Injuries, illness and recovery

Wounds, burns and crush injuries need dressing. Privation illness comes from prolonged hunger or thirst. Fever also needs food and water brought to the patient.

In current deep colonies, an undressed injury is minor at 60 health or more, serious above 25, and severe at 25 or less. After eight hours, a minor injury can close slowly while the patient is fed, leaving an aching scar. A serious injury can worsen until they cannot stand. A severe one can kill.

Food and water can stop recovery even after treatment. Resting in a dry bed helps, and shelter improves it further. Read the recovery estimate on the settler’s card for their current conditions. It changes when they get up, lose access to meals or receive a better dressing.

Older colonies without the deep rules keep their earlier injury course. Do not assume a minor wound is safe to leave untreated there. Their untreated injuries continue losing health after the grace period.