Can they speak while wildshaped? My thinking is yes, since a curse is forcing anything they attempt to vocalize to be only a reproduction of things they've heard, and since the source of this feature is magical and transcends their physical nature should still function. Similar to other magical communication would, like telepathy and etc. Thoughts?
It is apparently so hard to program Aberrant Mind and Clockwork Soul spell-swapping into dndbeyond they had to remake the game without it rather than implement it.
The RAW answer is "It depends". Specifically, in order to speak while Wildshaped (as any race) the beast form you assume must be capable of speech. So Wildshaped as a wolf? No. Wildshaped as a parrot? Yes. Here is the relevant text from Wildshape:
"You can’t cast spells, and your ability to speak or take any action that requires hands is limited to the capabilities of your beast form."
But kenku don't use their own voice. Whether they're a wolf, a parrot, or otherwise. In fact, they are magically forced to never use their own voice.
Although unable to speak in their own voices, kenku can perfectly mimic any sound they hear, from a halfling’s voice to the noise of rocks clattering down a hillside.
They are compelled to use the voices of other creatures who they've heard. So, we really don't know what the kenku phisiology is capable of, only that they magically create perfect replicas of things they've heard before.
We know their voice is trapped, magically, and that the whole thing is supernatural, no physical:
Enraged, the entity imposed three dreadful curses upon them. First, the kenku’s beloved wings withered and fell away from their bodies, leaving them bound to the earth. Second, because their ingenuity and skill had turned toward scheming against their patron, the spark of creativity was torn from their souls. Finally, to ensure that the kenku could never divulge any secrets, their master took away their voices.
It isn't like wildshaping removes the power of n ancient curse.
IDK, would be interested in hearing thoughts on that that took into account the fact their speech is both magical and the result of a curse.
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I'm probably laughing.
It is apparently so hard to program Aberrant Mind and Clockwork Soul spell-swapping into dndbeyond they had to remake the game without it rather than implement it.
No, but wildshape says that they can only speak if their new form is capable, and that would include mimicry. Mimicry is a further limitation of their speech, not exceptional speech. It would make zero sense for the curse that limits their ability to communicate to actually make them better at communicating.
”You can’t cast spells, and your ability to speak or take any action that requires hands is limited to the capabilities of your beast form.”
It isn’t like wildshape rule cares if the limitation on the use of their speech is magical, since full stop their speech is already limited to what the new form can use. Mimicry isn't magical speech, it is a magical limitation on their use of mundane speech.
So, if you are talking about elemental wild shapes, then sure, they can mimic. Others? Their speech, including their mimicry, is completely limited by wildshape. So yes, technically, mimicry still works, but they can't mimic anything that their new form couldn't mimic.
Can they speak while wildshaped? My thinking is yes, since a curse is forcing anything they attempt to vocalize to be only a reproduction of things they've heard, and since the source of this feature is magical and transcends their physical nature should still function. Similar to other magical communication would, like telepathy and etc. Thoughts?
I'm probably laughing.
It is apparently so hard to program Aberrant Mind and Clockwork Soul spell-swapping into dndbeyond they had to remake the game without it rather than implement it.
Nah, mimicry relies on physiology. I’d require at least one language to be able to use it.
The RAW answer is "It depends". Specifically, in order to speak while Wildshaped (as any race) the beast form you assume must be capable of speech. So Wildshaped as a wolf? No. Wildshaped as a parrot? Yes. Here is the relevant text from Wildshape:
"You can’t cast spells, and your ability to speak or take any action that requires hands is limited to the capabilities of your beast form."
But kenku don't use their own voice. Whether they're a wolf, a parrot, or otherwise. In fact, they are magically forced to never use their own voice.
They are compelled to use the voices of other creatures who they've heard. So, we really don't know what the kenku phisiology is capable of, only that they magically create perfect replicas of things they've heard before.
We know their voice is trapped, magically, and that the whole thing is supernatural, no physical:
It isn't like wildshaping removes the power of n ancient curse.
IDK, would be interested in hearing thoughts on that that took into account the fact their speech is both magical and the result of a curse.
I'm probably laughing.
It is apparently so hard to program Aberrant Mind and Clockwork Soul spell-swapping into dndbeyond they had to remake the game without it rather than implement it.
No, but wildshape says that they can only speak if their new form is capable, and that would include mimicry. Mimicry is a further limitation of their speech, not exceptional speech. It would make zero sense for the curse that limits their ability to communicate to actually make them better at communicating.
”You can’t cast spells, and your ability to speak or take any action that requires hands is limited to the capabilities of your beast form.”
It isn’t like wildshape rule cares if the limitation on the use of their speech is magical, since full stop their speech is already limited to what the new form can use. Mimicry isn't magical speech, it is a magical limitation on their use of mundane speech.
So, if you are talking about elemental wild shapes, then sure, they can mimic. Others? Their speech, including their mimicry, is completely limited by wildshape. So yes, technically, mimicry still works, but they can't mimic anything that their new form couldn't mimic.