Language Comprehension (Common).

That WASN’T in LTO.

No wait… we did have language skills…

People in Legendary Tales Online could talk in other languages, but it was never really used much. If you wanted to speak a particular game language, you just had someone teach it to you and you were done.

There was no real learning process, as that would have been annoying, and no MMO wants to be annoying.

The only reason anyone learned Elvish (if they weren’t elves to begin with) was to pick up quests from an elven NPC.

Some players used to use other languages as an anti-server measure.

Back when he first played LTO there used to be a bard he knew who, whenever he went AFK while doing some mundane grinding like leveling up his Mining skill, would spout random limericks in various languages so the server wouldn’t boot him from the game for wasting time.

“There once was a man from Knave,” (English)

“Who kept a dead whore in a cave.” (Elvish)

“Gargulh Gulgeh Urkin,” (Orcish)

“Hashaaaah Arrrrh Grawah,” (Draconian)

“But think of the money I save!” (Dwarvish)

Of course, sometimes players would talk in other languages just to be jerks to newbies. One annoying person used to insult him in Spanish using the Orcish Language skill.

So the language everyone uses is called “Common”? THAT, at least, I know wasn’t in LTO. And what’s with the “+1”? I have to grind a LANGUAGE now?

Ugh, does that mean I have to buy the next level of language skill too?

Legendary Tales Online was, to put it nicely, a grindfest.

Everything cost gold. Everything required grinding.

Want to learn a new skill? Spend gold.

Want to get good at that skill? Grind.

Depending on the level of that skill it could take a day, a week, a month, several months, or a year.

Want to upgrade that skill to the next level? Spend more gold.

Ditto for weapons, armor, crafting, spells, and so on. Players were constantly kept in a state of not-poverty, where even if you had 900,000 gold that just meant you needed another 600,000 for whatever thing you wanted to buy or upgrade.

Naturally, there were shortcuts… if you wanted to spend REAL money.

All MMOs are geared towards the impatient and the narcissistic. You could spend a couple of months doing nothing but grinding that one skill, OR you could spend real money and get it leveled up in that day. You could wear the same armor as everyone else, OR you could spend real money and get the full Lord of the Evergreen Set (pieces sold separately). You could ride a horse, OR spend real money and jet around on your own personal griffin. Dying costs you much needed gold and experience, OR you could spend real money on an Instant Resurrection Kit.

“[And? What’s your name?]”

Oops. The paladin nun person was talking and he wasn’t paying attention.

“Huh?”

“Joan.” She pointed at herself. “[You?]”

So her name is Joan.

“I am…”

Healz Pleaze.

Wait, that’s wrong. My real name is Healz Pleaze.

What?

Oh come on, it was printed on my Driver’s License.

State: Florida. Name: Pleaze, Healz.

Something’s going on here.

My brother’s name is Chris.

Okay, good.

Chris Pleaze.

Dammit!

My parents were John Adam Pleaze and Mary Katherine Pleaze.

NO THEY WEREN’T!

“’I am?’ [Your name is] ‘I am’?”

“No… It’s…”

“[Hmm?]”

Language Comprehension (Common): + 1

It seemed that “[Hmm]” meant “Hmm”. He had learned another word. That seemed… irritating, for some reason.

How can “hmm” be considered a foreign word anyways?

She was still waiting for his answer. Shifting uncomfortably, he muttered:

“...Healz Pleaze.”

She tilted her head.

“Heeyalspless?”

It would have looked cuter if she had tilted it towards the scarred side instead.

“Healz Pleaze.”

“Helzpliess?”

This is mortifying…

“Healz. Pleaze.”

Stop making me say it!

“Healz… Pleaze?”

Finally!

“Yes.”

“[Definitely an elf, with a name like that.]”

She pointed at herself again.

“Joan. Joan Gedder.”

She pointed at the brown-skinned man standing by the foot of the bed.

“Daniel Bowen.”

Startled, the man waved his weapon in a sort-of-friendly greeting.

“[Oh. Um, nice to meet you.]”

Well, why not. Playing along, he pointed at the man.

“Daniel Bowen.”

“[Yes.]”

Language Comprehension (Common): + 1

He had learned “yes”.

Only a million more to go…

He pointed at Joan.

“Joan Gedder.”

“[Well done.]”

As his finger moved away from her it aimed towards the oak dresser next to his bed.

It flashed.

The hell?

He pointed at the dresser again.

It lit up, outlined in light.

He moved his finger away.

It turned off.

He pointed at it again.

It lit up again.

Slowly, he leaned over, letting the blankets fall from his naked chest again.

“[What? What is it?]”

Joan watched him as he went to touch it.

As soon as he did--

All of the drawers opened, simultaneously, as if pulled by an angry person.

“[Ahh!]”

Joan was forced to dodge as two things catapulted out.

There was a *clunk* as a dagger, still in its sheath, hit the carpet.

A gold coin made a small *tink* as it landed.

“Um… Heh heh, that wasn’t supposed to happen.”

It sounded lame to him as well.