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One of the things that bugged me about 3rd edition was why take decpher script skill point wise when most wizards had Comprehend Languages at level 1. Many wizards just didn't invest in the decipher script spell due to the easy access to Comp. Lang. spell. My group of rouges just maxed out there use magic device (due to it other uses) and just kept a few scroll around in case of need. The varient I suggest would encourge more skill allocation to the now Linguistics skill and each rank in Linguistics give the player a new language which goes hand in hand in making the checks easier.
I would like to see a revision of the spell that would apply a bonus to the skill.
Old Version
Comprehend Languages
Divination
Level: Brd 1, Clr 1, Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S, M/DF
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 10 min./level
You can understand the spoken words of creatures or read otherwise incomprehensible written messages. In either case, you must touch the creature or the writing. The ability to read does not necessarily impart insight into the material, merely its literal meaning. The spell enables you to understand or read an unknown language, not speak or write it.
Written material can be read at the rate of one page (250 words) per minute. Magical writing cannot be read, though the spell reveals that it is magical. This spell can be foiled by certain warding magic (such as the secret page and illusory script spells). It does not decipher codes or reveal messages concealed in otherwise normal text.
Comprehend languages can be made permanent with a permanency spell.
Arcane Material Component: A pinch of soot and a few grains of salt.
NEW Version
Comprehend Languages
Divination
Level: Brd 1, Clr 1, Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S, M/DF
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 10 min./level
For Spoken appilcations:
You can understand the spoken words of creatures You must touch the creature to understand her. The spell enables you to understand a spoken unknown language not speak or write it.
For Written Appliccations:
Add your caster level to the Linguistics skill check. Written material can be read at the rate of one page (250 words) per minute. Magical writing cannot be read, though the spell reveals that it is magical. This spell can be foiled by certain warding magic (such as the secret page and illusory script spells). It does not decipher codes or reveal messages concealed in otherwise normal text.
Comprehend languages can be made permanent with a permanency spell.
Arcane Material Component: A pinch of soot and a few grains of salt.
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Thoughts?
Decipher Script (Int; Trained Only)
Check
You can decipher writing in an unfamiliar language or a message written in an incomplete or archaic form. The base DC is 20 for the simplest messages, 25 for standard texts, and 30 or higher for intricate, exotic, or very old writing. <snip>
Decipher script's less useful half is that of understanding languages that you don't already know.
The Useful part of it is that you can decipher codes that have been written into documents. There is no spell that I know of that allows you to look at a document written in a language you already know, and pull out a secret code that someone has written into it.
Decipher script lets you read a languge you don't know, and pull hidden messages from it. That is the real value in the skill.
(assuming your DM ever puts codes into documents..)
-S