Needing Help With A Horror Campaign [Archive] - Wizards Community

Needing Help With A Horror Campaign [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Lenwe Luinwe
08-11-07, 06:40 PM Alex and Cory(who's DM is Nick), DO NOT READ THIS POST

Alright, I have recently started a horror campaign with two of my friends, and have run into a few areas that I need help with. First off I'll give you some backround on our past playing session: We have only play one session but I have already said a few things that are happening in the world that I still need to finish.

The first adventure was on the fly, I madeit up in lik 30min while the were over and it kinda sucked. It was a investigatory adventure about finding a murderer that turned out to be a drow. The drow murdered an official in a small town and finally the PCs found and killed him. Simple, and nothing was horror-ish about it.

Alright I told the PCs that there is war in the east(They are up far north away from the fighting. Thos are the only definates in my setting

The Gods of good and Gods of evil had a clash(The specifics now are unknown but I'm think the evil gods managed to unite that demons and devils somehow and used that to win the war.), anyways the evil gods kill some of the good and won, the only clue the characters have to that happening is the sky turning black one day. Good clerics have now lost thier divine spells and evil clerics are more powerful.

I'm thinking that the evil gods promised the demon's and devils parts of the material plane and maybe that is why they joined together.(Just idea by the way, just thinking out loud.) Anyhow, the fighting I think will be good trying to repel the evil that has been unleashed upon the world.

OK. So the campaign will be to repel the evil, save thematerial plane, and to acoplish this completely I thik theywill ned to eventually become gods themselves. I am working out the exact divine stuff now, but my problem is that I have no idea where to start. Also I am new to horror and need this campaign to be horric and terrifying beyond beleif(Player really want to be scared). So an tips and that aspect would be welcome too.

Thanks for wading through that post and I would appreciate some input.
Fuzzly
08-12-07, 12:06 AM Heroes of horror has some good ideas. I myself am planning on starting a mini-campaign for some people who want to taste D&D. They seem to enjoy horror so that will be a factor.

Have you read Stephen King? Some of his stuff is pure hack, but some is really awesome. For instant his (SPOILER ALERT) emotional vampire, I/E Grey Jester from the Gunslinger series. Or the Red King's son.

Have you played the Silent Hill games? If not, pick up Silent Hill 2.

Resident Evil also has some good ideas. For instance, they enter a "deserted" (hope that's right) town for some reason related to your campaign. They hear a scream, and go to investigate. When they get there they see what appears to be a gang of men attacking a woman. They go to help, but are too late. While they are fighting off some of the (now revealed) zombies, the rest finish off the woman. Depressing.

However, the sounds of battle have drawn more zombies. You can have them be shufflers or sprinters if you want, but I would prefer shufflers myself. They might be forced to fight some more zombies. They must get to <insert castle/mansion>. They can do this many ways, I/E breaking down a door, running upstairs, and jumping roof to roof, but gods help you if you fall!

I like zombies.
ORC_Sinister
08-12-07, 08:48 AM Here's some ideas I've outlined in my own horror stories. The trick is to figure out what kind of horror you want to run.

Survival Horror

This is the whole zombie thing. Players must survive against the overwhelming evil. Lots of action, never let up on the players until the sun comes up. Then they get time to rest, then it happens all over again. Action is the key to this kind of horror. This kind of horror often leads to death, some of the characters may live, normally one does just to live with the pain of it all.

Examples: Night of the Living Dead, Evil Dead I and II

Gothic Horror

Some great evil lurks in shadows around the player's movements. A cursed being that players could almost have pity for if it didn't need to be destroyed. It will sends it's agents and spies against the characters darting in and out of the adventures leaving clues to it's true nature. Then in a grand finale it appears for the final conflict. Drama is the Key to this kind of horror. Remember that sadness, depression, and dramatic emotions are needed to pull off this kind of horror. Your bad guys should all have a solid backstory with themes you can pull from. Most of the characters live through this kind of horror unless they become a creature of darkness, cursed themeselves.

Examples: Frankestien, Dracula.

Cthulhu Horror

The players are confronted with the true realities of their situation. That the universe is not what it seems. Insanity and Death are the key componets of this game where they players have no real hope to vanquish evil but they try and try. Investigation is the key to this kind of horror. If they can just keep the evil from happening one more day then they've succeeded. Ultimately in these kinds of horror character hardly survive and if they do they suffer from insanity or deep pyschological problems as a result.

Examples: Escape from Innsmouth, Village of the Damned
queenfange
08-12-07, 10:18 AM Here's some ideas I've outlined in my own horror stories. The trick is to figure out what kind of horror you want to run.

Survival Horror

This is the whole zombie thing. Players must survive against the overwhelming evil. Lots of action, never let up on the players until the sun comes up. Then they get time to rest, then it happens all over again. Action is the key to this kind of horror. This kind of horror often leads to death some of the characters live.

Examples: Night of the Living Dead, Evil Dead I and II

Gothic Horror

Some great evil lurks in shadows around the player's movements. A cursed being that players could almost have pity for if it didn't need to be destroyed. It will sends it's agents and spies against the characters darting in and out of the adventures leaving clues to it's true nature. Then in a grand finale appear for the final conflict. Drama is the Key to this kind of horror. Remember that sadness, depression, and dramatic emotions are needed to pull off this kind of horror. Your bad guys should all have a solid backstory with themes you can pull from. Most of the characters live through this kind of horror unless they become a creature of darkness, cursed themeselves.

Examples: Frankestien, Dracula.

Cthulhu Horror

The players are confronted with the true realities of their situation. That the universe is not what it seems. Insanity and Death are the key componets of this game where they players have no real hope to vanquish evil but they try and try. Investigation is the key to this kind of horror. If they can just keep the evil from happening one more day then they've succeeded. Ultimately in these kinds of horror character hardly survive and if they do they suffer from insanity or deep pyschological problems as a result.

Examples: Escape from Innsmouth, Village of the Damned

I really like how WizO_Sinister organized this; it's a great way to figure out the direction you want your campaign to go. To take it further, you may want to consider your players' preferred styles in picking which. The first type would be great for action-oriented players, those who want to accumulate cool powers, or just beat the crap out of enemies. Gothic horror (my personal favorite- I highly recommend reading Dracula) is good for role players, those who enjoy psychodrama, and possibly setting exploration as well. I think the last type, which I am admittedly not as familiar with, has arguably the darkest potential, for a serious campaign tone and suitable perhaps for puzzle-solvers, investigators, and again, those who like pyschodrama.

Do you need any help on setting (culture, races, deities, etc)? I'm not as good with campaign story arcs, but if you want any suggestions or feedback for fleshing out the world it's set in, I'd love to help.
GoriceXII
08-12-07, 05:23 PM I agree, Wizo's breakdown is rather good.

I have run a horror campaign for a few years and I'd be glad to help with any other questions or need for links or whatever you might need.

I'd like to add this: there are some main elements I can see in your original post that would be really good to work out in game. For instance: good clerics gaining spells again.

Have you ever read the Swords Trilogy? (by Michael Moorcock) In those stories the influences of the gods are very important and similar to your situation for instance the gods of Chaos start out as top dogs, leaving the gods of Law as faded shadowy beings that can do little more than grant advice and immediate healing if you're actually near one of them. This is more fantasy adventure than horror but you might find these books inspiring.
DarthNick
08-13-07, 11:41 PM Use images/motiffs/phobias that are frightening to the players, not the characters. If you know Bob is deathly afraid of snakes, have him encounter a snake pit trap, that type of thing. Keep it tasteful obviously. :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Lenwe Luinwe 08-11-07, 06:40 PM	Alex and Cory(who's DM is Nick), DO NOT READ THIS POST Alright, I have recently started a horror campaign with two of my friends, and have run into a few areas that I need help with. First off I'll give you some backround on our past playing session: We have only play one session but I have already said a few things that are happening in the world that I still need to finish. The first adventure was on the fly, I madeit up in lik 30min while the were over and it kinda sucked. It was a investigatory adventure about finding a murderer that turned out to be a drow. The drow murdered an official in a small town and finally the PCs found and killed him. Simple, and nothing was horror-ish about it. Alright I told the PCs that there is war in the east(They are up far north away from the fighting. Thos are the only definates in my setting The Gods of good and Gods of evil had a clash(The specifics now are unknown but I'm think the evil gods managed to unite that demons and devils somehow and used that to win the war.), anyways the evil gods kill some of the good and won, the only clue the characters have to that happening is the sky turning black one day. Good clerics have now lost thier divine spells and evil clerics are more powerful. I'm thinking that the evil gods promised the demon's and devils parts of the material plane and maybe that is why they joined together.(Just idea by the way, just thinking out loud.) Anyhow, the fighting I think will be good trying to repel the evil that has been unleashed upon the world. OK. So the campaign will be to repel the evil, save thematerial plane, and to acoplish this completely I thik theywill ned to eventually become gods themselves. I am working out the exact divine stuff now, but my problem is that I have no idea where to start. Also I am new to horror and need this campaign to be horric and terrifying beyond beleif(Player really want to be scared). So an tips and that aspect would be welcome too. Thanks for wading through that post and I would appreciate some input.
Fuzzly 08-12-07, 12:06 AM	Heroes of horror has some good ideas. I myself am planning on starting a mini-campaign for some people who want to taste D&D. They seem to enjoy horror so that will be a factor. Have you read Stephen King? Some of his stuff is pure hack, but some is really awesome. For instant his (SPOILER ALERT) emotional vampire, I/E Grey Jester from the Gunslinger series. Or the Red King's son. Have you played the Silent Hill games? If not, pick up Silent Hill 2. Resident Evil also has some good ideas. For instance, they enter a "deserted" (hope that's right) town for some reason related to your campaign. They hear a scream, and go to investigate. When they get there they see what appears to be a gang of men attacking a woman. They go to help, but are too late. While they are fighting off some of the (now revealed) zombies, the rest finish off the woman. Depressing. However, the sounds of battle have drawn more zombies. You can have them be shufflers or sprinters if you want, but I would prefer shufflers myself. They might be forced to fight some more zombies. They must get to <insert castle/mansion>. They can do this many ways, I/E breaking down a door, running upstairs, and jumping roof to roof, but gods help you if you fall! I like zombies.
ORC_Sinister 08-12-07, 08:48 AM	Here's some ideas I've outlined in my own horror stories. The trick is to figure out what kind of horror you want to run. Survival Horror This is the whole zombie thing. Players must survive against the overwhelming evil. Lots of action, never let up on the players until the sun comes up. Then they get time to rest, then it happens all over again. Action is the key to this kind of horror. This kind of horror often leads to death, some of the characters may live, normally one does just to live with the pain of it all. Examples: Night of the Living Dead, Evil Dead I and II Gothic Horror Some great evil lurks in shadows around the player's movements. A cursed being that players could almost have pity for if it didn't need to be destroyed. It will sends it's agents and spies against the characters darting in and out of the adventures leaving clues to it's true nature. Then in a grand finale it appears for the final conflict. Drama is the Key to this kind of horror. Remember that sadness, depression, and dramatic emotions are needed to pull off this kind of horror. Your bad guys should all have a solid backstory with themes you can pull from. Most of the characters live through this kind of horror unless they become a creature of darkness, cursed themeselves. Examples: Frankestien, Dracula. Cthulhu Horror The players are confronted with the true realities of their situation. That the universe is not what it seems. Insanity and Death are the key componets of this game where they players have no real hope to vanquish evil but they try and try. Investigation is the key to this kind of horror. If they can just keep the evil from happening one more day then they've succeeded. Ultimately in these kinds of horror character hardly survive and if they do they suffer from insanity or deep pyschological problems as a result. Examples: Escape from Innsmouth, Village of the Damned
queenfange 08-12-07, 10:18 AM	Here's some ideas I've outlined in my own horror stories. The trick is to figure out what kind of horror you want to run. Survival Horror This is the whole zombie thing. Players must survive against the overwhelming evil. Lots of action, never let up on the players until the sun comes up. Then they get time to rest, then it happens all over again. Action is the key to this kind of horror. This kind of horror often leads to death some of the characters live. Examples: Night of the Living Dead, Evil Dead I and II Gothic Horror Some great evil lurks in shadows around the player's movements. A cursed being that players could almost have pity for if it didn't need to be destroyed. It will sends it's agents and spies against the characters darting in and out of the adventures leaving clues to it's true nature. Then in a grand finale appear for the final conflict. Drama is the Key to this kind of horror. Remember that sadness, depression, and dramatic emotions are needed to pull off this kind of horror. Your bad guys should all have a solid backstory with themes you can pull from. Most of the characters live through this kind of horror unless they become a creature of darkness, cursed themeselves. Examples: Frankestien, Dracula. Cthulhu Horror The players are confronted with the true realities of their situation. That the universe is not what it seems. Insanity and Death are the key componets of this game where they players have no real hope to vanquish evil but they try and try. Investigation is the key to this kind of horror. If they can just keep the evil from happening one more day then they've succeeded. Ultimately in these kinds of horror character hardly survive and if they do they suffer from insanity or deep pyschological problems as a result. Examples: Escape from Innsmouth, Village of the Damned I really like how WizO_Sinister organized this; it's a great way to figure out the direction you want your campaign to go. To take it further, you may want to consider your players' preferred styles in picking which. The first type would be great for action-oriented players, those who want to accumulate cool powers, or just beat the crap out of enemies. Gothic horror (my personal favorite- I highly recommend reading Dracula) is good for role players, those who enjoy psychodrama, and possibly setting exploration as well. I think the last type, which I am admittedly not as familiar with, has arguably the darkest potential, for a serious campaign tone and suitable perhaps for puzzle-solvers, investigators, and again, those who like pyschodrama. Do you need any help on setting (culture, races, deities, etc)? I'm not as good with campaign story arcs, but if you want any suggestions or feedback for fleshing out the world it's set in, I'd love to help.
GoriceXII 08-12-07, 05:23 PM	I agree, Wizo's breakdown is rather good. I have run a horror campaign for a few years and I'd be glad to help with any other questions or need for links or whatever you might need. I'd like to add this: there are some main elements I can see in your original post that would be really good to work out in game. For instance: good clerics gaining spells again. Have you ever read the Swords Trilogy? (by Michael Moorcock) In those stories the influences of the gods are very important and similar to your situation for instance the gods of Chaos start out as top dogs, leaving the gods of Law as faded shadowy beings that can do little more than grant advice and immediate healing if you're actually near one of them. This is more fantasy adventure than horror but you might find these books inspiring.
DarthNick 08-13-07, 11:41 PM	Use images/motiffs/phobias that are frightening to the players, not the characters. If you know Bob is deathly afraid of snakes, have him encounter a snake pit trap, that type of thing. Keep it tasteful obviously. :)