Seeing all the pictures from the Pelikan Hub events around the world prompted me to look up their fountain pens on our local pen shop's website. All expensive, for me at least. Are there any affordable workhorse Pelikans that people would recommend? Also, what's the appeal with Pelikan in general?

If you like piston fillers rather than cartridge/converter pens, and you like gold nibs? They are well made and nice to use. If you like piston fillers but aren't fussed about gold nibs, try TWSBI. (Yes I have Pelikan Souverans and TWSBI Ecos).

For a really cheap one, which writes really well, the Pelikan Twist is an option (disclaimer, never tried any of their other models). It's marketed as a good starter pen for people learning to write with one, but I find it more comfortable than a Safari grip.