As the title says, I'm running a (very short) campaign where all the characters are very experienced heroes (level 14 or 15; still deciding if I want players to be able to cast 1 level 8 spell a day or no basically), but of an elderly age group. To go along with the premise, all the characters will roll on a table to select 1 or 2 "old person effects" that will effect their scores or abilities (and also will be added into their roleplaying; and yes all the players know what they are in for and have agreed to this enthusiastically).
I have a table prepared, but before I add it to the server (they are adding it to their characters after they set up their character sheet so they can't just nullify effects or something), but I want to get a second opinion to make sure all the negative effects are relatively equal. I don't want someone handicapped FAR WORSE than everyone else just because of the roll of the die. Also, in your opinion, is 2 per person ok, or would that be too debilitating (despite all the abilities and spells and magic items they will have at their disposal) and I should leave it at 1 per player? Or maybe they roll one and choose the other?
Arthritis: -5ft movement, and fall prone when failing rolls involving strength.
Easily fatigued: Disadvantage on rolls involving constitution. Gain point of exhaustion if you dash.
Muscle degeneration: Max strength and dexterity 15.
Reduced reflexes: Disadvantage on initiative and dexterity save rolls.
Bad eyesight: Disadvantage on sight based perception and other sight based rolls. Disadvantage on range attacks.
Bad hearing: Disadvantage on hearing based perception and other hearing based rolls. Must roll perception for hearing even in normal conversations.
Memory issues: Disadvantage on arcana, history, nature, religion, and medicine rolls. If spell caster, spell slots reduced.
The ones you are pretty logical, though a level of exhaustion for easily fatigued is pretty extreme for a single dash. I would at least put in a saving throw to let them attempt to avoid it.
Reducing number of spell slots for memory issues might also be a bit extreme. However, reducing the number of spell a character can learn or have prepared would still serve both to properly represent the memory rust, still have impact on play, while being a bit less severe.
I have a couple I'd suggest; though if they aren't to your taste, I won't be offended.
Bad Ticker. Your heart isn't as strong as it used to be. Anytime you are taken by surprised or subjected to the frightened condition, make a Constitution saving throw. On a failure, you are incapacitated as though reduced to 0 hit points (your hit points are not actually reduced). Make death saving throws as you would when reduced to 0 hit points. It only requires one successful death saving throw to end this condition, removing the incapacitated condition. On three failed death saving throws, you die as you normally would while making death saving throws with 0 hit points. Any spell or effect that would cure you of a condition or disease will also automatically end the effect.
Aches And Pains. Each time you complete a long rest, after your hit points are restored to maximum, you take 1d12 damage which cannot be reduced in any way. When you are subjected to an effect that would restore hit points, roll a d4. Subtract the result of the d4 from the number of hit points you regain.
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Easy fatigue also messes with casters fairly severely since it affects concentration. I migh try limiting adventuring day before they make exhaustion checks?
I like your premise,but I believe they are a little stiff .I like the old person effects,but start with one,then on a critical hit,add old person effects to the possibilities of lingering damage
Love the idea, great RP options and with a real comedic flair. I would say the disadvantage differs greatly on the random roll. A fighter with degeneration is strongly affected while a wizard with the same wouldn't mind. Perhaps adding an equal chance to have the other stats capped as well? Something like dementia (cap int and wis) and osteoporosis (cap cha and con). As the effects are mostly mild I would lean towards your idea of roll one and pick one, a couple of flaws would let the issues shine.
As the title says, I'm running a (very short) campaign where all the characters are very experienced heroes (level 14 or 15; still deciding if I want players to be able to cast 1 level 8 spell a day or no basically), but of an elderly age group. To go along with the premise, all the characters will roll on a table to select 1 or 2 "old person effects" that will effect their scores or abilities (and also will be added into their roleplaying; and yes all the players know what they are in for and have agreed to this enthusiastically).
I have a table prepared, but before I add it to the server (they are adding it to their characters after they set up their character sheet so they can't just nullify effects or something), but I want to get a second opinion to make sure all the negative effects are relatively equal. I don't want someone handicapped FAR WORSE than everyone else just because of the roll of the die. Also, in your opinion, is 2 per person ok, or would that be too debilitating (despite all the abilities and spells and magic items they will have at their disposal) and I should leave it at 1 per player? Or maybe they roll one and choose the other?
Arthritis: -5ft movement, and fall prone when failing rolls involving strength.
Easily fatigued: Disadvantage on rolls involving constitution. Gain point of exhaustion if you dash.
Muscle degeneration: Max strength and dexterity 15.
Reduced reflexes: Disadvantage on initiative and dexterity save rolls.
Bad eyesight: Disadvantage on sight based perception and other sight based rolls. Disadvantage on range attacks.
Bad hearing: Disadvantage on hearing based perception and other hearing based rolls. Must roll perception for hearing even in normal conversations.
Memory issues: Disadvantage on arcana, history, nature, religion, and medicine rolls. If spell caster, spell slots reduced.
Brittle bones: Max constitution 15.
The ones you are pretty logical, though a level of exhaustion for easily fatigued is pretty extreme for a single dash. I would at least put in a saving throw to let them attempt to avoid it.
Reducing number of spell slots for memory issues might also be a bit extreme. However, reducing the number of spell a character can learn or have prepared would still serve both to properly represent the memory rust, still have impact on play, while being a bit less severe.
I have a couple I'd suggest; though if they aren't to your taste, I won't be offended.
Bad Ticker. Your heart isn't as strong as it used to be. Anytime you are taken by surprised or subjected to the frightened condition, make a Constitution saving throw. On a failure, you are incapacitated as though reduced to 0 hit points (your hit points are not actually reduced). Make death saving throws as you would when reduced to 0 hit points. It only requires one successful death saving throw to end this condition, removing the incapacitated condition. On three failed death saving throws, you die as you normally would while making death saving throws with 0 hit points. Any spell or effect that would cure you of a condition or disease will also automatically end the effect.
Aches And Pains. Each time you complete a long rest, after your hit points are restored to maximum, you take 1d12 damage which cannot be reduced in any way. When you are subjected to an effect that would restore hit points, roll a d4. Subtract the result of the d4 from the number of hit points you regain.
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How old are these aging heroes supposed to be? Based on the effects you're doling out, I'm guessing ... 75+ ?
My DM Philosophy, as summed up by other people: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rN5w4-azTq3Kbn0Yvk9nfqQhwQ1R5by1/view
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
Easy fatigue also messes with casters fairly severely since it affects concentration. I migh try limiting adventuring day before they make exhaustion checks?
I like your premise,but I believe they are a little stiff .I like the old person effects,but start with one,then on a critical hit,add old person effects to the possibilities of lingering damage
Playing an old monk would be fun!
I absolutely love Sam_Hain's Bad Ticker effect. +1 to adding that in. I also think his suggestion for Memory Issues is a little more balanced.
Love the idea, great RP options and with a real comedic flair. I would say the disadvantage differs greatly on the random roll. A fighter with degeneration is strongly affected while a wizard with the same wouldn't mind. Perhaps adding an equal chance to have the other stats capped as well? Something like dementia (cap int and wis) and osteoporosis (cap cha and con). As the effects are mostly mild I would lean towards your idea of roll one and pick one, a couple of flaws would let the issues shine.
This is great