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GM's Closet for the CONAN RPG
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<blockquote data-quote="Water Bob" data-source="post: 6863787" data-attributes="member: 92305"><p><strong>Easy Literacy System</strong></p><p></p><p></p><p>The Conan game is generous with languages, and it is assumed that all player characters are literate, most non-player characters are literate, and commoners (and probably some races like the Picts) are illiterate. There's a rule in the Common class description that allows a non-literate character to spend two skill points to become literate.</p><p></p><p>But, even that is extremely generous. It only costs two skill points to be 100% literate in every language the character knows and every language the character will learn in the future?</p><p></p><p>Many Conan GM's do not spend a lot of time on language rules. The game is designed that way. Conan never seems to have a problem communicating in the stories.</p><p></p><p>Here's is a little, easy rule that you can use if you want to have a little more attention paid to languages, but you still don't want to make it a pain in the rear end.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>INT Check</strong></p><p></p><p>Assume that literate characters are more literate in some known languages and less literate in others. This stands to reason and is probably the case with most individuals more often than not.</p><p></p><p>When a character needs to read something important, simply allow that character to make an INT check to see if he can read the piece. Assign a DC to the roll that reflects the character's familiarity with the language.</p><p></p><p>For example, the character I posted above, Grazzi, has INT 13 (+1 modifier), and his native language is Argossean. So, anytime the character needs to read something written in Argossean, the check should probably be automatic. But, what if Grazzi finds a parchment written in an older Argossean tongue? Well, assign a DC that is based on how easy it should be for a native speaker of the modern language to read that parchment. </p><p></p><p>If a character has the Decipher Script skill, then allow that person to use the skill on these checks in place of the standard INT check.</p><p></p><p>Now, note that the character Grazzi also knows Ophirean. And, it has been decided that the only reason Grazzi knows Ophirean is because he has dealt with traders from Ophir on several occasions. Grazzi hasn't immersed himself in the culture or spent a lot of time in Ophir. Therefore, it's reasonable to think that, even though the character knows Ophirean, that reading the language is probably harder than getting along with those speakers in a conversation. If that's the case, then make the DC to read the Ophiran something that fits the situation. If Grazzi reads Argossean, it's probably an automatic success or a very easy number to beat--say a DC 5+. OTOH, Grazzi can speak Ophirean enough to get by, but if he wants to read it, the GM may call for a check of 8+ or 10+.</p><p></p><p>Long messages would require a higher DC, of course. Something short, like a sign over a taproom, might still require a check, but an easy one--say 3+ or 5+.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Speak!</strong></p><p></p><p>The Ref can even use this simple method to introduce dialects and thick accents to his game world. I've spoken English all my life, but I just don't have an ear for a thick Irish brogue. I watch movies like Snatch and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, and there are some parts where I just stare at the TV, not understanding a word. And, the Pikers....don't get me started!</p><p></p><p>From time to time, it might be fun for the GM to roleplay a character that the PCs can't understand. This may result to INT checks. Again, base the check on the listener's past experience with the language.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Fluency.</strong></p><p></p><p>Using this easy rule, your PCs will be quite fluent in some languages and know only the basics of other languages that they know. Over time (and use of the language), a character will become more and more fluent with specific languages.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Water Bob, post: 6863787, member: 92305"] [b]Easy Literacy System[/b] The Conan game is generous with languages, and it is assumed that all player characters are literate, most non-player characters are literate, and commoners (and probably some races like the Picts) are illiterate. There's a rule in the Common class description that allows a non-literate character to spend two skill points to become literate. But, even that is extremely generous. It only costs two skill points to be 100% literate in every language the character knows and every language the character will learn in the future? Many Conan GM's do not spend a lot of time on language rules. The game is designed that way. Conan never seems to have a problem communicating in the stories. Here's is a little, easy rule that you can use if you want to have a little more attention paid to languages, but you still don't want to make it a pain in the rear end. [b]INT Check[/b] Assume that literate characters are more literate in some known languages and less literate in others. This stands to reason and is probably the case with most individuals more often than not. When a character needs to read something important, simply allow that character to make an INT check to see if he can read the piece. Assign a DC to the roll that reflects the character's familiarity with the language. For example, the character I posted above, Grazzi, has INT 13 (+1 modifier), and his native language is Argossean. So, anytime the character needs to read something written in Argossean, the check should probably be automatic. But, what if Grazzi finds a parchment written in an older Argossean tongue? Well, assign a DC that is based on how easy it should be for a native speaker of the modern language to read that parchment. If a character has the Decipher Script skill, then allow that person to use the skill on these checks in place of the standard INT check. Now, note that the character Grazzi also knows Ophirean. And, it has been decided that the only reason Grazzi knows Ophirean is because he has dealt with traders from Ophir on several occasions. Grazzi hasn't immersed himself in the culture or spent a lot of time in Ophir. Therefore, it's reasonable to think that, even though the character knows Ophirean, that reading the language is probably harder than getting along with those speakers in a conversation. If that's the case, then make the DC to read the Ophiran something that fits the situation. If Grazzi reads Argossean, it's probably an automatic success or a very easy number to beat--say a DC 5+. OTOH, Grazzi can speak Ophirean enough to get by, but if he wants to read it, the GM may call for a check of 8+ or 10+. Long messages would require a higher DC, of course. Something short, like a sign over a taproom, might still require a check, but an easy one--say 3+ or 5+. [b]Speak![/b] The Ref can even use this simple method to introduce dialects and thick accents to his game world. I've spoken English all my life, but I just don't have an ear for a thick Irish brogue. I watch movies like Snatch and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, and there are some parts where I just stare at the TV, not understanding a word. And, the Pikers....don't get me started! From time to time, it might be fun for the GM to roleplay a character that the PCs can't understand. This may result to INT checks. Again, base the check on the listener's past experience with the language. [b]Fluency.[/b] Using this easy rule, your PCs will be quite fluent in some languages and know only the basics of other languages that they know. Over time (and use of the language), a character will become more and more fluent with specific languages. [/QUOTE]
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