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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Voadam" data-source="post: 9217468" data-attributes="member: 2209">So you are arguing that Lancelot and a giant, each taking hits from arrows doing the same damage, the hp are doing the same thing of purely physical injury? The hp are the same (a fraction of bodily health) and it is only the mechanical hit for x damage that is narratively different? So Lancelot is scratched by glancing arrow hits, and the giant is hit full on by arrows lodging in the giant but it is no big deal because of his mass?Why is high hp Lancelot being scratched by hits while a low hp man at arms dies when hit? Why does Lancelot have high hp? Why does skilled knight Lancelot have as many hp as a giant and more than a man at arms?The easiest explanation would seem to be that hp, even in the damage is always some physical injury view, are also representing in part developed skill at staying alive that can be worn down as stamina is eroded, luck that can eventually be pushed too far, and/or limited protagonist plot armor/favor of the gods.Lancelot as a skilled warrior is better at turning a well placed killing blow against him into a glancing one that causes little injury than the man at arms is. Mechanically represented in D&D by Lancelot's higher hp, not by a higher AC or damage reduction.That is where I find the dual nature of hp is inherent in hp by level in older editions of D&D.HP per level, different narrative explanations of what a hit for x damage does, experienced warriors requiring more rest to get back to fighting trim than wizards, requiring more magical healing to heal high level warriors who are banged up only a little than fragile non-combatants who are seriously wounded.Versus the name cure light wounds in healing magic, the fact that rest restores hp (which seems as applicable for restoring stamina as actual wounds) and that a poisoned arrow must hit enough to scratch to poison someone. Also the lack of minor luck and prayer healing, no nonmagical morale hp healing before 4e.</blockquote>

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