Rare (requires attunement)
A Ring of Languages has three charges which restore at dawn. An attuned wearer can cast comprehend languages for one charge or tongues for three charges.
In addition, a Ring of Languages can learn up to ten languages, conferring the ability (without expending any charges) to read, write, speak, and comprehend those languages fluently to the wearer who is attuned to the ring. Rings typically know 2d4+2 languages chosen by the DM or from the table below (rerolling for duplicated languages).
An attuned wearer can choose to let the ring learn a new language that the wearer already knows by expending three charges at the beginning of a long rest. The language will be learned over the course of the long rest, but if dawn occurs during the long rest, the charges will not restore until the following dawn. If the ring already knows ten languages, the wearer may choose for the ring to forget one of its languages so that it may learn the new one.
| d100 | Language | Typical Speakers | Script |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 – 15 | Common | Human | Common |
| 16 – 23 | Dwarvish | Dwarves | Dwarvish |
| 24 – 31 | Elvish | Elves | Elvish |
| 32 – 38 | Giant | Ogres, giants | Dwarvish |
| 39 – 45 | Gnomish | Gnomes | Dwarvish |
| 46 – 52 | Goblin | Goblinoids | Dwarvish |
| 53 – 60 | Halfling | Halflings | Common |
| 61 – 67 | Orc | Orcs | Dwarvish |
| 68 – 70 | Abyssal | Demons | Infernal |
| 71 – 73 | Celestial | Celestials | Celestial |
| 74 – 78 | Draconic | Dragons, dragonborn | Draconic |
| 79 – 81 | Deep Speech | Mind flayers, beholders | — |
| 82 – 84 | Infernal | Devils | Infernal |
| 85 | Primordial: Auran * | Elementals | Dwarvish |
| 86 | Primordial: Aquan * | Elementals | Dwarvish |
| 87 | Primordial: Ignan * | Elementals | Dwarvish |
| 88 | Primordial: Terran * | Elementals | Dwarvish |
| 89 – 93 | Sylvan | Fey creatures | Elvish |
| 94 | Druidic | Druids | — |
| 95 – 100 | Undercommon | Underworld traders | Elvish |
* Auran, Aquan, Ignan, and Terran are all elemental dialects of the Primordial language. Speakers of one of those dialects will have a distinctive accent as well as slang and idiomatic expressions unique to that dialect but can easily understand and be understood by those who know other Primordial dialects. The ring will generally know only one of the dialects; reroll if another Primordial dialect is rolled.
DM’s Note
Thieves’ Cant
Thieves’ Cant was not included in the above table because it is not considered to be a stand-alone language per se. Per the Basic Rules, it is “a secret mix of dialect, jargon, and code that allows you to hide messages in seemingly normal conversation” as well as “a set of secret signs and symbols used to convey short, simple messages…” Your DM may decide otherwise and allow it to be included.
Druidic
We have included Druidic, the secret language of druids, because it is described in the Basic Rules similar to other languages: “You know Druidic, the secret language of druids. You can speak the language and use it to leave hidden messages. You and others who know this language automatically spot such a message. Others spot the message’s presence with a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check but can’t decipher it without magic.” Your DM may choose to exclude it.
Primordial Dialects
You can consider the differences between the different Primordial dialects, such as Auran versus Ignan, similar to differences between American English and British English. In addition to different accents, certain words are used differently — cookies versus biscuit, sweater versus jumper, chips versus crisps, pharmacy versus chemist, disappointed versus gutted, sports versus sport. This can include full expressions as well, like bog standard for typical or ordinary, having a go for attempting to do something, or fill someone in for assaulting them (as opposed to bringing them up-to-date). A British person pretending to be American might betray themselves by their word choices and expressions even if they’ve mastered an American accent. Similarly, someone fluent in Aquan can communicate with someone who knows Terran, but there will be distinct and notable differences. (H/T: The Portable Wife)
The Ring as a Teacher
If the bearer of the ring has available, unused language slots, such as through the acquisition of the Linguist feat, and if the DM requires that the player seek out training to learn the language, the bearer of the ring may choose to have the ring teach the bearer one of its languages. To learn the language, the bearer must expend three charges of the ring at the beginning of a long rest and specify which of the ring’s known languages they want to learn. By the end of the rest, the bearer will be fully fluent in the studied language. If dawn occurs during that long rest, the ring does not recharge until the following dawn.