Construct Bivouac (sage ability)

Construct bivouac is a varied-status sage ability in the studies of Beachcomber, Forester and Logistics, which enables the character to create a shelter from natural or reused materials. Use of vegetation will permit the creation of a waterproof roof, and even a certain amount of insulation, improving the effective temperature by one grade. The exact nature of the materials depends upon the local range. The specifics need not be known for game purposes.

Design

The maximum size of a bivouac is slightly larger than an ordinary tent, being a circular structure about 10 ft. square and 8 ft. high. A shape of this size will store up to 19.3 tons in 628 cubic feet. Each individual using the bivouac as continuous living space (more than 4 hours of daylight) requires an area equal to 4 tons; each sleeper (who would not be moving about unnecessarily at night) requires only 2 tons. Therefore, a bivouac will uncomfortably sleep up to 9 persons.

The construction does not permit a swinging door, but a cloth or removable plank can be used in its stead. Typically, a wide frame is located on the fourth wall of the structure, before which a fire is built for warmth (outside but adjacent to the bivouac). the frame is constructed of limbs, branches or scrounged wood; leaves and cloth materials can be used as a roof and forest duff (dried leaves, cotton, grass or like materials) is used as insulation.

Construction

Time spent in making a bivouac requires 2 man-hours per 33⅓ cubic feet, or 6 hours per 100. A skilled builder may direct up to one unskilled labourer, who will work at one-half the builder's speed. Up to one builder or labourer is permitted per 150 cubic feet of the intended design's size. So long as there are materials available, any number of bivouac shelters can be built, one after another, but no design may exceed the proportions described above.

Tools required include the minimum of a short axe and knife.

The durability of a bivouac shelter is negligible. Rainfall of greater than 2 in. of rain in a three-hour period will overwhelm the roof and soak the interior. A gale-force wind will destroy a bivouac shelter.