Rules for Torture/Brainwashing?

[Samloyal23]

Magic is reliable in this respect, it consistently works unless resisted. Torture is an art, not a science, and has highly variable results. But, within certain parameters, you could make a realistic feeling system for it in an RPG...

 

[Loonook]

Magic is reliable in this respect, it consistently works unless resisted. Torture is an art, not a science, and has highly variable results. But, within certain parameters, you could make a realistic feeling system for it in an RPG...

As I said, I would probably create either a specialized Torturer set of SLA to represent it, or have a specific torturer who has learned the arts. In a magic setting I think you can actually torture in far more intriguing ways.

I think back to the Dresden Files... A major player discusses exercising her displeasure on an underling (this is just a paraphrase)...

Every 'day' he wakes up thinking he is in a warm bed curled up beside her... Then realizes he cannot see and the pain of his eyes having been blinded. He feels the cold creeping in as each sense is assaulted. He body is slowed flensed head to toe by unseen forces, his body is tortured by the freezing cold, the bitterness of the elements. The sounds of dogs can be heard underneath eating his flesh as it is peeled off... He comes to the point where he is just about to break, unable to scream in agony anymore, no sense left in him..

Then gentle, soft hands take him down. He is bathed in gentle manner, brought back to health and strength, treated kindly, sweetly. He is magically warmed, healed, let into bed. They... do what two consenting adults do... And he drifts off to sleep after what feels like a years worth of torture...

And wakes up thinking he is in a warm bed curled up beside her...

Repeat. For years.

Slainte,

-Loonook.

 

[Samloyal23]

Illusions are a great way to apply psychological pain and can be used to create all manner of delusions...

 

[Loonook]

Illusions are a great way to apply psychological pain and can be used to create all manner of delusions...

Oh no. She just brought him within 0 HP then heals him back up... Over, and over, and over, and over... .

But I guess that is her option, being what she is .

Slainte,

-Loonook.

 

[Shaghayegh]

Are there any existing rules for pain effects, starvation, or sleep deprivation? What would happen if someone was kept in a condition like Shaken for a long period of time?

 

[anest1s]

there are rules for changing someones alignment to good on book of exalted deeds via brainwashing.

 

[Shaghayegh]

there are rules for changing someones alignment to good on book of exalted deeds via brainwashing.

So what is the basic mechanic used for that?

 

[anest1s]

So what is the basic mechanic used for that?

you talk to the victim x hours per day, and you make a diplomacy check vs a DC every day, if you win 5 times in a row the alignment changes 1 step

(we were planning to hire guys to brainwash every criminal in town, so the DC probably isn't that high, but I can't recall how high it was)

 

[Shaghayegh]

you talk to the victim x hours per day, and you make a diplomacy check vs a DC every day, if you win 5 times in a row the alignment changes 1 step

(we were planning to hire guys to brainwash every criminal in town, so the DC probably isn't that high, but I can't recall how high it was)

That sounds more like indoctrination and propaganda than brainwashing, but in some respects it just a difference in methods, the process is essentially the same. I would say adding torture would do the same thing but using Intimidation instead of Diplomacy. The results would come faster but with a greater risk of backfiring...

 

[Samloyal23]

That sounds more like indoctrination and propaganda than brainwashing, but in some respects it just a difference in methods, the process is essentially the same. I would say adding torture would do the same thing but using Intimidation instead of Diplomacy. The results would come faster but with a greater risk of backfiring...

Unlike most skills, for this type of operation I think failure should have some real consequences. Failing to properly program someone could push them in a random direction, cause mental problems, or leaving them unaffected but faking it to fool you...