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Looking to Scare the $#!+ Out of My Players
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<blockquote data-quote="William_2" data-source="post: 2579826" data-attributes="member: 13925"><p>I’ve posted this same argument before, and recently, so it feels kind of lame even to me. However, I really believe it, so:</p><p>For me, the foundation that allows all other methods of creating fear to work in an RPG is one of verisimilitude. Tell the players out of game that, whatever your normal practice, they are now playing a game where opponents of all power levels are placed where you feel they belong in the world, with no regard for the level/other power measure of the characters. </p><p>With that base, the techniques you mention, along with others, should work fine. With the safety net of conventional RPGing, that is “if I’ve encountered it, that must mean I can kill it” all or mostly in use, the characters may be frightened, but the players will have more difficulty throwing themselves into it.</p><p></p><p>I’m sure it can be argued that really good role-players can work with the net, and still act frightened, or even feel a bit frightened. I think for a lot of us, the net needs to come out, though. Without it, it is easier to feel anxious, and the DM can work with that to get some fear going.</p><p></p><p>Best of luck! I think it is tough to do. The group has to go along with it, for one thing. Make sure you get everyone to agree to suspend all out-of-game talk and keep it quiet during the session, I suggest. If every horror-drenched tableau is broken up by screams from the kitchen about “Where’s the Mountain Dew?!”, I think it is an uphill climb to create fear.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="William_2, post: 2579826, member: 13925"] I’ve posted this same argument before, and recently, so it feels kind of lame even to me. However, I really believe it, so: For me, the foundation that allows all other methods of creating fear to work in an RPG is one of verisimilitude. Tell the players out of game that, whatever your normal practice, they are now playing a game where opponents of all power levels are placed where you feel they belong in the world, with no regard for the level/other power measure of the characters. With that base, the techniques you mention, along with others, should work fine. With the safety net of conventional RPGing, that is “if I’ve encountered it, that must mean I can kill it” all or mostly in use, the characters may be frightened, but the players will have more difficulty throwing themselves into it. I’m sure it can be argued that really good role-players can work with the net, and still act frightened, or even feel a bit frightened. I think for a lot of us, the net needs to come out, though. Without it, it is easier to feel anxious, and the DM can work with that to get some fear going. Best of luck! I think it is tough to do. The group has to go along with it, for one thing. Make sure you get everyone to agree to suspend all out-of-game talk and keep it quiet during the session, I suggest. If every horror-drenched tableau is broken up by screams from the kitchen about “Where’s the Mountain Dew?!”, I think it is an uphill climb to create fear. [/QUOTE]
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