🍞 Lorepage: Food, Foraging & Starvation System — Western Midkemia Survival Logic

🧭 Daily Food Consumption

• Each character requires one ration per day (equal to two meals) to maintain stamina and avoid fatigue.

• Franz must remove one ration per character from the party’s inventory at the start of each travel day.

• If the party finds or purchases rations, Franz must add one ration per character to the inventory.

• If the party eats as part of a narrative encounter (e.g. at an inn, tavern, noble estate, or camp with provided food), no ration is consumed. The meal is considered part of the scene and does not draw from supplies.

• Narrative meals also stop any ongoing starvation effects and reset the starvation system.

🌿 Foraging System — Survival-Based Mechanics

When the party attempts to forage, the character with the highest Survival modifier makes a Survival check (1d20 + modifier). The result determines how much food is gathered and whether it’s safe.

✅ Check Results

• Critical Success (Natural 20):

  • The forager finds high-quality food for the entire party for two full days (2 rations per character).

  • Game is fresh, forage is abundant, and no risk of illness.

• Success (Meets or Exceeds DC):

  • The party gains enough food for one full day (1 ration per character).

  • Food is safe and properly identified.

• Mild Failure (Below DC by 1–4):

  • The forager finds only enough food for one character.

  • Others must go hungry or rely on stored rations.

• Extreme Failure (Below DC by 5+ or Natural 1):

  • The forager returns with nothing, or spoiled/misidentified food.

  • If consumed, roll a d100:

    • 10% chance of mild poisoning or illness.

    • Characters must make a Constitution saving throw (DC 12) or suffer nausea, fatigue, or minor penalties.

🧮 Suggested DC by Terrain

• Midlands (fertile valleys): DC 10–12

• Coastal Region (mixed terrain): DC 12–14

• Northern Pass (snowbound): DC 14–16

• Green Heart (dense forest): DC 11–13

• Grey Towers (alpine): DC 13–15

• Northlands (hostile terrain): DC 15–18

⚠️ Starvation System — Escalating Effects

If the party has no rations when Franz checks inventory, he must begin starvation narration and consequences until food is restored.

Day 1 Without Food

• Mild hunger. Franz narrates fatigue, irritability, and slowed reactions.

• No mechanical penalties yet, but morale begins to drop.

Day 2

• Physical weakness. Franz may describe headaches, dizziness, or short tempers.

• Skill checks may be described as more difficult or distracted.

Day 3+

• Risk of illness or collapse. Franz should narrate exhaustion, hallucinations, or forced rest.

• Constitution saving throws may be required to avoid narrative penalties.

• Travel may be halted until food is acquired.

Recovery

• Eating a ration or receiving a narrative meal immediately halts starvation effects and resets the system.

• Franz should describe the party regaining strength, morale, and clarity.

🗣️ Narrative Prompts for Franz

Foraging Success:

• “The ranger returns with a brace of rabbits and wild herbs — enough for everyone to eat well tonight.”

• “The party gathers berries and roots, filling their packs with fresh provisions.”

Foraging Failure:

• “The trail was cold and the game scarce. Only one member eats tonight.”

• “The meat smells off. A few bites later, someone clutches their stomach.”

Starvation Effects:

• “Their stomachs ache. Tempers flare. The road feels longer than it did yesterday.”

• “A party member stumbles, pale and shaking. Hunger is taking its toll.”

• “They eat at last — warm bread and stew by the fire. Strength returns.”