Writing

Writing is a feature added on February 27, 2006. "Writing on the tree (or sand)" had been suggested by Snarf on January 27, 2006. As with speech, natives and ousiders have difficulty understanding each other. A player without language skills will see messages written by the other side as gibberish.

Players can write on huts in a camp, on trees in the jungle, or in the sand on the beach. Each method uses 1 AP per message. Players with multiple pieces of driftwood can construct signposts which are more visible and durable than other forms of writing (although you cannot post a sign at a location containing a hut, tree, or other detail).

Carving on Huts

Requires a knife or dagger.

You can carve a message onto the sides of huts.

You carve [message] onto the side of a hut.

Any character that visits that area will see the terrain description and your message.

Carved on the side of a hut is [message]

If a carved message already exists on the hut, you will be able to carve another message.

You scratch out what was carved there before.

Or you can submit an empty message which clears the hut.

You scratch out what was carved there before.

You make a few practice scratches on the side of a hut.

Carving on a tree in the Jungle (density 5-10)

Requires a knife or dagger.

You can't carve a message on a tree in jungle terrain with density ranging from 0 to 4.

You look around for something to carve onto but there doesn't seem to be anything obvious.

You can carve a message onto a tree in jungle terrain with density ranging from 5 to 10.

You carve [message] onto a tree.

Any character that visits that area will see the terrain description and your message.

Carved on a nearby tree is [message]

If a carved message already exists in the area, you will not be able to carve another message.

You can't find any room to carve anything.

By chopping the Jungle to density lower than 5, you will destroy the carving.

The tree with the carvings is chopped down, blade marks obscuring all trace of what was there.

Writing in the sand on the Beach

You can draw a message on the sand in beach terrain.

You draw [message] in the sand.

Any character that visits the area will see the terrain description and your message.

Drawn in the sand is [message]

If a drawn message already exists in the area, you will be able to draw another message.

You draw [message] in the sand obliterating what was there before.

Or you can submit an empty message which clears the sand.

You kick sand around obliterating what was there before.