Casting underwater

[der_kluge]

This came up in our game last time.

We were in town, I was bored, one thing led to another, and I found myself underwater attacking sharks with spells. DM ruled that I couldn't cast underwater because I wouldn't be able to speak. I was using alter self to give myself gills and fins.

I disagreed, personally, and felt it was a bit heavy-handed. Any rules (official) that support casting underwater? I couldn't find anything.

 

[Ferret]

[pseudo-intelectual scientific]
The pressure on you voice box would destort the sound, I'd give a 20% chance to say it wrong. No official rules to my knowlege.
[/pseudo-intelectual scientific]

 

[The Proconsul]

Water breathing doesn't say it directly, but it would be a logical requirement.

And doesn't this thread belong in the Rules forum?

 

[MarauderX]

Well, that is a tough call. How do the mermen cast? What about all of the underwater humanoids that are swimming about? I would go with the 20% or so chance of miscasting so as not to totally limit the mage's capabilities.

 

[Norfleet]

I wouldn't penalize a mage for casting underwater. A young mage undoubtedly spends a fair amount of time with his head in a toilet bowl, so has naturally learned how to cast underwater.

 

[SylverFlame]

If the race is a natural water breather (mermen, etc.) then there is not a penalty. Otherwise, I'd either require a spellcraft check (DC 15 or so) or give spell failure 15 or 20%. Just my thoughts.

 

[der_kluge]

Rules forum, yea probably, if there were actually a rule for it, I guess. Sounds like everyone just has to make up a rule for this, since there doesn't appear to be one.

I'm surprised there isn't a rule for this anywhere.