DM Q&A: How Does Learning a Language Work Now?

[TrueBlueOriginal]

I know there's a new system implemented for languages that doesn't use widgets but text commands instead. The /language options.

In the patch notes, it says that when a character wants to learn a language, if they qualify for another language, they gain the "token" (presumably a variable of some kind now?) and start with a proficiency of 0. As they speak the language, a DM can observe them and increase their proficiency to a maximum of 100 as fully proficient. How does a player acquire the starting token? Is this something that is flagged on the character by a DM or is this a part of the /language command that is not displaying in the list presently?

My character(s) seek(s) to pursue learning a language (or multiple languages), so how do I get started now?

[DM Flash]

Heya TrueBlueOriginal

That's a good question and I appreciate you bringing it up. You are correct that language slots will remain the same as it was before where players will select 1 language for either Race or Region at character creation, followed by 1 bonus slot for every INT modifier, and/or 1 bonus slot for every 10 base Lore points. Languages are also still learned through RP and players can reference DM Q&A: Language Learning Roleplay for some helpful suggestions.

The new system has a DM side to it as well where we can use a similar chat command to grant languages that start at a proficiency value of zero. Starting out the language will be mostly unintelligible when spoken to others who know the language, and when you hear others speak the language back to you. As the DM Team observes and grants additional proficiency in that language, the translations (now found in the chat log rather than the combat log) will become better understood to your character until a proficiency value of 100 is achieved and the language is fully translated when spoken or heard.

Rather than having an undroppable token in the inventory, players will now have this stored as a variable in the background. To see what languages your character knows, players can use the chat command /language list.

I hope that answers your question but if there is any further clarification needed just let us know

[TrueBlueOriginal]

Oct 1, 2022 0:46:46 GMT -5 DM Flash said:

Heya TrueBlueOriginal

That's a good question and I appreciate you bringing it up. You are correct that language slots will remain the same as it was before where players will select 1 language for either Race or Region at character creation, followed by 1 bonus slot for every INT modifier, and/or 1 bonus slot for every 10 base Lore points. Languages are also still learned through RP and players can reference DM Q&A: Language Learning Roleplay for some helpful suggestions.

The new system has a DM side to it as well where we can use a similar chat command to grant languages that start at a proficiency value of zero. Starting out the language will be mostly unintelligible when spoken to others who know the language, and when you hear others speak the language back to you. As the DM Team observes and grants additional proficiency in that language, the translations (now found in the chat log rather than the combat log) will become better understood to your character until a proficiency value of 100 is achieved and the language is fully translated when spoken or heard.

Rather than having an undroppable token in the inventory, players will now have this stored as a variable in the background. To see what languages your character knows, players can use the chat command /language list.

I hope that answers your question but if there is any further clarification needed just let us know

It didn't fully answer my question to my satisfaction. OK, so follow-up questions.

Assuming I have the available language slot (which I do), can I declare that I'm pursuing a language without finding a tutor first and be assigned the "token" with 0 proficiency to show that I am in fact pursuing the language and have dedicated the slot to that language? Having declared the language, I can then study it intermittently over a period of months or years as I find various tutors that cannot or will not commit to a full course plan. Is this presently a viable option?

Also, can a player view their own language proficiency level for languages they're studying? For instance, when I list my languages with /language list, does it say something like:
Alzhedo, Chondathan, Elven, Halfling, Mulhorandi (0 Proficiency) so I can see that my proficiency has not advanced in the newly declared language, but the slot is occupied?
If this is not already the case, can you make the proficiency level of languages viewable to the player so the player can see their own advancement as a numeric value?

Also, on the topic of language list, how are the languages in the /language list sorted? They appear to be randomly sorted on my characters. (Also, they're all lowercase and have no spaces between them.)

I'm sure I'll have further questions, but that's all I can think of right now.

[DM Hawk]

Yes. If you have an open 'language slot' and want to begin learning a new language, just ask a DM (or EDM). The DM will enable the language on your character with 0 proficiency. You don't need to have a mentor lined up to get started.

Skill with a language can advance whether a dedicated mentor is present or over time with a variety of sources. As you are observed over time roleplaying learning from a mentor or practicing the language with others, the proficiency of your character with that language will be increased by DM's. If you want to help with the observations, screen caps or logs can be sent to a DM or EDM.

So Players can start using the new language right away, though very poorly, and get better with it over time.

Displaying the proficiency level was not included in the design. I can see where it would be nice to have and we can consider the possibility for a future update.

The design displays languages in the list randomly.

A system is planned for a future release to add some means by which characters can learn new languages and advance their proficiency through resources in game.

[TrueBlueOriginal]

Thanks. That's what I wanted to know.