How do you scare your PCs?

[shilsen]

Things that they (a) can't immediately identify and (b) aren't sure how to deal with. A big tough monster is still straightforward - the PCs fight it and win or lose. But a situation where the PCs aren't sure what they're facing and even more importantly, can't deal with it by charging in with fireballs blazing is always a difficult proposition.

There was a great thread started here a few weeks ago on creepy situations which is a good case in point.

 

[VirgilCaine]

Things that they (a) can't immediately identify and (b) aren't sure how to deal with. A big tough monster is still straightforward - the PCs fight it and win or lose. But a situation where the PCs aren't sure what they're facing and even more importantly, can't deal with it by charging in with fireballs blazing is always a difficult proposition.

There was a great thread started here a few weeks ago on creepy situations which is a good case in point.

What about charging in with Acid Arrows blazing? What if that will work?



I like the puppy thing above. *Yoink*

 

[D-rock]

Come to the session wearing all black - black shirt, black jeans, black shoes, black coat/jacket, black hat, black glasses, black socks, black pants (to be sure). As you take off the coat/jacket they see your button. It's the brightest yellow, has a smiley face on it and the words "I am so evil". That will put the fear of DM into them!

I think it would work better without the words "I am so evil". Just seems more creapy with a plain smiley face. They will wonder what the big yellow blob on you is for.

 

[D-rock]

Don't forget sock-puppets and clowns. We all know how irreparably evil they all are.

 

[Gruns]

Nothing.

PCs were waiting for/tracking down someone in an inn. There were four identical statues in the corners of the tavern part of the inn. The PC's checked them out. I had them roll. The mage rolled a natural 20. "You are convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that these statues are unnatural."
It was pretty funny for the next 15 minutes as the PCs plotted and planned on what to do. They didn't want to blow their cover by casting a Detect Magic in the inn. They were going to step outside, cast Detect Magic, and maintain concentration as the re-entered, but they figured that would be too suspicious, too. So they pondered. And pondered... And pondered. . .
Of course, there was nothing special about the statues at all. Pretty amusing for me, though.

Gruns

 

[Dracomeander]

The time I had my players the most scared, I did it with a doddering, old beggar.

The PCs had been generous to the beggar in town so the beggar started following them around. In town, the PCs just thought of the old guy as a nuisance, but when he followed them into the dungeon attracting attention with his loud, rambling self-monologues, they started trying to drive him away.
At first they tried scaring him. When that didn't work, they tried losing him while he was in a drunken stupor. No luck there either, he just caught up with them again as they had had to backtrack several times. Then they tried brow-beating. Nothing they could think of could separate them from the old man for any significant length of time.
Finally they just pushed deeper into the dungeon at as fast a pace as they could. They knew the old guy was following them but figured they could finish with the place and let the old guy follow them out before he tottered into something too nasty to save him from. So they pushed on and ran into a huge adamantine door that was beyond their ability to open. As they were giving up and turning to leave, the old guy came tottering down the hall. The old guy asked the group for some more beer, and one of the PCs tells him that he drank them dry but that there was probably more beer behind that door.
The old guy staggered up to the door and tried to open it. As the Pcs were leaving, they heard the old guy in the middle of his ramblings command in a powerful voice "AGE." They turned around and saw the door oxidize and crumble to dust in the space of a few rounds.

The doubletakes the players did at that wasn't nearly as great as the groans that immediately went around the table as they realized how they had been treating the old guy in the dungeon.

 

[palleomortis]

Ok, but no. Seriously. I really want to scare them in the game. Does the sock pupets thing really work? I think one of the is afraid of elmo, at least. *evil Cackle*

 

[Wraith Form]

Don't forget sock-puppets and clowns. We all know how irreparably evil they all are.

And mimes.

How could you forget the mimes?!? (shudder)



....( runs away howling and clutching head in agony )

 

[Keeper of Secrets]

Scaring my players, eh . . .? Well you could show up naked and covered in Crisco . . .

Actually, the ability to strike fear into players is not an easy task at all. I mean you really have to speak with some intensity. Though one thing that could really frighten them is isolating their character in a dangerous situation. With nobody else available to help, then it could get a little spooky for them.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

I think it would work better without the words "I am so evil".

Have them in cute letters and many colors, like the signs of childrens lemonade stands.

Torture

I scared a DM when I was player with that. He kept calling for less roleplaying on my part.

And mimes.

Oh yes, they're evil incarnate. They should all be shot. But use a silencer.

Scaring my players, eh . . .? Well you could show up naked and covered in Crisco . . .

Speaking from experience?

I mean you really have to speak with some intensity.

Or speak in a light tone, describing some idyllic place. When you think they are at peace, start yelling.