New languages

[Kraydak]

When I was stating up a druid some time ago, I was struck by something:
The druids, an organization with their own (spoken) language, whose members spent a lot of time in forms without speach, had apparently never bothered to develop a sign language for use while wildshaped. Wierd, no?

Ignoring the issue of having a "common" language, what languages *should* there be in DnD that aren't? I vote for WildshapedSignLangauge or WSL, somewhat useful in all but the most monstruous of forms taken by alienist transmuters.

 

[TwinBahamut]

Hmmm...

Well, one major omission has always been the various signal languages and codes used by militaries and ships. Flag languages, morse code, light signals, fire signals, etc. Really useful stuff, even for adventurers, actually.

 

[Hella_Tellah]

This is one of the many reasons why every adventurer worth his weight in dog leather learns Drow sign language.

 

[HeavenShallBurn]

When I was stating up a druid some time ago, I was struck by something:
The druids, an organization with their own (spoken) language, whose members spent a lot of time in forms without speach, had apparently never bothered to develop a sign language for use while wildshaped. Wierd, no?

That's why their class abilities include this
Druidic(Ex): The unnatural ability of Druids to understand each other despite the fact they're just spouting gibberish and making animal noises.

EDIT: Smilie Warning System Activated! That help?

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Or it could be that Druidic is designed to work whatever your vocal cords might be shaped like.

 

[Kraydak]

That's why their class abilities include this
Druidic(Ex): The unnatural ability of Druids to understand each other despite the fact they're just spouting gibberish and making animal noises.

Druidic is a secret language that does not have any special rules making it useful while wildshaped. Surely they (or other shapechanging communities) would develop a non-secret language that is usable while wildshaped to talk to people with... like their ranger friends, maybe.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Druidic is a secret language that does not have any special rules making it useful while wildshaped.

He was being ironic.

 

[Irda Ranger]

When I was stating up a druid some time ago, I was struck by something:
The druids, an organization with their own (spoken) language, whose members spent a lot of time in forms without speach, had apparently never bothered to develop a sign language for use while wildshaped. Wierd, no?

Most wildshapes don't have hands either.

 

[Kraydak]

Most wildshapes don't have hands either.

They have ears. Tails. Things that could be used.

 

[Lord Xtheth]

I don't recall wild shape stating that Druids LOSE their ability to speak normaly. I could be wrong though.
I'll look it up eventually.