#7: The Bowels of the Matter, Part Two

[RPGnet Columns]

http://www.rpg.net/columns/medical/medical7.phtml

Summary:

Constipation and other crappy problems in roleplaying games.

Go to the column (http://www.rpg.net/columns/medical/medical7.phtml) for more information.

[SteelCaress]

That was the grossest thing I've read in a long time. Funny at times, but gross.

Bravo!

And I loved the encounter seeds here. The Orc dung gives you -- dare I say it -- food for thought.

And another thing...I'm glad I wasn't eating when I read this.

[nerd42]

Celiac disease has no roleplaying potential? Imagine the awfulness when a character eats a piece of bread by mistake! Or all the difficulties the character has in finding gluten-free food...

I actually think autoimmune diseases are tailor-made for RPGs, with their random occurrences and effects. Lupus and MS act in a lot of ways like something that came out of a D&D table, with their random flareups and bizarre array of symptoms. Being unable to coordinate your eyes when looking in one direction, feeling an electrical shock when moving your arm, and having slurred speech sound like effects from one of Gary Gygax's old tables, don't you think?

I am also sorry you missed pseudomembranous enterocolitis, if only because of the name. I think it would make a great villain name if none of the players have a medical background.

You also bring up the possibility of feces as an attack. I can imagine a monster that eats a player one round and defecates his remains, covered with toxic slime, as an attack, the next. Or perhaps a monster (resistant to fire of course) that ignites its own flatulence?

[Asklepios]

Or perhaps a monster (resistant to fire of course) that ignites its own flatulence?

Hmm, I think my friend Dave has that special attack...

[bielmic]

oh, you wacky british with your superfluous vowels! as an aside, what's your specialty?

[Asklepios]

whaot souperflouous voweeols?