House Rules: Fatigue

Fatigue

Not happy with the fatigue rules provided for Runequest, I have made this attempt at devising my own. They are still under development and playtesting, but please feel free to take a copy and use them yourself. I only ask that you give me some feedback in return.

The rules for Runequest III state that fatigue points are the total of the PC's STR + CON. A PC loses 1FP per round of combat or normal movement, and 2FP/round for more vigourous activity. Once FP's fall below zero, the PC loses 1% from all of his/her/its skills and resistance rolls for every further point lost, until he/she/it reaches a maximum negative of STR + CON, at which point the PC collapses. FP's are also lost by travelling (1FP/hour) , riding (1FP/90 mins), or by being knocked out or placed into shock (all FP's lost).

FP's are recovered at a rate of 1D3 - 1 per round of rest, which means that a completely exhausted character who has been travelling all day, mugged and beaten unconscious can be up and ready to run again after about four minutes of rest. This is silly.

So here's my idea:

PC's have two sets of fatigue points - let's call them first and second wind.

First Wind points are equal to CON, and are lost at the following rates:

1 per round of combat or normal movement
2 per round for more vigourous activity
2 for each magic point used in spellcasting or spirit combat

Once all available First Wind points are used up, the PC starts to lose Second Wind points at the same rate. First Wind points are recovered at a rate of one per round.

Second Wind points are equal to the average of STR + CON, and are lost either as a result of the PC running out of First Wind points or from heavier physical activity not covered above - travelling, carrying heavy objects, a day's work at the Zebra Pens, etc.

Rates of loss should be left up to referees to decide, but I think that the standard rules for such activities should be inserted here, with some changes:

Travelling time is replaced by distance:

walking (2 points/kilometre)
riding (1 point/kilometre)

and I'd suggest the following:

Carrying stuff (1 point/5 ENC)
Physical labour (1 point/30 mins)
Injury (1 point/point of damage taken)

With every Second Wind point lost, the PC loses 5% from all skills and resistance rolls. Second Wind points are recovered at a rate of one every 5 minutes. Once all available Second Wind points are used up, the PC starts to lose temporary CON points.