Summary

There exists a language so dire, so inherently full of spite, malice, corruption, and hatred that it is simply called the Dark Speech. This is the secret language of evil gods, so foul and so potent that even demons and devils refrain from its use, lest it consume them. Not surprisingly, very few mortals know even a few words of the Dark Speech. But those who do are wise to never underestimate the power of words. The safest way to use the Dark Speech is through spells such as dread word. Most characters must take the Dark Speech feat to begin to learn the Dark Speech language. The Dark Speech is extremely difficult to master. A special feat is required to speak even a single word of it correctly, for mortal tongues were not designed to utter these words of pure evil. Some evil outsiders know smatterings (or more) of the Dark Speech and need no feat to master it. To actually communicate by means of the Dark Speech— that is, for a knowledgeable speaker to convey some information to a knowledgeable listener—the speaker must take great care, or both listener and speaker will be harmed. There are no words in the Dark Speech for good concepts such as kindness, mercy, and purity. However, evil characters can speak of misery, anguish, hate, and betrayal with an accuracy impossible in any other tongue. The Dark Speech has no written form. It cannot be transliterated into another language’s written form without losing all of its meaning and power. Besides communicating in the language of evil itself, there are four ways that a speaker can use the Dark Speech.

Dread

The words spoken cause fear, loathing, and dread in all who hear them. Speaking words of dread is draining to the speaker, dealing 1d4 points of Charisma damage each round the Dark Speech is spoken. When dread words of the Dark Speech are uttered, all within 30 feet of the speaker must make a Will saving throw (DC 10 + 1/2 speaker’s level + speaker’s Cha modifier). Listeners who know the Dark Speech by possessing the Dark Speech feat gain a +4 circumstance bonus on this saving throw. If a listener fails its saving throw, it suffers the following effects, depending on its Hit Dice or level and alignment:

Levels 1–4, Nonevil: Characters are shaken by the intoned Dark Speech, and they flee from the source of their fear as quickly as they can, although they can choose the path of their flight. Other than that stipulation, once out of sight and hearing of the source of their fear, characters can act as they want. Characters unable to flee can fight (though they are still shaken for 1d10 rounds).

Levels 5–10, Nonevil: Characters are shaken, taking a–2 morale penalty on attack rolls, saves, and checks for 1d10 rounds.

Levels 11+, Nonevil: Characters are filled with loathing for the speaker and must attack him on their next action.

Levels 1–4, Evil: Characters cower and are frozen in fear. They lose their Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) and can take no actions for 1d10 rounds. Foes gain a +2 bonus to hit cowering characters.

Levels 5–10, Evil: Characters are mastered by the Dark Speech, acting as if charmed (as described in the charm person spell) for 1d10 minutes.

Levels 11+, Evil: Characters are impressed, reacting to the speaker with more respect and wariness. This adds a +2 competence bonus on subsequent attempts to change their attitude.

Power

The words of the Dark Speech help energize evil magic items and spells. Again, this is draining to the speaker, dealing 1d4 points of Charisma damage each time the words of power are uttered. If used in conjunction with an evil spell that has a verbal component, the Dark Speech increases the spell’s effective caster level by +1. If used when creating an evil magic item, the Dark Speech increases the item’s caster level by +1 without increasing the cost. Both caster level increases are considered profane bonuses. It is likely that the Dark Speech is a requirement for many evil artifacts.

Corruption

The words of the Dark Speech, whispered softly, can weaken physical objects. As a full-round action, the speaker can whisper vile words of corruption and destruction at an inanimate object such as a door or wall, reducing its hardness by half. This minor use of the Dark Speech is not draining to the speaker. It cannot be used more than once on a single object.

Dark Unity

The words of the Dark Speech can create a hivemind. Up to one hundred vermin or animals (none of which can have more than 1 HD) form an evil hivemind, as described in the Hivemind section below. The united consciousness of the creatures will take one command from the Dark Speech speaker, as if from the suggestion spell. Pulling creatures under the sway of evil is draining to the speaker, dealing 1d4 points of Constitution damage each time words of dark unity are uttered