How does this work out?

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TYPO5478

First Post

• Aug 5, 2006

• #1

Recently, my DM informed me that Speak Language was a cross-class skill for all (core) characters except Bards. The implication is that any character but a Bard would have to spend two skill points to learn a new language. However, a character can use a trained-only skill after only putting one point into it; even if it's a cross-class skill, he's trained, but has only a half-rank. Speak language, despite being a trained-only skill, does not seem to require a full rank to use.

So how does this work out? How many points does a character have to invest in Speak Language to actually learn a new language: one or two? Please explain your answer.

 

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Scharlata

First Post

• Aug 5, 2006

• #2

TYPO5478 said:

[...]So how does this work out?[...]

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Hi!

If you only invest 1 point cross-class-wise into a language, there'll be happening something called "Latin". Meaning that after studying the Latin language for ages you can read Cesar's "De Bello Gallico", but you still can't speak the language fluently.

No -- fun set aside.

D&D is very lenient to allow a character to speak a language after just investing 2 skill points (1 for bards). Mastering a foreign language and a alien alphabet is hard.
So, it's best to assume that you must invest all your efforts to aprehend the foreign semantics, grammar, style, parole, accents, dialects, etc..

You can always suggest to your DM to let you understand and speak a pidgeon kind of a language in question, like pidgeon draconic. You understand the meaning but have a strong accent yourself.

Enjoy!

 

Last edited: Aug 6, 2006

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irdeggman

First Post

• Aug 5, 2006

• #3

TYPO5478 said:

However, a character can use a trained-only skill after only putting one point into it; even if it's a cross-class skill, he's trained, but has only a half-rank. Speak language, despite being a trained-only skill, does not seem to require a full rank to use.

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Nope you must have at least 1 rank in a trained only skill in order to use it,

From the SRD:

Trained Only: If this notation is included in the skill name line, you must have at least 1 rank in the skill to use it. If it is omitted, the skill can be used untrained (with a rank of 0). If any special notes apply to trained or untrained use, they are covered in the Untrained section (see below).

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C

cmanos

First Post

• Aug 6, 2006

• #4

2 skill points to give you total fluency in a language and allow you to read and write the language is a gift.

 

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Particle_Man

Explorer

• Aug 6, 2006

• #5

I once did a "pre-Tower of Babel" campaign in which the only languages in the entire multi-verse were:

a) Common

and

b) The Secret language of Druids.

Some campaigns go the other way, but then you have to have people from the same region or else there will be a lot of gesturing and such.

 

Lord Pendragon

First Post

• Aug 6, 2006

• #6

Speak Language is not a normal skill. There are no "Speak Language checks." More ranks does not mean a greater acuity with any particular language. In short: it has special rules.

1 skill point to learn a language for bards.
2 skill points to learn a language for non-bards.

1 skill point for non-bards earns them nothing.

 

the Jester

Legend

• Aug 6, 2006

• #7

"It might make an intersting house rule" to allow 1 skill point to purchase you the ability to just barely get by in a language- you can count to ten, bargain, ask for the bathroom or a room to sleep in, say hi, please, thank you, you're welcome and I'm a stranger, but that's about it.

 

moritheil

First Post

• Aug 7, 2006

• #8

It seems that your DM already has houserules going on, so any fiangling with the wording will promptly be overridden. The best way to get a clear answer is to ask him or her.

 

Li Shenron

Legend

• Aug 7, 2006

• #9

Lord Pendragon said:

Speak Language is not a normal skill. There are no "Speak Language checks." More ranks does not mean a greater acuity with any particular language. In short: it has special rules.

1 skill point to learn a language for bards.
2 skill points to learn a language for non-bards.

1 skill point for non-bards earns them nothing.

Click to expand...

Period

Non-Bards can still spend 1 point only in Speak Language, but it has no effects other than now being 1 skill point short of speaking.

This can happen in some rare case when a character has only 1 skill point left at this level and chooses to spend it in Speak Language. If the PC gains only 1 skill point per level, this is actually necessary.

 

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Particle_Man

Explorer

• Aug 7, 2006

• #10

Actually, Experts could have Speak Language as one of their class skills, so they could theoretically get a language for the bargain price of 1 skill point/language, just like bards.