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Message: <blockquote data-quote="munkeywrench" data-source="post: 4631561" data-attributes="member: 56150">Here's what I wrote to allow myself to view HP and damage in a bit less abstract way:     Within every creature there is an abstract substance that can only be described as “vital essence”. Vital essence allows all creatures to exist and be what they are. Without vital essence, the universe would have no insects, no trees, no animals, no humans, no elementals, even no gods. The universe would simply be a void populated with inanimate matter and energy.     Healing surges are a manifestation of surplus vital essence. Most creatures do not have healing surges, but it is not rare for intelligent races to be able to have them in abundance. However, the difficulty comes in how to harness one’s healing surges. Sometimes they can be accessed through sheer guts and hot-bloodedness. More commonly, they are accessed through magical means.     Spending a healing surge in a non-magical way to regain HP – You dig down deep within yourself and find the drive to keep on living despite your injuries.     Spending a healing surge in a magical way to regain HP – The magical effect taps into your vital essence to heal the damage that has been done to you.     While you are not bloodied – The attacks you receive are jarring and hurt, but you’re mostly okay.     While you are bloodied – The attacks you receive are beginning to wear you down. Fight or Flight has set in and you’re running off of adrenaline to stay in the fight.     While you are below 0 HP – Death is knocking at your door.</blockquote>

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