So, here's the background- I am running a Pathfinder game based somewhat on the PC game Diablo (mostly the first game). I am wondering what I can do to build horror atmosphere on a roll20+Discord game. The characters are level 16 now, so it's getting hard to scare either the PCs or their players. I know music and sound effects can help, and I've already done that. What other ideas do you have?
Scaring players is easy. Just track down their friends and/or family and hold them as hostages. You can even use this to make the characters antsy too, just tell the players that they’ll never see the hostages again unless the PCs play the game to your satisfaction.
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A lot depends on how you describe a scene. You can go from "You enter a dark room hung with cobwebs" to "You enter a chamber, filled with innumerable tangled webs. Some hold silk wrapped men and women while the floor is littered with the bones of their discarded feasts. While you stare in fascination at the grisly scene, some of you notice the
webs are moving as if something were easing along them."
I know your players are above the giant spider level of challenges, but that's the idea. Use descriptive words to great advantage. If they enter an evil temple, call the feeling they get "great evil, as though sin and and obscenity still pervade the very air you breathe. You even think you can hear the ancient echoes of those damned to die in shrieking agony."
Spend an afternoon with a thesaurus, either book or online forms. Write down words that mean the same as others but will help lend a darker atmosphere to the scenes. Hope something here sparks some ideas for you!
Bumping for the OP. Throw in some ideas!
Frankly, I'm impressed that you have managed for 16 levels. Creating a horror feeling is pretty tough, and doing so in a remote environment is way tougher.
I don't have anything to add, since you are apparently better at doing this than I am, so I just suggest keep on as you have been. If the characters (and players) are a little more hardened to horror, well, that isn't unrealistic as they have spent considerable time dealing with this.
I'm afraid I didn't post anything helpful because I've nought helpful to post, much like Dave Justus above. I wish you luck in your endeavors, though!