Language Selection

[cmosier]

There can always be IC reasons to know a language. To rule those out mechanically seems like a bad idea to me. A DM can always determine an inappropriate use of a language or language choice and revoke it.

It would be easier, at least as I see it, to keep the languages as is and ask a DM for the language to match the RP.

[Fuzziebunny]

Yes, the problem with making all languages available is the " man that looks cool" factor. Cause then you have like 10 sun elves who are not black archers but some how are all proficient in drow sign.

[Doubtful]

Opening up the general languages is a good idea, people might be inclined to ask for suitable regional languages as well, after all Common is supposed to be a mashed up trading language, not a complete, fully expressive and detailed independent language.

Rare and bizarre languages (drow sign, cant, polari, Neapolitan, Druidic) should remain application only outside of the classes or races entitled to them. Giving them out free then expecting the DM's to police them is the wrong way around.

As for learning new languages, we've always taken the view that characters can indeed learn new languages, however you'll need to do some rp toward actually learning a new language as part of your character development. Its not like new languages just pop into your head out of the blue. If you want a new one, find a teacher and get some lessons.

[thaelis]

Rare and bizarre languages (drow sign, cant, polari, Neapolitan, Druidic) should remain application only outside of the classes or races entitled to them. Giving them out free then expecting the DM's to police them is the wrong way around.

Agreed, I wasn't talking of secret languages sorry if that wasn't clear. I think exotic/lost languages like Imaskari should be learn-able though because many wizards like to RP being a scholar, and it's strange that they are forced to learn Orc, Goblin and Gnoll when they should be learning something scholarly.

Also, PC's could be considered the "cream" of the scholarly world. Think about what having 18 Int means in real life.... You are roughly the top 0.4% of the population.

[Kitsunestume]

I know that the nonhuman races all get their own racial languages, but would it be reasonable to either exchange racial languages for regional or get a bonus regional language if a characters region of origin has one? Or would that also take extra rp?
to use my own character as an example, James is a native to Halarrah, but can't talk to other fellow nationals in the regional dialect because he wasn't human.

[Valhalla]

Or would that also take extra rp?
to use my own character as an example, James is a native to Halarrah, but can't talk to other fellow nationals in the regional dialect because he wasn't human.

What about just coding the Nationality feat you get from talking to the Legion Cohortes to give you the regional language if you select an area that doesn't speak common as the primary, rather than complicating the initial language selection?