While the connotations of the word "invalid" are worth discussing, my issues with this go further. Here's a bit of a dive into it.
In 5E, I think backgrounds are the way to introduce something like this. I have made some backgrounds along these lines. I made something similar for invalids.
There's definitely some interesting discussion to be had around how much a character's Background in 5e describes their character, and how much mechanical benefits/changes that should grant. People have gone into this in much more detail in other discussions.
But, regardless of where you fall in that debate, I am slightly skeeved by the idea that an character's entire Background is a disability. That has condescending connotations. The idea that a person's identity is defined by their disability (while others are defined by their deeds, professions, or lifestyle) feels like it's encroaching on some problematic ideas.
Infirmity: You have a handicap that restricts your abilities in some way, but you have learnt to use prosthetics and skill to overcome most of your disability, allowing you to be an adventurer.
Some infirmities even give you minor magical abilities. Select one
Infirmity. The listed penalties assume you are using a simple prosthetic (such as a peg leg) when possible.
The idea that some real life disabilities could grant people "magical abilities" in a game makes me uncomfortable. That seems like a dangerous stereotype to play into.
Addicted
You are addicted to a recreational drug like alcohol.
...
- The thing you are addicted to has no effect on you, and you are immune to further addiction of any kind.
People with one addiction are typically much more susceptible to other addictions.
Blind Eye
You are blind in one eye. Halve the range of any weapon or spell you use. You see invisible creatures and objects within 30 ft. as if they were visible.
Huh? Not only is this amazingly powerful for a Background, it makes no sense.
Also, why would a Background based on blindness grant Perception as a proficient skill?
Much like "invalid", the word "crippled" should be avoided. It is offensive.
Deaf
You permanently suffer the Deafened condition. You have learned to lip-read any language you know as long as you can see the speaker and is within 30 ft.
This is a good point to bring up an obvious issue with many of the conditions you present here. Lesser Resporation can cure deafness. Greater Restoration can cure even more. Same thing with Regeneration for other conditions on this list. This goes into the same debate as to what spells can cure diabetes, but it's a bit more explicit in this case that there's a spell directly designed for it.
Also, the same issue with Perception that I mentioned earlier.
Hook Hand
One of your hands is severed and has been replaced with a hook. You cannot wield a weapon in this hand or use a two-handed weapon, but you can do the following with the hook.
- You can satisfy the somatic components of spells and the hook hand counts as a spell focus for all classes.
- You can use the hook hand reload a one-handed weapon with the ammunition property held in your other hand.
- You can use the hook as melee weapon that does 1d4 slashing damage and has the finesse quality. You can use a bonus action to attack with your hook hand.
- You can make a Strength (Athletics) check to grapple as a bonus action.
First, specifying a hook seems weirdly specific. Ditto for the "peg leg" example used earlier. Just say "prosthetic".
Second, granting free bonus action attacks is way too powerful.
Infested
You carry a prodigious infestation of vermin such as worms, lice, and ticks. This infestation is obvious and disgusting, making others fear to be near you and barring you entrance to most civilized places. Any creature that ends their turn adjacent to you takes 1 poison damage. This damage increases to 1d4 at level 5, 1d8 at level 11, and 1d12 at level 17.
WTF?
"Lame" is not an appropriate description for humans.
Probably less so than some of the other cases here, but this is also a term to avoid, especially for cases where the disease is not literal leprosy.
Limp
You have a leg injury that reduces your land speed to 20 ft. This speed cannot be reduced by encumbrance or armor. You are immune to caltrops, Grease spells, and similar floor hazards.
I have no idea why this would be a benefit granted to this condition.
Missing Leg
You cannot walk without using a crutch, and even then your land speed is halved. If you do not constantly use one arm to hold yourself upright when standing, you fall prone. You have developed your upper-body muscles to compensate, gaining a +2 bonus to Strength.
First, there are a weird number of conditions on this list that all address mobility very differently with little reason why.
Second, again, this is a ridiculously powerful benefit.
I want to give some credit where it's due for English not being someone's first language. But even beyond a few word choices, this stuff just doesn't pass muster. Taking into account the number of negative connotations, bizzare ideas, and completely broken mechanics, I have to just give the whole thing a pass. Not worth salvaging. There are many ways to appropriately and positively address disabilites in D&D. This isn't it.
