Fire, Acid, and Corrosive Atmospheres

Fundamentally, the effects of fire, acids, and corrosive atmospheres are treated with the same rules. When characters are exposed to a fire, acid, or a corrosive atmosphere, the GM determines how dangerous the situation is by applying a rating. This rating is generally between 1 and 10, although higher ratings may also apply. A lower rating typically indicates minor, low-heat fire or mildly corrosive liquid or atmosphere. The higher the rating, the hotter the fire or the more corrosive the atmosphere. See Table I.6–8: Fire, Acid, and Corrosive Atmospheres for some examples of different ratings.

  Each round at the beginning of their turn, a character subjected to one of these hazards suffers wounds equal to its rating. This damage persists until they are no longer exposed to the hazard. With some corrosive atmospheres, the GM may decide they do not cause damage unless inhaled. In such cases, the character can hold their breath for a number of rounds equal to their Brawn before having to breathe and suffer damage.

  It’s primarily up to the GM to decide how long the damage from one of these sources lasts. Acids usually neutralize themselves after a certain period of time (as few as several rounds, or as long as several minutes or hours). Fires burn for as long as they have a fuel source, which again could be very briefly or for a very long time. A corrosive atmosphere, on the other hand, usually deals damage as long as the character is exposed to it.

  Putting out fire/neutralizing acid: A victim might be able to stop the damage caused by fire by rolling around on the ground and making a Coordination check. This is an Average (d d) check on hard surfaces such as the deck of a spaceship, or an Easy (d) check on grass or soft ground. Jumping into a body of water stops the damage immediately. In the case of acid, it’s up to the GM to determine if the same procedures negate the damage, or if the character must apply some neutralizing substance instead. The only way to stop taking damage from a corrosive atmosphere is to leave it.