Cancer = disease? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Cancer = disease? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
crasmer
12-27-04, 11:11 AM Hey

Im in the process of making a new campaign and some weeks ago, while creating a background story for a NPC i stumbled on the qeustion: is cancer the same thing as any other disease in FR? its not a virus or bacteria, but cells that has gone mad; does that make it a non-disease? If it isnt a disease what should be able to cure it then? limited wish, or even a wish? If it wasnt a disease it could also be a potent illness even for paladins.
Anyways, just wondering where to categorize cancer. Any suggestions/thoughts regarding this would be most appreciated

Cras
Faustian Dreams
12-27-04, 12:17 PM The Book of Vile Darkness has a PrC called the Cancer Mage, which deals specifically with diseases. Based on that logic, I'd assume that yes, cancer in its various forms is considered a disease, though I'm not sure how you'd stat it.
HomerSimpson
12-27-04, 01:19 PM Cancer is a disease, but it is obviously not a communicable disease, which is basically what all the D&D "diseases" are. When I think of the spell or Paladin ability to Remove Disease, I think of it more like a purging from the body a foreign, invading parasite (whether it be a virus, bacteria, amoeba, or larger organism). As you said, [b]crasmer[b], cancer is essentially the person's own cells mutating and growing uncontrollably, which to me is a very different thing. I would suggest that it require a Greater Resotration, Wish, or Miracle to cure (or have the character go on a specific adventure quest to find a long-lost cure from some super-secret tribe of intelligent sloths or something).
CzarGarrett
12-27-04, 01:23 PM In all honesty, I'd ignore cancer in D&D. Or at least make it irrelevant outside of a growth.

Some cancers are caused by irradiation, some by trauma, some by viruses, and some by God only knows what. There's too many variables.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
crasmer 12-27-04, 11:11 AM	Hey Im in the process of making a new campaign and some weeks ago, while creating a background story for a NPC i stumbled on the qeustion: is cancer the same thing as any other disease in FR? its not a virus or bacteria, but cells that has gone mad; does that make it a non-disease? If it isnt a disease what should be able to cure it then? limited wish, or even a wish? If it wasnt a disease it could also be a potent illness even for paladins. Anyways, just wondering where to categorize cancer. Any suggestions/thoughts regarding this would be most appreciated Cras
Faustian Dreams 12-27-04, 12:17 PM	The Book of Vile Darkness has a PrC called the Cancer Mage, which deals specifically with diseases. Based on that logic, I'd assume that yes, cancer in its various forms is considered a disease, though I'm not sure how you'd stat it.
HomerSimpson 12-27-04, 01:19 PM	Cancer is a disease, but it is obviously not a communicable disease, which is basically what all the D&D "diseases" are. When I think of the spell or Paladin ability to Remove Disease, I think of it more like a purging from the body a foreign, invading parasite (whether it be a virus, bacteria, amoeba, or larger organism). As you said, [b]crasmer[b], cancer is essentially the person's own cells mutating and growing uncontrollably, which to me is a very different thing. I would suggest that it require a Greater Resotration, Wish, or Miracle to cure (or have the character go on a specific adventure quest to find a long-lost cure from some super-secret tribe of intelligent sloths or something).
CzarGarrett 12-27-04, 01:23 PM	In all honesty, I'd ignore cancer in D&D. Or at least make it irrelevant outside of a growth. Some cancers are caused by irradiation, some by trauma, some by viruses, and some by God only knows what. There's too many variables.