[Source: 3rd Era Freeport Companion, with edits by Tim Emrick.]
All of the skills described in the Core Rulebook are available in the World of Freeport. In addition to their normal uses and functions, there are a few additions to help better reflect the themes of this setting. Furthermore, certain skills, Linguistics in particular, include additional “subskills” to inject a bit of flavor into campaigns and adventures taking place in the City of Adventure.
Linguistics
In addition to the common languages summarized in the Core Rulebook, Freeport is home to a smattering of other languages as described on Table 3–1: Freeport Languages.
Table 3–1: Freeport Languages
†Secret language
*See entries for special rules
Naval Code
An ancient alphabet code with roots in the great elven navies that flourished before the sinking of Valossa, naval code has since been modified to the Common alphabet and is ubiquitous throughout the human kingdoms.
The naval code substitutes long and short pulses of light for letters, using a signal lantern or heliograph for transmission. A signal lantern can reliably communicate up to 3 miles during the day and 10 miles at night or in overcast conditions. A heliograph disk can transmit messages over the horizon by projecting light against the bottom of clouds. Its use is limited by weather conditions, but reliable communication at 20 or more miles is not uncommon.
Semaphore
The semaphore flag code is an alphabet signaling system based on the waving of a pair of hand-held flags in a particular pattern. It can be used to communicate in any language based on the Common alphabet, though variants may exist for other alphabets. The range of this communication is limited to line of sight, but is relatively swift: a full sentence can be communicated with a full-round action.
Semaphore is in common use by merchant seamen, who frequently maintain a signal officer on longer voyages. The code is widely disparaged by pirates, whose idea of signaling with a flag is hoisting the skull and crossbones.
A pair of semaphore flags costs as much as a set of artisan's tools (5 gp, or 55 gp for masterwork flags).