Subtlety - The art of the verbal backstab

[greasygemo]

With all the confusion and debate about just how to execute the art of the subtle insult, I felt like taking a stab at providing guide of sorts in crafting the velvety poison that is a backhanded comment.

Body language and tone:
The more calm and serene you are the better. All smiles, palms extended, soft voice, lifted chin, high shoulders, spread hands. You want to appear confident, collected, cordial even, when delivering the blow. Try not to sneer or frown. You are a finely tuned instrument of verbal devastation. Approach the target like a seasoned hunter would approach a wounded tregil. Your posture should say, "I am so much better than you, there isn't anything you can possibly do to threaten me, because I am undeniably right. I am in fact doing you a service just by speaking to you."

Construction of your weapon:
Now, this is the part that hangs up a lot of people. It's very easy to turn to Amos and say something like, "You're a filthy mongrel and I despise you." - While this is okay if you are also using the proper body language and tone, the real key here is to make it -sound- like a compliment by disguising it cleverly.

Word choice is important! You don't want to use things that could be interpreted as crass or uncouth if you can help it!

Also, positioning the statement as if it is -advice- or -helpful- is a great way to mask the more direct shots.

Start out with a compliment:
"You're so funny."

Use the reverse of it:
"You're so boring."

Now change the adjective to something a bit more subtle (thesaurus, thine art our greatest friend)
"You're so bromidic."

Now, after the initial alteration, if it still seems a little bit too blatantly negative, muddle further with a positive adverb:
"You're so gloriously bromidic."

Furthermore, don't be afraid to be a little bit blatant from time to time either, if the situation really warrants it.

For example, in a group setting where someone just did something really stupid and you know that everyone is likely going to lean to your side if you call them out publicly. Just remember to stick to the basics when you do:

SAPS method of telling someone off:
Smooth your tone - You are calm, cool and intelligent, only speaking to them out of pity or charity.
Advise your target - you are better then them, you're just being helpful.
Posture yourself - You are confident and correct, show it in actions as well as words.
Selection of words - You're educating them, sound like a teacher to a child, not a hobo screaming in an alley.

Here are some further examples of ways an insult can be manipulated into rhetorical gold.

You are a useless pile of shit =
Your current abilities have a similar expectation for profit as the detritus found in an inix pen, but I'm sure that over time you will only further improve.

Your ignorance annoys the fuck out of me =
I find myself surprised by how much your obtuseness in this conversation is impacting my enjoyment of it.

You sound like less of a retard than normal =
You're not yourself today. I noticed the improvement immediately.

Every person in here is worth ten of you  =
You must have a low opinion of people if you think they're your equals.

You're acting like a total dumbass =
I see you've set aside this special time to humiliate yourself in public, how thoughtful of you to include us all.

[Vwest]

You continue to overestimate your talent for posting, though we all greatly appreciate how hard you try.

[Harmless]

How anything in this thread so far relates to useful advice for playing a Tuluki is totally beyond me.

Am I doing it right?

[greasygemo]

You continue to overestimate your talent for posting, though we all greatly appreciate how hard you try.

Fantastic! It appears as though my efforts have finally become facile enough that they have reached the most purile minds with moderate levels of success. This must be what Hellen Keller's teacher felt like.

How anything in this thread so far relates to useful advice for playing a Tuluki is totally beyond me.

Am I doing it right?

I shouldn't fault you for failing to notice that the thread, though clearly referring to a common Tuluki practice, fails to once state that it was intended to be advice for playing there, rather, it's merely a reference on tactical wordplay. Faulting you would require the assumption that you fully understood the information and were able to read at an eight-grade level. I wouldn't want to judge you unfairly.


Ahhhhh being a jerk with words is such a horrible, wonderful, delightful time. :3 I'll take this over "Screw you a-hole, you're mom's a cow!" any day.

[Iiyola]

Yeah.  With the level of English I possess.... Not gonna happen.

[greasygemo]

Yeah.  With the level of English I possess.... Not gonna happen.

http://thesaurus.com/
^ cheat codes?

xD

[Iiyola]

The moment I'm  going to check a thesaurus in order to insult someone in a game.... I think it's time to find a different game. Or get a life.

Or perhaps I'm just too lazy.

[Case]

Great guide if you're too newb for the proverbial backstab.

[tiptoe]

Using a thesaurus to insult seems like something you could pull off as a noble... But as an uneducated, illiterate commoner, I would feel a little out of place using words like detritus or obtuse. Maybe that's just me.

[palomar]

You don't have to make things overly complicated to be subtle. You don't have to use complicated or uncommon words from a thesaurus.

[Booya]

So many words.

[musashi]

You sound like less of a retard than normal =
You're not yourself today. I noticed the improvement immediately.

Every person in here is worth ten of you  =
You must have a low opinion of people if you think they're your equals.

You're acting like a total dumbass =
I see you've set aside this special time to humiliate yourself in public, how thoughtful of you to include us all.

I'm not big on digging up the thesaurus at all, but these examples are pure gold. I wouldn't call them subtle, but I would call them witty and I love witty!

[Delirium]

I don't think big words = subtlety.

[Patuk]

My character sneers and frowns all day, is mean to everyone, does not use big words, and insults everyone equally. He drops subtle hints that maybe, he likes some people more and others less.

[Barsook]

I don't think big words = subtlety.

+1

I think actions = subtlety.

[BleakOne]

Point to something behind them, say "Hey, what's that?" and then kick them in the nads.

[Fujikoma]

I think I sometimes do a few of these things on accident... And I was wondering why the most common advice I receive is "Stop being an asshole.".

[greasygemo]

I didn't mean that big words were required, word "choice" is important however. The difference between calling someone a "dumbshit" and a "person who probably wouldn't understand but is cute for trying."

I used big words in some examples, sure, they wouldn't be appropriate for a commoner. But smiling politely and patting your shoulder as they address you with a sympathetic tone, then telling you, "Don't feel bad, they say what you don't know can't hurt you, so at this rate, you might never die, right?"

No big words, nothing fancy, you could easily write that off as "Hey, I was just kidding, can't you take a joke?" or "I was only trying to cheer you up, there isn't any need to get mad over it."

The point of being subtle, is you want to be able to deny the insult if called out on it. It's supposed to seem borderline friendly or funny, helpful or unbiased. You can't sound pissed off, you can't act threatening, otherwise it's hard to deny that you were being a bitch in the first place.

Subtle - A fine distinction between things.
You want to linger in that grey area. If you're looking at Tuluk, the reason for that is pretty obvious. Taking an open position against or for something can put you in a position to defend or justify it later.

Example:
Suppose you've been spiteful to Amos for months, then Amos becomes Grand Poobah Templars Partisan and therefore is more important than you on the social scale suddenly. Now you've got a problem because you've been calling Grand Poohbah Templar's helper an assmunch forever and everyone knows it. You've created a social issue for yourself and are now assumed to have implied that Grand Poohbah Templar hires dumbshits. Not a great viewpoint to be held in.

Had you been more indirect and cheery-faced in your displeasure, it would be easier to write it off as, "Oh no, Faithful Lord, I like to joke around a little sometimes, I apologize if it was misinterpreted. I have no doubt he's a wonderful partisan."

Being subtle = shielding your ass and maintaining your position while still being able to talk down to someone and assert your dominance.

[Riya OniSenshi]

None of those examples are particularly subtle.
More refined ways of insulting maybe, but they're all very direct.
A good start for players who may need a direction for learning subtle, perhaps.

[Cutthroat]

The basic premise of the OP post is good, and I kinda like SAPS.  Verbose statements can be subtle (not all subtle statements are verbose). Simple statements can be subtle too. In fact, if you think about it, simpler is better since there is less to interpret.

A subtle insult in Tuluk (and everywhere to some extent) is more about pointing something out about someone without directly saying it and also, like you said later, deniability. One example that I like was something a long-time player posted a long time ago: insulting a half-elf by saying how you're personally fond of your family on your father's side and your mother's side, and how you have memorable moments with your big family. It's an insult to the half-elf because he most likely only knew his mother, if either parent at all, and doesn't have anything you're talking about.

Upper-class subtle insulting is a hell of a lot more complicated, but basically works off the same premise: lampoon an opponent's negative quality in a way that it can't be immediately determined whether it is an insult or not. It's difficult for a variety of reasons, but mostly because players tend to have a keen idea of PCs that dislike theirs (and are more likely to take their comments as insults) and because there's a fine line between careful and careless wording. But these are certainly IC difficulties that should be RPed by the character too.

[Potaje]

Your smile is like a rummage sale in the rinth, how it brightens my day to see that you wear it so loosely. By the way have you tried this kuzl berry tea, ITS to dies for.. you'll love it.

[Lutagar]

I'd like to think, the reason Allanak isn't known for subtly, is because when 'nakkis do use it, it's so subtle, it goes unnoticed. The grit is just a cover up.

Not that brute force doesn't solve every problem. If it doesn't - then you're obviously not using enough of it.

[James de Monet]

Frank Herbert has some very topical instruction for us on this point. Notice the differentiation between Paul's witty, failed attempt at subtlety and Jessica's both witty and subtle (not in its aim, but in her opponents inability to respond) recovery:

"Why is this interesting?" the banker asked.

   "Because of an observation made by my father at the time. He said the drowning man who climbs on your shoulders to save himself is understandable– except when you see it happen in the drawing room." Paul hesitated just long enough for the banker to see the point coming, then: "And, I should add, except when you see it at the dinner table."

   A sudden stillness enfolded the room.

   That was rash, Jessica thought. This banker might have enough rank to call my son out. She saw that Idaho was poised for instant action. The House troopers were alert. Gurney Halleck had his eyes on the men opposite him.

   "Ho-ho-ho-o-o-o!" It was the smuggler, Tuek, head thrown back laughing with complete abandon.

   Nervous smiles appeared around the table.

   Bewt was grinning.

   The banker had pushed his chair back, was glaring at Paul.

   Kynes said: "One baits an Atreides at his own risk."

   "Is it Atreides custom to insult their guests?" the banker demanded.

   Before Paul could answer, Jessica leaned forward, said: "Sir!" And she thought: We must learn this Harkonnen creature's game. Is he here to try for Paul? Does he have help?

   "My son displays a general garment and you claim it's cut to your fit?" Jessica asked. "What a fascinating revelation." She slid a hand down to her leg to the crysknife she had fastened in a calf-sheath.

Edited to add: Because an insult is worthless if no one realizes it was an insult. Subtlety is about dominance, being in control without having to browbeat and make yourself look déclassé. And even in the South, they use it, but not with commoners. Nobles amongst themselves can be very subtle, though.

[RogueGunslinger]

Oh my god, I make all of my characters way too subtle..........

I just realized a common flaw I accidentally slip into all my southern characters. I may be a proper Tuluki at heart and didn't even know it. I never really thought too much on Tuluk's whole "subtlety" thing, because I don't make too many character from there. I'll try to give that a proper go next character.

[Barsook]

Oh my god, I make all of my characters way too subtle..........

I just realized a common flaw I accidentally slip into all my southern characters. I may be a proper Tuluki at heart and didn't even know it. I never really thought too much on Tuluk's whole "subtlety" thing, because I don't make too many character from there. I'll try to give that a proper go next character.

[Morrolan]

I'd like to think, the reason Allanak isn't known for subtly, is because when 'nakkis do use it, it's so subtle, it goes unnoticed. The grit is just a cover up.

+1

If you know I'm being subtle, I'm doing it wrong.

If I get a rep for being subtle, that's even worse.

Oh, back on topic:

"Please, go ahead. Making one's own decisions, and accepting the consequences, is the first step in growth."

[Dalmeth]

Hmm?  Subtlety is the art of realizing there is a point where others are right and correct to kill you.  So you step up to that point, peer over the edge, and then take a step back.  Just because you can.

And because it reminds the other of how they are restrained.

Subtlety is the art of performing an insignificant act that is significant in your mind and the minds of others.

[racurtne]

Yeah, what Dalmeth said.

If you want to insult someone subtly: It's about doing or saying innocuous things while everyone else knows there is deeper meaning. This way no one can call you on it. What was said or done was not directly offensive.

[Dalmeth]

If you want to insult someone subtly: It's about doing or saying innocuous things while everyone else knows there is deeper meaning. This way no one can call you on it. What was said or done was not directly offensive.

Yah.  I think a good way of putting it would be playing a rough game strictly within the rules.  Or maybe a nice game. 

You can be extremely subtle and extremely nice.  It's not exclusive.

[Zoan]

I just realized why so many beautiful girls are in Tuluk: you need to talk and act like one in order to fit in.

[musashi]

So all beautiful women have a certain way they talk rather than being individuals?

Hmm ... maybe sexism is why they don't play in Allanak. 

[Zoan]

No, it's because they're all catty bitches.

[Ouroboros]

I must agree with Zoan. Feeling one's manhood erringly threatened in exchange for social vantage, is a barter few have the stomach for.

[Hishn]

Less derailing, folks. As Mother Gith always tells the githgrubs: If you cannot stay on topic, stay out of the thread.

There is more to subtle verbal backstabbing than insults. Think of a well-timed, witty and ever-so-subtle gossip placed in the ears of another. The doubt, the drama, the espionage of political reputation. Oh noooo.

[Morrolan]

"To tell the truth, I can't be sure that he's got elf blood. But you know all those little things that make halfbreeds weird? Well, he's a little like that."

"Maybe more than a little."

"I can totally understand why, if his great-grandmother was a half-neck, he'd keep it quiet. We should probably keep it quiet, too."

Heck, I think this one was actually used on one of my characters.

[Norcal]

Insults need to be understood if they are going to impact properly. That's why subtlety will never work in Allanak.

[racurtne]

Insults need to be understood if they are going to impact properly. That's why subtlety will never work in Allanak.

Burn 

[Morrolan]

Insults need to be understood if they are going to impact properly. That's why subtlety will never work in Allanak.

Burn  

I don't get it?  

And remember, weapons don't need to be understood if they're gonna impact properly.

P.S. Which reminds me. All verbal attacks are predicated on the assumption that, for some reason, the other person can't or won't cleave your head in. They require social rules, and/or the rule of law.

Otherwise, when you cleverly insult Trooper Malik the scarred, broad-thewed man, he's just gonna stretch your neck and wear your ears for decorations.

[spicemustflow]

Subtlety -  the art of never getting to a point. That's what it felt like at one time.

[Fujikoma]

I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying that I approved of it.