What happens if you place a Headband of Vast Intelligence (+6) onto an animal with Intelligence of 1 or 2?
Does this increase the animal's intelligence to the point that it can then learn languages? What if the programmed Skill bonuses in the headband include Linguistics?
Basically, would an item do functionally the same thing as the Awaken spell? (Obviously you would gain no special control over the animal.)
Is there any RAW or errata on this?
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I believe James mentioned in a thread about advancing animals with the Advanced Simple template to ignore the Intelligence bump it provided. I would do the same thing with animals & stat boosters. Awaken is a fairly high level spell and I wouldn't allow a relatively weaker magic item do the same thing.
--Dumb as a box of Vrocks
Awaken would cost a mere pittance when you consider the effect. Compare that to the cost of the Headband of Vast Intelligence +6.
Awaken - 2450 GP to buy off a druid.
Headband of Vast Intelligence +6 - 36,000 GP
Awaken changes the animal's int to 3d6, average 10. Given that an animal's int is normally 2-3, it would requires an head band of int +6 to match that.
Awaken, level 5 druid spell, 450 gold for the casting + 2000 gold for the material component, total 2450 gold standard cost, requires a level 9 druid.
Headband of of intellect +6, caster level 8, 36,000 gold.
Sure, I would say that putting a headband on an animal would make it smarter, but why would you want to waste that much gold?
Sure, I would say that putting a headband on an animal would make it smarter, but why would you want to waste that much gold?
Technically, you could make an intelligent mount with a few languages if you had a headband of vast intelligence +2 with the skill chosen as Linguistics. This would boost it's int to a minimum of 3 (which is needed to speak a language.) Then you would have a dumb mount that you can talk to as you ride around the countryside...
I know, it sounds dumb, but what can you do if you can't find a 9th level druid?
Not only could you talk to it but you could teach it 6 more tricks.
I would have no problem with your suggestion working. A basic Int Upper headband requires caster level 8 and a fair amount of money for even the most basic version. Awaken requires caster level 9 and considerably less money for a greater effect. I feel it sets a good precedent for "both the mage and druid can grant sentience to animals, but the druid does it far more effectively".
A circlet of speak with animals would cost even less, but thats a different story altogether.
A circlet of speak with animals would cost even less, but thats a different story altogether.
How much WOULD a circlet of speak with animals cost?