A Morbid Touch

Jyrdan Fairblade · Post by **Jyrdan Fairblade** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 3:46 pm

With the Halloween season about to reach its climax, I've been thinking about running a few spooky sessions.

That being said, I don't want to sacrifice the high fantasy feel. I don't want to just turn things into Warhammer Fantasy (not that I have anything at all against that RPG!).

Essentially, I guess I want atmosphere without grit. Some of the thoughts I've had have been along the lines of mentioning that the crenellations of the dwarven fortress are lined with the skulls of their slain foes, a few autumnal forests, maybe a bit more of the walking dead, and taking a few tricks from the old Ravenloft boxed set.

Any thoughts, or am I trying to have my cake and eat it too?

Omote · Post by **Omote** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 3:53 pm

If possible, check out Darkness & Dread from Fantasy Flight. Cool book with some good fantasy horror elements to it. I know that is not an applicable response to your Q, but nonetheless that is all I got.

-O
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Lord Dynel · Post by **Lord Dynel** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 5:36 pm

Try to keep it lighthearted, but scary. I know that sounds like an ironic and general statement. The first thing I thought of after reading your post was "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Disney and "The Nightmare before Christmas." Maybe watching one (or both) of those might be inspiring. Good Luck!

serleran · Post by **serleran** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 5:43 pm

If you have Bob, Lord of Evil, read it and use it. Great horror comedy stuff in there...

mordrene · Post by **mordrene** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 6:55 pm

cthuluth.... nuff said

Luther · Post by **Luther** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:10 pm

I'm running Keep on the Borderlands next Sunday and I plan to spook it up by setting it in the deep fall, with bare trees, a chill in the air, and an early sunset meaning the PCs will spend more time in the outdoors trying to get rest in the middle of a night black forest.

The occasional grisly find, the remains of a hunting party/creature from the Caves of Chaos will enhance the dread as they approach the caves. I might even add in an attack by twig creatures.

I hated The Blair Witch Project, but I can't deny that my players will be experiencing it first hand as they travel to their destination...
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Lord Dynel · Post by **Lord Dynel** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 12:21 am

Sounds like a plan. Change your speaking tone, all of a sudden, or get "twitchy" at the table - that actually worked for me one...scared teh crap out of the players.

Feel free to let us know how it turns out!