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Hey everyone,
I'm working on a video on extra tips for Gamemasters looking to run a horror themed adventure.
I have a number of tricks I've used in the past, like changing game location, playing by candlelight, and not using a battlemat.
I wanted to see if there are any horror fans out there that have suggestions beyond these and those presented in Horror Adventures?
Thanks in advance!
This thread might help. I tried to figure out a general concept at posting #6, and others came up with examples, literature and concepts also. This was before Horror Adventures, so likely there will be some redundancy but also some new stuff.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
This thread might help. I tried to figure out a general concept at posting #6, and others came up with examples, literature and concepts also. This was before Horror Adventures, so likely there will be some redundancy but also some new stuff.
Awesome, thank you! There are some great adventure ideas there.
I was really hoping to find some more out of game suggestions as well, probably should have made that clearer... Basically things a GM can do to really get players in the right mindset for a horror game.
For example one game I ran for my players I had them play in a completely different part of the house than they were used to. I only used candles for light and didn't use a battlemat so they would have no choice but to imagine the scene as I described it.
Funny enough I accidentally left open the closet door in the room we played in. Most of my players (especially the ones with their backs to that door) said that was the creepiest part.
If you have any ideas along those lines is love to hear them. Thanks again for the quick response, and thread full of great ideas!
Sounds like some good ideas. I'd try to make sure every player is fine with such immersive horror, though.
Alright, if you want to focus on out-of-character horror right now: Have weird or horrifying sounds at hand. I think short ones will work better and timing is most important. Repeating the same sound (becoming louder, louder... and quieter...) helps to build tension.
Showing a horrifying picture needs some care. Different players will react differently to the same picture - it can trigger the intended fear, but also disinterest ('a headless monkey? seen that, killed that already *yawn*') or humor ('let's put our last victim's head on this monkey'). Worse, it could totally freak out a player.
Very true. I'm glad that getting consent from players was covered in Horror Adventures. I have a player that is deathly afraid of clowns, and she would probably never return if I put on a clown mask. On the flipside of that I also have a player who jokes non-stop when scared, which can ruin the work you put into making something scary. Its always important to be open and talk to your players in situations like this.
I very much like your idea of using sound effects. In a big Syrinscape fan, and their sound track for book two of RotRL is perfect for that. Maybe setting up hidden speakers would be fun? Food for thought.
Yes, hidden speakers sounds good - I'd make sure to test it a bit, though.
I don't have any new ideas right now, but if you want to write some updates here occassionally, I'd be happy to read them.