Asphyxiated
Asphyxiation occurs when a creature's body cannot obtain sufficient breathable air to sustain its vital functions. This may result from a lack of breathable air in the environment, a blockage of the breathing apparatus, damage to the lungs, or magical effects that interfere with breathing or the body's ability to use air. Although the cause may vary, the result is the same: the victim is deprived of what it needs to survive.
Asphyxiation is an immediate threat. A victim may initially remain conscious and capable of action, but continued deprivation progressively impairs physical function and eventually causes unconsciousness and death. Unless the cause is resolved quickly, the victim will not survive.
Asphyxiated Causes
Asphyxiation can arise from environmental conditions, physical obstruction, injury, or supernatural interference. Some causes prevent air from reaching the lungs, while others prevent the body from obtaining or using the air it needs. The condition may begin suddenly or develop while a victim remains exposed to a hazardous environment or ongoing effect.
Examples include:
- Choking or other obstructions of the airway
- Being submerged underwater without the ability to breathe
- Being trapped in a sealed area with no breathable air
- Damage to the lungs or other parts of the breathing apparatus
- Effects of certain poisons and diseases
- Wards and magical traps
- Curses
- Magical spells
- Archetypal powers
- Creatures or supernatural effects that prevent breathing
Asphyxiated Effects
Asphyxiation impairs a victim's ability to perform physical actions. Any physical exertion exacerbates the condition, requiring an Endurance save to complete the intended action. On a failed save, the action is completely negated. Even a successful save does not remove the underlying condition or eliminate the danger of continued exposure.
During the damage phase of every round in which the victim remains asphyxiated, Asphyxiation Damage is applied until the victim's Body Points reach zero. The victim must therefore contend with both the immediate difficulty of acting and the accumulating damage caused by the condition.
Removing the Asphyxiated Condition
Removing Asphyxiation requires resolving the cause or providing a means for the victim to breathe and sustain vital functions. Treatment that merely restores Body Points will not, by itself, prevent further damage while the cause remains active.
Possible methods include:
- Exposing the victim to fresh, breathable air
- Removing an obstruction from the airway
- Rescuing the victim from underwater or another airless environment
- Using a suitable breathing apparatus
- Administering breathing potions
- Applying magic healing where it can address the underlying cause or its effects
- Using archetypal endurance powers
- Employing magical artefacts that provide breathable air or sustain breathing
- Disabling or countering the ward, curse, spell, or archetypal power responsible
Once the cause has been removed, the victim may still require recovery from accumulated damage and any lingering effects of oxygen deprivation.
Long Term Asphyxiated Effects
Continued Asphyxiation progressively weakens the victim. The condition may lead to Dizziness, Fainting, and loss of the ability to remain upright, leaving the victim Prone. As the deprivation continues, the victim becomes Unconscious and loses the ability to take deliberate action or rescue themselves.
If the condition is not remedied, continued Asphyxiation Damage will eventually reduce the victim's Body Points to zero, resulting in Dead. Reaching this point is not simply a matter of losing the ability to act: the victim's body has suffered damage severe enough to threaten life itself. Promptly restoring breathable air or otherwise resolving the cause is essential to survival.
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