D&D General Gore in D&D

[Son of the Serpent]

I disagree. You're extrapolating modern views backwards.

For example, "madness" and "hallucinations" were at various times considered gifts of the gods.

Moreover, your statement, 'I think cosmic horror's actual nethermost core is fear not of the unknown but fear of the recognized fact that something, even if percieved, can still be truly unknowable" happens to be what I wrote.

You know- "ineffable." It's not that it's unknown; it the concept (post-enlightenment) that it CANNOT be known, it cannot be grasped, and it will forever be beyond our ken.

But hey, opinions are just that! Keep on truckin'!

Nope. No im not. You are assuming a lot. Madness is not a new idea. Its a pretty common misconception that psychology is a new thing. It really isnt. It didnt start with mesmer and his theory of animal magnetism. People talk of madness in a context not bringing gods into play just as far back as there are tales of it involving gods. But also, lets say you were right (you arent). If you were right, you would still be wrong. Because what do we call a god plagueing your mind with unhelpful delusions and halucinations? Horrific perhaps? Cosmically so? Yes. A curse laid upon you by an inhuman possibly not fully comprehensible being? Starting to sound like lovecraft and poe yet? Or do hp and poe sound like them? Huh...

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[Son of the Serpent]

No, it's not. I think you're completely wrong, and that's fine! I said what I had to.

as did i. I think you are assuming ancient people are going to think the gods are involved every time grandma cant remember her grandson's name. Kinda a stretch.

 

[Son of the Serpent]

I just find the idea that ancient people had no theory of mind (something we consider a basic developmental milestone) and never attributing illness to things other than religion a bit of a massive inacuracy.

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[Son of the Serpent]

K. I didnt find it pleasant. I found it adversarial.

But i shall take your word for it and engage your points no further unless you engage mine. In which case ill obviously respond.

Your request is noted.

 

[Larnievc]

What is your approach to gore in D&D, and in violent RPGs in general?

Are you someone delights in describing bloody scenes, and when might this cross the proverbial 'line'?

What is your method for describing gore in D&D, and do you recommend and forms of description, especially of violence.

If this varies by campaign, why is that, and how so?

Generally, what is your approach to gore and gory imagery in RPGs?

I get my guys to describe the killing blows their guys make. No one’s ever been bothered about gore.

 

[Bohandas]

Nope. No im not. You are assuming a lot. Madness is not a new idea. Its a pretty common misconception that psychology is a new thing. It really isnt. It didnt start with mesmer and his theory of animal magnetism. People talk of madness in a context not bringing gods into play just as far back as there are tales of it involving gods. But also, lets say you were right (you arent). If you were right, you would still be wrong. Because what do we call a god plagueing your mind with unhelpful delusions and halucinations?

Indeed IIRC there is an old saying that those who gods wish to destroy they drive mad. And while the English version of this saying is only a century and a half old, it is nonetheless a paraphrasing of a line from the 2500 year old ancient Greek play "Antigone"

 

[Yaarel]

I get my guys to describe the killing blows their guys make.

Weirdly, that didnt occur to me. But yeah, good idea.



When a hostile drops to zero hit points, that is when the killing hit happens. It is appropriate for the player to describe this fatal hit. After all, the player character is the one that made that hit and can decide what kind of hit that is.

This approach has a number of favorable results.

Allowing the player to control the narrative in this circumstance, gives the player a feeling of control, and a way to express satisfaction after a possibly difficult struggle.

The player also decides the level of gore. (The DM can gauge ones own goriness in light of what the players seem to prefer.)



This also applies the other way around. For the sake of convenience, nonplayer characters die at zero hit points. But instead, player characters enter the dying condition at zero hit points. The DM decides what the lethal hit looks like that reached the zero hit points. This narrative description then determines any enduring injuries, such as scars.

 

[generic]

A new concept for the thread: "How do you describe the deaths of PCs, and do you consider how difficult it will be for the group to resurrect their fellow when you describe the mutilation and horrible dismemberment of the PC"?

Do concerns over resurrection impact how PCs die?