Oracle curse lycanthropy

[pjrogers]

I have a question about the degree to which the curse limits one's communications.

The curse description is as follows:

"In times of stress or unease, you cannot speak—only growl and snarl like an animal. This ability works similarly to the tongues curse, but whenever you are in combat, you cannot speak at all. This does not interfere with spellcasting but does apply to spells that are language dependent. A character under the effects of speak with animals can understand you, and you can communicate with such characters normally. You can speak with animals when in this condition."

Note that is says that it is "similar to the tongues curse," which reads as follows:

"Whenever you are in combat, you can only speak and understand the selected language."

So, here's my question - unlike the tongues curse, the lycanthropy curse does not explicitly say one can not understand others during times of stress and combat, only that others can not understand the oracle's growls, etc (unless using speak with animals). Plus, the lycanthropy says it is similar (but not necessarily identical) to the tongues curse. This would seem to indicate that while under the effect of the lycanthropy curse, the oracle can understand what others are saying but can not speak back to them.

Thoughts on this interpretation?

FWIW, I think this distinction makes sense because it's easier to overcome the tongues curse. Other party members can learn the language in question, while overcoming the lycanthropy curse requires a speak with animals spell or ability.

[Cavall]

Its similar in that it changes how you speak in combat situations.

Past that, follow the curse for the rest. Your party cant learn the language as it's just snarls and howls and whatever. It affects languages based spells. And your GM shouldn't allow you any input for tactics in combat without a way to be clearly understood. (Although basic ideas should be clear like flanking and some more slightly simple ones could get a sense motive roll)

[LordKailas]

pjrogers wrote:

So, here's my question - unlike the tongues curse, the lycanthropy curse does not explicitly say one can not understand others during times of stress and combat, only that others can not understand the oracle's growls, etc (unless using speak with animals). Plus, the lycanthropy says it is similar (but not necessarily identical) to the tongues curse. This would seem to indicate that while under the effect of the lycanthropy curse, the oracle can understand what others are saying but can not speak back to them.

Thoughts on this interpretation?

FWIW, I think this distinction makes sense because it's easier to overcome the tongues curse. Other party members can learn the language in question, while overcoming the lycanthropy curse requires a speak with animals spell or ability.

I agree with your interpretation. The oracle can still understand the speech of others as normal. They just can't communicate back properly.

There are of course easy enough ways around it, a worg mount via monstrous mount could act as an interpreter or even something as simple as the Bonded Mind teamwork feat, which allows for non-verbal communication. But yeah, it's slightly harder than tongues since it's more then just spending some downtime learning a new language.

[pjrogers]

Thanks for your responses. This is for a new character, and I look forward to RPing the curse.