Within the realm of the Underworld, Weather can affect most areas in The Demon Realm, some parts of the world more so than others. Changes in weather evolve over time, rather than spontaneously: such as a fog gradually building, winds dying down, or clouds clearing. This change can occur up or down in severity and the weather pattern itself may last anywhere between 2-12 hours.
According to lore, seasons DO exist in Gambit within the Demon Realm, however they are not present in-game.
According to sources, because the moon plays the role of the sun as well as itself, Winter is instead dictated, not by the position of the sun, but instead by the formation and stagnation of the Moon in the New-Moon Phase.
New Moon is where the Moon stands between the Earth and Sun, the illuminated side facing away from Earth, making it invisible to the naked eye.
In the Demon realm, this phase is what would typically be considered Sun-Down. However, during "winter" in the Demon Realm, much like in winter on Earth where the sun spends less time in the sky and night is more prevalent, within the Demon realm, this "Sun-Down" phase lasts for an extended period of time. Without the light from the illuminated moon, especially for an extended amount of time, nights become not only long lasting, but also very cold.
This cold-period lasts months at a time and is typically considered to be the "hibernation" period for a lot of creatures. In these "winter months", the New Moon or "Winter Moon" will slowly inch across the sky slower than the typical day-night cycle. By the end of the season, the moon will pick up its normal pace and slowly go through its "Spring Season", where instead of New Moon taking on the leading role of the dominant phase in the sky, Full Moon instead takes its place, warming up the realm and finally relieving it of "hells winter" as well as very much brightening up the place.
Judging by this information, it's safe to assume that the Demon Realm in Gambit, is going through a "Spring phase". Running on what is presumably a typical 24 hour time-cycle, weather within Gambit runs on a System controlled by a time cycle which triggers certain weather types to occur at random or pseudo-random times.
In some places, weather is localized to certain parts of the map, with some areas experiencing inescapable weather changes impacting the entire playable area selected for that specific change. Because Gambit's Demon Realm has the most diverse biomes on its map, it also has the most diverse weather.
However in keeping up with the "mystical" aspect of the Demon realm, each weather pattern follows the core set of elements—Water, Earth, Air, Fire, Ice, Lightning, Light, Dark, all of which often end up affecting the potency of elemental attacks, or the creatures that appear in the area. Many different weather types can also randomly happen, with certain types of weather depending on the map/location.
Many quests may even actually start out with a specific weather type in order to induce a challenge either affecting or aiding the target required for elimination.
There are several types of weather, with many being known as Precipitation. Precipitation can be described by its type, intensity, accumulation, and duration. Intensity determines how heavy the precipitation is. For example, snow may occur in light flurries or in a heavy snowfall that eventually covers the ground, and rain may fall in showers or in a thunderstorm.
Water
- Rain: (Light, heavy, or torrential / thunderstorms).
Rain or drizzle occurs almost every three to five days, though this can vary greatly depending on the climate. Some zones will now have mud puddles form which slow movement. Some Monsters/Demons will stick to more sheltered zones, while others may spend more time in open zones or away from zones that have water. Water Demons may leave their shallows to spend time on the land, and may even comment on the "Wonderful Weather"
Additional Effects Caused By Rain
Fire Elements are weakened during this time. This includes anything with an aspect of fire, such as arrows.
Fire is not catching. Weapons/attacks that use fire won't ignite grass, trees or char stone.
Mobs that are on fire are extinguished on contact with rain.
While fishing, there is a shorter wait time on average to get a bite during rain.
Monsters/Demons attuned with Fire are greatly weakened, have their damage pools halved, and can't perform most of their special attacks/move sets. It is considered especially lucky if you get a contract hunt for any Fire Elemental during this period of weather, though watch yourself as the weather doesn't always cooperate. Once the rain ends, so does your luck.
Monsters/Demons attuned with Mud, risk having their mud washed away. If you get hit by the mud a Demon flings around, you'll get muddy, which means any pro hunter should prioritize attacking the muddy parts of the monster to clean it off! Once you've got rid of all that mud, fighting it will be some good, clean fun! During rainstorms, mud can be washed away by rolling in water-pools/puddles left behind.
Monsters/Demons attuned with Ice, are at home in the rain. Many will utilize it by freezing it to their bodies, allowing them to replenish armor broken off due to attacks. They are also less likely to become exhausted and may even freeze puddles in order to create a slippery environment liable to catch even the most seasoned hunter off guard.
Earth
- Earth: Sandstorms, Ash Storms.
Sandstorms/Ash Storm occur in the harshest of terrain. Caused by masses of ash/sand being blown about, they restrict vision, especially in open areas and some monsters will try and seek more sheltered zones, while others will try and use them to perform their sneak attacks.
Additional Effects Caused By Sand/Ash Storms
Visibility is significantly diminished during a sandstorm. This makes air-travel particularly difficult. But also makes it harder for certain enemies to spot you.
Certain enemies will disregard chasing you if you enter a sandstorm. Some may even take damage enough to perish and die especially during an Ash Storm.
During a Sandstorm, the background will turn a dusty yellow/orange and a vignette will be applied to the player's screen. Particles of sand can also be seen flying across the screen. Ash Storms have a similar screen effect, involving a heavy gray haze blanketing the area, lowering visibility to a much greater degree.
Certain Sand/Ash Storms are not naturally occurring, and will end when the Target of the Hunt is killed or driven off.
The player will squint their eyes while they are in the Sandstorm.
Carcasses are more likely to be found in these areas due to the suffocating sands/ash.
Similar to Harsh Winds, Aerial Combat Skills are greatly limited during Sand/Ash Storms.
Similar to Storms, ranged weapons such as bows may potentially lose accuracy.
While also draining stamina, sand storms also have the "added benefit" of adding sand to the player's inventory, taking up inventory space.
Air
One of the more tame of the weather types. Nothing beats the cool breeze of sea air that rolls through every corner of the Demon Realm. But when cool breezes become gusts and gales, anything that isn't rooted down to the ground can find itself going wherever the wind decides to take it!
Additional Effects Caused By Winds
Cyclones can form when windy weather reaches its peak, creating swirling, whirling, twisters that tear through the environment.
Windy weather reduces the accuracy of bows and crossbows. Bows and crossbows will work poorly during Windy weather similar to Heavy Rain, Blizzard, and Sandstorm. Bow accuracy is reduced by 20% and crossbow accuracy is reduced by 50%
There are 5 types of Wind: Calm, Light, Moderate, High, Blizzard (if snow), Tornado (if no other weather type is present).
Windy Weather is the most common weather type, because it can occur in conjunction with other weather types as well as present as it's own. For example, if rain occurs at the same time as a High Wind Day, it will result in a Thunderstorm. If Cloudy Weather occurs at the same time as a Windy Day, you may get Fog. If High Wind occurs in the right area, you might get a Sandstorm. Certain Demons with significant strength/abilities may even utilize the winds to create Ash Storms/Cyclones (during rain)/Tornados.
Can extinguish exposed fires, prevent lighting fires, and slow movement.
Can lessen the chances of enemies spotting you due to "scenting".
Fire
- Fire: Hot spells/Heat waves
A weather type loved by all who crave the heat. This one in particular is a strange occurrence, as heat in conjunction to the weather, is generally dictated by the amount of energy received at any location on the globe as a direct effect of the Sun's angle. Because the Demon Realm has no Sun, heat is instead, strangely enough, generated by the Moon and the distance it has towards the realm. The closer the hotter, the farther away the cooler.
Additional Effects Caused By Fire
Monsters/Demons attuned with Fire are greatly strengthened and have their damage pools increased. It is considered especially unlucky if you get a contract hunt for any Fire Elemental during this period of weather.
Monsters/Demons attuned with Water are greatly weakened, have their damage pools halved, and can't perform most of their special attacks/move sets. It is considered especially lucky if you get a contract hunt for any Water Elemental during this period of weather.
Monsters/Demons attuned with Ice are greatly weakened, have their damage pools halved, and can't perform most of their special attacks/move sets.
Monsters/Demons attuned with Mud are greatly weakened.
Bombs do more damage in the heat.
Fire's are more likely to spread, last longer, and are harder to extinguish.
Water Demons are less likely to be active during this timeframe. They may even comment on the "Miserable Weather", and be found lounging in their shallows.
Snake Demons may be found basking around.
Puddles evaporate.
Heat Waves have a screen effect, with visual shimmering heatwaves when the temperature reaches blazing highs, though this does not affect the player's health in any way. Effects also include the total disappearance of cloud cover, a strange whining noise, red skies and sparks flying around the ground.
Some monsters will seek more shaded zones, while others will stay in the open more.
Ice
A weather type loved by all who crave a cold grip at the shoulders. Snow is a rare occurrence outside of "Winter" but can occur if it gets cold enough. This usually happens at the mountains and the valleys that surround them. On occasion, snow in other parts of the realm occurs when mountain blizzards blow through from time to time, but certain others may also play a hand at it.
Additional Effects Caused By Ice
Two variants: light or heavy snow.
A snow biome's equivalent to rain, there is a chance Snow storms/Blizzards will happen simultaneously with rain storms in other sections of the map, though the severity varies and is not dictated by the presence of a storm on the opposite side of the map .
Like dust storms, blizzards also result in poor visibility and can make travelling in the regions that support them very treacherous.
Monsters/Demons attuned with Ice are greatly strengthened and have their damage pools increased. It is considered especially unlucky if you get a contract hunt for any Ice Elemental during this period of weather.
Monsters/Demons attuned with Water are greatly strengthened and have their damage pools/defense's increased.
Fire Elements both thrive and struggle here. Fire doesn't spread, and neither does the effects of bombs or flaming arrows. But being able to melt snow makes for easy traversal. Plus many of the creatures who follow such storms are highly sensitive to the warmth of flame.
Snow can kill plants or cause many to go dormant. It is not recommended to search these areas for Flora life.
Lightning
- Lightning: Thunderstorm, Lightning Storms
A weather type loved by all who crave the might of nature. Few other spectacles in nature can often compete with the crack of thunder and flash of lightning during a storm. However be warned. While the drama of distant thunderstorms can be a delight to witness, they can cause lightning to rip through the sky and crash into the ground. Any rainfall can include lightning, but the more intense it is, the greater the chance. Lightning Storms may also be produced as Dry Thunderstorm, which is a thunderstorm which produces thunder and lightning, but where no rain occurs, as most of the precipitation produced by the storm evaporates before reaching the ground. Very common during Ash Storms
Additional Effects Caused By Lightning
Thunderstorms typically run in a Three Tier System, Mild, Moderate, Severe. While thunderstorms have no direct effect on the player, when thunderstorms reach their third level, Lightning Strikes may occur.
The rain and darkness can moderately reduce visibility, although not as much as sandstorms or blizzards, and creates the rain-on-screen effect
Lightning will strike all sorts of targets, as this weather phenomenon does not discriminate
Lightning can be used as a trap, look out for the crackle of electricity beneath your feet as a searing lightning bolt is surely on the way! But be careful, this effect is very subtle
Much like Thunderstorms, Lightning storms typically run in a Three Tier System; Based, Considerable and Destructive (Electrical Storm). This tier system defines a Lightning storm by the amount of Lightning it produces and the chance percentage of opportunities Lightning has to strike the ground. Electrical Storms, while being very powerful variants of Lightning Storms, only occur naturally very rarely. In most cases Electrical Storms signal the presence of a very old, very dangerous Demon/Monster in the area.
There is no rain in this type of storm, only very dark clouds, high winds and some dust and debris (and of course, lightning). Unlike nearly every other weather event however, Destructive electrical storms do not directly affect the entire map, but instead hover over a random area (which is still fairly large) and repeatedly bombard it with lightning.
Light
A wonder of nature, The Aurora is a rare, aesthetic weather phenomenon that appears in the night sky, often during "calm" weather conditions. It is a visual, environmental effect rather than a plot-driven event, enhancing the atmosphere.
Additional Effects Caused By Aurora
The auroras are characterized by vivid ribbons of multi-colored light. A visually striking, dynamic atmospheric effect, often used to enhance scenic beauty, immersion, or a sense of isolation. During this time, outside of targeted Boss', many Predatorial Creatures appear calmer allowing for the chance to get up and personal with them unless they are attacked.
There is a chance for an Aurora to start not long after a Blizzard, occurring once the clouds dissipate.
Depending on the color of the Aurora in question, the Aurora subtly influences the color of the night; for example, an orange aurora may tint the hue of vision orangey, purple tints bluish and so on.
In some instances, the locals will even comment on the aurora borealis, enjoying the spectacle alongside you.
Due to RNG, no two Aurora events are alike. Aurorae have a wide range of shapes—curtains, halos, pillars, streaks, whisps—and a plethora of colors—usually pale green or pink but also shades of red, yellow, blue, or violet. Because of this, in-game Aurorae may pick and choose between color and shape, allowing for a randomized variant of Aurora to occur.
Dark
- Dark: Dense Fog/Mist, Gloom, Miasma
Like flying through clouds; Fog and mist are common, and this particular factor has little effect on the players in a direct sense, but it does change the level of light being cast on the ground just as in real life. This can range from a light fog to a thick impenetrable "pea soup" effect where visibility is severely reduced. Foggy/misty weather can also help to create an "eerie" atmosphere, especially in locations such as the remote "countryside".
Additional Effects Caused By Fog
Two variants can occur with Fog: light or dense. Fog may evolve from light to moderate to heavy over time.
Dense Fog is a weather event that can occur occasionally in The Realm. It primarily consists of visual changes that decrease visibility. Outside of this, Fog seems to do nothing aside from reducing player vision immensely, though this is plenty dangerous on its own in certain circumstances.
During the Dense Fog event, the thickness of the fog in the dimension will increase significantly, reducing how far the player can see in every direction. Fog during the event will also be much lighter and the slowly drifting, cloudy effect it creates on the horizon will be more noticeable.
Many visuals in the sky of the dimension, such as stars and even the moon, will fade completely out of visibility. The normal ambient sounds for the surface of the dimension will be replaced by an alternative, ghostly ambient track.
Reduces sniffing range. Creatures will be unable to spot you quickly
Reduces ingame sounds and footsteps volume.
Fog in the realm is often referred to as Ecto-mist. Ecto-mist is the name given to light, swirling gray mist that marks the presence of paranormal activity. This is a visual effect often used in horror movies to give the atmosphere a more ominous feel.
Dense Fog may also give way to Gloom, which is the darkest a fog can become naturally outside of Miasma
Can cause disorientation and make avoiding predators/finding resources difficult. Though because it also affects the perception of other creatures, Hunting/Resource gathering is actually recommended during this event, but be on the lookout. Your footsteps are not the only one's muffled.
Miasma, is a thick toxic fog cloud. A noxious form of "bad air", these are often dangerous vapors emanating from decaying organic matter, though certain Large Monsters, may also generate this fog to the degree and strength to cover a small area. Those who dwell within poison know rot all too well.
Trivia
In addition to Weather Events, all of the main locales also undergo a cycle of Plenty, Fallow, and Inclemency at random.
The Plenty state is characterized by lush vegetation, stable weather conditions.
The Fallow state is characterized by lower creature activity and less-than-ideal weather conditions.
The Inclemency state is characterized by an increase in hostile weather (such as sandstorms and heavy downpours for example). Creatures still left are more aggressive.
While the Demon realm doesn't have the typical Weather Forecast System, Skywatchers are NPCs found who provide a 24-hour forecast for most public areas. The Skywatcher will inform the players of the current weather conditions along with the weather conditions of the next 8, 16 and 24 hours. When weather in some regions is disrupted by story events, Skywatchers are unable to provide forecasts for the affected regions, replacing their forecast with a comment that the current weather conditions are either too obvious or unable to be properly understood, depending on the situation. Skywatchers may also state one of the three Cycles of Plenty along with their forecast, to help determine whether a region is about to undergo severe weather.
If a Rainstorm is accompanied by Inclemency, there is a chance for severe thunderstorms or heavy downpours which can cause flooding and make certain areas inaccessible. If there is already a Thunderstorm on the day of the forecast, then the addition of Inclemency means a high chance for Lightning. If there is already a Lightning Storm on the day of the forecast, then the addition of Inclemency means a high chance for Electric Storm, but this of course is extremely rare.
Because Weather works weirdly in Gambit, there are some very rare Weather Events that can occur throughout the world. Glimmer Fog, for example, is a heavy variant of fog, but one charged with electrostatic particles. It only occurs during the day during clear weather. When this occurs in snowy biomes, Snow and Ice visibly and audibly crackles with electricity. Like Heavy/Dense Fog, Glimmer Fog reduces visibility.
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