[theredknight_x]

After a little bit I started thinking about languages. Here are a couple of observations and suggestions regarding them, let me know who thinks this is a good idea.

Languages in Thay PW can only be taken at level 1. Though I can certainly understand why we wouldn't want people waiting until they can see what languages people are using and pick them up 'After the Fact', being able to select languages past that level IMHO is a good idea. Here's my reasons why:

1. People screw up and forget: Heh, I know I have. Couple of characters I've had here I've forgot about selecting the languages until after I'd already gotten past first level and from there on out your pretty much SOL.

2. Increasing your Intelligence: Wizards... namely the most important class in the PW in some respects, get smarter. Smarter people in D&D get more languages. Though in PnP you actually have to 'Buy' languages with skill points, usually 2, we can't do that in NWN so we go by your INT modifier which will increase as a Wizard puts points into it. I see no reason why a mage can't stick a few more languages under his belt in this time.

3. Bards: Bard is the only standard class which gains the 'Speak Language' skill in PnP. Though INT is arguably not 'AS' important of a stat for bards as some of the others, Bards are the language guru's of D&D. I'd love to see bards be able to pick up extra languages for free at say Levels 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 (yeah I know we're capped at 15 right now, don't bother messaging that =P)

Languages bring a richness to any setting, and I'd love to see them utilized more everyone!

I think it's a little nit-picky but I'm going to go ahead with it. I know enough about the SimTools scripting to know removing all the languages that are embedded is just a pain in the butt, but taking them off the list of selectable languages when one uses the "!list languages" function would be nice. Who has a justifiable reason to learn 'Kender', or even 'Psionic'. If we could get all those superfluous languages, or worse languages from other D&D settings, removed it would be nice.

Also for humans, it would be great if we could select what nation or region the human is from and get our free 'Regional' language. Plenty of people play native Thayans who should get Mulhorandi for free, being the national language. Calimshites should get Alzhedo, North-dwellers should get Illuskan, and so on and so forth.

And yeah Thayan, I know there's alot on your plate =P, it's not the most important thing in the world but I think it'd be a wonderful improvement.

Please reply with comments or suggestions!

[EdinSumar]

I think this is a wonderful idea and support it fully!

Especially the Human and Nation/Region thing, I like stuff like that because I think it is very distinct and really adds to the Forgotten Realms setting.

[kta]

Well, if anyone has forgotten to read the player guide and not selected any languages at lvl 1 they can always come to me. The same goes for players that have good RP reason and also players that raise their INT AND have a RP reason to learn a new language. While I see the RP value of languages - I use them alot myself - changing the system is low priority and will at best be considered at a very long run...

KTA

[theredknight_x]

I personally think any character who decides to select Mulhorandi on this server has a VERY good RP reason already..... they're in Thay! Not knowing the regional language is generally a bad idea in a nation where the government has near a 'Fire and Forget' type of mentality. Sure, practically everyone in Faerun knows at least a 'bit' of common, but do you think people of a nation converse regularly in it. I don't, I think they would talk in their regional language more... heh... commonly. :)

And any Wizard who decides to pick up any planar language, such as Infernal, Aquan.... heh the list goes on, automatically has one unless they're restricted from casting Conjuration spells. In PnP it is *Required* to know the languages of whatever planar creature you summon in order to control it unless it knows common, which is rare (hardly so in NWN which you can't even summon real outsiders until planar binding or high leveled summon monster), so learning such languages isn't just for the study, but a necessity for being a mage.

And learning another language for bards is practically a reason in and of itself, they're Bards! Bards talk, bards sing, bards are people people. And communicating with them is important. Any regional based language should pretty much be a no-brainer to want to learn. Especially in this server. Languages like Rashemi, Mulhorandi, Durpari, Untheric, Shou, Shaaran... enough people around are going to speak them in and around Thay that a bard will probably want to pick them up just to chit chat.

And as I said, I know it's hardly the most important detail, but it would definitely be a welcome one!

Anyone else agree or think otherwise?

[ThayanKnight]

I can agree
...

However, if KTA is willing to take requests from people wanting a new language because they raised their level, or because they want a free regional language because they don't originate from Thay, or they're a bard and would like to rp having a new language learned through song, or one of the many countless reasons players can conjure... then as daunting as it sounds I suppose its ok to leave the system alone and simply make requests to KTA.

Regardless of *how* it is done - I would like to see the ability to choose new languages as INT scores go up higher or for every 5th level in Bard...

I especially agree with giving players one free regional language if they are roleplaying that their character is *not* from Thay but from another region like Dambraath or Calimshane, Vast, Rashemen, etc...

[Githzerai Monk]

Tongues + permanency = no problems for wizards. Ever. (EXCEPT THOSE DAMN DISPELS! :@)

If the language system is changed a little, it'd be nice to see the tongues spell somewhere...

Also: Maurin never got to select languages at first level, he gained some levels off a dead PC. Perhaps this issue could be addressed somehow(not sure if it has been actually, anyone know how it works with this?)? Though with the DM help workaround, it's not so bad.

[kta]

Maurin never got to select languages at first level, he gained some levels off a dead PC.

This is in no way connected - if you retire a PC and create a new one it starts still at lvl 1 plus the XP gained from the retired PC, The code that works the language selection checks for LEVEL not XP and it is therefore possible to select languages on lvl 1 no matter how much xp a PC starts with. I have done this several times - it always worked.

KTA

[theredknight_x]

Tongues + permanency = no problems for wizards. Ever. (EXCEPT THOSE DAMN DISPELS! :@)

This is one of those spells in PnP I absolutely HATE! Tongues destroys good plots, Comprehend Languages too. Bah! LOL

[EdinSumar]

Maurin never got to select languages at first level, he gained some levels off a dead PC.

This is in no way connected - if you retire a PC and create a new one it starts still at lvl 1 plus the XP gained from the retired PC, The code that works the language selection checks for LEVEL not XP and it is therefore possible to select languages on lvl 1 no matter how much xp a PC starts with. I have done this several times - it always worked.

KTA

I think the problem Githzerai Monk is referencing is when that extra XP results in a level up. Although I reckon the new character should just choose languages before actually leveling up, some might forget, which is too bad.

- Edin Sumar

[kta]

I think the problem Githzerai Monk is referencing is when that extra XP results in a level up. Although I reckon the new character should just choose languages before actually leveling up, some might forget, which is too bad.

- Edin Sumar

What about the level up? As long as you do not hit the button you can choose languages, if you forget however you can come to me...

KTA