Change the "Animal Language" from Empathy to Speech

[metaquad4]

For reference, here is the DM Ruling on Animal Empathy:

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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.

The Animal Language, on our server, has been designated to stand for animal empathy. However, as I am sure many are aware, most players (and many DMs) do not treat it as animal empathy, and rather use it in a manner reminiscent of the "Speak with Animals" spell. I propose a solution to this.

Rather than fighting the uphill battle with both potential new players/DMs and many (many) current players/DMs, I propose a change to the DM ruling surrounding the Animal Language. Simply, I suggest that the Animal Language serve to perform a "Speak with Animals" effect, as well as an animal empathy effect.

First, I will address the purpose to this. As I mentioned before, this rule isn't exactly one that many people abide by. Aside from myself and one other player, I can't name anyone (DMs included) I have RPed with in the last few months who have used this ruling. In the case of DMs it can be especially problematic, since I am then forced to either break the rules in RP or become handicapped due to the fact that I must use it as per animal empathy and the other party doesn't (this applies to players too, though). I've found correcting players to be largely useless, as none have heeded by corrections thus far. This will allow people who have been using it as a "Speak with Animals" effect to continue to do so with legitimacy, as well as opening up that avenue to other players. Additionally, all can continue to use it as a stand-in for animal empathy. Therefore, we can be sure everyone's RP is legitimized post-change.

Secondly, I will address the question "What if Speak with Animals is put in place as a spell in the future?". This can be addressed by not giving "Speak with Animals" to classes that inherently obtain the animal language, and instead giving it to classes who don't. Speak with Animals can then give those who can cast it the animal language after it is cast, for a duration.

Essentially, I want to be able to stop correcting people and feel like everyone's RP is legitimate for this server. Making the Animal Language serve as both "Speak with Animals" and its current "Animal Empathy" will allow this to transpire. It will serve to bolster and create new RP, and it will allow everyone's RP to stay legitimate and within the rules. That can only serve to help players.

Its either that, or we fight this uphill battle. And really, there is little point to it. We don't gain a whole lot by fighting people who "misuse" the animal language, and its not like the server will be destroyed by implementing this change. If this change will indeed destroy the server, then relax. By that logic, the server is already destroyed.

This change will be fine, evidenced by the fact that its already informally implemented by nearly everyone whom I've seen use the animal language in several months (both players and DMs). It won't change much, it'll just make their RP legitimate in the eyes of the rules. So, lets get on it.

Thanks, and happy RPing!