Stormwatch Outpost

“The Weather Station”

“We watch the storms so you don’t have to die in them.”

Stormwatch Outpost - The Weather Station

Quick Reference

Overview

Stormwatch Outpost is a fortified platform on the edge of the Howling Expanse where Guild-employed meteorologists monitor Aether-Storm patterns. The data they collect saves countless lives—storm warnings transmitted via signal flags and mirrors reach settlements hours before dangerous weather arrives.

Life here is harsh: constant wind, isolation, and the ever-present threat of storm damage. Crews rotate every two weeks (longer = psychological breakdown). The work is tedious—watching, recording, calculating—until suddenly it’s terrifying when a storm approaches.

The outpost represents civilization’s attempt to predict the unpredictable: to impose order on the Aether’s chaos through careful observation and mathematics.

The structure itself is a marvel of engineering: a 50-meter platform anchored to a small shard of rock, with a 20-meter observation tower rising from its center. Every surface is reinforced, every joint triple-bolted, every window shuttered. The platform sways in strong winds, creaks constantly, and feels like it might tear apart at any moment. It hasn’t. Not in 187 years.

The view is simultaneously magnificent and terrifying. To the east, the Bright Reaches glow with relative calm. To the west, the Howling Expanse churns with perpetual storms—black clouds shot through with lightning, Aether-currents visible as shimmering distortions, and the occasional glimpse of something massive moving in the depths.

Key Features

The Observatory Tower

The 20-meter tower dominates the platform, its top bristling with instruments:

Barometers: Measure Aether-pressure (correlates with storm intensity) - Three redundant instruments (if all agree, reading is reliable) - Calibrated weekly against known standards - Most critical tool for prediction

Aetheric Flow Sensors: Detect invisible currents - Spinning vanes that align with Aether-currents - Speed indicates current strength - Direction shows storm approach vectors

Telescopes: Visual observation - Four mounted scopes (cardinal directions) - Used to spot storm formations, lightning patterns, approaching weather - Also used to watch for distress signals from ships

Lightning Rods: Protection and measurement - Conduct strikes safely to ground - Count strikes per hour (storm intensity metric) - Replaced monthly (lightning damage)

The Observation Deck: Open platform at tower top - Exposed to elements (dangerous during storms) - 360-degree view - Where observers spend most of their time - Railing reinforced after Observer Jens fell (Year 243 S.)

The Signal Station

Communication is survival. The signal station transmits warnings:

Mirror Array: Primary communication method - 12 adjustable mirrors - Reflect sunlight (or constellation-light) in coded patterns - Visible up to 50km in clear conditions - Standard codes: “Storm approaching,” “Seek shelter,” “All clear,” etc.

Flag System: Backup communication - Color-coded flags for different warnings - Red: Immediate danger - Yellow: Caution - Green: All clear - Black: Outpost in distress

Signal Fire: Emergency backup - Massive brazier (visible 30km at night) - Lit only for catastrophic warnings - Smoke visible during day - Last lit: Year 279 S. (mega-storm that destroyed three settlements)

Message Capsules: For detailed information - Small sealed containers attached to trained Cloud-Hoppers - Birds released to carry messages to settlements - Slow but reliable - 12 birds kept on-site

The Bunker

When storms hit, crew retreats to the bunker:

Construction: Reinforced stone and iron - Walls 2 meters thick - No windows - Single reinforced door - Built into the rock shard itself (most stable location)

Supplies: Stocked for 30-day siege - Food: Preserved rations, dried fish, hardtack - Water: Cistern (rainwater collection) - Fuel: Coal for heating - Medical: Basic supplies - Entertainment: Books, dice, cards (sanity preservation)

Living Quarters: Cramped but functional - 6 bunks (crew of 6) - Small common area - Cooking stove - Latrine (uncomfortable but necessary)

The Worst Part: Waiting - Can’t see outside - Can only hear wind screaming - Don’t know if structure will hold - Nothing to do but wait and hope - Longest siege: 18 days (Year 251 S.)

The Log Room

187 years of weather data stored in leather-bound journals:

Contents: Daily observations - Aether-pressure readings - Storm counts and intensities - Lightning strike frequencies - Temperature (where applicable) - Unusual phenomena

Organization: Chronological - One journal per year - Indexed by date - Cross-referenced by storm events - Meticulously maintained

Value: Irreplaceable - Only comprehensive weather record in Aetherium - Used for storm prediction models - Reveals long-term patterns - Archivists would kill for this data (figuratively… probably)

The Pattern: Recent analysis reveals troubling trend - Storm frequency increasing (2% per decade) - Storm intensity increasing (harder to quantify) - Calm periods shortening - Mega-storms becoming more common - Cause unknown

Other Facilities

Workshop: Repair and maintenance - Tools for instrument repair - Spare parts (critical—no supply runs during storms) - Workbench - Always something broken

Kitchen: Communal cooking - Small but functional - Stove (coal-fired) - Preserved food storage - “Meals” are generous term for what’s eaten here

Recreation Room: Sanity preservation - Books (mostly adventure novels, ironically) - Games (dice, cards, chess) - Writing supplies (letters home) - Window facing east (toward civilization, toward hope)

Daily Life

Routine (Clear Weather)

Dawn (0600): Shift change - Outgoing crew briefs incoming crew - Instrument checks - Weather assessment

Morning (0600-1200): Observation - Hourly readings - Record in log - Scan horizons - Watch for approaching weather

Midday (1200): Meal and rest - Half crew eats while half observes - Brief respite - Check supplies

Afternoon (1200-1800): Observation continues - More readings - Instrument maintenance - Signal practice (keep skills sharp)

Evening (1800): Meal and transition - Crew prepares for night shift - Final daylight observations - Light signal fires if needed

Night (1800-0600): Skeleton crew - 2 observers on duty - 4 sleep (in theory) - Constellation observations - Watch for storm lightning

Routine (Storm Approaching)

Detection: Instruments show pressure drop - Confirm with multiple readings - Visual confirmation (storm clouds) - Estimate time to arrival

Warning: Transmit immediately - Mirror signals to all visible settlements - Release message birds - Light signal fire if severe

Preparation: Secure outpost - Shutter windows - Secure loose items - Move to bunker if necessary - Continue observations as long as safe

Storm Passage: Wait and record - Note storm intensity - Count lightning strikes - Measure duration - Pray structure holds

Aftermath: Assess and report - Check for damage - Send “all clear” signals - Resume normal operations - Repair what broke

Psychological Challenges

Isolation: Two weeks feels like months - No visitors - No news from outside - Same 5 people constantly - Cabin fever inevitable

Monotony: Most days are boring - Same tasks repeatedly - Same view - Same food - Same conversations

Stress: When storms come, terror - Structure shaking - Wind screaming - Lightning striking - Genuine fear of death

The Breaking Point: Why 2-week rotations - Longer than 2 weeks, people crack - Paranoia, depression, aggression - One observer (Year 198 S.) tried to walk into storm - Rotation schedule is safety measure

Notable Residents

Chief Observer Kael Stormborn

Age: 40
Experience: 15 years at Stormwatch
Specialty: Instinctive storm prediction

Background: Born during massive storm (hence name). Joined Sky-Guild as meteorologist. Requested Stormwatch posting (most thought him mad). Became Chief Observer after predecessor retired.

Skills: - Can predict storms without instruments (“I feel it in my bones”) - Uncanny accuracy (Guild scientists study him) - Calm under pressure - Excellent teacher

Personality: - Quiet, contemplative - Loves the storms (worrying to some) - Protective of crew - Dedicated to duty

Secret: Suspects storms are intelligent (doesn’t share this belief—sounds insane)

Quote: “The storms are beautiful. From here. From inside them, less so.”

Junior Observer Mira Brightwind

Age: 22
Experience: 6 months at Stormwatch
Specialty: Mathematical modeling

Background: Brilliant mathematician from Skyport Eos. Joined Guild to apply math to weather prediction. Volunteered for Stormwatch (wants to prove her models work).

Skills: - Advanced mathematics - Pattern recognition - Quick learner - Fearless (inexperienced)

Personality: - Eager, enthusiastic - Asks constant questions - Doesn’t yet understand the danger - Will be excellent if she survives training

Goal: Develop predictive model accurate enough to forecast mega-storms

Conflict: Her models suggest mega-storm coming (Kael agrees, Guild dismisses)

Observer Torven “Old Storm”

Age: 58
Experience: 20 years at Stormwatch (longest-serving current observer)
Specialty: Instrument maintenance

Background: Former airship engineer. Retired to “quiet” job at Stormwatch (definition of “quiet” is relative). Knows every bolt, every wire, every quirk of the outpost.

Skills: - Can fix anything - Knows outpost intimately - Experienced storm survivor - Mentor to new observers

Personality: - Gruff, practical - Complains constantly (but stays anyway) - Secretly loves the work - Protective of “his” outpost

Famous Incident: Repaired signal mirrors during storm (should have been impossible, nearly killed him, saved three settlements)

The Crew (Rotating)

Observer Dara: Quiet, reads constantly, homesick

Observer Jens II: Named after observer who fell, nervous about heights (unfortunate career choice)

Observer Kira: Cook, keeps morale up, tells terrible jokes

Observer Ren: Artist, sketches storms, beautiful and haunting work

Secrets

The Pattern

187 years of data reveal undeniable trend: - Storm frequency increasing 2% per decade - Storm intensity increasing (harder to quantify but observable) - Calm periods between storms shortening - Mega-storms (category 5+) becoming more common

Implications: - Aetherium becoming more dangerous - Trade routes threatened - Settlements at risk - Cause unknown

Guild Response: Acknowledges data but downplays severity (economic panic concerns)

The Prediction

Mira’s mathematical model forecasts mega-storm: - Probability: 78% within next 20 years - Intensity: Unprecedented (off the scale) - Duration: Possibly weeks - Impact: Could destroy multiple settlements simultaneously

Kael’s Confirmation: His instincts agree with Mira’s math

Guild Response: Dismisses as alarmist speculation

The Question: If they’re right and Guild ignores them, what do they do?

The Cause

Why are storms changing? Theories:

Natural Variation: Aether-weather has cycles (we’re entering active period) - Problem: No evidence of previous cycles in 187 years of data

Rot Influence: Corruption affecting Aether itself - Problem: No correlation between Rot-spread and storm patterns

Constellation Activity: Divine beings manipulating weather - Problem: Constellations are silent (if they’re doing this, why?)

The Shattering’s Echo: World still adjusting to catastrophe - Problem: Why accelerating now, 287 years later?

Something in the Deeps: Unknown entity/force in deep Aether - Problem: Sounds insane (but Kael suspects this)

Truth: Unknown, possibly unknowable

Kael’s Secret Belief

Chief Observer Kael suspects storms are intelligent: - They seem to respond to observations (changes pattern when watched) - They avoid certain areas (protecting something?) - They target specific settlements (malice or coincidence?) - They’re getting stronger (learning? Growing?)

He doesn’t share this belief (sounds insane, would lose credibility). But he watches. And he wonders.

The Missing Observer

Year 243 S., Observer Jens fell from observation deck during storm. Body never recovered.

Official story: Accident (railing failed, he fell into Aether).

Unofficial whispers: He jumped (isolation broke him).

Kael’s suspicion: He was pulled (something in the storm took him).

Evidence: None. Just feeling. Kael doesn’t sleep well during storms.

In-World Documents

Observer’s Log Entry (Typical Day)

Stormwatch Outpost - Day 47, Year 287 S.

0600: Shift change. Outgoing crew reports quiet night. All instruments functioning.

0700: Aether-pressure: 1013 mb (normal). Wind: 15 kph from west. Visibility: Clear. Constellation of the Voyager visible (good omen for travelers).

0800: Pressure: 1012 mb (slight drop, monitoring). Wind: 18 kph. Visibility: Clear.

0900: Pressure: 1010 mb (continuing drop, possible storm). Wind: 22 kph. Visibility: Haze forming to west.

1000: Pressure: 1005 mb (confirmed storm approaching). Wind: 30 kph. Visibility: Storm clouds visible, approx. 40km west.

1015: Warning signals transmitted. Mirror array: “Storm approaching, seek shelter.” Message birds released to Skyport Eos, Windmere Farms, Thornvale.

1100: Pressure: 998 mb (intensifying). Wind: 45 kph. Visibility: Storm 20km out, lightning visible.

1130: Securing outpost. Shuttering windows. Moving non-essential crew to bunker.

1200: Pressure: 990 mb. Wind: 60 kph. Storm arrival imminent. Final entry before taking shelter.

1800: Storm passed. Pressure: 1008 mb (rising). Wind: 25 kph. Damage assessment: Minor (two shutters torn off, one lightning rod damaged). Resuming normal operations. Transmitting “all clear” signals.

Casualties: None. Lives Saved: Unknown, but settlements had 2 hours warning. Doing our job.

—Observer Dara

Letter Home (Observer Kira to her family)

Dear Mom and Dad,

Two weeks at Stormwatch feels like two months. I miss you. I miss real food. I miss not being terrified.

But I’m doing important work. Yesterday we warned three settlements about a storm. They had time to secure their ships, bring people inside, prepare. Without our warning, people would have died.

That’s why I’m here. That’s why I endure the isolation, the boredom, the terror when storms hit.

Chief Kael is a good teacher. He says I’m learning fast. He also says the storms are getting worse. I believe him. The data doesn’t lie.

I’ll be home in four days. I’ll hug you both until you beg me to stop. Then I’ll eat Mom’s cooking until I’m sick. Then I’ll sleep for a week.

Then I’ll come back here. Because someone has to watch the storms. Might as well be me.

Love, Kira

P.S. Tell little brother his jokes are still terrible. Mine are worse. We’re perfect for each other.

Mira’s Research Notes (Classified)

Mega-Storm Prediction Model - Confidential

Data: 187 years of observations, 12,487 recorded storms

Method: Regression analysis, pattern recognition, extrapolation

Findings: - Storm frequency increasing exponentially (R² = 0.94) - Storm intensity increasing linearly (R² = 0.87) - Mega-storm probability: 78% within 20 years

Predicted Characteristics: - Intensity: Category 6+ (new category required) - Duration: 7-14 days (unprecedented) - Coverage: 500km+ diameter (multiple settlements) - Casualties: Thousands (if no preparation)

Recommendation: Immediate evacuation planning, shelter construction, emergency protocols

Guild Response: “Insufficient evidence. Do not disseminate. Continue observations.”

My Response: They’re wrong. I know they’re wrong. But I’m junior observer. No one listens.

Kael believes me. That’s something.

But if we’re right and they ignore us, people will die. Thousands of people.

What do I do?

Graffiti (Carved into bunker wall)

“Day 14 of siege. Food running low. Wind won’t stop screaming. If you’re reading this, we didn’t make it. Tell our families we tried.”

—Observer Crew, Year 251 S.

[Note: They survived. Barely. This carving remains as reminder.]

Kael’s Private Journal (Never shown to anyone)

Entry 1, Year 287 S.

The storms are watching us. I know how that sounds. I know.

But today, when I observed the western storm, it changed. Shifted. Moved differently.

Like it knew I was watching. Like it was watching back.

I’m going insane. Fifteen years at Stormwatch, and I’m finally cracking.

Or I’m right. And that’s worse.

Entry 12, Year 287 S.

Mira’s model predicts mega-storm. My instincts agree. Guild dismisses us.

If we’re right, thousands die. If we’re wrong, we’re alarmists.

But I’ve watched storms for fifteen years. I know them. I feel them.

And they’re angry. Or hungry. Or something.

Something is coming. Something big.

I hope I’m wrong. I don’t think I am.

Quest Hooks

1. The Emergency Repair: Outpost damaged during storm, needs immediate supplies. Deliver them through dangerous weather.

2. The Data Retrieval: Archivists want historical logs for research. Retrieve specific journals from Log Room.

3. The Overdue Rotation: Crew is three days overdue for rotation. Investigate why relief crew hasn’t arrived.

4. The Mega-Storm Warning: Mira and Kael’s prediction comes true. Help evacuate settlements in predicted path.

5. The Cause Investigation: Determine why storms are changing. Research mission to Howling Expanse depths.

6. The Guild Conflict: Mediate between Mira/Kael and Guild leadership over mega-storm prediction.

7. The Missing Observer: Investigate Observer Jens’ death. Accident, suicide, or something else?

8. The Storm Intelligence: Help Kael prove or disprove his theory that storms are intelligent.

9. The Supply Run: Deliver monthly supplies during storm season. Dangerous but essential.

10. The Instrument Upgrade: Install new experimental storm-prediction technology. Test during actual storm.

Related Topics

• Howling Expanse - The storm region Stormwatch monitors
• Sky-Guild - Funds and operates Stormwatch
• Aether Phenomena - Understanding the storms
• Storm-Sailors - Live in the storms Stormwatch tracks
• Skyport Eos - Primary recipient of storm warnings

“The storms are beautiful. From here. From inside them, less so.”
—Chief Observer Kael Stormborn

“We watch the storms so you don’t have to die in them.”
—Stormwatch Outpost Motto

“The data doesn’t lie. The storms are getting worse. And no one is listening.”
—Junior Observer Mira Brightwind