The Moonside Watcher Hazard 5
Complexity Simple
Stealth +20 (expert)
Description The screen erupts into static shaped vaguely like the outline of a person with only half a head.
Dread Reading
[reaction]
(emotion, fear, illusion, mental, occult) Trigger A creature activates a device with a screen aboard Moonside-250; Effect A silhouette with a single, glowing white eye takes shape in the static and probes the triggering creature's mind. The target must attempt a DC 26 Will save. Regardless of the result, the creature experiences an intrusive thought: “Stay here forever.”
Watcher's Stare (curse) Saving Throw DC 22 Will; Stage 1 carrier with no ill effects (1 hour); Stage 2 2d6 mental damage and the creature takes a –1 status penalty to saves against fear effects as they become convinced something is following them (1 day); Stage 3 as stage 2, but the fear is turned toward the outside world and the idea of their trauma happening again, rationalizing that maybe Moonside-250 is safer (1 day); Stage 4 4d6 mental damage and stupefied 2 for 1 day unless the creature begins to clean Moonside-250 and assist in its upkeep. This stage repeats on further failed saves.
Critical SuccessThe creature is unaffected.
SuccessThe creature feels eyes watching them and panics as the eerie gaze seems to bore into their flesh. The creature takes 1d8+2 mental damage and is frightened 1.
FailureThe creature feels their deepest self being perceived. Ask the creature a question; the first time a creature fails against this haunt, the question is “What is the worst thing to ever happen to you?” Future questions build off this topic, such as “How old were you?”, “Did you deserve it?”, or “Do you dream of it?” The creature must answer honestly but doesn't have to respond out loud. The creature takes 2d8+4 mental damage and is frightened 2.
Critical FailureThe creature feels their sense of self fading as they gaze at the image in the static. The creature is asked three questions, takes 4d8+8 mental damage, is frightened 2 and fleeing for 3 rounds, and is exposed to the Watcher's Stare curse.
Watcher's Stare (curse) Saving Throw DC 22 Will; Stage 1 carrier with no ill effects (1 hour); Stage 2 2d6 mental damage and the creature takes a –1 status penalty to saves against fear effects as they become convinced something is following them (1 day); Stage 3 as stage 2, but the fear is turned toward the outside world and the idea of their trauma happening again, rationalizing that maybe Moonside-250 is safer (1 day); Stage 4 4d6 mental damage and stupefied 2 for 1 day unless the creature begins to clean Moonside-250 and assist in its upkeep. This stage repeats on further failed saves.