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I’ll start by saying I like how everything in Horrific Fears (HF) is presented as a template which is a good way to introduce horror gaming. It allows you to use only what you want.
The fear of death should be on every player’s mind in a horror game so HF starts off introducing the Health System, which reduces HPs, reinforcing that fear. Add to it Wound Levels, or condition levels, and PCs suddenly face penalties that spiral them toward death. This section covers it’s use with monsters and NPCs for dramatic effect. Used as presented players will soon have doubts as they fear for their PC’s life?
Every monster and some events have a Fear Rating (FR). When encountered the Player makes a Terror Check (TC), a Will save vs. FR. Failing the TC will apply a condition (shaken, frightened, panicked, cowering, and overwhelmed). Fail by 5 or less the PC is shaken (-2 to attacks, saves, skill and ability checks) whereas failing by 21 or more overwhelms (similar to confusion spell). Optional rules cover Fear Immunity and combining FRs (normally you save vs. each monster/event in an encounter).
It’s all madness as the PC’s Madness Score (MS) starts at 0 and climbs to 100, causing quirks and disorders to manifest. Madness Points (MP) are acquired when the PC fails a TC. Fail vs. a FR 1-5 monster nets 1d2 MPs while a FR 40+ adds 3d8. Some monsters are so horrific a winning save still awards MPs! The MS can be reduced, usually by defeating a monster or event.
Quirks are disadvantages applied under certain conditions, simulating forms of phobia or personality disorders. Disorders are penalties which never go away, such as addiction or terror attacks (disables the PC). True madness sets in when a PC attains 100 and the player faces possibility their PC may become the new nemesis in the game; bent on killing his former friends.
A few things I‘d like to have seen are how to work around paladin fear immunity and the impact of the Madness domain and spells on the MS.
I recommend it.