Dungeon Master: Wounds

Even when not facing dragons and undead on a daily basis, everyone gets hurt. Of course, the chances of getting hurt are much higher when sharp pointy swords and powerful spells are involved. Just recently I had a situation where my players damaged a character with a crossbow bolt, failed to kill him and instead wounded him. For this reason I would like to put forth optional combat rules for handling an NPC character that was wounded. The exact values and terms used will match up with D&D 5^th edition but can be converted to other systems as well.

When to Use It

I'd recommend using this kind of system mainly for non-playable characters. However, if desired it could also be used for players. It also allows the players the ability to fight someone usually out of their level range depending on the penalty that the wounded character receives.

Types of Wounds

There are a large variety of different kinds of ways characters can be damaged over the course of a campaign and likewise there are many ways for them to get wounded. In the example I mentioned, the character took a crossbow bolt to the chest. Depending on the situation, the type of wound has to be handled on a case by case basis.

Example

Body Wound

The character took a crossbow bolt roughly a week ago (any kind of piercing or slashing wound would also work). As a direct result, scabbing and healing has started but may be torn open from too much strain (three actions taken in three turns or less). If the character does put themselves under too much strain (three actions in a row), they must make a saving throw (DC15) right after taking the third action and on a failure have the wound torn open.

When the wound is torn open, the character takes damage at the end of every turn (2D6) including the turn that the wound was torn open on. The character may use one hand to reduce the damage (by 1D6) or both hands and an action to completely stop the bleeding. They will need to apply pressure on the wound for a short rest before they stop taking damage.

Notes

Severity of the wound can be changed by changing the DC, the damage taken (both with pressure applied and without), the number of turns that determines if the character is under strain as well as the length of time needed before the damage stops being taken. Certain actions can also be chosen not to count to the 3 in a row limit (if a level 1 party is facing a level 5 fighter, you may rule that the wound is bad enough to be under strain after 2 actions). Alternatively, saving throws can be made again after taking damage. On a success, the character stops taking damage. You can also force the character to roll a save if they are damaged in a way that may tear open the wound.  

Dungeon Master: Ceremonial Swords

It's easy to start to get fascinated with weapons such as swords. However, not all swords have to be magic to be special. On that thought, I will list a few ceremonial, mundane swords that could be used in different games to add flavour to various regions. Take as little or as much as you want. These types aren't completely separate as well, so feel free to combine elements (fancy pommel on a utilitarian sword, etc.)

Really Fancy Sword

Description

This kind of sword is as exquisite as they can be. Everything from scabbard (it is uncommon for such a sword to be kept in a sheath) to the sword itself is usually decorated with engraving and on the upper end of the quality spectrum, gold. Still, practicality is considered in the making of such swords (high quality materials are usually used, though counterfeit are known to exist and lower quality weapons often used by lower nobles) and as such they can still be used in combat if needed. However, the decorations can be scratched or chipped when used in the way a sword normally would be.

In the World

“One's possessions reflect on their owner.”

In a culture where such swords are present, they are a way of showing off wealth and success. For this reason, it is considered important to fix the damage that occurs from use. While it isn't uncommon to see such swords with damage, it reflects on the owner. While having a sword of this quality, even when damaged, puts the owner above normal people, being seen with a damaged sword tends to give the impression of the lowest rank of noblemen (though damage to some parts can easily be hidden).

Utilitarian Swords

Description

While the overall design of these weapons is simple, every part of their construction is meant to be used in combat. The overall quality of these weapons ranges, but on the upper end of the spectrum the quality is as good as any other, if not better. Since no consideration is given to appearance, these weapons have no weaknesses or extra weight created by cosmetic work.

In the World

“A weapon is meant to be used.”

Weapons of this type are worn by those who actually use them in. For this reason, if a sword is seen at the side of a noble, it is almost a given that they know how to use it (exceptions occur with young nobles from army backgrounds). It is also not uncommon for people to wear the under-padding from their armour as clothing. However, like the sword, the under-padding is expected to be exactly as used in battle. The beauty in these items is their simplicity and effectiveness and any addition purely for cosmetic reasons is seen as ruining the weapon.

Decorative Sword

Description

There are places where having a real weapon is frowned upon, but where the association with the sword may be desired. In such cases, other items such as pins can be used to suggest the background of the individual. If, however, the image of the sword wielding noble is needed, a purely decorative sword is acceptable in some places. These kinds of swords can range from simple pieces meant to signify that the owner knows how to employ weapons of war to elaborately adorned pieces. They are artistic pieces that look like a sword in its scabbard or sheath, but are incapable of actually being used as a sword since they are a single piece.

In the World

“There is a place for weapons, but my home is not it.”

Swords of this type are often seen in cultures where having a weapon outside of war is seen as aggressive and bringing a weapon into the home of another is a great insult. Such swords would be checked at the door. Though they lack a cutting edge or thrusting point, they are still heavy enough to cause blunt damage when swung, similar to a mace. Since it is meant as a decoration, using such a thing as a weapon is generally not a consideration in the construction and as such damage is possible. Stories regarding nobles who lose their tempers and start fighting with these blunt swords are quite famous but doing so is considered to be the lowest of actions. A few stories do talk about such an action favourably, but in such a case the person who was hit with the decorative sword was extremely hated.