Language
| Rank | Competency Explanation |
|---|---|
| 0 | You cannot understand anything. However with some context to the message you may be able to understand something very simple. Such as Danger or "They went that way!" |
| 1 | Novice: Able to correctly identify the language and write/speak simple words/sentences |
| 2 | Competent: Larger vocabulary and able to carry on basic conversations.Can now speak/write the language, although it is very noticeable it is not your first language. |
| 3 | Proficient: You can speak/write the language fluently, it is still noticeable its not your 1st language, but only to native speakers |
| 4 | Expert: Automatic success. There is no need to role for this language it simply rolls off the tongue. Treat it as if it was the Characters 1st language. |
Your ability to learn new languages.
This Skill is 'Rank Dependent'. This means that the level of this skill also dictates other aspects. The rank in Language determines how many languages a Character can learn. A Character does have a starting language. In fact most Characters start with at least two languages. However if you want to learn more Languages you will need to have a Language rank higher then the number of languages you already know. So if a Character starts out with two languages they can speak those languages fluently already. Even if they have 0 ranks in Language. However if they want to learn a 3rd language they will need to have at least 3 ranks in Language.
Learning new languages is hard stuff, even in the future with advanced learning technologies. Not only must you have more Ranks in Language but for every extra language you must have an extra separate Language skill. Just like Knowledge skills you can add more Language skills. One skill for each new language you learn. The rank of that language skill determines your level of competency with the language in both written and spoken forums. The ranks are to the right:
Any specific language skill is considered Trained/Non-Class skill. You cannot attempt to speak a language you do not know even if you have ranks is the primary Language skill. All ranks in any individual language skill requires two skill points to buy a single rank.
Check
You can use or add the primary Language skill on any Language check when the Character is only trying to listen to or read a prepared message. This only works when the Character has no ability to reply. Only attempting to understand a message. This applies even with a language that the Character has not trained. If you have 3 ranks in Language and 4 ranks in Language(Human Common) then when you preform your check you can add 7 instead of just 4 when trying to listen to a garbled message in Human Common speech. However the best possible outcome is still determined by your Language(Human Common) rank level. This situational modifier is only meant to represent the Characters affinity with Languages not how well they know a language.
You can use secondary Language Skills, such as Language(Human Common), when attempting to speak or write in that language and there is a concern of a failure and/or chance for a different outcome depending on success. Examples could be writing a convincing lie in a holo message to the pirates that the derelict ship is located in a different quadrant. Or trying too negotiate your release from captivity by speaking in your captives native language. All these require checks.
Characters that attempt to communicate in a secondary language take penlites to social/communication skill checks. Any skill involving Cha gets a -7 when using a secondary language. The penalty is reduced by the rank of the secondary skill only if the Character succeeds the language check. For example if the Character has 4 ranks in Language(Human Common) then that Character only takes a -3 when using Human Common with a social/communication skill. Once a Character reaches rank 7 in a secondary skill it is considered a primary or 1st language. No penalties are taken and there is no need to roll.
Another scenario for the use of both the Primary Language Skill and any secondary Language skills is when attempting to overcome "noise" in a communication. Noise being anything that could cause communication between individuals to be difficult. For example a bad link between communicators or a heaving wind on a alien world. The GM can have the Characters use the Language skill to try to overcome the communication barrier.
Try Again
When attempting to understand what someone is saying, wither through "noise" in a communication or speaking between a language barrier the player cannot re-role. It is in the moment and if you cannot understand then you will have to attempt to have the other person repeat. Your ability to communicate this request is based on your initial skill check. If it is not good enough to be able to convey the desire to have the message repeated you cannot attempt to make another check.
When attempting to review per-recorded messages or any other scenario where you are not in combat and where haste is not required a player can attempt to take 10 or take 20. And a player can re-roll. The time it takes to accomplish the outcome of a roll is based on the size of the message. A very short single meaning message is only 2 minutes. However longer and more complex messages (ones with more meanings) take more time. A whole book would take on average 4 full days with each day being a separate and successful check. We will leave it up to the GM to decide the complexity and length of the message and thus the amount of time it takes.
Special
- The Diplomat Advance Class treats all secondary languages as class languages, just without the +3 rank bonus.
- There are some feats that can help improve the use of the Language skill.