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The zorai pictograms research (results)

Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 1:04 pm
by komissar
OOC: KK mates so not to keep you waiting way too long here goes the research result:

THE ZORAI PICTOGRAMS RESEARCH
by Komissar (Bard of Order Nameless)

OVERVIEW:
The zorai pictograms are not pure ornamentaion, neither an alphabet, where 1 symbol would stand for 1 letter. They are sets of meanings put together to represent a bigger and more complex whole. Most of the elements used in the pictograms have a meaning of their own and combined in a specific way they produce a meaning of greater magnitude.

BASIC RULES.
1. Every element is valuable. Every element is unique. Therefore it is allowed to rotate every element in any desired way including a horizontal or vertical flip (mirror reflection), the elements can even be somewhat distorted to allow a better fit into the pictogram. The zorai mind can grasp the meaning of every element without the unnecessary limits of "proper" positionioning.

2. The complete sets of pictograms representing a phrase should not be read in a specific way (e.g. from left to right or from top to bottom). Only in grasping the variety of elements and pictograms presented by author as a whole, in a synthesis, can an understanding be reached.

3. The zorai pictographic writing is verb driven. Individual symbols are either verbs, adjectives, supplementary nouns (like “quality” and “direction&#8221 ;) or prepositions. You get more complex nouns by combining two similar verbs (or adding adjectives on top of that). In my opinion this is dictated by zorai philosophy: actions and qualities occur spontaneously throughout the universe but actors and objects can only appear as a result of complex processes. Therefore they have a more complicated build and require special attention.

4. The pictogram should always be read starting with a verb (if there is a verb in it).

5. The adjective (or supplementary noun) that is encircled by the verb, or stands next to the verb and has exactly the same length, refers to this verb and nothing else.

VERBS:

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m312 ... g_verb.jpg

ADJECTIVES:

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m312 ... ng_adj.jpg

SUPPLEMENTARY NOUNS:

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m312 ... l_noun.jpg

DECIPHERED PICTOGRAMS:

Melee weapons - http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m312 ... eapons.jpg

Amplifiers – http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m312 ... ifiers.jpg

Rifle (old and new variant) - http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m...sar_/rifle.jpg

City (and building exit) flags - http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m312 ... _/city.jpg

Stage (and palace) flags - http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m312 ... /stage.jpg

Guild hall (1,2) - http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m312 ... _hall1.jpg http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m312 ... _hall2.jpg


EXEMPLARY PICTOGRAMS:



_________________________________________________________________
OOC: Mates this is by no means all. But the lack of time prevents me from posting the whole thing at once. I am also not done with some minor things yet. So please be patient very soon I will be adding more, editing the original post. Thank you :) I have created this new thread to be able to put the whole research together in the end (at the start of one thread).

And a great thanks to all who helped me with screenshots.

Re: The zorai pictograms research (results)

Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 1:28 pm
by akicks
Nice work on these. It shows theres more to this world than I ever though possible :)

Re: The zorai pictograms research (results)

Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 1:48 pm
by rothimar
Aye, it makes one wonder what else is waiting to be discovered on Atys. :)

Re: The zorai pictograms research (results)

Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 2:54 pm
by acridiel
*bows on deep respect and softly applauds*

Great work!!

Acridiel

Re: The zorai pictograms research (results)

Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 3:26 pm
by kibsword
Superb work!

Its hard to believe these have been ingame so long, under our very eyes and noone bothered to try to translate them! :)

It does strike one with awe at how detailed the world truely is when we come to pay attention to it.

Re: The zorai pictograms research (results)

Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 3:53 pm
by ajsuk
That is indeed very interesting, Komi.

You learn something everyday in this game and thats what makes/keeps it so interesting. :)

Re: The zorai pictograms research (results)

Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:57 am
by martl
brilliant work, Komi :)

Re: The zorai pictograms research (results)

Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 12:35 pm
by hmclee
Wonderful work, Komi. Atys is full of mysteries, waiting to be discovered, I see.

Re: The zorai pictograms research (results)

Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 11:57 am
by bra1ndg
Wow, fantastic stuff!.. Good work, and i'll be keeping my eyes out from now on.

Re: The zorai pictograms research (results)

Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 5:05 pm
by riveit
Incredibly awesome insight and work Komissar. :)

/bow

Now, I have a question for you. Do you those complex swirling designs on Tryker buildings also have meaning?

Also if you ever get the chance to visit Tikal and other Mayan ruins, I highly recommend it. There is nothing quite like being on top of a pyramid there at dawn, witnessing the vast flights of jungle birds, all waking up and singing almost at once, parrots, parakeets, toucans etc. Hearing howler monkeys by day, jaguars and gunshots by night.