Troll Lord Games

Does anyone have any tips for solid resources in doing all-wilderness adventures? I'm planning for my game to go in this direction for a while, and while I've sort of fudged it generally so far, I'd like some pointers on places to go and things to do, interesting effects, etc to have in wilderness adventures. I'm currently reading through the AD&D Wilderness Survival Guide, which has interesting points, but I'm very open to other suggestions.

For context, my game is happening in the Iron Hills of Greyhawk, between Idee and Irongate. I'm using original boxed-set Greyhawk, and Herzog Chelor's armies are pushing south, currently using humanoid incursions to try and break down the border defenses. The PCs are mercenaries working for the Iron League, which provides the rationale for tramping about the Iron Hills.

I already know I want to have a big fight in the pouring rain with a group of orcs for the next adventure, which I figure will have some interesting side effects, but I'd generally like resources on making the whole wilderness come alive in my games.

That might be a bit tricky in some respects... and by that I mean with finding a good resource or two.

Aside from the Wilderness Survival Guide, you could cull some ideas from FFG's 'Wildscape' for d20. This book is divided up in 'regions' from such as Forests, Mountains, Deserts, etc... Unfortunately, there isn't too much depth from section to section but the book as a whole I found to be a great complement to the Wilderness Survival Guide.

Other books such as Frostburn (and other WOTC titles) might be a bit too specific and won't have titles that will detail what you might be looking for.

Anyone else?

Moriarty the Red
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I suggest getting the source that was so amazing, it was suggested in the OD&D books: Outdoor Survival. You can find it on eBay for pretty cheap (I bought one just a few days ago for $9.99) and it even doubles as a source of RPG history.

Mortality of Green is a solid almost 100% wilderness adventure. Might help.
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Peter Bradley

If possible, and this is the perfect time of year if you live in the northern hemisphere, but I'd suggest doing a little real research. By this I mean, if possible, go for a walk in some wooded hills, or even just hilly or forested area. Let your mind wander a bit and take in the landscape. While doing so, think of what you could do with a particular landscape that you are looking at. Would orcs or hobgoblins, or even worse inhabit the area you're standing in?

I have found that doing this really helps my wilderness creativity when coming up with ideas.

If you have areas like this in your area, I would highly suggest doing this if possible, that is in addition to reading the sources suggested above.

Good luck!

.................................Omote

FPQ
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To add to Omote's suggestion. Bear in mind that wilderness encounters aren't always going to be monster tribes. People can get just as messed up by a rampaging boar as they can by a horde of hostile squirrels.
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"We'll go out through the kitchen!" Tanis Half-Elven

Peter Bradley

Many thanks for the replies so far. I've ordered Wildscape and Outdoor Survival online, and am looking forward to checking both out (obviously from wildly different angles of the problem). I'll check out Mortality of Green later on, the party in my game is currently still 1st level. (That's a d20 adventure, right?) And I appreciate the advice to go wandering outside - perhaps I'll suggest my girlfriend and I go out for a nice walk sometime soon.

gideon_thorne wrote:
a horde of hostile squirrels.

Damn I hate those smug little bastards. Always chittering around and jumping from tree to tree taunting your inability to get to them and giving them the just throttling that they deserve.

Then, when you're out of breath and tired after raging impotently against the bushy tailed pricks....

the acorn volleys begin.

Sure, first volley you see flying your way doesn't concern you. They are just acorns after all, not to mention thrown by bucked tooth pussies with scrawny arms. But as volley after volley barrage you...it begins to take its toll. Each successive volley hurts a little bit more, and thats not even counting the mocking squirrel laughter....

To hell with the woods. I'm staying home.

graymouser wrote:
Many thanks for the replies so far. I've ordered Wildscape and Outdoor Survival online, and am looking forward to checking both out (obviously from wildly different angles of the problem). I'll check out Mortality of Green later on, the party in my game is currently still 1st level. (That's a d20 adventure, right?) And I appreciate the advice to go wandering outside - perhaps I'll suggest my girlfriend and I go out for a nice walk sometime soon.

Mortality of Green is a C&C adventure for 3-5th level characters.
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"We'll go out through the kitchen!" Tanis Half-Elven

Peter Bradley

Quote:
Damn I hate those smug little bastards. Always chittering around and jumping from tree to tree taunting your inability to get to them and giving them the just throttling that they deserve.

Then, when you're out of breath and tired after raging impotently against the bushy tailed pricks....

the acorn volleys begin.

Sure, first volley you see flying your way doesn't concern you. They are just acorns after all, not to mention thrown by bucked tooth pussies with scrawny arms. But as volley after volley barrage you...it begins to take its toll. Each successive volley hurts a little bit more, and thats not even counting the mocking squirrel laughter....

To hell with the woods. I'm staying home.

I'm never leaving my shotgun home again....

I agree with Omote. A walk in the woods is the best way to fuel your mind on this. If you can't do a walk then flip through some backpacking mags or some outdoor picts or paintings.

A good d20 book is frost & fur but that is limited to winter.
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gideon_thorne wrote:
Mortality of Green is a solid almost 100% wilderness adventure. Might help.

Good thought on Mortality of Green, I'll concur!!
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Another good resource is the Wilderlands boxed set. Yeah, its a bit big just to get for wilderness encounters, but its chock full of ideas, not to mention random ruins and other goodness.

Good D&D wilderness adventures include S4/WG4, WG6, X1, and X4/X5. In particular, I find the mountainous WG4/S4 to be good models, along with Gary's "Sea of Death" novel for desert exploration.
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Nat'l Geographic.
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The Rock says ...

Know your roll!

Since it sounds like your looking for "game effects" such as frost bite, extreme cold, etc... your getting great books for it.

The GH boxed set books have random weather charts and changes to movement rates, which you can easily adjust to C&C.
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serleran wrote:
I suggest getting the source that was so amazing, it was suggested in the OD&D books: Outdoor Survival. You can find it on eBay for pretty cheap (I bought one just a few days ago for $9.99) and it even doubles as a source of RPG history.

What's the author/publisher info for Outdoor Survival?

Quote:
What's the author/publisher info for Outdoor Survival?

Avalon Hill Game Company / Stackpole Books - Copyright 1972, Item #895.