Information on the Test

[Stephen_Zuckerman]

I was curious what the "Test" administered at adulthood for Darkies is.

It's pertinent to a submission I'm working on.

Also, would a darkie with a final INT of 12 start with the knowledge of Deep Drow, Elven, Common, and the Silent Language? That's four languages, I know, but... *Shrugs.* I'm unsure what the protocol on that is.

[EdTheKet]

First of all, please do not use the term Darkies.
As for the Test.

Little is known or disclosed about this Test until the time of taking it comes upon the individual dark elf. It is suspected that those so tested are examined directly by one of the deities in order to ensure there’s no possibility of betrayal. One dark elf who did take the Test was later forced to become a surface dweller and has spoken a little of his ordeal. If his words are any indication, the Test delves into the deepest fears, and the most closely held secrets, of the individual. That which most affects the psyche of any given dark elf belongs to the dark elf deities to use as they wish.


And as for the languages, does it meet the rules we have for languages and INT scores?

[Stephen_Zuckerman]

From the bottom up...

Languages: Nope. It doesn't. It meets the less-than-five rule, but with only a +1 bonus that leaves room for two languages... However, as commented by Dorganath on IRC, any Dark elf that couldn't speak properly (in as many languages as he was required) would have a very rough time of it. Again in IRC, Dorganath said that, aside from unusually low INT scores, a Dark elf would know, at the least, Deep Drow, the Silent Language, and Common (and most likely Elvish as well).

I suppose the real question is, "Which of these languages are considered automatic languages that count only against the Five limit, but not the INT bonus limit?"

The Test: Would it be possible for a character to fail the test, and have a few moments in which to interact (possibly physically) with others nearby? Would the character's family be present, particularly in the case of identical twins? (Which, I know, would be an ASTONISHING fluke, considering how infertile elves of all types tend to be.)

Dark Elves/Darkies: http://www.layonara.com/342608-post18.html Honestly, before that thread, I'd had no idea that the term "darkie" was at one point used for humans. It's always meant Drow (well, Dark Elves, here) to me, and my character has always (always) used the term. I will refrain from using it henceforth OOC when not explicitly mentioning Dark Elves, however.

[Dorganath]

@Stephen:
As I told you in IRC, dark elves start with the drow and elvish ears. They also speak common.  The silent language is not an official ear, but I've seen it RP'ed between characters. Your proposed +1 modifier would give you one additional language outside of these.

[Acacea]

The point on IRC was that racial languages are all granted automatically on creation, and do not count towards the limit. All of the listed ones are granted automatically on creation, with the exception of the Silent one which is RP-only...but still known.

The archaic form referred to in LORE as "High Drow" would not count as an automatic racial language, but you didn't ask about that.

I think I illustrated this when a request for more languages allowed came up, and I said that a dark elf  rogue/ranger with 8 INT would still receive: Common, Elven, Dark Elven, Thieves' Cant, Animal, and RP the silent language. It's a lot! I still wish for an INT-requirement feat that allowed Acacea to take another language, though.

Meh, Dorg beat me here, I beat him on the other thread, it evens out...

[Stephen_Zuckerman]

@ Acacea and Dorg: Thank you; that's what I was thinking. (It came to mind that perhaps a character without the requisite INT might not be able to speak some of the languages that are mechanically given to them, but that they technically should not be able to speak.)

[EdTheKet]

Would it be possible for a character to fail the test, and have a few moments in which to interact (possibly physically) with others nearby?

Nope.

Would the character's family be present, particularly in the case of identical twins? (Which, I know, would be an ASTONISHING fluke, considering how infertile elves of all types tend to be.)

Nope.

[Stephen_Zuckerman]

Wow. Okay, then.

Guess it's back to the Drawing Board.