Converses With Everything

The best conversations I have are with the spider spinning its webs in the corner. My best friend might very well be my hat.

Omnispeakers are vislae who not only speak many languages, including those most do not know (such as the languages of animals), but also converse with things that normally do not speak, such as plants or inanimate objects.

I enjoy finding ways to plumb the depths of knowledge and secrets by speaking with the creatures and things that might have that knowledge, and yet are always ignored as sources of information.

When I want to find out if the person I’m looking for has gone into a building, I ask the building’s door. If I want to know what lies on the other side of the lake, I ask the bird that just flew from there.

Background: The secrets involved in my abilities are well kept. I need to determine where I got them.

Appearance: Most people think that omnispeakers have a look that is specific but difficult to describe. They see the world differently, surrounded by objects and creatures that others ignore, but which they see as possible friends or peers.

Character Arcs: The following character arc ideas are particularly appropriate for omnispeakers.

✦✦ Omnispeakers love learning new languages. (Learn.)

✦✦ Where do I come from? Where did I acquire these abilities? (Mysterious Background.)

✦✦ Omnispeakers have been known to develop unique relationships with nonhuman creatures or even objects. (Develop a Bond, Romance.)

Path to Joy: The following events may bring me Joy.

✦✦ The first time I speak with an object that has never been spoken to.

✦✦ Learning a new language to complete fluency.

✦✦ The first time I make a permanent friend or ally with a plant or object.

Path to Despair: The following events are likely to cause me Despair.

✦✦ The thing that I speak to develops an instant dislike for me.

✦✦ A conversation that I have is overheard (and understood) by someone who will use the information gained against me.

Forte Abilities: I have access to the following abilities, as long as I start with the first one and then select more, following the path indicated and spending Crux to do so.

Psychometry

Level: 1 (+1 die)

When I touch a creature or object, I get a sense of something about its nature or past.

Color: Indigo

The Language of Animals

Level: 3 (no cost to use)

I can speak to and understand any animal (this ability has no effect on people or understanding their languages). This ability does not grant me any particular influence over animals, nor does it compel them to speak.

Color: Indigo

The Language of the Voiceless

Level: 4 (no cost to use)

I can speak to any inanimate object. This ability does not grant me any particular influence over objects I speak to, nor does it compel them to speak.

Color: Indigo

The Language of Plants

Level: 4 (no cost to use)

I can speak to any plant. This ability does not grant me any particular influence over plants I speak to, nor does it compel them to speak.

Color: Indigo

One of Us

Level: 5 (no cost to use)

A creature, plant, or object that I speak to reacts to me as though I were one of its own kind. This is not a change in perception—just a change in opinion. A badger doesn’t literally believe me to be a badger, but it treats me as it might treat another badger.

Color: Blue

Charm Object

Level: 5 (+1 die)

An object I touch reacts to me well, as a person might react to a friend, and is open to the possibility of conversation.

Depletion: Ends automatically after the interaction is over

Color: Blue

Object Affinity

Level: 5

After speaking to an object for a round, I have an affinity for it. My actions with the object are enhanced by +1 die.

Depletion: Ends automatically when the sun next sets

Color: Blue

Love of Life

Level: 8 (+2 dice)

A close living creature will do anything I say.

Depletion: Ends automatically when the sun next sets

Color: Blue

Life to the Lifeless

Level: 8

After speaking to an object for a few minutes, I convince it to take on the burden of ambulatory, intelligent life. It has intelligence, a personality, and the ability to speak aloud whenever it wishes (although not everyone will be able to understand it). It is a creature 2 levels lower than the ability’s level. I grant it limbs, eyes, a mouth to speak, and anything else it might require, but otherwise it operates based on its shape and nature. For example, a chair might use its existing legs, but it grows wooden arms and its cushion forms a face. A statue of a person would likely need no modifications. Neither would a corpse (although the corpse will continue to rot, as its body still operates under its original nature). At any time, the living object can revert to its original form as the inanimate object it once was, if it so chooses. I have no control over the new creature, but it is probably somewhat well disposed toward me for giving it life (although some objects might resent that).

Color: Gold