keeping whump semi-realistic -- blood loss
So, I think most people know that if a person actually passes out from blood loss, they're pretty much fucked. BUT the trope of revealing a bleeding wound and then collapsing is super fucking fun.
So I was thinking about ways to keep that trope in without totally sacrificing any degree of realism -- especially if your characters are far from medical treatment and/or don't have modern tech or magic to help them out.
I also think it's fun if the team / caretaker panics because whumpee passed out, assuming they're much closer to death than they already are. Maybe they find whumpee passed out, covered in blood, and assume the worst, only to be hit with an intense wave of relief when they discover whumpee's still breathing (albeit barely).
So, here's a list of reasons for your injured whumpee to pass out that aren't strictly blood loss. (Of course, blood loss absolutely takes a toll on the body and is definitely a compounding factor leading up to the collapse.)
Adrenaline crash. Whumpee is finally out of battle and they're just fucking exhausted. They realize they're finally safe and they just crumple.
Exhaustion. Maybe whumpee has been running or walking for miles, trying to find safety. Their wound has been slowly bleeding the whole time. Eventually, they just can't keep going, and their legs give out. They promise themself they'll only rest for a moment or two, but then their eyes are closing and sleep takes them.
Sight of blood / panic. Whumpee's seen blood before, sure. But not that much. They didn't even know a person could have that much blood. Where the fuck is it even coming from? Oh. Shit. Me. Alternatively, whumpee has been pretty sheltered up to this point, and this is their first time in combat. They've never seen this much death and blood and gore.
Illness. Maybe whumpee's wounds are infected. Maybe they were already sick but had to fight anyways (or maybe they lied to the rest of the team about their health in order to be allowed to fight). The stress of combat plus the injury is too much for their already weakened body.
Poison. Maybe the blade that stabbed them was coated in something nasty. Makes for a fun reveal when the team/caretaker has treated the wound but whumpee is only getting worse. Also provides a fun sense of urgency if whumpee knows they've been poisoned, and needs to make it to the one person they trust / know can treat it. (Do they make it to the door and collapse in caretaker's arms? Do they collapse on the way? Do they not even make it out of their own room?) (This one is particularly good for assassinations. "I'm not sure which will kill you first: The blood loss or the poison. Unfortunately, I can't stick around to find out.")
Drugs. Maybe whumpee is being hunted for some reason. Someone wants them, and doesn't want them able to fight back. So they've been drugged, tranquilized so they're easy to capture. Maybe they black out and wake up neatly bandaged, flooded with relief, only to realize they're chained to the bed. OR, maybe they've been found by the team, but they're resisting treatment and have to be drugged for their own good. Are they trying to go out and find their friend/lover? Are they delirious and unable to tell friend from foe? Have they been brainwashed or conditioned to fear their former team?
