Speak With Plants
- Level: 3
- School: Transmutation
- Class: Bard, Druid, Ranger
- Casting Time: Action
- Range: Self
- Components: V, S
- Duration: 10 minutes
You imbue plants in an immobile 30-foot emanation with limited sentience and animation, giving them the ability to communicate with you and follow your simple commands. You can question plants about events in the spell's area within the past day, gaining information about creatures that have passed, weather, and other circumstances.
You can also turn Difficult Terrain caused by plant growth (such as thickets and undergrowth) into ordinary terrain that lasts for the duration. Or you can turn ordinary terrain where plants are present into Difficult Terrain that lasts for the duration.
The spell doesn't enable plants to uproot themselves and move about, but they can move their branches, tendrils, and stalks for you.
If a Plant creature is in the area, you can communicate with it as if you shared a common language.
Tactical Usage
Plant Intelligence Network. Speak with Plants creates a 30-foot area of sentient plants that provide information and follow simple commands.
Terrain Manipulation. The spell can transform plant-based difficult terrain into normal terrain or create difficult terrain from normal plant areas.
Environmental Information. Plants share knowledge about recent events, creatures, weather, and circumstances within their area during the past day.
Spell Combinations
Nature Magic Synergy. Combining with other druid magic reinforces nature-focused themes and environmental manipulation capabilities.
Investigation Enhancement. Using alongside divination magic creates comprehensive information-gathering through plant witnesses.
Terrain Control. Pairing with movement magic maximizes the tactical value of terrain modification and area control.
Material Component Details
Component-Free Advantage. Speak with Plants requires only verbal and somatic components, making it accessible without material constraints.
Natural Communication. The components represent druidic magic that awakens plant consciousness through natural harmony.
Plant Animation. The somatic components direct transmutation magic that grants temporary sentience to local vegetation.
Creator Notes
Druidic Identity Magic. Speak with Plants exemplifies druid connection to nature through plant communication and environmental manipulation.
Area Control Tool. The spell provides terrain modification capabilities that can significantly affect battlefield tactics and exploration.
Intelligence Gathering. Plants serve as environmental witnesses that observe and remember events within their area.
Environmental Interactions
Plant Sentience. The spell grants limited consciousness to normal plants while communicating naturally with existing plant creatures.
Terrain Modification. The spell can alter movement through plant-based terrain in either direction for tactical advantage.
Environmental Awareness. Plants provide unique perspectives on natural events, creature movement, and weather patterns.
Common Rulings & Clarifications
Area of Effect. The 30-foot emanation affects all plants within the area simultaneously for the duration.
Simple Commands. Plants can follow basic instructions appropriate to their physical capabilities and temporary sentience.
Terrain Duration. Terrain modifications last for the full spell duration regardless of concentration status.
Plant Creature Communication. The spell enables natural language communication with any plant creatures in the area.
Alternative Applications
Environmental Research. Gathering ecological information from plant communities for academic or conservation purposes.
Missing Person Investigation. Questioning plants about recent human activity or unusual events in natural areas.
Natural Defense. Creating difficult terrain barriers or clearing paths through wilderness areas for tactical advantage.
Related Spells
Communication Magic Comparison. Various spells enable communication with different creature types, while this spell focuses on plant life.
Terrain Magic. Other spells modify terrain through different means, while Speak with Plants uses natural plant manipulation.
Druidic Connection. The spell reinforces druid themes through harmony with plant life and natural environment control.
Scaling Analysis
Consistent Utility Value. Speak with Plants maintains relevance throughout character progression as environmental manipulation remains valuable.
Wilderness Campaign Utility. The spell becomes increasingly important in nature-focused or exploration-heavy campaigns.
Information Network. Plant intelligence gathering becomes more valuable as adventures involve complex environmental interactions.
Narrative Flavor
Natural Awakening. The spell should emphasize the magical awakening of plant consciousness through druidic harmony with nature.
Plant Perspective. Conversations should reflect plant viewpoints focused on growth, weather, seasons, and environmental health.
Environmental Harmony. The interaction should demonstrate the druid's deep connection and respectful relationship with plant life.