The underground environment inflicts relatively swift decay
upon wooden structures. The following effects occur in the typical
underground location, and assume the presence of very
humid air. In subterranean areas that
are almost completely dry,
the decay of wooden objects is a mere 2 or 3% of the rate given.
Anything made out of wood and kept underground begins to
show signs of rot after ld6 years. If the wood is soaked in creosote
or some other sealing substance, this period is doubled.
The rot creates a 5% chance of collapse for each multiple of
the ld6 roll that passes. Thus, if the first roll was a 1, there is
a 5%
chance of collapse every year, and the structure would last a
maximum of 20 years (at which time the chance of collapse is
100%). If the original roll was a 6, however, the structure might
last as much as 120 years.
The wooden structure should be checked whenever any activity
puts unusual stress upon it. The check is made with a d100 roll
against the percentage chance of collapse for the structure.
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