Over the years, there have been many proposals to allow characters to learn additional languages. I would like to revive the discussion, since the last GM post (about learning languages) in this folder was six years ago.
Some of these ideas may not be new, but here are my thoughts on how to implement the ability to learn additional languages. (It is not really possible to simulate realistic language learning in DragonRealms, so I am just hand-waving that aspect.)
Currently, all characters are (mechanically) fluent in Common and their racial language. I propose that characters be able to learn one or more additional languages depending on skillset and scholarship ranks. This scales to 1500 ranks, giving scholarship some much needed high-rank applications. It also gives some additional benefits for being lore-primary or lore-secondary, which is largely seen as useless if you are not a crafter.
Feat | Lore Primary | Lore Secondary | Lore Tertiary |
understand 3rd language | 250 | 375 | 750 |
speak 3rd language | 500 | 750 | 1,500 |
understand 4th language | 750 | 1,125 | |
speak 4th language | 1,000 | 1,500 | |
understand 5th language | 1,250 | ||
speak 5th language | 1,500 |
The rank benchmarks can be adjusted, but the idea is for skillset placement to determine how many languages you can learn and how easy it is to learn them.
For each language you wish to learn, you must learn to understand it before you learn to speak it. (For example, you cannot choose to speak Gamgweth unless you have already chosen to understand Gamgweth.)
Additionally, performance ranks could determine how proficient you sound. For example, at only 100 ranks in performance, a person speaking Gamgweth as a second language might speak "in broken Gamgweth." (This would show up in the description of the language, not the actual text of the message.) With enough ranks in performance, the descriptor would disappear entirely and just be "Isharon says in Gamgweth."
Performance | Proficiency |
0 | barely comprehensible |
100 | broken |
200 | rudimentary |
500 | passable |
750 | nearly perfect |
1,000 | [none] (fully proficient) |
For example:
Isharon says in nearly perfect Gamgweth, "We are meeting in Crossing in two anlaen."
The rank benchmarks and descriptors may vary, and there could be separate benchmarks depending on skillset placement, but you get the idea.
Performance is almost solely used for TDPs, so it would be nice to make use of it in a way that is not just spamming the room with a flashy zill concerto.
ACCENTS
Additionally, I propose the option to speak Common with an accent. Everyone would have the option of speaking with their racial accent. For example:
Isharon says in an Ilithic accent, "Good evening."
Additionally, citizenship should confer the ability to speak with the accent of that region (and possibly some cities within that region). For example:
Isharon says in a Zoluren accent, "The Elpalzi forces are nearly at our gate."
Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall rank!
sortable list of all Trader-owned shops and inventory: http://www.elanthia.org/TraderShops/
armor and shields: https://elanthipedia.play.net/mediawiki/index.php/Armor_and_shield_player_guide