Language: Difference between revisions

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!Competency Explanation  
!Competency Explanation  
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|-
|0||You cannot understand anything. <br />However with some context to the <br /> message you may be able to understand <br />something very simple. Such as Danger <br />or "They went that way!"
|1||You cannot understand anything. <br />However with some context to the <br /> message you may be able to understand <br />something very simple. Such as Danger <br />or "They went that way!"
|-
|-
|1||Novice: Able to correctly identify the <br />language and write/speak simple<br /> words/sentences
|2||Novice: Able to correctly identify the <br />language and write/speak simple<br /> words/sentences
|-
|-
|2||Competent: Larger vocabulary and able <br /> to carry on basic conversations.Can now <br />speak/write the language, although it is <br />very noticeable it is not your first language.
|3||Competent: Larger vocabulary and able <br /> to carry on basic conversations.Can now <br />speak/write the language, although it is <br />very noticeable it is not your first language.
|-
|-
|3||Proficient: You can speak/write the <br />language fluently, it is still noticeable its<br /> not your 1st language, but only to <br />native speakers
|4||Proficient: You can speak/write the <br />language fluently, it is still noticeable its<br /> not your 1st language, but only to <br />native speakers
|-
|-
|4||Expert: Automatic success. There is <br />no need to role for this language it simply <br />rolls off the tongue. Treat it as if it was <br />the Characters 1st language.  
|5||Expert: Automatic success. There is <br />no need to role for this language it simply <br />rolls off the tongue. Treat it as if it was <br />the Characters 1st language.  
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Your ability to learn new languages.
Your ability to learn new languages.


This Skill is 'Rank Dependent'. This means that 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. The Language skill is Unnatural and unless picked by Class is not a Class skill and thus requires 2 skill points to go up one rank.
This Skill is '''Rank Dependent'''. This means that the rank in Language determines how many languages a Character can learn. A Character does have a starting language as well as Common. 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.
Learning new languages is hard stuff, even in the future with advanced learning techniques. Not only must you have more Ranks in Language but every extra Language becomes a Skill in and of itself. Just like Knowledge skills you can add more Language skills. One new skill for each new language you learn. Just like the main Language skill all new languages are also '''Rank Dependent'''. 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.


'''NOTE''': The Language skill and any languages are '''always class skills'''. Whenever you spend a Skill point in the Main Language skill to learn a new Language immediately write the new Language down on the Character sheet and give it 1 Rank.


== Check ==
== 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.
A Character only needs to roll for when the communication is messed up in some way such as a gabled transmission or the electronic message is corrupted. If the Character does not know the language then they automatically fail and there is no need to attempt a roll. If the Player has a rank in that language then what they can understand from the message is dependent on the rank and thus a roll is not necessary.
 
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.
;Identify: You can use the Main Language skill to attempt to identify a language you do not have a Rank in. The DC is 15 for common major specie languages and 25 for minor languages. For any language you have a Rank it you automatically recognize it without rolling unless it is garbled or the text is smudged/corrupted. Only when the communication is in some way messed up that you need to roll to attempt to identify a language you already know.


== Try Again ==
== 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 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 skill rank or a Charisma check if you do not know the language but are attempting to communicate non-the-less. 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 ==
You cannot re-roll for other messages unless it is a recorded message that is garbled or otherwise messed up. You know what you know and to learn more you will need to have a higher rank in that language or find someone that does. If the message is messed up taking 20 will give the Player an auto success.


* The Diplomat Advance Class treats all secondary languages as class languages, just without the +3 rank bonus.
== Special ==
* There are some feats that can help improve the use of the Language skill.
* There are some feats that can help improve the use of the Language skill.


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== List of Languages ==
== 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.  
=== Common ===
* 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.  
:: 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.
* 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.
=== High Common ===
* 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.
:: 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.  
=== Species Languages ===
Each [[Species]] has a common language. The list of species can be found on the [[Species]] page.
=== Jove Primal ===
A special language invited by the Jove as an early attempt as 'Common'. A mix between a higher language like High Common while attempting to be universal and easy to speak like regular Common it was used early on in during the [[Timeline|'''The First Coalition''']] before '''The Great Collapse'''. However it largely failed because it was hard for certain species to speak it and the language was rigid. However the written version somewhat survived as its alphabet symbols where used as the bases for the written version of Common and High Common. Mostly forgotten some people use it or a version as a way to stay secretive.
=== The Twin Languages ===
These are two different languages that have grown very close but still different. They originated from the two major Empires that ruled after the Chaos Epoc. The Twin Empires most Histories call them. They are all gone and there civilizations mysteriously disappeared. Only there great ancient structures spawning the galaxy exist barring witness to there existence. In some of these great structures are ancient libraries or recording keeping facilities. Most of what is know about these great Empires including there languages have been learned from them. The Carthegos and the Latiumians each with there own Language. However over nearly 100 centuries there languages partially merged. Today they are spoken largely the same and share many of the same words only there written forms show differently.

Revision as of 07:22, 28 June 2017

Table: Language Ranks
Rank Competency Explanation
1 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!"
2 Novice: Able to correctly identify the
language and write/speak simple
words/sentences
3 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.
4 Proficient: You can speak/write the
language fluently, it is still noticeable its
not your 1st language, but only to
native speakers
5 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 rank in Language determines how many languages a Character can learn. A Character does have a starting language as well as Common. 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 every extra Language becomes a Skill in and of itself. Just like Knowledge skills you can add more Language skills. One new skill for each new language you learn. Just like the main Language skill all new languages are also Rank Dependent. 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.

NOTE: The Language skill and any languages are always class skills. Whenever you spend a Skill point in the Main Language skill to learn a new Language immediately write the new Language down on the Character sheet and give it 1 Rank.

Check

A Character only needs to roll for when the communication is messed up in some way such as a gabled transmission or the electronic message is corrupted. If the Character does not know the language then they automatically fail and there is no need to attempt a roll. If the Player has a rank in that language then what they can understand from the message is dependent on the rank and thus a roll is not necessary.

Identify
You can use the Main Language skill to attempt to identify a language you do not have a Rank in. The DC is 15 for common major specie languages and 25 for minor languages. For any language you have a Rank it you automatically recognize it without rolling unless it is garbled or the text is smudged/corrupted. Only when the communication is in some way messed up that you need to roll to attempt to identify a language you already know.

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 skill rank or a Charisma check if you do not know the language but are attempting to communicate non-the-less. 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.

You cannot re-roll for other messages unless it is a recorded message that is garbled or otherwise messed up. You know what you know and to learn more you will need to have a higher rank in that language or find someone that does. If the message is messed up taking 20 will give the Player an auto success.

Special

  • 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.

Species Languages

Each Species has a common language. The list of species can be found on the Species page.

Jove Primal

A special language invited by the Jove as an early attempt as 'Common'. A mix between a higher language like High Common while attempting to be universal and easy to speak like regular Common it was used early on in during the The First Coalition before The Great Collapse. However it largely failed because it was hard for certain species to speak it and the language was rigid. However the written version somewhat survived as its alphabet symbols where used as the bases for the written version of Common and High Common. Mostly forgotten some people use it or a version as a way to stay secretive.

The Twin Languages

These are two different languages that have grown very close but still different. They originated from the two major Empires that ruled after the Chaos Epoc. The Twin Empires most Histories call them. They are all gone and there civilizations mysteriously disappeared. Only there great ancient structures spawning the galaxy exist barring witness to there existence. In some of these great structures are ancient libraries or recording keeping facilities. Most of what is know about these great Empires including there languages have been learned from them. The Carthegos and the Latiumians each with there own Language. However over nearly 100 centuries there languages partially merged. Today they are spoken largely the same and share many of the same words only there written forms show differently.

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