Zone of Silence

[Chad the DragonLord]

If I am a Bard and have previously cast Zone of Silence on myself, am I free to cast spells with verbal components and use magic items with command words? They all would work normally correct? (Except for those with sonic based effects as the spell states.)

[Giovanni, the Lucky]

If you're still in the zone, then no. It's silenced.

EDIT: ah, zone of silence. Not a zone of silence.

Yes, everything you mentioned should work just fine.

[Chad the DragonLord]

This is the spell's description:

By casting zone of silence, you manipulate sound waves in your immediate vicinity so that you and those within the spell's area can converse normally, yet no one outside can hear your voices or any other noises from within, including language-dependent or sonic spell effects. This effect is centered on you and moves with you. Anyone who enters the zone immediately becomes subject to its effects, but those who leave are no longer affected. Note, however, that a successful DC 20 Linguistics check to read lips can still reveal what's said inside a zone of silence.

It seems to me that you can talk normally inside the zone, and casting spells is the same as talking, so why wouldn't command words and verbal components work? Where does it state the target needs to hear the command word or verbal component? If the target is deaf any spell would work, except one requiring them to hear something. If the person using the item can hear the command word then it should work, yes?

So would the spell or item only work inside the zone by your interpretation?

[Chad the DragonLord]

Does everyone else agree?

[Numarak]

You are right. Barring some spells language-dependant, the target of a spell does not necessarily needs to hear the spell to be affeted by it.

[vhok]

they need to be able to hear your command. sure you can cast the spell on them but they won't do anything till they can hear you.

a lot will depend on the specific spell.

[Vrischika111]

that's also why you take 1 level in wizard enchanter/controller : you can give telepathic orders to whom you control :)

[Wheldrake]

I demand... the Cone... of Silence

Command, murderous command, charm person and the like are certainly not possible if the target can't hear you. Other borderline spells, like hideous laughter which is formulated as if you had said something the target can hear, would remain subject to DM caveat.

[Chad the DragonLord]

Would Ghost Sound work if you place the origin of the sound outside of the zone?

[Cevah]

At low level, you can use Silent Table. Does not last as long, and applies to an item rather than an emanation from you, and is a -20 DC rather than complete silence, but it is quickly accessible.

/cevah

[Purple Dragon Knight]

Does Zone of Silence have any impact on Stealth? 'cause it feels like it should.... I'm wondering if an invisible group with zone of silence cast by the bard and they all move while holding hands with the bard would even trigger a perception check? there's nothing to perceive unless you have the Scent or Tremorsense ability...