Speech Impediment Spells

[Bulix]

Hi,

Umm, just wondering... If you have a mute Drow as a character that can speak Dark Elf Silent or Drow Sign Language or whatever you want to call it...
Does it count as a Vocal or Verbal component? (In your opinion)

Thanks :smallsmile:

[Psyren]

Not by RAW:


To cast a spell, you must be able to speak (if the spell has a verbal component)...


Verbal (V)

A verbal component is a spoken incantation. To provide a verbal component, you must be able to speak in a strong voice.

Sign language of any kind does not satisfy this requirement.

[Glarnog]

No. From SRD "To cast a spell, you must be able to speak (if the spell has a verbal component), gesture (if it has a somatic component), and manipulate the material components or focus (if any). Additionally, you must concentrate to cast a spell."

Pick up the Silent Spell feat.

[BowStreetRunner]

If you are entirely mute and unable to make any sounds whatsoever, Silent Spell may be your only option. However, it has the effect of causing your spells to take up a slot one level higher than the spell's actual level.

On the other hand, if your character is still able to make sounds - even if he can just grunt or whatever, the Nonverbal Spell feat from the Planar Handbook (p.40) does not affect the level of the spell.

Note that are a few ways to get around the increase in spell level with Silent Spell. However, most of them are pretty hard to come by. Sudden Silent is probably the easiest to pull off.

[ShurikVch]

What's about 'alternative' magical abilities?
SLA and SU abilities doesn't need speech to use.
So: Binder, Dragonfire adept, Factotum, Shadowcaster, Warlock...

Also, Erudite "spell-to-power"...

[Psyren]

Actually, StP Erudite wouldn't work the way you intend; spells that you manifest as powers still have their verbal and somatic components.

Regular psionics, and the rest of the options you listed, would work fine though.