I’m currently playing an Artificer in a Curse of Strahd campaign and I’ve come across a flavor/mechanics question regarding the Homunculus Servant infusion.
My character is proficient in Sign Language (as part of my background/flavor). Since the Homunculus Servant’s stat block says it "understands the languages you speak" I was wondering if it could communicate back to me using signs as its have hands.
Here is my reasoning:
Intelligence: The Homunculus has an INT of 10. That’s average human intelligence, meaning it’s definitely smart enough to learn and use a complex system of gestures.
Dexterity: With a DEX of 15, it certainly has the manual dexterity to perform signs, provided I designed it with hands or articulated limbs.
The "No Speaking" Rule: Sign language is a visual language, not a vocal one. It doesn't require vocal cords, which is usually the biological/mechanical limitation for "not being able to speak."
I think this would be a great way to handle scouting reports (e.g., "three guards ahead") without breaking stealth.
How would you rule this at your table? Is there anything in RAW that would strictly forbid a construct from using non-verbal languages if it has the required Intelligence?
I'm assuming this the 2014 Artificer and Homunculus, but I'd say no, it can't communicate back to you. Sign Language is still a language, and it explicitly says it "understands the languages you speak" not that it can speak back.
No the Homunculus Servant can't speak, it can only understands the languages you speak, which typically doesn't include sign language as it's not spoken.
I think this would be a great way to handle scouting reports (e.g., "three guards ahead") without breaking stealth.
Since you're talking about the infusion, you mean the 2014 Tasha's version. It understands the same languages as the Artificer, as you note. It's actually unclear if can communicate back, but a strict reading says it can't. Stereotypically, I bet most DMs would rule it could play charades with you.
The 2024 version is a spell, doesn't understand any languages, but has 60ft telepathy with the caster.
I’m currently playing an Artificer in a Curse of Strahd campaign and I’ve come across a flavor/mechanics question regarding the Homunculus Servant infusion.
My character is proficient in Sign Language (as part of my background/flavor). Since the Homunculus Servant’s stat block says it "understands the languages you speak" I was wondering if it could communicate back to me using signs as its have hands.
No. It only understands the language in its stat block. This means, it only understands the languages you speak and sign language is not spoken. Some familiars will know the languages you do but be unable to speak. Those familiars could use sign language if you know sign language.
Eh, it's getting very lawyer-y to split the hair of "it only says they can't speak, so they can still perfectly do any nonverbal communication medium". The good faith interpretation of "understands but cannot speak" is clearly "understands but cannot articulate a response of comparable sophistication", particularly when all modes of communication are blocked rather than being something like a Giant Owl which presumably understands more languages than it can speak to reflect that it doesn't have the vocal apparatus for humanoid languages.
[...] The 2024 version is a spell, doesn't understand any languages, but has 60ft telepathy with the caster.
The relevant thing and difference is that you can communicate using telepathy, as you said, but just to clarify, the 2024 Homunculus Servant says 1 mile:
Eh, it's getting very lawyer-y to split the hair of "it only says they can't speak, so they can still perfectly do any nonverbal communication medium". The good faith interpretation of "understands but cannot speak" is clearly "understands but cannot articulate a response of comparable sophistication", particularly when all modes of communication are blocked rather than being something like a Giant Owl which presumably understands more languages than it can speak to reflect that it doesn't have the vocal apparatus for humanoid languages.
This is a tangent, but that is a separate question and open to individual interpretation. Yes, technically, non-spoken languages are allowed. For some familiars, it will make more logical sense than others. A Skeleton (Warlock) or maybe an Art Elemental Mascot (Strixhaven) probably make the most sense.
When I made the comment above, I wasn't actually thinking of run-of-the-mill familiars, but it technically applies to some options there too.
Since you're talking about the infusion, you mean the 2014 Tasha's version. It understands the same languages as the Artificer, as you note. It's actually unclear if can communicate back, but a strict reading says it can't.
Creature's statblock say the following regarding Languages;
Languages: The languages that a monster can speak are listed in alphabetical order. Sometimes a monster can understand a language but can't speak it, and this is noted in its entry. A "--" indicates that a creature neither speaks nor understands any language.
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Hi everyone!
I’m currently playing an Artificer in a Curse of Strahd campaign and I’ve come across a flavor/mechanics question regarding the Homunculus Servant infusion.
My character is proficient in Sign Language (as part of my background/flavor). Since the Homunculus Servant’s stat block says it "understands the languages you speak" I was wondering if it could communicate back to me using signs as its have hands.
Here is my reasoning:
Intelligence: The Homunculus has an INT of 10. That’s average human intelligence, meaning it’s definitely smart enough to learn and use a complex system of gestures.
Dexterity: With a DEX of 15, it certainly has the manual dexterity to perform signs, provided I designed it with hands or articulated limbs.
The "No Speaking" Rule: Sign language is a visual language, not a vocal one. It doesn't require vocal cords, which is usually the biological/mechanical limitation for "not being able to speak."
I think this would be a great way to handle scouting reports (e.g., "three guards ahead") without breaking stealth.
How would you rule this at your table? Is there anything in RAW that would strictly forbid a construct from using non-verbal languages if it has the required Intelligence?
Thanks for your help!
I'm assuming this the 2014 Artificer and Homunculus, but I'd say no, it can't communicate back to you. Sign Language is still a language, and it explicitly says it "understands the languages you speak" not that it can speak back.
No the Homunculus Servant can't speak, it can only understands the languages you speak, which typically doesn't include sign language as it's not spoken.
Since you're talking about the infusion, you mean the 2014 Tasha's version. It understands the same languages as the Artificer, as you note. It's actually unclear if can communicate back, but a strict reading says it can't. Stereotypically, I bet most DMs would rule it could play charades with you.
The 2024 version is a spell, doesn't understand any languages, but has 60ft telepathy with the caster.
No. It only understands the language in its stat block. This means, it only understands the languages you speak and sign language is not spoken. Some familiars will know the languages you do but be unable to speak. Those familiars could use sign language if you know sign language.
How to add Tooltips.
My houserulings.
Eh, it's getting very lawyer-y to split the hair of "it only says they can't speak, so they can still perfectly do any nonverbal communication medium". The good faith interpretation of "understands but cannot speak" is clearly "understands but cannot articulate a response of comparable sophistication", particularly when all modes of communication are blocked rather than being something like a Giant Owl which presumably understands more languages than it can speak to reflect that it doesn't have the vocal apparatus for humanoid languages.
The relevant thing and difference is that you can communicate using telepathy, as you said, but just to clarify, the 2024 Homunculus Servant says 1 mile:
This is a tangent, but that is a separate question and open to individual interpretation. Yes, technically, non-spoken languages are allowed. For some familiars, it will make more logical sense than others. A Skeleton (Warlock) or maybe an Art Elemental Mascot (Strixhaven) probably make the most sense.
When I made the comment above, I wasn't actually thinking of run-of-the-mill familiars, but it technically applies to some options there too.
How to add Tooltips.
My houserulings.
Creature's statblock say the following regarding Languages;