The campaign is, basically, set in the far reaches of the Russian expansion east, into Siberia

The Keep is almost to the mongol lands and a bit north, with food imported from Turkish farmers, while Russian peasants try to set up farming in land that is far enough north to have short, mild summers (but long days, to offset last growing time). Winters are long and harsh.

The PCs are unemployed mercenaries, in essence, with so few prospects they find themselves on the edge of the known world looking for work. There may well be exceptions, of course.

In addition to the weather there is a worse enemy to fight off: Goblinoid hordes. Miles and miles and miles of them.

Most players will be, of logistical necessity, European and human. Select limited non human access is available. It's best to check, first.

Note: Much of the game will likely take place in an Arctic environment. Please outfit accordingly, when the time comes.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:48, Fri 10 Feb 2023.

The Keep's placement is a bit North of Turkish lands and a bit west and north of Mongol lands.

Cathay is a bit farther south and hard to get to from the Keep (and vice versa) as the Great Wall, which starts at the sea and moves west and south around Cathay and down into India, protects Cathay and keeps Goblins and Mongols out...and Cathay natives in.

Siberia is full of goblins, hobgoblins, and bugbears all the way to to the Arctic north and the Pacific east. Probably other things as well.

More over, the Keep is far enough North and West that things from Jotunheim and Eastern Europe come out to play occasionally.

A large part of the income for independent contractors at The Keep is from Bounty hunting.

Taking the ear off a goblinoid isn't a big deal.It just takes a sharp knife and a head that isn't fighting back.

Skinning a creature, however, for bounty or personal use, is a bit more skill intensive. However, either Survival or Leatherworking Tools will do the job. And a knife, of course. If you have training in both, you have Advantage.

Bounties are posted on the Bounty Board outside the Fur Trader's. He pays more for pelts in good quality, of course, so kill the things with bludgeoning weapons so you don't fill them full of holes.

It's going to be cold a good chunk of the year. Really cold when you're out chasing down bounties. It's mythic Siberia, after all, the place the nazis sent their own as punishment.

The cold weather rules in the DMG apply. For those that can afford it, a minor bit of magic will be available to help offset the cold.

Generally speaking, the better armors aren't worn over much clothing, just padding. That means you're going to want warm armor as much or more than warm clothing. Armor that can be worn as warm clothing IS locally produced

Any Quilted/Padded armor will be pretty warm. Locally produced sets will include warm boots and gloves. If you start off with padded from elsewhere you'll need to visit the local haberdasher.

Hide armor (locally produced ONLY) will be fur lined and made from hides with the fur still on it. Boots and gloves included.

Don't forget a hat and something to keep off the rain.

As to spells that will help: there really aren't any:
Prestidigitation can warm your gloves or boots for an hour (one casting per glove or boot, 3 total) but that isn't much help for the rest of you. It just doesn't cover enough area.

Resistance doesn't last long enough to cover hourly saves.

An Elemental Monk could use Elemental Attunement to warm up one article of clothing, but not a whole outfit.

Of course, any spell, item, or ability that confers actual resistance to cold will do the job, but none of those are in the cantrip or 1st level range.

You've been warned.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:46, Mon 23 Nov 2020.