Fatigue and strife are constantly evolving as we playtest them. I wanted to share the current status of them, but with the caveat that they may not stay like this. That said, those who are familiar with our journey and combat rules are welcome to comment on them. Our goals are to make them a more common part of the game, and also to soften them a little from the exhaustion of O5E, which we feel is too debilitating too quickly.
Note that without the context of the journey and combat rules, it will be hard to judge these.
If a creature suffering from fatigue or strife fails to resist another effect that causes a level of the tracked condition, its current level increases by the amount specified in the effect's description.
A creature suffers the effect of its current level in a tracked condition as well as all lower levels. For example, a creature suffering level 3 fatigue has its speed halved, and makes Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution checks with disadvantage.
An effect that removes a tracked condition reduces its level as specified in the effect's description, with all tracked condition effects ending when a creature's condition level is reduced below 1.
Finishing a long rest at a safe haven reduces a creature's fatigue and strife levels by 1, provided that the creature has also had Supply to get the most from its rest. A creature does not require a haven to recover from the first level of fatigue or strife, but does still require a long rest. Also, being raised from the dead reduces all of a creature’s tracked conditions by 1.
Keeping a breakneck pace while journeying, feats of great athleticism, and fell magics that sap away life force can wear down upon the body and cause fatigue. Fatigue represents exhaustion, exposure, hunger, injuries, and other physical factors which gradually wear a creature down. A creature which reaches the 7th level of the fatigue track dies.
Table: Fatigue
Level Effects
1 Cannot sprint
2 Disadvantage on Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution checks
3 Speed halved and unable to maintain a fast travel pace
4 Disadvantage on attack rolls and saving throws using Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution, and unable to maintain a normal travel pace
5 Hit dice halved
6 Speed reduced to 5 ft. and unable to maintain a slow travel pace
7 Doomed
Intense study of potent arcana, truly rigorous intellectual challenges, and psychically demanding magics can increase one’s strife. Strife represents corruption, despair, fear, resolve, and other mental factors which gradually undo a creature’s very soul. A creature which reaches the 7th level of the strife track suffers a special, permanent effect, which is either randomly selected or decided by the Narrator. This might involve the creature shutting down completely, or be impacted in such a way that it is forever changed.
Table: Strife
Level Effects
1 Cannot concentrate
2 Disadvantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma checks
3 Can only take a bonus action or action each turn (not both)
4 Disadvantage on attack rolls and saving throws using Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma
5 Suffer the effects of a randomly determined short-term mental stress effect (page @@).
6 Cannot cast spells (but can cast cantrips)
7 Suffer the effects of a randomly determined long-term mental stress effect (page @@).
Note that without the context of the journey and combat rules, it will be hard to judge these.
Tracked Conditions
Various challenges, obstacles, and magics can lead to either fatigue or strife. An effect can give a creature one or more levels of fatigue or strife (detailed in the effect's description).If a creature suffering from fatigue or strife fails to resist another effect that causes a level of the tracked condition, its current level increases by the amount specified in the effect's description.
A creature suffers the effect of its current level in a tracked condition as well as all lower levels. For example, a creature suffering level 3 fatigue has its speed halved, and makes Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution checks with disadvantage.
An effect that removes a tracked condition reduces its level as specified in the effect's description, with all tracked condition effects ending when a creature's condition level is reduced below 1.
Finishing a long rest at a safe haven reduces a creature's fatigue and strife levels by 1, provided that the creature has also had Supply to get the most from its rest. A creature does not require a haven to recover from the first level of fatigue or strife, but does still require a long rest. Also, being raised from the dead reduces all of a creature’s tracked conditions by 1.
Fatigue
The ranger finally reached the walled town, and staggered through the gates. The villagers gasped at the sight, for she was clearly starving, covered in dozens of minor wounds, and on the edge of collapse. Friendly hands reached out to offer her food and rest.Keeping a breakneck pace while journeying, feats of great athleticism, and fell magics that sap away life force can wear down upon the body and cause fatigue. Fatigue represents exhaustion, exposure, hunger, injuries, and other physical factors which gradually wear a creature down. A creature which reaches the 7th level of the fatigue track dies.
Table: Fatigue
Level Effects
1 Cannot sprint
2 Disadvantage on Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution checks
3 Speed halved and unable to maintain a fast travel pace
4 Disadvantage on attack rolls and saving throws using Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution, and unable to maintain a normal travel pace
5 Hit dice halved
6 Speed reduced to 5 ft. and unable to maintain a slow travel pace
7 Doomed
Strife
The halflings pushed on, the weight of the archlich Azkaroth’s presence weighing on their spirits as they trudged across the desolate landscape towards the dark lord’s lair. Each of them could feel the lich’s will tugging at their minds, and it took every ounce of courage they had to put one foot in front of the other.Intense study of potent arcana, truly rigorous intellectual challenges, and psychically demanding magics can increase one’s strife. Strife represents corruption, despair, fear, resolve, and other mental factors which gradually undo a creature’s very soul. A creature which reaches the 7th level of the strife track suffers a special, permanent effect, which is either randomly selected or decided by the Narrator. This might involve the creature shutting down completely, or be impacted in such a way that it is forever changed.
Table: Strife
Level Effects
1 Cannot concentrate
2 Disadvantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma checks
3 Can only take a bonus action or action each turn (not both)
4 Disadvantage on attack rolls and saving throws using Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma
5 Suffer the effects of a randomly determined short-term mental stress effect (page @@).
6 Cannot cast spells (but can cast cantrips)
7 Suffer the effects of a randomly determined long-term mental stress effect (page @@).
Last edited: