After the only gaming thing I did over the weekend was finally getting round to sorting my Star Realms collection (actually got the cards in the official big storage box now) I’m back once more for this #RPGaDAY2019 thing.
Today’s inspiring word for #RPGaDAY2019 is…
Today’s theme is a toughie.
Mainly because I’ve not played a horror or scary RPG. Or a scenario that is meant to be either.
There are plenty of opportunities to play a system where horror and being scared are a major element or the basis of the theme.
The image below shows a handful of them. So whether you want that Lovecraft mythology or more vampire/zombie theme there is a system or setting for you. You can even go Stranger Things inspired with Tales from the Loop.
I’d like to run a scary/horror one shot around the traditional time of year for such things (although I hate the commercial Americanisation that over shadows our traditional Guy Fawkes celebrations). My leanings at the moment are either The End of the World or Curse of Strahd.
The End of the World is a zombie apocalypse themed RPG. The hook is you are playing yourself in which every town/city you are living in. Your starting equipment is whatever is in your pocket and around you in the room you are playing.
The Curse of Strahd is set in Ravenloft and is a D&D fantasy horror setting. There are already all the creatures needed for the traditional classic horror setting, such as vampires (the main villain of the setting is one), werewolves and zombies.
A setting and theme alone do not make a session scary. I think good horror or scary movie is not just about the gore. It’s about the shocks, build up of suspense and sometimes not so subtle social commentary. Plus the many tropes such as the final girl or vengeful spirit.
So the problem is how to transfer these over to the tabletop?
If I run The Curse of Strahd then I have to hope that all this has been done already. Or I could take the book as inspiration and roll my own one shot in that setting, and attempt to do the job myself of including that stuff. Which I have no idea how to do (at the moment).
The End of the World is a great opportunity to explore social issues. Zombie movies, especially the Romero ones are great at embedding them into the setting. Considering that this setting is current day using current events is pretty easy.
The easiest thing to include are the tropes (apart from the final girl).
But I think the fact players playing themselves along with the traumas (ones they are happy to talk about publicly) is a great opportunity to dial up the suspense, and shocks. Especially if you know the players really well. Although I think this system really needs a good discussion before the game starts about peoples no go areas. What are they not comfortable discussing or dealing with. Not just the personal traumas but also situations. A player may not be comfortable dealing with family members dying and becoming zombies.
The decision about which system to go with may come down to the simple fact that I have The End of the World already. But having written all of the above, my curiosity and need to just buy stuff because, that may not be the deciding factor nearer the time.
Ok now go off and find some proper words on this theme.