RE: MUCH BETTER drowning

[Steve Ames <steve>]

> Good point, Greg.  Taking John's Drowning proposal as read (i.e.,
> once you start aspirating, you have HEA/2 rounds of consciousness),
> how does this sound for addressing the 'holding breath' issue?
>
> Since both Health and Swimming skill should go into the equation
> for intentionally holding one's breath, I propose the following.

I'm not sure that's true. Holding ones breath shouldn't relate to
swimming as it can be applied to other situations. Now we all know a
_good_ GM will extrapolate it anyway but that could lead to inconsistency.

> No preparation (you break through the ice, get unexpectedly dumped 
> overboard, etc.) - 0 rounds before aspiration begins - see drowning.

Agreed.

> Spending a round to take a deep breath - you may hold your breath
> for HEA rounds, plus 2 rounds for each die by which you make your
> swimming check (or should that be plus 1 round per die?)
>
> For each round (up to 3) that you spend hyperventilating before the
> round you take your deep breath, add 2 rounds to the total.
>
> For each round that you spend performing strenuous activity (combat,
> swimming > 2/3 movement, etc.) while holding your breath, subtract
> 1 round from your total (you _can_ swim farther under water if you don't
> really push yourself, right John?)

I think I can agree to most of this although it seems a bit cumbersome.
I don't have a real big deal with complexity as long as it doesn't come
up too often, but if it can be avoided...

						-Steve