Physical exertion fatigue accrues from all-out physical exertion sustained over more than a few seconds — the urgent, breathless pace of pursuit; melee combat; sprinting; or climbing.
Symptoms
Pounding pulse, lungs working at capacity, sweat at the brow, a stitch developing under the ribs, vision narrowed to the path ahead, mouth growing dry.
Progression
Past the windedness ceiling, the exertion becomes unsustainable — pace drops to a stumbling walk, climbing stops, attention to surroundings collapses, and a fall becomes likely. Characters who refuse to rest risk collapse at the worst possible moment.
Treatment
- Slow to a walk; let the breathing pattern lengthen
- Pause on a secure ledge; let the breath settle before the next pitch
- Drink; if no water, swallow and breathe through the nose to conserve moisture
- Resume at a sustainable pace, not the urgent one that drained the reserves
Recovery
Ten minutes of rest reduces windedness fatigue by 5.