Childbirth Table

[Arthur Fisher]

Shamelessly and unapologetically taken from Gregg Stafford's Pendragon.
Thoughts, alternatives, additions or suggestions are encouraged.

Childbirth Table
1 - Conception causes illness, no birth and Aging increase for mother
2 - No conception
3 - No conception
4 - No conception
5 - No conception
6 - Unhealthy Child; gets "Sickly" Trait
7 - Child Born
8 - Child Born
9 - Child Born
10 - Child Born
11 - Roll Success die. 1-3 Mother dies in childbirth. Child lives 4-6 Mother and child die in childbirth.*
12 - Twins Born

*If the mother is the PC, she does not die in childbirth, but her spouse will die within the year from illness or grief.

Mother is Young: +1 to roll
Men ages 16-25
Hobbits ages 25-40
Wood Elves ages 100-500
High Elves ages 500-1,000
Dwarves ages 50-100
Men of Minas Tirith ages 16-35
Dúnedain ages 18-50

Mother is Middle Aged: -1 to roll
Men ages 36-45
Hobbits ages 56-70
Dwarves ages 151-200
Men of Minas Tirith ages 51-65
Dúnedain ages 76-100

When the mother has exceeded Middle Age, she is beyond childbearing years. Pregnancies are then left to the LoreMaster's discretion.

If the mother has access to an alchemist or wisewoman at her Holding, someone with the Herb-lore trait and Craft of 3 or better, to assist her pregnancy, she may add +1 to her rolls.

If the mother has access to someone with renowned Healing abilities where she is giving birth, someone with the Leechcraft Trait and Healing of 5 or better, she may re-roll an Eye of Sauron.
The LoreMaster may limit the number of times she may do this, as even the greatest healers can fail.

Per the LoreMaster's discretion, the loss of a child or spouse may require a Corruption Test or even automatic points of Shadow.

[Terisonen]

Only if there is the will to have descendant? I'm in the process to revamp Pendragon to fit ME.

[Angelalex242]

That works fine for humans...

However, there's also Dunedain, Dwarves, Elves, and High Elves to consider...

[Glorelendil]

Perhaps a more TOR-like way would would be to have a single table, and certain conditions could add/subtract from the die roll.

[Arthur Fisher]

That works fine for humans...

However, there's also Dunedain, Dwarves, Elves, and High Elves to consider...

Good point. I've amended the chart to the known races.

[Angelalex242]

I'd also point out that, among the firstborn, dying in childbirth would be virtually unheard of. Particularly for High Elves cause if complications happen, Elrond's RIGHT THERE with his healing 6. If he can fix a morgul knife wound...I mean, seriously.

However, I'd imagine that if the firstborn did lose a child to miscarriage (assuming that's even possible) they'd 'pass over the sea' everywhere it says 'somebody dies' for the mortal races.

[Terisonen]

I always assumed that Elves, haven a perfect fanar (body) , can have childs where and when they want, without any problem or miscarriage. But it is entirely my view about this topic.

[Arthur Fisher]

Perhaps a more TOR-like way would would be to have a single table, and certain conditions could add/subtract from the die roll.

I don't know if it's more TOR, but it's certainly cleaner and simpler, which is always better.

I always assumed that Elves, haven a perfect fanar (body) , can have childs where and when they want, without any problem or miscarriage. But it is entirely my view about this topic.

I'd always presumed that elves can't miss with a bow, but you make adjustments for an RPG.
Elves are, if nothing else, creatures of tales and song; much like the Tuatha Dé Danann. And the loss of a child or spouse to fate's cruel hand makes for the most Celtic of poetry and song. Such a tale of woe might fit as easily into the Silmarillion as in the Ulster Cycle or Mabinogion.
And I wouldn't want to deny that experience to a player just because they wanted to be an elf.

But if it's not your particular jam, feel free to leave it out.