Hey guys, I have a question. Characters with the standard language option can choose from 7 other languages of they have a high intelligence score. Does adding points to the linguistics skill allow you to learn a language outside those 7?
I'd say 'yes'. If Hallie the Halfling wants to spend a Linguistics skill point so she can speak orc, there shouldn't be an issue aside from finding a teacher. Especially if she's in a party otherwise full of orc speakers; it can come in handy there.
Hey guys, I have a question. Characters with the standard language option can choose from 7 other languages of they have a high intelligence score. Does adding points to the linguistics skill allow you to learn a language outside those 7?
The starting languages are just a list of languages your race would probably have the most exposure to, and so would be the most likely languages you picked up as you grew up.
The languages you learn by spending skill points are totally separate. You can learn any language by spending skill points.
You can learn any language by spending skill points.
With a few specific exceptions (i.e., Druidic).
You can learn any language by spending skill points.With a few specific exceptions (i.e., Druidic).
No, even Druidic. It is even listed in the Linguistics skill (the druids-only part there only refers to the typical speakers).
If druids can lose their class features by teaching druidic to non-druids, then by extension non-druids must be able to learn druidic. They would do so by a rank in Linguistics.
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You can learn any language by spending skill points.With a few specific exceptions (i.e., Druidic).No, even Druidic. It is even listed in the Linguistics skill (the druids-only part there only refers to the typical speakers).
If druids can lose their class features by teaching druidic to non-druids, then by extension non-druids must be able to learn druidic. They would do so by a rank in Linguistics.
What druid would be foolish enough to teach Druidic to a non-Druid? Having the ability to learn the language does not imply the practical ability to learn the language. I might be able to learn a language spoken by Neanderthals, but I will probably never find a teacher.
What druid would be foolish enough to teach Druidic to a non-Druid? Having the ability to learn the language does not imply the practical ability to learn the language. I might be able to learn a language spoken by Neanderthals, but I will probably never find a teacher.You can learn any language by spending skill points.With a few specific exceptions (i.e., Druidic).No, even Druidic. It is even listed in the Linguistics skill (the druids-only part there only refers to the typical speakers).
If druids can lose their class features by teaching druidic to non-druids, then by extension non-druids must be able to learn druidic. They would do so by a rank in Linguistics.
Mechanically, finding a teacher isn't required. Just putting a rank in Linguistics is enough and implies you were able to do whatever was necessary to learn the language. Just like putting a rank into any other skill.
Yes, the GM could put roleplaying restrictions on learning a new language. That would make it harder to learn, but still not impossible. A druid may have fallen already, and no longer care about teaching Druidic to anyone who wants to learn. A ranger, after a long career of helping the local druids may have been taught Druidic as a reward. Or maybe like Ahmed ibn Fadlan in the movie 13th Warrior you were able to just pick up the language by sitting and listening to a group of druids talk. Maybe you touched (After being warned not to) the sacred stone in the center of the site most holy to the druids, and in addition to a splitting headache you have somehow been granted the knowledge of the Druidic language.
How you justify learning the language does not matter. You can come up with any number of ways. Mechanically, there is nothing stopping a non-druid from putting a rank into Linguistics and selecting Druidic as the learned language, and that was the point. The Linguistics skill does not put a restriction on what languages are possible to learn.
No, even Druidic. It is even listed in the Linguistics skill (the druids-only part there only refers to the typical speakers).
I'd disallow this as a GM in a home game and as a GM in PFS.
So, at the very least, check with your GM before assuming that you can do this.
The CRB does explicitly list it as an option for the skill so I'd be inclined to allow it in PFS.
In a home game it would be a conflict between asking "how does that even make sense" versus letting it go simply because in the majority of campaigns picking almost any other language would be a better investment.
Correction, examining the Guide to Organized Play for PFS it seems that they override the CRB for the linguistics skill and do specifically disallow druidic as a option.
No, even Druidic. It is even listed in the Linguistics skill (the druids-only part there only refers to the typical speakers).You can learn any language by spending skill points.With a few specific exceptions (i.e., Druidic).
That isn't a "typical speakers" comment, it's a restriction. More detail is given in the druid class features:
A druid also knows Druidic, a secret language known only to druids, which she learns upon becoming a 1st-level druid. Druidic is a free language for a druid; that is, she knows it in addition to her regular allotment of languages and it doesn't take up a language slot. Druids are forbidden to teach this language to nondruids.
No, even Druidic. It is even listed in the Linguistics skill (the druids-only part there only refers to the typical speakers).You can learn any language by spending skill points.With a few specific exceptions (i.e., Druidic).That isn't a "typical speakers" comment, it's a restriction. More detail is given in the druid class features:
A druid also knows Druidic, a secret language known only to druids, which she learns upon becoming a 1st-level druid. Druidic is a free language for a druid; that is, she knows it in addition to her regular allotment of languages and it doesn't take up a language slot. Druids are forbidden to teach this language to nondruids.
Linguistics skill:
Learn a Language: Whenever you put a rank into this skill, you learn to speak and read a new language. Common languages (and their typical speakers) include the following.
Druidic (druids only)
(Druids only), like all of the other examples, is an example of the typical speaker. Someone who has spent a rank to learn it isn't typical.
Druids are forbidden to teach it, but they still can. They lose class features when doing so, however. There is absolutely nothing that says anyone else is prohibited from taking the language.
If you were forbidden from taking the language with Lingusitics, then why bother listing it in the skill in the first place?
And as p-sto said above, PAthfinder Society play has a rule specifically saying you can't choose Druidic with Linguistics. Why make a rule if the core rulebook already prohibits it? Because the core rulebook doesn't prohibit it. It doesn't place a restriction on any language with the Linguistics skill.
(Druids only), like all of the other examples, is an example of the typical speaker.Learn a Language: Whenever you put a rank into this skill, you learn to speak and read a new language. Common languages (and their typical speakers) include the following.
Druidic (druids only)
No, there's a crucial wording difference. Druidic and only druidic lists "only," turning it from an example into a restriction. Compare it to Necril, which is spoken by undead, but not undead (only).
Of course, you're welcome to house rule that the word "only" is meaningless in that context. By RAW, Druidic is spoken by druids and only by druids.
Is there any point in being so eager to learn druidic? The tree-huggers all speak another language too, so communication can't be the problem.
Is there any point in being so eager to learn druidic? The tree-huggers all speak another language too, so communication can't be the problem.
Leaving written/carved markers in the wilderness that nobody else can understand.
I can live without that :)
(And you don't need a language to leave such signals to your associates. No one can know what a green or red circle means (e.g.), except those you told beforehand.)