Bay 12 Games Forum

Stress is tracked from 0-100, and is inflicted by damage, encounters with horrors mundane or supernatural in nature, poison, disease and other stressful situations.

Every character has a Stress Theshold of 50 plus half their Willpower stat (Willpower ranging from 25-50 or so.) When a character's Stress reaches their Stress Threshold they become Afflicted and begin suffering the effects of any Stress Flaws they have. If a character has no Stress Flaws they instead must roll a Willpower test, gaining a Stress Flaw if they fail. If a character's Stress reaches 100 they automatically gain a Stress Flaw.

Stress Flaws include a number of coping mechanisms or personality flaws. Kleptomania, Paranoia, Flagellation, Alcoholism and Gluttony for example. The following are not intended to be all encompassing, merely outlines of the sort of effects intended.

Kleptomaniacs obssessively steal small objects when above their Stress Threshold. When presented with the opportunity to secretly pocket a small item such as gemstones or jewelry Kleptomaniacs must make a Willpower test to resist the urge to do so. Items claimed by the Kleptomaniac in this fashion cannot be sold or given away later unless the Kleptomaniac is cured of their condition, they are now part of the character's own secret collection.

Paranoid characters distrust those around them, believing them to be conspiring to bring them to ruin. While above their Stress Threshold Paranoiacs must make Willpower tests to allow others to help them with magic or mundane aid, fearful of treachery. They must also make a Willpower test to not check that an item that has not been previously interacted with, such as a door or chest, is trapped, an endeavour that can take some time.

Flagellants are driven to scarify their own flesh to redeem themselves for their failings, through acts of self-harm such as flagellation or cutting. When a Flagellant is above their Stress Threshold they must immediately flagellate themselves, reducing their stress by 1d10 at the cost of 1 Wound. This action must be repeated until their stress falls below their Stress Threshold.

Alcoholics and Gluttons are similar in nature. In situations of stress they are driven to consume their vice to soothe their ravaged mind. While above their Stress Threshold they must test Willpower to resist consuming their vices when they are available. Alcoholics will consume alcoholic drinks until they reach the final stage of inebriation or run out of alcohol. Gluttons will consume almost any edible material, though with bonuses to resist consuming rancid food, or food that is not generally considered edible such as human meat. Both Alcoholics and Gluttons will consume poisoned or spoiled items if they fail their Willpower test, the pressures of their stressed mind overwhelming self preservation.