Suppose a 7 year old human child (life expectancy 70years) is BP into a goldfish(le 10years). 5 years later the BP is broken. How old is the human, 15 or 42? Or could the human-turned-goldfish still live to be 70 as a goldfish?
Do you remember your time as a goldfish?
There's only 3 kinds of mathematicians. Those that can count and those that can't.
Suppose a 7 year old human child (life expectancy 70years) is BP into a goldfish(le 10years). 5 years later the BP is broken. How old is the human, 15 or 42? Or could the human-turned-goldfish still live to be 70 as a goldfish?
As BBT said, he's 17. Assuming proper care, the goldfish will live to be 70 years old; polymorph effects don't actually change your creature type, after all. He's still a humanoid and uses the humanoid aging rules.
Do you remember your time as a goldfish?
That depends on the needs of the story, but personally I would say, "Only if he succeeded on his Will save." The original Baleful Polymorph (see D&D 3.5) stated that you changed into the animal both in mind and in body if you failed the Will save; that's why you'd even lose access to most abilities that don't depend on form if you fail a Will save; you literally forget that you had them.
So in the above example, I would rule that if said Boy Goldfish succeeded on his Will save, he retained his intelligence and memories and advanced in maturity to that of a teenager. He wouldn't have knowledge, training, or experience beyond what he A) had before being turned into a goldfish or B) managed to acquire while being a goldfish (for example, maybe he managed to pick up his captor's language or something with 10 years of constant exposure). If he failed his Will save, his mind was basically on vacation while he was overwhelmed with the instincts of a goldfish. He remembers nothing during those 10 years (and it probably seems like an instant to him), has acquired no noteworthy skills, and has the mental abilities of a seven year old.
He's magic years old. That said, the rules don't really seem to touch that. I'd say it leaves it open to whoever is the narrator/gm.
Baleful polymorph doesn't change your type does it? Wouldn't you still be human, but in the form of a frog? I mean, it might be awkward to be a critter for so long, but I'd imagine if you were just in the beast form you might not really know the difference. Also fits into crazy fairy tales about animals living longer than they are supposed to because they were cursed or magical in some way. A cat living as long as a human for example is a classic imo.
The rules don't cover this. DMs call/whatever makes a better story.
The old gray mare she ain't what she used to be ain't what she used to be ain't what she used to be....
I would probably have it age as its base creature for a few reasons. One its more magical/thematic. Two if you allow the creature to age at the new rate, baleful polymorph becomes THE way to stop someone from being ressurected. Just polymorph someone into a mouse and keep them captive for a year. They die of old age and can't be brought back short of epic magic.
Suppose a 7 year old human child (life expectancy 70years) is BP into a goldfish(le 10years). 5 years later the BP is broken. How old is the human, 15 or 42? Or could the human-turned-goldfish still live to be 70 as a goldfish?
Do you remember your time as a goldfish?
7+5=12
oreach goldfish year=7 human years, so 5x7=35
so 7+35=42
The consensus seems to be 12, thanks.