GUIDE · WORLD & STORY
Frozen Ship Factions & Settlements
You're not alone on the ice. The frozen world is dotted with survivor settlements — small towns with their own rules, problems, and visions for the future. How you play them can reshape the world.
Friendly vs. Hostile
Settlements come in two flavors. Friendly towns trade, quest, and share lore. Hostile ones guard their prizes and may ambush your runs. Reading a camp before committing is a core survival skill.
Factions at War
Beyond individual towns, factions wage long conflicts — or just scrape by. Your actions can shift the balance of power and decide the fate of entire communities, maybe even humanity's future.
Your Strategy: Pick a Side or Balance
- Ally with a faction for steady support — but earn enemies of their rivals.
- Balance them all — harder, but keeps every door open and every resource flowing.
- Either way, consequences are real: a burned bridge won't un-burn.
Tips
- Do quests for friendly settlements to build trust and unlock rare gear.
- Scout hostile camps from distance; don't raid what you can't hold.
- Use traders (see Trading) as neutral ground between factions.