Example crisis scene: Dealing with anxiety
Erica’s written about her anxiety before, and I do my best to help her through panic attacks when they happen. There were a few this last weekend, and this idea popped into my head that responding to a bout of anxiety would make an interesting Crisis Scene for an RPG! So, using White Wolf second edition rules — which we’re using to play Erica’s Wraith game — I made a crisis for dealing with anxiety.
A quick note: It needs to be said that I am not a trained healthcare professional. Please, don’t take any of this as actual therapeutic advice. This crisis was built only as an example of the Crisis System, and is only meant in good fun, and to represent the sort of anxiety that Erica and I deal with.
So here we go!
The character’s significant other has had a rough week at work, slowly building up frustration. When they take the car into the shop to fix an annoying noise, they discover that it’s an expensive water pump replacement. And even worse, on the way home from the shop, the annoying noise returns. Bad traffic and asshole drivers are the last straw! Doors are slammed and the character’s loving partner has become a rage monster.
The character must make a Perception + Empathy (difficulty 8) roll to listen patiently to their partner’s (loud) complaints and sort out which come from actionable problems, and which ones are rooted in their anxiety — and need support, not solutions
- Each success lowers the difficulty on the next stage of the crisis by 1.The character can try to speak soothingly to their unhappy loved one, sympathizing with their problems and validating their feelings of frustration — and reminding them that they are both on the same team. Charisma + Empathy (difficulty 10 — successes on the last stage).
- Record successes on this roll to determine the character’s total support at the end of the crisis.Now that the character’s partner feels listened to and that their feelings are accepted, it’s time to separate the anxiety from the problems, and process the anxiety. Charisma or Intelligence + Empathy, Leadership, or Psychology (difficulty 9) — anxiety doesn’t process easily.
- A good hug can lower anxiety and foster connection, too! If the character deploys a hug, they may make a Strength + Empathy roll (difficulty 6).
— If they succeed, they lower the difficulty of the above check by 1.
— 5 successes on the hug releases oxytocin and lowers the difficulty by 2.
- Record successes from processing the anxiety to determine the character’s total support at the end of the crisis.It’s been hard and there’s been both tears and shouting, but the character’s partner is beginning to feel better. They’ve wrestled the car and work problems into perspective, and they know that their anxiety is a valid problem that deserves care.
But then they fall into an emotional nose dive! “I don’t deserve you!” they cry, falling into new tears and a depressive slump. The character realizes this is ultimately a good thing, that their significant other is feeling safe enough to let out more of the anxiety they have been carrying. But the character has worked long and hard to be supportive and just when it seems everything is okay, it all falls apart again. Stamina or Wits + Empathy (difficulty 6) to summon just a little more patience.
- Record successes on this stage to determine the character’s total support at the end of the crisis.
- Failure means that the character isn’t as calm as they would like, and will reduce their dice pool for the next phase by 1.The character (hopefully) kept their head, remaining calm and patient. They have made themselves a warm and stable presence that their partner can rely on. But processing the sudden release of all those bottled feelings can be hard for them. Encourage the player to be creative with their support. Some suggestions might be:
- Be silly! Laughter releases positive endorphins. Manipulation + Expression or Subterfuge (difficulty 7) to be goofy enough to make the character’s partner laugh.
- Guided meditation. “Your heart is beating fast because you’re afraid and it’s telling your brain to panic. It’s okay to breathe nice and slow and deep because you’re safe in my arms. You’re safe here.” Charisma + Leadership or Meditation (difficulty 8).
- Comfort food is often, well, comforting. Dexterity + Cooking or Crafts (difficulty 6).
— 1 success: “Let’s order pizza from your favorite place.”
— 5 successes: “I’ve cooked all your favorite dishes, so let’s have a candle-lit dinner!”
- Make a blanket fort together to shut the world out — Intelligence + Crafts (difficulty 6).
— 1 success represents a lean-to of kitchen chairs and bath towels.
— 5 successes result in a blanket fortress complete with pillow-launching trebuchets.
Record successes on this stage to determine the character’s total support at the end of the crisis.The character and their loved one have grappled with the feelings of anxiety instead of pushing them away, and they’ve come through the other side exhausted, but feeling better. The character’s total support represents how well their partner is doing.
- 1, 2 or 3 successes represent a pair of tired, wrung-out people just ready to go to bed.
- 4 or 5 total successes means they made it through a rough day without any lasting harm, and can continue with their plans for the evening.
- 8 or 9 successes means both the character and their partner are smiling and happy.
-10 or more successes means that they learn something from this that will help in the future, and the character may raise their Empathy, Expression, Leadership, or Meditation by 1.
Oh, if only it were as easy in real life as a couple of dice rolls! But hey, it just goes to show that you can make anything into a crisis. And Erica and I managed to get through the frustrating car problems. Fire trebuchets!
