Does the difficulty of a swim vary by time of day or season? I ask because up until today, I was (barely) able to swim from Riverhaven to Rossmans and back, and from Crossing to Riverhaven and back. But today, I got stuck at the rock inbetween Crossing and Riverhaven when I tried going from Riverhaven to Crossing, and I got stuck again later on my way from Crossing back to Riverhaven. Once I reached Riverhaven, I couldn't make the swim up the Jantspyre to get to Rossmans, getting stuck in the second room (exits west and northeast).

I've ruled out most other things, because I checked my burden, it was none, and I've previously made the swim with 'light' burden. Also, no visible injuries, and I'm going to check with an empath, even though I've made the swim from Rossman's to Riverhaven pretty beat up after hunting. The weather was sunny, incase that might be a factor.

Relevant stats: strength is 40, stamina is 34, and 141 unbuffed ranks of Athletics (no athletics buff for Bards).

Double post because I'm lazy.

By the way 141 ranks unbuffed is pretty low to be making it up the Jantspyre to Rossman's (it's about right for the Faldesu). Your strength is what is allowing you to make that swim when you can. I would advise removing all armor when trying to swim to Rossman's.

I think that currents might change strength with the seasons, but not 100% sure. I vaguely recall a GM post about that sometime ago.

Regardless, 141 ranks is quite low for the Jantspyre even with 40 strength. Even the Faldesu can still cause the occasional issue with those ranks.

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>> So apparently Agility is a part of the swimming check?

News to me, but makes sense.

>>Silly question, but are you sure you've been able to swim UP it before? Swimming down it is much easier.

Yes, upstream, but it was actually just once, and I happened to have DRUMS up at the time (and no armor on).

Out of curiosity, since my travel script tries to send me across the Faldesu too, what do I need in Athletics for that particular trip? I always seem to get stuck in the middle.

Or just use the ferry that is ridiculously fast now compared to before.

> Drums of the Snake used to provide a modest climbing boost. Now that climbing and swimming are combined, the boost probably got rolled into Athletics.

These days it's just agility and locksmithing.

Right now the two best ways to get a boost for climbing/swimming is to boost strength and/or boost athletics. Also note that if you have a burden tne EASE BURDEN spell will most definately help. The next way after those three is make sure you swim without armor worn. You tend to learn better when you swim that way.

I know there are spells that can boost strength and Athletics (ranger spell Athleticism). So those are your best options to look for.

Ranger Pfanston and his soggy pup.