Characters should automatically learn their native tongue during character creation. I paired them up on a list here:
Aside from the obvious pairings, Ancient Stygian could be known by Stygians just so they aren’t left out, both Darfari and Kushite would learn the Black Kingdoms, and Hyborians would learn both Hyperborian and Nemedian since those are both Hyborian kingdoms and nationality is not determined during character creation.
However, the standard language known in the Exiled Lands might be somewhat important here.
I think it might be Stygian because although there is a dictionary for Ancient Stygian, there isn’t any for not-so-ancient Stygian and the Exiled Lands has many links to Stygia, while @Jimbo thinks it might be Hyborian because the text on scrolls is not Stygian symbols and Hyborian is the common language of the Hyborian Age.
If the common language is Hyborian, then why isn’t Stygian available? In that case, I’d suggest renaming Ancient Stygian to Stygian.
If the common language is Stygian, then why isn’t Hyborian available? Hyperboria and Nemedia are merely two of many Hyborian kingdoms. In that case, I’d suggest renaming either Hyperborian or Nemedian to Hyborian and the other to… I don’t know, something not-Hyborian.
I like the idea.
Aside from the written language, I wonder why the NPCs in Conan Exiles all speak English.
It would be more immersive to have them speak in their native language with English subtitles. Same for our own characters, depending on which tribe you chose.
I don’t know, seeing subtitles for battle cries might not be that immersive. I think I probably prefer to hear the Cimmerian whose head I am bashing in invoke Crom’s poxy balls in plain English.
Aside from during character creation, do player characters ever actually speak words? I don’t recall ever hearing any words spoken by myself during gameplay.
It would be even more immersive without English subtitles. Especially for languages we don’t know.
And you couldn’t learn religions from religion teachers without knowledge of the language. Emotes, yes, you can learn by imitation, but trying to teach the philosophies of Mitra without a common language should be impossible.
But immersion often comes at the cost of accessibility. Needing to find multiple dictionaries just to interact with the small handful of interactable NPCs would be bothersome.
Besides, the bracelets act as simultaneous interpreting machines - that’s what they were originally for. Maybe that’s why, even though the NPCs actually talk in their native languages, we hear them as if they were speaking English.
