Age Question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Age Question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Karadur
02-03-06, 09:52 PM Im making an NPC that I want to travel with the group, a very young halfing, probably about 10-12 yrs old. The problem is I can't find in either the PHB or DMG ability score adjustments for younger characters (I want the character to grow with the group and be a possible replacement for someone if their character dies)
WCH
02-03-06, 11:56 PM If it were a 12 year old human, I'd say something like +2 Dex, -2 Str, -1 everything else. Can't remember how mature halflings are by 12, though.
DMintheRealms
02-04-06, 04:45 AM I would suggest a +2 dex, +1 Cha, -2 wis, -1 str, int, and con. Also, not so may skill points to start with and of course little or no gold or equipment (unless a logical rp reasoning can be made of course). According to the MM, halflings don't reach adulthood until their early twenties, so he would still have some life-lessons to learn...
Tyler Do'Urden
02-04-06, 05:53 AM The reason there are no rules for playing children is that children are not adventurers. Anyone here remember being a child? Children are not good at anything (or if they are good at anything, they will be a great deal better when they actually reach adulthood).

-4 all stats. Grow the hell up and play your minimum starting age like everybody else.
Karadur
02-04-06, 06:45 AM The reason there are no rules for playing children is that children are not adventurers. Anyone here remember being a child? Children are not good at anything (or if they are good at anything, they will be a great deal better when they actually reach adulthood).

-4 all stats. Grow the hell up and play your minimum starting age like everybody else.

Read any fantasy novels or played any final fantasy games lately? How about watching the Two Towers? During Roman invasions many 'barbarian' tribes had children take up sword or spear. Street urchins are normally portrayed as pre-teens fighting to live on the streets. Just because children don't normally 'adventure' doesn't mean it doesn't happen in certain situations.

As I said he's an NPC and isn't supposed to be in battles anyway, but that doesn't mean situations might not occur where he is forced to defend himself. By the time he's 16 the group should be lvl 10-15 and then he would get his 'adult' stats.

As for the rest of the posts go, I'll probably go with -+2 dex, +1 Cha, -2 wis, -1 str, int, and con- unless somebody knows of something straight from the RAW...
dungeonmasterblog
02-04-06, 07:00 AM I thought the old 1E DMG had something on younger characters, but I can't remember how far in age it went back. I'm at work, but I'll check when I get home.

While I'm not sure the hit point bonus would apply, kids have a ton of endurance. I have a 20 month old, and he just goes, and goes, and goes.....

Dungeon Master
http://www.dungeonsdragonsblog.com
Karadur
02-04-06, 07:04 AM My oldest child just turned 2yrs old (congrats to you) and I agree with you about endurance. In fact, that is the feat I gave to my 'lost halfling.' I don't have any 1E books but thanks for the suggestion, next time I talk to one of my old DnD buddies I'll have him look through his 1E PHB.
Kitfox
02-04-06, 11:24 AM Im making an NPC that I want to travel with the group, a very young halfing, probably about 10-12 yrs old. The problem is I can't find in either the PHB or DMG ability score adjustments for younger characters (I want the character to grow with the group and be a possible replacement for someone if their character dies)

You want but how do you think your players will feel?
I had a GM dump a 'tagalong' in a campaign once and he was roleplaying it in the most retarded way which lead to the NPC's silencing in a very bloody scene in back seat of a car. Had to spend several hours from a alocated mission time because the vehicle had to be cleaned to avoid getting pulled over by law enforcement.

You need to understand that even though you may want to enjoy traveling with the players they may find the burden of carrying and worrying about the little kid a bit too much. To a point maybe where they make a bad choice simply because they were heavily influenced by the pressence of the kid.
Any serious adventurer will tell the kid to go home and stay out of their way. If they were responsible, mature and caring adventurers that is.

So I suggest review your reasons for the 'tagalong' because you may end up getting him killed or him/her/IT being the cause of a player death unintentionally.

But try anyway, dont let my bad expericences influence you. Its only a game and you may have more luck. :)
Karadur
02-04-06, 11:48 AM I purposely made the child self sufficient, with intentions of leveling barbarian, and gearing his feats and skills to survival. He also is mute so me roleplaying him is fairly straightforward. I also have no plans of making him intregal to the story, but since the Dwarven Cleric had the luxuroy of 'finding' him, its really his decision as to how important this little guy ends up being.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Karadur 02-03-06, 09:52 PM	Im making an NPC that I want to travel with the group, a very young halfing, probably about 10-12 yrs old. The problem is I can't find in either the PHB or DMG ability score adjustments for younger characters (I want the character to grow with the group and be a possible replacement for someone if their character dies)
WCH 02-03-06, 11:56 PM	If it were a 12 year old human, I'd say something like +2 Dex, -2 Str, -1 everything else. Can't remember how mature halflings are by 12, though.
DMintheRealms 02-04-06, 04:45 AM	I would suggest a +2 dex, +1 Cha, -2 wis, -1 str, int, and con. Also, not so may skill points to start with and of course little or no gold or equipment (unless a logical rp reasoning can be made of course). According to the MM, halflings don't reach adulthood until their early twenties, so he would still have some life-lessons to learn...
Tyler Do'Urden 02-04-06, 05:53 AM	The reason there are no rules for playing children is that children are not adventurers. Anyone here remember being a child? Children are not good at anything (or if they are good at anything, they will be a great deal better when they actually reach adulthood). -4 all stats. Grow the hell up and play your minimum starting age like everybody else.
Karadur 02-04-06, 06:45 AM	The reason there are no rules for playing children is that children are not adventurers. Anyone here remember being a child? Children are not good at anything (or if they are good at anything, they will be a great deal better when they actually reach adulthood). -4 all stats. Grow the hell up and play your minimum starting age like everybody else. Read any fantasy novels or played any final fantasy games lately? How about watching the Two Towers? During Roman invasions many 'barbarian' tribes had children take up sword or spear. Street urchins are normally portrayed as pre-teens fighting to live on the streets. Just because children don't normally 'adventure' doesn't mean it doesn't happen in certain situations. As I said he's an NPC and isn't supposed to be in battles anyway, but that doesn't mean situations might not occur where he is forced to defend himself. By the time he's 16 the group should be lvl 10-15 and then he would get his 'adult' stats. As for the rest of the posts go, I'll probably go with -+2 dex, +1 Cha, -2 wis, -1 str, int, and con- unless somebody knows of something straight from the RAW...
dungeonmasterblog 02-04-06, 07:00 AM	I thought the old 1E DMG had something on younger characters, but I can't remember how far in age it went back. I'm at work, but I'll check when I get home. While I'm not sure the hit point bonus would apply, kids have a ton of endurance. I have a 20 month old, and he just goes, and goes, and goes..... Dungeon Master http://www.dungeonsdragonsblog.com
Karadur 02-04-06, 07:04 AM	My oldest child just turned 2yrs old (congrats to you) and I agree with you about endurance. In fact, that is the feat I gave to my 'lost halfling.' I don't have any 1E books but thanks for the suggestion, next time I talk to one of my old DnD buddies I'll have him look through his 1E PHB.
Kitfox 02-04-06, 11:24 AM	Im making an NPC that I want to travel with the group, a very young halfing, probably about 10-12 yrs old. The problem is I can't find in either the PHB or DMG ability score adjustments for younger characters (I want the character to grow with the group and be a possible replacement for someone if their character dies) You want but how do you think your players will feel? I had a GM dump a 'tagalong' in a campaign once and he was roleplaying it in the most retarded way which lead to the NPC's silencing in a very bloody scene in back seat of a car. Had to spend several hours from a alocated mission time because the vehicle had to be cleaned to avoid getting pulled over by law enforcement. You need to understand that even though you may want to enjoy traveling with the players they may find the burden of carrying and worrying about the little kid a bit too much. To a point maybe where they make a bad choice simply because they were heavily influenced by the pressence of the kid. Any serious adventurer will tell the kid to go home and stay out of their way. If they were responsible, mature and caring adventurers that is. So I suggest review your reasons for the 'tagalong' because you may end up getting him killed or him/her/IT being the cause of a player death unintentionally. But try anyway, dont let my bad expericences influence you. Its only a game and you may have more luck. :)
Karadur 02-04-06, 11:48 AM	I purposely made the child self sufficient, with intentions of leveling barbarian, and gearing his feats and skills to survival. He also is mute so me roleplaying him is fairly straightforward. I also have no plans of making him intregal to the story, but since the Dwarven Cleric had the luxuroy of 'finding' him, its really his decision as to how important this little guy ends up being.