Swimming (sage ability) - Revision history

Bennettj: /* Currents */

2026-04-21T14:41:42Z

Currents

Tao alexis: /* Techniques and Sustainability */

2025-02-16T20:32:49Z

Techniques and Sustainability

Tao alexis at 05:41, 7 February 2025

2025-02-07T05:41:36Z

Tao alexis at 19:23, 6 February 2025

2025-02-06T19:23:49Z

Tao alexis: /* Distance Travelled */

2024-01-27T04:35:18Z

Distance Travelled

Tao alexis: /* Progenitor Backgrounds */

2023-10-19T20:00:46Z

Progenitor Backgrounds

Tao alexis: /* Winds */

2023-10-19T20:00:22Z

Winds

Tao alexis: /* Currents */

2023-10-19T19:48:10Z

Currents

Tao alexis: /* Encumbered Penalty */

2023-10-19T19:15:14Z

Encumbered Penalty

Tao alexis: /* Currents & Wind */

2023-10-19T19:14:57Z

Currents & Wind

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 Characters failing their knowledge check are caught and dragged over rocks or the stream's bed, putting a strain on the character's lungs.  This results in damage: 1d4 for a moderate flow, 2d4+1 for a hazardous flow and 3d4+2 for a raging flow.
-Each round the character can attempt to re-establish their equilibrium and avoid taking damage, with the same chance of success.  If this is done successfully, the character can attempt to find succor in some outjutting rock or ledge, or hanging branch of a tree, if they make a successful [[Dexterity (ability stat)|dexterity check]] (with a -4 penalty).
+Each round the character can attempt to re-establish their equilibrium and avoid taking damage, with the same chance of success.  If this is done successfully, the character can attempt to find succor in some outjutting rock or ledge, or hanging branch of a tree, if they make a successful [[Dexterity (ability stat)|dexterity]] [[Ability Checks|check]] (with a -4 penalty).
 == Seas and Oceans ==

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 When racing, the swimmer increases the stroke rate, maintaining a more streamlined body position to reduce drag.  The swimmer opts for fewer breaths to maintain this position and a faster tempo.  A strong racer might breathe only every five or even seven strokes.
-{| class="wikitable" style="float:left; margin-right: 15px; text-align: center; background-color:#d4f2f2;"
+{| class="wikitable" style="float:left; margin-right: 25px; text-align: center; background-color:#d4f2f2;"
 |-
 ! rowspan="2"|Knowledge !! colspan="4"|Hexes per action point

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 [[File:Swimming (sage ability).jpg|right|490px|thumb|]]
-'''Swimming''' is an unskilled and [[Knowledge Points|amateur]]-status [[Sage Ability|sage ability]] in the sage studies of [[Athletics (sage study)|Athletics]], [[Beachcomber (sage study)|Beachcomber]], [[Oceanography (sage study)|Oceanography]] and [[Sea Life (sage study)|Sea Life]], that can be performed with a minimum of 1 knowledge point.  It's not uncommon for characters to lack swimming skills, but the importance of the activity in some circumstances requires that a clear division is drawn between "able to thrash around to some degree" and actual competency be established.
+'''Swimming''' is an unskilled and [[Knowledge Points|amateur]]-status [[Sage Ability|sage ability]] in the [[Sage Study|sage studies]] of [[Athletics (sage study)|Athletics]], [[Beachcomber (sage study)|Beachcomber]], [[Oceanography (sage study)|Oceanography]] and [[Sea Life (sage study)|Sea Life]], that can be performed with a minimum of 1 knowledge point.  It's not uncommon for characters to lack swimming skills, but the importance of the activity in some circumstances requires that a clear division is drawn between "able to thrash around to some degree" and actual competency be established.
 __TOC__
 Characters with less than 10 points of knowledge in the ability are considered "unskilled."  Those with absolutely no proficiency (knowledge: 0), when in sufficiently deep water, are certain to [[Drowning|drown]].  As described below, a swimmer with just 1 point of knowledge is able, at least, to keep themselves from sinking immediately.

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 *[[Beachcomber (sage study)]]
 *[[Cliff Diving (sage ability)]]
 *[[Free-diving (sage ability)]]
 *[[Oceanography (sage study)]]

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 The effect of these swimming styles on the progress is shown on the provided table.  The maximumm number of [[Combat Hex|combat hexes]] that characters can traverse using a specific style is given as a number per [[Action Points|action point]] (AP).  This calculation works much like the character's [[Movement (stride)|stride]], except that the character is swimming.
-For example, Jeremy is an unskilled swimmer with just 2 points of knowledge, who has fallen into deep water.  Unable to do anything except thrash, he can nonetheless travel 0.4 x his AP — 5 AP if he's [[Swimming#Encumbered Penalty|unencumbered]] — or 2 hexes per round.  Since Jeremy can flail along this way for 8 total rounds (see above), he might save himself if he can find a solid footing within 16 hexes, or 80 feet.  As a round is 12 seconds, others have a little over a minute and a half to catch him before he sinks, and at least a little more time after that if they can find him [[Drowning|below the surface]].
+For example, Jeremy is an unskilled swimmer with just 2 points of knowledge, who has fallen into deep water.  Unable to do anything except thrash, he can nonetheless travel 0.4 x his AP — 5 AP if he's [[Encumbrance|unencumbered]] — or 2 hexes per round.  Since Jeremy can flail along this way for 8 total rounds (see above), he might save himself if he can find a solid footing within 16 hexes, or 80 feet.  As a round is 12 seconds, others have a little over a minute and a half to catch him before he sinks, and at least a little more time after that if they can find him [[Drowning|below the surface]].
 More able swimmers can achieve effective distances when swimming, up to 34 hexes per round, just less than 3¼ miles an hour.  This is somewhat shy of speeds that modern swimmers can perform, but in a medieval world, without enhanced training, medical support or specialised clothing, these numbers are impressive.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:00, 19 October 2023
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−	[[Category: Sage Abilities]]	+	[[Category: Sage Abilities]][[Category: Reviewed]]

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 The effects of wind upon swimming act to reduce the character's intended movement.  Taking note of the image shown, the effects of wind equal to "force-4" (F4) are as follows:
-: '''F4.'''
+: '''F4.'''  A moderate breeze creates small waves, with fairly frequent white horses.  Overall, the character's actions are reduced by ½ point in calculating swimming movement.
-Similarly, winds that blow faster than 8-12 miles per hour (F-3) create large wavelets, as crests break on the surface.  This adds an additional a movement cost of +½ AP when swimming.  With greater force (F-4), frequent white horses occur, with a movement cost of +1 AP.  As a fresh breeze takes hold (F-5), anything beyond paddling is impractical, while a strong breeze (F-6) disallows any swimming at all, though it's still possible to tread water.  An F-7 wind, a near gale, makes even this impossible.  Those caught in the water in a near gale without some physical means of staying afloat will drown within 2-5 rounds.
+: '''F6.'''  A strong breeze produces large waves, with white foam crests more extensive everywhere.  Swimming is disallowed altogether, though it's still possible to tread water — though each minute of doing so costs two endurance-rounds to tread water for one minute.
 == Progenitor Backgrounds ==

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 == Currents ==
-Currents such as those found in [[River Current|rivers]] and [[Ocean Current|oceans]], including [[Rip Tide|rip tides]], have their own effects upon swimming and must be taken into account when calculating the swimmer's vector across a water's surface.  In any case, the speed of the river or current must be known to the dungeon master, as very fast water — upwards of 120 ft. per round — can overwhelm swimmers and put them at the mercy of the water's flow.  In the case of a rip tide, a swimmer can be pushed so far out to sea that they haven't the endurance to reach shore.  For these reasons, swimming in any current is very dangerous.
+Currents such as those found in [[River Current|rivers]] and large bodies of water, including [[Rip Tide|rip tides]], have their own effects upon swimming and must be taken into account when calculating the swimmer's vector across a water's surface.  In any case, the speed of the river or current must be known to the dungeon master, as very fast water — upwards of 120 ft. per round — can overwhelm swimmers and put them at the mercy of the water's flow.  In the case of a rip tide, a swimmer can be pushed so far out to sea that they haven't the endurance to reach shore.  For these reasons, swimming in any current is very dangerous.
-Generally, allow a 1 in 6 possibility each round that the swimmer chances to grasp a rock or some other surface that allows them to arrest their downward passage.  Each failed roll causes 4-10 damage from being pummeled upon the stream's bed or strain on the character's lungs.  Even if purchase is somehow found, the overpowered swimmer must be saved by outside means, since he or she will be too weak, cold and wet to climb out with their own strength (no matter how strong they are!).  If they are not saved, sooner or later their grip will falter and they'll be dragged through the river again, sure enough to die eventually.
+: '''Hazardous flow''' (4.9 to 7.5 ft/s).  Currents of this speed can easily overpower a swimmer, making self-rescue challenging for all but the most able.  The force of water allows less reaction time, while higher turbulence increases the chance of submersion or encountering obstacles and debris.  A percentage die must be rolled against the character's knowledge as is.  Toby, in the example above, would have a 32% chance of maintaining his equilibrium each round.
-A 1 in 10 chance of the character being thrown on to a tiny [[Beach|beach]] or a rock [[Bench|bench]], where they can rest or lay without straining themselves, is a reasonable possibility.  The DM can increase this chance, but a happenstance like this is probably more of a 1 in 100 chance rather than 1 in 10.
+: '''Raging flow''' (7.6 ft/s or greater).  This flow is very dangerous, typically found in fast-moving choked passages of rivers, especially after a heavy rainfall.  Currents of this speed can rapidly sweep aways people, animals and even buildings.  A percentage die must be rolled against the character's knowledge, with a penalty of -25% against the total.  Toby's chance would be reduced to 24%.
-==== Winds ====
+Characters failing their knowledge check are caught and dragged over rocks or the stream's bed, putting a strain on the character's lungs.  This results in damage: 1d4 for a moderate flow, 2d4+1 for a hazardous flow and 3d4+2 for a raging flow.
 [[File:Beaufortscale.png|right|525px|thumb|Note wind forces of 3 or greater]]
 Similarly, winds that blow faster than 8-12 miles per hour (F-3) create large wavelets, as crests break on the surface.  This adds an additional a movement cost of +½ AP when swimming.  With greater force (F-4), frequent white horses occur, with a movement cost of +1 AP.  As a fresh breeze takes hold (F-5), anything beyond paddling is impractical, while a strong breeze (F-6) disallows any swimming at all, though it's still possible to tread water.  An F-7 wind, a near gale, makes even this impossible.  Those caught in the water in a near gale without some physical means of staying afloat will drown within 2-5 rounds.

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 If a character's adjusted encumbrance outstrips all their AP, such as might happen if a character falls into the water in armour, then the character is considered utterly helpless — without a single AP, they haven't any movement even to shake off their gear without the help of another person.  Thus, drowning is the inevitable result.
-== Currents & Wind ==
 Natural currents and wind have their own affects on swimming, making it difficult for swimmers to maintain their equilibrium or keep on course.
-==== Currents ====
+== Currents ==
-Rivers can flow at speeds up to 120 ft. per round, whereas rip tides in the ocean can move up to 96 ft. in the same time period.  When swimming in currents that move faster than the swimmer, there is a high risk of the swimmer being overpowered by the water.  If this happens, a swimmer can be dragged into whitewater that makes it impossible to reach the surface, or thrown against rocks and ledges in and along the river bed.  With a rip tide, the swimmer can be put so far out to sea that it's impossible to swim back.  This is why swimming in any current faster than 12 ft. per round is very dangerous.
+Currents such as those found in [[River Current|rivers]] and [[Ocean Current|oceans]], including [[Rip Tide|rip tides]], have their own effects upon swimming and must be taken into account when calculating the swimmer's vector across a water's surface.  In any case, the speed of the river or current must be known to the dungeon master, as very fast water — upwards of 120 ft. per round — can overwhelm swimmers and put them at the mercy of the water's flow.  In the case of a rip tide, a swimmer can be pushed so far out to sea that they haven't the endurance to reach shore.  For these reasons, swimming in any current is very dangerous.
-Remember to take into account the movement of the current when calculating the swimmer's vector across a water's surface.  Once a swimmer has been overpowered, they can be saved only by outside assistance or by chance.  Generally, allow a 1 in 6 possibility each round that the swimmer chances to grasp a rock or some other surface that allows them to arrest their downward passage.  Each failed roll causes 4-10 damage from being pummeled upon the stream's bed or strain on the character's lungs.  Even if purchase is somehow found, the overpowered swimmer must be saved by outside means, since he or she will be too weak, cold and wet to climb out with their own strength (no matter how strong they are!).  If they are not saved, sooner or later their grip will falter and they'll be dragged through the river again, sure enough to die eventually.
+Generally, allow a 1 in 6 possibility each round that the swimmer chances to grasp a rock or some other surface that allows them to arrest their downward passage.  Each failed roll causes 4-10 damage from being pummeled upon the stream's bed or strain on the character's lungs.  Even if purchase is somehow found, the overpowered swimmer must be saved by outside means, since he or she will be too weak, cold and wet to climb out with their own strength (no matter how strong they are!).  If they are not saved, sooner or later their grip will falter and they'll be dragged through the river again, sure enough to die eventually.
 A 1 in 10 chance of the character being thrown on to a tiny [[Beach|beach]] or a rock [[Bench|bench]], where they can rest or lay without straining themselves, is a reasonable possibility.  The DM can increase this chance, but a happenstance like this is probably more of a 1 in 100 chance rather than 1 in 10.