D&D 5E Can characters give themselves Horrible Scar?

[FormerlyHemlock]

Horrible scars can manifest in many different ways, including a bad Charisma score. Which may be the reason I can't intimidate, people just feel sorry for me.....etc...

But a mechanical bonus comes with a mechanical cost IMHO. Drow don't get 120' darkvision for free any more, and neither should a character get horrible scars for free. Children run to the opposite side of the street, barkeeps chase you away because you're scaring off business, and you can't disguise yourself easily, or your diplomacy skill suffers. Or something equally costly.

Bad Reputation (Pirate): now with more crying children! Get your scar today!

 

[Hriston]

Ayup! Risking infection, sepsis, and death to mark your body for some spiritual, political, or personal reason is kind of a textbook case of insanity. Not all human beings are sane creatures.

People who get tattoos and piercings risk infections, etc. I don't think that makes them insane really.

 

[Hriston]

But a mechanical bonus comes with a mechanical cost IMHO. Drow don't get 120' darkvision for free any more, and neither should a character get horrible scars for free. Children run to the opposite side of the street, barkeeps chase you away because you're scaring off business, and you can't disguise yourself easily, or your diplomacy skill suffers. Or something equally costly.

For those who don't have access to the DMG, Horrible Scar does come with a cost: disadvantage on persuasion.

 

[Hriston]

So... if having scars gives you advantage on intimidate, surely the same can be achieved with a disguise kit...

As long as you made your charisma (disguise kit) check first.

 

[Saeviomagy]

I think the book recommends int. And what would the dc be?

 

[was]

Like others have stated, it doesn't necessarily have to be the result of an injury. Many early cultures engaged in ritual scarification. There's no reason that a barbarian, or primitive, tribe in an rpg couldn't have massive scars which celebrate their accomplishments, their status in the tribe or as a rite of passage.

 

[Hriston]

I think the book recommends int. And what would the dc be?

You are correct, intelligence (disguise kit) to craft the disguise. The result would be contested by the wisdom (perception) of the person you are attempting to intimidate to see if they notice that the scar isn't real.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Also... useful new feature of a hat of disguise...