talking with elemtantals

[dajuke]

So, i was just exploring in the hullack today and lost my customary rp companion of ephion, leaving me with my elemental swarm to keep me company. Now, i've always played elementals as though they are just a manifestation of taran's will to control the natural elements, so there is very little conversational rping that occurs between them. Just looking for other people's thoughts on whether or not elementals are conversational fodder or mindless hulks. Write on! See ya ig.

[EDM Neo]

If they weren't summoned through a spell which binds them to take orders from a master, and had reached the material plane in some other way, I'd say conversation with them's just fine. But when summoning through a spell like Elemental Swarm, I'd say they're probably not all that happy to be there, and as such, might not want to talk much. *Shrugs*

[soulfien]

how do you talk to them? They speak their own language. The voice sounds like that of its compisition-

Earth: grinding stones
Air- wind
Water- bubbling
Fire- cackling sound

But, the language is unknown.

[gathera]

I vote for conversation fodder, even if in game is it can be bit one sided, heh. As for them speaking another language *grins* done that too. I have had bit of fun in the past making up words. My revenge on the language tokens. Take that draconian. In regards to them not wishing to be on this plane I have used the premise that they are aid granted by a certain authority from their plane of existence. Past allegiances owed, they would rather be elsewhere but are not hostile bound only by your will waiting to turn on you. Well except for the water elementals, no trusting anything from that plane.

[EDM Neo]

www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/elemental.htm

Air Elementals speak Auran, Earth speak Terran, Fire speak Ignan, and Water speak Aquan... and I was under the impression that the summoner can communicate with them, telepathically or something... otherwise, how would you tell them what to do?

[Munroe]

In all four of the elemental entries in the Monster Manual it does list that they speak their respective elemental language (Auran, Terran, Ignan, Aquan) but states that they rarely choose to do so.

"Air elementals speak Auran but rarely choose to do so."
"Earth elementals speak Terran but rarely choose to do so."
"Fire elementals speak Ignan but rarely choose to do so."
"Water elementals speak Aquan but rarely choose to do so."

I think then that it it safe to say that they aren't very talkative.

Only some of the elder elementals are listed as having an INT of 10. The others have lower Intelligence. Even if they did talk, would you really enjoy the conversation?

As for them understanding commands when summoned, mindless undead have no INT score whatsoever and even they can understand simple commmands.

[Pookey]

wolfmunroe said:

As for them understanding commands when summoned, mindless undead have no INT score whatsoever and even they can understand simple commmands.

Unlike Chril?

[dajuke]

heh, a lot of that is pretty much what i thought and do. Usually i'll address a comment to them and "the elemental looks off distantly into the horizon, not responding." Taran shrugs and continues on. but thanks for the feedback everyone, glad to know i'm on the right track. see ya ig.

[DM Grizwald]

Thats pretty much how i saw things with elementals. But all this info is helpful. Thanks dajuke for the question, its really helpful

[dajuke]

;D no problem! I figure if i have a question by now usually at lease one other does as well.

see ya ig