Editing Hazards (section)

= HAZARDS =

"Nothing is so bad that it couldn't be even worse." -Old Axiom


The daily life of a medieval worker is tormented not only by 
rampant epidemics, but also by the natural challenges posed by 
harsh work environments. Hazardous work environments are, for 
example, deep underground mines, where brave miners interact 
with potentially life-threatening minerals.


For example, if you deal with mercury on a daily basis, you 
may become poisoned almost unnoticed when small amounts 
of mercury accumulate in your body slowly to lethal 
concentrations.


In a similar vein, if you breath asbestos fumes unknowingly 
while in a mine, you have a good chance of ending up with bad
lungs for the rest of your life, if not worse.

Hazards are (new) types of 'super poisons' that accumulate in 
your character over time. If you have got them bad, they will 
be very difficult to remove and even death will not cure you. 


Many times only reincarnation can cure e.g. a state of severe 
poisoning due to hazards. Imagine an old hero who coughs 
furiously between almost every other sentence he speaks. He
is now paying the price for being exposed to explosion of 
hundreds if not thousands of fireballs, storms of acid and 
balls of poison.

There are three generic types of hazards: 
  1) toxic substances, 
  2) corrosive substances, 
  3) irritant substances.
  
'''Important survival tip: Your senses can detect hazards.'''

Also, use of senses in places or on items almost never 
transfers them into your body, but of course remaining in a 
dangerous environment without paying attention, or carrying 
hazardous items in your inventory, will most definitely cause 
transfer of hazards.


For example, if you touch any object and feel tingling in your 
fingertips, you should be careful with the object. The same 
goes for tasting, smelling and other senses. Do not excessively
get, drop, or otherwise handle the object. Do not handle them
without gloves on.


Before entering potentially hazardous environments or handling
potentially hazardous objects you should use 'slots functional', 
which describes to you how your functional slots are protected,
meaning, for example, if you are wearing anything which would 
shield your eyes, or if you are wearing anything which would 
protect your hands.


Although most materials in daily use are proven non-toxic, for 
example, it is wise not to blindly trust that, for example, 
wearing lead armor throughout your adventuring career would be 
the best possible idea.


Although the risks to hazards are greatest for mining workers, 
they may unknowingly bring formerly unknown materials out from 
the mines that seem good at first, but only when many villagers 
who have been dealing with this wondrous new material begin to 
die mysteriously, it was probably hazardous after all.


Effects of hazards are intentionally obscure. In other words,
no 'toxin level' gauges or such. Mostly skilled healers, or 
those who have seen the effect before will be able to define 
if you have been exposed and if so, how bad. Also those who
have had the privilege to study in university may know methods 
to pre-emptively identify and prevent exposure to hazards.


Also, know yourself. Be aware of your maximum hit your points, 
current stats, etc. If you notice unexplained drops, which 
won't simply heal, death after death, boot after boot, you may 
be dealing with a hazard. For example, and this is a giveaway, 
you will see any serious lung problems directly in your 
endurance points.


See also: help senses