Stress System

Psychological Pressure and Breaking Points

The stress system in RuneEra represents the psychological toll of survival in a harsh, dangerous world. Unlike physical health systems, stress measures mental resilience and the inevitable breaking points that occur when humanoids are pushed beyond their limits.

Stress Mechanics

Psychological Pressure Accumulation

Stress Progression

• Mood Dependency: Stress accumulation rate is directly influenced by current mood levels
• High Mood: Faster stress reduction
• Low Mood: Accelerated stress buildup

Critical Threshold

• 100% Stress: Triggers potential stress-induced breakdown
• Chance-Based Resolution: 50% probability to naturally reduce stress by 30%
• Breakdown Trigger: Failed stress resolution results in involuntary stress reaction
• Unpredictable Timing: Stress reactions can occur at any moment once threshold is reached

Stress Intervention Methods

Managing Psychological Crises

Emergency Interventions

• Unconsciousness: Rendering the humanoid unconscious interrupts stress reactions
• Arrest: Forcibly restraining the individual can halt destructive behaviors
• Risk Factor: Both interventions may worsen the situation
• Temporary Solution: Addresses immediate crisis but doesn't resolve root causes
• Mana Ability: Specific mana rune ability can directly remove stress

Stress-Induced Reactions

Breakdown Manifestations

When stress overwhelms a humanoid's, the resulting breakdown manifests as uncontrollable, destructive behaviors that can devastate settlement operations.

Passive Disruption Reactions

Withdrawal and Avoidance Behaviors

Aimlessly Wandering

• Behavior: Humanoid wanders around the settlement without purpose
• Impact: Lost productivity and potential exposure to environmental dangers

Hide In Room

• Behavior: Seeks isolation in private spaces for extended periods
• Impact: Complete work stoppage and potential social isolation

Social Disruption Reactions

Interpersonal Conflict Behaviors

Fighting

• Behavior: Initiates unprovoked combat with random settlement members
• Risk: Physical injury to multiple individuals
• Impact: Damages social cohesion and may trigger chain reactions

Insults

• Behavior: Verbally attacks other humanoids with harsh criticism
• Effect: Decreases mood of targeted individuals
• Impact: Spreads negative psychological effects throughout settlement

Disruptor

• Behavior: Actively interferes with other humanoids' work and crafting activities
• Effect: Reduces settlement-wide productivity
• Impact: Can halt critical production during vital periods

Destructive Consumption Reactions

Resource Depletion Behaviors

Eating

• Behavior: Consumes excessive amounts of food in short periods
• Impact: Depletes food stores
• Risk: Can trigger food shortages during critical periods

Bloodlust

• Behavior: Attacks and kills multiple animals in the vicinity
• Impact: Destroys valuable livestock and hunting resources
• Risk: Eliminates essential food and material sources

Property Destruction Reactions

Infrastructure Damage Behaviors

Destroyer

• Behavior: Seeks out and destroys valuable items and equipment
• Target: Prioritizes high-value portable goods
• Impact: Significant economic losses and resource depletion

Destruction

• Behavior: Attacks and destroys valuable furniture and structures
• Target: Focuses on important settlement infrastructure
• Impact: Compromises living conditions and operational capacity

Pyromaniac

• Behavior: Deliberately sets settlement structures on fire
• Risk: Catastrophic fire spread and complete settlement destruction
• Impact: Potentially burn down entire settlement

Mess Maker

• Behavior: Gathers items and scatters them randomly throughout settlement
• Effect: Disrupts organization and creates cleanup burdens
• Impact: Reduces efficiency and creates additional work

Strategic Stress Management

• Early Warning: Monitor stress levels and identify at-risk individuals
• Resource Protection: Secure valuable items and critical infrastructure
• Provide mood boost: Use items that boost mood

This comprehensive stress system ensures that psychological well-being remains a critical consideration in settlement management, where maintaining mental health is as important as physical survival in the harsh world of RuneEra.