Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Andron 10-24-06, 02:57 PM	Okay, here's another question that I have been thinking about. I love the fantasy genre, obviously, but I also really enjoy the horror genre; specifically the Lovecraftian mythos. In my current fantasy campaign I am trying to work in these Lovecraftian ideals, but I am having some difficulty in translating these specific horror aspects to fantasy. ( The campaign started out as a typical generic fantasy campaign- designed like that on purpose to throw off the pc's, but now I have it slowly being revealed that nothing is what it seems once a person looks below the surface.) Reading WotC Heroes of Horror has helped with some of these conversions, especially the insanity, and listening to their most recent podcast have given me some other general ideas. But it's really hard to get a group of 8 6th level adventurers to fear 13 0 level cultists, not counting the cult leader who would most likely be at a respectable level for a challange. I have been busy with setting the tone and mood with good description and even handouts on occassion. But is there other things that I could do to help create that total fear and dread feeling that the Cthulhu Mythos brings about into a fantasy setting? I really do not want to just have hordes of undead and buckets of blood pouring out of people's head for scare tactics. thank you
kilishan 10-25-06, 12:18 AM	First off, I think you've been doing it perfectly! Especially by starting off as a typical fantasy setting and then subtly bringing in the rotting core. From my experience, it's the subtle things that makes the player start to wonder that really brings the creepiness and terror into a game. A couple quick things to remember: First, today's horror genre (at least in film) is no longer horror. It's the splatter fest that you say you're trying to avoid. If you look back to some of the older horror you'll find that Hitchcock did it right. Even if most of his stuff would be considered thrillers nowadays. What I think you want to do is too keep the really scary stuff hidden and operating from the shadows. Let the PC's only get hints. And this ties into the second thing that I would say needs to be remembered, and it sounds like you're on the right track. It's the players themselves that need to be unsettled. It's very hard to "scare" in the more modern sense of the word, the players. But by keepings things creepy and making things not meet their expectations, you're going a long way to scaring them. Hopefully you know the players and know some of the things that scare them. You could always check with their significant others to try and find out more :) If you join us on the "live" podcast on Sunday, we can all talk about it a little more in depth... Hope that helped a little at least.
Reversefigure4 10-25-06, 07:35 PM	For starters, don't tell the PCs they are fighting level 0 cultists. What they are fighting are mysterious figures in black robes, with arcane symbols that seem to twist their very minds to look upon them. Alter existing effects to make them appear spookier than they really are. The cultist isn't using a run-of-the-mill PHB dagger, he's using a barbed blade with teeth for edges. The leader doesn't Teleport away like a normal teleport spell looks, he dissolves into the floor instead.
Cam S. 10-25-06, 07:41 PM	If you're going for a Lovecraftian feel, might I advise picking up "Lords of Madness". I think that the Tsochar would be a nice addition to your game. Also, if your players have been playing for a long time, then they will most likely have grown accustomed to a number of the monsters--I would advise you to try to find some monsters they aren't necesarilly familiar with. Good luck with the horror gaming.
Andron 10-26-06, 12:38 PM	Yeah, I've got Lords of Madness i just need to read through it yet. I'm actually trying to convert the Mythos creatures into D&Dterms. I know there's ad20 Call of cthulhu game, but it's more set-up for playing with characters built up for that specific game and not D&D. I never really tell the pc's what level they are fighting, but when they start hitting easily, and killing them easily, they know. I'm happy to know that I am on the right track though. I was getting worried that i wasn't doing it right. Thanks for the help.