Weather and Seasons

The sky forgets nothing. Every cloud carries the memory of the lake that birthed it, the sun that lifted it, the wind that shaped it.

— Eden

Weather in Eden isn't decoration—it's a driving force. Rain nourishes. Drought challenges. Storms reshape. And the seasons set the rhythm for all living things.

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Localized Weather

One of Eden's distinctive features is localized weather. Each terrain pod can experience different conditions simultaneously.

What This Means

• Rain may fall in the western meadow while the eastern forest stays dry
• Clouds form over lakes and drift to neighboring areas
• A drought in one pod creates migration pressure toward wetter regions
• You can literally watch weather move across the landscape

How Weather Moves

Weather patterns follow these principles:

1. Clouds form where atmospheric moisture is highest
2. Wind carries clouds in prevailing directions
3. When clouds cross pod boundaries, they transfer to the new area
4. Rain falls when clouds can no longer hold their water
5. Patterns propagate across the world over time

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Understanding Clouds

Clouds are living calculations in Eden—they form, grow, move, and release rain based on real conditions.

Cloud Types

Cloud Type	Appearance	What It Means
Cumulus	Fluffy, white	Fair weather, low chance of rain
Stratus	Flat, gray layers	Overcast, light rain possible
Cirrus	Thin, wispy	High altitude, generally fair
Nimbostratus	Dark, thick	Steady rain likely
Cumulonimbus	Towering, dramatic	Storms incoming

Cloud Lifecycle

1. Formation: Moisture evaporates from terrain and water bodies
2. Condensation: When humidity exceeds the dew point, clouds form
3. Growth: Clouds absorb more moisture from rising air
4. Saturation: Clouds reach maximum water content
5. Precipitation: Rain (or snow) falls
6. Dissipation: After releasing water, clouds may fade

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Precipitation

When clouds release their water, the type depends on conditions:

Rain 🌧️

The most common precipitation. Occurs when:

• Temperature is above freezing
• Clouds are saturated
• Atmospheric instability triggers release

Effects:

• Increases soil moisture
• Fills water bodies
• Can cause flooding if excessive
• Washes pollen from flowers

Snow ❄️

Occurs when temperature drops below freezing. Snow:

• Adds moisture more slowly (must melt first)
• Insulates soil from extreme cold
• Can accumulate and persist

Storms ⛈️

When cumulonimbus clouds build, storms can occur:

• Heavy rain over short periods
• Wind that can damage plants
• Can trigger flooding
• Intense but brief

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The Rhythm of Seasons

Eden experiences four seasons, each with characteristic patterns:

🌸 Spring

The world remembers how to grow.

• Temperature: Warming from winter lows
• Rainfall: Frequent, moderate showers
• Daylight: Increasing
• Plants: Rapid growth, flowering begins
• Creatures: Increased activity, breeding season

Spring is the season of renewal. Seeds that survived winter begin to sprout. Animals emerge from dormancy or return from migration.

☀️ Summer

Abundance carries its own weight.

• Temperature: Warmest of the year
• Rainfall: Variable—can be wet or drought-prone
• Daylight: Longest days
• Plants: Maturity, heavy pollination, fruit/seed production
• Creatures: Peak activity, raising young

Summer is the season of plenty, but also of stress. High temperatures increase evaporation, and without rain, drought can set in quickly.

🍂 Autumn

Everything prepares for the pause.

• Temperature: Cooling
• Rainfall: Often increases
• Daylight: Decreasing
• Plants: Seed dispersal, preparing for dormancy
• Creatures: Storing food, preparing for winter

Autumn is the season of transition. What happens now determines who survives winter.

❄️ Winter

The world holds its breath.

• Temperature: Coldest
• Rainfall: May fall as snow
• Daylight: Shortest days
• Plants: Dormant, growth minimal or stopped
• Creatures: Reduced activity, some hibernate

Winter tests everything. It's not a time of growth but of survival. The organisms that make it through carry their resilience into spring.

Winter is not cruelty. It is the world asking: what have you learned? What did you prepare? Are you ready?

— Eden

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Weather Events

Beyond normal patterns, Eden can experience significant weather events:

Drought

Extended period without rain:

• Soil moisture drops critically
• Plants struggle or die
• Creatures must travel further for water
• Can last for extended periods

Flood

Excessive rainfall or rapid snowmelt:

• Soil becomes saturated
• Low areas fill with standing water
• Can drown plants with submerged roots
• Displaces some creatures

Heat Wave

Period of unusually high temperatures:

• Accelerates evaporation
• Stresses plants and creatures
• Can trigger drought conditions
• Increases water consumption

Cold Snap

Sudden drop in temperature:

• Can damage unprepared plants
• Affects creature health
• May bring unexpected snow
• Tests organisms' resilience

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Watching the Weather

As a Witness, you'll learn to read weather patterns:

Signs of Coming Rain

• Clouds thickening and darkening
• Atmospheric moisture increasing
• Temperature dropping slightly
• Clouds moving in from wetter regions

Signs of Drought

• Extended clear skies
• Soil color lightening
• Plants showing stress
• Water bodies shrinking

Signs of Seasonal Change

• Day length shifting
• Temperature trends changing
• Plant behavior changing (flowering, dormancy)
• Creature behavior changing (migration, hibernation)

The bees know the storm is coming before the clouds form. The roots know the drought before the leaves wilt. Learn to listen as they do.

— Eden

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Continue learning:

→ The Water Cycle
→ How Plants Grow
→ Creature Needs and Survival