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Message: <blockquote data-quote="The Shadow" data-source="post: 6371559" data-attributes="member: 16760">The base 5e rules assume that all characters can read and write every language they know.  For a variety reasons, I would like to change that.There are three levels of literacy:  Literate, Semi-Literate, and Illiterate.Literate people can read and write the script of any language they can speak.Semi-Literate people can read the script of their native language only, and very slowly - what would take a literate person a round to read takes them a minute.  Their writing is similarly slow, and riddled with errors.Illiterate people can't read or write at all, of course.  This makes them immune to writing-based magics. (Though not runes that are triggered merely by someone's presence, like Glyph of Warding.)By default, all characters are Semi-Literate, and can drop down to Illiterate for a bonus (spoken) language.  This can be modified by race, class, background, skill and tool proficiencies, and feats.A bonus language from any source can be traded in to be fully literate.  (Thus anyone can learn to read using the Training rules if they wish.)At rock-bottom minimum, the wizard class and the Pact of the Tome subclass of Warlock should get literacy for free.  Some campaigns may well grant literacy to the bard, cleric, and perhaps others.  (But it might be better to instead have literacy stem from the Acolyte and Sage backgrounds.)In some campaigns, barbarians and druids should be illiterate.  Likely the Outlander background as well.  (Though druids can always read and write messages in Druidic.)  In exchange, perhaps they should get a bonus language.Proficiency in Alchemist's supplies, Calligraphy supplies, and Cartographer's tools includes literacy.  A case could be made for Forger's tools as well, but then a case could be made against as well.Of the skill proficiencies, History could perhaps include literacy, though that could represent knowing an oral tradition.Races or subraces that grant all their members a bonus to Intelligence could also be literate.  This would include high elves, gnomes, and tieflings.</blockquote>

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