You have a passion for languages. You scoured manuscripts, studied scrolls, and listened to the greatest experts on languages. You are fascinated by the structure,the analysis of language form, language meaning, and language in context. You can get lost for hours in listening to the subtle weave of conversations and nuances of language interplay
- Skill Proficiencies: Insight
- Languages: Five of your choice
- Equipment: A bottle of black ink, a quill, a small knife, a tome containing the basics of how languages are formed and created, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp
Phonetics is the study of speech and non-speech sounds, and delves into the sound of words and how they are articulated.
The study of language Meaning, on the other hand, deals with how languages try to convey, process, and assign meaning to words, as well as manage and resolve any possibe ambiguities.
The study of Semantics typically concerns itself with truth conditions, pragmatics deals with how situational context influences the production of meaning.
Grammar is a system of rules within each language. These rules apply to sound as well as meaning, and include sentence structure, the formation and composition of phrases and sentences.
| d5 | Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Discredited academic |
| 2 | Librarian |
| 3 | Professor |
| 4 | Researcher |
| 5 | Scribe |
Do to the large exposure to languages you can determine the root of a language. Additionally you have a chance to figure out the basics of any language. Your DM might rule that the knowledge you seek requires you to make an Insight check to intuit the meaning of what you are trying to translate. While you might not get exactly what is meant, each language has its own subtleties, you get the general idea.
Suggested Characteristics
Linguists are defined by their extensive studies of languages, and their characteristics reflect this wonder of communication. They have devoted large amounts of time to seek out new languages. They have to hear the conversations of native speakers in order to help progress their understanding and nuance of the languages interplay.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I use polysyllabic words that convey the impression of great erudition. |
| 2 | I’ve read every book in the world’s greatest libraries—or I like to boast that I have. |
| 3 | I’m used to helping out those who aren’t as smart as I am, and I patiently explain anything and everything to others. |
| 4 | There’s nothing I like more than to explain the origin of words and where they come from. |
| 5 | I’m want to listen to every conversation. Especially if it is an obscure or unknown language. |
| 6 | I … speak … slowly … when talking … to idiots, … which … almost … everyone … is … compared … to me. |
| 7 | I am horribly, horribly awkward in social situations. |
| 8 | I'm convinced that there is a secret organization of people that are trying to make it impossible for people to communicate properly. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Knowledge. The path to power and self-improvement is through knowledge. (Neutral) |
| 2 | Beauty. What is beautiful points us beyond itself toward what is true. (Good) |
| 3 | Logic. Emotions must not cloud our logical thinking. (Lawful) |
| 4 | No Limits. Nothing should fetter the infinite possibility inherent in all existence. (Chaotic) |
| 5 | Power. Knowledge is the path to power and domination. (Evil) |
| 6 | Self-Improvement. The goal of a life of study is the betterment of oneself. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | It is my duty to protect all languages. |
| 2 | I have an ancient text that holds terrible secrets that must not fall into the wrong hands. |
| 3 | I work to preserve a library, university, scriptorium, or monastery. |
| 4 | My life’s work is a series of tomes related to a specific field of lore. |
| 5 | I’ve been searching my whole life for the first language. |
| 6 | I sold my soul for knowledge. I hope to do great deeds and win it back. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am easily distracted by the promise of information. |
| 2 | Most people scream and run when they see a demon. I stop and take notes on its grammar. |
| 3 | Finding an unknown language is worth the price of a civilization. |
| 4 | I overlook obvious solutions in favor of complicated ones. |
| 5 | I speak without really thinking through my words, invariably insulting others. |
| 6 | I can’t keep a secret to save my life, or anyone else’s. |
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