Aging rarely comes up during play and it feels like the more players you have the slower time goes by. Few campaigns play out characters living more than a year or two in-game time before it’s all over and unless you encounter a ghost your characters are twenty-something, rich, dragon-killing lords of the realm now unsure of what to do with the rest of their lives. As such any rules and game mechanics regarding aging seem to be missing. All we are left with is some flavour text for high-level Monks and Druids that can get the ability called ‘Timeless body’.
Getting older has its disadvantages as your body gets worse but you also gain the advantages of experience. Experience is literally the road to power in D&D. So as your character gets older let’s level up that experience. The old heroes may not be as quick, strong, and perceptive as they used to but they sure learned a few things.
Middle Age (eg 35 for Humans)
Picked up a few things: Gain an Extra Feat
Learned on the job: Gain an Extra Tool or Language Proficiency
The breadth of knowledge: You have picked up more of your classes skills than most. Gain extra Proficiency in skill from your class list.
Not as young as you used to be: +1 to one Ability score -1 to four Ability Scores.
Old Age (eg 53 for Humans)
Picked up a few more things: Gain an Extra Feat
Learned on a bunch of jobs: Gain an Extra Tool or Language Proficiency
Been around the block: You’ve heard the same old lies, seen the same old hiding spots, and recognise that look on someone’s face so many times before. Add a D4 to any Insight, Deception, or Investigation check.
Getting too old for this: +1 to one Ability score -2 to four Ability Scores.
Venerable Age (eg 70 for Humans)
Picked up all the things: Gain an Extra Feat
Learned on all the jobs: Gain an Extra Tool or Language Proficiency
Back in my Day: Remembering your youth comes easier than yesterday. Gain Advantage on History checks for things that happened in your and your parent’s lifetime.
This is how we used to do it: You know how things were done back in your youth. It may not be the best method but you have done it so much you can rely on it. Gain Advantage on a Tool Proficiency check of your choice.
I should have Retired by now: +1 to one Ability score -3 to 4 Ability Scores.
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