Yes, the effects and the damage are independent. Our thought is that you could stun someone with lightning without necessarily causing permanent physical damage. Or, a flame blast might cause little or no real initial damage, but still catch you on fire (causing a burn condition).
Interesting side note: A few years ago the effects/conditions and the damage were on the same dice. So, with one roll you did your damage and your effects. We separated them to make the game less "luck based". Now, you can do well with one roll but not the other. Otherwise it was "all or nothing".
Interesting side note: A few years ago the effects/conditions and the damage were on the same dice. So, with one roll you did your damage and your effects. We separated them to make the game less "luck based". Now, you can do well with one roll but not the other. Otherwise it was "all or nothing".