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Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
 Posted - 16 Feb 2007 : 10:31:51
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I was just wondering, has it ever been mentioned how the trollish lifespan works? I am especially thinking of old age and natural death. With their regeneration abilities it seems a little illogical that their bodies should slowly decline, but them being immortal seems a little bit illogical to. Do they simply reach the stage where their brain ceases to function or where their regenerative powers simply "burn out"?
Any one got any opinions of their own or facts that I have missed?
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Victor_ograygor
Master of Realmslore
Denmark
1072 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36782 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2007 : 17:45:22
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As I understand it, aging occurs in the real world because the DNA eventually starts breaking down. As long as a creature is alive, its cells are constantly replacing themselves. But, when the DNA starts to break down, the cells are now replicating imperfect versions of themselves.
So I'd say that trolls that reach old age would still regenerate, but the rate of regeneration may diminish, and even with regeneration, they would still eventually die of old age. |
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Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2007 : 19:41:13
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
As I understand it, aging occurs in the real world because the DNA eventually starts breaking down. As long as a creature is alive, its cells are constantly replacing themselves. But, when the DNA starts to break down, the cells are now replicating imperfect versions of themselves.
So I'd say that trolls that reach old age would still regenerate, but the rate of regeneration may diminish, and even with regeneration, they would still eventually die of old age.
Hm, yes that seems logical. Maybe at some point when the regenerative powers seems to weaken the other trolls will usually kill the old troll and eat it. Maybe some ritualistic thing, I can use that.
Thanks for the answers Victor and Wooly |
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nbnmare
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
205 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2007 : 19:53:48
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| I can well imagine the troll's regenerative ability causing the race to be far more susceptible to cancer than most other races. That's assuming cancer exists in the Realms, of course. |
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Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2007 : 19:59:40
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| Yes, but if the trolls in some way learned about this they could (theoretically) rip out or off the body part in question. Even if it "killed" the troll the largest body part would regenerate the troll back to life. This would be the work of troll shamans if it were done. Then again, trolls might be to dim and uncaring to understand the disease in many cases. |
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Bladewind
Master of Realmslore
Netherlands
1280 Posts |
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Iliphar1
Learned Scribe
Austria
133 Posts |
Posted - 17 Feb 2007 : 11:42:44
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| I'm just trying to picure that: My PC stumble upon a troll cancer operation/surgeon, carried out by the shaman with a big axe.... |
'You see dead bones? ... I see an army!' Ezechiel 37 |
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Talanfir Swiftfeet
Learned Scribe
Finland
143 Posts |
Posted - 26 Feb 2007 : 11:27:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Jorkens
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
As I understand it, aging occurs in the real world because the DNA eventually starts breaking down. As long as a creature is alive, its cells are constantly replacing themselves. But, when the DNA starts to break down, the cells are now replicating imperfect versions of themselves.
So I'd say that trolls that reach old age would still regenerate, but the rate of regeneration may diminish, and even with regeneration, they would still eventually die of old age.
Hm, yes that seems logical. Maybe at some point when the regenerative powers seems to weaken the other trolls will usually kill the old troll and eat it. Maybe some ritualistic thing, I can use that.
Thanks for the answers Victor and Wooly
If as Wooly said in the real world aging happens when cells replace themselves with imperfect versions of themselves, so maybe troll cells replace themselves with imperfect versions and if a troll gets into a lot of fights and he has to regenerate bodyparts often, it may effect the rate of his aging. |
I am Talanfir Swiftfeet. (In)famous across the Swoardcoast as "Tal the Swift", Brandobaris´ seraph of mischief. If ye find yer shoelaces tied together while trying to catch a thief or meet a king who is angry because somebody switched the places of his chamberpot and his crown, ye can usually (try to) find me near.
If I had a halfling mother and a human father, would I be a half-halfling or a threequarterling? |
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Tyr
Learned Scribe
225 Posts |
Posted - 26 Feb 2007 : 18:22:30
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| Yeah, it's kinda like Wolverine, where aging is either greatly reduced, so they can live for centuries, or the regeneration means they don't age at all. This is all depending on which source you read. |
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Trolls aging
