Command words seem to be one of the more ambiguous topics in the rules and I am looking to get a perspective on what other people like to use and how they rule command words.
When a character creates an item they can set the command word to anything they like. But what about found/purchased items? How do you like to come up with command words for Items? Do you have a favorite (real-world) language that you like to mine? Do you just like to use common words or phrases? Do you use some sort of online generator for fantasy words? Do you just hand wave it, assuming the character knows the command once taught?
What about verbal components for spells? It would be needlessly tedious to come up with words for each spell, but sometimes you might want some arcane words for dramatic effect rather than saying "the BBEG recites some words, make a spellcraft/arcana check, you do/don't recognize them." Does anyone ever do this?
I've never actually set the words themselves. I just meta-sum it up by saying I know and if someone asks what it is then I "tell" them.
The arcane casting language is different for every caster so that would be a hefty exercise.
For command words, I assume that the spellcraft check required to identify an item reveals the command word as well, and yes I assume they remember it once taught. The rules dont really give anything hard for this and it seems like a needless complication.
For verbal components, I use other languages. I speak greek, and know a fair amount of ancient greek, and some latin. Works great for verbal components. I tend to use greek for arcane spells, and latin for divine spells. Just seems to work for me. I say a phrase that fits the spell being cast. 'Let the earth fall beneath him' [Create Pit], or just 'BURN!' [burning hands or fireball].
I actually once created an actual spell book, with specific hand signs and verbal components written in greek for each spell. Was quite fun if a bit tedious.
Arcane casters, in general, in my worlds us Draconic for verbal components. This is usually because I've inserted lore to recognize dragons as the source for most of the arcane magic in the world. That doesn't change the check required to know what spell is being cast.
Divine spells are usually in native tongues; a dwarf cleric will speak in Dwarven as he casts a spell, for example. Again, no change to the check required to know the spell.
I have toyed with the idea of giving maybe a +1 or +2 to the Spellcraft if they know the language it's being cast in but never implemented it.
As for command words, I usually gloss over that, same as Buri. I think it could add flavor and fun - if you've read the Eragon books, then you get all excited when you see him say brisingr, because you know someone's about to get messed up - but truth to be told, I feel like this would just fall to the wayside, as most mechanics that can have a lot of flavor built in do if they're used often.
I played in a game that had a 3.5e dragon shaman/barbarian goliath who basically was the older brother to our party's cleric, a female aasimar. The cleric started the campaign very quiet and "nice": she didn't even carry a weapon, only a shield. But any time any baddie was able to hit her, which was a feat in itself since we had a group of like 8 people, the goliath's player would describe the scene from his character's perception (stuff like "As I pull back my greataxe out of the chest cavity of the orc in front of me, blood splattering my already fouled bare arms, I hear the cry of pain from Jule. Spinning around towards the sound, I see the pair of orcs bearing down on her, and my face immediately becomes crimson with fury.") and end with a "I rage." This was got shorter and shorter until finally his response was only ever "I rage." And even that would disappear at times. We only ever played these characters until 4th level, to give you an idea of how long it lasted.
I feel like the command words would be the same. The best use would probably be for particularly dramatic events, but even that could get old.
But hey, not everyone is the same, some people might really get a kick out of it! Give it a shot, see how it goes. I'm just letting you know how a similar situation was for me.
I actually once created an actual spell book, with specific hand signs and verbal components written in greek for each spell. Was quite fun if a bit tedious.
Do you still have it?! I'd love to see something like that, it would make for some great flavor for GMing purposes.
I've never actually set the words themselves. I just meta-sum it up by saying I know and if someone asks what it is then I "tell" them.
I had a feeling most people used command words in this way.
I tend to use greek for arcane spells, and latin for divine spells.
I really like that, the latin seems very appropriate to divine spells, though that is due to western culture. I like the Ancient Greek too since it would have that same antiquated feel, but still distinct from latin. (though i don't know how distinct as I am no linguist)
I know a fair amount of French, might start using that for command words. Maybe objects that have come from different regions use different languages for commands.
Our fighter has a command word of "uppity" to cause him to kill any opposition nearby. Our cap'n makes good use of that command word.
I know someone whose DM a few years ago insisted that casters make up and use verbal spell components for their spells. Most of the people in the game -- the DM included -- used short phrases in English.
However, words this player stole from a rather obscure language are still in use years later in groups that never played with the original DM. That player was a dragon disciple, and the draconic-as-the-arcane-language thing has stuck as well for some players, although not as much as the words for "shield" or "detect magic" or "fireball."
I'd assume that most items made for public sale would have industry-standard command words, which might vary by nation but probably not by much. If you kill Wizard Larry and steal his stuff, the command word might be a little different (he had a lisp) but especially with charged items, I'd consider them tools. The command word for the celestial armor the paladin enchanted for herself might be different.
I just use google translate to find out the name of the spell in russian. I dont know why. I really think it sounds better than latin or greek.
Everyone knows Ancient Sumerian is the real language of magic!
I've used latin for arcane and divine spells. I never thought about Greek; I'll have to look into that. For command words, I tend to make up words. "Draconis" for a staff with meteor swarm or "Cirrus" for a wand of fly. I've even from the Zatanna school of wizardry: Etativel! for levitate or feather fall and Cigam Elissim! for magic missile.
I just use google translate to find out the name of the spell in russian. I dont know why. I really think it sounds better than latin or greek.
Well, the language already looks like runes. Plus, some languages, such as Russian and German, just sound more dramatic when you say them.
Just try putting 'butterfly' into google translate and hit the listen button. Old joke, but still good.
Our fighter has a command word of "uppity" to cause him to kill any opposition nearby. Our cap'n makes good use of that command word.
our fighters command word is smash... along with a point but thats just because my caster is a dick.
Everyone knows Ancient Sumerian is the real language of magic!
I prefer Akkadian.
Still wish I had a dictionary of that language.
If you like visual text that looks like runes, i suggest using google translate to come up with phrases in thai. it is a very pretty language.
if i put the above 2 sentences into google translate, it comes out like:
ถ้าคุณชอบข้อความภาพที่ดูเหมือนว่าอักษรรูนผมขอแนะนำให้ใช้ Google Translate มากับวลีในภาษาไทย มันเป็นภาษาที่สวยมาก
but they have no word for google translate lol.
but as you can see it works pretty well (imo)
I have a friend from Thailand, and I still don't understand how that language works.
The Witch in my Rise of the Runelords campaign has craft wand and uses it to make wands of cure light wounds for the party. The triggerword is always "Squash"
I use Portguese when possible.
I have a friend from Thailand, and I still don't understand how that language works.
yes the written language seems complicated to me. (but i don't think being friends with someone gives you the ability to speak it lol)
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I try to custom-tailor words for purchased or found magic items, and I've seen (and done) multiple things. I've seen someone use a bible passage as a command phrase to activate a holy sword (different passages activating different abilities, holy, flaming, mercy, etc.). When using swords, I try and use Bleach-esuqe logic, which is to say, a logically consistent command phrase that is thematically similar to the power its activating. For instance, for a flaming weapon, I'd have the phrase be "burn brighter than the sun" or some such.
As for other forms of magical items, I'd do something similar. A snatch of poetry or some other phrase that makes sense for the item. An activated item which grants a shield bonus to AC when used might, for example, have a "shield prayer" as its command phrase (as what knights would do in battle, scribing prayers on the backs of their shields), or perhaps a snatch of the Poetic Edda when using an item that, when activated, summons barbarian ghosts, or some such. Other than that, I've never really thought about it.
I like to randomly choose a word, and if the player happens to say it in character the item goes off in his hand. :)
Seriously though I handle command words the same way Buri described.
Faux Latin is common at my table, thanks to Dresden Files. Fuego! Pyrofuego!
In another game one of my characters did her spells Final Fantasy style for a blaster sorc. Burning Hands was Fire, Scorching Ray was Fira, Fireball was Firaga; Shocking Grasp was Thunder, Lightning Bolt was Thundara; etc. etc. etc.
In one story I wrote, I broke the languages of magic down based on origin:
Standard, untyped Arcane: Greek
Fey: Celtic
Draconic: Arabic
Celestial: Latin chanting
Fiendish: Cyrillic
These were more based on the appearance of the letters than the actual sound of the words though, as this was something planned for a comic (which might still get done, though it's been pushed down the project list in favor of other things lately).
I've never actually set the words themselves. I just meta-sum it up by saying I know and if someone asks what it is then I "tell" them.
I had a feeling most people used command words in this way.
I tend to use greek for arcane spells, and latin for divine spells.
I really like that, the latin seems very appropriate to divine spells, though that is due to western culture. I like the Ancient Greek too since it would have that same antiquated feel, but still distinct from latin. (though i don't know how distinct as I am no linguist)
I know a fair amount of French, might start using that for command words. Maybe objects that have come from different regions use different languages for commands.
Well yes, the latin for divine spells is largely due to the prevalence in western culture (IE the catholic church), but hey, its what works for you right? And the two sound distinctly different when spoken.
I think any language works if its not the common one spoken at the table, but the older the version of the language the better I think. Even if you dont speak it, its easy enough to write down a few key phrases on your spell list, or spell cards (or whereever you keep track of your spells). Google translate can cover you (i've used it for divine spells if i couldnt think of the right latin).
If you're playing in an asian themed campaign I recommend chinese latin.
In chinese latin you pronounce the vowels alone as vowels and the consonants individually followed by 'ong'.
So 'Paladin' is Pong A Long a Dong Aye Nong
Sorcerer is Song O Rong Cong E Rong E Rong
Finger of death is 'Fong I nongong e rongo Fongdong e a tonghong'
You get the idea. Its atrocious but hilarious.