Sow Thought with language barriers and vs animals

[GMiller939]

I just recently made a Sorcerer and choose Sow Thought as a spell known, and ran into some confusion almost immediately. I wished to use it on another party member's animal companion. I see nothing in the description that says it will not work on animals, but the issue arose when trying to determine what constitutes the most basic rudimentary ideas.

Two players recently entered the game, myself and my friend Cory, and we were attempting to join the party. The party was inside a closed room and an animal companion was guarding the door. I casted sow thought on the animal and I wanted the animal to consider Cory a trusted ally. Is 'He friend' rudimentary enough? The DM was under the impression it would have to be something like 'Attack', 'Run', or 'Pee' as these were instinctual thoughts and all that could be expected of an animal.

So what would be an example of an acceptable thought to implant in an animal, and what would be an example of a thought that could be implanted in an intelligent creature that doesn't speak my language.

Also another problem is bothering me. When I cast this spell, do I need to say the thought aloud? If other people are watching will they know what thought I am implanting? What happens if they make their save, will they know what thought I tried to implant?

[Starglim]

To me the suggestion is not too complex, but it might be too strong and described badly. The spell implants a single passing thought, not an entire change of attitude.

You don't have to word the thought aloud, since what you're trying to impart is a mental impulse that's not necessarily expressed in words (it's just easier to shape a complex idea if it is). A creature who makes a saving throw against a spell knows he's been targeted by a hostile influence, but not what the spell was trying to do.

[Tinalles]

As to what thoughts you can pass to an animal: you're unlikely to get any kind of consensus on that. Your GM is the one making rulings for your game; that's what matters.

As for whether you have to speak aloud ... I've gone back and forth on that, but I finally came down on the side of "no, you don't". Sow thought doesn't say you have to, while similar spells -- such as charm person -- explicitly state that you have to speak.

As for whether people will notice you: depends on whether they're paying attention. You have to make appropriate arcane gestures and incantations, both of which might give you away. Silent Spell and Still Spell can help with that, though at the cost of making it a third-level spell. The trait magical lineage can reduce that to a second-level spell. Some GMs allow Bluff checks (or similar) to conceal casting. Talk to your GM and see if that's an option.

If they make their save, I don't think they'll know what the thought was. But your GM may vary.

Sow Thought may very well be my favorite spell, but it's also a little vague. That's okay, though! The vagueness is what makes it useful -- any thought you can imagine can be put into a character's head. That's huge. But it will probably require GM rulings on a regular basis.

[GMiller939]

Tinalles wrote:

As for whether people will notice you: depends on whether they're paying attention. You have to make appropriate arcane gestures and incantations, both of which might give you away. Silent Spell and Still Spell can help with that, though at the cost of making it a third-level spell. The trait magical lineage can reduce that to a second-level spell. Some GMs allow Bluff checks (or similar) to conceal casting. Talk to your GM and see if that's an option.

You already answered my question when you mentioned the thought didn't need to be said aloud. I understood they could see me casting and realize magic was afoot. I didn't mind that as I could claim I was casting a benign spell and hopefully make my bluff check.

Well articulated. Thanks.

edit: A better idea IMO would be to pick up minor spell expertise. No need for silent and still as I would get two and a half feats for the price of one. The half feat would be Expanded Arcana as I could now drop Sow Thoughts from my spells known. Of course this would limit me to two a day, but that should be more then enough. An added benefit/detriment: Every day that I do not use both of my sow thoughts would impart a great temptation to use them on party members so that they don't go to waste. :-)