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Returning 35 results for 'Running Horror Games'.
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Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
Running Horror Games While preparing and running frightening adventures, keep in mind the ebb and flow of suspense. Atmosphere, pacing, description, and player involvement all influence a game’s tension and directly contribute to how scary your adventures feel.
Backgrounds
Mythic Odysseys of Theros
While many athletes practice various games and events, most excel at a single form of competition. Roll or choose from the options in the Favored Event table to determine the athletic event in which you
excel.
Favored Event
d8
Favored Event
1
Marathon
2
Long-distance running
3
Wrestling
4
Boxing
5
Chariot or horse race
6
Pankration (mixed
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
provide suggestions for creating monsters; villains; torments for Darklords; settings; adventure sites; and plots evocative of horror stories, films, and games rooted in these genres, along with tables
Genres of Horror This section describes several horror subgenres, elements common to certain types of horror stories you can use to inspire your own Darklords and Domains of Dread. These sections
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
safe, moody atmosphere. Prepare the spirit board and any other props ahead of time. Consult “Running Horror Games” earlier in this chapter for advice on creating atmosphere. Conducting a Séance. One of
Running a Séance Séances reveal the mysteries of the House of Lament through atmospheric encounters. These events all take place in the house’s parlor (area 3). Before a séance, consider how you’ll
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
horrifying picture of the monster in the players’ imaginations. In addition to the techniques described in the “Running Horror Games” section of chapter 4, consider these concepts as you describe a monster
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
Running Social Interaction During a social interaction, the adventurers usually have a goal. They want to extract information, secure aid, win someone’s trust, escape punishment, avoid combat
rarely come into play. Other DMs resolve interactions by having characters make Charisma checks. Most games fall somewhere in between, balancing roleplaying with the occasional ability check.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
characters to make a Charisma saving throw to resist the horror. Set the DC based on the magnitude of the horrific circumstances. On a failed save, a character gains a short-term or long-term form of madness that you choose or determine randomly, as detailed in chapter 8, "Running the Game.”
Fear and Horror The rules for fear and horror can help you sustain an atmosphere of dread in a dark fantasy campaign. Fear When adventurers confront threats they have no hope of overcoming, you can
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
Understanding Horror Your primary goal as a DM running a horror adventure is to facilitate a fun D&D experience. This book assumes you and your players enjoy the thrill and suspense of scary stories
. The audience of a horror movie can enjoy the menace on screen because they know it can’t harm them (and they have an idea of what to expect from the film’s trailer). In the same way, your players
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
Running NPC Party Members Nonplayer characters (NPCs) are normally controlled by the DM. However, there are times in this adventure when a friendly NPC might join the party for one or more game
control of the NPC. HORROR IN THE FAR NORTH
Parts of this adventure play out like scenes in a horror movie. As the DM, you need to handle the horror responsibly. Although the events of the adventure
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
Set Expectations Well before you assemble a group around a game table, pitch the adventures you’re thinking about running to your prospective players. Note the types of conflicts that might arise
. You don’t need to reveal the major plot points or twists in your story, but share the kinds of monsters and general themes you’re interested in using, other horror stories you’re inspired by, and which
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
adding any of these topics to your game, don’t include them as options, and use them as the starting point for a list of elements that your adventures won’t include. SERIOUS FEAR
Many horror D&D games
Horror Content Survey Take advantage of the time before your first game session to learn about your players’ thoughts related to horror adventures. To do this, create a brief list of questions
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
Valachan Domain of the Hunter Darklord: Chakuna Genres: Gothic horror and slasher horror Hallmarks: Diabolical traps, hostile wilderness, survival games Mist Talismans: Displacer beast skin
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fated Flight of the Recluse
Preparation Before running the adventure, prepare as follows: Step 1. Read through the adventure once.
Step 2. Reference chapter 7, “Elemental Airships,” in Eberron: Forge of the Artificer for
the adventure:
Bandit Captain
Blue Dragon, Young
Cannith Artificer
Guard Captain
Helmed Horror
Warrior Veteran
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
you. It gives you new rules options, as well as some refined tools for creating and running adventures and campaigns. It is a supplement to the tools and advice offered in the Dungeon Master’s Guide
doesn’t help you, and don’t hesitate to customize the things that you do use. The game’s rules exist to serve you and the games you run. As always, make them your own.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
Occult Detective Stories Adventures rooted in the occult detective genre straddle the line between fantasy, mystery, and horror. For the occult detective, solving paranormal mysteries is all part of
adventures can be just as terrifying as any other horror adventures, but also might be lighter in tone. Adventurers might experience terrors only after they’ve happened and face a foe only once they’re
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
tabletop. Scheduling Games
Sometimes the hardest thing about running a game is finding a time when everyone can play. Some groups play for a few hours every week, while others set aside a whole day
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
tabletop. Scheduling Games
Sometimes the hardest thing about running a game is finding a time when everyone can play. Some groups play for a few hours every week, while others set aside a whole day
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault
. Body horror is a recurring theme in this adventure; before running it, discuss with your players their level of comfort with these elements. A friendly spirit appears as a disembodied head, warning
heroes about the dangers that await them in Delphi Mansion
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos
is already going wrong.
“You see, I need to tag the college mascots on campus—those little magical creatures that roam the grounds. We use them as mascots for our Mage Tower games. If the deans find
running this adventure, it’s best that the characters complete this event before the “Practice Makes Perfect” section. If the characters are reluctant, reinforce that the mascots are bound to
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
Horror Characteristics Characters in a horror-focused campaign might have distinct motivations and characteristics. Use the following tables to supplement your background’s suggested characteristics
or to inspire those of your own design. Horror Character Personality Traits d12 Personality Trait
1 I had an encounter that I believe gives me a special affinity with a supernatural
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
criminal meetings and illegal activities take place. The casino floor in the nightclub has tables running games of chance, a bar, and a raised stage. Bathrooms, a kitchen, and private rooms for high
-roller games (and more criminal meetings and illegal activities) are accessible from the casino floor. Boromar’s security and management offices are connected by a hallway to the casino floor, the secret
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lorwyn: First Light
running from a strange beast a boggart thought funny to provoke. One of the eldest boggarts in Mudbutton Warren, the eccentric Auntie Gobgot (Small, Chaotic Good Mage) is fiercely protective of the
item they are looking for and must offer something interesting to obtain it. Feasting Time. The adventurers visit during a feast and are asked to participate in chaotic games and to tell stories from their travels. Those who impress Auntie Gobgot are rewarded with strange but powerful magic items.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
on other domains. Taking inspiration from sci-fi horror and tales of alien abduction, adventures involving Bluetspur’s mind flayers might begin anywhere with bad dreams or a stranger’s impossible
Bluetspur” for details on running adventures featuring lost memories, or consider developing other plots using the Bluetspur Adventures table. Bluetspur Adventures d8 Adventure
1 Characters awake
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis
the adventure’s third chapter includes horror and gore. Discuss with your players their level of comfort with these elements before running this adventure for them.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
Horror Atmosphere Atmosphere is the overall mood of your game. It’s the sense of levity, excitement, or dread that stems from a story’s content and players’ perception of it. Atmosphere can be
challenging to build and easy to disrupt, but any D&D game—particularly scary games—benefit from your work to cultivate an atmosphere consistent with the experience you’re trying to create. Consider the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Forge of the Artificer
Brina d’Medani, a Khoravar who settled in Sharn after running afoul of the Emerald Claw on a mission in Karrnath. Other members of the Warning Guild rely primarily on wealthy clients referred to them
calls on these agencies to consult in difficult cases, members of the Watch tend to find Medani mind games infuriating and their idealism naive. Medani inquisitives also serve as bodyguards and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Astarion's Book of Hungers
and beckons the characters to follow. Lurking on the inn’s walkway (area R6) are two Fiendish Icons and a Helmed Horror, all of which Violet stealthily brought from Cazador’s palace. The monsters are
fall. Conclusion. If Astarion survives the adventure, each character earns a bonus 400 XP. Once the characters are at least level 4, consider running an encounter with Violet (Medium Vampire Spawn)and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd
Running the Adventure Curse of Strahd is a story of gothic horror, presented here as Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game adventure for a party of four to six adventurers of levels 1–10. A balance of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
is in store, encourage the players to embrace it and make sure their survivors meet unforgettable ends. What’s Old Is New For survivors, any foe might become the
focus of its own horror
resources in spades. By running an adventure using survivors, you can recapture some of the same tension adventurers experience early in their careers, encouraging players to use their wits and make
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
New Ability Scores: Honor and Sanity If you’re running a campaign shaped by a strict code of honor or cosmic horror, consider adding one or both these new ability scores: Honor and Sanity. These
described in chapter 8, "Running the Game." Any time a character suffers from long-term or indefinite madness, the character’s Sanity is reduced by 1. A greater restoration spell can restore Sanity lost in this way, and a character can increase his or her Sanity through level advancement.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
become a brain in a jar (see appendix C) that is affixed to the body of a headless helmed horror. If the characters threaten or attack her, Veneranda turns the helmed horror against the group and attacks
. Even though they are conjoined, the brain in a jar and the helmed horror roll initiative separately and attack as separate creatures. The brain can detach from the helmed horror as a bonus action
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
implicit or explicit commitments to the following points: You will respect the players by running a game that is fun, fair, and tailored for them. You will allow every player to contribute to the
sure everyone at the table is comfortable with how this discussion takes place. Players might not want to discuss their limits aloud around the table, especially if they’re new to roleplaying games or
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
Battle Prawn Challenge Jagged Koi Prawns are just one unexpected danger of the games at the Dyn Singh Night market Sid Squid’s Trusty Leek sponsors Battle Prawns: The Shrimpening. Sid’s shrimp cakes
announces they’ll prepare giant shrimp cakes—hopefully, in record time. Sid directs the audience’s attention to two special ingredients: delicious green tree beans and giant, jagged koi prawns. Running the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
anything a franchise’s characters or employees do might bring the franchise into conflict with rivals. If you use Xanathar’s Guide to Everything in your games, you’re probably already familiar with
philanthropic enterprise (one of the new activities in this section) could draw the attention of a noble who begins to question the reputation and honesty of the characters running the franchise. Or the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
Mutual Respect Whether you’re playing with long-time friends or strangers, it’s important to create a foundation of mutual trust. The best games happen when everyone at the table feels safe enough to
adventures you’re thinking about running to your prospective players. Note the in-world conflicts that might arise, the setting’s overall tone, and the themes you’d like to explore. (The “Every DM Is Unique