Gaming the Graceful Tongue

[Bertjammin]

Anyone have any tips on how they play out the Al Malik's Graceful Tongue?

Do you roleplay it in full (coming up with phrases and metaphors) or just say what you mean and imply the "language"?

[Angelman]

Not being a Graceful Tongue speaker myself, I find it very hard to fake it, so I usually cop out for the "speak the meaning behind the veiled language" option. When a player manages to pull it off however (i.e. speaking metaphorically in a way that is understandable to the rest of us but not necessarly the characters), I tend to reward them in some ways (i.e. ingame effects or EXP)

[Bertjammin]

"Shaka, when the walls fell"

[Bogie]

I have to agree with Angelman here. If the player can pull it off I'd give them some extra bonus on a roll or some xp or some other type of thing. I think that in the future it would definitely make a good supplement or add-on to something.

[Holz]

I agree as well (third?) I might say that doing rimes does not cut.

Players that choose to talk, need a poetic and getting the metaphor into play.

"Shed light over darkness, or it might bite you."

[Bertjammin]

[Bogie]

We've got a blog in the works.... just saying.

[Holz]

"There is wisdom on think machines, but trust them not, since there spark is weak."

[Bertjammin]

I've been reading up about metaphorical languages and they work by having (and understanding) the same cultural and often religious references. Therefore any plan to define the "Graceful Tongue" is almost as much a definition of Al Malik culture, history and folklore (or at least their perception and understanding of the references of their culture) - not that it should stop us, obviously

I'd suggest that any article or published section on the subject needs to be equal thirds the history & use of the "language", tips on how to play it as a player or GM and example phrases, patterns or (perhaps most importantly) key concepts or "references" used.

[Leviathan of Maddoc]