The MANY Languages of RP...and a side note

I know this has been posted before without much result, but it’s something (as an RP oriented person) that would add to the dynamic of Aabahran. Too often we are prone to add elements that contribute to the PK aspects of FL, but not quite as often do we add to JUST the RP. I do understand that certain things take priority over coding the use of racial languages (cabal revamps as one example) but it surely would create more of an RP environment. It may not be on the “needed” list of things to do, but it should be on the list of things that would “enhance” the FL experience.

One example

The bases for learning a language would depend on your race (re-strings would only start with the universal language more often referred to as common) and however many practices you could spend. So, races that have a higher intelligence would have more practices to spend on learning languages. Learning languages could require twice the practices needed to learn a skill or spell. Thus, a language would require 2 practices from an INT of 23 or better, 3 practices for an INT of 18 to 22 and 4 practices for an INT of 14 to 17.

As a side note

During character creation when selecting a race, it doesn’t allow further inspection with use of the help files. Which not only details more of the racial story, but possible class choices. Any new player wouldn’t get the benefit of knowing those details…they just get the first page of the racial help file, then are left hanging. Perhaps it would be best to allow the use of ALL racial help files during character creation? (for the choices offered, of course)

who's going to make up all these languages?

it could be random gibberish to anyone who doesn't know the language being used...

it could be random gibberish to anyone who doesn't know the language being used...

which would make it HARDER to rp with people

I can see it now...

"I try to rp with folks, but I cant understand half of them, then they just kill me"

what if each language was a channel, like cabal chat, with the exception that it is not broadcast to every "elf" but rather any elf in the same room would understand the statement.

Example;

Two elves, Dibs and Dobs, and a dwarf, lets call him Charlie, are in the same room. Dibs uses the command; elf 'He is certainly a surely dwarf is he not?'. Unless the Charlie can speak elven he will only see. Dibs says something in the Elvish tongue. Dobs replies with; elf 'Probably woke up late for breakfast, his stomach is growling like a bear.' At this point Charlie may think the elves are talking about him, and decide he does not like these two elves much.

In this example, languages aid in RP and character development.

Charlie may reply with;

dwarf 'Gol dern crap talkin elves, I awta cut out their tongues an dry em on me belt!'

If it were done with channels, the words would not need to be gibrish. Merely not understandable with a proficiency of less than 75%. Just a thought.

"I try to rp with folks' date=' but I cant understand half of them, then they just kill me"[/quote']

lol, you could say that NOW, regardless of the use of languages. frankly, it all comes down to the players... and considering everyone being able to speak "common" it would be a matter of choice if you wanted to be able to communicate with them or not.

anyone remember Myrtaal "sp" Drow DK, was pretty cool even though their rp didn't allow them to communicate coherently with anyone but other Drow because of a language barrier.

what if each language was a channel, like cabal chat, with the exception that it is not broadcast to every "elf" but rather any elf in the same room would understand the statement.

Example;

Two elves, Dibs and Dobs, and a dwarf, lets call him Charlie, are in the same room. Dibs uses the command; elf 'He is certainly a surely dwarf is he not?'. Unless the Charlie can speak elven he will only see. Dibs says something in the Elvish tongue. Dobs replies with; elf 'Probably woke up late for breakfast, his stomach is growling like a bear.' At this point Charlie may think the elves are talking about him, and decide he does not like these two elves much.

In this example, languages aid in RP and character development.

Charlie may reply with;

dwarf 'Gol dern crap talkin elves, I awta cut out their tongues an dry em on me belt!'

If it were done with channels, the words would not need to be gibrish. Merely not understandable with a proficiency of less than 75%. Just a thought.
that's not bad, a decent idea indeed! thank you for your thoughts good Sir.

as sweet as it sounds RP wise, and the "allegiance" it would forge for members of the same race, I don't see it as functioning. You would not be able to use most racial shops, cause you cant voice what you want. Noone could do gear, since no one speaks the clockwork nirvana language. Newbies would have 0 idea why the drow cleric just raped them and uttered gibberish.

It has legit RP basis, but for the sake of functionality I wouldn't be do it.

as sweet as it sounds RP wise, and the "allegiance" it would forge for members of the same race, I don't see it as functioning. You would not be able to use most racial shops, cause you cant voice what you want. Noone could do gear, since no one speaks the clockwork nirvana language. Newbies would have 0 idea why the drow cleric just raped them and uttered gibberish.

It has legit RP basis, but for the sake of functionality I wouldn't be do it.
I would like to personally thank you for taking the time to respond to this idea. So, thank you! However, ALL races can speak "common" so why would we not be able to do gear? why would a person not be able to use a racial shop? why would the newbie not be privy to the reason behind the drow cleric killing them? if the players want to communicate with shop owners, quest givers or each other...they CAN through the UNIVERSAL language of "common" ...also, if two players want to speak among themselves in a language they don't think someone around them might know, they can...or they can speak in common so that EVERYONE can understand them...

the use of racial languages add atmosphere to the world around you...just imagine walking into a city like Rheydin that is home to all the races. You say it would be overwhelming to a newb, that's why we have newbie chat...that's why we have a universal language...so they can be communicated with and helped. To be honest, I think it would help Aabahran to go a step further and add more culture to each of the cities (especially racial specific cities)...for them to have specific traditions/fashions/language/food (which we have some of that now). A place like Rheydin could be a melting pot. there is a lot that could be done to "enhance" the FL experience just by adding these RP elements. which are perfectly viable.

your mention of shops, makes me think there should be some racial prejudice for some shops...as well as racial favoritism. "boggles"

Any other ideas instead of making the languages a practicable skill? That gets into the PK side of things.

Would add a nice cosmetic layer to RP.

Selectable "languages" based on racial intelligence and class. No practicing required, start at 100% like recall.

Cabals or clans could give one or two bonus languages.

There. Game, set, match.

EDIT: And you can't dislike it because I can send racial notes in game.

Any other ideas instead of making the languages a practicable skill? That gets into the PK side of things.

Would add a nice cosmetic layer to RP.
I couldn't agree more; thank you for taking the time to read and respond.

Valek, that's not a bad idea. Thanks!

Languages based on race and INT would be quite plausible. INT of 21 would offer your first new selectable language (during character creation or when you're in game) INT of 23 would offer your second selectable language and 25 would offer your 3rd. (this would only apply to natural INT not your enhanced stat)

Certain classes could also offer a language addition, such as Druidic for Druids and Sign Language for Thieves, Rangers, Ninjas, and/or Bards.

I had originally thought of the idea this way, however, I was thinking about some of those 3 or 4 unused practices we find ourselves with from time to time at rank 50 that could be put to some kind of use.

I think we should just stick to racial languages.

Kinda goes overboard when you get into class type languages.

I think we should just stick to racial languages.

Kinda goes overboard when you get into class type languages.
Understandable; a good point. Even though I thought of the class languages based on your previous post. Mainly Druidic came to mind.

New Perk, Polyglot. Instantly know all languages.

New Perk' date=' Polyglot. Instantly know all languages.[/quote'] We already have that...but it's a spell called Comprehend Languages

Though a perk that grants a bonus language could be very nice. Croyvern, you're always thinking on your feet!

Croyvern' date=' you're always thinking on your feet![/quote']Comes from years of painting myself into a corner.

By class I meant certain classes could learn more languages than others. My apologies for not clarifying. I knew what I meant. I need to make sure others do also.

You know something I have always wondered... why there isn't some kind of thief sign language... its an incredibly common device in many fantasy books, and while I found myself trying to RP it once or twice... it seemed like something I couldn't QUITE pull off.

I highly dislike this idea for a number of reasons. While it sounds good on paper it will be awful if implemented. Creating an artificial barrier for communication between players in an environment which highly needs communication is not a good thing.

When I play FL I consider it as reading a book. When you read a book, no matter that the main character is a drow, you still understand what the lesser races, humans, illithids and other races with racial languages say.

Also, there is the efficiency factor. With games like FL, the admins need to look for efficiency i.e. what to implement so that it will take less time to create (ideologically) and code and will get us the highest results.

Such an efficient suggestion was celerity's gossip system. Easy to control and code. Why was it overlooked I don't know (and I still hope it wasn't actually overlooked). Sometimes I dislike the fact that the immortals invest so much time into making (arguable) changes and tweaks while they can take that time to implement something new. But that is a different topic.

Creating a language is a huge undertakement. Creating multiple languages is extreme. For such a huge project you need guaranteed results which can justify it. This is not the case. This suggestion will not only need a crazy amount of work but it's results will arguable to say the least.