Exotic languages, any way to learn them?

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

Limond

Sep 16, 2014 15:54:56		Is there any way to learn the exotic languages? In the PHB it mentions needing the DMs permission to learn them and there is no mention of it in the AL Players Guide.
#2

fba827

Sep 19, 2014 19:48:45

I was wondering this too.....

#3

cowleymen

Oct 27, 2014 3:03:33

Its part of down time activities. you can find some rules for downtime activites in the PHB, to learn anything, you have to find a teacher (other characters are a big help for this)

#4

Asperdn

Oct 29, 2014 22:23:14

The linguist feat pg 167 players hand book.

#5

Oraibi

Nov 03, 2014 20:40:48 		I'm going to say that probably it's just fine to choose an "exotic" language from the list if you get a free choice of language, and you shouldn't need to check with a DM for that.
#6

kathi

Nov 11, 2014 23:47:20

You can most definitely start D&D Encounters at any time. The material available in the complimentary edition of Hoard of the Dragon Queen doesn't take the full length of the season to complete. 

#7

BRJN

Feb 13, 2015 19:21:48

Limond wrote:
#8

Undrhil

Feb 13, 2015 21:51:32

I don't think there's any limit on learning languages, except that you have to spend downtime days (and appropriate living costs) to do so.

 

You can even start with those exotic languages if you take a background or a race that allows you to pick a language.

#9

Kalani

Feb 13, 2015 22:21:17

Undrhil wrote:
#10

Bullywug

Feb 14, 2015 18:31:04

Rangers can take a language of their preferred enemy, so they can take any langauage even those not listed amoung the exoctic languages (bullywug for example). Also the langauges from the backgrounds are restricted to the common languages in adventure league.

#11

Kalani

Feb 14, 2015 19:03:58

Bullywug wrote:
#12

MasterNamer

Feb 16, 2015 6:24:32 		I believe the confusion stems from the section of the PHB directly referring to languages. My book is currently being repaired, but, if my memory serves me correctly, there is a stipulation about exotic languages only being allowed with DM approval.
#13

Kalani

Feb 16, 2015 8:49:40

MasterNamer wrote:
#14

Enevhar_Aldarion

Feb 16, 2015 13:29:20

Kalani wrote:
#15

Pauper

Feb 17, 2015 10:28:23

Basic Rules, p.34: "Choose your languages from the Standard Languages table, or choose one that is common in your campaign. With your DM's permission, you can instead choose a language from the Exotic Languages table or a secret language, such as thieves' cant or the tongue of druids."

 

Based on this, I would rule that, unless there is a specific class feature or other ability that allows the acquisition of an exotic or secret language (such as the rogue's Thieves' Cant feature), a character can only select standard languages via language proficiencies gained via class, background, or retraining. If a character showed up at my table with an exotic language that wasn't gained from a feature, I'd ask that player to replace the language for the purpose of the upcoming adventure.

 

--

Pauper

(Reply to #15)

Coredump00

Pauper wrote:
#17

Kalani

Feb 17, 2015 11:27:31

Pauper wrote:
#18

Oraibi

Feb 20, 2015 2:53:48 		I agree with Kalani. Players in AL should be able to choose any languages they like for their characters.
(Reply to #17)

Pauper

Kalani wrote:
(Reply to #18)

Pauper

Oraibi wrote:
#21

Kalani

Feb 20, 2015 8:36:44

Specific beats general. 

 

The ALPG is specific to the OP environment. 

The PHB is general for the game. 

 

ALPG >PHB. The PG says all rules from the PHB are allowed excluding rolled stats/hp, and alignment.  

 

When a conflict occurs between the PG and PHB the PG wins. Such conflicts occur in respect to optional/variant rules. The PG states "all rules are allowed". The PHB states DM permission required. PG >PHB. All optional/variant rules allowed. 

 

This has been clarified by the admins several times to include variant humans and feats. Exotic languages have never come up before now but logically follow suit. "All" is pretty inclusive. 

 

The PG also says "no optional or variant rules from the DMG" with the exception of playing on a grid. This too is clear cut and shows the passage regarding the PHB in context. 

 

This means no death domain or oath breaker. No variant resting. No flanking. Etc. 

#22

Pauper

Feb 20, 2015 8:37:12

So the general 'all rules from the PHB are allowed' is trumped by the specific 'exotic languages are allowed with the DMs approval'?

 

Cool, thanks!

 

--

Pauper

#23

Kalani

Feb 20, 2015 8:53:15

No. The order of operations (from General to specific) is as follows. 

  • General rules document (PHB, dmg, mm)
  • General rule in general rules document. 
  • Specific rule in general rules document. 
  • Supplemental rules document (splatbook)
  • Specific rule in splatbook. General rules (if any) have equal weight with those in general rules document and are treated as an addendum. 
  • Campaign Setting Book(s)
  • General rules for campaign (even if conflicts with a specific rule from non-campaign splatbook or general rules document). Eg. No halflings or half-orcs in Dragonlance. No clerics in the Age of Darkness pre-war of the lance. Etc
  • Specific rule from campaign setting book
  • Organized play document 
  • General rule from OP document (even if conflicts with a specific rule from a splatbook or general rules document)
  • Specific rule in OP document. 

General rules in the OP document will trump specific rules in the PHB as the OP document has higher priority in conflicts pertaining to OP. 

#24

BRJN

Feb 20, 2015 16:14:43

A member of my group (HotDQ; table rule is that characters must be AL-valid) wanted to speak Troll.  I suggested that instead the character speak Giant and he (the player) check an MM to see if Trolls still speak 'gutter Giant' as I recall from a previous edition.  My idea was to get him a language that might come in useful later in HotDQ.

 

It would not be a bad thing if AL introduced Story Awards for 'You learned an unusual language' (where plot-appropriate).

 

Lost in Translation?

My son took an LFR Warlord into Ashes of Athas (poor planning on our part).  The table still had fun when...

Him: I cuss at the hedge in Primordial and act like I'm casting a magic spell.

DM: The City Guards order you to stop using magic inside city limits.  Nothing happens to the hedge.

None of the other characters could understand a word the Warlord said, but all the players got it.