[cavtroop]

Originally Posted by Sapper31

Anyway back on topic: another good use for rare medical afflictions is for a storyline.

Perhaps your players are in a position where they are fairly self sufficient: i.e lots of supplies, security, services, etc. A rare disease or affliction which is treatable only with special equipment / expertise could warrant an adventure beyond their current comfort zone.

For example, say a PC complains of shooting migraines which have come on recently. A medical character with Medical (Diagnosis) believes it could be a tumor, but a CT scan is required to know for sure. Unfortunately, hospitals aren't what they used to be. Rumor has it the hospital in City X may have one in functional condition.


but.. City X is under control of a dictator/marauders/feral raccoons. The players finally get access to the CT scan and determine there is indeed a tumor. Brain surgery is beyond the ability of any medical PCs, and to even attempt it would almost certainly mean catastrophic failure. One of the hospital staff believes Doctor Y, an accomplished Brain surgeon, may still be alive but he was drafted and sent to Location Z.

but.. Location Z is under control of a dictator/marauders/feral raccoons, and Admiral-General Barracus would never let his best doctor leave.

You get the idea...

Exactly what I'm talking about. Random debilitating illness isn't fun for the players. However, Random debilitating illness as a plot point can be lots of fun.