I was considering removing this rule as I have seen it have no impact in games other than to create friction:
Example:
Half Orc Fighter Min Age: 15 Avg Age: 17 Max Age: 20
Human Fighter Min Age: 16 Avg Age: 18 Max Age: 21
Half Elf Fighter Min Age: 21 Avg Age: 23 Max Age: 26
Halfling Fighter Min Age: 23 Avg Age: 30 Max Age: 38
Dwarf Fighter Min Age: 45 Avg Age: 57 Max Age: 80
Elven Fighter Min Age: 116 Avg Age: 131 Max Age: 146
All the above have the same skills, same BAB, same saves, in fact for the age or lack of age they are the same. Is it just me or is the Rule about ageing just some useless left over from previous editions.
However before ever making such a drastic rules call (where I make everyone regardless of race use the base human starting age numbers) I thought I would ask how this rule has impacted folks games.
Has anyone ever had a game last where they kept the character and played it for 37 years in game (so that the human can get old)
Most of the time it seems that the characters adventure fast and furiously gaining levels at a epic pace. Easily within 10 years the characters Retire from being 20th level. So other than causing characters trouble with Role Playing does this rule do anything for the game?
That's why it's in the additional rules with a lot of the fluff, like random height and weight.
True, most adventure paths are fast and furious. It would be kind of cool to see an AP that had segments that were like '2 years later' or something in between books. Something where if you played a half orc you might go up an age category between adventures.
And... this does need to be pointed out... it is a role playing game. Shame on the folks that can remember their attack damage, but draw a blank when asked what color their hair is.