Phobic and Manic Responses While Insane

(Back to Insanity Side-Effects 1: Phobias and Manias)

Direct exposure (close physical proximity) to the subject of the phobia causes panic; equally, exposure to the source of a mania causes an obsessive reaction.

For phobias, actions other than fighting or fleeing may only be made with one Penalty die. This Penalty die does not apply to Sanity Rolls or Reality Check Rolls.

While in a state of Underlying Insanity, being exposed to the subject of their mania will cause an overwhelming response in the investigator. If the Keeper prompts the player towards some form of behavior appropriate to their mania, the investigator will suffer one Penalty die on all dice rolls until the obsession has been indulged in some manner, or the investigator is well out of range of the stimulus. For example, while in a place that serves alcohol, a dipsomaniac would take one Penalty die on all rolls unless taking a drink. Of course characters who fully succumb to their drug craving will be subject to the drug's effects, such as drunkenness or altered states of consciousness. In such situations the Keeper may alter the level of difficulty of certain skill rolls (or impose a Penalty die on opposed skill rolls) depending on the situation and state of the character.

Successful use of the Psychoanalysis skill upon an insane investigator enables the insane investigator to temporarily ignore a phobia or mania.

''Harvey has developed Selenophobia (fear of the moon). On exiting a theater with friends, the sight of the moon gives him a chill. Harvey is sane at present. His player describes Harvey's nervous disposition and his relief when he arrives home and closes the curtains.''

''A week later, Harvey, now suffering underlying insanity, finds himself in a similar situation and chooses to flee home to safety. On his way home, Harvey is followed by a sinister-looking individual. The Keeper offers a Spot Hidden roll to Harvey's player to determine if Harvey notices his pursuer. Since this roll has nothing to do with fighting or fleeing, and Harvey is still exposed to the source of his phobia, one Penalty die is applied to his Spot Hidden roll. Only when Harvey is safely in doors and the moon is out of sight will this penalty cease.''