Radiation (Fallout Supplement)

Radiation

Radiation is common in the world of Fallout, all around the world. This background radiation, higher than the pre-war levels, is usually no higher than Mild. However, the peoples of Fallout have, through evolution, FEV exposure, or (ironically) mutation caused by radiation, become more resistant to lower forms of radiation. Besides this, a new level of radiation, faint is being introduced. This radiation level is found in some food and water sources (drinking or standing in them), but is easily purified, and does no real damage: It simply makes the consumer Fatigued. This is the level radiation exposure that most wastelanders are exposed to.

Faint radiation is most commonly found in water (both bottled and in outdoor sources) and food (pre-war and mutant animals). The radiation levels in food and water is usually faint, but mild radiation levels are not unheard of in especially irradiated environments, and higher (up to Moderate) levels are possible. Non-irradiated food can also be found, especially in vaults and in the NCR.

Ingesting radiation through food and water works differently than regular exposure in a few ways. First is that food doesn't have a radioactive materials rating but instead has a set radiation level. Second is that the reason why food/water has a set level is because the radiation sickness is applied as soon as the food/water is ingested and does not have a frequency. Third again relates to the previous rules as food/water does not radiate radiation, meaning that simply holding faintly irradiated food does not irradiate the holder, but will irradiate them if they eat the food.

Radiation exposure now has six degrees: faint, mild, low, moderate, high, and severe. To determine the degree of exposure, start with the type of exposure: either an irradiated area (such as the area near a nuclear explosion, after the fact, or a lab that has been flooded with radioactive gas), or a specific source of radiation (such as a lump of radioactive material). Then consult Table: Radiation Exposure to determine the degree of exposure based on the total time of exposure within a given 24-hour period (rounding up).

Table: Radiation Exposure

	————————— Time of Exposure (Minimum) ————————
Situation	1 round	1 minute	10 minutes	1 hour	1 day
Character in irradiated area:
Weakly irradiated	faint	faint	faint	faint	faint
Lightly irradiated	mild	mild	mild	mild	low
Moderately irradiated	mild	mild	low	low	moderate
Highly irradiated	low	low	moderate	moderate	high
Severely irradiated	moderate	moderate	high	high	severe
Character exposed to radiation source:
Weakly radioactive materials	faint	faint	faint	faint	faint
Lightly radioactive materials	mild	mild	low	low	low
Moderately radioactive materials	low	low	moderate	moderate	moderate
Highly radioactive materials	moderate	moderate	high	high	high
Severely radioactive materials	high	high	severe	severe	severe

The degree of the exposure determines the severity of the radiation sickness, as indicated on Table: Radiation Sickness. At low levels, radiation sickness is a slow disease. Often, a sick character suffers no severe short-term effects. This is reflected in the fact that even with a failed Fortitude save, the character might not suffer any Constitution loss.

Table: Radiation Sickness

Degree of Exposure	Fortitude Save DC	Incubation Period	Initial and Secondary Damage
Faint	10	1 day	Fatigued for 1 day/No secondary
Mild	12	1 day	1d4–2 Con*
Low	15	4d6 hours	1d6–2 Con*
Moderate	18	3d6 hours	1d6–1 Con*
High	21	2d6 hours	1d6 Con
Severe	24	1d6 hours	2d6 Con
* Minimum damage 0 Con.

Treating Radiation Sickness

Radiation sickness is considered a treatable disease that can be cured using the “treat disease” aspect of the Treat Injury skill, but requires a Medical Kit. Some chems (Rad-Away/Rad-X) and feats can also assist in fighting radiation or obviate its harmful effects.

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