A Verbal component is the chanting of esoteric words that sound like nonsense to the uninitiated. The words must be uttered in a normal speaking voice. The words themselves aren’t the source of the spell’s power; rather, the particular combination of sounds, with specific pitch and resonance, sets the threads of magic in motion. Thus, a creature who is gagged or in an area of magical silence can’t cast a spell with a Verbal component.
Quite specifically, as has been pointed out multiple times, the Verbal component must be uttered in a normal speaking voice. The combination of sounds is what sets the spell off, not the words themselves.
Unless you can make the same amount of noise with sign language, you're out of luck.
(Basically, any argument for using any Sign Language for Verbal components would bypass half of Subtle Spell and would have impacts on other features, such as hiding. It would also bypass Silence. For those reasons, it's not considered just flavor. When you get into game mechanics and balancing, that becomes an issue.)
After reading this whole thread, I now want to make a mute, Druid who makes the verbal component in an ancient shamanistic way, by smacking themselves and stomping.
After reading this whole thread, I now want to make a mute, Druid who makes the verbal component in an ancient shamanistic way, by smacking themselves and stomping.
See, I see no issues with that. It's still a series of audible sounds that could fit into the spirit of the rule. And for spells with both verbal and somatic components, the somatic could be worked into how the druid moves their hands between smacks.
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The dictionary definition of “verbalize”- 1. express (ideas or feelings) in words, especially by speaking out loud.
Since 5e uses natural language rather than technical language, the underlined portion is particularly significant.
It's called a verbal component, not a verbalized component, and especially does not mean exclusively.
Basic Rules - Casting, Verbal Components
Quite specifically, as has been pointed out multiple times, the Verbal component must be uttered in a normal speaking voice. The combination of sounds is what sets the spell off, not the words themselves.
Unless you can make the same amount of noise with sign language, you're out of luck.
(Basically, any argument for using any Sign Language for Verbal components would bypass half of Subtle Spell and would have impacts on other features, such as hiding. It would also bypass Silence. For those reasons, it's not considered just flavor. When you get into game mechanics and balancing, that becomes an issue.)
After reading this whole thread, I now want to make a mute, Druid who makes the verbal component in an ancient shamanistic way, by smacking themselves and stomping.
See, I see no issues with that. It's still a series of audible sounds that could fit into the spirit of the rule. And for spells with both verbal and somatic components, the somatic could be worked into how the druid moves their hands between smacks.