Language feat

[Masterjack]

I was wondering if it were possable to get a language feat. One that lets you learn languages when you do not have the intelligence for it. The feat would give you +4 int for learning languages ears. With that some one with 8 int could learn one more language ear, with training of course. I was also thinking that the feat would have to be taken at first level. There would not be much scripting involved since it is more of a role play thing then game mechanics.

The reason I ask is I want to make a character that knows alot of languages. More of a role playing character then a fighting one. I just don't want to put alot of points into int.

Well let me know what ya think

Masterjack

[darkstorme]

While I'm not a balancer, I'm not sure how this would work.  As you said, with the requisite feat, it wouldn't take much scripting, simply a feat that has little or no apparent effect.  However, does it make sense?  Would it be something like an idiot savante, largely unintelligent but with a stunning grasp of (in this case) languages?

The INT-based language system is loosely based around the language skillsets from PnP, so creating a new feat that allows unintelligent characters to learn additional languages sounds a bit like mechanical manipulation.  I would argue that if you want a polyglot character, make the sacrifice from other attributes and put some points in INT.

Just my two coppers.

[Stephen_Zuckerman]

How about simply allowing the feat to let a character take one additional language, regardless of current INT? With the fact that a character can only take a General feat every three levels, I don't think this would be too overpowering.

The character would still have to learn the language through the current system; the feat would merely increase the character's language CAPACITY by one.

[stragen]

Rincewind, the main character in the Discworld series was a wizzard, who was not talented enough cast spells, yet could learn languages at an astonishingly rapid rate.  We could assume that his INT was too low to cast spells, yet he had the feat LANGUAGE TALENT.

In real life there are many types of intelligence.  Some people are just good at languages, others may pick up mathematics and logic easily.  Just because you can't comprehend highschool level science doesn't mean you aren't able to learn many languages quickly and easily.  Similarly holding a PhD in Theoretical Physics doesn't mean you would be able to learn a second language [It probably does mean you found the spell checker and grammar checker].

It may be that language ability is more closely linked to another type of intelligence not well captured by the D&D statistic INT.     Language ability may be more closely relate empathy and ability to interact socially.

I'm not sure how this feat would work in game terms, and I would hope it wouldn't be abused.

[Weeblie]

(Social interaction is more CHA based. Lets not get sidetracked though! )

In my opinion, putting two extra points into character creation into int (making it 12) isn't all that much to ask for.

[Acacea]

Even if this feat were available--and I don't really see how it would be, especially since one would still need to go through the submission for it--I'd probably slap an INT requirement on it, and 8 wouldn't be it.

[Stephen_Zuckerman]

I think the point, Acacea, was to allow characters with INT penalties to learn multiple languages, if they were willing to give up some much-needed feat slots, as well as expanding the repertoire of other characters.

[Acacea]

I'm aware. I was commenting that if there were a feat to take languages at all, and I don't see it, I'd slap an INT requirement on those, too. In other words, to break it down yet again, my opinion is No.

To clarify, this was in response to the original post.

[Acacea]

As well (nicely separated to avoid further confusion), it is very easy to learn languages on Layo. The only real sacrifice anyone has to make is to be of mildly above average intelligence to learn an extra one, AND racial/class languages do not count towards this bonus. A drow rogue/ranger with an INT of 8 (real example) speaks drow, elven, common, the Cant, and Animal by default. With 12+ INT and a two line entry twice a week in a dev thread about stuff that actually happens in game, that can be further expanded all the way to +5 more languages at 20 INT.

A primary argument is that there are many types of intelligence, and I fully agree. As in, I agree that there are many, and that having a certain type of intelligence inherently means one is intelligent. In a type. Of intelligence. So sink some points in it. Expertise doesn't have anything to do with wizardry, yet it requires 13 INT.

It's not necessarily the feat concept that I mind (my character is one of the ones that picks them up easily and I would greedily take it at every opportunity), it's that the requirements are already quite low and I'm not sure why even that should be removed.

[Weeblie]

Also remember that the subrace bonus/penalty counts toward the extra languages.

So, in the case of the rogue/ranger-drow, he would in fact have an intelligence of 8 + 2 = 10. Told ya! Drows can't be stupid (at least, not the alive ones)...

[Masterjack]

So my question now is... If I had a charater that had 12 INT, how many languages could he get without adding anymore points into INT. If the answer is only one then the feat would be nice to have. I agree with what Acacea said about having a base INT for feats. Have a base INT of12 for this one, or even a CHA min.

[Pankoki]

You would get Common + Any racial languages, then finally because of your 12 Intelligence (+1 Bonus) you would qualify for one additional language that needs to be supported either in the character application or in a CDT and approved by the respective approving groups.