Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Nilbog 12-09-07, 05:50 PM	Doesn't it seem kind of surprising how low the ages for middle age, old age, and venerable age are? 35 years seems too early for any physical impairment, and old age (-3 to Str, Dex, Con) is only 53! I know people had shorter life expectancies in medieval times, but nearly all of that was infant and child mortality - someone who lived to be 18 in Ancient Rome or Colonial America didn't have that much different of a life expectancy from the modern day. Also, those people had stronger immune systems (more exposure to infection at young ages) and probably were more fit (more exercise, less obesity) than modern Americans. Also, in a D&D setting, with healing magic - wouldn't that be even better than the best modern medical care? Heck, Beowulf slew a dragon at at least 70 years old (though he did die in the combat); Odysseus killed like 100 suitors when he was in his late 40s or 50s; Aragorn was 70 during the War of the Ring!
HernetheHunter 12-09-07, 06:32 PM	Aragorn, Doesn't count. He was of a different race of men that had a longer life expectancy. A thought, In RPG's the life expectancy would be affected by marauding monsters and pillaging hordes, and just remember that people didn't always live right next to the nearest temple and their wasn't always a cleric available that had healing magic. Many temples were filled with priests that had no divine magic what-so-ever. And living in "era" that required hard work you would have more fatal accidents as many people who have worked on a farm can tell you.
TheDarkPrince 12-10-07, 01:26 AM	Also, although they may not live the sedentry life style that many in the modern world do now, living in an age with few modern day accomodations like the car can wear a body down. I'm training to be a firefighter, and the leading percentage of deaths in that field is from heart related problems, ie stress. So can you imagine a world full of monsters? How stressful would that be, you know, besides the fact of having to walk everywhere (although I concede that most folk probably don't have many places to go...) little or no real protection against the extremes of weather would take a large toll.(wool is good and all, and lots of blankets helps too, but the architecture can't be all that good, and insulation, along with the relatively uncommon use of sealants (cauking) could lead to major leaks or oppressive heat.) On top of all that, there are more common problems like disease, improperly prepared food, and little to no medical practices. Clerics, as previously mentioned, could help out, although I doubt most churches would give free healing, and I also don't think that all of the temples everywhere were brimming with actual magic wielding clerics. If it were so easy to become a cleric, wouldn't everyone just say a prayer each morning for that nice little cure light wounds boost? Or a little Guidance to help a craft check? Cheers! :D
war_thog 12-10-07, 06:02 AM	From IRL perspectives losing stats like that is quite normal. However IRL you don't gain cha/int/wis as you age. The adjustments given arent all that unrealistic. You lose Max HR and VO2 every year you age which impacts fitness, etc (con?) Neuromuscular degradation (dex?) Muscle fibre weakness and degradation (strength) And much much more! However pointing out a couple of example of awesome people proves nothing. Theyre highly trained. They are weaker than they would be in their prime, however due to their beast training they successfully fight the effects of aging and are still better than everyone else.
Dog_O_War 12-10-07, 01:20 PM	The only thing that I find extreme about aging is that in most D&D games, characters reach epic levels before they reach their racial equivalents of mid-twenties. That means there are alot of really rich, young, super-powered retirees out there. And if you think about it, all that strain before the age of 35 will wear on a person.