What kind of games have you run including such an environment? People being stuck in a mountain pass? Or in a cabin in the forest? or small village? What kind of creatures were out there? I suppose parts of Tolkien's world would fit, but same is true for settings with gun powder, mountaineers etc.

So far, just limited to making a map I call "The Arctic Expanse".  Planning a sandbox campaign there.
(EDIT: "snowbox")

You might check out these 2 products:

https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/340269/complete-longwinter-bundle-bundle - I own this one, but haven't read or run it yet. Luka Rejec does good work, though.

https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/236397/Frostbitten--Mutilated - This one is the work of Zak S. I don't own it, but have always heard good stuff about it.

Quote from: Klytus on January 04, 2024, 10:23:46 PM
You might check out these 2 products:

https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/340269/complete-longwinter-bundle-bundle - I own this one, but haven't read or run it yet. Luka Rejec does good work, though.

https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/236397/Frostbitten--Mutilated - This one is the work of Zak S. I don't own it, but have always heard good stuff about it.

The first one reminds me of the Comics series "Jonathan" by Cosey

This is something I've wanted to do since first reading Frostbitten & Mutilated. Basically that, but less goofy. I do love the whole black metal frozen north aesthetic, though I always worry about the longevity of any campaign setting which relies on a single biome. Still, the aesthetics and the inherent brutality of the setting appeal. It's something that's sat around in the back-burner of my mind for a couple of years now, without me doing any serious work on it.

The Bitter Reach campaign for Forbidden Lands is something that while I doubt I'd ever run it, is definitely worth looking at for inspiration: (https://freeleaguepublishing.com/shop/forbidden-lands/the-bitter-reach-campaign-book/).

For fun, here's some inspiration music. I know this song always makes me want to run that long-dreamed-of frozen north campaign.

Here's a new setting/adventure for OSE.  Part one of three.  Interesting blend of Alaskan lore and fantasy with a strong 80s pop culture vibe and of course, some Chthulhu vibes: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/451792/gods-of-the-forbidden-north-volume-1

Quote from: Persimmon on January 04, 2024, 11:55:57 PM
Here's a new setting/adventure for OSE.  Part one of three.  Interesting blend of Alaskan lore and fantasy with a strong 80s pop culture vibe and of course, some Chthulhu vibes: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/451792/gods-of-the-forbidden-north-volume-1

Interesting, because a lot of people go missing in Alaska in real life.  It is an excellent setting, for rugged fantastical adventure.

I ran a Viking themed campaign based around B2: Keep on the Borderlands. It was stereotypical northern realms kind of stuff: it was cold and windy, and there was snow on the ground for a good part of the year. When it wasn't, the rivers ran cold and it rained in the Spring and Autumn. Outside of the keep it was a dangerous place to be since bandits plied what roads did exist, as warm clothes were a commodity all on their own. Besides the wolves, there were plenty of undead that liked to wander around at night in packs searching for victims. Even water elementals from streams would leave their icy depths to wander through the snow as snow-elementals.

The forests were dark pines, and winds cut right through you. It was a fun campaign. Really recommend giving this a listen too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOQnFIxGN5E

I have a partially finished campaign I've been developing off and on for years.

The basic premise is a bronze age or early iron age tribal society that has fractured due to a series of real an perceived betrayals.  Someone has used forbidden magic and now there's a pack of wolves killing people, some believe as a weapon of vengeance.  It's a bit of a CoC type investigation adventure with a bit more combat.

The party has a series of goals they have to finish by spring or they are dead.
1. Survive both the rogue wolves and the winter
2. Find out who did the spell
3. Find out what kind of magic it was so it can be undone
4. Bring the factions to the table to settle the beefs

I introduced a new group to my game last night. The adventure was set in the aftermath of a unusually nasty blizzard that arrived early in the season of a remote area, with the PCs not quite to their destination.  Once they made it, one of the characters spent every penny he had to buy better boots, despite them costing double of an already inflated price due to the setting. Another player took the lousy boots and tattered cloak off of a dirty, lank-haired 4-foot tall creature that probably had fleas, even though they had no idea what the creature was. I think being unable to heal naturally due to environment and lack of gear had a lot to do with those decisions. 

A design goal:  Low-level players will be excited when they find a piece of mundane gear.  Think I hit that, again.

I love the Fimbulwinter of Norse myth, and Slavic folklore, but there do seem to be few scenarios that really feature such seasonal challenges.

Carlos Lising wrote one that I've run and enjoyed playing, _The Witch Queen's Lament_.  He has at least a couple others set in the northern snow-swept lands too:  https://www.caslentertainment.com/shop/dungeon-modules/3?page=1&limit=60&sort_by=created_date&sort_order=desc

Allan.

Greetings!

Well, I had been using 5E D&D for my Viking-Themed campaign.

Now, I am using Shadowdark.

I have developed special environment and weather tables, that incorporate the features of living and traveling in a cold, northern environment. I also have specially-crafted tables dealing with northern fish, birds, creatures, besides more standard monsters, humanoids, and humans.

I extensively use write-ups for ships and boats, and have rules for sleighs, and dog-sleds.

My campaign has rules for economics and natural resources, embracing various items from amber and jewels, to fine metals, timber, animal meat, animal furs, and other natural products, such as antlers, horns, various bird beaks and feet. Feathers are also important for ritual purposes, as well as commercial usage for the making of bedding and pillows. Furs are typically also used for the crafting of blankets. In cold climates, having good clothing, bedding, and such are very valuable and important, for everyone.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Greetings!

Some of my inspiration.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Danheim



Eivor


Eivor, singing live. (Eivor also usually sings in her native Faeroese language, a Norse language from the Faeroes Islands.)


Miracle of Sound--Valhalla Calling Me

Greetings!

When you want to really think about your Northern, Viking-Themed campaign, put this piece by Eivor here on *loop*--close your eyes, and listen.

The inspiration will come!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

I've had fun running the Moonsea in Forgotten Realms like that, full of Finnish cosmology and horrific steppe nomad humanoid raids.  The Finnish cosmology is so metal.  I had lots of fun with snow and goblin allies suicide-dive-bombing themselves on sleds at orcs downhill while my PCs do mop up of orc stragglers. It was based on some of the more goofy self-sacrificing Magic the Gathering cards, like Goblin Rock Sled.