So I'd like to run an adventure using Dread.
I don't like writing adventures though.
Point me towards the scariest, most horrifying, chilling and enjoyable horror adventure you've ever played, for any system. Real world or thereabouts, not different settings (Cthulhu is fine, Starfinder isn't).
Actually, Cthulhu would be a plus for at least one of my players, but she loves all manners of horror, as long as it's really damn scary.
If you've ever seen Into the Mouth of Madness that's the kind of nightmarish experience I'd like to give my players. Not torture porn, not Human Centipede, not slasher flicks. Mulholland Drive also gets some of that kind of horror right. Babadook and It (2017) too.
I know, it's a lot of factors to take into consideration, so I'm gonna check whatever you suggest anyways - you never know.
But really, no torture porn.
Call of Cthulhu has a vast body of generally excellent "adventures" from which to draw upon. Many of their best scenarios can be played in one or two sessions.
For anyone new to the BRP/CoC mechanics the introductory "adventures" do the job just fine.
Now, for a CoC-inspired Pathfinder campaign ... I'd probably go with one of The Mountains of Madness (if you can find it), Horror on the Orient Express (for Steampunk) or Masks of Nyarlathotep.
Horror on the Orient Express was overhauled to the current CoC rules set during its Kickstarter and came with several "flashback" scenes to use with their "pre-modern variants".
Edit: part of what makes Call of Cthulhu sessions so terrifying even for hardened Pathfinder/3e veterans is that many of the 'standard' monsters do not play by the typical FRPG rules. Zombies are excellent bullet sponges - head shots do the job, otherwise damage requires dismemberment and/or incineration, using one example. Other entities are nearly indifferent to automatic weapons fire while a flamethrower works just fine. If you're adapting CoC material to your game my suggestion is to leave as many of these defenses intact as possible.
As far as top horror scenario goes ... well, there's a side scene in Horror on the Orient Express when things go south for the player characters, they go south quickly. This scene features a hidden timer that doesn't start without occupying at least one character and a horde of utterly lethal monsters (provided they pull off their maneuvers) has had more than one cocky player's dice bags quaking in fear.
What about Trail of Cthulhu? Ever tried one of those adventures? Are they good? I was having a look at the Book of Unremitting Horror and it was... horrifying.
I've had good times running Dread with an adventure I found online called "Beneath the Ice". Many Lovecraftian themes and a glacial setting of isolation. Loads of fun, stress, and horror complete with unknowable awakening gods.
Thanks, downloaded it, will give it a read soon!
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
What about Trail of Cthulhu? Ever tried one of those adventures? Are they good? I was having a look at the Book of Unremitting Horror and it was... horrifying.
Never heard of it until your post. I'll meander over and take a look.
What about Trail of Cthulhu? Ever tried one of those adventures? Are they good? I was having a look at the Book of Unremitting Horror and it was... horrifying.Never heard of it until your post. I'll meander over and take a look.
Sounds like a plan, do have a look, it's a good game, Pelgrane Press.