Healing

How to deal with Healing as a theme for moderators. Also see the career healer and witch for suggestions.

An Overview

Healing is generally at a basic level. Herbs (and other natural substances) are known to help in fevers, reduce pain and swelling, induce sleep etc. Most wounds are either cauterized or stitched up catgut (and similar) are generally used for that, but anything that comes to hand would be used. Bandaging is understood, as is Tourniquets (and the need to release it frequently to help prevent gangrene). Splints are known, but broken bones are often crudely put together, thus causing limps, slight deformities etc. Simple ‘operations’ would be known (to remove foreign bodies (arrow-heads), lumps etc. and even partial or full limb amputation). More complicated operations would not (removal of tumors, Caesarean section etc.).

Hygiene is understood quite well, although the reasoning behind it may not be known. Therefore keeping wounds clean, the area clean, washing hands, fresh air, patient warm and dry etc. are all realized to help in the healing of the sick (whether it be from a wound or fever etc.).

Diseases as such are understood though not what they are, or even how they are caused (no concept of the germ), generally as most diseases cause fevers and such; treatment is the similar for them all.

Maggots would be used, as they have been known to remove the dead flesh, though keeping such things is not simple, so usually dead flesh is cut away.

There is not a surgeon or other such title, just more experienced healers. So as in any profession, if a healer came across something they had not encountered before, they would (if they could) send for a more experienced healer to help, otherwise they learn ‘on the job’.

Equipment is basic, sharp knives, herbs, small saw etc. It is possible that such packs would be different in cities than in the field though of course have the same basic purpose. One point is the concept of ‘mental’ illness. At the time we are in there would be no concept of mental illness. The person would be classed as mad and either sent to an asylum, or be killed. (Though in rare cases the person’s family may look after them, but they would be locked up). Note that up to the 30’s, 40’s and even the 50’s in our time, woman with post-natal depression were often locked up as being ‘insane’.

Types of Healing

Healing generally falls into three categories, ‘Natural’, ‘Prayer’ and ‘Magickal’ Here are simple explanations of what each of those categories mean.

Natural

Also known as the skill Healing (Non-Magical)

This is where the healer will use herbs, splints, stitching, and cauterisation to do the work. They assess by feel, hearing and experience as to what is the correct natural way to help the injured or sick person. They would be able to create simple salves and herbs, and be able to use to hand anything they finds to help their work.

Prayer

Also known as Faith Magick

This is where a devout follower will pray to their god to heal and injured or sick person. The prayer may or may not be heard, depending on the god, the standing of the priest, and perhaps even the person being healed. There is no distinction in that only one god can heal, however it is likely that some gods may not listen very well to this sort of request.

Magickal

This Magick is often categorized as Sorcery

This is where a mage will cast a spell to heal the injured or sick person. As in all spell castings, it may or may not work (or even work properly/as expected), depending on the capability and knowledge of the caster.

Plots

Examples of Plots are:

1. A friend is sick, and the only person that can save him is a hermit healer in the dark woods close by. The PC’s have to negotiate the woods and find the healer, who perhaps has them perform a task for him first ?

2. A young healer comes upon a stricken plague ridden village, It is something that particular healer has never seen (but it is a known one with a cure). The healer’s task is to find a cure.

3. A healer is captured by some brigands to heal their notorious leader. Also captured is a friend/family. If the person does not heal the leader the friend/family die. The Healer has to decide what to do, heal and hope they get set free. Heal and try to escape, refuse and hope it’s a bluff or they can escape.

4. The healer has a chance to learn some new healing methods, however it is from an evil cleric, who needs an amputation done on themselves (gangrenous leg). Healers Dilemma is Learn the skill and be able to help many people in the future, but also allowing an evil person to live. Or refuse, thus the evil dies, but the loss of that skill may mean people die in the future that could have been saved.