Translate Writing

Time Required: Varies.
Skill: Society (Trained).

You can attempt to decipher a written language that you cannot read or write. The action required is based on the amount of text being translated, and the Target Number for the roll is based on the language itself, as described in the table below.

Condition	TN
Language is common	16
Language is uncommon	20
Language is rare	24
Language is exotic	30
Language is one that you can speak, but not read	-4
Language is similar to one that you can read	-4
The script sample that you are attempting to read is damaged or incomplete	+4
The script sample is between four and ten words	+4
The script sample is less than four words	+8

The time to translate the sample script is based on the size of the sample.

Sample Size	Time
One sentence	5 seconds†
One paragraph	1 minute
One page of text	1 hour

†A penalty for a small script sample probably applies.

Make a Society skill check at the end of the required time.

Success: You have translated the text.
Failure: You have picked out a few words here and there. The Director may give you a hint as to what the text says. However, if you rolled a one on either die, you gain no useful information at all.