How-To: Apply the Multiple Languages Setting Rule

The Multiple Languages rule lets you add a language system to character creation. When you turn it on, characters get a number of language slots based on one of their Attributes and can pick languages from a list you set up. This guide shows you how to set up this rule for your world using the World Editor.

In this example, we show how to do this for a Starbreaker campaign.

Overview

To set up Multiple Languages, you may need to make up to three changes in the Modifications section of the World Editor. Each change controls a different part of the language system:

Enable Language Selection: Defines the list of languages available to characters.
Adjust Character Points / Starting Language Slots (Optional): Sets how many language slots characters receive.
Language Skill (Optional): Designates which skill is used for language rolls (if any)

Step 1: Define Available Languages

This step lets you create a list of languages that characters can choose from during character creation.

Click Add Option to create a new modification.
From the Build Option dropdown, select Enable Language Selection.
In the form that appears, enter a language name in the text field (e.g., “Common” or “Elvish”).
Set the Slots Used value to show how many language slots a language costs. Most languages cost 1 slot, but complex or rare languages might cost more.
Click the + button (or press Enter) to add the language to the list.
Repeat for each language in your setting.

Languages are sorted alphabetically as you add them. To remove a language, click its name badge and then click the X icon to delete it from the list.

Tips

The first language a character chooses is their native language.
You can use the Slots Used value to show how complex a language is. For example, a simple trade pidgin might cost 1 slot, but an ancient or magical language could cost 2 or more.

Steps two and three are only necessary if you are not adding the Multiple Languages setting rule to the campaign setting's list of Setting Rules.

Step 2: Set Starting Language Slots (Optional)

Note: This step is only necessary if your world's Multiple Languages rule is applied differently than presented in Savage Worlds. If it does not, then add the Multiple Languages setting rule to the list.

This step decides how many languages a character can learn. The number of slots is based on an Attribute die, using a formula you choose.

In the Modifications section, click Add Option.
From the Build Option dropdown, select Adjust Character Points.
In the sub-category dropdown that appears, select Starting Language Slots.
Pick the Attribute that decides how many languages a character knows (for example, Smarts).
Enter a multiplier value for the calculation.

How Slots Are Calculated

The formula for total language slots is:

1 + (Attribute die value x multiplier)

For example, if you use Smarts as the Attribute and set the multiplier to 0.5, a character with Smarts d4 would get three Language Slots. A character with Smarts d10 would get six Language Slots.

If you use the Multiple Languages Setting rule from Savage Worlds, this calculation is already set up and will be applied automatically. You can adjust the multiplier and attribute to fit your setting.

Step 3: Assign a Language Skill (Optional)

If your setting uses a skill for language rolls, you can link it here. Do this step only when you are not using the Multiple Languages Setting Rule from Savage Worlds.

Click Add Option to create a new modification.
From the Build Option dropdown, select Language Skill (listed in the path options).
Use the skill search field to find and select the skill that represents language knowledge in your setting (e.g., “Language” or “Linguistics”).

When you set up a language skill, each language a character picks becomes a skill entry with the language name as a specialization.

What Players See

Once configured, players building characters in your world will encounter language selection during character creation:

Guided Setup: During the Skills step, players see a language selection option. They pick languages from your list.
Traditional Editor: There is a language selection option in the Skills area of the character sheet.
Build Status: The status bar at the bottom of the screen shows a Languages tracker. It displays slots used versus total available.

Example Configuration

A typical fantasy setting might use these three changes:

Multiple Languages Setting Rule
Enable Language Selection, with languages such as:
- Common (1 slot)
- Elvish (1 slot)
- Dwarvish (1 slot)
- Orcish (1 slot)
- Ancient Draconic (2 slots)
- Celestial (2 slots)
Language Skill — linked to a “Language” skill

A character with Smarts d8 would have 5 language slots. For example, they could pick Common (1), Elvish (1), Dwarvish (1), and Ancient Draconic (2), using all 5 slots.