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Tongues Curse states: In times of stress or unease, you speak in tongues. Pick one of the following languages: Abyssal, Aklo, Aquan, Auran, Celestial, Ignan, Infernal, or Terran. Whenever you are in combat, you can only speak and understand the selected language. This does not interfere with spellcasting, but it does apply to spells that are language dependent. You gain the selected language as a bonus language. At 5th level, pick an additional language to speak in combat and add it to your list of known languages. At 10th level, you can understand any spoken language, as if under the effects of tongues, even during combat. At 15th level, you can speak and understand any language, but your speech is still restricted during combat.
Ring of Eloquence: Fine etchings spell out the alphabets of four languages around the inside of this finely crafted silver band. The wearer gains the ability to speak and understand the four languages whose alphabets are inscribed on the ring. Normally the languages are Common, Dwarven, Elven, and Gnome. Less often, such rings are attuned to Giant, Goblin, Orc, and Undercommon, and rings with different sets of languages might also exist. The wearer retains the ability to speak in these languages even if she assumes a form normally unable to do so (such as a druid wild shaped into a wolf).
The ring also makes it easier for the wearer to find the correct words to express herself, granting a +2 competence bonus on Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, and Perform (oratory) checks. Also, if the wearer is deafened and attempts to cast a spell with a verbal component, the chance of spell failure is reduced to 10%.
So, does wearing the ring effectively negate the curse?
I say no.
Ring of Eloquence gives you the ability to speak the languages on the ring.
The curse states that in times of stress you only speak in tongues.
So no matter what languages you know, be it from learning or magically, you can only speak in tongues during times of stress.
What if you put the Ring of Eloquence after the curse has already kicked in?
What if you put the Ring of Eloquence after the curse has already kicked in?
Reviewing the text:
The ring also makes it easier for the wearer to find the correct words to express herself.
The RAI of the ring is set in stone with this sentence; it only helps in finding the correct words to express oneself, and is further explained as to how that is mechanically. It certainly doesn't allow you to outright overcome a powerful curse that you possess.
Additionally, the clincher is the 15th level access, where the player speaks and understands any language, including any 4 languages selected with the ring; it still points out that in combat, you are still only able to speak in the languages designated by your Tongues curse.
I know it's not supposed to work by RAI. I think it works by RAW, tho.
After rereading it, I agree with blackbloodtroll. That "only" clause clinches it, really.
Reviewing the text:The ring also makes it easier for the wearer to find the correct words to express herself.The RAI of the ring is set in stone with this sentence; it only helps in finding the correct words to express oneself, and is further explained as to how that is mechanically.
That's just incorrect. The text states that the ring also helps find the right words. Not that it only helps.
i would say your curse is part of your base form preventing you from speaking the languages... sorry, but i'd allow it if a player used the cash for the item. I see it as magic specifically allowing you to speak when you otherwise couldn't.
this is all opinion and slight lore-ish RAI, of course. doesn't stand up MUCH in core, as you keep the curse, etc, even if you beast shaped...
might be better if everyone else in the party got the rings. :P