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The Written Word

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Rondstat

Rondstat

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Yet more writing!

So, the Wushanko script we know from ports has been oddly absent in the Arc so far. However, Arc batch two did introduce a couple of whatsits that could possibly represent new writing systems.

Many of the homes of Cyclosis are adorned with orange brush strokes. Sometimes appearing above the lintels, sometimes on boards attached to the sides of houses, these simple marks could possibly be a form of language, but I think it's more likely they are just symbols or wards - possibly against zyclopes. Its use on vertical boards also might be meant to suggest ema - Japanese prayer boards.

A more definite example appears on the Jiangshi - the undead Khan of Goshima, responsible for the spread of zombiism. A scroll attached to her forehead apparently animates her body, and with the scroll torn by her necromancer, she is allowed to pass into death. This writing system bears strong similarity to vampyric script, however I was unable to identify any specific characters in common, so this may just be coincidence. Either way, I'll be interested to see how this script is used in future, whether it's a regional writing system in the Arc, or some more mystic text, used in Occultism or some other eastern magic.

12-Oct-2016 15:11:21

AesirWarrior
Jan Member 2021

AesirWarrior

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Now that imgur is allowed on the forums I think it's a good idea to add pictures to this thread. -
I have noticed your kind does tend to blindly stumble forward towards danger simply because it exists. What is your word for that?
- We call it being a hero.

12-Oct-2016 16:05:42

Rondstat

Rondstat

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BlaivSiocled said :
Here's a screencap of the Vampyric alphabet.



Thanks so much for this!

I'm not playing the game presently (I suspect I'll get back in at the beginning of December). But, adding images is a great idea. If any more folks want to contribute screen grabs (or know where I can find them), I'll gladly update the format.

On a related note - very prominent use of symbols in the previews for Zaros' throne room. I can't tell if they're just a design motif, or actual characters.

05-Nov-2016 03:40:37

Rondstat

Rondstat

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*Planning on updating this soon and adding some pictures. Until then, though, preserving this observation*


Zaros' throne room reveals the existence of a liturgical language, or at least liturgical script. While I at first thought the symbols rimming the doors and pillars were just a design motif, I was able to identify a couple of characters - a 'go' and a 'taurus' - with a high resemblance to the script used in the fulu-style talismans adorning Zaros.

This language also appears in The Heart - one of the characters in the Vindicta banner matches the elaborate curlicue used throughout the throne room.

I believe the throne room script is a variation on the simpler version seen on Zaros' person, sort of a cursive vs printing. In the throne room 'enchantments' and the Zaros-drawn semicircle on Freneskae, larger 'cursive' characters act as a legend, while smaller characters (resemble lower-res version of Zaros clothing script) contain the chant.

It's a unique writing form, but I think it may take some inspiration from alchemical symbols - I recognized the signs for tin, bismuth, and sorrel.


What's really interesting, though, is that Zaros' throne is framed by a marquee that uses BOTH this script, and (common characters) Infernal.

We know that Infernal was the first language Zaros encountered. I had thought that perhaps the Empire spoke Infernal, but adapted it to the pre-existing writing system of the human settlements it was built upon. BUT, we know that even hundreds of years into the empire, a 10% literacy rate was considered an overwhelming achievement. The original village of Senntisten must have been practically illiterate.

So, is this Zarosian script written Infernal? And if so, where do Common characters come from? Did Zaros bring them to Gielinor from his many travels? Does it originate on Teragard? And why was Infernal adapted to it?

22-Dec-2016 03:39:34

Rondstat

Rondstat

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thread updated with pics!



Please, if any of y'all are going to play through Call of the Ancestors, take a screenshot of the scroll from the Ancient Goebie! The pic I've got for Chantlish is terrible, and you can't check out that crusty fogey's scrolls after the quest is complete.

31-Dec-2016 08:47:36

Rondstat

Rondstat

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Uploaded with a better shot of Menaphite. Noticed Rowley replied to my question in the Lore Q&A - the team developed a full cipher writing system for Menaphite/Kharidian for the Ozan double bill, which no one has uncovered. However, I couldn't find any assets that included Menaphite writing that came with the quest (The Apmeken/Scabaras chambers came before, and the Duel Arena came after). The only NEW written assets I've found for that quest are in the Kharid Ib weight puzzle.

So, if any of y'all know where there's other writing contemporary to that quest, lemme know.

And, please please please, if anyone does Call of the Ancients, PLEASE take a screenie of the ancient goebie.

31-Mar-2017 06:41:35

AesirWarrior
Jan Member 2021

AesirWarrior

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Menaphite writing:

Aquamancer's translated it on Twitter if you're curious about what it says. -
I have noticed your kind does tend to blindly stumble forward towards danger simply because it exists. What is your word for that?
- We call it being a hero.

25-Apr-2017 20:03:53 - Last edited on 25-Apr-2017 20:04:07 by AesirWarrior

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