Silencing Satchel Interactions

The description for the Silencing Satchel says that when a creature fails its save, “its mouth is sealed shut.” It then specifically states that the creature can't cast spells with Verbal components, consume potions, or take in food or drink.

Would you interpret “its mouth is sealed shut” to also prevent abilities that physically require the creature to open its mouth, particularly bite attacks or the use of breath Weapons? If a creature literally can't open its mouth, how could it bite or exhale a breath weapon through its mouth (without exploding like the Eborsisk in Willow)?

I'm curious what others' experience with the magic item has been at their tables.

Well, most things that can breathe through their mouths can also breathe through their noses, so I don't know that restricting breath weapons makes sense. But bite attacks, sure.

Except for me when I have a severe cold (like now) or sinusitis.

Quote from wagnarokkr >>

Well, most things that can breathe through their mouths can also breathe through their noses, so I don't know that restricting breath weapons makes sense. But bite attacks, sure.

This seems like a decent interpretation. 

For example, the Dragonborn Traits include a Breath Weapon:  "you can replace one of your attacks with an exhalation of magical energy".

Also, the spell Dragon's Breath allows:  "the target can take a Magic action to exhale".

So, it seems that breath attacks require exhaling, but not necessarily through the mouth.

Quote from up2ng >>

Quote from wagnarokkr >>

Well, most things that can breathe through their mouths can also breathe through their noses, so I don't know that restricting breath weapons makes sense. But bite attacks, sure.

 

This seems like a decent interpretation. 

For example, the Dragonborn Traits include a Breath Weapon:  "you can replace one of your attacks with an exhalation of magical energy".

Also, the spell Dragon's Breath allows:  "the target can take a Magic action to exhale".

So, it seems that breath attacks require exhaling, but not necessarily through the mouth.

Eyebrow raise.

I mean, I'm sure the rules don't cover it explicitly in 5e.  But we've got 50 years of D+D history and artwork.  Dragons, at least, always use their breath weapon from their mouth, presumably from specialized glands.  (In fact, we've had published dragon internal anatomies, the draconomicon in 3.5, for example).  50 years of dnd dragon artwork is conclusive for me.

I've never seen the magic item in use, but as a DM I would say it prevents breath weapon use in most if not all cases.  (The only breath weapon I can think of off-hand which is ever depicted as expelled through the nose is the Gorgon's).