The radar and the map

[numbie]

Are these just parts of the game GUI or they really exist in-game? E.g. the radar could be just homin's natural ability to "feel" living creatures in 120 m. radius (since all homin can be in a telepathic contact, they could be possibly able to determine each other's physical location?)
The map is simple, the only question is - why local customs require it to always have a clock and a weather-prediction device attached? ;)

[katriell]

Personally, I roleplay by the same idea about the "radar" that you describe. :) Details here (http://www.etchmarc.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1429951).

The clock and weather info on the map might be construed as OOC expressions of a homin judging time by the celestial bodies and weather by senses that games aren't yet able to provide - scent, humidity, temperature, the feel of wind, etc.

[balor]

The map is simple, the only question is - why local customs require it to always have a clock and a weather-prediction device attached? ;)

Not sure how you could explain it through role playing, but time, weather conditions and season are important to know when prospecting for excellent materials or harvesting in the Prime Roots.

[katriell]

A simple form of hygrometer could be used, like this (http://www.ehow.com/how_2079001_make-simple-hygrometer.html). All of the materials required by that how-to could be substituted by Atysian materials, I expect.

[zerotacg]

Somewhere was said that the technology level of homins is around the RL western level (~ early 19th century). And since there are no trains, one might say it's somewhen before it's invention/distribution, so one could assume the existence of glasses, clocks, thermometers and the link to the hygrometer from katriell states that the first one was invented 1783 so stuff like that should exist in the world of ryzom.
And the map showing a name for the weather surely is just for our convenience ;)

[sidusar]

I just see the compass as a stand-in for all the senses that don't transfer well through a computer screen. :) Whether that includes any mystical magical supernatural homin senses doesn't make much of a difference, though I've not seen any evidence in the lore that homins would have any such senses.

As for clock, I assume homins have some form of portable time-keeping devices. (Obviously not very accurate since it only gives the full hours.) And "Fair", "Rainy", "Thundery", "Snowy", well that's something you can see just fine with the naked eye. :rolleyes: If homins had portable versions of things like thermometers and barometers and hygrometers, I'd expect much more detailed weather data than that.

As an aside, the actual "weather" in Ryzom is just a humidity number between 0% and 100%. And then it's something like, between 0% and 40% the map says "Fair", between 40% and 70% it says "Rainy", and between 70% and 100% it says "Thundery" or "Snowy" (not the actual numbers). I've long hoped for some kind of tools or foraging skills that give us a more accurate status of the weather.