according to the dungeon master's guide(specifically the 2014 version), dark speech is considered a language with the book of vile darkness teaching you the language, however the "language" options seen in humans and some subclasses say "a language" without any further stipulations, could a person learn dark speech via playing as a human and would it do anything without attunement to the book of vile darkness?
addition: the line "While you carry the Book of Vile Darkness and are attuned to it, you can use an action to recite words from its pages in a foul language known as Dark Speech." is seen in the 2014 version of the book of vile darkness, and it calls dark speech "a foul language known as Dark Speech"
RAW what languages are available whenever you get to pick are subject to DM’s discretion. Beyond goes a little overboard tabulating all the technically possible options, so you see stuff like that or Giant Owl that weren’t written to be typical player-facing options.
according to the dungeon master's guide(specifically the 2014 version), dark speech is considered a language with the book of vile darkness teaching you the language, however the "language" options seen in humans and some subclasses say "a language" without any further stipulations, could a person learn dark speech via playing as a human and would it do anything without attunement to the book of vile darkness?
addition: the line "While you carry the Book of Vile Darkness and are attuned to it, you can use an action to recite words from its pages in a foul language known as Dark Speech." is seen in the 2014 version of the book of vile darkness, and it calls dark speech "a foul language known as Dark Speech"
The 2024 update renames this Vile Speech and adds that it is a dead language.
The 3rd Edition Book of Vile Darkness had a feat for learning Dark Speech and using it to perform various effects. I think it is meant to be a special language that mortals cannot normally learn but have a magical power similar to the Power Word spells. The Book of Exalted Deeds may or may not have had an equivalent for Supernal and/or the Words of Creation (I don't know if all the Words of Creation are Power Words, if all Power Words are Words of Creation, or if neither is true).
I would say this is just like verbal component spellcasting. You learn the "language" by learning the spells. If someone wanted to learn Dark/Vile Speech, I would direct them down those lines looking for spells that produce effects in line with the corrupting effects of the language.
according to the dungeon master's guide(specifically the 2014 version), dark speech is considered a language with the book of vile darkness teaching you the language, however the "language" options seen in humans and some subclasses say "a language" without any further stipulations, could a person learn dark speech via playing as a human and would it do anything without attunement to the book of vile darkness?
addition: the line "While you carry the Book of Vile Darkness and are attuned to it, you can use an action to recite words from its pages in a foul language known as Dark Speech." is seen in the 2014 version of the book of vile darkness, and it calls dark speech "a foul language known as Dark Speech"
The 2024 update renames this Vile Speech and adds that it is a dead language.
The 3rd Edition Book of Vile Darkness had a feat for learning Dark Speech and using it to perform various effects. I think it is meant to be a special language that mortals cannot normally learn but have a magical power similar to the Power Word spells. The Book of Exalted Deeds may or may not have had an equivalent for Supernal and/or the Words of Creation (I don't know if all the Words of Creation are Power Words, if all Power Words are Words of Creation, or if neither is true).
I would say this is just like verbal component spellcasting. You learn the "language" by learning the spells. If someone wanted to learn Dark/Vile Speech, I would direct them down those lines looking for spells that produce effects in line with the corrupting effects of the language.
to grossly oversimplify, learning dark/vile speech would pretty much result in you knowing more spells? i could see it doing that as you are described as "reciting from the book" when you speak dark/vile speech from the book rather than actually knowing the language
to grossly oversimplify, learning dark/vile speech would pretty much result in you knowing more spells? i could see it doing that as you are described as "reciting from the book" when you speak dark/vile speech from the book rather than actually knowing the language
Essentially, yes. Learning Dark/Vile Speech could be represented in Warlock or Sorcerer levels. Speaking words in the language could be represented by Hold [creature] spells, fear spells, Friends, Toll the Dead, etc. Look for themes of anti-life, corrupting/damaging the environment, intimidating or controlling other creatures. In this case, Friends may be an odd suggestion, but it is controlling the target, forcing an artificial friendship, and you lean into the creepiness of that. Getting similarly creative with other spells can give you a variety of options.
according to the dungeon master's guide(specifically the 2014 version), dark speech is considered a language with the book of vile darkness teaching you the language, however the "language" options seen in humans and some subclasses say "a language" without any further stipulations, could a person learn dark speech via playing as a human and would it do anything without attunement to the book of vile darkness?
addition: the line "While you carry the Book of Vile Darkness and are attuned to it, you can use an action to recite words from its pages in a foul language known as Dark Speech." is seen in the 2014 version of the book of vile darkness, and it calls dark speech "a foul language known as Dark Speech"
The 2024 update renames this Vile Speech and adds that it is a dead language.
I think the only other time Dark Speech even comes up is the Iggwilv stat block from Wild Beyond the Witchlight, which references it in terms of a Legendary Action
Dark Speech (Costs 2 Actions). Iggwilv utters a phrase in a forbidden language and targets one or two creatures she can see within 60 feet of her. Each target must succeed on a DC 22 Wisdom saving throw or take 11 (2d10) psychic damage and be frightened of Iggwilv for 1 minute. A target can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success and thereby becoming immune to Iggwilv’s Dark Speech for 24 hours.
It definitely doesn't seem to be a language anyone is intended to learn, the way you'd learn Draconic or Thieves Cant
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Active characters:
Edoumiaond Willegume "Eddie" Podslee, Vegetanian scholar (College of Spirits bard) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Peter "the Pied Piper" Hausler, human con artist/remover of vermin (Circle of the Shepherd druid) PIPA - Planar Interception/Protection Aeormaton, warforged bodyguard and ex-wizard hunter (Warrior of the Elements monk/Cartographer artificer) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
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according to the dungeon master's guide(specifically the 2014 version), dark speech is considered a language with the book of vile darkness teaching you the language, however the "language" options seen in humans and some subclasses say "a language" without any further stipulations, could a person learn dark speech via playing as a human and would it do anything without attunement to the book of vile darkness?
addition: the line "While you carry the Book of Vile Darkness and are attuned to it, you can use an action to recite words from its pages in a foul language known as Dark Speech." is seen in the 2014 version of the book of vile darkness, and it calls dark speech "a foul language known as Dark Speech"
RAW what languages are available whenever you get to pick are subject to DM’s discretion. Beyond goes a little overboard tabulating all the technically possible options, so you see stuff like that or Giant Owl that weren’t written to be typical player-facing options.
Who would you talk to with Dark Speech?
zero clue, this is a hypothetical
The 2024 update renames this Vile Speech and adds that it is a dead language.
The 3rd Edition Book of Vile Darkness had a feat for learning Dark Speech and using it to perform various effects. I think it is meant to be a special language that mortals cannot normally learn but have a magical power similar to the Power Word spells. The Book of Exalted Deeds may or may not have had an equivalent for Supernal and/or the Words of Creation (I don't know if all the Words of Creation are Power Words, if all Power Words are Words of Creation, or if neither is true).
I would say this is just like verbal component spellcasting. You learn the "language" by learning the spells. If someone wanted to learn Dark/Vile Speech, I would direct them down those lines looking for spells that produce effects in line with the corrupting effects of the language.
How to add Tooltips.
My houserulings.
to grossly oversimplify, learning dark/vile speech would pretty much result in you knowing more spells? i could see it doing that as you are described as "reciting from the book" when you speak dark/vile speech from the book rather than actually knowing the language
Essentially, yes. Learning Dark/Vile Speech could be represented in Warlock or Sorcerer levels. Speaking words in the language could be represented by Hold [creature] spells, fear spells, Friends, Toll the Dead, etc. Look for themes of anti-life, corrupting/damaging the environment, intimidating or controlling other creatures. In this case, Friends may be an odd suggestion, but it is controlling the target, forcing an artificial friendship, and you lean into the creepiness of that. Getting similarly creative with other spells can give you a variety of options.
How to add Tooltips.
My houserulings.
I think the only other time Dark Speech even comes up is the Iggwilv stat block from Wild Beyond the Witchlight, which references it in terms of a Legendary Action
It definitely doesn't seem to be a language anyone is intended to learn, the way you'd learn Draconic or Thieves Cant
Active characters:
Edoumiaond Willegume "Eddie" Podslee, Vegetanian scholar (College of Spirits bard)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Peter "the Pied Piper" Hausler, human con artist/remover of vermin (Circle of the Shepherd druid)
PIPA - Planar Interception/Protection Aeormaton, warforged bodyguard and ex-wizard hunter (Warrior of the Elements monk/Cartographer artificer)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)