Racial Information regarding Sampan

[Yeshua]

I know that there is a packet on Sampan that describes a good deal about them, however, I was wondering if there were things in regards to language spoken, if any, and other things such as written language, forms of communication over long distances, etc.

[Jeff Hall]

They tie two mugs together with a string and stretch them out between ships...

Seriously, this is a question for the Sampan Race marshal, aside from the fact that all races speak common (english).

[Rowan]

We have race marshals?

[keith]

No, we don't. The sampan write and speak in English, just like all the rest of us do. There may be some leftover influence of ancient languages in the culture of any of the Amroth races. (Wachagga don't speak Swahilli, for example, although many of the place names and such are influenced by it).

[Yeshua]

Well darn. Nothing special. I always look for that bit of interesting that I can stick in roleplay such as exclaiming in my "native" tongue, be there one that exists. It makes me jealous of the gypsies now and there ever interesting culture.  Thanks for the info though.

[David Bear Carson]

As far as the long distance communitcation I would think that they have some form of code using either flags or light reflected from a mirror.  Much like Medevil sailors did.  

[Kenneth]

May not work, but they are based on an asian influence.  Why not find out some asian sailor phrases, it may not be the entire language, but it would be something that could happen among a sailing culture without necessarily speaking another language.  Worked in Serenity.

[Yeshua]

Well it being Asian-based, I was hoping a symbol system similar to the Japanese Kanji. Or any of the Asian cultures to be honest, though out of them all, I've always found Japanese to be most elegant when it came to Feudal Japan. I even have a book of Japanese exclamations (both clean and dirty).

[Andrew L.]

of

I even have a book of Japanese exclamations (both clean and dirty).

of course you do

[keith]

Well it being Asian-based, I was hoping a symbol system similar to the Japanese Kanji.

If we did that, Sampan players would have to learn an entirely new writing system just to roleplay their characters. You are more than welcome to use kanji, hiragana, katakana, hangul, hanzi, àksǒn thai, or any other Asian writing system for your own personal roleplay, but understand that if you do, that would be how your PC's clan writes and that you shouldn't expect anyone else (including plot!) to understand it.

There's a limit to how in-depth we can go with separate languages, cultural influences, etc before we make it impossible for players to jump in and roleplay. There's a lot of backstory that will be revealed over time, but we've purposely kept the current generations of races generic so that *you* guys, as players, can define your own experience.

[Yeshua]

Ah, well, that is understandable. I never expected it to be the current language, but more of a language that was spoken only around others of the same race. Or even something that was even known. Perhaps something that one would have to specifically say something as if it was spoken in the "old days" of their race.

But of course, with Sampan being merchants and getting most of their in-land supplies through trade, they'd have to speak the common language the majority of the time so most likely upbringing would consist mainly of just that language.

But of course, I shall go with the suggestion that it is clan specific. This will certainly be a good roleplay tool such as symbols of luck and peace.

[David McNeal]

All I'm going to say is work on your "Engrish".

I would also like to point out that Asians are actually the most racist people in the world.  However, we are only truly racist towards other Asians so all you (with) round eyes are OK from (most of) my persecution.