Post by Admin on Nov 3, 2015 14:50:27 GMT
D&D really got it wrong when it comes to languages. At first level, your character can know as many languages as his/her intelligence will allow. That means your 1st level Wizard could know 3-4 languages. At 1st level! Two, I could understand. Three, maybe, if you live in a wildly multicultural area, like Waypoint. I would think that third language is spotty at best. Also, in a semi-medieval world, knowing how to read and write is a luxury. It could even be considered a status symbol. With semi-realism in mind, please consider the following rules and tips when considering your character's language.
1. Read/Write is a skill. Put it on your character sheet. It is considered a class skill for the purposes of skill point expenditures.
2. There is no "Common" language. Not everyone on Ashaerya speaks the same language. Get that out of your head.
3. Why that language? If you are an Oenthasan Elf who has never left Aeslindorn, don't put "Dwarf" or "Goblin" down simply because you have the Intelligence for it. Where did you learn how to speak Goblin? Even if you are a Wizard, and have access to higher learning... justify it. A tome can only teach you so much. In that case, Read/Write Goblin would make more sense than speaking it. Until you hear a language and speak that language regularly can you justify having it on your sheet. Another thing to consider is body mechanics. Are you physically able to speak Orc, that relies heavily upon grunts, snorts and the like? You might be able to understand it, but you may not be able to speak it. The language barrier is real, my friends.
4. If you can't justify a language, and you have language "slots" left over, that is a-ok! That means that in your travels, if you encounter a language you want to learn, you can learn it relatively easily. Yay character growth!
1. Read/Write is a skill. Put it on your character sheet. It is considered a class skill for the purposes of skill point expenditures.
2. There is no "Common" language. Not everyone on Ashaerya speaks the same language. Get that out of your head.
3. Why that language? If you are an Oenthasan Elf who has never left Aeslindorn, don't put "Dwarf" or "Goblin" down simply because you have the Intelligence for it. Where did you learn how to speak Goblin? Even if you are a Wizard, and have access to higher learning... justify it. A tome can only teach you so much. In that case, Read/Write Goblin would make more sense than speaking it. Until you hear a language and speak that language regularly can you justify having it on your sheet. Another thing to consider is body mechanics. Are you physically able to speak Orc, that relies heavily upon grunts, snorts and the like? You might be able to understand it, but you may not be able to speak it. The language barrier is real, my friends.
4. If you can't justify a language, and you have language "slots" left over, that is a-ok! That means that in your travels, if you encounter a language you want to learn, you can learn it relatively easily. Yay character growth!