Is there any reason the animal familiar of an at least 5th level master couldn't use a command activated magic item such as a ring of invisibility? At level 5 a familiar gains the ability to verbally speak with master, so it should be able to say a command word. And with an Int of 8, it's certainly intelligent enough to know how to use a magic item.
So, anything stopping this from working?
Note that being able to speak with their master is not the same as being able to talk (and say command words) normally.
Where are you getting this from? The Speak With Master ability clearly indicates that the speech is verbal and the communication is as though they were speaking a language. And if you look under the description of command word items, it specifically says that the command word used to activate the item is often a nonsensical word, which negates the need for the command word to be an existing word in any language.
why not just equip a mundane dog with a magic item, and have the "command word" be a particular type of bark?
Most dogs have trouble understanding the concept of "aiming", so you may need to give the creature an Intelligence boost. And dogs do tend to bark anyway. A lot. At inopportune times...
Uh... that was meant as a counter-example of why it shouldn't work. Allowing animals to activate magic items using their non-language audible communications shouldn't be allowed, imho... but I guess one might see some table variation. :Pwhy not just equip a mundane dog with a magic item, and have the "command word" be a particular type of bark?Most dogs have trouble understanding the concept of "aiming", so you may need to give the creature an Intelligence boost. And dogs do tend to bark anyway. A lot. At inopportune times...
But it would be hilarious to tie, hmm...a rod of wonder to a dog.
then you let the squirrel loose into the dungeon.
Since PFS won't let you do it a lot of home DMs probably won't let you do it either. If you use a familiar which clearly has the ability to speak such as a Raven or Parrot you might have better luck. I'd imagine that some folks will say you still can't use a Ring of Invisibility since, "That's a foot, not a hand!"
Animal Archive has a table of which item slots different animal companions and familiars have available though, and Ring is a permitted item for the Avian body type, which includes Ravens and Parrots. They still wouldn't be able to use rings in PFS, but presumably Paizo intended the rules in Animal Archive to be used in at least some games, so I'd ask your DM about them.
So it's a no-go RAW, huh? Grrr, that's disappointing.
Although upon further review it looks like a Ring of Invisibility is still on the table, since it's use-activated but not command-word activated.
Unfortunately the Ring of Telekinesis is command-word activated, so I'll have to find something else.
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Here's the thing: NOTHING in the activate item description says they have to say the command word in COMMON. This little loop hole means that ANY FAMILIAR can activate ANY command word activated device, so long as it has the ability to speak in IT'S OWN LANGUAGE AT LEAST.
This requires INTELLECT, not vocal human cords.
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Here's the thing: NOTHING in the activate item description says they have to say the command word in COMMON. This little loop hole means that ANY FAMILIAR can activate ANY command word activated device, so long as it has the ability to speak in IT'S OWN LANGUAGE AT LEAST.
This requires INTELLECT, not vocal human cords.
Published magic items in modules/adventures sometimes state the command word is a specific word or a specific word in a certain language.
Also, Necromancers are evil. Inquisitors, this one right here. Take them away to the dungeon.
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| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Here's the thing: NOTHING in the activate item description says they have to say the command word in COMMON. This little loop hole means that ANY FAMILIAR can activate ANY command word activated device, so long as it has the ability to speak in IT'S OWN LANGUAGE AT LEAST.
This requires INTELLECT, not vocal human cords.
The rules disagree with you.
Command Word: If no activation method is suggested either in the magic item description or by the nature of the item, assume that a command word is needed to activate it. Command word activation means that a character speaks the word and the item activates. No other special knowledge is needed.
A command word can be a real word, but when this is the case, the holder of the item runs the risk of activating the item accidentally by speaking the word in normal conversation. More often, the command word is some seemingly nonsensical word, or a word or phrase from an ancient language no longer in common use. Activating a command word magic item is a standard action and does not provoke attacks of opportunity.
The Knowledge (arcana) and Knowledge (history) skills might be useful in helping to identify command words or deciphering clues regarding them. A successful check against DC 30 is needed to come up with the word itself. If that check is failed, succeeding on a second check (DC 25) might provide some insight into a clue. The spells detect magic, identify, and analyze dweomer all reveal command words if the properties of the item are successfully identified.
The command word is a specific sound decided at item creation that never change (if it changes, Knowlege (arcana) and Knowledge (History) would be totally useless in discovering the command word). So you can create an item that is activated by a specific bark, but then that item will be activated by that specific bark forever and it will work for a creature that can make that specific bark. It will not work for an owl or a squirrel, only for doglike creatures.
If the command word is a squirrel squeak the item will work for squirrels, not for foxes.