Language
| Rank | Competency Explanation |
|---|---|
| 1 | Inexperienced: You are able to correctly identify the language. With some context, you may be able to understand something very simple. Such as Danger or "They went that way!" |
| 2 | Novice: 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 the Main Language skill determines how many languages a Character can learn, excluding the native language for that Character and Low Common. Each Language learned is also it's own Rank Dependent Skill. The Rank of learned Language Skill (i.e: Jovan Language) determines how well the Character knows the language. A Character always starts out with two Languages, Low Common and their Species Common Language.
NOTE: Each Character starts out with the Language Skill as a Favored skill and thus already Trained. Learn more about what this means here. This also applies to any languages learned, meaning that all Language Skills are always favored and trained. All Language skills do NOT have their rank limited by Character level. 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
For Unknown Language: If a Character comes across an unknown language, they can attempt to identify it with a Language check. This uses the Main Language skill check. If a Character is attempting to communicate or listen to a foreign language, they can also roll to see if they can get a basic understanding. For example, attempting to warn someone else of danger ahead, even though they do not speak your language.
For Learned Languages: Any Language that the Character already understands, they do not need to roll for unless the communication is messed up in some way, such as a garbled transmission or the electronic message is corrupted. The Character can also attempt to understand the language better then there Rank. For example, if a Lepidonian attempts to speak in Human even though they have a rank of 2, the meaning may be lost in translation, and it will require a roll to ensure that the Human listener understands correctly.
- 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 species languages and 25 for minor languages. For any language, if you have a Rank it, you automatically recognize it without rolling, unless the text is garbled or smudged/corrupted. Only when the communication is in some way messed up do you need to roll to attempt to identify a language you already know.
Try Again
When attempting to understand what someone is saying, either due to "noise" in communication or when speaking through a language barrier, the player cannot re-roll. It is in the moment, and if you cannot understand, you will have to ask the other person to 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 nonetheless. If it is not sufficient to convey the desire to have the message repeated, you cannot attempt 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 who does. If the message is messed up, taking 20 will grant the Player an auto-success.
Special
- There are some feats that can help improve the use of the Language skill.
List of Languages
Low Common
- This is an extremely simple language with only roughly 1000 words in its vocabulary and 12 letters/sounds. The sounds can vary by species, but they all follow a pattern. Once you know what that pattern is, then you understand Common and can quickly pick up on other species' use of the language. There are attempts to sound similar to make it easier for people and universal translators. This language is simple and used to help people communicate basic needs and conduct business.
High Common
- A more refined and complicated version of Common. It has more letters and sounds, and its vocabulary is in the 10s of thousands. It is normally used among dignitaries, ambassadors, national leaders, and successful business owners. Its more complex structure and larger vocabulary allow it to convey nuanced meaning and express one's feelings more accurately. Many people struggle with High Common when trying to communicate with different species, especially those who speak it differently. However, it is still a Universal and flexible language built with Common as its foundation.
Species Languages
Jove Primal
- A special language invited by the Jove as an early attempt at '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 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 survived somewhat, as its alphabet symbols served as the basis for the written forms of Common and High Common. Mostly forgotten, some people use it, or a version of it, as a way to stay secretive.
The Twin Languages
- These are two different languages that have grown very close but still differ in some ways. 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 their civilizations mysteriously disappeared. Only their great ancient structures, spanning the galaxy, bear witness to their existence. In some of these, great structures are ancient libraries or record-keeping facilities. Most of what is known about these great Empires, including their languages, has been learned from these places. The Carthaginians and the Latins each had their own Language. However, over nearly 100 centuries, their languages partially merged. Today, they are spoken largely the same way and share many of the same words, only their written forms show differently.