Forums: Forums -> Languages

The list of modern languages is as follows:

• the trade language, primary language of the traveling people
• imperial common, including all provincial dialects
• elvish
• goblin
• kobold
• draconic
• dwarven
• centaur regional languages and tribal dialects

Of these all save centaur languages, dwarven, draconic, and kobold use the standard alphabet of the trade language, derived from the ancient elven alphabet. Kobold uses the draconic alphabet. And dwarven has its own runic system that is virtually incomprehensible even to most dwarves. Centaur has no written form.
Learning to speak a language requires having 1 skill rank in Speak Language for each language. In addition knowing an alphabet requires an additional rank in Read/Write Language. Since most characters won't use either of these skills as class skills that translates to two skill points per language and alphabet. No character automatically begins play knowing how to read and write, learning an alphabet counts against starting bonus languages.

The ancient languages, as they are known now

• Ancient Elven (root of most modern languages)
• Human tribal languages (replaced by imperial common, roots of provincial dialects)
• True Giant (no examples remain)

Monstrous languages, not spoken by any of the major races

• Sylvan (spoken by dryads and fairyfolk, where they remain)
• Aquan (spoken by the sea kingdoms, with which there is little contact)
• Giantish (spoken by giantkin)