DnD 5e approach to describing executive function
I was recently thinking of a new way to describe to my spouse (and to myself) how my mind works when it comes to performing tasks. This is a regularly occuring conversation, as her needs and mine often run counter to each other and leave us both frustrated. I have trouble understanding even my own reactions to things, let alone hers, so I try to explain them in new terms occasionally to see if it makes things click.
Anyway, I came up with one that I found apt and kinda fun, if maybe a bit sad in places: a DnD 5e character sheet. For the purposes of this exercise, the sheet is for a sorcerer, not a wizard (learning new tasks happens slowly, almost at random) and the Frustration mechanic is effectively identical to Exhaustion in the PHB.
Here it is. I'm curious if any of you have thoughts on this or find it feeling familiar.
Spell list:
Cantrips:
Relax
Read
Eat
Get ready for bed ¹
1st level:
Choose to go to bed ²
Get ready to leave
Choose a meal
Prepare a meal
Work on dishes
Take out trash
Do laundry
Other chores
Do a favor (unasked)*
2nd level:
Do a favor (asked)*
Stifle frustration ³
3rd level:
Do a big favor (asked)*
Dismiss frustration ⁴
Feat - People Pleaser: When casting "Do a favor (unasked)", roll a d20. On a 15 or higher, cast as a cantrip instead. When casting "Do a favor (asked)", roll a d20. On a 5 or lower, add 1 level of frustration. When casting "Do a big favor (asked)", roll a d20. On a 10 or lower, add 1 level of frustration.
Feat - Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures: Regenerate 1 spell slot of any level. Add 1 level of frustration.
Feat - Self Soothe: whenever casting a cantrip, roll a d20. On a 19 or 20, remove 1 level of frustration.
Curse - Temper: whenever casting a spell of 1st level or higher, roll a d20 with advantage. On a 2 or lower, add a level of frustration.
Curse - Social Anxiety: when interacting with another character, roll a d20. On a 5 or lower, burn 1 spell slot or add 1 level of frustration.
¹ Must be cast on the turn following casting "Choose to go to bed." Otherwise, this becomes a 1st level spell.
² After casting this spell, any spell other than a cantrip must be cast one level higher than usual (e.g., 1st level spells can only be cast using 2nd level spell slots).
³ Temporarily remove 1 level of frustration. It returns after d20X10 minutes.
⁴ Permanently remove 1 level of frustration.
Well I'll be honest, I read the title and the start of your post and I thought "this sounds a little dumb" but I gotta say, I was wrong. If you understand the 5e spellcasting system this gives a surprisingly clear view into how your brain handles this work and your "frustration" management was enlightening too.
Great idea as a fun communication tool! It's a good use of a common, well understood system to explain something which is unique to you.
Thanks! Hoping it might help others who have trouble putting it into words.
This is a really fun analogy, and super relatable. I think I’ll show it to my fiancée and get their read on it as well!
Thanks! I just read it to my wife and she also said it was fun and communicative, so I think it's a winner
I appreciate the thought you've put into this, it's a fun way to think about it! I just hope you never reach frustration 6, because according to the math here, after getting frustrated with someone, there's a non-neglible 0.032% chance that your next 5 interactions with people will result in catatonia then death. Please take a lesson from every Cleric with access to revivify and keep a 3rd level open for emergencies!
Lol that's kinda what I'm trying to communicate, I think. That is, I seem to be less available to help sometimes, and it's because some part of me is on the verge of shutting down due to previous interactions or tasks.
Also, long-dormant reflexes require that I say...
/r/theydidthemath