Rules for Retirement, Not Dead Yet, and Mentors

Some rules in my BXDH game, likely going to get wrapped into Sorrow as well.

Retirement

The Rule: Starting at 11th level, character may just straight up retire from adventuring. A character can retire by choice at any time, but starting at 11th level there is a 1 in 6 chance they retire even if the player isn't inclined to have them retire. 

My Thoughts: high-level gaming is another thing entirely than low-level gaming. if high level characters are just running around dungeons the same as low-level characters but with more danger, then it is the same game - details are different but nothing has changed. Retirement also allows character to achieve goals and complete their story arc (if such a thing exists) and for players to "Win at D&D".

Not Dead Yet

The Rule: If a character is dropped below 0 HP, they are not automatically dead. They are done with adventuring even if they aren't dead though - lingering injuries or trauma causes a change of mind. Adventuring is tough. Certain death situations (crushed by a mountain, dove into lava, etc.) don't use this rule.

• Roll 1d6+ damage beyond 0.
• If the total is 6 or less, the character Survives
• If the total is 7 or more, the character is Dead
• A player can choose for their character to be dead if they prefer

Alternate Roll (from Redcaps): Instead of the d6 roll, just make a Death Save. Easier and smoother.

A surviving character is unable to do much of anything except stagger around. They can't fight, run, climb, or cast spells. They are a burden to an adventuring party. In fact if they take any more damage at all they are automatically dead. 

• If the survivor is brought back to civilization, the crew gains 1000XP per survivor character level (split up as usual).
• The player's new character gains their share of that XP bump!
• The previous character is now an NPC once they recover (a few weeks). What this means is up to the GM

My Thoughts: This ties into the Mentor rule below, but also allows for characters to remain part of the campaign as a memorial. It is just plain fun to have your old fighter now running the blacksmith shop in town and tell everyone he used to be an adventurer until he took an arrow in the knee.

Mentors

The Rule: A Retired or Survivor character can become a mentor.   

• For any given character class, the highest level mentor provides their level as a % bonus to XP for members of that class.
  

Example: If there are 4 mentors in town, 2 fighters (level 3 and 5) and 2 thieves (both level 4), then fighter characters gain 5% bonus to XP, and thief characters gain a 4% bonus to XP. Mages, with no mentors do not gain a bonus to XP (as their are no mage mentors).

My Thoughts: A reward for good role playing - helping survivors get back to town or actually rocking characters to higher levels.