First, I know I could houserule this, but the question arises in a scenario to be submitted for publication.
So I request any wisdom or insight, especially that backed with Paizo evidence. Thanks.
Vegepygmies know two languages, but cannot speak.
One of those languages is Vegepygmy.
So, if Vegepygmies can't speak Vegepygmy, who can?
Based on original Gygax material, they didn't speak, but communicated in hoots, whistles, chest thumps,and so forth. Arguably not spoken, but still existing as a language.
That said, can those hoots & chest thumps work as verbal spell components?
Or
If a Vegepygmy becomes a spellcaster, do they have to use silent spell metamagic to do so?
Cheers.
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Verbal (V): A verbal component is a spoken incantation. To provide a verbal component, you must be able to speak in a strong voice. A silence spell or a gag spoils the incantation (and thus the spell). A spellcaster who has been deafened has a 20% chance of spoiling any spell with a verbal component that he tries to cast.
An oracle's tongues curse does not interfere with spellcasting.
The language used as a verbal component is undefined. A spellcaster must be able to speak to cast a spell with a verbal component. Apparently a character must be able to also hear to get it right..maybe to check his pronunciation?
If you're writing for Paizo, this link may be useful from JJ. Basically, the verbal components are sounds that are not tied to a specific language. Verbal components are not language-dependent.
As an analogy, a melody can be performed by voice or a wide variety of instruments. The same melody performed by a pop diva, operatic tenor, piccolo, growling sax, or electric guitar is going to sound differently, but will still be recognizable.
Given the diversity of spellcasting species, you should be ok. You might also find some creative ways of communicating how THESE hoots, whistles, and the like are clearly associated to spellcasting when it comes to Spellcraft and related Knowledge checks.
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my character took Feral Speech / Wyld speech (whatever its called) to be able to speak normally while wild shaped into a vegepygmy and cast spells / use wands n stuff ( since he can get dressed normally after wild shaping, and wear his small armor and carry his gear so it doesn't meld. )
can the same be done for the published scenario?
Thanks, it's good to hear from some veterans.
Sorry SP, it's a regular bunch of vegepygmies trying to cast, not wild shaped NPCs of another species. [Though now I'm thinking of VP Druid builds. :)]
Howie, your answer clarifies the problem better.
If they can speak, they can cast.
It specifically says they cannot speak, so they cannot cast (unless I do a workaround).
The situation does lead back to "Who's speaking Vegepygmy?", but I think not even Vegepygmies at this point, which is to say their language doesn't involve speaking.
I'll try the VP casters anyway (and have a backup plan). It's not unprecedented for alternate species to have alternate casting methods (as you allude to, Howie) as long as there's noise involved.