Casting Spells: language options? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Casting Spells: language options? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
dareza
04-18-07, 02:45 AM A few questions about this...

First off, is there an exact language devoted just to magical casting, which is used for the casting of any arcane spell?

Assuming there is not, can I cast a (verbal) spell using any language which I know?

If someone is not native to that language, or doesnt have any other means to decipher it at that moment, can they identify the spell that is being cast (with spell craft checks, or in any other means)?

ty for the help. if you happen to know where any of this info is within the PHB, or DMG, then a page number would also be very very useful. ty very much.

-dareza
penchant
04-18-07, 03:00 AM Magic has its own lanquage, so spell casters who don't speak any language you know can still use spell craft on your casting. There is no page number since it does not specifically state that. You read it from the Spellcraft skill point of view. It does not mention lanquage limitations to use the skill (and many spell entries like detect thoughts do mention lanquage dependancies where they apply). If you are a bard, however you can get a feat to disquise your casting in a performance. But otherwise... no.
Arkan_Shadesfire
04-18-07, 04:31 AM Technically, there's nothing in the books that says the spellcaster is actually using words...

...going by RAW, I'd say somatic components are gibberish.
Lanoitakude
04-18-07, 11:59 AM I agree with Arkan. When casting spells, you do not speak specific words; the caster simply makes specific verbal sounds, sort of like a chant, to invoke the magic, not communicate. Comphrehend Languages, for example, does not allow someone to understand the sounds in verbal spells, therefore ispells doe not use a language.

I always think of it like Baldur's Gate (the first one for the PC). The little characters said some really wierd, chanty gibberish while waving their arms in a pattern with magical energy gathering around their hands.
Kouk
04-18-07, 03:14 PM Says somewhere in the PHB that wizards didn't create magic, they "discovered" it. Probably in with spellbooks somewhere.
mugguod
04-18-07, 03:48 PM It's never come up as a rule question in the way the OP suggests, but in our games we have have assumed (for flavor only) that scrolls are typically, but not always, written in Draconic.
Seeker95
04-18-07, 04:47 PM is there an exact language devoted just to magical castingNope. At least none "named".
Assuming there is not, can I cast a (verbal) spell using any language which I know?Flavor answer? Sure. Except sign language. :P
If someone is not native to that language, can they identify the spell that is being cast (with spell craft checks, or in any other means)?Yes. The mechanics for identifying a spell using spellcraft are unchanged, regardless of how you implement the first two questions and their respective answers.
TheFallenWriter
07-10-07, 02:34 PM Randomly searching the boards for spells that are interesting and saw this. If you are interested in mechanics or in fluff, I'd suggest either Paths of Magic by Troll Lord Games, which deal with apprenticeship, or 2nd edition sourcebook called College of Wizardry, which gives an interesting interpretation of where magic came form and what the words are.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
dareza 04-18-07, 02:45 AM	A few questions about this... First off, is there an exact language devoted just to magical casting, which is used for the casting of any arcane spell? Assuming there is not, can I cast a (verbal) spell using any language which I know? If someone is not native to that language, or doesnt have any other means to decipher it at that moment, can they identify the spell that is being cast (with spell craft checks, or in any other means)? ty for the help. if you happen to know where any of this info is within the PHB, or DMG, then a page number would also be very very useful. ty very much. -dareza
penchant 04-18-07, 03:00 AM	Magic has its own lanquage, so spell casters who don't speak any language you know can still use spell craft on your casting. There is no page number since it does not specifically state that. You read it from the Spellcraft skill point of view. It does not mention lanquage limitations to use the skill (and many spell entries like detect thoughts do mention lanquage dependancies where they apply). If you are a bard, however you can get a feat to disquise your casting in a performance. But otherwise... no.
Arkan_Shadesfire 04-18-07, 04:31 AM	Technically, there's nothing in the books that says the spellcaster is actually using words... ...going by RAW, I'd say somatic components are gibberish.
Lanoitakude 04-18-07, 11:59 AM	I agree with Arkan. When casting spells, you do not speak specific words; the caster simply makes specific verbal sounds, sort of like a chant, to invoke the magic, not communicate. Comphrehend Languages, for example, does not allow someone to understand the sounds in verbal spells, therefore ispells doe not use a language. I always think of it like Baldur's Gate (the first one for the PC). The little characters said some really wierd, chanty gibberish while waving their arms in a pattern with magical energy gathering around their hands.
Kouk 04-18-07, 03:14 PM	Says somewhere in the PHB that wizards didn't create magic, they "discovered" it. Probably in with spellbooks somewhere.
mugguod 04-18-07, 03:48 PM	It's never come up as a rule question in the way the OP suggests, but in our games we have have assumed (for flavor only) that scrolls are typically, but not always, written in Draconic.
Seeker95 04-18-07, 04:47 PM	is there an exact language devoted just to magical castingNope. At least none "named". Assuming there is not, can I cast a (verbal) spell using any language which I know?Flavor answer? Sure. Except sign language. :P If someone is not native to that language, can they identify the spell that is being cast (with spell craft checks, or in any other means)?Yes. The mechanics for identifying a spell using spellcraft are unchanged, regardless of how you implement the first two questions and their respective answers.
TheFallenWriter 07-10-07, 02:34 PM	Randomly searching the boards for spells that are interesting and saw this. If you are interested in mechanics or in fluff, I'd suggest either Paths of Magic by Troll Lord Games, which deal with apprenticeship, or 2nd edition sourcebook called College of Wizardry, which gives an interesting interpretation of where magic came form and what the words are.