Poison
Poison Damage is physical damage caused by a toxic substance entering or affecting the body. Poison typically damages the body at a consistent rate determined by the dosage and nature of the poison. Each poison prescribes its own rate of damage and progression, allowing some poisons to act nearly instantly while others slowly consume the body over days or even weeks.
Poison may attack different parts of the body depending upon its nature. Some poisons interfere with bodily functions, while others damage organs, nerves, blood, or other tissues. As poisoning progresses, the victim may become increasingly impaired until the poison is neutralized, expelled, or otherwise overcome by the body.
Poison Sources
Poison Damage can result from venomous creatures, toxic substances, magical effects, or supernatural powers. A poison may be delivered through a bite or sting, swallowed in food or drink, inhaled from the air, absorbed through the skin, or delivered through a weapon or other contaminated object. Magical and supernatural poisons may bypass ordinary methods of exposure entirely.
Examples include:
- Venomous animal attacks
- Handling poisonous animals
- Ingesting poison
- Poisonous gases or airborne toxins
- Contact poisons
- Poisoned food or drink
- Poison-coated weapons
- Wards
- Curses
- Magical spells
- Archetypal powers
Poison Saving Throws
Endurance is almost always the best defense against Poison Damage. A creature with strong physical resilience is better able to resist the effects of toxins and prevent the poisoning from advancing. A successful Endurance save may prevent the victim from progressing to more severe effects, including Prone, Blindness, or Unconsciousness.
Agility may help avoid exposure in the first place, particularly with venomous attacks, sprays, traps, or contact poisons. Strength may occasionally help resist or escape a delivery mechanism, while Will can provide a last-ditch defense when the poison has already begun overwhelming the body.
Poison Mitigation
Poison Damage can be actively mitigated by removing or neutralizing the poison before it advances further. Antidotes and Cure Poison potions are specifically designed for this purpose, while healing potions and magical healing can help the body recover from damage already caused by the poison. Potions of endurance and archetypal endurance powers may also help the victim resist the poison while treatment is obtained.
Other forms of mitigation include:
- Antidotes
- Cure Poison potions
- Potions of endurance
- Healing potions
- Magic healing
- Archetypal endurance powers
- Removing contaminated clothing or material
- Removing the source of continued exposure
- Magical effects that neutralize or expel poison
Poison Related Conditions
Dizziness, Vomiting, and Fainting are common early conditions associated with Poison Damage, although individual poisons may produce very different symptoms. As poisoning progresses, the victim may become Prone, Blind, or Unconscious, depending upon the nature and severity of the poison.
Specific poisons may cause additional conditions unique to their nature. Regardless of its particular effects, however, continued Poison Damage will eventually overwhelm the victim and result in death if the poison is not neutralized or otherwise overcome.
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