GlassJaw said:
The rules on Horror checks just aren't sinking in. Does anyone mind posting an example?
Is this a Grim Tales related question? I browse in stealth mode, so I don't see (non-text) tags.
I'll assume it is, and plug on. I don't have my book with me, so this is off the top of my head.
It may help if you think of a Horror check as an analog to Turn Undead. Only, it's the PCs getting turned. Just as with Turn Undead, you roll to see "How Well" you affect them, and you also roll to see "How Much" you affect them. Same kinda thing.
1) The GM calls for a Horror Check.
2) If you're using the Fight or Flight rule-- and I recommend you do-- this is the time for it. The players are basically deciding whether or not they want to voluntarily run away, in order to prevent a possibly worse result from carrying on with the Horror check.
3) The Horror Check itself is a d20 check. PCs usually add some kind of bonus (I recommend base Wis bonus) to this check. They also add a bonus if they're higher EL than the horrifying encounter EL-- or they subtract points from the d20 check if they're lower EL.
4) The result of the Horror Check for each PC determines the POSSIBLE outcome, pending the Horror Threshold roll.
-- Again, using the Turn Undead analog, this is like rolling "Cleric Level +4" on the turn table. Yes, it means you
could turn creatures up to Level +4, but until you actually roll the turn "damage" dice, you don't know. Same thing is about to happen here...
5) The GM rolls the Horror Threshold. This is usually 2d6, with modifiers, which can be fixed amounts or extra dice. Undead, the most common cause of Horror checks, always add +1d6, so they're up to 3d6 already. You also add the CHA modifier of the Horrifying monster (or leader)-- and undead usually have pretty good CHA scores, as well...
(Same bad situation for Dragons and Outsiders, both of which always add +1d6 and have good CHA scores.)
So... We've rolled Xd6+Y to determine the Horror Threshold.
6) For each PC who failed the d20 Horror check, compare the Horror Threshold to that PCs Charisma. If the Threshold equals or exceeds the PCs Charisma, he suffers the effects indicated by his failed d20 check.
Any questions? Do you still want a concrete example?
Wulf