Re: Fixin' holes (Was Re: Lengthy, but simpler (I hope) Drowning)

["Kris Ames" <kris@cioe.com>]

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> > 
> > Hmm.. I would still prefer the whole health check thing to start a
> > few rounds after you blow your swimming skill.  Maybe a will check
> > or something to take into account your passive/active thing.  I.E.
> > if on the first or second round after you fail your swimming check
> > you can make a 3d6 will check to try swimming again next round.  IF
> > you still fail you can make a 4d6 check the next round to try
> > swimming yet another round, after that you have screwed up so bad
> > you are not thinking anymore and have sucked in some water and the
> > whole health check for unconsciousness kicks in.
> > 
> > I.E.
> > 
> > Round
> >    1                   Fail Swimming skill
> >    2                          3D6 Vs Will
> >    3                   If made will check try swimming check again,
> > If fail 4d6 Vs will
> >    4                   If Swimming fine, if maid 4d6 will try
> > swimming, if fail 1d6 Vs health
> >    5                                 2d6 versus health (assuming
> > failed other swimming/will)
> >    6                                 3d6 versus health
> > 
> > 
> >     etc.               
> >
> 
> I don't agree.
> 1) It's a BUNCH of different checks here where the low level health
> checks in the original post simulate holding breath (granted, with a
> relatively short duration compared to the values being bandied about
> 20-30 seconds vs 60-90 seconds) with no problem.  Again, more for
activity
> 2) If you can't hold your breath any longer you don't suck in "some
> water."  You go for a lung (or two) full.
> 3) You've already been given a swimming check and chance to default,
why
> would you allow 2 more skill (and 2 more default) chances after the
first
> is blown?  If my auger blows mountain climbing, he doesn't get 2 more
> checks beyond his default to keep from falling.  The default is the
> characters second chance.  If that's blown, tough toenails.  Buy the
> skill, spend the 1260 eps to get it to 6.
> 4)I can't will myself to swim. (course, half the time I can't will
myself
> to not reset the alarm clock, either)
> 

True you can't will yourself to swim, but you can will yourself to not
panic and open your mouth an scream and hence get some water (i.e. you
weren't actually underwater, but were splashing enough to splash) into
your mouth.  If you can stop from panicking I think you should get
another swimming check.  The difference between failing a swimming check
and failing a mountain climbing check is if you miss your mountain
climbing check the next skill check you need to make is your "learn how
to fly real quick skill".  Obviously you can't try and swim again
immediately (hence the will check), but I know of several people who have
been stunned or had a cramp or something, start having trouble swimming,
calm down (and usually switch positions) and then be able to swim.  Maybe
the next swimming check is more difficult as well, but I think it should
be given or extend the amount of time between health checks.

-Kris