Pain
Pain Damage is a form of mental damage caused by overwhelming physical or perceived pain. The pain may originate from an actual wound, a venom or other pain-inducing agent, or a supernatural effect that attacks the mind directly. At sufficient intensity, pain can completely occupy the mind, leaving little capacity for thought, concentration, or purposeful action.
Severe pain can render the mind unable to commit the body to motion. A victim may curl into themselves, double over, scream, writhe, or simply become unable to respond. Pain can also erode the will to continue, making even simple actions seem impossible. The body may still be capable of movement, but the mind has effectively withdrawn its permission to use it.
Pain Sources
Pain Damage most commonly begins with actual physical injury, but it can also be deliberately inflicted through substances, creatures, magic, or curses. Some creatures may possess venom or other natural mechanisms specifically adapted to cause extraordinary pain. Magical effects may create pain without producing an equivalent physical wound, making the distinction between physical injury and Pain Damage particularly important.
Examples include:
- Actual wounds
- Pain-inducing agents
- Venomous creatures
- Magical spells
- Curses
- Pain-inducing artefacts
- Supernatural or psychic effects
- Ex-wives
Pain Saving Throws
Will is the best defense against Pain Damage. There is not much cleverness to it: Will > pain. A strong Will allows a victim to acknowledge the pain without allowing it to completely dictate what the body does.
Intelligence, Charisma, and Memory may provide some assistance in unusual circumstances, particularly when the victim can understand the source of the pain, maintain confidence, or remember that the pain will eventually pass. Ultimately, however, Pain Damage is a contest between the intensity of the pain and the victim's ability to endure it.
Pain Mitigation
Pain Damage can be actively mitigated by treating the source of the pain or reducing the victim's perception of it. Counter-magic, protective wards, and Remove Curse spells can suppress supernatural sources, while analgesic drugs, potions, and other remedies can reduce pain originating from physical injury or harmful substances.
Other forms of mitigation include:
- Counter-magic
- Protective wards
- Remove Curse spells
- Analgesic drugs
- Potions of healing
- Magical pain relief
- Treating the underlying wound
- Removing the pain-inducing substance
- Removing the victim from the source of the pain
- Whiskey, when appropriate
Pain Related Conditions
Incapacitated is the primary condition associated with severe Pain Damage. An Incapacitated victim may be doubled over in pain, unable to stand, move, concentrate, or perform purposeful actions. The condition represents pain so overwhelming that the mind can no longer effectively commit the body to action.
In its most extreme form, Pain Damage can result in Death by Pain. The victim's mind and body are overwhelmed by the intensity of the pain until the victim can no longer survive the experience.
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