Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Daddy Man 03-01-04, 11:39 AM	We had an underwater adventure last night, and being the Human wizard I am, I cast Water Breathing on myself and the party. A situation later occured, where the DM ruled that I could not speak underwater , and therefore could not cast spells with verbal requirements (I do not have the Silent Spell feat either). I was perplexed, since I thought the Water Breathing would allow me to speak, however I do not know of a specific ruling that would support this. So my questions are: 1) Was my DM correct even though I cast Water Breathing on myself? 2) If he was correct, what ways are there to cast spells underwater with verbal components? Would Tongues help? I appreciate thoughts but more important specific rulings if available. We normally play 3.0 but have used 3.5 when rules are not answered in 3.0 Thanks, Daddy Man
Seeker95 03-01-04, 11:57 AM	With or without water breathing, there is nothing to rule out being able to cast spells under water. Doing so may decrease how long you can stay under water, but if you can make the sound, you can cast the spell. Water breathing just elts you continue to remain under water even after casting a spell! Whether 3.0 or 3.5, your DM was incorrect as far as the rules go. However, as the DM, he can do what he wants in his game.
Daddy Man 03-01-04, 03:00 PM	Actually on p. 174 of the PHB (version 3.5) it states for a verbal component, "have to be able to speak in a strong voice." So it does seem to imply that you have to say the words and not just make sounds
Tonus 03-01-04, 03:26 PM	If the spell actually results in water breathing, you ought to be able to cast a spell. Your intonation would be different, but you would still be capable of intelligible speech. Without the spell, if you just had some method of holding your breath or not needing oxygen, you would have difficulty as the air bubbles leaving your mouth would interfere with spellcasting -- try speaking clearly in a swimming pool. Of course, your DM is within his rights to define the spell as he wants -- just as long as he does so consistantly. On the other hand, without a Freedom of Movement or similar effect you might have difficulty with the somatic part of the spell... I'd probably rule a concentration check would be in order.
Seeker95 03-01-04, 04:47 PM	Ever talk underwater? It is just as strong as out of water, albeit not nearly as understandable.
bufo 03-01-04, 04:59 PM	I play 3.0 and found an answer for casting spells underwater in a d20 book that dealt with seafaring campaigns. This was a while ago so my memory may be hazy. I think it said that while under the effect of a water breathing spell or similar effect there were no penalties for using spells with verbal components. If you do not have a water breathing spell then there was a spellcraft check of DC 15+spell level. I don't remember any rules on somatic components. As far as material components were concerned, if the material component is not damaged by water then there wasn't a negative effect. If you cast a spell without retrieving the component from a spell pouch, so the component wouldn't get wet, then the caster had to make a spellcraft check of DC15+spell level. I would recommend looking at the actual book since I am not 100% positive about the DCs (where they 15 or 10?).
Kasmiur 03-01-04, 10:47 PM	In my group we ruled that you cannot cast spells underwater with waterbreathing. The spell only allows you to breath water but your vocal cords work off of air. We had a caster who used a portable hole to cast spells underwater. It worked a few times but he stopped because it got evauntally got his equipment wet and he could not target well with his head inside a portable hole.
Milo_Deepballad 03-02-04, 12:23 AM	As a PC in my current game, I bought everyone a pearl of the sirines.. but I don't quite remember if it ever refers to spellcasting in the magic item's description.. because we really dont have a spellcaster at the moment