SC23 Prep: Theme 4 - Communication

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This article is a part of the Summer Camp 2023 Prep series.

How do people and organizations from different backgrounds or cultures communicate with each other? How does communication happen over short and long distances? Who in your setting communicates secretly or carefully, and how?

— Ondo, WorldAnvil Author

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Dwarven Fashion (Cultural)

by dream by WOMBO

I take it you've never noticed how two Dwarves can meet and instantly be at each others' throat before ever uttering a word? All those symbols they wear? They're not just for looks.

— A Dwarven soldier

Culturally, clothing in Gokrenxia communicates all kinds of information, from wealth, to social status, to intent. One of the more interesting and overt examples is found within the Great Houses of the Dwarves. While little information is generally available (the Elves never really cared), what we know is over the years the Dwarves have developed a symbology that succintly communicates highly personal stories to include an individual's House, rank, role, accomplishments, and territory. This symbology is often stitched, etched, or carved into their clothing, armor, or shields and chiseled into their cavern walls. As a result, interactions between two Dwarves from different Houses are often colored by the relationships between those Houses.

Elven Voorxel (Long distance)

by dream by WOMBO

Quickly now. Deliver this message directly to Lord Glom. He should be wintering at his castle in Lyxduur.

— An Elven Lord to one of his Voorxel

Throughout the First Age, the Elves relied upon a network of interconnected magical devices to communicate nearly instantaneously. However, fears of losing the control and security of this network during the Great War led them to destroy it as they retreated. Unfortunately, the knowledge to rebuild these artifacts was lost as well.
Over the last 60 years, the Elves have implemented new long range communications methods, pouring time and effort into breeding, training, and magically augmenting obedient, resilient, aggressive wyverns roughly the size of a large hawk. While not as fast as their previous magical methods of communication, these "Voorxel" have proven exceptionally reliable for securely delivering hand-written and magically-sealed messages throughout what remains of Elven lands.

Shaf Spycraft (Covert)

by dream by WOMBO

I'm a bit worried with the change of seasons coming earlier than expected, my oxen won't be able to fully till the field in time. My plows are rusty too, which is only going to slow down this year's harvest.

— A coded Shaf conversation meaning "The plan to move up the timeline against the Elves isn't going to work. I have neither the people, nor the weapons to carry out what you're asking."

Shaf Yadursmaj, or "Shaf" for short, is the highly organized intelligence arm of Vath'azen, currently under the leadership of Jenta Hua'zur. This group has developed numerous covert communication methods for relaying sensitive information while hiding in plain sight.
Their spycraft includes such methods as: code words and phrases able to be used in regular conversation representing specific alternate meanings (Ex: a "change of seasons" is a reference to the former masters of the realm, the Elves). Establishing information "dead drops". That is, methods for two parties to reliably pass information when direct contact is too great of a risk, and seemingly innocuous symbols carved, burned, or painted in overt locations, conveying information to other Shaf Agents.