I command you to glorg.

[Moff_Tarkin]

I have an interesting question about the command spell. I discussed it once with friends back during a 2nd edition game and I assume I am not the only one who has thought of it.

Command allows you to give a one word command to a creature, something like flee, stop, ect. "Suicide" doesn't work because its an action, not a command. Anyway, you probably know all that so on to the question. Can I a make up a word, teach that word and its meaning to a person, then use command to make them do it? Lets say I capture an assassin and I say to him. "I want to teach you a word. The word is glorg. Now, glorg means to say the name of the person you are working for." Then I cast command and say "Glorg"

When you think about it, what is language. Its a bunch of words that people made up to describe things and relate feelings. Language changes all the time. Words change meaning, new words get invented. So why cant I teach a person a new word then use command to make them do it? This might belong in house rules for some DMs might allow and some might not, but I placed it here in hopes of getting an official answer. Like I said, I cant be the first person to think of this, so maybe WOTC has made a ruling that I am not aware of.

 

[Moff_Tarkin]

I would like to bring up one thing. I think I saw in the SRD that you have to select one option from a list when casting command. Our current DM however is running a 3.0 game as he does not like the new changes so my question still stands.

 

[sfedi]

Of course you should be allowed to do that.

That will bring your group quicker to 3.5

 

[Shin Okada]

You already know 3.0e rule can bring a lot of problems, right?

Our problem was worse. You know, "commit suicide" can be said as one word command in Japanese!

That 3.5e rule change has a reason.

 

[Snowy]

no ones brought up the command "autodefenestrate" yet?

and the corresponding story when a player used it too many times and a cunning DM had the response from a thick troll going "Huh, wonder what that means?" *SMASH*

On a more productive note I would argue that you trying to attach a meaning to a string of syllables wouldn't make it a word. Language is an artificial construct formed by consensus between societies, so I'd as DM refuse it unless you'd made your word one in common parlance or convinced the assassin of that at least...... one hell of an odd bluff check, I guess

 

[Gez]

You already know 3.0e rule can bring a lot of problems, right?

But the 3.5 rule feels videogamey. "Select one from the menu, you can't make up other uses unless you code your own mod (requires knowledge of Python and C#)..."


There are lots of commands you can give. You don't need to make up words. In your example, you can just ask him repeatedly (with a few slaps to punctuate) the name of the one he's working for. If he speaks, you've spared yourself one spell slot. If he doesn't, use the command, Snitch! and you're done.

 

[Goolpsy]

You already know 3.0e rule can bring a lot of problems, right?
That 3.5e rule change has a reason.

Ye it did have a reason, WoTC planned to change the 'rules' and corebooks even before 3.0 was released.. one word... MONEY. And i think some guy commeted on this.. a former worker from WoTC... (or something) Every system has its flaws and Merits...

In my oppinion.. 3.0 is the best overall.. but i gotta say.. 3.5 does have alot of merits worth considerig when playing...

 

[Storyteller01]

I'd have to disagree with snowy on this. It has been documented that several sets of twins have invented their own languanges. It's only understood by the two of them, but they communiciate extremely well. It's an oddball situation, but if one twin cast Command using their special languange, would the other be immune because no one else knows it?

I WOULD agree that it requires a bluff check. I'd approach it by saying something to the effect of 'In my country we have a word. That word is glorg. Do you know what glorg means?...'. Might work better if you can convince said assassin that it was a real word, instead of trying to tesch him something that he can figure out is nonsense.


(Must... not... start... edition war!!! )

 

[Asmo]

Ye it did have a reason, WoTC planned to change the 'rules' and corebooks even before 3.0 was released.. one word... MONEY. And i think some guy commeted on this.. a former worker from WoTC... Every system has its flaws and Merits...

This is wrong, it should be:"Every system has its flaws and Merrics" Merric B in this case

Asmo

 

[Gez]

I guess Flaw B is a lurker, because I've never seen him post...