In a current combat encounter, a bard character is unable to move out of the area of effect of a Silence spell. Silence is very clear on a complete lack of sound:
For the duration, no sound can be created within or pass through a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on a point you choose within range. Any creature or object entirely inside the sphere is immune to thunder damage, and creatures are deafened while entirely inside it. Casting a spell that includes a verbal component is impossible there.
The bard is attempting to use the class feature Cutting Words:
Also at 3rd level, you learn how to use your wit to distract, confuse, and otherwise sap the confidence and competence of others.
Since the name of the feature includes "words" I initially thought it couldn't be used but the description does not specify that the words are spoken verbally. I decided that mimes can be witty without sound and allowed it under suitable soundless (witty) entertainment requirements.
Looking at it again, however, I see that the description is very closely related to Bardic Inspiration:
you can use your reaction to expend one of your uses of Bardic Inspiration, rolling a Bardic Inspiration die
And Bardic Inspiration seems to require sound (while a mime may have distracting wit, I'm skeptical on how inspiring it can be):
You can inspire others through stirring words or music.
Is there a RAW interpretation that Cutting Words is pretty much the opposite of Bardic Inspiration and should be treated the same? Or is this an un-ruled judgement call?
Best Answer
Using Cutting Words needs the bard to be able to produce sounds.
The description of Cutting Words reports (emphasis mine):
By the description, you are using a Bardic Inspiration die, which requires to be able to produce sound:
Moreover, at the end of the feature description one can read (emphasis mine):
Hence, the bard needs to speak words, and the feature does not work with mimes.