How templates affect aging...

[TYPO5478]

Honestly, this thread may belong in the House Rules forum; it is a rules question, but I have trouble finding anything more than the most basic information.

How do templates affect aging? Presumably, for example, a human half-dragon would live longer than a normal human. But how much longer? As long as a dragon (since they have the Dragon type)? Only slightly longer than a human? Somewhere in between? Are there actually any rules that govern this sort of thing? If not, why have the aging guidelines in the first place?

Do any of you actually use the aging rules?

 

[Wolfwood2]

As far as I know, there are no rules on the lifespans of templated creatures. (Or for most beings who are not one of the core races.) It is strictly a DM call.

Luckily, it's not a particularly tough DM call. Just pick some numbers and go with them as best suits your game. Or if you're a player, propose some numbers to the DM. He'll probably agree.

 

[TYPO5478]

As far as I know, there are no rules on the lifespans of templated creatures. (Or for most beings who are not one of the core races.) It is strictly a DM call.

Luckily, it's not a particularly tough DM call. Just pick some numbers and go with them as best suits your game. Or if you're a player, propose some numbers to the DM. He'll probably agree.

Thanks for the reply. I suppose you're right. I originally thought of this because I had an idea for a town (or series of towns) under the purview of a very old dragon. Periodically, he would change form and visit the townsfolk, frequently seducing a few women while he was there. Inevitably, these couplings produced half-dragon offspring that serve him with utmost loyalty. However, I wondered, if he had been at it for a very long time (say 200 years or so), would any of his offspring have died of old age (and if so, how many)? The answer makes a difference to the party who has to go in and liberate the town.

 

[Drowbane]

I imagine that 1/2 Dragons of human descent would be at least as long lived as elves. Alot to be said for enough dragon-blood to give you a breath weapon and "super strength"

But no, there are no hard and fast rules on the subject. Yet.

 

[baudbard]

Reading Races of the Dragon, I actually do NOT see an age chart for half-dragons. However the comments below are relevant.

Half-dragons share the heritage of a less long lived race [then dragons] and might endure a few centuries. Still they live longer than most, and dragon-elf children can challenge ancient wyrms for longevity.

 

[TYPO5478]

That's awesome, guys. Thanks for the replies. That's very useful information and I'll keep it in mind for this scenario.

However, the larger question of templates in general is still unanswered. Certainly some will be undying (i.e. no natural age limit/never dying from old age), such as Celestial, Fiendish, and any Undead template. Others, like Lycanthrope, may have no effect at all on the life expectancy of the base creature. The Half-creatures we'll just have to make up on our own. For now. My guess is that most people don't pay much attention to the age guidelines in the PHB; but for those who do, here's something else to consider along those lines.