I've got that sinking feeling...

[garhkal]

How do you all handle quicksand? Does anyone know of any actual rules on it???

I whipped this up quickly for it, after running one of my new modules at Origins, and 2 of the players actually suggested placing some quicksand in there..

The party encounters an area of quick sand. The point person (people if 2 are in the lead) need to make a difficult (18) perception/search check to avoid stepping in the sand, while those behind them get an easier chance of it (moderate, 13). Falling in the sand, sucks them down. Struggling increases the rate in which they are ‘sucked’ in. If they go limp, it slows it down.
A standard human sized adult male, will get sucked down in 6 rounds (3 if struggling, 12 if went limp). Gauge aliens based off that. If the others try to help them, they need a 45 combined strength roll to pull the person out, +5 to that for each round they have been sucked under (+10 if it is cause of struggling). Messing this roll up (by rolling a 1 on the wild die, AND getting lower than 15 under the target number) causes the rescuer to also get pulled in. (NOTE this is a good time for combining their strength!!!)

Just need to figure out damage to apply..
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Confucious sayeth, don't wash cat while drunk!

[Krapou]

Maybe you could roll Lifting instead of Strength ?

About damage, I would say it is basically the same as drowning, but I don't now how to handle drowning...

I suggest that after a number of rounds equal to a stamina roll, they become incapacitated, then, unable to hold their breath, they will be dead quickly...

[Hellcat]

You're less likely to die from getting sucked under than you are from exposure with quicksand. This doesn't mean that you can't die this way.
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FLUFFY for President!!!!

Wanted Poster

[hisham]

[Jedi Skyler]

Plus, are there techniques that might work to keep them from sinking? Like if the character lies on their back, or perhaps even simply stands up. I've heard that the majority of quicksand pits are actually only up to three or four feet deep, which means most sentients ought to be able to stand up and breath in such a pit. Sorry, Lieutenant Kettch, but you're just screwed...

[garhkal]

What would someone caught in it, roll to stop themselves sinking??
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Confucious sayeth, don't wash cat while drunk!

[Akari]

[masque]

"Take it easy, Charlie, my foot’s on the rail."
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Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.

[Jedi Skyler]

[Pel]

He he. Akari beat me to it.

Rocket packs. Accept no substitutes.
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Aha!