RP and Non-RP words

[Exaero_Fiero]

There is some group of words, which is identified as \"Non-RP\", and that is why many newbs have to substitute their nicknames or maybe even guild names after having a rendezvous with a GM.

 But... Where is the clear border between RP and non-RP words?

 As many of you would know, the official language of Planeshift is an old (Shakespearean) English, as far as it is used for roleplaying and enforced in-game. At that time, the words such as \"sterilization\" or \"machinegun\" were not used, as well as not yet invented.
Therefore, if there is no such a word as \"lightsaber\", how can we judge, that it is not RP related? Why do we necesarly make the connection of language we\'re supposed to use in role-playing with the language irl? Therefore if such a word doesn\'t exist, why can\'t we implement it ourselves without the meaning it has irl? This way, how is it different if one called one\'s guild \"Darkheart Guild\" or \"Lightsabers\' Guild\"?  

 To strenghten the point of the first paragraph: Different languages... If we can use latin for guilds\' names (setting does not mention that any of the first people spoke latin), why can\'t we use all the other possible languages, including the made-up ones? Why can\'t we say that \"Supeerlet killa\" doesn\'t mean \"honorable knight\" in the ancient Xacha or \"Ghifd adf rtut\" means \"Prepare for duel\" in gobble...? It is understandable, that sequences of letters and numbers (aka 1337) obviously can\'t be used in names, but what about everything else?

 I would love to see good arguments, and especially good arguments from GM\'s, if they care enough to read this boring post.

[Lutz]

I like that! Uc Kri Ried Forn. More gobble

[Incenjucar]

...Where is it stated as official?  I tend to keep towards it myself -anyways-, but I didn\'t notice this in the documentation...

Aye, tis well that I do keep these habits, that it might be required.

[ramlambmoo]

Well im non a GM, but ill argue anyway..

 As many of you would know, the official language of Planeshift is an old (Shakespearean) English, as far as it is used for roleplaying and enforced in-game. At that time, the words such as \"sterilization\" or \"machinegun\" were not used, as well as not yet invented.  

Is it?  A quick check of the rules mentions nothing about using old shakespearean, thats just what most people use because that fits into the medieval setting of PS and so it makes sense.  But ive never seen an offical announcement stating that.

 To strenghten the point of the first paragraph: Different languages... If we can use latin for guilds\' names (setting does not mention that any of the first people spoke latin), why can\'t we use all the other possible languages, including the made-up ones? Why can\'t we say that \"Supeerlet killa\" doesn\'t mean \"honorable knight\" in the ancient Xacha or \"Ghifd adf rtut\" means \"Prepare for duel\" in gobble...? It is understandable, that sequences of letters and numbers (aka 1337) obviously can\'t be used in names, but what about everything else?  

Simple- You cannot use a word in another language if it has a meaning in english that is not allowed.  E.g German word uber, means roughly (i dont speak german) super, superior, etc.  But in english it has leet connotations, as so if you called your guild Uber Warriors it could be targeted by a GM because of the english meaning.  If a word does not have an english meaning, then you should be free to use it.   Exception: if the language is a language that you made up or a group of friends made up, and uses ridiculous phonetics, lacks vowels, etc, then if could be changed.  Eg. itrghjk wqtugh  You could say that means Warrior of the Sun in the language nvlwstlk, but unless the language is widely known, then you can be asked to change the name.
So to recap:
1) Can use any words from any recognised language provided they do not have other undesireable meanings in english,
2) Can use any words from any language provided they are roughly pronouncable (some discretion required here).

[Valbrandr]

I agree with you Exaero... That could add a new element to roleplay as well.

[Efflixi Aduro]

Welll, in the world today most languages have sprouted from a few original ones making many very alike. In the ps world this can also be what led to many languages, but, then langages would have somthing in common. I see nothing \"Who art thou?\" has in common with \"a/s/l\"
Meanwhile, somthing like \"Wha cou nahu?\" has some distinct similarities with the \"Who art thou?\" I showed you before.

[Draklar]

Originally posted by Exaero_Fiero Therefore if such a word doesn\'t exist, why can\'t we implement it ourselves without the meaning it has irl? This way, how is it different if one called one\'s guild \"Darkheart Guild\" or \"Lightsabers\' Guild\"?  

Because words which are well known and have connection with modern times or sci-fi setting are disturbing for roleplaying in medieval setting, duh.

[Hatchnet]

Originally posted by Draklar

Originally posted by Exaero_Fiero Therefore if such a word doesn\'t exist, why can\'t we implement it ourselves without the meaning it has irl? This way, how is it different if one called one\'s guild \"Darkheart Guild\" or \"Lightsabers\' Guild\"?  

Because words which are well known and have connection with modern times or sci-fi setting are disturbing for roleplaying in medieval setting, duh.

And part of roleplay is to be able to improvise what others bring upon you thou dark hearted fool or perhaps thou would be better suited as a member of the sabbers of light.

Ok that was fun now prove to me how dark heart is inapropriat in a world where evil characters roam unfettered and how light sabers are inapropriate in a world where magic reigns supream.

[Scots Saseg]

Emmmmmm why cant they use light sabre??? Wellington\'s Cavalry carried heavy sabres for use in chages and some infantry officers liked the reach of the weapon they had a lighter version made making a \"light sabre\"

[Draklar]

Because lightsaber as a well known word is instantly connected with Star Wars. You can make many excuses for light sabring to exist in Planeshift, but that doesn\'t change the basic fact. Sci-fi words are disturbing roleplaying in fantasy setting.

[lynx_lupo]

It\'s about practical reasons. Out of 100 people only one would maybe understand light saber correctly, in it\'s rp sense. All would see the sci-fi connection, breaking the flow.

edit: well, got beat.

[Darakus]

Oh please just because one sci-fi author used the term lightsaber in one of his books you\'re gonna ban it from the PS world ... Even though I don\'t remember the names of the books or the authors I still remember reading quite a few fantasy books who used weapons made of light and thus light sabers too, not to mention that if light armor exists then light weapons do too with light being the opposite of heavy this time around.

One question for you though, if Lucas had talked about magic instead of force would you ban the use of that word too )

Lucas was certainly not the first to use a light saber in one of his story, it just so happened that his light saber became well known.

[Moogie]

So? The fact is, it IS well known. Regardless of how it came to be, the word \"Lightsabre\" is most commonly associated with wavey laser swords. Arguing the finer points of that is meaningless because it all boils down to the first 8 words in this post. Read, wash, repeat.

[Kiva]

A light sabre/saber (same thing):
A saber made of a light material/alloy, enabling the wielder to hit at incredible speeds.

A lightsaber:
Go play SW:KoTOR, not PS.


There\'s a big diffrence between the two things. It\'s all about how you read it.

[Exaero_Fiero]

A quick check of the rules mentions nothing about using old shakespearean

Yes, there are no rules, however...

what most people use because that fits into the medieval setting of PS

And almost everything else (if not everything else) won\'t make sense.

And now, to everyone who keeps making connections to real life, and modern version of english: Most computer games are made to introduce different worlds to people playing them. And the genre, which especially appeals for creating alternative realities is RPG. This game is called planeSHIFT, therefore it is made for us to shift from the reality and to forget about it for some time. As far as it is a medieval-fantasy setting, we use, as Ramlambmoo pointed out, a language which best suits the setting - the Shakespearean english. It is an older version of modern english, where they did not have the main 1337 words, which appeared later. Furthermore, 1337 words are not a part of our language, and if we do not make a connection to real life (which breaks the feeling of an alternate reality), the 1337 words are pratically \"unknown\" to us. And if the words are unknown to us...

1) Can use any words from any recognised language provided they do not have other undesireable meanings in english

Because lightsaber as a well known word is instantly connected with Star Wars.

 Keeping in mind my previous paragraph, where did you get to watch Star Wars in the world of PlaneShift?

To Moogie: Perhaps, now you can join in...