'Mute' character communication

[S0LS1S]

Hello there everyone,

 

I recently made a new character, a Qestir for anyone curious and after reading up around the forums I found the general census was mixed. You can write things down, or gesture, or play a game of charades with your roleplay partners and see what sticks, I decided on the latter. I'm currently playing with my roleplay partner and I am using descriptive gestures with expression to convey my point. I suppose my question, however, is this, does this sound like something you personally would be interested in, or is it to much trouble that way? 

 

If you were playing with a character like this how would you like it explained to you? Translated in a ooc way, or would you prefer guessing what was being said?

 

My second question is this, advice more so. I've been struggling on explaining things that are a bit more complex. If theres anyone whose played a character like that I'd be very curious to hear how you handle 'HEAVY' conversation roleplay without making your partner bored or confused 90% of the time. How did you, would you play that character to make it more accessible with everyone?

I haven't run into the problem yet, to the point where someone is frustrated but I'd like to prevent it if at all possible by getting as much information as I can. 

 

General tips and tricks, description lessons welcome~

 

[S0LS1S]

bump

 

[Noel Stirling]

Hi there!

 

One of my characters is a selective mute due to a prior trauma. She's a gifted magic user so the method I use for her to communicate things that require more than a yes/no/simple answer is to write her words in the air with magic particles that eventually fade away after she's done explaining. (I don't think this is really out of the realm of possibility since it is magic after all, but some people may not like it) Otherwise you could always have the character carry some parchment/writing tools.

[Unnamed Mercenary]

Hiya! Here's my take.

 

On 6/12/2018 at 2:23 PM, S0LS1S said:

If you were playing with a character like this how would you like it explained to you? Translated in a ooc way, or would you prefer guessing what was being said?

 

I'd prefer the gesture and motion style. For me, written words feel like they'd be just as deceitful as spoken words, when we start thinking about Qestir beliefs. Even when shown in game, they appear to use symbols and pictographs when conveying something on wall/paper. You can leave certain hints in OOC text based off how you emote. Things like:

/em eyes one of the chairs. Her feet were tired and resting in one could improve the evening. She glanced at the group of people she was with, motioning to the table. They could continue from there.

 

/em could feel a certain dryness in her mouth. As she approached the pub's counter, she pointed to the mugs and to one of the barrels of ale. This would do.

 

On 6/12/2018 at 2:23 PM, S0LS1S said:

My second question is this, advice more so. I've been struggling on explaining things that are a bit more complex.

 

I feel it's important to note that Qestir are not mute well, they could -also be, but not speaking is more of a choice/belief. You still have access to sounds of emotion. Your character could laugh, cry, scream, let out an unholy bellow of rage, etc. In terms of more complex thoughts, are there any examples? My advice here would be to break it up into smaller bits and piece your character could convey. Use body language. Faces. If someone is saying something similar, point and agree with them, etc.

[Nebbs]

I suppose my first question is what you want and why did you decide to play this?

 

Assuming it was not to be a novelty or to inflict an RP crutch on others, then I would suggest making life easy and let them (your fellow RPers) decide how their character reacts and accommodates understanding. To do this you can emote what your character does and include in that the real intent.  Misunderstanding for RP effect or not then sits with the other player.

 

eg.

 

/em points casually at the food being delivered to another table, seeking to indicate that they would like you to order that for them

 

/em shakes their head and wags their finger being as clear as possible that they disagreed with the choice

 

Failing that go watch some silent moves or mime for inspiration. 

Edited June 14, 2018 by Nebbs

[Shina]

I was actually thinking about making a Qestir myself, I personally enjoy the gestures and expressions more. I feel like it was make things more intersting and really make you think how people interact without words.