symbol/code phrase brainstorming post!

[15minuteslate]

So, not too long ago, Dr. Strider suggested a symbol system by which numbers club members could identify each other in public.

Now, a couple of people have chimed in with ideas already, but I'd like to get this discussed up here. We'll need two sets of symbols, one for buildings, one for people, though there may be overlapping designs.

PEOPLE
--A member of the numbers club willing to help out another
--Numbers club, able to fight/protect from monsters, police, etc
--Numbers club, able to provide medical help

PLACES
--Friendly to numbers club, willing to help
--Willing to physically protect a member of the numbers club
--Can provide medical help to numbers club


CURRENT SYMBOL SUGGESTIONS:
PERSON | NUMBERS CLUB MEMBER Something worn inconspicuously, incorporating a thorn motif
PERSON | FIGHTER A stylized skull/a more complicated one, ICly suggested by Shiro
PLACE | FRIENDLY TO NUMBERS CLUB MEMBERS a th-rune, called a "thorn," ICly suggested by Aaron
PLACE or PERSON | MEDICAL HELP A stylized tree with nine branches and seven stars, ICly suggested by Aaron

Some ideas that have been kicked around also include using a pound sign (#) or variations on it, using different kinds of weeds/leaves/other garden pests, and having a system of verbal identification.

QUESTIONS THAT NEED ANSWERING
--How many symbols should we have? Are any of the listed ones above superfluous? Do we need more?
--What should our verbal identification be? The general IC consensus is that there should be a code phrase and a response. Do you have any suggestions? Currently, what's been suggested is:
"How's your garden doing?"
"It's growing out of control."
...or something along those lines.
--Is a two-part symbol a good idea? Bertholdt has suggested a two-part symbol, where if one person draws half and the other draws the rest, both know they can trust each other. It would be a very secure way to identify another member of the network, but should we keep this simpler?

Also, if you suggest a symbol OOC, mention whether or not your character would suggest it IC. This doesn't have to be a perfect system -- what's important is that it is a system that the characters would come up with. If you have a fantastic idea but your character wouldn't bring it up IC, then make a note of that and we'll see if we can work out someone who would suggest it. Also, think about what your character would want to wear -- the skull, suggested by Shiro, isn't the most practical symbol but it is something he would pull for.

I hope this makes as much sense here as it did in my head. Anyway, go crazy, people. I want to hear what you guys think would be cool here.

Comments

[stagnantair]

Bertholdt suggested a two part symbol, where one half was drawn by the first person and if the other person knew to draw the second they'd know they were number's club peeps, so no one would realize what they were doing. Something as easy as drawing a few lines.

[beyond_the_sea]

Jason would suggest that they use symbols that wouldn't look out of place repeated on buildings. Like maybe make them look like graffiti tags, so that ~the enemy~ doesn't raise an eyebrow at all these identical symbols going up all over town.

I will suggest that the Tree/Stars of Gondor as a healing symbol would make me stupidly happy.

(Stupid newbie question: does this kind of planning post serve to handwave the IC discussion? Or is the idea to plan here and then play it out IC?)

[espigeonage]

Jules is a decent bet for thinking of stuff! He's fond of spy movies/novels. ...I am not, but here's what I have.

One thing with hashtags for two-part symbols is that you could use them as/claim they are tic-tac-toe grids and the second person just puts either a star as the X or an angular, vaguely skull-ish but undetailed circle for the O. ...and then wouldn't have to finish the game or anything.

Julien also wants a bunch of unrelated fake symbols that mean nothing and just serve as red herrings for anyone who might notice. Heh. Aaron could turn in one of the favors he's owed and have people put those up in sketchy areas. ...Julien can distribute some to his friends, too.

[ex_elude798]

Suzaku would most likely suggest things that are largely innocuous and less specific. Pins, for example, are a very common fashion choice in the States now and we think nothing of them unless they're related to some interest we ourselves are familiar with.

As far as what those symbols could be...
Numbers - A featureless round pin, brass in color. Flat like a coin and no larger.
Fighters - A brass pin of comparable size to the previous, likewise flat but shaped like a shield.
Medics - Another brass pin, also flat and of similar size to the others, in the shape of a star.

These things could easily pass for apparel and at the same time would be specific enough for those who understood their meaning. Naturally Suzaku's also influenced by his military background.

Lastly Suzaku would suggest they keep things simple and straightforward. Otherwise they're bound to have communication errors or make things too complicated to work effectively. Three types of pins are pretty reasonable, but adding pass-codes or phrases gets a touch elaborate in his mind.

Buildings could probably use the same system, having such a marker somewhere specific only a Number would actually know to look for on a building. However, he'd mention alternatively that they could use Roman Numerals for categories: I, II, III, so on. In his mind these should correlate to how people are categorized.

As for me I'm all about organization myself so I'd agree with my brat of a character that simpler is always better. If it can be hidden in plain sight, it's best. I mean, if we have a bunch of people with a very specific, unusual symbol on their clothes or bags or whatever, people might notice it.

[espigeonage]

"You know the bus number for [wherever]?" or just... any question involving numbers after indicating the other's symbol (commenting on the clothes bearing it, pointedly looking at it, "I saw your sign", whatever), answered with something involving "change." Like "It was 345 but I think it changed".

sigh Jules wouldn't suggest a less ridiculous variant of Sexy and ___ yet.

[caosgo]

Emmanuel has the angel banishing sigil he Echoed back months ago, though he has no idea what it is. He might suggest it since he couldn't find anything like it when researching. It's probably too complicated for these purposes, though.

Two-part symbol is a cool idea, but requires pen and paper at all times. Hmm...the other suggestions look pretty good. Too many symbols would get confusing, probably.

Let me know if you want me to stick it on the IC FAQ, or if there's going to be an official post first.