Unearth Arcana - Revised Langues
Overview of New Langue System
In our, language is a product of culture, history, and geography. There is no universal Common tongue. Instead, various languages are spoken across different nations and peoples. The languages you know are determined by your origin, upbringing, and background choices.
1. Fluency Levels
We use fluency levels to represent varying degrees of language mastery:
- None: No understanding.
- Basic (Phrasebook): Can understand/speak simple phrases, keywords, numbers, greetings, warnings. High chance of misunderstanding nuance or complex sentences. Often relies heavily on context and gestures.
- Conversational: Can hold day-to-day conversations, ask questions, understand directions, haggle simply. Struggles with technical terms, philosophy, fast speech, strong accents, or complex literature.
- Fluent: Understands and speaks like a native in most situations. Grasps idioms, nuance, complex topics. Can read/write proficiently.
- Academic/Native: Perfect mastery, including deep cultural context, historical forms, complex literature, and potentially multiple dialects.
2. Starting Languages
- Origin: Based on where your character was born and raised, you gain Fluent proficiency in the primary language(s) of that region (discuss with your DM).
- Background: Your background may grant you an additional language choice, typically starting at Fluent.
- Class/Race: Some classes (like Druid) or races might grant specific languages (like Druidic, Elvish, Dwarvish) at Fluent proficiency.
3. Language Families & Related Languages
Languages often belong to families, sharing roots and similarities.
- Mechanic: If you are Fluent in a language, you might gain Basic fluency in closely related languages within the same family (DM's discretion). Alternatively, you gain Advantage on checks made to understand or learn related languages.
- Example: Being Fluent in Arcana might grant Advantage on checks to understand Delphic if they share a historical root, or Basic fluency in a minor dialect of Delphic.
4. Learning Languages
You can learn new languages or improve your fluency through Downtime:
- Time: Requires study and practice:
- Basic: 5 workweeks minus INT modifier.
- Conversational: 10 workweeks minus INT modifier (starting from Basic or None).
- Fluent: 10 workweeks minus INT modifier (starting from Conversational).
- Academic: Requires special quests, tutors, or extended time (DM's discretion).
- Cost: Requires resources (tutor fees, books) - typically 2525 gp per workweek. Rare languages or expert tutors may cost more.
- Immersion: Spending significant time immersed in a culture speaking the language can reduce the time needed or grant Advantage on learning progress.
5. Language Table
Here's your table, expanded with the system elements. (Notes: I've made some logical assumptions for missing families and scripts based on your input; feel free to adjust!)
Language Origins and Speakers
Language | National Origin | Typical Speaker |
|---|---|---|
Arfordirian | Arfordir | Human, Elf |
Beccin | Bec | Human, Elf |
Common Delphic | Athenaeum | Arcane users, Human, Elf |
Modern Elvish | Last Elven State | Elf |
Haroldian | Harold-Ford | Human, Elf |
Auran | (Unknown Origin) | Dwarf |
Ironic | Iron Bash | Dwarf, Elf |
Cavosian | Great Cavern | Dwarf |
Ikbesh | Icebeach | Human, Elf |
Linguistic Classification
Language | Family | Script | Conceptual Flavor |
|---|---|---|---|
Arfordirian | Arf-Haroldian | Common | French |
Beccin | Beccian | Beccin Script | Russian |
Common Delphic | Classical | Delphic Script | Late Greek/Latin |
Modern Elvish | Elven | Elven | (Elvish) |
Haroldian | Arf-Haroldian | Common | English |
Auran | Dwarven | Dwarven Runes | (Dwarven) |
Ironic | Dwarven | Dwarven Runes | (Dwarven) |
Cavosian | Dwarven | Dwarven Runes | (Dwarven) |
Ikbesh | Ikbesh | Common | English/Icelandic |
Language Usage and Notes
Language | Notes/Typical Use |
|---|---|
Arfordirian | Major language of Arfordir region |
Beccin | Major language of Bec region |
Common Delphic | Scholarly, magical texts, old empire |
Modern Elvish | Primary language of remaining Elves |
Haroldian | Widespread trade language in many areas |
Auran | Possibly related to earth elementals? |
Ironic | Spoken in Iron Bash, potential creole? |
Cavosian | Primary language of Great Cavern Dwarves |
Ikbesh | Language of the northern Icebeach area |
(Add other languages like Undercommon, Giant, Orcish, Goblin, Draconic, Sylvan, Primordial dialects, Celestial, Infernal, Abyssal as needed for your world)
6. Scripts
The writing system (script) used by a language is important. Knowing a language fluently usually includes literacy in its primary script. Deciphering unfamiliar scripts may require checks (Investigation, History) or specific tool proficiencies (Calligrapher's Supplies).
7. Exotic & Secret Languages
- Exotic: Languages from very distant lands, ancient civilizations (like Common Delphic might be), or non-humanoid creatures (e.g., Draconic, Abyssal). May be harder or take longer to learn.
- Secret: Languages like Druidic or Thieves' Cant cannot typically be learned through normal downtime and require specific class features or in-game circumstances.