An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world

Gaming Outpost Discussions » Multiverser

An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world

(256 posts) (4 voices)

Started 3 years ago by Oak
Latest reply from M. J. Young

Tags:

« Previous 1…56

M. J. Young
Moderator

The bird's language does not contain a word for "friend". There is a word that is closer to "neighbor", which means a creature that lives nearby who is neither a threat nor a food source and therefore irrelevant, and another that clearly means "mate", and another for "offspring", and another for "parent", and another for "sibling". Pick one, or find a way to ask without using that word.

In giving it your name, are you pronouncing it as "John" or are you translating it, and if you are translating it what meaning are you using for it?

It does not understand your reference to the white creatures.

--M. J. Young

Thu Dec 15 2011 12:42 am #
Oak
Member

As I sift through the available vocabulary, I modify my intended greeting to match.

"Peace be unto you, neighbor. Do you know what other creatures live nearby?"

Thu Dec 15 2011 8:15 am #
M. J. Young
Moderator

"Peace to you, neighbor. There are some smaller birds in nearby trees that are no threat to me and of no interest. I worry about the nut-gatherers, because they are not above killing eggs. Sometimes larger fur creatures come through, and sometimes uprights like you, and not all of these are safe, but none can fly and my nest is high enough that I do not fear the dangerous ones climbing to it."

--M. J. Young

Fri Dec 16 2011 2:55 am #
Oak
Member

OOC: As I sift through available vocabulary, does it have any concept of God?

-=-

After the conversation with the bird eventually ends, I ponder again that first rider I saw traveling through Sherwood, and his thoughts that the LORD graciously revealed to me. And I ponder how I was able to take his thoughts about "bandits" and "robbing hood", and how I was able to present them to the LORD, and how I graciously was given a vision of Robin Hood, and even eventually transported to him.

And I ponder his thoughts about the magical beings in the wood as well...

And, in a manner similar to how I prayed before, I petition the LORD for a vision of these "magical beings"...

I believe that this was M7@2 Magical Clairsentience? The previous use was here... :)

Fri Dec 16 2011 6:35 pm #
M. J. Young
Moderator

There does seem to be a concept of "ancestor" that extends beyond the avian to the creator of avians, something of the same way "father" is used of "God", a sort of "The Ancestor" conception. It is nowhere near as theological as that, but the bird has a recognition of a race-creator.

Ah, the magical beings that a traveler believed haunted the forest. Clarify this for me: are you trying to perceive magical beings that he believes inhabit the forest, or magical beings that actually do? I note that the prayer involved gave a specific description of a specific individual you wished to see, but the description you give is going to have a significant impact on what result you get.

--M. J. Young

Sat Dec 17 2011 3:40 am #
Oak
Member

"Praise be to our Creator. How long have you been here?"

I don't know how long I will have this connection to the bird, so I do my best to telepathically explore as much vocabulary as possible, in the hopes that my perfect memory will help me to be able to converse with birds in the future...

-=-

I am trying to perceive magical beings that actually do inhabit this forest. In the same way that the traveler's thoughts about "bandits" and "robbing hood" led me to seek the actual leader of the actual bandits that inhabit this forest, the traveler's thoughts about "magical beings" lead me to seek the actual magical beings that inhabit this forest. After all, I seek to meet and greet and befriend and witness to actual inhabitants, not non-existent figments of someone's imagination... :)

Sat Dec 17 2011 6:54 am #
M. J. Young
Moderator

Concerning "exploring" the vocabulary, my thinking is that 1) you must want to say something specific to have any contact with the appropriate words and 2) you must actually say it to hear them. By analogy, if you're thinking of explaining something to someone, you think conceptually; it is not until you actually speak it or write it) that you come up words like "eschatology" or "cloud server", because your knowledge of language is responsive to your need to communicate specific ideas. Thus if you are thinking about what to say to the bird, you will have a feeling for what it is possible to say, but you won't know the words themselves without speaking them (or singing them, in this case).

You pray your prayer, and suddenly, in the woods a few feet away, you see a small man-like creature, less than two feet tall, dressed in leaves, dark hair and eyes and a pug nose, startled that you have noticed him.

--M. J. Young

Mon Dec 19 2011 2:25 am #
Oak
Member

OK, I'll continue the conversation until my language tap runs out.

"Praise be to our Creator. How long have you been here?"

-=-

I blink as I see the creature, and give a friendly nod of greeting.

Then, without making any threatening moves, I begin to sing. Quietly at first, hoping to avoid scaring him away, and hoping to attract him with the music... and the lyrics...

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.

I give another quiet friendly nod.

"Peace be unto you, friend. Well met. I am John, though some call me Oak. What is your name?"

Mon Dec 19 2011 6:33 am #
M. J. Young
Moderator

"Praise be to our Creator. How long have you been here?"

"All day. Well, I did go looking for food a bit earlier, but I came back."

*****

"Rather hasty of you, to be givin' your name so freely to strangers. As for me, call me dimwit and slowfoot, which is what they're sure to call me when they find I was seen by a human. Still don't know how you managed to do that."

--M. J. Young

Wed Dec 21 2011 1:33 am #
Oak
Member

"Do you travel far when the seasons change, and the leaves begin to fall? What other places have you seen, and what are they like?"

-=-

"Ah, my seeing you was not by my own might or power, but by the Spirit of the LORD my God. For I have been traveling about the forest, meeting and greeting folks, and ministering to their needs as best as I can. And I heard rumors of other folk dwelling here, and came seeking to meet and greet... and found you."

"Are any of your folk sick? I would be happy to pray for them, if you wish. The LORD has been very gracious, and has healed many of the nearby sick human folk recently."

"Do you or your people have any interesting stories or songs? As you may have seen, I have a heart for good songs and stories, and would love to hear more."

Wed Dec 21 2011 3:23 am #
M. J. Young
Moderator

"Oh, yes, I follow the sun when it takes the warmth away, but come back when it grows too hot. There are places where the lakes are vast and wild, and do not quench the thirst. There are different trees beyond that, and it is not so easy to build a nest; it is easier to have young here in these forests."

*****

Are any of your folk sick?

"Sick? Oh, that thing where bodies stop working right because other creatures overwhelm them. No, we don't get sick, thanks all the same. Anyway, why would the gods of men care about us?"

Do you or your people have any interesting stories or songs?

"Aye, that we have; but we're not so keen on sharing with the humans, if you don't mind me saying. Our stories and songs are our own, and what would it mean to you if Beren Briarfoot went on a great quest to win the love of Princess Alyna, who loved him anyway, and to prove that he was worthy of her hand, when he didn't know that he was actually the rightful heir to the throne, his uncle having never told him that his father had been the king? It's not your history."

--M. J. Young

Thu Dec 22 2011 2:18 am #
Oak
Member

"Do you flock together with others, or only with your mate and offspring?"

-=-

"The LORD God Almighty created all things. And it is written, 'All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD', and 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.'"

"Do you know anything about the LORD? What have you heard?"

-=-

I smile warmly.

"I don't mind. I know well that I am still but a stranger, and not of your folk. But I would be keen to learn of you all, and to call you friends."

"Are there bards among you? I am something of a bard, though I have much to learn, and stories and songs of your people would mean much to me. A worthy history should not be forgotten, but passed on from people to people, and from generation to generation."

"Besides, are you not also curious about others? I was not in your history until a few minutes ago, yet was I not interesting enough for you to want to observe and learn something of?"

I finish with a good natured twinkle in my eye...

Thu Dec 22 2011 8:25 am #
M. J. Young
Moderator

"Flock? I do not understand what you mean. The paths get crowded when all are going the same way."

"I know that the creator of birds is great and deserves to be praised for giving us all this world to enjoy."

*****

"Curious about humans? The only thing that interests me about humans is how to stay out of their sight, which is usually a lot simpler than this. You're short-lived and superstitious creatures, and many a poor fellow has been caught never to be seen again, or to have escaped with harrowing stories of how their captors demanded wishes, or pots of gold, or some such nonsense. And what, pray tell, would you be demanding of me?"

--M. J. Young

Sat Dec 24 2011 3:57 am #
Oak
Member

"Do you ever converse with other kinds of birds, or are you unable to understand their speech? Can you converse with non-avians?"

-=-

I listen to his words with increasing dismay.

"I demand nothing of you, though I would welcome your friendship. But I had no idea your people have been suffering at the hands of mine. From my heart, I am sorry."

I ponder thoughtfully.

"I cannot undo what has passed, but perhaps I can help now. If many have been caught, never to be seen again, would you have me seek them? If any are still alive, I could search for them, and perhaps find them, as I was able to find you. And, if any could be rescued, I could exert myself to try to free them... if your people would have me make the attempt."

Sat Dec 24 2011 6:55 am #
M. J. Young
Moderator

"Why would I converse with other kinds of birds? It's about territory, mating, food. If a bird is dangerous I hide, if it's non-competing I ignore it, and if it competes I tell it to leave."

*****

"Seek them? Have you some power to travel to the afterlife and return?" There is some disdain in his tone. "No, stranger; they're dead, and that's the sure of it. It only takes so much torture trying to get a pot of gold or a granted wish or some such nonsense before it's too much and we expire. Our crime is that we aren't what your people want us to be, and for that we are executed."

--M. J. Young

Tue Dec 27 2011 4:05 am #
Oak
Member

"What things do you say when you sing? Is all your singing related to territory, mating, and food, or do you ever sing of other things?"

-=-

"But why do the humans think you have pots of gold, or wishes, or whatever other nonsense? Are there none that have ever been friends with your people?"

"Well, I am grieved at how your people have suffered, and I understand how I might not be welcomed among them. It is a pity, for given half a chance, I think we could learn much from one another. Are there any other ways I might be of service to you and yours?"

"Are there any other folk in the woods that might enjoy sharing a song or story together?"

Tue Dec 27 2011 5:49 pm #
M. J. Young
Moderator

"Other things? Sometimes I thank the maker for my territory, mate, and food. Sometimes I sing warning to my mate that there is a predator in the area, whether a bird hunter or an egg stealer. What else is there?"

*****

"Why? Why do humans think anything at all? They find that we're hard to catch, and figure that we must use magic, and then they think that magic can do anything at all, so we must be able to conjure untold wealth, magical healing of whatever ails them, or anything else they can imagine. Many of my kin have escaped the grasp of a human by making unbelievable promises that the humans then stupidly believe--begging your pardon, I'm sure. As if a pot of gold would be any use to someone living in the woods!"

"To my thinking, the best service you could do to me and mine would be to forget you ever saw me and never mention it to anyone. The sooner humans stop believing we're out here, the safer we'll all be."

"Sharing a song or story? Well, you've heard the bird sing, and I dare say there are other birds with other songs. And there's a fellow comes through from time to time, with a stringed instrument that's not a fiddle, who sings stories to the humans that camp in the woods not far from here. But what's a story but a lie told to distract?"

--M. J. Young

Wed Dec 28 2011 1:42 am #
Oak
Member

"What of the beauty of the forest, or of the great waters you fly over when you follow the sun, or of the rising sun's warmth on a chilly morning, or of the coolness of a breeze on a warm afternoon?"

-=-

"Some stories can be for such base things, but not all. Stories may recall worthy events of the past, such as Beren Briarfoot and Princess Alyna. Stories may convey great truths by illustration or parable. And the stories that folk treasure in their hearts help me understand and know them better. Is it not so?"

Wed Dec 28 2011 6:15 pm #
M. J. Young
Moderator

Your suggestions of what else there is seem only to confuse the bird. The word for "beauty" appears to suggest primarily sexual attractiveness in a mate; changes in temperature are not other than facts about the world that must be endured; he doesn't really pay attention to ground where he cannot land other than to keep going until he finds a place where he can.

*****

"You have a strange idea of the use of stories, stranger. But then, if you're right, that knowing someone's stories helps you understand them, that would be all the more reason why you shouldn't tell your stories to strangers--understanding others lets you control them, and so being understood makes you controllable."

--M. J. Young

Thu Dec 29 2011 2:49 am #
Oak
Member

"Thank you for talking with me. Is there any way that I may be of service to you?"

-=-

"But do you not share stories among your people? Why bother with ever speaking of Beren Briarfoot and Princess Alyna, even amongst yourselves, if it is nothing but a lie to distract?"

"I suppose that you have a point about control... but I love and serve the LORD my God by loving and serving those around me as best I can. Bridging the gap from strangers to friends won't happen unless someone is willing to reach out, and risk, and be vulnerable. So I freely initiate taking such risk, in the hope that others will also. And you are a good example. With all that your folk have suffered from humans, you would scarcely be inclined to initiate such risk with me. The only hope, slim though it might be, is if I do so first. Is it not so?"

Thu Dec 29 2011 8:32 am #
M. J. Young
Moderator

"Do you know where there is any food close at hand?"

*****

"All right, then--you first. Tell me your story."

--M. J. Young

Fri Dec 30 2011 3:53 am #
Oak
Member

"What do you like to eat?"

-=-

"Ah, but I already did... though there are many hidden treasures within it that are worthy of further detail. You heard the song I sang when we first met. Have you ever heard the like of it before? What did you glean from it? For that song is the heart and soul of my story..."

Fri Dec 30 2011 7:00 pm #
M. J. Young
Moderator

"Food".

It appears that the bird's language does not have a different word for whatever it is.

*****

"Aye, but a rather sketchy tale it was. Where were you lost, when were you blind, and what dangers have you faced? It's hardly a proper tale. It's a bit like saying, 'I went somewhere and something happened and I came back.' Where did you go, and what happened? Or did I miss something?"

--M. J. Young

Sat Dec 31 2011 1:42 am #
Oak
Member

"I'm sorry, but my food is different than your food. I don't know where your food is."

-=-

"Ah, good questions all. Very well then, let us be sure we understand together the context of my story..."

"Now, you previously mentioned your Beren Briarfoot and Princess Alyna. Therefore, I take it that your people are organized into a kingdom, and ruled by a king. Is this so?"

"How are you ruled, then? What is your law? If your king gives a command, is it to be obeyed, or is it to be ignored?"

Sun Jan 1 2012 5:46 pm #
M. J. Young
Moderator

"Odd. I see creatures eating what is not food sometimes, and was glad they did not know what food was; but I never considered that something might be food for them that was not food."

*****

"Ruled? The King's job is to make sure everyone has food and shelter, and can enjoy life. If we find anything that might be used for trade, such as human coins or jewelry, we give it to him so he can use it to get what we need if necessary. He's required to play the fiddle for our dances, and to know the songs to keep us entertained. But we have no law, if I understand the way you use that word."

--M. J. Young

Sun Jan 1 2012 9:56 pm #
Oak
Member

"What creatures do you see in these woods?"

-=-

I consider thoughtfully.

"Do each of you have jobs, or things that you are required to do?"

Sun Jan 8 2012 8:23 pm #
M. J. Young
Moderator

"I see two-legs, four-legs, snakes, and birds; I see predators and harmless. Two-legs are usually harmless, but they are egg-stealers sometimes. Most four-leg predators can't reach a nest easily, so only have to be watched when getting food. Predator birds are the dangerous ones."

*****

"Well, we all have our jobs, that is, what we have to do. I have to keep my woman happy and fed, and get food and clothes for her children. That's my main job."

--M. J. Young

Mon Jan 9 2012 3:35 am #
Oak
Member

"Are all of the two-legs about my size? Are any much larger or smaller? Do any look much different, as if they are a different type of creature than I? Do any of them fly?"

-=-

"Why do you have to do anything? What if you didn't do your job? Or what if your king didn't do his?"

Mon Jan 9 2012 7:10 am #
M. J. Young
Moderator

"Oh, yes, all of the two-legs are bigger than birds, even bigger than predator birds; but no, if they fly they must be birds. That's just obvious. The ability to fly is the definition of a bird."

*****

"If I didn't make sure that my woman and her children were clothed and fed, she'd be very angry, and she's not so easy to live with when she's angry, and she's not so easy to escape, neither. As to the king, I suppose if he couldn't do his job we'd get another king. I really don't understand what you're about in all this."

--M. J. Young

Tue Jan 10 2012 5:29 am #
Oak
Member

"What of insects, or of bats?"

-=-

"Ah, this all has to do with my story, the tale I sketched to you in song just now. For it is a tale of a wretched unworthy fellow, and of a great king he served. This fellow had jobs, things he had to do, things he was required to do... and yet did not do them. And the king was indeed very angry, for the conduct of this fellow was so utterly negligent and so utterly wretched as to be worthy of death."

"Have you any such things in your experience, among your people? Things that are so important to do, or not to do, that those who transgress are worthy of nothing but death?"

Sun Jan 22 2012 11:02 pm #
M. J. Young
Moderator

There is no word in the bird's language for "insects", and when you try to come up with the word for a "bat" it's the same as the word for a "bird". When you press for the details, you find that all flying insects are also birds, and all crawling insects are "four-legs". Apparently that designation has more to do with their stance than the actual number of legs.

*****

"I expect that there are those that deserve to die, and probably they die. Then of course there are those who die who probably didn't deserve it. Death comes to all eventually, and sooner if you don't do what you need to do to live. If you don't do what you need to do to live, would that mean you deserve to die? Perhaps that's what you mean?"

--M. J. Young

Mon Jan 23 2012 3:47 am #

RSS feed for this topic

« Previous 1…56

Reply

You must log in to post.