Low cost ways to communicate while in wildshape?

[randomhero00]

As a druid? Anyone know of any? All my ideas either require losing levels in druid or are too high level. Need something that would work for low-mid levels.

Can't dragons get some kind of telepathy? I forget if they actually speak through their mouth. I could go dragonwrought kobold and theoretically take that feat (if it exists?)

[Kaun]

3.5 i guess? Because 4e you can just chatter away.

but then 4e druids wildshape is dumb.

[Kantolin]

A method, from the Magic of Incanrum, which is unlikely to be the best option:
- Be at least level 6
- Feat: Open Least Chakra [Crown]
- Feat: Shape Soulmeld (Shedu Crown)

Now, if you then take share soulmeld, your animal companion can also chat with anyone. ^_^ Granted, this probably isn't the most wise uses of your feats.

[Nohwl]

only talk out of character.

http://darthsanddroids.net/episodes/0052.html

[TheLogman]

Just give one of your party members the ability to cast Speak with Animals.

You could use a wand, or a potion, or a ring that grants it permanently, an amulet?

Alternatively, just get telepathy with a spell from your local wizard or a magic item.

Don't feel constrained to working with class features. Although using spells and magic items doesn't have the 100% all the time value of class features, it's so much easier to work with items and spells, especially since they won't be taken away very often.

Look into Wilding Clasps. Perhaps get one that grants telepathy all the time?

[Iku Rex]

Pearl of speech (600 gp, MIC). Lets you speak one language. Should work in wild shape.

[Jack_Simth]

For a Core method? A Medalion of Thought Projection is pretty cheap - and if you know what it is, it doesn't really hinder you. With the whole "wildshape makes items meld" bit, you'll want to have someone else put it on you after you shift, but it should do the job.

[Lysander]

Become a gorilla. Use pen and paper.

There's also the very low cost Medallion of Thought Projection. Just slip it on right after you use wild shape, and use its cursed Detect Thoughts to project your thoughts in a 60ft cone.

edit: arg! ninja'd!

Speak With Animals actually wouldn't work. You don't gain the animal type when using wild shape.

[randomhero00]

Some options, I suppose.

Medallion of Thought Projection I could see the DM arguing the medallion not fitting most form's necks. It would also be bad for stealth forms for scouting.

Pearl of Speech Correct me if I'm wrong, but granting a language wouldn't matter. My druid already knows several. Its speaking them as an animal that's the problem.

An item that grants telepathy (+ clasp) would be pretty expensive, no? I'm looking for low cost solutions.

Kantolin interesting solution but ya, too many feats.

Oh well, guess I'll stick to grunts and body language. It was mostly for fluff.

[Doomboy911]

Write in the ground. That's super cheap.If you do go aerial you should tell them your plan first before doing it.

[Soranar]

transform into a dragon, they can speak

[Tricksy Hobbits]

The druid would still understand the party's spoken language, just be unable to speak it, so what about getting a pearl of speech for another party member, and have him speak in english, you speak in bear/wolve/whatever. Bilingual Dialogue ftw.

[erikun]

If you want to use in-game logic, have everyone take Drow Sign Languange as a language, then Wildshape into something with fingers. There's nothing stopping a gorilla from using its fingers to "speak" in Drow Sign.

[Foryn Gilnith]

Medallion of Thought Projection I could see the DM arguing the medallion not fitting most form's necks. It would also be bad for stealth forms for scouting.

As a default rule, treat creatures of any shape as having all the
normal body slots available.

And since the only way that one can deviate from that rule and lose a throat slot is having no head...

Pearl of Speech Correct me if I'm wrong, but granting a language wouldn't matter. My druid already knows several. Its speaking them as an animal that's the problem.

While absorbed, the pearl grants you the ability to speak and understand a specific language, such as Dwarven or Draconic.

It's ambiguous, but better than disregarding it due to a chance of failure.

[Doomboy911]

Why is the dirt idea not being taken into consideration they have the ability to write and I don't think it specifies that you need paper and pen.

[Tackyhillbillu]

Why is the dirt idea not being taken into consideration they have the ability to write and I don't think it specifies that you need paper and pen.

Because the only no one reads anything in D&D.

After all, it could say "I prepared Exploding Runes Today."

[randomhero00]

Doomboy- It's an idea I already know is all. I wanted to be able to speak or use telepathy for fluff reasons. Scrawling with my paw in the dirt is just undignified.

[Dr.Epic]

Can't dragons get some kind of telepathy? I forget if they actually speak through their mouth. I could go dragonwrought kobold and theoretically take that feat (if it exists?)

My knowledge of arcane spells in D&D isn't great, but don't wizards/sorcerers get a spell that lets them read minds or communicate telepathically? Just have the wizard do your talking.

[Eldariel]

Permanencied Telepathic Bond between characters tends to be just fine; it'll cost some XP but that's all. Available level 9. Other than that, naturally telepathic races or one-level MoMF dip are both options (though MoMF dip is of course mechanically weak).

[Mongoose87]

Only Wild Shape into Awakened animals.

[Sstoopidtallkid]

Ghostwise halfling, from one of the FR books. Racial telepathy. Or dip in Mindbender.

[Voice of Reason]

There is a lesser version of Telepathic Bond that is only a 3rd or 4th level spell. If the former, you could simply get it in a Schema or Eternal Wand and just have 1-2 party members be your mouthpiece.

As a general rule, it also helps if you can simply figure out a code for your group. For example, whenever I decided to wild shape (into a wolf, usually), it was well understood that one bark meant "yes" and two meant "no." You'd be surprised how much this and body language can convey.

[Splendor]

PEARL OF SPEECH: 600 gp Magical Item Compendium Pg 118
Pearl of speech takes up the face slot magical item. Its absorbed into the body when activated. The pearl grants you the ability to speak and understand a specific language. So choose common for the language the pearl allows you to speak.

Want something more powerful?
Have a psion create a third eye, but give it the powers of tongues (psionic)
2nd level spell * 3rd level manifester * 2000gp = 12000 gp.

[PhoenixRivers]

Bark/Growl/Etc.

Seriously. Develop a system based on numbers and actions.

Growls = danger
Barks/yips/etc = alert, look here, answer

1 time = yes
2 times = no
3 times = rephrase

It's not precise, but it lets you handle the basics.

[BenTheJester]

Can't whisper gnomes talk while shape shifted?

[Draz74]

You need a Psion in your party ... Mindlink FTW, starting at Level 1 ...

[Heliomance]

Start dumping skill points into Perform (Interpretive Dance)

[Doomboy911]

Wouldn't casting tongues cover everything bards can do it at a fairly low level.

[TheWerdna]

If you use the Eberron Campaign setting, Kalashtars have the ability to creat a Mindlink once per day.

[Ravens_cry]

Have you and a fellow party member learn and/or invent Morse, and thump the ground.
Or turn into a panda and carry a bunch of signs.