Reworking Motives (I’ve got the Joy edition)

[Technature]

I feel that food shortage problems should take longer than water shortage problems.  You can go three weeks without food.  You can barely go half that without water.

That was my intention actually - I ganked the figures, fixed there! 

Now you probably noticed that it's the same time to reach 25, but the threshold of damage for thirst is much lower (starting at 40 instead of 25), meaning you'll be in danger quicker than hunger. Hunger is also not lethal, infact by my figures you could go for an hour without eating, but your max stamina will be depleted to to lowest it can go without going into unconsciousness - someone pushing could knock you out! 

 how high of a chance would Maximum stress be lethal?

Any damage (not stress, actual damage) if stress is 100, and it's a roll of the dice. If you are 100 stress and wall yourself up, you will not die. But as soon as you leave your cave, you're exposing yourself. That's really the theme of this whole ramble.. that at the lowest threshold you become vulnerable rather than outright dead. It gives players agency to fix the mess they're in.

That's fair on food and water stuff.

What I meant by the chance was "If you punch someone at 100 stress once, what's the likelihood it can turn lethal?  2%?  10%?".  Stuff like that.