Lord of Shadows
2014-07-22, 07:34 PM
This is based on a post I came across elsewhere, but for the life of me I cannot recall where. I have recreated bits and pieces of that post, along with some new material, to come up with the following way to handle those pesky "secret" languages and the ability to read lips.
"Secret" Languages and Reading Lips
Some portions of society have developed ‘secret’ languages as a means to communicate without disclosing their dialog to others. In all cases, these messages are simplistic. Secret languages are generally not capable of discussing religion or politics. Instead, they are used to mark areas as dangerous, identify safe-havens, show membership in a guild, and other simple messages. They are more than a simple sigil or symbol, but less than a full-blown language.
Mechanically, all secret languages work the same. Secret languages do not take up a language slot nor do they require any skill points in Linguistics. A class or race grants access to a “secret” language for free. Fluency in any secret language is measured at a skill level equal to the level gained in the class that granted it. As a rule of thumb, the skill level is also the number of words that can be included in a typical message. Some secret languages are written, while others include - or are entirely - hand-signs. Those who are not fluent can sometimes determine the usage of a secret language using skill checks as outlined here.
Those who are fluent in a secret language can send or receive any message in that language whose skill level is equal to or below their own. They must succeed at a skill check to send or receive higher skill-level messages. The DC is 10+skill level of the message, against D20+the skill level of the user + any bonus. Those who are not fluent in a secret language can make a Linguistics check against the same DC to determine if a particular secret language is being used, although they cannot automatically decipher the message. Regardless of whether one is fluent or not, a synergy bonus applies to their check as described below.
The "Secret" Languages include:
Thieves' Cant
Draconic Prophecy
Druidic
Drow Sign Language
‘Thieves Cant’ is a language known only by Rogues and Assassins. It can be either written, a sign language, or a combination of the two. Translation/Detection: a synergy bonus of +2 applies to any check regarding Thieves Cant with 5 or more ranks in Knowledge: Local. Translation is possible with Comprehend Languages only for that part of a message that is in written form.
‘Draconic Prophecy’ is a language known only by Dragons. It can only be written and usually appears as complex glyphs. Translation/Detection: a synergy bonus of +2 applies to any check regarding Draconic Prophecy with 5 or more ranks in Knowledge: Arcana. Translation is possible with Comprehend Languages, although even then the meaning may not be clear.
‘Druidic’ is a form of communication known only by Druids. It uses an obscure system of patterns, colors and symbols, with messages often appearing as nothing more than an arrangement of stones or other objects. More permanent messages can appear as carefully tended groves of trees or in the winding path of a river. Some Druids wear a pattern on their clothing as a hidden message. Translation/Detection: a synergy bonus of +2 applies to any check regarding Druidic with 5 or more ranks in Knowledge: Nature. Translation is not possible by non-Druids, and Druids are forbidden to teach this language to any non-Druids.
‘Drow Sign Language' is a sign language known only by Drow Elves. Never found in written form, it is passed down from parents to children only among the Drow. Translation/ Detection: a synergy bonus of +2 applies to any check regarding Drow Sign Language with 5 or more ranks in Knowledge: Dungeoneering. Translation is not possible, and Drow are forbidden to teach this language outside their race.
Other secret languages may be developed as your DM/GM sees fit. Note that Comprehend Languages can only translate spoken words or written messages, and Tongues can only translate spoken words. Even if translated, the meaning may not be clear. Neither spell can translate sign language. The Linguistics skill applies only to spoken or written languages.
Examples
Footpad the 5th level Rogue needs to mark a business as protected by his guild so other Rogues won’t violate the Guilds' promise and ruin the protection racket. As a 5th level Rogue, he has 5 skill levels in Thieves Cant and can read and write up to a 5 word message without having to make a check. However, he also doesn't want any mistakes, so he uses a message that states simply ‘Guild Paid,’ a 2 word message that is readable by any Rogue or Assassin of 2nd level or above. For a 1st level Rogue or Assassin, the DC would be 12 to decipher the meaning, and a 1st level Rogue or Assassin would have a minimum of +1 to their check from their level, plus any synergy bonus.
Oakjaw the 8th level Druid wants to help other wayward Druids. He sets up some simple markers to show the way to shelter and fresh water. The message reads ‘shelter water east’. Any passing Druid of 3rd level or higher would be able to notice the message and read it. At the shelter, he places a longer message, “Avoid west valley, dread spirits, east hills safe.” This has eight words, and so requires a Druid of 8th level or higher, or a Druid who can beat a DC 18 check, to read it. Alternatively, he could have spread his message out into multiple parts, but he would have needed a larger space to ‘write’ all the symbols.
Reading Lips
Any character who devotes a Linguistics Skill Point to "Reading Lips" can read the lips of the speaker of any language in which they are fluent. Note that a distant or partially obscured speaker may require a Perception check in order to see what is being said. Reading the lips of a speaker of a language for which the character is not fluent is not possible unless used in combination with Comprehend Languages, Tongues, or similar.
"Secret" Languages and Reading Lips
Some portions of society have developed ‘secret’ languages as a means to communicate without disclosing their dialog to others. In all cases, these messages are simplistic. Secret languages are generally not capable of discussing religion or politics. Instead, they are used to mark areas as dangerous, identify safe-havens, show membership in a guild, and other simple messages. They are more than a simple sigil or symbol, but less than a full-blown language.
Mechanically, all secret languages work the same. Secret languages do not take up a language slot nor do they require any skill points in Linguistics. A class or race grants access to a “secret” language for free. Fluency in any secret language is measured at a skill level equal to the level gained in the class that granted it. As a rule of thumb, the skill level is also the number of words that can be included in a typical message. Some secret languages are written, while others include - or are entirely - hand-signs. Those who are not fluent can sometimes determine the usage of a secret language using skill checks as outlined here.
Those who are fluent in a secret language can send or receive any message in that language whose skill level is equal to or below their own. They must succeed at a skill check to send or receive higher skill-level messages. The DC is 10+skill level of the message, against D20+the skill level of the user + any bonus. Those who are not fluent in a secret language can make a Linguistics check against the same DC to determine if a particular secret language is being used, although they cannot automatically decipher the message. Regardless of whether one is fluent or not, a synergy bonus applies to their check as described below.
The "Secret" Languages include:
Thieves' Cant
Draconic Prophecy
Druidic
Drow Sign Language
‘Thieves Cant’ is a language known only by Rogues and Assassins. It can be either written, a sign language, or a combination of the two. Translation/Detection: a synergy bonus of +2 applies to any check regarding Thieves Cant with 5 or more ranks in Knowledge: Local. Translation is possible with Comprehend Languages only for that part of a message that is in written form.
‘Draconic Prophecy’ is a language known only by Dragons. It can only be written and usually appears as complex glyphs. Translation/Detection: a synergy bonus of +2 applies to any check regarding Draconic Prophecy with 5 or more ranks in Knowledge: Arcana. Translation is possible with Comprehend Languages, although even then the meaning may not be clear.
‘Druidic’ is a form of communication known only by Druids. It uses an obscure system of patterns, colors and symbols, with messages often appearing as nothing more than an arrangement of stones or other objects. More permanent messages can appear as carefully tended groves of trees or in the winding path of a river. Some Druids wear a pattern on their clothing as a hidden message. Translation/Detection: a synergy bonus of +2 applies to any check regarding Druidic with 5 or more ranks in Knowledge: Nature. Translation is not possible by non-Druids, and Druids are forbidden to teach this language to any non-Druids.
‘Drow Sign Language' is a sign language known only by Drow Elves. Never found in written form, it is passed down from parents to children only among the Drow. Translation/ Detection: a synergy bonus of +2 applies to any check regarding Drow Sign Language with 5 or more ranks in Knowledge: Dungeoneering. Translation is not possible, and Drow are forbidden to teach this language outside their race.
Other secret languages may be developed as your DM/GM sees fit. Note that Comprehend Languages can only translate spoken words or written messages, and Tongues can only translate spoken words. Even if translated, the meaning may not be clear. Neither spell can translate sign language. The Linguistics skill applies only to spoken or written languages.
Examples
Footpad the 5th level Rogue needs to mark a business as protected by his guild so other Rogues won’t violate the Guilds' promise and ruin the protection racket. As a 5th level Rogue, he has 5 skill levels in Thieves Cant and can read and write up to a 5 word message without having to make a check. However, he also doesn't want any mistakes, so he uses a message that states simply ‘Guild Paid,’ a 2 word message that is readable by any Rogue or Assassin of 2nd level or above. For a 1st level Rogue or Assassin, the DC would be 12 to decipher the meaning, and a 1st level Rogue or Assassin would have a minimum of +1 to their check from their level, plus any synergy bonus.
Oakjaw the 8th level Druid wants to help other wayward Druids. He sets up some simple markers to show the way to shelter and fresh water. The message reads ‘shelter water east’. Any passing Druid of 3rd level or higher would be able to notice the message and read it. At the shelter, he places a longer message, “Avoid west valley, dread spirits, east hills safe.” This has eight words, and so requires a Druid of 8th level or higher, or a Druid who can beat a DC 18 check, to read it. Alternatively, he could have spread his message out into multiple parts, but he would have needed a larger space to ‘write’ all the symbols.
Reading Lips
Any character who devotes a Linguistics Skill Point to "Reading Lips" can read the lips of the speaker of any language in which they are fluent. Note that a distant or partially obscured speaker may require a Perception check in order to see what is being said. Reading the lips of a speaker of a language for which the character is not fluent is not possible unless used in combination with Comprehend Languages, Tongues, or similar.