February 11th
The Unending Heat

Write about Exhaustion

You have accumulated a point of exhaustion. Current points 3/6.

The notification appeared in my vision, unbidden, unwelcome, and unaffected by my current statuses. Beyond the words in my vision everything was hazy and my eyelids were drooping, and obscuring the majority of my vision. That was the advantage of The System. It didn’t matter except that you were conscious because it was part of your consciousness. 

My cart had been attacked just over a week ago at this point, and I had run out of water about two days ago. Status. I thought and read over the display. It took the strain off my eyes that were trying to focus on the desert terrain through dry eye and the sun’s reflection.

Physical Condition: Exhaustion Level: 3/6 (Severe Fatigue)

Disadvantage on all Ability Checks

Speed reduced by 50% 

Disadvantage on any Attack Rolls or Saving Throws

Would you like to see your physical ailments?

I knew this was going to be bad but I needed to see exactly how bad my situation was so I just thought about nodding yes and watched as the screen in my mind scrolled down.

Physical Ailments: Severe Dehydration, Sunburn 2nd Degree, Skin Lesions and Cracked Lips, Disorientation

Would you like further descriptions?

Again I thought about agreeing.

Severe Dehydration

Constitution reduced by 2 from max (14-2=12)

Risk of organ failure within 24 hours (15%)

Blurred vision

Dry mouth

Sunburn 2nd Degree

1D4 ongoing radiant damage every 4 hours (up from 6 hours)

Discomfort and vulnerability to infection increased by 10%

Skin Lesions and Cracked Lips

Open sores increase risk of infection by 25%

Disorientation

Wisdom Saves made at a -2

Would you like to see mental ailments?

Why were these two separate windows, was the system messing with me, of course I would want to see both. Yes please. I thought as sarcastically as I could.

Mental Ailments: Paranoia (Mild), Hallucinations

Would you like further descriptions?

Of course! Why was the system messing with me.

Paranoia (Mild)

Hallucinations

15% more likely to perceive shimmering oases or shadows

Why was paranoia blank? Shouldn’t that be something with a description? What was going on? I had taken this quest thinking it was easy, some simple coin to ride with a caravan across the desert that might on a bad day have a few giant scorpions, but they’d left me behind after camp broke for some reason.

SYSTEM WARNING
Critical Health Alert! Your Health has fallen below 25!
Recent Damage: 2 Radiant from Sunburn 2nd Degree

The follow effects are now applied

Heat Stroke - Severe

Disadvantage on Constitution Saves

Disadvantage on Intelligence and Wisdom Checks

1d4 Fire Damage every hour unless cooled

Skin Lesions upgraded to Skin Blistering

Maximum HP had been temporarily reduced by 5%, Status must be corrected in 72 hours or health loss will be permanent.

Disadvantage on all Dexterity based skill checks due to (Pain and Stiffness)

Fading Consciousness

At 10% HP, Hourly Wisdom saves will be required to stay conscious due to extreme heat.

Well that’s it, push on or die. I thought getting to my feet, I could almost feel my strength leaving me but I had to do it.

Unlocked and Activated Temporary ability Sun-Scorched Determination, gain +2 on Strength and Dexterity checks for 1 hour.

Great that comes up now not when I was going to climb earlier. I took it thought as as sign I was doing something right. I pushed on going another hour, then two. First I took 4 damage from the mix of sun burn and heat stroke but the second hour I took 5. I read my last status screen as I fell.

System Warning

Status: Vital Sign Critical - Unconscious!

Final Damage taken: 5 HP (2 from Heat stroke and 3 from Sunburn 2nd Degree)

Health Remaining: 10%

Fading Consciousness Activated - Wisdom Save Failed

GAME OVER

I woke up with a complete start, drenched in sweat but laying in my own bed! “OH GOD DAMN IT COME ON!” I threw my headset off across the room. “They said the game was hard but that was impossible!” 

I got up though hearing the game running through the title screen and put it back on. I wasn’t going to give up, like any other roguelike some runs were just FUBAR.

2025 February Flash Fiction Challenge: Day 11 - Writer's Digest