Chapter 4 - Mechanics

THE PROWESS CHECK

Prowess is used to induce a state of physical arousal or mental horniness upon another creature, or even yourself. To do so requires one minute (ten combat rounds) of devoted attention to make a single check.

The Extended Round
Where detail is necessary (such as simultaneous congress and combat), it is best to imagine minute-long ‘extended rounds’ broken up into ten combat rounds each. Prowess checks are declared at the beginning of each extended round, and (unless interrupted) resolved at the end of each.

Within each extended round, the first combat round may be used to change position, cast a performance-enhancing spell or some other action; this is time in which to prepare for further activity.

Each character must then declare which proficiency they are using, and against whom. Where you have a rank bonus in the proficiency, declare how much of that bonus you are using at this point.

The remaining nine combat rounds must be spent pleasuring your partner with the proficiency you stated (a full-round action incurring attacks of opportunity). Should you stop during any point in the nine rounds, the check automatically fails.

At the end of each extended round, work out the effects of Prowess checks against each individual involved, using the modifiers listed on Table 1-03: Prowess Check Modifiers. Consult Table 1-01: Arousal DCs or Table 1-02: Horniness DCs, and adjust the status condition for each character to that appropriate for the highest DC reached.

Where a character has been the subject of multiple Prowess checks, take the highest result (after modifiers) as the basic roll. Each further roll sufficient to maintain or raise the character’s arousal or horniness adds +2 to this roll; each one rolling below this deducts –2 instead. Where physical and mental proficiencies have been used on a character, resolve this process for each.

Multiple Partners
It is possible to make physical Prowess checks against multiple partners, provided that they are all within easy reach and you each have sufficient appendages for the task, although a cumulative –4 penalty to all checks made is imposed for each Prowess check after the first. You may not make more checks simultaneously than (1 + your Dexterity modifier).

The tables below show the DC to increase a character’s arousal or horniness according to their present condition, and their gender (male characters use the numbers before the slash, females the number afterward). The highest DC acheived represents the new state of the character. Where the roll fails to acheive any listed DC for the character’s present condition no change takes place, and existing arousal or horniness may expire (according to its duration).

Conditions
Any circumstance, spell or other effects active for at least five rounds of this period will be included when determining the Prowess check. Should a character take damage over the course of the extended round, take the most damage inflicted during a combat round as the value to use when determining applicable modifiers.

Table 4-01: Arousal DCs

Table 4-02: Mental Arousal DCs

Table 4-03: Check DC Modifiers

Resisting Prowess Checks
Having Prowess checks made against you is not a passive process. When a physical or mental proficiency is used against them, characters are entitled to a Fortitude or Will save respectively to resist the effects. If a character is Unwilling, they will attempt this save against all checks used against them, adding their Unwilling bonus to the result.

This check is only made against mundane Prowess checks; arousal or horniness arising from spells and other supernatural means are resisted as described in the spell or ability descriptions.

Table 4-04: Arousal Resistance DCs

Table 4-05: Horniness Resistance DCs

Climax and Ecstasy
When a check result indicates that a character has become Climaxed or Ecstatic, the next extended round for them is handled differently, as their partner(s) try to prolong or intensify the character’s rapture. They are in a Climaxed or Ecstatic state for the first round, but thereafter Prowess checks are made against them at the end of each round, to the DCs set out below. Should the checks fail to meet either at these DCs, the character’s arousal immediately resides to Aroused (if female) or None (if male), with no resisting save.

Table 4-06: Extended Climax DCs

Sexual Fatigue
Undergoing climax is exhausting both mentally and physically, and as such characters are limited to how long they can remain in this state. Every round spent in Ectasy deals 1 point of temporary Wisdom damage from mental fatigue; physical fatigue goes as follows:

Characters can sustain (1 + Con bonus) rounds of Climax or one round of Ecstasy before becoming Fatigued. Once Fatigued, they can sustain (1 + Con bonus) rounds of Climax or one round of Ecstasy before becoming Exhausted.

Characters can continue sexual activity whilst Exhausted, but the process is strenuous: becoming Climaxed inflicts 1d6 points of subdual damage, whilst becoming Ecstatic inflicts 5d6 points of subdual damage.

SIZE MATTERS
So the saying goes, and with the myriad of diverse species of the Great Wheel are concerned, it becomes an ever more significant factor. When using a Penetrative, Sodomy, Toys or similar technique, compare the size of the phallus to the orifice concerned and consult the table below for the effects to the recipient.

The owner of the phallus may also be damaged – where the difference is one-and-a-half size categories or more, the owner of the phallus receives damage as if the difference was one size category than it actually is.

Note that although larger phalli give bonuses to Prowess checks, the damage caused makes the check harder – in most cases, it’s best to have an even match. Where damage may be incurred, it is recommended that you not use the Soft Focus rules as the encounter is likely to have severe repercussions.

A VERY SOCIAL ART
Noteworthy performances can result in NPC attitude changes, allowing you to sleep your way to success if necessary. A given character can only have their attitude shifted by one performance at a time; the attitude changes overlap (do not stack). These attitude changes are not permanent; they are the result of emotional attachment, and your own actions may negate this bonus as the DM sees fit.

It is possible to shift a person’s attitude beyond those listed on page XX of the DMG with a particularly good performance. A person whose attitude is shifted one rank above Helpful is considered charmed, two ranks is considered dominated and three considered thralled, all as the spells and powers of the same name.

Measuring Gratification

Whenever a character Climaxes, they receive gratification points. As shown on Table 1-07: Climax Gratification, below, these are accumulated over the course of an extended round in which a character Climaxes. These scores are cumulative – a character that is Ecstatic in the first round and Climaxed in the second and third gains 2+2+3 =7 points of gratification, for example. These gratification points are kept as a running total; at the end of a session of sexual activity, add up the points and consult the ‘Points’ column of Table 1-08: Total Gratification for each character to see what kind of experience they have had. Descriptions of each, and their game effects, are listed overleaf – players are encouraged to role-play any attitude changes their characters undergo.

Sidebar: Soft Focus Rules
Sometimes, it is inappropriate, undesirable or unnecessary to go into such lucid depth in a sexual encounter. The conventional rules may offend the group’s tastes, the encounter may be of little consequence or depth, or a player would like some gauge of his or her performance without roleplaying through the entire encounter.
As an alternative, the soft focus rules provide a quick resolution in situations where time, circumstances and conditions are not an issue. In these instances, roll a d20, add your rank bonus in Prowess and Charisma bonus, and consult the ‘Check’ column of Table 1-08, below. Spells, kinks, magical items that do not add a flat bonus, and carnal arts have no effect on a soft focus roll. Compatibility modifiers from Table 1-03 may be used, but the other modifiers would probably negate the ‘ideal situation’ that the soft focus embodies.
The check is assumed to take 1 hour, after which both characters are considered Fatigued. It is assumed that characters use a variety of proficiencies available to them, including Penetrative where possible. In this case, a conception roll should be made.

Table 4-07: Climax Gratification

Table 1-08: Total Gratification

Disappointing experience - You have failed to reach satisfaction, left yearning for more with little place to turn to. Your frustration manifests as a negative attitude change (from Neutral to Unfriendly, for example) toward your partner(s) for the next week.

Satisfactory experience - You have achieved satisfaction, and that is always good, as we all know. But it was nothing remarkable.

Enjoyable experience - Your partner has exhibited a bit more flair than the standard lover, and the experience has certainly benefited as a result. You experience one positive attitude change (from Neutral to Friendly, for example) toward your partners for the next day.

Memorable experience – The joy you have experienced will serve as a delightful memory for some time. You experience one positive attitude change (from Neutral to Friendly, for example) toward your partner(s). Characters showing this level of flair may develop a local reputation as a good lover.

Fantastic experience - Even the most jaded of lovers would be impressed by the wondrous encounter you’ve undergone. You experience two positive attitude changes (from Neutral to Helpful, for example) toward your partner(s) for the next day, and one positive attitude change thereafter. Characters showing this level of flair may garner a regional reputation as a lover of some note.

Extraordinary experience – This numbers amongst your most treasured experiences, leaving you with blissful memories you’ll retain for the rest of your life. You experience two positive attitude changes (from Neutral to Helpful, for example) toward your partner(s). Characters showing this level of flair may have their reputation as a lover spread nationwide, given time.

Heavenly experience - Things were done in the bedroom that are the stuff of legends and ribald pornographic etchings! The gods and goddesses of pleasure would be proud of you. In time, your blissful endeavours may incite them to make contact in person! You experience three positive attitude changes (from Neutral to charmed, for example) toward your partner(s) for the next day, and two positive attitude changes thereafter.

Rapturous experience - You have been utterly consumed your partner(s)’ attentions and their pleasurous abilities have touched your very soul. Your acts arise as a beacon to the sensual gods above, drawing your presence ever closer to them. You experience three positive attitude changes (from Neutral to charmed, for example) toward your partner(s) from now on.