The current system provides no mechanical or fun downsides.
This is simply false. Making such sweeping generalizations indicates a complete misapprehension of the fundamentals of game play.
Investing skill points in a skill inherently creates the "mechanical downside" of not being able to invest those skill points in other skills. This is so obvious I find having to state it both frustrating and astonishing.
I'm sorry to inconvenience you by causing you to have to state it.
I'm aware that investing skill points in Speak Language costs skill points. The basic concept of math does, in fact, dictate that this removes skill points from other skills which a player may want to invest in. Despite my severe brain damage at the age of three when I was dropped off of a speeding Vistani wagon going 20 MPH over the speed limit, I'm following the concept so far. I think you've merely misunderstood my point, fair, I was vague and thus deserved to have my intelligence questioned.
Nevertheless,
there is zero mechanical penalty for having less languages.If I only speak Common, there is no effect on:
- Crafting
- Combat
- Ability to log into the game
- Ability to log out
- Rentals
- Turning in bounties
- PvP
- ERP
- Shapeshifting
- Herb picking
- Waiting for the Mist Camp wagon
- Sneaking into someone else's Mist Camp Wagon
- Running away when you're caught sneaking into a Mist Camp wagon
- Fighting for the glorious revolution against the degenerate Gendarmie
The point of a language system should be to enhance immersion: people in one part of the setting are likely to speak a different language. Different races can have their own languages.
Da, the reason I call out the current system as more RP friendly is clarified by the word proceeding one step prior: "realistic". It is unrealistic for everyone to speak a bunch of languages. Learning languages is hard, requires time and effort. There are ways around the skill system, for example, simply living with the fact that not every person can be an ascended savant capable of all things. There is also the feat, Polyglot.
On a roleplay server it should not be a major obstacle to roleplay.
If it is a major obstacle to roleplay then that is, I am sorry to say, in character and a good thing. IC obstacles are good. We cannot hope that each and every character can do and be everything. It is equally an "obstacle" that drow cannot be garda, that Hazlan slaves cannot go wherever they please, and so on. Neither is it actually an obstacle, it's simply an obstacle with
choice and consequence. The trouble is wanting everything, rather than being shut out of something. Hard choices are good. If I love the elves so much that I want to learn their language, I must devote time and effort to being a silly elf. If it doesn't matter enough to me that I am unwilling to sacrifice anything for it, well then.
To justify that this skill costs five times as much as it does in 3.5, one needs to argue that it conveys some mechanical advantage that requires balancing. If this is the case, why is it made bard exclusive? Were bards in need of a buff? I don't think anyone would argue that.
No, it's simply silly for every single character to speak ten language. It is immersion breaking. For bards, it arguably makes sense.
No, the justification for making it bard exclusive is that this reflects 3.5. So again, in 3.5 it is 1 skill point per language.
Not my argument, don't personally care, and decisions should be made based on how they affect the PW.
As an aside, please be a little more respectful in your responses.