Sandy petersens cthulhu mythos 100

IV Insanity and Dreams
rules. A character's dread stage can never be higher
than 10.
Dread and Mundane Fear: If a character
experiences both mundane fear and dread, both apply
normally and their effects do not stack.

Insanity

Insanity is a long-term affliction that has specific effects
on a character and his abilities. Insanity does not in
and of itself cause or worsen dread. Rather, insanity
functions similar to a disease: it afflicts a character with
a specific disadvantage that remains until the insanity
is cured or the character recovers from it. Insanity is
less common and immediate compared to dread, and it
is potentially devastating over the long term. There are

Cataclysmic Mental Trauma:

Whenever

a

character is rendered unconscious as a result of ability
damage or ability drain to Intelligence, Wisdom, or
Charisma, she automatically develops an insanity.
Confusion Effects: When a character suffers from
a confusion effect caused by a magical source, there
is a percentage chance equal to the save DC of the
confusion effect that she develops an insanity that

persists after the confusion effect ends.
Insanity Effects: Rather than gaining a permanent
state of confusion, a character who is affected by an
insanity spell or a symbol of insanity immediately gains a
specific form of insanity chosen by the caster.

Insanity Strength

numerous forms of insanity detailed on the following

All insanities have a DC that represents the insanity’s

pages. When a character gains an insanity, the GM

strength, depending on what caused the insanity.

selects an appropriate insanity (or rolls one randomly)

Overwhelming Dread: Insanity caused as a result

from the list. It’s possible to suffer from multiple forms

of overwhelming dread has a DC equal to 10 + the

of insanity.

stage of dread the victim was suffering when he became

There are four ways in which a character can be
driven insane by events that occur during a game:

overwhelming dread (being exposed to several dread

overwhelmed with dread.
Cataclysmic Mental Trauma: Insanity caused by
cataclysmic mental trauma has a DC of 15.

effects within a 24-hour period), cataclysmic mental

Confusion and Insanity Effects: Insanity caused

trauma, confusion effects, or effects that directly

by a magical confusion or insanity effect has a DC

afflict the character with insanity. All insanities are

equal to the original effect’s save DC.

mind-affecting effects and creatures immune to

Multiple Insanities: Whenever a character gains a

mind-affecting effects cannot gain an insanity under

new form of insanity, the DCs of his existing insanities

these rules.

each increase by 2. If the new insanity gained is one the

Overwhelming Dread: Whenever a character rolls

victim is already suffering from, that current insanity

a natural 1 on a saving throw against a dread effect,

(and that insanity only) instead has its DC increased

she must succeed at a Will save against the same DC

by 5.

to avoid contracting an insanity. In addition, if a
character's dread increases to a stage higher than her
dread threshold, she must succeed at an immediate
Will save against the dread effect DC or contract
an insanity.

Recovering from Insanity
Once per week, a character suffering an insanity can
attempt a Will save against the insanity’s DC. On a
success, the insanity’s DC is reduced by 1d4, but note
that some forms of insanity have effects that trigger if

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