a mute wizard [Archive] - Wizards Community

a mute wizard [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Insanit
05-27-06, 12:24 AM after gitting sick and trierd of the blind monk cliche i thought of this
besides silent spell what else would this chariter need to have?
i figure he became mute rather that being born it so he would have all the nessisary laguages (as in understand and read)
any advise for such a build would be helpful
Reversefigure4
05-27-06, 01:16 AM Multiple ranks in Perform: Mime or Perform: Charade, or even Speak Language: Sign Language.

Automatic failure to any checks or spells that require the target to understand your language.

A slight bonus to Move Silently checks.

To be honest, I'm not sure anyone would want to play a character who can't say anything. It really cripples any sort of RPing you might want to do.
kelvinaw273
05-27-06, 01:18 AM I have only three words that would allow this character to work from 1st level: Make him psionic.
Insanit
05-27-06, 02:05 AM rev4: i think it would be a huge challange and thats the fun in it

kelv: i dont like psionics but this might be the only case were i'd use them. on the other hand it would negate the penalties that the disability would create

the point is that it would be insanely difficult to do
SoldierOfFortune187
05-27-06, 02:20 AM Every now and again I'd think a DM might love to have a character(s) either mute or become mute... especially if all talk at the table is in character! ;)

Honestly though, we actually had the brother of one of our players sit in on a number of games who was fully deaf and functionally mute. With very little DM->player translation (just lip reading and body language) his presense did quite literally nothing to slow down speed of play for the other players.

With more than 90% of arcane spells functioning under verbal, somatic, and material component requirements, I would probably simply rule that characters with difficulties regarding any of the three simply couldn't succeed and advance in their studies to become a wizard in the first place.
Kraleck
05-27-06, 07:34 AM He stated that the character would become mute, so I recommend taking a second class (with decent combat capabilities preferably) on top of Silent Spell Metamagic.

If your DM (or you if, of course, you are the DM) is willing to swing it, prestige classes are a good idea.

I'm not too good at pure spellcasters, but I do know a thing or two about multiclassing spellcasters from these boards, personal experience, and a few ideas I kick around.

Of course, there is the option of non-verbal yet auditory languages. Take Thri-Kreen, for example, it's primarily clicks, whistles, and jaw snaps.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
DegenerateElite
05-27-06, 09:15 AM I actually was thinking about this a little while ago as a sort of flaw i could take in order to get the Silent Metamagic feat. In any case, the Mindbender class for a 1 level dip would be invaluable, caster progression and telepathy 100. Other than using Silent Metamagic all the time for all of your castings the less-silent method of casting i have found is the Non-Verbal Spell feat from the Planar Handbook. No change in level of the spell but you make grunting noises and such while you cast it.
My specific character, Skritch the Kobold Sorceror, was going humming this while casting : arcane casting (http://media.putfile.com/familyguymagictrick)
Ganny.Harper
05-27-06, 09:29 AM Take the leadership feat at sixth level and get a cohort wh will translate the sign language your using.
WolfHati
05-27-06, 07:28 PM Get him a raven familiar, that way all his speaking is doen by his pet. That would be pretty cool. Of course he'd always be a level behind in his spells if he had to silent spell all of them.
Toxic_Shaman
05-28-06, 11:59 AM Silent Spell is useful. Make heavy use of Illusion spells that have an audible component so that you can speak magically.

A Silenced Ghost Sound would work, but only for 1 round/level.

Minor Image has a duration of Concentration plus 2 rounds, so you could sustain it for a while.
Horseshoe_Hermit
05-28-06, 04:06 PM after gitting sick and trierd of the blind monk cliche i thought of this
besides silent spell what else would this chariter need to have?
i figure he became mute rather that being born it so he would have all the nessisary laguages (as in understand and read)
any advise for such a build would be helpful

He could cast Magic Mouth regularly to communicate recorded messages like Stephen Hawking... and he could use Silent Spell.

I don't know what you're asking. The book tells you what happens on the rules end about being Mute, but otherwise... wha?

I think that mage would have to ask for a Divine Favor or something, perhaps cast Wish to get his voice back. Otherwise, he's going to be at too much a disadvantage.

EDIT: Oh, and have him do this:

Rary's Telepathic Bond
Permanency.

This allows him to have a permanent telepathic connection with his allies.
Vacerious
05-28-06, 06:20 PM after gitting sick and trierd of the blind monk cliche i thought of this
besides silent spell what else would this chariter need to have?
i figure he became mute rather that being born it so he would have all the nessisary laguages (as in understand and read)
any advise for such a build would be helpful

If you're looking for a mute-mage build, might I recommend the Nonverbal Spell feat. Essentially, as long as you make sounds, you can cast spells with verbal components. It can be found in the Planar Handbook
InterSilva
05-28-06, 06:24 PM There's a feat somewhere, I think PHB II, that allows you to cast a single spell at one CL lower for metamagic feats. Take this for two or three staple spells. Also, look into the sudden quicken feat, and a Rod of Metamagic, Silent. That will give you four free slient spells each day, plus a couple standby spells (Fireball or Searing Ray). You can use the relearn rules in the PHBII (assuming your DM allows them) to exhcange the feats at higher level if you decide you want to have different spells silenced. Is this going to be a good character? No freaking way, he's a mute for goodness' sake. A character with such an extreme drawback should be sub-par. He'll be really cool though.
Azezel
05-28-06, 06:56 PM Craft an item wihc allows Ghost Sound at will - it won't allow you to cast V spells, but it will let you comunicate.

And incidentally, how did he become mute - can the Wizards and Clerics of your world not help?
Insanit
05-29-06, 05:15 PM InterSilva: you win because you uderstood the point of the build sub-par yet awsome

Azezel: i was thinking ether he got punched in the neck prety hard or some sort of magical accedent. mabey some sort of penatance

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Insanit 05-27-06, 12:24 AM	after gitting sick and trierd of the blind monk cliche i thought of this besides silent spell what else would this chariter need to have? i figure he became mute rather that being born it so he would have all the nessisary laguages (as in understand and read) any advise for such a build would be helpful
Reversefigure4 05-27-06, 01:16 AM	Multiple ranks in Perform: Mime or Perform: Charade, or even Speak Language: Sign Language. Automatic failure to any checks or spells that require the target to understand your language. A slight bonus to Move Silently checks. To be honest, I'm not sure anyone would want to play a character who can't say anything. It really cripples any sort of RPing you might want to do.
kelvinaw273 05-27-06, 01:18 AM	I have only three words that would allow this character to work from 1st level: Make him psionic.
Insanit 05-27-06, 02:05 AM	rev4: i think it would be a huge challange and thats the fun in it kelv: i dont like psionics but this might be the only case were i'd use them. on the other hand it would negate the penalties that the disability would create the point is that it would be insanely difficult to do
SoldierOfFortune187 05-27-06, 02:20 AM	Every now and again I'd think a DM might love to have a character(s) either mute or become mute... especially if all talk at the table is in character! ;) Honestly though, we actually had the brother of one of our players sit in on a number of games who was fully deaf and functionally mute. With very little DM->player translation (just lip reading and body language) his presense did quite literally nothing to slow down speed of play for the other players. With more than 90% of arcane spells functioning under verbal, somatic, and material component requirements, I would probably simply rule that characters with difficulties regarding any of the three simply couldn't succeed and advance in their studies to become a wizard in the first place.
Kraleck 05-27-06, 07:34 AM	He stated that the character would become mute, so I recommend taking a second class (with decent combat capabilities preferably) on top of Silent Spell Metamagic. If your DM (or you if, of course, you are the DM) is willing to swing it, prestige classes are a good idea. I'm not too good at pure spellcasters, but I do know a thing or two about multiclassing spellcasters from these boards, personal experience, and a few ideas I kick around. Of course, there is the option of non-verbal yet auditory languages. Take Thri-Kreen, for example, it's primarily clicks, whistles, and jaw snaps. Good luck with whatever you decide.
DegenerateElite 05-27-06, 09:15 AM	I actually was thinking about this a little while ago as a sort of flaw i could take in order to get the Silent Metamagic feat. In any case, the Mindbender class for a 1 level dip would be invaluable, caster progression and telepathy 100. Other than using Silent Metamagic all the time for all of your castings the less-silent method of casting i have found is the Non-Verbal Spell feat from the Planar Handbook. No change in level of the spell but you make grunting noises and such while you cast it. My specific character, Skritch the Kobold Sorceror, was going humming this while casting : arcane casting (http://media.putfile.com/familyguymagictrick)
Ganny.Harper 05-27-06, 09:29 AM	Take the leadership feat at sixth level and get a cohort wh will translate the sign language your using.
WolfHati 05-27-06, 07:28 PM	Get him a raven familiar, that way all his speaking is doen by his pet. That would be pretty cool. Of course he'd always be a level behind in his spells if he had to silent spell all of them.
Toxic_Shaman 05-28-06, 11:59 AM	Silent Spell is useful. Make heavy use of Illusion spells that have an audible component so that you can speak magically. A Silenced Ghost Sound would work, but only for 1 round/level. Minor Image has a duration of Concentration plus 2 rounds, so you could sustain it for a while.
Horseshoe_Hermit 05-28-06, 04:06 PM	after gitting sick and trierd of the blind monk cliche i thought of this besides silent spell what else would this chariter need to have? i figure he became mute rather that being born it so he would have all the nessisary laguages (as in understand and read) any advise for such a build would be helpful He could cast Magic Mouth regularly to communicate recorded messages like Stephen Hawking... and he could use Silent Spell. I don't know what you're asking. The book tells you what happens on the rules end about being Mute, but otherwise... wha? I think that mage would have to ask for a Divine Favor or something, perhaps cast Wish to get his voice back. Otherwise, he's going to be at too much a disadvantage. EDIT: Oh, and have him do this: Rary's Telepathic Bond Permanency. This allows him to have a permanent telepathic connection with his allies.
Vacerious 05-28-06, 06:20 PM	after gitting sick and trierd of the blind monk cliche i thought of this besides silent spell what else would this chariter need to have? i figure he became mute rather that being born it so he would have all the nessisary laguages (as in understand and read) any advise for such a build would be helpful If you're looking for a mute-mage build, might I recommend the Nonverbal Spell feat. Essentially, as long as you make sounds, you can cast spells with verbal components. It can be found in the Planar Handbook
InterSilva 05-28-06, 06:24 PM	There's a feat somewhere, I think PHB II, that allows you to cast a single spell at one CL lower for metamagic feats. Take this for two or three staple spells. Also, look into the sudden quicken feat, and a Rod of Metamagic, Silent. That will give you four free slient spells each day, plus a couple standby spells (Fireball or Searing Ray). You can use the relearn rules in the PHBII (assuming your DM allows them) to exhcange the feats at higher level if you decide you want to have different spells silenced. Is this going to be a good character? No freaking way, he's a mute for goodness' sake. A character with such an extreme drawback should be sub-par. He'll be really cool though.
Azezel 05-28-06, 06:56 PM	Craft an item wihc allows Ghost Sound at will - it won't allow you to cast V spells, but it will let you comunicate. And incidentally, how did he become mute - can the Wizards and Clerics of your world not help?
Insanit 05-29-06, 05:15 PM	InterSilva: you win because you uderstood the point of the build sub-par yet awsome Azezel: i was thinking ether he got punched in the neck prety hard or some sort of magical accedent. mabey some sort of penatance