Lingering Injuries

[Anthr4xus]

Based on the overview, it is pretty apparent that Pittance had intended to include some kind of lingering/permanent injury system in the game. Looking it over, there are three variants that seem fairly well received. I've not actually used any of these before, so am open to discussion or just general group decision. Notice that most of these include Massive Damage, would is much more of a concern at current low levels than later (in our Group 1 fight, two people would have had to make Massive Damage checks already). Please vote for which system you prefer we implement.

Option 1 - Type Variant Injuries (based on the Farland injury system)

Whenever a creature suffers a critical hit, drops to 0 hp but is not killed outright, or fails a death save by 5 or more, roll 1d20. If the roll is 10 or less a lingering injury is received. Roll on the appropriate table below based on the damage type.

Acid

d20	Lingering Injury
1	Blindness. Your eyes are destroyed; you gain the blinded condition. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore your sight.
2	Partial Blindness. Your eyes are damaged; you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight and on ranged attack rolls. Magic such as the regenerate spell can heal the damage to your eyes. If you have already suffered partial blindness, you're blinded.
3	Destroyed Hand. You can no longer hold anything with two hands, and you can hold only a single object at a time. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage.
4	Destroyed Foot or Leg. Your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a crutch or cane to move. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on Dexterity checks made to balance. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore the damaged appendage.
5-7	Major Neuralgia. You are in constant pain from nerve damage. Whenever you attempt an action in combat, you must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, you lose your action and can't use reactions until the start of your next turn.Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, cures the neuralgia, or if you spend twenty days doing nothing but resting it resolves on its own.
8-10	Minor Neuralgia. This has the same effect as Major Neuralgia above, except that the save DC is 10, and it only takes ten days to resolve on its own.
11-13	Horrible Disfigurement. You have acid burns to the extent that the scars can't be easily concealed. You have disadvantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks and advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, removes the acid burn scar.
14-16	Blisters. You have severe blisters. You have disadvantage on Dexterity checks. The blisters heal if you receive magical healing. Alternatively, someone can tend to the blisters and make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours. After seven successes, the blisters heal.
17-20	Minor Disfigurement. You have acid burn scars, but they don’t have any adverse effect. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, removes the acid burn scars.

 

Bludgeoning or Force

d20	Lingering Injury
1	Brain Injury. You have suffered a brain injury. You have disadvantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma checks, as well as Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws. If you fail a saving throw against bludgeoning damage, force damage, or psychic damage, you are also stunned until the end of your next turn. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore your full brain function.
2	Broken leg. Your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a cane or crutch to move. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on Dexterity checks made to balance. If your leg is splinted with a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check, then magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, mends the broken leg , or it will heal naturally in 8 weeks. If it is not splinted before it's healed or allowed to heal, the effects remain until it is rebroken and splinted.
3	Broken arm. You can no longer hold anything with two hands, and you can hold only a single object at a time. If your arm is splinted with a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check, then magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, mends the broken leg, or it will heal naturally in 8 weeks. If it is not splinted before it's healed or allowed to heal, the effects remain until it is rebroken and splinted.
4	Internal Injury. Whenever you attempt an action in combat, you must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, you lose your action and can't use reactions until the start of your next turn. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, cure the injury, or if you spend ten days doing nothing but resting, it will heal naturally.
5-7	Broken Ribs. This has the same effect as Internal Injury above, except that the save DC is 10.
8-10	Major Concussion. You have disadvantage on Intelligence checks, Wisdom checks, and Charisma checks, as well as Constitution saving throws to maintain concentration. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, cures the concussion. Alternately, it heals on its own in four weeks.
11-13	Minor Concussion. You have disadvantage on Intelligence checks. The concussion heals if you receive any magical healing; alternately it heals on its own in two weeks. If you already have a minor concussion, you suffer a major concussion.
14-16	Severe bruising. You suffer severe bruising over an extensive portion of your anatomy. Anytime you suffer bludgeoning or force damage, you suffer an additional point of bludgeoning or force damage. The bruising heals if you receive magical healing. Alternately, it heals on its own in 2 week.
17-20	Broken Nose. Your broken nose is painful but doesn't have any adverse effect. Any magical healing mends your nose, although it may heal crooked if it is crooked when the healing is applied.

 

Cold

d20	Lingering Injury
1	Ocular Damage. One of your corneas is damaged from frostbite. You have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight and on ranged attack rolls. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore the damaged cornea. If you have no corneas that remain undamaged after sustaining this injury, you're blinded.
2	Systemic Damage from Frostbite. You have disadvantage on Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution ability checks and Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution saving throws. Magic such as the regenerate spell cures this damage.
3	Gangrene of the Hand. You can no longer hold anything with two hands, and you can hold only a single object at a time. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore the crushed appendage.
4	Gangrene of the Foot. Your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a cane or crutch to move. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on Dexterity checks made to balance. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore the crushed appendage.
5-7	Major Neuralgia. You have constant, painful nerve damage over a large portion of your body. Whenever you attempt an action in combat, you must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, you lose your action and can't use reactions until the start of your next turn. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, cures the neuralgia, or if you spend twenty days doing nothing but resting it resolves on its own.
8-10	Frostbitten Foot. Your speed on foot is reduced by 5 feet. You must make a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw after using the Dash action. If you fail the save, you fall prone. Magical healing cures the frostbite. Alternately, your foot can be treated with a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check, in which case it will heal naturally in 2 weeks.
11-13	Frostbitten hand. Randomly determine which hand has been frostbitten. In order to grasp or manipulate an object with that hand, you must succeed at a DC 15 Dexterity check. Magical healing cures the frostbite. Alternately, your hand can be treated with a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check, in which case it will heal naturally in 2 weeks.
14-16	Minor Neuralgia. This has the same effect as Major Neuralgia above, except that the save DC is 10 and it only takes ten days to resolve on its own.
17-20	Anosmia. You lose your sense of smell and taste. You automatically fail any ability checks that involve your sense of smell or taste. The condition heals if you receive any magical healing.

 

Fire

d20	Lingering Injury
1	Lose an Eye. You have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight and on ranged attack rolls. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore the lost eye. If you have no eyes left after sustaining this injury, you're blinded.
2	Fourth Degree Burns. You have disadvantage on ability checks and Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution saving throws. If you fail a saving throw against an effect that causes fire damage, you also gain the stunned condition until the end of your next turn. Magic such as the regenerate spell cures this damage. If you already have fourth degree burns, you must succeed at a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or die.
3	Third Degree Burns. You have disadvantage on ability checks and Constitution saving throws. If you fail a saving throw against an effect that causes fire damage, you also gain the stunned condition until the end of your next turn. Magic such as the regenerate spell cures this damage. Alternatively, someone can tend to the burns and make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every week. After ten successes, the burns heal. If you already have third degree burns, you instead suffer fourth degree burns.
4	Second Degree Burns. You have disadvantage on Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution checks. Magic such as the regenerate spell cures this damage. Alternately, they will heal on their own in 4 weeks. If you already have second degree burns, you instead suffer third degree burns.
5-7	Major Neuralgia. You have constant, painful nerve damage over a large portion of your body. Whenever you attempt an action in combat, you must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, you lose your action and can't use reactions until the start of your next turn. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, cures the neuralgia, or if you spend twenty days doing nothing but resting, it resolves on its own.
8-10	Minor Neuralgia. This has the same effect as Major Neuralgia above, except that the save DC is 10, and it will resolve on its own in ten days.
11-13	Horrible Disfigurement. You have burn scars to the extent that can't be easily concealed. You have disadvantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks and advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, removes the burn scars.
14-16	Blisters. You have severe blisters. You have disadvantage on Dexterity checks. The blisters heal if you receive magical healing. Alternatively, someone can tend to the blisters and make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours. After seven successes, the blisters heal.
17-20	First Degree Burns. You have superficial but painful burns. Whenever you take fire damage, you take an additional 1 point of damage. Magical healing cures the burns; alternately, they will heal on their own in 2 weeks. If you already have first degree burns, you instead suffer second degree burns.

 

Lightning

d20	Lingering Injury
1	Brain Injury. You have suffered a brain injury. You have disadvantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma checks, as well as Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws. If you fail a saving throw against bludgeoning damage, force damage, or psychic damage, you are also stunned until the end of your next turn. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore your full brain function.
2	Explosive Grounding of the Hand. You lose a hand. You can no longer hold anything with two hands, and you can hold only a single object at a time. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage.
3	Explosive Grounding of the Foot. You lose a foot. Your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a cane or crutch to move unless you have a peg leg or other prosthesis. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on Dexterity checks made to balance. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage.
4	Kidney Failure. When you complete a long rest, you must succeed at a Constitution saving throw DC 15 or gain the poisoned condition until you complete a long rest. Magic such as the regenerate spell can cure your kidney failure. Alternatively, someone can tend to the kidney failure and make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every week. After ten successes, the kidney failure is resolved.
5-7	Arc Flash. Roll on the fire table.
8-10	Cardiac Injury. You gain a level of exhaustion which cannot be removed by normal means. If you fail a saving throw against fear or fear effects, you gain another level of exhaustion that can be removed by normal means. Magic such as the regenerate spell can heal your cardiac damage.
11-13	Skeletal Muscle Breakdown. You have disadvantage on Strength checks and Strength saving throws. Magic such as the regenerate spell can cure your muscle breakdown. Alternatively, it will resolve on its own in 6 weeks.
14-16	Muscle Spasms. You have disadvantage on Dexterity checks. Magical healing cures your muscle spasms. Alternatively, they will resolve on their own in 2 weeks.
17-20	Flash Burns. You have superficial burns. You turn red as a lobster, but otherwise suffer no mechanical effects. Magical healing cures your flash burns. Alternatively, they will heal on their own in 2 weeks.

 

Necrotic

d20	Lingering Injury
1	Spiritual Injury. You are afflicted with intense apathy and depression. You have disadvantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma ability checks and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws. Magic such as the heal or regenerate spell can resolve your spiritual injury, but such spells must be cast by a cleric, druid, or other class that uses divine magic.
2	Withered Hand. You lose a hand. You can no longer hold anything with two hands, and you can hold only a single object at a time. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage.
3	Withered Foot. Your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a cane or crutch to move. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on Dexterity checks made to balance. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage.
4	Major Organ Necrosis. Whenever you attempt an action in combat, you must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, you lose your action and can't use reactions until the start of your next turn. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, cures the Major Organ Necrosis.
5-7	Minor Organ Necrosis. This has the same effect as Major Organ Necrosis above, except that the save DC is 10.
8-10	Necrotic Stench. You smell like rotting flesh. You have disadvantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, removes the smell.
11-13	Necrotizing Wound. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1 every 24 hours the wound persists. If your hit point maximum drops to 0, you die. The wound heals if you receive magical healing. Alternatively, someone can tend to the wound and make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours. After ten successes, the wound heals.
14-16	Inflammation. Your muscles are irritated and inflamed. You have disadvantage on strength checks. Magical healing resolves the inflammation. Alternately, it will resolve on its own in two weeks.
17-20	Necrotic Discoloration. You get white and gray spots on your cheeks. The spots don't have any adverse effect. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, removes the spots.

 

Piercing

d20	Lingering Injury
1	Lose an Eye. You have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight and on ranged attack rolls. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore the lost eye. If you have no eyes left after sustaining this injury, you're blinded.
2	Throat Injury. You gain a level of exhaustion which cannot be removed by normal means. You also have disadvantage on constitution checks. Magic such as the regenerate spell can heal your throat injury.
3	Groin Injury. Your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a cane or crutch to move. You cannot take the Dash action. You are also sterile. Magic such as the regenerate spell can heal the groin injury.
4	Cardiac Injury. You gain a level of exhaustion which cannot be removed by normal means. If you fail a saving throw against fear or fear effects, you gain another level of exhaustion that can be removed by normal means. Magic such as the regenerate spell can heal your cardiac damage.
5-7	Organ Damage. Whenever you attempt an action in combat, you must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, you lose your action and can't use reactions until the start of your next turn. Magic such as the regenerate spell can cure your organ damage. Alternatively, someone can tend to the organ damage and make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every day. After ten successes, the organ damage is resolved.
8-10	Pierced Stomach. When you complete a long rest, you must succeed at a Constitution saving throw DC 10 or gain the poisoned condition until you complete a long rest. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, heals the pierced stomach, or if you spend ten days doing nothing but resting, it heals on its own.
11-13	Horrible Scar. You are disfigured to the extent that the wound can't be easily concealed . You have disadvantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks and advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, removes the scar.
14-16	Festering Wound. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1 every 24 hours the wound persists. If your hit point maximum drops to 0, you die. The wound heals if you receive any magical healing. Alternatively, someone can tend to the wound and make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours. After ten successes, the wound heals.
17-20	Minor Scar. The scar doesn't have any adverse effect. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, removes the scar.

 

Poison

d20	Lingering Injury
1	Systemic Damage. You have disadvantage on Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution ability checks and Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution saving throws. Magic such as the regenerate spell cures this damage.
2	Major Liver Damage. When you complete a long rest, you must succeed at a Constitution saving throw DC 15 or gain the poisoned condition until you complete a long rest. Additionally, whenever you take poison damage, you take an additional 3 (1d6) poison damage. Anytime you drink alcohol or take another drug, you take 3 (1d6) poison damage. Magic such as the regenerate spell can cure your liver failure.
3	Minor Liver Damage. When you complete a long rest, you must succeed at a Constitution saving throw DC 10 or gain the poisoned condition until you complete a long rest. Additionally, whenever you take poison damage, you take an additional 2 (1d4) poison damage. Anytime you drink alcohol or take another drug, you take 2 (1d4) poison damage. Magic such as the regenerate spell can cure your liver failure.
4	Major Kidney Failure. When you complete a long rest, you must succeed at a Constitution saving throw DC 15 or gain the poisoned condition until you complete a long rest. Magic such as the regenerate spell can cure your kidney failure. Alternatively, someone can tend to the kidney failure and make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every week. After ten successes, the kidney failure is resolved.
5-7	Minor Kidney Failure. This has the same effect as Major Kidney Failure above, except that the save DC is 10 and only six Wisdom (Medicine) check successes are needed to resolve the Kidney Failure.
8-10	Cardiac Injury. You gain a level of exhaustion which cannot be removed by normal means. If you fail a saving throw against fear or fear effects, you gain another level of exhaustion that can be removed by normal means. Magic such as the regenerate spell can heal your cardiac damage.
11-13	Vertigo. You have disadvantage on Dexterity checks. Magic such as the regenerate spell can cure your vertigo. Alternatively, it will resolve on its own in 8 weeks.
14-16	Nausea. You have disadvantage on Constitution checks. Magical healing cures your nausea. Alternatively, it will resolve on its own in 4 weeks.
17-20	Minor nausea. You must succeed at a DC 10 Constitution saving throw before you can consume food. Magical healing cures your nausea. Alternatively, it will resolve on its own in 1 week.

 

Psychic

d20	Lingering Injury
1	Brain Injury. You have suffered a brain injury. You have disadvantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma checks, as well as Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws. If you fail a saving throw against bludgeoning damage, force damage, or psychic damage, you are also stunned until the end of your next turn. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore your full brain function.
2	Indefinite Madness. Roll on the Indefinite Madness table in the Dungeon Masters Guide.
3	Severe headaches. You have disadvantage on Wisdom checks and Wisdom saving throws. If you fail a saving throw against bludgeoning damage, force damage, or psychic damage, you are also stunned until the end of your next turn. Magic such as the regenerate spell can cure your severe headaches.
4	Phobia. You develop a debilitating fear of something in the situation from which you gained your injury. For example, if you were damaged by a mind flayer, you might have a fear of octopuses. The DM will decide. When you are confronted with your phobia, you have disadvantage on all ability checks and saving throws. Magic such as the regenerate spell can cure your phobia.
5-7	Long-term Madness. Roll on the Long-term Madness table in the Dungeon Masters Guide. Your madness lasts twice as long.
8-10	Weak Persona. You have suffered damage to your sense of self. You have disadvantage on Charisma checks. Magic such as the regenerate spell can heal your weak persona. Alternately, it will heal on its own in four weeks.
11-13	Minor headaches. You have disadvantage on Wisdom checks. Magical healing cures your minor headaches. Alternately, they will resolve on their own in two weeks.
14-16	Inappropriate Volume. You can’t regulate your volume. You shout when you intend to whisper, and whisper when you intend to shout. Magical healing cures your inappropriate volume.
17-20	Short-term Madness. Roll on the Short-term Madness table in the Dungeon Masters Guide. Your madness lasts twice as long.

 

Radiant

d20	Lingering Injury
1	Blindness. Your eyes are destroyed; you gain the blinded condition. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore your sight.
2	Partial Blindness. Your retinas are damaged; you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight and on ranged attack rolls. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore the lost eye. If you have already suffered partial blindness, you're blinded.
3	Third Degree Burns. You have disadvantage on ability checks and Constitution saving throws. If you fail a saving throw against an effect that causes fire damage, you also gain the stunned condition until the end of your next turn. Magic such as the regenerate spell cures this damage. Alternatively, someone can tend to the burns and make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every week. After ten successes, the burns heal. If you already have third degree burns, you instead suffer fourth degree burns as per the Fire chart.
4	Second Degree Burns. You have disadvantage on Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution checks. Magic such as the regenerate spell cures this damage. Alternately, they will heal on their own in 4 weeks. If you already have second degree burns, you instead suffer third degree burns.
5-7	Large Skin Tumors. You develop several large, painful skin tumors. You have disadvantage on Charisma and Wisdom checks. Magic such as the regenerate spell cures your large skin tumors. If your large skin tumors are not cured within six months, you develop Systemic Damage as per the poison table.
8-10	Small Skin Tumors. You develop several small, painless skin tumor. You have disadvantage on Charisma checks. Magic such as the regenerate spell cures your small skin tumors. If your small skin tumors are not cured within one year, you develop Large Skin Tumors.
11-13	Blisters. You have severe blisters. You have disadvantage on Dexterity checks. The blisters heal if you receive magical healing. Alternatively, someone can tend to the blisters and make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours. After seven successes, the blisters heal.
14-16	First Degree Burns. You have superficial but painful burns. Whenever you take fire damage, you take an additional 1 point of damage. Magical healing cures the burns; alternately, they will heal on their own in 2 weeks. If you already have first degree burns, you instead suffer second degree burns.
17-20	Hair Loss and Cosmetic Damage. Visible hair on your body burns away but will grow back as normal. If you have any exposed tattoos, they fade as if exposed to 10 years of sunlight.

 

Slashing

d20	Lingering Injury
1	Lose an Eye. You have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight and on ranged attack rolls. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore the lost eye. If you have no eyes left after sustaining this injury, you're blinded.
2	Lose an Arm or a Hand. You can no longer hold anything with two hands, and you can hold only a single object at a time. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage.
3	Lose a Foot or Leg. Your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a cane or crutch to move unless you have a peg leg or other prosthesis. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on Dexterity checks made to balance. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage.
4	Hamstrung. Your speed on foot is reduced by 5 feet. You must make a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw after using the Dash action. If you fail the save, you fall prone. Magic such as the regenerate spell can cure your severed hamstring tendons.
5-7	Major Internal Injury. Whenever you attempt an action in combat, you must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, you lose your action and can't use reactions until the start of your next turn. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, heals the internal injury; alternately, if you spend ten days doing nothing but resting, it heals on its own.
8-10	Minor Internal Injury. This has the same effect as Major Internal Injury above, except that the save DC is 10.
11-13	Horrible Scar. You are disfigured to the extent that the wound can't be easily concealed. You have disadvantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks and advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, removes the scar.
14-16	Festering Wound. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1 every 24 hours the wound persists. If your hit point maximum drops to 0, you die. The wound heals if you receive magical healing. Alternatively, someone can tend to the wound and make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours. After ten successes, the wound heals.
17-20	Minor Scar. The scar doesn't have any adverse effect. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, removes the scar.

 

Thunder

d20	Lingering Injury
1	Brain Injury. You have suffered a brain injury. You have disadvantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma checks, as well as Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws. If you fail a saving throw against bludgeoning damage, force damage, or psychic damage, you are also stunned until the end of your next turn. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore your full brain function.
2	Deafness. Your eardrums have been destroyed; you gain the deafened condition. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore your hearing.
3	Partial Deafness. Your eardrums have been damaged; you are hard of hearing. You have disadvantage on any ability check that requires hearing. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore your hearing.
4	Severe Headaches. You have disadvantage on Wisdom checks and Wisdom saving throws. If you fail a saving throw against bludgeoning damage, force damage, or psychic damage, you are also stunned until the end of your next turn. Magic such as the regenerate spell can cure your severe headaches.
5-7	Internal Injury. Whenever you attempt an action in combat, you must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, you lose your action and can't use reactions until the start of your next turn. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, cures the internal injury, or if you spend ten days doing nothing but resting, it heals on its own.
8-10	Major Concussion. You have disadvantage on Intelligence checks, Wisdom checks, and Charisma checks, as well as Constitution saving throws to maintain concentration. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, cures the concussion. Alternately, it heals on its own in four weeks.
11-13	Minor Concussion. You have disadvantage on Intelligence checks. The concussion heals if you receive any magical healing; alternately it heals on its own in two weeks. If you already have a minor concussion, you suffer a major concussion.
14-16	Minor headaches. You have disadvantage on Wisdom checks. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, cures the headaches. Alternately, they will resolve on their own in two weeks.
17-20	Severe bruising. You suffer severe bruising over an extensive portion of your anatomy. Anytime you suffer bludgeoning or force damage, you suffer an additional point of bludgeoning or force damage. The bruising heals if you receive magical healing. Alternately, it heals on its own in 2 week.

 

Option 2 - Simple System (Enagonius's system, just a tweak of some of the entries from DMG and more rigid rules for when they apply.)

Damage normally leaves no lingering effects. This option introduces the potential for long-term injuries. A creature might sustain a lingering injury when it drops to 0 hit points but isn't killed outright, which requires requires a Constitution saving throw with DC 15 or half the damage received (whichever is higher) to see if a character suffers an injury rolled on the Injuries table.

 

2d10	Injury
2	Lose a facial feature. The DM determines which feature based on the narrative or by rolling 1d6. If it's an eye, you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight and on ranged attack rolls, if you lose both eyes, you're blinded; if it's an ear, you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing, if you lose both ears, you're deafened; if it's the nose, you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell; if it's teeth, you must make a concentration check to cast spells that require verbal components, if you lose teeth again it's considered you've lost your tongue. Any of these also suffer the consequences of a horrible scar. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore the lost part.
3—4	Horrible Scar. You are disfigured to the extent that the wound can't be easily concealed. You have disadvantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks and advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal, removes the scar.
5—6	Concusion or Contusion. The DM determines the location according to the narrative or by rolling 1d2. If it's a head trauma, you lose 1d4 points in a mental ability score; if it's a body puncture, you lose 1d4 points in a physical ability score; in either case you also gain one level of exhaustion. The injury heals if you spend five days doing nothing but resting or if you receive magical healing of 5th level or higher; greater restoration also heals the injury.
7—9	Broken bones. The DM determines the location based on the narrative or by rolling 1d3. If it's a limb, you suffer the adversities of a lost limb; if it's a facial feature, you suffer the adversities of a lost facial feature, if it's on the torso you suffer the adversities of a an internal injury. The injury heals if you spend ten days doing nothing but resting or if you receive magical healing of 2nd level or higher; lesser restoration also heals the injury.
10—12	Minor Scar. The scar doesn't have any adverse effect. Magical healing of 1st level or higher removes the scar.
13—15	Limp or crippled limb. The DM determines the limb based on the narrative or by rolling 1d4. If it's a leg, your speed on foot is reduced by 5 feet and you must make a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw after using the Dash action, if you fail the save, you fall prone; if it's an arm, you have disadvante on any checks or attacks made using that arm. Magical healing of 2nd level or higher removes the crippling effect; Lesser restoration also heals the injury.
16—17	Festering Wound. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1 every 24 hours the wound persists. If your hit point maximum drops to 0, you die. Someone can tend to the wound and make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours; after ten successes, the wound heals. Alternatively, the wound heals if you receive magical healing of 5th level or higher; greater restoration also heals the injury.
18—19	Internal Injury. Whenever you attempt an action in combat, you must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, you lose your action and can't use reactions until the start of your next turn. The injury heals if you spend ten days doing nothing but resting or if you receive magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal, heals the injury.
20	Lose a limb. The DM determines which limb based on the narrative or by roling 1d4. If it's an arm or a hand, you can no longer hold anything with two hands, and you can hold only a single object at a time; if it's a foot or leg, your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a cane or crutch to move unless you have a peg leg or other prosthesis. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on Dexterity checks made to balance. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage.

Massive Damage

When a creature takes damage from a single source equal to or greater than half its hit point maximum, it must succeed on a Constitution saving throw with DC 15 or half the damage receive (whichever is higher) or suffer a random effect determined by a roll on the System Shock table.

 

2d4	System Shock
2	The creature drops to 0 hit points. Roll on the injury table.
3	The creature drops to 0 hit points. It doesn't roll on the injury table.
4	Roll on the injury table.
5	The creature is stunned until the end of its next turn.
6	The creature is prone.
7	The creature drops to 0 hit points but is stable. It doesn't roll on the injury table.
8	The creature drops to 0 hit points but is stable. Roll on the injury table.

Wounds

When you regain consciousness after dropping to 0 hit points, you make a Constitution saving throw with DC 10 (it increases by 5 for each subsequent time you make this check until a short rest) or gain a wound. A wound is a death saving throw failure that remains on you and doesn't reset. A wound can be treated during 1 hour by making a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check or by spending a use of the Healer's Kit; a Lesser Restoration spell also removes a wound.

Option 3 - DMG version

Damage normally leaves no lingering effects. This option introduces the potential for long-term injuries.

It's up to the player and GM to decide when to check for a lingering injury. A creature might sustain a lingering injury under the following circumstances:

• When it takes a critical hit
• When it drop to 0 hit points but isn't killed outright
• When it fails a death saving throw by 5 or more.

To determine the nature of the injury, roll on the Lingering Injuries table. This table assumes a typical humanoid physiology, but you can adapt the results for creatures with different body types.

d20	Lingering Injury
1	Lose and Eye. You have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight and on ranged attack rolls. Magic such as the regerate spell can restore the lost eye. If you have no eyes left after sustaining this injury, you are blinded.
2	Lose and Arm or Hand. You can no longer hold anything with two hands, and you can hold only a single object at a time. Magic such as the regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage.
3	Lose a Foot or Leg. your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a cane or crutch to move unless you hav a peg leg or other prosthesis. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on Dexterity checks made to balance.
4	Limp. your speed on foot is reduced by 5 feet. You must make a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw after using the Dash action. If you fail the save you fall prone. Magical healing removes the limp.
5-7	Internal Injury. Whenever you attempt an action in combat, you must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, you lose your action and can't use reactions until the start of your next turn. The injury heals if you receive magical healing or if you spend ten days doing nothing but resting.
8-10	Broken Ribs. This has the same effect as Internal Injury aove except that the save DC is 10.
11-13	Horrible Scar. You are disfigured to the extent that the wound can't be easily concealed. You have disadvantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks and advantage on Chrisma (Intemidation) checks. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as a heal and regenerate, removes the scar.
14-16	Festering Wound. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1 every 24 hours the wound persists. If your hit point maximum drops to 0, you die. The wound heals if you receive magical healing. Alternatively, someone can tend to the wound and makea DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours. After ten successes, the wound heals.
17-20	Minor Scar. The scar doesn't have any adverse effect. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, removes the scar.

 

Instead of using the effect described in the table, the character can opt to gain a new flaw of the same name. It's up to the player to express the lingering injury during play, just like any other flaw, with the potential to gain inspiration when the injury affects the character in a meaningful way.

Edited November 21, 2023 by Anthr4xus (see edit history)

[BlackPhoenix]

I've spot-checked a few of those, and they're pretty debilitating; it often result in a character that is no longer able to function. And since a lot of those can only be undone by a 7th level spell, we might as well call it permanent.

For all intents and purposes, it's the same thing as death.

[Anthr4xus]

It depends on which system you are looking at. I would argue that none of the injuries under Option 2 are fully debilitating with just a single injury. Losing both arms would be pretty rough to keep adventuring, but would require a lot of things to go wrong for the character. Option 3 is only slightly harsher, mainly due to having a 1 in 10 chance of a limb incapacitation compared to a 1 in 20 under Option 2.

Option 1 is more brutal in the degree of some of the wounds it can deliver, although it is also harder under that system to get an injury in the first place and that system gives additional weight to focus on or avoid things that deal certain damage types. It is also worth noting that this system would apply to NPCs as well as all of you, in the case of recurring NPCs.

[jrsey]

I like Option 2 for the reasons mentioned above. It adds some stakes to our gameplay, but doesn't necessarily debilitate the entire party before we hit level 2 😂

[Neopopulas]

I chose #3 mostly because the injuries weren't as dramatic. I LIKE dramatic injuries, but at our level its just too dangerous.

In fact the only really bad one is the eye because you get disadvantage on ranged attacks, all the rest are manageable.

Only one-handed weapons and can't dash are the only other two that are permanent and require Regenerate. All the rest are either time or any magical healing

[zaffo]

im going to obstain from voting as i feel im not experienced enough to make a properly informed decision. ill just say i do kinda like the higher stakes/more realism these systems bring if it doesnt ruin the experience because everyone is useless.

[BlackPhoenix]

I'll admit that options 2 and 3 aren't as bad as I first thought. I cannot change my vote, so feel free to count one less vote for "no system" and one more for option 2.

What I'm not a fan of, in options 1 and 3, is that they trigger on a critical hit, which we'll all get at some point.

[Anthr4xus]

It also means that when you crit on a target, you are more likely to wound them as well under those options. BP changing their vote reasserts the tie between Option 2 and Option 3. There are still four people left to cast votes. If a clear winner is not established by 10 pm EDT on 11/26, I will break the tie.

[Anthr4xus]

Missed my own deadline there, sorry about that. I think we will go with Option 3 (DMG Version) with one small modification. The reason for this is that I had previously voted for Options 2. Disregarding my vote, puts Option 3 ahead by one.

The modification I will be making is that every critical hit will not trigger a lingering wound. Instead, with each critical hit, there will be a 25% chance of triggering a lingering wound. This adds more impact to crits (including the chance of causing a wound on an enemy that may knock them out of a fight), without making it likely that no one in Falvonia is free of them. Discussion about suggested tweaks on this is still welcome, but I think this is the system we will move forward with, although not until the resolution of the current fight for Group 1.