Winter Adventures

1. Winter Adventures

   #1

   Born from another thread (Ice Age) is my question:
   
   Do you know any adventures based mainly in Winter, or possibly in Ice Age? Many plots can be played in winter conditions, but they often are not. My first adventures were all "in summer or so", with nice constant weather. Now that I come to tracking time, even winter becomes inevitable.
   
   It is of course easier to adventure in the warmer months, and sit in comfort at the fire when it is cold. But I sense this to be an interesting change: the weather being more unpredictable and harsh, it could wear you down before you can do something heroic. Plot hooks come in every season, and people always need help, in winter even more often.
   
   Thus, come and share your ideas for adventures that have to happen in winter. Sit next to the fire, and tell your story.
   
   ---
   
   A merchant wants to reach a good business opportunity before anyone else. You have to get him through impassable terrain, be chased by wolves, fight bad weather, and generally collect subdual damage and fatigue. Enjoy the pain.
   
   ---
   
   A village was separated from the world by an avalanche or something, and needs help and supplies. Get there, help as you can, and clean the road as you come back.
   
   ---
   
   One particular location is spared from the effects of the usual harsh winter. It snows very little, and it is surprisingly warm for this season. People are content, if every winter was like this, great! Is it only some kind of anomaly, that will pass, or is something stranger going on, possibly evil and dark, etc? (insert random demon/deity/whatever)
   
   ---
   
   Everywhere, snowmen "come alive", and become aggresive when they wake up. Luckily, they are slow and quite weak as monsters go. Once bashed apart, they don't rise again. Still, this causes unrest in anyone that can think: What the kebab is going on?
   
   ---
   
   Some accursed magic-user found a way to cast a protective spell on ice. It is very hard, shiny, not wet or cold and starts to melt only after a few hours in warmth. After "cheaply" buying the first few fakes from people that seemed not to know how much is a diamond (or similar gem) worth, the Jewelers Guild rings alarm. Find those thieves and take care they will never do this again.

2. The ones that I use are based upon action scenes...

   #2

   A bizzard is a great equalizer. The heroes are chasing the bad guys in the snow. Occasional light flurries occur. When they finally catch up and wish to jump the villians, (who they should just trounce), a bizzard finally kicks up. Now we have wind, cold, and difficulty to see opponents. This complication can spice up a boring little combat.
   
   You are on a mountain. The terrain is rugged, but not too bad. This keeps the PCs being careful. Eventually someone unleashes an attack that makes noise, and sure enough the rumbling of an avalanche begins. Now you have to stop the bad guys AND save your skin (or hope the bad guys are stopped by it while you save your skin).
   
   A chase via boat late at night. Drama is added to the chase by the boat/ship having to avoid the ice flows. Then eventually, the boats/ ships are trapped by the closing ice. What to do? Exit the boat/ ship and move across the ice to catch the targets.
   
   Ever see Empire Strike Back? "And I thought they smelled bad on the outside!" Winter survival is not as easy as people might think.
   
   In addition to these, there is an article which might be useful...
   Winter as a character
   http://www.rpgcitadel.com/guild/index.php?topic=861.0

3. Winter Adventures

   #3

   I once had the PC's investigate a ruined ship that was held within a plateux of frozen ice. The best thing about it was a set piece battle which took place on the ice itself, which was somewhat uncertain and the risk of 'falling in' added an extra dynamic to the battle.

4. Solstice Day

   #4

   Solstice day has been a holiday in more cultures than I count- a winter holiday for family.
   
   Thus it is the perfect time for a manhunt.
   
   Someone has killed the local VIP's (Noble, Mayor, Imperial Govenor) eldest son. It appears to have been stabbed by an odd knife. After the PCs have been blamed for the killing and cleared themselves, they are tapped to find the killer. Following the trails lead them through a number of houses. The PCs disrupt many family tableaus, following the trail.
   
   What killed him? Something Evil, Supernatural, and Invisible. The reason? Somebody's pact with the Evil came due. The PCs may never find that out.
   
   The PCs will chase the tracks into the forrest. There the monster will do hit and run tactics, suprising and smashing targets. This should bump up the fear factor some. It is strong, fast, and invisible. The PCs should be figuring out that the monster is responsible and that it is invisible after a few attacks. As they begin to plan, it begins to snow.
   
   Soon they and the monster are on even ground.
   
   Tableau, see http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=2&q=tableau

V2.0 - Threads Moved to Main Citadel · All categories · Guildhall