There seems to be some confusion online about whether a Homunculus can speak. But more importantly, WHY shouldn’t they be allowed to speak? Does it matter?
There seems to be some confusion online about whether a Homunculus can speak. But more importantly, WHY shouldn’t they be allowed to speak? Does it matter?
The stat block of the creature specifically states that it can understand the language of its creator, but can't speak. Whomever is confused about whether it can speak might have missed this detail.
The stat block of the creature specifically states that it can understand the language of its creator, but can't speak. Whomever is confused about whether it can speak might have missed this detail.
That wasn't the question which was asked. The question was about the reason behind it not being allowed to speak. One possible reason why it might not speak because it has no mind of its own and is just a tool which works by magic. Or perhaps the writers of the rules don't want it to be able to create a distraction by speaking (even if it can only repeat things it has been explicitly told to say).
However, as with all things, it's best to ask your game master if you want your Homunculus to be able to speak.
But seriously, that comes from inspiration to do with how they have been portrayed in movies and literature, which was inspired by IRL alchemical lore. Essentially, because tradition says they don’t.
The stat block of the creature specifically states that it can understand the language of its creator, but can't speak. Whomever is confused about whether it can speak might have missed this detail.
That wasn't the question which was asked. The question was about the reason behind it not being allowed to speak. One possible reason why it might not speak because it has no mind of its own and is just a tool which works by magic. Or perhaps the writers of the rules don't want it to be able to create a distraction by speaking (even if it can only repeat things it has been explicitly told to say).
However, as with all things, it's best to ask your game master if you want your Homunculus to be able to speak.
Mine did address the question that was asked. The question was 'Why can't/shouldn't they be allowed to speak?'
The answer to both of those questions is the same: the stat block specifically says that they can't. Any confusion on whether the homunculus can speak is due to people not looking at the stat block. A DM can house rule differently if they wish.
If someone is looking for an in-game reason why they can't, any reason you can think of would suffice. If it ever came up in a game I was running, I might say something like spells are very carefully crafted and difficult to design and the original creator of this spell did not find much need for a speaking homunculus, therefore did not expend any energy adding it to the spell design.
I mean, if you need an in-game reason then you could just say that its tongue and vocal cords are not capable of forming words. Have you ever looked into the IRL lore on the creation of a homunculus? It’s so bizarre, complex, esoteric, and gross that it really wouldn’t be difficult to believe.
I mean, if you need an in-game reason then you could just say that its tongue and vocal cords are not capable of forming words. Have you ever looked into the IRL lore on the creation of a homunculus? It’s so bizarre, complex, esoteric, and gross that it really wouldn’t be difficult to believe.
As an artificer, I figure mine is more mechanical than familiaresque, so mine doesn't have a mouth and is not particularly humanoid. It does have cute wings though.
I mean, if you need an in-game reason then you could just say that its tongue and vocal cords are not capable of forming words. Have you ever looked into the IRL lore on the creation of a homunculus? It’s so bizarre, complex, esoteric, and gross that it really wouldn’t be difficult to believe.
As an artificer, I figure mine is more mechanical than familiaresque, so mine doesn't have a mouth and is not particularly humanoid. It does have cute wings though.
I mean, if you need an in-game reason then you could just say that its tongue and vocal cords are not capable of forming words. Have you ever looked into the IRL lore on the creation of a homunculus? It’s so bizarre, complex, esoteric, and gross that it really wouldn’t be difficult to believe.
As an artificer, I figure mine is more mechanical than familiaresque, so mine doesn't have a mouth and is not particularly humanoid. It does have cute wings though.
This, like the Familiar, is intended to be a spy, not a communication device. It is basically a form of Familiar that you can telepathically comminicate anywhere in the same plane.
If the Homuculus (from the spell) could speak, you could leave it back at a home base and use it to talk with an ally, perhaps one that could teleport to you in an emergency, or otherwise help you out.
The creature was intentionally limited to prevent this kind of action. It is a spy, not a telephone.
This, like the Familiar, is intended to be a spy, not a communication device. It is basically a form of Familiar that you can telepathically comminicate anywhere in the same plane.
If the Homuculus (from the spell) could speak, you could leave it back at a home base and use it to talk with an ally, perhaps one that could teleport to you in an emergency, or otherwise help you out.
The creature was intentionally limited to prevent this kind of action. It is a spy, not a telephone.
That makes sense. You don’t want it to be too powerful but I would love a little robot friend I can talk to. The RP potential is so fun.
This, like the Familiar, is intended to be a spy, not a communication device. It is basically a form of Familiar that you can telepathically comminicate anywhere in the same plane.
If the Homuculus (from the spell) could speak, you could leave it back at a home base and use it to talk with an ally, perhaps one that could teleport to you in an emergency, or otherwise help you out.
The creature was intentionally limited to prevent this kind of action. It is a spy, not a telephone.
That seems kind of specific. I'm not sure why using it as a telephone would be OP. I hadn't actually considered that you could use it as a one-way communication device or that it could be that far away, but I checked, and no, it only has to be within 120 feet if you want it to deliver a spell. Neat.
Of note! the homonculus is its own real creature now (originaly it was a construct). This means it can attune as per a normal living sentient creature.
So if you want it to, you could have it attune to something like a helm of telepathy.
or give it a Sending stone.Dependding on the GM's reading of Sending. It sends a message but it does not specify you have to speak the message. The colloquial thought would be of speaking as the verbal component. But it doesn't actually require that. Its magic after all. But I can see plenty saying it requires you speaking. But I honestly don't think it requires you to speak it aloud. After all the target only hears it in their head, not from the stone or around them. Meaning its just teasier to use speaking because thats a standard.
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There seems to be some confusion online about whether a Homunculus can speak. But more importantly, WHY shouldn’t they be allowed to speak? Does it matter?
The stat block of the creature specifically states that it can understand the language of its creator, but can't speak. Whomever is confused about whether it can speak might have missed this detail.
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That wasn't the question which was asked. The question was about the reason behind it not being allowed to speak. One possible reason why it might not speak because it has no mind of its own and is just a tool which works by magic. Or perhaps the writers of the rules don't want it to be able to create a distraction by speaking (even if it can only repeat things it has been explicitly told to say).
However, as with all things, it's best to ask your game master if you want your Homunculus to be able to speak.
Because it’s very shy.
But seriously, that comes from inspiration to do with how they have been portrayed in movies and literature, which was inspired by IRL alchemical lore. Essentially, because tradition says they don’t.
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Mine did address the question that was asked. The question was 'Why can't/shouldn't they be allowed to speak?'
The answer to both of those questions is the same: the stat block specifically says that they can't. Any confusion on whether the homunculus can speak is due to people not looking at the stat block. A DM can house rule differently if they wish.
If someone is looking for an in-game reason why they can't, any reason you can think of would suffice. If it ever came up in a game I was running, I might say something like spells are very carefully crafted and difficult to design and the original creator of this spell did not find much need for a speaking homunculus, therefore did not expend any energy adding it to the spell design.
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I mean, if you need an in-game reason then you could just say that its tongue and vocal cords are not capable of forming words. Have you ever looked into the IRL lore on the creation of a homunculus? It’s so bizarre, complex, esoteric, and gross that it really wouldn’t be difficult to believe.
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As an artificer, I figure mine is more mechanical than familiaresque, so mine doesn't have a mouth and is not particularly humanoid. It does have cute wings though.
An artificer’s Homunculus Servant isn’t the same as either a homunculus or a created homunculus.
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Oh! Interesting! I never noticed that they were different, and actually, this explains a lot.
The Artificer's Homunculus Servant does NOT specifically say that it cannot speak.
The CON is off by one, the fly speed is different, the condition immunities are different, and its attack is different.
So this explains the whole thread, it's not so obvious RAW.
This, like the Familiar, is intended to be a spy, not a communication device. It is basically a form of Familiar that you can telepathically comminicate anywhere in the same plane.
If the Homuculus (from the spell) could speak, you could leave it back at a home base and use it to talk with an ally, perhaps one that could teleport to you in an emergency, or otherwise help you out.
The creature was intentionally limited to prevent this kind of action. It is a spy, not a telephone.
That makes sense. You don’t want it to be too powerful but I would love a little robot friend I can talk to. The RP potential is so fun.
That seems kind of specific. I'm not sure why using it as a telephone would be OP. I hadn't actually considered that you could use it as a one-way communication device or that it could be that far away, but I checked, and no, it only has to be within 120 feet if you want it to deliver a spell. Neat.
Of note! the homonculus is its own real creature now (originaly it was a construct). This means it can attune as per a normal living sentient creature.
So if you want it to, you could have it attune to something like a helm of telepathy.
or give it a Sending stone.Dependding on the GM's reading of Sending. It sends a message but it does not specify you have to speak the message. The colloquial thought would be of speaking as the verbal component. But it doesn't actually require that. Its magic after all. But I can see plenty saying it requires you speaking. But I honestly don't think it requires you to speak it aloud. After all the target only hears it in their head, not from the stone or around them. Meaning its just teasier to use speaking because thats a standard.