" A pack of wolves is led by an curious direwolf who smells magic. Blue runes cover the leader, which are spreading to others in the pack."
Simple encounter tables for ports and docks in any fantasy setting. Tables for Cold Encounter Prompts, Cold Hazards & Distractions and Cold Quick NPCs.
Fantasy Wilds - all | trinkets | coastal encs | cold encs | desert encs | forest encs | plains encs | swamp encs
Winter Theme - all | trinkets | cold encs
[Photo by Miguel Mansilla]
Fantasy Cold Lands Encounters
Snowy tundra, glacial valleys, seas of jagged ice and winter landscapes. In fantasy often home to giants and bears, associated with themes of winter, hunting & death.
It's a place of snow, blizzards, frost giants, winter spirits, icy pools, seals and arctic beasts.
There is a fantasy arctic encounters generator at ChaosGen. There is also a pdf of these and more tables at the DriveThruRPG as Cold Lands Encounters.
10 Cold Lands Encounter Prompts
| 1d10 | 10 Cold Lands Encounter Prompts |
|---|---|
| 1 | A trio of vigilant scouts ride vicious looking flightless birds with axe-like beaks. They stop to ask if the group have seen signs of a giant. |
| 2 | Several hunters surround a frozen pool, watching something below. |
| 3 | A pack of wolves is led by an curious direwolf who smells magic. Blue runes cover the leader, which are spreading to others in the pack. |
| 4 | A few long-haired dwarves are putting up (or taking down) large tents. |
| 5 | A wind elemental tries to talk to a character in broken words. It would like to take shelter in a bag or other container, away from the cold. |
| 6 | Several skeletal dogs pull a driverless sled loaded with many supplies. |
| 7 | A group of cautious animated snow (or ice) sculptures move slowly to the east. They freeze in place if they think someone has noticed them. |
| 8 | A jolly giant trader on a mammoth invites group to a nearby event. |
| 9 | A group of lost cultists are dressed in layers of warm clothing. They worship fire and have been told of a place called "Fireball Mountain". |
| 10 | A group of mismatched talking animals are discussing philosophy. |
Cold Lands Hazards and Distractions
| 1d10 | There is (or are)... |
|---|---|
| 1 | vivid coloured (or swirling) lights that fill the sky; or shrieking winds |
| 2 | something made of ice, a(n)... d10 (1-2. large statue 3. igloo 4. flight of steps 5. slide 6. lifelike human 7. tomb 8. temple 9. bridge 10. reindeer sculpture) |
| 3 | freezing rain or a magical tree bearing large red fruit |
| 4 | large fresh tracks in the snow or a thick concealing mist |
| 5 | there is the strong smell of ... d10 (1-2. death 3. smoke 4. animals 5. something minty 6. cooking meat 7. musk 8. fresh snow 9. wet fur 10. pine wood ) |
| 6 | tracks leading through area of thin ice or a pit hidden by snow |
| 7 | an avalanche near (or by) the characters; or thunder and lightning |
| 8 | sounds of ... d10 (1-2. a herd of animals 3. drums 4. shouting 5. singing 6. cracking ice 7. roaring 8. an avalanche 9. screaming 10. a warhorn) |
| 9 | a crevasse that opens up near (or under) the group or a freezing mist |
| 10 | a blizzard or a stampede of large herd beasts |
Quick Cold Lands NPCs
| 1d10 | Descriptor | Profession | who... |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | mutilated or veteran | hunter | wears a mask (or lots of gold) |
| 2 | half-human or musical | berserker | worships a winter (or sun) god |
| 3 | tall or shapechanging | shaman | mounted on a wolf (or elk) |
| 4 | dwarf or artistic | storyteller | with oily (or dyed) hair |
| 5 | cursed or injured | scout | has a bounty on their head |
| 6 | were-creature or hairy | warrior | is carving ivory (or ice) |
| 7 | skiing or orc | witch | is missing several fingers |
| 8 | undead or bewitching | fisher | is consuming strong spirits |
| 9 | intoxicated or ogre | chieftain | has a magical spear (or cloak) |
| 10 | goblin or scarred | necromancer | is with a guide (or a bear) |
More Encounters
There is a There is a fantasy arctic encounters generator at ChaosGen. There is also a pdf of these and more tables at the DriveThruRPG as Cold Lands
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