Which language would you say is best for dealing with the outer gods and the great old ones? Or in other words: Which language should a cultist know?
In the PRD I found the following:
Abyssal (demons and other chaotic evil outsiders)
Aklo (derros, inhuman or otherworldly monsters, evil fey)
Most of those we are speaking about are chaotic evil but they are otherworldly monsters as well. And I would not associate them with demons very much.
Unless you want to make up your own language, I'd go with Aklo.
I'd give them a language of their very own. If you're using any sort of Sanity-system, I'd even say that learning it costs sanity, as it contains syllables and syntax that is utterly alien to the human(oid) mind.
If you're not using sanity, I'd call for a will-save every time they used it. A low DC (5) for communicating with cultists and other non-natives, a higher (10) for reading an ancient tome, and something even worse for actually communicating with the Outer Gods/Great Old Ones. Failure would result in being dazed for 1d4 rounds as you tried to make sense of the otherwordly sounds and sentences you're hearing.
I'd give them a language of their very own. If you're using any sort of Sanity-system, I'd even say that learning it costs sanity, as it contains syllables and syntax that is utterly alien to the human(oid) mind.
If you're not using sanity, I'd call for a will-save every time they used it. A low DC (5) for communicating with cultists and other non-natives, a higher (10) for reading an ancient tome, and something even worse for actually communicating with the Outer Gods/Great Old Ones. Failure would result in being dazed for 1d4 rounds as you tried to make sense of the otherwordly sounds and sentences you're hearing.
I agree with this.
The kinds of beings you're referring to wouldn't even use "language" in the way that we understand it. It'd be like an ant trying to understand English.
Thanks for the replies so far.
I'm still toying with the idea of playing a cleric of shub niggurath and I want him to be able to understand the language most likely used by his godess and their minions.
Some APs seem to include the old ones or outer gods in some way or the other. Perhaps one of you can tell me if those include any info on the languages there?
In Kingmaker there is a tower where the characters happen upon some enemies supposedly linked to the dark tapestry. One was a kind of void elemental. I think I remember there was some inscription. If there was one, in which language was it?
In carrion crown seems to be at least one part more or less about beings from the dark tapestry. Is there any language mentioned?
Until I get further intel I'm going to stick with aklo.
The Kingmaker spoiler you mentioned has Aklo associated to it as a language.
If this trait is anything to go on, they have their own special language, unpronounceable by mortal tongues.
Thanks again.
This supports learning aklo and perhaps, if I can afford the trait for a pc that will only have few spellcaster levels I'll take it in addition to that.
The goal is a cleric/barbarian multiclass with more levels barbarian but played, fluffed as a mad cultist who regularily looses it for short times.
By going scarred rager I can do single round rage cycling and mix raging and spellcasting.
I think i catch your flavor, but for a character who willing submit to such being, be able to understand his 'requests' should be something part of the mystery of his devotion.
This character shouldn't be able to understand his god in a verbal way. Just feel him. Feel his needs, thoughts, etc...
My suggestion is to skip the language. He is his cleric. His direct medium and he speaks with the voice of his god. He is his god's voice. And with the DM's help, this could happen even in a sincerely way.
My two cents. ;)
Bad Man: If I find written testament of the godess or of her brothers I want to be able to read it, even if SHE will not talk to me using that language.
Bad Man: If I find written testament of the godess or of her brothers I want to be able to read it, even if SHE will not talk to me using that language.
I understand. All of this rely heavily in how your DM handles the matter. It's a scenario thing actually. If you feel that the character should be able to read, he should. Use the aklo suggestion as above, but, for me, that takes away a little bit of that 'special thing' that your character should have for being one of the 'pure chosen ones' that dont need that reading stuff...
