Can a GOO Warlock's 'Awakened Mind' broadcast to many? A single message to all visible party members, mooks, or other sub-group w/in 30'?
"Starting at 1st level, your alien knowledge gives you the ability to touch the minds of other creatures. You can communicate telepathically with any creature you can see within 30 feet of you. You don't need to share a language with the creature for it to understand your telepathic utterances, but the creature must be able to understand at least one language."
The use of the plurals "minds" and "creatures", along with "any" instead of "a creature" seems to imply that the Warlock can send a telepathic shout to any number of select select, visible beings who have at least 1 language within 30' without including unwanted recipients.
EDIT: I am aware that there has already been a ruling that it is one-way, I'm only asking if the Warlock can include multiple recipients.
I believe the intention is that it is a single target message, rather than an area broadcast. However, there is also no unit of time given for how long it takes to send the message, so you could do it individually one after the other in rapid succession have have it be "instant" to all of them. If there's no official ruling on the subject, it's up to your DM.
I’ve always read that as a single creature. And even though the wording is ambiguous, it’s intended to be one way communication so you need Comprehend Languages for two way communication with someone who doesn’t speak common or Detect Thoughts for two way communication with an ally when you want to “talk” in secret.
So I realized that this post is dated pretty far back but hopefully I'll get some response because I have a question regarding this same thing but in a different aspect. Okay so a little bit of backstory here my party is currently in a cave that has a very loud waterfall system in it I explained to the party that the waterfall is very loud because they are directly in that room so any spells that they want to use the verbal component of or that are only verbal fall on deaf ears because realistically as loud as it is any creatures that have to be able to hear those spells wouldn't actually be able to do that but I am allowing them to use material components as well as Somatic if the spell specifies that it has those. So here's my problem my Warlock claims that they can use their awaken mind ability to cast verbal spells into a creatures mind. And I'm going to be honest I genuinely don't think that that's how that works but they are hell bent that it is how it works and I honestly can't find anything or any opinions as to whether or not this should even be a possibility and it has actually caused issues at the table so this is me asking for opinions or if there's somewhere where it specifies how that works I would love to know please help. Just for context the spell specifically that he is trying to use this way for this particular instance is Dissonant Whispers which is strictly a verbal component. But he also tries to use this with other spells in different circumstances
Okay a spell having a verbal component isn't a issue, the issue is if its effect requires it to be heard in someway. Like magic missile has a verbal component, you can cast that fine in a loud area. But command might be hard to pull off you successfully cast the spell using its verbal component, but they just don't hear you say run, so you don't follow the command. Me I'd let them cast dissonant whispers with awakened mind, what would be creepier an actual unnerving Wisper you can hear, or one right in your brain. Sure some spells say they have to be able to hear you and telepathic speech might not technically be heard. But to me that sounds like a stretch. You are communicating to them and it requires they understand your language so imo it is most likely being heard but just in their mind. Since base telepathy does not require people know each others languages I can see an argument that you are communicating via some method where hearing is not an accurate description. They don't hear you they just know the message or whatever.
I am just not sure what the value add is for ruling that way. Maybe it breaks the game in some way I am not seeing, but it just sounds like mostly a fun way to use your abilities. And its most likely only going to be used with illusion/enchantment spells which telepathically communicating a suggestion or whatever seems appropriate for.
So I realized that this post is dated pretty far back but hopefully I'll get some response because I have a question regarding this same thing but in a different aspect. Okay so a little bit of backstory here my party is currently in a cave that has a very loud waterfall system in it I explained to the party that the waterfall is very loud because they are directly in that room so any spells that they want to use the verbal component of or that are only verbal fall on deaf ears because realistically as loud as it is any creatures that have to be able to hear those spells wouldn't actually be able to do that but I am allowing them to use material components as well as Somatic if the spell specifies that it has those. So here's my problem my Warlock claims that they can use their awaken mind ability to cast verbal spells into a creatures mind. And I'm going to be honest I genuinely don't think that that's how that works but they are hell bent that it is how it works and I honestly can't find anything or any opinions as to whether or not this should even be a possibility and it has actually caused issues at the table so this is me asking for opinions or if there's somewhere where it specifies how that works I would love to know please help. Just for context the spell specifically that he is trying to use this way for this particular instance is Dissonant Whispers which is strictly a verbal component. But he also tries to use this with other spells in different circumstances
Awakened Mind does not allow casting spells without using verbal components. The section of the general spellcasting rules regarding verbal components make it very clear that they have to actually be spoken out loud, not telepathically.
There are abilities that allow you to do this — for instance, the Aberrant Mind Sorcerer has a way to do this for certain spells at level 6 — but these abilities always explicitly say that they let you cast spells without verbal components. Awakened Mind doesn't say it does that, so it doesn't do that.
I have seen it run both ways but I think the RAI is the verbal component of a spell like suggestion or dissonant whispers is not the same as the what is heard. So your suggestion might be run away until you can run no more. But that is not the verbal component of the spell. You say bibity bopity boop, and then give the suggestion. The suggestion has to be heard, the bibbity part can't be silenced but can be said and cast in any loud area though I can see asking for a concentration check or something to get it off. The suggestion part though as its not a component its more the effect of the spell I don't see why it can't be communicated via telepathy. Some sound based effects maybe it wouldn't make sense, but command, suggestion etc i think it does.
Now if you consider the suggestion itself the component, it nerfs its ability to be done via telepathy but it buffs compared to the other way of running it overall as you are not speaking bizarre gibberish it is more easily done in social situations. I guess you could go with both are the verbal components, though whenever the suggestion part is a component it makes me wonder how it works when you have a way to not need verbal components, you just stare at them and without telepathy they know the suggestion?
Verbal components are mystic words, not normal speech. The spell’s suggestion is an intelligible utterance that is separate from the verbal component. The command spell is the simplest example of this principle. The utterance of the verbal component is separate from, and precedes, any verbal utterance that would bring about the spell’s effect.
I mean I'll agree with sage advice when it reinforces my beliefs but I also disagree with it now and then. But that is what I thought the intent was. So in this case, I do not see the issue in letting them give a command, suggestion etc with telepathy as they cast the verbal component with their mouth. Dissonant whispers is already heard in their mind so that spell that Shalimarfoxx was asking about would be fine even if you didn't want to let suggestion to be conveyed via telepathy. But loud areas do not stop you from casting spells with V components in general.
As I mentioned earlier I think it could work to call for concentration rolls to cast spells under certain conditions, but I don't see any guidance for that in 2024 so they may have moved away from that. Or I just can't find it in the new rules. So if the loud noise is so distracting that people have a hard time thinking maybe ask for that. I could also see with dissonant whispers, telepathic commands etc an argument to give the target advantage on their saves as even though they are hearing it in the mind they are hearing so much with their ears it gets a bit overwhelmed by the background noise lessening its effect. The rules wont cover everything so as long as you are fair and balanced in your rule calls make the best judgement call you can for areas the rules don't give you an answer, or give you an answer you don't like.
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Can a GOO Warlock's 'Awakened Mind' broadcast to many? A single message to all visible party members, mooks, or other sub-group w/in 30'?
"Starting at 1st level, your alien knowledge gives you the ability to touch the minds of other creatures. You can communicate telepathically with any creature you can see within 30 feet of you. You don't need to share a language with the creature for it to understand your telepathic utterances, but the creature must be able to understand at least one language."
The use of the plurals "minds" and "creatures", along with "any" instead of "a creature" seems to imply that the Warlock can send a telepathic shout to any number of select select, visible beings who have at least 1 language within 30' without including unwanted recipients.
EDIT: I am aware that there has already been a ruling that it is one-way, I'm only asking if the Warlock can include multiple recipients.
I believe the intention is that it is a single target message, rather than an area broadcast. However, there is also no unit of time given for how long it takes to send the message, so you could do it individually one after the other in rapid succession have have it be "instant" to all of them. If there's no official ruling on the subject, it's up to your DM.
I’ve always read that as a single creature. And even though the wording is ambiguous, it’s intended to be one way communication so you need Comprehend Languages for two way communication with someone who doesn’t speak common or Detect Thoughts for two way communication with an ally when you want to “talk” in secret.
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So I realized that this post is dated pretty far back but hopefully I'll get some response because I have a question regarding this same thing but in a different aspect. Okay so a little bit of backstory here my party is currently in a cave that has a very loud waterfall system in it I explained to the party that the waterfall is very loud because they are directly in that room so any spells that they want to use the verbal component of or that are only verbal fall on deaf ears because realistically as loud as it is any creatures that have to be able to hear those spells wouldn't actually be able to do that but I am allowing them to use material components as well as Somatic if the spell specifies that it has those. So here's my problem my Warlock claims that they can use their awaken mind ability to cast verbal spells into a creatures mind. And I'm going to be honest I genuinely don't think that that's how that works but they are hell bent that it is how it works and I honestly can't find anything or any opinions as to whether or not this should even be a possibility and it has actually caused issues at the table so this is me asking for opinions or if there's somewhere where it specifies how that works I would love to know please help. Just for context the spell specifically that he is trying to use this way for this particular instance is Dissonant Whispers which is strictly a verbal component. But he also tries to use this with other spells in different circumstances
Okay a spell having a verbal component isn't a issue, the issue is if its effect requires it to be heard in someway. Like magic missile has a verbal component, you can cast that fine in a loud area. But command might be hard to pull off you successfully cast the spell using its verbal component, but they just don't hear you say run, so you don't follow the command. Me I'd let them cast dissonant whispers with awakened mind, what would be creepier an actual unnerving Wisper you can hear, or one right in your brain. Sure some spells say they have to be able to hear you and telepathic speech might not technically be heard. But to me that sounds like a stretch. You are communicating to them and it requires they understand your language so imo it is most likely being heard but just in their mind. Since base telepathy does not require people know each others languages I can see an argument that you are communicating via some method where hearing is not an accurate description. They don't hear you they just know the message or whatever.
I am just not sure what the value add is for ruling that way. Maybe it breaks the game in some way I am not seeing, but it just sounds like mostly a fun way to use your abilities. And its most likely only going to be used with illusion/enchantment spells which telepathically communicating a suggestion or whatever seems appropriate for.
Awakened Mind does not allow casting spells without using verbal components. The section of the general spellcasting rules regarding verbal components make it very clear that they have to actually be spoken out loud, not telepathically.
There are abilities that allow you to do this — for instance, the Aberrant Mind Sorcerer has a way to do this for certain spells at level 6 — but these abilities always explicitly say that they let you cast spells without verbal components. Awakened Mind doesn't say it does that, so it doesn't do that.
pronouns: he/she/they
Note that the 2024 version of the subclass has a feature specifically for removing VS components from Illusion and Enchantment spells.
I have seen it run both ways but I think the RAI is the verbal component of a spell like suggestion or dissonant whispers is not the same as the what is heard. So your suggestion might be run away until you can run no more. But that is not the verbal component of the spell. You say bibity bopity boop, and then give the suggestion. The suggestion has to be heard, the bibbity part can't be silenced but can be said and cast in any loud area though I can see asking for a concentration check or something to get it off. The suggestion part though as its not a component its more the effect of the spell I don't see why it can't be communicated via telepathy. Some sound based effects maybe it wouldn't make sense, but command, suggestion etc i think it does.
Now if you consider the suggestion itself the component, it nerfs its ability to be done via telepathy but it buffs compared to the other way of running it overall as you are not speaking bizarre gibberish it is more easily done in social situations. I guess you could go with both are the verbal components, though whenever the suggestion part is a component it makes me wonder how it works when you have a way to not need verbal components, you just stare at them and without telepathy they know the suggestion?
I mean I'll agree with sage advice when it reinforces my beliefs but I also disagree with it now and then. But that is what I thought the intent was. So in this case, I do not see the issue in letting them give a command, suggestion etc with telepathy as they cast the verbal component with their mouth. Dissonant whispers is already heard in their mind so that spell that Shalimarfoxx was asking about would be fine even if you didn't want to let suggestion to be conveyed via telepathy. But loud areas do not stop you from casting spells with V components in general.
As I mentioned earlier I think it could work to call for concentration rolls to cast spells under certain conditions, but I don't see any guidance for that in 2024 so they may have moved away from that. Or I just can't find it in the new rules. So if the loud noise is so distracting that people have a hard time thinking maybe ask for that. I could also see with dissonant whispers, telepathic commands etc an argument to give the target advantage on their saves as even though they are hearing it in the mind they are hearing so much with their ears it gets a bit overwhelmed by the background noise lessening its effect. The rules wont cover everything so as long as you are fair and balanced in your rule calls make the best judgement call you can for areas the rules don't give you an answer, or give you an answer you don't like.