Waves
Waves
Special; Area
Changes the surface calmness of any large body of water. Each application of the spell can increase or decrease the wave height by one point on the Beaufort scale (below); to achieve multiple-point changes, multiply the spell’s cost accordingly. The wind is unaffected.
Note that the Beaufort scale is specific to ocean waves; waves produced on lake shores are generally much lower relative to wind speed (GM’s judgment).
The spell may be cast on an area, affecting the waves moving across it. It can also be cast on an object, such as a ship, which it must then encompass in its entirety (typically, 10 to 30 yards in radius). The area of effect then moves with the object.
Duration: 1 hour.
Base cost: 1/60 (minimum 1). Same cost to maintain.
Time to cast: 1 minute.
Prerequisite: Shape Water.
Item
Staff, wand, or jewelry.
Energy cost to create: 300.
The Beaufort Scale
| Beaufort Degree | Description | Wind Speed (mph) | Average Wave Height at Sea (feet) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Calm | 0 | ||
| 1 | Light Air | 1-3 | 0 | |
| 2 | Light Breeze | 4-7 | 0-1 | |
| 3 | Gentle Breeze | 8-12 | 1-2 | Breaking crests |
| 4 | Moderate Breeze | 13-18 | 2-4 | Some foam |
| 5 | Fresh Breeze | 19-24 | 4-8 | |
| 6 | Strong Breeze | 25-31 | 8-13 | Some spray |
| 7 | Moderate Gale | 32-38 | 13-20 | Some spindrift |
| 8 | Fresh Gale | 39-46 | 13-20 | |
| 9 | Strong Gale | 47-54 | 13-20 | Sea begins to roll |
| 10 | Whole Gale | 55-63 | 20-30 | Visibility affected |
| 11 | Storm | 64-72 | 30-45 | |
| 12 | Hurricane | 73-82 | 45 | |
| 13 | Hurricane | 83-92 | ||
| 14 | Hurricane | 93-103 | ||
| 15 | Hurricane | 104-114 | ||
| 16 | Hurricane | 115-125 | ||
| 17 | Hurricane | 126+ |