Sourced from The Rural Setting Thesaurus
SIGHTS
A flat landscape, blowing snow, ice sheets, glaciers, snow banks, streaking or low-hanging clouds, far-off snow-capped mountain ranges, caribou, wolves, musk oxen, hares, polar bears, foxes, snow geese, animal tracks in the snow, snow drifts, hardy tufts of grass peeking out of the snow, rock formations, igloos, sleds and sled dogs, snowmobiles, natives dressed in furs and leathers, hunters with jackets ringed in animal fur, snowmobile tracks, old fire pits and campsites, simple prefabricated tents and those made of skins, animal scat half-frozen in the ice, fogging breath, smoke from fires rising into the sky, a bright and possibly warmth-less sun (depending on the time of year), ice crust, icicles, frozen and barren patches of dirt, scattered and sparse trees, migrating birds, sunlight glaring off the snow and ice, isolated shelters and buildings, wind blowing at the snow and wearing it down into sleek curves and peaks
SOUNDS
Wind that howls and tears, a flapping tent, the crackle and hiss of a fire, a kettle whistling, the crinkle of cold fabric (a parka, a tent, bedding), snow crunching beneath one’s boot, the steady whispering of runners in the snow, panting or howling dogs, the rev of an engine, a bear’s roar, the pattering gait of huskies pulling a sled, yips and barks, the creak of a harness and its buckles, birds cawing as they scavenge or hunt, sneezing, sniffling, coughing, snow crystals rattling against one’s coat, the crack of a snow axe cutting into ice, wind scratching through tufts of dry grass, the crackling sound as one steps through a crust of snow, melting snow falling into the fire with a sizzle, howling wolves
SMELLS
Sweat, the clean ozone-like smell of fresh snow, warming leather, dogs and animals, fresh kills and found carrion, the wind carrying the scent of briny water, wood smoke, tea, coffee, roasted or raw meat, dead grass, blood
TASTES
Raw meat, hardtack, biscuits, jerky, tea, coffee, cooked meat, trail mix, dried fruit or other nutritious foods brought for the journey, melted snow, salty sweat on the lips, gamy wild meat, fish, blubber, suet
TEXTURES AND SENSATIONS
The wind slicing at exposed skin, chapped skin and bleeding lips, cracked knuckles, numbness in the fingers and toes, sunburn on the face, windburned cheeks and foreheads, pain in the ears from the constant wind, rendered fat placed on the skin to protect it from the elements,
a dry mouth, shaking from spent strength, breaths sawing at one’s throat, pain in the chest from breathing cold air, the pinging darts of windblown snow hitting the skin, headaches, snow blindness, disorientation, dizziness, muscles that spasm and tremble, cold snow against one’s hands, frozen boot laces, tired muscles being forced to slog through deep drifts, snow in one’s boots or gloves, sweating from exertion, the painful tingle of warmth returning to frozen extremities, a fire’s heat pressing against one’s face, brushing away ice crystals that have formed on one’s facial hair, clumsiness due to numb digits
POSSIBLE SOURCES OF CONFLICT
Frostbite, hypothermia, and freezing to death
Running out of fuel for one’s heat source
Losing one’s supplies
Being attacked by wolves or other animals
Falling through the ice or snow into a canyon far below the ground’s surface
Sustaining a serious injury that requires medical attention
Falling ill far from civilization
Being unable to find food
Losing a glove or hood
Running across hostile locals
Getting lost
Being partnered with a mentally unstable person (a guide, a work partner, etc.)
Getting caught in extreme weather without shelter
Being stalked by an animal
Worrying over local lore and superstitions
Drifting snow that creates a whiteout, causing one to lose one’s sense of direction
Needing to find safety before an impending storm hits
PEOPLE COMMONLY FOUND HERE: Environmentalists, extreme sports enthusiasts (adventurers, dogsledders, mountain climbers), geologists and ecologists, homesteaders, native people, photographers, scientists
SETTING NOTES AND TIPS
Most of the Arctic tundra is frozen year round. In the southern regions, there is a brief summer season when the snow melts, inciting a burst of plant and animal life. Bogs and ponds form, insects swarm them, and migrating birds come to feed on the bugs. In some of these areas, the sun is up twenty-four hours of the day, and locals migrate to their favorite hunting and fishing spots, intent on catching and storing enough food for winter. As with any setting, thorough research is imperative to make sure that the climate and animal and plant life are correct for the region you have chosen.
SETTING DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE
I pulled the tent flap back and shielded my eyes. The sun lit up the ice crystals, transforming the ground into snow-crusted treasure. I smiled and took a deep breath of the cold, invigorating air, glad to have such beauty accompany me on the hike to the polar bear observation station.
Techniques and Devices Used: Simile, weather
Resulting Effects: Establishing mood, reinforcing emotion
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