RADIATION SICKNESS
Radiation Sickness
One of the most common maladies across the wastes, Radiation Sickness is not technically a ‘disease’ but instead an affliction caused by overexposure to one of the many radioactive sources present since the Fall. Often the afflicted does not even realize they’ve been exposed until dizziness and nausea set in, and if exposure continues their skin may begin to develop sores, blisters, and in some cases external tumors. Just before death, all symptoms cease.
Radiation Sickness does not advance without further exposure to its source, but unlike many diseases, prolonged exposure to the source may result in reaching more advanced stages faster.
Special Note: Retrogrades experience symptoms at one stage below where they actually are, due to an innate resistance to radiation sickness.
Transmission vectors:
Exposure to a source of radiation, either an area or an object, either for a prolonged period or from a particularly intense source. Rad damage alone does not normally cause this sickness.
Roleplay Notes:
Disease symptoms are up to the comfort levels of the player. An individual may roleplay one or more symptoms of a particular stage, with escalating severity as described below.
Stages of the Disease:
Stage One:
Symptoms: First minor symptoms begin to appear, dizziness and headaches, nausea and itchy or sensitive skin.
Stage Two:
Symptoms: Symptoms worsen; uncomfortable headaches more frequently, difficulty keeping food and drink down, small amounts of blood in vomit and stool.
Stage Three:
Symptoms: The first blisters and sores begin to appear at this stage, along with dizzy spells and disorientation. Eating and drinking becomes a chore.
Mechanics: LC receives HALF benefit from ingested Meals or Brews due to the inability to keep them down.
Stage Four:
Symptoms: Blisters and sores worsen, hair loss or tumorous mutations may occur. Bloody vomiting becomes common, headaches and disorientation grow worse.
Mechanics:
Any skill use that costs Mind also causes one (1) Body damage to the individual, which cannot be prevented.
The individual no longer receives any benefits from ingested Meals or Brews.
Stage Five:
Symptoms: Bleeding sores and blisters are present across the body, incapacitating headaches become frequent, vivid hallucinations and disorientation near-constant.
Mechanics:
Any skill use that costs Mind also causes five (5) Body damage to the individual, which cannot be prevented.
The individual no longer receives any benefits from ingested Meals or Brews.
Non-Mutants: After one month, all mechanical and roleplayed symptoms cease. One month after that, the individual dies unless cured.
Resolution:
Identifiable with Basic Medical skill for 0 Mind points
Remission vs. Cure: Disease cure is known, treatment will cure patient
Return from the Mortis Cures the Disease: Yes
Mutant Lineage Advantage Works: Yes
Deathmask Works: No, this is not an airborne disease
Treatment Plan:
Stage One and Two:
Time: 15 Minutes
Skill: Basic Medical
Components: None
Cost: 5 Mind
Medical Roleplay: Purging of bodily fluids and forced hydration.
Stage Three and Four:
Time: 20 Minutes
Skill: Proficient Medical
Components: Simple Painkiller Component (Requires Cannabis x1, Hooch x1 to craft with the appropriate blueprint)
Cost: 10 Mind
Medical Roleplay: Purging of bodily fluids, forced hydration and blood transfusion, along with the expenditure of the Simple Painkiller.
Stage Five:
Time: 30 Minutes
Skill: Master Medical
Components: Well-Crafted Painkiller Component (Requires Cannabis x1, Khella x1, Hooch x2 to craft with the appropriate blueprint)
Cost: 20 Mind
Medical Roleplay: Treatment of blisters and sores, removal of tumorous flesh and organs, blood transfusions, forced hydration and expenditure of the Proficient Painkiller. Patient takes 20 Body damage through the use of this procedure.