Languages and Followers

Info about the module's various systems, including classes & skills.
Loreweaver
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Languages and Followers

Postby Loreweaver » Mon Nov 16, 2015 6:35 pm

Languages
We've selected a number of languages to represent in the module (see the list below). Our system does not make use of tokens, instead it is completely driven by voice commands:

Commands
[V] - A command to view the languages you've currently learned and the amount you can still select.
- A command that lists all available languages or, if you enter a specific language (e.g. Easting), gives information about it identical to that in the list below.
[L] - A command that, followed by the name of the language, has you learn that language.
- A command that, followed by the name of the language, selects that as your active language for use.

To speak a language, you use the [ command (no closing bracket needed).
To omit parts of it (such as names) from translation, use { } brackets.

Finally, you can use the [A], [F], [D], [S], [M] and [1-5] commands to throw your voice to the animal companion, familiar, dominated creature, summoned creature, possessed familiar's master and the first 5 henchmen you control respectively.

Using languages
Contrary to other language systems, ours offers no bonus languages based on class/race and uses no restrictions. This means that you could play an elf who doesn't speak elven, or a fighter who knows the secret tongue of the druids. We want to give you that freedom, but please consider that some language choices require a firm integration into your character's history and may have consequences. Druidic groups may, for instance, be very keen to prevent said fighter from living long enough to spill their secrets to another party once word of their ability spreads.

Looking at the list, you may notice not all foreign languages are included. Most of the regional languages belong to the lands around Impiltur or larger nations. If your character hails from a small, remote location whose language isn't included, you may have to choose the next best thing. We'd hope they picked up an alternative on their long journey in which they can communicate.

As you use the languages, you may discover that some are gibberish while others contain words that are vaguely recognizable. The somewhat recognizable ones belong to lands which interact frequently with Impiltur or to languages with a heavy influence on the Common (default) tongue.

- Local (Impilturan) characters can try to interpret every third or so word in lookalike languages, particularly if their personal background suggests dealings with that nationality. Non-local characters can attempt the same with the Easting tongue being spoken all around them.
- All characters can try to interpret every other word or so in Chondathan and Illuskan.
- Characters speaking either Easting or Damaran can try to interpret the other in full.

Loreweaver
Administrator & Builder
Posts: 542
Joined: Sun Nov 15, 2015 10:39 pm

Re: Languages and Followers

Postby Loreweaver » Mon Nov 16, 2015 6:35 pm

Language list

Abyssal The Abyssal language is spoken by demons of the Abyss. During the long gone Fiend Wars, many of these evil outsiders were summoned to Impiltur. It is most studied by those with a fiendish ancestry and students of the Planes. The language is best suited to conversations on hatred and destruction.
Sound: Lower-ranking demons spoke using sounds like the barking of canines, while the speech of more refined demons sounded like softly droning ocean waves mingled with the violence of a swarm of angry hornets. As with everything involving the tanar'ri, however, their speech was unpredictable, and sometimes an elite balor's words were rougher or a lowly bar-lgura's words smoother.

Aglarondan Aglarondan is the language of Aglarond and Altumbel. Ships from these lands commonly trade lumber for iron in Impiltur. The language is based on Thorass but written in Espruar. It is most closely related to Turmic.

Alzhedo Alzhedo is the wide-spread language of Calimshan. Impiltur has little to do with people from these lands. The language is derived from Untheric and written in Thorass. It is most closely related to Midani.
Common Dialects: High Calidrian, Desert Alzhedo, Lion, Arnadar pidgin

Aquan Aquan is the language spoken by water elementals. It is a language for elementalists and initiates of cults with strong ties to water. The language is best suited to conversations on pressure and flow.

Auran Auran is the language spoken by air elementals. It is a language for elementalists and initiates of cults with strong ties to air. The language is best suited to conversations on speed and whim. It is also known as Old Alzhedo, as the modern Alzhedo language spoken in Calimshan derived from it.

Avian Language The Avian language is used to communicate with birds and birdfolk. Though Impiltur lacks great forests, birds are a common sight along its mountains, plains and coast. This language is best suited to conversations about worms and thermals.

Carnivore Language The Carnivore language is used to communicate with predators. Wolves and bears can be found on Impiltur's plains, but the swamps too are good hunting grounds. This language is best suited to conversations about stalking and meat.

Celestial The Celestial language is spoken by divine servants from the Upper Planes. Impiltur is known for its many paladins and the strong presence of the Triadic faith. The language is often studied by priests of this tradition, as well as those of celestial ancestry. The language is best suited to conversations on theology and peace. It is described as beautiful, yet alien in nature, since it developed among beings with thought patterns very unlike those of humanity. The Celestial alphabet was used to transcribe the Mulhorandi language, except in Thay, where they wrote their own dialect of Mulhorandi using the Infernal alphabet instead.

Chessentan Chessentan is the language of Chessenta. On occasion, Chessentan merchants will trade artistic goods for horses Impiltur acquired from the Nar. The language is based on Thorass. Chessentans will often speak a form of Untheric as well.

Chondathan Chondathan is the wide-spread language of Chondath. For the people of Impiltur, it is most commonly represented by Sembite merchants buying bloodstone from Damara or anything else worth a profit. The language is based on Thorass and had a strong influence on the Common Tongue.

Chultan Chultan is the language of distant Chult. To those who live in Impiltur, that name means little. Other regions where it was commonly spoken included: Calimshan, Lapaliiya, Nimbral, Tashalar, Tharsult, and Thindol. The language makes use of the Draconic alphabet.

Damaran Damaran is the language spoken in Damara and Vaasa. All those native to Impiltur will grasp the meaning of its words. The language uses the Dethek alphabet. It is very closely related to Easting.
Common Dialects: Damaran, Vaasan creole

Draconic Draconic is spoken by dragons and their lesser kin. Impiltur's swamps are home to lizardfolk and kobolds live in the mountains, but few actual dragons trouble the nation. It is most studied by those of draconic ancestry and students of draconic magic. The language is best suited to conversations on superiority and raw power.

Druidic Druidic is the secret language of the world order of druids. Non-druids will not be initiated into the secrets of the language, though a rare few manage to learn some words through trickery, espionage or from those who outgrow their druidic oaths and teachings. It is suited to conversations on heritage and herbal lore. The vast majority of druids speak Drueidan; those from the Moonshaes spoke a language called Daelic.

Dwarf The Dwarf language is spoken by dwarfs. Dwarfs are the main non-human race in Impiltur, both in the mountains and the coastal cities. Humans can and have learned this language although it chafes their throats.

Easting Easting is the official language of Impiltur. It is also spoken in The Vast and Thesk. A variation called Damaran is used by Impiltur's northern neighbour, but there is little room for misunderstandings between the two.
Common Dialects: Mulman, Tantran, Procampan, Impilturian

Elven The Elven language is spoken by elves and half elves. Both are uncommon in Impiltur but elves have once been known to inhabit the Grey Forest and may survive in the Rawlinswood. Humans can learn the language but their ears cannot pick up on all its subtleties.
Variations: Espruar (alphabet of the moon-elves), Seldruin (language of Elven High Magic), Hamarfae (the script used to write the Seldruin language)

Giant The Giant tongue is spoken by larger creatures such as ogres and giants. They are not particularly common in Impiltur but will cause occasional trouble. The language is best suited to conversations on territory and lordship, and has its roots in the Primordial tongue.
Common Dialects: Jogishk (the patois spoken by ogres), Jotunalder (similar enough to Jotun to be reasonably understood, this language has not changed in thousands of years and is used formally in ceremonies), Jotunhaug (spoken by hill and mountain giants, and closely related to Jotunise), Jotunild (spoken by fire giants), Jotunise (spoken by frost giants and closely related to Jotunhaug), Jotunskye (the language used by cloud and fog giants), Jotunstein (spoken by stone giants), Jotunuvar (spoken by storm giants)

Gnomish Gnomes speak the Gnomish language, also known as Gnim. They are an uncommon race in Impiltur but a handful work in its gemstone industry. The language is riddled with homonyms and heavily dependant upon context, making it difficult for other races to master.

Goblin The Goblin language is spoken by hobgoblins and similar creatures. Hobgoblins were and remain a major threat to Impiltur due to their presence in the Earthspur and Earthfast mountains. Their language is most studied by scouts and best suited to conversations on raids and false humility. It makes use of the Dethek script.

Halruaan Halruaan is the language of Halruaa and is also common in Dambrath. To the people of Impiltur these names mean little. The language makes use of the Draconic alphabet and is most closely related to Ruathlek.

Herbivore Language The Herbivore language is used to communicate with plant eaters. Larger beasts are often kept as cattle in Impiltur, but smaller ones like rabbits are common in the wilds. This language is best suited to conversations about plants and alertness.

Hinspeak Halflings make use of Hinspeak, or more properly called Luiric to those who hail from Luiren. If any race of Impiltur can be said to be most numerous after humans and dwarfs, they are it. Their language is warm and full, but lacks frills. Many halflings take the trouble to conform to the local human language when in the city.

Ignan Ignan is the language spoken by fire elementals. It is a language for elementalists and may also be studied by some who work with scorching fires daily. The language is best suited to conversations on cleansing and consuming.
Sound: The language is distinctive of sharp clicks and hisses.

Illuskan Illuskan is the wide-spread language of north-west Faerûn. Considered primitive and tribal by some, Impiltur's frontier can be just as rugged. The language is based on Thorass and elements of it echo through into the Common tongue.
Common Dialects: Moonshae, Ruathen, True Luskan

Infernal Infernal is The language of the Hells, spoken by devils. Though natural enemies of demons, their summoning was not common during the Fiend Wars. The language is most studied by those with a fiendish ancestry and students of the Planes. The language is most suited to conversations on agreements and deception. It consists of four notable castes of speech: First - Beginning with the least baatezu, such as the spined devils, is a simple, harsh tongue suited for shouting commands across a battlefield. Second - the tongue of the lesser baatezu is equal to any mortal tongue in complexity, used to communicate abstract concepts such as honor or hate. It is less gravelly than the tongue of the lesser baatezu, though not exactly musical. Most non-devils who learn Infernal learn this variation of it. Third - the stilted, formal, grating yet strangely melodic tongue of the greater baatezu is full of obscure patterns that seem to meander misleadingly before snapping to an unexpected point. Speaking it properly requires careful planning and the ability to respond intelligently to phrases based only on the most subtle of cues. It's said that two greater baatezu can hold entire conversations in this form of Infernal using only the beginnings of their sentences. It is nearly impossible for mortals to learn. Fourth - The fourth form of Infernal is the court language of Baator, used only by pit fiends and the archdevils. This form of the language is so utterly corrupt and evil that its malevolence can drag listeners into hateful despair just through hearing its patterns.

Jannti Jannti is the language of the djinn and other genies. Although each speaks their own planar language, in Jannti they recognize eachother as kindred and more than elemental. In Impiltur the language is mainly studied by conjurers seeking to entrap them and those who involve the Dao in their mining. The language is one of nobility.

Lantanese Lantanese or Lantanna is the language of Lantan. This means little to the people of Impiltur, though some gnomes and travellers from distant Tethyr may be familiar with it. The language is based on Draconic.

Midani Midani is the language of Zakhara and the Anauroch. In Impiltur it is most commonly heard in Thieves' Cant, which was based upon it. The language is most commonly written in Thorass and finds its roots in Jannti.

Mulhorandi Mulhorandi is the language of the Mulan people, spoken in Mulhorand and Thay. Due to Impiltur's history as part of the magic ridden Narfell empire, Thayans visit the land with some frequency. Their merchants sometimes provide exotic goods and timber in exchange for metals and gems. Mulhorand has less to do with Impiltur. Thay uses the Infernal alphabet, Mulhorand the Celestial.

Naric Naric is the language of Narfell's tribes. The old Narfell empire from which it is descended once included the lands of Impiltur as well. The more isolated tribes offer scholars the best insight into the old imperial language whose relics and demons are still common in the kingdom today.

Netherese Netherese is the language of old Netheril. The lands of Impiltur have rarely glimpsed the shadow of a floating city. The language is one for scholars of ancient artifacts but may also be pursued by students of the Shadow Plane, where echoes of old may still sound.

Orcish Orcish is spoken by orcs and half-orcs. Both are uncommon in Impiltur but small bands may be found in the mountains. More civilized half-orcs are found as dockworkers or bouncers in cities, preferring Common or Easting. The language is harsh and aggressive, regularly punctuated by waving of fists.

Rasallesian Rasallesian is the language of Rashemen. The people of Rashemen are uncommon in Impiltur but their products make their way through Thesk. The language uses the Thorass alphabet and is largely based on Raumviri.

Roushoum The Roushoum language was spoken in the old Imaskari empire. It echoed through into the Raumviri language of the old Raumathar empire, relics of which can be found in Impiltur as spoils of war. The language uses its own Imaskari alphabet, its pronounciation is guesswork.

Ruathlek Ruathlek is the language of Illusion, still alive in distant Nimbral. Impiltur's magic has traditionally been Conjuration, first of demons and later of wind. There are plenty of exceptions to be found however. Gnomes and mages of the Illusion school are most likely to study this tongue. It is descended from Netherese.

Seldruin Seldruin is the dead language of high elven magic. Few examples of this can be found in Impiltur. It is written in Hamarfae and describes such things as the Mythal and Baelnorn.

Shaaran Shaaran is the wide-spread language of the Shaar. The Shaar itself covers a vast area from Lapaliiya to Estagund. Despite its popularity it has not contributed much to the Common Tongue and hasn't found its way to Impiltur to any great degree. It is written in the Dethek alphabet.

High Shou The High Shou language is spoken in distant Kara-Tur, at the far end of the Golden Way. Natives who followed that road west find themselves in Thesk, just across the Easting Reach from Impiltur. The language is written in the Draconic alphabet.

Sign Language Sign language is a soundless method of communication. It is sometimes used by those who want to communicate silently, but more often and expertly by the deaf and mute who can't. Derived from the Common Tongue, its signs are widely recognized.

Sylvan Sylvan is the language of fey creatures. Few pixies, nymphs and dryads make Impiltur their home, but some believe brownies live at certain farms. The language is mainly studied by those attuned to nature. It is best suited to conversations on joy and flowers.

Terran Terran is the language spoken by earth elementals. It is a language for elementalists and may also be studied by some who work the earth on a daily basis. The language is best suited to conversations on weight and stability.

Thieves' Cant Thieves' Cant is the professional language of criminals. Most of Impiltur's smugglers and thieves live in Bay Town. Others nearer the watchful eye of the law use Thieves' Cant to plan their activities in ways the guard cannot overhear. The language is usually only taught to those who can be blackmailed to protect it.

Tuigan Tuigan is the language of the Endless Wastes. The tribes who live there are descended from the Raumathar empire, broken long ago in the conflict with Narfell. The language finds its roots in the dead language Roushoum and has no official written form.

Turmic Turmic is the Turmish language. As with most nations on the Sea of Fallen Stars their ships are occasionally found in Impiltur. The language is written in Thorass and proudly maintained despite the north-western spread of Chondathan.

Undercommon Undercommon is spoken by creatures living deep beneath the earth. It is of little meaning in Impiltur. It is written using Espruar and serves as a pidgin language for those who can't rely on Common.

Untheric Utheric is spoken in Unther. Although they share a body of water, merchants from Unther find little worth trading in Impiltur. The language is written in Thorass and was once related to Mulhorandi.

Loreweaver
Administrator & Builder
Posts: 542
Joined: Sun Nov 15, 2015 10:39 pm

Re: Languages and Followers

Postby Loreweaver » Mon Nov 16, 2015 6:48 pm

Henchmen, as referred to by the language commands above, can be recruited in Sarshel. They have no particular personalities, but using the voice commands you're free to portray them as you wish.
They come in two categories.

- Warriors are always at least one level lower than your PC, which means they are unavailable at level 1. They're fairly cheap and come with their own equipment, but if you get one killed then you must pay a hefty death sum before you're allowed to hire a replacement.
- Assistants are always level 1 civilians with no equipment to speak of. They're more expensive than warriors but if you get one killed no one really cares.

Characters can recruit a number of henchmen based on their CHA score and level. For every 4 points of charisma over 8 you can hire one henchman (so at 12, 16 and 20), and you gain extra henchman slots at levels 4 and 8. This means a PC can have a maximum of 5 hired henchmen at any one time.

Every PC has a Move To command they can use to direct followers to stand in certain places or attack certain enemies, which helps keep henchmen alive. It's also possible to give them better equipment or have them carry healing supplies (or treasure, if you're on your way out). However, don't forget to reclaim it before your henchman contract expires or they'll think it was a gift.


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