High Intelligence and initial languages

[Wraithcannon]

I was looking through the CRB while making a new character and am wondering,

Is it only humans that can select any languages to learn with their high intelligence at creation?

It seems to indicate that other races, such as elves, have a limited selection of languages due to high intelligence. It doesn't make much sense that you should be forced to learn orc or gnoll, rather than something useful, such as Thassalonian or Varsian.

[Jiggy]

Wraithcannon wrote:

I was looking through the CRB while making a new character and am wondering,

Is it only humans that can select any languages to learn with their high intelligence at creation?

It seems to indicate that other races, such as elves, have a limited selection of languages due to high intelligence. It doesn't make much sense that you should be forced to learn orc or gnoll, rather than something useful, such as Thassalonian or Varsian.

If memory serves, I believe half-elves can also choose any languages they want.

I would also kind of assume that any language not appearing on the list in the linguistics skill but is present in the campaign/setting/whatever (such as Kelish or Osiriani in PFS) would be available to anyone, but you might want to confirm that.

[Enevhar Aldarion]

Yep, you would need to look at the Inner Sea World Guide for setting-specific languages that would be available for PFS play. I am not sure if they are also listed in the Inner Sea Primer, as I have not gotten that book yet.

[Jiggy]

Enevhar Aldarion wrote:

Yep, you would need to look at the Inner Sea World Guide for setting-specific languages that would be available for PFS play. I am not sure if they are also listed in the Inner Sea Primer, as I have not gotten that book yet.

I would certainly hope that two of the languages listed in the PFS Guide as being commonly spoken in Absalom (Kelish and Osiriani) would be legal. If not, that would be really weird.

[DarkWhite]

Mark Moreland wrote:

I am making note to add clarification to either the Additional Resources page or the core campaign rules about this. In the meantime:

Quote:

All Modern Human Languages (Inner Sea World Guide 251) may be learned by all characters regardless of race or class, either via ranks in Linguistics or as bonus languages due to high Intelligence. Ancient Languages may be learned by all characters regardless of race or class via ranks in Linguistics only or if granted through another legal source calling them out by name. Other Languages may be learned only if they are specifically listed as being available in a class's or race's description, or if granted by another legal source.

[erian_7]

Mark Moreland addresses this in the below thread. Note that it should appear in the PFS FAQ to be legal (haven't confirmed status of the FAQ yet), but I've allowed it for characters at present based on these "official" statements. The sum of the thread, is:

Quote:

All Modern Human Languages (Inner Sea World Guide 251) may be learned by all characters regardless of race or class, either via ranks in Linguistics or as bonus languages due to high Intelligence. Ancient Languages may be learned by all characters regardless of race or class via ranks in Linguistics only or if granted through another legal source calling them out by name. Other Languages may be learned only if they are specifically listed as being available in a class's or race's description, or if granted by another legal source.

and

Quote:

Free Languages: As presented by race, ethnicity (for humans), and class (ie Druidic for Druids)

Bonus Languages for High Int: All Races: Listed languages in entry, Modern Human Languages (Inner Sea WG p251), additional bonus languages granted by class (ie Draconic for wizards)

Bonus Languages for High Int: Humans/ Half-Elf: All languages EXCEPT Ancient Languages and Secret Languages

Languages Purchased through Linguistics: All languages EXCEPT Secret Languages

Bonus Languages and the Inner Sea World Guide

EDIT: Ninja'd, but I think the breakdown of available languages is helpful enough to leave the post...

[LazarX]

Wraithcannon wrote:

I was looking through the CRB while making a new character and am wondering,

Is it only humans that can select any languages to learn with their high intelligence at creation?

It seems to indicate that other races, such as elves, have a limited selection of languages due to high intelligence. It doesn't make much sense that you should be forced to learn orc or gnoll, rather than something useful, such as Thassalonian or Varsian.

Humans are the only unrestricted race, although there are languages like Druidic which are closed to them as well unless the prerequisites are met.

[Jiggy]

LazarX wrote:

Humans are the only unrestricted race

PRD - Races wrote:

Half-elves with high Intelligence scores can choose any languages they want (except secret languages, such as Druidic).