Swimming/Drowning mechanics?

[Laughing Penguin]

In our upcoming session the Takers will likely need to spend some time underwater in the hull of a capsized ship. So I was wondering if anyone had rules they liked involving swimming and potentially drowning should there be, say. something really awful in the water that might make it hard to go back up for air in a timely fashion? I didn't remember seeing any rules around so was looking at what would be reasonable in-game.

I was thinking maybe they could hold their breath equal to something like STR + Resistance? Then after that take stun to the chest each round until they can get a breath, after which the clock restarts. Maybe really strenuous activity that round reduces that amount of time by a round (or is that too harsh)?

Was there some other rule out there I should be looking at instead, or is this a good start for a discussion?

[Askew]

STR+Resist if you’re feeling generous, just Resist if not. Clock resets if they get a chance to breathe but the stun definitely remains.

Remember, you are the Market, and the Market has no mercy.

[Askew]

Or make a Resistance check, on success you can hold your breath equal to the natural black, can spend rations.

[Laughing Penguin]

Remember, you are the Market, and the Market has no mercy.

I don't really buy into the adversarial GM mindset, even for a game like Red Markets. Portray the world as harsh and don't pull punches, sure, but but don't go out looking to punish anyone for playing in your game. Strict but fair, ya know?

[Dadalos]

STR+Resist if you’re feeling generous, just Resist if not. Clock resets if they get a chance to breathe but the stun definitely remains.

sounds to me like a good spot to separate boom from bust, STR+ resist for boom | resist for bust.

though obviously This precludes them free-diving, if they have equipment (or some kind of specialization from a thing in their background)  then let them have it. make something else be the problem outside of the O2 if they cover that. millions of other things that can threaten them in the water XD.

[Askew]

though obviously This precludes them free-diving, if they have equipment (or some kind of specialization from a thing in their background)  then let them have it. make something else be the problem outside of the O2 if they cover that. millions of other things that can threaten them in the water XD.

If they want to spend the bounty on equipment and pro dev, i’d say let them. It’s another thing to let them get themselves into trouble and every bounty spent elsewhere is one not going towards retirement goals.

[Askew]

Remember, you are the Market, and the Market has no mercy.

I don't really buy into the adversarial GM mindset, even for a game like Red Markets. Portray the world as harsh and don't pull punches, sure, but but don't go out looking to punish anyone for playing in your game. Strict but fair, ya know?

That’s legit. I’m not really a adversarial GM to be honest, but in trying to think  that way I end up at the middle ground of “natural consequences for your actions”. I’m the guy on the FB group who had a player for an upcoming game who wanted to have a tank. So ok, you want a tank? Sure. But the consequences of the costs and upkeep are there plus how the world around you will respond fo that are things you’re going to have to deal with.

[CodeBlue]

there's 'weird damage' rules for suffocation, that might help

[Diskhotep]

Give them a "held breath" stress track with 10 charges. Every round underwater without surfacing they use one charge, with one additional charge spent whenever they perform an action which calls for an expenditure of rations (melee, heavy lifting, etc.).

You could then add a one-use SCUBA tank item (rechargeable if they can find and power a working compressor) that allows the Taker to spend charges from the tank instead of their held breath. Would also be useful for things like avoiding smoke inhalation damage or stuff like that.

[CodeBlue]

so they burn 'breath' while underwater in addition to athletics?

Elegant!

+1 Bounty.

[Laughing Penguin]

Give them a "held breath" stress track with 10 charges. Every round underwater without surfacing they use one charge, with one additional charge spent whenever they perform an action which calls for an expenditure of rations (melee, heavy lifting, etc.).

You could then add a one-use SCUBA tank item (rechargeable if they can find and power a working compressor) that allows the Taker to spend charges from the tank instead of their held breath. Would also be useful for things like avoiding smoke inhalation damage or stuff like that.

I really like this one... if I hadn't already started using my previous idea I would have definitely adopted this rule.

I did specifically call out a request if they wanted to take any other precautions before they rolled out, and they didn't take time to consider being underwater. So no breathing apparatus, no protection for their electronics (specs, flashlights, etc) for the ones diving, and OF COURSE they decided to try and enter the ship through the damaged hull underwater rather than try to get in through a door on the deck. After it occurred to them that boats had doors, they felt kind of silly, but by then we had 2 takers navigating a pitch black hold under water while counting rounds until they drown. Good times.

Score still unresolved, we broke for the night soon after they entered the ship, I can come back with updates if anyone is interested. =]

[Askew]

I’d be interested in hearing how this ends up resolving.