I’m Hurt, Doc
Heroes take lots of punishment. Lots and lots and lots, really: Every PC gets bloodied in just about every fight, and it’s not unusual that one drops to zero and needs some help getting back up. And at the end of the day, that’s good for the game. It defines the threat and brings the sense of danger closer to the heroes. But “I’m bloodied” and “that drops me” are repetitive. The DM can use this list of descriptive damage to spice up wounded monsters, or to bang up the PCs a bit more. Players can even use it themselves.
8 Wounds to Take When You are Bloodied
- A broken nose. It’s bleeding furiously and it needs to be set, unless you want a fighter’s nose structure.
- Dislocated finger. Shove it back into place on your next turn.
- A nick off the ear. It bleeds for a while. Hats are uncomfortable. Don’t take this if you’re wearing a helmet.
- A laceration that might later become a scar. Put it in a cool place.
- A cut on the head. It naturally lops off some hair, too. Another to avoid if you have a helmet.
- Deep cut into the boot. You almost lost a toe, there. Maybe you should fall prone.
- Forehead wound drips blood into your face and eyes. Wipe it away on your next turn unless you want an excuse to “miss” and stab a “buddy.”
- A cut on the wrist makes your grip slick with blood. Try not to drop it!
8 Wounds to Take When You Drop to 0
- Dislocated knee. Fall prone, and you can barely walk on it until it gets shoved back into place and you get a good rest. Call it slowed.
- Dislocated jaw. It needs to be bound into place when you get a chance, and even then you can’t talk until it’s healed up.
- Dislocated shoulder. Drop whatever that arm is holding, and you can’t do anything with it until it’s set and rested.
- Whoops, lost your nose! You didn’t need it, right?
- Whoops, lost an ear! Luckily you had two.
- Whoops, lost a finger! Probably one of the littler ones.
- Head wound. You’re going to be dizzy for a while, and you won’t see very well either.
- Gut wound. You need expert medical attention at the end of the fight or you’ll be fighting with disease for a long time.
Peter Schaefer likes to share his thoughts occasionally. These are some of the random ones.
