Need a good telegraphy system for scouts

[vcvcvc12]

Not sure if this is the place to put this. Sorry if it isn't.

What are some good telegraphy systems for the following situation:

Two people need to communicate in a visual manner. They are concealed, but each knows where the other is and can see them. The system cannot compromise the concealment too much (no smoke signals or anything like that). Ideally, it can be done one-handed (the other hand would hold binoculars for watching the other guy), but this is not strictly necessary.

I was thinking flag semaphore, but it doesn't really seem ideal. Ideas?

[VoxRationis]

Flashing lights (either shuttered lanterns or a mirror and sunlight) are common standbys, though they violate the whole "cannot compromise the concealment" part. Really, any visual signal can be intercepted by 3rd parties pretty easily unless you are sending the signal in one direction specifically. Therefore, make lanterns or mirror houses with long, mirrored tubes for the direction they're supposed to transmit in, and point them directly at where you know the recipient will be. The problem with this is, of course, that you have to know where the recipient will be.

Alternatively, wave tree branches in windy weather. A casual observer will not notice that one tree branch is not behaving as it should.

[vcvcvc12]

Well, I meant more that it shouldn't be noticeable if you're not looking directly at the person in question, and that the signal wouldn't stick around. Hence the smoke signals example (the smoke would float above the guy like a flashing neon "scout right here" sign) and the flags (if you don't see the guy's location, you won't see the flags).

That said, the light is a decent idea.

[jqavins]

Flashing lights (either shuttered lanterns or a mirror and sunlight) are common standbys, though they violate the whole "cannot compromise the concealment" part. Really, any visual signal can be intercepted by 3rd parties pretty easily unless you are sending the signal in one direction specifically. Therefore, make lanterns or mirror houses with long, mirrored tubes for the direction they're supposed to transmit in, and point them directly at where you know the recipient will be. The problem with this is, of course, that you have to know where the recipient will be.

How good is the tech? If it's available, a laser pointer is as good as the lantern in a tube, and a lot easier to carry around. If the binoculars are good enough, then you can just use hand signals.

Incidentally, the radiation pattern from a lantern at the far end of a mirrored tube is not too different from a lantern in the open; what you want is a blackened tube.

[VoxRationis]

Sorry; I was assuming a medieval/Renaissance tech level (I frequent the 3.5 section of the forum). Yeah, a laser would work even better.

[Dawgmoah]

From your description I am sensing a standard fantasy game, low tech setting?
How much information do they need to get across to each other? It could be as simple as a various bird calls or if you want a more visual form then using something like changing the angle of a branch or bush. If the branch is in the "natural" position then nothing to report. If it is slightly canted up; I see something. Etc, etc. You get the idea.

There is a book out on Native Americans and the way they scouted on the market. It's at least 30 years old and may be out of print. I think the name was "Warpaths" but not all that sure at the moment.

I do know those ideas worked and depending on what the tribe worked out a lot of information could be seen from miles away in simple ways like moving bushes certain ways, rocks, etc. Animal calls for other non-visual cues.

[LunaLovecraft]

Flag semaphore is relatively simple to learn and straightforward.

Since this is long distances, have them set up a mission where "STOP" means done with message, you may begin. Upon receiving STOP, the scout would count to ten to give the other scout a chance to pick up their binoculars, and then begin transmitting their message.

If one person returns "END" after a stop, it means end of conversation, no further discussion needed.

Is there a particular reason it doesn't sound perfect? You don't even really need flags I mean, you can do it with sticks as long as you make them stand out.

[LibraryOgre]

A sock code.

Hang socks out a window. Two red socks in a row means "message begins here." Different articles of clothing carry different messages. Two blue socks means "end message" or "no message".

YOu're not sending signals, you're just doing laundry.

[Cuaqchi]

A sock code.

Hang socks out a window. Two red socks in a row means "message begins here." Different articles of clothing carry different messages. Two blue socks means "end message" or "no message".

YOu're not sending signals, you're just doing laundry.

And 2 red socks followed by 2 blue socks means, we've been compromised and need to finish getting dressed...

[AsDeR]

Depends on the distance and the magic available and the complexity desired. The complexity is up to you, predefined messages like "I'm save" or "Enemies ahead", or something that allows you to speak?
Close/no magic: Hand signals
Close/magic: Read mind spells
Medium/no magic: Animal sounds, whistles
Medium/magic: Wind carrying sounds spells, or leaves with messages.
Large/no magic: Animal messengers, rats, pidgeons, etc.
Large/magic: Make those binoculars have a gem that allows you to see a special light, and just write symbols in the air wit the light

But the best methods are the laundry-style ones.

Put a BIG magnifying glass in front of your mouth and let the other read your lips.
Use your whole body to form symbol or letters.
Open different odor bottles and swing a fan to direct it.
Use puppets!
Use ACME signs.

[Vogie]

The best systems for private messages using low tech are those that blend with the environment. Sock messaging is fantastic for urban scouting but would look out of place in an outdoor environment, unless it was created by Dr. Suess.

If it's an urban environment where people are moving around, you can do things like dead drops (Similar to the dog bowl on New Caprica in the BSG reboot), encrypted broadcasts (When you see this flyer posted, You'll know we're ready) and "strangers on a train" situations (He only bought 2 loaves of bread today, we need to move)

On the other hand, in a rural or typical countryside environment, you can also use dead drops (even messages written in dirt at a specific off-path location), physical messages (Shooting colored arrows in a specific direction, homing pigeons), or, as mentioned, natural communication like animal/insect sounds.

If you're going low-magic or use of enchanted artiface only, there are numerous neat things you can use from both roleplaying games and other media. Pathfinder has Ring Gates, the spell "Sending" & Whispering Wind, Quaal's Feather Token and various applied augury available. WoD has Mind mages, Dream bridges, & Astral Projection. Enchanted Mirrors, summonable books, & other forms of information passing back & forth go as far back as Grimm's Fairy Tales to as new as the transdimensional typewriters from Fringe, to as popular as the Fireplace chat from Harry Potter

[jqavins]

The best systems for private messages using low tech are those that blend with the environment. Sock messaging is fantastic for urban scouting but would look out of place in an outdoor environment, unless it was created by Dr. Suess.

If it's an urban environment where people are moving around, you can do things like dead drops (Similar to the dog bowl on New Caprica in the BSG reboot), encrypted broadcasts (When you see this flyer posted, You'll know we're ready) and "strangers on a train" situations (He only bought 2 loaves of bread today, we need to move)

On the other hand, in a rural or typical countryside environment, you can also use dead drops (even messages written in dirt at a specific off-path location), physical messages (Shooting colored arrows in a specific direction, homing pigeons), or, as mentioned, natural communication like animal/insect sounds.

If you're going low-magic or use of enchanted artiface only, there are numerous neat things you can use from both roleplaying games and other media. Pathfinder has Ring Gates, the spell "Sending" & Whispering Wind, Quaal's Feather Token and various applied augury available. WoD has Mind mages, Dream bridges, & Astral Projection. Enchanted Mirrors, summonable books, & other forms of information passing back & forth go as far back as Grimm's Fairy Tales to as new as the transdimensional typewriters from Fringe, to as popular as the Fireplace chat from Harry Potter

This thread's gone way off topic. Compare the above to the OP.

What are some good telegraphy systems for the following situation:

Two people need to communicate in a visual manner. They are concealed, but each knows where the other is and can see them. The system cannot compromise the concealment too much (no smoke signals or anything like that). Ideally, it can be done one-handed (the other hand would hold binoculars for watching the other guy), but this is not strictly necessary.

The tech is not terribly low (though not necessarily high) as binoculars are in use (but cell phones and walkie-talkies are not.) Methods that require the parties to move about, such as sock codes, dead drops, and so on, are right out. Communicating with animal calls is not what most of us would call "in a visual manner," and is likely to be difficult over distances requiring binocculars. Colored arrow shots are closely akin to smoke signals, which are specifically ruled out. I think we can assume that typewriters and cozy fireplaces are not available to the two parties at the time they need to conduct this communication.

Hand or flag signals and flashing lights (lanterns, mirrors, or lasers) are the only things suggested so far that seem to fill the bill. Any magic ideas to improve on those?