The nomad lifts his sword, in northern-accented gesturespeak

[Avril]

A long, long time ago, I proposed to my hunting team that we create a series of sword and spear movements that would let us communicate at a distance.  It would work by changing ldescs: if my character wanted to say "I found something here", he'd roll his sword in a wide circle; if he wanted to tell his companion to keep going west, he'd point his sword westwards. It was a crude language, but useful nonetheless.

Now that I think about it, it's a wonder this sort of communication doesn't show up in the docs. I definitely see it as something tribals would use a lot, both to organize their hunting parties and to deal with random travellers. Strafing your upright sword (in the FPS sense) might be an invitation to trade, while another gesture might ask a group of people to send out an emissary. In the harsh deserts of Zalanthas, it would be far safer to carry out a conversation at a distance than allow a stranger to come next to you.

Cavillish formed because of tribal and city-dweller interaction, and the same thing could have happened with rudimentary sign languages. It might be that over time, as tribes mingled with each other and with civilized hunters, a small range of common "hunter codes" were established, allowing people to exchange small greetings and basic messages at a distance. Understanding these codes would obviously be an IC advantage, particuarly to those who deal extensively with tribals. Since these codes would be extremely simple, clever hunters might switch the meanings of some gestures when discussing business amongst themselves, so what an ordinary traveller sees as "danger - south" might really mean "let's rob that sucker blind".

From an OOC perspective, if some guy charges into the room, the safest thing to do is mount a kank and ride away. This happens a lot these days. Also from an OOC perspective, it's a good idea to look in all directions every few seconds while you're out in the desert, just to make sure the big bad gortok won't be coming after you. You're probably going to spot that guy in the hooded cloak next room, pointing his sword to the sky. Whether you'll think he was a lunatic or an experienced hunter depends on how popular these codes would get, provided people actually created some.

[Marauder Moe]

On a side note: does the 'watch' command show emotes in the rooms being watched?  I don't remember if it does or not.  Anyway, if it does, you could just emote instead of changing ldescs.

I think its a neat idea but perhaps should be spread ICly through various tribes and clans that might use them.

[Lazloth]

On a side note: does the 'watch' command show emotes in the rooms being watched?

Nope.

And to the gesturespeak:  I've seen various groups (both highly organized and not at all) use similar.

[spawnloser]

Lazloth, as I recall, you're wrong.  I'm damn sure I've seen emotes from in a room I've been watching.

[Lazloth]

I must be watching extremely boring people then; I've never seen any.

[spawnloser]

Heh, you know...I may be remembering incorrectly, but I will make sure to get back to everyone after getting a confirmation one way or the other.

[Delirium]

I must be watching extremely boring people then; I've never seen any.

Nope, it doesn't show emotes. It does show coded socials though, like nod.

I've never, ever seen an emote in the many times I've watched.

[EvilRoeSlade]

Lazloth, as I recall, you're wrong.  I'm damn sure I've seen emotes from in a room I've been watching.

I've actually tested this.  No.

[spawnloser]

...so what's the point of watching...really?

[Lazloth]

It's a new command; it's bound to have holes.  Some information is passed at least.

[Agent_137]

watch shows coded actions.

arrivals, departures, attacks( I think...), etc.

it'd be nice if it showed emotes, but I won't complain.

[Jacques]

...so what's the point of watching...really?

Far to the north, the uber-magicker-bahamet zombie has arrived from the west.

shout Run for your bloody life! It's heading for the gates!


This... is the point. Or at least part of it.

[Armaddict]

I believe you can see most coded actions with watch, though I haven't experimented with it much.  Another useful thing is watching while guarding...just so that you have more things to react to, even if it's just a pair of cloaked fellas talking on the street outside.

[wizturbo]

I dont think a super elaborate coded thing is needed for this.

Having watch let you see emotes would solve the problem though, and I think it should be done anyway, to make watch a more useful command.

[The7DeadlyVenomz]

I agree with Wizturbo.

[Delirium]

I agree with Wizturbo.

[Ghost]

I agree with Wizturbo.

Count me in.

If you want to alert your comrades, there is always the better way, and it is the Way.

[Cenghiz]

Watch shows the emotes for sure.. Also if you have listen on, it's like you're in that room. You see and hear everything.