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ShortQuests -- Pocket Sized Adventures! An all-new collection of digest-sized D&D adventures designed for 1-2 game sessions.

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Spatzimaus" data-source="post: 1354112" data-attributes="member: 3051">As opposed to any other skill in the game, where the DM sets a DC and people roll a d20 and add a modifier?  It's not any more complex than standard skill checks, and it'd only come up in the RARE situation where you don't share any languages with the person you're talking to.The point is, any game in which you remove the Common tongue will now create situations in which person A and person B should not be able to easily communicate.  So, either you say flat out that the two can't pass information at all (bad idea), you say that they can pass it just fine (which makes the language skills even more useless), or you add some intermediate step.That intermediate solution would almost always have to include some sort of chance element.  You COULD say that the half-rank just only allows basic concepts, no rolling needed, but then you'll always get into arguments with the players over where exactly that line falls.  On the other hand, with a DC-based system, the DM can eyeball a DC using some basic guidelines, and as long as it's not REALLY off, the players won't complain."I ask the merchant where the expensive weapon shop is.""DC 11.  What language?""Elvish.  I'm only half-proficient, since I know High Elvish.""+2 then."(rolls a 3, failing badly)"The merchant points to the west."After wandering around for a few hours, the players find someone who speaks their language fluently, and get pointed in the right direction automatically.</blockquote>

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