Will the Detect Thoughts spell work on a Homunculus because of the Shared Mind thing? (or Familiars with telepathic bond EG. Gazer, Imps, and Pseudodragons.) will they read the masters thoughts?
While this is an interesting option to entertain, I believe it would not work quite like that.
Familiars have, on average, lower saves than their master's, and this would therefore result in the master basically having a walking backdoor to his mind, which is a terrible danger, imho.
It could probably be allowed to use the familiar as a bridge to get to the master's mind from a greater distance, but I would still rule for the master to roll their own Wisdom save to avoid being read.
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Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
In my opinion, by default the mind reader would read any thoughts that the familiar itself had, they would be aware that a telepathic link exists, plus they would listen in on any instructions that the master sent to the familiar. I think it would be a fun mechanic though to allow a second saving throw to push through the familiar into the master's mind, but if that save was passed then the mind reader would get kicked out of both.
While it can be an interesting story, there's nothing to suggest that the telepathic bond is "permanently open". It says "it CAN magically convey" and "the two CAN communicate". This means that it's not necessarily a backdoor. But truth be told; It is a cool idea :p
edit: just reread the flavor text and I see why you think it is constantly "open". But I don't think this is true if looking at the mechanics.
Note also that of all the official familiars in the game, only the Imp, Quasit and Sprite are valid targets for Detect Thoughts - as none of the others (including the Homunculus) are able to speak any language.
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Will the Detect Thoughts spell work on a Homunculus because of the Shared Mind thing? (or Familiars with telepathic bond EG. Gazer, Imps, and Pseudodragons.) will they read the masters thoughts?
While this is an interesting option to entertain, I believe it would not work quite like that.
Familiars have, on average, lower saves than their master's, and this would therefore result in the master basically having a walking backdoor to his mind, which is a terrible danger, imho.
It could probably be allowed to use the familiar as a bridge to get to the master's mind from a greater distance, but I would still rule for the master to roll their own Wisdom save to avoid being read.
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
In my opinion, by default the mind reader would read any thoughts that the familiar itself had, they would be aware that a telepathic link exists, plus they would listen in on any instructions that the master sent to the familiar. I think it would be a fun mechanic though to allow a second saving throw to push through the familiar into the master's mind, but if that save was passed then the mind reader would get kicked out of both.
While it can be an interesting story, there's nothing to suggest that the telepathic bond is "permanently open". It says "it CAN magically convey" and "the two CAN communicate". This means that it's not necessarily a backdoor. But truth be told; It is a cool idea :p
edit: just reread the flavor text and I see why you think it is constantly "open". But I don't think this is true if looking at the mechanics.
Subclass: Dwarven Defender - Dragonborn Paragon
Feats: Artificer Apprentice
Monsters: Sheep - Spellbreaker Warforged Titan
Magic Items: Whipier - Ring of Secret Storage - Collar of the Guardian
Monster template: Skeletal Creature
Thank you all for your help.
Note also that of all the official familiars in the game, only the Imp, Quasit and Sprite are valid targets for Detect Thoughts - as none of the others (including the Homunculus) are able to speak any language.