jmbrown
2009-08-15, 02:22 AM
As brought up in another topic, I don't care for 4E's "rule of three" in regards to deprivation. In addition to being a really exaggerated number, the average level 1 character can survive a month without water. Even more ridiculous, your survival rate goes down as you gain levels.
These variant rules will make the effects of deprivation much more deadly.
Starvation
A character can survive without food for a number of days equal to his constitution or strength (whichever is higher). At the end of the time period the character must succeed on a DC 20 Endurance check. Success buys the character another day. Each successful check increases the DC by 5 for the next day.
When a character fails the check, he loses one healing surge and must continue to make checks. A character without healing surges who fails a check falls unconscious. While unconscious, if the character fails a number of checks equal to his constitution modifier he dies.
The DC doesn't reset thus a character who fails against a DC of 20 loses a healing surge and must make another check the next day at DC 25. Healing surges lost through starvation cannot be healed until the character eats a nourishing meal. What counts as nourishing is up to the DM.
Notes: The effect of starvation on the human body is called catabolysis where the body gradually breaks down fat and muscle tissue for energy. In the case of this rule, the stronger or healthier the character, the longer they can survive without food.
Dehydration
A character can survive without water for 1 day. At the end of the time period the character must succeed on a DC 20 Endurance check. Success buys the character another day. Each successful check increases the DC by 5 for the next day.
When a character fails the check, he loses 1 healing surge and must continue to make checks. A character without healing surges dies. Healing surges lost this way cannot be recovered until the character drinks at least a liter of water.
Notes: Dehydration is more dangerous than starvation. In temperate weather (average 70 degrees Fahrenheit or 21 degrees Celsius), at rest and in a shaded area the average human can survive for 10 days without water. These rules assume you're traveling or actively moving. Reduce the DC or damage per day if the character stays in a cool area.
Extended Rest
Under the normal rules, extended rest restores all hit points and healing surges. For a grittier game, use this variant instead. Extended rest works exactly as described in the player's handbook with the following changes.
1- A character recovers hit points equal to his healing surge value plus his constitution modifier.
2- A character recovers healing surges equal to 1 + his constitution modifier.
These variant rules will make the effects of deprivation much more deadly.
Starvation
A character can survive without food for a number of days equal to his constitution or strength (whichever is higher). At the end of the time period the character must succeed on a DC 20 Endurance check. Success buys the character another day. Each successful check increases the DC by 5 for the next day.
When a character fails the check, he loses one healing surge and must continue to make checks. A character without healing surges who fails a check falls unconscious. While unconscious, if the character fails a number of checks equal to his constitution modifier he dies.
The DC doesn't reset thus a character who fails against a DC of 20 loses a healing surge and must make another check the next day at DC 25. Healing surges lost through starvation cannot be healed until the character eats a nourishing meal. What counts as nourishing is up to the DM.
Notes: The effect of starvation on the human body is called catabolysis where the body gradually breaks down fat and muscle tissue for energy. In the case of this rule, the stronger or healthier the character, the longer they can survive without food.
Dehydration
A character can survive without water for 1 day. At the end of the time period the character must succeed on a DC 20 Endurance check. Success buys the character another day. Each successful check increases the DC by 5 for the next day.
When a character fails the check, he loses 1 healing surge and must continue to make checks. A character without healing surges dies. Healing surges lost this way cannot be recovered until the character drinks at least a liter of water.
Notes: Dehydration is more dangerous than starvation. In temperate weather (average 70 degrees Fahrenheit or 21 degrees Celsius), at rest and in a shaded area the average human can survive for 10 days without water. These rules assume you're traveling or actively moving. Reduce the DC or damage per day if the character stays in a cool area.
Extended Rest
Under the normal rules, extended rest restores all hit points and healing surges. For a grittier game, use this variant instead. Extended rest works exactly as described in the player's handbook with the following changes.
1- A character recovers hit points equal to his healing surge value plus his constitution modifier.
2- A character recovers healing surges equal to 1 + his constitution modifier.