Last night while driving home in the winter storm I temporarily became disoriented. Not from drugs or the booze. Both of those passed through my system hours earlier. It was from the weather and the fact I could see only 20' ahead of me. This is the same road I travel twice or more a day for about 15 years. So I should know it. I of course like others, rely on landmarks to identify where I am. Since I couldn't see the houses, trees or side roads, I was 'lost' for about a minute.
It got me thinking if game terms where weather is often ignored, but can play a huge factor in the game. I suppose a druid could have some effect on it since that's their thang, but all the other classes would find themselves at the mercy of the storm.
I don't have any thing more to say about, I've got no penalty modifiers or random catastrophe tables for you, but thought about.
I'm done.
I haven't abandon Ashmore. Part 3 will be posted tonight.
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Heck, it doesn't have to be weather. A darkness spell that restricts vision should probably result in the GM "spinning" the map to create the sense of disorientation that comes from getting all your visual cues replaced by WTF moments.
ReplyDeleteYep, I was thinking about darkness too. And spinning the map is totally a Ken H. thing that we are quite well acquainted with. :)
DeleteI was actually a bit concerned after your posts yesterday when I saw the article about the 'white out' crashes in PA. At least you weren't seeing giant malevolent raccoons on the side of the road giving you the finger. True story.
ReplyDeleteI think weather (its danger and effects) is tremendously interesting as part of a game's setting. I've tried to incorporate the effects of storms (various sorts) into several of my projects.
ReplyDeleteIn designing a game (or campaign setting) that includes a lot of wilderness travel, the emphasis should be on rules that account for the various "hazards of interest." Inclement weather is a good example of a non-standard peril.
If you get lost coming home tonight, stick your nose out the window. I'll stand on the porch with a plate of warm calzones in one hand and a small fan in the other.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I can totally picture that. I bet it'd work, too!
DeleteI hate blogger when it refuses to post your comments - anyway, as I said - I totally agree, weather, environment, flora and fauna are all things DMs need to make use of more often.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't mind, here is a link to an early post in my blog on weather matters within the rpg setting - you (and others) might find it interesting:
http://theopenhearth.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/weather-permitting.html
It's often pissing down with rain when my players are outside. It gives lot of opportunity to throw a few extra challenges at them.
ReplyDeleteAwesome point. We were rarely ever as mad at our DM the time that he decided to track weather effects. Oi. I understand NOW why he did it, and why it's important...but it was SO frustrating as a player, trying to survive in THAT.
ReplyDelete