Bladebound Magus - Can the blade speak out loud?

[Barachiel Shina]

It doesn't quite state it clearly, but can the black blade speak out loud? I know it can telepathically speak to the wielder in the same language they share, but can it speak out loud to others with languages they share?

[Dieben]

No...

[Barachiel Shina]

Is there a source that states that? If so, I have been playing one of my player's blade wrong the entire time and had it talking out loud at times when it shouldn't have.

[Bob Bob Bob]

The list for standard intelligent magic items is here. You'll notice that the normal options are:

Intelligent Magic Items: Senses wrote:

Empathy (Su): Empathy allows the item to encourage or discourage certain actions by communicating emotions and urges. It does not allow for verbal communication.

Speech (Su): An intelligent item with this ability can speak out loud using any of the languages it knows.

Telepathy (Su): Telepathy allows an intelligent item to hold private mental conversations with its wielder, regardless of their known languages. The wielder must be touching the item to communicate in this way.

The black blade specifically gives Telepathy, and none of the others. Therefore you don't get any of the others, as they're not listed in the things you get.

[Davor]

I DM for a character with a Black Blade that talks out loud, usually berating him when he misses an attack, and giving himself credit when he hits.

Because screw the rules. My Black Blade has personality, dangit.

[Shoga]

I agree with Davor. My sword has its own personality and must be able to share it with the world. I would request the design team add speech to the black blades abilities. It would not unbalance any game mechanic so why not allow it?

Shogahin

[claudekennilol]

As written no. Davor's and Shoga's adjustment are fine for a home game.

[LazarX]

Davor wrote:

I DM for a character with a Black Blade that talks out loud, usually berating him when he misses an attack, and giving himself credit when he hits.

Because screw the rules. My Black Blade has personality, dangit.

That's why you and not the rules books are the DM.