# Revised Language

This document presents playtest material for advanced language rules for our version of D&D for HAG. These mechanics offer a more nuanced approach to communication in our campaign world, replacing the standard language rules found in the *Player's Handbook*. This system is designed for campaigns where linguistic diversity, cultural barriers, and the challenge of translation play a role. As playtest material, these rules aren't fully balanced and may change. We welcome and encourage your feedback!

# Expanded Languages

Language shapes adventures. Each tongue speaks of unique cultures, ancient histories, and distant lands. In this ruleset, there is no universal "Common" tongue. Characters instead rely on a diverse mix of languages determined by their origin, background, and experiences.

## Fluency Levels
Characters' understanding of languages is defined by fluency, and levels of fluency are defined here:

- **None**: No comprehension.
- **Basic (Phrasebook)**: Understands simple greetings, common phrases, and rudimentary instructions. Relies heavily on context and gestures.
- **Conversational**: Comfortable in everyday dialogue, able to barter, navigate, and grasp ordinary speech. Struggles with specialized vocabulary or complex discourse.
- **Fluent**: Near-native proficiency. Understands idioms, subtle nuances, and complicated topics. Reads and writes proficiently.
- **Academic/Native**: Mastery at the highest level, including archaic forms, complex texts, dialects, and deep cultural context.

## Starting Languages
Characters gain initial languages based on their origins:

- **Origin**: Fluent proficiency in primary language(s) of your homeland or upbringing (DM discretion).
- **Background**: Often grants one additional language at Fluent proficiency.
- **Class/Race**: Certain classes or races (such as Druids, Elves, or Dwarves) grant specific Fluent languages.

## Language Families & Related Languages
Many languages share common roots, aiding comprehension of related tongues.

**Mechanic**: Fluent proficiency in one language might grant Basic proficiency or Advantage on Intelligence checks when interacting with closely related languages.

*Example*: Fluent proficiency in Common Delphic grants Advantage when interpreting Ancient Delphic texts or Basic fluency in related dialects.

## Learning Languages
Learning or improving language skills occurs during Downtime:

- **Basic**: 5 workweeks minus your Intelligence modifier.
- **Conversational**: 10 workweeks minus your Intelligence modifier (from Basic or None).
- **Fluent**: 10 workweeks minus your Intelligence modifier (from Conversational).
- **Academic**: Requires extensive study, a dedicated tutor, or special quests (DM discretion).

**Cost**: Typically 25 gp per workweek, adjusted by rarity or availability of tutors and materials.

**Immersion**: Spending prolonged time immersed in a language-speaking community may grant Advantage on progress or reduce required time.

## Languages of the World
These languages are subject to change over time.  Updates to these charts will be posted.
### Common Languages of the World
| Language         | Origin         | Speakers                 | Family           | Script          | Real-World Analog |
|------------------|-----------------|--------------------------|------------------|-----------------|-------------------|
| Arcana | Arcana | Scollars of Magic and high class of Athenaeum | Arcana | Latin | Latin and Classical Greek |
| Arfordirian      | Arfordir        | People of Arfordir            | Arf-Haroldian    | Latin          | French            |
| Beccin           | Bec             | People of the Beccin Empire & Bec            | Beccian          | Cyrillic   | Russian           |
| Common Delphic   | Athenaeum       | People of the Athenaeum   | Classical        | Latin  | Modern Greek       |
| Modern Elvish    | Last Elven State| People of the Last Elven State                    | Elven            | Sarati, Cirth, & Sarati           | Elvish            |
| Haroldian        | Harold-Ford     | People of Harold-Ford & Gilded Nations          | Arf-Haroldian    | Latin          | UK-English           |
| Auran            | Icebeach Mountains         | Dwarves of the Auran Mountains      | Dwarven          | Dwarven Runes   | Estonia          |
| Ironic           | Iron Bash       | Dwarves and People of the Iron Bash           | Dwarven          | Dwarven Runes   | Latvian          |
| Cavosian         | Great Cavern    | Dwarves of all sorts (the common for Dwarves)                  | Dwarven          | Dwarven Runes   | Finish          |
| Ikbesh           | Icebeach        | People of Icebeach            | Ikbesh           | Common          | Norway |
| Astrousian | Astrousia | The people of Astrouia (each city state has their own langue but this is used by politics and trade) | Unknown | Latin | Old Nubian |
| Golith | Giants | Nomatic Giant Tribes | Giant | Not writen, if so Latin | Sami, Kalmyk, & Nenets |

### Exotic
| Language         | Origin          | Speakers                 | Family           | Script          | Real-World Analog |
|------------------|-----------------|--------------------------|------------------|-----------------|-------------------|
| Draconic | Dragons | Kobolds, Dragons, and Dragon Borns | Draconic | Latin | German |
| Celestial | Gods | People of the Higher Planes | Celestial | Latin | Welsh |
| Aethonix | Ancient Ruins (Gaints) | Scholars of the Gaints | Aethonix | Glyphs | Mix of Sumerian and Cuneiform |
| Winthrex | Winrich | Evil Cults and studiers of acient and powerful dark magic | Ikbesh | Latin | Coptic |
| Infernal | Hell | The fiends of the hells and those whole live there for a time | Infernal | Latin | Mandaic | 

## Scripts & Literacy
Each language typically uses a specific script. Fluent proficiency usually includes literacy. Deciphering unfamiliar scripts requires a high Intelligence (Investigation) or (History) checks.

## Exotic & Secret Languages
- **Exotic Languages**: Represent rare or ancient tongues—Draconic circumstances or longer learning times.
- **Secret Languages**: Thieves' Cant or Druidic, which cannot be learned normally and require specific class features or story-based circumstances.

## Gameplay Impact
This expanded system emphasizes linguistic diversity:

- **Social Encounters**: Communication challenges enhance roleplaying. Misunderstandings are frequent without shared languages.
- **Exploration & Investigation**: Reading ancient texts, maps, or messages depends on linguistic proficiency.
- **Character Development**: Language choices enrich character backgrounds and cultural ties.
- **Downtime Activity**: Provides meaningful and thematic activities between adventures, enhancing immersion and depth of play.