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Title

Vuldrick's Global Climate Zones, Seasons, and Weather System

Author

Vuldrick

Submitted / Updated

07-28-2007 / 12-29-2007

Category

Rulesets

Expansions

Requires Both Expansions (SoU & HotU)

View Code

Vuldrick's Global Climate Zones, Seasons, and Weather System

Credits:  Thanks to MJ and Deva Bryson Winblood from whom I gleamed many ideas and bits of code!

Last Build:  07/28/07

This system will allow a module designer to create a global weather system which takes into account the current season of the module based upon the month of the year. The system also ensures that all outside areas will be affected by the weather, making weather the same throughout given climate zones in the module.  Within the climate zones fog changes, skybox changes, weather changes, and environmental damage are also specified based on seasons.

The weather is changed at somewhat random intervals which is between a configurable minimum and maximum time. 



DAMAGE SYSTEMS - GENERAL BUSINESS 

By default magic is present in any DND world, so I have scripted in ways to allow the builder to make magic potions and items that get PCs past these dangers.  For example, there are potions that allow the PC to negate environmental cold or heat damage for 8 minutes (this equates to 4 hours if you use 2 minutes per hour in the game).  I also have provdied the ability for the builder to make wearable items that allow the PC to avoid severe weather damage.

These systems will affect NPCs too, so if you don't want NPCs to freeze or dehydrate . . . I have provided a way for builders to ensure that they are "native" to any respective setting.  Further, the code can be set to stop running for DMs, DM Possessed NPCs, ALL NPCs, Undead, Constructs, and Elementals.  If you don't like the default settings, you can change most features of the systems workings by toggling values in the main include file named "weather_inc".

Keep reading for more details about the subsystems of this Global Seasons and Weather System.



HEAT DAMAGE SYSTEM (aka DEHYDRATION)

First off, I want to make it clear that I treat Heat damage much diferently than Fire damage.  Heat and Fire are not the same thing from a scientific point of view and a common sense point of view.  Therefore, damage dealt by heat is treated as DIVINE damage in this system because a fire resistant items should not help against dehydration.  Some may aruge this point, but this is how I see it.  If you don't like it, change the damage type to fire or whatever you see as more appropriate.

I have treated this system as if the temperature was around 100 degrees or so, therefore I placed the frequency of checks at 30 seconds (15 minutes in game if you use 2 minutes to an hour for timing).  Every 30 seconds the PC must make a Fortitude check DC 15 or take 1d4 points damage.  The DC will go up by 1 each round until the PC leaves the heat.

The damage is compounded by several factors.  Being close to a campfire adds damage from heat.  The closer you are to the campfire, the more damage you will receive.  Finally, a waypoint can be placed that provides an extra amount of heat damage.  The name of the wapoint should be set to the amount of extra damage desired and the tag should be changed to "HEAT_INTENSITY"

PCs affected by the heat can also suffer a heatstroke in which case they will have a daze effect, 20% movement speed decrease, and a -1 penalty to both strength and dexterity.

Further, I use an updated version of Deva Bryson Winblood's canteen/water source system to add a bit of spice to this.  The canteens will help with thirst for a while and you can even use poisoned or diseased water to be mean if you feel the urge :)  Details below . . .

The desert, although many may not know this, is typically not hot at night.  In fact, it can get quite cool.  So I have made this system such that it only runs in the daytime in the desert.

The only other climate that produces heat damage is the Moderate Climate and only during the summer.  Again, heat damage is only calculated in the daytime.  The remaining climates do not yield heat damage nor dehydration because it simply did not make sense to me.  You can change this if you wish by editing the script named "weather_inc".



CANTEEN SYSTEM

A trigger is used to create places for PCs to get water.  Using their Empty Canteen unique item use property while inside a water trigger will earn the PC a canteen with 10 drinks of water.  If the name of the trigger is left blank, the PC gets normal water.  The builder can provide diseased or poisoned water however, or even scripted water functions.  To do so, the builder need only change the name of the water trigger using the following conventions.

Placing an "@" to the left of the trigger name and using a script name for the rest of the name will create a Full Canteen in the PCs inventory that calls the script referred too.  For instance, a water trigger with the name "@KillPC" will call fire the script by the name "KillPC".

Placing an "#" to the left of the trigger name and following it up with one of the following postfixes will create the listed effect:

DBS 	DISEASE_BLINDING_SICKNESS
DBM 	DISEASE_BURROW_MAGGOTS
DCF	DISEASE_CACKLE_FEVER
DDF 	DISEASE_DEMON_FEVER
DDC 	DISEASE_DEVIL_CHILLS
DDB 	DISEASE_DREAD_BLISTERS
DFF 	DISEASE_FILTH_FEVER
DGR 	DISEASE_GHOUL_ROT
DMF 	DISEASE_MINDFIRE
DMR 	DISEASE_MUMMY_ROT
DRA 	DISEASE_RED_ACHE
DRSE 	DISEASE_RED_SLAAD_EGGS
DS 	DISEASE_SHAKES
DSD 	DISEASE_SLIMY_DOOM
DSS 	DISEASE_SOLDIER_SHAKES
DVM 	DISEASE_VERMIN_MADNESS
DZC 	DISEASE_ZOMBIE_CREEP
PAV 	POISON_ARANEA_VENOM
PAR 	POISON_ARSENIC
PBV 	POISON_BEBILITH_VENOM
PBAV 	POISON_BLACK_ADDER_VENOM
PBLE 	POISON_BLACK_LOTUS_EXTRACT
PBB 	POISON_BLADE_BANE
PBR 	POISON_BLOODROOT
PBW 	POISON_BLUE_WHINNIS
PBOF 	POISON_BURNT_OTHUR_FUMES
PCCBJ 	POISON_CARRION_CRAWLER_BRAIN_JUICE
PCM 	POISON_CHAOS_MIST
PCSV 	POISON_COLOSSAL_SPIDER_VENOM
PDRP 	POISON_DARK_REAVER_POWDER
PDB 	POISON_DEATHBLADE
PDRB 	POISON_DRAGON_BILE
PEV 	POISON_ETTERCAP_VENOM
PGSV 	POISON_GARGANTUAN_SPIDER_VENOM
PGWP 	POISON_GIANT_WASP_POISON
PGBO 	POISON_GREENBLOOD_OIL
PHSV 	POISON_HUGE_SPIDER_VENOM
PIM 	POISON_ID_MOSS
PIG 	POISON_IRON_GOLEM
PLSCV 	POISON_LARGE_SCORPION_VENOM
PLSV 	POISON_LARGE_SPIDER_VENOM
PLD 	POISON_LICH_DUST
PMRP 	POISON_MALYSS_ROOT_PASTE
PMSV 	POISON_MEDIUM_SPIDER_VENOM
PNS 	POISON_NIGHTSHADE
PN 	POISON_NITHARIT
POOT 	POISON_OIL_OF_TAGGIT
PPSV 	POISON_PHASE_SPIDER_VENOM
PPFI 	POISON_PIT_FIEND_ICHOR
PPWP 	POISON_PURPLE_WORM_POISON
PQV 	POISON_QUASIT_VENOM
PSLR 	POISON_SASSONE_LEAF_RESIDUE
PSE 	POISON_SHADOW_ESSENCE
PSCP 	POISON_SMALL_CENTIPEDE_POISON
PSSV 	POISON_SMALL_SPIDER_VENOM
PST 	POISON_STRIPED_TOADSTOOL
PTR 	POISON_TERINAV_ROOT
PTSV 	POISON_TINY_SPIDER_VENOM
PUD 	POISON_UNGOL_DUST
PWSV 	POISON_WRAITH_SPIDER_VENOM
PWP 	POISON_WYVERN_POISON



COLD DAMAGE SYSTEM (aka FROSTBITE)

This system assumes the temperature is just near 0 degrees Fahrenheit.  Thus, the frequencty of checks is set to 30 seconds much like that described in the DEHYDRATION section.  Every 30 seconds the PC must make a Fortitude check DC 15 or take 1d6 points of damage.  Again, the DC will go up by 1 each check until the PC leaves the cold.  Clothing makes a big difference, so dress warm!  The builder can make clothing designated as warm as well as potions and magic items to fight off the cold.  PCs wearing metal armors will suffer a "Chill Metal" effect and receive extra damage.  

The amount of cold damage is controllable by the builder, to some degree.  If you want additional damage dealt, for that really really cold area, you can do so with a waypoint just as in the Heat System.  Again, the name of the waypoint is the amount of extra damage and the tag should be "COLD_INTENSITY".  Also, if the PC is naked or it is raining or snowing, damage amount will change as appropriate.  I also have made it possible to lay down campfires or other placeables to give "warmer spots" to help out the PCs.  This can be really neat if you have a system that allows PCs to make a campfire.  The campfire can provide a source of heat, light, and a warm meal for PCs in the arctic lands of your world.  The closer the PC is to the fire, the less damage they will take . . . and of course, I have scripted a campfire system to go with this . . . see below.

Of course, it gets colder at night, so more damage will be had in the cold dark depths of the frozen lands.  

Arctic Climates give cold damage year round.  Summer is the least damaging, then spring, fall, and finally winter giving the most cold damage.  In other words, cold damage in the Arctic Climate areas is adjusted for seasons by the damage system.

Moderate Climates give cold damage in the winter only.

Highland Climates give cold damage in the winter only as well.



CAMPFIRE SYSTEM

This system allows the PC to chop trees for firewood and use a flint and steel to start a fire.  Campfires can be extinguished by the PC and the PC can add more firewood to it to keep it going.  Campfires will default to going out after 60.0 seconds unless more firewood is added.  Each time wood is added, 60.0 more seconds are added to the campfire duration.  The timing can be changed in the scripts "vg_wood_flint" and "vg_wood_feedfire".



INSTRUCTIONS:

NOTE:  All custom Items, Triggers, Waypoints, etc are found under CUSTOM/SPECIAL/CUSTOM5 and all Placeables are found under Parks & Nature	

1.  Import the erf/erfs for whatever system/systems you wish to use.  If you wish to use all systems, simply import the erfs provided in the "Complete Package" .rar file.  The items I have made for the demo module are included for your convenience; adjust descriptions and appearances to your liking.  No Bioware files should be overwritten.


2.  Create an OnEnter script to be used for all areas in your module that you want the weather system to work in.  Make sure each area that is to be affected by weather has this script hooked into its OnEnter event.  The following code is what is used for the demo module; use it or add it to your existing area enter event.

// Area_OnEnter
#include "weather_inc"
void main()
{
// Entering Object
object oPC = GetEnteringObject();
// If the weather damage system is set to be newbie friendly
if (NEWBIE_FRIENDLY == TRUE)
    {
    // Check hit dice of PC.  If lower than the newbie level and if the
    // area is natural send the newbie messages to the PC.
    if ((GetHitDice(oPC) <= NEWBIE_LEVEL) && GetIsAreaNatural(GetArea(oPC)))
        {
        SendMessageToPC(oPC,NEWBIE_MESSAGE1);
        SendMessageToPC(oPC,NEWBIE_MESSAGE2);
        }
    // If the hit dice of PC are higher than the newbie level or the damage
    // system is set to override this requirement, apply any severe weather
    // damage as appropriate
    if ((GetHitDice(oPC) > NEWBIE_LEVEL) ||
        (GetLocalInt(GetArea(oPC),"DAMAGE_OVERRIDE")==1))
        {
        ApplyWeatherDamage(oPC);
        }
    }
    // If the weather damage system is not set to newbie friendly, apply severe
    // weather damage as appropriate
else if (NEWBIE_FRIENDLY == FALSE)
    {
    ApplyWeatherDamage(oPC);
    }
}


3.  Make sure you have Tag Based Scripting enabled, or be prepared to change how item activation is fired for the Canteen System.  After enabling Tag Based Scripting or adjusting item activation to work in your module, place this code in your module event for item activation.  It must be within the void main().

// Mod_OnActivate
// Make sure you have tag based scripting enabled
    // This handles the canteen for the dehydration system
    if (GetStringLeft(sTag,4)=="DH2_") ExecuteScript("vg_source_act",OBJECT_SELF);


4.  Add the following includes to your Mod_OnLoad script.

#include "weather_inc"
#include "weather_inc_area"


5.  Add the following code to your Mod_OnLoad void main()

//:://////////////////////////////////////////////
// Weather System Changes
//:://////////////////////////////////////////////
// Initialize Area List
    InitializeAreaList();
// Global Weather Script
    if (DEBUG == 1)
        {
        PrintString("Setting Global Weather");
        }
    SetGlobalWeather();


6.  Double click the "weather_inc" script under the "Scripts" list.  Edit any of the variables to set up the system to your tastes.


7.  Do a build process on your module.


8.  Create "Climate Zones" for your module using the following process.

At the top of the "weather_inc" script there is a WEATHER_TAGS variable that can be set to TRUE or FALSE. If it is set to TRUE, then the system will use the tag of the area to determine the climate zone of that area, if set to FALSE it will use a variable set from within the toolset. Instructions for each are as follows:

Using the TAG system:
---------------------
1) Make sure that WEATHER_TAGS is set to TRUE in the "weather_inc" script.
2) Create a new area, or view an existing area.
3) Click "Edit", "Area Properties" and then "Advanced".
4) Edit the Tag of the area with one of the following 6 character prefixes:

ZN100_		= Moderate Climate
ZN101_		= Jungle Climate
ZN102_		= Polar Climate
ZN103_		= Desert Climate
ZN104_		= Highland Climate

4) Click "Ok" to close the area properties window.
5) Navigate to the "Paint Placeable Objects" button in the toolset and select "Custom".
6) Under "Parks & Nature", you will find the "Area Place Holder" placeable.
7) Put this "Area Place Holder" placeable into your area anywhere you want.
7a) The place holder is an invisible object, and it will get deleted upon module load, so don't worry about where you place it or that it will interfere with anything.


Save your module and installation is complete.

Using the VARIABLE system:
--------------------------
1) Make sure that WEATHER_TAGS is set to FALSE in the "weather_inc" script.
2) Create a new area, or view an existing area.
3) Click "Edit", "Area Properties" and then "Advanced".
4) Click the "..." button just right of "Variables".
5) In the "Name" field enter the following:

CLIMATEZONE

6) Leave, or change the "Type" field to read "int".
7) In the "Value" field put the corresponding number for the climate you desire for this area. As follows:

100		= Moderate Climate
101		= Jungle Climate
102		= Polar Climate
103		= Desert Climate
104		= Highland Climate
10x		= Add new Climates here...

8) Click the "Add" button.
9) Click the "Ok" button of the Variables window.
10) Click the "Ok" button of the Area Properties window.
11) Navigate to the "Paint Placeable Objects" button in the toolset and select "Custom".
12) Under "Parks & Nature", you will find the "Area Place Holder" placeable.
13) Put this "Area Place Holder" placeable into your area anywhere you want.
13a) The place holder is an invisible object, and it will get deleted upon module load, so don't worry about where you place it or that it will interfere with anything.

Select All Text | View Code in separate window

Format

Module and Code

Type

Type - Daily Routine

Includes

Custom

Description

This system is a modified/reworked version of "Seasonal Global Weather System v3.50" found on the Hall of Fame listings. I have fixed bugs, changed the dynamics of several aspects of the system, and added a few new systems to the overall package.

This system will allow a module designer to create a global weather system which takes into account the current season of the module based upon the month of the year. The system also ensures that all outside areas will be affected by the weather, making weather the same throughout given climate zones in the module. Within the climate zones fog changes, skybox changes, weather changes, and environmental damage are also specified based on seasons.

Five climates are currently included: Moderate, Polar, Desert, Jungle, and Highlands.

This system can be used in conjunction with "Vuldrick's Elemental Dangers and Traps". To do so, do not call for Heat or Cold damage in areas that are already called on for weather patterns. Also, remove the following includes from your area_onenter event: "vg_cold_enter" and "vg_desert_enter". Finally, you will need to overwrite files from "Vuldrick's Elemental Dangers and Traps" with these files. Don't worry, I made the systems fully compatible; it won't break anything.

Oh, and watch out for storms ;P

Files

Name	Type	Size	Downloads
Weather_Potions.rarWeather_Potions.rar Submitted: 07-28-2007 / Last Updated: 07-28-2007	rar	8Kb	166
Magical potions that help keep PCs safe in severe weather. Again, this is just a demonstration of how magical items can be coded to work with this system.
Campfire.rarCampfire.rar Submitted: 07-28-2007 / Last Updated: 07-28-2007	rar	13.92Kb	178
Campfire Subsystem . . . not required for the weather system, but campfires do help PCs stay warm :)
Weather_Items.rarWeather_Items.rar Submitted: 07-28-2007 / Last Updated: 07-28-2007	rar	7.25Kb	181
A few prefab items I threw together to demonstrate how clothing affects damage amount. You can make your own items, but follow my example for tags.
Canteen.rarCanteen.rar Submitted: 07-28-2007 / Last Updated: 07-28-2007	rar	10.15Kb	164
Canteen Subsystem . . . not required for the weather system, but you don't want your PCs to dehydrate do you?
Weather.rarWeather.rar Submitted: 07-28-2007 / Last Updated: 07-28-2007	rar	19.71Kb	224
The weather system. This contains the required files for global climate zones, seasons, weather changes/control and severe weather damage effects.
Vuldricks_Weather_System_Demo.rarVuldricks_Weather_System_Demo.rar Submitted: 07-28-2007 / Last Updated: 07-29-2007	rar	54.83Kb	227
A demonstration module that shows all the systems working together.
Complete_Weather_System_Package.rarComplete_Weather_System_Package.rar Submitted: 07-28-2007 / Last Updated: 07-29-2007	rar	31.76Kb	351
This contains an .erf file that has all the systems combined for one import. If you want to use the entire system, you only need download and import this one file.

SCORE OUT OF 10

9.67
3 votes
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SCREENS

Cooling Off In The Water

Desert Climate

Frostbitten In The Highlands

Polar Climate

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Comments (9):

Posted by crazedmages at 2008-06-13 11:20:40 Voted 10.00 on 06/13/08

An idea may spring from any source and taking a good system to make it a great system is still in a sense, your own idea.
As always, good job Vuldrick.
_________________________
People react violently to fur rather than leather because it is easier to pick on rich chicks with bad taste than biker gangs.

Posted by Vuldrick at 2008-02-16 05:50:06

To frudillao:

Thanks for the vote. I do give credit in the very first part of the description. I loved the original system, but it needed some reworking. I also added several of my own systems to it to enhance it.
_________________________
Vuldrick Garrison

Posted by frudillao at 2008-02-14 04:24:30 Voted 9.00 on 02/14/08

I gave you a 9 because its truly not urs but great job fixing what was needed to be fixed. This is going in my RP/PVP mod/server im working on comming soon Fallen Legends. Great revamped of the original. Just one idea tho, maybe let everyone know who the original author was and give him/her the proper original credit.
_________________________

Posted by Tyerial12 at 2008-01-30 16:27:12 Voted 10.00 on 01/30/08

Great Job!

Posted by Vuldrick at 2007-08-31 09:58:15

Sure thing, take a look at the include file for all switches.
_________________________
Vuldrick Garrison

Posted by NineCoronas at 2007-08-31 01:54:26

Is there a way to disable the damage systems while keeping the other parts?
_________________________
"A dagger in the night is worth a thousand swords at dawn..."

Posted by Vuldrick at 2007-08-27 13:20:46

I have fixed/changed many things. I have also added a few new systems that I created before I saw SGWSv3.5 . . .

Basically, I liked the system by MJ and have fully credited him in my README, but I changed a lot of inner workings and have created something new and fresh from what he had going. In the end, I find my offering to be a bit more robust and it functions pretty darn well on my machine.
_________________________
Vuldrick Garrison

Posted by Ubersaint at 2007-08-26 11:11:52

Your 'system' looks just like Seasonal Global Weather System v3.50 on the Hall of Fame. Mind you i don't mind it too much if you've fix most of the problems that the past script has done like the memory leak issue or the fact that the lightning and storms keep effecting the lower left hand of the maps. If you've fixed this and added onto the system then i'll replace the old ver on my module and save alot of memory on my computer and i'll give you a Vote of 9
_________________________
Trimaris - Kingdom of the 3 Seas PW Story
Link

Posted by Vuldrick at 2007-08-05 07:50:37

Okay, I have several downloads now . . . any comments, concerns, bugs, or improvements to note?
_________________________
Vuldrick Garrison

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