Sanity and fear

Stygian

Realms of Evil Stygian Ezine had a great resource for this topic...I liked it so much, I downloaded the whole zine..

My campaign is a bit dark, and this subject comes up often.

http://www.realmsofevil.net/stygian/
 

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shivamuffin: had a quick flick through couple of intresting articles, didnt spy any actual mechanics though perhaps I missed it ;)
 

In the mind of madness

April June issue, In The Mind of Madness section...There were some feats and spells in that issue too.

Michael
 
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Grazzt said:
Why not simplify things so it slipstreams into 3e easily? For example, a monster's "fear factor" could work like most other monster mechanics that require a DC (10 + 1/2 HD + relevant ability score modifier).

Normally the relevant ability score for fear effects is Cha, but you could change it to be 10 + 1/2 HD + Horror Factor. Where Horror factor is a bonus based on size and/or monster type.

Also- if ya use Size modifiers, these might work better.

Fine: -8
Diminutive: -6
Tiny: -4
Small: -2
Medium-size: +0
Large: +2
Huge: +4
Gargantuan: +6
Colossal: +8

Uuuuuh . . . so a 100 HD Colossal teddy bear has a fear factor of 68? While I admit a giant teddy bear would be pretty damn freaky, I don't think it would have a DC of 68. Only a 40th or so level cleric could resist that, as a rough estimate.
 
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Jeph said:

Uuuuuh . . . so a 100 HD Colossal teddy bear has a fear factor of 68? While I admit a giant teddy bear would be pretty damn freaky, I don't think it would have a DC of 68. Only a 40th or so level cleric could resist that, as a rough estimate.

A 100HD anything is pretty much an Epic monster, so it's not unreasonable that its save DCs should be hittable only by Epic-level PCs.
 

I think that the type of creature should play a factor in determining the Fear DC needed, but not as high as those listed above. For something like Horror Factor (and your touching something from Palladium right there in terminology), I would think that the more non-normal the creature, the higher the modifier there should be.

Hypothetically:
Normal Animals - +1 DC
Non-Bestial Humanoids - +0 DC
Bestial Humanoids - +2 DC (Gnolls are an example)
Undead Humanoids - +3 DC
Undead Animals, Beasts - +4 DC
Magical Animals - +2 DC
Magical Beasts - +3 DC
Abberations - +5 DC
Demons, Devils, Dragons - +10 DC
Gods - +30 DC (now they should be high DC's)

Size modifiers:
Fine: -8
Diminutive: -6
Tiny: -4
Small: -2
Medium-size: +0
Large: +2
Huge: +4
Gargantuan: +6
Colossal: +8
(using previously posted size modifiers)

And include 1/2 HD.

Once you get the DC system figured, then you do have to figure that the more times a person see's a creature of a certain type, that person should get some kind of bonus vs. that creature to his/her HF roll.

Personally, these are cool ideas from everyone.
 

EarthsShadow, I think your right the ideas coming out are helping a lot. The fear rules being presented here are intresting.

One idea I was thinking of was to use sanity almost as an ability score so

average character has 10 to 12 points and suffers disorders when he reaches negative modifier...

thoughts on this
 

Okay I'm being convinced that using the smaller numbers presented here Earthsshadow and Grazzt are probably an improvement on my original system (though I still think Outsiders and Dragons should cause terror in practically everyone! PS remember that Awe is also a form of Fear (eg the Fear of God))

Anyway below I've postd my Insanity Effects for Minor, Medium, Major and Extreme trauma (failed checks at those levels), I can't remember what sources I used for these effects but all of them are real (with some gamable modifications)

as to Gugis idea of a Sanity stat I once had a % based hombrew system which set Sanity at Wisdom +50 However in D20 I might be more inclide to go with the average of Wis and Cha (eg Wis 12 Cha 16 = 12+16/2 = Sanity 14)


INSANITY EFFECTS
Minor
D10
Minor Phobia (specific object) A irrational fear of a specific object, creature or condition out of proportion to the actual threat. PC must make Will check DC = 10+CR or suffer a Fear Effect

Tics: Involuntary rapid movement of a functionally related group of skeletal muscles or production of noises or words. This disorder seem to disappear under periods of stress. For example; Tharg the Fighter would make strange clicking noises with his mouth, but during combat he would behave just any other person. (Quirk)

Stuttering : Frequent repetitions of prolongations of sounds, syllables, or words or frequent, unusual hesitations and pauses that disrupt the rhytmic flow of speech. The disorder seem to peak when there is a special pressure to communicate, as making a speech. –2 penalty to all skills requiring speech (eg Diplomacy, Bluff) (*Note the Biblical Moses had a stutter)

Sleepwalking : Rise from sleep, walk about for 2d10 minutes in a random direction,. The subject can be awakened only with great difficulty, and upon awakening, remembers nothing of the route traversed.(Quirk and ???)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder: a person with this disorder, will have obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive behavior. A Person with the obsessive disorder will have recurrent, persistent ideas, thoughts or images that are experienced as invading thoughts and are sensed as senseless or repugnant. Attempts are made to ignore or supress them, which most likely will make it more worsen. An example is Tharg who thinks about his sword and how he must clean it as much as possible in order to satisfy the strict rules of the army. Soon, Tharg, cleans his swords hundreds of times each day. This behavior, cleaning the sword, is called compulsive behavior; repetive and seemingly purposeful behaviors that are performed according to certain rules or in a stereotyped fashion. The reason for doing so is to provide a release of tension (Tharg is certain the officer will be satisfied with the clean sword), but reccuring thoughts might restart the behavior.(Quirk)

Hypochondria: Irrational complaints of sickness where no physical symptoms exist. Will buy excess amounts of healing potions and seek healing from clerics etc even when not required. A failed fear check always induces Nausea in addition to other fear effects (Quirk)

Manic symptoms are euphoric mood, racing thoughts, frenetic acts and insomnia. Tharg the Manic will probably make a lot of new friends, have increased sex-drive, and spend a lot of money on projects he fancy for the day, for so the next day progress to another money-pit. A character under such a manic disorder will propably be as a great person with a lot of ego and personality +2 all Cha based skills. Note many great leaders suffered from mania!

Delusions of Grandeur An inflated sense of self importance and/or ability often associated with Mania. A person with this Delusion may claim to be the King or Chosen of their God or perhaps believe themselves invincible and able to defeat a Dragon singlehandedly (DC 10 or will use Full Attack option against all opponents regardless of odds)

Psychosexual disorders: (Paraphilia (Fetishism), Zoophilia, Necrophilia, Sado-Maochism, Exhibitionism etc)
The need for non-standard methods of sexual arousal and satisfaction, some of which may be social unacceptable eg Necrophilia (which in a fantasy world could be down right deadly!)

Kleptomania: This person has the irrational need to steal and will do so whenever possible (Will check DC 15) NB other manias can be substituted with DM approval

Medium
Medium Phobia Will check DC = 15+CR

Tourette's syndrome: This is tics with a vocal element. The vocal tics include various sounds such as clicks, grunts, yelps, barks, sniffs, and coughs, or words. In 60 percent of the cases reported, an irrestible urge to utter obscenities is present. Tharg the Fighter during conversation will say "Well, you know, fu**!, I was walking down, shi*! fu*!damn whore!, the street ..." –4 Cha based skills

Depression sadness, lack of motivation and low self- esteem. Tharg the Depressed is most likely to have a very low look on life, general passivity and little interest in work and social settings.-2 cha

Sleep terror : Abrupt awakening from sleep (usually 30 to 200 minutes after onset of sleep) usually beginning with a panicky scream. (Will DC 15) if failed three times will result in restless sleep (ie Spellcasters fail to recover, person is fatigued)

Paranoia (Schizophrenic) A paranoid person exhibits symptoms as prominent persecutory delusions (eg "they are after me!"). In addition, delusional jealousy may be present.. Hallucinations are usually present where the person will see and hear things others dont (eg blood running down the walls etc).Will check v DC 15 or suffer Fear effect

Post-traumatic stress disorder: Recurrent and intrusive recollections of a traumatic event, nightmares and recurrent behaviours, a guilt-complex is common. A Person suffering this feels detached from rest of the society, and has diminished interest in his current work (or other activity). He also retells the tale with marked neutrality, i.e. with no feelings. Sleep disturbance is common.

Major (D6)
Major Phobia Will check DC = 20+CR

Substance Addiction. Addiction to Drugs/Alcohol or Magic Potions can ruin a persons life. A Will save DC 20 is required whenever a person is in proximity to the addictive substance (including entering a town with a Inn etc) or they must seek out that substance and consume it until such time as they make a Will save v DC 20 or suffer the negative effects of the substance (ie paralytic intoxication)

Disorganized Schizophrenia This person exhibits features that include grimaces, mannerisms, hypochondriacal complaints, extreme social withdrawal, and other oddities of behavior, they are often incoherence with flat, incongruous, or silly personality.. A Person with this disorder is characteristically ‘mad’. Little, if nothing, he communicates, will seem logical or coherent -5 to all Cha skills.

Panic disorder: this is a disorder where the Person suffer frequent panic attacks; being overcome by dread and terror and will quit whatever task he was doing, and try to return to a safe place. The panick attacks occur frequently, often several times a week.Will check DC 20 or the Person suffers a fear effect.

Generalized anxiety disorder: this disorder takes place over much longer time than the panic disorder. The disorder is more chronic, in the way that the Person will have anxiety over very long time, a month or so, where he will exhibit signs of shakiness, dizziness and feel very anxious and anticipates that something dreadful will happen to him. A character will surely feel very gloom and insecure, often with the added effect of being unable to complete certain tasks, and certainly avoid going into deep, unexplored dungeons!

Psychogenic amnesia Sudden inability to recall important personal information that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness. This amnesia is especially common after a traumatic incident.

Exteme (D6)
Major Phobia Will check DC = 30+CR

Cataconia (Schizophrenic) A Catatonic Person exhibits symptoms as marked psychomotor disturbance, which may involve stupor, negativism, rigidity, excitement, or posturing. Sometimes there is rapid alternation between the extremes of excitement and stupor. Mutism is particulary common. A Person with this disorder would, for example, sit down in a position and not move for hours. If moved by others, he will promptly resume the position. The Persons often report a feeling of horror that if they move, they will die. eg Tharg, once a strong and brave warrior, sits down silently at the floor and remains there for the rest of day, not making a sound. His friends tries to communicate, but are unable to do so.

Somatoform disorders: Somatoform disorders are physical symptoms suggesting physical disorder. A person who claims to be blind, can be so due to a traumatic event, i.e. Tharg saw his team be wiped out, and he does not want see any more and suffers blindness. .

Multiple personality The existence within the individual of two or more distinct personalities, each of which is dominant at a particular time. The dominant personality determines the individual's behavior. Each individual personality is complex and intergrated with its own unique behavior patterns and social relationships. The latter includes fears, dislikes, sexual preferences and even intelligence, wisdom and Charisma. Usually the personalities are not aware of the existence of each other. The PC should create two distinct characters with their own mental taits (but the same physical traits). The DM will need to determine if the player is capable of running two personalities or if one needs to be an NPC

Disassociative Personality Disorder: A person with this disorder becomes detached from themselves and views themselves from a distance. Their actions become mechanical and they are no longer able to interact with their surroundings. The PC suffers a permanent Wisdom loss of –2 will all associated effects

Pyschopathy: The Person suffers from irrational need to be violent towards others and may de murder. Will check DC 30 to control this urge.
 


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