Comprehend Languages [Archive] - Wizards Community

Comprehend Languages [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Dragonrunner
03-23-07, 11:16 PM This one is short.

The spell Comprehend Languages description has a phrase open to interpretation:
"In either case, you must touch the creature or the writing".

Does that mean "...you must briefly touch the creature or the writing" or does it mean "...you must be (continuously) touching the creature or the writing"?

What say the sages of these forums?
Best regards
Lou
cog_n_taz
03-23-07, 11:33 PM just poking it should do, you don't need to hug the goblin to talk to it:P.
Seeker95
03-24-07, 06:57 AM I'll agree with cog. The initial touch is more for the purpose of selecting the target language, like clicking the drop down box in an online translator to pick "language to language" translation.
Dragonrunner
03-24-07, 09:50 PM Thx for the feedback.

My doubt here lies in the fact that while I agree with you that a mere touch would suffice to select the active language for the spell, it's still a very low level spell and I feel that some active work on the part of the spellcaster should be needed (and would bring a nice feel to the role-play).

Most of my group had the same feeling and so I came here for second and third opinions on the matter. It's really a very simple thing but the possibilities it opens for role-play are at least interesting. In the Xen'drik Expeditions campaign we're running we already have a recurrent case where the applicability of each of the possibilities certainly brings quite funny results to the situation.

Anyway. Thx again.
Kouk
03-25-07, 02:11 AM just poking it should do, you don't need to hug the goblin to talk to it:P.

You don't HAVE to hug it sure, but they are so darn cuddly!
Pandaemoni
03-25-07, 02:39 AM You don't HAVE to hug it sure, but they are so darn cuddly!

You don't even *need* the spell in that case. Cuddling is a language all its own.
Fabius Maximus
03-25-07, 08:30 AM You don't even *need* the spell in that case. Cuddling is a language all its own.
They goblin may still don't understand. Remember, cuddling isn't an accepted practice in goblin culture. So you may end up with a knife in your back because the goblin thought you wanted to crush him to death.

It all comes down to a classical cultural misunderstanding. ;)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Dragonrunner 03-23-07, 11:16 PM	This one is short. The spell Comprehend Languages description has a phrase open to interpretation: "In either case, you must touch the creature or the writing". Does that mean "...you must briefly touch the creature or the writing" or does it mean "...you must be (continuously) touching the creature or the writing"? What say the sages of these forums? Best regards Lou
cog_n_taz 03-23-07, 11:33 PM	just poking it should do, you don't need to hug the goblin to talk to it:P.
Seeker95 03-24-07, 06:57 AM	I'll agree with cog. The initial touch is more for the purpose of selecting the target language, like clicking the drop down box in an online translator to pick "language to language" translation.
Dragonrunner 03-24-07, 09:50 PM	Thx for the feedback. My doubt here lies in the fact that while I agree with you that a mere touch would suffice to select the active language for the spell, it's still a very low level spell and I feel that some active work on the part of the spellcaster should be needed (and would bring a nice feel to the role-play). Most of my group had the same feeling and so I came here for second and third opinions on the matter. It's really a very simple thing but the possibilities it opens for role-play are at least interesting. In the Xen'drik Expeditions campaign we're running we already have a recurrent case where the applicability of each of the possibilities certainly brings quite funny results to the situation. Anyway. Thx again.
Kouk 03-25-07, 02:11 AM	just poking it should do, you don't need to hug the goblin to talk to it:P. You don't HAVE to hug it sure, but they are so darn cuddly!
Pandaemoni 03-25-07, 02:39 AM	You don't HAVE to hug it sure, but they are so darn cuddly! You don't even need the spell in that case. Cuddling is a language all its own.
Fabius Maximus 03-25-07, 08:30 AM	You don't even need the spell in that case. Cuddling is a language all its own. They goblin may still don't understand. Remember, cuddling isn't an accepted practice in goblin culture. So you may end up with a knife in your back because the goblin thought you wanted to crush him to death. It all comes down to a classical cultural misunderstanding. ;)