OTHER HUMAN SCRIPTS
THE ARTS
VISUAL
PERFORMED
MUSICAL
LIVED
As with Transportation, Magic makes possible some aspects of communication possible that are beyond the wildest dreams of the average peasant (telepathy, etc.). Thus, rich Kings and mighty Mages can obtain data virtually instantly on a variety of topics. But outside from their own small sphere of contact, most other communication is by word of mouth. Few intelligent creatures can read (although many races do have a written language), and fewer still have access to "current" reading materials. Books are rare and valuable, so that even in urban centers town criers and painted-picture signs are the pinnacle of communication excellence. The presence of Priests ensures that superstition and myth is somewhat limited, but they are prone to telling of what they know only the parts that serve their purposes. Similarly, History is prone to editing and miscommunication by even the better-informed inhabitants.
Similarly, for both the visual arts (painting, sculpting, and magery), the written arts (poetry and prose), the performing arts (music, drama, etc.) and the lived arts (architecture, crafts, cooking, etc.) our means of expression are virtually limitless. Every intelligent race has some form of self expression and many have elevated their most skilled artisans to positions of great esteem. All of these are forms of self expression, of Communication of the inner self.
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