After reading the outstanding fan fiction by the likes of Cannonshop, Giovanni Blasini, and Liam's Ghost, followed by a closer examination of the TDS trait in AToW, it struck me this particular trait could use quite a bit more detail. The wording of the TDS trait in AToW implies "normal" people still experience some kind of negative effects from a hyperspace jump (save for a blessed minority that is "Jump Blind"). With that as a basis, I propose the following optional rule to expand the range of hyperspace jump effects. Double jumps could literally kill characters at the -400 and -500 levels.
XP Cost Name Description
+100 Jump Blind Character never suffers any ill effects from a hyperspace jump, but also takes a -2 to any Navigation/K-F Jump rolls
0 "Normal" Normal characters are stunned for 5-BOD minutes after a hyperspace jump. The margin of success on a WIL check also reduces this time.
-100 Typical TDS Character suffers the effects of TDS as outlined in AToW, page 127.
-200 Jump Sensitive Character suffers the effects of TDS for double the duration, but also gains a +1 bonus to Navigation/K-F Jump rolls.
-300 Hyperspace Sensitive Character suffers the effects of TDS for triple the duration, but also may require medical attention, and certainly
requires significant personal hygiene. The seizures make quite a mess. At this level, characters also suffer from
a Madness as per AToW, page 110 (with the exception of "Regression" or "Split Personality"). Optionally, a
character can take on a Compulsion/Addiction to anti-depression/anxiety/psychotic drugs at the -1 TP level, but
suffers the ill effects whenever they miss their dose, not just after a jump. Characters choosing this option (and
on their meds) only suffer effects as per the -2 TP level above. The character gains a +3 bonus to Navigation/K-F
Jump rolls.
-400 Hypersensitive Characters require significant medical attention after a jump. The convulsions cause significant bodily harm, equal
to 6-BOD points of physical damage. And a long shower and complete change of clothes are required. It's literally
disgusting. Similar to the above, a -2 TP equivalent addiction to anti-depressant/anxiety/psychotic drugs can reduce
this to the -2 TP level of pain per jump, but again, suffers the full effects if they miss a dose. Taking on only a -1 TP
level of addiction reduces this to the equivalent of a -3 TP Compulsion/Madness (with the same conditions as above).
Refusing medication entirely leaves them with the equivalent of a -4 TP Compulsion/Madness. The character gains a
+5 bonus to Navigation/K-F Jump rolls.
-500 One With the Cosmos The first jump a character experiences at this level literally drives them insane. In addition to the physical damage
outlined at -400 (regardless of medication), even a -2 TP Compulsion/Addiction still leaves them with the equivalent of a
-3 TP Compulsion/Madness (subject to the same restrictions as above). Lower levels of Compulsion/Addiction increase
the equivalent level of Compulsion/Madness. The only upside is that the character gains a +7 bonus on Navigation/K-F
Jump rolls.
