Ubantu:Contents:MagicandTech:Communications

Communications Technology

The Chama cha Ngoma, the Drum Society, controls most of the communications technology in Ubantu. The signalling drum, Chondo (pl. Vyondo) functions very much like a telegraph. The drums are made in linked pairs, so that drumming on one causes both to reverbrate. The drums are capable of two tones (edge and center), permitting something very like Morse code. Initially the Society keep the secrets tight, allowing only their own Mfuasi to operate the Vyondo, but in recent decades, with the advent of more advanced technology, Vyondo have been "declassified" and can now be simply bought and used by anyone. Mvyondoji, the spec_ialists who send and receive messages, along with the expected bevy of apprentices, are still commonly members of the Society, but clans, other Societies, even nations may have their own message centers which can be expected to keep their information private. Miniturized versions, Kigoma/Vigoma, aka "finger drums" are now available, albeit at a high price, but much more practical for individuals. The code used is Kichondo and is a M/A skill.

About twenty years ago the Drum Society perfected a new marvel of communications, the talking horn. Baraguma (pl. mabaraguma) are made from hollowed water buffalo horns. Once a link is established, one speaks into the open tip of the horn, and the voice travels and is heard from the end of it's mate. The receiving horn simply starts talking (no ring) and anyone can pick it up and use it, with no spell needed. Unlike Vyondo, a baraguma can connect with any other baraguma anywhere. Also unlike Vyondo, the mabaraguma require a spell to open communications, and that spell is a society secret. When a baraguma is made, it is given a unique identifier. To establish a link, the user must know both the spell and the identifier of the destination horn. Once the link is made, the horn can be passed to another, drawing a small amount of mana from the user. Baraguma technology is still "buggy" - not all the kinks have been worked out. There is, for instance, nothing like a busy signal - an incoming call to an active horn disrupts the ongoing call and itself fails. The identifier system is also clumbsy. Each horn is inscribed with a number which can be looked up in a secret society phonebook, but keeping these up to date and organized will soon be imposible.

baraguma horns