Hey, did I see a move in here about communicating with somebody when you lack a language in common? Or was it somewhere else? I’m not seeing it.
Hey, did I see a move in here about communicating with somebody when you lack a language in common?
Hey, did I see a move in here about communicating with somebody when you lack a language in common?
…wait, are there languages in DW? I mean, are there mechanics for languages?
When you interact with someone and don’t share a common way of speaking or doing business, roll+Cha. On a hit, choose options. On a 10+, choose 3. On a 7-9, choose 2. On a miss, choose 1 but they’re clearly not happy with you.
• you make yourself understood
• you grasp more-or-less what they want
• you don’t look like a fool, child, or asshole
• you catch something they didn’t intend you to understand
• you make progress in learning how to interact with these people; start a new countdown or fill in a box of an existing one
#planarchcodex
ah, thanks
Nikitas Thlimmenos, that is a great think to ask your players in the first session
I just now realize that I assumed there were a basic, common language shared by more or less all the sentient species. Oh well, good thing I just started a new campaign!
don’t assume anything!
of course I try not to!
That’s not that easy most of the time, though
i fell into the same trap actually but proptly asked the question when i realised it. Having no “common” makes things harder but more interesting.
I’ll have to ask them if they think it’s interesting or just gratuitous hindrance.
Now that I think about it, also the “older” campaign has been played inside the city until now, where it was only logical that everyone shared a language. Now they are adventuring outside, and they may well meet someone that just doesn’t speak “human”
I hate those people
Yep, pretty much the definition of evil: doesn’t speak human.
Spent a season with a lizardfolk tribe learning their language. Made a number of allies. Good times all round.
I don’t know why but my games are full of “incomprehensible ancient rune languages” the players try to spout lore about.
If you don’t know why, ask the players.
/sub
Discern realities?
Based on that move from the Planarch Codex, I came up with two more. Let me know what you think:
When you study a written text in a language that you are not fluent in, roll+Int. On a 10+, choose 3. On a 7-9, choose 2. On a miss, you can choose only 1.
• You grasp the purpose of the text. (It’s a warning sign, It’s a treatise on herbology, It’s the name of this mine shaft, etc.)
• You understand more-or-less the literal meaning of what has been written.
• You glean a hidden meaning, metatextual element or cultural context.
• You don’t take a long time.
• You make progress in learning how to read this language; start a new countdown or fill in a box of an existing one.
When you actively listen to a language that you are not fluent in, roll+Wis. On a hit, you understand the conversation, more-or-less. On a 10+, choose 2. On a 7-9, choose 1.
• You gain additional information about the speakers. (Where they are from, level of education, etc.)
• You understand a reference not meant for the casual listener.
• It isn’t obvious that you understand what is being said.
• You make progress in learning how to understand this language; start a new countdown or fill in a box of an existing one.