Speaking with a Wildshaped Druid

[Dimwhit]

I'm looking for a 3.0 ruling here.

Well, no so much ruling, but help. When a Druid is wildshaped (say a bear), what are the possible ways a party has to legitimately (i.e. BY THE RULES) converse with the Druid. Speak with Animals doesn't work, because a Druid doesn't take the Animal form, correct? Anything else? Rary Empathic Bond will work, but it's a short duration and a 5th level spell. I'm trying to find any other possibilities. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

ps - I realize 3.5 and/or house rules could fix it, but both are not options at this point.

 

[spunky_mutters]

Detect thoughts and have the druid choose to fail the will save?

That's the cheapest way I can think of. Either that or hang around with demons or some other group with native telepathy.

 

[youspoonybard]

Ask everything in terms of yes or no questions....

 

[Pax]

If the druid has wildshaped into an animal known, IRL or in game, to be able to mimic human speech - the druid should be able to talk to people just fine. A Parrot, for instance, is able to make the very sounds required by/for human speech.

Also, the druid can always write their responses down, by cratching the letters into the dirt/dust, if the ground is suited to such.

And the party might want to consider a morse-code-like shorthand for some common words and phrases, so the druid can quickly communicate basic ideas without going to extreme lengths, while maintaining their wildshape.

 

[Brekki]

- helm of telepathy
- amulet of freedom of speech (from "an icy heart" adventure, its on the wotc-website)

 

[Dimwhit]

Thanks all for the suggestions.

Am I the only one that thinks it's silly in 3.0 that's this is so difficult to accomplish? At least in 3.5, a simple Speak with Animals works...