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Languages; Are there too many?
Topic Started: Jan 27 2016, 11:32 PM (2,130 Views)
Kwak
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This thread is about the language system, particularly brainstorming on what languages can be shared or combined between races. The general consensus seems to be that it's a good idea as long as it doesn't contradict the race's existing lore.

In light of Divergent's last post and Marimalade's earlier point on the number of languages in general, I went and made another one of those lists.
List of Languages and Speakers


Key findings:

  • There are, in fact, 35 spoken languages in the 3 DtD books.
  • Of those languages, only 10 - Trade, Draconic, Eldarin, Elven, Tau, Abyssal, Spirits, Binary, Gith, C'tan - are spoken by more than one race.
  • Of those 10, Spirit-tongue/Sprits comes out as the closest thing (besides trade) to a lingua franca, being spoken by 3 races, 2 exalts, and 1 class.
  • On the opposite extreme, nobody speaks Clawspeak - It just pops up in the feat list as a weird example.
  • Book 1 introduces 16 languages, Book 2 brings in 3 more, and Book 3 currently adds 17. So we aren't quite doubling the languages at this point, but it's getting pretty close.


    And now for a summary of discussion/suggested changes thus far:

Summary
Edited by Kwak, Jan 28 2016, 03:16 PM.
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weredrago2
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Eh, I kinda got over it.

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Well, I believe Dragonborn and Kobolds do both speak Draconic so there is some precedent for different races speaking the same language. They make more sense than most though as they were both artificially created by the Dragon Empire.

It might make sense for Elves, Eldarin and Dark Eldarin to be able to communicate. I'd say someone could make an Academic Lore check if you spoke of of the languages to ape at one of the others, but on the other hand they split some 4,000 years ago. Everyone at least knows Trade so there isn't an issue of not being able to communicate, people just choose not to. Dragon cultists that only speak Draconic, Human jerks that are too new to speak anything other than Humans, and don't get me started on those Clueless Tau. Most Spirits probably only speak spirit for metaphysical reasons too.

I do agree that the language system could use some work, or at the very least some more mechanics other than you have these languages that you speak. Exalted has a pretty interesting language system at a glance, although I haven't given it in depth analysis.
Edited by Username, Jan 27 2016, 11:46 PM.
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Kwak
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Maybe it's just that I happen use languages extensively in my games, and so I really appreciate when Dark Eldarin speak Elven and Kobolds speak Draconic because it's interesting?

Whereas if they don't come up as often it's primarily a backstory thing?

EDIT: oh geez all 3 elven races speak different languages how did i miss that

shit
Edited by Kwak, Jan 28 2016, 01:11 AM.
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I actually considered not giving my Slug race its own language, since they're telepathic. I was thinking they would just think at each other to communicate with other Slugs, and generally learn trade otherwise to communicate with races that can't just read their thoughts.
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Marimalade

Honestly, as a player it's already insane with just the BASE languages to try and guess what might *possibly* useful ever. Sure things like Syrneth, Draconic and Squat may be safe options, but those are likely to be more common elements in a game. Am I really going to be running in to so many catfolk and horse people that it would make logical sense from a non-fluff standpoint that they don't speak the same thing?
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weredrago2
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To add to the discussion, you could have Ophidians speak Draconic. They like Bahamut, right?
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I was actually thinking that, Weredrago2. Ophidians would make sense to speak Draconic. Ophidians weren't made artificially like Kobolds and Dragonborn, but they were still big on Bahamut and the Dragon Empire. It would make sense for them to be able to speak Draconic.

Lots of things speak Spirit. Fairies, Dryads, and Youma. Examining the race itself, it would make sense for Dusklings to get Spirit instead of Abyssal since Abyssal is more in tune with the Ruinous Powers and the Warp, while it seems Spirit is generally more in line with what is spoken by those that deal with the Umbra.
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weredrago2
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Spirit is more or less the language of the Umbra.

Should I have Slaad speak Syrneth?
Edited by weredrago2, Jan 28 2016, 12:14 AM.
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Kwak
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Arachne could speak Dark Eldarin, given the shared Llolth heritage.

Slaad and Lizardman could share Saurian or Syrneth
Edited by Kwak, Jan 28 2016, 12:16 AM.
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