The mage can translate any idea into or out of any language based upon root concepts. This spell works for spoken words, written words, encoded signals and concepts that exist only as thought. The mage must be able to perceive the medium in which the idea exists (meaning telepathy for thoughts in another’s mind, for example) and may be limited in his ability to express a concept he can translate (like trying to tell something to a hyper-intelligent insectoid life form while lacking the appropriate mouth parts to speak its language).
The obscurity of the language, or sheer alien-ness of the concepts might levy dice penalties from –1 to –3.
Mysterium Rote: Bricks of Babel
Mages of the Mysterium reduce all languages to their root concepts, ideals potentially shared by all forms of communication, in all times, in all places, and indeed among all forms of consciousness. In so doing, they decipher long-dead tongues, converse with beings that have never before set eyes on a human, and never need to ask someone to translate a road sign in a foreign country. Calling upon the Universal Unconscious, Free Council willworkers make use of the same rote, delving into ideas shared by all minds.
Theosophy Tradition Rote: Thought Forms[1]
Annie Besant and CW Leadbeater pioneered the use of thought-forms: pictorial representations of shapes and emotions, encoded in any music, language or work of art. The mage holds his pen tightly and meditates on the thing he wishes to translate for a moment. Then sketches the shape of the thoughts he sees in his mind's eye on a piece of paper. The resulting series of abstract shapes can be understood by anyone who sees them, at least for a little while.
