Aging
Though uncommon some adventurers reach their later years ending up as a venerable fighters or wise mages. When this happens their years may start to catch up with them and they may begin noticing they aren't as spry as they used to be.
This page is for optional aging rules for dungeon masters or players who wish for rules to govern the affects aging may have on player characters or npcs.
Abilty Score Changes
As a character ages their capabilities change along with them, for every 10 years after a character reaches 60% of their max age they must roll two 1d4s taking the first result on the physical effects tabel and the second on the mental.
| d4 | Physical | Mental |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | -1 Strength | -1 Intelligence |
| 2 | -1 Dexterity | -1 Wisdom |
| 3 | -1 Constitution | +1 Wisdom |
| 4 | No Change | No Change |
So very tired
The rules for exhaustion in the DMG can be utilized to stimulate the fatigue of advanced age. A venerable character (depending on age, at the discretion of the DM) may gain a level exhaustion after a single combat, and require a short or long rest to recover from it.
Difficult rest
Speaking of rest, an older character needs more. Older characters gain less benefits from rest, gaining back 1/4 of their hit dice on a long rest and only being able to spend half of their hit dice on a short rest. This allows the venerable characters to "try to keep up" while providing a nagging reminder that they are really to old for this sort of thing.
Ooh, my back
If a venerable character fumbles (natural 1) for an attack roll or athletics/ acrobatics skill check, they gain a level of exhaustion.
Dying of Old age
If the character exceeds the maximum lifespan for their race, they must make a constitution saving throw (DC of 15+1 per year in excess of their lifespan). On a failed save the creature dies of natural causes in 1d20 days, a creature is aware of their incoming death and may have to come to terms with it.
A character tending to the aging character's needs with a proficiency in the medicine skill can use their skill in place of the aging character's constitution save. Repeat this check every time the character ages a year, preferably on their birthday.
Nonhuman Aging
When a non human creature ages they do not deteriorate at the same rate. As a general rule adjust the 10 year marks for the length of their lifespan.
Magical aging
Due to there now being affects to aging magic aging may be a bit more deadly and have a few more consequences, for DMs wishing to soften the blow a bit when it comes to this, a suggestion is to make a greater restoration or similar affect be able to reverse this turn of fate if cast within as many days as the character has aged.