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2 years ago ::
Dec 09, 2011 - 5:33AM
#1
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According to the SRD A lycanthrope spellcaster cannot cast spells with verbal, somatic, or material components while in animal form, or spells with verbal components while in hybrid form.
The SRD could mean that the lycanthrope can't talk at all in hybrid form, or that it can talk but not make the precise sounds needed to cast spells. I sort of envision a hybrid having a deep, gruff voice, able to form words but somewhat crudely. I checked the 3.5 FAQ, but couldn't find anything on point. Does anyone here have any idea?
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2 years ago ::
Dec 16, 2011 - 6:58AM
#2
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I would say no(with a caveat). Hugely because of the spells, but also because it has a bite attack. You might say other things have a bite attack and talk, but I do have two reasons why no. The first is because of how in flavor a hybrid form works and D&D is supposed to be as much about flavor too. With only dragons being the exception I can think of no creature with a muzzle speaks common, that is and still get a bite attack. And that is how the hybrid form still gets a bite attack with its muzzle.
The second reason I would say no is because it still keeps it’s weapon focus. Since weapon focus is per weapon type(i.e. short sword) that implies at least that the weapon has to keep its basic principles for the feat to work. If it is too different then it is usually(not always) considered an exotic weapon.
There is enough exceptions that if you are the DM you wouldn't look stupid(for lack of a better term) ruling that they do talk. Rule Zero. However, to continue from a more flavored perspective you could say they have their own language while in hybrid form. Growling like a Wookiee, sign language(Wolf's Cant?), or something like that. However if you are looking for an actual rule, I've never seen one.
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2 years ago ::
Dec 16, 2011 - 7:01AM
#3
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It doesn't say they can't speak, so they can. The speech is probably gravelly and growly, and with poor grammar due to the animal instinct thing ("Grrrrrr, rip you!"), and thus they can't make the exacting speech required by spellcasting.
Another day, another three or four entries to my Ignore List.
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2 years ago ::
Dec 16, 2011 - 7:06AM
#4
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It doesn't say they can't speak, so they can. The speech is probably gravelly and growly, and with poor grammar due to the animal instinct thing ("Grrrrrr, rip you!"), and thus they can't make the exacting speech required by spellcasting.
Doesn't say they can't fly either.
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2 years ago ::
Dec 16, 2011 - 7:09AM
#5
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It doesn't say they can't speak, so they can. The speech is probably gravelly and growly, and with poor grammar due to the animal instinct thing ("Grrrrrr, rip you!"), and thus they can't make the exacting speech required by spellcasting.
Doesn't say they can't fly either.
The lack of a fly speed in their stat block states exactly that.
Another day, another three or four entries to my Ignore List.
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2 years ago ::
Dec 16, 2011 - 2:12PM
#6
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I would say no(with a caveat). Hugely because of the spells, but also because it has a bite attack. You might say other things have a bite attack and talk, but I do have two reasons why no. The first is because of how in flavor a hybrid form works and D&D is supposed to be as much about flavor too. With only dragons being the exception I can think of no creature with a muzzle speaks common, that is and still get a bite attack. And that is how the hybrid form still gets a bite attack with its muzzle. The second reason I would say no is because it still keeps it’s weapon focus. Since weapon focus is per weapon type(i.e. short sword) that implies at least that the weapon has to keep its basic principles for the feat to work. If it is too different then it is usually(not always) considered an exotic weapon. There is enough exceptions that if you are the DM you wouldn't look stupid(for lack of a better term) ruling that they do talk. Rule Zero. However, to continue from a more flavored perspective you could say they have their own language while in hybrid form. Growling like a Wookiee, sign language(Wolf's Cant?), or something like that. However if you are looking for an actual rule, I've never seen one.
Thanks for the reply! The guardinals all have bestial muzzles but can speak. 
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2 years ago ::
Dec 16, 2011 - 2:13PM
#7
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It doesn't say they can't speak, so they can. The speech is probably gravelly and growly, and with poor grammar due to the animal instinct thing ("Grrrrrr, rip you!"), and thus they can't make the exacting speech required by spellcasting.
Hi Salla! That's pretty much how I envision it, and I think how I'm going to run it too. Thanks!
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2 years ago ::
Dec 16, 2011 - 2:16PM
#8
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It doesn't say they can't speak, so they can. The speech is probably gravelly and growly, and with poor grammar due to the animal instinct thing ("Grrrrrr, rip you!"), and thus they can't make the exacting speech required by spellcasting.
Doesn't say they can't fly either.
The lack of a fly speed in their stat block states exactly that.
I laughed at Sorwen's humorous comment, but Salla's right about the flying rule.
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2 years ago ::
Dec 19, 2011 - 12:09PM
#9
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It doesn't say they can't speak, so they can. The speech is probably gravelly and growly, and with poor grammar due to the animal instinct thing ("Grrrrrr, rip you!"), and thus they can't make the exacting speech required by spellcasting.
Doesn't say they can't fly either.
The lack of a fly speed in their stat block states exactly that.
The absence of a rule doesn't mean it is then true. It doesn't list anywhere in the stat block that a shifter CAN speak either and specifically says that they can't cast spells with somantic components in the rules for a lycanthrope. Spells can be spoken in almost any language(actually any spoken language as far as I've seen in the rules and flavor) the caster knows(or sometimes it has to be in a language the target knows) and it isn't like the Were suddenly doesn't know all the languages he knew before the change.
That strongly implies that they can't speak. Just like the lack of a fly speed implies they can't fly. Not everything is always listed in stat blocks, because some rules just don't fit so they only show up in the text. Just like you can't wiggle the fingers you don't have in wolf form to cast spells(which isn't in the stat block). Does that then mean if they know it then they can do sign language while in a wolf because it isn't in the stat block? I mean heck, a majority of the errata happens because people come up with different interpretations than what was implied.
However, as I said at the very beginning there is no reason he can't rule otherwise. Rule Zero. First and foremost RP is about flavor and fun.
It doesn't say they can't speak, so they can. The speech is probably gravelly and growly, and with poor grammar due to the animal instinct thing ("Grrrrrr, rip you!"), and thus they can't make the exacting speech required by spellcasting.
Doesn't say they can't fly either.
The lack of a fly speed in their stat block states exactly that.
I laughed at Sorwen's humorous comment, but Salla's right about the flying rule.
A good laugh was the point. 
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1 year ago ::
Dec 20, 2011 - 9:26PM
#10
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Date Joined:
Apr 14, 2009
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The stat block specifically states that lycans can't fly by excluding a flight speed from their stat block. Stat blocks do the same thing with languages. If a monster cannot speak a language, the stat block specifically says that the monster can't speak any language. In the case of lycans, no where in the stat block does it say that the creature cannot speak a language, only that the creature can't cast spells. Which is understandable due to the incredible amount of digital and vocal precision required to cast a spell (if such precision wasn't required, there'd be no reason for arcane spell failure % or concentration checks).
In summary, the monster manual basically says hybrids can talk. It's up to the player and DM to determine how effective.
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