Hearing Distance Table

[bocharuk]

Has anyone modified the Hearing Distance Table on B.358 to have a more 'medieval' feel? What I've come up with is below, but I'm really having a hard time with this and would appreciate any feedback or suggestions.

Thanks,

bocharuk

Sound (Range in Yards)

Leaves rustling (1/4)
Quiet conversation (1/2)
Normal Conversation (1)
Regular Footsteps (2)
Loud Conversation (4)
Noisy Tavern (door closed), Small Skirmish (8)
Horse at Full Gallop (16)
Noisy Tavern (door open), Busy Marketplace (32)
City-wide Riot, Large-scale Battle (64)

[fredtheobviouspseudonym]

From "The Four Musketeers," (1975)

Porthos to Aramis, outside in a frozen wild area: "Do you hear swords? Only the village idiot would be fighting in this weather."

Aramis: "You really think D'Artagnan is involved?"

[Bruno]

I'd peg a standing fight between only two people (with metal weapons) as easily 8 yds - if they're for some reason taking care to be quiet (or not wasting breath), sure, 4 yds, but if they're shouting/yelling/screaming then 8 yds - it has to be louder than a loud conversation between two people.

A standard PC vs NPC standing fight where there's 8 to 14 combatants and both sides have metal weapons and armor (and even metal-edged or -faced shields) has got to be louder than that. There's more people to cry out, more metal to clash in parries or be deflected off shields and armor.

A tavern just has 8-20 people engaged in loud conversations simultaneously...