|
Post by Demogorgon on Apr 7, 2011 9:45:18 GMT -5
Taladas Language Chart
|
|
|
Post by Demogorgon on Apr 7, 2011 9:49:25 GMT -5
The peoples of Taladas have no universally known common speech (although a form of broken Auric is the lingua franca in many lands). Instead, there are a number of language families that form the roots for nearly all the spoken languages of Taladas. The languages, however, do share many common features. To see how similar different languages are, all the basic language groups of Taladas (and a few of Ansalon) have been placed on the Taladan Language Chart:
Interrelated languages (either by family or borrowings) are connected by lines. The number of dots on these lines is an indication of the closeness of the two languages. Each dot and box crossed (including the box enclosing the other language's name, but not that enclosing the speakers' native tongue, on the chart) reduces comprehension by some 10 per cent.
Notice however that the Bakali language is not on this chart. It is actually a unique language that is not related to any of the core Taladas languages. According to the campaign book, The Bakali have their own sibilant tongue.
|
|
|
Post by Demogorgon on Apr 7, 2011 10:16:11 GMT -5
My thought was that if you only understand less than 50% of a language then you will incur a penalty to any diplomacy, bluff, and in some cases insight checks.
Every 10% over 50% will incur a -1 penalty to your checks.
Understanding Level 50 to 100 % 0 40 to 49 % -1 30 to 39 % -2 20 to 29 % -3 10 to 19 % -4 0 to 9 % -5
In this situation Yrlic, speaking Elvish Tamire which is 5 dots and two boxes away (30% understanding) will incur a -2 penalty to his checks when talking with Valcona (who speaks Sylvanesti).
Vaeren, who speaks Ancient Elvish which is 3 dots and one box away (60% understanding), will not incur any penalty to his checks when talking to Valcona.
The reason I didn't want to include a penalty from 50 to 100% is that I'm assuming people in Taladas are used to dealing with other languages and have a natural tolerance level.
This will really make the Linguist Feat useful in this campaign.
Lastly, just as each race in 4e allows you to select common, and your choice of one other (and an extra lang if you're half elf) we will do the same for the campaign. You will start with your racial language and any other language on the chart. Common is not an option unless you are from Ansalon.
|
|
|
Post by Demogorgon on Apr 7, 2011 10:27:51 GMT -5
The Bakali are likely to know the language of the swampers (Thenolian) who are Thenolites.
|
|
|
Post by insanity on Apr 7, 2011 11:54:23 GMT -5
Interesting, then if Bakali is not on the chart, what are the penalties associated with understanding it or other languages if Bakali is your native tongue?
i.e. Thrrdon currently only understand Bakali, what would his penalty for understanding any other language be? The max, -5?
Hate to see what happens when my Diplomacy check is negative.
Taking any other language should help dramatically, or maybe not. If Thrrdon takes Thenolian, his comprehension of Ancient Elvish, if I got this correct, is 10% or a -4 on skills.
I am not going to complain if Thrrdon has a very difficult time understanding or being understood, everyone understands sharp teeth in their throats, so I'll get my point across anyhow.
|
|
|
Post by Demogorgon on Apr 7, 2011 14:00:19 GMT -5
Thrrdon will have to buy into the language chart. It's the cost of being a lizard man. The added benefit is that you speak a language that no one but the swappers would understand.
Normally you won't have to make insight checks to communicate unless you are using a language that has a 0% relationship. The penalty will only be applied when an important roll is required. For example, if Thrrdon tries to make a deal with the Emperor of the Imperial League using Bakali he will have to apply the -5 penalty to his diplomacy roll. If he can speak Thenolian he will only have to apply a -1 penalty ( 6 away from Kothian).
Actually, if Thrrdon Takes Thenolian it won't be that bad. Don't forget that the NPC's / PC's may also speak Thenolian or another language closer to it. But yes, even with Thenolian, it's impossible to understand Ancient Elvish (0%, not 10% since you have to include the box of the language in question).
If Thrrdon takes Thenolian he will be able to understand Valcona perfectly since she also speaks Thenolian in addition to Sylvanesti Elvish.
As for the rules above, they are not set in stone. Anyway, I appreciate your feedback. If you have any other suggestions let me know.
|
|
|
Post by Demogorgon on Apr 7, 2011 14:04:46 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by insanity on Apr 7, 2011 14:08:30 GMT -5
Thenolian would be a good choice, a few languages would be no problem to understand.
Many more languages, do you want all of them in the extension? I will see what I can do, doubt I can find that many unique scripts, will see.
|
|
|
Post by Demogorgon on Apr 7, 2011 14:10:41 GMT -5
well we don't need all them.. Just the taladas languages on the chart.
|
|
|
Post by dracenfels on Apr 7, 2011 14:28:16 GMT -5
Interesting system. Dwarves got jipped but makes sense that they are far from the elf language. Very cool. I say we establish some combat words in order to be able to communicate things like "don't hit to kill" "don't let him get away" etc...
|
|
|
Post by insanity on Apr 7, 2011 14:33:04 GMT -5
You elves and your long-winded speeches.
"Food" or "Captive" should suffice.
|
|
|
Post by Demogorgon on Apr 7, 2011 14:53:36 GMT -5
Interesting system. Dwarves got jipped but makes sense that they are far from the elf language. Very cool. I say we establish some combat words in order to be able to communicate things like "don't hit to kill" "don't let him get away" etc... yeah I would just a assume that after the party gets to know each other simple instructions will be easy and not require an insight check. Of course, that won't stop people from pretending not to understand "oh sorry, I thought you said kill him" ;D
|
|
|
Post by Demogorgon on Apr 7, 2011 15:00:20 GMT -5
btw, everyone should post the second language that their character will be taking.
|
|
|
Post by insanity on Apr 7, 2011 15:16:02 GMT -5
Interesting system. Dwarves got jipped but makes sense that they are far from the elf language. Very cool. I say we establish some combat words in order to be able to communicate things like "don't hit to kill" "don't let him get away" etc... I'm sure it because of Khuzdul, the dwarven language from Middle Earth, as it was a constructed language by their creator Aulë, and has no relation to any form of Elvish. Even the human tongues of Middle Earth were descended from Elvish. Only a few remarkable people ever learned a bit of Khuzdul, and I think the names used by the dwarves among man and elves weren't their true dwarven Khuzdul names, but adopted names for usage among them.
|
|
|
Post by Demogorgon on Apr 7, 2011 15:25:45 GMT -5
Yeah Dragonlance is very Tolkienesque.
|
|