[GRIM TALES] Language Lessons from Cydonia

[soulforge]

Does anyone have any good recommendations on how a character can learn a difficult language? I am suprised that the book doesn't mention the actual mechanics, but it seems that the book doesn't mean for it to be a guarantee that all the PC's learn the language as there is mention of contingency's later in the book if the pc's can't speak.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

Does anyone have any good recommendations on how a character can learn a difficult language?

This is an important story element.

Give it to the PCs when you think they've earned it.

Definitely give it to anyone who spends skill points to learn the language.

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

Bah. Don't give them anything for free. Make them spend skill points on it.

 

[JoeGKushner]

I gave it to the PC's.

They hooked up with the slave and learned a little bit and then decided that it'd be a good idea not to crush the little toad guy and learn the language as he was teaching it so they learned it with little hassel.

And I gave it to them for free because it fits the story. I'm finding that this is much more of a story oriented book than a straight "13 encounters = new level" type thing so I've been real easy on the experience points and have even awarded some 'bonus' levels when the players were below the recommended levels in some parts.

 

[GlassJaw]

Does anyone have any good recommendations on how a character can learn a difficult language? I am suprised that the book doesn't mention the actual mechanics, but it seems that the book doesn't mean for it to be a guarantee that all the PC's learn the language as there is mention of contingency's later in the book if the pc's can't speak.

I picked up on this as well during my read-through. If you don't mind giving them the langauge for free, my suggestion is to use a series of Intelligence checks. You could grant some bonuses if the PC in question knows a lot of other languages, has Sense Motive or Decipher Script ranks, etc. Perhaps 2 or 3 successful checks grants them the Speak Language skill.

This also might make for some interesting role-playing as some PC's may learn the language faster than others (or not at all!).

If you required them to spend ranks on it, then I wouldn't bother with any additional mechanics.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

They hooked up with the slave and learned a little bit and then decided that it'd be a good idea not to crush the little toad guy and learn the language as he was teaching it so they learned it with little hassel.

That reminds me, Joe. We haven't had an update in a while...

I'm finding that this is much more of a story oriented book than a straight "13 encounters = new level" type thing.

Yep.


Wulf

 

[JoeGKushner]

Review

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

Review

Thanks for the review, Joe.

I hope you're making note of all those errors. I am very surprised any page number errors cropped up-- I was very meticulous on that point. I'd be curious to see if the same error appears in the index as in the text-- as the index is more "automated" it should have the right page numbers even if I screwed up within the text.

Anyhow-- if you have errors, it would sure help for me to know them.

Wulf

 

[JoeGKushner]

Well, I mentioned on the other thread how it refers you to jungle encoutner tables in one area and desert encounter tables in another area.

One of the page references that's off is to a page 29 for the Ra member when it's on page 28. Next time I have the book I'll see if I can make some more notes but honestly, I'm not John Cooper so don't take a lot of time to mark down where the errors occur as opposed to just shaking the old skull tisking all the way.