If I recall correctly, the reason swimming was soft-capped is because it didn't have any risk. I suggest adding current to some water rooms with the difficulty of swimming checks being determined by the strength of the current.
To stay in a water room with a current means you have to pass a periodic swimming check. Failure means you get washed downstream and might take drowning damage (for going under) or impact damage (for hitting stuff). Try not to go over the waterfall.
Failing a swimming check to go somewhere because of the current means you flounder in that spot. It's a waste of time and energy which can be deadly if you're swimming.
Instead of a flat "you need this much swimming to cross a river" it could be a swimming check against the river's current. Failure means you get washed downstream a few rooms and take the appropriate drowning and/or impact damage.
You could give shallow water rooms a current if you want to make crossing them treacherous. Shallow water doesn't mean safe. It could sweep you off your feet.
No, I'm going to go swim in the ocean for fun just like I do every time I visit the beach. Or I was. The ocean might not have current but it has waves that could either push you back to shore or toss you about for drowning damage. If the ocean was bigger, you could have the possibility of being dragged further out to sea.[Beach] (OutWldBeSdDt) [subtropical] Mild, Overcast, Light Breeze
The area consists of subtropical sandy coast. The boundless ocean extends out to the southwest, west and northwest. A river blocks passage to the east, southeast and south.
The area is mostly quiet.
Also here: your dusky gray warhorse.
Obvious paths: west (deep), northwest (deep), north, northeast, east (river), southeast (river), southwest (deep), south (river).
EWAvd>
swim west
What, you're just going to swim across the boundless ocean?
