Not applicable.
Not applicable. There are no Speak Language checks to fail.
The Speak Language skill doesn’t work like other skills. Languages work as follows.
Characters who can speak 6 or more languages get a +2 bonus on Truespeak checks.
The following list presents the languages of the world of Zend.
| Common Name | Native Name | Region | Speakers | Alphabet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common | Common | Alderia, Lydera, Synan | Most humanoids | Common |
| Archaic | Ikarian | Worldwide | Academics, nobility | Proto-Common |
| Undercommon | Abyssal | The Abyss | Most humanoids | Common |
| Draconic | Draconic | Worldwide, mostly Alderia | Dragons, arcane casters | Draconic |
| Duergar | Duergar | Lyder, mostly Gestalt | Duergar | Runic |
| Dwarven | Runic | Runeheim | Dwarves, xephs | Runic |
| Elusinian | Ellu'sthni | Western Synan | Elusinians, some fey | Toki |
| Dark Elven | Drow | Synan, Gestalt | Drow, humans | Toki |
| High Elven | Ridari | Alderia | Grey elves, high elves | Alderian |
| Wood Elven | Toki | Synan | Wood elves, some fey | Toki |
| Fey | Sylvan | Synan | Most fey | Toki |
| Giant | Rock Tongue | Lydera | Giants, trolls | Proto-Runic |
| Gnomish | Gnome'ri | Alderia, Runeheim | Gnomes | Gnome'ri |
| Goblin | Tortanii | Alderia, Gestalt, The Abyss | Goblins | Gnome'ri |
| Halfling | Hobbitish | Lyder, Alderia | Halflings, humans | Runic |
| Human | Alderian | Alderia | Humans, halflings | Alderian |
| Infernal | Infernal | Tartarus | Demons, fiends | Infernal |
| Merfolk | Aquan | Synan, Lake Nautilus, The Abyss | Merfolk, sirens | Aquan |
| Woodlander | Gatu | Northern Synan | Woodlanders | Gatu |
| Druidic | Truid | Worldwide | Druids (only) | Trutiri |
| Sign | Sign | Worldwide | Some humanoids | None |
This language is derived from Archaic and naturally arose as a blending of languages. It is the default language of trade among the continents, and even some inhabitants of The Abyss begrudgingly speak it.
This language is fully spoken by very few, but knowledge of it is common in academic circles. Giving Archaic names to spells, noble rites, and scientific discoveries confers an air of refinement and sophistication. Archaic can be found in ancient ruins the world over.
Undercomon is the equivalent of Common in The Abyss. It, too, derives from Archaic.
Draconic is the ancient language of the dragons, and as such has been adopted by many arcane casters and some kobolds. It is harsh and breathy sounding, making it difficult for humanoids to speak it fluently.
Duergar is a branch of the dwarven language transformed by duergar kingdoms. It is an official language of Gestalt and has a reputation of being commonly used by the enemies of Runeheim.
Dwarven, or Runic, is the language of Runeheim and has remained mostly the same since the kingdom's founding. Countless dialects of the language exist, some of which are written with a slightly different alphabet.
Ellu'sthni is the native language of the mushroom-like Elusinians, and many plant-like fey use dialects of it. It is not related to any other known languages, but the Toki (wood elven) alphabet was introduced as a writing system for it. It is not often written, however.
Dark Elven, known natively as Drow, is the language family of the drow tribes of Synan. The Starblade Rebellion brought it over to Lyder, and it is now the most prominent language of Gestalt. Many small branches of this language exist in Synan, but they can all be mutually understood.
Ridari is the language of high elves and grey elves, the types of elves native to Alderia. This language has no relation to Wood Elven or Dark Elven, and speaking to a Synan elf in Ridari may be taken as an insult.
Toki is the most common language of the Wood Tribes. Its grammar and alphabet are exceptionally simple, but the nuanced and bird-like sounds are often tricky for non-native speakers to master.
Sylvan is the second most common language of the Wood Tribes, specifically the westernmost tribes that live more closely with the fey. The fey picked up the idea of language from them, but they by no means use it unanimously.
Natively known as Rock Tongue, this language is a mutation of a very early form of Dwarven. Its alphabet can be pieced together by those fluent in Dwarven, if given enough time.
Gnomish, natively called Gnome'ri, is a language native to Alderian gnomes. It has incredible amounts of nuance and is known for its agglutination - words can be mashed together to form compund words. When translated, these words are often seen as being humorously literal.
Tortanii is a branch of the Gnomish language that is spoken by Alderian goblins. The basics of the language are incredibly simple, but deep linguistic nuances can allow the language to be surprisingly poetic. Tortanii is slowly becoming more popular in Gestalt.
Hobbitish is the native language of Lyderan halflings, which then travelled to Alderia through halfling pioneers. The original native language of Alderian halflings has been lost.
Alderian is the national language of Alderia, and despite the fact that many grey elves also speak the language, it is generally called Human.
This is the language of the beings of Tartarus, including fiends and demons, and their wicked followers. The language is very compact, being quick to speak and short to write. Some governments criminalize the act of writing or speaking it.
Aquan is the language of merfolk and sirens, and it is the only language (other than sign) that can be fully understood underwater. Its written script is large and simple, making it easier to understand through underwater distortions. Though it can technically be spoken above water, it tends to sound slurred and awkward.
This language family is spoken by woodlanders, and the most prominent language of them is Gatu. Woodlander is an umbrella term that refers to the various animalistic humanoids of Northern Synan. As such, the only major differences between languages of this family are simple sound changes to accomodate different mouth or beak shapes; they are all mutually intelligible.
Only characters with levels in the Druid class can learn druidic, and teaching druidic to a non-druid is strictly forbidden. Some elder fey also speak druidic, and it is suspected that they invented the language to begin with.
Taking this language represents an understanding of several different sign languages, as there is no one standardized sign language. Two characters from different parts of the world will have different sign languages, but a common understanding can be reached within a few minutes. There is no written sign language.
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