I’m planning on running a campaign for intermediate experience players in a northern setting. I have Wildemount, though I’m thinking of doing my own. Any general story ideas?
Maybe have some force of nature that is threatening the town or village your heroes are from. It could be the cold, it could be a mighty monster, it could be hunger.
Maybe the players are escaping from something through this area. It could be a prison or a warlord. They would have to survive the harsh location.
You could also take inspiration from other works of fiction set in colder climbs. You could do a parody of something, making it slightly comical.
Alternatively, it could just be a regular dnd campaign but with the added issues of the weather.
I think, when you're making a campaign setting, it helps to base things on a real culture. Vikings, for example, which would fit nicely for a northern campaign. You don't need to be explicit. Names like Bjorn or Aldriem and imagery like rune-carved axes or dragon-prowed ships give players an instant frame of reference. In D&D, it's often better to have something recognizable than something unique, because players already know how to respond to it and won't forget or misinterpret the tone, so it's sure to feel distinct!
Once you've settled on a base like that, it's a lot easier to come up with adventures. I'd suggest trying episodic stories that can be finished in a session or two, especially if you don't have an idea for a big story. Find the dwarves' stolen shield, reconsecrate the raven god's shrine, that sort of thing. My players really enjoy those, and they leave me free to let the story adapt instead of trying to railroad.
I'm assuming that by "northern" you mean Nordic. If my assumptions are wrong, ignore this post ;)
I have one word to say: Folklore.
I've been running a campaign in a Nordic setting for a while now, and have utilized folklore to a massive extent.The players have come across trolls, hags and wild beasts. They even encountered the Fossegrim (and the bard made a bargain with him to learn some new tricks). There's so much to build upon.
Stories from the Norse pantheon could also be a good source of inspiration.
Maybe look at Rime of the Frostmaiden. It’s set in a very icy cold area. Even if you don’t use the story, you can see the monsters they use, and there’s advice for running things like environmental hazards in the cold. That kind of thing.
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I’m planning on running a campaign for intermediate experience players in a northern setting. I have Wildemount, though I’m thinking of doing my own. Any general story ideas?
Maybe have some force of nature that is threatening the town or village your heroes are from. It could be the cold, it could be a mighty monster, it could be hunger.
Maybe the players are escaping from something through this area. It could be a prison or a warlord. They would have to survive the harsh location.
You could also take inspiration from other works of fiction set in colder climbs. You could do a parody of something, making it slightly comical.
Alternatively, it could just be a regular dnd campaign but with the added issues of the weather.
I think, when you're making a campaign setting, it helps to base things on a real culture. Vikings, for example, which would fit nicely for a northern campaign. You don't need to be explicit. Names like Bjorn or Aldriem and imagery like rune-carved axes or dragon-prowed ships give players an instant frame of reference. In D&D, it's often better to have something recognizable than something unique, because players already know how to respond to it and won't forget or misinterpret the tone, so it's sure to feel distinct!
Once you've settled on a base like that, it's a lot easier to come up with adventures. I'd suggest trying episodic stories that can be finished in a session or two, especially if you don't have an idea for a big story. Find the dwarves' stolen shield, reconsecrate the raven god's shrine, that sort of thing. My players really enjoy those, and they leave me free to let the story adapt instead of trying to railroad.
Wizard (Gandalf) of the Tolkien Club
Aren't campaigns in a pseudo-medieval England with elves and dwarves already a Northern campaign?
I'm assuming that by "northern" you mean Nordic. If my assumptions are wrong, ignore this post ;)
I have one word to say: Folklore.
I've been running a campaign in a Nordic setting for a while now, and have utilized folklore to a massive extent.The players have come across trolls, hags and wild beasts. They even encountered the Fossegrim (and the bard made a bargain with him to learn some new tricks). There's so much to build upon.
Stories from the Norse pantheon could also be a good source of inspiration.
Sorry, maybe I should’ve said it better. When I say northern, I refer more to the terrain and setting, as in an icy landscape, not so much Vikings.
Maybe look at Rime of the Frostmaiden. It’s set in a very icy cold area. Even if you don’t use the story, you can see the monsters they use, and there’s advice for running things like environmental hazards in the cold. That kind of thing.