Language Checks

Whenever you want to make an ability check, the Narrator decides whether the activity described requires the use of a particular language. Examples include rousing a crowd to action with a speech, researching in a library, or eavesdropping on a conversation. If so, you can choose to either make a language check or rely on their language rank. If the latter, you simply find your rank for the given language on the Language Modifications table below and apply the corresponding modifications to any ability checks you make using that language.

At any point, however, you can choose to push their abilities by making an active language check. In this case you add your Intelligence modifier + your language bonus for the language in question, then compare the results to the DC column of the Language Modifications table. Until the end of the scene, encounter, interaction, or until the Narrator decides circumstances have changed sufficiently, the character applies the modification corresponding to the highest DC they met to any checks using the relevant language, even if doing so would be worse than relying on their rank.

Neither skill specialties nor proficiency bonuses apply to language checks. If multiple languages apply to a check (such as when translating), characters make the check using the language in which they have the lowest rank.

Table: Language Modifications

* Add +5 to the DC for unfamiliar languages and -5 for familiar languages.

** Checks may still benefit from temporary expertise dice , such as from a sage follower or the guidance cantrip.

Alternative Communication

Methods In place of using language, you can attempt a skill check to try to communicate in other ways. Typically, a Culture check is used to convey information without using language, while a Insight check is used to understand the gist of what a creature using language is saying without actually understanding their words. Narrators might also allow other skills and abilities, such as Performance to sing a song in another language without knowing what it means, or Religion to identify common prayers in a holy text. You do not add your language bonus to skill checks.

Adjusting Existing Rules

Although it is impossible to anticipate every language-related feature which may be added to the game in the future, the following adjustments to existing features can guide Narrators toward reasonable equivalents when using these advanced rules.

• Features that allow rudimentary conversation or basic language skills allow a character to temporarily advance one rank and add +5 to their character’s language bonus for a given language. Examples include the ranger’s Studied Adversary feature or the Vox savant’s Ear for Languages (see Adventures in Zeitgeist ).
• The herald’s Bestowed Understanding divine lesson allows a character to treat any language as familiar.
• When using these rules, the bonus to Insight checks granted by the comprehend languages and fey tongue spells also applies to language checks.
• The Forgotten Language result on the Facts and Discoveries Critical Success table (see Chapter 6: Ability Scores in Adventurer's Guide ) instead grants 5 language points.
• The Archaeologist savant’s Philologist feature from “Exemplars of the Academy 2: Seekers of Secrets” in Gate Pass Gazette Issue #18 allows them to make a History check in place of a language check.
• Certain items may allow a character artificial skill in a language. For example, the phrasebook from “Well-Equipped: Cultural Gear” in Gate Pass Gazette Issue #19 , allows a qualified user to be considered a beginner in the translated language as long as as they are able to consult it, at the cost of taking additional time to communicate.

Effects Requiring Shared Languages

Features and effects that require two creatures to share a language, like the modify memory spell, work if both creatures are at least beginners in the language. However, saving throws against such effects are made at advantage if both creatures are not of intermediate rank or higher.