Tormentation

Tormentations are surreal trials intimately tied to a metahuman's sense of identity and sanity, taking place in the Dark Dimension, set in the metahuman's memories, acted out by Dark Ones and directed by their own inner darkness. The ultimate goal is to disconnect the metahuman from the living world and eventually their own sense of self.

## Basic Mechanics

Tormentation occur when the metahuman is threatened - this can be from physical damage (reducing their health to zero). When the threat occurs, a rift opens up under the metahuman, dragging them into the Dark Dimension. Tormentation can also occur under circumstances that would have caused the metahuman to go insane or die - such as facing their deepest fears or encountering a manifestation of the Dark Ones.

Metahumans are subject to two types of Tormentation: the majority are target Tormentation, where the darkness attempts to weaken the metahuman by destroying their beliefs, values, or their physical body. In a target Tormentation, the metahuman suffers if they fail the trial. The other type, destruction Tormentation, are reserved for metahumans who are on the brink of losing themselves - when they lose their last shred of hope or faith, or when their physical body is at its weakest point; failing a destruction harrowing results in the metahuman's destruction or possible transformation into a Dark One.

During the Tormentation, the metahuman is placed in a scenario constructed by their inner darkness. The exact composition of the scenario changes with each Tormentation, but every one is fundamentally a test of the metahuman's character, and it is in some way related to the darkness they are facing. The choices a metahuman makes during the harrowing determine if they succeed or fail, and if they will succumb to the darkness or emerge victorious.

## How to Run

As a narrator running a Tormentation in a roleplaying game, you would first need to establish a clear understanding of the tormented metahuman's character, background, and motivations. You could work with the player to create a detailed character history that can be used as a guide for creating the scenario.

Once you have a good grasp of the character, you can begin to construct a Tormentation scenario that is tailored to their specific weaknesses and fears. This scenario should be surreal, emotionally charged, and designed to challenge the character's sense of self.

The Tormentation should be a test of the character's resolve, with choices that can have permanent and devastating consequences. As the narrator, you should be prepared to improvise and adapt the scenario based on the choices the player makes.

During the Tormentation, you should use sensory details to create a vivid and immersive experience for the player. This can include descriptions of sights, sounds, smells, and tactile sensations that create a sense of dread and unease.

Finally, it's important to remember that Tormentation can have long-lasting effects on a character, both in terms of their physical and emotional state. As the narrator, you should work with the player to determine the long-term impact of the Tormentation and how it will shape the character going forward.