For a long time now I've been someone who has struggled with epilepsy. While I have found medicines that worked to keep it at bay I also recall the many petite and grand mals (well, I DON'T cause that's how they work, but having been on the recieving end of them I know the symptoms and had people tell me what happened after) I've had since I was 20. I bring this up because I've been debating playing as a Dhampir in a possible upcoming campaign and had the idea of incorporating my real-life experiences with these things into my character. To be more specific, while they don't NEED blood to survive, if they go too long without drinking they start to suffer symptoms very similar to those conditions; possibly reaching all the way up to grand mals if they don't feed for a prolonged period. In short, they don't NEED the blood, but not having it causes some serious health problems and the only cure is, eventually, to feed (I haven't decided if it needs to be sentient or not, but I'm leaning towards it has to be if only so that it can't be saited by chowing down on a mouse). Do you think this would be a good idea? Or am I just setting myself up for a bunch of trouble and unintentionally insulting my fellow sufferers of this horrid condition by using it as a game/RP mechanic?
There are controversies around people who romanticize disabilities and/or use them as costumes, but those who have first hand experience are generally exempt from the court of public opinion. As a general guideline, real world experiences shouldn't be avoided simply because someone might be offended, however, we should all endeavor to be aware and sensitive to how it may affect others. If you are considering this mechanic for your own private games, the only opinions that matter are those of your fellow players and DMs. If you hope to publish something, then be sure to do so respectfully.
Side Note: Most, if not all, non-human animals should be considered "sentient", however most are not considered "sapient".
I'd run it by the group first, because someone might be uncomfortable because it reminds them of something a close loved one is dealing with, and they don't want that in their recreational time, which I think is valid. Not every character is right for every group of players.
Definitely makes sure that if you go that route to let the other players know that you're drawing on your own experiences, incorporating a version of them into the character, because that shows your motivations, and in the present day a LOT of people get offended on behalf of people or groups that they're not a part of. If they know you're drawing on personal experience it should prevent such individuals from trying to shame you as a way of virtue signaling.
My group is already familiar with my condition so it shouldn't be too much of a problem. They'll know what I'm doing even if I don't explain it to them. That said, yes, I will definately be doing so. Making sure they know it's coming from my own experiences I mean. I don't plan to do any 'publishing' by any means either. Certainly not until I've at least tested this first even if I was insane enough to try and publish my own book!
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For a long time now I've been someone who has struggled with epilepsy. While I have found medicines that worked to keep it at bay I also recall the many petite and grand mals (well, I DON'T cause that's how they work, but having been on the recieving end of them I know the symptoms and had people tell me what happened after) I've had since I was 20. I bring this up because I've been debating playing as a Dhampir in a possible upcoming campaign and had the idea of incorporating my real-life experiences with these things into my character. To be more specific, while they don't NEED blood to survive, if they go too long without drinking they start to suffer symptoms very similar to those conditions; possibly reaching all the way up to grand mals if they don't feed for a prolonged period. In short, they don't NEED the blood, but not having it causes some serious health problems and the only cure is, eventually, to feed (I haven't decided if it needs to be sentient or not, but I'm leaning towards it has to be if only so that it can't be saited by chowing down on a mouse). Do you think this would be a good idea? Or am I just setting myself up for a bunch of trouble and unintentionally insulting my fellow sufferers of this horrid condition by using it as a game/RP mechanic?
There are controversies around people who romanticize disabilities and/or use them as costumes, but those who have first hand experience are generally exempt from the court of public opinion. As a general guideline, real world experiences shouldn't be avoided simply because someone might be offended, however, we should all endeavor to be aware and sensitive to how it may affect others. If you are considering this mechanic for your own private games, the only opinions that matter are those of your fellow players and DMs. If you hope to publish something, then be sure to do so respectfully.
Side Note: Most, if not all, non-human animals should be considered "sentient", however most are not considered "sapient".
I'd run it by the group first, because someone might be uncomfortable because it reminds them of something a close loved one is dealing with, and they don't want that in their recreational time, which I think is valid. Not every character is right for every group of players.
Definitely makes sure that if you go that route to let the other players know that you're drawing on your own experiences, incorporating a version of them into the character, because that shows your motivations, and in the present day a LOT of people get offended on behalf of people or groups that they're not a part of. If they know you're drawing on personal experience it should prevent such individuals from trying to shame you as a way of virtue signaling.
My group is already familiar with my condition so it shouldn't be too much of a problem. They'll know what I'm doing even if I don't explain it to them. That said, yes, I will definately be doing so. Making sure they know it's coming from my own experiences I mean. I don't plan to do any 'publishing' by any means either. Certainly not until I've at least tested this first even if I was insane enough to try and publish my own book!