Starvation
Starvation Damage occurs when the body is deprived of sufficient nourishment to sustain itself. Unlike Dehydration, which results from the loss of water, starvation develops from a prolonged lack of food and other essential nutrients. The body initially draws upon its stored energy, but as those reserves are depleted, it begins consuming its own tissues to maintain basic functions.
Natural starvation is generally slower acting than Dehydration, but continued deprivation eventually weakens every part of the body. The victim may become increasingly weak, fatigued, dizzy, and unable to perform strenuous activity. As starvation progresses, the body loses its ability to sustain itself, eventually leading to unconsciousness and death if nourishment is not restored.
Starvation Sources
Starvation Damage can arise naturally when a creature cannot obtain sufficient food, or through magical and supernatural effects that prevent the body from gaining or using nourishment. Curses, magical spells, and archetypal powers may accelerate starvation by consuming the body's reserves or preventing it from benefiting from food that is available.
Examples include:
- Lack of food
- Prolonged deprivation of nourishment
- Curses
- Magical spells
- Archetypal powers
- Supernatural effects that consume bodily reserves
- Effects that prevent the body from gaining nourishment
Starvation Saving Throws
Endurance is the best defense against Starvation Damage. A creature with strong physical resilience can survive longer without adequate nourishment and continue functioning as its stored reserves are depleted.
Strength may help a creature continue performing physical tasks despite increasing weakness, while Agility may help it conserve energy and avoid unnecessary exertion. Will can provide a last-ditch defense when the body is severely weakened but the victim must continue functioning.
Starvation Mitigation
Starvation Damage is most effectively mitigated by restoring adequate nourishment and removing whatever prevents the body from receiving or using it. Food and proper rest allow the body to rebuild its depleted reserves, while magical effects can restore nourishment or counter supernatural causes of starvation.
Other forms of mitigation include:
- Restoring access to food
- Potions that restore nourishment or endurance
- Healing potions
- Magic healing
- Counter-magic
- Protective wards
- Spiritual shielding against supernatural effects
- Ending curses or magical effects causing starvation
- Archetypal endurance powers
- Moving to an environment where adequate food is available
Starvation Related Conditions
Weakness is an early condition associated with Starvation Damage. As the body's reserves are depleted, the victim may suffer increasing fatigue, dizziness, and fainting, eventually becoming unable to sustain normal physical activity.
Severe Starvation Damage can result in Prone or Unconsciousness as the body becomes incapable of supporting itself. If nourishment is not restored and the starvation continues, the body's remaining reserves are eventually exhausted, resulting in death.
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