Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 DwarfFighter Jul 04, 2009 7:26:11	My players are considering heading into the jungle, so I figured I'd freshen up on the rules for hot and cold environments. From the MSRD: Heat and Cold Heat and cold deal damage that cannot be recovered until the character counteracts or escapes the inclement temperature. As soon as the character suffers any damage from heat or cold, he or she is considered fatigued. A character not properly equipped to counteract the heat or cold must attempt a Fortitude saving throw each hour (DC 15, +1 for each previous check). Failure means that the character loses 1d4 hit points. Heavy clothing or armor provides a –4 penalty on saves against heat but grants a +4 equipment bonus on saves against cold. A character who succeeds at a Survival check (DC 15) gains a +4 competence bonus on the save (see the Survival skill). Searing heat or bitter cold (desert or arctic conditions) forces a character to make a Fortitude save every 10 minutes. Failure means that the character loses 1d6 hit points. Appropriate clothing and successful use of the Survival skill can modify the save, as noted above.
#2 ruckusfox Jul 04, 2009 14:51:16	1. I personally like to allow my players successful rolls for dressing adequately under "normal circumstances." Let me give you an example. The PC's are in a post-apocalyptic desert. They are dressed lightly with shemaghs and turbans. They have plenty of water and are ready for anything. I'd allow them successful Fortitude rolls until say...a dust storm kicks up. At this time, they would need to make the adequate Fortitude rolls and Navigation rolls. NOT being adequately garbed would be like if one of the PC's was wearing a bomber jacket in the desert. That would require them to make Fortitude saves. 2. Your best bet is to use common sense. A plain leather jacket isn't very heavy at all...but if you've ever worn an actual vest of kevlar, you'll understand that the nylon and polymers don't let your body breathe very well. However...if you use an example like a Load Bearing Vest, it's easy to see how the vest could be cumbersome, but also very easy on your body, as the LBV is mostly just made of some pockets attached to a webbed system of straps. All I can say is use your best judgment. 3. I totally understand your strife. You want to make sure the PC's know what they're getting into...but you don't want to be the dick GM who says "Haha, you're fatigued for the next WEEK!" No one ever likes a dick GM... Again, you should probably use your best judgment. As I said earlier, I don't require Fortitude saves from PC's who are well hydrated and well equipped...but if I were you, I'd stick to the rules that require full rest. That will give them more incentive to keep the water around constantly and to avoid over-dressing, undressing, and redressing. I assume you want this to resemble a hardship for the PC's to look back on later...so...make it hard.
#3 DwarfFighter Jul 17, 2009 2:43:31	My players have taken the effort to outfit their characters properly for the current environment. While this pretty much means that they're off the hook in that they don't need to take Fortitude saves in rapid succession, that is also the point. They just skipped the part about pig-headedly defying nature and learning from bitter experience. So, success! -DF
#4 shinfen Jul 20, 2009 17:29:08	Its good your doing this, I ran a starwars game where they were on a Dessert world. They had to make saves like every hour and it gets worse when you travel. The environment is more dangerous than a Battalion of NPCs, and if the group is thinking they can try and use this against their enemies. Seems like you got all your stuff figured out. Sounds like a fun time!;)