Language Ranks

[Fenris]

I was hoping to get some feedback form the esteemed members here. I have many languages IMC. I want to simulate the complexities of this a little more. Knowing or not knowing a language is a little too simple. So I wanted to try using language ranks. Each language skill rank would correlate to a level of language understanding. I had two ideas:
3 levels
1: Knowledge of a few phrases, not literate.
2: Conversant but with an accent, literate.
3: Fluent, no accent, literate.

Or
5 levels
1: A few phrases, not literate.
2: Marginally conversant, heavy accent, not literate.
3: Conversant, moderate accent, literate.
4: Fluent, slight accent, literate.
5: Fluent, no accent, literate.

For each staring language the character would start with the max rank for that langauge. The second question with this system is that I would need to up the language "points" provided by Intelligence. What would be best? I was considering multiplying them by 2 for the 3 rank system and 3 for the 5 rank system.

I really like this idea but I want to make sure that it will work out well. I also think that since Bards are the only class that have langauges as a class skill, this system will strengthen the Bards position, making it easier for them to learn more languages and more fluently. I look forward to your comments.

 

[Crothian]

The Players Guide to Kalamar has done a great job with the idea of Language ranks. I suggest looking at it as it is probably exactly what you are looking for.

 

[Moulin Rogue]

I was inspired to tackle something like this when I saw how languages worked in CoC d20. I also devised a 5-level system:

1 rank – the basics, what you might learn of a different language in grade school today. You can read typical signs in the language and have very simple conversation with a listener who is willing to be patient with you.
2 ranks – “junior high” level. You can comprehend simple stuff, although you might make big grammatical errors.
3 ranks – “high school level” comprehension. You might make a mistake or two and still sound a bit stiff, but you have a grip on everyday regular conversation.
4 ranks – you can read and write formal documents with patience, and rarely make errors in conversation.
5 ranks – apart from your accent, you are just as articulate in the language as a native speaker of equal Intelligence.

To pick up that first rank in a language with a whole alphabet that you’ve never learned before, you must spend two skill points, then you may pick up the next four ranks at one-for-one.

I also want to apply this to a barbarian's illiteracy where he starts with zero ranks in read/write Common but at least three in the speaking department, or something like that. Just that while I'm at it, it also seems kinda easy that they can go from totally illiterate to perfectly literate in all languages known without really devoting that much time (2 skill points worth).

 

[Fenris]

Crothian,
Forgive my ignorance, but what is the Players Guide to Kalamar? I assume Kalamar is one of the pre-made worlds. Is this an online book or one I may buy in a store?

 

[Moulin Rogue]

Fenris - it's a campaign setting in a store-bought book: http://www.kenzerco.com/rpg/kalamar/

 

[Crothian]

Crothian,
Forgive my ignorance, but what is the Players Guide to Kalamar? I assume Kalamar is one of the pre-made worlds. Is this an online book or one I may buy in a store?

It's a book you buy in a store. It has a ton and a half of new player options including thew usualy feats, prestige classes, and spells. But they also decided to try to think and they came up with new uses for skills (including a language rank system that goes from 1 rank to 12 ranks), scaling spells (spells that can be cast at any level), and different uses for a clerics turning ability based on his god. I for one don't play in their world, and this is the only product of theirs I have. But it has a lot of info that is easily adaptible to any gaming world.

 

[Jaligard]

Here's what I would recommend, if you don't want to change the system too much. (And I haven't seen Kalamar, so I can't comment on those rules.)

Speak Language
1/2 rank--knows a little bit, Hi, Goodbye, other important phrases, but not too much
1 rank--technically fluent with the language, still has an accent, though

Knowledge, Local (or Racial)
2 ranks--removes accent partially
4 ranks--removes accent completely

Anyway, it's nice and simple. You basically have an accent from wherever you come from until you invest in both the language skill and the kn: local skill.

 

[ninthcouncil]

I gave this some consideration before I started my current campaign, but eventually decided it didn't justify the additional work. If I had decided to do it, I'd go for the lower number of ranks - novice, trained and expert. I don't think you gain much from having more.

I did separate literacy from language, and dropped the idea that all characters are literate except barbarians; now you have to buy writing systems in the same way as languages.