Familiars and Language

[Blackman D]

pigs are not in the MM because they are a trade currency and main source of bacon, they dont live long enough to speak

[grymhild]

...Lolth approves this message.

[Blackman D]

charlotte's web... thanks for reminding me of how old i really am

[dedude]

Pigs are perfectly suited as familiars for drow:

[Wolfrayne]

On the whole language familiar thing what about say a ranger or druids animal companion, If its a winter wolf for example they can speak common and giant.. would it be safe to assume it would still retain its language?

[Laughingman]

DM RULINGS

Animal Language
Animal language acts as a stand in for animal empathy in PNP. It allows the issue of simple commands by whistles and clicks and the like, and allows for body language and temperament to communicate basic ideas like hunger, sleep, directions, danger, and so on. It is, in effect, a language entirely of emotes rather than words. The animal language should not be used to communicate or understand complex or abstract concepts.

Speaking While Polymorphed

If a polymorphed shape can speak common, it is capable of speaking any vocal language the character knows while in that shape.

Animal Shape - Only the animal language is available with fluency. Fragmented words in Common can be spoken in non-magical beast shape, but whether it is legible Common will depend on factors such as, but not limited to, mouth/snout structure, the complexity/compatibility of the word(s) being spoken, and the effort on the wildshaper's part to communicate clearly. Overly long and complex words and/or sentences may still end up unintelligible regardless. When in doubt, err towards caution, and at worst, assume that you can only speak what both you and the creature you've polymorphed into could speak.

Plant Shape - Treants speak the Treant and Common language. Shambling Mounds do not speak a formal language.

Elemental Shape - Elementals are incapable of speaking Common or any other language besides the one representing their element. As a pure embodiment of their plane an elemental lacks the magical ability or physiology to communicate in any language other than the one representing its element, barring certain outside influences (of which polymorphing into an elemental is not one of them).

Magical Beast Shape - Phase spiders do not speak. Winter wolves are capable of speaking common. Celestial leopards do not speak.

Dragon Shape - Dragons are capable of speaking Draconic and Common.

These are all the language rules we have. I like to know what the lore says to default to it for my own RP when no rules are in place.

[Wolfrayne]

yeah Read them rules but my companion is a winter wolf and they can speak common and giant... technically speaking it can speak common...

[Blackman D]

pretty sure winter wolves are magical beasts, but if the MM says they can speak those languages then yea...

the thing with druids/animal companions are the ones that are just animals that cant speak