RPG Review Cooperative, Inc.

by Michael Cole

Advantages/Disadvantages

Reputation

Poison is considered dishonourable in most places.

Thus we have the following reputation modifiers:
Known Poisoner -2 to reactions
Associate of Known Poisoner -1 to reactions
Known Indiscriminate Poisoner -4 to reactions
Associate of Known Indiscriminate Poisoner -2 to reactions

Point costs will depend on the breadth of knowledge, but disadvantages gained in play to not provide additional points. Note that having weapons permanently envenomed is a definition of indiscriminate.

In some societies the use of poison may be considered a legitimate or even clever way of disposing of enemies. If that is the case, the poisoner reputation costs can be reduced or even turn into positive reputation!

Skills

Herbalist
Herbalist is required for the refining and processing of herbs. If the herb is used in its raw state, then the Survival skill may be used instead. Herbalist is also a trade craft i.e., without ateacher, quadruple points must be spent.

For each usage of poison, a Herbalist skill roll must be rolled, with the success or failure of the roll used to modify the saving throw of the recipient. It takes skill to get the dosage right, and mistakes can always be made.

Poisons

Poisons will be defined by stage and effects. Each stage must be passed through to get to the next stage.

Delay is the time until that stage is reached after the proceeding stage.

Save is the saving throw that must be made to a void the effects. Note that this roll is modified as per the Herbalist roll.

Rolls are the number of saving throws that mustbe made to successfully fight off the stage. Note that each reoccurrence occurs after a further Delay.

Effects are the effects that that stage will have.

Example poison: Aconite (image of Monk's Hood from Bernd Haynold)

Ingestion. Note that preparation is not required for this delivery

Stage
Delay
Save
Rolls
Effects
1
5 Seconds
ST
4
Gastrointestinal Nausea, Vomiting and diarrhoea
2
1 Minute
ST
4
Burning, tingling and numbness of face and mouth
3
5 Minutes
ST
4
Motor Weakness - tingling and numbness of all extremities
4
30 Minutes
ST
4
Muscular paralysis of chest - laboured breathing – fatigue increases at 1 point per minute
5
2 Hours
ST
4
Muscular paralysis of chest - Asphyxiation Commences - Start making health rolls each minute for death

Cutaneous Absorption. Note that preparation is not required for this delivery

Stage
Delay
Save
Rolls
Effects
1
5 Seconds
ST
4
Burning/Tingling at site
2
30 Seconds
ST
4
Muscular paralysis of extremity where struck
3
5 Minutes
ST
4
Muscular paralysis of all extremities
2
30 Minutes
ST
4
Muscular paralysis of chest - laboured breathing – fatigue increases at 1 point per minute
2
2 Hours
ST
4
Muscular paralysis of chest - Asphyxiation Commences - Start making health rolls each minute for death

Sub-Cutaneous Injection

Stage
Delay
Save
Rolls
Effects
1
Immediate
None
-
Burning/Tingling at site
2
1 Second
ST
4
Muscular paralysis of extremity where struck
3
5 Seconds
ST
4
Muscular paralysis of all extremities
2
1 Minute
ST
4
Muscular paralysis of chest - laboured breathing – fatigue increases at 1 point per minute
2
5 Minutes
ST
4
Muscular paralysis of chest - Asphyxiation Commences - Start making health rolls each minute for death