Age before Undeath. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Age before Undeath. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Moobot
04-11-04, 03:50 PM My 350 something year old Drow mage has become a Lich. Before, he had all the penalties assocciated with ageing (-6 to Strength and Dex) as well as the benefits. My DM says that the penalties remain, because time has taken its toll on my character's body, but I believe that the transition into undeath should allow my character to regain his lost vigor: he no longer has a physiology to which age can apply e.g. he has no organs etc, so my character's physical scores should return to what they were. Can you offer up ideas so I can change his mind? ;)
R.M.G.C.L.F.
04-11-04, 03:53 PM First of all, the penalties for aging you have are completely wrong.

Drow age as elves, so he'd have to be a lot older to get any penalties.

Furthermore, the maximum total of ability penalties you can accrue for aging before you die of old age are -3dex, str, and con.
Moobot
04-11-04, 03:57 PM I have the PH here: the "Venerable" range for elves is over 350 years. And the penalties are cumulative (see the bottom of page 93 in PH, 3rd Edition). Now, for that slight: offer up thy house as a sacrifice to mother Llolth! Or not, as the case may be.
Orcy The Green Wonder
04-11-04, 03:57 PM Actually R.M.G.C.L.F. the aging penalties stack, so by venerable you would have a -6 to physical ability scores.
R.M.G.C.L.F.
04-11-04, 03:58 PM Whoops. My mistake.
Moobot
04-11-04, 03:58 PM Heheh: just a moment to late, eh? But still: do I get to revert my scores?
NightScreamer20
04-11-04, 03:59 PM If you did suffer the penalties they should remain, your bones are brittle and the flesh that still holds most of your form together is weak. The con doesn't matter because you no longer have any.
Moobot
04-11-04, 04:01 PM If my bones were brittle, would that not count against my con, effectively giving me one? And besides: a lich's body isn't its own anyway, for should it be destroyed, a new one is created by magic.
Ceran
04-11-04, 04:02 PM Seeing as the flesh will rot away after a while anyway, it's a tough call. I don't really see why the penalties should remain, exept for one reason. It would unbalance the game. I would've ruled that the penalties go.
Moobot
04-11-04, 04:04 PM Thanks. And for all the DM's out there thinking I'm being a pushy player (like mine): this is my first character, I'm usually always the DM.
Orcy The Green Wonder
04-11-04, 04:05 PM Orcy says that the penalties would probably stay. You've aged and cannot regain your old strength. The new body created would be at what your current strength is (if that were the case) but Orcy doesnt see anything saying you get a new body... unless its after being "killed" as a lich. You've aged and your old strength, speed, and health has gone. Your new life as a lich would still keep that fact.
Vanigo
04-11-04, 04:28 PM Well, if you drop the penalties you should also drop the bonuses. It's only fair.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Moobot 04-11-04, 03:50 PM	My 350 something year old Drow mage has become a Lich. Before, he had all the penalties assocciated with ageing (-6 to Strength and Dex) as well as the benefits. My DM says that the penalties remain, because time has taken its toll on my character's body, but I believe that the transition into undeath should allow my character to regain his lost vigor: he no longer has a physiology to which age can apply e.g. he has no organs etc, so my character's physical scores should return to what they were. Can you offer up ideas so I can change his mind? ;)
R.M.G.C.L.F. 04-11-04, 03:53 PM	First of all, the penalties for aging you have are completely wrong. Drow age as elves, so he'd have to be a lot older to get any penalties. Furthermore, the maximum total of ability penalties you can accrue for aging before you die of old age are -3dex, str, and con.
Moobot 04-11-04, 03:57 PM	I have the PH here: the "Venerable" range for elves is over 350 years. And the penalties are cumulative (see the bottom of page 93 in PH, 3rd Edition). Now, for that slight: offer up thy house as a sacrifice to mother Llolth! Or not, as the case may be.
Orcy The Green Wonder 04-11-04, 03:57 PM	Actually R.M.G.C.L.F. the aging penalties stack, so by venerable you would have a -6 to physical ability scores.
R.M.G.C.L.F. 04-11-04, 03:58 PM	Whoops. My mistake.
Moobot 04-11-04, 03:58 PM	Heheh: just a moment to late, eh? But still: do I get to revert my scores?
NightScreamer20 04-11-04, 03:59 PM	If you did suffer the penalties they should remain, your bones are brittle and the flesh that still holds most of your form together is weak. The con doesn't matter because you no longer have any.
Moobot 04-11-04, 04:01 PM	If my bones were brittle, would that not count against my con, effectively giving me one? And besides: a lich's body isn't its own anyway, for should it be destroyed, a new one is created by magic.
Ceran 04-11-04, 04:02 PM	Seeing as the flesh will rot away after a while anyway, it's a tough call. I don't really see why the penalties should remain, exept for one reason. It would unbalance the game. I would've ruled that the penalties go.
Moobot 04-11-04, 04:04 PM	Thanks. And for all the DM's out there thinking I'm being a pushy player (like mine): this is my first character, I'm usually always the DM.
Orcy The Green Wonder 04-11-04, 04:05 PM	Orcy says that the penalties would probably stay. You've aged and cannot regain your old strength. The new body created would be at what your current strength is (if that were the case) but Orcy doesnt see anything saying you get a new body... unless its after being "killed" as a lich. You've aged and your old strength, speed, and health has gone. Your new life as a lich would still keep that fact.
Vanigo 04-11-04, 04:28 PM	Well, if you drop the penalties you should also drop the bonuses. It's only fair.