On the Expensive Habits thread someone (Searn, I believe) mentioned the possible usefulness of a calendar of events to help the DM keep track of things. In that post he mentioned character birthdays as a potential item of interest. This got me thinking. Characters can potentially die of old age (natural or induced). There are ways around this like Wishes, potions of youth, etc. If a character receives an anti-aging affect does that change his birthday?
Here’s a scenario: Gorbash, the fighter, is 29, just two days away from turning 30. He imbibes a potion that reduces his age 10 years. Is he now 19, and two days away from turning 20, or did he just turn 19 because of the potion and has an entire year before his age increases to 20, thus resetting his” birthday” to the day the potion was taken? The same idea, but in reverse, can be said for aging, like with (2e) Ghosts that age those who fail their save.
Got any ideas? It might not have any effect in anyone’s game, but I’m curious.
I would probably just roll his age back 10 years and keep the birthday.
Ditto.
No matter the magical effect on the character, his birthday should stay the same. His age, younger or older, is relative to that day in time.
I agree that his birthday should stay the same. In the example, the person would "turn" 20 in two days from the potion-intake.
On a side note, I actually *do* keep a calendar as a DM tool. I use those checkbook size calendars most often acquired at your local bank. All players roll randomly for their PC's birthday during character creation, I then mark it on the calendar (they record it on their character sheet). If an adventuring day falls on a character's birthday, it is his/her lucky day! Skill checks and ability checks receive a bonus and one lousy attack roll/saving throw can be rerolled during that game "day" (not gaming session). This rarely comes up but is always great fun when it does. The pocket game calendar also allows me to track when holy days & festivals fall as well as aiding me in producing appropriate random weather (when applicable). I highly recommend it.
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I once made a home made DM's Screen. Across the top, facing the PCs was a row of numbers for the day and on the left side was hours and the right had the months. I used a paper clip on each side to track the days and even the hours when it was important. We always knew the date, and they hardly ever had to ask what time of the day it was. Then I moved... lost it and forgot about it until just now! I have to remake a DM Screen now :)