A thought on Word Walls.

Post » Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:17 pm

So I got to wondering about Word Walls. No one but the Dragon Born are capable of tapping into those Words of Power, but when you approach them, you hear chanting. How possible would it be that the chanting was the ancients who built it ritually infusing their knowledge of it into the wall? (Just a random thought I had while approaching one)
User avatar
john palmer
 
Posts: 3410
Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 8:07 pm

Post » Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:58 pm

I honestly don't think that the Dragonborn is hearing that, as it's certain he's not hearing that ambient music that we hear...unless you're roleplaying a worshiper of Sheogorath, then by all means, you're allowed to hear things...
In all, I think it's more of a designer cue. Because it's awesome to hear that as this word and it's meaning are being transcribed into your brain.
User avatar
Deon Knight
 
Posts: 3363
Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2007 1:44 am

Post » Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:20 pm

I think its to make it dramatic.

There is a book called "Dragon Language: Myth no more", he's found many walls and he doesn't mention chanting, only that one could feel power.
User avatar
Jason Wolf
 
Posts: 3390
Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2007 7:30 am

Post » Sat Feb 23, 2013 3:34 pm

It's an interesting idea but I think the chanting is really no different than the special music you get when you're in impending danger or in combat. That is, just a sound effect designed to either tip you off to something important that is nearby or to contribute to the player's (as opposed to the PC's) experience of whatever is happening at the moment. Special sound/music = something special is happening. Like the sound effect you get when you level up, it's not like it means someone somewhere is making that noise in honor of the achievement. :tongue:

Of course one can always RP that the Dovahkiin IS being "called" to the Words of Power by a sound only s/he can hear. Which is also totally cool. Nevertheless I don't think those words are there to serve as something special to anyone, the inscriptions are not really anything special in their own right, mostly just the standard epitaph/memorial type stuff you would expect when someone erects a monument to something. And IIRC the inscriptions don't refer specifically to anything having special importance with regard to the Thu'um or any once and future Dragonborns. They're written in the Dragon language because that was probably the most sacred language in those days, possibly the equivalent of Church Latin in medieval Europe.

The words that the Dovahkiin learns from the walls weren't put there because they are Words of Power, it's just that some of the words used in the inscriptions are also words that are used in Shouts. They mean something special to the PC only because the PC is Dragonborn and so they are, to him or her, more than just random words in a foreign language. Someone who understands the Dragon language but isn't Dragonborn could read the same inscription and understand exactly what it means, but have no clue that one of the words he's reading is "special" to someone who experiences it in a magical way in addition to a mundane one.
User avatar
Beast Attire
 
Posts: 3456
Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2007 5:33 am

Post » Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:18 pm

I honestly don't think that the Dragonborn is hearing that, as it's certain he's not hearing that ambient music that we hear...unless you're roleplaying a worshiper of Sheogorath, then by all means, you're allowed to hear things...
In all, I think it's more of a designer cue. Because it's awesome to hear that as this word and it's meaning are being transcribed into your brain.
I think its to make it dramatic.

There is a book called "Dragon Language: Myth no more", he's found many walls and he doesn't mention chanting, only that one could feel power.
Think you guys are missing what I mean. I mean the chanting being the power within the words 'calling' to him. To try and use ambient music as a counter argument is a bit like using a Godwins Law argument. Take the Greybeards, they 'hear the whisper' of a Word of Power, perhaps Dovahkiin hears it too as he gets closer. As for the book, perhaps he isn't as well versed as a Greybeard or the Dovahkiin on these things, so his inner being isnt in tune?

Again, Im not really fighting one way or another, it's just an interesting thought.
User avatar
Taylor Bakos
 
Posts: 3408
Joined: Mon Jan 15, 2007 12:05 am

Post » Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:49 am

Well, tomato, tomahto. Some things, to me, don't actually serve the deeper meaning people want to attatch to them. But if they see fit to do so, then who am I to say otherwise?

Believe me, it's not the first time it's bordered on the statement of whether or not we're playing the same game.
User avatar
Beulah Bell
 
Posts: 3372
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 7:08 pm

Post » Sat Feb 23, 2013 3:19 pm

So I got to wondering about Word Walls. No one but the Dragon Born are capable of tapping into those Words of Power, but when you approach them, you hear chanting. How possible would it be that the chanting was the ancients who built it ritually infusing their knowledge of it into the wall? (Just a random thought I had while approaching one)

I think your right. :)
User avatar
djimi
 
Posts: 3519
Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2006 6:44 am

Post » Sat Feb 23, 2013 4:28 pm

Well, tomato, tomahto. Some things, to me, don't actually serve the deeper meaning people want to attatch to them. But if they see fit to do so, then who am I to say otherwise?

Believe me, it's not the first time it's bordered on the statement of whether or not we're playing the same game.
It's probably a case of 'trying to find depth for my own amusemant'. Skyrim doesnt explain much of Skyrims ancient history, so I like to 'daydream' while ingame.
User avatar
Jason King
 
Posts: 3382
Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 2:05 pm

Post » Sat Feb 23, 2013 2:01 pm

It's probably a case of 'trying to find depth for my own amusemant'. Skyrim doesnt explain much of Skyrims ancient history, so I like to 'daydream' while ingame.

"Finding Depth for one's own amusemant". I like that. I will be using it. The check for royalties will be in the mail, and thank you for your donation to the "HWR Foundation for stock labels for things the Fandom does"
User avatar
lisa nuttall
 
Posts: 3277
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2006 1:33 pm

Post » Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:50 pm

The subtle chanting that gets louder and louder as you approach? Sure, I do believe the Dragonborn hears it.

The one that follows when you learn the word, that's loud as hell, and also plays when you absorb a Dragon Soul? Definitely not.
User avatar
Emmanuel Morales
 
Posts: 3433
Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2007 2:03 pm

Post » Sun Feb 24, 2013 12:34 am

"Finding Depth for one's own amusemant". I like that. I will be using it. The check for royalties will be in the mail, and thank you for your donation to the "HWR Foundation for stock labels for things the Fandom does"
"BUT THE LEGION/STORMCLOAKS ARE THE GOOD GUYS!" 'Finding depth for one's own amusemant isn't fact'

The subtle chanting that gets louder and louder as you approach? Sure, I do believe the Dragonborn hears it.

The one that follows when you learn the word, that's loud as hell, and also plays when you absorb a Dragon Soul? Definitely not.
Oh no, not that one when it says what word you hear, just the subtle choir chant one.
User avatar
OnlyDumazzapplyhere
 
Posts: 3445
Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 12:43 am


Return to V - Skyrim