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Arkun-Sha! Bringing down the chieftan was so badass I almost forgot it was scripted.

6 (31.6%)

Alca-un. She's the most badass, of course!

5 (26.3%)

Ulla-Sha. Going on a century didn't stop her from whooping ass.

7 (36.8%)

Amma-ah, she's so caring and kind, how could you not like her?

1 (5.3%)

Total Members Voted: 19

[Parisbre56]

Sounds like blood typing/DNA sequencing to me. But probably blood typing.

The sigils this time are different, not in shape but in sequence. From the sigils a short while ago you see this sequence is vastly different. Perhaps they are magicing from your blood what makes you goblin?

More likely DNA sequencing, something like this:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Only replace rat with goblin and add a lot more differences between the two.

Let's see if we can start to learn some rudimentary language for now.

+1

[GreatWyrmGold]

((These are blood types, I'm guessing.  But... A, B, AB, O.  I'm guessing that's what you mean by sigil.))

((I believe he means DNA sequence, you know (G)uanine, (A)denine, (T)hymine, (C)ytosine or (G)uanine, (A)denine, (U)racil and (C)ytosine if goblins use RNA))

Why would goblins use Terran nucleic acids? Or, for that matter, human blood types?

Thinking hard, you put the vial back, step back, and start flapping your arms, kicking your leg back, and making several odd sounds. You get what you need by Donnels slack jaw and tilted head. Stopping suddenly and composing yourself, you again point to the vial and slack your jaw, tilting your head as well.

((I believe this is the best indication of intelligence we have given so far. I mean *I* would have never thought of that. Good thinking.))

((I might have, but probably only in a retrospective I-should-have-done-that way.))

[Parisbre56]

Why would goblins use Terran nucleic acids? Or, for that matter, human blood types?

((Well there are a number of plausible (although a bit improbable) scientific theories like panspermia or convergent evolution.
And considering this is fiction and we have gods (more likely advanced aliens), as evidenced by the prophecy of Us, That means those Ancient Austronauts could have been responsible for the existence or evolution of life both on earth and here.
Furthermore, goblins seem to be affected by caffeine in a similar way to humans and other terrestrial animals (although the effects are more extreme, probably because we can't metabolize it properly) which suggests some similarity.
And finally (if I had remembered this before typing all the above stuff I would have typed a lot less):

You think you understand something. The sigils this time are different, not in shape but in sequence. From the sigils a short while ago you see this sequence is vastly different.

))

[GreatWyrmGold]

Convergent evolution doesn't apply to the exact chemicals used in genetic makeup, only to structure which affects function; the Prophecy of Us doesn't sound a lot different than RL religious/spiritual beliefs, and if we didn't know the sci-fi setting we wouldn't jump to that conclusion; it's entirely plausible that chamicals from Terran organisms would have some effect on other organisms, even without significant chemical similarities small-scale (metabolic and similar chemistry, maybe, but convergent evolution has a good argument there); and we really don't know what those four sigils are. Maybe it's just a designation, or maybe our PC is mistaking I for l or something. If they really were the same nucleic acids, why would the four letters be arranged differently?

[Parisbre56]

Short answer= I disagree.

Spoiler: Long answer (click to show/hide)

Convergent evolution doesn't apply to the exact chemicals used in genetic makeup, only to structure which affects function;

Well, here is a question even experts in biology can't answer and probably will not answer before we either find alien life or understand the origin of life. If we assume that life originates from a self replicating lump of chemicals arranged in the correct way, these chemicals are going to need a way to store information for their function and replication. And if we assume that DNA is the best and one of the only methods for storing information for life forms in environments similar to ours, then the descendants of this proto-organism will end up using DNA very similar to ours (maybe they'll use arsenic, maybe their RNA will be translated in quadruplets instead of triplets but the underlying structure (binary helix, four building blocks) will be the same.) Of course that's a lot of assumptions so I'll agree that this argument is weak.

the Prophecy of Us doesn't sound a lot different than RL religious/spiritual beliefs, and if we didn't know the sci-fi setting we wouldn't jump to that conclusion;

I'll agree that prophets usually word their prophecies in such a way that they are almost always fulfilled, but I do think there is a grain of truth in this prophecy. Time will tell I guess.

it's entirely plausible that chemicals from Terran organisms would have some effect on other organisms, even without significant chemical similarities small-scale (metabolic and similar chemistry, maybe, but convergent evolution has a good argument there);

Caffeine effecting us implies that our nerves and metabolic system function similarly to terrestrial nerves and metabolic systems, although I guess convergent evolution can explain that.

and we really don't know what those four sigils are. Maybe it's just a designation, or maybe our PC is mistaking I for l or something.

Our PC has displayed remarkable intelligence and observational skills, being so good as to see people giving money to other people from the top of a hill. He'd have to be really sleepy to mistake two letters.
And long sequences comprised of only four symbol types can only be DNA or a DNA-equivalent, since if it were anything else it would have either more symbol types (for example if it were describing codons it would have to use 4^3=64 distinct symbols in a long DNA-like sequence where proteins translate similarly to human proteins) or less symbols (usually when one searches for certain markers like blood type or does ancestral-DNA comparison). I personally can't think of any other occasion in biology where 4 symbols would be used to form long sequences that vary between species.

If they really were the same nucleic acids, why would the four letters be arranged differently?

That's like saying "If I compare an ape and a human, why would their DNA be different?". Sure, there would be some similar sequences concerning production of similar proteins (as is evident from the rat-human comparison I posted earlier) but overall the DNA sequence would be vastly different.

[kaian-a-coel]

If they really were the same nucleic acids, why would the four letters be arranged differently?

That's like saying "If I compare an ape and a human, why would their DNA be different?". Sure, there would be some similar sequences concerning production of similar proteins (as is evident from the rat-human comparison I posted earlier) but overall the DNA sequence would be vastly different.

Nope. 99.8% similar between chimps and homo sapiens.

[Parisbre56]

If they really were the same nucleic acids, why would the four letters be arranged differently?

That's like saying "If I compare an ape and a human, why would their DNA be different?". Sure, there would be some similar sequences concerning production of similar proteins (as is evident from the rat-human comparison I posted earlier) but overall the DNA sequence would be vastly different.

Nope. 99.8% similar between chimps and homo sapiens.

More like 95% and only because we have a relatively recent common ancestor. I can change it to "a cat and a human" or "a carp and a human" or whatever. They are alien goblins, not apes. Just said apes because they look similar to humans. Plus, if you could put human and ape DNA sequences side by side you would end up seeing many differences because there have been many deletions and insertions in ape and human DNA since they diverged from their common ancestor. They would only look similar if you were comparing similar regions of similar nucleotides .

[GreatWyrmGold]

spoiler=Long answer

Convergent evolution doesn't apply to the exact chemicals used in genetic makeup, only to structure which affects function;

Well, here is a question even experts in biology can't answer and probably will not answer before we either find alien life or understand the origin of life. If we assume that life originates from a self replicating lump of chemicals arranged in the correct way, these chemicals are going to need a way to store information for their function and replication. And if we assume that DNA is the best and one of the only methods for storing information for life forms in environments similar to ours, then the descendants of this proto-organism will end up using DNA very similar to ours (maybe they'll use arsenic, maybe their RNA will be translated in quadruplets instead of triplets but the underlying structure (binary helix, four building blocks) will be the same.) Of course that's a lot of assumptions so I'll agree that this argument is weak.

You're also assuming that the four nucleic bases (plus uracil) are the only possible ones.

the Prophecy of Us doesn't sound a lot different than RL religious/spiritual beliefs, and if we didn't know the sci-fi setting we wouldn't jump to that conclusion;

I'll agree that prophets usually word their prophecies in such a way that they are almost always fulfilled, but I do think there is a grain of truth in this prophecy. Time will tell I guess.

Not what I was referring to, I was referring to how, if you didn't have "Space!" in your mind, the only bit that sounds like it might be referring to ancient astronauts was the bit about the gods heading into the void and making a new world, which strikes me as poor evidence for ancient astronauts because it could just means this world's mythology is less egotistical than Terran mythology.

it's entirely plausible that chemicals from Terran organisms would have some effect on other organisms, even without significant chemical similarities small-scale (metabolic and similar chemistry, maybe, but convergent evolution has a good argument there);

Caffeine effecting us implies that our nerves and metabolic system function similarly to terrestrial nerves and metabolic systems, although I guess convergent evolution can explain that.

That function is not in any way tied to the chemicals which tell the body how to form itself, and I wouldn't be surprised that a high amount of variance in the chemicals making up the nerves and such themselves would be tolerable in still creating a vaguely similar effect.

and we really don't know what those four sigils are. Maybe it's just a designation, or maybe our PC is mistaking I for l or something.

Our PC has displayed remarkable intelligence and observational skills, being so good as to see people giving money to other people from the top of a hill. He'd have to be really sleepy to mistake two letters.
And long sequences comprised of only four symbol types can only be DNA or a DNA-equivalent, since if it were anything else it would have either more symbol types (for example if it were describing codons it would have to use 4^3=64 distinct symbols in a long DNA-like sequence where proteins translate similarly to human proteins) or less symbols (usually when one searches for certain markers like blood type or does ancestral-DNA comparison). I personally can't think of any other occasion in biology where 4 symbols would be used to form long sequences that vary between species.

I must have misread it, because I thought there were only four sigils, total. That requires serious reconsideration of my argument.

If they really were the same nucleic acids, why would the four letters be arranged differently?

That's like saying "If I compare an ape and a human, why would their DNA be different?". Sure, there would be some similar sequences concerning production of similar proteins (as is evident from the rat-human comparison I posted earlier) but overall the DNA sequence would be vastly different.

Again, this arose from a misunderstanding of what was on the screen.

...Holy crap, ancient astronauts suddenly seems the most likely outcome.

If they really were the same nucleic acids, why would the four letters be arranged differently?

That's like saying "If I compare an ape and a human, why would their DNA be different?". Sure, there would be some similar sequences concerning production of similar proteins (as is evident from the rat-human comparison I posted earlier) but overall the DNA sequence would be vastly different.

Nope. 99.8% similar between chimps and homo sapiens.

Chromosomes, genes, or bases?

[Karnewarrior]

@Paris: On the subject of observation skill: Goblin eyes work similar to goat eyes. From what I read, that means their eyesight is better than humans as far as distance is concerned. Goblins can easily see small creatures like rabbits at several hundred paces, so money exchange from a hundred or so isn't too far off the mark. Not to mention their tribal lifestyle means good eyesight is necessary to be useful, and thus selected for. Arkun isn't particularly unique in that manner, although he's smart and creative.

Goblins also have very good spatial sense due to living in a arboreal environment. They can judge distance very well, and with their good eyesight engineering comes relatively easy to them. That's why you were able to pick the lock without much knowhow on the subject.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Your attempts to learn more are stymied as more aliens in white coats rush in, followed leasurely by one in a green outfit that covers almost all of the skin besides his head and hands. Even the top of his head is covered with a complex bit of fabric in the shape of a short cylinder, with a brim shadowing his eyes.

Below, he wears a mottled garment of green and brown, and over that a coat with two short tails. The coat is hung with shining bars of various colors, some of solid color, some sewn into the fabric and bent into eachother, at least on the shoulder, and some of many colors, most prominently on one side of his breast.

But most obvious of all is a white and blue design on the front, of a circle, with lines to make it look almost spherical, and solid parts within. Around it bloom leaves of a strange tree not native to your area.

The whitecoated ones show deference to the greencoat, following orders spoken softly in the strange tongue of the Aliens. After the whitecoats are working to his satisfaction, he speaks briefly with Donnel. Afterward, he kneels down to eye level with you, pounds his chest lightly and exchanges names with you.

The odd man is called Captain York. Captain York doesn't seem to be too interested in communication with you at this time, but rather conversing with the odd clearstone slab with the image of a Alien face on it. You recognize some words being tossed around alone, and you mark them in your head.

Captain York and Donnel both escort you back to your room, where the other goblins are sound asleep. When you turn to check the lock, it's been replaced by a solid peice of steel that you can't move. As you take your hands off it, though, it speeds back and forth playfully. But when you grab it again, it stops.

You try to go to sleep, but the damn lock keeps clicking back and forth. Eventually rage gets the best of you and you punch it. It stays silent this time, until you're under the thick cloths, comfortably warm in a way you've never been before. In the soft, dry bliss, just as sleep begins to grab you, you hear

click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click

Suns dammit.

Can you go to sleep with this thing here?

[GreatWyrmGold]

Try to jam or break it with the nail; whether that succeeds or fails, look around the room.

[Parisbre56]

Or maybe try to rip a small part of the blanket and use that to jam it. Or if no other solutions is available take a some unused furniture from the room and try to jam it with that. Or maybe try to figure out how it works.

Anybody understands what this lock is and what purpose the back-and-forth serves? Does it go back and forth perpendicular to the door or parallel to it?

[GreatWyrmGold]

Probably to make it harder to pick, and/or to challenge us.

[Karnewarrior]

Perpendicular. The clicking is the lock locking and unlocking itself repeatedly. Possibly a challenge. Possibly a glitch. Possibly an AI going Rampant. Possibly an AI just being a dick for the sake of being a dick. Possibly the lock is haunted. Would you put it past me to suddenly make this a story about magical ghosts haunting a spaceship and aliens have to shoot them with lazer gunz?

Would you put it past me to make a huge list of "possibilities" in an effort to have you latch onto one, the one I made an obvious choice, then make it another one?

Would you put it past me to make it al of the above?

Rampant Troll Robot Ghosts. My god.

[GreatWyrmGold]

Suddenly my image of it is different and makes more sense.

Let's try using the nail on it for a bit.

[Parisbre56]

Suddenly my image of it is different and makes more sense.

Let's try using the nail on it for a bit.

+1

Too bad we aren't the other kind of shaman. If we were we would have been able to exorcise the evil spirit/ghost/AI.