Wave Inspired System

[chronoplasm]

OK, so heres how I want to implement this:

Use a d4 and glass beads to indicate where you are on your character's envelope at any given time.
Use the d4 to indicate what phase you are on: 1= Attack, 2= Sustain, 3= Decay, 4= Release.

Your 'envelope' substat scores represent how many turns it takes to get from one phase to the next. Use the glass beads as a visual aid to help you remember.

Example:
Your scores are A3, S2, D3, R2 for Black Bile vs. Blood.
You begin at phase 1, attack. At the beginning of each turn, gain a bead. If you have three, discard them and move on two phase 2, sustain. At the beginning of each turn, gain a bead. If you have two, discard them and move on to phase 3, decay. When you reach the end of phase 4, release, start over at phase 1.

What do these four substats do?

Attack: During this phase, your character's power will grow to it's peak. Your attack score determines how long this will take.
Sustain: During this phase, your character is as peak power. Your peak score determines how long this state lasts.
Decay: During this phase, your character's power will shrink. Your decay score determines how long this will take.
Release: During this phase, your character's power will be at rock bottom. Your release score determines how long this lasts.


Yeah, it's a little complicated, but this is looking more and more like a simulationist type of game anyway.