Ambient Fear and Terror - Optional Rule

[TreChriron]

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B_lJhbSwBglnWVctajViTkgyaU0&usp=sharing


Here is my take on Fear (called Ambient Fear) and Terror. This is version 1 (rough draft).


Let me know what you think! Again, I am play-testing this, but more people involved will make a more solid option!

 

[Redthistle]

I can see possibly using Ambient Fear in stages as the PCs advance in level, starting with Ambient Fear levels 1 - 2 for 1st-level PCs, adding AF level 3 for 5th level PCs, AF 4 at PC level 9 ... and then there's a problem (maybe just a typo):

The description states that there are 5 levels of Ambient Fear with level 4(?) being the most fearsome, with no explanation for AF 5. What's the 5th level then; the moment when your PC starts telling itself, "It's only a game. It's only a game. It's only a game ..."?

Assuming the text should read that level 5 AF is the most fearsome, I'd bring that into the campaign when the PCs reach level 13. I like the idea of scaling up the ambience over time.

As to Terror ... wow. [That's lower case and without an exclamation point because it took my breath away.] I like to think of myself as a relatively kind-hearted DM, never having gone past killing more than half of an adventuring party in any one adventure.

Dead of a heart attack after failing the saving throw against Terror by 5 or more and then failing the following Constitution saving throw? In a game where weapon damage in any given combat can kill a PC as a normal part of play, this shouldn't have such a visceral affect on me (it's still just a game, after all) but it does.

If I should choose to use this option in a campaign (and, oh-my-oh-my, does my lizard-backbrain want to) I would start it all by having the players create a stable of PCs as a pre-campaign bit of foreshadowing that they need to buckle their seat belts: it's going to be a Bette Davis kind of ride.

Thanks, TreChriron.

R.

 

[TreChriron]

Yeah, I think level 5 is most fearsome. I max out DCs at 30. With the double save on Terror, wouldn't that only happen once in a great while? I mean if you have a game that features some horror elements (like mine does), do you feel it's a playable rule?

 

[Redthistle]

Yeah, I think level 5 is most fearsome. I max out DCs at 30. With the double save on Terror, wouldn't that only happen once in a great while? I mean if you have a game that features some horror elements (like mine does), do you feel it's a playable rule?

Any player who has had two bad rolls (or more) in a row knows it can happen more often than they like. A DC of 30 requires that the PC's roll of the d20 + Proficiency Bonus + Ability Modifier is going to need be very high. It may even be out of reach for a PC, but hey, the PC at least has a chance of a 20 on the die roll.

It's absolutely playable. There may need to be some consideration made in regard to how this relates to Death saving throws, but the RAW already state that massive damage may immediately kill a character without redress to any Death saves.

I kind of wish your proposed option had been around back in the 80s when I first took some players into Castle Ravenloft.

 

[TreChriron]

...

I kind of wish your proposed option had been around back in the 80s when I first took some players into Castle Ravenloft.

Thanks Redthistle!

I am going to update the fear so there's two different types. One "ambient" and one "present". I think they should operate a tad differently and will help clear up any confusion. There was some confusion at my table last night, so I want to make it clearer.

Also, I would not normally have a Terror Level 3 or Fear Level 5 creature in a 3rd level game (as an example). You have to adjust the rules to the tier of play you are in. The idea here (the same with the Injury rules I introduced) is to bring an effect from the game mechanics into play. So there's something tangible to the idea of fear and terror. Otherwise, it's just a description and it may not have the impact you want.

This was all too apparent at the game yesterday. Someone's phone ringer was set to some weird wooshing sound. It went off and made the player next to him jump in her seat. It warmed my heart.

They were on edge. They were talking fast. They were scared! I really liked how a simple mechanic brought all that emotional response to the game. They were sucked in and getting into it and it was just groovy awesome fun.

 

[TreChriron]

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B_lJhbSwBglnWVctajViTkgyaU0&usp=sharing

Version 2 is ready for your perusal, comments, suggestions and otherwise.

 

[Redthistle]

It took awhile before I had a chance to study Version 2.

Very well done, Sirrah! It will be some months before I'm able to use this in my group (we're still in a campaign being run by another DM). I will let you know when I'm at the helm again how this is greeted by the other players.