RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16
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Someone over on Reddit asked about developing a military-style phonetic alphabet that would make sense in the Starfinder universe, so that players can do things like transmit landing codes, things like that.
I based the following list off of locations on Golarion (I figure an alphabet like this could have been developed before the Gap and persist even though Golarion no longer exists) and in some cases the names of some VERY ancient civilizations. There are a few of them with asterisks that could use some help, as I just couldn't find any words that really fit in my mind. Perhaps an iconic monster could be filled in instead, in cases like that? Give me suggestions! :)
Starfinder phonetic alphabet for military-style messages
A- Azlant
B- Belkzen
C- Cheliax
D- Druma
E- Everwar*
F- Falheart*
G- Geb
H- Hermea
I- Irrisen
J- Jalmeray
K- Katapesh
L- Lastwall
M- Mendev
N- Numeria
O- Osirion
P- Po*
Q- Qadira
R- Rahadoum
S- Sargava
T- Thassilon
U- Ustalav
V- Varisia* (probably too similar to Osirion, might need replaced)
W- Worldwound
X- Xia*
Y- Yamasa
Z- Zastel
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RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16
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Was convinced to make some of the more difficult to say (or ones with too many syllables) into names of iconic monsters. See below.
A- Azlant
B- Belkzen
C- Cheliax
D- Druma
E- Ettin
F- Fey
G- Geb
H- Harpy
I- Irrisen
J- Jalmeray
K- Katapesh
L- Lastwall
M- Mendev
N- Nixie
O- Orc
P- Peri
Q- Qadira
R- Rahadoum
S- Sphinx
T- Thassilon
U- Ustalav
V- Vudra
W- Worldwound
X- Xorn
Y- Yeti
Z- Zenith
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RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16
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i like the initial list as those words are extremely unlikely to be in common usage, it prevents a lot of confusion.
exmaple, "We are being attacked by a Fey force, i repeated attacked by Falheart Everwar Yamasa" vs "We are being attacked by a Fey force, i repeated attacked by Fey Ettin Yeti"
One is clear, the other is a frightening template stacking horror.
Haha I feel you on that, but at the same time some of those in the first list are very tough... I was told that none should be more than 3 syllables, for example.
X is X-ray because we still pronounce the X "ecks." Xorn and Xia don't fit the criteria.
That being said, radiation should be a thing in Starfinder (it was a thing in Iron Gods,) so X-Ray should still be viable.
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Also, a lot of the phonetic alphabet is common use nouns, that's the point. If someone has never heard of a 'thassilon,' it doesn't function.
It's like when someone tries to make up their own phonetic references on the spot and they end up sounding silly. Words need to be clear, consise, and unmistakable.
Don't overthink it. If it's too flavorful, it could lose functionality.
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Haha I feel you on that, but at the same time some of those in the first list are very tough... I was told that none should be more than 3 syllables, for example.
This is correct. The words chosen for this by the US military were done to clarify communications. As much as they could they used short words which were quick to use in a combat situation and that had little or no other words with a similar sound so that even partial words could be recognized clearly.
That is why words like Oscar and Tango are used. There is pretty much nothing else that sounds like those words so even if you heard only a part of them they are still unique enough to get the information across.
In fact, I'd dare to say not to be afraid to use more of the real-world phonetic alphabet, except where place-names or personal names are too jarring.
I would suggest "quasar" for Q, because Qadira is too ambiguous, and usually pronounced with a "k" sound. Or even "quickling".
Also "echo" for "ettin" because if someone catches the last syllable, it can sound like "xorn", or "irrisen", or even "yeti".
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In fact, I'd dare to say not to be afraid to use more of the real-world phonetic alphabet, except where place-names or personal names are too jarring.
I would suggest "quasar" for Q, because Qadira is too ambiguous, and usually pronounced with a "k" sound. Or even "quickling".
Also "echo" for "ettin" because if someone catches the last syllable, it can sound like "xorn", or "irrisen", or even "yeti".
Yes; that. Don't be afraid to use simple, commonly used, 'sciency' words in place of some of these. For example, I would recommend using "Nebula" instead of "Numeria". Given the science fantasy -ness of the setting these would feel more appropriate, I think. Also, I would recommend trying to stick to using one or two syllable words, as previously recommended. Additionally, why not utilize the deity names, especially those who are no longer as prominent?
Here is my recommendations (I really like Lastwall, so I kept it in):
A- Apsu or Azlant
B- Brigh or Belkzen
C- Charon or Cayden
D- Desna
E- Echo
F- Foo or Foxtrot
G- Gorum
H- Hylax or Hotel
I- Ibra
J- Judge
K- Kilo
L- Lastwall or Lamashtu
M- Moloch
N- Nano or Nebula
O- Oras
P- Papa
Q- Quasar
R- Rovagug
S- Shelyn
T- Torag
U- Uniform
V- Victor
W- Whiskey
X- X-ray
Y- Yaraesa
Z- Zyphus or Zebra or Zon
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RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16
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I was originally trying to stay away from deity names because there might be some characters who are averse to saying a given deity's name out loud, either for fear of invoking their power or simply out of disgust. That said, they might be the best way to go. I like Ashanderai's list right above this.
"Absalom Station, this is Freighter Yaraesa-Torag-Torag-One-Three-Zero-Zero, requesting docking clearance for Bay One-One-Three-Eight, over..."
It has a nice ring to it. :)
Isn't Torag nowhere to be found, though?
That is what makes his name a good one to use for this. It's less likely to come up in conversation.
Isn't Torag nowhere to be found, though?That is what makes his name a good one to use for this. It's less likely to come up in conversation.
Torag. Gone, but not forgotten.
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MAN I CAN'T WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO THINK ZYPHUS IS FOR "I" WHILE DOCKING
It just occurred to me that "Eon" might be a good sci fi sounding word to use in place of "Echo".
It just occurred to me that "Eon" might be a good sci fi sounding word to use in place of "Echo".
Except that "EON" can also be spelled "AEON", and the first vowel sound does not match the 'standard'/phonetic sound (i.e. non-alphabet sound) of the letter "e", like "egg" or "elf" or "echo".
Carry on.
--C.
It just occurred to me that "Eon" might be a good sci fi sounding word to use in place of "Echo".Except that "EON" can also be spelled "AEON", and the first vowel sound does not match the 'standard'/phonetic sound (i.e. non-alphabet sound) of the letter "e", like "egg" or "elf" or "echo".
Carry on.
--C.
Except that what matters for radio traffic is how it sounds, not how it is spelled.
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I like this list and the way it's going.
The only thing I could say is that the current phonetic tries to keep everything to 2 syllables. The only exceptions are Golf and Mike.
That does mean that Brigh, Foo, Judge and Rovagug don't fit - IF you want to go with a tight following of convention.
Maybe try something along:
Blackhole, Formor, Jury and Rescue
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Also, a lot of the phonetic alphabet is common use nouns, that's the point. If someone has never heard of a 'thassilon,' it doesn't function.
It's like when someone tries to make up their own phonetic references on the spot and they end up sounding silly. Words need to be clear, consise, and unmistakable.
Don't overthink it. If it's too flavorful, it could lose functionality.
Don't fix what ain't broken.
Exactly!
I like this list and the way it's going.
The only thing I could say is that the current phonetic tries to keep everything to 2 syllables. The only exceptions are Golf and Mike.That does mean that Brigh, Foo, Judge and Rovagug don't fit - IF you want to go with a tight following of convention.
Maybe try something along:
Blackhole, Formor, Jury and Rescue
You mean like how India, Juliet, November, Romeo, Sierra, and Uniform are all 3 syllables? Hmm... :)
I do like black hole, though. But, I would rather have rovagug than rescue. Rescue is far and away more likely to come up in radio traffic as part of a conversation, leading more easily to confusion. I also still prefer judge. If you don't like foo you could always use fury instead.