Blood Loss
Blood Loss Damage represents the loss of blood from the body faster than the body can replace it. Some degree of blood loss is implied with almost any serious physical injury, particularly those that cut, pierce, tear, or crush blood vessels. Most wounds stop bleeding naturally or become manageable with treatment, but severe or continued blood loss can quickly become dangerous.
Some creatures make Blood Loss their primary method of attack. Vampiric creatures and other blood-feeding predators may deliberately drain their victims, sometimes taking enough blood to leave them weakened, unconscious, or dead. In these cases, the objective is not simply to wound the victim, but to take the blood itself.
Blood Loss Sources
Blood Loss can result from ordinary wounds, deliberate blood-draining attacks, or anything that interferes with the body's ability to maintain its blood supply. It may be caused directly by an attack or develop as a secondary effect when another form of damage leaves a wound untreated.
Examples include:
- Vampiric creatures and other blood-feeding predators
- Untreated battle wounds
- Severe cuts, punctures, tears, or other injuries
- After-effects of certain poisons and diseases
- Wards and magical traps
- Curses
- Magical spells
- Archetypal powers
- Other supernatural effects that cause or prevent the clotting of blood
Blood Loss Saving Throws
Endurance is almost always the appropriate saving throw against Blood Loss Damage. Endurance represents the body's ability to withstand the loss of blood and maintain sufficient circulation to keep functioning. A successful save may prevent a wound from continuing to bleed or keep existing bleeding from becoming debilitating.
Agility may help when avoiding an attack specifically intended to draw blood, while Strength may help when escaping a creature or mechanism that is physically holding the victim in place. In unusual circumstances, Will may provide a last-ditch defense against the effects of severe blood loss, allowing a character to remain conscious or continue functioning despite their deteriorating condition.
An Intelligence check may also help a character recognize how to control bleeding and take immediate action. Applying direct pressure, properly binding a wound, or otherwise treating the source of the bleeding can prevent a manageable injury from becoming a serious one.
Blood Loss Mitigation
Blood Loss can often be mitigated through immediate treatment. The priority is to stop the bleeding before additional blood is lost.
- Bandages, dressings, and other means of applying pressure to wounds
- Proper treatment of the underlying injury
- Liquids and adequate rest to help restore lost blood and recover from blood loss
Healing potions
- Magic healing
- Archetypal endurance powers
- Magical artefacts
- Removing or disabling the source of continued bleeding
- Treating poisons or diseases that are causing continued blood loss
The faster the source of Blood Loss is controlled, the less severe its consequences are likely to become. Once bleeding has stopped, recovery may still require considerable rest and nourishment.
Blood Loss Related Conditions
Blood Loss commonly produces Dizziness as the first obvious sign that the body is struggling to maintain adequate circulation. As blood loss continues, the victim may suffer Vomiting, Fainting, and eventually become Prone or Unconscious.
Continued Blood Loss is itself an ongoing condition. Unless the bleeding is stopped and the lost blood is eventually restored, the victim will progress toward death. Untreated Blood Loss invariably ends in Death.
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