Wind Shift

For thousands of years Tideriders have logged daily sailing conditions. Early in the Oceanic Era they pieced together the overall pattern of the ocean's winds and how they change over the course of the year.

Manifestation

In the dry season, the winds move from northeast to southwest. Tideriders who work outside of the Cluster Islands move their trade starwise during this time, riding the winds around the northern islands and relying on currents and oars to take them back around the south.

Beginning near New Year's Day, the dry winds slacken and are replaced with the moister and calmer air that marks the start of the rainy season. This is a risky time to sail, especially in one of the ocean gaps, because of how easy it is to get caught in bad weather. Sailors can row, but at an energy cost of food and water.

The change in wind shaped other Tiderider traditions besides the trade circuit. Their New Year celebration takes place on Barkold, the westernmost island with a permanent population. Freesail boats and ships arrive at Barkold before the holiday for the social gathering. Later, conduit-compatible boats come for the trade meet. To return to the Cluster Islands, freesailors travel south from Barkold until they can catch winds to the east, which is impossible to do during the dry, windy season.

Type

Natural