voidtreckerooc | Event: Error 4639

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!event

Event: Error 4639

Early in the morning of day Twenty-Two (OOC 12th June) a message will appear on the ICP. It won't be there very long (around 15 minutes) before it disappears.

Or at least it can be assumed it disappears because the whole ICP system goes down. All the screens come up with a message at the same time (Error code 4639. Program must end.) and then go dark. There doesn't seem to be any reset buttons, or even power switches to the ICPs and even the more technological based Voidtreckers who are connected to the systems will not be able to find the ICP's to switch them back on.

It doesn't stop there, because the voidtreckers will quickly find that the ICP's are not the only thing broken. Indeed whatever technology that allows everyone to be understood by each other has broken. During the whole of day twenty two they will only be able to speak the languages that they spoke back on their worlds.

Characters who have an ability to speak all languages, or an ability to understand and be understood despite language will find that ability still works.

In conclusion. On day twenty two.

~ Characters can only speak and understand the languages they know in their canon.
~ There is no ability to use the voice or video function of the ICP.
~ None of the other ICP functions work.
~ The names outside the rooms are written in an alphabet no Voidtrecker will recognise.
~ The normal power is not effected. Also, strangely enough, the VR games and the cinema are still functioning. The films are all in a language no voidtrecker speaks.
~ They will find that the books are written in a language they don't understand as well (unless it is a specific title from their world that they requested, in which case it is written in the original language).

This will last until the next day. When characters wake up on day twenty-three they will find everything back to normal.

The initial message and a catch all post will go up on the 12th June. This event runs between 12th and 13th June.

Here is a handy plotting form!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

For people from fantasy worlds that don't have specified languages but are loosely based on locations in the real world, can we assume that they conveniently map over to the languages of the places they're based on? In other words, can I say that Ivy's fantasy world happens to speak English, or is she stuck unable to communicate with anyone?

It is up to you! If her world is based on an English-speaking society and you want her to speak English or close enough to be understood English then that is fine! Basically whatever you will find most fun!

How would telepathy and equivalent work, since its mind to mind?

It would depend on the telepathy and how it works. If its more empathic/image/idea based or if it is like a mind to mind understanding where two way understanding happens. I would say it would work fine.

If it's just that a character can project words into another person's head then it will probably hit translation issues.

Awesome thanks! The elves will at least be able to touch minds with people then XD

Curufin was a linguist in his own world, and he learned every language that was spoken in his geographic area, including an ancient version of English. He polished up his ancient English and updated it to modern English while he was a CRAU in two worlds other than his own. Would he still be able to speak modern English?

If he has studied and learned modern English through his CRAU then yes he will be able to speak it.

Thanks!

Will the usual morning announcement happen before the translation thingamajig goes off?

Yes

1. Will there be any books (currently up for review in-thread: Merry Little Voidtrain) that are a match for the letters used on the passenger roster?

2. Is it plausible that, with enough characters looking into it, the passengers will be able to construct a rough alphabet/syllabary for the train's 'native' language? And keep it once the autotranslate kicks back in?

3. Specific to Merry Little Voidtrain, is the language the book is written in the same one as is spoken in the respective cartoon?

1) The same letters do appear yes, but there are other letters as well, it definitely seems that there are multiple writing systems used in this language.

2) With enough of them trying they should be able to come up with a rough alphabet. It will be enough that as long as they don't have any other letters that the current characters don't they could write a new passengers name. Though bare in mind the letters aren't going to match completely (and the characters writing this alphabet all use different languages/alphabets themselves.)

3) From the words they have managed to decipher from the books then probably yes? It will be very difficult to tell though.- Remember those characters with mystical 'understand all language' are going to just magically understand what's being said, which means the word order and such will just make sense in their mind, which actually will make it harder to pinpoint and isolate specific words.

This problem with having 'auto translate' in their head will be especially a problem in writing.

So using a real life example:

In Arabic د = d و = oo and ر = r

However if I write دور that does not mean 'door'. It does not mean anything. (Edit: Actually it means 'role' but my point still stands.)

The word for door is باب. Now if I had a magical translator/understanding of languages in my head it would tell me that باب means 'door' and I might then break it down to ب = d ا = oo and ب also means r?

Obviously they don't. ب is 'b' and ا is alif 'ah' so باب is pronounced 'b-ah-b'.

Now with the sounds and letters from names they should be able to cross reference and combine the 'knowing' what words are with the letters. However since this language seems to use more than one alphabet it will not be easy.

So basically they can get a basic alphabet and assign a letter to different sounds and probably use it to sound out some words and maybe get some pronunciation tips from the films.

...

That was probably 20 times more detailed and complexed than you wanted. I am sorry! I will shut up about language now.

Edited 2020-06-13 08:39 (UTC)

Never apologize, this is great. XD

Garrett is doing a thing here. How much into terminals/walls can he see?

Basically, his Focus ability allows him to see hidden objects and things inside walls. Usually it's things like wires and mechanical workings of traps, locks, etc. (Also things like footprints, handprints, and the like that help him find hidden storage areas and stuff but ya know not relevant here.)

Anyway, not sure if the train will block this or not. I know some characters have torn up sections to look at things so I assume he can see some things but not sure if anything is blocked. Or if this will be relevant here or not, but someone might be interested in his ability so going ahead to preemptively ask here for info!

He will be able to see into the terminal and wall fine. He will see the wires and where they connect. Nothing seems wrong. None of the wires are broken or disconnected. He will see that the wires go from the terminal into the wall and then down into the floor panelling below.

I'm guessing (or maybe I read it somewhere once) that there is no obvious power source anywhere? And/or that all the wires lead back to the engine car?

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voidtreckermods - 2020-06-22 03:39 (UTC) - Expand

WEIRD QUESTION but how hard would paperclips be to find on the train if, say, people wanted to organise a way to help ppl find those who speak similar languages.

Or perhaps a means of arranging seating at dinner time in the dining carriage so people have someone to speak to.... a type of prop that can be sat on a table. do you imagine it wouldn't be hard to come up with something?

Possibly pieces from the game room could be taken?? idk if there would be erasable pens and writing cards in there from one of the games... OR EVEN MORE LUCKILY, CARDS YOU CAN CLIP ON YOUR SHIRT ok no. unless the mod will give us those. as a treat.

There are probably some games with wipable boards/pens. Definitely not enough for the whole train, but some. Passengers all each have a notebook and some basic stationary that they can use.

... Also I am pretty sure that someone. Peter? I think it was Peter bought like 1000 sticky lables saying "Hello my name is _________" So they could definitely be utilised for other communications. I think they were for his party but there was no way he used all 1000! Unless he did.... He is Peter after all.

STICKY LABELS, EVEN BETTER. the paper wasn't so much the problem as a great way to have it presented, aha. I shall try for some OOC plotting, thank you!

Will that report still be accessible on the ICPs the next day?

Or will it be as if it was never there?

... Also, if anyone is able to reproduce those strings of numbers at the top, will they be able to create a message that can be sent beyond the Voidtrecker Express?

No it will have disappeared.

No they will not.

I've been kind of amusing that when the translators are working people are speaking their native language but others hear whatever is familiar to them to understand. Is that correct?

Now that the translator effect is back to working order, can a person hear the original language if they concentrate on what another person is speaking even while the translation is going through their head?

You are correct in that assumption.

Yes, they would have to concentrate very hard and it will be quite difficult because their brain will automatically latch onto what they do understand. Think about it like being in a place where you do not speak the dominant language and then all of a sudden hearing your native language in the crowd, your ear automatically focuses on it.

So if someone had gotten used/trained themselves to do precisely that - to hold back on that response - would they have much success?

... Could Nita reverse-engineer it with a spell, is what I'm also trying to get at here. XD

(no subject)

voidtreckermods - 2020-06-22 20:05 (UTC) - Expand

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Event: Error 4639

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