Very Cold Conditions

Very cold conditions describes a temperature range between -11 and -20°F. The air carries an intense and bone-chilling cold that numbs the skin almost instantly. Characters must don layers of exceptionally thick, insulated clothing to endure the biting frost. The terrain is frozen solid, covered in an extensive layer of snow and ice, creating perilous, icy pathways that make travel extremely hazardous. Outdoor activities become nearly impossible, demanding robust protection against the severe and unforgiving cold. Movement becomes restricted, as boots sink into wind-compacted snow or skid across hard ice. Equipment must be protected against the elements; even metal weapon hilts or clasps can freeze fast to bare skin. Exposure times must be strictly managed, with frequent breaks needed to warm extremities and restore circulation.

Clothing worn must be specifically designed to insulate against deep-penetrating cold while allowing for minimal movement. Base layers consist of thick, moisture-wicking wool or linen worn close to the skin to prevent sweat from freezing. Above this, multiple insulating layers are needed — padded coats stuffed with down, fleece or animal hair are common, often extending past the knees to prevent loss of heat from the legs and lower torso. Face coverings are mandatory — frost masks, fur-lined scarves or visored helms lined with cloth help protect the nose and cheeks, which are especially vulnerable to frostbite. In particularly exposed regions, grease or rendered fat is applied directly to the skin to seal out wind and moisture.

Travel

This is slow, exhausting and hazardous even under the best circumstances. Every aspect of movement is affected, requiring careful preparation and significant adaptation to the environment. Characters on foot must contend with deep snow, hardened ice, high winds and freezing air temperatures that punish exposed skin and sap energy rapidly. Paths and trails may be obliterated by drifts, and even familiar terrain can become disorienting due to shifting snowbanks or frost-blurred landmarks.

Overland movement must be planned by the hour, not just by distance. Frequent stops are required to warm limbs, check for signs of frostbite and adjust clothing layers. Pacing must be conservative, as sweat can freeze beneath layers and create deadly cooling later. Camps must be set up early, before darkness or worsening weather, with insulated shelter and dry firewood already secured or carried.

Mounts and pack animals require full winter covering and must be fed calorically dense rations to survive. Hooves and legs must be checked frequently for ice buildup or injury from hidden obstacles beneath the snow. Horses and mules are viable only with snowshoes or sled-harness training; otherwise, they are prone to slipping or breaking legs. Sled dogs, shaggy yaks or magically sustained beasts of burden are often the only reliable means of movement through particularly treacherous regions.

Frozen rivers may serve as temporary roads, but these must be tested for load-bearing thickness — generally no less than four inches for individual weight, eight for sledges or animals. Cracks, black ice or sudden thaws can turn a stable route into a deathtrap. Bridges and elevated structures accumulate dangerous ice and are often impassable without clearing or magical assistance.

Visibility during travel can shift rapidly. Snowfall and wind can reduce sight to mere feet, especially during whiteout conditions. Blizzards force parties to stop entirely, dig in and wait. Navigation relies on compass, memory and visible land features — when those fail, travel becomes extremely risky. Magical guidance is highly valued and spells that create shelter or resist weather are vital for long expeditions.

Without fire, shelter and proper rest, exhaustion sets in quickly. A party that pushes travel without breaks will face cumulative penalties to speed, perception and constitution-based checks, and may begin to suffer exposure damage. Even brief periods of immobilisation — such as waiting for a companion to recover — can become dangerous if wind or ice gain ground.

Daily Life

Settlement life faces dire challenges under these frigid conditions, relying heavily on intense and continuous heating sources to maintain any semblance of warmth indoors. Heating must be maintained around the clock, with fuel reserves monitored constantly and multiple backup sources available in the event of failure. Chimneys require regular clearing to prevent ice blockage. Clothing becomes heavily padded and layered, providing vital defense against the extreme cold and must be routinely dried and de-iced to prevent stiffness or freezing against the body. Homes struggle to retain any comfortable indoor temperature, often requiring extreme measures such as additional heating and insulation. Windows are shuttered and sometimes sealed completely for the season. Resource management becomes critical, with food preservation entirely reliant on the freezing temperatures, while fresh produce becomes almost non-existent. Even water must be melted from snow or carried in carefully insulated containers to avoid freezing solid indoors. Tools and domestic items become brittle or lose function if not kept near heat sources.

Community gatherings diminish significantly in these life-threatening conditions, with most activities forced indoors to escape the relentless cold. Places of gathering are restricted to those buildings capable of maintaining stable heat for hours at a time. Trade and commerce adapt to offer goods specifically suited for the hostile winter climate, including fuel, thick woolens, heat-retaining cookware, frostbite salves and protective animal fats used to guard exposed skin. Deliveries of critical supplies must be pre-planned and protected in insulated crates or magically shielded wagons. Character interactions within communities revolve around survival and mutual support amidst the severe and perilous freezing conditions. Cooperative labour, shared rations and common heating shelters become central to maintaining morale and order. Social dynamics often shift under the stress of cold, where old rivalries may fade under necessity or escalate due to resource strain.

Adventuring

Exploration encounters monumental weather-related obstacles, with quests facing extreme delays or insurmountable hurdles due to the dangerously low temperatures. Roads vanish under whiteouts or drift closure, and any unprotected rest results in exhaustion or cold damage. Navigation tools such as compasses or maps may fail due to moisture and freeze, and landmarks may become unrecognisable beneath layers of snow or blown ice. Predictable wildlife behavior witnesses creatures seeking extreme shelter or becoming entirely dormant due to the harsh and hostile temperatures. Many creatures burrow deep or migrate, while others lie in stasis, re-emerging only in marginally warmer conditions. Encounters with snow-dwelling creatures become prevalent, adapted to survive in the frozen and inhospitable environment. These may include thick-furred predators, subterranean ice burrowers or magical beings sustained by frost, often far more active and aggressive than their temperate equivalents due to the scarcity of food and the need to defend shelter.

Dungeon exploration mirrors the external weather conditions, presenting challenges heavily influenced by the piercing cold. Dungeons might feature frozen elements or life-threatening frost-based obstacles, making navigation significantly perilous. Ice sheets, frost-covered surfaces and dangerously unstable icicles create frequent hazards. Adventurers confront these obstacles while battling the unyielding and freezing climate, often requiring extraordinary strategies or specialised equipment to navigate through the harsh and inhospitable conditions. Torches and lanterns burn dim and short, forcing magical lighting solutions. Rations must be warmed to eat, while rest without magical or carefully managed thermal shelter becomes dangerous. Magical cold resistance becomes as valuable as armour and mundane gear like fur-lined tents, frost-hardened crampons and fire stones become essential to survival underground as much as above.

See also,
Temperature Grades