Post/Author/DateTime	Post
M-bark 01-29-08, 12:20 PM	Yeah, I had a question in relation to stats and aging. What happens if a character with a Strength score of 1 (a gnome or halfling, for instance), or a score of 1 in Dexterity or Constitution (like an elf), goes up an age category? According to the rules, their physical stats should be lowered and mental scores increased. However, this would lower a physical stat to 0 or even lower. Would they become unable to move (in case of Str or Dex), turn into an undead being (in case of Con), or wouldn't it be lowered?
Count Arioch the 28th 01-29-08, 12:23 PM	IF dex or str was reduced to zero, then yes, the character wouldn't be able to move. If the constitution dropped to 0, he would die.
Evil DM Mk3 01-29-08, 12:26 PM	If Str or Dex drops to 0 age had rendered them infirm and unable to move on their own. If Con drops to 0 they die of age related conditions.
nights_the_necromancer 01-29-08, 12:28 PM	that has to be making him go up in sanity
M-bark 01-29-08, 12:31 PM	Alrighty then. Was just checking to make sure, because it seemed a little odd to me for such a thing to happen so suddenly. Then again, most players would be sure to put scores above 6 into their physical stats, and they'd stop playing before their characters would be of venerable age. Anyways, thanks for the quick replies guys. :)
lamrar 01-29-08, 12:35 PM	[QUOTE=M-bark;14953778]Alrighty then. Was just checking to make sure, because it seemed a little odd to me for such a thing to happen so suddenly. QUOTE] What you've got to keep in mind is that this isn't really happening suddenly. Like with the disease rules, a numerical system is used to describe what is really a slow decline.
nights_the_necromancer 01-29-08, 12:37 PM	[QUOTE=M-bark;14953778]Alrighty then. Was just checking to make sure, because it seemed a little odd to me for such a thing to happen so suddenly. QUOTE] What you've got to keep in mind is that this isn't really happening suddenly. Like with the disease rules, a numerical system is used to describe what is really a slow decline. yeah you just dont grow old overnight. it grows on you and eventualy you will notice it or youll notice a gradual change such as you cant lift you favorit book as long or read it as long as you could in you younger years
Evil DM Mk3 01-29-08, 01:09 PM	yeah you just dont grow old overnight. it grows on you and eventualy you will notice it or youll notice a gradual change such as you cant lift you favorit book as long or read it as long as you could in you younger years And people certainly don't all die of old age on their birthday...:D
Koda77 01-29-08, 11:38 PM	dying close to your birthday happens alot, surprisingly, my grandpa died this christmas on his 88th bday, i have always wondered why people hold out till their day
Evil DM Mk3 01-30-08, 04:10 AM	Shakespear died on his 66th. It happened I suppose because it is something people look forward to and the mental determination can have a lot of effect on the body. However if they died as they turned then all people who died of age realtated conditions before their death age (which they die at a random day in), ie by aging penalties, would die on their birthday. Rather strange.
Lokiyn 01-30-08, 09:38 AM	With age, a character’s physical ability scores decrease and his or her mental ability scores increase (see Table: Aging Effects). The effects of each aging step are cumulative. However, none of a character’s ability scores can be reduced below 1 in this way. Its a non issue
Malek2991 01-30-08, 09:39 AM	To answer your original question, No your Gnome would not be at STR 0 (unless he took STR damage or drain from poision or something). Under aging effects on page 109 of the PHB it states that aging cannot reduce any ability scores below 1 so your Gnomes STR would still be 1 at 100 yrs. Furthermore an Elf with 1 CON would not die automatically on his 175th birthday. Lokiyn beat me to it!
Evil DM Mk3 01-30-08, 10:27 AM	Its a non issue Well well. I am suprised that I didn't remember that but then again when was the last time you had a PC or NPC age on you? I also guess a Str or Dex of 1 is so infirm as to require a lot of help to get around anyway as it would be impssible for the to lift a Halberd and even a longsword would put them at a medium load on its own.
M-bark 01-30-08, 12:06 PM	Well then, I guess there you have it. Thanks for that info (the both of you, Lokiyn and Malek ;) ). Although it might've been interesting in some cases to see aging kill you (when you are not venerable already, that is), it could be annoying when it happens to a PC.
CCS 01-30-08, 12:36 PM	and they'd stop playing before their characters would be of venerable age. No, not all do this.... In my Sunday game one of my players came to me wanting to play a venerable, nearly senile, character. It fit into the story well enough so I said "Sure, why not". So now the party has gained the aid of a decrepit, somewhat befuddled, old priest - who after spending the vast majority of his life retired from "adventuring" finds the need to don his armour again.....
M-bark 01-30-08, 01:43 PM	Then again, most players would be sure to put scores above 6 into their physical stats, and they'd stop playing before their characters would be of venerable age. Bolded for emphasis. ;)
Lincoln Hills 01-30-08, 02:06 PM	Well well. I am suprised that I didn't remember that but then again when was the last time you had a PC or NPC age on you?... 2003. Half-orc cleric went from young to middle-aged (they do that fastest, you know.) That particular campaign was episodic and months, even years were often skipped. Of course, aging benefits/penalties are almost exactly balanced out for clerics: Wisdom and Charisma increase, Strength and Constitution decrease - good thing I wasn't "optimized" with a bunch of even-digit stats, I guess. ;)
ZypherX 01-30-08, 03:39 PM	Another fun concept is to have someone who lived/was lost in the Astral Plane for many years come back and have all that aging catch up at once.