Wind Force
Wind Force describes the strength of the wind as it affects the movement of ships in naval combat, pressure upon the rigging and, in extreme cases, the vessel's immediate safety. For game purposes, wind force is divided into grades, each describing the practical effect of the wind upon ships and the surrounding sea. __TOC_ These grades are expressed by the shown Beaufort scale, which although anachronistic for D&D, is nevertheless too useful a tool to ignore. The images make clear what can be observed and the visual effects upon the sea and structures. In ship manoeuvring, as wind force increases, the sea rises, steering becomes more demanding and the risks of collision, fouling, falling overboard and physical damage to the ship's structure become more severe.
Effects on Movement & Spells
Wind Force on Ships and Battle
Most engagements will take place when the middle grades of wind force occur, this being force 3 to force 6. This wind gives enough power for ships to manoeuvre effectively, but not so much that weather dominates the battle. Distance can be gained best by small ships which move more easily through water, allowing them to approach, withdraw, bring weapons to bear or attempt boarding.
Less wind force, between 0 and 2, leaves ships both slow and helpless. In such winds, however, triremes become much more dangerous, while sailing ships are more dependent upon being towed. It is not unheard of for a ship to put out boats and physically tow themselves close enough to an enemy to engage in battle, but it is a rare happenstance.
Greater wind force of 7 to 9 causes the sea to rise so that steering becomes more demanding and the risks of collision, fouling, and failure to manoeuvre become greater; larger, heavier ships do better in these situations, because they are tossed less than small, light vessels. Such creates opportunities for very large ships to pass by and attack an unstable, smaller vessel, or even outrun one, as in rough seas the larger vessel is able to manage itself better.
Extreme wind forces, greater than 10, produce survival conditions. Naval combat is impossible as the crew and all aboard are busy preserving the ship and avoiding the possibility of a wreck.
Conditions
| Wind Force | Ship's Headway | Hexes per round | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Becalmed; no headway | 0 | |
| 1 | Barely moving; steerage doubtful | 0.4 |
