The Speech of Beasts

[ykauss]

In the book Heart of the Wild on page 42, there is the description of a new Fellowship Phase undertaking called Befriend the Beasts.
This undertaking offers 3 options. The first 2 options (Befriend a Pony and Befried a Hound) have the duration limited to the next Adventura Phase only. However the third option - The Speech of Beasts - does not stipulate and duration.
My group was in doubt whether it is intended to be an ability the character gains 'forever' or it should work just for the next Adventure Phase as the other two options.
The text does not set a duration for The Speech of Beasts.
What do you think?
Is it a too strong abilitie to gain (forever) in a simple Fellowship Phase? Or is it ok for the game balace?
Thank you for any inputs about this.

[zedturtle]

I would rule it as persistent, but see my notes for my magic rules (which offers a bit more flexible spell). Creatures will have a different perspective than Men.

[Majestic]

I don't find any game balance issues, so I'd allow that last one to be a permanent, rather than temporary ability.

[Mytholder]

It's intended to be permanent. Remember that it's only for one particular kind of animal, and it doesn't automatically mean they like you or will help you.

If a player's getting undue benefit out of it, you could drop a Geas of some sort on them - don't eat meat, don't travel at night, do homage to the King of Birds etc.

[Falenthal]

Talking to a beast would still require of a Courtesy, or Song, or Riddle or whatever test, in my opinion. The same as if you wanted a favour or some info from a human being.
Something similar to the elven Virtue The Speakers, although very limited to just one kind of animal.
Remember also that animals don't necesarily see the world as humans, so maybe a rabbit can't give you any information about how many goblins passed recently by, or a trout can know nothing about trolls, only that his river is muddier than before because something stomped on it.

[PaulButler]

We've got a PC in our campaign that learned the speech of Birds this way.
Her poor Song skill has so far rendered it almost useless, so now she's spending most of her advancement points on Song. It's certainly helped define her character's growth, that's for sure.

[Deadmanwalking]

Yeah, it's less useful than it might be. In my game three PCs picked it up (my Beorning learned to talk to birds, the Hobbit to speak to burrowing animals, and the Woodman to his hound)...I think it has yet to prove useful, though it's been amusing a time or three (and I certainly don't regret grabbing it). We do have an Elf with The Speakers and a Dwarf with a Raven, though, so groups without those might find the abilities significantly more useful.