DM Q&A: Language: Language Tokens

[Talus]

Any chance of getting a complete list of what langues tokens are available on FRC?

[heimdall]

Sure. I'll get a list of these posted up later this evening.

[heimdall]

~ Languages ~

Abyssal
Alzhedo
Animal
Celestial
Chondathon
Damaran
Draconic
Drow
Dwarven
Elven
Gnome
Goblin
Halfling
Illuskan
Infernal
Mulhorondi
Netherese
Orc
Shou
Slyvan
Thieves Cant

Just because a language is on the list doesn't mean a PC is entitled to know it. For example, Netherese is a dead language and the only way a PC could ever know it would be through RP and DM interactions (Currently there are none I am aware of who know this lang, or how to begin even trying to learn it)

Abyssal / Infernal / Draconic -- I'd say unless you were a wizard or a cleric of a diety where this would make sense then you wouldn't be able to choose from these.

Drow ---- may be switching to a more generic 'Undercommon' language....this is (going to be) discussed as an option.

But that pretty much sums up what's on the list.

[Munroe]

Bear in mind that there are languages other than those on the list. What's on the list shouldn't limit your roleplay options.

[Munroe]

I'm bumping this. Language questions get asked a lot.

[Savage]

If a character is multi-class and has rouge levels can they get Thieves Cant for free or does it count as one of their languages against their Int bonus?

[Aodhan the Unusual]

Not all rogues know Thieve's Cant. Just because you take a level or two as a a rogue doesn't mean you get the language. Thieve's Cant is supposed to be a "guild only" thing where individual cells and guilds make their own "language" so as to keep each other up to date without anyone else knowing. This takes a while to learn, and I believe, if it doesn't, should count towards Int bonus languages.

[Nim_White]

Really just as a matter of interest - does ability to speak a language automatically include the ability to read it? I am thinking in terms of, for instance, chinese IRL, where ability to speak and understand the spoken word does not depend on, or automatically give, the ability to read and write the language.

(Presumably IG elven scrolls and manuscripts would be written in elven script, dwarven in runes, and so on. Tolkien gives an example, in the mines of Moria, of a dwarven inscription all written in runes, but using partly the dwarven language and partly the common tongue.)

[Munroe]

According to the Player's Handbook, ability to speak a language makes a character literate in that language unless that character is a pure class barbarian. Barbarians begin play illiterate. Barbarians that multi-class into any other class gain literacy in any languages they speak as part of their second class. Characters that multi-class into barbarian do not become illiterate.

So learning a language implies learning to read/write it as well, except in the case of single class barbarians, whose culture doesn't emphasize literacy.

Any player may, at their option, choose that their character, regardless of class, is not able to read or write a language they speak.

[Nim_White]

Thanks for that. I do have a character who has never been taught to read - so he sells all those useful healing scrolls.....

[Savage]

My Barbarian character came from a bad clan that he does not respect. He has spent the last seven years educating himself in the ways of the world. Through this he has learned to read and write common. He understands words spoken in one other language though he does not speak it, read it, or write it. He understands the language because he spent the better part of the last seven years traveling with one who spoke it.

I was asking about the Thieve's Cant for another character I am working on which is a pure rogue class. I want that character to speak a few languages so I wanted to know if the Cant was a free class language or counted against a characters total languages?

DM Aodhan the Unusal said:

This takes a while to learn, and I believe, if it doesn't, should count towards Int bonus languages.

I kind of agree with that but can I get an official ruling on it? I don’t want to have to change my char’s back ground later.

[Quadhund/Greenhouse]

Thieve's cant will require an intelligence slot.

[Oneiromancer]

Oh come now... Netherese is not dead!
Or must I remind you of the Big Floaty City?
It would be quite likely for Netherese to begin resurfacing, and there have always been plenty of ancient tomes of magic and whatnot, especially in Halruaa/Illusk. Although I agree it is a highly difficult task to learn Netherese (unless your a shade) It would be possible to know it. But, what the DM(s) says, goes.
Just giving you my thoughts, cheers.

Oneiromancer, I'm in your dreams...

EDIT: . . . Very funny. I WAS agreeing with you, no need to be silly.

[Mehangel]

Something I noticed in the above languages listed was the Druidic was not included. Was this intentional or has the language not been made? I understand that characters who multiclass into druids will most likely have use up an intellegence slot for the character to acquire the language, but if the language is made, may I put up a request later in game for my character starting off with druid levels to acquire the language?

I'm a turkey! GOBBLE GOBBLE!!!

[Quadhund/Greenhouse]

If you multiclass as a druid after character creation, you will have to roleplay learning druidic. Just because you take a class does not mean you automatically receive all the benefits from that class. And language tokens awarded through roleplay must be witnessed by dms.

But for you turkey man, perhaps we might give you an animal token.