Introduction: The Land is Your Greatest Foe

"The frontier isn’t just a battleground between outlaws and lawmen – it’s a fight against the land itself."
— Marshal Gideon Rusk, Commonwealth Ranger

On Perseverance, survival isn’t just about outdrawing an opponent – it’s about outlasting the world itself. The terrain is unforgiving, the weather unpredictable, and the environment as much an enemy as any gunfighter lurking in the shadows. Whether you’re a miner working the depths of the Red Canyons, a trader crossing the Great Plains, or a ranger hunting fugitives through the ice-choked tundra, your survival depends on understanding the land and respecting its dangers.

The Hostile Landscapes of Perseverance

The Scorched Lands (Equatorial Belt)

A vast stretch of sun-scorched deserts, jagged canyons, and salt flats dominates the planet’s midsection. The heat is relentless, with daytime temperatures high enough to cook an unprepared traveler inside their armor. By night, the desert turns freezing, its extremes testing both body and mind. This region is home to isolated mining operations and lawless hideouts, where only the toughest individuals can thrive.

Dangers:

Heat exhaustion and dehydration are the most immediate threats in the Scorched Lands. Without adequate water supplies and proper gear, a person can succumb to the heat within a single day. The intense sunlight reflecting off the salt flats can cause temporary or even permanent blindness if protective eyewear is not worn. Meanwhile, unpredictable sandstorms can arise with little warning, reducing visibility to nearly zero and stripping exposed skin raw.

Survival Tips:

The best way to survive the desert heat is to travel during the cooler nighttime hours and avoid unnecessary exertion under the midday sun. Shade is a critical resource, and even the smallest bit of cover can make the difference between life and death. Wearing loose-fitting, light-colored clothing helps to reflect heat while covering exposed skin to prevent rapid moisture loss. Always carry more water than you think you’ll need, as dehydration can set in before thirst becomes noticeable.

The Great Plains & Thundergrass Expanse

Rolling plains stretch across much of the planet’s temperate zones, interrupted by scattered mesas and winding rivers. These lands are home to ranchers, nomads, and massive herds of ironhorns, but also some of the deadliest weather conditions on Perseverance. While these grasslands offer relative ease of movement, their vast openness leaves travelers exposed to the elements.

Dangers

Lightning storms are a frequent hazard in the Thundergrass Expanse, earning the region its name. When these storms roll across the plains, they ignite massive wildfires that can consume everything in their path. Flash floods present another danger, turning dry riverbeds into raging torrents in minutes, often catching travelers unaware. Perhaps the most unexpected threat is the potential for ironhorn stampedes – when one of these massive herds is startled, they move like a tidal wave of muscle and bone, flattening anything in their path.

Survival Tips

To avoid lightning strikes, never be the tallest object in an open field. Seek lower ground but avoid dry riverbeds that may flood suddenly. If caught in a storm, look for natural rock formations that can provide shelter without attracting lightning. When encountering a herd of ironhorns, the worst thing to do is run in a straight line. Instead, move perpendicular to their charge to get out of the way as quickly as possible. Studying weather patterns can provide an early warning before a storm breaks.

The Frozen Expanse (Far North & South)

Beyond the temperate zones lie the icy tundras, where snowdrifts reach meters high and frozen rivers serve as highways for the brave or desperate. Few settlements exist here, save for isolated mining outposts and the occasional trading hub. The extreme cold is a constant threat, making survival in these regions a daily struggle.

Dangers

The foremost dangers in the Frozen Expanse are frostbite and hypothermia. Without proper insulated gear, a traveler can suffer severe cold injuries in mere minutes. Ice quakes, caused by the shifting and cracking of frozen terrain, can send entire caravans plunging into icy depths without warning. Whiteout conditions, where heavy snowfall and wind reduce visibility to nearly zero, can leave even experienced explorers hopelessly lost.

Survival Tips

Layering is the key to surviving in extreme cold – moisture-wicking fabrics keep sweat from freezing against the skin, while insulated outer layers trap heat. Movement is essential; standing still for too long can allow the cold to seep into the body, leading to dangerous drops in core temperature. Using markers or landmarks to track one’s path can help prevent disorientation in a blizzard. Carrying emergency rations and fire-starting supplies is also critical, as the tundra provides little in the way of natural resources.

The Mountain Ranges & Deep Caves

The Blackfang Peaks rise sharply from the plains, their snow-dusted ridges and hidden caves concealing both fortune and peril. Prospectors brave these regions in search of rare minerals, but few return with their riches intact. The combination of treacherous terrain and unpredictable hazards makes this one of the most dangerous environments on Perseverance.

Dangers

Avalanches pose a constant threat, particularly for those unfamiliar with the region’s shifting snowpack. A single loud noise or poorly chosen step can set off a deadly slide. Deep cave systems often contain pockets of toxic gases that can suffocate unwary explorers in minutes. The sheer rock faces of the mountains make climbing treacherous, and without proper gear, a single slip can mean certain death.

Survival Tips

Before crossing a snowy slope, test the stability of the snowpack to avoid triggering an avalanche. Carrying oxygen filtration masks is essential for exploring deep cave systems, where air quality is uncertain. When climbing, always use proper safety equipment and secure footholds carefully. Consulting local prospectors and scouts can provide valuable insight into the safest paths through the mountains.

Weather as an Active Threat

Sandstorms

Sandstorms are among the most feared natural events on Perseverance. These storms can last for hours or even days, reducing visibility to near zero and making navigation impossible. Fine dust infiltrates every crack, choking lungs and clogging machinery, rendering even the most advanced equipment useless. The only real defense against a sandstorm is finding shelter and waiting it out.

Acid Rain

Found primarily near industrial ruins or mining refineries, acid rain is a corrosive hazard that can eat through armor, weapons, and even skin. The chemicals lingering in the atmosphere from past exploitation of the planet’s resources create dangerous downpours. Travelers caught in an acid storm must find immediate cover or risk severe burns and long-term equipment damage.

Magnetic Storms

These storms disrupt navigation tools and electronic devices, making travel in affected areas highly dangerous. The charged atmosphere can cause electrical discharges that overload systems and even knock out energy-based weapons. Explorers should rely on traditional navigation methods when in areas prone to magnetic disturbances.

Tundra Blizzards

Blizzards in the Frozen Expanse can drop temperatures to lethal levels within minutes. Winds howl through the landscape with enough force to knock riders from their mounts. Those caught in a blizzard must seek immediate shelter or risk freezing to death before the storm passes.

Game Mechanics: Surviving in Harsh Environments

Tracking Exposure & Fatigue

On Perseverance, exposure to extreme environments gradually wears down a character’s ability to function. The longer a character remains in a hazardous climate without proper preparation, the worse their condition becomes. This can be represented by a Survival Stress Track, which measures prolonged exposure.

• Mild Exposure (1-2 hours): The character begins to feel discomfort, suffering minor penalties to endurance-based rolls. Sweating in the heat, feeling sluggish in the cold, or shortness of breath at high altitudes are common effects at this stage.
• Severe Exposure (4+ hours): The body starts shutting down in response to the elements. Movement becomes slower, coordination falters, and perception is reduced. Characters may struggle to complete tasks as exhaustion or cold stiffens their muscles.
• Critical Exposure (8+ hours): Prolonged exposure without relief can be fatal. The character risks unconsciousness, permanent damage (such as frostbite or heatstroke), or even death if not rescued or sheltered in time.

To recover from exposure, a character must find adequate shelter, hydration, or warmth. Special abilities, such as a Wilderness Scout’s survival skills, can help mitigate these effects.

Using Keywords for Survival

A character’s occupation or background can greatly influence how they handle environmental challenges. The right keyword can turn a death sentence into a manageable hardship:

• A Wilderness Scout has experience with extreme climates and knows how to find safe paths, locate water sources, and set up proper shelter. They can reduce exposure penalties for themselves and their group.
• An Ice Runner is trained to navigate frozen terrain and can detect thin ice before stepping on it. They also possess gear that helps them retain body heat in subzero temperatures.
• A Pioneer-Born character may have natural resistances to extreme heat or cold, allowing them to withstand harsh conditions longer than the average traveler.
• A Prospector’s Kin is used to cave exploration and can recognize signs of unstable tunnels or gas pockets, preventing dangerous mishaps underground.

Essential Frontier Gear

Equipment is key to survival, and travelers on Perseverance must plan ahead. Carrying the right tools can mean the difference between life and death:

• Atmos-Sealed Clothing: Provides insulation against extreme heat and cold, reducing exposure effects.
• Filtered Breathers: Protect against dust inhalation during sandstorms and filter out toxic gases in caves or industrial ruins.
• Climbing Gear: Essential for mountain travel, reducing the risk of falls and allowing for easier traversal of steep terrain.
• Emergency Shelter Kits: Deployable shelters that provide cover against harsh weather conditions, shielding travelers from rain, sandstorms, or blizzards.
• Solar-Powered Hydration Packs: Designed to extract moisture from the air, ensuring a steady water supply even in arid environments.

Characters who lack the right equipment face a significantly higher chance of succumbing to the planet’s dangers. Smart preparation is as vital as a steady hand in a gunfight on Perseverance.

Adventure Hooks & Storytelling Ideas

Adventure Hooks & Storytelling Ideas

The harsh conditions of Perseverance provide countless opportunities for tense, survival-driven narratives. Here are some potential adventure hooks that will challenge players to think strategically and work together to overcome nature’s relentless dangers.

• Lost in the Storm: A valuable caravan carrying crucial supplies has been swallowed by a sudden sandstorm. The travelers must locate the lost shipment before scavengers, or worse, the desert itself, claims it for good. Players must navigate through shifting dunes, evade territorial predators, and contend with failing equipment as they attempt a daring rescue.

• The Frozen Silence: A remote research station in the tundra has gone silent. The team sent to investigate finds the facility intact but abandoned, save for eerie traces of struggle and half-frozen tracks leading into the blizzard. With a storm closing in, the adventurers must uncover what happened before they, too, disappear into the ice.

• The Price of Progress: A mining operation deep in the Blackfang Peaks has uncovered a rare mineral deposit, but the discovery has triggered increased seismic activity. With an avalanche looming and corporate enforcers pushing the workers to continue digging, the players must decide: secure the wealth or save the miners before the mountains bury them alive.

• Riders of the Thundergrass: A settlement on the edge of the Great Plains is under threat – an ironhorn herd has been spooked by a magnetic storm and is now stampeding toward the town. With only hours before impact, the adventurers must either divert the herd, fortify the town, or find another way to prevent catastrophe.

• The Whispering Winds: An old prospector claims that voices speak to him through the canyons, warning of an incoming disaster. Is he mad, or is there truth to his tales? As the winds howl through the red cliffs, the players must determine whether there’s a hidden force at work – or if the land itself has a message to share.

Each of these hooks presents a unique challenge rooted in Perseverance’s unforgiving environment, encouraging players to rely on their skills, knowledge, and ingenuity to survive. Whether they succeed or fail, the frontier will not wait – it moves, shifts, and continues its relentless march forward.

Conclusion

"On Perseverance, the land is as deadly as any gunslinger. Master it, or let it bury you."
— Elias Morro, Ice Runner

Survival is a constant battle, and only those who prepare, adapt, and respect the world will live to see another sunrise. Perseverance is not a forgiving place – but for those with the grit to endure, the rewards are just as great as the risks.