Learning & Language Lite

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Learning & Language Lite

Version 1.0

Learning & Language Lite is a lightweight ruleset for use in D&D 5e campaigns featuring tool and language learning. The intent is to provide a straightforward system for characters to learn intermittently, rather than requiring contiguous downtime.

Created by Eric J. Earley using GM Binder

Last updated 2020/12/21

The Power of Knowledge

Adventurers can never stagnate - they either grow more powerful or fade into obscurity. The ability to swing swords and sling spells is, of course, crucial to staying alive, but many accomplished adventurers will laud the pursuit of knowledge.

The rogue who tailors his disguises perfectly for every caper. The bard who can recite her songs in any language. The Ranger who prepares poisons for his next hunt. The sorceress whose mastery of the weather steers her ship towards her destination. These are but some of the benefits learning a new skillset can provide.

The Learning Process

Learning a new tool or language proficiency is a process that can take weeks or months of dedicated study. Learning progress is broken down into 4-hour increments; progress can be accumulated in smaller periods - for example, an hour a day during one's free time - but players only roll a Learning check after 4 hours.

A Learning check is an Intelligence ability check. The DC for these learning checks, as well as the number of required successful checks, depends on the tool or language being learned, as listed in the table below.

Learning to use a tool or speak a language typically requires some formal means of instruction, such as a volume of training books. The cost of this volume is 1gp per check required to learn the tool or language.

Better than reading a book is having an instructor who can catch and correct mistakes early on. If someone who is proficient in the tool or language is training you, make your Learning check with advantage. You can hire the services of a trainer for 2 gp per 4 hours.

If you do not have a training manual and are not being instructed by a trainer, but are attempting to learn through trial-and-error, make your Learning check at disadvantage.

Skill Synergies

Some tools and languages are easier to learn if you already have certain skills. These skill synergies are listed in the table below. If you are proficient in the listed skill synergy, you are considered proficient in the Learning check and add your proficiency bonus to the check.

Proficiency DC # Checks Skill Synergy
Artisan's Tools 10-15 25-50 (DM Discretion)
Disguise Kit 10 50 Insight
Forgery Kit 10 50 Investigation
Gaming Set 10 25 Deception
Herbalism Set 10 50 Medicine
Musical Instrument 10 50 Performance
Navigator's Tools 10 25 Survival
Proficiency DC # Checks Skill Synergy
Poisoner's Kit 15 50 Nature
Thieves' Tools 10 25 Sleight of Hand
Land Vehicles 10 25 Animal Handling
Water Vehicles 10 50 Perception
Common Languages 10 25 History
Uncommon Languages 15 50 History
Extraplanar Languages* 15 75 Arcana/Religion
*If you have a class or race ability originating from another plane, such as extraplanar ancestry or an extraplanar patron, you make checks to learn extraplanar languages associated with that plane with advantage

The Power of Language

A language is a conduit for understanding. While more educated metropolitan citizen may have a greater understanding of the Common tongue, most speak only their local language. Learning languages can be useful for gathering accurate information and influencing others.

Levels of Language

There are three levels of language proficiency: Unfamiliar, Elementary, and Fluent

Unfamiliar

To be unfamiliar with a language is not to be unable to communicate entirely. Some basic level of communication is possible through gestures and pantomime, though misinterpretation is a risk.

When attempting to communicate simple ideas in an unfamiliar language, or when someone is attempting to communicate simple ideas to you in an unfamiliar language, you must succeed a DC 13 CHA (insight) check to do so without misinterpretation.

You cannot make Charisma checks to influence others, though you may still influence them through other means.

Elementary

Once you have accumulated half of the required successful Learning checks while studying a language, you are considered to have Elementary proficiency, able to communicate basic ideas and concepts, but still hindered in your ability to influence fluent speakers.

When attempting to influence a native speaker of a language you have elementary proficiency with a Charisma check, you do so with disadvantage.

Fluent

Fluent speakers may or may not sound like native speakers, but they have sufficient grasp of the language to communicate concepts both simple and complex.

Variant Rules

Long-Term Learning

Some pupils find intermittent learning ineffective, and would rather study in longer periods. Those who choose to dedicate an entire workweek (5 days) to learning a tool or language proficiency can determine their number of successes for the week by using the table below.

Determine your Intelligence check bonus by adding all of the modifiers that would normally apply to your Intelligence check. Add 5 if you would have advantage on the check, and subtract 5 if you would have disadvantage on the check.

Animal Training

Animal companions can learn certain tricks and commands similar to their humanoid caretakers. An Animal Training check is a WIS (Animal Handling) check. The DC for these Animal Training checks, as well as the required successful checks, depends on the complexity of the skill or command being taught, as listed in the table below:

Animal Skill DC # Checks
Simple Commands (sit, stay, heel) 10 10
Advanced Commands (fetch, dig) 10 15
Professional Skills (hunt, track, guide) 15 20
Art Credits

Successes per Workweek

----------------------------------- Intelligence Check Bonus -----------------------------------
Learning DC -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 +0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6 +7 +8 +9 +10 +11 +12 +13 +14 +15
10 4 4 5 6 7 7 8 9 9 10 11 11 12 13 14 14 14 14 14 14 14
15 - 1 2 2 3 4 4 4 5 6 7 7 8 9 9 10 11 11 12 13 14

Learning

&

Language

Lite

Learning & Language Lite is a lightweight ruleset for use in D&D 5e campaigns featuring tool and language learning. The intent is to provide a straightforward system for characters to learn intermittently, rather than requiring contiguous downtime.

For more entries in the Homebrew Lite series, check out:

Travel & Exploration Lite

Crafting & Imbuing Lite

Dueling Lite