What's the easiest way for a whole party to be able to communicate with a creature that doesn't know Common?Do you need to know the creature to use Polymorph to change someone into that creature?How can an NPC communicate with the party over long distances?With Truesight do you know that a creature is invisible?Perfect Deceit with TonguesAre any languages similar enough to be partly understandable?How do I deal with a DM that throws encounters at us that are way above the party?How does Sending work with a creature that doesn't speak any language?Is the ability to telepathically communicate with a Familiar only one-way?Is there a canonical choice for multiclassing with the aim of optimizing an Arcane Trickster for melee?What kind of check is needed to read a language you don't speak to a character that doesn't know how to read?
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What's the easiest way for a whole party to be able to communicate with a creature that doesn't know Common?
Do you need to know the creature to use Polymorph to change someone into that creature?How can an NPC communicate with the party over long distances?With Truesight do you know that a creature is invisible?Perfect Deceit with TonguesAre any languages similar enough to be partly understandable?How do I deal with a DM that throws encounters at us that are way above the party?How does Sending work with a creature that doesn't speak any language?Is the ability to telepathically communicate with a Familiar only one-way?Is there a canonical choice for multiclassing with the aim of optimizing an Arcane Trickster for melee?What kind of check is needed to read a language you don't speak to a character that doesn't know how to read?
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My party befriended a Faerie Dragon who is now tagging along with us, but only one of us (a Dragonborn) is able to communicate with it. According to the MM, faerie dragons only know Draconic and Sylvan, and none of us know Sylvan either.
Instead of having to ask the Dragonborn to translate every time we want to talk to it, what are some ways the rest of the party can easily communicate with it? (or at the very least, my PC, who was the one who was originally interested in the faerie dragon in the first place)
The party consists of:
- Paladin Dragonborn (Common, Draconic)
- Cleric Half-Orc (Common, Orcish, I think maybe Dwarvish as well)
- Wizard Forest Gnome (Common, Gnomish, Elvish, Dwarvish)
- My PC, a Sorcerer Aasimar (Common, Celestial, Elvish)
We are all level 3.
The dragonborn player keeps track of the faerie dragon's stats and stuff, but the DM roleplays it.
I am asking mainly for the sake of the characters in the game. As players, saying "the dragonborn translates everything" hasn't been a problem, though my GM says that only works when you have time to translate -- in situations like combat, we effectively can't communicate with it very efficiently.
dnd-5e languages
edited 7 hours ago
Rubiksmoose♦
69.4k11 gold badges344 silver badges494 bronze badges
asked 8 hours ago
PyritiePyritie
2891 silver badge9 bronze badges
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
My party befriended a Faerie Dragon who is now tagging along with us, but only one of us (a Dragonborn) is able to communicate with it. According to the MM, faerie dragons only know Draconic and Sylvan, and none of us know Sylvan either.
Instead of having to ask the Dragonborn to translate every time we want to talk to it, what are some ways the rest of the party can easily communicate with it? (or at the very least, my PC, who was the one who was originally interested in the faerie dragon in the first place)
The party consists of:
- Paladin Dragonborn (Common, Draconic)
- Cleric Half-Orc (Common, Orcish, I think maybe Dwarvish as well)
- Wizard Forest Gnome (Common, Gnomish, Elvish, Dwarvish)
- My PC, a Sorcerer Aasimar (Common, Celestial, Elvish)
We are all level 3.
The dragonborn player keeps track of the faerie dragon's stats and stuff, but the DM roleplays it.
I am asking mainly for the sake of the characters in the game. As players, saying "the dragonborn translates everything" hasn't been a problem, though my GM says that only works when you have time to translate -- in situations like combat, we effectively can't communicate with it very efficiently.
dnd-5e languages
edited 7 hours ago
Rubiksmoose♦
69.4k11 gold badges344 silver badges494 bronze badges
asked 8 hours ago
PyritiePyritie
2891 silver badge9 bronze badges
$endgroup$
3
$begingroup$
If this is mainly an issue during combat you may want to include that in the question. There may be solutions that would work in general but not under the restricted time pressure of a combat
$endgroup$
– Sdjz
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Sdjz For the time being, the current plan is to have the dragonborn "teach the party members a few words" to help communicate simple ideas like "run away" "come here" and so on, but ideally we'd all like to be able to communicate freely -- if the dragonborn is captured, for example, we lose our way of being able to talk with it.
$endgroup$
– Pyritie
7 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
have you tried a spray bottle? ;)
$endgroup$
– Ditto
7 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
My party befriended a Faerie Dragon who is now tagging along with us, but only one of us (a Dragonborn) is able to communicate with it. According to the MM, faerie dragons only know Draconic and Sylvan, and none of us know Sylvan either.
Instead of having to ask the Dragonborn to translate every time we want to talk to it, what are some ways the rest of the party can easily communicate with it? (or at the very least, my PC, who was the one who was originally interested in the faerie dragon in the first place)
The party consists of:
- Paladin Dragonborn (Common, Draconic)
- Cleric Half-Orc (Common, Orcish, I think maybe Dwarvish as well)
- Wizard Forest Gnome (Common, Gnomish, Elvish, Dwarvish)
- My PC, a Sorcerer Aasimar (Common, Celestial, Elvish)
We are all level 3.
The dragonborn player keeps track of the faerie dragon's stats and stuff, but the DM roleplays it.
I am asking mainly for the sake of the characters in the game. As players, saying "the dragonborn translates everything" hasn't been a problem, though my GM says that only works when you have time to translate -- in situations like combat, we effectively can't communicate with it very efficiently.
dnd-5e languages
edited 7 hours ago
Rubiksmoose♦
69.4k11 gold badges344 silver badges494 bronze badges
asked 8 hours ago
PyritiePyritie
2891 silver badge9 bronze badges
$endgroup$
My party befriended a Faerie Dragon who is now tagging along with us, but only one of us (a Dragonborn) is able to communicate with it. According to the MM, faerie dragons only know Draconic and Sylvan, and none of us know Sylvan either.
Instead of having to ask the Dragonborn to translate every time we want to talk to it, what are some ways the rest of the party can easily communicate with it? (or at the very least, my PC, who was the one who was originally interested in the faerie dragon in the first place)
The party consists of:
- Paladin Dragonborn (Common, Draconic)
- Cleric Half-Orc (Common, Orcish, I think maybe Dwarvish as well)
- Wizard Forest Gnome (Common, Gnomish, Elvish, Dwarvish)
- My PC, a Sorcerer Aasimar (Common, Celestial, Elvish)
We are all level 3.
The dragonborn player keeps track of the faerie dragon's stats and stuff, but the DM roleplays it.
I am asking mainly for the sake of the characters in the game. As players, saying "the dragonborn translates everything" hasn't been a problem, though my GM says that only works when you have time to translate -- in situations like combat, we effectively can't communicate with it very efficiently.
dnd-5e languages
dnd-5e languages
edited 7 hours ago
Rubiksmoose♦
69.4k11 gold badges344 silver badges494 bronze badges
asked 8 hours ago
PyritiePyritie
2891 silver badge9 bronze badges
edited 7 hours ago
Rubiksmoose♦
69.4k11 gold badges344 silver badges494 bronze badges
asked 8 hours ago
PyritiePyritie
2891 silver badge9 bronze badges
edited 7 hours ago
Rubiksmoose♦
69.4k11 gold badges344 silver badges494 bronze badges
edited 7 hours ago
Rubiksmoose♦
69.4k11 gold badges344 silver badges494 bronze badges
edited 7 hours ago
Rubiksmoose♦
69.4k11 gold badges344 silver badges494 bronze badges
69.4k11 gold badges344 silver badges494 bronze badges
asked 8 hours ago
PyritiePyritie
2891 silver badge9 bronze badges
asked 8 hours ago
PyritiePyritie
2891 silver badge9 bronze badges
asked 8 hours ago
PyritiePyritie
2891 silver badge9 bronze badges
2891 silver badge9 bronze badges
3
$begingroup$
If this is mainly an issue during combat you may want to include that in the question. There may be solutions that would work in general but not under the restricted time pressure of a combat
$endgroup$
– Sdjz
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Sdjz For the time being, the current plan is to have the dragonborn "teach the party members a few words" to help communicate simple ideas like "run away" "come here" and so on, but ideally we'd all like to be able to communicate freely -- if the dragonborn is captured, for example, we lose our way of being able to talk with it.
$endgroup$
– Pyritie
7 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
have you tried a spray bottle? ;)
$endgroup$
– Ditto
7 hours ago
add a comment |
3
$begingroup$
If this is mainly an issue during combat you may want to include that in the question. There may be solutions that would work in general but not under the restricted time pressure of a combat
$endgroup$
– Sdjz
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Sdjz For the time being, the current plan is to have the dragonborn "teach the party members a few words" to help communicate simple ideas like "run away" "come here" and so on, but ideally we'd all like to be able to communicate freely -- if the dragonborn is captured, for example, we lose our way of being able to talk with it.
$endgroup$
– Pyritie
7 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
have you tried a spray bottle? ;)
$endgroup$
– Ditto
7 hours ago
3
3
$begingroup$
If this is mainly an issue during combat you may want to include that in the question. There may be solutions that would work in general but not under the restricted time pressure of a combat
$endgroup$
– Sdjz
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
If this is mainly an issue during combat you may want to include that in the question. There may be solutions that would work in general but not under the restricted time pressure of a combat
$endgroup$
– Sdjz
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Sdjz For the time being, the current plan is to have the dragonborn "teach the party members a few words" to help communicate simple ideas like "run away" "come here" and so on, but ideally we'd all like to be able to communicate freely -- if the dragonborn is captured, for example, we lose our way of being able to talk with it.
$endgroup$
– Pyritie
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Sdjz For the time being, the current plan is to have the dragonborn "teach the party members a few words" to help communicate simple ideas like "run away" "come here" and so on, but ideally we'd all like to be able to communicate freely -- if the dragonborn is captured, for example, we lose our way of being able to talk with it.
$endgroup$
– Pyritie
7 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
have you tried a spray bottle? ;)
$endgroup$
– Ditto
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
have you tried a spray bottle? ;)
$endgroup$
– Ditto
7 hours ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
There aren't any options at level 3
There's a few options that seem like they might work, but they won't quite do the trick
Comprehend Languages won't work because it only affects the caster (and does not translate for the caster)
So the Sorcerer and Wizard could learn Comprehend Languages to at least understand what the dragon is saying, but they wouldn't be able to reply in kind; they'd have to speak to the Paladin in Common and have the Paladin talk back to the Dragon.
Helm of Comprehending Languages has the same problem
The Helm of Comprehending Languages is an Uncommon Minor Magic Item. A permissive DM might allow you to obtain enough of these (it is a Minor Magic Item, after all) for the whole party to understand the Dragon; but you'd still have the aforementioned problem that only the Paladin could reply to the Dragon.
At Level 5, Tongues becomes an option
The spell Tongues solves this problem far more effectively, even if only for a few hours a day:
This spell grants the creature you touch the ability to understand any spoken language it hears. Moreover, when the target speaks, any creature that knows at least one language and can hear the target understands what it says.
—Tongues, Player's Handbook, 283
After this spell becomes available, you would only need your Cleric (or the Wizard or Sorcerer if they want to choose the spell as a known spell) to cast Tongues on the Dragon, and for an hour at a time, the whole party would both understand what the Dragon is saying, and also be able to speak to the Dragon and have the Dragon understand them.
With the DM's cooperation: Teach the Faerie Dragon how to speak Common
Faerie Dragons have an Intelligence score of 14, meaning they ought to be relatively adept at learning new things. At your DM's behest, you could teach them Common over the course of 8 weeks of downtime:
Given enough free time and the services of an instructor, a character can learn a language or pick up proficiency with a tool.
Resources. Receiving training in a language or tool typically takes at least ten workweeks, but this time is reduced by a number of workweeks equal to the character's Intelligence modifier (an Intelligence penalty doesn't increase the time needed). Training costs 25 gp per workweek.
—Downtime Revisited, Xanathar's Guide to Everything, pg. 134
Treating the Faerie Dragon as though it were a character in its own right, and treating the four party members combined as a single instructor, the Faerie Dragon ought to be able to learn how to speak Common given enough time spent with the party.
Of course, the DM is not required to use PC rules for NPCs, and this rule is considered an Optional rule, so this will require the DM to agree that this is an appropriate use of these rules. As DM personally, I think this is a valid use of these rules.
You could also use the language training rules found in the Player's Handbook if your DM does not like the Xanathar's Guide to Everything revision of those rules, although it would still require the DM agreeing that it's appropriate for an NPC to use these rules. If so, the training would take approximately 35 weeks.
You can spend time between adventures learning a new language or training with a set of tools. Your DM might allow additional training options.
First, you must find an instructor willing to teach you. The DM determines how long it takes, and whether one or more ability checks are required.
The training lasts for 250 days and costs 1 gp per day. After you spend the requisite amount of time and money, you learn the new language or gain proficiency with the new tool.
—Training, Player's Handbook, pg. 187
answered 7 hours ago
XiremaXirema
30.3k3 gold badges92 silver badges178 bronze badges
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
+1 for mentioning learning Common during downtime, since depending on how quickly party level advancement occurs in terms of in-game time, this is very possibly faster than any magic solution.
$endgroup$
– Ryan Thompson
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
@NautArch The answer is saying to treat the entire party as a single instructor. I think the idea is that no one party member is devoting their full time to teaching the faerie dragon common, but between them, it could be equivalent to one full-time instructor.
$endgroup$
– Ryan Thompson
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
"The Helm of Comprehending Languages is an Uncommon Minor Magic Item. A permissive DM might allow you to obtain enough of these (it is a Minor Magic Item, after all) for the whole party to understand the Dragon; but you'd still have the aforementioned problem that only the Paladin could reply to the Dragon." If you could get enough of them for all the PC's to understand the dragon, wouldn't it be just as plausible to get one more of them for the dragon itself to wear?
$endgroup$
– Admiral Jota
6 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The most straightforward option is for everyone to...
Learn Draconic or Sylvan
Using the optional rule from Xanathar's Guide, p.123
Training
Given enough free time and the services of an instructor, a character can learn a language or pick up proficiency with a tool.
Resources. Receiving training in a language or tool typically takes at least ten workweeks, but this time is reduced by a number of workweeks equal to the character's Intelligence modifier (an Intelligence penalty doesn't increase the time needed). Training costs 25 gp per workweek.
At your DM's discretion, the Dragonborn could teach you during camp; I'm not sure if that's supported by RAW.
Various Magical Solutions (of various levels)
- Comprehend Languages. It can be cast as a ritual, but only on self. and it only lasts an hour.
- Rary's Telepathic Bond. I know you're not high enough level yet, but another ritualable spell and this affects up to eight creatures.
- Tongues. Another spell that's too high to cast, but it's only a 3rd level spell.
Other Miscellaneous Solutions
- Helm of Comprehending Languages. An uncommon magic item, so it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility for your party to get a hold of one.
- Class Feature.
- Monk gets Tongue of the Sun and Moon at level 13
- Druid circle of the Shepherd learns Sylvan at level 2
- 10th level Divination Wizard can read languages
- Eyes of the Rune Keeper. A warlock with this invocation could read any writing.
- Knowledge Cleric learns two languages at level 1 and can read thoughts at level 6
- Draconic Sorcerer learns Draconic at level 1
- 3rd Level Mastermind Rogues learn two new languages.
- Rangers can learn a language when they gain a new favored enemy, including level 1
- 3rd level Cavalier Fighters may learn a new language.
- You MIGHT be able to teach the faerie dragon common under the downtime rules, but it's not defined that NPCs can spend downtime, so you're definitely approaching homebrew.
answered 7 hours ago
goodguy5goodguy5
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
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$begingroup$
There aren't any options at level 3
There's a few options that seem like they might work, but they won't quite do the trick
Comprehend Languages won't work because it only affects the caster (and does not translate for the caster)
So the Sorcerer and Wizard could learn Comprehend Languages to at least understand what the dragon is saying, but they wouldn't be able to reply in kind; they'd have to speak to the Paladin in Common and have the Paladin talk back to the Dragon.
Helm of Comprehending Languages has the same problem
The Helm of Comprehending Languages is an Uncommon Minor Magic Item. A permissive DM might allow you to obtain enough of these (it is a Minor Magic Item, after all) for the whole party to understand the Dragon; but you'd still have the aforementioned problem that only the Paladin could reply to the Dragon.
At Level 5, Tongues becomes an option
The spell Tongues solves this problem far more effectively, even if only for a few hours a day:
This spell grants the creature you touch the ability to understand any spoken language it hears. Moreover, when the target speaks, any creature that knows at least one language and can hear the target understands what it says.
—Tongues, Player's Handbook, 283
After this spell becomes available, you would only need your Cleric (or the Wizard or Sorcerer if they want to choose the spell as a known spell) to cast Tongues on the Dragon, and for an hour at a time, the whole party would both understand what the Dragon is saying, and also be able to speak to the Dragon and have the Dragon understand them.
With the DM's cooperation: Teach the Faerie Dragon how to speak Common
Faerie Dragons have an Intelligence score of 14, meaning they ought to be relatively adept at learning new things. At your DM's behest, you could teach them Common over the course of 8 weeks of downtime:
Given enough free time and the services of an instructor, a character can learn a language or pick up proficiency with a tool.
Resources. Receiving training in a language or tool typically takes at least ten workweeks, but this time is reduced by a number of workweeks equal to the character's Intelligence modifier (an Intelligence penalty doesn't increase the time needed). Training costs 25 gp per workweek.
—Downtime Revisited, Xanathar's Guide to Everything, pg. 134
Treating the Faerie Dragon as though it were a character in its own right, and treating the four party members combined as a single instructor, the Faerie Dragon ought to be able to learn how to speak Common given enough time spent with the party.
Of course, the DM is not required to use PC rules for NPCs, and this rule is considered an Optional rule, so this will require the DM to agree that this is an appropriate use of these rules. As DM personally, I think this is a valid use of these rules.
You could also use the language training rules found in the Player's Handbook if your DM does not like the Xanathar's Guide to Everything revision of those rules, although it would still require the DM agreeing that it's appropriate for an NPC to use these rules. If so, the training would take approximately 35 weeks.
You can spend time between adventures learning a new language or training with a set of tools. Your DM might allow additional training options.
First, you must find an instructor willing to teach you. The DM determines how long it takes, and whether one or more ability checks are required.
The training lasts for 250 days and costs 1 gp per day. After you spend the requisite amount of time and money, you learn the new language or gain proficiency with the new tool.
—Training, Player's Handbook, pg. 187
answered 7 hours ago
XiremaXirema
30.3k3 gold badges92 silver badges178 bronze badges
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
+1 for mentioning learning Common during downtime, since depending on how quickly party level advancement occurs in terms of in-game time, this is very possibly faster than any magic solution.
$endgroup$
– Ryan Thompson
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
@NautArch The answer is saying to treat the entire party as a single instructor. I think the idea is that no one party member is devoting their full time to teaching the faerie dragon common, but between them, it could be equivalent to one full-time instructor.
$endgroup$
– Ryan Thompson
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
"The Helm of Comprehending Languages is an Uncommon Minor Magic Item. A permissive DM might allow you to obtain enough of these (it is a Minor Magic Item, after all) for the whole party to understand the Dragon; but you'd still have the aforementioned problem that only the Paladin could reply to the Dragon." If you could get enough of them for all the PC's to understand the dragon, wouldn't it be just as plausible to get one more of them for the dragon itself to wear?
$endgroup$
– Admiral Jota
6 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
There aren't any options at level 3
There's a few options that seem like they might work, but they won't quite do the trick
Comprehend Languages won't work because it only affects the caster (and does not translate for the caster)
So the Sorcerer and Wizard could learn Comprehend Languages to at least understand what the dragon is saying, but they wouldn't be able to reply in kind; they'd have to speak to the Paladin in Common and have the Paladin talk back to the Dragon.
Helm of Comprehending Languages has the same problem
The Helm of Comprehending Languages is an Uncommon Minor Magic Item. A permissive DM might allow you to obtain enough of these (it is a Minor Magic Item, after all) for the whole party to understand the Dragon; but you'd still have the aforementioned problem that only the Paladin could reply to the Dragon.
At Level 5, Tongues becomes an option
The spell Tongues solves this problem far more effectively, even if only for a few hours a day:
This spell grants the creature you touch the ability to understand any spoken language it hears. Moreover, when the target speaks, any creature that knows at least one language and can hear the target understands what it says.
—Tongues, Player's Handbook, 283
After this spell becomes available, you would only need your Cleric (or the Wizard or Sorcerer if they want to choose the spell as a known spell) to cast Tongues on the Dragon, and for an hour at a time, the whole party would both understand what the Dragon is saying, and also be able to speak to the Dragon and have the Dragon understand them.
With the DM's cooperation: Teach the Faerie Dragon how to speak Common
Faerie Dragons have an Intelligence score of 14, meaning they ought to be relatively adept at learning new things. At your DM's behest, you could teach them Common over the course of 8 weeks of downtime:
Given enough free time and the services of an instructor, a character can learn a language or pick up proficiency with a tool.
Resources. Receiving training in a language or tool typically takes at least ten workweeks, but this time is reduced by a number of workweeks equal to the character's Intelligence modifier (an Intelligence penalty doesn't increase the time needed). Training costs 25 gp per workweek.
—Downtime Revisited, Xanathar's Guide to Everything, pg. 134
Treating the Faerie Dragon as though it were a character in its own right, and treating the four party members combined as a single instructor, the Faerie Dragon ought to be able to learn how to speak Common given enough time spent with the party.
Of course, the DM is not required to use PC rules for NPCs, and this rule is considered an Optional rule, so this will require the DM to agree that this is an appropriate use of these rules. As DM personally, I think this is a valid use of these rules.
You could also use the language training rules found in the Player's Handbook if your DM does not like the Xanathar's Guide to Everything revision of those rules, although it would still require the DM agreeing that it's appropriate for an NPC to use these rules. If so, the training would take approximately 35 weeks.
You can spend time between adventures learning a new language or training with a set of tools. Your DM might allow additional training options.
First, you must find an instructor willing to teach you. The DM determines how long it takes, and whether one or more ability checks are required.
The training lasts for 250 days and costs 1 gp per day. After you spend the requisite amount of time and money, you learn the new language or gain proficiency with the new tool.
—Training, Player's Handbook, pg. 187
answered 7 hours ago
XiremaXirema
30.3k3 gold badges92 silver badges178 bronze badges
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
+1 for mentioning learning Common during downtime, since depending on how quickly party level advancement occurs in terms of in-game time, this is very possibly faster than any magic solution.
$endgroup$
– Ryan Thompson
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
@NautArch The answer is saying to treat the entire party as a single instructor. I think the idea is that no one party member is devoting their full time to teaching the faerie dragon common, but between them, it could be equivalent to one full-time instructor.
$endgroup$
– Ryan Thompson
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
"The Helm of Comprehending Languages is an Uncommon Minor Magic Item. A permissive DM might allow you to obtain enough of these (it is a Minor Magic Item, after all) for the whole party to understand the Dragon; but you'd still have the aforementioned problem that only the Paladin could reply to the Dragon." If you could get enough of them for all the PC's to understand the dragon, wouldn't it be just as plausible to get one more of them for the dragon itself to wear?
$endgroup$
– Admiral Jota
6 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
There aren't any options at level 3
There's a few options that seem like they might work, but they won't quite do the trick
Comprehend Languages won't work because it only affects the caster (and does not translate for the caster)
So the Sorcerer and Wizard could learn Comprehend Languages to at least understand what the dragon is saying, but they wouldn't be able to reply in kind; they'd have to speak to the Paladin in Common and have the Paladin talk back to the Dragon.
Helm of Comprehending Languages has the same problem
The Helm of Comprehending Languages is an Uncommon Minor Magic Item. A permissive DM might allow you to obtain enough of these (it is a Minor Magic Item, after all) for the whole party to understand the Dragon; but you'd still have the aforementioned problem that only the Paladin could reply to the Dragon.
At Level 5, Tongues becomes an option
The spell Tongues solves this problem far more effectively, even if only for a few hours a day:
This spell grants the creature you touch the ability to understand any spoken language it hears. Moreover, when the target speaks, any creature that knows at least one language and can hear the target understands what it says.
—Tongues, Player's Handbook, 283
After this spell becomes available, you would only need your Cleric (or the Wizard or Sorcerer if they want to choose the spell as a known spell) to cast Tongues on the Dragon, and for an hour at a time, the whole party would both understand what the Dragon is saying, and also be able to speak to the Dragon and have the Dragon understand them.
With the DM's cooperation: Teach the Faerie Dragon how to speak Common
Faerie Dragons have an Intelligence score of 14, meaning they ought to be relatively adept at learning new things. At your DM's behest, you could teach them Common over the course of 8 weeks of downtime:
Given enough free time and the services of an instructor, a character can learn a language or pick up proficiency with a tool.
Resources. Receiving training in a language or tool typically takes at least ten workweeks, but this time is reduced by a number of workweeks equal to the character's Intelligence modifier (an Intelligence penalty doesn't increase the time needed). Training costs 25 gp per workweek.
—Downtime Revisited, Xanathar's Guide to Everything, pg. 134
Treating the Faerie Dragon as though it were a character in its own right, and treating the four party members combined as a single instructor, the Faerie Dragon ought to be able to learn how to speak Common given enough time spent with the party.
Of course, the DM is not required to use PC rules for NPCs, and this rule is considered an Optional rule, so this will require the DM to agree that this is an appropriate use of these rules. As DM personally, I think this is a valid use of these rules.
You could also use the language training rules found in the Player's Handbook if your DM does not like the Xanathar's Guide to Everything revision of those rules, although it would still require the DM agreeing that it's appropriate for an NPC to use these rules. If so, the training would take approximately 35 weeks.
You can spend time between adventures learning a new language or training with a set of tools. Your DM might allow additional training options.
First, you must find an instructor willing to teach you. The DM determines how long it takes, and whether one or more ability checks are required.
The training lasts for 250 days and costs 1 gp per day. After you spend the requisite amount of time and money, you learn the new language or gain proficiency with the new tool.
—Training, Player's Handbook, pg. 187
answered 7 hours ago
XiremaXirema
30.3k3 gold badges92 silver badges178 bronze badges
$endgroup$
There aren't any options at level 3
There's a few options that seem like they might work, but they won't quite do the trick
Comprehend Languages won't work because it only affects the caster (and does not translate for the caster)
So the Sorcerer and Wizard could learn Comprehend Languages to at least understand what the dragon is saying, but they wouldn't be able to reply in kind; they'd have to speak to the Paladin in Common and have the Paladin talk back to the Dragon.
Helm of Comprehending Languages has the same problem
The Helm of Comprehending Languages is an Uncommon Minor Magic Item. A permissive DM might allow you to obtain enough of these (it is a Minor Magic Item, after all) for the whole party to understand the Dragon; but you'd still have the aforementioned problem that only the Paladin could reply to the Dragon.
At Level 5, Tongues becomes an option
The spell Tongues solves this problem far more effectively, even if only for a few hours a day:
This spell grants the creature you touch the ability to understand any spoken language it hears. Moreover, when the target speaks, any creature that knows at least one language and can hear the target understands what it says.
—Tongues, Player's Handbook, 283
After this spell becomes available, you would only need your Cleric (or the Wizard or Sorcerer if they want to choose the spell as a known spell) to cast Tongues on the Dragon, and for an hour at a time, the whole party would both understand what the Dragon is saying, and also be able to speak to the Dragon and have the Dragon understand them.
With the DM's cooperation: Teach the Faerie Dragon how to speak Common
Faerie Dragons have an Intelligence score of 14, meaning they ought to be relatively adept at learning new things. At your DM's behest, you could teach them Common over the course of 8 weeks of downtime:
Given enough free time and the services of an instructor, a character can learn a language or pick up proficiency with a tool.
Resources. Receiving training in a language or tool typically takes at least ten workweeks, but this time is reduced by a number of workweeks equal to the character's Intelligence modifier (an Intelligence penalty doesn't increase the time needed). Training costs 25 gp per workweek.
—Downtime Revisited, Xanathar's Guide to Everything, pg. 134
Treating the Faerie Dragon as though it were a character in its own right, and treating the four party members combined as a single instructor, the Faerie Dragon ought to be able to learn how to speak Common given enough time spent with the party.
Of course, the DM is not required to use PC rules for NPCs, and this rule is considered an Optional rule, so this will require the DM to agree that this is an appropriate use of these rules. As DM personally, I think this is a valid use of these rules.
You could also use the language training rules found in the Player's Handbook if your DM does not like the Xanathar's Guide to Everything revision of those rules, although it would still require the DM agreeing that it's appropriate for an NPC to use these rules. If so, the training would take approximately 35 weeks.
You can spend time between adventures learning a new language or training with a set of tools. Your DM might allow additional training options.
First, you must find an instructor willing to teach you. The DM determines how long it takes, and whether one or more ability checks are required.
The training lasts for 250 days and costs 1 gp per day. After you spend the requisite amount of time and money, you learn the new language or gain proficiency with the new tool.
—Training, Player's Handbook, pg. 187
answered 7 hours ago
XiremaXirema
30.3k3 gold badges92 silver badges178 bronze badges
edited 7 hours ago
answered 7 hours ago
XiremaXirema
30.3k3 gold badges92 silver badges178 bronze badges
answered 7 hours ago
XiremaXirema
30.3k3 gold badges92 silver badges178 bronze badges
answered 7 hours ago
XiremaXirema
30.3k3 gold badges92 silver badges178 bronze badges
30.3k3 gold badges92 silver badges178 bronze badges
2
$begingroup$
+1 for mentioning learning Common during downtime, since depending on how quickly party level advancement occurs in terms of in-game time, this is very possibly faster than any magic solution.
$endgroup$
– Ryan Thompson
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
@NautArch The answer is saying to treat the entire party as a single instructor. I think the idea is that no one party member is devoting their full time to teaching the faerie dragon common, but between them, it could be equivalent to one full-time instructor.
$endgroup$
– Ryan Thompson
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
"The Helm of Comprehending Languages is an Uncommon Minor Magic Item. A permissive DM might allow you to obtain enough of these (it is a Minor Magic Item, after all) for the whole party to understand the Dragon; but you'd still have the aforementioned problem that only the Paladin could reply to the Dragon." If you could get enough of them for all the PC's to understand the dragon, wouldn't it be just as plausible to get one more of them for the dragon itself to wear?
$endgroup$
– Admiral Jota
6 hours ago
add a comment |
2
$begingroup$
+1 for mentioning learning Common during downtime, since depending on how quickly party level advancement occurs in terms of in-game time, this is very possibly faster than any magic solution.
$endgroup$
– Ryan Thompson
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
@NautArch The answer is saying to treat the entire party as a single instructor. I think the idea is that no one party member is devoting their full time to teaching the faerie dragon common, but between them, it could be equivalent to one full-time instructor.
$endgroup$
– Ryan Thompson
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
"The Helm of Comprehending Languages is an Uncommon Minor Magic Item. A permissive DM might allow you to obtain enough of these (it is a Minor Magic Item, after all) for the whole party to understand the Dragon; but you'd still have the aforementioned problem that only the Paladin could reply to the Dragon." If you could get enough of them for all the PC's to understand the dragon, wouldn't it be just as plausible to get one more of them for the dragon itself to wear?
$endgroup$
– Admiral Jota
6 hours ago
2
2
$begingroup$
+1 for mentioning learning Common during downtime, since depending on how quickly party level advancement occurs in terms of in-game time, this is very possibly faster than any magic solution.
$endgroup$
– Ryan Thompson
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
+1 for mentioning learning Common during downtime, since depending on how quickly party level advancement occurs in terms of in-game time, this is very possibly faster than any magic solution.
$endgroup$
– Ryan Thompson
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
@NautArch The answer is saying to treat the entire party as a single instructor. I think the idea is that no one party member is devoting their full time to teaching the faerie dragon common, but between them, it could be equivalent to one full-time instructor.
$endgroup$
– Ryan Thompson
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
@NautArch The answer is saying to treat the entire party as a single instructor. I think the idea is that no one party member is devoting their full time to teaching the faerie dragon common, but between them, it could be equivalent to one full-time instructor.
$endgroup$
– Ryan Thompson
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
"The Helm of Comprehending Languages is an Uncommon Minor Magic Item. A permissive DM might allow you to obtain enough of these (it is a Minor Magic Item, after all) for the whole party to understand the Dragon; but you'd still have the aforementioned problem that only the Paladin could reply to the Dragon." If you could get enough of them for all the PC's to understand the dragon, wouldn't it be just as plausible to get one more of them for the dragon itself to wear?
$endgroup$
– Admiral Jota
6 hours ago
$begingroup$
"The Helm of Comprehending Languages is an Uncommon Minor Magic Item. A permissive DM might allow you to obtain enough of these (it is a Minor Magic Item, after all) for the whole party to understand the Dragon; but you'd still have the aforementioned problem that only the Paladin could reply to the Dragon." If you could get enough of them for all the PC's to understand the dragon, wouldn't it be just as plausible to get one more of them for the dragon itself to wear?
$endgroup$
– Admiral Jota
6 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The most straightforward option is for everyone to...
Learn Draconic or Sylvan
Using the optional rule from Xanathar's Guide, p.123
Training
Given enough free time and the services of an instructor, a character can learn a language or pick up proficiency with a tool.
Resources. Receiving training in a language or tool typically takes at least ten workweeks, but this time is reduced by a number of workweeks equal to the character's Intelligence modifier (an Intelligence penalty doesn't increase the time needed). Training costs 25 gp per workweek.
At your DM's discretion, the Dragonborn could teach you during camp; I'm not sure if that's supported by RAW.
Various Magical Solutions (of various levels)
- Comprehend Languages. It can be cast as a ritual, but only on self. and it only lasts an hour.
- Rary's Telepathic Bond. I know you're not high enough level yet, but another ritualable spell and this affects up to eight creatures.
- Tongues. Another spell that's too high to cast, but it's only a 3rd level spell.
Other Miscellaneous Solutions
- Helm of Comprehending Languages. An uncommon magic item, so it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility for your party to get a hold of one.
- Class Feature.
- Monk gets Tongue of the Sun and Moon at level 13
- Druid circle of the Shepherd learns Sylvan at level 2
- 10th level Divination Wizard can read languages
- Eyes of the Rune Keeper. A warlock with this invocation could read any writing.
- Knowledge Cleric learns two languages at level 1 and can read thoughts at level 6
- Draconic Sorcerer learns Draconic at level 1
- 3rd Level Mastermind Rogues learn two new languages.
- Rangers can learn a language when they gain a new favored enemy, including level 1
- 3rd level Cavalier Fighters may learn a new language.
- You MIGHT be able to teach the faerie dragon common under the downtime rules, but it's not defined that NPCs can spend downtime, so you're definitely approaching homebrew.
answered 7 hours ago
goodguy5goodguy5
11.4k2 gold badges43 silver badges88 bronze badges
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The most straightforward option is for everyone to...
Learn Draconic or Sylvan
Using the optional rule from Xanathar's Guide, p.123
Training
Given enough free time and the services of an instructor, a character can learn a language or pick up proficiency with a tool.
Resources. Receiving training in a language or tool typically takes at least ten workweeks, but this time is reduced by a number of workweeks equal to the character's Intelligence modifier (an Intelligence penalty doesn't increase the time needed). Training costs 25 gp per workweek.
At your DM's discretion, the Dragonborn could teach you during camp; I'm not sure if that's supported by RAW.
Various Magical Solutions (of various levels)
- Comprehend Languages. It can be cast as a ritual, but only on self. and it only lasts an hour.
- Rary's Telepathic Bond. I know you're not high enough level yet, but another ritualable spell and this affects up to eight creatures.
- Tongues. Another spell that's too high to cast, but it's only a 3rd level spell.
Other Miscellaneous Solutions
- Helm of Comprehending Languages. An uncommon magic item, so it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility for your party to get a hold of one.
- Class Feature.
- Monk gets Tongue of the Sun and Moon at level 13
- Druid circle of the Shepherd learns Sylvan at level 2
- 10th level Divination Wizard can read languages
- Eyes of the Rune Keeper. A warlock with this invocation could read any writing.
- Knowledge Cleric learns two languages at level 1 and can read thoughts at level 6
- Draconic Sorcerer learns Draconic at level 1
- 3rd Level Mastermind Rogues learn two new languages.
- Rangers can learn a language when they gain a new favored enemy, including level 1
- 3rd level Cavalier Fighters may learn a new language.
- You MIGHT be able to teach the faerie dragon common under the downtime rules, but it's not defined that NPCs can spend downtime, so you're definitely approaching homebrew.
answered 7 hours ago
goodguy5goodguy5
11.4k2 gold badges43 silver badges88 bronze badges
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The most straightforward option is for everyone to...
Learn Draconic or Sylvan
Using the optional rule from Xanathar's Guide, p.123
Training
Given enough free time and the services of an instructor, a character can learn a language or pick up proficiency with a tool.
Resources. Receiving training in a language or tool typically takes at least ten workweeks, but this time is reduced by a number of workweeks equal to the character's Intelligence modifier (an Intelligence penalty doesn't increase the time needed). Training costs 25 gp per workweek.
At your DM's discretion, the Dragonborn could teach you during camp; I'm not sure if that's supported by RAW.
Various Magical Solutions (of various levels)
- Comprehend Languages. It can be cast as a ritual, but only on self. and it only lasts an hour.
- Rary's Telepathic Bond. I know you're not high enough level yet, but another ritualable spell and this affects up to eight creatures.
- Tongues. Another spell that's too high to cast, but it's only a 3rd level spell.
Other Miscellaneous Solutions
- Helm of Comprehending Languages. An uncommon magic item, so it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility for your party to get a hold of one.
- Class Feature.
- Monk gets Tongue of the Sun and Moon at level 13
- Druid circle of the Shepherd learns Sylvan at level 2
- 10th level Divination Wizard can read languages
- Eyes of the Rune Keeper. A warlock with this invocation could read any writing.
- Knowledge Cleric learns two languages at level 1 and can read thoughts at level 6
- Draconic Sorcerer learns Draconic at level 1
- 3rd Level Mastermind Rogues learn two new languages.
- Rangers can learn a language when they gain a new favored enemy, including level 1
- 3rd level Cavalier Fighters may learn a new language.
- You MIGHT be able to teach the faerie dragon common under the downtime rules, but it's not defined that NPCs can spend downtime, so you're definitely approaching homebrew.
answered 7 hours ago
goodguy5goodguy5
11.4k2 gold badges43 silver badges88 bronze badges
$endgroup$
The most straightforward option is for everyone to...
Learn Draconic or Sylvan
Using the optional rule from Xanathar's Guide, p.123
Training
Given enough free time and the services of an instructor, a character can learn a language or pick up proficiency with a tool.
Resources. Receiving training in a language or tool typically takes at least ten workweeks, but this time is reduced by a number of workweeks equal to the character's Intelligence modifier (an Intelligence penalty doesn't increase the time needed). Training costs 25 gp per workweek.
At your DM's discretion, the Dragonborn could teach you during camp; I'm not sure if that's supported by RAW.
Various Magical Solutions (of various levels)
- Comprehend Languages. It can be cast as a ritual, but only on self. and it only lasts an hour.
- Rary's Telepathic Bond. I know you're not high enough level yet, but another ritualable spell and this affects up to eight creatures.
- Tongues. Another spell that's too high to cast, but it's only a 3rd level spell.
Other Miscellaneous Solutions
- Helm of Comprehending Languages. An uncommon magic item, so it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility for your party to get a hold of one.
- Class Feature.
- Monk gets Tongue of the Sun and Moon at level 13
- Druid circle of the Shepherd learns Sylvan at level 2
- 10th level Divination Wizard can read languages
- Eyes of the Rune Keeper. A warlock with this invocation could read any writing.
- Knowledge Cleric learns two languages at level 1 and can read thoughts at level 6
- Draconic Sorcerer learns Draconic at level 1
- 3rd Level Mastermind Rogues learn two new languages.
- Rangers can learn a language when they gain a new favored enemy, including level 1
- 3rd level Cavalier Fighters may learn a new language.
- You MIGHT be able to teach the faerie dragon common under the downtime rules, but it's not defined that NPCs can spend downtime, so you're definitely approaching homebrew.
answered 7 hours ago
goodguy5goodguy5
11.4k2 gold badges43 silver badges88 bronze badges
edited 7 hours ago
answered 7 hours ago
goodguy5goodguy5
11.4k2 gold badges43 silver badges88 bronze badges
answered 7 hours ago
goodguy5goodguy5
11.4k2 gold badges43 silver badges88 bronze badges
answered 7 hours ago
goodguy5goodguy5
11.4k2 gold badges43 silver badges88 bronze badges
11.4k2 gold badges43 silver badges88 bronze badges
add a comment |
add a comment |
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$begingroup$
If this is mainly an issue during combat you may want to include that in the question. There may be solutions that would work in general but not under the restricted time pressure of a combat
$endgroup$
– Sdjz
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Sdjz For the time being, the current plan is to have the dragonborn "teach the party members a few words" to help communicate simple ideas like "run away" "come here" and so on, but ideally we'd all like to be able to communicate freely -- if the dragonborn is captured, for example, we lose our way of being able to talk with it.
$endgroup$
– Pyritie
7 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
have you tried a spray bottle? ;)
$endgroup$
– Ditto
7 hours ago