Not certain if the sound effect is designed to be wind or crashes from the ocean but can be heard as far inland as Shalka. The inability to individually control volume levels of sound effects makes it most difficult to hear footsteps and other environmental sounds with this consistent rushing sound. Master volume appears to equalize only all sound effects at once masking all other environmental effects as this sound is of extreme volume. It makes you feel perhaps you would have the same gaming experience if you were playing without sound altogether as you cannot distinguish much sound of your environment often causing the player often to be unable to distinguish footsteps and movement of other players in close proximity.