In the 1E DMG, on pg. 13 it shows the artificial aging effects of casting certain spells (gate, alter reality, wish, etc.) They're given as general aging, i.e. it does not differentiate by race. However, on pg. 163, under the artifact section, it shows aging relative to race. It says:
"Aging 3-30 years is done by life expectancy:
1) 3 years for half-orcs
2) 4 years for humans
3) 7 years for halflings
4) 12 years for half-elves
5) 20 years for gnomes
6) 25 years for dwarves
7) 30 years for elves"
I like that! If we apply that to aging from spells, ghosts, etc, it makes those spells much more perilous for the demi-humans who would normally ignore the effect (what is 5 years to an elf?), and it makes ghosts that much more dangerous. Equally dangerous to an elf as to a human. I started using this relative aging awhile back and I like it!
Artificial aging relative to racial age
Moderators: Thorn Blackstone, Halaster Blackcloak
- Halaster Blackcloak
- Lord of Undermountain
- Posts: 4013
- Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2007 12:47 am
- Location: Undermountain
- Contact:
Artificial aging relative to racial age
The Back In Print Project - Where AD&D Lives Forever!
- Halaster Blackcloak
- Lord of Undermountain
- Posts: 4013
- Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2007 12:47 am
- Location: Undermountain
- Contact:
I think that's the way they intended it, to make artifacts more dangerous. But I did like making it apply to all aging. It helped a lot when the players playing humans realized that elves and dwarves and others actually suffered detrimental effects from aging.
The Back In Print Project - Where AD&D Lives Forever!