((Work In Progress))
Though uncommon, some adventurers reach their later years, ending up as a venerable combatant or wise magister. When this happens, their years may start to catch up with them, and they may begin noticing they aren't as spry as they used to be.
This table is for optional aging rules for dungeon masters or players who wish for rules to govern tthe affects aging may have on player characters or npcs.
Ability Score Changes
As a character ages, their capabilities change along with them. For every 10 years after a character reaches 60% of their life expectancy, they must roll two 1d4s, taking the first result on the physical effects table, and the second on the mental.
| d4 | Physical | Mental |
| 1 | - 1 Strength | - 1 Intelligence |
| 2 | - 1 Dexterity | - 1 Wisdom |
| 3 | - 1 Constitution | - 1 Charisma |
| 4 | + 1 Constitution | + 1 Wisdom |
So Very Tired
Exhaustion rules can be added at additional instances to simulate the effects aging has on a character. A venerable character (depending on age, at the discretion of the CM) may gain a level of exhaustion after a single combat and require a short or long rest to recover from it.
Difficult Rest
Speaking of rest, an older character may need more. Older characters gain less of a benefit from rest, gaining back 1/4 of their hit dice on a long rest and only being able to spend half of their hit dice on a short rest. This allows the venerable characters to "try to keep up" while providing a nagging reminder that they are really too old for this sort of thing.
Ooh, my back!
If a venerable character fumbles (natural 1) for an attack roll or athletics/acrobatics skill check, they gain a level of exhaustion.
Dying of Old Age
If a character exceeds the maximum lifespan for their race, they must make a Constitution saving throw (DC of 15+1 per year in excess of their lifespan). On a failed save, the creature dies of natural causes in 1d20 days. A creature is aware of its impending death and may have to come to terms with it.
A character tending to the aging character's needs with a proficiency in medicine can use their skill in place of the aging character's constitution save. Repeat this check every time the character ages a year, preferably on their birthday.