Languages (Uncommon)

Characters who know languages other than Common can speak them at any time. To do this announce what language you are speaking and then proceed to say what you want to say.

It is a common misconception that you must use a hand signal while speaking another language but this not an actual rule, just a common practice. It is easier to use a hand signal than say 'In Draconic' repeatedly, but it isn't always possible if your hands are full or you are otherwise unable to make a hand signal. As long as people overhearing the conversation understand what language is supposed to be represented, any means of communicating when you are speaking that language and when you are not works.

If your character has a language skill to speak a language they can automatically read and write in that language. Should you desire your character be illiterate that is perfectly acceptable and you can roleplay that however you desire as long as you are consistent. Learning to read and write could be a very interesting arc for character development. Just don't suddenly regress and spontaneously cease to be literate without cause.

Different languages are all represented by different fonts for in-game documents. For simplicity sake these fonts are simple replacements of English letters with characters that don't look like English. This means that someone could treat foreign languages as a cipher, and translate them back into English. Don't do this. Other languages have different grammar structures, different words, different structure. They don't follow the rules of English. Translating an unknown language is a painstaking process that could take years to figure out one document. We use alternative fonts for simplicity sake to create interesting looking props, they are not designed to be solvable puzzles.

Documents of any importance that are written in other languages should always include a translation in normal English fonts. These can be read by anyone who speaks the corresponding language in-game. These translations will note at the top what language is needed to read it, saying something like '<In Elvish>'. When you see this, only read the translation if you speak the language.

The fonts are available for players to download so they can make their own props using them. A simple prop like a bow that says "Pew Pew Pew" in Elvish on it, looks cool, and adds to the setting while carefully concealing a joke so that it's subtle. No one needs to know what the bow says. Characters who want to be able to translate this kind of prop can get a translation guide from the logistics desk for any language they can speak. This is the one time where translating alternative fonts back to English is appropriate... to see the inconsequential, but fun little details people have added to enrich the game.

A character earns the Savant title after obtaining all 20 production points and learning the following skills:

• Alchemy Mastery
• Brew Potion
• Scribe Scroll
• Estimate Value
• First Aid
• Herbalism
• Read Magic
• At least one language that was not inherited at the character's creation.
  • Note that every character gains the Common language at creation, even if you choose to roleplay that you don't know it, so does not count towards this title.

Savants gain 5 production points that break cap. When producing potions or scrolls Savants, instead of being limited to only spells they know, may also copy potions and scrolls they have on hand to determine which they can make. This cannot be used to copy scarce items.

Only Savants can use an Alchemist's Laboratory.

Maven represents diverse ways of learning and wisdom drawn from a multitude of experiences:

• The seasoned travels of a Civen merchant: Navigating foreign markets and cultures.
• The meticulous craft of a Terran artisan: Mastering a skill through dedicated practice and refinement.
• The cunning of streetwise thieves: Acquiring knowledge through observation, deception, and resourcefulness.
• The ancient lore passed down through generations by Dellin shamans: Honoring tradition and embracing the wisdom of ancestors.
• The insights of any individual who has dedicated themselves to a particular field of study: Learning from experts and embracing a lifelong pursuit of knowledge.

Maven is the sole source of uncommon languages outside of character creation or other roleplaying skills. How the player decides they learned these languages is up to them. It could involve studying ancient texts, learning from travelers, or even experiencing a divine revelation.

Essentially, Maven reflects a character's individual journey of knowledge acquisition. How they gain these skills is a deeply personal and character-driven experience.

Mavens can learn world lore between events, learn additional languages, gain ritual skills without school mastery, exchange basic ritual components during rituals, craft tomes and learn a signature spell.

Unlike other roleplaying skills, Maven may be taken by any player and can be taken to level 5 regardless of any other RP skills they may possess.