModDataComponents.java

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.book.AgeReference;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.PageContent;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.NotebookContents;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.SymbolDisplayMetadata;
+import com.mojang.serialization.Codec;
 import net.minecraft.core.component.DataComponentType;
 import net.minecraft.core.registries.Registries;
 import net.minecraft.resources.ResourceLocation;
@@ -60,6 +61,12 @@ public final class ModDataComponents {
                     .networkSynchronized(NotebookContents.STREAM_CODEC)
                     .cacheEncoding()
                     .build());
+    public static final DeferredHolder<DataComponentType<?>, DataComponentType<Integer>> INK_REMAINING =
+            DATA_COMPONENTS.register("ink_remaining", () -> DataComponentType.<Integer>builder()
+                    .persistent(Codec.intRange(0, 16))
+                    .networkSynchronized(ByteBufCodecs.VAR_INT)
+                    .cacheEncoding()
+                    .build());
 
     private ModDataComponents() {
     }

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/registry/ModItems.java

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.item.DescriptiveBookItem;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.item.LinkingBookItem;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.item.PageItem;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.item.NotebookItem;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.item.InkVialItem;
 import net.minecraft.world.item.Item;
 import net.neoforged.bus.api.IEventBus;
 import net.neoforged.neoforge.registries.DeferredItem;
@@ -33,6 +34,11 @@ public final class ModItems {
             NotebookItem::new,
             new Item.Properties().stacksTo(1)
     );
+    public static final DeferredItem<InkVialItem> INK_VIAL = ITEMS.registerItem(
+            "ink_vial",
+            InkVialItem::new,
+            new Item.Properties().stacksTo(16)
+    );
 
     private ModItems() {
     }

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/writing/WritingInkService.java

@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+package net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing;
+
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.config.RivencraftConfig;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.item.InkVialItem;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.item.PageItem;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry.ModDataComponents;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry.ModItems;
+import net.minecraft.world.InteractionHand;
+import net.minecraft.world.entity.player.Player;
+import net.minecraft.world.item.ItemStack;
+import net.minecraft.world.item.Items;
+
+/** Server-owned costs and the baseline blank-page-to-link-panel transaction. */
+public final class WritingInkService {
+    private WritingInkService() {
+    }
+
+    public static int symbolCopyCost() {
+        return RivencraftConfig.symbolInkCost();
+    }
+
+    public static int linkPanelCost() {
+        return RivencraftConfig.linkPanelInkCost();
+    }
+
+    public static boolean canPrepareLinkPanel(Player player, InteractionHand vialHand) {
+        ItemStack vial = player.getItemInHand(vialHand);
+        ItemStack page = player.getItemInHand(other(vialHand));
+        int remaining = InkVialItem.remaining(vial);
+        return vial.is(ModItems.INK_VIAL.get()) && remaining >= linkPanelCost()
+                && remaining <= InkVialItem.CAPACITY
+                && page.is(ModItems.PAGE.get()) && PageItem.content(page).kind() == PageContent.Kind.BLANK;
+    }
+
+    public static boolean prepareLinkPanel(Player player, InteractionHand vialHand) {
+        if (player.level().isClientSide || !canPrepareLinkPanel(player, vialHand)) {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        InteractionHand pageHand = other(vialHand);
+        ItemStack page = player.getItemInHand(pageHand);
+        ItemStack vial = player.getItemInHand(vialHand);
+        int newInk = InkVialItem.remaining(vial) - linkPanelCost();
+        ItemStack panel = PageItem.createLinkPanelPage();
+        ItemStack spentVial = newInk == 0
+                ? new ItemStack(Items.GLASS_BOTTLE)
+                : new ItemStack(ModItems.INK_VIAL.get());
+        if (newInk > 0) {
+            spentVial.set(ModDataComponents.INK_REMAINING.get(), newInk);
+        }
+
+        // All validation and output construction is complete before changing either input.
+        if (page.getCount() == 1) {
+            player.setItemInHand(pageHand, panel);
+        } else {
+            page.shrink(1);
+            giveOrDrop(player, panel);
+        }
+        if (vial.getCount() == 1) {
+            player.setItemInHand(vialHand, spentVial);
+        } else {
+            vial.shrink(1);
+            giveOrDrop(player, spentVial);
+        }
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    private static InteractionHand other(InteractionHand hand) {
+        return hand == InteractionHand.MAIN_HAND ? InteractionHand.OFF_HAND : InteractionHand.MAIN_HAND;
+    }
+
+    private static void giveOrDrop(Player player, ItemStack stack) {
+        if (!player.getInventory().add(stack)) {
+            player.drop(stack, false);
+        }
+    }
+}

src/main/resources/assets/rivencraft/lang/en_us.json

@@ -15,9 +15,10 @@
   "item.rivencraft.notebook": "Notebook",
   "item.rivencraft.notebook.pages": "Pages: %s/%s",
   "item.rivencraft.notebook.unresolved": "Unresolved pages: %s",
-  "screen.rivencraft.notebook.rename": "Rename selected page",
+  "item.rivencraft.ink_vial": "Ink Vial",
+  "item.rivencraft.ink_vial.remaining": "Ink: %s/%s",
+  "item.rivencraft.ink_vial.usage": "Use with a blank Page in the other hand to prepare a Link Panel.",
   "screen.rivencraft.notebook.search": "Search pages",
-  "screen.rivencraft.notebook.rename_toggle": "Rename selected page (R); use left/right arrows to reorder",
   "screen.rivencraft.notebook.move_previous": "Move selected page left",
   "screen.rivencraft.notebook.move_next": "Move selected page right",
   "message.rivencraft.linking_book.bind_hint": "Sneak-use to bind this book to your current location",
@@ -97,5 +98,6 @@
   "screen.rivencraft.book.explore": "Explore",
   "screen.rivencraft.book.exploring": "Exploring",
   "screen.rivencraft.book.return_from_explore": "Right-click to return",
-  "itemGroup.rivencraft": "Rivencraft"
+  "itemGroup.rivencraft": "Rivencraft",
+  "itemGroup.rivencraft.pages": "Rivencraft Pages"
 }

src/main/resources/assets/rivencraft/models/item/ink_vial.json

@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+{
+  "parent": "minecraft:item/generated",
+  "textures": {
+    "layer0": "rivencraft:item/ink_vial"
+  }
+}

src/main/resources/assets/rivencraft/textures/item/ink_vial.png.mcmeta

@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+{
+  "animation": {}
+}

src/main/resources/data/rivencraft/recipe/ink_vial.json

@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+{
+  "type": "minecraft:crafting_shapeless",
+  "category": "misc",
+  "ingredients": [
+    { "item": "minecraft:black_dye" },
+    { "item": "minecraft:black_dye" },
+    { "item": "minecraft:glass_bottle" },
+    { "item": "minecraft:water_bucket" }
+  ],
+  "result": {
+    "count": 1,
+    "id": "rivencraft:ink_vial"
+  }
+}