Illusion Magic • Legacy Language Curse

Broca’s Curse of Babel

Broca’s Curse of Babel leaves the victim convinced they are speaking normally while everyone else hears meaningless babble. It is a legacy d20 Witch, Bard and Sorcerer/Wizard spell.

Broca’s Curse of Babel at a Glance

5.5e / 2024	No direct conversion published here
5e / 2014	No direct conversion published here
Pathfinder 1e	Not a Pathfinder Witch spell by default
D&D 3.x Legacy	Witch 2, Bard 2, Sorcerer/Wizard 2

Spell Rules by Edition

5.5e / 2024: no direct conversion. 5e / 2014: no direct conversion. Pathfinder 1e: not a Pathfinder Witch spell by default. D&D 3.x Legacy: use the rules below.

D&D 3.x Legacy Rules

School	Illusion (Glamer)
Level	Witch 2, Bard 2, Sorcerer/Wizard 2
Components	V, S, M
Casting Time	1 action
Range	Touch
Target	Creature touched
Duration	1 round/level
Saving Throw	Will negates
Spell Resistance	Yes

The subject can produce only nonsense speech and believes they are communicating normally. The curse also prevents meaningful written communication and, under the legacy rules, prevents spellcasting that depends on intelligible speech.

Remove Curse, Dispel Magic or Tongues can counter the effect under the original rules.

Material component: a snake’s tongue tied in a knot.

Using the Curse in Play

The spell is strongest as communication denial: stopping orders, negotiations, passwords, warnings or verbal spellcasting without silencing the victim outright.

What Changed?

No modern conversion is assumed. The speech, writing and verbal-spell disruption below remains confined to the legacy d20 Witch rules.

Counterplay and Related Magic

A successful Will save prevents the curse and Spell Resistance applies. Under the legacy rules, Remove Curse, Dispel Magic or Tongues can end or counter it. Compare Babble for a wider language-disruption effect.