You should be able to explain how/why your character learned each of the languages they started with. Further languages should be learned in game - find a teacher - roleplay it out and have fun with it. I know that one character for years thought that "Purple frogs" in another language meant "I love you." Their finding out otherwise whilst learning that language was an interesting experience. If you can't find a PC who knows the language you want to learn; be creative. Spend time stalking goblins to try and puzzle out their language, or contact a DM if you think one of their NPC's might agree to teach you character.
But do remember - just because a character CAN learn 5 languages doesn't mean that they must.
Your character may start with the following languages:
A literate character (anyone but a Barbarian who has not purchased literacy) can read and write any language they speak.
You do not have to take all languages you're entitled to for your character if it doesn't make sense for their background.
Also called "Trade Tongue" nearly everyone speaks Common. Source books may refer to it is a trade language which is less useful in other situations. However, Common has evolved in the years between canon setting and modern day Narfell into a general purpose language. The majority of conversations in game are conducted in Common.
Demihumans automatically know their racial language. This is free of charge. Practically every dwarf can converse with every other dwarf in Dwarven. Half-elves normally learn Elven growing up and half-orcs orcish. But in any instance where the character background says it doesn't make sense for your PC to know their racial language you may have the ability to speak and understand it removed from them.
Every character is from somewhere. "Region" is a broad term. In most cases it refers to a political entity, like the wizard-ruled nation of Thay or the Cormyrian Kingdom. It may also refer to a geographical area that lacks a central government or well-defined borders, such as the barbarian lands of our own Narfell. You may pick one region only. You can see maps of Toril on the Forgotten Realms Wiki http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Portal:Geography
Note: Narfell is set in a 3E world. The FR Wiki has been updated to 4E so do not rely on it for other things.
Your starting character knows the automatic languages associated with the region in which they were born.
Characters of exceptional Intelligence (12 or higher) begin play with the option to have learned one bonus language per point of Intelligence Bonus. You may choose from: - The list of Bonus Languages for your Region - The list for Bonus Languages for your Race/Subrace - "Additional Choices" which apply to your character. - The list of 'Special' Languages except Druidic (these require DM team approval, see section 5 for details). For subraces, it is the Intelligence Bonus after stat changes are applied which defines the number of Bonus Languages the character may have learned. This is correctly implemented by Narfell.
Humans only have every language except Druidic available as a Bonus Language. Demihumans may pick either from the list of Bonus Languages for their Region or those for their Race. Sun Elves may pick 2 additional bonus lanugages at character creation. This is due to the the NWN engine not awarding them the number of skill points their adjusted Intelligence score demands they should get prior to their beign logged into the server for the first time. To acquire these contact a DM.
Characters can learn any language spoken in Faerun by spending skill points on the Speak Language Skill. For bards only this is a class skill and each point invested this way will buy them a new language. For everyone else it costs two points to purchase one language. These points should be invested in the Craft Armor skill. For how to physically learn these languages, please go to section 4.1 - Purchased Languages.
You may buy also buy languages in this manner at character creation.
The NWN engine calculates the skill points of any sub-race with an Intelligence Modifier incorrectly. You are awarded an incorrect number of skill points at character creation but the correct number at subsequent level ups.
Sun Elves may pick two 'free' languages to represent the 4 points they are due at character creation that the engine doesn't award them.
Wild and Wood Elves must put 4 points into the 'Craft Trap' skill at character creation.
Your character should have [(Level +3)*(class+int mod)] skill points in total. A Sun elf may spend lacking points in languages with DM assistance. A Sylvan elf will Never be allowed to purchase languages for skill points under any circumstances unless they have the correct number invested in in-game skills and any extras assigned to Craft Trap - this will never be less than 4. If you notice that you are awarded fewer skill points when you level up than in the past and have not put the extras into Craft Trap, please do so from now on until your character has the correct number of skill points for their class, level, and adjusted intelligence score. You may also request a relvel to get their skill points in order.
Barbarians are the only characters that do not automatically know how to read and write. A Barbarian must spend 2 skill points to gain the ability to read and write any language he is able to speak. Taking a level of another class also grants literacy.
When you log in you are automatically granted your Racial Language and if a Druid your Class Language. Talk to the Language Trainer in the starting area and select the Regional Language of your homeland. If you have an Intelligence Bonus you will now be allowed to select Bonus Languages from the lists of Regional, Racial, and Other languages.
For instructions on how to use the language system, type in game:
!Help
To be able to pick a language you have purchased with skill points or recieve due to your Sun Elf subrace please message the DM channel. They will check the number of languages your PC knows against how many they should know. If they agree that you are due an extra language(s) they will grant you the ability to make another pick from the Language Teacher the next time you're in the starting area.
You can request an immediate port to the lobby to get your new language(s). If it's not convient to do so you can get a DM port later on or just wait until the next reset. The ability to make additional language picks once granted is persistent through reset.
Alternately they can grant you the exact language you want there and then. In the cases of Cant and Romani the language will always be dropped directly onto your PC.
Every DM has the ability to add languages.
If you purchase a new language at level up then die you will not lose it. This is intentional and you're welcome to continue using the language. You will however be required to pay the purchase price when you regain the level. If you would prefer to have the language removed you may. Please be aware that DMs can check your known languages against how many you should have very easily as well as when levels have been lost/gained. If you take your level and forget about paying for your language please contact a DM for a relevel. You won't be penalised for reporting that you made a mistake. You will however be penalised if judged to be exploiting this mechanic.
If you multiclass into the Druid class you will recieve Druidic instantly and automatically. If you die and lose your druid level your Druidic languge skill will vanish just as fast as it arrived.
In Pen and Paper Dungeons and Dragons your Intelligence Bonus only applies to the number of Bonus Languages you recieve at character creation - having learned these growing up because you were clever - and you do not recieve additional languages when you boost your Intelligence stat as you level up. The Narfell language system is unable to distinguish between starting Intelligence and level-up boosts and will allow you to pick an extra language when your base Intelligence Modifier increases. Please do not select an extra language when this happens. The number of Bonus Languages you have should equal your Intelligence Modifier at character creation.
If your character is currently able to understand a language that they shouldn't be able to, please be sure to get this removed. You won't be penalised for reporting that you made a mistake. Simply message the DM channel to say that you would like to have a language removed. Every DM has the ability to remove languages.
Examples include:
You do not get a replacement language. If you feel there are extenuating circumstances you may apply for a 'Special Language' but this is unlikely to be granted unless it's to get a language your character has had throughout their Narfell history.
If you want to learn a language not listed - Please contact the DM Team