When is a roleplaying game actually finished? Here are some rules that I realized I wanted to include only after having released the game into the wild.
Sleep deprivation
In addition to what is said on p. 34: The first time a PC tries to sleep after gaining a failed notch in a stress meter the player must make a Mind check. If it fails, the PC either can not fall asleep or wakes up in terror. To be able to relax and sleep, the PC can use sleeping pills or depressants, such as cannabis, opioids (morphine, heroin, oxycodone, fentanyl), or large quantities of alcohol. This gives a +20 modifier to the Mind check.
The effects of sleep deprivation can be offset by using stimulants. Drinking large amounts of caffeinated beverages and chain-smoking tobacco can lower any negative modifiers by 10 for 1d10 hours. Harder substances such as amphetamine and cocaine can reduce negative modifiers with 20 for 2d10 hours.
Drugs
For many thousands of years, humans have used drugs for recreational, medical, psychological, and ritual purposes. The same is likely true for many player characters. Here are some general guidelines for handling the effects this can have on PCs, for further details, look up the specific substance on Wikipedia.
Drugs can be classified into a few broad categories. Depressants (alcohol, cannabis, opioids) suppress stress and pain. Stimulants (amphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine) give an illusion of energy, confidence, and focus. Psychedelics (mescaline, LSD, psilocybin, and DMT) cause altered states of consciousness characterized by euphoria, hallucinations, and altered perceptions of time, space, and self. Of course, these categories are generalizations, and some substances may correspond to several categories, such as MDMA (“Ecstacy”) which can be considered both a stimulant and a sort of psychedelic.
In addition to the effects specific to the particular substance, all drugs tend to affect the user’s attention. The GM can decide that a PC gets a negative modifier to all checks, ranging from -10 to -30, depending on the substance and amount taken. As a rule of thumb, depressants, and hallucinogens cause greater penalties.
Addiction
If a PC gains a fifth failed notch in a single stress meter while using a drug the GM can decide that the PC develops an addiction to that particular substance. Some drugs are more habit-forming (opioids, amphetamine, methamphetamine, and cocaine, but also alcohol and cannabis), while others (such as psychedelics) very rarely cause addiction. When a PC is addicted to a substance, they can no longer gain any positive modifiers from using it, but negative modifiers still apply.
The addict must use the substance in question daily or suffer anxiety, nausea, and pain. The consequences grow progressively worse for each day that the PC has not indulged their addiction.
- One day: The GM may demand skill checks for tasks that would otherwise be considered routine.
- Two days: The PC has -10% on all skill and ability checks.
- Three days: The PC has -20% on all skill and ability checks.
- Four days: The PC has -30% on all skill and ability checks.
Stress checks modified by stress level
When a player makes a stress check for their PC the GM may decide to apply a negative modifier according to the following table.
Stress level and Modifier
- 1-4: +/- 0
- 5-7: -10
- 8-9: -20
- 10: -30
Mental disorders
The disorders that PCs can develop in response to trauma when they have gained five failed notches in a single stress meter are chronic conditions. Often the disorder can lurk under the surface, barely noticeable, but ready to erupt as soon as things turn bad.
Any time the PC faces a trigger pertaining directly to their disorder, and every time they fail a stress check, they must make a Mind check to avoid the disorder taking over. In the case the PC has more than one disorder, the GM decides which one takes charge.
Taking psychoactive sedatives (benzodiazepine) gives the PC a +20 positive modifier to the Mind check, but also a -20 negative modifier to all other checks for the following hours. Using cannabis or large quantities of alcohol gives a +10 positive modifier, with a -20 negative modifier to all other checks.
Someone with the right skill (such as Psychotherapy) can make a skill check to diagnose the PCs behavior. With another skill check, they can talk the PC down, reducing the impact of the disorder and helping the PC regain self-control. This takes at least a few minutes.
Caverns Measureless to Man 