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. The native language of the place the Character grew up in and Common. A character with negative Int Mod can only start out with 1 language. The Character's starting language and Common are free languages. The rank in Language determines how many additional languages a Character can learn beyond these starting languages.
Learning new languages is hard stuff, even in the future with advanced learning techniques. 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. These ranks determine the best possible outcome if successful on a Language skill check. The ranks are in the table to the right.
Any specific language skill is considered a Trained/Class skill. This means that when you learn a new language it starts automatically Trained and only costs 1 skill point to go up a rank. You cannot attempt to speak a language you do not know even if you have ranks is the primary Language skill. However you can attempt to listen and read a new Language to try to gleam some understanding. The DC for this is 20 for a Language similar too your own and 30 for a completely alien language.
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.
People will notice when Characters attempt to communicate in a secondary language unless the Language rank is 4. This can cause the GM to place a disadvantage on checks that involve Charisma if the situation fits.
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.
List of Languages
- Common: This is an extremely simple language with only roughly 1000 words in its vocabulary and 12 letters/sounds. The sounds can actually be different per species but they all follow a pattern. Once you know what that pattern then you understand Common and can quickly pick up on other species use of the language. There are attempts to try to sound similar to make it easy for people and universal translators. This language is a simple one used to help people communicate basic needs and to conduct business.
- High Common: A more refined and complicated version of Common. It has more numerous letters and sounds and its vocabulary is in the 10s of thousands. It is normally used among dignitaries, ambassadors, nation leaders and successful business owners. It's more complicated structure with its larger vocabulary allow it to convey complicated meaning and express ones feelings more accurately. Many people struggle with High Common.
- Human Common Speech: This is the most common tough used among humans. Although there are many different languages within the ranks of humanity this has been designated the most common and thus necessary to learn if you wish to spend a lot of time interacting with Humans.
- Volar Common Speech: Unlike most species Volar have one main language. Different variations of it exist within different sects of the Volar but they have always communicated with a common voice. There Common speech is almost impossible to learn. As it requires the production of chemicals. The Volar communicate with both sound and pheromones. Learning the language for some means attacking an artificial device to ones mind to help assist in the production of pheromones that represent ones feelings. The Volar are considered some of the best communicators and some of the most empathetic species in the Great Ring.