[hider=The Spiral Script]
[center][colour=9e0b0f][h3]Spiral Script[/h3][/colour]
[b]Conceptual - Language - Urtelem[/b][/center]

[b]Description:[/b] The Urtelem written language is an extremely information-dense script designed for their unusual brains. It is not written in the linear stacks of most script, and can take on numerous arrangements. Most texts written in Spiral open from a central point, where a distinct subset of symbols is used to denote time of writing. Authorship is noted nearby. From there, reading order is determined by trigonometric relationships between the thin circles and angles that underline and run between the glyphs. The sentences tend to wander, often in a literal spiral, or branch out into smaller orbits linked with lines, both in and outside of the first circle. Certain dialects or poetic forms do not use arcs at all, and the text runs along sharply angled lines that interlock when previously mentioned ideas recur, forming elaborate irregular stars and nets. The shape of a text is not arbitrary, but has connotations of tone, context and intention.

The glyphs themselves occupy several different alphabets of varying capacity. In order of ascending complexity, Spiral has an alphabet each for dates, names, shorthand, mathematics, events in time, and physical description, each of which in turn has many tens of symbols. In most of these, words are constructed by what letters compose them, the shape in which those glyphs are arranged, and their relative orientation. The letters themselves, depending on alphabet, may link up, and symbols are very often integrated into the circles and curves that dictate the shape of the text, denoted only by a small line, dot or curve around or intruding through the sentence line.

Words, depending on alphabet, are usually put together from numerous semantic components, and only some of the alphabets are related to Urtelem 'phonetics'. The overall effect is that, while beautiful, the Spiral Script is nauseatingly difficult to read for one who does not have the patience to read from multiple perspectives and alphabets at once and is prepared to follow the text as it loops and tangles through itself. Mathematicians armed with compass, ruler, and a lifetime's supply of notebooks may find it interesting, however.

To Urtelem, who are exquisitely patient, mathematically gifted, and good at considering the whole of a beautiful thing at once, the script is a pleasure to use, and it is the runnings-around of other mortals that are confusing.

[b]Interactions:[/b] A nomadic life spent moving between the Lens Groves and other landmarks in small herds does not readily facilitate the development of a technologically advanced society. The odds of herds finding one another by chance are not high, and thus maintaining contact, let alone organising large populations, is a challenge. With no means to communicate across long distances, the Urtelem are instead gifted with an efficient way to communicate across the barrier of time.

Lens groves and other landmarks to which stonefolk are drawn, usually geological in nature, are redecorated each time a herd visits with new stories, plans and maps. Written in stone, these texts last until they are erased, waiting to be found by the next set of travellers. In this way herds can collaborate even if their migrations haven't intersected for years. Often Urtelem actually make and maintain friendships by exchanging personal messages in frequently-visited places, like letters. New ideas and technology can be shared and spread in this way, and their culture remains fresh and united.[/hider]