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Languages

Your ancestry entry states which languages you know at 1st level. Typically, this means you can both speak and read these languages. Having a Positive Intelligence modifier grants a number of additional languages equal to your Intelligence modifier. You can choose these languages from the list presented in your character’s ancestry entry and from those available from your region or ethnicity.

Ask your GM if there’s a language you want to select that isn’t on these lists. If your Intelligence changes later on, you adjust your number of languages accordingly.

The languages presented here are grouped according to how common they are throughout the Inner Sea region.

Languages that are common are regularly encountered in most places, even among those who aren’t native speakers.

Languages that are uncommon (see Table 2–2 and Regional Languages) are most frequently spoken by native speakers, but they are also spoken by certain scholars and others interested in the associated cultures.

Druidic is a secret language, and is available only to characters who are druids. In fact, druids are prohibited from teaching the language to non-druids (described further in Anathema).

It is possible for your character to learn languages later in their adventuring career. Selecting the Multilingual feat, for example, grants a character two new languages chosen from those listed in Table 2–1: Common Languages and Table 2–2: Uncommon Languages. Other abilities and effects might grant access to common or uncommon languages, as detailed in their descriptions.

Table 2—1: Common Languages
Language Speakers
Common Humans, dwarves, elves, halflings, and other common ancestries
Draconic Dragons, reptilian humanoids
Dwarven Dwarves
Elven Elves, half-elves
Gnomish Gnomes
Goblin Goblins, hobgoblins, bugbears
Halfling Halflings
Jotun Giants, ogres, trolls, ettins, cyclopes
Orcish Orcs, half-orcs
Sylvan Fey, centaurs, plant creatures
Undercommon Drow, duergars, xulgaths
Table 2–2: Uncommon Languages
Language Speakers
Abyssal Demons
Aklo Deros, evil fey, otherworldly monsters
Aquan Aquatic creatures, water elemental creatures
Auran Air elemental creatures, flying creatures
Celestial Angels
Gnoll Gnolls
Ignan Fire elemental creatures
Infernal Devils
Necril Ghouls, intelligent undead
Shadowtongue Shadow Plane creatures
Terran Earth elemental creatures
Table 2–3: Secret Languages
Language Speakers
Druidic Druids

Regional Languages

Regional languages depend on the game world you’re playing in. Most characters learn the Common language. Characters with Common might face a language barrier if they travel somewhere with a different Common language.

Sign Language and Reading Lips

The language entry for most characters lists languages they use to communicate in spoken words. However, you might know the signed version of a language or know how to read lips. You can learn these by taking the Sign Language and Read Lips skill feats. If you are creating a character who is deaf, hard of hearing, or unable to speak, discuss with your GM whether it makes sense for your character to know sign languages or lip reading. If so, your GM might allow you to select one of these feats for free (even if you don’t meet the prerequisites) to represent your character concept.

Languages

While a character can generally get by with Common, knowing another language is vital in some regions. Being able to speak these tongues can help you with negotiation, spying on enemies, or just conducting simple commerce. Languages also afford you the chance to contextualize your character in the world and give meaning to your other character choices.

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Pathfinder Core Rulebook (Second Edition) © 2019, Paizo Inc.; Designers: Logan Bonner, Jason Bulmahn, Stephen Radney-MacFarland, and Mark Seifter.

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