I heard tell that the dabus use rebus pictures to communicate? Is this so and if so, which base language are they using as rebus in English is can't be the same as rebus in Spanish, French, German, etc.
Dabus Language
Tue, 2007-11-13 17:58
#1
Dabus Language
Tue, 2007-11-13 18:54
#3
Dabus Language
Are there any special symbols like the symbol for Fell?
Tue, 2007-11-13 19:29
#4
Dabus Language
It's phonetic, so the symbols would change as appropriate to the viewer.
Tue, 2007-11-13 21:10
#5
Dabus Language
I'm not sure how canonical this is, but certain replies are simply a single inexplicable symbol. The most notable of these is, as expected, that of The Lady of Pain, which appears as Her Serenity's face surrounded by blades. I'm sure certain other questions, such as the nature of Sigil, the history of the Dabus, or the length of the Spire, have equally vague but colorful answers.
Tue, 2007-11-13 21:13
#6
Dabus Language
I know the Lady's face is shown--I'm pretty sure that's cannon.
Mon, 2007-11-19 21:53
#7
Dabus Language
So there's never been a listing of symbols, like in Dragon Magazine or one of the D&D/2nd. Ed. books?
Mon, 2007-11-19 22:07
#8
Dabus Language
Ummmm. Hm. I think there was in one of the Dragon adventures. A set of rebus symbols to cut out for your players as a prop.
Tue, 2007-11-20 02:24
#9
Dabus Language
I'm not sure how canonical this is, but certain replies are simply a single inexplicable symbol. The most notable of these is, as expected, that of The Lady of Pain, which appears as Her Serenity's face surrounded by blades.
That may be because Her Serenity is, herself a riddle.
Tue, 2007-11-20 09:36
#10
Dabus Language
So there's never been a listing of symbols, like in Dragon Magazine or one of the D&D/2nd. Ed. books?
TSR's Uncaged: Faces of Sigil contains examples of Dabus rebuses under Milori's section (pages 64-67); the Monstrous Supplement that was included with the 2nd Edition Planescape Campaign Boxed Set also contains a Rebus example under the "Dabus" creature entry.
Tue, 2007-11-20 12:01
#11
Dabus Language
Here is a sample from Expedition to the Demonweb Pits
-420
Tue, 2007-11-20 18:04
#12
Dabus Language
I understand that well enough, but what I meant was this. In the CRPG Planescape: Torment, the main character was speaking to Fell, and fell used a specific symbol for his name, a black oval with a white lightning bolt. This is not a standard rebus symbol. The same holds true for a face with blades around it to represent the Lady of Pain. Does anyone else know of any others or if there is a list?
Wed, 2007-11-21 12:47
#13
Dabus Language
There is no source providing hard rules on the Dabus language.
It is not even certain that the Rhebus is in a 'viewer perceived' language (I have always had them appear as 'Planar Common') and, if it is, what the Rhebus look like to the Dabus.
Sources of Dabus Rhebus is sparse appearing in only a few 'official' sources (Monstrous Entry, Guide to the Cage, and one Dungeon Adventure, Nemesis - I think).
Cannonically, the Sign for Fell is in Torment and in Guide to the Cage. The Lady of Pain is covered and in addition they depict Sigil in the Rhebus as it is viewed from the outside (and slightly overhead). Unless the race is part of the puzzle ("Elfs" in "thems-ELVES") they typically use Dabus faces (Angry Dabus face for 'Angry').
Use of Faction Symbols for Faction Names, etc.
Other than that, do what works for your group.
By that, I mean, use consistent symbols.
"Th + Hair/image" for 'There' in all instances.
Thu, 2007-11-22 19:14
#14
Dabus Language
To avoid having to make rebuses up on the fly or just declair that my players could make out the speech, I've used the method demonstrated in Torment, where the language is more symbolic and metaphoric than a string of images and letters. This makes for a descriptive and unique conversation, without huge pauses to write and translate puzzles.
The rebuses are illusionary and appear to each individual in the language that they are most adept at.