Hurricane

The Eye of Abendego, a perpetual hurricane off the northwestern coast of Garund.

This article covers the weather condition. For the elemental creature, see elemental hurricane.

A hurricane, also known as a cyclone, typhoon, or tropical cyclone, is a massive and powerful rotating storm that produces gusting winds, heavy rains, and a flooding storm surge that can inundate coastal areas.

On Golarion

Ships battle in the midst of the Eye of Abendego.

While most hurricanes are temporary weather conditions, the most well-known hurricane on Golarion is the perpetual Eye of Abendego, which has hovered in the Arcadian Ocean off the coast of northwestern Garund since the death of Aroden in 4606 AR. The storm destroyed the nations of Lirgen and Yamasa, transforming them into what is now known as the Sodden Lands. The Eye also produces smaller cyclones that lash the Sodden Lands with regularity.

Natural hurricanes form on Golarion's High Seas during the spring and summer, and can strengthen quickly from large storms to seemingly Gozren manifestations of wind and water that can sink ships with ease. When they push ashore, their powerful winds and flooding waters can fling entire houses. As such, structures in coastal areas prone to hurricanes are often constructed with the expectation that they will eventually be destroyed. These dangers make the natural weather-reading abilities of many Ozalon azarketis valued by their coastal communities.

While rare, two hurricanes can enter each other's orbit to form an even larger and more powerful storm that can continue their devastation far inland. Natural hurricanes can also draw water elementals into the Universe from the Plane of Water.

Cyclones are common in the Obari Ocean but rarely reach land. They are disruptive to ship, however, and often sink or damage those in their paths. In Jalmeray's past, the combined power of enslaved jaathooms could repel hurricanes that formed in the Obari Ocean and threatened the island. However, now that genies are compensated for their services to the island, lax payments can result in hurricanes slipping past their defenses and striking Jalmeray.

In Tian Xia, such storms are often referred to as typhoons and seasonally strike places such as Bachuan, Goka the Valash Raj, Xa Hoi, and the Xidao Gulf. The cyclones that strike Valash Raj during its monsoon season also typically damage settlements' defenses against monster assaults, forcing them to call on adventurers for protection.

Among lizardfolk, the capture of a two-headed frog or snake is considered an omen of an imminent typhoon.

Supernatural hurricanes

The sea dragon Luong Phung generates a mournful hurricane in her wake.

Thunderbirds, known for being perpetually shrouded in storms, can form hurricanes to destroy small settlements when angered. Storm hags can also manifest hurricanes.

Ritual magic that can control the weather can manifest or calm a hurricane, though its casters cannot control a manifested hurricane's path.

A cyclone of fire manifests in the Obari Ocean annually during the month of Sarenith and lasts for six days. Devotees of Sarenrae believe the storm to be a sign of the deity, and particularly zealous followers such as Delain Carravege seek to sail through the storm to be purified by their goddess. Others believe the storm is the ignition of naturally occurring ocean-floor gases by lightning.

The mournful sorrow of the sea dragon Luong Phung results in a perpetual hurricane that follows in her wake. A cabal of sea dragons in the Xidao Gulf also spawn whirlpools and typhoons across trade routes to extort tribute and worship.

When hurricanes strike the shores of Tian Xia, residents often blame the kaiju Agyra for their creation.

Historic hurricanes

In 4714 AR, the cogs Pride of Indros, Seacleft's Sail, and Stability were lost en route to Arcadia from Magnimar in a violent hurricane.

In 4217 AR, a powerful hurricane struck Ancorato in the ruined continent of Azlant. Its storm surge killed many in the settlement of Joskadalr.

The long war between Nex and Geb included the archmage Nex magically manifesting hurricanes to devastate the entirety of Geb.

In religion

During the war between the Vudran deities Obari and Embaral over Vudravati, Obari created typhoons that swept through and disrupted Embaral's seas.

The deity Gozreh granted Azlanti priests the knowledge that warmer waters can form more powerful hurricanes.

The Great Old One Bokrug sometimes inspires dreams of a hurricane's floodwaters rising to overtake the dreamer.

External links

• Cyclone (real-world phenomenon) on Wikipedia
• Hurricane (real-world phenomenon) on Wikipedia
• Tropical cyclone (real-world phenomenon) on Wikipedia
• Typhoon (real-world phenomenon) on Wikipedia