ated overload lasts about two days.

The other two forms can be undertaken voluntarily at any stage short of
overload. Induced need is the sexual form, stimulated by arousal and
manipulation of the need gland. It results in heightened sexual
ability and greatly increased fertility; if the warrior's partner is in
her fertile period; conception is almost a certainty. If induced need
is not resolved, it will abate on its own since it involves only the
reproductive organs, speeding the warrior's cycle slightly--though the
egerin fluctuations are quite uncomfortable to the warrior. Its
resolution results in aftersleep, a near-comatose state that lasts for
several hours.

Battleprep is the combat-oriented form of need, induced by mental and
physical concentration. Unlike induced need, battle-prep involves the
entire body; unless the warrior goes into demanding combat within an
hour or two, he will go into overload and die. As this is well known,
a warrior will prep only when combat is imminent.

Battleprep is often referred to as a berserker state, but that is only
partially correct. The prepped warrior is only marginally, if at all,
aware of pain and wounds; blood clots quickly to minimize loss; speed
and strength are heightened on the same order as that of someone of
average strength who can suddenly lift a car to save an infant. Beyond
this, however, the berserker analogy breaks down, because the warrior
retains his full intelligence and judgement. This combination makes a
battleprepped warrior one of the most dangerous beings in the known
universe.

At home, or on any Sandeman-controlled world, a warrior is in no danger
of overload unless very unusual circumstances arise. There are always
warriors and w'women around. And except in hostile-alien territory,
where need is a weakness that must be concealed, keeping even an enemy
warrior from dying in overload is as ingrained as their politeness. It
is honorable to kill him, imprison him, even torture him for
information--but if he goes into active need, he gets treatment. If no
w'woman is available or willing, there is a ritual offering of
non-hostile life-combat by one or more of the imprisoning clan's
warriors.

The need cycle can be disrupted by serious injury or illness; the
disruption will last from the time of the injury or illness until the
warrior regains near-normal health.

Shaper experiments show that the need cycle can be permanently ended by