Low Literacy World: Which classes would be literate (read/write)?

[Mal Malenkirk]

Danceofmasks option is pretty good.

For simplicity and the fact that it doesn't require adding anythingm, I prefer Lord Tirian's approach:

Anyone trained in Arcana, History or Religion can read. Those who aren't can't. Fast and dirty but perfectly workable.

By default it means many class can read (Wizard, Clerir etc.) and that some can't be literate without spending a feat (any class without History, Religion and Arcana).

 

[Daniel D. Fox]

I would allow anyone who can use Alchemy or Ritual caster the ability to read/write their own language.

I'd limit it by feat. Pick up the feat Literacy, you can now read/write a new language.

 

[Wolfwood2]

I would make Literacy a background benefit. Choose the right background, and you can pick literacy as your one free background benefit. If you want to learn to read at a later date, spend a specified amount of time in game and declare you're doing so. That's about all the mechanical level it needs to be tied to.

But Wolfwood, doesn't this mean that any PC could easily be literate if they want to be? To which I respond, so what.

 

[Doctor Proctor]

Are we looking for an easy distinction or a tough one?

As a guess, I think an easy way to separate them is that Arcane classes always have literacy; Divine classes probably have literacy; Martial classes might have literacy; and Primal classes never have literacy. Perhaps give a percentile chance based on this.

Also, any class that starts with Alchemist or Ritual Caster should either be literate, or else have an alternate, writing-like way of storing rituals.

-O

I'd go an alternate route.
Rather than making arbitrary class-based judgements, I suggest (arbitrary) background-based judgements.

The (reverse) assumption is that literacy is a significant investment in time (read: education), and D&D characters without literacy would have learned something else in lieu.

So, mechanically, make all classes illiterate by default, make literacy take up a "trained skill" slot, and give everybody an extra trained skill (to be literate with if they want).

And, if a character should want to later on, they can learn to read with a skill training feat.

I think either of the two above methods would work. The only power source that seems to me to be likely illiterate would be the Primal classes.

For others, it's more difficult though. While yes, you could easily have an illiterate Ranger or Rogue, the Fighters and Warlords would likely be literate. I've seen old books of swordfighting tactics, something that the 4e Fighters and Warlords would've probably had to study, so you can't always make snap judgments about classes.

Depending on your players though, I might lean more towards Danceofmasks' solution, just because it allows player choice. While the Fighter I play may only have a 10 INT, I don't think he's stupid and I play him as someone who studied long and hard to be the Fighter he is now. I wouldn't be very happy if a DM just said "Oh yeah, you can't read". If I had a choice though, that would be okay as long as I wasn't losing something already...so perhaps something like you gain literacy or a +2 bonus to one or two skills as part of your background. This way, the player won't lose a feat, but there is a choice to be made that confers differing benefits depending on which way you go.

 

[Ryujin]

In a Western style Bronze age/Dark Ages/Medieval world the only people who could be presumed literate might be the clergy(Clerics, Avenger). I would extend that to Wizards, as they are usually assumed to have been steeped in ancient mystic tomes during training and Paladins, by virtue of having to learn their scriptures. Invokers seem to be virtually divine Warlocks, so it would depend upon the background of the character. Warlords would also depend upon background.

Warlocks, Wardens, Sorcerers, Barbarians, Bards, Shaman, Druids would almost certainly start as illiterate. Druids and Bards, in particular, are the antithesis of the written word. Their histories were passed on via oral tradition. Bards were known for their unbelievable memories, often reciting the Clan history of a dying man well through the night, purely from memory.

Backgrounds would mitigate somewhat against this, but even a noble born Barbarian would spend far more time proving his battle prowess than he would in softer pursuits. It wouldn't matter if he was born son to the king of the land, because reading isn't something that he would put effort into. Many more "modern" nobles could barely make their mark, let alone read. There's a reason why the profession of Scribe existed. Someone who grew up as a traveling trader would possibly know rudimentary math and be literate. The more advanced the society, the more likely this is.

Some feats would imply, but not guarantee literacy. For example Ritual Caster, Religion, History. As stated though, Bards had great historic knowledge without use of the written word.

In short, there are no hard and fast rules unless you create them.

 

[Dr_Ruminahui]

IMHO, literacy for a character is a real benefit. I would not take it away without giving something of real benefit in return.

Additionally, I would let the character choose themselves, based on their background, whether they want to be litterate or not.

So, at character creation, I would let the player decide either to be litterate, or to get +1 to 2 different "non-litterate" skills. You would have to make a list of what qualified - basically any skill that doesn't really benefit from being able to read. Or you could give the character a +1 to ALL "non-literate" skills, and a -1 to all "literate skills". The character would then be able to get litteracy later in the campaign through Role Play and spending a feat.

 

[Bleoberis De Ganis]

Which classes would be literate (read/write) in a low-literacy world? For example, which classes /absolutely/ need to be able to read/write in order to practice their trade

You could just say all Divine and Arcane are literate and no others (perhaps excluding Swordmage and Warlock if you wish.)

Clergy in medieval times could almost all read, and also the academics.

I would have all Primal classes, and the Ranger (I'm still a bit suprised they weren't Primal especially now they have animal companions, saying that someone is going to have to explain to me one day what the point of power sources is), unable to read on account of them being wilderness hicks.

 

[Danceofmasks]

someone is going to have to explain to me one day what the point of power sources is

In a sentence:
Power source helps you figure out which book you'll find character options from.