Necklace of Tongues

[Omegaxicor]

I need my players to understand three languages (at least two Dwarven and Undercommon but I want Draconic) but I would like it to be something temporary like a spell or potion but it can be an item if necessary.

I found one that was like 4,000 Gp (a magic item) but the languages were Demonic and two others I didn't recognise but I can't find it now

I hate the magic items rules mostly because I can't make sense of them I hope they A) simplify B) improve them in DnD Next...

P.S. I really like the new look, better than before (not that before was bad but this is better)

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

I need my players to understand three languages (at least two Dwarven and Undercommon but I want Draconic) but I would like it to be something temporary like a spell or potion but it can be an item if necessary.

I found one that was like 4,000 Gp (a magic item) but the languages were Demonic and two others I didn't recognise but I can't find it now

I hate the magic items rules mostly because I can't make sense of them I hope they A) simplify B) improve them in DnD Next...

P.S. I really like the new look, better than before (not that before was bad but this is better)

Pearl of Speech. Make 1 for each language.
Magic Item Compendium p.118

Info on Potions

Comprehend Languages potion would cost 50gp, but would only allow understanding, not speaking.
Tongues potion would cost 750gp and allow both understanding and speaking.

 

[Omegaxicor]

Can you make a Pearl Necklace of Speech? (seems a bit far fetched but finding 12 Pearls of Speech seems equally far-fetched)

The Potion of Tongues would run out too soon I think.

 

[dragonfriend7738]

I'm assuming you are the DM. Does this language gain need to be a temporary thing? If not, why not have the party find a Rosetta Stone type item that just grants them understanding of the three languages. You could say that it translates the three into Common, and provides enough of a pronunciation guide that the party learns the language and how to read/write. Kind of like an attribute book, but for languages, and not one-time use only.

If you do need it to be temporary, maybe make it a magical Rosetta Stone that has been shattered, and the pieces grant knowledge of the languages while held?

Hmm... that would actually be an interesting plot hook, if you think about it. An all-language rosetta stone, that when restored grants the owner access to the True Tounge, and the BBEG is trying to gather all the pieces to unlock Cthulu or something. *ponders*

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Where are your PCs going? Allies sending them on a mission could give them a free set of pearls, on the grounds that the PCs cannot accomplish the mission without them.

 

[Omegaxicor]

Yea sorry the main problem is that the players are all Human and only speak Common and Elven (they grew up in a Human settlement near an Elven forest) but now they are aiding a Dwarven mining settlement against invasion, I want the players to be able to understand what the enemies are saying (it might be handy if they could understand but not speak the other languages) so that they can gain an insight into WHY the invasion has happened and find out about the second / third / fourth and fifth phases of the invasion.

I am curious are there any downsides to the players understanding, but not speaking, ALL languages freely?

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

Can you make a Pearl Necklace of Speech? (seems a bit far fetched but finding 12 Pearls of Speech seems equally far-fetched)

The Potion of Tongues would run out too soon I think.

I don't see why not. A few Pearls of Speech strung on a necklace like candy, you pop one into your mouth @ it activates, you spit it back out onto the necklace.
Or how about a bag of marbles that aren't marbles?
Honestly, Someone with the Craft Wondrous Items feat and access to the appropriate spells could make a pearl in a day. Dwarves, being the practical and crafty people they are, could have casters on hand who'd think nothing of producing such a simple item like this if the need arose. This might be a service the church of Moradin provides regularly to those passing thru.

Yea sorry the main problem is that the players are all Human and only speak Common and Elven (they grew up in a Human settlement near an Elven forest) but now they are aiding a Dwarven mining settlement against invasion, I want the players to be able to understand what the enemies are saying (it might be handy if they could understand but not speak the other languages) so that they can gain an insight into WHY the invasion has happened and find out about the second / third / fourth and fifth phases of the invasion.

It's 1 or 2 skillpoints to learn an language, however you as the DM can determine how much time would need to pass for an individual amung a peoplegroup to pick up the language. It doesn't need to be limited to leveling and skillpoints. I'd rule that something like 2 weeks worth of time spent each evening around the campfire, intentionally studying under their Dwarf guide, and they should be able to pick up conversational Dwarvish, etc.

I am curious are there any downsides to the players understanding, but not speaking, ALL languages freely?

The upside would be simplifying gameplay if that's what you're aiming for. The downside is any time you as the DM would want your players to not understand what's being talked about. Comprehend languages allows for inhuman understanding, but still need to problem solve how to relate to others who cannot understand them. I think that still keeps things interesting.

 

[Omegaxicor]

I like that I'll try to get them to LEARN Dwarven and use the necklace to teach them other languages

 

[LostSoul]

A wand of Summon Monster IV only costs 700 gp. You can use it to summon Lantern Archons, who have Tongues, and it can be used for other things as well.

Or you could Lesser Planar Bind a Hound Archon.

 

[Grogg of the North]

Crystal Mask of Languages (2,500 gp, MIC) gives the wearer the ability to read, speak and write 5 different languages. Whomever makes the mask picks the languages.