Can a Sentinel of Bharrai cast spells while in bear shape? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Can a Sentinel of Bharrai cast spells while in bear shape? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
MindWyrm
11-10-06, 10:38 PM The text from BoED says a Sentinel retains the power of speech as a bear. Does this imply the ability to cast spells? To cast only those w/out a somatic components?

Just curious. I haven't seen anything on this on the boards or in the errata.
Jaxgaret
11-11-06, 01:53 AM If the new form is capable of speech, you can communicate normally. You retain any spellcasting ability you had in your original form, but the new form must be able to speak intelligibly (that is, speak a language) to use verbal components and must have limbs capable of fine manipulation to use somatic or material components.

"The Sentinel of Bharrai retains the ability to speak while in bear form and may communicate with other bears."

If you think that the entry in the BoED is stating that the Sentinel can speak normally, that is, intelligibly, then you should be able to cast while in Bear Shape.

Note that I consider the Sentinel of Bharrai class to be very high on the power scale, and is one of those classes where the RP restrictions of the Vow of Obedience are really what should be the limit on the class' power, but in many cases, won't be. If you ignore the RP restrictions, then it is a very, very powerful class.
Todd
11-13-06, 11:51 AM Technically they can cast spells with only a verbal component but not any that have a somatic or material one if you go by the rules that Bear form is like wild shape.

It's at odds with the flavor text and the picture though. I can't help but think that the intention was that they be able to freely cast in Bear form.

Before the Polymorph rule changes I would have suggested that Natural Spell be allowed to work for a Sentinel of Bharrai to enable spellcasting ... might still be a good idea if your group uses the original rules.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
MindWyrm 11-10-06, 10:38 PM	The text from BoED says a Sentinel retains the power of speech as a bear. Does this imply the ability to cast spells? To cast only those w/out a somatic components? Just curious. I haven't seen anything on this on the boards or in the errata.
Jaxgaret 11-11-06, 01:53 AM	If the new form is capable of speech, you can communicate normally. You retain any spellcasting ability you had in your original form, but the new form must be able to speak intelligibly (that is, speak a language) to use verbal components and must have limbs capable of fine manipulation to use somatic or material components. "The Sentinel of Bharrai retains the ability to speak while in bear form and may communicate with other bears." If you think that the entry in the BoED is stating that the Sentinel can speak normally, that is, intelligibly, then you should be able to cast while in Bear Shape. Note that I consider the Sentinel of Bharrai class to be very high on the power scale, and is one of those classes where the RP restrictions of the Vow of Obedience are really what should be the limit on the class' power, but in many cases, won't be. If you ignore the RP restrictions, then it is a very, very powerful class.
Todd 11-13-06, 11:51 AM	Technically they can cast spells with only a verbal component but not any that have a somatic or material one if you go by the rules that Bear form is like wild shape. It's at odds with the flavor text and the picture though. I can't help but think that the intention was that they be able to freely cast in Bear form. Before the Polymorph rule changes I would have suggested that Natural Spell be allowed to work for a Sentinel of Bharrai to enable spellcasting ... might still be a good idea if your group uses the original rules.