5.2.1.5 Examples of determining weather conditions

This section gives four examples of determining the weather conditions under a variety of different circumstances.

Crossing the Balazarian mountains

Cogan and party are attempting to cross the Belazarian mountains. It is summer (normal/dry season) and the mountains are far from the sea at a temperate latitude in the Northern hemisphere. The mountain passes are roughly 1,500 metres high (the peaks are higher).

Determining the wind strength:

The following modifiers apply to the wind strength roll:

• the previous day's wind strength was undetermined, so assume windy, giving a modifier of +2;
• the altitude gives a modifier of +3;
• the mountains are exposed, so the terrain type gives a modifier of +0; and
• the season/latitude gives a modifier of -2;
• making a total modifier of +3.

The referee rolls 3D+3, and gets a 3, 5 and 5, giving a wind strength roll result of 16. There are strong winds today.

Determining the wind direction:

At this time of year, the prevailing winds come from the East. The previous day's wind direction is unknown. The referee rolls 2D (the wind direction roll) and gets a 4 and 3, making a result of 7, which for strong winds means they are from the prevailing wind direction, i.e. from the East.

Determining the humidity level:

The following modifiers apply to the humidity roll:

• the altitude gives a modifier of +3;
• the mountain valleys and passes are mostly a mixture of forest and grassy pastures, so the referee rules the terrain type gives a modifier of +0; and
• the wind strength gives a modifier of -3;
• making a total modifier of +0.

The referee rolls 3D, and gets a 4, 5 and 5, giving a humidity roll result of 14. There are intermittent showers today.

Determining the temperature level:

The following modifiers apply to the temperature roll:

• the altitude gives a modifier of -15;
• the humidity level gives a modifier of -3;
• the wind direction gives a modifier of +0; and
• the season/latitude gives a modifier of +14;
• making a total modifier of -4.

The referee rolls 3D-5, and gets a 6, 4 and 5, giving a temperature roll result of 11. Finally, the wind strength is level 3; since the temperature roll result before adjusting for wind strength is 11, there is a modifier of -3 for the wind strength in this exposed location, giving a final temperature roll result of 8. Up in the mountains, conditions are relatively benign - cold but manageable. But at night-time, they drop to icy.

The Great Salt Desert

Having crossed the mountains, Cogan now reach the Great Salt Desert. It is summer (normal/dry season), the desert is far from the sea at a temperate latitude in the Northern hemisphere, on a plateau elevated by some 500 metres.

Determining the wind strength:

The following modifiers apply to the wind strength roll:

• the previous day's wind strength was windy, giving a modifier of +2;
• the altitude gives a modifier of +1;
• the desert is exposed, so the terrain type gives a modifier of +0; and
• the season/latitude gives a modifier of -2;
• making a total modifier of +1.

The referee rolls 3D+1, and gets a 3, 1 and 5, giving a wind strength roll result of 10. There is a gentle breeze today.

Determining the wind direction:

At this time of year, the prevailing winds come from the East. The previous day's wind direction was from the East. The referee rolls 2D (the wind direction roll) and gets a 4 and 6, making a result of 10, which for a gentle breeze means it is from a random direction - rolling 1D, the referee gets a 6; the wind has shifted so that it is coming from the South.

Determining the humidity level:

The following modifiers apply to the humidity roll:

• the altitude gives a modifier of +1;
• the terrain type (desert) gives a modifier of -4; and
• the wind strength gives a modifier of -1;
• making a total modifier of -4.

The referee rolls 3D-4, and gets a 4, 3 and 3, giving a humidity roll result of 6. The conditions are dry, but there is the occasional cloud in the sky.

Determining the temperature level:

The following modifiers apply to the temperature roll:

• the altitude gives a modifier of -5;
• the humidity level gives a modifier of -1;
• the wind direction gives a modifier of +0; and
• the season/latitude gives a modifier of +14;
• making a total modifier of +9.

The referee rolls 3D+9, and gets a 6, 3 and 2, giving a temperature roll result of 20. Finally, the wind strength is level 1; since the temperature roll result before adjusting for wind strength is 20, there is a modifier of -1 for the wind strength in this exposed location, giving a final temperature roll result of 19. The salt desert is warm (temperate) by day. But at night-time, the temperature drops to icy.

The Akkadian Jungle

Cogan and his party now reach the Akkadian jungle. It is now autumn (which is the wet season), the jungle is coastal at a tropical latitude in the Northern hemisphere, close to sea level. There is sea to the East and South of the jungle.

Determining the wind strength:

The following modifiers apply to the wind strength roll:

• the previous day's wind strength was a gentle breeze giving a modifier of +1;
• the altitude gives a modifier of +0;
• the jungle is sheltered, so the terrain type gives a modifier of -3; and
• the season/latitude gives a modifier of +3;
• making a total modifier of +1.

The referee rolls 3D+1, and gets a 3, 2 and 4, giving a wind strength roll result of 10. There is a gentle breeze today.

Determining the wind direction:

At this time of year, the prevailing winds come from the East. The previous day's wind direction was from the South. The referee rolls 2D (the wind direction roll) and gets a 4 and 1, making a result of 5, which for a gentle breeze means it is from the same direction as the previous day, the South.

Determining the humidity level:

The following modifiers apply to the humidity roll:

• the altitude gives a modifier of +0;
• the terrain type (jungle in wet season) gives a modifier of +5; and
• the wind strength gives a modifier of +1 (coming in from the sea);
• making a total modifier of +6.

The referee rolls 3D+6, and gets a 4, 5 and 2, giving a humidity roll result of 17. There is persistent drizzle all day. Looks like it's going to be hot and steamy.

Determining the temperature level:

The following modifiers apply to the temperature roll:

• the altitude gives a modifier of +0;
• the humidity level gives a modifier of -4;
• the wind direction gives a modifier of +1 (from the equator); and
• the season/latitude gives a modifier of +13;
• making a total modifier of +10.

The referee rolls 3D+10, and gets a 6, 3 and 4, giving a temperature roll result of 23. Finally, the wind strength is level 1; since the temperature roll result before adjusting for wind strength is 23, there is a modifier of -0 for the wind strength in this sheltered location, giving a final temperature roll result of 23. The jungle is hot by day, and warm at night.

The Eastern Ocean

Finally, Cogan and his party now reach the Eastern Ocean, and embark on a ship to their island destination. It is now autumn (which is the wet season in this area).

Determining the wind strength:

The following modifiers apply to the wind strength roll:

• the previous day's wind strength was windy giving a modifier of +2;
• the altitude gives a modifier of +0;
• the sea is exposed to the elements, so the terrain type gives a modifier of +0; and
• the season/latitude gives a modifier of +5;
• making a total modifier of +7.

The referee rolls 3D+7, and gets a 3, 5 and 4, giving a wind strength roll result of 19. The winds have picked up and they are strong today.

Determining the wind direction:

At this time of year, the prevailing winds come from the East. The previous day's wind direction was from the South. The referee rolls 2D (the wind direction roll) and gets a 5 and 2, making a result of 7, which for strong winds means they shift to the prevailing wind direction, i.e. from the East.

Determining the humidity level:

The following modifiers apply to the humidity roll:

• the altitude gives a modifier of +0;
• the terrain type (seas in wet season) gives a modifier of +5; and
• the wind strength gives a modifier of +3 (coming in from the sea);
• making a total modifier of +8.

The referee rolls 3D+8, and gets a 4, 3 and 6, giving a humidity roll result of 21. The skies have opened and there is a downpour, with very heavy rains all day.

Determining the temperature level:

The following modifiers apply to the temperature roll:

• the altitude gives a modifier of +0;
• the humidity level gives a modifier of -6;
• the wind direction gives a modifier of +0; and
• the season/latitude gives a modifier of +13;
• making a total modifier of +7.

The referee rolls 3D+7, and gets a 5, 2 and 4, giving a temperature roll result of 18. Finally, the wind strength is level 3; since the temperature roll result before adjusting for wind strength is 18, there is a modifier of -3 for the wind strength in this exposed location, giving a final temperature roll result of 15. The rain and wind make the conditions quite cool despite the tropical location, and the temperature becomes cold at night.