Tresed's page

A few ideas I have used over the ages to scare PCs:
A) Roll the dice when nothing is happening, look at a player and frown, scribble something to yourself and then continue without explaining.
B) over describe simple things like a door knob, it confuses players. They often think if you describe it THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING IMPORTANT THEY ARE MISSING!
C) pass notes to players to tell them what happened. Explain that if they receive a note it is for their character only. If a PC sees something give them a quick note. Then ask how they react. Once they are used to it occasionally pass a player a note that is just to confuse other players for example: "Hello, which do you prefer black or red." Once they say a color ask for the note back and tear it up.
D) random smells confuse players. Pass a note to a player 'you smell a faint hint of cinnamon' most times it means nothing but occasionally make it important.

Many of these notes you can prepare ahead of time. It builds tension in the party and scares them. Fear is going from the known to the unknown. If they don't know what is happening they get nervous. Plus they start to suspect each other since you can do notes like, 'you find a small purse with a silver ring, what do you do?' Some may keep it and say nothing but some might alert the party. Make sure everyone gets the occasional note.