Being a Polyglot in SoN … or … What did that elf say?
Languages … the written and spoken word … communications.
Where would we be if we weren’t able to communicate with each other?
But have you ever wondered how everybody .. and I mean everybody … from the fish monger on the docks, to the dwarven blacksmith deep underground, to the backstabbing goblin … in a RPG can understand everyone else?
Well, even if you haven’t wondered that, I have. 
Which is why this time around I’m going to talk about languages in the world of Nightside.
I Know! It’s Magic!
There’s no denying that the need for everyone to understand each other is paramount. It would be a pretty short and boring game if that wasn’t the case.
In lieu of some kind of magic spell or universal translator device (depending on the genre), the most common explanation is a trade or common language that everyone knows. Ok, I can buy into that. But why is that the only language ever spoken?
Different Races … Different Languages
There are many different races inhabiting Nightside.
It just makes sense to me that not only would each have its own language but that they’d actually speak in their native tongue by default, switching to the “common” language only when needed.
All Languages are EQual
Ok, I admit, this isn’t a totally original idea … at least one other game that I know of has done something similar … but let’s focus on SoN.
Here’s what we’re planning (yes, I know, it’s about time I got to the point )
Characters will be able to learn new and different languages and can change which language they speak in at any time.
If you talk to someone in a language they don’t understand, all they’ll see is pseudo-random text … maybe a snide remark like …. “pea huningir ivagrasami doryopasam drafai peyenasupa, smalalilmi ivagrasami adyegomaya huningir kidarimaza esitugand iskyanyesu!”
Pseudo-Random? Whacha talkin’ about?
If you want the details, you’ll have to talk to Llarlen, because I have no clue how it works. But through his brilliance and hard work we now have a tool that can “translate” text consistently, based on a seed file.
So “Llarlen Rocks!” will always return “plenausasi katienausk!”.
It really is amazing .. .not to mention fun to play with!
You can see for yourself on the SoN Pseudo-Random Translator Page. It’s a work in progress and doesn’t have any of the ‘official’ SoN languages yet .. but it’s still fun
A step further
We want each language to have its own unique flavor and style.
We want people to see the “translated” text and have a chance to identify what language it is.
There will even be NPCs that only speak in a certain language. And if they have a quest you want to do, you’ll need to learn the language to get it.
The goal is to increase the color and flavor of Nightside and make it a fun and interesting place to be .. not just a grind to get to the next level.
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This language thing will be confusing to me. How will we learn the languages?
Hey Freewaydog,
It may seem confusing now .. more than likely because of the way I described it … but we’ll try to make it as simple and intuitive as possible.
And if you don’t want to learn a new language, you don’t have to.
With the exception of certain rare cases, all NPCs (quest givers, shopkeepers, trainers, etc) will speak common.
I’ll talk a little more about learning new languages in my next post … but for the most part, it’ll be as simple as listening to someone talk in that language.
Thanks, hopefully, I will be able to do the language thing enough to get by w/ those “rare cases”.
A thought to consider, how about making some of those languages use a different writing system. Not all languages use the romanized alphabet, so why do that in a game? How about having some of these people who don’t speak the common language communicate through what appear to be symbols for those who don’t speak the language? I think that would make seeing some of these NPC’s speaking a bit more interesting.
I just do not want gameplay to be too impossible for me.
@Kage … That’s something we’re already exploring .. using runes and symbols for some of the languages, especially some of the more ancient languages. And unless it adversely affects game play or performance, we’ll probably do something along those lines.
@freeway … Don’t worry, it won’t be impossible. We’re all gamers and believe that game play is more important than “being cool” with fancy stuff. ((and if some of the fancy stuff is just too cool to pass up, we’ll figure out a way to make it optional for the players
))
This language concept sounds great! Certainly gets the Wallaby stomp of approval.
And here’s the first lesson for everyone:
“Wallaby needs more turnips” comes out as:
Lorum: as fele travagrala mi
Kline: memoo hr no mo
The key words being Mi & Mo. Remember them. You never know who you’ll have to get your turnips from.
I just can’t wait ’til the game comes out. I hope it is soon & that I could understand this language.