Hey folks :

It has been brought to my attention that some of the frustration of our NPC's at PC's supposedly not taking maims
may be coming from the fact that some of our players have physical limitations that have them not want to
fall to the ground over and over again.

Alright.

We talked about this at our plot meeting, and are going to PLAYTEST the following options :

LEG MAIM
If you have a physical condition that makes falling to the ground on a leg main unacceptable,
you may instead take the effects of "Agony" and "Root". The Agony effect should be role-played
by having one hand on the maimed leg at all times. This lets others know that you have indeed
taken the effect of the maim - and are opting to not fall to the ground.

In game terms, this means, you may not move from that spot, and may not take offensive actions.
These effects will be removed if you are healed of the maim or are splinted.
These two combined effects are more restrictive than falling to the ground -
but we do not want to encourage this option - simply giving it as an option if you need it.

It is possible to defend yourself while on the ground, but much harder. However, you can
still attack while on the ground. The aspects we had to work around were how do we allow
someone to remain standing but not allow them to abuse the fact that they are still on thier feet.
As far as we can see, this is our best option.

SLAM
The effects of a SLAM are that you are supposed to take 3 steps back, and fall to the ground.
Once both shoulders have touched the ground, you may get up. We estimate that this action would
take approx. 6-8 seconds for someone to accomplish. If you have a physical condition that makes this
a hardship, we will allow you to take 3 steps backwards, and then take the effect of "Quick Drain".
Your hands should be by your sides for the 10 seconds you are drained.

Again, the effects of the drain for 10 seconds is probably much worse that if you actually
took the fall-to-the-ground option, but it does give an option if needed.

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We understand that we do have people who are a bit older, or have bad knees, and this is an attempt
to balance out some game mechanics with some real-world considerations for our players.

If there are any other effects that people are having a hard time with,
please e-mail me with your concerns.

All of this being said, we are a "Live Action" game, and I trust that these options will be
taken and used in the spirit they are offered - Please do not abuse our trust.

-Chris H.
G.M. - The Isles, Asylum

Thanks for the options from someone who isn't always able to drop to the ground. I will, however have to work on being able to drop even more, as the option for maim would leave me unable to defend myself if my leg were hit. The hazards of wielding a polearm.

Going to have to agree with JD on this one...

been wounded (read maimed) often in battle and using my polearm helped keep my unlovely carcass more or less intact...

even if Agonied, I could still defend myself - this game mechanic wipes that option right off the board.

The Agony effect is until you are cured of the maim, or get a splint
(which technically cures you of the maim - altho not permenantly)

If you are not actively defending yourself, you should keep a hand on
the maimed leg - as a sign that you are in fact taking the effect.
If you are wielding a 2H weapon, you may wield it with both hands -
just make sure to keep a hand on the maimed leg when you are not
engaged. It lets the NPC's know your status.

The reason I put this out here now, long before the Fall sessions,
was to see what people would say - and what holes people would poke
in the idea.

The intent was / is to try and be considerate of folks -
not my intention to screw anyone over.

-Chris

My God, what a bunch of whiners!

Look, I'm as old, fat, slow & broken as just about anyone out there. Remember that West Virginia shaped bruise that went from my shoulder blades to my upper thigh a couple of years ago from a very bad spill at Isles? I still feel it. My knees are all busted up, my hips are creaky as hell, my back still goes into spasm when I frikkin sneeze, I'm fatter and more out of shape than I have ever been AND I'm older than 95% of the PCs!

No one is getting 'hosed' by this idea. Why? Because, as Dave pointed out, you DON'T have to follow it. Just follow the regular rules!

As for the two handed issue, Chris addressed it his way, but, had I read the posts before he did, my suggestion would have been either "Suck it up" or "allow one handed defense with a two handed weapon."

For the record, you've all seen me wield two weapon, single weapon and two handed weapons. So, I am in no way speaking out of turn on that subject.

Y'wanna use your Two Hander? Drop to one knee.

Y'wanna crawl away? Hit the dirt.

Oh, and these two effects (root and agony together) are meant to be an alternate to the normal requirement of Maim: dropping to the ground. Therefore, any logical mind would assume that they would otherwise follow Maim's other requirements when it comes to Splinting, duration of the effect (until slpinted or "cure maimed" for those who forgot) and such. So, yeah, the Agony and Root stay until you either get the Maim fixed or switch to the regular Maim requirement of dropping (at least to one knee). And I certainly hope no one has the silly idea that they can "Cure Root" or whatever with "Pull Free" when Maimed.

I'm Captain Loophole and even I know that this is not a rule to be raped. It is a courtesy to those of us who may need it and should be seen as such. It's a favor, not an curse.

Okay, I'm a bit grumpy. Sorry if I came off all hostile and shit but, I meant what I wrote. I coulda been nicer.

Dwayne

You're right....you did come across hostile.

Thank you Chris for the clarification.

Brian, you left out an option. Don't play.

The rest of y post is also right.

I'll only apologize for the tone. Everything else is absolutely correct and true.

This is a FAVOR to those of us who may need it.

I get a kick out of people who react to favors with whining about said favor not being good enough. And that's how I saw this. Someone was trying to do others a favor and the others just whined about how they were getting screwed.

And you are right, too. Quitting is a viable option.

Dwayne

Lapsed Roman Catholics such as myself call that Proverbs 12:18, but we stole that book from our parent religion. Classy and to the point, Mr. Allen.

--->---------
Brian