View source for House Rules for Mystery Flesh Pit

= MFPNP House Rules: Stress and XP Usage =

== Stress Track ==
[[File:Man in the Pit.png|thumb|Man in the Pit]]
Each character tracks '''Stress''' separately from physical damage (Might, Speed, Intellect pools). Stress represents mental and emotional strain from horror, fear, and trauma inside the Mystery Flesh Pit.

Characters have a '''Stress Track''' with 5 boxes:
{| class="wikitable"
! Stress Level
! Effect
|-
| 1 Box Filled
| Minor distraction; -1 penalty on rolls
|-
| 2 Boxes Filled
| Growing anxiety; -2 penalty, occasional hesitation
|-
| 3 Boxes Filled
| Panic sets in; -3 penalty, possible involuntary actions (freeze, flee)
|-
| 4 Boxes Filled
| Severe mental impairment; difficulty concentrating, confused actions
|-
| 5 Boxes Filled
| Breakdown; character may collapse or become incapacitated
|}'''Summary Table for Severe Mental Impairment'''
{| class="wikitable"
! Effect
! Mechanical Impact
|-
| Roll Penalty
| -3 to all rolls
|-
| Action Delay
| Acts last or delayed by 1 action turn
|-
| Confusion
| Forgetting, mixing directions
|-
| Impaired Judgment
| Cannot take risky/complex actions freely
|-
| Emotional Instability
| Unpredictable fear, panic, aggression
|-
| Communication Difficulty
| Slurred speech, muttering
|-
| Stress Resistance
| Intellect defense roll at -3
|-
| Voluntary Stress Recovery
| Not possible without outside help
|}

== Gaining Stress ==
Characters gain Stress boxes through the following situations:

* '''Exposure to Horrors:'''

  Encountering terrifying creatures, grotesque biological phenomena, or unsettling environmental hazards within the Mystery Flesh Pit.

* '''Traumatic Events:'''

  Witnessing death, severe injury, or other deeply distressing occurrences.

* '''Failed Rolls Under Pressure:'''

  Failing Intellect or relevant defense rolls in stressful or dangerous situations.

* '''GM Intrusions:'''

  When the GM introduces complications, narrative twists, or unexpected dangers designed to increase tension.

* '''Using Certain Abilities or Equipment:'''

  Some Prototypes, experimental gear, or bio-tech may impose stress as a side effect.

* '''Sustained Exposure to Hazardous Environments:'''

  Prolonged time in corrosive, toxic, or biologically unstable areas inside the Pit.

* '''Other Narrative Reasons:'''

  Any other scenario where the GM determines the character experiences significant mental strain.
Stress gained represents a character's mental and emotional strain and can impose penalties and impairments as tracked on the Stress Track.

== Removing Stress ==

Characters can remove Stress boxes through the following methods:

* '''Rest and Narrative Downtime:'''  
  Spending time away from immediate danger and engaging in calm activities allows characters to recover mental composure. Typically, characters can remove **1 Stress box per extended rest period** (e.g., a few hours of rest or safe downtime).

* '''Medical or Bio-Tech Treatment:'''  
  Advanced medical care, bio-tech healing pods, or Anodyne Corporation treatments can accelerate Stress recovery. Such treatment may remove **1 or more Stress boxes**, depending on availability and quality.

* '''Player Intrusions (XP Spend):'''  
  Players may spend '''1 XP''' to remove a Stress box during gameplay, representing the character using inner resolve, quick coping mechanisms, or brief moments of calm.

* '''Narrative Resolution:'''  
  Overcoming a major source of fear, confronting trauma, or receiving reassurance from NPCs or other PCs may allow the GM to grant Stress removal. This encourages roleplaying and story engagement.

* '''Special Abilities or Equipment:'''  
  Some character types, descriptors, or Prototypes may provide unique ways to reduce Stress (e.g., meditation focus, calming implants, or drugs).

* '''Note:'''  
  Stress removal does **not** happen automatically and requires player attention or narrative justification. The GM should encourage pacing recovery moments to maintain tension and immersion.

== XP Usage in Place of Grit ==

XP is the **only resource** used for stress management, player intrusions, rerolls, and character advancement.

{| class="wikitable"
! Action
! XP Cost / Gain
! Notes
|-
| Accept GM Intrusion
| Gain 2 XP
| One for you / one for a friend.
|-
| Use Player Intrusion
| Spend 1 XP
| Introduce beneficial narrative changes
|-
| Spend XP to Reroll
| Spend 1 XP
| Reroll a roll.
|-
| Spend XP to Resist Stress
| Spend 1 XP per stress box or major effect
| GM discretion; mitigates stress penalties
|-
| Spend XP to Boost Roll to 18+
| Spend 3 XP
| Guarantees a roll of at least 18 on d20 for success
|-
| Character Advancement Options
| Spend 10 XP each
| Includes:<br>1) Increase stat Pools (+4 points total)<br>2) Increase an Edge (+1)<br>3) Increase Effort (+1)<br>4) Gain a Skill (trained)<br>5) Special option (armor cost reduction, +2 recovery, new ability)
|}

== Sources of XP ==

Players can gain XP from the following:

* Accepting GM Intrusions (+2 XP each)
* Overcoming dangerous encounters and stressful situations (GM awarded)
* Completing significant story milestones or objectives
* Exceptional roleplaying, especially related to managing stress and horror
* Surviving or resolving intense narrative moments inside the Pit
* After a successful Rest, players gain one XP.

== Additional Notes ==

* Players must balance spending XP for immediate survival benefits against long-term character growth.
* Stress recovery requires narrative downtime, medical aid, or character abilities.
* The GM uses Intrusions liberally to increase tension and award XP.
* This house rule replaces the default MFP stress and Grit systems with a unified XP-based mechanic.