I would like to see the ability to have a "custom" selection on the Language drop-down, where one could add a new language. Just a small field where a language name could be typed in and it shows up in the language section on the character sheet.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
After the game, the king and the pawn go into the same box. – Proverb
This. I hadn't actually realized that the Auran language wasn't in 5E until I was trying to convert a PC from paper to DDB. I was extremely frustrated that I had to select "Primordial" and then make a manual note on the sheet.
This is one place where, given the option between a drop-down list with all the options in the book and a free-form text box, the free-form box is definitely the better option. Hands down.
This. I hadn't actually realized that the Auran language wasn't in 5E until I was trying to convert a PC from paper to DDB. I was extremely frustrated that I had to select "Primordial" and then make a manual note on the sheet.
Um, Aquan, Auran, Ignan, and Terran are in 5e.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
This. I hadn't actually realized that the Auran language wasn't in 5E until I was trying to convert a PC from paper to DDB. I was extremely frustrated that I had to select "Primordial" and then make a manual note on the sheet.
Um, Aquan, Auran, Ignan, and Terran are in 5e.
OK. I hadn't realized it wasn't in DDB until then. :D
OK. I hadn't realized it wasn't in DDB until then. :D
Aquan, Auran, Ignan, and Terran are in 5th edition - but as dialects of the Primordial language, rather than as independent languages.
So while a monster will be listed as speaking Auran, or one of the other elemental dialects, characters are given only the all-or-nothing option of knowing the primordial language (so knowing all four dialects) or not knowing any of the dialects. An the thing that is most interesting to me is that a creature that knows one of the dialects can communicate just fine with a creature that knows a different dialect, so there is really no reason other than tradition to have kept the four individual elemental languages instead of just use primordial for all of them.
OK. I hadn't realized it wasn't in DDB until then. :D
Aquan, Auran, Ignan, and Terran are in 5th edition - but as dialects of the Primordial language, rather than as independent languages.
So while a monster will be listed as speaking Auran, or one of the other elemental dialects, characters are given only the all-or-nothing option of knowing the primordial language (so knowing all four dialects) or not knowing any of the dialects. An the thing that is most interesting to me is that a creature that knows one of the dialects can communicate just fine with a creature that knows a different dialect, so there is really no reason other than tradition to have kept the four individual elemental languages instead of just use primordial for all of them.
I think there might be another reason or two; first, the names of the dialects sound nice, but I recognize that that's subjective; second, it plays up the differences between the four elements; third, it can be used as a design tool to show which elements a hybrid elemental is associated with.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
Aquan, Auran, Ignan, and Terran are in 5th edition - but as dialects of the Primordial language, rather than as independent languages.
So while a monster will be listed as speaking Auran, or one of the other elemental dialects, characters are given only the all-or-nothing option of knowing the primordial language (so knowing all four dialects) or not knowing any of the dialects. An the thing that is most interesting to me is that a creature that knows one of the dialects can communicate just fine with a creature that knows a different dialect, so there is really no reason other than tradition to have kept the four individual elemental languages instead of just use primordial for all of them.
Now I have a mental image of Terran being American English, Auran is Austrailian, Aquan is Carribean patois, and Ignan is a Scotish brogue. Meanwhile, vanilla Primordial is the Queen's English.
OK. I hadn't realized it wasn't in DDB until then. :D
Aquan, Auran, Ignan, and Terran are in 5th edition - but as dialects of the Primordial language, rather than as independent languages.
So while a monster will be listed as speaking Auran, or one of the other elemental dialects, characters are given only the all-or-nothing option of knowing the primordial language (so knowing all four dialects) or not knowing any of the dialects. An the thing that is most interesting to me is that a creature that knows one of the dialects can communicate just fine with a creature that knows a different dialect, so there is really no reason other than tradition to have kept the four individual elemental languages instead of just use primordial for all of them.
Also diplomacy. It's like Common and Elven. You can negotiate with the Elf King in Common, but it may be easier if you speak Elven.
Which is why I make players pick one of the dialects when they take Primordial. They can communicate with any Primordial speaker, but they're smoother and more natural with the dialect they choose.
Aquan, Auran, Ignan, and Terran are in 5th edition - but as dialects of the Primordial language, rather than as independent languages.
So while a monster will be listed as speaking Auran, or one of the other elemental dialects, characters are given only the all-or-nothing option of knowing the primordial language (so knowing all four dialects) or not knowing any of the dialects. An the thing that is most interesting to me is that a creature that knows one of the dialects can communicate just fine with a creature that knows a different dialect, so there is really no reason other than tradition to have kept the four individual elemental languages instead of just use primordial for all of them.
Now I have a mental image of Terran being American English, Auran is Austrailian, Aquan is Carribean patois, and Ignan is a Scotish brogue. Meanwhile, vanilla Primordial is the Queen's English.
I would really LOVE to have the drop-down language selection menu changed for a fillable field instead so my players and I could add the languages they chose in my custom-built campaign, instead of the pre-determined D&D languages. What if I set my campaign in Mesoamerica (using a random set of cultural names form Xanatar's), it sucks to have to input "Common" for Yucatec, "Elvish" for Spanish, "Sylvan" for Incan, and so on...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"All things being equal, if I'm to fail, better make it epic."
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
The new character sheet already allows custom languages to be added. :)
I might be blind, but can't seem to find the option?
On Character Sheet where it shows proficiencies and languages at the bottom of the box is a gear icon: click this. It opens a sidebar, at top of sidebar is "add new proficiencies" in the drop down choose languages. It creates a custom language called Custom Language, you can rename it and if wanted type in the source. Your character now knows this custom language.
For your monsters, you can use the "custom language note" to input arbitrary text.
Better than nothing, but really would love to not have to pick some other, irrelevant language so I have a place to put the note. If adding custom languages is an engineering challenge (it shouldn't be, but whatever), adding an entry to the dropdown for "Other" or "Custom" or just allowing the selection of the existing "--" entry at the top of the list would be a step in the right direction.
For your monsters, you can use the "custom language note" to input arbitrary text.
Better than nothing, but really would love to not have to pick some other, irrelevant language so I have a place to put the note. If adding custom languages is an engineering challenge (it shouldn't be, but whatever), adding an entry to the dropdown for "Other" or "Custom" or just allowing the selection of the existing "--" entry at the top of the list would be a step in the right direction.
Languages are not forced. You are completely free to not select any languages in the builder and then use custom language option on the sheet.
What would be so hard about implementing the human languages from SCAG?
It literally astonishes me that years into a character generator this hasn't been done. It's beyond ridiculous.
Not that ridiculous: they have been prioritising other things which they want to put in place. Considering people can just add custom languages to sheet with incredible ease: they're not concerned about this being a priority. It's not something that is requested by a lot of people, offers very little, and people can do it anyway: so why prioritise this over something like homebrew redesign or further developing encounter builder and other tools that make a real difference?
I would like to see the ability to have a "custom" selection on the Language drop-down, where one could add a new language. Just a small field where a language name could be typed in and it shows up in the language section on the character sheet.
After the game, the king and the pawn go into the same box. – Proverb
This. I hadn't actually realized that the Auran language wasn't in 5E until I was trying to convert a PC from paper to DDB. I was extremely frustrated that I had to select "Primordial" and then make a manual note on the sheet.
This is one place where, given the option between a drop-down list with all the options in the book and a free-form text box, the free-form box is definitely the better option. Hands down.
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
Tooltips (Help/aid)
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
Tooltips (Help/aid)
I would also like to be able to add custom languages for selection by my players.
We do bones, motherf***ker!
I would really LOVE to have the drop-down language selection menu changed for a fillable field instead so my players and I could add the languages they chose in my custom-built campaign, instead of the pre-determined D&D languages. What if I set my campaign in Mesoamerica (using a random set of cultural names form Xanatar's), it sucks to have to input "Common" for Yucatec, "Elvish" for Spanish, "Sylvan" for Incan, and so on...
"All things being equal, if I'm to fail, better make it epic."
Might be necro'ing a thread - but yes, I'd very much like this.
If you're not playing the default Tolkien'esque "fantasyland" setting ( and I'm not ), the default language setting doesn't make sense.
Currently I just use a "translation matrix" for my players: Elvish = Nasslaian, Orc = Escomanni, etc., etc.
My DM Philosophy, as summed up by other people: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rN5w4-azTq3Kbn0Yvk9nfqQhwQ1R5by1/view
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
The new character sheet already allows custom languages to be added. :)
Pun-loving nerd | She/Her/Hers | Profile art by Becca Golins
If you need help with homebrew, please post on the homebrew forums, where multiple staff and moderators can read your post and help you!
"We got this, no problem! I'll take the twenty on the left - you guys handle the one on the right!"🔊
:O
Awesome - I missed this.
Thank you!
My DM Philosophy, as summed up by other people: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rN5w4-azTq3Kbn0Yvk9nfqQhwQ1R5by1/view
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
I might be blind, but can't seem to find the option?
On Character Sheet where it shows proficiencies and languages at the bottom of the box is a gear icon: click this. It opens a sidebar, at top of sidebar is "add new proficiencies" in the drop down choose languages. It creates a custom language called Custom Language, you can rename it and if wanted type in the source. Your character now knows this custom language.
My Homebrew: Races | Subclasses | Backgrounds | Spells | Magic Items | Feats
Need help with Homebrew? Check out this FAQ/Guide thread by IamSposta
See My Youtube Videos for Tips & Tricks using D&D Beyond
Yeah but my monsters though :(
For your monsters, you can use the "custom language note" to input arbitrary text.
Better than nothing, but really would love to not have to pick some other, irrelevant language so I have a place to put the note. If adding custom languages is an engineering challenge (it shouldn't be, but whatever), adding an entry to the dropdown for "Other" or "Custom" or just allowing the selection of the existing "--" entry at the top of the list would be a step in the right direction.
What would be so hard about implementing the human languages from SCAG?
It literally astonishes me that years into a character generator this hasn't been done. It's beyond ridiculous.
Languages are not forced. You are completely free to not select any languages in the builder and then use custom language option on the sheet.
Not that ridiculous: they have been prioritising other things which they want to put in place. Considering people can just add custom languages to sheet with incredible ease: they're not concerned about this being a priority. It's not something that is requested by a lot of people, offers very little, and people can do it anyway: so why prioritise this over something like homebrew redesign or further developing encounter builder and other tools that make a real difference?
My Homebrew: Races | Subclasses | Backgrounds | Spells | Magic Items | Feats
Need help with Homebrew? Check out this FAQ/Guide thread by IamSposta
See My Youtube Videos for Tips & Tricks using D&D Beyond