REVISED FLUENCY RULES
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Fluency Levels
Linguistics Skill: Fluency.
In this game, the Primary user of Linguistics skill is a static attribution fluency into specific language 'slots'. Every character begins play speaking their racial language (F5-Native), their regional birth language (F3-Comprehensive), and Common (F1-Elementary). Because humans do not receive a racial language they receive their regional birth language (F5-Native) and any other non-racial secondary language (F3-Comprehensive); and of course the VERY basic (F1-common).
Since the roleplay of Languages cannot truly be enforced by a game mechanic, I will rely on each player's role-playing sense in how they post their conversations. I will take note of your ability to speak a language and have by NPCs treat you in kind.
A character's initial fluency points from a high intelligence is calculated by subtracting ten (10) from their starting score [INT - 10 = base Fluency Points]. Every skill point invested in the Linguistics skill earns 1 fluency point. Those classes with linguistics as a class skill receive 3 additional fluency points.
Linguistics Skill: Decipher Script.
A secondary Linguistic skill ability. There are several class-based languages in play which are consistent with active code languages including Scratch Tap, Thieves Kant, Dreg, Handsign, or Battle Sign. These anguages which may NOT be learned with skill points. However a person with sufficient Linguistics skill may attempt to comprehend it while listening. There also many ‘dead’ languages for which using this secondary ability is ideal. The skill is most often used by the military to interpret mundane coded missives between enemy army units or between noble trade houses.
There are several class-based languages in play which are consistent with active code languages including Scratch Tap, Thieves Kant, Dreg, Handsign, or Battle Sign. These languages may be deciphered using the Decipher Code skill although a rolling penalty will be applied for speed with which the conversation progressives and the level of comprehension the conversation requires. There also many 'dead' languages for which the skill Decipher Code is ideal. But the largest use for the skill is to interpret passed mundane coded missives between units in an army or between noble or trade houses.
Play by Post Formatting
The FRONTIER TALES game will be starting in one of the many unclaimed areas on the continent and the Lingua Franca will be Tieshan. All of the posts made in this facet, formatted without specific language coding are assumed to be spoken in Tieshan. Those born and raised in Athos OR Thelitos speak Thelitos as their native tongue at Fluency Level 5. All of the posts made in game, formatted without specific language coding are assumed to be spoken in Tieshan. [Please use quotes to define SPOKEN text.]
When posting in any other language it should be done in a language group at the bottom of the post section in RPOL.NET online forums. The assumption is that everyone is always speaking the default language and doing otherwise requires an explicit statement.
Skills that modify other skills
Certain functional cultural knowledges cannot be accessed without being able to speak the language. Knowledge Local, Geography, Nature, Religion, or Nobility. Will be limited by the Fluency of individual Languages known AS well AS by the RANKS taken of each knowledge.
See also links
The accepted Lingua Franca of the Frontier Nations