Horror

Thinking Critically: A D&D Discussion

This episode I'm joined by the GM of the Negative Modifier podcast, Charley, to discuss horror in our TTRGPs. Horror is variable and subjective, and so has unique challenges when attempting to introduce it into your setting. The first being the age old problem of having to play with other people! As everyone is different, it's impossible to know what another player might find uncomfortable, and even with a Session Zero it's challenging to appreciate the sensitivities of others. Juggling these issues can make introducing horror a terrifying experience (both literally and as a pun). The key, as with many things in D&D, is foreshadowing. Not only does this neatly sidestep the cheapness of things like jump scares, it also clearly informs the players of the theme of a setting or scene. An additional, tertiary benefit, is that it builds in an atmosphere of unease; if you can get the players scared of literally nothing, then you're doing your job well. Ultimately, D&D is probably not the best placed for a horror TTRGP, as the hero fantasy can undermine any vulnerability you might be trying to convey.

• 01:44 - The Different Types of Horror
• 11:31 - Different Strokes
• 28:02 - Self-Sustaining Emotion Machine
• 35:32 - Marrying Horror with TTRPG Nuance
• 49:43 - Baked In Horror Mechanics

Find Charley on the Negative Modifier podcast:

• LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/negativemodifier
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/NegModPod
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/negativemodifier
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8Lj4y_MJ7vH1Gin91AZHPg
• Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/negativemodifierpodcast
• TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@negativemodifier

Find me on:

• Website: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThinkCritDnD
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinking_critically_dnd/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkingCriticallyDnD
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH_BSgazjwyshzo1jazHeaQ
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thinkingcritically
• Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thinkingcritically

References:

• Delta Green
• Alien by Free League Publishing
• Symbaroum by Free League Publishing

Patrons:

• Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/

Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod
Intermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeod
Outro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod