Barbarian Literacy [Archive] - Wizards Community

Barbarian Literacy [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ThorikVargord
01-18-06, 07:16 AM I suppose this is a bigtime newbie question, but I am a bigtime newbie so I'll ask it. How exactly does the Barbarian gain literacy? The PHB and SRD both mention spending 2 skill points to become literate but nothing says on what to spend them.

Literacy is an impmortant trait for my character as it plays a role in his eventual liberation of his former kingdom from the hands of Orcish warlords. Answers, links, and any other help is appreciated.
Dhavaer
01-18-06, 07:18 AM You spend the points on literacy. There's no skill, you just lose the points and gain literacy. If you only get 1 skill point per level (unlikely, but possible) you would only be able to become literate at 1st level, unless you DM let you become partially literate for 1 point.
ThorikVargord
01-18-06, 07:45 AM Ok thank you. I can now read!
Tethka
01-18-06, 09:16 AM You must spend 2 skill points for each new language you want your character to speak and write. (Bards only spend 1 point per language).

In the skills list, I normally add "Languages: XXX" for each language and record 2 points.
Licínio Miranda
01-18-06, 10:43 AM It means that, if you want to write and read in "common", you'll have to spend 2 points in "Speak Language (common)".
Draco Strang
01-18-06, 01:25 PM Keep in mind though that your Barbarian won't just wake up and be able to read one day. For story purposes, another party member (or an outside source) will have to spend time with him on learning. Reasonably, the whole process should take a few months.
GeeBee
01-18-06, 02:05 PM You must spend 2 skill points for each new language you want your character to speak and write. (Bards only spend 1 point per language).

I'm not sure where you get this. P. 25 of the PH says "A barbarian may spend 2 skill points to read and write all languages that he is able to speak."

By wording this "all languages" instead of "each language" I think they mean two points gives you literacy with all languages current and future - but this is odd as well, and I could be wrong. Has this been covered in the errata?

In any case, for the OP, there is also the option of taking another class; one level in any other class gives you literacy. Maybe take a level of fighter to get that extra feat and get literacy to boot.
jpat93
01-18-06, 02:33 PM Keep in mind though that your Barbarian won't just wake up and be able to read one day. For story purposes, another party member (or an outside source) will have to spend time with him on learning. Reasonably, the whole process should take a few months.

Of course, the other way to go here would be to spend the skill points at first level, meaning that any writing ability could've been acquired prior to the beginning of the character's career. You could, of course, still RP it, but you wouldn't need to (not that I always RP all my skill/feat/ability acquisitions anyway).
jpat93
01-18-06, 02:41 PM By wording this "all languages" instead of "each language" I think they mean two points gives you literacy with all languages current and future - but this is odd as well, and I could be wrong. Has this been covered in the errata?

By spending the 2 points, the barbarian gains the ability to write all the languages he or she speaks, just like any other literate character. The key issue is how many languages the barbarian speaks, which is determined by race, Intelligence bonus, and points spent in the Speak Languages skill.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ThorikVargord 01-18-06, 07:16 AM	I suppose this is a bigtime newbie question, but I am a bigtime newbie so I'll ask it. How exactly does the Barbarian gain literacy? The PHB and SRD both mention spending 2 skill points to become literate but nothing says on what to spend them. Literacy is an impmortant trait for my character as it plays a role in his eventual liberation of his former kingdom from the hands of Orcish warlords. Answers, links, and any other help is appreciated.
Dhavaer 01-18-06, 07:18 AM	You spend the points on literacy. There's no skill, you just lose the points and gain literacy. If you only get 1 skill point per level (unlikely, but possible) you would only be able to become literate at 1st level, unless you DM let you become partially literate for 1 point.
ThorikVargord 01-18-06, 07:45 AM	Ok thank you. I can now read!
Tethka 01-18-06, 09:16 AM	You must spend 2 skill points for each new language you want your character to speak and write. (Bards only spend 1 point per language). In the skills list, I normally add "Languages: XXX" for each language and record 2 points.
Licínio Miranda 01-18-06, 10:43 AM	It means that, if you want to write and read in "common", you'll have to spend 2 points in "Speak Language (common)".
Draco Strang 01-18-06, 01:25 PM	Keep in mind though that your Barbarian won't just wake up and be able to read one day. For story purposes, another party member (or an outside source) will have to spend time with him on learning. Reasonably, the whole process should take a few months.
GeeBee 01-18-06, 02:05 PM	You must spend 2 skill points for each new language you want your character to speak and write. (Bards only spend 1 point per language). I'm not sure where you get this. P. 25 of the PH says "A barbarian may spend 2 skill points to read and write all languages that he is able to speak." By wording this "all languages" instead of "each language" I think they mean two points gives you literacy with all languages current and future - but this is odd as well, and I could be wrong. Has this been covered in the errata? In any case, for the OP, there is also the option of taking another class; one level in any other class gives you literacy. Maybe take a level of fighter to get that extra feat and get literacy to boot.
jpat93 01-18-06, 02:33 PM	Keep in mind though that your Barbarian won't just wake up and be able to read one day. For story purposes, another party member (or an outside source) will have to spend time with him on learning. Reasonably, the whole process should take a few months. Of course, the other way to go here would be to spend the skill points at first level, meaning that any writing ability could've been acquired prior to the beginning of the character's career. You could, of course, still RP it, but you wouldn't need to (not that I always RP all my skill/feat/ability acquisitions anyway).
jpat93 01-18-06, 02:41 PM	By wording this "all languages" instead of "each language" I think they mean two points gives you literacy with all languages current and future - but this is odd as well, and I could be wrong. Has this been covered in the errata? By spending the 2 points, the barbarian gains the ability to write all the languages he or she speaks, just like any other literate character. The key issue is how many languages the barbarian speaks, which is determined by race, Intelligence bonus, and points spent in the Speak Languages skill.