Disease Example of How it Works

[Endur]

Let's take an example of a disease, say Ghoul Fever received from a Ghast.
Fort DC 15
Onset time 1 day
Damage: 1d3 dex and 1d3 con

On day 0, character gets bitten by a Ghast. Character Fails Fort save DC 15.

As I understand the rules, the result of failing the fort save on day 0, is that the character has to make another fort save on day 1 and suffers damage on day 1.

Day 1: Character takes d3 dex and con damage. Character has to make a fort save, if he fails, he suffers d3 dex and d3 con damage on the next day. If he passes, no damage on the next day.

Day 2: Character takes d3 dex and con damage if he failed the save the previous day. Character has to make a fort save, if he fails, he suffers d3 dex and d3 con damage on the next day. If he passes, no damage on the next day.

Day 3: Continue as per Day 2, unless character dies or passes two saves in a roll.

 

[ken-ichi]

Looks correct to me.
Also note that you can tend someone who has a disease with the Heal skill. This requires 10 minutes and allows that character to use your Heal check or his saving throw, which ever is higher.
And just to be obtusely clear, if the character passes the first save on day 0, the character does not need to make any other saves and does not suffer any effects from the disease as the disease did not take hold.

 

[MichaelH]

Let's take an example of a disease, say Ghoul Fever received from a Ghast.
Fort DC 15
Onset time 1 day
Damage: 1d3 dex and 1d3 con

On day 0, character gets bitten by a Ghast. Character Fails Fort save DC 15.

As I understand the rules, the result of failing the fort save on day 0, is that the character has to make another fort save on day 1 and suffers damage on day 1.

No save on day 1. He already failed the initial save, therefore he takes the damage after the incubation period of 1 day. Each day thereafter he must make another saving throw or suffer the damage again.

 

[the Jester]

No save on day 1. He already failed the initial save, therefore he takes the damage after the incubation period of 1 day. Each day thereafter he must make another saving throw or suffer the damage again.

This is how I understand it as well.

 

[ken-ichi]

The way I read Endur's explanation was the Day 1 save was to determine if any damage was dealt in day 2.
He was saying Day 1: take damage (because failed save in day 0). Make save to see if damage is taken on Day 2.
Day 2: Take damage (if save was failed on day 1). Make save to see if damage is taken on Day 3.

Your explanation is: Day 1: take damage.
Day 2: make save or take damage.
Day 3: make save or take damage.

This results in the same number of saves and dealings of damage on the same days.
The difference is if you make the save on day 1 to see if damage is dealt on day 2 (like Endur's description) you know ahead of time if you are going to be taking damage the next day. This may end up altering decisions on whether or not to use a lesser restoration scroll or potion.
This may or may not be desireable.
I think it is somewhat realistic in that you know the character is improving and fighting off the disease and will not worsen the next day. If the character's ability score has suffered alot of damage and may not be able to take another day's worth of damage and he is not showing any signs of improvement (failed his save for the next day), then using the potion is wise. But if he has started to improve a bit, then you can hold off with using the potion and see if he can sweat through it and hopefully make the next day's save as well.

 

[Pyrex]

That doesn't quite mesh with my understanding. Here's how I've always thought it worked:

Day 0: Fail save an contract disease. (1day incubation)
Day 1: Fail save and suffer damage.
Day 2: Succeed save and take no damage.
Day 3: Succeed save, take no damage, disease is now cured.

For longer incubations:

Day 0: Fail save and contract Filth Fever
Day 1d3: Fail save and take damage

 

[MichaelH]

That doesn't quite mesh with my understanding. Here's how I've always thought it worked:

Day 0: Fail save an contract disease. (1day incubation)
Day 1: Fail save and suffer damage.
Day 2: Succeed save and take no damage.
Day 3: Succeed save, take no damage, disease is now cured.

For longer incubations:

Day 0: Fail save and contract Filth Fever
Day 1d3: Fail save and take damage

Correct except there is no second saving throw on Day 1. If you fail the first save and contract the disease, you suffer the damage after the incubation period. Each day AFTER that you make another saving throw to determine whether or not you suffer further damage. Here is the relevant passage from the DMG, page 292.

When a character is injured by a contaminated attack......he must make an immediate Fortitude saving throw. If he succeeds, the disease has no effect - his immune system fought off the infection. If he fails, he takes damage after an incubation period. Once per day afterward, he must make a successful Fortitude saving throw to avoid repeated damage.