Category:Cause of Death

The causes of death are diverse and many, some readily evident to even the casual observer, others recognizable by the medical doctor, and others still a mystery to medicine.

Anyone may attempt to determine the cause of death by examining the corpse for 10 minutes and making a successful heal skill check against a DC determined by the cause of death itself. It is ridiculously easy to identify bludgeoning, piercing or slashing wounds from weapons or natural weapons as the cause of death. It is very easy identify causes of death resulting from exposure to inapt environmental conditions such as drowning, smoke inhalation, freezing, burning, and the like. It is easy to identify magic as the cause of death when the harm that it does involves physical changes in the corpse itself such as those left by an explosive ruins or shout spell. It is difficult to identify poison as the cause of death. And it is very difficult to identify magic is the cause of death when the harm that it does does not involve a physical change in the corpse itself such as with the an energy drain or symbol of death spell. The DC is increased by one step with each day passing day. A failed attempt leaves the cause of death unknown. Given sufficient time, the attempt may be repeated. The examiner of the corpse has the option of Taking 10, but the examination then requires 200 minutes. Forensic pathologists are presumed to generally Take 10, using the time to perform a proper autopsy.