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# π₯ Applying Damage
This system uses a simplified but dramatic method for handling injury.
Instead of tracking large pools of HP, each character has only a few Hit Points (typically around 5). Each time they take damage, they lose **1 to 3 HP**, depending on how hard they were hit.
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## π Damage Thresholds and Wounds
Each character or creature has two **Damage Thresholds**:
- **Serious Threshold** β the amount of damage needed to inflict a **Serious Wound** (2 HP)
- **Critical Threshold** β exactly **twice** the Serious Threshold β inflicts a **Critical Wound** (3 HP)
Damage is applied as follows:
- If **damage β₯ Critical Threshold** β **Critical Wound** (lose 3 HP)
- If **damage β₯ Serious Threshold but < Critical** β **Serious Wound** (lose 2 HP)
- If **damage > 0 but < Serious** β **Minor Wound** (lose 1 HP)
- If **damage β€ 0** β no injury
Even 1 point of damage **beyond the target's Evasion** causes at least a **Minor Wound**.
Consider just making the rule be that you lose 1 HP per Damage Threshold of damage. That is, you would divide the damage you take by your threshold, rounding up, and that's how many HP you lose.
Alternatively have unlimited thresholds, with each threshold being twice the previous one. For example, if your threshold is calculated at 8, then you would take damage like: \\\
- damage is 1-8 β lose 1HP
- damage is 9-16 β lose 2HP
- damage is 17-32 β lose 3HP
- damage is 33-64 β lose 4HP
- etc.
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## βοΈ Setting Thresholds
For characters, the **Serious Threshold** is based on:
- A **base of 5**
- Plus **Fortitude**
- Plus **Armor** bonus
- Plus **Shield** bonus (if equipped)
The **Critical Threshold** is **twice** the final Serious Threshold.
$$
\text{Serious Threshold} = 5 + \text{Fortitude} + \text{Armor} + \text{Shield} \\\
\text{Critical Threshold} = 2 Γ \text{Serious Threshold}
$$
See [[rules:armor|Armor]] for more.
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## π Wound Severity Summary
| Wound Type | HP Lost | Description |
|------------|---------|-------------------------------------|
| Minor | 1 HP | A glancing or shallow hit |
| Serious | 2 HP | A solid, painful injury |
| Critical | 3 HP | A devastating or near-fatal blow |
Some features or effects trigger when you **deal or suffer** a Serious or Critical Wound.
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## β οΈ Damage Types
All damage has a **type**, such as:
- Slashing, Bludgeoning, Piercing
- Fire, Cold, Lightning, Acid, Poison, Thunder
- Psychic, Radiant, Necrotic
Force damage does **not exist** in this system. Treat it as **magical Bludgeoning** instead.
**Resistance**, **vulnerability**, or **immunity** are applied to the **raw damage total**
β Then compare the result to thresholds.
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## π§ͺ Example: Damage vs Thresholds
**Example:**
Kara strikes a troll and rolls:
- 3d4 (Aspect Dice) β 8
- 1d8 (weapon die) β 5
**Total = 13**
The trollβs Evasion is 9, so 13 β 9 = **4 raw damage**
The trollβs thresholds:
- Serious = 5
- Critical = 10
**Result:** 4 < 5 β Minor Wound β Troll loses **1 HP**
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## π©Έ Hit Points and Dying
Characters usually begin with **5 HP**, though some features may modify this.
Each hit causes **1β3 HP** loss depending on wound severity.
At the beginning of the first turn they are at **0 HP**, the player must choose one of the three following options:
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### π₯ Blaze of Glory
Take **one final action** as if it were a **critical success**.
- Deal **maximum possible damage**
- Afterward, the character **dies heroically**
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### π² Risk Fate
Roll **1d4**:
- **1** β Die immediately
- **2β3** β Unconscious and dying (you will die in that many rounds if not healed)
- **4** β Stabilized at 0 HP
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### π Live, but Scarred
You survive at **1 HP**, but suffer a **lasting penalty**, such as:
- A permanent debility or condition
- A cursed item, injury, or trauma
- Loss of an ally, limb, or reputation
If **healing** is applied before the decision, the character stabilizes and **skips** the death options.
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## π Summary Notes
- Most hits deal **1β3 HP** depending on damage
- No need for special βcritical hitβ rules β big hits naturally escalate damage
- Evasion and Damage Thresholds come from **Aspects, Armor, and Shield**
- Monsters use the same system unless simplified for narrative purposes
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