The text uses the words "command" and "told". The plain language definition of these require you to actually communicate with it through some means. I can't see how a "silent act of will" would constitute that.
That particular spell doesn't seem to have any indication that you'd get a special means of communicating with your servant. Other situations are... other.
Certainly in a circumstance where telepathy was involved, you wouldn't need spoken commands, for instance.
Unseen servant does not specify told only "An unseen servant is an invisible, mindless, shapeless force that performs simple tasks at your command."
I'd say spend a standard action "commanding" the servant, and it does what you want. I'd fluff it saying you're controlling the servant via magic the same way you initially cast the spell, and that it is part of the function of that spell that you can control it with as you said, a silent act of will (at the cost of a standard action).
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I'd say spend a standard action "commanding" the servant, and it does what you want.
Better still, a move action to direct a spell. As mentioned, the unseen servant is mindless and doesn't understand language, only the magical ability to command it included in the spell. I think that could just as easily be a gesture, but personally wouldn't allow an "act of will".
Unseen servant does not specify told only "An unseen servant is an invisible, mindless, shapeless force that performs simple tasks at your command."
In the description of the text, it says "The servant can perform only one activity at a time, but it repeats the same activity over and over again if told to do so as long as you remain within range."
That suggests that you can, indeed, tell it to do something. That said, there's certainly enough ambiguity that your interpretations are quite reasonable.
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The reason behind this question is that for effect, I want a character to craft a ring or wondrous item that is use activated and continuous Allowing him to have a constantly active unseen servant. Essentially this grants a sort of limited telekinesis allowing for all kinds of cool gimmicks during roll playing encounters. However, if actual verbal commands are required it kind of spoils the effect. I suppose if it was absolutely necessary, I might be willing to include the Silent spell feat in the item creation process, but that would significantly increase the cost.
w/o Silent Spell:
SL 1 * CL 1 * 2000gp = 2000gp
w/Silent Spell
SL 2 * CL 3 * 2000gp = 12,000gp
10k GP is a huge bump for such an insignificant power difference.
Eh, its not like unseen servant is that powerful. Plus, once you start getting higher up in level, people will start making those DC20 perception checks to see the invisible guy doing all your tricks for you. (Its not like the servant can sneak)
The spell pretty clearly has to be communicated with to be told what to do. Even a 'silent unseen servant' spell would require verbal direction. You could cast the spell silently, but that doesn't change the spell itself once cast.
However, magic items don't necessarily mimic spells exactly, and good ones really shouldn't. I personally wouldn't see anything wrong with an item that worked as you desired, being controlled with a standard mental action, for about 2k gp.
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In this particular game, I am not the GM.
Also, I would hazard a guess that an "Invisible Shapeless Force" doesn't have enough substance to actually be discernible as a "Guy" doing tricks. it might be noticeable as motion in the air currents or something, but i don't see that as ruining the mytique.
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Eh, its not like unseen servant is that powerful. Plus, once you start getting higher up in level, people will start making those DC20 perception checks to see the invisible guy doing all your tricks for you. (Its not like the servant can sneak)
Even if they know he's in a square, he's still invisible. And they're probably going to want to take a shot at actual characters than mindless minions.
The reason behind this question is that for effect, I want a character to craft a ring or wondrous item that is use activated and continuous Allowing him to have a constantly active unseen servant. Essentially this grants a sort of limited telekinesis allowing for all kinds of cool gimmicks during roll playing encounters. However, if actual verbal commands are required it kind of spoils the effect. I suppose if it was absolutely necessary, I might be willing to include the Silent spell feat in the item creation process, but that would significantly increase the cost.
w/o Silent Spell:
SL 1 * CL 1 * 2000gp = 2000gpw/Silent Spell
SL 2 * CL 3 * 2000gp = 12,000gp
10k GP isi a huge bump for such an insignificant power difference.
Why not Hand of the Mage?