'Profession: Surgery' and 'Heal'

Droid101 · Sep 1, 2004

Well, here's my question: I am playing a paladin. He's going to be all about undead slaying, and I thought it would be kind of cool if he knew all about corpses and tendons and muscles and bone structure and where to cut this and how to stop this from bleeding and all things anatomical.

I know back in the day simple surgeries were performed by barbers. Am I mistaken on this?

Anyway, I was wondering about a 'Profession: Surgeon' skill. Adds flavor. But also, would it affect my Heal checks? I mean, just because you happen to be an Herbalist, you get bonuses to Heal. Well, I know all about where to cut/stem/splint/whatever. I get no bonus? If you were a DM, would you allow a synergy bonus on Heal checks for Profession: Surgeon? Or does this sound like it just fits under the Heal skill itself, and shouldn't be taken at all?

Any input would be welcome. Thanks.

DarkMaster · Sep 1, 2004

I would give the usual +2 synergy bonus for 5 ranks in surgeon

ThirdWizard · Sep 1, 2004

I would give the usual +2 synergy bonus for 5 ranks in surgeon

Which is a house rule.

But, one which I would use as well.

Note that Profession (surgeon) would help you with setting up hospital areas (or camps), basic sterilization techniques (such as heating instruments in fire), and getting proper lighting into the surgery area. It would be less about performing the surgery, and more about making sure the surgery was clean and properly directed, in my oppinion.

Droid101 · Sep 1, 2004

ThirdWizard said:
Which is a house rule.

But, one which I would use as well.

Note that Profession (surgeon) would help you with setting up hospital areas (or camps), basic sterilization techniques (such as heating instruments in fire), and getting proper lighting into the surgery area. It would be less about performing the surgery, and more about making sure the surgery was clean and properly directed, in my oppinion.

Thanks for the replies, both of you. I see where you're coming from.

Patryn of Elvenshae · Sep 1, 2004

Bah. There's no such thing as Profession (Surgeon).

Just make it part of the Heal skill, which, incidentally, it already is: you can use the heal skill to perform long term care, which means you need to know all of the above to do it.

This has the side benefit of not requiring any extra of your paladin's precious and few skill points.

Deadguy · Sep 1, 2004

Just a vote alongside Patryn here. Don't slice the skills up into too many portions, or you'll undermine the skill system.

Droid101 · Sep 1, 2004

Patryn of Elvenshae said:
Bah. There's no such thing as Profession (Surgeon).

Just make it part of the Heal skill, which, incidentally, it already is: you can use the heal skill to perform long term care, which means you need to know all of the above to do it.

This has the side benefit of not requiring any extra of your paladin's precious and few skill points.

I was thinking this as well, as you may have read from my initial post (I was debating it). I guess the flavor can still be there with the Heal skill. Thanks.