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Jeremy Grenemyer
Great Reader
USA
2717 Posts |
 Posted - 04 Jul 2012 : 19:35:14
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Was just wondering if anyone has come across information on whether or not creatures with regeneration are effectively immortal or at least have longer lifespans?
There's a chance some of the war trolls in an adventure I'm running (Into the Dragon's Lair) will survive/escape and I'm starting to wonder how long they'll live (and have lived).
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Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4687 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2012 : 19:38:47
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Regeneration is repair only in all versions I have read, will not extend life. Best that can be hoped for when dying at 80+ (if human) that body was as fit as possible.
Oh Trolls do die of old age, if not killed by fire or acid, etc. Troll life I believed reaches 80 years as well. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2012 : 19:58:53
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Seems a bit odd, but I guess for game mechanics it has to be that way.
In comics/TV/movies usually regen = immortal. For natural healers like trolls, I suppose you could say they have an extra organ in their bodies - one that wears-out after a time, just like any other organ. Creatures with magical regeneration should be immortal (can't think of any off the top of my head that aren't). |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Jeremy Grenemyer
Great Reader
USA
2717 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2012 : 20:07:59
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Thank you both.  |
Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
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Diffan
Great Reader
USA
4436 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2012 : 22:30:57
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| The way I see it is that you still have a lifespan and once it's reached, your going to pass. Regeneration, to me, just fixes huge problems or lost limbs. You'll be the most fit person when you pass because of the ability, but you will pass. |
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Hoondatha
Great Reader
USA
2449 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2012 : 22:37:14
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| For what it's worth, scrags are listed as having a lifespan of 300+. What the plus turns out to be is unknown. They are called "the undying" for a reason, I suppose. |
Doggedly converting 3e back to what D&D should be...
Sigh... And now 4e as well. |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4687 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2012 : 22:44:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Hoondatha
For what it's worth, scrags are listed as having a lifespan of 300+. What the plus turns out to be is unknown. They are called "the undying" for a reason, I suppose.
Well still remains is one way to kill them, old age *Grin* |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2012 : 00:31:38
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Great point Dazzlerdal.
Maybe all trolls would live 300+ years, but because they are constantly getting wounded (and the effect Dazzlerdal describes above occurs), their lifespans are greatly diminished. Scrags run into far less competition/combat/bigger monsters/adventurers in the sea then their land-based cousins.
So theoretically, a troll that is a pacifist and keeps itself safe and secure could live to be 1000 (like Elves). |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2012 : 06:27:44
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| Where are any details about aging trolls listed in D&D or FR canon? |
[/Ayrik] |
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Jeremy Grenemyer
Great Reader
USA
2717 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2012 : 16:32:21
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quote:
Originally posted by dazzlerdal
If you allow a creature to repair from massive wounds that requires an awful lot of cell division which would age said creature faster, unless you could keep the dna in perfect condition (which obviously doesn’t happen since the creature does die of old age.
I think you just identified where magic works in creatures with regeneration abilities. 
Based on your comments, I think the idea of aging through regeneration would be a good (albeit nasty) surprise for someone using a flawed, damaged or cursed Ring of Regeneration. Or maybe the creator of the item simply assumed he’d perfected the regeneration effect on the first try, without realizing what he really did was create a ring that ages you faster for every wound you take.
In the adventure I’m running, there are elves who keep trolls as guardians; those trolls being outfitted with good armor and weapons and trained by the elves (and each other) in battle and a millennia-old version of elvish. I think trolls ought to age out and die about where humans do, but one or more of these particular monsters have been modified by the resident wizard among the elves to age as elves do (so the elves don’t have to keep re-training the trolls to serve them properly).
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Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
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Delwa
Master of Realmslore
USA
1269 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2012 : 17:10:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Jeremy Grenemyer
quote:
Originally posted by dazzlerdal
If you allow a creature to repair from massive wounds that requires an awful lot of cell division which would age said creature faster, unless you could keep the dna in perfect condition (which obviously doesn’t happen since the creature does die of old age.
I think you just identified where magic works in creatures with regeneration abilities.
Based on your comments, I think the idea of aging through regeneration would be a good (albeit nasty) surprise for someone using a flawed, damaged or cursed Ring of Regeneration. Or maybe the creator of the item simply assumed he’d perfected the regeneration effect on the first try, without realizing what he really did was create a ring that ages you faster for every wound you take.
The curse could be that the "perfected" method of Regeneration regenerates via cell division. Whereas, normally, regeneration occours by "creating" adjoining cells out of thin air (or by transfering the atoms in the air into cells.... ) |
- Delwa Aunglor
I am off to slay yon refrigerator and spoil it's horde. Go for the cheese, Boo!
"The Realms change; seldom at the speed desired of those who strive, but far too quickly for those who resist." - The Simbul, taken from the Forgotten Realms Campaign Conspectus |
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Regeneration effect on aging?
