Rift activity clocks?

[Maćko SuperŻubr]

Here is the thing, I yearn for the mines, i want to be there as much as i can... But the locals dont like me.
If things did not change since i researched the topic then the amount of drifters in the mines is proportional to rift activity.
My suggestion is this: A rift activity clock (Or counter? compass? something like that).
It would overwrite both the menu information about rift activity and text "storm is coming" in exchange for providing future information about them.
I envisioned these clocks as 3 or 4 levels:

1st: A rusty gear suspended on a body of water (Crafted with bowl, gear and some flax fibers then filled with water).
It would spin in accordance with local rift activity, and splash water particles around if storm is approaching (You can click it to get the information in a text form: "It seems rift activity is high and a rift storm is approaching") After a storm you would need to "reload it" with fiber since the gear spun so fast during the storm it broke.

2nd: A gear compass (2 metal rods, rusty gear, temporal gear, clear quartz and some wooden boards)
Gears suspended on rods in a safety box. Same concept but with more information on future events, rusty gear would spin in accordance to local activity, temporal based on change rate (Clicking on it repeatably would grant more information: First click Local activity and rift storm, Second click what will the activity be like the next day, Third click unreliable forecast for a day after tomorrow.)
After temporal storm it needs to be set again, metal rods can bend after X storms.

3rd: A temporal seismograph (Big cost of gears, multi block, needs mechanical power to work)
Machine registering local activity for long periods of time (starts working properly after 2 days) and predicts future events (With inserted paper and fruit juice can display accurate information: Next storm in X days (up to ~10), Next low activity in X days, Next high activity in X days. or maybe just straight excel graphs)
Parts of the seismograph would require buying or being made by clockmaker

4th: Pocket seismograph - exclusive to clockmaker or bought for like 70-100 rusty gears. Can be worn on waist slot. Gives the same information as seismograph when clicked in hand.

What do you think? Does it make sens to replace such a vital information with a missable machine? Am i writing out of my ass? Does salt actual exist in a world of a vintage story?

[Krougal]

I don't like it. I don't want to build stuff to give me information, nor do I want to carry it, interact with it or recharge it.

I just want configurable HUDs that will overload me with information if I so choose.

As long as I am not forced into using them, I don't care.

Yes, salt exists. You mine halite rock and grind it into salt.

 

[Thorfinn]

Welcome to the forums, @Maćko SuperŻubr

I like it. I probably wouldn't use it, because I really don't care about advance knowledge of storms or rift activity; when it happens, it happens. If I'm underground when a storm rolls in, I guess it was my time if I can't skedaddle my way out of there. But I prefer mods like the spyglass and one of those map mods where you have to construct something to unlock features like that.

[EDIT]

I should add that IMO this is definitely mod territory, not base game. I respect @Krougals desire to have all the info he wants. Through mods, of course.

Edited August 10, 2025 by Thorfinn

[Never Jhonsen]

I think that would be a great way to incorporate a in-game way of seeing rift activity

I would use the mod, at the very least