Ocular Diversity

July 20, 2022
Limitless Heroics Cover: As our heroes fight the hydra, we see just some of the variety of symptoms represented in this book. The paladin has a prosthetic arm to assist with their amputation. The barbarian rages from their wheelchair, providing mobility for their paralyzed legs. The ranger, whose body is more accustomed to an aquatic environment just as someone in the real world may be more comfortable in a quieter or darker sensory environment, finds ways to compensate and keep fighting. The wizard’s vitiligo may not be thought of as a disability, nor should it be, yet many in the real world experience severe discrimination due to unusual skin pigment — how many celebrities, corporate executives, or politicians do you know with visibly irregular skin?

One or both of your eyes are shaped or located outside the range typical for your ancestry. Choose or roll on the following table. Note that this is usually a permanent condition and does not fluctuate, but the player and GM are welcome to determine a magical version that fluctuates based on the Frequency table above. Example stimuli include sunrise/sunset, seasons, or stress.

d20 Ocular Diversity
1–3 Location
4–5 Eyelid Difference
6–8 Bulging
9–10 Sunken
11–13 Oversized
14–15 Undersized
16–19 Pupil Difference
20 Side Placement

Location. Each affected eye is (IE) inches from its expected location. Roll 1d12, using clock locations for direction. This gives you +(IE) to Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) checks but −(IE) to Charisma (Persuasion) checks with people who don’t know you due to many people’s discomfort around those with unexpected appearances.

Eyelid Difference. Your eyelids are an unexpected shape, such as an odd angle, or they don’t close typically, or they droop. This gives you +(IE) to Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) checks but −(IE) to Charisma (Persuasion) checks with people who don’t know you due to many people’s discomfort around those with unexpected appearances.

Bulging. Your eyes poke out of your head noticeably. This gives you +(IE) to Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) checks but −(IE) to Charisma (Persuasion) checks with people who don’t know you due to many people’s discomfort around those with unexpected appearances.

Sunken. Your eyes are sunken into your head, giving them a skull-like appearance. This gives you +(IE) to Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) checks but −(IE) to Charisma (Persuasion) checks with people who don’t know you due to many people’s discomfort around those with unexpected appearances.

Oversized. Your eyes are larger than expected for your ancestry, an extra inch diameter per IE. This gives or increases Darkvision by 10 feet × (IE) but also gives a –(IE) penalty on saving throws against being blinded by bright lights. You have −(IE) to Charisma (Persuasion) checks with people who don’t know you due to many people’s discomfort around those with unexpected appearances.

Undersized. Your eyes are smaller than expected for your ancestry by a factor of 1/2 × (IE). This gives you +1 to Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) checks but −1 to Charisma (Persuasion) checks with those who don’t know you due to many people’s discomfort around those with unexpected appearances. If you have Darkvision, this decreases it by 10 feet × (IE) but gives you a +(IE) bonus to saving throws against being blinded by bright lights.

Pupil Difference. Your pupils are horizontal (50 percent) or vertical (50 percent). Horizontal pupils decrease the normal range of a ranged weapon by 50 percent but give +1 to Wisdom (Perception) checks against those making a Dexterity (Stealth) roll against you. Vertical pupils increase the normal range of a ranged weapon by 50 percent and give advantage on Strength (Athletics) checks to jump but −1 to Wisdom (Perception) checks against those making a Dexterity (Stealth) roll against you. Those who don’t know you and see your pupil shape tend to associate it with otherworldliness or evil, so this gives you a −1 penalty on Charisma (Persuasion) checks but +1 on Charisma (Intimidation) checks.

Side Placement. Your eyes are on the sides of your skull in front of your ears. This gives you advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks against those attempting a Dexterity (Stealth) roll against you and disadvantage on all melee attack rolls. This also gives you disadvantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks with those who don’t know you due to many people’s discomfort around those with unexpected appearances and your inability to look others in the eye with both eyes during conversation.

Real-world Examples

Keratoconus, Blepharoptosis, Lid Retraction, Canthal Dystopias, Entropion, Ectropion, Cryptophthalmos, Coloboma, Microphthalmia

Assistive Options

Dark glasses, helmet visors, or other eye coverings can mask some of these eye differences.

Magical Assistance

The Seeming spell can alter a person’s appearance to mask this and other cosmetic eye differences.