Running old PCs

[Zogg]

Does anyone run a PC that is so old that they take the aging penalty/bonus to their ability scores?

Obviously it would be somewhat advantageous to run an older cleric/wizard/sorcerer or even a bard due to the fact that older PCs get bonuses to their int/wis/cha.

Additionally, have any DMs run campaigns that have lasted so long that the PCs get old enough to hit the age brackets that give penalties/bonuses?

Just wondering how people view the aging rule and whether or not some creative people have run old spellcasters.

 

[Aulayan]

Friend of mine did, Vargas the Wizard.

He was well practiced at playing dead so enemies would stop targetting him.

Of course, the aging penalties kicked him hard when we were surprised from behind by something with a breath weapon. Over 50 points, killing the wizard instantly (and incidently my cleric, though that was death by massive damage instead of all hitpoints gone).

 

[Emerald]

A friend of mine, plays a Really Old Gnome Illusionist retired school teacher turned adventurer who love practical joke. She once cast grease and manage to land both the fighter and the paladin flat on their backs in the middle of combat. But I think the age she choose was as much for, if not more for, flavor than the pluses to int.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

We haven't bothered with that particular rule very much. Also, most of my characters are elves, and few campaigns span centuries....

 

[Umbran]

DId it once. Had a campaign that ran for a while. Two of the characters became mortal enemies, both of elvish blood...

Fast forward 500 years. New campaign, same world. As the PCs rise in level, they start running into evidence of these guys, still enemies. The DM then asks us to take up our old roles again. Only time I ever got to play an archmage.

 

[Heathen72]

Yes

It's funny that you should ask that today. One of my players just turned 35. I was looking up the Player's handbook half an hour ago to see what the effects would be. He is a thirteenth level priest, so his Wisdom should soon be 20. We have been playing this campaign on and off for ten years now. He's (the character) married now, and has a new baby girl and all, so I think it nice that he feel the effects of aging as well.

 

[Heathen72]

Double post

That said the effects of aging have so far turned me into a slevering doubleposting imbecile.

 

[Kai Lord]

Does anyone run a PC that is so old that they take the aging penalty/bonus to their ability scores?

No but my P2 350 mHz is definitely starting to show its age.

 

[LGodamus]

Kai's cpu is venerable

 

[Darklone]

Mix an old character with a race with other mental stat boosts and the wisdom 22 at lvl1 will make your DM guts turn to jelly....

Wonderful for a villain. With palanquin and a good amount of followers and bodyguards...