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Webber Speech

Version History

Build VersionChange DateChange TypeDescription
6763122025-06-25modifiedAdded Rift 5 speech lines: ANNOUNCE_FLOATER_HELD, ANNOUNCE_FLOATER_LETGO
6760422025-06-21stablePrevious version

Overview

The speech_webber.lua file contains character-specific dialogue and speech responses for Webber, the Indigestible. This file showcases Webber's unique dual nature as both a child and a spider, reflected through his innocent, enthusiastic personality combined with spider-related abilities and perspectives.

Character Personality

Webber's speech reflects his background as:

  • Innocent child: Uses childlike language, enthusiasm, and wonder
  • Spider hybrid: References spider friends, webs, and spider behavior
  • Plural identity: Often speaks using "we" instead of "I" (child + spider)
  • Optimistic youth: Maintains positive outlook and excitement about discoveries
  • Spider friend: Shows affection and concern for spider companions

Speech Characteristics

Language Style

  • Childlike enthusiasm: Uses simple, excited language and expressions
  • Plural pronouns: Frequently uses "we," "us," and "our" instead of singular forms
  • Spider references: Mentions spiderfriends, webs, and spider-related concepts
  • Innocent observations: Shows childlike wonder and curiosity

Example Responses

Childlike Enthusiasm

-- Wilson: "Well that's inconvenient."
-- Webber:
ITEMMIMIC = "Aw, I guessed wrong!"

Plural Identity (We/Us Language)

-- Shows dual child-spider nature
ACTIVATE = {
LOCKED_GATE = "Aww. We want in there."
HOSTBUSY = "He looks pretty busy, we can come back later."
CARNIVAL_HOST_HERE = "We're pretty sure we saw him over here."
}

Spider Friend References

-- Shows connection to spiders
BEDAZZLE = {
BURNING = "Aaah! Spiderfriends, your house!!"
}

FILL_OCEAN = {
UNSUITABLE_FOR_PLANTS = "Ms. Wickerbottom says that salt water is bad for plants."
}

Speech Patterns

Innocent Wonder

-- Shows childlike excitement and curiosity
NOCARNIVAL = "Aww, did all the birds leave?"
EMPTY_CATCOONDEN = "No one's home..."
KITCOON_HIDEANDSEEK_ONE_GAME_PER_DAY = "That was fun! Can we play again tomorrow?"

Child Safety Awareness

-- References parental guidance and safety
COOK = {
GENERIC = "I don't want to. Mom always said the kitchen was dangerous!"
}

BUILD = {
HASPET = "I like the pet we've got."
}

Spider Solidarity

-- Shows affection for spider friends
SPIDERNOHAT = "There's not enough room, we don't want to squish them by accident!"

BEDAZZLE = {
BURNING = "Aaah! Spiderfriends, your house!!"
ALREADY_BEDAZZLED = "We think we already decorated it pretty good."
}

Character-Specific Responses

Dual Nature Communication

Webber's unique child-spider combination shows in his speech:

-- Plural identity responses
BUILD = {
MOUNTED = "All our arms can't quite reach from up here." -- References spider legs
}

GIVE = {
NOTAMONKEY = "Sorry, neither of us speak monkey." -- Both child and spider
}

Child-like Problem Solving

Shows innocent approaches to challenges:

-- Simple, innocent solutions
DRAW = {
NOIMAGE = "But what should we draw?!"
}

CONSTRUCT = {
NOTREADY = "Everything's too scary right now!"
}

Has unique responses for spider-specific situations:

-- Spider decoration abilities
BEDAZZLE = {
BURNING = "Aaah! Spiderfriends, your house!!"
BURNT = "There isn't really much left to decorate..."
FROZEN = "Hmm it might be hard to get our decorations to stick to ice..."
ALREADY_BEDAZZLED = "We think we already decorated it pretty good."
}

Unique Character Elements

Multiple Arms Reference

Shows awareness of spider anatomy:

-- Spider physiology awareness
BUILD = {
MOUNTED = "All our arms can't quite reach from up here."
}

GIVE = {
NOTSCULPTABLE = "Eight legs isn't nearly enough to sculpt with THAT."
}

Child Innocence

Maintains childlike perspective on adult situations:

-- Innocent observations
ATTUNE = {
NOHEALTH = "We don't feel so good right now. Maybe later?"
}

CARNIVALGAME_ALREADY_PLAYING = "We're playing next!"

Spider Friend Relationships

Shows unique relationship with spider creatures:

-- Care for spider companions
SPIDERNOHAT = "There's not enough room, we don't want to squish them by accident!"

Rift 5 Content

Webber's responses to new Rift 5 mechanics with his characteristic childlike enthusiasm:

-- Rift 5 - New floating mechanics with innocent excitement
ANNOUNCE_FLOATER_HELD = "We float!"
ANNOUNCE_FLOATER_LETGO = "Weeee!"
ANNOUNCE_LUNARGUARDIAN_INCOMING = "The giant ball is back."

Language Patterns

Childlike Expressions

  • "Aw/Aww": Expressions of disappointment or sympathy
  • "Ooo": Expression of excitement or interest
  • "We/Us/Our": Plural pronouns showing dual nature
  • "Mom always said": References to parental guidance
  • "That was fun!": Innocent enthusiasm
  • "Spiderfriends": Affectionate term for spider companions
  • "All our arms": Reference to spider legs
  • "Eight legs": Spider anatomy awareness
  • **Spider decoration/bedazzling abilities

Moral and Safety Awareness

Parental Guidance

Shows influence of proper upbringing:

-- Safety lessons from parents
COOK = {
GENERIC = "I don't want to. Mom always said the kitchen was dangerous!"
}

GIVE = {
SLOTFULL = "Mom said to always finish my plate before seconds."
}

Politeness and Consideration

Demonstrates good manners despite dual nature:

-- Polite behavior
CHANGEIN = {
INUSE = "We'll give them some privacy while they change."
}

CONSTRUCT = {
INUSE = "Aw, we don't wanna mess up someone else's stuff."
}

Fallback Mechanism

Character-Specific Overrides

Webber overrides Wilson's responses to match his child-spider personality:

-- Wilson: "I can't cook right now."
-- Webber:
GENERIC = "I don't want to. Mom always said the kitchen was dangerous!"

Wilson Fallbacks

Some responses fall back to Wilson's speech when Webber doesn't have specific dialogue:

--fallback to speech_wilson.lua
CAST_POCKETWATCH = "only_used_by_wanda"
CAST_SPELLBOOK = "only_used_by_waxwell"

Technical Implementation

File Generation

  • Generated via: PropagateSpeech.bat automation
  • Base template: Inherits structure from speech_wilson.lua
  • Custom responses: Overrides specific dialogue to match child-spider personality

Unique Character Features

  • Spider bedazzling: Special dialogue for Webber's unique decoration abilities
  • Plural identity: Consistent use of "we/us" pronouns
  • Child safety: References to parental guidance and safety awareness

Development Notes

Speech Consistency

  • Maintains Webber's innocent, childlike enthusiasm
  • Preserves his dual child-spider identity through plural pronouns
  • Shows his affection for spider friends and spider-related abilities
  • Reflects his safety-conscious upbringing and good manners

Quality Guidelines

  • Use childlike language and innocent expressions
  • Include plural pronouns to show dual identity
  • Reference spider friends and spider-related abilities appropriately
  • Show parental influence and safety awareness

Webber's speech contrasts with:

  • Wilson: Innocent enthusiasm vs. Wilson's mature scientific approach
  • Walter: Child perspective vs. Walter's scout training
  • Wendy: Optimistic innocence vs. Wendy's melancholic outlook
  • Wolfgang: Child vulnerability vs. Wolfgang's physical strength

Usage in Game

Webber's speech enhances his role as:

  • The innocent: Provides childlike wonder and optimism
  • The spider friend: Shows unique relationship with spider creatures
  • The decorator: Demonstrates special spider-related abilities
  • The dual being: Represents the fusion of human child and spider

This speech system reinforces Webber's character identity as the innocent child-spider hybrid who brings both youthful enthusiasm and unique spider-related perspectives to the survival experience.