Sign Languages [Archive] - Wizards Community

Sign Languages [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Sylvaroth
02-03-07, 07:25 PM The drow use a sign language.
Also there is the feat Battle Language from the WarCraft CS.
I'd imagine you would have to spend a skill point in Speak Language to learn a sign language, but I think it is possible to get some bonuses from e.g. Bluff, so somebody who watches you could not that easily discern the contents of your messages.
I like the idea of a 'ranged aid another' and the possibility to discuss tactics in melee, without alarming the opponent.

Are there any rules for something like that? If not, how'd you do it?
Azezel
02-03-07, 08:27 PM Sign languages are bought with skill points like any other language, and the Bluff skill already allows one to pass hidden messages.

Delivering a Secret Message

You can use Bluff to get a message across to another character without others understanding it. The DC is 15 for simple messages, or 20 for complex messages, especially those that rely on getting across new information. Failure by 4 or less means you can’t get the message across. Failure by 5 or more means that some false information has been implied or inferred. Anyone listening to the exchange can make a Sense Motive check opposed by the Bluff check you made to transmit in order to intercept your message.

Enjoy.
SageBahamut
02-03-07, 11:02 PM I might houserule it so you make that Secret Message check using Sleight of Hand for sign languauges. Cuz... yeah. hands. :D
Sylvaroth
02-04-07, 12:26 PM Orc language does (similar to that of native americans) consist of many different dialects. If one orc from the bloody tusk tribe talks to another orc from the raging wrath clan, they might understand each other for the similarities of their dialects, but still the differences in their respective vocabulary will affect the complexity of the conveyed contents.

Same is true for many RL sign languages. While having some similar 'words', there are differences according to the regions where they are 'spoken'.

Translating this to Speak Language (X Sign Language), would mean you could only be understood by creatures who speak the same language. Somebody who has the skill Speak Language (Y Sign Language) might gain a bonus on his Spot checks (see below).

To learn Speak Language (X Sign Language) the character would be required to spend 1 or 2 skill points (depending on whether SL is a cc skill or a class skill).
Differently from other languages, your SL communication cannot be impaired by e.g. silence spells or the noise of the battlefield.
Talking to somebody within 100 ft. of you should be possible without problems.
For every 10 ft. beyond that the characters should be required to make Spot checks. The Spot check DC should be 10 out of combat (+1 per 10 ft. of distance above 100 ft.) or 15 while engaged in combat (+1 per 10 ft. of distance above 100 ft.).
Using Sign Language in combat should give your characters some benefits, Listening creatures won't hear their conversation, and even those who are aware of the characters will have a hard time to realize, which tactics they are discussing.
This is why you can attempt to aid (another) a friend with Speak Language (X Sign Language) as a move action, even if you are not in a position to make a melee attack on an opponent that is engaging that friend in melee combat.
This use of the Sign Language requires a Bluff check (DC 15).
If the opponent that is engaged in melee combat with your friend does however succeed on a Spot check (DC 15) followed by a Sense Motive check (opposed by the Bluff check), the aid another bonus of your friend is negated.
An opponent with the skill Speak Language (Y Sign Language) should gain a +5 bonus on their Sense Motive checks, while an opponent having the skill Speak Language (X Sign Language) would be only required to succeed on the Spot check to be aware of the aid another attempt and negate the bonus.
Sylvaroth
05-20-07, 02:01 PM bump :bump:
Radijs
05-20-07, 02:51 PM The new drow of the underdark book can let you use sign language to deliver secret messages using the bluff skill. Only replacing your cha modifier with your dex modifier.

It also lets you use dancing lights + spellcraft to send messages.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sylvaroth 02-03-07, 07:25 PM	The drow use a sign language. Also there is the feat Battle Language from the WarCraft CS. I'd imagine you would have to spend a skill point in Speak Language to learn a sign language, but I think it is possible to get some bonuses from e.g. Bluff, so somebody who watches you could not that easily discern the contents of your messages. I like the idea of a 'ranged aid another' and the possibility to discuss tactics in melee, without alarming the opponent. Are there any rules for something like that? If not, how'd you do it?
Azezel 02-03-07, 08:27 PM	Sign languages are bought with skill points like any other language, and the Bluff skill already allows one to pass hidden messages. Delivering a Secret Message You can use Bluff to get a message across to another character without others understanding it. The DC is 15 for simple messages, or 20 for complex messages, especially those that rely on getting across new information. Failure by 4 or less means you can’t get the message across. Failure by 5 or more means that some false information has been implied or inferred. Anyone listening to the exchange can make a Sense Motive check opposed by the Bluff check you made to transmit in order to intercept your message. Enjoy.
SageBahamut 02-03-07, 11:02 PM	I might houserule it so you make that Secret Message check using Sleight of Hand for sign languauges. Cuz... yeah. hands. :D
Sylvaroth 02-04-07, 12:26 PM	Orc language does (similar to that of native americans) consist of many different dialects. If one orc from the bloody tusk tribe talks to another orc from the raging wrath clan, they might understand each other for the similarities of their dialects, but still the differences in their respective vocabulary will affect the complexity of the conveyed contents. Same is true for many RL sign languages. While having some similar 'words', there are differences according to the regions where they are 'spoken'. Translating this to Speak Language (X Sign Language), would mean you could only be understood by creatures who speak the same language. Somebody who has the skill Speak Language (Y Sign Language) might gain a bonus on his Spot checks (see below). To learn Speak Language (X Sign Language) the character would be required to spend 1 or 2 skill points (depending on whether SL is a cc skill or a class skill). Differently from other languages, your SL communication cannot be impaired by e.g. silence spells or the noise of the battlefield. Talking to somebody within 100 ft. of you should be possible without problems. For every 10 ft. beyond that the characters should be required to make Spot checks. The Spot check DC should be 10 out of combat (+1 per 10 ft. of distance above 100 ft.) or 15 while engaged in combat (+1 per 10 ft. of distance above 100 ft.). Using Sign Language in combat should give your characters some benefits, Listening creatures won't hear their conversation, and even those who are aware of the characters will have a hard time to realize, which tactics they are discussing. This is why you can attempt to aid (another) a friend with Speak Language (X Sign Language) as a move action, even if you are not in a position to make a melee attack on an opponent that is engaging that friend in melee combat. This use of the Sign Language requires a Bluff check (DC 15). If the opponent that is engaged in melee combat with your friend does however succeed on a Spot check (DC 15) followed by a Sense Motive check (opposed by the Bluff check), the aid another bonus of your friend is negated. An opponent with the skill Speak Language (Y Sign Language) should gain a +5 bonus on their Sense Motive checks, while an opponent having the skill Speak Language (X Sign Language) would be only required to succeed on the Spot check to be aware of the aid another attempt and negate the bonus.
Sylvaroth 05-20-07, 02:01 PM	bump :bump:
Radijs 05-20-07, 02:51 PM	The new drow of the underdark book can let you use sign language to deliver secret messages using the bluff skill. Only replacing your cha modifier with your dex modifier. It also lets you use dancing lights + spellcraft to send messages.