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Qestir RPpers: how do you handle communication? - Printable Version

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Qestir RPpers: how do you handle communication? - Goodfellow - 06-30-2017

Like the subject says, I'm curious to hear from people who have actually RPed as or with a Qestir Xaela about their own creative takes and strategies for working with the "words are lies" business.

Thanks for your words (lies or otherwise)!

RE: Qestir RPpers: how do you handle communication? - Gegenji - 06-30-2017

I have a Qestir I haven't really done much with, so I can't speak on how I'd do it myself...

But I've seen a few takes on it. One is just writing your emotes in such a way so that it basically tells the other person what you're trying to make your Qestir say. Like, /em glanced irritably at their empty glass before looking up at the bartender. It was fairly obvious they wanted the lack of drink rectified.

I've also seen people use little chalkboards and notepads to just write out what they want instead... but that seems to kinda defeat the purpose for me, so I personally wouldn't recommend it.

RE: Qestir RPpers: how do you handle communication? - Unnamed Mercenary - 06-30-2017

I've mostly seen it in emoted actions, which is a lot how the NPCs do it too.

I would assume that written words would likely be treated similarly to spoken words and be considered lies, although I've seen the chalkboard/notepad method as well.

RE: Qestir RPpers: how do you handle communication? - Rookie Judge - 06-30-2017

(06-30-2017, 02:13 PM)Unnamed Mercenary Wrote: I've mostly seen it in emoted actions, which is a lot how the NPCs do it too.

I would assume that written words would likely be treated similarly to spoken words and be considered lies, although I've seen the chalkboard/notepad method as well.

The Qestir do seem to have their own written language as shown in one of the Reunion sidequest lines. Traders are given a "piece of vellum with Qestiri markings" to show that they're allowed to trade in Reunion. Whether this shows that the Qestir allow for written words, or if it's simply an exception to accommodate foreign traders is up for interpretation.

RE: Qestir RPpers: how do you handle communication? - Gegenji - 06-30-2017

(06-30-2017, 03:15 PM)Rookie Judge Wrote:
(06-30-2017, 02:13 PM)Unnamed Mercenary Wrote: I've mostly seen it in emoted actions, which is a lot how the NPCs do it too.

I would assume that written words would likely be treated similarly to spoken words and be considered lies, although I've seen the chalkboard/notepad method as well.

The Qestir do seem to have their own written language as shown in one of the Reunion sidequest lines. Traders are given a "piece of vellum with Qestiri markings" to show that they're allowed to trade in Reunion. Whether this shows that the Qestir allow for written words, or if it's simply an exception to accommodate foreign traders is up for interpretation.

Oddly enough, I read into that as being more as having, like... a wax seal of approval. There isn't actually Qestir language in long-form there, just them putting their stamp of approval on someone being there. More like a signature more than anything else, if that makes sense.

RE: Qestir RPpers: how do you handle communication? - Goodfellow - 07-01-2017

Thanks for the replies, all.  I agree that the written word feels like a biiit of a stretch (no disrespect to Qestir players who use it).  Regardless, it seems like thorough emoting is the norm.

RE: Qestir RPpers: how do you handle communication? - Varinh - 07-01-2017

Yeah, I'd say so! I felt like written word was "cheating" since they don't communicate for a reason (or rather,
whatever reason they have culturally), and honestly... Having a Qestir and challenging myself to be fully expressive in emotes was one of the most efficient way for me to improve at my own emotes/writing, ever.

RE: Qestir RPpers: how do you handle communication? - Pascaleret - 07-01-2017

(06-30-2017, 03:26 PM)Gegenji Wrote:
(06-30-2017, 03:15 PM)Rookie Judge Wrote:
(06-30-2017, 02:13 PM)Unnamed Mercenary Wrote: I've mostly seen it in emoted actions, which is a lot how the NPCs do it too.

I would assume that written words would likely be treated similarly to spoken words and be considered lies, although I've seen the chalkboard/notepad method as well.

The Qestir do seem to have their own written language as shown in one of the Reunion sidequest lines. Traders are given a "piece of vellum with Qestiri markings" to show that they're allowed to trade in Reunion. Whether this shows that the Qestir allow for written words, or if it's simply an exception to accommodate foreign traders is up for interpretation.

Oddly enough, I read into that as being more as having, like... a wax seal of approval. There isn't actually Qestir language in long-form there, just them putting their stamp of approval on someone being there. More like a signature more than anything else, if that makes sense.

Yeah, I agree with this. The "Qestiri markings" probably refers to their tribe symbol, like the stuff we see on the banners in the steppe, or the new furniture pieces, rather than a written language exclusive to Qestir.

RE: Qestir RPpers: how do you handle communication? - Arashin Kujqai - 07-01-2017

I figured it was through thorough emoting without being lengthy. So describing a smile that looks like it's accepting/welcoming, or a cold stare that describes his uncertainty/malicious intent. A mix of this and emotes seems like it'd be the best route to go, the less the better more than likely too if you're wanting to truly capture their culture through immersion.

Like beckoning someone and just walking toward that direction without telling them to follow or describing it. If they follow, they follow, if not, then it speaks for itself :p. Seems like the entire tribe concept to me lol.

RE: Qestir RPpers: how do you handle communication? - Rookie Judge - 07-01-2017

(07-01-2017, 09:27 PM)Threed Crowley Wrote:
(06-30-2017, 03:26 PM)Gegenji Wrote:
(06-30-2017, 03:15 PM)Rookie Judge Wrote:
(06-30-2017, 02:13 PM)Unnamed Mercenary Wrote: I've mostly seen it in emoted actions, which is a lot how the NPCs do it too.

I would assume that written words would likely be treated similarly to spoken words and be considered lies, although I've seen the chalkboard/notepad method as well.

The Qestir do seem to have their own written language as shown in one of the Reunion sidequest lines. Traders are given a "piece of vellum with Qestiri markings" to show that they're allowed to trade in Reunion. Whether this shows that the Qestir allow for written words, or if it's simply an exception to accommodate foreign traders is up for interpretation.

Oddly enough, I read into that as being more as having, like... a wax seal of approval. There isn't actually Qestir language in long-form there, just them putting their stamp of approval on someone being there. More like a signature more than anything else, if that makes sense.

Yeah, I agree with this. The "Qestiri markings" probably refers to their tribe symbol, like the stuff we see on the banners in the steppe, or the new furniture pieces, rather than a written language exclusive to Qestir.

I'd like to point out that even pictographs are considered a written language. You don't necessarily need to have actual written words as in something like English. I admit I phrased my original post a bit poorly though. My original perception  was something along the lines of hieroglyphs or some such.

RE: Qestir RPpers: how do you handle communication? - Goodfellow - 07-01-2017

I can't find sources at the moment (but I promise they exist), and I also haven't gotten to the steppes in-game yet, but in the north of Spain there are pastoral communities that use an older, non-Arabic numeral-based system of symbols, mostly carved into stones or the sides of windmills and other buildings.  These symbols can represent numbers or basic geographic references relevant to their work and do not correspond to the language itself.  It may be totally off-base, but reading y'all's references to Qestir symbols or markings, that's what I was reminded of.

RE: Qestir RPpers: how do you handle communication? - Erah'sae - 07-06-2017

One thing that makes them a bit more immersive is if you don't emote your thoughts like I've seen a few people do.  

Show don't tell is a grand mantra to go by when emoting for the Qestir.   Sometimes you might need to be a lot more nuanced in your emotes to give subtle queues to convey meaning.

Some of the most interesting interactions with a Qestir may be when the others get the wrong idea of what you're trying to convey.  Chalk this up to the cultural divide perhaps?


This does bring some interesting questions though.  There is a fate involving a Qestir merchant and another Au Ra who short changed them at the market.  To sort out the price for something one would assume they have a method of conveying this?  Was there anything said about the method?  (This may be visually represented in the market area but I can't log in right now to check.)

RE: Qestir RPpers: how do you handle communication? - Ellmida - 07-06-2017

I have to wonder if Questir do actually have a form of sign language for themselves because it seems much to expect anyone to communicate complex economic and mercantile information with just pointed looks.

 My guess is the only reason you may not see them using hand signals with anyone is practical reasons of animating it as well as common sense that if someone you just met is not familiar with your culture than it's asking a little much for them to understand an entirely different language communicated with gestures and hand signs. Possible it might even be a language that's sacred and only used in the tribe and with close allies.

RE: Qestir RPpers: how do you handle communication? - Kilieit - 07-06-2017

The important thing for the Qestir isn't a lack of verbal words. It's a lack of language, absolutely. The "words, deeds, beliefs" formula - the Qestir seek to remove the "words" part from it entirely, because they are most likely to be lies. Words made with hands are still words, and still lies.

Which makes RPing one even more of a challenge, but I think that's what you take on when you create one. You have to convey your character's beliefs solely through their actions.

A funny potential scenario I did think of was like - two people bickering in the presence of their Qestiri friend, and eventually the Qestir just... SCREAMS. Primally. For like ten uninterrupted seconds. Because technically, screaming is an action, not a word, and doing it certainly achieved the action of making the others shut up... xD

RE: Qestir RPpers: how do you handle communication? - Silents - 07-06-2017

(07-06-2017, 04:09 PM)Kilieit Wrote: A funny potential scenario I did think of was like - two people bickering in the presence of their Qestiri friend, and eventually the Qestir just... SCREAMS. Primally. For like ten uninterrupted seconds. Because technically, screaming is an action, not a word, and doing it certainly achieved the action of making the others shut up... xD

I have to admit that this is an aspect I kind of want to toyaround with.

Perhaps it’s simply due to the company I keep but I see anumber of people who seem to strangely assume that a Qestir tribe member will be completely mute and restricted to body language and facial expressions only due to their lore stating very specifically that they refrain from using words.

We’re given the in-game example of them refraining from spoken language and given the tribe description we assume that they also avoid written language and signing.

It honestly fascinates me that people think a character must be completely silent when the only thing they’re technically restricted from is the use of words. Especially when it's clearly a taught concept, there's the potential for sound slip ups right there.