Awaken & Druidic... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Awaken & Druidic... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
LeeAlucard
02-26-08, 04:51 PM It says under the details of the Awaken spell that the creature/plant Awakened knows one language that you know. If a Druid decided to Awaken an animal, and decided that it knows Druidic, would that count as the Druid "teaching" the animal, and thus losing his powers?
Sildatorak
02-26-08, 10:43 PM That is totally a DM call, and it is probably one that the druid would know the answer to. If it is allowed, she has probably heard examples of it; if it is disallowed, she has probably heard cautionary tales.

I think that it is a cool idea, but I can also see druids in-game being unwilling to let someone unbound by their oaths know their secret language. I would probably rule that it is disallowed in my game, but wouldn't fault anyone for thinking that druidic speaking animals are cool enough to allow.

If you decide to disallow it, I would consider sylvan as an appropriate language to convey a similar feeling.
Eldritch_Lord
02-26-08, 11:03 PM I don't think he's lose his powers; it just knows a language you know, without any teaching required on your part. I'd say it could learn it because (A) it wasn't taught it, and (B) at the very least it would be a good plot hook.
Legdiwena
02-27-08, 04:52 PM Do the rules say who chooses what language it gets? The awakened animal/plant is a NPC, right? Wouldn't that make it DM Choice?
Eldritch_Lord
02-27-08, 08:06 PM Do the rules say who chooses what language it gets? The awakened animal/plant is a NPC, right? Wouldn't that make it DM Choice?

It doesn't say, but usually a caster makes all the decisions; that makes it 1 point in favor of player choice and 1 in favor of DM choice, so...I don't know.
yourgm66
02-28-08, 12:58 AM I'd have to say that the druid would retain her powers, but if Druid Elders discovered that she had done it, she'd be in trouble. Awakening a plant/animal doesn't convey any control over them. If the the awakened plant/animal somehow became angry with the druids it could teach the language to others as a form of revenge.

Since the creature is an NPC once it's awakened, the DM should have control over what it's personality and desires are. If the right conditions present themselves, an awakened tree could get it in his head that loggers are totally evil and set out to destroy every last humanoid carrying a sharp edge.
LeeAlucard
03-01-08, 12:17 PM Thanks for your opinions. I'm still a little reluctant to decide one way or the other, however.

It's also brought another question to mind...

How does a first-level Druid know Druidic? Is it taught to the Druid initiate by another Druid, or is it somehow magically learned?
Legdiwena
03-01-08, 12:20 PM It is taught when you first take instruction from another druid. Or by deity if no mortal training.
Magrus
03-01-08, 01:32 PM I would allow it. It is a highly restrictive language, limiting what the plant/animal can understand and from whom. It fits the flavor as well. A natural creature becoming sentient through a druid spell learns the druid language. It could then communicate with druids, and druids alone, restricting its ability to communicate to those who would appreciate it "properly".

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
LeeAlucard 02-26-08, 04:51 PM	It says under the details of the Awaken spell that the creature/plant Awakened knows one language that you know. If a Druid decided to Awaken an animal, and decided that it knows Druidic, would that count as the Druid "teaching" the animal, and thus losing his powers?
Sildatorak 02-26-08, 10:43 PM	That is totally a DM call, and it is probably one that the druid would know the answer to. If it is allowed, she has probably heard examples of it; if it is disallowed, she has probably heard cautionary tales. I think that it is a cool idea, but I can also see druids in-game being unwilling to let someone unbound by their oaths know their secret language. I would probably rule that it is disallowed in my game, but wouldn't fault anyone for thinking that druidic speaking animals are cool enough to allow. If you decide to disallow it, I would consider sylvan as an appropriate language to convey a similar feeling.
Eldritch_Lord 02-26-08, 11:03 PM	I don't think he's lose his powers; it just knows a language you know, without any teaching required on your part. I'd say it could learn it because (A) it wasn't taught it, and (B) at the very least it would be a good plot hook.
Legdiwena 02-27-08, 04:52 PM	Do the rules say who chooses what language it gets? The awakened animal/plant is a NPC, right? Wouldn't that make it DM Choice?
Eldritch_Lord 02-27-08, 08:06 PM	Do the rules say who chooses what language it gets? The awakened animal/plant is a NPC, right? Wouldn't that make it DM Choice? It doesn't say, but usually a caster makes all the decisions; that makes it 1 point in favor of player choice and 1 in favor of DM choice, so...I don't know.
yourgm66 02-28-08, 12:58 AM	I'd have to say that the druid would retain her powers, but if Druid Elders discovered that she had done it, she'd be in trouble. Awakening a plant/animal doesn't convey any control over them. If the the awakened plant/animal somehow became angry with the druids it could teach the language to others as a form of revenge. Since the creature is an NPC once it's awakened, the DM should have control over what it's personality and desires are. If the right conditions present themselves, an awakened tree could get it in his head that loggers are totally evil and set out to destroy every last humanoid carrying a sharp edge.
LeeAlucard 03-01-08, 12:17 PM	Thanks for your opinions. I'm still a little reluctant to decide one way or the other, however. It's also brought another question to mind... How does a first-level Druid know Druidic? Is it taught to the Druid initiate by another Druid, or is it somehow magically learned?
Legdiwena 03-01-08, 12:20 PM	It is taught when you first take instruction from another druid. Or by deity if no mortal training.
Magrus 03-01-08, 01:32 PM	I would allow it. It is a highly restrictive language, limiting what the plant/animal can understand and from whom. It fits the flavor as well. A natural creature becoming sentient through a druid spell learns the druid language. It could then communicate with druids, and druids alone, restricting its ability to communicate to those who would appreciate it "properly".