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02-22-2005, 09:18 AM
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| |  Physical & mental handicaps for characters?
I was thinking of something for a character I'm going to create for both the Character Bank & PC backstory threads. Are any physical & mental handicaps recognized for characters in the D&D universe? For instance, are there any rules or some-such for naturally blind or deaf characters? What about mental handicaps such as mental illnesses from birth or learning disabilities?
Overall, I was thinking about trying to make a deaf Paladin of Ilmater.
Disclaimer: I DO NOT have a DM to consult, since I actually do not play P&P D&D. I really like to make character stats to flex my creative impulses.
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02-22-2005, 03:55 PM
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| | No GM to consult? We're all GMs here mate. 
Deafness is going to stuff up spell casting, as well as make combat a little tricky ("look out!" or "duck!"). I'd personally impose a 10% spell failure rate, and give them a -2 general modifier in combat.
When it comes to physical and mental disability in general, it really has to be ruled on in a case-by-case basis. Since each case is very different, no set of rules is going to cover all bases. And every GM will have their personal ideas and ways of handling the situation.
Besides all that - be aware that many healing spells will cure birth defects - a Cure Deafness will fix your deaf Paladin. A Heal spell will cure someone with Down's Syndrome or the like. That's the power of magic, mate. Also - since we are dealing with a medieval society, remember that any child badly deformed will most likely die quite early in life (unless they have rich parents who can afford the healing).
Cheers,
TGHO
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02-22-2005, 08:15 PM
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Originally Posted by The Great Hairy Deafness is going to stuff up spell casting, as well as make combat a little tricky ("look out!" or "duck!"). I'd personally impose a 10% spell failure rate, and give them a -2 general modifier in combat. | Overall, I'd guess it'd be equivalent to the Light Blindness experienced by certain races/creatures? Still, as a bonus, I suppose sonic damage would likely either have no effect (similar to a Destrachan's immunity to said energy form) or have some reduction, like ignoring the first 10 points. Quote: |
When it comes to physical and mental disability in general, it really has to be ruled on in a case-by-case basis. Since each case is very different, no set of rules is going to cover all bases. And every GM will have their personal ideas and ways of handling the situation.
| Couldn't argue with that.  Quote: |
Besides all that - be aware that many healing spells will cure birth defects - a Cure Deafness will fix your deaf Paladin. A Heal spell will cure someone with Down's Syndrome or the like. That's the power of magic, mate. Also - since we are dealing with a medieval society, remember that any child badly deformed will most likely die quite early in life (unless they have rich parents who can afford the healing).
| I was quite aware of that, but what I'm thinking of is an incurable magic curse, probably handed down by generations, similar to that of Kelemvor Lyonsbane, the man who eventually became the current deity of death and judgement of the dead in the Forgotten Realms. Of course, I have two characters in particular who will have their own cursed plights, but they will be nothing like ol' Kel's. 
I'm trying to decide whether to go with Tethyr or Damara as the deaf paladin's home region (and ethnicity). I known Tethyr is a wealthier region (read: Amn, merchants), but Damara has more of a prominent faith in the Crying God, and - from the sound of the entry in the FRCS - a strong paladin & monk influence there. Oh, the choices... 
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Last edited by Galuf the Dwarf; 02-22-2005 at 08:18 PM.
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02-23-2005, 03:52 AM
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| | | he should get some bonuses to spot, since he can't hear. he has developed his sight or something like that... what about reflex saves? maybe he should get some minuses to reflex since he can't hear? just in some cases(like a roling boulder you have to jump away from..).
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02-23-2005, 05:35 AM
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| | | In any case, if a character has a dissadvantage such as deafness, then he should have aonther advantage.
Perhaps something like a + spot like Grimar mentioned, or perhaps the Blind Fighting Feat. A couple advantages put together should do the trick.
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02-23-2005, 08:12 AM
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| | | If you are blind you get -2 to hit, 50% miss chance, you lose any dex to ac and opponents get +4 to hit you (IIRC).
If you are deafened you have 20% spell failure and -2 initiative.
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02-23-2005, 10:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Grimar he should get some bonuses to spot, since he can't hear. he has developed his sight or something like that... what about reflex saves? maybe he should get some minuses to reflex since he can't hear? just in some cases(like a roling boulder you have to jump away from..). | My deaf pally's going to be a she.
Rob-hin: Wouldn't resistance or immunity to sonic damage be good enough? Blind-Fight I don't know about, since, she's a human and doesn't have the enhanced sense of, say, a Grimlock. I can bet she would rely a whole lot more on sight, but how can she fight what she can't see if she can't hear it as well? Enhanced premonition of what is there (ie: Feel like someone's behind them)?
I'm also under the impression that she can't have ranks in the Listen skill.
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02-23-2005, 10:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Galuf the Dwarf My deaf pally's going to be a she.
Rob-hin: Wouldn't resistance or immunity to sonic damage be good enough? Blind-Fight I don't know about, since, she's a human and doesn't have the enhanced sense of, say, a Grimlock. I can bet she would rely a whole lot more on sight, but how can she fight what she can't see if she can't hear it as well? Enhanced premonition of what is there (ie: Feel like someone's behind them)?
I'm also under the impression that she can't have ranks in the Listen skill. | Well a deaf paladin can't have skills in listen unless she had those before she was deafend. Still, then the are unuseable untill she is cured. One could agrue that she would have to start all over with the skill but that's up to you.
Resistance or immunity to sonic damage is definately not enough IMO. (blind fight was meant for a blind character btw.  ) Deafness isn't as bad as blindness but some compensation is in order. Perhaps a reduction of the spell faillure chance to 10% and 3 free skillpoints in spot.
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02-23-2005, 10:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Rob-hin Well a deaf paladin can't have skills in listen unless she had those before she was deafend. Still, then the are unuseable untill she is cured. One could agrue that she would have to start all over with the skill but that's up to you.
Resistance or immunity to sonic damage is definately not enough IMO. (blind fight was meant for a blind character btw. ) Deafness isn't as bad as blindness but some compensation is in order. Perhaps a reduction of the spell faillure chance to 10% and 3 free skillpoints in spot. | 1) As I said in my 2nd post in this thread, HER DEAFNESS IS INCURABLE, AND SHE WAS BORN THAT WAY.
2) I'd say that's about right, except she could possibly have more ranks than that later on. Too bad Spot's a cross-class skill for Pallies.
Well, I was hoping to not reveal this until I wrote the profile, so Robby, I'm going to let you highlight this for a spoiler. Please, nobody else read this. The pally's permanent deafness comes from a magic curse brought upon by a powerful spellcaster who attempted to disable her whole family, but only truly succeeded on the mother and her unborn twins.
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02-23-2005, 10:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Galuf the Dwarf 1) As I said in my 2nd post in this thread, HER DEAFNESS IS INCURABLE, AND SHE WAS BORN THAT WAY. | Calm down, no need to shout.
I wrote the for the full picture. Giving half information hardly ever works. Quote: |
Originally Posted by Galuf the Dwarf 2) I'd say that's about right, except she could possibly have more ranks than that later on. Too bad Spot's a cross-class skill for Pallies.
Well, I was hoping to not reveal this until I wrote the profile, so Robby, I'm going to let you highlight this for a spoiler. Please, nobody else read this. .... | Also as a side note, almost everything can be undone or solved/cured. Including that problem. That's the problem with strong magic sometimes in my opinion.
__________________ Guinness is good for you.
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02-23-2005, 11:05 AM
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| | @Rob: Blind fight was also intended for characters fighting against invisible oppanents, or fighting those pesky Drow Rangers that can make globes of darkness
Blind sight is another option, and a fun one to play with. Can't recall the pre-reqs off the top, but I have it lying around somewhere. |
02-23-2005, 11:06 AM
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Originally Posted by Rob-hin Calm down, no need to shout.
I wrote the for the full picture. Giving half information hardly ever works. | Oh, erm, excuse me.  Quote: |
Also as a side note, almost everything can be undone or solved/cured. Including that problem. That's the problem with strong magic sometimes in my opinion.
| Hmmm... maybe she refuses to have her problem cured then? Besides, the faithful of Ilmater often do put themselves through epic acts of martyrdom and hardship.
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02-23-2005, 11:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Galuf the Dwarf Oh, erm, excuse me.
Hmmm... maybe she refuses to have her problem cured then? Besides, the faithful of Ilmater often do put themselves through epic acts of martyrdom and hardship. | could always make it into a gaes of sorts |
02-23-2005, 11:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Galuf the Dwarf Oh, erm, excuse me.
Hmmm... maybe she refuses to have her problem cured then? Besides, the faithful of Ilmater often do put themselves through epic acts of martyrdom and hardship. | n/p
Good question, and one you should concider.
Perhaps she doesn't want to indeed, perhaps she can't afford it, perhaps there is something special about it and curing it didn't work yet, perhaps it's a part of her, perhaps it reminds her about the cause of it all and she keeps it for that reason. There are tons of possibilities and reasons if you concider them well enough.
@Aegis, I'd like those pre requirement and benefits if you have them. I lost them one time or another...
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02-23-2005, 11:28 AM
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| | | Blind-fight, 5-foot radius
Tome of Sword and Fist
Pre-req's: Base attack bonus +4, Blind-fight feat, Wisdom 19
Benefits: Using senses such as acute hearing and sensitivity to vibrations , you detect the location of your oppenants who are no more than 5 feet away from you. Invisibility and Darkness are irrelevant, though you cannot discern non-corporeal beings. Except for the decreased range, this feat is identical with the acceptional ability blind sight in the Monster's Manual | | Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes | Rate This Thread |  Linear Mode | | 
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