Phobia

Cost:	Variable. See table and list below for specifics.
Description:	You carry an unreasonable fear of a relatively common thing.
Gameplay:	When you are close to the object you fear you become very frightened. You must make a Will roll to keep from "freaking out." The Target Number (TN) for this roll depends on your proximity to the phobia.

Distance From You	TN
0 – 0.9 meters	6
1 – 3.9 meters	5
4 – 8.9 meters	4
9 – 15.9 meters	3
16 – 24.9 meters	2
25+ meters	1

When knowingly approaching the feared item, you must make a new Will roll every time you cross into a new range band to see if you can master your phobia. The effects of these rolls are not cumulative; however, changes to your Will will certainly affect your next Will roll. You only need to make a Will roll once within any given range band. The effect of failing the Will roll is directly related to then number of Ss you failed by. Effects of Will roll failure:

• For each Success missed: -1 level to all Skills.
• For each 2 Ss missed: -1 level to all Attributes.
• For each 5 Ss missed: You develop a personality shift (see below) to handle the situation.

If any any stat is temporarily reduced to 0, you pass out for 1 – 6 minutes, unless treated. The presence of the phobic item is definitely stressful, so if you are otherwise prone to personality shifts during stressful conditions, you must roll for the personality shift. If that does not take place, you must then roll for the phobic reaction. Note: It is possible to block the effects of a phobia by invoking a Berserk episode or another intentional personality shift, if you have that ability.

Common Phobias

Phobia	Fear of:	Cost/Level	Description
Acrophobia	Heights	-5 points	You are afraid of falling from high places. This includes being on top of buildings with no (or flimsy) railings and in trees, amongst much else.
Claustrophobia	Enclosed spaces	-5 points	You are extremely afraid of being entrapped in an enclosed area. This particular phobia will crop up in any small place where you do not have room to move. Included are large crowds where you can not move (such as being in the first row of a rock concert), a small restrictive tunnel, or in a particularly thick group of trees.
Demophobia	Crowds	-10 points	Any group of over a dozen people sets off this fear unless they are all well-known to you. Add 3 to your level if the crowd is large (100 or more).
Entomophobia	Insects	-2 points	You are afraid of bugs. this generally includes any crawling or winged insect or arachnid. Arachnophobia would only cost -1 point/Level. Big bugs (> 2 inches) add 1 to your level, and huge bugs (> 1 foot) add 3 to your level.
Necrophobia	Death; the dead	-5 points	Death and dead things scare you. Creatures of your own species add 2 to your level. Creatures of other sentient species add 1. Non-sentient creatures’ bodies subtract 1 from your level. Also, any animated body adds 1 to your roll (this includes apparent ghosts).
Rupophobia	Dirt	-2 Points	You hate to be dirty or be near filth. This roll is needed whenever you are asked to do a job that will require you to get dirty.
Scotophobia	Darkness	-5 points	You are afraid of going into dark places. This fear will manifest any time you try and enter a dark place.