Traveller class and Linguist ability

[Ellros]

Just had one of my Players ask me about this, and I did not have a good answer...

What modifiers would one use to the d20 roll for this ability? The description gives the DC's and the DC mods, but since the max DC is a 30, what mods to the roll are there? There is no mention of that.

 

[hemulen]

This highlights one of the things I don't like - it seems daft to have languages available for 1 skill point for the whole language. Why can't they be like profession or craft, so you buy ranks? I'm very tempted to make them Int based skills.

But as for Linguist, I'm not sure!

cheers,

Mark

 

[Ellros]

That's something both D&D and Star Wars use. 1 rank in a language allows you to speak it, 1 more rank allows you to read/write it. Cuts down on the number of rolls needed just to communicate. And with so many languages present in a Traveller setting, I can see the point.

 

[hemulen]

Sure, but it's just too cheap in terms of skill points, and the whole "speak it perfectly" thing just bugs me...

In other games, I've never bothered with language skill rolls where PCs are in normal conversations, since you can (probably) sort out any communication difficulties. I've only use them when PCs are listening in to conversations, or need to make a snap reaction to something someone says. In that case, I think there's a good case for languages being like other skills.

cheers,

Mark

 

[Liam Devlin]

I think I like the point explanation better. Mine goes like this (for MTU)since 5pts means a minimum bonus of +1 usually in d20 system in skil ranks...

Linguist:
1 rank/pt. recognize the language
2ranks/pts: read it/ write it
3ranks/pts: Enunciate with accent the language(posible faux pas double meaning snynonyms)
4 Ranks speaks languageclearly (no accent/ bt clinically correct)
5 Ranks speaks fluently
5+ adds dialects, like a native speaker, slang, colloquialisms, etc.
my .000000125Mcr worth, YMMV!

 

[gardclan]

Liam:

Actually, I like that. It makes picking up a new language rather more difficult than just popping a spare skill point or two.

I assume your native language would be rated at 5, but where would you place Int bonus languges? (3-4?)

 

[Liam Devlin]

Originally posted by Darth Sillyus:
Liam:

Actually, I like that. It makes picking up a new language rather more difficult than just popping a spare skill point or two.
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Well it sets apart the person who speaks it, to one who can act as an interpeter, Darth. Thank you!
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I assume your native language would be rated at 5, but where would you place Int bonus languges? (3-4?)

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Native language would be a gimme (at least 6).
Based on the Intelligence bonus languages inherent in D20 systems my take is this:
your bonus (int) is equal to the level you speak the language
so
if you have +1 Int bonus/ you have 1skill level in that other language
a +2, = level 2 (pts) in two languages
a +3, = level 3(pts)in three languages
a +4, = level 4 (pts) in 4 languages

Any more than that for freebies, and they have to add skill points lad!
Then you have the feat for Traveller class of "Linguist"
Thats another ball of cats..
But to pre-empt on that.. I'd go with what the book has for it.

 

[ctskerry]

Originally posted by Liam Devlin:
I think I like the point explanation better. Mine goes like this (for MTU)since 5pts means a minimum bonus of +1 usually in d20 system in skil ranks...

Linguist:
1 rank/pt. recognize the language
2ranks/pts: read it/ write it
3ranks/pts: Enunciate with accent the language(posible faux pas double meaning snynonyms)
4 Ranks speaks languageclearly (no accent/ bt clinically correct)
5 Ranks speaks fluently
5+ adds dialects, like a native speaker, slang, colloquialisms, etc.
my .000000125Mcr worth, YMMV!

Overall I like this approach, but there's a problem with it - it's quite possibile for someone to be able to speak a language fluently or as a native but not be able to read/write the language, just as the opposite (being about a read/write a language without being able to speak it) is possible but much less common.

Kerry

 

[Ellros]

Heh, excellent info on the language skill... but back to my original question

Traveller Linguist Feat

What modifiers would one use to the d20 roll for this ability? The description gives the DC's and the DC mods, but since the max DC is a 30, what mods to the roll are there? There is no mention of that.

Any ideas? Any suggestions?

 

[Liam Devlin]

Kerry posted "Overall I like this approach, but there's a problem with it - it's quite possibile for someone to be able to speak a language fluently or as a native but not be able to read/write the language, just as the opposite (being about a read/write a language without being able to speak it) is possible but much less common."
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yes thats true.
ye can make yer own rules for thems that just Read/ write the language but do not speak it.(like INtelligence weenies who pore over dtata and interpreters transcribe the stuff)...
pertty Academic, (pun!) dontchya think?

 

[Liam Devlin]

Originally posted by Ellros:
Heh, excellent info on the language skill... but back to my original question

Traveller Linguist Feat

What modifiers would one use to the d20 roll for this ability? The description gives the DC's and the DC mods, but since the max DC is a 30, what mods to the roll are there? There is no mention of that. Any ideas? Any suggestions?

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I harken back to the earlier post, forgive me ellros!

Linguist (feat) Mods:

recognize the language (DC 5)

read it/ write it (DC 10)

Enunciate with accent the language(posible faux pas double meaning snynonyms)(DC15)

Speaks languageclearly (no accent/ bt clinically correct) (DC 20)

Speaks fluently (DC 25)

Adds dialects, like a native speaker, slang, colloquialisms, etc (DC 30)

sorry, its been a week!

 

[Ellros]

Those are the DC's, but what modifier is there to the d20 roll? I'm thinking you use the Traveller class level as a mod (like the Well Connected feat).

 

[Liam Devlin]

Originally posted by Ellros:
Those are the DC's, but what modifier is there to the d20 roll? I'm thinking you use the Traveller class level as a mod (like the Well Connected feat).

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On the KISS principle, I'd agree with that, using the level of the person as the yardstick. Good idea, Ellros!