Learning the Black Speech

[guver]

Hi guys,

Any rules or ideas on how would a character learn the Black Speech?

[Otaku-sempai]

Well, I would make it an end-of-year Fellowship Phase Undertaking, but the question is: who would be both able and willing to teach it to you? Saruman perhaps. Gandalf knows it, I'm not sure who else. What is your reason for wanting to learn the Black Speech?

[Rich H]

... And (potentially) a Permanent* Shadow point for learning it; perhaps a Wisdom test avoids such a gain.

* If that feels to egregious then go with temporary.

[cuthalion]

Plus, maybe requires being an elf, perhaps even high elf tho? We know Maiar can speak it, and perhaps high elves, and we know it's incredibly discomforting to hear--otherwise only creatures of Sauron can tolerate it. I would think twice before letting, say, a hobbit read and understand it, let alone speak it.

Have no idea what your circumstances are tho. Sounds like a fun storyline!

[Valarian]

Shadow-lore would give some understanding of it.

[poosticks7]

I had a character in my game look in a book which contained black speech during a bout of madness while exploring Dol Guldur. It's been a great role-playing addition. After some more adventures she is now a totally different person on the second flaw of lure of secrets.

She doesn't understand black speech per say, but I have been having fun with giving her visions and dreams and a certain volcano is about to become active in the timeline. Dark times ahead.

Has really helped with the darkening tone of the campaign.

[Falenthal]

Wasn't there in Ruins of the North an adventure (the last one?) where the companions need to copy a Black Speech text or similar, and they need to do Corruption tests?

Maybe you can find some ideas there.

Btw, poosticks experience looks like a pretty good one. Lure of Secrets goes wonderful with the "What could go wrong if I just read a few words? They're only words after all, aren't they?" attitude.

[Glorelendil]

I don't know if I agree with the language itself causing Shadow points...that's straying a bit too much into Lovecraftian territory, imo...but I could see it possibly being being a side effect, because of the content. When learning the Black Speech one does not read the Lay of Beren and Luthien.

Deciding what that content is could be fun.

[Falenthal]

I don't know if I agree with the language itself causing Shadow points...that's straying a bit too much into Lovecraftian territory, imo...

Could be right.
But also remember when Gandalf speaks the "One Ring to rule them all..." verses in Rivendell, using the Black Speech, that the skies darken, the elves cover their ears, etc. And well, the content is not about mixing trolls and humans or some other disgusting issues.

'Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul.'
The change in the wizard's voice was astounding. Suddenly it became menacing, powerful, harsh as stone. A shadow seemed to pass over the high sun, and the porch for a moment grew dark. All trembled, and the Elves stopped their ears.

[Mando]

The side effects might have a lot to do with who is reading those verses and by whom they have been written. An orc reading the cooking recipe for elf sausages might not have such a grandiose effect on his surroundings (apart from the elf-food).