[CoC] Starting languages

[Yig]

Hello all,

Since there is an actual skill in the game to understand another language (unlike in D&D), how do you handle starting languages ?

If you look at the description of Intelligence it says that it affectthe number of starting languages but I haven't found anything in the rules that says how many. So I went with 1 per +1 bonus, like in D&D.

This seem right ?

Only problem I have with those is when the character will need to make a check to understand something.... What should I do ? Make a check with only the Int bonus ?

Thanks.

 

[VorpalBunny]

It seems like something that needs errata to me...

I'd ignore that part about your Int modifier and starting languages. Since you're paying skill points for languages, and the number of skill points is based on your Intelligence, it works out the same - a low Int character will never be able to speak as many languages as a high Int character.

Let your characters start the game with skill in as many languages as they want (they'll probably need it if they want to read any Mythos tomes...)

 

[Byrons_Ghost]

I would say it depends on what sort of campaign you're planning and what sort of characters you'll have. A Delta Green op or campaign centering around academic expeditions is going to have more highly-skilled characters than one in which the kids next door accidentally summon Y'Golonac with their new Ouija board.

For my DG game, I was pretty liberal with lanaguages because I knew there'd be a lot of travel. For starting characters, I gave everyone the +1 lang per INT bonus, and then gave a skill level in each language equal to their INT bonus. Then I let them move points around a little, up to the skill max, so that they could have bilingual characters with a smattering of Swahili, or whatever.

After that, they're on their own- if they want to raise the skills they'll need to spend the points.

 

[Yig]

All the players made characters to fit with an archaelogist team. So I will send them around the globe

I quite like your idea Byrons, and this is what I'll do. Thanks.