Identify Clean Water (sage ability)

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Identify clean water is an amateur-status sage ability in the studies of Forester and Mountaineer, allowing the character to determine whether naturally occurring water is safe for drinking. This is done through observation, odour, taste and by considering the appearance of the surrounding landscape. By carefully noting these factors, the character can assess a given body of water's purity without the use of tools or magic.

For convenience, the quality of water can be judged on a purity scale of 1 to 20, reflecting the likelihood of dangerous impurities. Most naturally occurring water will come from one of the following sources:

Clear, flowing water, such as mountain streams and swift-moving rivers, will generally have a purity rating of 16 to 20. While this is the safest type of water, it may still be contaminated by mining runoff or animal defecation, particularly if the source is unknown. The constant movement prevents the buildup of algae and detritus, while the filtering action of gravel and sand along the riverbed helps to remove impurities.
Common in high-altitude regions where it originates from glacial melt or underground springs. However, despite its apparent purity, even these waters may be tainted by animal waste, decomposing matter upstream or runoff from mineral deposits. Streams that pass near settlements or mining operations may carry unseen contaminants, making them less safe than they appear.
Slow-moving water, such as lowland rivers and sluggish streams, will contain silt and range in purity from 5 to 17. These waters are more likely to carry detritus and disease, such as black water fever or cholera, which spread from decaying matter or tainted runoff from upstream. These waters tend to be murkier, with suspended silt and fine debris reducing visibility. The water's surface may be dappled with floating leaves, algae or even patches of foam where plant matter has broken down.
Due to their slower flow, these waterways are more prone to stagnation, especially in dry seasons, when water levels drop, leaving behind warm, shallow pools where bacteria and parasites thrive. The odour can range from earthy and rich, where the water is still relatively fresh, to musty and stale, where decay has set in. The presence of abundant life does not guarantee safety, as disease-bearing organisms — such as those responsible for blackwater fever, cholera or dysentery — can flourish in the warm, nutrient-rich environment.
Clear ponds, fed by underground springs, will typically have a purity rating between 12 and 20. Some algae may grow in such waters, though their purity depends largely on the surrounding terrain. A mountain tarn with a rocky or sandy bottom will be purer than a prairie or forest pond, where silt and organic material are more common. The surface of a highland spring-fed pond is often still and glassy, reflecting the sky and surrounding landscape like a mirror.
Purity Ratings
Purity Rating Water Taste Effects
20 pure and unusually fresh, offering an exceptionally clean taste. It has no adverse effects. healthy; no effect
19 pleasant and refreshing 1 in 1000 chance of containing gastro-intestinal parasites
18 agreeable, with no strong aftertaste 1 in 100 chance of causing a gastro-intestinal disease
17 has an odd, earthy taste 1 in 10 chance of causing a gastro-intestinal disease
16 has a peculiar, metallic flavour 1 in 6 chance of causing a gastro-intestinal disease
14-15 tastes queer and stale 1 in 2 chance of any disease
13 is bitter and unpleasant 2 in 3 chance of any disease
11-12 is rank, with the musty scent of decaying vegetation 3 in 4 chance of any disease
9-10 mouldy and unpleasant 3 in 4 chance of any disease, +1 severity
7-8 rancid and mouldy 5 in 6 chance of any disease, +2 severity
4-6 has a hint o fdecay and a mouldy aftertaste 7 in 8 chance of any disease, +3 severity
1-3 is putrid and rotting 9 in 10 chance of being poisonous
The clarity of the water allows one to see the bottom, where smooth stones, pale sand or patches of green aquatic plants may be visible. Small fish and insects often thrive in such an environment, further indicating the water's freshness. Some algae growth is common but does not always indicate contamination. A pond located near animal paths or nesting grounds may contain traces of defecation, decomposing carcasses or insect larvae.
Clear lakes, which are fed by rivers, will have a purity rating of 10 to 18. Like clear ponds, their safety depends on the landscape and vegetation. A high-altitude glacial lake will be fresher than a lowland basin, where runoff and organic debris may collect. However, a lowland lake, especially one surrounded by forests or grasslands, will contain more organic material, such as decaying leaves, silt and algae. Such lakes provide a habitat for fish, waterfowl and amphibians, which are generally signs of drinkable water.
However, their larger size means contamination can be widespread and one polluted tributary can taint the entire body of water. The most common risks include runoff from farmlands, human settlements and animal waste entering through feeder rivers. It is safer if collected away from marshy edges or inlets where debris gathers.
Stagnant ponds and lakes, including swamps, bogs and freshwater marshes, will have suspended silt, decayed material and abundant algae growth, with a purity rating of 1 to 11. These waters are the most dangerous, as they are prone to bacteria, parasites and toxic plant life. Without a steady inflow of fresh water, they become warm, shallow and nutrient-dense, creating an ideal breeding ground for disease, parasites and toxic plant life.
The appearance of stagnant water is often murky or discoloured, with floating debris, suspended silt and layers of decomposing vegetation. Dark green or brown water, particularly with an oily sheen or clumped algae, indicates heavy biological activity. Swamps and bogs, while supporting extensive wildlife, are filled with organic decay, decomposing leaves and animal waste, all of which contribute to contamination. During warm seasons, toxic algal blooms may occur, producing poisonous compounds that cause nausea, paralysis or worse. While some survivalists attempt to filter and boil stagnant water to make it drinkable, the sheer concentration of contaminants means it remains dangerous.

The sage ability allows the character to assess water quality in any wilderness environment, providing them with the knowledge necessary to seek the safest drinking sources while avoiding those that could lead to illness or worse.


See also,
Dehydration
Wilderland (sage field)