In an RPG, is there a good mechanic for inflicting pain on characters? I remember the "whelm" series of spells in 3.5 did nonlethal damage, and were intended as torture spells. I always thought it was a poor substitute.
It seems like the concept of pain is ripe in fantasy literature: whether it be "the machine" in The Princess Bride or Frodo's wound from Weathertop in Lord of the Rings. Golarion even has an entire deity dedicated to pain.
So is there a mechanic that reflects it realistically in-game? Do people mostly use nonlethal damage and just let the players role play the rest? Or do you do something else to simulate it?
-The Beast
I've always felt that non-lethal damage combined with the sickened or nauseated conditions were a great pain mechanic.
I think in an instance like this, torture breaks down to more or less 20% system support, 80% Description.
Example:
Desription:
You find yourself tied down to a chair when you awake. The room is dimly lit from the various candles lining the room. A hooded figure appears from the shadows.
He asks, "where have you taken baker? Tells me, or do I have to get persuasive?"
He directs your attention to a small table close by. It has a rack of small vials containing various colored liquids. You remain silent.
"Very well," he says.
He walks over to the table, picks up a vial, pulls out a small pouch from his pocket, and produces a needle. While approaching, he removes the stopper. An acrid smell assails your nostrils. Then, slowly, he inserts the needle under one of your fingernails and proceeds to pour the acid into the hollowed out needle.
Mechanics:
Damage: Acid 1d2
This may not be the best example, but you get the idea.