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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jedi_Solo" data-source="post: 3175300" data-attributes="member: 40245">Were you unfair?  It doesn't sound like it.  However, it sounslike information wasn't traveling back and forth between all parties.A shas been hinted, there are alot of different horror types so saying "horror" doesn't mean the same thing to all people (I know you said you were using Ravenloft stuff earlier - but please stay with me for a minute).Jason/Freddy is a Slasher/Dead Teenager type of horror.Buffy is action in a horror setting.Sixth Sense is drama in a horror setting.Dracula is Gothic Horror.To me a "horror game" will likely be one of the last three depending on the system.  With it being D&D it will either be Buffy or Dracula (Ravenloft).  If I'm told that it will be heavy roleplaying I would be expecting it all to be heavy in atmosphere.  When presented with the entrance to the sewers I would be thinking "sweet - tons of listen and spot checks where maybe only five really mean anything but I have no idea which five they will be" along with plenty of descriptions of screams, shadows and echoes of something moving.  I'd be the first to jump down that sewer hole.Now, the players made mistakes (Bwah? Not taking the paladin in a horror setting?  What?!) but players are also not mind readers.  Trust me on this as a player - there are times I'm staring at my DM dumbfounded trying to figure out what the heck he's talking about.  Sometimes the DM sets up a huge flashing neon sign with a great big arrow pointing the way only to find that the players are looking in the opposet direction.Or worse, seeing the sign reflected in a puddle of water and following the reflection and not the sign itself. ("The symbol is linked to the town blacksmith?  Obviously the blacksmith is behind whatever plot this vile creature is part of.  We'll take care of the mastermind after we dispatch this loathsome beast!")Sometimes, as a player, I need to be slapped upside the head and shown the actul sign.  Looking at this situation with perfect 20/20 vision (hindsight perscription) as a player I wouldn't mind the following:Have the sheriff type character not say 'ask me if you want' but directly offer advice if the players don't ask. "Hey, I recognise that symbol, I think Bob the Creepy Blacksmith has that behind his counter.  There was this one time that..."Have the Professionals go down first and get slaughtered.  After all, the PCs are no more than hired thugs at this point, right?  Have the PCs 'instructed' to do leg work while the guard are busy being slaughtered.  At the start of the campaign I don't mind a little extra railroad track if it makes sure I know that the campaign is Ravenloft and not Buffy.Oh, look.  A cave in, how convenient.  Or if the PCs are spoiling for a fight toss a couple of Cultists (or eqivalent) in their way.  Sure, this means changing the environment for the PCs a bit, but it is also ensuring that the game continues and it is giving the players what they want (a fight) while letting the critter get away for a later combat.   Again, railroading but this is Ravenloft and not Buffy.</blockquote>

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