#Poor Shadowheart having to heal a moron who hasn't needed it for centuries

[y-rhywbeth2]

Thinking about vampirism in D&D again... Considering the tadpole shut down most of the abilities Astarion's just taken for granted for about 200 years, as discussed by him and Shadowheart:

3. Astarion: It's a long time since I was in a house of healing. Gods, it's depressing.

0. Shadowheart: I suppose you don't have much use for hospitals... unless you're seeking to steal their blood stock.

2. Astarion: True, although I don't heal as fast as I used to. The one downside to the tadpole, I suppose.

1. Shadowheart: The one downside? I think you might have stopped the count too soon... End

Well, Astarion is probably used to watching his injuries start closing up the moment he gets them. This whole thing where wounds just stay open, potentially kill you and hurt all day is a new one. I wonder if he worked out his regeneration was nullified before he got himself severely injured... His assessment of damage might be a bit out of practice.

There's also the fact that vampires have supernaturally boosted physical capabilities; the default vampire spawn strength score is more along the lines of 16.

While I am attached to Astarion's horrible noodly score of 8, the concept of him absentmindedly trying to lift things far too heavy for him without vampirism giving him an edge is funny (and honestly could very well tie in to discovering the lack of regeneration when he hurts himself). His reflexes are still good, but they would've been better so he probably finds himself quite clumsy.

His senses of sight, hearing and smell might've gotten duller too (if he complains about this nobody is going to have sympathy - he's an elf, he has the sharpest senses by default). His sense of touch, on the other hand, might've been restored (it's duller for the undead). You know what will make Astarion's already charming attitude [affectionate-and-derogatory] better? Overstimulation.

And after he adjusts the tadpole is removed, and it's back to the adjustment period.