Land Suitability (sage ability)

Land Suitability is an amateur-status sage ability in the study of Grasses & Grains, granting the character the ability to identify various grasses and grain species, as well as assess the most suitable growing conditions for each. This expertise is a critical factor in maximizing yields when engaging in farming or vegetable gardening, as it includes an understanding of soil composition, moisture retention, and other factors affecting productivity. The character is also capable of making moderate modifications to the land, improving its viability for cultivation.

When used in uncultivated areas, the ability enables the character to locate the highest-quality potential farmland within a 2-mile hex. A thorough assessment requires 3–4 days of walking, during which the character evaluates terrain, soil fertility, and drainage. Most wilderness hexes will contain between 30–180 acres of land that, under the supervision of a skilled farmer, would yield crops at a ratio of 1:5. In contrast, unskilled peasants working the same land would achieve only a 1:3 yield.

A successful roll of 1 on a 1d6 indicates that an additional 30–180 acres within the hex have superior fertility, capable of producing at a 1:6 or 1:7 yield. If another 1 in 6 is rolled, both areas are doubled in size (60–360 acres). A further 1 in 6 roll adds yet another 30–180 acres where yields reach 1:8 to 1:10. No additional improvement is possible beyond this threshold—land of greater quality would already be occupied by settlers. Given that a 2-mile hex contains 2,175 acres in total, these arable portions represent only the most viable land for grain cultivation.

The ratios outlined above reflect the expected grain yields under the management of a skilled farmer and do not apply to other crops, which may have different suitability requirements.

See also,
Farmland
Garner
Plant Life (sage field)
Thorp