The rules for suffocation say that a PC can hold their breath for a number of minutes equal to their toughness bonus. I assume this is for narrative time in situations that involve drowning or dangerous gasses and what not.

In an encounter I am running, our tech priest just got a Gloomhaunt beautifully attached to her head. Now, how do you handle suffocation in this situation? Her TB is 3 and 3 minutes in combat time is... 30 rounds? Yeah, that isn't happening.

Every round that the Gloomhaunt wins an opposed Strength test, it is going to deal 1d10+2, pen 2 damage on the Tech Priest. So, where does the suffocation factor come into play?

How would you, or how have you handled it in the past?

Keep reading. The TB in minutes only applies when not doing anything exhausting or strenuous.

As of the core rule book, If you are engaged in strenuous activity you get twice your T bonus rounds. You then take 1 wound and a level of fatigue at the end of each round after. (page 210). If she has T 3 then that would be 6 rounds. That is of course, assuming strenuous activity, although ripping that off your head probably counts.

Keep reading. The TB in minutes only applies when not doing anything exhausting or strenuous.

Yep, I am dumb. I thought that example box was a break that went into the next special effect. My bad.

So then, a question regarding the Gloomhaunt in particular - if I am reading the Cranial Clasp ability correctly the Gloomhaunt (who has successfully grappled a PC) will deal 1d10+2 damage every round the grapple is maintained, right? I essentially don't have to roll anything other than opposed str tests each round and then roll and apply the damage, yes?