Tips For Running A Cosmic Horror Campaign In D&D

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Summary

  • D&D can be adapted for horror with books like Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft, bringing dark themes.
  • Prioritize communication by hosting a session 0 to establish boundaries and preferences.
  • Familiarize yourself with the cosmic horror genre through books, movies, and the Call of Cthulhu RPG.

Dungeons & Dragons is primarily recognized for spinning captivating yarns of fantasy and excitement, filled with intricate magical mechanics, legendary creatures, and characters like elves and dragons. Yet, not all seek this type of narrative; some may prefer a more ominous journey to frighten their participants instead.

Books like Curse of Strahd and Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft immerse players into the realm of terror, exploring the realms of despair known as the Domains of Dread, and the rulers who govern these ominous lands. These Dungeons & Dragons resources demonstrate that the game offers a thrilling platform for horror, even for subgenres such as cosmic horror.

1. Host A Session 0

The Correct Way To Begin Any Campaign

A great approach for the Dungeon Master (DM) to share their vision for the campaign type before addressing any player apprehensions or suggestions is by organizing an initial session 0 prior to starting the game. This way, players have a clear understanding of what lies ahead, and the DM can listen to any concerns the players might have about specific aspects they prefer not to encounter in their Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) experience.

A balance of give-and-take among all participants is essential for everyone’s satisfaction in these games, as the Dungeon Master (DM) also plays a crucial role. As a guideline, each person should prepare a list of elements they strongly dislike in a game, such as depictions of slavery or player character death. Keep in mind that every group is unique, and when engaging in a horror game with potentially sensitive content, fostering trust among all participants becomes especially important.

2. Become Familiar With The Genre

There Are Plenty Of Books, Games, And Movies

The chilling concept of cosmic horror is largely associated with author H.P. Lovecraft, even though he wasn’t its original creator. He significantly shaped this genre, earning him the title of the most impactful cosmic horror writer in history. As a result, anything that evokes feelings of the strange and eerie is often referred to as Lovecraftian. The Necronomicon, one of Lovecraft’s masterpieces, could be a valuable resource for DMs who wish to reacquaint themselves with his work or draw inspiration from it.

If books aren’t your preference, you’ll find an abundance of movies and games from recent decades that are either based on or inspired by these cosmic tales. For instance, there’s the 2018 game “Call of Cthulhu” and the 1994 film “In the Mouth of Madness.” These are merely a couple of examples showcasing the rich collection of resources at your disposal.

3. Check Out The Call Of Cthulhu Tabletop

There Is A Game Dedicated To The Famed Cosmic Tale

When designing your space-themed Dungeons & Dragons escapade, it might be beneficial to explore Chaosium’s tabletop role-playing game, Call of Cthulhu, which centers around Lovecraftian themes. Notable settings like Arkham and the iconic eldritch deity, Cthulhu, are part of its rich universe.

In this scenario, a Dungeon Master (DM) might choose to structure a space-themed tabletop game in a way that provides them with a solid foundation, offering numerous pre-made adventures or story ideas to kickstart the game. However, it’s important to note that this system varies significantly from traditional games like Dungeons & Dragons, which some players may not find appealing due to its unique mechanics. Nonetheless, for those who prefer a different approach, there are still numerous cosmic creatures and story hooks available that can be tailored to fit the DM’s specific campaign.

4. Look Beyond Faerun

Setting Is An Important Factor To Consider

When designing a campaign, the choice of setting plays a crucial role, as it can significantly impact the success or failure of the game. For instance, the world of Faerun is widely recognized in D&D, largely due to its extensive array of regions and cities on this continent. These areas have been meticulously detailed with comprehensive maps and rich lore, as depicted across numerous books.

When it comes to crafting an eldritch story, it’s worth exploring settings beyond Faerun. Other realms such as the Feywild, Underdark, and Astral Sea offer distinctive landscapes and unique inhabitants that could greatly enhance your narrative. Notably, there’s also Bluetspur – a realm where cosmic horrors are born and can haunt any creature who lingers through the night. If you’re seeking fresh locales for your campaign, Bluetspur might just be the perfect fit.

5. The Characters’ Sanity Will Be Tested

Facing The Unfathomable Will Test The Players’ Willpower

In the tabletop role-playing game D&D, a sanity system is already in place. This mechanism becomes particularly useful when leading a cosmic horror game, as it challenges players to confront the unknown terrors, ultimately pushing the boundaries of their characters’ mental stability.

During adventures, players may encounter strange creatures, eerie occurrences during exploration (as seen in games like Amnesia), or read forbidden texts – all these situations could trigger this game mechanic, requiring them to roll dice to determine the extent of their character’s distress. This mechanic will play a significant role in the campaign, and DMs can expand upon it by making the player experience terrifying hallucinations of grotesque creatures or glimpses of ancient entities resurfacing based on their roll results or frequent use of sanity checks.

6. Know Thy Enemy

Among The Unknowable Should Be Tangible Threats

As a cinephile delving into the realm of cosmic horror, I must say that the eldritch abominations that lurk in the unfathomable depths of space are indeed terrifyingly alien and beyond our comprehension. However, if these entities were the sole antagonists, the narrative might feel a tad hollow.

In this genre, it’s crucial not to overlook traditional elements such as random encounters and planned combat. While this may seem unconventional for a horror campaign, it is essential to test players physically, not just mentally. After all, the true horror lies in the struggle between man and monster, a battle of wits, strength, and survival.

To keep the game engaging, Dungeon Masters should ensure they incorporate encounters involving entities like cultists who aspire to materialize their deity in our world, along with other chilling creatures that align with a cosmic narrative. Such creatures might include mind flayers, aboleths, beholders, and oblexes.

7. Provide Moments Of Calm

Players And Characters Need Breaks From The Onslaught Of Madness

Regardless of the type of game being led by the Dungeon Master (DM), it’s essential to include pauses or intermissions that enable players to restore their in-game assets and provide a mental respite from the challenges within the game world.

In horror games, it’s crucial to provide some respite for players from constant fear. Prolonged exposure to horror can make the game less enjoyable due to overwhelming feelings. To prevent this, incorporate scenes where characters can have peaceful nights, visit a tavern or two, and interact with each other. This not only strengthens their in-game relationships but also prepares both the character and player for the next challenge they might face.

8. Consider The BBEG

What Threat Or Cataclysm Is The Game Headed Toward?

Each game should have a climax, often involving the main antagonist or the most powerful adversary the character will encounter. In the realm of cosmic horror, one of the most well-known and formidable threats is the eldritch deity Cthulhu, who typically lies dormant beneath the ocean’s depths, stirred to consciousness by his devoted followers.

Choosing Cthulhu as a formidable adversary is an intriguing prospect, given his legendary status among Lovecraftian entities. Players may have customized stat sheets for this ancient deity, but other D&D monsters can serve as the main antagonist, such as the eldritch shoggoth, Astral dreadnought, or even a tarrasque if game masters believe their players are prepared for such a challenge. The final showdown could also involve preventing a catastrophe, like a cult determined to end the world so that the Old Ones can inundate it again, embodying the true essence of cosmic horror.

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2025-01-05 15:35