While the release date is getting closer, and there is a lot of work for us to be done, I'm changing the Book of Medicine to make it more clear and understandable. I have discussed it in our Discord channel, but wanted to share here as well.
These are four issues we have identified player's having trouble understanding:
- That the dosages do not stack
- That the medicine of the time and the game requires some Trial and Error
- That intervals in the Physical Symptoms book give a hint on what the answer can be, not that all three doses are the answer
- And finally on what to do when a patient has an allergy
Here are the changes of the book, let me know what you think!
Four Humors and Medication page:
"Remedies come in two categories. Precision medicine uses a distinct dose (1–9) for each humor—Blood, Phlegm, Yellow Bile, and Black Bile. Crucially these doses do not stack: a dose of “3” for Blood doesn’t combine with another “4” to make “7.” Each stands alone.
Alternative medicine simply indicates which humors (Vital or Digestive) need treatment and whether a Low (1–5) or High (6–9) dose is required, without pinpointing exact values."
Humor Wheel page:
"In the uncertain art of healing, doctors sometimes resort to careful trial and error—especially when patients have no awareness of their ailments and offer no clues for a cure. Doctors find the best results by closely observing the effects of medications on their patients. The closer the dosage to the ideal, the better the outcome—finding the exact dosage always leads to Full Recovery, while the exact opposite results in Death. All other dosages influence the patient’s condition incrementally, based on how far they stray from the ideal treatment."
Physical Symptoms page:
"Physical symptoms can appear anywhere on a patient’s body—sometimes requiring the patient to be undressed for a thorough examination. These signs narrow the possible dose to an interval, yet only one precise value within that range leads to Full Recovery. Remember that doses don’t stack.
If no physical symptoms are present, administering Low (1–5) or High (6–9) medicine can still offer clues."
Allergies page:
"If a patient is allergic to the humor and dosage that would cure them, the doctor must consult the Humor Wheel to find the closest safe dose. While it may not yield a Full Recovery, it avoids triggering an allergic reaction and still improves the patient’s condition."
I'll push these changes probably tomorrow - but I wanted to share it with you first!