Command Word Activation and Vocalization [Archive] - Wizards Community

Command Word Activation and Vocalization [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ItaraKoturo
07-26-06, 06:52 AM My particular question centers on whether or not it is possible for my pseudodragon familiar to activate magical items. The Magic Items chapter of the DMG states that unless otherwise stated, it can be assumed that magical items are activated with a command word. Pseudodragons have two forms of communication: vocalizing animal noises (purring, hissing and so on) and telepathy. Is it possible to activate magical items requiring command words (in other words, most magical items out there) with one, neither, or both forms of communication? If no rules-as-written ruling is available, I'd still appreciate personal opinions on whether or not this should be allowed.
Dheran
07-26-06, 07:54 AM I'd say you can't, based on the restrictions for a Druid's Wild Shape ability:A druid loses her ability to speak while in animal form because she is limited to the sounds that a normal, untrained animal can make, but she can communicate normally with other animals of the same general grouping as her new form. (The normal sound a wild parrot makes is a squawk, so changing to this form does not permit speech.) If you can't speak words, you can't activate magic items with a command word.
Thiez
07-26-06, 08:20 AM Never thought of that.

Time to invent Command Thought Activation :)
OM_The_Tortoise
07-26-06, 08:25 AM Actually, there are some items that are activated with a thought. You could rule that an item usually activated by a command word could just cost more and be thought activated.
Millennium
07-26-06, 02:03 PM Never thought of that.

Time to invent Command Thought Activation :)
If I recall correctly, many psionic items have exactly this. You might want to check out that part of the SRD if you don't have the XPH handy; it should be fairly straightforward to port it over to magic.
ItaraKoturo
07-26-06, 05:55 PM Please note that this isn't an issue for me should I be creating items myself. If I were crafting an item for use by the familiar I would put a button on it or something that the familiar could use without question. I am only wondering about command activation items that already exist, and whether it is or is not posible to activate them with either telepathic communication or animal speech.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ItaraKoturo 07-26-06, 06:52 AM	My particular question centers on whether or not it is possible for my pseudodragon familiar to activate magical items. The Magic Items chapter of the DMG states that unless otherwise stated, it can be assumed that magical items are activated with a command word. Pseudodragons have two forms of communication: vocalizing animal noises (purring, hissing and so on) and telepathy. Is it possible to activate magical items requiring command words (in other words, most magical items out there) with one, neither, or both forms of communication? If no rules-as-written ruling is available, I'd still appreciate personal opinions on whether or not this should be allowed.
Dheran 07-26-06, 07:54 AM	I'd say you can't, based on the restrictions for a Druid's Wild Shape ability:A druid loses her ability to speak while in animal form because she is limited to the sounds that a normal, untrained animal can make, but she can communicate normally with other animals of the same general grouping as her new form. (The normal sound a wild parrot makes is a squawk, so changing to this form does not permit speech.) If you can't speak words, you can't activate magic items with a command word.
Thiez 07-26-06, 08:20 AM	Never thought of that. Time to invent Command Thought Activation :)
OM_The_Tortoise 07-26-06, 08:25 AM	Actually, there are some items that are activated with a thought. You could rule that an item usually activated by a command word could just cost more and be thought activated.
Millennium 07-26-06, 02:03 PM	Never thought of that. Time to invent Command Thought Activation :) If I recall correctly, many psionic items have exactly this. You might want to check out that part of the SRD if you don't have the XPH handy; it should be fairly straightforward to port it over to magic.
ItaraKoturo 07-26-06, 05:55 PM	Please note that this isn't an issue for me should I be creating items myself. If I were crafting an item for use by the familiar I would put a button on it or something that the familiar could use without question. I am only wondering about command activation items that already exist, and whether it is or is not posible to activate them with either telepathic communication or animal speech.